The Boggart of fear

The first day went by fast for Daisy. She spent the majority of it sleeping on a bed in the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey often woke her up to check on her concussion and asking if she needed anything. She hardly ate throughout the day. Around dinner time Professor Lupin came by to see how she was doing.

"Hey sweetheart, how are you doing?" he asked sincerely. He sat down on the side of the bed, leaving his hand on her leg. Just like he used to do when she was sick at home. "Been better. One hell of a first day at Hogwarts," she said. Remus' worn out face was covered by a smile as he shook his head.

"Sure is, my little flower girl," Remus said. He only called her that when his past was on his mind. Her name was an idea from her mother. She desperately wanted to name her daughter after a flower, as flowers were her all-time favourite thing. Daisy's mother had fought alongside him in the First Wizarding War. It was caused by Lord Voldemort's return to the United Kingdom. He wanted to start his reign of terror, but was stopped by the Ministry of Magic, the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter's parents love for him. It resulted in the disappearance of the Dark Lord and the decline of the Death Eaters. Many fought in the war and sadly many lost their lives. Daisy's mother and Remus' Lupin's first love was one of those who did not make it home. It is still unknown who had casted the killing spell on her.

On the second school day of the year and Remus' first teaching day, both Harry, Ron, Hermione and Daisy had their Dark Arts class together. The new student had yet been appointed a house as she only left the hospital wing that very same morning. Seeing as she had already spoken to the three Gryffindors, she was told to follow them for the day.

"Morning students. I am Professor Lupin, your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," he informed everyone before ushering them out of the classroom. "We are going elsewhere. Today is going to be a practical lesson. You'll only need your wands," he said with a big smile on his face, looking mischievously at the students. A true Marauder look.

"Lupin? As in the girl that fainted after seeing a Dementor?" A white haired boy called out. He had a smug expression on his pale face. "You must be a Malfoy," the Professor said, trying to ignore what he had said. It took a lot of energy out of Remus to not stand up for his daughter in front of everyone, but he very well knew that would only cause more harm than good.

"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Harry spat, giving the other student a death stare. Unlike his usual behaviour, Draco Malfoy returned the look and turned around. He walked in front of his two goons, Vincent Grabbe and Gregory Goyle. The three Slytherins disappeared in the group of students walking down the corridor. They were headed towards the teacher's room. A place student's hardly ever saw.

The staff room was long and filled with mismatched furniture. Every chair was empty expect one. Professor Snape sat there looking smug at the students. He definitely knew something they did not. Neville Longbottom paled at the sight of the teacher. Everyone at Hogwarts knew that the young boy was terrified of Professor Snape. Many agreed, but never said it out loud in fear of becoming his next victim.

"Be careful, Lupin. You have Neville Longbottom in your class," Snape muttered on his way out the door. Professor Lupin just rolled his eyes.

"Right class, if you would follow me to the other end of the room," the Professor exclaimed. Once standing next to an old wardrobe, he turned around to face his students. Just as he was about to say something, the wardrobe moved. A few students jumped, their eyes going wide. "Nothing to worry about," the Professor explained unable to hide the small laugh that escaped his mouth. "Now, line up at the back," he said.

"This closet," Professor Lupin explained, "holds your worst fears." Ron looked between Daisy and Hermione for answers. Both girls of course had already guessed what was about to happen but chose to say nothing. The closet was hiding a Boggart, a creature that immediately morphed into the worst fear of the person nearest them, usually only defeated by the Riddikulus charm.

As Professor Lupin opened the closet door, a wind swept out of it, immediately taking the form of a white circle. Daisy breathed out loudly, knowing full well what that was. The moon, a werewolf's worst enemy.

"Repeat after me," he called to the students behind him. "Riddikulus!"

"This class is ridiculous," muttered Malfoy. Daisy shot him a glare. On her short time at Hogwarts, she had already learned that Draco Malfoy was a troubled kid who was very rude and acted like a jerk towards his peers.

Lupin pointed his wand at the Boggart, repeating, "Ridikkulus!" Green sparks flew out of the wand, deflating the 'moon' like a balloon. Small laughter could be heard in the room.

"The thing that really defeats a Boggart is laughter. So, keep calm and turn it into something hilarious," the Professor explained, waving his wand around in the air for dramatic effect.

"Now, Longbottom, you're up," he said with a satisfied look on his face. Neville hesitantly stepped up beside the Professor, shaking like a leaf in the wind. The Boggart transformed with a loud pop. Some students in the back let out a laugh as they saw the Boggart turning into Professor Snape. "R-ri-riddikulus" Neville stammered, shaking in the process. Nothing happened and Professor Lupin had to jump in, "Don't worry Neville." He moved a step closer to the obvious scared student. "Think of someone you care about," he said soothingly. "My Gran!" exclaimed Neville.

