Chapter 11

Remus was standing at his desk waiting for class to begin. Students had already come in and sat down in their seats. He looked up every so often and checked to see if all the students had joined the class. "Miss Granger isn't here yet."

He waited a few more minutes and then Miss Granger ran into the room and took her seat next to Harry and Ron.

"Good afternoon class." Remus was standing nonchalantly against his desk.

A mixture of "Good afternoon Professor Lupin." Rang out through the class.

"Today we will be doing some revision of boggarts." Some students began whispering to each other.

"Now I know that boggarts can be frightening. But in order to overcome your fear, you must first face it." Remus was pacing slowly in front of the class now. "For today, we will be doing textbook revision and spell casting only. I will have a boggart here for our next class to practice on."

The students seemed to relax. "Oh, I hate boggarts." Ron was turning pale. "They always turn into giant spiders."

"It's ok. Just listen to Professor Lupin and you'll be alright." Harry was pulling out his textbook and flipping through the pages.

"Now, turn your books to chapter 4 and begin." Remus sat at his desk and began grading papers while the students read their books.

About 30 minutes in he got up. "Alright. Everyone done reading?"

All of the students nodded. "Wonderful. Now, go ahead and pack away your things and stand against the windows." The students did as instructed and made their way to stand in front of the windows.

Remus flicked his wand and all the desks and chairs disappeared. "Now, I want you to picture something funny. Whether it be a memory, something that makes you laugh, or an item that you find particularly amusing." He was walking up and down the row of students. "And practice your wand movement."

The students began waving their wands in the same languid motion, over and over again. After about 10 minutes of this, Remus stopped them.

"Good, good. Now, add in the incantation. Riddikulus." Remus watched as the students began speaking the incantation and waving their wands.

He watched them for 10 minutes and then he stopped them. "Very good class. Remember boggarts are defeated by laughter so the more amusing the better. Class dismissed."

The students picked up their bags and made for the door to leave. "A moment of your time, Miss Granger?" Remus called to her.

"Wonder what that's about." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Want us to wait for you Hermione?" Harry was waiting for her.

"No thanks Harry. I'll meet you in the great hall." And she turned and walked towards Remus.

"Come on mate, I'm starving." Weasley almost ran out of the classroom, Harry right on his heels. The rest of the students had gone.

Remus sat on the edge of his desk as she made her way toward him.

"Yes Professor?" She stopped in front of him and smiled.

"Miss Granger. Dumbledore told me of your proposal to the Ministry."

Miss Granger squared her shoulders. "Did he?"

"Yes. And I wanted to say that I support it one hundred percent." He smiled at her.

Her eyes lit up. "Thank you Professor Lupin."

"I wanted to extend an invitation to teach you advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. Should you be interested." His posture was rigid.

"Oh! Thank you Professor Lupin. I don't know what to say." She shifted her feet. "Can I please think about it?"

"Of course! My door is always open." He smiled at her.

"Thank you Professor." And she turned and walked out of the classroom.