Chapter 43: Boggart
"So how has project 'Train-Harry-to-keep-away-the-demetor-away' been going?" Zoey asked as she took a sip from her cup of tea.
She was once again in her uncle's office enjoying the messy yet at the same time organized room. She looked around and caught sight of a Grindylow in the corner of the room. She raised an eyebrow to it before placing her cup back on the table. She looked up at her uncle. Lupin was fixing papers on his desk and pulled out a quill and a red ink bottle. He was going to check papers. Zoey's shoulders shook a bit as she held in a laugh. She had read a bit of her mum's journal and there was a little entry about her uncle. He was a Marauder and a prefect. It had said he was a very diligent boy, loved to read and was most likely the quietest of the Marauders. Zoey would be lying if she said her Uncle was different from when he was a boy, but it was still funny to see him in "Teacher mode". Just think, a Marauder becoming a teacher. That's laugh.
Then again he was one of those "Cool" teachers.
Point one for Remus.
"If you mean me teaching Harry how to do the Patronus Charm then it's going as I had expected it to go," Remus said as he encircled the score he gave and went to another paper.
"And you expected it to go…?"
"Slowly," Remus said, "So far he's only been able to get fog out but… he was able to stop the Dementor"
"You sent a Dementor at him?" Zoey asked with wide eyes.
"What? Of course not. We used a Boggart," Remus looked at her.
"A Boggart? So he's afraid of Dementors?" Zoey asked as she began to stir her cup of tea.
Zoey watched as her Uncle simply nodded his head and went back to checking the papers. She shifted in her chair and sat with her legs hanging over the armrest and her face pressed at the back of the chair. She watched. She was not with her friends today for the simple reason of that they were training. Yes, training for the next Quidditch game. It was Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. Zoey did not want to watch them train because she felt like she couldn't relate for she was not much of a Quidditch player and she did not want to get in their way. She would only serve as a distraction.
She let out a sigh as she listened to the scratching sounds the quill made on the paper. Boggart. She remembered her lesson with her Uncle. She had seen her classmates' fears. A brunette Ravenclaw was afraid of dragons while a blonde Hufflepuff feared clowns. Zoey had seen Echo's and Bridgit's fears as well. Echo's Boggart was a ghost while Bridgit was a burning house. She remembered the shocked gasps of the class when it was Bridgit's turn. Of course, who wouldn't be shocked to see a burning house in the middle of their classroom?
Zoey blinked as she continued to watch her uncle work. What was her Boggart? Class had ended before she could have her turn and to be honest she had wanted to see her fear. She wanted to see if it was going to be her Aunt Damiana or something else. Truth be told, Zoey was afraid of her aunt but she was also scared of high places like the Astronomy Tower. Zoey wondered if the Boggart was to turn to the Astronomy Tower would it still fit in the classroom? It would have been comical if it did turn to the Astronomy Tower but was in a mini version of it. She bit her lip. If it were to turn to her Aunt what would the Boggart do? Beat her up in front of the entire class? Not likely, could a Boggart even touch you? No. Zoey knew she didn't like the concept of perfection but how would a Boggart change into that? What does perfection even look like? The Boggart was good but not that good. Zoey thought hard. What was she afraid of? She knew she was scared of many things. She did not like to be left alone and hated to be rejected by people, but how could a Boggart even display her fears? How could it show loneliness or rejection? Zoey did not know.
"Uncle Moony," Zoey began, "What does your Boggart look like?"
Remus noticeably stiffened. Zoey observed that he looked scared for a moment. Was his Boggart really that bad? Her eyes moved to his scars. He seemed like he faced tons of scary creatures what could possibly scare him the most? Zoey blinked as Remus returned to checking the papers.
"Uncle Moony?" Zoey asked timidly.
"I heard you got detention with Filch the other day," Remus said quickly trying to avoid the subject, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"No, is there something you want to tell me?" Zoey asked.
Remus looked at her in the eye before placing his quill down and the papers in his drawer. Zoey listened to the sounds his movements made as she waited for an answer. When Remus looked back at her Zoey figured her wasn't going to say anything.
"Remember the last time you were absent?" Zoey asked, changing the subject.
Remus nodded.
"Well, Professor Snape substituted and – how do I say this? – he sorta taught us something we haven't even learned yet," Zoey struggled with her words.
