I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter is my OC.

Chivalry Still Stands

"This is going to be interesting," muttered Harry.

He, Ron, Charlie and Hermione were gathered in front of Hagrid's hut along with the rest of their Care of Magical Creatures class. Ron folded his arms and said, "It won't be dangerous or anything, right? I mean, Dumbledore must have given him guidelines or something."

"I don't think guidelines will stop Hagrid," said Charlie in amusement. "They haven't before."

A few minutes later Hagrid emerged, positively beaming with excitement. "Hello, class! Welcome teh yer firs' Care o' Magical Creatures lesson! I'm excited teh show yeh what I have prepared. Now, if yeh could please pull out yer books."

"How?" Pansy demanded. The Slytherin girl held out her green book, which was bound with some tape. "It keeps trying to bite us every time we open it."

Hagrid blinked, astounded. "Er...well, yeh just pet it right down the spine."

"Oh, of course! It's so obvious!" snipped Pansy.

Charlie removed the belt and quickly stroked her finger down the spine. The book immediately went quiet and limp in her hands and Charlie sighed in relief. "Pet the spine. Got it."

"The shopkeeper could have bloody well told us," said Ron in annoyance.

"I think if the Flourish and Blotts shopkeeper knew this trick, he would have actually used it to keep the things from tearing each other apart," said Harry with a snicker.

When everyone got their textbooks under control, Hagrid led them down the field, where a paddock was constructed near the Forbidden Forest. He ordered them to wait near the wooden fence as he went to collect the creatures.

"Put in your guesses," said Harry with a grin.

"A dragon," deadpanned Ron.

"A unicorn," said Charlie hopefully.

"I can't believe you convinced me to take this class," Pansy snapped to Draco, easily heard above the bubble of noise from her peers. "If I had known this brute was teaching the class, I'd have taken Muggle Studies instead!"

"That's not a bad idea Parkinson," said Ron loudly. "You should always learn about both sides of your family,"

Charlie elbowed Ron sharply in the side. "Ron!" she hissed.

Last year, Pansy had been among the Petrified when the Basilisk was on its rampage. It came as a shock to the populace of the castle, who couldn't comprehend why Salazar Slytherin's own beast would attack a pure-blood Slytherin.

When the news reached the ears of Pansy's estranged relative, she revealed that Pansy's mother had gone and cheated with a Muggle-born whom she believed to be a pure-blood. Charlie wasn't finely tuned with the wizarding world, so she didn't know the fall-out, and Ron mentioned that the Parkinsons refused to speak to anyone about the matter.

But it was clear that Pansy had fallen out of the good graces of her Housemates. During the Welcoming Feast, Charlie had noticed that Pansy was given the cold shoulder by nearly everyone but Draco and his cronies. She couldn't begin to imagine what the news must have done to Pansy.

Draco and Pansy turned on Ron, whipping their wands out. Charlie, Ron, Hermione and Harry were quick to raise their own wands. Outnumbered, Pansy and Draco lowered their arms, though if looks could kill Ron would be dead.

"One day, Weasel...one day, you'll get what you deserve," snarled Pansy.

They stiffly turned their backs and Charlie shot Ron a disapproving look. "That wasn't very nice."

"So what?" said Ron uncaringly. "She's always terrorizing everyone else. Making fun of Muggle-borns and half-bloods. Now she's no better."

Surprised gasps caused Charlie's attention to be diverted and her eyes widened. Hagrid was leading a group of feathered creatures towards them; they looked like a mix between a horse and bird. Hagrid introduced them as Hippogriffs and explained the procedure for approaching them.

Bow. Wait for them to bow back. Approach. If they don't bow, run like mad. Don't insult. Got it.

"Who wants teh go firs'?" Hagrid asked eagerly.

Everyone stood stock still, staring at the Hippogriffs tied to the fenceposts. No one seemed to want to move any closer and Hagrid's face fell with disappointment. Feeling bad for him, Charlie poked Ron in the shoulder and whispered, "Volunteer with me."

"Are you crazy?" Ron hissed. "Those things will slice me open!"

"Not if they bow back. And if not, just run. We've got a lot of practice at that." When Ron still seemed hesitant, Charlie persuaded, "Do it for Hagrid."

"Oh, all right."

