Hello, now, welcome to the 7th chapter of 'Like a Lightning Bolt'.

People have pointed out that I tend to switch tenses, this is primarily because when I write I write how it comes out in my head, unfortunately, I have tried to fix this. However when I read the edited versions, I don't like it, and wind up rewriting it all, once again bringing me to a state of multiple tenses. So while some people may find it uncomfortable to read, it's something I cannot change, if a chapter comes out purely in one tense that is literally a state of chance.

I know the last chapter was a bit, short, time progression wise, this was because I really could not come up with a full set of classes for the day. Thankfully I was able to finish off the class schedule, if people want it released before we get through an entire week of classes, I will post it at the end of the next chapter.

Now, onto the chapter.

"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Spells"
Book Names

Disclaimer: Does nobody realize that there is a tradition every Christmas for there to be a Yule Ball to accompany the Tri-wizard tournament? If so, I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 7:

Walking into the Great Hall for lunch, Harry and Hermione spotted Neville and Luna already sitting down eating lunch at the Ravenclaw table. Walking closer to the table, they noticed that only Luna was actually eating, Neville seemed to be enamoured by his wand.

"You seem a little distracted Neville? What happened with McGonagall's office?" Harry asked, having clicked his fingers in front of Neville's face as he spoke.

"Gran was there, she took me to go get a new wand," Neville's grin was immense as he showed his new wand to Harry and Hermione, Luna not looking indicating that she had already looked, "It's 13 inch cherry wood with a unicorn hair core, Ollivander told me he was surprised I only just came to get my wand, he seemed a little mad with Gran when he said that."

"Probably because he expected you to have gotten your wand when you were 11 like the rest of us. I mean, from what I understand isn't it quite abnormal for someone to use a legacy wand?" Hermione offered a reason for Ollivander's attitude towards Neville's grandmother, while also proposing a general question to both Luna and Neville.

"Yes, legacy wands are quite rare, mostly because of the variations between members of a family. Wandlore has been studied for generations and they still don't know why or how a wand chooses its wizard or witch. Daddy looked into wandlore for a little bit but he prefers to study magical creatures." Luna's explanation causes a look of intrigue to come across Hermione's face, Harry assuming that look to mean at some point she would take a look into wandlore herself.

"So have you tried any magic with the new wand yet Neville?" Harry asked as he filled his plate with food.

"Yeah, I did," Neville pointed at his purple goblet and yellow spoon, "I tried the colour changing charm, I wasn't able to make it work in class during the review, but I can now."

"That's excellent Neville. Have you considered trying some more of the spells you had problems with tonight or over the weekend? We can help if you want." Hermione offered, having realized that simply getting the colour changing charm had done wonders for Neville's self-confidence, gave him a way for the group of friends to both become closer and work on Neville's self-confidence on a whole.

"That's actually a great idea, if we assume we will be doing review in all our classes but our electives, we can work through and make sure we are able to do them. Also, if you want Luna, you can come with us and we can try and teach you a couple of the spells you will be doing in your first few weeks." Harry suggested, the idea of working on his classes as well as helping out his friends appealing greatly to him.

"That is a wonderful idea," Neville began, "I can make sure I know how to perform all of the spells we might have to do in review, and at the same time we can all help Luna."

"Learning the spells before we learn them in class sounds like a wonderful idea, it will give me more time to focus on things like Potions and Herbology." Luna's bright smile at the idea of learning allowed the others to see the reason why she was in Ravenclaw.

"It's settled then, so, how about tonight, after dinner, we can simply go over the spells we began reviewing today in class?" Proposed Hermione, the look in her eyes showing how eager she is to complete her spell review after being cut off from magic for the majority of the holidays.

Having finished their lunch, the group was simply sitting and talking when they noticed that some people were already getting up and heading to their classes, the group joined them in leaving the Great Hall. Saying goodbye to Luna as she left them while they were on the way to Defence Against the Dark Arts, the three arrived at the classroom to find the door was closed and Professor Lupin was standing beside the door, a slight grin coming upon his face at seeing the three.

"Hello all, feeling better now after a good night's rest and some chocolate?" Remus conveyed a worried and hopeful tone as he questioned the group.

"We are feeling a lot better Uncle Mooney." Harry smiled at Lupin, waiting to see the man's reaction.

