Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise sadly :'(
A/N; I am sorry that it has taken so long for me to update. I am currently in the middle of exam season and haven't been able to write at all. I haven't forgotten about this story but updates will be slow.
Chapter 7
APOV
I woke up to find Cian growling at the door. This was the fifth time it had happened over the course of the night. I had ignored it up until now, but enough was enough. I threw back the covers and stalked over to the door. The locking spell disappeared at my touch and I yanked the door open. "What in the nine levels of hell do you want?" I asked the boys standing on the other side of the door. They froze and looked at me. I looked down and couldn't see anything wrong so I leant against the door frame and crossed my arms. "What do you want?" I asked slowly. None of them answered so I sighed and grabbed the door, slamming it in their faces.
I smirked. "Well boys that was a very satisfying start to the morning. Now for the day to get boring. Starting with the uniform." I frowned; I hated wearing uniforms as although they supposedly stopped the bullying, they did the opposite. If your uniform didn't fit right, which they weren't made to, or was slightly worn or off colour the bullies began to circle and your school life was hell. Plus I hated wearing a skirt; you can't run and keep your dignity in a school skirt. Just as I was pulling on my white shirt there was a knock at my door. I flicked a spell at the door making it like a two way mirror. They couldn't see me, but I could see them. It was Professor Snape.
"Shit." I buttoned my shirt quickly and walked to the door. I opened it like I had no idea who was there. "What? Oh good morning Professor, Can I help you?" I asked politely, summoning my tie and beginning to put it on. "Miss Raven I do believe I told you that I would not tolerate bad behaviour. Would you care to explain this morning to me?" I finished my tie and tucked the longer end into my shirt with one hand while reaching out to beside the door with the other. I removed a small baseball sized glass ball from the wall and held it out to the professor. "Here say the date and what hour you would like to see. I recommend 12.30, 3, 4, 5 and 7." I stood and watched as he viewed the security-orb.
"I see thank you for this enlightening piece of information, also what is this?" Professor Snape asked me. I smiled and told him. "It's a security-orb, kind of like a muggle surveillance camera, you know the ones they put outside shops and stuff. My friend makes them and after having a lot of my things stolen at Salem he gave me one. Is that all you wanted sir?" He nodded and handed me back the orb, barking out, "Malfoy, Goyle, Crabbe, Nott and Zambini see me in my office after breakfast." With that he stormed out of the room. I smirked at the shocked looks on their faces before shutting the door and finishing getting ready.
I neglected to tuck my shirt into my trousers as it was fitted and wouldn't have fit. I pulled on a button up cardigan and did the first few buttons up before pulling on my robes. I looked at myself in the mirror. "Mirror, Mirror on the wall. Who looks stupid in a uniform?" I asked sarcastically. I turned around and let Cian and Hoyt scramble up my back and shift form turning into two snakes I reached up and wound my hair back into a high ponytail and waited until Cian had wrapped himself around the band before letting Hoyt slide down to wrap around my left wrist. I touched the locket around my neck for luck before picking up my bag and walking out the door.
I wordlessly cast a locking charm on the door, before walking across the common room and up to breakfast. I ate without any incidents and then went to my first class. This too passed in a haze of boredom and the teacher repeating the same things I already knew. Second class was Defence Against the Dark Arts.
This was the second class we had had with the Gryffindors and the petty bitching at each other started as we were standing outside waiting for the door to open and continued as we filed into the classroom. Whose bright idea was this? I thought as I moved towards an empty table. "Don't sit down. We shan't be staying here very long. Today's lesson will be a practical one, follow me please." Professor Lupin told as he walked passed us out of the classroom and out into the corridor. He led us through the castle until we reached a portrait.
Must be the teachers' lounge. I thought as Professor Snape exited the room just as we arrived. "Good luck Lupin, you're going to need it." He sneered at us as he left. I snorted softly and murmured."Oh someone definitely took his happy pills this morning." A few of the Gryffindors around me muffled laughs as we walked into the teachers' lounge and found somewhere to stand so we could see a wardrobe that had been placed in the middle of the room.
