The Potter Twins and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter 3: Boggarts, Buckbeak and Black!

The quartet emerge from the bridge and make their way toward Hagrid's hut. The Whomping Willow looms in the distance.

Hermione, "death omens. Honestly. If you ask me, Divination's a very wooly discipline. Now Ancient Runes. That's a fascinating subject."

Michael, "I'd even take potions over that. Did you hear that bogus prediction she gave me? I don't have a dog! Or a grandpa!"

Ron, "Ancient Runes? Exactly how many classes are you taking this term?"

Hermione, "a fair few."

Ron, "hang on. Ancient Runes is the same time as Divination. You'd have to be in two classes at once."

Hermione, "don't be silly. How could anyone be in two classes at once?"

Michael starts mimicking Trelawney, "broaden your minds…. Malarkey."

Students gather around Hagrid as Harry, Michael, Ron and Hermione arrive. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle stand with the Slytherins.

Hagrid, "c'mon now, get a move on! Got a real treat for yeh. Great lesson comin' up. Follow me."

Hagrid leads them toward a small paddock just this side of the Forbidden Forest. In the paddock, a freestanding rack hangs with dead ferrets, buzzing with flies.

Michael, "I'm so glad I didn't bring Fleet with me…."

Nearby is a pumpkin patch.

Hagrud, "gather 'round. Find yerself a spot. That's it. Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books-"

Draco, "and exactly how do we do that?"

Hagrid looks. Belts, rope, Spellotape: any means available have been employed to bridle The Monster Book of Monsters, which quiver violently.

Hagrid, "crikey. Didn' yeh know? All yeh've got ter do is stroke 'em. Look…."

Hagrid takes Hermione's copy and snaps the Spellotape binding it. As it begins to bite, Hagrid calmly runs a forefinger down the book's spine and it…. Shivers and falls quietly open.

Hagrid glances at the class, looking suddenly unsure.

Hagrid, "righ' then. So…. So…. Yeh've got yer books, an' now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Right. So…. I'll…. I'll go an' get 'em."

Michael gives a light thumbs up as he carefully pets his book.

Hagrid turns and disappears into the trees. Draco shakes his head, and says loudly to Crabbe and Goyle, "God, this place is going to the dogs. Wait until my father hears Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes."

Harry, "listen, you stupid prat-"

Eyes widening in fear, Malfoy steps back, points and shrieks, "Potter's, there's a Dementor behind you!"

Harry and Michael jump and turn in fear, and find…. Nothing. Instantly, the Slytherins make an eerie ooh…. And ooh sound, then break up laughing. Harry and Michael redden, embarrassed, then.

Michael, "you little-"

That's right when a strange beast emerges from the trees. It has the torso, hind legs, and tail of a horse, but the front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle. The students step back in fear, then Hagrid appears, shooing the beast on.

Hagrid, "gee up, there! Beau'iful, isn' he?"

There seems no consensus on this, but the students stare in wary wonder nonetheless.

Michael is the only one smiling at seeing such a creature.

As Hagrid coaxes the beast to the center of the paddock, Ron stares uneasily.

Ron, "Hagrid. Exactly what is that?"

Hagrid, "a Hippogriff, o' course. Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know is they're proud. Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it migh' be the las' thing yeh do. Right then…. Who wants ter come an' say hello?"

Michael raises his hand.

Hagrid, "oh! Right then, Michael. Come along then."

Michael slowly approached.

Hagrid, "tha's it. Easy now…. Ztop! This here's Buckbeak, Michael. Yeh want ter let 'im make the firs' move. It's polite, see? Jus' take step forward, give 'im a bow, and if Buckbeak bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. Ready?"

Michael nods carefully approaches and bows to the creature.

Buckbeak eyes Michael for a moment before bowing back.

Hagrid, "there ya go, Michael. Now, carefully pet him."

Michael approaches and pets Buckbeak gently, making the large beast purr.

Hagrid, "very good. Very good."

