#Chapter 44

*Rose's POV*

After Potions we had lunch, then it was Defence Against The Dark Arts.

The Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin, wasn't there when I had arrived to the classroom.

We all sat down and took out our books, quills and Parchment. I was playing with my quill when Professor Lupin finally entered the room.

He just smiled at us and placed his very old looking briefcase on the teacher's desk.

My mind went back to the day I had first seen him, why did he look so familiar?

"Good Afternoon," He said,"Would you please put all you books in your bags, today will be a practical lesson, you will only need your wands"

I put everything into my bag, very confused. Why were we having a practical lesson on the first day if we had never had experienced a pratical lesson in Defence Against The Dark Arts before

"Right then," Professor Lupin said when all of us were ready,"Please follow me."

I was really puzzled, but interested to where we were going.

Professor Lupin led us through a deserted corridor and around the corner.

The first thing I saw was Peeves. He was upside down in the air, stuffing chewing gum in the key hole.

That was disgusting.

Peeves didn't notice us till Professor Lupin was only two feet away.

When Peeves noticed him, he started singing,"Loony Loopy Lupin, Loony Loopy Lupin, Loony Loopy Lupin."

I covered my ears. Man, he was terrible at singing. Someone had to take him to the singing classes along with The Sorting Hat.

I quickly looked and Professor Lupin to see how he would react many teachers would have already shouted at Peeves, but to my surprise, Lupin was still smiling.

"I would take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves," Professor Lupin said pleasantly,"Mr Flich won't be able to get his broom."

I face palmed myself, I think that was the whole point to why Peeves put gum in the keyhole.

Peeves did not pay attention to what Lupin said. All he did was blow a loud, wet raspberry.

Ew.

Professor Lupin sighed and took out his wand,"This is a useful little spell." He told us looking behind his shoulder,"Please watch carefully."

Lupin raised his wand to his shoulder height and said,"WaddyWazzy" and pointed his wand at Peeves.

Waddy what? I had never heard of that spell, either way, the spell had a very weird incantation.

The gum shot out of the keyhole and down Peeves' left nostril. Peeves went the right way up and flew away, cursing.

"Cool, sir,"A Gryffindor, Dean Thomas, said in amazement.

"Thank you, Dean,"Professor Lupin said putting his wand away.

Wait, how did Lupin know Dean's name? I kept quite about it, however, as no questioned to how he knew.

"Shall we proceed?" Professor Lupin asked/said. I wasn't really sure if you was asking us or not, but either way, I nodded.

We set of once again. Lupin led us through a second corridor, and we stopped out side of the staff room door.

"Inside please," Professor Lupin said opening the door for us and standing back.

We all went inside.

The staff took was empty, all except for one teacher, Sev.

He turned to look at us as well walked in, his eyes glittering.

When Professor Lupin came in and was about to close the door Sev said,"Leave it open Lupin, I would rather not stay and witness this."

Sev stood up and strode past us giving a small nod, one that I only could see.

Sev stopped when he was at the Doorway,"Possibly no one has warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom, I would advise you not to trust him with anything difficult, not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."

Neville went red.

What, but how did Sev know? I was closer to them in Potions, but still didn't know that Hermione was helping Neville. Sev was farther but somehow knew. Sometimes he gave me the creeps.

Professor Lupin raised an eyebrow,"I was hoping Neville could be the first one to start the first stage of the operation."

Operation? Were the Healers joining us in this class?

"I am sure he will do it wonderfully," Lupin carried on.

Neville went even redder.

Sev then left.

"Now then," said Professor Lupin, Beckoning us to the end of the room where there nothing except for a old wadrobe.

As Professor Lupin went to stand next to it the wadrobe gave a sudden wobble, banging off te wall.

"Nothing to worry about," said Professor Lupin calmly,"There is a boggart in there."

A boggart... I had read about it somewhere before....

"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces," said Professor Lupin,"Wadrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks, I once met one that had locked itself in a Grandfather clock. This one moved yesterday afternoon and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it so I can give my third years some practice."

A boggart.... Oh yes!

"So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, What is a Boggart?"

Hermione, who had appeared out of no where, and I raised our hands up at the same time.

Lupin nodded in my direction to indicate that I should answer the question.

