Bold*- parstletounge
Italics - thoughts
"Normal"- speech and narrative
Chapter 42: A Traumatic Boggart
23/9/1993
~~~~~~~~~
It was three weeks later and Cassandra still wasn't talking to Draco and, out of pride, Draco wasn't making any effort to talk with her.
He was still wearing a sling and making a huge fuss over his arm which annoyed Cass to no end. Theo and Blaise were still talking to Draco but not as much and pretty much were always seen around her. Daphne, Pansy, Vincent and Gregory flicked between the two as to not be rude or take sides.
Despite the group's hostility towards one another they were all excited for today's Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson. Previously Professor Lupin had stated he would try and find a boggart for them and in his last lesson he had told the class that he had found one.
Cassandra had absolutely no clue what her boggart would be so she was excited to find out. A few of the others had an idea on what theirs would be.
Every single one of the Slytherins thought they were prepared for the lesson.
Boy were they wrong.
Professor Lupin wasn't there when they arrived at his classroom. No one bothered sitting down though as they knew it would be a practical lesson.
A few minutes later the Professor appeared. "Good afternoon, would you please leave your bags here and follow me, don't forget your wands"
Cassandra grinned at Theo and Blaise as they followed the teacher down the corridors of the school right until they reached the staffroom.
"Inside, please," said Professor Lupin, opening it and standing back.
Cass smiled at her Uncle as it revealed he was inside the room. He nodded his head discreetly towards her and then swept away, stating he didn't want to see any of this. When he brushed past her Cassandra felt a small piece of parchment slip into her hand.
Tell me what yours is and come to me if anything happens. I also need you to finish brewing Lupins wolfsbane as I have better things to be doing, like my job. Tell me when you're free.
She giggled at the note and gently tucked it away as Professor Lupin stood by a rattling wardrobe.
"As you already know, today we will be learning about, and facing, a Boggart. Now, boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces: wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks - I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in a few days ago and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice."
He faced the trembling students. "So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?"
Cassandra raised her hand, as did Granger. Unlike other Professors, who would have just called on the Gryffindor, he pointed to Cass.
"It's a shape-shifter, it takes the shape of whatever frightens us most. In that cupboard it's in it's true form but no one has ever seen what one really looks like. When you let it out it will assume the form of what we fear the most - but we have an advantage. The boggart won't know what to turn into."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," said Professor Lupin. "15 points to Slytherin! Now, the charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, please...riddikulus!"
"This class is ridiculous!" Cassandra heard her cousin state from the corner of the room and she glared at him, he sneered back.
"Riddikulus!" said the class together.
"Good," said Professor Lupin. "Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. Neville would you please step forward to demonstrate!"
The wardrobe shook again, though not as much as Longbottom, who walked forward as though he were heading for the gallows.
"Right, Neville," said Remus. "First things first: what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?"
His lips moved, but no noise came out.
"I didn't catch that, Neville, sorry!"
"Professor Snape."
Cassandra burst out laughing, as did the rest of the class. This was unbelievable! The fact that this boy was more scared of his teacher than the people who tortured his own parents was hilarious!
"Professor Snape...hmmm...Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"
"Er yes. But I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either!"
"No, no, you misunderstand me," said Lupin, smiling. "I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"
Cassie laughed harder, she knew where this was going. Longbottom explained the outfit and she had to grab onto Theo and Blaise to keep herself upright.
"Right then," said Professor Lupin. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"
"Yes," said Longbottom uncertainty
"When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape you will then cry 'Riddikulus' and-" he walked over to the boy and whispered something in his ear. The Gryffindor looked startled.
"Now I want you all to picture the thing you fear the very most, and turn it into something funny! Everybody ready? Alohomora!"
The students were now in a line, Gryffindor's in front Slytherins in back, and the wardrobe began to open.
Professor Snape stalked out of it and menacingly walked up to Longbottom.
"R-riddikulus!" The boy stuttered and Cassandra's uncle was suddenly wearing a green dress, a fox-faux scarf, high heels, a vulture hat and was clutching a bright red handbag. The whole class burst out laughing and Cass made a mental note to show this memory to the whole family.
The Boggart paused, confused, and Professor Lupin shouted, "Parvati! Forward!"
