Chapter 96: "A Defense Against the Dark Arts Class with Professor Lupin 2"

Fear is an emotion that is often painful and helps humans avoid dangerous things. However, it can also be caused by traumatic memories or physical harm from the feared thing.

Draco didn't agree with Bogut's approach to facing fear. For example, Neville was terrified of Snape, but even though Snape was disliked, he was still a teacher at Hogwarts and they could still laugh at Bogut's ridiculous appearance. Snape would at most reprimand them and deduct points, but if it were Voldemort, no matter how he changed his appearance, he would still be the Dark Lord who instilled fear just by being mentioned.

Even if one can face their fears with fake situations, it doesn't necessarily mean they can stay calm in the face of real ones. Fear can affect one's will, but it can also make them more cautious. Fear and awe are not necessarily bad things. In the case of Neville and Ron's childhood fears, using Bogut can still be effective and not cause any worries.

As Draco thought about this, he watched the students go up one by one to face the test. Their fears were varied, from vipers to giant spiders to mummies wrapped in bandages. Some of them even saw their own parents or the final examination papers from the previous semester, which caused laughter in the class. Even Lupin joked, "It seems that the exam questions from last year were a bit difficult, but this year I will give Professor Dumbledore my advice and let him control the difficulty." There was another round of applause from the podium.

"Draco, it's your turn," a tall, thin boy said to Draco with a smug smile. He had just turned a female ghost into a struggling beetle, which received applause.

"What do you think Draco fears the most?" the other students whispered to each other, curious about what Draco feared.

They soon saw that the beetle-shaped Bogut left by the previous student began to grow and float in the air. It formed a black cloak, but it looked a little tattered, with a pair of crusty palms stretching out from under it. It looked like a carrion.

"Dementor!" some students screamed, as this creature had made a strong impression on them during the train ride.

What they didn't notice was that Lupin's brows furrowed in confusion. Ordinarily, students would fear the Dementor, and he could understand that even Harry was troubled by it. But this student was an exception. He still remembered how Draco had used the Patronus Charm against the Dementor on the train. He was very puzzled and even a little curious about what this student would be afraid of. Dumbledore had said that this student may be the best in recent years.

"Uh..." Draco stared at the Bogut, which looked like a Dementor in front of him, and said slowly, "Now I see these things are not that scary." He snapped his fingers, smiled slightly, and said, "Funny." The Bogut remained in the form of a Dementor and turned into a wisp of blue smoke, blowing away in the wind.

The students below were silent for a moment before breaking out into thunderous applause. Unlike other students, Draco didn't change the Bogut into another form and defeat it.

Lupin concluded the class and dismissed the students.

As they were leaving, Pansy couldn't help but ask Draco again, "What did you say to Professor Lupin?"

Draco raised his eyebrows. It was strange that Pansy's observation skills had improved so much, but he didn't answer her directly. He just said, "I just wanted to ask him what he fears the most. Aren't you curious?"

"Really?" Pansy looked suspiciously at Lupin on the stage, frowning slightly. Then she raised her hand.

"Do you have any questions, classmate?" Lupin asked with a smile. He had quickly regained control of his emotions.

"Professor Lupin, what would Bogut look like in front of you?" Pansy asked directly.

"This question is very straightforward, but I'm sorry I cannot answer it. As a teacher, I should retain some dignity in front of my students. I will definitely tell you when I leave my job," Lupin directly rejected the question, disappointing many students. He then half-jokingly added, "If some people give me gifts in the form of pranks, I will definitely be frightened."

"Since Bogut has now been wiped out, you can now read the chapter on Bogut for yourself and hand in an abstract on Tuesday as homework," Lupin concluded the class and dismissed the students.

"The formal content of this class is over. Let's study the rest of the time," Lu Ping declared, smoothly ending the class.

"His expression was different when I asked him just now compared to when you asked him," Pansy whispered, unconvinced.

"After I asked him, he must have been mentally prepared. It's strange that he would react when you asked again," Draco explained.

"It's the same old, perfunctory response," Pansy grimaced at Draco before turning her head to read, looking angry once more.

A while later, the bell rang signaling the end of class and Pansy and Draco began to gather their books and prepare to leave the classroom. As Draco was about to step out of the room, Pansy's soft voice came from behind him.

"Thank you."

"Thank you for what?"

"You blew up Bogut."

"That was just because I didn't control my strength."

"You're lying to the ghost," Pansy said, staring at Draco "viciously."

Draco shook his head helplessly.