"A new lesson you mean?" Remus asked.
"Yes, a new lesson that we weren't suppose to learn yet. So it was like an advanced lesson," Zoey said as she shifted a bit, "And when he substituted he told us to turn to page three-hundred and ninety-four. You know what that chapter is on?"
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me," Remus said with a tired smile.
"The chapter was about Werewolves," Zoey said, "And that's all. I just felt like I should tell you and all be – Uncle Moony? What's wrong? You've gone all frigid"
Remus blinked and sighed. His "niece" was both smart and observant yet at the same time she was clueless. There were many instances where she was so close to the answer but yet so far for she did not know the answer was just in front of her. Zoey did not know that she was so close to finding out her uncle's secret. The only way she would know was if he told her. The question was, would he? Remus loved Zoey. He loved her like the daughter he never had. She was the product of his two best friends. The two people in the world that accepted him for who he was. The question was, would Zoey accept him as well? Remus knew for a fact that Zoey would. That was just the type of person Zoey was. Zoey was kind. In fact, she was too kind.
Zoey was the type to give everyone more chances than they deserved. The type to give everything the benefit of the doubt. She always looked at the bright side. Always tried to make others happy. Put everyone before herself. She was that type of girl. The type that would do anything to be accepted. Remus knew for a fact that if Zoey had the chance she would not agree to everyone. Sure, there were times where she spoke her mind but she did not force to get her way. If things didn't go as plan she would run away. Run away from the thing she feared. Remus sometimes compared Zoey to himself. Both had dark secrets in their lives and both just wanted acceptance. Remus kept his secret in order to live amongst other wizards and to be accepted into their kind while Zoey remained quiet about her life and did everything to please people in order to not be rejected.
That was just how they worked.
But Remus knew his limits. He knew when to stop and who to like but Zoey didn't. Zoey knew there were people in the world that just did not like her; she just did not know how to make the feeling mutual. She tended to exceed her limitations to please. She did not like the feeling of being alone. She did not like to be abandoned. That was her flaw. Zoey did not want to be hated by those she liked. She wanted to be accepted even if it meant getting the short end of the stick.
Remus ran a hand through his graying hair.
"Uncle Moony? Could it be that your worst fear is a werewolf?" Zoey asked with a tilt of her head.
Remus gave a dry laugh. Oh, the irony of her question.
"Uncle Moony, it's okay to be afraid of them," Zoey said with a worried face. Her Uncle had been awfully quiet
"What about you Zoey?" Remus asked, "Are you afraid of werewolves?"
Zoey looked at her uncle questioningly. "It depends"
"Depends on what?"
"If they're nice or not"
Remus shook his head. There she goes again. Giving people the benefit of the doubt. "But werewolves are monsters. Monsters are never nice"
"But they're still people aren't they? They only become monsters once a month. It isn't that bad – I mean I've seen witches who are even scarier than monsters when they're on that time of month," Zoey said with a shiver.
Remus laughed for a minute before turning serious. "But werewolves are dangerous creatures, Zoey; you do not want to encounter one"
"But like I said it's only on –"
"No, Zoey. Werewolves are shunned. They are not accepted anywhere. If you associated with one, then you'll be shunned as well," Remus explained
Zoey's eyebrows furrowed in thought. Why were they talking about this? Why did her Uncle want her to think badly on werewolves? This was not like him. Zoey bit her lip. Her uncle had a point. If she was friends with a werewolf then it would be just like her being the daughter of a mass murder. She would be hated. People would glare at her whenever she passed them by. She would be bullied and people would be scared of her. No one would look at her the same way again. This was her fear.
All Zoey wanted was to be accepted. She had changed part of her identity just to be liked. She had friends and even though they had a fight she still took them back. Though Zoey acted like she did not know, she knew she was supposed to be mad. She was supposed to be furious, irritated, and angry at the fact that they judged her before she could explain herself. She should have been pissed. She should have told them that they should beg for her forgiveness, but she didn't. Zoey was a coward. She was scared that they would leave her forever so she took them back in a heartbeat. She hated the feeling of being alone. She had neglected her health just because her friends left her. Zoey knew she was too nice. She hated the fact that she did not know how to be "angry" or "mean". There were times where she could put up a fight but on the inside it was killing her. Zoey hated it. She hated that she could not do anything about it.
