"Do you reckon that he's going to be nice?" Neville asked. They were in the DADA classroom waiting for Professor Lupin to arrive.
"Definitely," Ebony said, an air of certainty to her voice.
"How do you know?"
Ebony smiled, "He seems like the kind of person my mother would sneer at and tell me to stay away from. Which obviously means that he's a good person because everything that my mother says is complete and utter bullshit." Ebony spat the last few words unintentionally. The thought of her mother just made her angry. Made her want to punch something. Neville, however, seemed completely unaware and was laughing at the comment she had made. Ebony looked at him and smiled. She didn't know what it was about him but his presence just made her feel so at ease, so calm, so safe.
The chatting in the room died down as Professor Lupin arrived. "Good afternoon," he said, leaning against the desk. Ebony noticed he looked less tired than he did yesterday. "You'll only need your wands today so put your books away and follow me." Everyone was happy to hear this. Practical lessons were always more fun, though they had never had a practical DADA lesson before.
The class followed Professor Lupin down the corridor where they ran into Peeves, who was stuffing chewing gum into a keyhole. When he saw them a wide grin spread across his face and he began to sing, "Loony Lupin, loony loopy Lupin." Professor Lupin was smiling.
"You better take that gum out," he said, "Or Filch won't be able to get into his cupboard." Peeves didn't seem to care and blew a raspberry in response. Professor Lupin sighed before going up to the door. "Watch this, Waddiwassi!"
The gum flew out of the keyhole and right up Peeves' nose which caused him to shoot off, cursing as he went.
"Cool, sir" Dean exclaimed.
"Thank you, Dean." Professor Lupin then continued leading them down the corridor and then ushered them into the staff room. It was a large room with only one occupant, Professor Snape. He got up as Professor Lupin went to close the door.
"Leave it open, I'd rather not see this." He said, striding across the room. The class stepped back as he passed them but he stopped next to Neville.
"You'll want to watch this one professor," sneered Snape, looking down his nose at Neville."He can't do anything right." Neville was looking down, shuffling his feet as if he was trying to melt into the floor. Ebony's cheeks were red with anger as she glared at Snape. 'How dare he,' she thought, 'How fucking dare he.'
"I think that Neville is quite capable Severus," Professor Lupin said, raising his eyebrows, "In fact, he is going to help me with my demonstration." Neville's head snapped up in horror, his face flushed. Professor Lupin simply gave him an encouraging smile. Snape scoffed and with a swish of his robes, he left the room.
There was a large wardrobe behind where Professor Lupin was standing which gave a loud rattle and the class jumped.
"Nothing to fear," Professor Lupin said, "It's only a Boggart." The class, however, thought that this was something to fear and continued to stay well away from it "Boggarts like dark and enclosed spaces. This one was found yesterday, and I asked Professor Dumbledore to leave it to give you some practice." The wardrobe gave another rattle, even louder than the first which caused Neville to squeal and grab Ebony's hand. He then realised that he had done so and let go, his face going even redder.
"Calm down," Ebony said, putting her hand on his shoulder." Your head will explode if you go any redder." She gave him a smile which he returned, though his didn't quite reach his eyes, and then he continued to look at the wardrobe with a look of terror.
"Now," Professor Lupin continued."Who can tell me what a Boggart is?"
Hermione raised her hand.
"A Boggart is a shapeshifter," She said. "It takes the form of whatever a person fears the most."
"I couldn't have put it better myself," said Professor Lupin. "So when I let this Boggart out it will take the form of what each of us most fear. Now we already have an advantage. Harry, can you think of what it is?"
"There's a lot of us, so it won't know what form to take," Harry said.
"Exactly, always good to have company when dealing with a Boggart." Professor Lupin said. "The charm to repel a Boggart is quite simple, but you need to concentrate. The best way to beat a Boggart is to force it to assume a shape which you find amusing. To do this you will use the spell Riddikulus! You try."
"Riddikulus!" Chanted the class.
"Very good everyone. Now if Neville would like to join me at the front please." Professor Lupin held up his arm to beckon Neville to join him. Neville gulped and shuffled forward.
"Right, Neville. Tell us what frightens you most in the world." Professor Lupin was smiling but Neville still looked terrified. He moved his lips but nothing came out.
"Sorry didn't quite catch that."
Neville looked around as if begging for help. Ebony found his eyes and smiled, giving him a little thumbs up. He turned back to face Professor Lupin and mumbled, "Professor Snape."
The class laughed and Neville smiled painfully. Ebony wasn't laughing though. The thought that a teacher could be his worst fear made her sick. Sure, they all had teachers that were scary, Ebony thought Professor McGonagall could be terrifying when she was angry. But Snape was different. He was just nasty and horrid. Ebony felt her cheeks burn.