Patil walked forward, there was another crack, and where he had stood was a bloodstained, bandaged mummy; its sightless face was turned to Parvati and it began to walk toward her very slowly, dragging its feet, its stiff arms rising-
"Riddikulus!" She cried.
Cassandra laughed as a bandage unraveled at the mummy's feet; it became entangled, fell face forward, and its head rolled off.
"Seamus!" roared the Professor.
Crack! Where the mummy had been was a woman with floorlength black hair and a skeletal, green-tinged face - a banshee.
She opened her mouth wide and an unearthly sound filled the room, a long, wailing shriek that made the hair on Cass's head stand on end.
"Riddikulus!" shouted Finnegan.
The banshee made a rasping noise and clutched her throat; her voice was gone.
"Excellent! Ron, you next!"
Cassandra watched eagerly to see what the weasels biggest fear was.
Crack!
Quite a few people screamed, even Cass doubled back. A giant spider, six feet tall and covered in hair, was advancing on Weasley, clicking its pincers menacingly.
"Riddikulus!" The spider was now struggling to stand, having rollerskates on each foot.
It was then Potters turn. The spider looked to examine him and then turned into a dementor. The boy looked frozen and Professor Lupin jumped in front of him, the boggart turned into the full moon.
"Riddikulus!" He yelled, it turned into a white balloon that zipped around their heads before retiring back to the wardrobe. "Well done everyone, er class dismissed!"
There was shouts of anguish from the Slytherins.
"That's not fair!"
"We want a go!"
"All the Gryffindorks got to do it!"
Remus sighed. "Fine all those who want to face the boggart can stay and so can those who want to watch."
None of the class moved, each wanting to see what the big bad snakes were afraid of.
Lupin aimed at the cupboard. "Alright Mr Zabini you're up."
Surprisingly out stepped Cassandra, she walked up to Blaise and began circling him. "You think I actually care about you? You think I actually love you? No I never have. Who would want you as a brother? You have and will always be a pain in the arse, I hate you!"
"Riddikulus!" It turned into her laughing, unable to stand.
"Miss Greengrass!"
As a severely injured Astoria appeared infront of them, screaming that Daphne didn't protect her, Cassandra took Blaise's hand in her own.
Pansy's turned into her Parents disowning her, Vince's changed to an evil looking version of his father holding a belt, Theo's turned into his father leaving him by his mother's grave.
As each Slytherin stepped up to face it the Gryffindor's got a glimpse into their lives.
The house of red and gold realised something about Slytherin house that day. They all just wanted to make their families proud and protect each other. Their family and friends were their lives that was clear.
Several of the girls from Gryffindor were actually crying and the boys had the decency to look ashamed.
Just as Greg had turned his yelling mother into a oinking pig, Cassandra stepped up to the boggart. She was second to last, Draco was behind her which had annoyed her to no end.
Curiously she watched as the thing began to change. It then got it's form.
Several people screamed. No one seemed to know what to do, even Professor Lupin was still with shock.
Standing in front of them was Lord Voldemort.
"Cassandra Riddle..." the fake version of her father started. "What a pathetic excuse for a witch. You're a worthless person who deserves nothing you get given. I bet you're family don't even love you, that they keep you around just for the sake of it: no wonder Draco got rid of you so quickly. All your friends hate you too-"
Cass stumbled as he walked towards her, the whole class could barely breathe.
"-didn't you know? They all talk about it behind your back. They despise you and want you dead. And of course I would do that - but that makes them happy. So I'll do the opposite. You adore your friends, still do even though I've just told you they hate you. So, I'll kill them off in front of you. One. By. One. Starting with the one you love the most"
Suddenly Blaise appeared in tight ropes, Voldemort pointing his wand at him. "BLAISE!" Cassandra shakily yelled. She tried to move towards him but two people were holding her arms back, it was her Uncle Lucius and her Aunt Cissa. She thrashed in their grip trying to get to Blaise.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Her father yelled and Blaise's body slumped to the ground.
"NO!" She screamed. She was shaking with tears as the two Malfoys dropped her arms. She fell to the ground and crawled to his side.
"Cassandra! It's okay I'm still here!" She heard his voice say. She cried harder at this though, it couldn't be true - she had just watched her father kill him.
Around the classroom everyone was watching the scene frozen in place. There was not a single person in the room who didn't have tears in their eyes, for the girl sounded so heartbroken.
