The Family Name: Third Year

By Elbereth in April

Chapter 4

Friday they had their first DADA class. "Looking as shabby as ever," Draco whispered to Goyle with a sneer when Prof. Lupin entered.

Lupin stood at the front of the room and smiled genially at them. "Good morning. Today we're having a practical lesson. You'll only need your wands." He pointed to an old wardrobe that he'd moved into the corner of the room. It was wobbling alarmingly. "There's a boggart in there."

Artemis noted the students didn't like this announcement. They watched with trepidation as Lupin walked over to it. "Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces--wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, cupboards under sinks. Could someone tell me what a boggart is?"

Zabini and all four girls raised their hands. Draco knew, too, but he didn't feel like cooperating.

"Yes, Eva, isn't it?"

She nodded. "It changes its appearance. It becomes what we fear the most."

"Very good. It's a shape shifter. So the boggart in there has not yet assumed a form. He doesn't know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. But as soon as I let him out, he'll become whatever each of us most fears. That means we have a huge advantage right at the start. Have you spotted it? Artemis?"

"With a group of people, it won't know what form to assume, as we all fear different things."

"Exactly! It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a boggart. He becomes confused. Now then, the charm that repels a boggart is simple, but it requires force of mind. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape you find amusing, because what really finishes a boggart is laughter. We'll practice the charm without wands first. Repeat after me, please. . . Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!"

"Good. But that was the easy part. The word alone is not enough. Come up here, Blaise. I'll need your assistance."

Zabini shot a nervous look over at Artemis, then reluctantly went to stand by the professor. "What?"

"First thing's first. What would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?"

Blaise shivered. "Guns," he replied. "I saw a picture in Crabbe's Muggle Studies book--they can shoot a hole right through you. I've had nightmares about them."

Crabbe looked dismayed. "Oh, sorry."

The class laughed a bit nervously. Zabini waved it away.

"Ah. What's your favorite flower?"

"I'm a guy. The only two flowers I even know are roses and tulips. Oh, and daisies."

"What about pansies?" Parkinson demanded.

Lupin and Zabini smiled at her. Then Lupin turned back to Blaise. "When the boggart bursts out of this wardrobe and sees you, it will take on the form of a gun. And you will raise your wand and say 'Riddikulus' and concentrate hard on a daisy. If all goes well, when the gun fires, it won't be a bullet, but a daisy that will appear."

Zabini frowned, thinking about this. Then he nodded.

"If Blaise is successful, the boggart will shift his attention to each of us in turn," the professor continued. "Take a minute now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical."

The room went silent as everyone thought hard. Artemis was having trouble figuring out what would make him afraid. A gold shortage? He looked around the room. Eva appeared determined, Millicent very worried, and Malfoy. . . Malfoy's jaw was clenched and his eyes were dark. Artemis knew why because he didn't like the idea, either. Lupin was asking them to reveal their deepest, innermost fears to everyone in the class. To reveal their vulnerabilities. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he was convinced the man was crazy. There was no way he was doing that!

He wondered if Malfoy would. He wondered if Malfoy's greatest fear was Lucius.

"Everyone ready?" Prof. Lupin interrupted. "Blaise, we're going to back away and let you have a clear field. Then I'll call the next person forward."

They all backed up and left Zabini beside the wardrobe, frantically muttering, "Daisies, daisies. . ."

Lupin pointed his wand at the wardrobe door. "On the count of 3. . . 1--2--3--now!"

It worked just as he'd said. The door opened, a huge gun appeared before Blaise. The hammer cocked, but when it fired, only a flower came out of the barrel. The boggart hovered there, confused. "Next!" Lupin ordered. "Marie, forward!"

Chevalier turned out to be afraid of kappas, and Millicent of clowns. Each gave their cry of "Riddikulus!" and the boggart changed. Draco and Artemis had drifted to the back of the line, where they eyed each other.