"It is a shape shifter, it can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frightens us the most," I said.

"Couldn't have put it better myself," replied Professor Lupin.

"So the Boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form, it does not yet know what the person is scared of on the other side of the door. No body knows what a Boggart looks like when he is alone. But when I let him out, he will he will immediately become what each of us most fears."

"This means," said Professor Lupin"That we have a huge advantage over the boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?"

There was no reply. Hermione, who was standing next to him, was jumping up and down with her hand raised up.

I covered my mouth with my hands to stop the laughter from coming out.

"Um,"He finally said",Because they are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be."

"Precisely," said Professor Lupin and Hermione put her hand down looking a little disappointed

"It is always best to have company when you are dealing with a Boggart. He becomes confused, which should he become? The headles corps or a flesh-eating slug? I once saw a Boggart make that very mistake, trying to frighten two people at once and turned himself into half a slug, not promotly frightening," he continued.

"The charm that repells a Boggart is simple, yet it requires false of mind.You see, what really finnishes a Boggart, is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing We will practice the charms without wands first. After me please,'Riddikulus!'"

"Riddikulus," I repeated.

Behing me I heard Draco say,"This class is Riddikulus."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Good, very good," said Professor Lupin,"That was the easy part, I am afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough, and this is where you come in, Neville."

The wadrobe shook again. Neville walked forward.

"Right Neville,"said Professor Lupin,"First things first, What would you say the thing that frightens you most in the world is?"

Neville's lips moved but no noise came out.

"Didn't catch that Neville, sorry," said Professor Lupin cheerfully.

Neville looked aound wildly. Soon he said, in barely more than a whisper,"Professor Snape."

I chuckled.

Professor Lupin looked thoughtful,"Professor Snape, hmm. Neville, I belive you live with your grandmother."

"Er, yes," replied Neville nervously,"But I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."

"No, no, you misunderstood me," said Professor Lupin now smiling,"I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes you grandmother usually wears?"

Neville gave a descripition of how his Grandmother wore.

"Right then,"said Professor Lupin once Neville was done",Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"

"Yes," Neville replied uncertianly.

"When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape and you will raise your wandand cry 'Riddikulus' and concentrate hard on you grandmother's clothes. If all goes well Professor Boggart Snape will be forced to wear the clothed you Grandmother wears."

I laughed out oud. The wardrobe shook, once again, violently.

"If Neville is successful, The boggartis likely to turn his attention to each and every one of us in turn. I would like you take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you the most and imagine to how you might force it to look comical," said Professor Lupin

What did I fear most of..?

The dark?

Snakes?

The fear of being ignored?

I wasn't sure.

"Everyone ready?" asked Professor Lupin. Before I could even say no, we were told to back away so Neville could start.

When the wardrobe burst open, a boggart that looked like Sev came out. It was like Sev had a twin.

When Neville said,"Riddikulus," the Boggart Sev all of a sudden wore the closthes of Neville's grandmother.

I burst into laughter.

The Boggart paused, confused and Professor Lupin shouted"Rose, forward!"

I widened my eyes, I wasn't ready.

I was pushed forward by Hermione.

The Boggart stared at me, my mind was blank.

I started to imagine what makes me happy, while waiting for the boggart to turn into what I feared.

The first thought that came into my mind was a black dog that was chasing its tale, I smiled at that thought.

To my suprise, that is what the Boggart turned into.

"Aw," I said and then turned to Professor Lupin,"Isn't that dog cute?"

"Yes, Indeed it is," said Professor Lupin who was deep in a thought. He then shook his head and then told me,"Please stay back after class."

I nodded and went to the back of the class where everyone else stood.

Everyone took their turns. But when it came to Harry, Lupin shouted,"No!" and went in front of him.

The Boggart had turned into a moon and then Lupin had said,"Riddikulus," cause the moon to turn in a balloon.

Why did Lupin's Boggart turn into a moon?

*

After class, I went to Lupin.

"How come your Boggart didn't turn into what you feared the most?" He asked.

I shrugged,"I didn't know what I was scared of..."

Lupin then smiled,"Only the most powerful witches are able to do so, it only comes from birth. Infact, one of my best friends was able to do what you are able to do."

I beamed at him, I was a powerful witch!