Charlie and Ron raised their hands high in the air and Hagrid beamed at them. "All right, yeh two! Come on over."

"Don't die," said Harry and Hermione shoved his shoulder in rebuke.

Charlie and Ron climbed over the fence and slowly approached the nearest Hippogriff. It raised its head and stared steadily at them. They returned its gaze for a minute before they both lowered into a bow. Ron's was short and quick, while Charlie lingered in the dip before straightening.

The Hippogriff bent down and returned the bow. Ron breathed a sigh of relief, happily moving closer to stroke its head. Charlie gently touched its feathers, soft against her skin, and she said in awe, "Wow. You're so beautiful."

"Do yeh want teh go for a ride?"

Hagrid looked so hopeful that Charlie found she couldn't refuse him. "Sure," she agreed.

"I suppose," said Ron, though his face had paled.

Hagrid told them where to mount and they carefully got onto the Hippogriff's back. When they were settled, Hagrid smacked the hindquarters of the beast and it took off into the air. Charlie gripped Ron's waist, gasping as the wind roared past her ears as the Hippogriff gained speed.

"This is mad!" Ron howled.

"It's like a broomstick!" said Charlie in an attempt of reassurance.

"No it's not! I'm in control of my broomstick!"

Despite several twists and turns the creature made, Ron and Charlie got used to the rhythm of the ride. Charlie peered around, at the blue sky that stretched out before her and the rolling emerald fields that surrounded the castle. The trees of the Forbidden Forest were mere dots, tightly clustered together.

"All right," admitted Ron. "This is pretty great."

"Yeah," said Charlie softly. "It's incredible."

The Hippogriff landed five minutes later and Hagrid clapped them on the back, nearly sending them sprawling to the ground. "Good work, yeh two! Ten points teh Gryffindor an' Ravenclaw!"

Charlie and Ron remained in the paddock as the other students came forwards, encouraged by their daring interaction with the Hippogriff. Harry grinned at Ron, who was slouched against the fence, catching his breath. "That looked equal parts terrifying and fun."

"The last bit was okay," said Ron. "But I think my heart stopped beating when the Hippogriff took off into the air."

Harry laughed and followed Hermione to a Hippogriff. Pansy and Draco were close to Ron and Charlie, and managed to gain the respect of a grey Hippogriff. Pansy stroked its side, studying it critically. "I don't see what the fuss is about," she said, unimpressed. "They're ugly brutes."

The Hippogriff reared up with a furious shriek. Its claw rose, the piercing talons glinting in the sunlight. Charlie sprang up from her resting place on the ground. But Ron was ahead of her, lunging for Pansy and shoving her out of the way just as the talons came down. They ripped through his robes and Ron crumpled, crying out in pain. Pansy screamed in terror and leapt over the fence, sprinting back for the castle.

"Oi!" roared Draco in fury. "You stupid blighter!"

Charlie ran forwards and grabbed Draco by the arm. She tried pulling him out of the way but the Hippogriff would not be fooled twice. It dove after them, its rope straining, and Charlie was forced to dive to the ground. Draco yelped as the tips of the Hippogriff's talons nicked his shoulder, but Charlie managed to get him out of the Hippogriff's line of fire quickly enough to prevent more damage.

"Did you not see what nearly happened to Pansy?" she snapped.

"Get your hands off me!" snarled Draco. He clasped a hand over his shoulder, beads of blood staining his fingers. "It tried to kill me!"

Hagrid sprinted over, alerted by the commotion, and tried to calm the creature. Draco followed Pansy's lead and ran back to the castle, absolutely fuming. With the target of its rage gone, the Hippogriff settled with an angered snort. Charlie climbed to her feet and hurried to Ron's side. The sleeve of his robes was torn and blood soaked the ragged pieces.

"Ron!" Hermione cried, rushing over with Harry right behind her.

"What did you do that for?" cried Harry.

"I don't know," Ron wheezed. "Instincts, I guess?"

"It was very brave of you," said Hermione strongly, clutching his good hand.

"Everyone out of the paddock!" roared Hagrid. "Wait 'til I come back!"

Hagrid scooped Ron into his arms, terror on his features. He sprinted up to the castle with Charlie, Hermione and Harry following behind him.