Remus finally snapped out of it and quickly got rid of the Boggart. "Class really dismissed now, every one out and not a word of this to anyone - we don't want Miss Riddle to be embarrassed. Mr Zabini please stay so we can help her."
Everyone blindly piled out the door, casting a glance to Cass who was still bawling on the floor. Draco did not leave as told.
"Mr Malfoy please leave before I make you."
"I'm not going anywhere! She's my cousin!"
"Yet you haven't spoken in weeks! Please leave!"
Draco tried to walk to Cassandra, calling out her name and reaching out to her. He was stopped by Blaise.
"What the hell Zabini! Let me go to my cousin!"
"Mr Malfoy please leave we need to make sure she is okay!!"
Draco kept putting up a fight so Remus was forced to act. He shot a spell that acted like a forcefield, slowly pushing him out the room.
"CASSANDRA! YOU CANT DO THIS TO ME SHES MY COUSIN! CASSIE! PLEASE LET ME SEE HER! CASS! I-"
The door slammed infront of him. Blaise and the Professor ran to the sobbing girls side.
As Lupin summoned a calming draught and helped pour it down the girls throat.
As he did this he turned to Blaise. "Tell Mr Malfoy I am sorry that I had to use violence, but if we had left her any longer things could have been quite disastrous. It is best for the one in the vision to comfort the victim. I am annoyed at myself for not snapping out of my trance sooner. I guess I just didn't expect to see Voldemort especially-"
"Especially when it wasn't facing Potter?" Blaise finished. Remus nodded.
"Blaise?" Stated a meek voice. "Is that really you?"
The two looked down to see the tear-stained face of Cassandra Riddle.
Blaise smiled, "yes Cassie it's me."
She threw herself into his arms, knocking him to the ground, he rubbed her back soothingly as she sobbed once more.
"Shh, it's okay, I'm here. Nothing is going to happen to me, shh you're okay."
Remus watched the two with a smile at the bond shared. He then heard her mutter something like "Uncle" through her sobs.
"You want me to take you to Professor Snape?" Blaise asked her and she nodded. Cass rolled off of Blaise so he could get up and once stood he picked her up bridal style and headed out the door.
"Thank you Professor Lupin!" Stated Blaise whilst Cassandra sleepily muttered, "good werewolf."
They then exited the room leaving a shocked, and scared, Remus behind.
Blaise navigated the corridors to the dungeon and just as they had descended the steps a voice could be heard from behind them. "Hey wait up!"
The Italian turned around and Cassandra looked up to (shockingly) see Cedric Diggory running down the stairs two at a time.
"I just heard what happened! Are you okay darling?"
"So much for the Gryffindor's keeping quiet," Blaise mumbled before turning to the Hufflepuff, adjusting Cassandra because she was beginning to get to heavy and slip. "What's it to you?"
"Here let me." Cedric said and before Blaise could react the boy had picked Cassandra out of his arms and was now carrying her upright. She had her head buried in his neck and her arms and legs wrapped around him.
"Um excuse me?!"
"What? It looked like you were struggling, I didn't want you to drop her. And to answer your question, I find Cassandra to be a very good friend."
She felt her heart drop at that word, however she was unsure why and just snuggled further into his embrace. He smelt like cinnamon, rain and chocolate and Cassandra loved it.
Blaise huffed and glared at him, "fine, we're going to Professor Snape's office so I guess you can carry her the rest of the way."
Cedric grinned and led the way, Blaise dragging his feet and muttering curses underneath his breath.
They soon reached Severus's office and Cedric made to knock, Blaise however just pushed right on through. "Severus!"
"What the bloody hell do you think you're calling me that fo- Cassandra! What happened? Are you okay?"
Cedric was extremely confused when Professor Snape ripped the girl out of his arms and started cradling her in his own.
Cass started sobbing again, "oh Uncle Sev it was my boggart, it was awful!"
"U-uncle?" The Hufflepuff choked out. The three Slytherins turned to him, having forgotten he was there.
Sev put his 'Professor' face back on, "a word of this to anyone Diggory and you'll be in detention for the rest of your life!"
The boy nodded, "of course sir not a word! I'll leave you to your family and Cass I'll talk to you later. Zabini" he nodded at Blaise and then left the room.
"Finally!"
"Blaise don't be rude!"
"Urgh fine!"
"Stop bickering and tell me what happened!" Stated Severus.
"Well-"
