between us

chapter four

harry arrived at professor lupins class and there was a tall wardrobe that was rattling violently

"Intriguing, yes? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?" lupin asked

Seamus whispered "that's a boggart, that is"

"Very good, mr finnigan. Can anyone tell us what a boggart looks like?"

"No one knows." Hermione said as she appeared out of nowhere. Ron jumped and looked at harry "when'd she get here?"

"Boggarts are shape-shifters. They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears the most. That's what makes it so-"

"Terrifying." professor lupin finished

"Yes. Luckily , a very simple charm exists to repel a boggart. Let's practice it now , shall we? Without wands please... riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" The class yelled

"It's this class that's ridiculous" draco muttered under his breath

harry heard him and turned looking at draco realizing that the boy who comforted the night before was gone and he was back to being the same old draco malfoy.

"Good. So much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a boggart off is .. laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Neville , come up here, will you?" said professor lupin

Neville's eyed the wardrobe that was rattling and he stepped forward

"What would you say is the thing that frightens you most?"

"Profter... snafpt..."

"didn't catch that, Neville, sorry."

"Professor Snape."

everyone bursted out laughing while professor lupin nodded his head

"Hmm... yes. Neville I believe you live with your grandmother?"

"Yes, but I don't want the boggart to turn Into her either"

"It wont. But I want you to you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, very clearly in your mind. Can you do that?"

Neville closed his eyes tightly "she carrys a red handbag"

"That's fine. We don't need to hear it. If you see it, we will. Now, when I open this wardrobe, Neville here's what I want you to do"

remus got close to Neville and whispered something in his ear. Neville's eyes popped open in shock. Harry wondered what professor lupin told him

"You can do this Neville"

Neville nodded and took a deep breath

"Right then. Wand at the ready
One. Two. Three!"

spark jets flied out of lupins wand and they hit the doorknob , the wardrobe bursted open and Snape appeared his eyes eyeing Neville as he stalked forward

Neville backed away in fright

"Think , Neville. Think!"

"R-r-riddikulus!"

CRACK! Snape stumbled in a flash of light and then reappeared ... in a long , lace trimmed dress , towering moth-eaten hat , and crimson handbag.

The class instantly bursted out laughing except for Draco and his fellow Slytherins

Neville blinked in amazement and he slowly grinned at himself. As a scratchy rhumba filled the room , he pointed to Ron

"Ron! Forward!"