Hey all! Let the angry comments come, because I have absolutely no excuse for not updating for over a year with this story and a couple of my other ones. However, I do appreciate those that have favorited/followed my stories thus far. I have this fall and winter quarter of college to finish up, before I can officially graduate.
COVID-19 really screwed my plans over, and along with that and a lot of parental pressure, I spiraled out of control and lost track. I messed up on a couple of classes in both Spring and Summer, but after I told my parents what happened, I got the opportunity to make up missing assignments and fixed the grades for those courses, and I agreed to see a psychological counselor for help. At first, I was diagnosed with general anxiety until a few emotional episodes later along with admitting that I tend not to submit work if it isn't perfect the first time. I find it difficult to be motivated for class and do work, as well as contempt for being stuck inside at home due to the pandemic, and recently one of my childhood friends recently passed away, and the plans for his funeral were constantly changing up until last week when my mom and I finally got to go and say goodbye (RIP Tyler). My diagnosis was later changed to major depressive disorder (MDD).
However, since the funeral, I've been having sessions with the counselor, which have really helped to get a lot of baggage off my chest. My parents and I have been working things out with school, and have agreed to give me my space, with occasional check-ups, and help with writing assignments. Now, I'm doing way better than before. I'm not completely cured, but I feel better than I did a couple of months ago. I'm going to be very busy this month, probably up until a week before Christmas, so the updates are going to come in slowly. Winter quarter won't be as hectic, because I have won't have as many courses, and I might have more time to update/create more stories. I was thinking of doing a few more OC-inserts in franchises like X-Men, How to Train Your Dragon, or anime like Soul Eater. Let me know what you think, suggestions/comments are greatly appreciated! Now enough about me and my problems. Let's get back to Prisoner of Azkaban (and my other stories in the future.)
The following day was filled with everyone talking about the "Hippogriff incident." The four of us and other fellow Gryffindors were in the Great Hall for a free period. Unfortunately, Malfoy and a few of this Slytherin friends sat not too far from us and he was exaggerating about his injury to gain sympathy. "Does it hurt terribly, Draco?" Pansy Parkinson asked. "It comes and it goes. Another minute and Madam Pomfrey said I could have lost my arm," Malfoy fibbed. "He's really laying it on thick, isn't he?" Ron complained. "Yeah, well at least Hagrid didn't get fired," Harry said relieved. "True, but I heard Draco's father is furious. We haven't heard the end of this," Hermione warned. "Question, is it bad that I secretly wish that Buckbeak really tore his arm off, rather than scratch him?" I asked to no one in particular. "Ezra!" Hermione chided. "What? I'm just askin' for an opinion. Violence has nothin' to do with my question," I defended myself. "I never said anything about violence," Hermione said. "Naw, but ya thought about it..." "Wait, did I just hear her thoughts?" I slightly panicked. My scare session was cut short with Seamus running with a copy of the Daily Prophet in his hand, "He's been sighted! He's been sighted!" "Who?" Dean asked. "Sirius Black, of course," Seamus said and put the newspaper down on the table. "Dufftown? That's not far from here," Hermione noted. "You don't think he could get into Hogwarts, do you?" Neville wondered. "With the Dementors at every entrance? Who's to say he won't?" Seamus said. "That's true. If he could break outta prison and get by the Dementors, no sweat, he could literally be anywhere. It's like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands," I said. We all stared at the moving picture of the deranged escapee and it struck fear into our hearts, like no other.
On a lighter note, that day was our first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin. He had the desks moved to the sides and explained that the day's lesson was hands-on interactive. Those were always fun! There was a wardrobe in the middle of the room, which would shake violently every while or so, startling us. "Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?" Lupin asked us. Dean spoke up, "That's a boggart, that is." "Very good, Mr. Thomas. Now, can anyone tell us what a boggart looks like?" our teacher continued. "No one knows. Boggarts are shape-shifters," Hermione's voice came out of nowhere, spooking Ron. "When did she come in?" he whispered to Harry. I finished the explanation with, "These things take the form of whatever a person's most scared of. That's why so many people consider 'em terrifying beasts." Professor Lupin wished, "Wonderful explanation, Ms. Granger and Ms. Redcreek. Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a boggart. Let's practice it now, without wands, please. After me...riddikulus." "Riddikulus," we repeated. "Very good, a little louder and very clear, listen...riddikulus!" "Riddikulus!" we said again, louder this time. "This class is ridiculous," Malfoy muttered under his breath. "Very good, well so much for the easy part," the professor explained, "You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a boggart is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Let me explain, um, Neville, would you join me please?" We all turned our heads to Neville's position and he nervously sauntered up to the professor. "Neville, what frightens you most of all?" he asked. Neville answered with a quiet mumble, "Pr'fes'r Sn'pe." "I'm sorry?" "Professor Snape," he enunciated, getting him and the class to laugh a bit, us knowing that he truly was fearful of the highly intimidating Potions Master. "Yes, frightens all. And I believe you live with your grandmother." "Yes, but I don't want that boggart to turn into her, either," Neville added. "It won't," Lupin reassured. "Now, I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes." "She carries a red handbag..." Neville started, but the professor cut him off, "We don't need to hear it. So long as you see it, we'll see it. Now, when I open that wardrobe, here's what I want you to do..." He whispered something in Neville's ear and the boy nodded in understanding. "Wand at the ready. 1,2,3."
