𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑉𝐼𝐼𝐼.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

"INTRIGUING, ISN'T IT?" Professor Lupin posed the question to his class of third years who were standing before a wardrobe that was shaking from whatever was inside of it. Caroline stood next to Harry and Dean, quite nervous for their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class with a new teacher. "Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?"

        "That's a boggart, that is." Dean spoke up, shrugging when Caroline questioned how he knew that.

       "Very good, Mr. Thomas. Now, can anybody tell me what a boggart looks like?" Professor Lupin asked. For some reason, his eyes were trained on Caroline, almost hoping for her to answer. Caroline didn't really care for the dark arts.

      "No one knows." Hermione said. She must've just showed up.

        Ron turned to Hermione, looking from her to Harry and Caroline. "When did she get here?"

      "Boggarts are shape-shifters. They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears the most. That's what makes them so—" Hermione said, and Professor Lupin was forced to look away from Caroline and to the student speaking.

      "So terrifying, yes, yes, yes." the wardrobe rattled again, and Caroline jumped a little. Dean chuckled at her.

       "You're not afraid to ride a hippogriff, but you're terrified of a boggart in a wardrobe?" he asked incredulously. Caroline ignored him.

      "Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a boggart," Professor Lupin now stood in front of the wardrobe. "Let's practice it now. Without wands, please. After me. Riddikulus!"

     The class repeated the spell. "Riddikulus!"

      "Very good. A little louder and very clear. Listen. Riddikulus!" Lupin repeated, eyeing Caroline as she jumped again from the boggart's movements.

      "Riddikulus!" the third years said again, this time much clearer.

     Professor Lupin nodded in approval. "Very good. So much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a boggart is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Let me explain. Uh, Neville. Will you join me, please?" everyone turned to Neville, seeing his terrified face. Caroline patted his shoulder, urging him forward.

      "It's okay, Neville." she whispered to him, smiling softly.

     Lupin smiled at the sight. She looked so much like Dee. Professor Lupin rid the thoughts from his head. "Come on, don't be shy. Come on. Come on," Neville finally stepped forward. "Hello. Neville, what frightens you most of all?"

     Neville mumbled an answer, but no one could hear him. "Sorry?"

      "Professor Snape." Neville said louder, causing the group of students, Caroline included to laugh.

      "Professor Snape. Yes, frightens all. And I believe you live with your grandmother." Professor Lupin chuckled.

     "Y-Yes, but I don't want that boggart to turn into her, either." Neville said, making everyone laugh again.

      "No. It won't. I want you to picture her clothes–only her clothes–very clearly, in your mind." Professor Lupin instructed.

      "She carries a red handbag..." Neville, started, but Professor Lupin shook his head.