"What about you, Uncle Moony? Are you associated with a werewolf?" Zoey asked with a raised eyebrow.
Remus swallowed hard. He did not expect her to ask such a question. "What would you do, Zoey," he said quickly to avoid the question, "If you found out your friend was a werewolf"
"I wouldn't do anything."
"What –"
"I wouldn't do anything because what am I suppose to do?" Zoey asked, "They'll still be my friend. I won't treat him or her differently so technically I'm not going to do anything. Maybe help him or her after the transformation but that doesn't really change anything, does it?"
Remus nodded slowly and stood up from his chair. He saw sincerity in Zoey's eyes. He should have known. Of course she would accept him. Her father did and so did her mother. He should have known. Remus walked over to Zoey and patted her knee making her sit properly. Zoey looked up at him curiously but Remus just smiled.
"You better be heading to class now," he said.
"But –"
"What kind of professor would I be if I let my student skip her class?" Remus asked.
"A fun one?" Zoey guessed.
"Rhetorical question"
"I know," she playfully stuck out her tongue and gave her uncle a hug before leaving his office.
Remus smiled softly when he heard the door click. He ran his hand through his hair before walking back to his desk and taking a seat.
Zoey wore a confused smile on as she stood in the Quidditch stands. In a matter of minutes the match of Ravenclaw against Gryffindor would begin and Zoey did not know which team to cheer for. Her two female best friends were on one team while both of her male best friends were on the other. She figured she did not have to pick sides but then she did not want to be confused on whose team she would be yelling out when she cheered.
Zoey gave of a happy sigh as she looked up. The weather was much better than the one against Hufflepuff. The sky was clear and there was a nice breeze blowing by. She looked back down to the Quidditch field and saw the teams emerging and walking towards the center. She caught Bridgit's and Echo's eyes and gave a wave. She then scanned the team and caught sight of Cho Chang the Ravenclaw Seeker. She knitted her eyebrows and concentration and noted that she was rather pretty. She did not know the girl personally but she had heard Bridgit ranting about her at times. She says that Cho Chang was not her favorite housemate to put it politely.
The Game began.
Harry kicked off from the ground and Zoey watched as his broom flew to the air the highest and zoomed around the quickest. Even though he said he hated her Zoey could not help but feel happy that Harry was playing. He loved Quidditch. She watched as he zoomed around the field and laughed as she listened to Lee's commentating. So far so good. The game was going great.
Zoey looked towards Cho and noted that she was a very good flier. She watched as she kept cutting in front of Harry causing him to change directions. Zoey felt guilty when she began rooting for Gryffindor to win. She was glad that Bridgit and Echo could not hear her thoughts.
"HARRY THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN! KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!" Zoey heard Wood yell and she bit back a laugh. She would be lying if she said she was not annoyed that Cho kept stopping Harry from getting the snitch but it was rather comical. Comical in what way Zoey did not know. She just found herself laughing.
Zoey watched as Harry zoomed downwards and Cho following after him. Her heart stopped for a moment when she thought he was going to crash into the ground but breathed out a sigh when she saw him curve back upwards. She looked towards the Ravenclaw's end and saw Bridgit guarding the three hoops. She then saw it. The golden ball flying near her friend. Zoey thought hard. Would it be alright If she yelled out the snitch to Harry? Was it against the rules. Zoey did not know but she kept her mouth shut. What if Cho heard her? Then Ravenclaw would win. Zoey felt a guilty feeling in her stomach. She was hoping that Bridgit and Echo did not know Occlumency.
Zoey found her heart stopping again. Harry had spotted the snitch and was zooming towards it. He was so close to it but then what caused her heart to stop was flying below Harry. Three Dementors. She watched as Harry whipped out and yelled something out. She could not hear him but what amazed her was what came out of his wand. It was silvery and big. Zoey squinted her eyes. It looked like a stag. She then blinked her eyes when she heard Madam Hooch whistle. She focused her eyes back to Harry and saw that he was being smothered by the Gryffindor team. Zoey smiled. Gryffindor had won.
It was night time and from what Zoey had heard the Gryffindor team was having a party back in their Common Room. The twins invited her, Bridgit and Echo to come but Echo wanted to get some more studying done for the OWLs and Zoey didn't feel like joining. It would have been too awkward for her to join. She stopped in front of the painting of a mother and her child and looked back at Bridgit. She smiled.
