Chapter 188 - Boggart (2/2)
”The charm that repels a boggart is simple and yet it requires the force of the mind. The fatal blow to a boggart is laughter. What we need to do is fore the boggart to assume a shape that one would find amusing.
Now we will all practice the charm without wands first. After me please, Riddikulus!”
Everyone in unison shouted, ”Riddikulus!”
”Well done,” Professor Pollen said. ”Now that was the easy part, we shall move on to the harder part. A volunteer please?”
Instantly hands go up until Professor Pollen says, ”Miss Fawley, if you would please come stand with me next to the wardrobe.” Bethanie pales slightly but confidently strides forth to stand next to Professor Pollen as the wardrobe shakes again.
”Now Miss Fawley, what would you say that frightens you the most in the world?” Professor Pollen kindly asked.
Bethanie shivers and quietly says, ”My mother, Professor.” Most of the class scoffs, while those that knew Bethanie remained silent.
”Your mother?” Professor Pollen said somewhat puzzled. ”Well, if that is the case what is something that makes you laugh?”
”I find puffskeins funny,” Bethanie nervously said.
”Yes, they quite are with all the fur, big eyes, and tongue,” Professor Pollen chuckled causing Bethanie to faintly smile. ”Now can you picture that puffskein in your mind, Miss Fawley?”
”Mm,” Bethanie muttered.
”Excellent,” Professor Pollen said. ”Now, when that boggart emerges from the closet, I'd like for you to raise your wand and say, Riddikulus. And while you do so, imagine the puffskein. And if all goes well, the boggart of your mother will be forced to turn into a great big puffskein.” A few people choke at the image as the wardrobe wobbled more violently.
Turning towards the class, Professor Pollen says, ”Now if Miss Fawley is successful the boggart will turn to each of us in turn. I'd like for all of you to take a moment to think of the thing that scares you the most and imagine how you might make it look comical.”
Rowan is rather quiet and still. There was no way to make Professor Adric's death appear funny nor of the Basilisk. Never mind her own personal fears of failure and allowing Severus to die again. To be honest, there are some fears that simply can't be made funny. And unfortunately, those were all of her own.
Knowing that she was about to get detention for sure and a dock of points, Rowan says, ”I won't do it.”
”Excuse me?” Professor Pollen said as everyone in the class stared at her in astonishment and in some cases with glee.
”I said that I won't do it,” Rowan boldly declared again.
”It is required that you participate, Miss Prince,” Professor Pollen said with a frown. She'd heard good things from the other professors about the Prince twins and that they were hardly any trouble at all. But it would seem that wasn't the case after all.
”I will not do it,” Rowan rather determined declared.
”You realize that if you do not do as you are instructed, Miss Prince,” Professor Pollen sternly warned. ”You will be given three weeks' worth of detention and a loss of ten points, which your fellow classmate just earned.”
”I am aware, but I still will not participate,” Rowan stated for the last time.
”Very well, Miss Prince, three weeks' worth of detention with Caretaker Filch and ten points from Slytherin! Now back to the classroom with you, Miss Prince. And stay there until we return,” Professor Pollen said to the shock of Severus and her friends, while others looked on with positively malicious glee. By dinner, the rumors would be all over the school on how Rowan Prince was too scared to face down a boggart.