"Didn't I say that for now you should call me Professor Lupin?" Remus's voice contained slight amusement as he spoke, showing that while he was serious the situation was funny to him.

"Well, I will in class, but otherwise you are the same Mooney who apparently pranked my parents by putting dung bombs and a locking charm on their favourite broom closet." Harry's bright smile at the mention of the story about his parents showed how much he valued information like that.

"I remember that, and I guess I can consider it a battle won if you at least call me by my title in class." The mirth in the grown man's eyes tinted with sadness showed that he was reminiscing about the situation Harry had mentioned.

"Professor, may I ask why the classroom door is closed?" Hermione cut in, not wanting the interaction between her friend and the man he considered an Uncle to be spoiled by a memory tinted by sadness.

"Well, I don't want everyone to go in and get comfortable of course." The returned amusement in Lupin's eyes showed that he was withholding information on purpose.

"And why is that Professor Lupin?" Neville cut in, his own curiosity boiling over as he spoke up.

"Because, we won't be spending the entire lesson in this classroom. After a few visits after the feast I realized there was a specific bit of knowledge from later in my curriculum that, well, is more relevant than my original first lesson. Well, it's also more relevant than my second idea for the first lesson, however Professor Bloodrune and I worked out a deal, I would cover the theory on the creature, he would cover the spell used against it." The serious and grim expressions that had crossed Lupin's face allowed the trio to understand the importance of the situation he spoke about.

"Might I ask what creature we are learning about Un-," Harry stopped as he heard Lavender Brown's voice drifting down the corridor, clearing his throat, he continued, "Professor Lupin?"

"The creature we shall be covering for the first part of the lesson is the Dementor. Professor Bloodrune and I both brought the subject of covering information on them to Headmaster Dumbledore, and while I was initially being shot down on my request to teach you all about them, the Headmaster was convinced to allow it by the both of us combined." A variety of emotions had played across Lupin's face as he had talked. First, a small grin at Harry keeping to what he said and calling him by his title, secondly, a grim tone as he spoke about the subject for the lessons first half being Dementors, before finalizing on an agitated tone mixed with a relieved tone as he finished his explanation.

Remus began to welcome each of the students as they arrived, continuously informing them that all would be explained when they entered their classroom. Upon the rest of the student's arriving, Lupin asked them all to come in, before informing them not to get to comfortable, as he merely wished to provide a quick theory lesson before they ended on a more fun note. After a quick explanation of his credentials to the class, he decided it was time to begin.

"Now, I am sure all of you are wondering why we are not getting comfortable. That is because my original AND my secondary plan for this class have both been altered by matters that came to my attention during and after the train trip. Firstly, who here can explain to me, what a Dementor is?" Lupin had fielded his question to the entire room, wanting to see how many people would put their hands up. Seeing a few hands go up Lupin settled on picking Theodore Nott.

"Well sir, a Dementor is a hooded creature, currently they are employed around the school searching for the fugitive Black but they are normally positioned around the prison of Azkaban." Theodore held a neutral tone as he had spoken, revealing no information on his opinion towards either the Dementors, Sirius Black, or the prison Azkaban.

"Correct, 5 points to Slytherin. Can anyone offer more information on them?" Once again choosing from a couple of options Lupin picked Hermione next.

"Well sir, a Dementor floats off of the ground, they lower the temperature around them, as well as emitting a feeling of dread to those in their presence." Hermione had shivered as she finished, showing that simply speaking of it brought the memories of the Dementor to the surface in her mind.

"That's correct, 5 points to Gryffindor," Remus span a blackboard around which had a rather hastily drawn picture of a Dementor, "A Dementor is a deadly creature, used as the primary jailors for Azkaban as their dread aura, which also causes those to relive their darkest memories, is able to help contain the prisoners. They are very difficult to kill, often taking an immense amount of damage before finally dying. There is a way to ward them off, however that will be covered by Professor Bloodrune in your session with him next week. Now, onto the reason why we aren't getting comfortable, pack up what you took out of your bags, it's time for us to go to another room."

"Sir, is there no more you can tell us about Dementors?" Blaise's voice had cut through the sound of everyone packing up.