Michael smiles and slowly backs away to the others.

Most of the girls, and even a few boys, looked at Michael in a sort of attraction to his bravery.

Hagrid, "very good. Now, who else wants to give it a try?"

The entire class steps back, leaving Harry in front.

Hagrid, "good man, Harry! Following your brother's example."

Harry looks around, then, reluctantly, approaches. Unsure, Harry nods anyway, steps forward and bows.

Buckbeak's head cocks, eagle eyes studying Harry cannily.

Harry waits. And waits….

Hagrid, "back off, Harry! Back off!"

Harry starts to step back, when, Buckbeak ducks his beak. Hagrid sighs, relieved.

Hagrid, "well done, Harry! Go on. Give 'im a pat."

Tentatively, Harry reaches out and lays his hand on Buckbeak's fierce beak. The class claps, especially Michael, as Harry smiles.

Hagrid, "look at that! I reckon he migh' let yeh ride 'im!"

Harry, "excuse me?"

Michael muttered, "lucky."

Hagrid, "we'll jus' set yeh behind the wing joint. Mind yeh don' pull any feathers out. He won' like that."

Hagrid lifts Harry high, drops him onto Buckbeak's back, and before Harry's settled, slaps Buckbeak's hindquarters.

Hagrid, "off yeh go!"

As Buckbeak gallop forward, Harry slides scarily back, giant wings unfold, huge and powerful, and….

WHOOSH!

They soar into the air. Rising higher. And higher. And higher. Gradually, Harry loosens his hold on Buckbeak's neck. Losing himself in the joy of flying. Smiling at the sight of his and Buckbeak's shadow racing across the grass below. Circling over the Whomping Willow, past Hogwarts castle, and then swooping, with heart-stopping speed, over the Black Lake, Buckbeak's talons tickling the smooth glass of the water, summoning the giant squid to the surface briefly. Hagrid whistles then, and Buckbeak turns, beating his way back to the paddock, galloping to a halt. As Harry slides off, the class cheers.

All except Draco, who narrows his eyes maliciously.

Hagrid, "good work, Harry!"

Michael, "I get the next turn!"

Hagrid chuckles and says, "of course, Michael", he then turns to Harry and says under his breath, "how'm I doin' me firs' day?"

Harry, "brilliant…. Professor."

Michael, "they couldn't have chosen anyone better."

All three grin, when Draco pushes past them roughly and strides toward Buckbeak.

Draco, "give me a go at that thing. If Potter can do it, it must be easy. You're not dangerous at all, are you, you great ugly brute-"

Hagrid, "Malfoy! No!"

In a flash, Buckbeak's steely talons slash down. Malfoy freezes and looks down at the blood blossoming on his robes. He shrieks. Instantly, Harry and Michael dash forward. Buckbeak whisk around, raises its talons and, seeing the twins, lowers them and ducks its beak. Harry and Michael, realizing what they've done…. Breathe in relief.

Draci, "it's killed me! It's killed me!"

Hagrid, "calm yerself! Yer fine…. Jus' a scratch…."

Hagrid looks: a deep gash glistens on Draco's limp arm.

Hermione, "Hagrid. He's got to be taken to a hospital. I'll go with you, if you like-"

Hagrid, "no. I'm the teacher. You all…. You all just…. Class dismissed!"

And with that, Hagrid, looking shaken, swoops up Malfoy, flops him over his shoulder, and lumbers toward the castle.

Michael sighs as he pets Buckbeak gently and shares a worried look with his friends….

….

As Lavender and Parvati huddle over a dozen teacups, avidly interpreting patterns in hushed voices, Draco, arm bound in a sling, holds court before a clot of Slytherins.

Pansy, "does it hurt terribly, Draco?"

Draco, "it comes and goes. Still…. I consider myself lucky. According to Madam Pomfrey, another minute or two…. And I could've lost the arm."

Michael, Harry, Ron and Hermione watch from the Gryffindor table.

