A/N: thanks to everyone who reviewed etc. :)

Disclaimer: No I do not own Harry Potter!

Chapter 6

Harry woke up early and for a second wandered why as he didn't usually wake this early at Hogwarts, but then he realised he had a bad headache one so bad that it was making him retch. Stumbling out of bed clumsily Harry walked to his trunk where he dug out the bag of potions Madame Pomfrey had given him.

He emptied them onto his bed and rifled through the many potions until he came across the one he desired. He finally found a bright blue potion labelled headache potion, he downed it in one and sighed as the pain instantly went away.

Looking at the alarm clock on his bedside table he saw that it was 6:30 so sighing Harry entered the bathroom where he showered, brushed, dressed and tried in vain to brush his hair and only gave up when the comb broke in his hair, sighing exasperatedly he exited the bathroom and made his way down the stairs to the common room.

Deciding to read his defence against the dark arts book as that was his first lesson of the day. Settling himself in front of the empty fireplace Harry dug out his book and began to read.

After half an hour he heard his room mates moving around upstairs getting ready for the day ahead. Ron and Hermione came down at exactly the same time arguing about something

"I'm warning you 'Mione keep that bloody cat of yours away from scabbers or I'll turn it into a tea cosy" said Ron jokingly

"Don't be silly Ron he's a cat it's in his nature" said Hermione rolling her eyes good naturedly.

Harry watched his two friends with amusement. Both friends smiled when they saw Harry their argument forgotten. Hermione rushed to hug her best friend, Harry accepted the hug gratefully before grinning at his best friend who to his surprise also gave him a hug. Ears red Ron pulled away. While Hermione laughed at her two best friends fondly.

"Come on lets go I'm sure Ronald here is starving" said Harry jokingly. Ron looked affronted

"Oi less of the cheek!" said Ron raising his eyebrows.

Hermione giggled and Harry grinned cheekily before clambering out of the portrait hole, Ron and Hermione in his wake.

Stares met them as they entered the great hall. People whispering behind their hands and some were as rude to point at Harry. He heard catcalls and jeers coming from the Slytherin table

"Oi Potter did old kitty cat McGonagall have to give you mouth to mouth" jeered Malfoy as the rest of the Slytherin table snickered.

Ron's ears went red with anger and he clenched his fists in anger ready to go over there and punch Malfoy in his smug face, but Harry put a hand on his shoulder and steered him towards Gryffindor table whispering-

"Ignore them we'll get them back later"

Hermione looked nervous at this but Harry smiled at her to reassure her that he wouldn't go too far. Realising she wouldn't be able to stop the boys from pranking the Slytherins she just smiled back at him.

Ron started shovelling food in his mouth as soon as he sat down; with such speed Harry was surprised he didn't vomit. Queasily Harry helped himself to a slice of toast and a cup of tea, not having much of an appetite today. Hermione and Ron looked at him in concern.

"Come on Harry you've got to eat. You can't last until lunch on one slice of toast" said Hermione the worry evident in her voice. Harry sipped at his tea before replying

"It's all I can manage I'm not feeling too good today. But it's nothing" he added hastily at the look on Hermione's face

"But.." began Hermione. But Ron laid a hand on her shoulder gently.

"Drop it 'Mione he's fine" said Ron, Hermione shrugged and nodded but resolved to keep a close eye on him.

There was a great clatter overhead which meant the post had arrived. Harry did not look up as he knew there would be nothing for him so he was surprised when a large brown owl landed in front of him with a letter clutched in its beak. Harry took the letter from the bird and offered it a slice of bacon before opening the envelope.

Harry,

You have a free period Friday don't you? Come to me hut for tea, Hermione and Ron are welcome I would like to talk to you.

Hagrid

Harry smiled and handed the letter to his friends who also smiled.

"It will be nice to see Hagrid" said Harry happily.

He had missed Hagrid a lot over the summer holidays and hadn't been able to write as the dursleys had forbade him under threat of a beating if he resisted. Harry took the quill Hermione had just handed him and scribbled a quick note before giving it to the owl that hooted and took off immediately. Checking his watch Harry decided he should start walking to defence.

