Everyone left the classroom in a hurry; it was Defence Against the Dark Arts next, and with Professor Lupin teaching them, it was a really fun lesson. Apparently today they were looking back on Boggarts, which the class were quite excited about, because although they hated doing it themselves, it was quite fun watching other people have to get rid of the thing they feared most while watching it stand before them.
Harry stayed behind though, to talk to Snape. He walked up to his desk anxiously, knowing that no good would come out of the conversation they were about to have. Snape sat down in his chair, fingers linked, waiting for Harry to reach his desk. When he did, Harry looked up but said nothing. He merely waited for the words that got him in trouble.
"Mr. Potter…" Snape started. He didn't say anything else though. His mouth stayed open for a bit, and then sighed and shut itself.
"Um…what did you want to see me about, sir?" Harry asked nervously.
Snape paused. "You were messing around in my class today, Mr. Potter."
Harry wasn't quite sure what he wanted him to say. "I know, I'm…I'm sorry, sir," Harry said slowly, slightly confused by the way their conversation had started.
"Right, well, that's good then," Snape said stuttering. "Well, off you go then. We don't want you to miss Professor Lupin's class."
Harry nodded and walked towards the door feeling very confused. "Oh, and one last thing..." Harry stopped and turned round. Snape was frowning. "You'd do well to stay away from Miss Leaks."
Harry frowned. "W-why?"
"Just trust me on this one, Mr. Potter. I know we haven't been the best of friends for the last few years," well that's a big understatement, thought Harry, "but remember, we're on the same team now."
As Harry walked out of the classroom, he heard Snape call after him, "In your next lesson with Professor Lupin, make sure you don't miss what her Boggart turns into."
Harry practically ran to DADA, not wanting to miss anything. He was still confused about Snape. Did he know something about Cassandra that Harry didn't? Probably, as she was in his house, but if it was something bad, then surely, he would tell him, wouldn't he?
Harry walked into the classroom. Remus looked up at him and smiled. "Sorry I'm late, Professor Snape wanted to talk to me." Remus simply nodded and Harry walked over to sit with Ron. He looked around for Cassandra and saw her sitting near the back with Malfoy, who looked a bit pale.
"I thought Malfoy wasn't coming in today?" Harry whispered to Ron, still staring in Cassandra and Malfoy's direction.
"And I thought that you didn't care those two were going out," Ron whispered back. Harry frowned at his grinning friend, and then they both turned their attention to the head of the class.
"Now I know you've probably heard from the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws that we're going to be re-looking at Boggarts today," Remus said, smiling cheerily. "I know we did it in your third year, but I thought it would be good to remind you about all this. Now, as I'm sure you remember, all you have to do is laugh at it when the Boggart comes out of the box, disguised as the one thing you fear most in this world; which, obviously, is a lot easier to say than to do. Standing up to your biggest fear is one of the hardest things to do. But let's have a go anyway, shall we?" Everyone stood up and clustered around the big box that stood next to Remus. "It's good practice to laugh away your fears, and I'm sure it will help you later on in life, for whatever reasons."
Each person in turn stood up to the box confidently, cowered back as whatever it was came out of the box (spiders, fire, and in one case, a lamppost), laughed nervously, and watched it turn to smoke and drift back into the box. Harry waited eagerly for Cassandra to step forward, remembering Snape's words.
When they had had a go at this in their third year, they hadn't been with the Slytherins, and Harry was interested to know what Malfoy's biggest fear was. It turned out to be Werewolves. When they had been in their first year, Harry, Ron, Neville and Malfoy had had a detention in the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid, and Malfoy had complained then about werewolves being in the forest. Harry and Remus raised their eyebrows at each other in amusement. Remus was a werewolf, which everyone else knew, but had obviously chosen to forget about.
Next it was Cassandra's turn. Harry sucked in his breath. The box opened… out came a boy about her size. It was Harry…
Everyone looked at Cassandra, who was doing very well not to pay any attention to the fact that her biggest fear was a boy standing in the very same room as her. Then all the stares turned to Harry, who was frowning in confusion, looking at the image of himself.
Remus smiled in amusement, but was still frowning. "Well, well…" was all he said.
Cassandra laughed at the figure of Harry, who turned into smoke and escaped back into its box. There was utmost stillness and silence in the classroom as everyone waited for Cassandra to react. Most of all Harry. Had Snape known that that was what Cassandra would see?
Remus clapped his hands together to break the silence. A few people jumped. "Right then, I think that'll do for today. The rest of you can have a turn tomorrow." Everyone walked back to their seats and grabbed their stuff, bumbling with curiosity over Cassandra's strange fear.
"What the hell was that about?" Ron said to Harry. A few of his friends clustered around Harry, all talking to them at once, but he simply pushed past them and walked over to Cassandra. He opened his mouth to say something but she just said, "Not now," and ran from the classroom, leaving Harry to stare after her in confusion.
You didn't have to go to that lesson, you know that.
Of course I know that but it would've aroused more suspicion had I not gone.
Maybe you wanted to go. Maybe you wanted everyone to see what your biggest fear is…which we'll have to talk about by the way.
Oh for Hell's sake…I don't know any more than you do about why Harry came out of there! I thought something silly like a spider or something would come out. I think we were supposed to think about what we feared most first, before it came out, but I just thought I'd – go with the flow…
Look Cassandra, I love you darling, but if you ruin this…
I'm not going to ruin it! You have to trust me, ok?
Hmm. Well, I'd better go. I'll talk to you later. Watch it.
I will. Bye.
"You're Cassandra's biggest fear?" Seamus said again for the tenth time.
"It would appear so," said Harry, frowning.
"…You're Cassandra's biggest fear?!" Seamus said again. Dean threw a pillow at him.
"Yes, I think we've established that fact, Seamus. Thanks for reminding us so many times."
Seamus pulled the pillow off him angrily. He stuck his tongue out at Dean childishly, when no one was looking.
Ron glanced at Harry. "You know why?"
"Of course not!" Harry said frowning. "I've only known her for a few weeks – why the hell would I be her biggest fear? It's not like…" Harry stopped, mouth open. He closed his eyes. Well, yes; that would certainly make a helluva lotta sense, said his mind.
No it wouldn't! Harry argued back. That is very unlikely; we've only just met for crying out loud! And besides – even if that WAS true, there are plenty more things to be scared about.
What about if her family's pure blood, and one like Malfoy's? Maybe her family are all evil like his. That would put a lot of pressure on the girl. Then it could be possible.
While Harry was sitting with his eyes closed, tossing this new thought around in his mind, he didn't realise that his friends were staring at him, waiting to come back and to tell them what he was thinking. Harry's eyes snapped open. "Well?" asked Ron after Harry didn't say anything.
"Huh?" said Harry stupidly.
Ron shook his head and looked at the others. "What do you think it is?" asked Neville, taking over from Ron.
"Oh nothing, nothing. I don't know, just a thought…" said Harry shrugging. He yawned. "Ok, I'm going to sleep now. I'm tired. Goodnight." He lay back down and tried to shut his curtains, but Ron's hand struck out and caught the edge of the curtain. "What is it, Harry? Tell me," said Ron, frowning at his best friend.
"If I knew, I would tell you wouldn't I? Goodnight." Harry shut the curtains and lay back down on his mattress. He pulled his covers over him and lay on his side. He stared at his curtains, eyes wide awake; his heart was pounding so loud he thought he would never sleep.
a/n: im baAak!!! Sorry it'd been a while, my computer broke. Grr. but im back now YAY so review pleeeeeeeaze.
~rowan
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