The knob turned on the door and from out of the wardrobe stepped the boggart, taking the form of Professor Snape. "Think, Neville, think," Lupin advised as the Snape-boggart came closer towards them. "Riddikulus!" Neville chanted, and instead of his usual black robes, the Snape-boggart was dressed in Neville's grandma's outfit, with a handbag and stuffed vulture hat to match. The sight was so funny, I almost peed myself. "Wonderful, Neville! Alright, form a line, everyone!" Lupin instructed. Everyone rushed and shoved each other to form a line, wanting a turn with the boggart. Ron was at the front as Lupin turned on a record player for some music. "I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the very most and turn it into something funny. Now, Ron!" The record started to play, and Ron stepped up. I remembered that Ron hated spiders with a passion, and sure enough, the boggart turned into a huge black widow. Ron turned bedsheet-pale and was frozen still for a second. The spider lurched forward and snapped its mandibles at Ron. "Wand at the ready, Ron," Lupin warned. "R-riddikulus!" Ron pointed his wand, and the spider was slipping and sliding everywhere with roller skates attached to its legs. Laughter came from everyone as the arachnid struggled to balance itself. Ron felt relieved that he wouldn't have to get close to it. "Absolutely enjoyable, Parvarti!" Lupin announced. Ron high-fived us as he went to the back of the line with Neville. Parvarti was faced with a menacing cobra. It swayed back and forth, forked tongue peeking out, and looked reading to strike at her. "Keep your nerve," Lupin said. As soon as Parvarti said "Riddikulus!" the snake became a large jack-in-the-box. There was no shortage of laughter at that form. Seamus was faced with a banshee and made her voice disappear. Dean's fear was a disembodied hand which he charmed to get caught in a mousetrap. "We're getting there! It's confused!" the professor cheered. It was my turn next, and the boggart wasted no time in transforming into the biggest yellow jacket I'd ever seen, making me shriek, "Oh, m'lawd!" Its face looked menacing; the insect buzzed loud enough to spook some people; and it looked ready to sting anything that moved. "Concentrate on something funny, Ezra," I heard the professor. Then I got an idea, and at my "Riddikulus!", it turned into a boy that used to bully me at my old school, suspended in mid-air in a hanging wedgie, swinging back and forth like a pendulum. That got the most laughs from the students. "Truly hilarious, Ezra!" the professor complimented. Harry went right after me and the boggart suddenly became a Dementor, and the room got deathly quiet, except for Lupin's record. "HERE!" our professor put himself in front of Harry and the Dementor became a pearl-white sphere in the sky, hidden by clouds. "Riddikulus!" Lupin shouted and the sphere turned into a balloon that was deflating and zipped around the room. With a wave of his wand, Lupin got the wardrobe door open and the balloon went back inside, with the knob turning back to its original position, indicating that the wardrobe was locked. "Sorry that's all for today. If you would all collect your books at the back of the class," Lupin hastily finished. The class let out a groan because most of the people in line didn't get a chance to face the boggart.
The weekend couldn't come any faster. Third-Year students were rushing to get ready and meet in the courtyard. "Now, these visits to Hogsmeade are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school, the privilege not be extended again," McGonagall warned. "All those with permission slips, follow me. Those without, stay put," Mr. Filch called out before guiding us through the archway. Hermione, Ron, and I stayed behind to see if the professor would sign Harry's paper to let him go to Hogsmeade. "No signature, no access. That's the rule," McGonagall told Harry as he held out his slip to her. "But, Professor, I thought that if you could sign it, then..." he tried, but she regretfully shot him down. "I can't, since I am neither a parent nor a guardian, it would be inappropriate. I'm sorry, Potter. That's my final word." She followed Mr. Filch to join the rest of the group. We looked at him in guilt, seeing as how he would have to stay behind every Hogsmeade weekend because his aunt and uncle refused to sign his form. "Forget it guys, I'll see you later," Harry conceded. "...Are you sure? 'Cause I can stay," I asked as Ron and Hermione were slowly walking away, still guilty. "I'm sure, Ez. You guys can tell me all about it when you come back," Harry said. And with that, we ran off to join the other 3rd Years, leaving him to stand alone in the courtyard.