"The only other thing I can think of is this. Do not allow a Dementor to get a hold of you, they will suck out your soul if they get the chance, leaving you as nothing more than an empty shell." The grave tone Remus had spoken with had caught all of their attentions, allowing them to understand that Remus was not joking with them.

Following Remus out of the classroom, the class saw Peeves the Poltergeist flying away from a door cackling, ignoring the situation they all continued moving. As Remus walked into what appeared to be a random room, the class followed him in. The first thing that became apparent upon walking into the room was the wardrobe rattling from side to side in the centre of the room, a slight gasp came from Hermione, letting Harry and Neville realize that she had probably figured out what the rest of the lesson was going to be.

"From the sounds of things I believe you have an idea as to what is inside the wardrobe Ms Granger?" The attention of the class was brought to Hermione as Remus finished his statement.

"I believe that may be a Boggart sir." Was her curt reply, the eyes of several students widening as they realized she was correct.

"5 points to Gryffindor, I will add another 5 if you are able to give me information on the creature as well." Was the calm reply of Remus, a small smile gracing his face as he awarded the points.

"A Boggart is a shapeshifter, its original form is unknown as it takes on the form of your worst fear." Hermione recited from her memory.

"Excellent, another 5 points to Gryffindor. Now, the spell which is designed to fight a Boggart is the Riddikilus spell. In order to use it one must picture a way to make their fear funny, before pronouncing the spell and causing the change to overtake the Boggart," Lupin demonstrated the wand movement as he spoke about the spell, noticing the majority of the students already practicing them, "Now, I will have you all come up here one at a time, causing the Boggart to turn into your fear, upon it doing so, figure out a way to make it funny, before using the spell upon the Boggart. After all, the only way to defeat a Boggart, is laughter."

The class all moved into a group on one end of the room facing the wardrobe's locked door. Lupin began setting up some music as he waited for the students to form a single line or for at least a few students to step into a line. Seeing that Neville had taken a solid step forward, determination gleaming in his eyes, Remus flicked his wand, the wardrobe unlocking and opening.

The room became quiet as they all watched, the wardrobe shaking another time before a single pale hand began pushing the door open. They all watched as a carbon copy of Professor Snape, his trademark sneer coming into place as he looked at Neville, walked out of the wardrobe. Remus smiled as he saw a bright fire appear in Neville's eyes.

"Riddikilus." The word had left Neville's mouth with a sense of calm determination. The entire class watched as Professor Snape suddenly sprouted a frilly tutu, bright pink hair, and a terrible application of makeup. Before the Boggart could react the entire class burst into laughter at the image before them.

"Great, absolutely excellent Neville, next!" Remus roared, prompting Neville to move away, and Goyle to move forward, having moved to the front of the line when everyone was laughing. The Boggart Snape looked at Goyle before suddenly transforming into a small cat, which, after the casting of the spell by Goyle, was curled up asleep at the foot of the wardrobe. After the majority of the class had gone through, with varying fears being revealed and triumphed over, Harry finally had his turn.

Time seemed to slow for Harry as he watched the Boggart regard him before it began to shift, out of the corner of his eye he noticed Remus tense, as if he was ready to jump in at any moment to help if something went wrong. Harry racked his brain trying to figure out what form the Boggart could take, trying to work out what his fear is, the sheer amount of time it was taking for the shift to occur was grating on his nerves. Just as he began to wonder if the state of shifting itself was his fear, the Boggart finally changed.

Standing before Harry, facing away from him, was a woman, wearing casual Muggle clothes, the kind one might wear when simply around their home relaxing. She stood slightly above average height, cutting an average figure, not to thin, not to large, her arms spread out as if to shield the class from something. But the thing that allowed Harry, as well as Remus, to know who this was without even seeing her face, was the brilliant red hair, a set of red hair that Remus remembered, and that Harry could only remember seeing in two places, in the pictures given to him first year by Hagrid, and the Mirror of Erised. Harry and Remus immediately recognized this as Lily Potter nee Evans, the Boggart had assumed the form of Harry's mother.

Harry's mouth went dry, his hand trembled as he was brought into what he now knew to be his own personal hell. Of their classmates, Hermione and Neville were the only ones to realize what Harry's fear was, and the dread settled in their stomachs as they realized what they were all about to see.