"Professor Snape. Ok..." Professor Lupin looked thoughtful." Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"
Neville looked nervous. "Er...yes but I don't want it to turn into her."
"No, no," Professor Lupin was now smiling. "What kind of clothes does your grandmother wear?"
Neville thought for a moment, " A big hat with a vulture on it... Erm, a long dress...Usually green...Oh! And a red handbag."
"Very good," said Professor Lupin. "I want you to picture those clothes in your mind. Then when you cast the spell, the Boggart will be forced to wear them."Neville was grinning now, clearly already amused by the thought of Snape in his grandmother's clothes.
"Now back up everyone." The class shuffled a couple of steps backwards. " Once Neville has defeated this Boggart, I will call your names. When I do you will step forward and take your turn, so start thinking what your worst fear is and how you could make it funny."
Ebony knew exactly what her worst fear was and the thought of it being revealed to the class made her want to run and leave. There was no way she would be able to make it funny. 'But,' she thought, 'if Neville is brave enough then so am I.'
Neville had now gone pale, but he had rolled up his sleeves and held up his wand.
"You ready?" Professor Lupin asked. Neville nodded, his eyes focused on the wardrobe. "Okay, on three. One – two – three!"
The wardrobe burst open and out walked Professor Snape his eyes flashing at Neville. Neville's mouth was moving, but no sound came out. He took a deep breath and managed to squeak " Riddikulus." Suddenly Snape was swamped in a long green dress and large hat with a bird on top and a bright red handbag. Everyone roared with laughter and applause.
"Parvarti!" Professor Lupin shouted, and Parvarti swapped places with Neville. He walked towards Ebony with a grin on his face.
"Did you see? I did it!"
"I'm so proud of you!" Ebony beamed back at him. "Now breathe because I'm scared you may pass out." Neville laughed but took several deep breaths all the same.
The lesson continued with Parvarti's mummy losing its head, Seamus' banshee losing her voice, Dean's severed hand being caught in a mousetrap and Ron's spider losing its legs.
"Ebony" Professor Lupin called her name. Ebony stepped forward, wand ready. Her heart was in her throat, but she was determined to succeed. She watched as the boggart twisted and contorted in front of her. When it finally took shape, there were several gasps from around the room. Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange stood in front of their daughter.
Ebony swallowed and tried to say the spell but no sound came out. She still held out her wand but her arm was trembling. She couldn't breathe. Then they spoke.
"Filth. Blood traitor. Embarrassment. Shame of my flesh. Worthless." The words came out of their mouths like bullets, making Ebony flinch away from them. She stepped back and her knees buckled beneath her and she fell to the floor.
"Here!" Professor Lupin dived in front of her. Ebony looked up and watched as the Boggart changed into a misty, silvery orb. "Riddikulus!" He said lazily. "Neville, come finish it off!"
Neville cast a panicked glance at Ebony, who was still crumpled on the floor. She gave him a nod and tried to smile, she knew it came off as more of a grimace. She was breathing quickly, and her heart was pounding in her ears.
Neville stepped forward again, looking more determined than last time. Snape appeared again, his face sneering. "Riddikulus!" Neville shouted, and Snape was once again in the long dress and hat. Neville then let out a loud cry of laugher and the Boggart exploded.
Neville stopped for a moment before hurrying back over to Ebony. She had her head in her hands and was rocking back and forth. Professor Lupin was talking to the class, but she couldn't hear him against the pounding in her head. Neville began to rub her back and whispered softly in her ear. "It's okay. I got you. They can't hurt you." Ebony stopped rocking and looked up at him. "It's okay." He said again, smiling. She leant against his shoulder.
Then Lupin came over and crouched beside them. "Would you like to come and sit in my office for a bit?" He said softly. Ebony nodded. "Okay, what class do you have next?" Lupin's voice was calming.
"Transfiguration." She said, wiping her eyes. She hadn't even realised she was crying, she never cried.
"Neville, would you kindly tell Professor McGonagall where Ebony is, please?" Neville nodded. He gently helped Ebony to her feet. His touch was so gentle, so kind. Ebony didn't know that touch could feel like that. She brushed herself off and wiped her eyes again on her sleeve. Neville picked up her bag and then wrapped his arm around her and supported her as they walked to the door.
Once they reached the corridor Neville seemed reluctant to leave but Professor Lupin smiled and said: "I'll look after her, I promise." Neville gave her one last smile and then hurried off down the corridor.
Then turned around because he had gone the wrong way. Ebony gave a small giggle and waved as he went passed again.
Authors Note:
Its been a while so here's a long chapter for you!