"So how has things with Hermione been going?" Zoey asked, "Is she still in a fight with Harry and Ron?"
"Yes and in my opinion those two are being right gits," Bridgit answered
"What was the fight about anyway?" Zoey asked.
"Well, Harry received a Firebolt and Hermione, being smart, asked McGonagall to check it for jinxes, just in case your…uhm… dad jinxed it. Then it got confiscated, now they hate her for that," Bridgit answered awkwardly.
"But the Firebolt was returned already. Harry was using it in the game," Zoey said, confused.
"Yeah, oh and did I mention Ron thinks that Hermione's cat ate his mouse? I'm telling you that mouse, well Rat, is better of gone," Bridgit then said.
"Why's that?" Zoey asked.
"I hate rats," Bridgit answered, shivering at the thought of the creature.
"Ahh…" Zoey said with her mouth opening in realization. She then turned back to the painting. Her face fell. She missed her mum even though she never got to know her. It was just that empty feeling that bothered her. She had lost someone she hardly knew and it was killing her. Zoey wished she knew her mum. She wished her mum was never killed. Zoey wished for a lot of things but sadly most of her wished could never be granted.
"What was she like?" Bridgit asked, realizing Zoey's pain.
"What was who like?" Zoey asked removing her gaze from the picture.
"You mum," Bridgit answered, looking at the painting.
Zoey gave a sad smile. "I don't really know. She died when I was about three… I witnessed it too. That's probably why I can see the – never mind. You probably can't see them," Zoey said with a shake of her head as she looked back at the painting. The mother was slowly rocking her chair as the baby slept.
"Are you talking about the Thestrals?" Bridgit suddenly asked her eyes still on the painting.
"You can see them too?" Zoey asked as she looked at her friends with wide eyes, "Who did you see… err… you know?"
"I…uhm… witnessed my parents death," Bridgit answered, now bowing her head as the memories flashed back.
Zoey did not know what was going on in her friends head. She figured she was remembering the scene. The scene where her parents died. Zoey would have probably done the same. She would have recalled her mother's death even though she did not want to. She bit her lip. She knew it was the wrong time to ask but the question was bugging her to no end. She spoke without thinking. "Bridgit, I've been meaning to ask you but… why is your Boggart a burning house?" Zoey asked. Her eyes widened when she realized what she had said. "Y – you don't have to answer," she stammered.
"No, it's fine. You don't need to apologize," Bridgit answered, raising her head. She tried to stop the tears from flowing but was unsuccessful.
"My Boggart is a burning house because that was how my parents were killed," Bridgit said, "I was supposed to be killed to but my uncle saved me… my mom told him to save me. He wouldn't have is she didn't ask him"
"Your uncle? The one who sent you the Howler?" Zoey asked as she recalled her fourth year.
"Yeah…," Bridgit answered, her voice fading.
"I'm sorry," Zoey apologized.
"He hates me," Bridgit said with her tears still flowing, "He hates me because I'm my dad's daughter. He loves my mum but hates my dad. The fact that I look like him doesn't help either"
Zoey nodded slowly. She knew the feeling of being hated. It was one thing to be hated it was another to be hated by a relative. Being hated by someone who shared your blood was slightly more painful. It was painful because your family was the one thing you could run to when everything else falls around you. If they hate you, you end up with nothing. Zoey bit her lip again. She did not know what to do. She looked back at the painting and got an idea.
"Wanna head down to the kitchens? You know, get some hot chocolate?" she asked with a timid smile.
"Sounds great," Bridgit said, giving her a teary smile. She wiped the tears away and followed Zoey.
Zoey had a determined smile on her face. She knew where the kitchens were. They were near her Common Room behind the painting of fruits. All she had to do was tickle the pear. She hoped that they wouldn't get caught.
and here's chapter 43 for you all!
Thanks for all the reviews and the like! I'm almost up to 200~ :D
Special thanks to ZoomSkater14 for helping me write this up!
You are awesome, you know that?
Anyway, this would be the last you lot would be hearing from me for sometime. I still have exams and I should be studying right now so Imma disappear for a few days but please don't leave yet! There's still more to come! You just have to be patient with me please :D
I've got to go now and hit the books, the Information sheets and the like. get my brain filled with information.
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