Vera stood by the desk, fidgeting nervously as she and Remus waited to go out to the classroom.

"Vera, you've asked me several times. I'm absolutely positive you will do fine. You're absolutely capable of handling this." Remus promised, holding her face in his hands.

"But you haven't seen my boggart yet." She reminded him.

"So, after class, we'll handle it together. If we're going to work with these for a few classes, we need to be prepared for anything." He reminded her.

She sighed, but nodded in agreement nonetheless. "Fine. Come on, we should head out there. They're going to start arriving soon." Her voice was quiet and nervous.

"Come along, my darling. We'll get through this class together." Remus said, gently kissing her forehead, then her nose.

They walked out of the office to see Harry and Ron already standing there, talking quietly.

"Good morning, boys!" Vera exclaimed, barreling down the stairs to greet them properly.

They both looked up at her and smiled widely. She hugged them both before stepping back and playfully ruffling their hair.

"The whole Gryffindor class is excited to have your class today. We've all agreed this will be the best class." Ron gushed. "You should have heard Neville talking about it. I think he's more excited than we are!"

Vera laughed, turning to look at Remus who was smiling at the scene before him. "Well, I can assure you that this will be an interesting class. Now put your things by the desks on the right side of the room and wait for the others to arrive." He said, nodding his head to where the boys were to stand.

Vera walked back over to Remus, her eyes taking in his appearance. He looked absolutely dashing, his hands in his pockets, and his hair slightly tousled. As she arrived at his side, the students started pouring into the room. As soon as they were all inside, Vera took the sheet off of the cabinet and walked to the side of the class. She hovered near a group of Slytherins which happened to include Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.

The tall wardrobe rattled violently as the class eyed it warily.

"Intriguing, yes? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?" Lupin asked, looking over the group of students.

"That's a Boggart, that is." Seamus said quietly to one of his mates.

"Very good, Mr. Finnigan." Lupin encouraged. "Can anyone tell us what a Boggart looks like?"

"No one knows." Hermione said, causing Ron to jump. "Boggarts are shape-shifters.

They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears most. That's what makes it so --."

"Terrifying, yes." Lupin finished. "Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart. Let's practice it now, shall we? Without wands, please repeat after me-Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" The class echoed.

"It's this class that's ridiculous." Draco muttered, causing Vera to raise an eyebrow.

"I'd say it's that bottle blonde hair of yours that's ridiculous, Mr. Malfoy. Honestly, if I have to look at it much longer, you may just become my boggart." Vera said quietly into the boy's ear.

He looked back at her with wide eyes amd a slack jaw. "You...you're a professor. You're not supposed to talk to us like that."

"No one will ever believe you. Now pay attention." She said, before stepping back to her place and folding her arms over her chest.

"What really finishes a Boggart off is...

laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Neville, come up here, will you?" Lupin requested.

Neville looked back at Veronica with wide eyes, to which she smiled and nodded for him to go forward. He did so, looking at the rattling wardrobe with trepidation.

"What would you say is the thing that frightens you most?" Lupin inquired.

"Profter... Snape." Neville muttered.

"Didn't catch that, Neville, sorry."

"Professor Snape."

Everyone laughed good-naturedly as Lupin nod his head thoughtfully.

"Hmmm... yes. He frightens us all. Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?" Lupin pressed.

"Yes, but I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."

"It won't. But I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, very clearly in your mind. Can you do that?"

Neville nod his head and closed his eyes. "She carries a red handbag..."

"That's fine. We don't need to hear it. If you see it, we will. Now, when Miss Dursley opens this wardrobe, Neville, here's what I want you to do." Lupin said, then leaned close to Neville, whispering as Vera walked to the front of the room and drew her wand, ready to release the boggart.

Neville's eyes popped open in shock at whatever Lupin told him, and he looked at the professor warily.

"You can do this, Neville." Vera assured him.

Neville nod nervously and took a deep breath. Veronica was right, he could do this.

"Right then. Wand at the ready." Lupin said, stepping back. "One. Two. Three!"

On three, sparks jet from Vera's wand and struck the doorknob, causing the wardrobe burst open. Instantly, Snape appeared, his eyes scanning tthe class menacingly as he stalked forward. Neville immediately backed away in fright.

"Think, Neville. Think!" Lupin encouraged.

"R-r-riddikulus!" Neville finally stuttered out.

With a loud crack, Snape stumbled back in a flash of light, and reappeared in a long, lace-trimmed dress, giant and gaudy hat, and a hideous crimson hand bag.

Instantly, the Gryffindors practically roared in laughter.

Neville blinked in amazement, then slowly, grinned to himself.

"Well done, Neville! Perfectly done!" Vera said in absolute glee.

Lupin dropped the needle on an old grammaphone. As upbeat music filled the room, he pointed to Ron. "Ron! Forward!"

"Everyone else form an orderly line!" Vera said, watching them scramble.

As the students faced their fears, Vera and Lupin watched in amusement and pride.

As Harry stepped forward expectantly, concern flickered across both professors faces. The Jack-In-The-Box that stood before them tumbled toward Harry,

becoming more sinister. It finished transforming, the boggart now fully formed into a Dementor. Harry started to raise his wand, then froze, transfixed to the spot.

The Dementor loomed closer and closer, when Lupin suddenly stepped between them and snapped his wand, crying out "Here!"

The Dementor vanished and a rillong mist appeared, vanishing into clouds. Something glowed within the clouds, white, silvery and round. Vera knew instantly that it was the full moon.

"Riddikulus!" Remus yelled, causing the orb to deflate like a punctured balloon amd whiz crazily about the room, then dart back into the wardrobe. The door slammed shut, and the class cheered.

"Well done, everyone. I think that's enough excitement for today." Vera said, not taking her eyes off of Harry and Remus.

As the students exit, chattering loudly, only Harry remained behind. Lupin glanced at Veronica and exchanged a private glance with her. They both nod, and he walked to the office as she approached Harry.

"You alright?" Vera asked quietly.

Harry just nod silently, causing her to frown.

"You better catch up with Ron and Hermione. Promise me you'll come get me if you need anything. All of you." She said, hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, mumbling that he promised. She watched as he ran off to meet his friends, then turned around and walked to the office where Remus was leaning against the doorframe.

"Well, Remus, I believe you wanted to see my boggart. Just be prepared. You may be surprised, and not in a good way." She admit.

"We'll get through it together. You dont have to worry about having to deal with things alone anymore. I'm here to help you." He assured her. He started out the door, eager to get started.

"I suppose we'll see about that." She whispered, following behind him.