"I was right," panted Harry as he ran. "This was an interesting class."

...

Draco and Pansy were nowhere in sight when they reached the infirmary wing, which caused Charlie some suspicion. Draco hadn't been severely injured, not to Ron's extent, but he usually took every opportunity to milk for sympathy.

Hagrid was forced to leave Ron and return to his class, which he did after several tearful apologies. Pomfrey rolled up Ron's sleeve and examined the injury. She gave Ron a potion to stop the bleeding and spread a salve on his arm to heal the gash.

"You'll to have to stay here for a few hours," informed Pomfrey. "Once the injury is fully healed over you can return to your dormitory."

"All right. Thanks."

"Well, I suppose it all turned out for the best," mused Hermione as Pomfrey left Ron's bedside. She and her friends settled around Ron's cot.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Ron in annoyance.

"You and Charlie saved Malfoy and Parkinson from getting hurt. If that had happened, I'm sure Malfoy would have done whatever he could to get Hagrid in trouble."

"Don't get your hopes up just yet," said Charlie with a frown. "I didn't save him completely."

"He got a scratch," said Hermione with a roll of her eyes. "Not even a bad scratch."

"It hurts like mad," Ron moaned. "I can't believe I did that."

"It was a very chivalrous thing to do," assured Charlie. "I'm proud of you."

"She still wasn't worth it," muttered Harry in a low voice.

"Tell me, Weasley. What idiotic thing did you do this time?"

The sneering voice caused them all to snap their heads around. Snape stood in the entrance to the infirmary wing, glowering at them. "He saved Pansy from an agitated Hippogriff," said Charlie calmly. "She and Draco insulted it. I tried to get Draco out of the way, but I wasn't entirely quick enough. He got a bit of a scratch—nothing serious."

Snape's eyes darted around the room, but saw the rest of the beds empty. "Where is he?" he asked sharply.

Charlie shrunk back when his dark eyes trained on her. "He and Pansy went running up to the castle way before us. I guess he's in the Slytherin common room by now."

A Gryffindor putting themselves in danger for a Slytherin. Charlotte Potter coming to the rescue of Draco, who she must have known would never return the favour.

"I see." Snape went over to Ron's bedside and pulled a vial from his pocket. He uncorked it and bent over Ron's injured arm. "This will sting a little, Weasley."

Ron braced himself and let out a hiss when the liquid dripped into his cuts. Hermione held onto his hand and squeezed it tightly to distract him from the pain. Soon the uncomfortable sensation went away and Ron let out a soft groan.

"Sir, what was that for?" asked Charlie curiously.

"A potion that cleans out wounds and prevents infection." He set the vial on the bedside table. "Try to be more careful next time, Mr. Weasley."

The use of the formal address caused Ron momentary shock, for Snape very rarely did so with Gryffindors. He swept out of the room and Ron said in disbelief, "What was that?"

"I think that was Snape being civil," said Harry with wide eyes.

"Well, he can't ignore the fact you got hurt trying to help one of his Slytherins," Hermione replied.

"Sure he can," said Ron with a snort. "He's ignored loads of good things other Houses have done."

"I think, when it comes to Professor Snape, you have to prove yourself to him," said Charlie thoughtfully.

"Do you think I proved myself to him?" joked Harry.

"You dropped your inkwell on his foot yesterday in the corridor," said Hermione flatly.

"So that's a no?"

...

A few hours later, just in time for supper, Pomfrey found that the skin on Ron's gash was completely healed. With his stomach rumbling in hunger Ron ran to the Great Hall. He came to a sudden stop in the Entrance Hall when he noticed a chunk of rubies had been added to Gryffindor's hourglass, placing them in the lead.

"Nice!" he said with a grin.

Word had spread of the disastrous first Care of Magical Creatures lesson and Ron was the recipient of many stares as he went down the aisle.

He joined his Housemates and started piling food onto his plate. Many Lions didn't understand why Ron would have taken the hit meant for Pansy Parkinson, and Ron didn't quite know himself, so he ignored their jeers.

No one seemed to know where the slew of new points had come from. After downing a portion of ham, beans and potatoes Ron wandered over to the Hufflepuff table and leaned over Harry.

"All right, then?" asked Harry through a mouthful of bread.

"Yeah. Do you know where the points came from? For Gryffindor?"

