Boggart

Author: Hand Steroids

January 31, 2010

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

If you've a story, make sure it's a whole one, with details close to hand. It's the difference between a successful lie and getting caught.

-Tamora Pierce, Trickster's Choice

4 November 1993

6:30 o'clock p.m.

I cannot avoid them. I can hide under my cloak and wallow in my shame or I can show my face and answer questions sure to be asked. It is better to reveal yourself in the manner of your choosing then that of someone else's. I cannot help but deter myself from this path. But I suppose I have to go to class sometime. It isn't like they can shove me in a cupboard, now is it?

I pinch the bridge of my nose and place my useless glasses back on. I only wear the things because Aunt Petunia told me to. She threatens me with no food every time she finds me without them on. She told me that there is no prescription on the glass. It's merely a prop, something so authentic that only someone who specializes in eyeglasses could tell that they are not real.

I step out into the great hall, mingling in with the rest of the students heading for dinner. No one noticed me. I manage to find my way to the Gryffindor table and find my seat.

I stare at the reflection of the golden plate. The cut on my face was not going to go away. It would scar, leaving a reminder of my fear with it.

The seats near me start to fill up, Ron taking a seat next to me and Hermione one across from me. I can feel her wanting to ask me questions. She's not going to get the answers she truly wants. Dean, Seamus, Neville and Thomas fill in the seats surrounding us, the rest of the third years in Hermione's dorm next to them.

The Head Table fills, and I know that Professor Dumbledore is looking at me. I can feel my shoulders tense as another gaze attaches itself onto my back. I breathe in a deep breath and force myself to relax.

It seemed like forever for dinner to be served. My hands start to itch. I pick up my fork and start to twirl it around, just to keep my hands busy. I fix my gaze at my plate and leave it there until the food arrived on the platters.

I look up and pick up a drum stick and some mashed potato and carrots as the itching on my hand stops. I pour a glass of pumpkin juice and sip on it. Normally the food was wonderful, much better that the canned soup that Aunt Petunia would give me. But this evening, it tasted like sawdust in my mouth.

Hermione saw my lack of appetite and frowns. She catches my eye briefly and I shrug a shoulder, not really wanting to speak. Anyone could see her internal debate; clearly she wanted to scold him.

My hands start to itch again. I reach over for the pitcher of pumpkin juice and Hermione grabs my hand. She spreads out my hand, palm up, and runs her hand over it.

"Harry, where did you get this?" She questioned. She was talking about the crescent shaped gouges in my hands made by fingernails. I frown, faking ignorance.

"I don't know. It didn't hurt at all." She scowls and Ron stops eating.

"Harry, you really should get that looked at." I nod, mainly to appease her, but people had begun to look over our way. I fidget in my seat.

"Harry, you know if you ever want to talk about anything, Ron and I are here for you, don't you?" She still has a hold of my hand and I nod again.

"Of course Hermione, I know both of you are always there when I need you." She smiles lightly and lets my hand go. I grab the pumpkin juice, pouring myself and extra-full glass and begin to sip on it.

Then what I dreaded happened. Dean and Thomas got started talking about Defense Against the Dark Arts class, mainly the boggart.

"So, Professor Lupin seems to be the best Defense teacher we have ever had." Dean said to Thomas who replied cattily, "Yah, much better than that pansy, Lockheart."

"Did you see that spider that Ron pulled up? It was huge!" Lavender leaned in and raised an eyebrow. "I heard that Malfoy's boggart turned into a werewolf."

Ron looked over at the mention of Malfoy and laughed. "Serves him right; I bet he has never even seen a werewolf before. Me on the other hand, I have a true reason to fear spiders. Their just-" He broke off, shuddering slightly.

Seamus looked over at me. I knew it; they were going to ask me about it. I scratch my hands subconsciously. "So Harry, why is a fat boggart man your fear?

"I mean, I fear banshees because my older sister died in child birth with my niece and the Banshee came over our house that night. I can't stand anyone close to me dying, it drives me insane."

"Well, I was in London around April the year we came to Hogwarts. This huge man found me doing accidental magic in an alley and tried to strike me for it. Most muggles fear change and strange things. I think he was just afraid of what he saw."

I was painfully aware of how quiet it was around me. It seems everyone wants to know why the boy-who-lived is afraid of a fat man.

"He didn't hit me though. I guess the thought of being hit was more fearful than the man itself."

Ron had narrowed his eyes at the explanation, but Hermione blurted out, "But why the dementor's hood?"

I shift uncomfortably for a moment. "Didn't Professor Lupin say that Dementor's prey upon happy thoughts, leaving only the bad ones? Well if I was for say to fear them, then that would mean I would fear fear itself."

She pauses for a moment before nodding. "So you fear people knowing your fear?"

I didn't reply to her. I couldn't. My throat was suddenly so dry. I took a gulp of pumpkin juice, and I itch the fresh scar on my face after I put the cup down.

"Harry, promise me you will go to the healer's wing after dinner to get those checked out." I look at her slightly. "Yes, Professor." I reply.

I get up from the table and walk towards the great hall doors. I can see Ron watching me. I hope he doesn't suspect that it wasn't the truth.

I make my way up the two flights of stairs to the healer's wing and sit down on one of the beds to wait for the Madame. She was going to fuss at me about not coming to her sooner. At least no one knows the truth now.

A/N. Normally I wouldn't post anything here. But I think I should for this one.

Originally I hadn't meant for this story to carry on beyond the first chapter. I wrote the first chapter about a year ago and found it on my flash drive a while ago and decided to post it. It was a smart choice. I hope I am writing up to your expectations!

I just want to thank my reviewers for reviewing. Your comments are what keep me actually wanting to continue this.

Any comments or questions or problems, just ask.

(All information on room location and such like where the headmaster's office is i located from the hplexicon.)