"We should go guys" said Harry.

Hermione and Ron nodded and swung their legs off of the bench and followed Harry out of the great hall. When they arrived at the classroom the whole class (including the Slytherins unfortunately) were already there eager to start the lesson with the already popular Professor Lupin. Everyone turned to stare at Harry as he approached.

"What are you all staring at?" Harry snapped losing his temper.

"We heard that you'd died in Professor McGonagall's class" said Lavender Brown defensively.

Harry rolled his eyes exasperatedly

"Well I clearly haven't" Scoffed Harry "So I'd appreciate it if everyone stopped staring at me like some caged animal" said Harry annoyed by the ridiculous rumours.

His two best friends drew closer to him protectively. At that moment Professor Lupin opened the door and smiled at his expectant class.

"Well come on in and make yourselves comfortable"

The class filed into the class scrambling for seats near to their friends. Harry, Ron and Hermione eagerly sat near the front of the class looking up at Remus expectantly. Professor Lupins eyes flitted in Harry's direction for a second and he blushed remembering last time he had seen the man he had cried all over him.

"Okay class" said Lupin clapping his hands together cheerfully

"Today's first lesson we will be learning about boggarts can anybody tell me what a boggart is?" As usual Hermione's hand shot up into the air, narrowly missing Harry's face.

Lupin smiled at Hermione and said

"Yes Hermione" Hermione looked pleased and answered

"A boggart is a shape-shifter. It assumes the shape of a human's worst fear" Lupin smiled proudly at his student.

"Excellent well done Hermione ten points to Gryffindor, how would you finish a boggart off?" Hermione's eye shone as she answered the question

"Laughter" she said simply smiling

"Excellent take another ten points" exclaimed Professor Lupin delighted that she knew so much, causing the Slytherins to groan and jeer.

Professor Lupin ignored them and got his class to follow him out of the classroom down the hall and into the staff room where Professor Snape was sitting in an armchair looking as intimidating as ever.

Professor Lupin went to close the door but Snape strode across the room and held it open

"Leave that door open Lupin I would rather not witness this"

he said smiling nastily at Neville who looked down at his shoes sighing sadly. Remus noticed this and frowned before saying to the dungeon bat.

"Actually I was hoping Neville would assist me in finishing off the boggart" said Professor Lupin smiling kindly at Neville who blushed.

Snape rolled his eyes and swept from the room. Professor Lupin then strode over to the wardrobe Harry and Ron had hidden in last time and it rattled violently making the class step back slightly unnerved. He beckoned Neville to come over and waited patiently while Neville shuffled over nervously.

"Now Neville what are you most afraid of?" asked Professor Lupin kindly and Neville mumbled something incoherent.

"I'm sorry?" said Lupin still smiling kindly at his student.

Neville cleared his throat and mumbled more clearly this time

"Professor Snape" the class laughed however the Professor did not.

He smiled and whispered in Neville's ear who grinned in spite of himself and stood facing the wardrobe door steeling himself with what would exit in a moment's time.

Lupin waved his wand and the door opened with a click. Professor Snape stepped out tall and intimidating as he advanced upon Neville with cold eyes. Neville seemed frozen to the spot but at the last minute he came to his senses and shouted

"Riddikulus" Snape stumbled and moments later he was dressed in a tweed dress, high heels and a large stuffed vulture hat carrying a large red handbag.

The class roared with laughter including the Slytherins as it was rather a funny sight. One after one the class faced their worst fears and tried to make them funny.

Harry felt nervous as he thought what the boggart would materialise into for him. He thought of Voldemort but then a chill ran down his spine as he remembered the Dementor on the train.

Harry's heart started hammering as he stood up to take his turn but as he did so the bell went signifying the end of the lesson. Lupin stepped in front of Harry where the boggart changed into a full moon, with a wave of his wand the moon exploded into thousands of pieces. Harry looked at the wardrobe and swallowed as he realised Lupin had stepped in front of him from facing the boggart and with that Harry left the classroom confused and slightly hurt.

A/N: I don't think I did that well with this chapter to be honest. I've had writers block today. But please review and tell me what you think :)