Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban-with Newt

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Chapter 7: The Boggart

Malfoy didn't show up to class for couple of days due to his recent "injuries". On Thursdays potion class, he swaggered in late, as if he was some sort of hero. Harry couldn't help but snort because even though Newt had the same injury, he showed up to his classes and didn't act as if his injury was some sort of medal.

"How is it, Draco?" simpered Pansy Parkinson. "Does it hurt much?"

"Yeah," said Malfoy, putting on a brave sort of grimace. But Harry saw him wink at Crabbe and Goyle when Pansy had looked away.

Harry wanted to say something to Malfoy but couldn't because Snape was near.

"Settle down." he said simply. Harry knew if Harry walked in late, he would have immediately dock off 50 points and gave him detention for a week.

They were Shrinking Solution that day. Malfoy set up his cauldron right next to Harry and Ron, so that they were preparing their ingredients on the same table.

"Sir," Malfoy called, "sir, I'll need help cutting up these daisy roots, because of my arm."

"Weasley, cut up Malfoy's roots for him," said Snape without looking up.

Ron looked appalled while Malfoy looked gleeful.

"There's nothing wrong with your arm," he hissed at Malfoy.

"Weasley, you heard Professor Snape; cut up these roots."

Ron took the knife and began to chop the roots roughly.

"Sir, Weasley is mutilating my roots." Malfoy said in drawling voice.

"Weasley swap roots with Malfoy." Snape said without looking up.

"What! That's not fair!" Ron exclaimed. Ron spent long time carefully chopping his roots, so it was natural he was angry.

"Now." barked Snape.

Ron reluctantly swapped the roots, while looking like he wanted to stab either Malfoy or Snape with the potion knife.

"And, sir, I'll need this shrivelfig skinned," said Malfoy obviously not keeping joy out of his voice.

"Potter, skin Malfoy's shrivelfig," said Snape, giving Harry the usual look of loathing.

Harry took Malfoy's shrivelfig and skinned it as fast as he could after flunging it back across the table at Malfoy. Malfoy was smirking more broadly than ever.

"Seen your pal Hagrid lately?" he asked.

"None of your business," snapped Ron jerkily.

"He won't be a teacher much longer," said Malfoy in a tone of mock sorrow. "Father's not very happy about my injury."

"Keep talking, Malfoy, and I'll give you a real injury," snarled Ron.

"You are nothing but a coward you know that? Newt's was injured and he doesn't act like he lost an arm. Also, did you even thank Newt? Without him, you would have lost an arm." said Harry angrily.

"Why should I thank that blood traitor? I mean, that Hippogriff was a rogue." said Malfoy smugly.

"What do you mean rogue? You provoked him!" snapped Harry.

"I did?" said Malfoy in false surprise. "That's not how I remember. I told my father that a rogue Hippogriff attacked me! I also told him I might not be able to use my arm again. He was very displeased, he has lots of influence at the Ministry…."

"That's why you are putting up a show? So you can get your precious daddy to fire Hagrid? You are not just pathetic but cruel." growled Harry.

Malfoy's cheek turned pink and he opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by Snape bullying Neville.

"Longbottom what is this?" said Snape as he inspected the the potion. "Are you too stupid to hear me telling you to add one cat spleen? What do I have to do to make you understand?"

Neville was pink and trembling. He looked as though he was on the verge of tears.

"Please, sir," said Hermione, "please, I could help Neville put it right..."

"I don't remember asking you to show off, Miss Granger," said Snape coldly, and Hermione went as pink as Neville. "Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we use your potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly."

Harry never really liked Snape but Harry was disgusted by that men more and more. What kind of a teacher openly insults a student and threatens to kill a student's pet?

Snape moved away, leaving Neville who was shaking with fear.

"Hermione Help!" he moaned to Hermione.

Hermione nodded and muttered instructions through corner of her mouths, making sure Snape couldn't hear her.

At the near end of the lesson, Snape strode over to Neville and picked up his potion.

"Everyone gather 'round," said Snape, his black eyes glittering. "If Longbottom somehow miraculously brewed the potion correctly, the toad will turn into a tadpole. Of course, if he did incorrectly, the toad will be poisoned."

The Slytherins looked excited while Gryffindors looked fearful or angry at Snape. Newt in particular was looking at Snape with pure disgust for putting an innocent animal in danger.

Snape picked up Trevor and trickled few drops down his throat. There was a moment of hushed silence, then there was a small pop. Trevor became a tadpole the tadpole and was wriggling in Snape's palm.

The Gryffindors cheered while Slytherins looked disappointed. Snape looked unhappy as well. "5 points from Gryffindor. I told you not to help him Granger." Snape growled.

Harry, Ron, Newt and Hermione climbed the steps to the entrance hall. Ron was enraged.

"Can you believe that greasy git? He took away point for brewing a potion correctly! Hermione why didn't you lie about helping Neville?" said Ron.

"Ron, do you think Professor Snape would have believe me if I said that? Besides, I can't lie to a professor." protested Hermione.

