Chapter 50 - One who fears himself (2/2)
They wanted to have a good teacher with more practical skills which made Dumbledore bring Lupin to Hogwarts despite knowing that he's a werewolf. The hall was empty except a Wardrobe at the end.
Lupin then said, ”so, inside that Wardrobe, lies a Boggart. Anyone know what is a Boggart?”. Hermoine's hand shot up in the air and said, ”it's a shapeshifter. It takes the shape of whatever frightens us the most”.
As Lupin nodded, ”good”, Neal said, ”Professor, it isn't just a simple shape-shifter. It's an amortal just like a dementor. It can only be captured, not killed. Although it can't harm us physically”. Lupin smiled, ”excellent, Mr. Slytherin. Five points to Slytherin. I heard that you have unlimited access to the restricted section. I bet you have learned from it”.
As Neal nodded, he continued, ”So the boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet ȧssumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door.
Nobody knows what a boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us. You see, the thing that really finishes a boggart is laughter.
While repelling it with a charm, you should think strongly about what you would find amusing, then as the spell hits it, the boggart will change into one thing which will make you laugh. Ok, Neville, how about you go first”.
As Neville stepped forward nervously, Lupin asked, ”so, what is the thing that you fear the most?”. Neville replied, ”Professor Snape”. Everyone broke out in laughter. Lupin then said, ”calm down and think of your grandma's clothes for a second and imagine Professor Snape in them”. As he chuckled, Lupin slapped his back, ”now, step forward”.
Lupin pointed his wand to the Wardrobe and unlocked it. Just then, Professor Snape stepped out of it which he changed the clothes into his grandma's with the ”Riddikulus” spell.
One by one everyone formed a line. As Daphne stepped forward, the boggart shifted into a Zombie stepped forward slowly, She cried, ”Riddikulus”. It fell on its face making her laugh. While everyone thought it was a zombie, a frown appeared on Neal's face while he thought, ”that's not a zombie, that's an Inferius. How was she able to even witnessed it?”.
After that, Tracey stepped forward, the boggart then changed into a giant snake which she turned into a toy snake. After her, Draco stepped forward with his bandaged hand. The boggart then changed into Lucius Malfoy sternly looking at him making his face pale in fear.
He pointed the wand at him and shouted, ”Riddikulus”, he changed into Ron with all mud on his body making everyone laugh and made Ron's face red in anger. But then, Harry whispered, ”Hey, it's Neal's turn”. Everyone behind in the line moved a little bit to see what is the thing that Perfect student, Neal fears, Ron also looked curiously forgetting his earlier humiliation.
As Neal stepped forward and stood before it, the boggart changed into himself wearing a dark robe with a snake on his left arm which opened its mouth and showed its fangs in a threatening manner.
As the dark Neal smiled evilly at the students with certain cruelty in his eyes that everyone can see it, and waving his Basilisk wand, Neal immediately shouted, ”Riddikulus”, turning it into a toy clown.
While the students didn't understand the meaning, Lupin thought, ”So, Dumbledore is right after all. He needs to be protected not only from others but also from himself. This kid is self-aware of his talent and power, therefore, he was afraid that he'll go into the path of evil and become the next Dark Lord”.
Later, they continued with Hermoine, when she stepped forward, it changed into Professor McGonagall saying she's expelled and then Ron drew the spider and Harry drew the dementor. As Harry was stupified there, Lupin rushed and stood in front of him and changed into a moon and cloud which he put back inside the Wardrobe.