Crabbe, interestingly enough, was afraid of shadowy men in dark robes. He cracked his wand and the lead man stepped forward and flung open his robes, to reveal he was wearing a pink tutu underneath. The class all burst out laughing at this. Pansy was afraid of being old and ugly, Goyle was afraid of the killing curse, and Eva was afraid of being burned alive.

At that point, Artemis realized that Malfoy had slipped out the door, leaving him alone at the back of the classroom with everyone staring at him expectantly.

"Forget it," he said coldly, haughtily. "I'm not letting strangers learn of a potential weakness."

"I'm your teacher," Lupin protested in surprise. "I won't be using anything against you."

The boggart, which had shrunk in on itself weakly, seemed to be growing again. It drifted over to Lupin, and changed into a silvery white orb. Lupin frowned at it, annoyed. "Riddikulus!"

With a crack, the boggart landed on the floor as a cockroach. Lupin looked back up to where Artemis had been, but he was gone. The professor sighed. "Draco's missing as well, isn't he?"

"You did ask them to go against the whole principle of what it means to be Slytherin," Pansy told him primly.

"Yeah, don't be too hard on them," Blaise agreed.

-------------------------------

Artemis found Malfoy sitting on the stairs just down the hallway. He was hunched over, staring at the floor. He looked up as Artemis approached. "You duck out, too?"

"Yes." He sat next to the other boy. They were silent for awhile.

"Think he'll give us detention?"

"Probably. We have to go back for our bags, you know."

Draco scuffed his feet against the steps. "Think he'll write our parents?"

"I doubt it. He might send us to Dumbledore."

They waited until class was over and everyone else had left the room. Then they walked back in, Artemis conveying himself with his normal superior attitude. Draco tried to do the same, even though he kept wanting to cringe away from expected punishment.

They met Lupin's eyes as they picked up their bags, and waited for him to speak. "So you don't want to share your personal lives with strangers," he said.

"With anyone, actually," Artemis replied. "But it's less politic to say so in front of them."

"Do you feel capable of defeating a boggart if you were confronted with one in real life?"

"Yes." Artemis tried to judge the man's expression.

Lupin appeared as mild-mannered as ever. "It's not good to walk out on a class--especially the first day."

"No, sir. It's not our typical behavior," Draco assured him. He was prepared to overlook Lupin's clothes as long as he was attempting to get out of trouble.

"A time may come when you have to reveal intimate details of your lives to your friends, at least. You do have friends?"

The two boys glanced at each other, then quickly looked away and back at Lupin. Draco shrugged. "A few," he muttered.

Artemis hesitated. "There are certain of my associates that are. . . closer than others."

Lupin smiled suddenly. He had noticed the glance. "I believe there's hope for you two yet. I want you to write me 7 inches on your friends and friendship."

"On. . . friendship?"

"What does that have to do with defense against the Dark Arts?"

"For one thing, friends can defend you." Lupin was still smiling, looking quite pleased.

Artemis sighed. "Fine."

Draco nodded. It was better than detention.

"One question, Professor. The dementor on the train--did you use the Patronus charm on him?"

Lupin blinked in surprise. "Yes, I did. You've heard of it?"

"I looked it up."

"Didn't anyone warn you about Fowl?" Draco smirked. "He's a genius."

"I see. . . well, the Patronus is highly advanced magic--well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It's a kind of anti-dementor, a guardian that acts as a shield between you and it. It's a kind of positive force, a projection of hope and happiness, but it can't feel despair, so dementors can't hurt it."

"Is it hard to do?"

"Very difficult. Many qualified wizards have trouble with it."

Draco came to stand next to Fowl, looking curious. "What does it look like?"

"Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it."

"It is necessary to think of a happy memory while you're casting it, correct?"

"Right--you have to concentrate with all your might. The happier the memory, the better." Lupin stopped and looked at the clock. "You boys are going to be late for your next class."

"Very well. Thank you for the information, Professor."

"You're welcome."