"Right today we will be looking at a relatively common creature that you will encounter and the spell needed to banish it." Professor Lupin said pointing at the wardrobe behind him. It shook violently. "Can anyone tell me what is in here?" A Gryffindor boy raised his hand. "Yes Mr..?" He paused. "Finnegan Sir. That's a Bogart that is." The boy said in a thick Irish brogue. Professor Lupin smiled, but my stomach dropped. "Five points to Gryffindor. Yes it is a Bogart; can anyone tell me what a Bogart does? Miss Granger?" I heard him ask as her, but I wasn't paying attention. I slowly began to move to the side of the room, which wasn't hard as I was already at the back of the classroom. Can't let it see me, not in front of everyone.
"It takes the form of whatever we fear most." Granger answered and Lupin smiled. "Well done another five points to Gryffindor. Yes a Bogart takes the form of the thing you fear most and it uses the fear you have for that form against you. Now the spell we use to make the Bogart less scary is Ridikulus. The spell only causes the Bogart to become less scary what really finishes the Bogart off is Laughter. Neville if you could come up here and assist me? Now what are you scared of?" I watched as the boy walked over to him.
After some coaxing Neville finally told us that he was afraid of Snape and that he lived with his Grandmother. The whole class roared with laughter as the Bogart Snape appeared in a dress wearing a hat topped with a stuffed vulture. The class formed a line around me, eager to take it in turns performing the spell. I slowly kept moving to the back of the line each and every time I managed to move that step to close to the Bogart.
The lesson ended when Professor Lupin stepped in front of one of the student and the Bogart took the form of the full moon. I frowned, barely listening to him speak. Why would he risk people finding out? "Right that concludes today's lesson, I would like a foot of parchment on Bogart's and how you defeat them for next week. Miss Raven could I speak to you for a minute?"
My head shot up to look at him and for a moment I was petrified that I given myself away, but I schooled my face really quickly and said calmly, "Of Course Professor." I walked slowly over to him as the rest of the class filed out. I stood next to him and waited for him to start talking. "Now Miss Raven-" I held up my hand, I hated formality. "I would prefer it if you called me Ana, Professor." I smiled up at him. He nodded and began again. "Now Ana, Why did you keep moving yourself further and further back the line? Most people would be excited about the possibility of facing their fear." I looked away from him and over at the wardrobe, frowning. "Not everybody has a fear that is so easily banished Professor." I whispered as I flicked my wand at the door, letting the Bogart out.
A figure stepped out of the wardrobe and stopped in front of us. I tensed as the Professor just continued to stare as it stopped facing me. I was stood eye to eye with a mirror image of myself, although the Bogart was smirking. This really pissed me off and I tilted my head to the side before punching the Bogart and tripping it so it fell into the wardrobe again. "That's why I didn't stay in the line Professor. I have no idea what would happen if I said the spell as the only way I can imagine it being less frightening is if it died. If I died." I whispered the last three words and I heard the intake of breath from the man next to me. "Now that's a little much don't you think Ana?" He said softly to me. I turned to look up at him. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be afraid of yourself Professor? To be afraid of what you could do? Of what you could become?" I asked, feeling the tears form in my eyes. Fuck I shouldn't be this weak.
I heard him sigh and looked at me. "Yes Ana, I do. You just have to use that fear to make sure you never become it. Now you best get to class." He said smiling down at me. That simple action changed his face, making him even more handsome. More, shit Ana stop fancying your professor. I smiled slightly and shook my head. "Thank you Professor Lupin. Can you answer one question for me?" He nodded as we walked towards the portrait. "Was it Greyback?" I continued to walk as he froze. He nodded in a daze, so I said quietly. "I thought so. Have a good day Professor." And with that I walked down the hall and out of sight. Now why the hell did I let him know that I know? Right I think I need to go this way. I thought as I walked to my next class.