"Well, not for sure. Hermione has a guess, though." When Ron stared at him quizzically, Harry whispered, "Snape."

"No way," said Ron immediately.

"Sure seems like it. I mean, the points for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor appeared after Snape dropped off your potion."

"Ravenclaw got points too?"

"Yup. That's why Hermione thinks it was him."

Ron turned to look in the direction of the High Table. He caught Snape's gaze, and the man gave a barely perceptible nod before returning his attention to Sprout. Ron was floored.

Professor Severus Snape, for the first time in his career, had given Gryffindor points.

…

After dinner, the four spent some time in the library reviewing their lessons and doing some homework. When curfew neared, they packed up their items and walked Harry to his common room. When they got to the Entrance Hall Charlie glanced out the high windows. Through the glass she could see a light glimmering off in the distance from Hagrid's hunt.

"Hagrid didn't show up for dinner," she said worriedly. "I wonder if he's okay."

"Surely someone told him that Ron is fine," said Hermione with a frown.

"Maybe we should go see him," suggested Ron. "Cheer him up a bit."

"But there's fifteen minutes until curfew," Charlie pointed out. "And I don't think I should be walking out past dark."

"We'll be quick," Ron promised.

Though Charlie felt it wasn't the brightest idea, the urge to check on Hagrid was strong. She agreed and the four hurried into the inky black night. They crossed the field and when they reached the hut Hermione rapped on the door. They could hear Fang barking inside, but no one came to the door, and Hermione cautiously nudged it open.

Hagrid was slumped on his couch, drinking heavily from a tankard. Hermione set her hands on her hips and said sharply, "Hagrid!"

The sound of her voice caused Hagrid to peer at them. The moment he saw Ron he burst into tears and Ron winced. "Don't do that! Really, I'm fine!"

"Yeh might've bin killed!" Hagrid blubbered. "School gov'nors are holdin' an investigation. I'm gonna be sacked!"

"No you won't!" Ron said forcibly. "My parents know you, Hagrid. They know it was an accident."

"Yer family is good people, bu' I reckon Lucius Malfoy will find a way teh make a mess o' things." Hagrid sniffled. "He's still got a lot o' pull within the Ministry an' some o' the gov'nors."

"What's Malfoy got to do with anything?" said Ron in outrage.

"Draco Malfoy told his father all abou' what happened," said Hagrid miserably. "How he got hurt."

"He got scratched," said Harry with a scowl. "Ron's the one that got hurt!"

Charlie knew Pansy and Draco would seize on the opportunity to land Hagrid into trouble. It still caused anger to burn in her veins, because it was their fault the whole debacle occurred, and they were purposefully doing what they could to ruin Hagrid's livelihood out of pure spite.

Hagrid's tankard exploded, wooden pieces and liquid scattering across the floor. Hagrid jumped to his feet with a yelp and Charlie flinched. "Even if Mr. Malfoy does convince them to take you to court, we'll back you up," she reassured. "We know what happened. We'll tell the truth."

"Yeah!" Harry agreed.

Hagrid regarded them, at their earnest faces and encouraging smiles, and tears filled his eyes. He swept forwards and gathered them into a hug which took the wind from their lungs. "Thank yeh," he said gratefully.

"'Course," said Ron with a gasp.

Hagrid set them down and rubbed at his red-rimmed eyes. When his vision cleared and his emotions settled, and the buzz from the ale died down, he was able to properly process the darkness outside and the fact that the four thirteen-year-olds were in his home and not in the castle.

"What are yeh doin' here?"

"What do you mean?" squeaked Hermione.

"Yeh heard Dumbledore! No wanderin' the grounds pas' curfew!"

"Curfew isn't for five more minutes!" Ron protested. "We'll make it back in time."

"Do yeh want teh get caught by Black?" Hagrid demanded, grabbing Charlie and Harry by their arms and shooting a warning glare at Ron and Hermione that told them it would be in their best interests if they followed him. "It's not safe teh be out here! Don' let me catch yeh again!"

The kids fell in a bewildered silence as Hagrid escorted them all the way back to the castle. The man didn't leave until he was sure they were all going to their respective dorms.

"Does he really think Sirius Black can get onto the grounds that easily?" Hermione asked. "The Dementors would certainly catch him."

