#535. Darkest Fears

"You guys go ahead, I have a question for Professor Lupin."

"Reckon it's about werewolves or something like that. She's been really interested in them for the last few days." Ron mumbled to Harry.

"When hasn't Hermione been interested in what she learns?" Harry replied, his voice still low.

"Still here, guys." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Anyway, catch up with you later, it'll only take a couple of minutes."

"A couple of minutes?! But our next class is going to start in…blimey, we're late!" Ron and Harry took off. Harry stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Hermione, aren't you coming?"

"I'll catch up with you later!" Hermione opened the door to the classroom and walked in.

"…Harry, did she just skip class?"

"Something's wrong, mate."

"Something's really wrong."

"Oh, hello Hermione. Shouldn't you be in class right now?"

Hermione closed the door and spun around to see a very tired looking Professor at his desk. He was looking at a piece of paper, but quickly put it away before she could see what it was.

"I have a time-turner, sir. Professor McGonagall gave it to me so I would be able to attend all my classes."

Lupin chuckled. "To call you a keen learner is an understatement."

Hermione blushed. "Professor, I have a question, regarding today's lesson."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, when I came to the Boggart, I…well, it changed into Professor McGonagall telling me that I failed my exams."

"Yes…?"

"I-Well...I wasn't really scared of that. I don't think it's my worse fear."

"Hmm…" Professor Lupin stood up from his chair and walked over to a locked up chest. "Remember, wand out, concentrate on how to make it amusing, and say, "Riddikulus!"

Hermione walked until she was facing the box. "Okay. I'm ready."

"Are you alright, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head hastily. "Here, have some chocolate." Professor Lupin held out a bar of chocolate.

"I…I thought that was o-only for Dementors." Hermione choked out.

"Yes…but a little chocolate doesn't hurt once in a while." Lupin smiled.

Hermione smiled weakly back, and took the bar of chocolate. "Thank you."

Professor Lupin walked to one of the bookshelves on the wall, and scanned the books. "Ah, there you are." He opened a book titled, "Boggarts: The Peculiar Cases" and read aloud.

"Sometimes, when one knows not their worst fear, Boggarts will turn into what everyone else expects. Only when they are alone, do they see their true fear, that not even they themselves are aware of."

"Say, Hermione, what do you think is your worst fear?"

"I-I don't know, Professor." Hermione stammered.

The professor kept reading. "When they first encounter the Boggart, they will most likely faint, or feel rather uneasy or nauseous. Do you think you felt like that?"

Hermione nodded.

"They have met their fear, something worse than they ever imagined. It is only after a certain amount of time that they gather up the courage to meet their fear-and not to forget it." Professor Lupin stopped reading, and looked up from the book. "Of course, that depends on how daunting your worst fear is."

He put away the book to its rightful place and clapped his hands together. "Well, then…I guess that's it!"

"Are you saying that I will never know my darkest fear?"

"No, not never. Only until you gather up the courage to meet your fear."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Because if you ever encounter it in the future, you'll have the strength to get past it. And…"

"And what, Professor?" Hermione asked.

"Why, you're Hermione Granger! Don't you want to know!"

Hermione grinned. "Of course, sir. To call me a keen learner is an understatement."