Teddy stepped forward to face the Boggart. The creature that had taken the appearance of a rather large scorpion for the last child now turned to look at him before starting to shift. It seemed to swirl between shapes and sizes before finally, very slowly, shifting into a being that appeared to be made of shadows and darkness. Two blood red eyes stared into Teddy's own amber ones. The mist took on the form of a woman, who walked towards him. Teddy stood still as the Boggart stepped up in front of him, bits of the mist that made up her hair swirling off and disappearing into nothingness, and didn't flinch as she raised her hand and pulled his chin up. She smirked.
"Congrats, Kid," she said in a low voice that sent shivers up the spines of most of the class."You win." With that, she turned around and strolled back into the closet, sending a kiss over her shoulder.
Professor Thomas looked dumbfounded, as did the rest of the class.
"W-what just happened?" he stuttered. "was that…?" Teddy nodded. Professor Thomas gulped. "Class, you have just had the honor to witness the first ever appearance of the Boggart's true form." The class gasped
"What?"
"I thought that was impossible!"
"Does that mean that you're not afraid of anything?"
Teddy looked up at this.
"No," he said in even tones. "It just means that what I fear most isn't something that can be seen by the human eye." The children looked, if possible, even more confused by this statement.
'"Spoken words." He supplied helpfully.
"But they're just words." One child said a little helplessly. Teddy gave him a sharp look.
"Words are never just words. Words are happiness, and words are sadness. Words can be a dream, or your worst nightmare, your favourite love, or your greatest fear. Words are hopeful. Words are hurtful. Words can build a person up, make their feelings soar, and then crush them. Words can inspire and motivate, words can scar. Words are everything. Words are nothing.
Words are powerful. In a sense, words are magic. What do we say when we cast spells? Words. We say those words and our voices make them happen. I guess what I'm trying to say is that words can be, and are, anything and everything that is, was, or will be. But most importantly, words are permanent. Words are forever. Once you say something, you can't take it back. You can apologize and forgive and forget, but those words will always be there, looming over you, making any situation their own. Words can convey things that you don't mean, or things that you do. Words can be less than words, words can be more than words. But no matter how much we wish it, words are never just words." With this he walked back to his seat.
The class was silent. Most of them had never heard Teddy, who, despite his bright, turquoise hair, kept to himself most of the time, string two sentences together, let alone the monologue he had just declared with such passion.
Professor Thomas sighed.
"Class dismissed."
As the children rushed out the door he leaned back in his chair, swamped with memories of his third year and the smiling, graying, man who had been his favourite professor.
"And to think he's related to Remus" Dean thought with a slight chuckle.
"I'll have to figure this kid out…"