Chapter 14 - A Second Chance

Thankfully Lupin had returned as the professor against the dark arts a few days later, but today was not a day for class. Lupin had something special in mind for Mr. Laufeyson.

"Where are we going?" asked Loki.

"You'll see," said Lupin. They walked towards the edge of the forbidden forest.

"Famous last words … why does this feel like a kind of killing me type of a place?" noted Loki. Lupin laughed.

"Well I don't blame you, we are at the edge of the forbidden forest … all manner of creatures live in there," said Lupin.

"Right, because that makes me feel so much better … By the way, where were you last class?" asked Loki.

"Oh … I had a previous engagement," Lupin lied. Loki noticed that he was more tired than usual with dark circles under his eyes and freshly new marks on his face.

"Maybe with a monster perhaps," said Loki. He chuckled awkwardly.

"I heard you encountered your own kind of monster while I was away," said Lupin changing subject. Loki wore a petty smile.

"Ha, Severus? That tight lipped, sour apple. You know I guess it makes sense to replace me with my so called look a like," Loki said passive aggressively. Lupin stopped walking. They landed at a relatively open field.

"Ok, Lupin, why are we really here?" he asked suspicious. A rumbling chest sat next to Lupin. Loki knew fully well what was inside.

"Wait … No … no no no … I am not doing that again," said Loki bracing himself defensively.

"You want to teach my class Mr. Laufeyson? You want to do more than simply observe, and not be replaced by your so called look alike? Then prove to me that you can handle this," he said pointing to the rumbling box. Loki was not sure what to say or think.

"Now I don't understand what that giant monster is that you are so afraid of, but understand this … it's a boggart, not the real thing," said Lupin. The Trickster raised an eyebrow not believing him since the last time he faced this thing.

"Right then, wand at the ready," said Lupin. Loki laughed.

"Wand?" he asked.

"Yes, wand," said Lupin showing his in his hand.

"You mean that silly stick," said Loki pointing at it. Lupin frowned at him.

"Yes. A wand," he stated, confused. Loki rolled his eyes and conjured a fake wand in his hand. Lupin's face went from frowned to stunned.

"Happy?" said Loki gesturing to his 'wand.'

"Yes … " said Lupin suspiciously, "Now then, repeat after me 'Riddikulus.'" Loki felt silly.

"Do I have to?" he asked begrudgingly. Lupin raised another serious eyebrow at him.

"Fine … Riddikulus," said Loki in a flat tone.

"And think of something, funny. Ready?" asked Lupin. Loki nodded reluctantly. Lupin opened the chest. The boggart came out. Loki stepped back and the Hulk returned screaming in all of his green rage filled glory. Loki lost his breath.

"Riddikulus!" commanded Lupin to Loki, but all he wanted to do was run.

"Remember! Think of something funny!" yelled Lupin. The fake Hulk was about to grab Loki by the ankle again when Lupin stepped in, putting his body between the boggart and the trickster. It transformed back into a moon.

"Riddikulus!" said Lupin with a swish of his wand, transforming it into a balloon that sailed back into the chest. Lupin turned toward a very frightened Loki. He breathed heavily.

"Mr. Laufeyson?" asked Lupin kindly. He put a hand on his shoulder.

Loki put his hands on his knees, still catching his breath.

"Why is your … boggart … a damn moon?" he asked. Lupin paused.

"Why is yours a giant green monster?" said Lupin.

"Mi … mine can actually hurt me! Yours is … is just a backdrop!" yelled Loki gesturing to the rumbling chest.

"Calm down Mr. Laufeyson," said Lupin.

"I mean, I can't think of a more pathetic fear?! Unless it was going to crash into this planet!"

"Mr. Laufeyson."

"But that depiction of it was beautiful, peaceful even!"

"Mr. Laufeyson!"

"Why do I get a violent monster, but you get a peaceful night?!

"Because I'm a werewolf!" bellowed Lupin, not believing the words that left his lips. Lupin grew grave, serious, and quiet. Loki paused remembering Snape's lecture on werewolves.

"What?" asked Loki in disbelief. His voice cracking a bit like that of a disturbed child. Lupin needed a moment before speaking. He rarely just blurted our his condition, few people knew of it and he intended to keep it that way.

"I don't know what you have done in your past to have your demons clearly want to hurt you, but believe me, that peaceful night, is NEVER peaceful. The monster that tosses you around without a second thought … that's me, only I don't know that that is me when it happens, and I have no control over it," sand Lupin. Loki remained still with an expressionless face, only his constant gasps for air could be heard.

"I could hurt MANY people, and never know it until it is too late," said Lupin gravely. Many clues came to mind, the missed class, the fresh wounds on his face, his fatigue, Snape's lecture. "And do not mistake my condition as power, it is a disease, a curse." Loki looked deeply into his weary eyes, and thought of Mobius. Lupin sighed. "There are few people at this school who know … what I am, and I would like to keep it that way … can we do that?" asked Lupin. He even sounded like him at times. Loki felt something new, a sudden wave of admiration for Lupin. The Asgardian nodded.

"That being said … we are going to try that again … " he said quietly, returning to the rumbling chest.

"Remember, 'Riddikulus,' … and think of something … funny," said Lupin. He released the boggart from the chest once again. Loki readied himself. The boggart emerged and transformed once again into the hulking green monster. Loki began to panic.

"Funny! Think of something funny! Believe in yourself!" yelled Lupin loosing his patience and energy. Loki had to remember who he was. He was Loki … of Asgard … God of Mischief.

"Riddikulus!" yelled Loki flicking his fake wand. A green smoke like aura came out of it. The spell transformed the Hulk into a bunch of green garden snakes. Loki gasped happily. He conjured a memory of when he tricked his brother and several other Asgardians with those slithering creatures. Lupin didn't understand, but to him, it was funny.

"Ok … well … I must say that that is at least … an improvement," noted Lupin, not sure what to think.