Ron, "the little git. He's really laying it on thick, isn't he?"

Michael, "as thick as pea soup at the Leaky Cauldron."

Harry, "at least Hagrid didn't get sacked."

Hermione, "yes. But I hear Draco's father's furious. I don't think we've heard the end of this…."

Seamus, "he's been sighted!"

They turn. Seamus and the other Gryffindors are huddled over a copy of The Daily Prophet.

Ron, "who?"

But the photo on the Prophet's front page provides a chilling answer: Sirius Black. Hermione reads over the shoulders of others. Whispering half to herself, "Achintee? That's not far from here…."

Neville, "you don't think he'd come to Hogwarts, do you? Lavender, with the Dementors at every entrance?"

Lavender, "Dementors? He's already slipped by them once, hasn't he? Who's to say he can't do it again?"

As a flicker of fear passes through Michael and Harry's faces, Bem, a Nigerian boy, stares grimly at the grainy image of Black.

Bem, "that's right. Black could be anywhere. It's like trying to catch smoke. Like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands."

….

Beautiful flowers gleam in the dawn light, then, slowly begin to either. The dew freezes, the grass grows brittle. Seconds later, the Dementors sweep by.

….

A tall wardrobe rattles violently as Harry, Michael, Ron and several classmates regard it warily.

Lupin, "intriguing, yes? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?"

Seamus, "that's a Boggart, that is."

Lupin, "very good, Mr. Finnigan. Can anyone tell us what a Boggart looks like?"

Hermione, "no one knows."

Ron jumps and glances at Hermione, then whispers to Harry and Michael.

Ron, "when'd she get here?"

Michael and Harry shrugged.

Hermione, "Boggarts are shape-shifters. They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears most. That's what makes it so…."

Lupin, "terrifying, yes. Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart. Let's practice it now, shall we? Without wands, please…. Riddikulus!"

The students all yell, "Riddikulus!"

Draco starts muttering softly, "it's this class that's ridiculous."

Lupin, "good. So much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart off is…. Laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Neville, come up here, will you?"

Neville eyes the rattling wardrobe and steps forward queasily.

Lupin, "what would you say is the thing that frightens you most?"

Neville, "Profter…. Snafpt…."

Lupin, "didn't catch that, Neville, sorry."

Neville, "Professor Snape."

Everyone laughs good-naturedly. Lupin nods thoughtfully.

Lupin, "hmmm…. Yes. Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"

Neville, "yes, but I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."

Lupin, "it won't. But I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, very clearly in your mind. Can you do that?"

Neville closes his eyes, "she carries a red handbag…."

Lupin, "that's fine. We don't need to hear it. If you see it, we will. Now, when I open this wardrobe, Neville, here's what I want you to do…."

Lupin leans close to Neville and whispers. Neville's eyes pop open in shock, and he considers Lupin uncertainly.

Lupin, "you can do this, Neville."

Neville nods nervously and takes a deep breath.

Lupin, "right then. Wand at the ready. One. Two. Three!"

Sparks jet from Lupin's wand, strike the doorknob, and the wardrobe bursts open. Instantly, Snape appears, eyes flashing hideously as he stalks forward. Neville backs away in fright.

Lupin, "think, Neville. Think!"

Neville, "r-r-riddikulus!"

CRACK!

Snape stumbles in a flash of light and teappears…. In a long, lace-trimmed dress, towering Moth-eaten hat, and crimson handbag. Instantly, the class roars, (except for Draco and most of his fellow Slytherins.)

Neville blinks, amazed, then slowly, grins himself.

Lupin drops the needle on an old gramaphone. As a scratchy rhumba fills the room, he points to Ron.

Lupin, "Ron! Forward!"

Snape dissolves into a mad whirling mass, then mutates into a…. Giant spider. As Ron gasps, Harry, Michael and Hermione exchange uncertain glances. Lupin puts his hands on Ron's shoulders to steady him. Ron raises his wand.