"He's not a professor. He's just a bully who abuses his power." said Newt, who still looked appalled at Snape. "You know, potion is interesting and important subject. Many interesting careers requires a Potion NEWT. Fortunately, I plan to drop Potions immediately after OWLs. With that animal abuser teaching it? There is no way I am taking that subject."

"What careers are you talking about?" asked Hermione looking interested.

"You know, Aurors, Healers, Curse Breakers and lots more. I want to be a Magizoologist. That, doesn't need a Potions NEWT." said Newt.

"What's a Magizoologist?" asked Harry.

"Someone who studies magical creatures like my grandfather." said Newt.

"Look, forget about Magizoologist. We have Defense against the Dark arts this afternoon. Let's just hope Lupin is better than Snape. If he's not, I'm not sure how this day could get any worse." said Ron bitterly.

-HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN HPPAWN-

Professor Lupin wasn't there when they arrived at his first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. They all sat down, took out their books, quills, and parchment, and were talking when he finally entered the room.

Lupin gave them a small smile and walked to the teacher's desk. He was as shabby as ever but looked healthier when Harry first met him, as though he had had a few square meals. Harry frowned as Professor Lupin went by him. He felt, somewhat familiar. Harry shook his head. Well, he did save me from the dementors. Maybe, that's why I feel so familiar. Thought Harry.

"Good afternoon," he said. "Please put away all your books in your bags. Only wands. It's practical lesson."

Few looked excited but most were looking anxious. Last time they had a practical lesson as Defense Against the Dark arts was when Lockhart the idiot professor brought and released Pixies into class.

"Alright, Please follow me." said Professor Lupin.

The class and followed Professor Lupin out of the classroom. He led them along the deserted corridor and around a corner, where the first thing they saw was Peeves, who was floating upside down and stuffing the nearest keyhole with chewing gum.

Peeves looked up and cackled loudly when he saw Professor Lupin.

"Loony, loopy Lupin," Peeves sang. "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin!"

Peeves always showed minimum amount of respect to teachers. Everyone looked at Professor Lupin and was surprised to see him smiling.

"It's good to see you again too Peeves. Now, why don't you take out that gum out? I'm sure FIlch wouldn't be very happy." said Professor Lupin.

All Peeves did was stick his tongue out and laugh at him.

Lupin smiled and pulled out his wand and pointed it at the door.

"Wadiwasi!" Then the gum bolted out of the door and hit Peeves on the face. Everyone looked impressed. No one dealt with Peeves that way before. The class began to grow huge respect for Professor Lupin. Peeves floated away, while muttering some very rude phrases.

Professor Lupin opened the door and led them to staffroom. To Harry's dismay, Snape was inside. Harry started to pray that Snape wouldn't ruin Professor Lupin's class like Malfoy ruined Hagrid's.

Snape stood up and began to leave the classroom. Before he got out, he stopped and face Professor Lupin.

"Word of advice Lupin. Don't trust anything difficult with Longbottom. He probably won't be able to do it without Granger giving instructions." Snape sneered.

Neville turned pink while Harry glared at Snape. How could he just degrade Neville in front of another teacher?

Professor Lupin had raised his eyebrows. "Actually, I was going to ask Neville to assist me on the first task. I have no doubt he would do great." Snape looked at Neville and walked out.

"Now, then," said Professor Lupin as he pointed at an old wardrobe that kept wobbling and banging off the wall. "Inside here is a Boggart."

Those who knew Boggart gasped while Neville looked terrified. Harry had no idea what Boggart was so he continued listening.

"I found this Boggart this afternoon and I believe it will be perfect for 3rd year practice." said Professor Lupin. "So, would anyone like to explain what Boggart is?"

Hermione's hand shot up and so did Newt's.

"Let's see… How about you Newt?"

Hermione looked bit put out she didn't get picked. "A Boggart is a amortal shape shifting non being that takes the form of viewer's worst fear." explained Newt.

"Very good. 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 most fears. Which means, we have a huge advantage over Boggarts before we begin. Would you like to guess why Harry?" asked Professor Lupin.

"Well… Since there is so many of us… The Boggart does not know what to turn into?" offered Harry, hoping it was a good answer.

"Precisely. It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a Boggart. If a Boggart confuses what to transform into, it could lead to a combination that is not even remotely scary. The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. To really finish a Boggart, you need a laughter. You need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. The charm is Riddikulus. Everybody repeat."

"Riddikulus!" the class repeated.

"Right. Now, why don't we try it out? Neville. Please step foreword."

Neville stepped up, trembling.

"Right, Neville, what scares you most?" asked Professor Lupin.

Neville mumbled something. "I'm sorry I didn't catch that. Bit louder please?"

"Professor Snape." said Neville. Nearly everyone laughed while Neville looked apologetic.

"Professor Snape? Hmm… Interesting. Say, don't you live with your grandmother? How's she anyway?" asked Professor Lupin.

"She's fine. But I don't want my Boggart turn into her either!" said Neville.

"No, I'm not saying the Boggart will turn into her." said Professor Lupin, now smiling. "Could you kindly tell us what clothes your grandmother usually wears?"