"Yes, and what does your Gran wear?" the Professor continued. "She wears… A hat and dresses…" Neville frowned. You could almost see the light bulb turn on above his head. "I got it! Riddikulus!" The staff room filled with students erupted in laughter at the sight of Professor Snape wearing a long flowery dress and a big sunhat. Even Lupin couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Right next student," the Professor said.

When it came to Ron, his Boggart turned into a giant spider called Aragog. More correctly an Acromantula, who belonged to Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Ground of Hogwarts and to the surprise of many, he too had become a teacher. Harry, Ron and Hermione were the only ones in the room that knew what it was. Hermione's Boggart turned into Professor McGonagall telling her she failed all of her O.W.L.'s. The pure horror on her face was almost unimaginable. Harry's Boggart turned into the shape of a Dementor, but was put out by Professor Lupin, who quickly yelled, "here! Riddikulus!" It turned into a bird and landed on top of the wardrobe.

Daisy was the last student to face her fears. She looked at her father with wide eyes, pleading for the class to end. Noticing just how terrified his own daughter looked, he felt his heart clench.

"Good work class, you're dismissed!" Professor Lupin called out. Daisy visible relaxed. The Professor walked up to her before she could leave with the other students. "Daisy, would you mind staying after class?" he asked. She nodded. "I'll find you later," she told Harry, Ron and Hermione, who all gave her a concerned look. The Professor might be her father but being held after classes was hardly a good thing.

"What are you so afraid of?" he asked her as they were alone in the staff room. She did not answer. Her robes were being wrinkled by her constant fidgeting, but she could not stop. "Daisaline Jenna Lupin, what is scaring you so much, you cannot face it?" he asked again, folding his arms over his chest. He only ever used her full name, when they were alone and when he was serious. She was not a fan of Daisaline, as she preferred her nickname, Daisy.

She inhaled deeply before saying, "Do you really want to know?" Her father nodded. "I did not want the others to see it..." she added before standing in front of the wardrobe. Remus opened the door, and the room was filled with a fog once again. The Boggart turned into Daisy herself. "You're afraid of yourself?" Remus asked surprised. Before she could answer the Boggart changed to an awful scenery. The Daisy Boggart was sitting down next to the dead body of Remus Lupin. A grim green fog around them.

"Oh Daisy…" the real Remus whispered. He casted a spell that threw the Boggart back into the dark closet and locked it. Daisy was standing with tears streaming down her face. Her eyes normally blue like her mothers was red, filled with sadness.

"I didn't know," Remus said, embracing her in a hug. "I really didn't know."

At breakfast the following morning, Dumbledore walked in looking almighty as always. "Once you are done eating, miss Lupin. I would very much like to see you in my office," he said pointing at her from a few feet away. Chills went down the spines of every student nearby. "Yes, sir," Daisy replied, taking a deep breath. Just as the headmaster had left the room, Draco walked by.

"Someone is in trouble!" he whispered. His laugh filled the room, making numerous people roll their eyes. Daisy turned back to her porridge.

"What do you reckon that's about?" Ron asked, leaning over the table. Daisy shrugged and continued to eat. She was another broken hearted child in the world that Albus Dumbledore had taken under his wing. The days before a full moon would emerge on the sky, he had personally picked up the little Lupin girl. Her father had made a deal with his old headmaster. Every time he was forced to transform into a werewolf, his daughter was to be held as far away as possible. Most times she would spend a night at Dumbledores office, once in a while she would sneak out. Professor McGonagall had caught her a few times, but never scolded the little child. Upon finally seeing the girl a student at Hogwarts, the Professor had chosen to pretend that they did not know each other. Best that way, in order to keep her father's 'little furry problem' a secret.

Once all the food was gone, the students went to their morning classes. All except Daisy. She walked, nervously, towards the headmaster's office. It was big and filled with all kinds of magic. To Daisy, it looked the same as when she was younger.

"Good to see you," McGonagall said as she opened the door for the student. "Morning, Professor," she politely said. Inside was Dumbledore sitting by his desk and a very excited looking Remus Lupin standing next to him.

"Morning, sunshine!" Remus said, side hugging his daughter. She smiled up at him, feeling relaxed already.

"The reason I had called you up here, is to have a more private place to sort you into a house," the headmaster explained. He stood up and held the Sorting Hat out for her to see. He motioned for her to take a seat. She gently sat down in the chair behind her, growing more nervous by the second. Both her mother and father had been sorted into the house of Gryffindor.

Once the hat was placed on her head it began talking, "Another Lupin! Another moon child, perhaps?" Remus visible straightened his back and looked awkwardly at the ceremony.

"Perhaps not, but a regular witch you are not," it went on. "Very loyal, a smart head, a brave soul - what house would fit such a soul?" the hat asked mostly to itself. Dumbledore looked anxiously awaiting the final answer.

"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled. All three adults breathed out and cheered. Daisy herself was stuck on the part of her not being a normal witch. Was she like her father after all?

Dumbledore removed the hat and stepped away to let Remus in. He engulfed her in a hug and whispered in her ear, "you are just like your mother."