"He's just being careful. He does have a point. I haven't been all that lucky these past few years. Considering my track record, I wouldn't be surprised if he was waiting in the common room for me."

The quietness of the castle, the threat looming over Charlie's head and the random, creaking noises of the old structure caused Charlie and Hermione's nerves to skyrocket. It was the worst time for the Grim to re-enter Charlie's mind and the death omen lingered in her thoughts all the way back to the common room. The lighting was dim when they stepped inside and Charlie shrieked instinctively when a figure suddenly moved towards them from the shadows.

She reeled backwards, her wand flinging upwards with Hermione copying her movements. Before they could even think of a spell to say their wands soared out of their hands and the lights flashed on to reveal a very displeased Flitwick.

Charlie gulped, heart pounding madly in her chest. "Good thing he used to be a duellist," she whispered to Hermione.

"Sorry," said Hermione, face flaming red.

"You startled us," added Charlie sheepishly.

Flitwick crossed his arms, a stern expression on his face. "Are you aware that it's after curfew?"

"It's only a minute after curfew," Charlie said. At his sharp glare she flinched. "But that of course isn't an excuse. I'm sorry."

"Where have you been?" the diminutive Charms professor demanded.

"We…we went to Hagrid's," admitted Hermione nervously.

"After dark?" said Flitwick in disbelief. "While there's a raging murderer on the loose?"

Well. It sounds like an utterly terrible idea when he says it like that.

At the two nods, he pinched his nose and took a breath to calm himself. "Would I be right in presuming that Misters Lupin and Weasley went with you?"

"Yes, sir," said Charlie softly. "But they're in their dorms now."

"Ten points from the four of you. If I catch you wandering after dark again, the consequences will be severe. Get to bed."

"Yes, sir. Goodnight, sir," the two girls chorused before dashing to their dorm.

"Well," said Charlie as she dropped down onto her bed. "That was embarrassing."

...

When Charlie and Hermione told Harry the story the next day in Potions, he was greatly amused. "You attacked your Head of House?"

"Tried to," corrected Charlie. "He got our wands before we could do anything."

"It was an accident!" Hermione defended. "Besides, it was Charlie who got me paranoid."

"What did he do?"

"Took away ten points from all of us."

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "All of us? You snitched on us?"

"Yes."

"Gee, thanks. Oh well. Could have been worse."

The dungeon door banged shut, signalling Snape's arrival, and he swept towards the front of the room. He gave his wand a flick and the instructions for the potion they were meant to be brewing appeared on the board. Harry, Hermione and Charlie quickly got to work. Pansy and Draco chose to sit directly behind them, and in a voice loud enough for the three to hear, Pansy said, "I hope you're not too attached to that oaf."

"My father is going make sure he's sacked," sneered Draco. "That stupid beast of his nearly killed Pansy and I."

"Hagrid wouldn't have let it kill you," returned Charlie, not looking up from the ingredients she was slicing. "You actually owe Ron a massive thank you, Pansy."

"For what?" said Pansy snobbishly.

Hermione whirled around and said in a fierce whisper, "For making sure you didn't get hurt! He didn't have to push you out of the way, but he did, and it's more than you deserve! The reason the Hippogriff attacked was because you ignored Hagrid's clear instructions and insulted it. Everything that happened is your fault, and if anyone should be under investigation, it should be you two for sabotaging an otherwise perfectly good class. So grow up and shut up."

"You're the one that needs to shut up, you worthless Mudblood!"

The swear echoed in the stone dungeon and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws gasped. Pansy scowled in irritation, not meaning to speak as loud as she did, but she didn't particularly care about the negative attention until Snape stood up from his desk. She recoiled at the icy dark glare he aimed her way.

"What did you call Miss Granger, Miss Parkinson?" he asked in a dangerous whisper.

Hermione and Harry exchanged startled glances. Pansy stared at Snape with wide eyes and stammered, "I-I don't know what you—"

"Don't lie to me!" Severus growled. "Repeat what you said."

Pansy's shoulders hunched. "I called her a Mudblood, sir."