Out in the hallway, Artemis turned to Malfoy. "See? Lupin can perform highly advanced magic--despite his robes."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. 7 inches about friendship?"

"Point taken."

----------------------------------

Their last class was Butler's physical defense lessons. The Slytherins filed in and sat down quietly, unsure if they should be wary or excited. Most of them remembered him quite well from his visit last Christmas.

"Hello," he greeted them, standing confidently at the front of the room. "I'm Butler." He surveyed the students. "I need a volunteer. Goyle, how about you?"

Goyle climbed to his feet. This man had taken down a troll, he recalled. He tried not to look nervous.

Gregory joined Butler at the front. "Now then," Butler said, "I'm going to show you why you need these lessons. I want you to draw your wand and attempt to hex me. The rest of you, watch."

"Um, OK." Goyle moved his hand to pull his wand from his pocket. He never made it. Butler grabbed his wrist and forced his hand away. "Hey!"

"All right, I'll step back." Butler moved back five paces. "Try again."

This time Goyle managed to get the wand out, but Butler pried his hand open and took it away. "Now what do you do?"

Goyle blinked, then answered, "I'd punch you."

"Go ahead."

"Forget it, you'll win."

The class laughed nervously.

Butler smiled. "So now you see. What good is magic if you can't use it? Without your wand, you're helpless. You all need to learn to defend yourselves."

He gave Goyle his wand back and let him sit down. Then he showed them different maneuvers, then he had them clear their chairs away and try it for themselves. "First I'll have you try these out on me, and when you have them down better, I'll let you practice on each other. I'll teach you a couple new moves each lesson. We'll also talk about strategy, a bit about magical creatures, offensive defense, and weapons both wizard and Muggle."

"Sounds awesome!" Crabbe exclaimed, grinning.

"Great," Blaise whispered to Marie, "more nightmares about guns."

----------------------------------

The class was a success. In fact, physical defense and DADA rapidly became the most popular classes for the majority of students.

Artemis and Draco, however, were still leery about Prof. Lupin. They sat down that evening in the common room at a table together and stared at their respective blank parchments. "Friendship," Artemis muttered darkly after awhile.

"Don't look now, but Pucey's little sister is staring at you again," Draco smirked. He waved at the girl, who blushed and hid behind two of her dormmates.

Artemis sighed and didn't turn around. "Friendship means obligations and having to share your chocolate. What else?"

"Let's ask Pansy," Draco suggested.

They looked over to where their female friends sat on the couch closest to the fire. "We'll ask the whole group," Artemis agreed. "Girls seem to be more knowledgeable about this type of subject."

"Friendship is about caring and trust and forgiveness," Pansy responded readily and with enthusiasm.

Draco made a face. "Second opinions?"

"People who share interests, who enjoy doing things together," Millicent offered.

"People who share secrets and look out for each other," Eva said.

Marie leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Two boys who decide their truce should be an alliance, long-term."

The two boys mentioned both stared at her, wide-eyed, and then looked at each other. "No, we're rivals," Draco protested.

"Maybe you could be friends with benefits of rivalry," Millie suggested with a grin.

Artemis looked skeptical and somewhat bemused. His heart was beating a little too fast. "Surely not. . ."

"Why don't you try it!" Pansy bounced a little where she sat.

The boys eyed each other again.

Then Draco smiled. "I bet Malfoy's can be better friends than Fowl's."

"Never," Artemis returned automatically. "Fowl's make much better friends."

"I guess we'll have to try it and see."

A smile played about Artemis's mouth. He saved my life,' he thought. His heart-rate settled slowly back down. "I suppose we should."

The girls all clapped. Pansy giggled.

--------------------------------

Snape swept through the common room a little while later. "I've been talking to your friend, Butler," he told Fowl. "He seems quite sensible--for a Muggle."

Artemis raised his eyebrows. "Yes."

Draco straightened in his chair and held up his half-completed essay. "Lupin's making us write about friendship, Professor," he complained, knowing Snape would be as horrified as they had been.