"Move aside girl, only the child must die." The raspy hiss that had emanated from between the woman and the wardrobe made everyone in the room shiver.

"I will not move, I will not let you have my son!" Lily's defiant voice echoed across the room. Harry shakily attempted to lift his wand, but no matter what he did, he couldn't think of a way to make this situation funny.

"Then you will join your husband, Avada Kedavra!" The hissing voice returned, and it's end was accompanied by a bright green flash, the woman falling backwards towards the group, for a fleeting second the entire room saw a pair of malevolent crimson eyes framed by pale skin, the image of those eyes burning into the minds of the entire room. Before Lily had even hit the floor, she was standing up again, the entire scene repeating itself.

Just before the hissing voice began again, Draco moved in front of Harry, causing the scene to change to a scene that nobody understood, nor had they recovered enough from Harry's Boggart to catch more than a glimpse of a tuft of blonde hair before Draco's wand flicked through the movements and he cast the spell, turning whatever his fear was into a puppy on a leash being dragged into the wardrobe.

"W-w-well done Mr Malfoy," Remus managed to stutter out as he recovered from what he had seen, "That will be 10 points to Slytherin for assisting another student. I would like to ask however why you felt the need to do so, from what I have been told, the animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin is still as strong as it was in my time."

"Nobody should have to watch their family die." Draco's aristocratic voice wavered for a second as he spoke, however only Harry and Remus picked up on it.

"Well class," Having looked at the clock Remus began getting everyone's attention, "I believe the lesson is about to end, so, how about all of you go and start heading to your next classes. We won't have any homework for this lesson. Now, I will see you all next time, Mr Potter, please remain behind."

The class began filing out after that, Hermione and Neville casting worried glances at Harry on their way out. Remus pulled out a chocolate bar, breaking some of it off and offering it to Harry, who mechanically took it and began eating.

"Do you just carry a bar of chocolate everywhere?" Harry joked, the paleness of his skin showing that he was merely trying to pretend he was ok.

"Your father always made that joke. I would have never guessed that was your greatest fear, I would have thought it might be Voldemort, I just didn't expect, well, THAT. I was ready to jump in just in case as well, but then, when I saw her, I just froze. Aside from the Marauders your mother was my best friend, seeing her face, watching that happen. How do you even remember that?" Remus's face showed the raw pain the sight of his old friend had brought to the man, his tone conveying how close he himself was to breaking down into tears.

"I really only remembered when the Dementor came near me, although the memory wasn't as complete." Harry replied, a small amount of colour slowly leaking back onto his face.

"What do you mean it wasn't as complete?" Remus inquired, his curiosity giving him something to control his emotions with.

"Well, originally, all I could remember when the Dementor came near was a flash of red and green. I guess it must have been when my mum spun around to face Voldemort," Harry's eyes had gained a faraway look, "I only know what she looks like through pictures, well, pictures and the Mirror."

"What mirror? I don't really see how a mirror could let you see your mother." Remus's puzzled expression caused a small laugh to escape from Harry, which in turn caused a smile to grow across Remus's face.

"The Mirror of Erised, I encountered it in my first year, when I looked into it, I saw Mum and Dad." Harry smiled a sombre smile as he remembered the events of his first year surrounding that mirror.

"Ah yes, Dumbledore did mention that when he told me about your last two years," An annoyed expression had made its way onto his face, "While I would love to stay and continue talking with you Harry, I do believe both of us have a class in a few minutes."

"I don't, I have a free period, I figured that if I had too many assignments to do I could use the free period to help catch up on them." Harry had collected his bag as he spoke, slowly walking out of the room with Remus, knowing that Remus would be going back to his classroom to wait for the next class soon.

Harry turned away after saying goodbye to Remus, heading off to the Gryffindor Common Room, his intention being to use his free period to work up a list of spells they may go over in review for the subjects Harry, Hermione, and Neville are taking, as well as which spells they will try and help Luna with.

This is a wrap this fortnight, I apologise for it being a shorter chapter than usual but this is currently an exam week for me. Next chapter should be full sized, I won't make any promises as it will be exam block when I need to post yeah, Anatomy study for me this week, Physiology for me next fortnight.

And yes, I changed Harry's Boggart to something that I believe would be a bit more horrifying to me if I were Harry.

So, until next time,

Lucison.