"As I thought," said Snape frostily. "Whatever grievances you have with Miss Granger ought to be settled with intellect, not childish vulgarity. If you can't form a proper rebuttal, then clearly you have nothing to say in which to defend yourself. Twenty points from Slytherin for this display, Miss Parkinson, and detention with Mr. Filch. Perhaps this will cause to think twice before you run your tongue."

A stunned silence filled the dungeon and Pansy's ears burned red with humiliation. Draco looked rather offended, darting his gaze between his best friend and his Head of House. Snape began to prowl down the aisles, his expression hard, and everyone quickly returned their attention to their brewing.

"Whoa," breathed Harry. "Ron is never going to believe this."

When the bell rang at the end of class, Pansy speed-walked to the front of the room with her head ducked down. She dropped her flask with her completed potion on Snape's desk without making eye contact and rushed out. Draco sent a look of utmost hatred at the trio as he shoved by them.

"Don't know what he's mad about," muttered Harry. "We're not the ones who gave him detention."

"I don't think a day passes where he isn't mad at us," said Charlie with a snort.

They waited in line and when they reached Snape's desk, Hermione set her flask down and said softly, "Thank you."

"If there is one thing I despise above everything else, Miss Granger, it's that disgusting word," replied Snape with an unreadable expression.

Hermione nodded in understanding. Charlie and Harry placed their own assignments near Hermione's, echoing her words of gratitude. The trio walked out of class together, as they so often did, but this time with Snape's watchful gaze trained on them.

"What a class," said Harry. "I'll have the entire History of Magic period to process it."

"You'd do well to pay attention," said Hermione crossly. "You can't keep copying our essays."

"I'm offended. I don't copy. I use it as groundwork."

"Have fun," said Charlie with a laugh.

"I won't," returned Harry as he departed.

Charlie jogged down a staircase and encountered Ron at the bottom. "Hey," he greeted.

"Hi!"

"Where's Hermione?"

Charlie blinked in confusion. "She's right beside—" She turned around, but the spot Hermione had occupied was now empty. Charlie scratched her head and said in bewilderment, "She was right here a second ago."

"Good," said Ron in relief. "I thought I saw her, but I blinked and then she was gone. Thought I was going mad."

"Wait for me!"

Hermione came running down the stairs towards them and Charlie gave her head a hard shake. "Wait a minute! You were just—"

"I forgot something," she said with a slight wheeze. "Come on, we better get to Defense Against the Dark Arts."

She ran ahead of them and Charlie set her hand on her hip. "Okay, something weird is going on."

"You think?" Ron muttered.

They hurried after the bushy-haired girl and stepped into their classroom. Remus smiled at them when they entered and they returned his greeting. They grabbed a table near the front of the room, and in the spare minutes before class was to start, Hermione told Ron what happened in Potions class.

"He's been acting odd lately," said Ron with a raised brow.

Charlie grinned. "You mean decent?"

"Exactly! It's not normal." His expression soured. "Stupid Parkinson. Probably should have let the Hippogriff get her. Might have taught her something."

"It definitely wouldn't have," said Charlie passionately. "It just would have made their case against Hagrid that much easier."

"I can't get over how stupid that is!" groused Ron. "I'm the one that got hurt. I'm the one who should have a case!"

"Technically Malfoy got hurt as well," spoke Hermione.

"He did not."

"Can we not go over this again?" asked Charlie in exasperation. "We just have to ignore them."

"Right. I'll do that next time Parkinson is in danger," said Ron darkly.

"Ron."

The rest of their peers filed into the room and when class officially started, Remus immediately told them to get up and follow him. With curious mumbles they all complied, walking down the corridors. "This is mysterious," mused Charlie.

"I like it," said Ron with a grin. "The less time spent in the classroom the better."

"But it's the first lesson," said Hermione in disappointment.

"Really?" said Ron flatly.

They encountered Peeves in their stroll, who was holding an armful of chalk. The second he spotted them he started to fire and the third-years let out yelps of pain as they were struck. As they always did when it came to the poltergeist and his jokes, they covered their heads and sprinted past him.

Neville yipped as a piece chalk struck his forehead, leaving a red mark. "Peeves!" snapped Charlie. "Come on, that's enough. You're going to hurt somebody."

"It's no fun when no one gets hurt!" cackled Peeves.

But he zoomed down the corridor, leaving the third-years alone. Remus turned an admiring glance at Charlie. "Impressive."