Sure enough, Snape's face contorted into an expression of distaste, disdain, and malevolence aimed at the other man. "How Lupin ever became a professor, I shall never understand. He's never been any more than a tag-along and a sneak, hanging off his own despicable Gryffindor friends. Who didn't turn out to be worth much, either."

"You know his friends?"

Snape sneered. "We were in the same year at Hogwarts. I know all about Lupin."

"But he did manage a Patronus Charm," Artemis said.

"Yes. Well. I can do that, too."

"Naturally. You're the best professor in the school." Draco smiled at him, meaning it, and Snape relaxed somewhat.

After Snape swept back to his own rooms, Marcus Flint came over and leaned on their table. His eyes were full of a wicked glee. "You know why he went off on Lupin like that? It seems your Gryffindor yearmates had their DADA lesson on boggarts, too, and that Longbottom boy's worst fear is Snape. Lupin had him dress Snape up in his grandmother's dress--complete with a stuffed vulture hat and a red handbag, from what I hear. The whole class nearly wet themselves with laughing."

"Oh, I can't wait until Potions!"

Artemis shook his head. Malfoy certainly took delight in tormenting others. Still, when it was Longbottom, it was hard to blame him.

------------------------------------

Draco was leaving the castle, broom in hand, when he came face to face with Ginny Weasley, trying to come in the front door at the same time. She had a worried looking girl on either side of her, and she was nursing a bleeding hand.

"Always a damsel in distress, aren't you, Weasley-girl? What's happened to you now?"

The girl on the left scowled at him. The girl on the right spoke up bravely. "She was injured in class. One of the hippogriffs struck her with its beak."

Ginny's eyes flashed. "Move, Malfoy, you're blocking the door."

He frowned at her. "Did you insult it?"

"I startled it, I guess. Only you would be rude enough to insult it."

He reached out and pulled her arm towards him. She resisted, clutching it to her abdomen. He sighed and pulled more forcefully, until he was holding her wrist out in front of him. "Let go!"

He examined her hand. The gash was pretty deep, and bleeding freely. "Didn't anyone ever teach you anything? You'll pass out from blood loss before you make it to the hospital wing."

"You do look pale, Ginny," fretted the girl on the right.

"Give me your scarf," he snapped at the girl on the left.

She meekly complied, and he wrapped it around and around Ginny's hand. Then he stepped aside to let them pass.

Ginny didn't move, however. She stared up at him with narrowed eyes. "Why did you do that?"

"Because somebody had to." The boy crossed his arms. "Even a Weasley shouldn't bleed to death, I suppose."

"I don't know what to make of you at all. You're a very complicated person. And you keep changing."

"Did I ask you to analyze me?"

"I don't care if you did or didn't. I'll think what I want!" She put her uninjured hand on her hip.

He glared at her. "Didn't you used to be quieter?"

One of the girls giggled. The other hit her arm lightly with the back of her hand.

Ginny ignored her companions. "I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, Malfoy. Fowl seems to regard you as a friend, and I think he's a good guy. He must see something in you. I'm going to keep looking until I find what it is."

"Keep your eyes off me, Weasley." Draco had meant for his voice to come out much more menacing than it actually did. "I know I'm gorgeous, but I don't need a stalker."

Ginny just smiled. "You wish, Malfoy. You wish." Then she swept around him and through the door, the other girls trailing her. One looked back and gave a saucy little wave.

"What happened to the fear I used to inspire?" he huffed. He shook his head, looking up at the sky. Oh forget it, he was going flying.

---------------------------------------

A/N: May health and happiness brighten the lives of my reviewers! Hey, just for fun, anyone interested in writing their version of Draco or Artemis's friendship essay? If so, feel free to email me a copy to abbeyroad42 at yahoo dot com.

Oh, and I GOT A NARUTO PLUSHIE FOR CHRISTMAS! BWA HA HA HA!