Neville looked startled. "Well… she always wears the tall hat with stuffed vulture on top... She wears a long green dress… and sometimes a fox fur scarf. And she carries a big red handbag."

"Right then," said Professor Lupin. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville?"

"Yes," said Neville uncertainly.

"When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape," said Lupin. "Then, you will raise your wand, say the incantation while picturing your grandmother's cloth. The key is to make it look comical."

The room went quiet. Harry thought about what scared him most. He first thought Voldemort who returned to full strength. But something bugged him and said there was something he feared more. He suddenly felt like seeing a horrible image, image of cloaked figure making everything near go cold….

Harry shivered, then looked around, hoping no one had noticed. Ron was muttering to himself, "Take its legs off." Harry was sure he knew what that was about. Ron's greatest fear was spiders. Harry wasn't sure what Newt's greatest fear might be. Newt was just clutching on the handle of his suitcase very tightly.

"Everyone ready?" said Professor Lupin. Harry felt a lurch of fear. He wasn't ready. How could anyone make a Dementor less frightening? But everyone else seemed ready.

"Neville, we're going to back away to give you some space. When I call the next person, that person will give their shot ok?" said Professor Lupin.

They all backed against the walls, leaving Neville alone beside the wardrobe. He looked pale and frightened, but he had pushed up the sleeves of his robes and was holding his wand ready.

"On the count of three, Neville," said Professor Lupin, who was pointing his own wand at the handle of the wardrobe. "1... 2...3!"

Professor Lupin opened the wardrobe and from there, menacing Professor Snape stepped out.

Neville looked absolutely terrified, but he managed to raise his wand and yell "Ridikulus!"

There was a noise like a whip crack. And next moment, Snape was he was wearing a long, green dress with a large hat with vulture on top, while swinging a huge crimson handbag.

There was a roar of laughter; the Boggart paused, confused, and Professor Lupin shouted, "Parvati! You're up!"

Parvati walked forward, and with a crack, Professor Snape became a bloodstained, bandaged mummy. It started to slowly walk towards her then Parvati cried "Riddikulus!"

The bandage that wrapped the mummy began to unwrap, eventually leaving nothing but pile of old bandage.

"Seamus, you're next!" said Professor Lupin.

Seamus came up and the bandages turned into a Banshee. It opened its mouth and began to let out a large scream. "Riddikulus!" shouted Seamus and the Banshee lost her voice

The Banshee next turned into a large cobra, severed hand and a vampire.

Eventually it was Ron's turn and many people screamed when Boggart transformed to Ron's fear. A giant acromantula was there, clicking its pincer.

Ron looked positively frightened but he managed to stammer out "Riddikulus!" The spider lost its leg and its body rolled away.

It was then Newt's turn and when Boggart transformed to Newt's fear, everyone looked confused. It wasn't anything scary. The Boggart transformed to Newt's suitcase, the one he always carried. Only, it was completely destroyed.

Newt went deadly pale and he clutched on to his suitcase tightly. Harry saw him muttering "It's not real… I'm holding it right now…." Newt raised his wand and choked out "Riddikulus!". The broken suitcase transformed into a suitcase that was just like one Newt carried, only it was shining as if it was brand new.

Newt let out a sigh of relief and went back. Everyone was looking at Newt in confused way. Why would destroyed old case be Newt's worst fear?

Soon Harry stepped up and raised his wand. The Boggart started to transform but Professor Lupin stepped in front of him, and the Boggart transformed into something round and silvery. "Riddikulus!" Professor Lupin said finally and the Boggart retreated to the wardrobe.

"Excellent!" cried Professor Lupin as the class broke into applause. "Well done, everyone… Let me see… five points to Gryffindor for every person to tackle the Boggart. Also, another 5 points to Harry."

"But I didn't face the Boggart." said Harry.

"You answered my question at the start of the class. Alright homework. Read and summarize about Boggart by Monday. You are dismissed." said Professor Lupin.

Harry left the classroom feeling rather gloomy.

Why did Professor Lupin had deliberately stopped him from tackling the Boggart? Was it because he'd seen Harry collapse on the train, he wasn't strong enough? Had he thought Harry would pass out again?

But everyone else seemed cheerful. "Did you see me take that banshee?" shouted Seamus. "And the hand!" said Dean, waving his own around. "Snape in that dress was the best!"

"I wonder why Professor Lupin's frightened of crystal balls?" said Lavender thoughtfully.

"Also, Newt. Why is destroyed suitcase your biggest fear?" asked Parvati.

Newt flinched then answered. "This is a very, extremely valuable suitcase. I can't afford to break it." Newt murmured.

"That was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson we've ever had!" said Ron excitedly/

"He seems like a very good teacher," said Hermione approvingly.

"He seems very knowledgeable about his subject." said Newt.

""It's kind of a pity I didn't get to face my Boggart." said Hermione. Harry thought the exact same thing.

"What would the Boggart had transformed?" said Ron, sniggering. "A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten?"

Hermione just slapped him in the arms.

A/N Some quotes are from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling. Please leave a review! Constructive criticism are welcomed.