"She's probably the only student he likes," boasted Ron.

"I suspect that comes in handy," said Remus with a smile. "Come on, everyone. We're almost there."

Remus led them to an empty staff room and ushered them inside. The first thing Charlie noticed when she entered was that the wardrobe in the corner of the room was shaking. "What is that?" asked Parvati in horror.

"No need to worry," soothed Remus. "It's only a Boggart."

"A Boggart?" Dean repeated in confusion.

"Yes. Can anyone tell me what a Boggart is?"

Hermione raised her hand and he nodded at her. "Boggarts are shape-shifters that take the form of whatever it thinks will frighten us most."

"Excellent job," Remus praised. "Boggarts like tight, dark spaces. I got word there was one infesting the castle and thought it would be a good opportunity for a hands-on lesson. Who can tell me the advantage we have over the Boggart?"

Hermione and Charlie both put up their hands and Remus gestured towards Charlie. "There's a lot of us here. The Boggart is going to have to determine what our fears are, and we'll have some time while it decides what form to take."

"Very good! Usually, wizards and witches who encounter Boggarts don't have this luxury. They have to handle them one on one. To get rid of a Boggart, we use the Boggart-Banishing Spell. Boggarts don't die, so this spell will merely banish them. The spell will force it to take the shape of something you would find amusing. Laughter is what defeats it, and that's where it can become difficult. Laughter isn't easy in the face of fear. I want everyone to repeat after me; Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!"

Remus listened intently and made them repeat it a few more times. When he was satisfied they had the pronunciation correct he pointed to Neville. "What's your name?"

"Neville Longbottom," he answered nervously.

"Neville, come up here please."

Pale and shaking, Neville seemed rooted to the spot. Charlie reached back and gave his hand a squeeze. He met her green eyes, which were full of encouragement, and he took a deep breath before walking up to the wardrobe.

"Neville, what do you fear most of all?"

"Professor Snape," he answered at once.

Remus smiled softly as the class started to giggle. "Understandable. What would make you find Snape not so frightening?"

"Well," Neville began slowly. "I suppose I wouldn't find him as frightening if he wore the same clothes as my grandmother."

"That's what you'll do, then. Just picture Snape wearing your grandmother's clothes and say the incantation. Here we go!"

"This is going to be good," said Ron eagerly.

Remus swung open the wooden door and Snape burst out, black eyes glinting with malice. Neville squeaked in terror and raised his wand, stuttering, "R-Riddikulus!"

There was a sharp cracking sound and Boggart Snape was now in an ugly green dress with a vulture hat. Laughter rang throughout the room and the Boggart looked around in confusion. Beaming, Remus started to call other students forwards to confront the Boggart.

Continuous cracks filled the air as the Boggart rapidly changed between its fearful form and its amusing form. Ron's mirth was lost as he was next, and he very nearly buckled when a large spider appeared in front of him. But he succeeded in changing the Boggart and Charlie gave him a thumbs-up.

As her peers took their turns, Charlie realized after Hermione and Ron had gone that Remus was pointedly avoiding calling her name. She was a bit disappointed, but she supposed she understood. He was probably worried that her Boggart would be the form of Voldemort. She tried to think of what shape the Boggart would take if she confronted it and furrowed her brow when she discovered that it was the thought of the Dementors that triggered fear.

I find the Dementors more terrifying than the Dark Lord. That is so not normal.

Charlie's eyes landed back on the Boggart just as it turned towards her. She could feel it zeroing in on her and it started to change. Remus quickly stepped in front of her and the shape abruptly turned into a silver sphere. Remus flicked his wand and, finally, the creature disappeared.

"That was wonderful," declared Remus. "Five points for all of you."

"But I didn't have a turn with the Boggart," said Charlie with a frown.

"You answered my question correctly at the beginning of class. That's certainly worthy of points."

Remus assigned them their homework before dismissing them. "That was interesting," Ron mused as they walked out of the staff room.

"I wonder why Professor Lupin's fear was the moon," Charlie wondered. "It doesn't really make sense."

"How'd you know that thing was a moon?" Ron asked incredulously.

"It was silver and round."

"Really, Ron, what else would it be?" Hermione scoffed.

Ron threw up his hands. "Ravenclaws!"