Ron, "Riddikulus!"

CRACK!

Roller skates materialize on the spider's hairy feet and it begins to shuffle crazily in place.

Instantly, Ron relaxes as the class' laughter rings out.

Lupin, "Michael?"

Michael steps forward as the spider turns into a monster made out of living green lightning! It roared like a thunderclap!

Michael freezes before Lupin puts his hand on his shoulder.

Michael steels his nerves and yells, "Riddikulus!"

The lightning monster suddenly transforms into a large wriggling pile of green string that can't move on their own!

Michael and everyone laugh as the string can't even stand up on its own.

Lupin, "Parvati!"

As Parvati steps up, the string spins faster and faster, a dizzying blur, then reappears as a vampire.

Parvati, "Riddikulus!"

As the vampire whips its cloak across its eyes….

SWISH!

The cloak reopens, the class laughs, and we see that the vampire is now dressed like Carmen Miranda.

As it begins to shimmy about, against its will, the class starts to clap.

Lupin, "Mr. Thomas!"

As Dean steps up, the vampire's undulating body attenuates, its skin darkening with diamond-thatched scales becoming…. A giant cobra.

Deab, "Riddikulus!"

The cobra's hooded head bobs back and forth and transforms into a Jack-in-the-box. Lupin grins and says, "next", turns and sees Harry step forward expectantly. Concern flickers through Lupin's face. The Jack-In-The-Box pivots on its spring, its face tumbling toward Harry, becoming more sinister, transforming into a…. Dementor. Suddenly the music fades. Harry starts to raise his wand, then…. Freezes, transfixed. Michael rubs to his brother as the Dementor looms closer and closer, when…. Lupin steps between and snaps his wand.

Lupin, "here!"

CRACK!

The Dementor vanishes and a roiling mist appears, which becomes clouds. Something glows within the clouds, white, silvery and round….

Michael glanced at Lupin.

This was his fear?

Why would he be afraid of the moon?

Lupin, "Riddikulus!"

POP!

The orb deflates like a punctured balloon, whizzes crazily about the room, then darts back into the wardrobe. The door slams shut and the class cheers.

Lupin, "well done, everyone. I think that's enough excitement for today."

As the students exit, chattering loudly, only Harry and Michael remain behind. At the doorway, Lupin glances back and exchanges a private glance with them. As they exit, the wardrobe gives one last rattle….

….

Two weeks later….

A great buzzing queue of students, Third Years and older, each clutching a permission form, pass by a glowering Filch.

McGonagall, "remember! These visits to Hogsmeade Village are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again."

Harry and Michael approach her, but before they can utter a syllable, she says, "no permission form. No visiting the Village. That's the rule, Potter's."

Harry, "yes, Professor, but we thought if you said we could go-"

McGonagall, "but I don't say so. A parent or guardian must sign, and since I am neither, it would be inappropriate…. I'm sorry, boy's. But that's my final word."

Ron and Hermione watch Harry and Michael expectantly from across the way, seeing them turn, shaking their heads. Their faces fall. Harry and Michael raise their hands in farewell and watch them go.

….

Lupin, "so. No Hogsmeade, eh?"

Deep in the distance, some boys skate about on brooms, tossing a ragged quaffle back and forth. We see Michael, Harry and Lupin walking along the bridge.

Lupin, "well, don't feel too bad. I was roundly disappointed the first time I went."

Harry, "really?"

Lupin, "no. I was just trying to make you feel better. Honeydukes' sweets are the best in the world. Their Pepper Imps are so strong you smoke at the ears. And Zonko's Joke Shop may be dangerous, but you can't beat their Stink Pellets."

Michael, "not to mention The Shrieking Shack, which, according to Hermione, is the most severely haunted building in Britain."

Lupin, "yes, that too…."

Harry, "Professor, can we ask you something?"

Lupin, "you'd like to know why I stopped you from facing the Boggart? I should think it'd be obvious. I assumed the Boggart would take the shape of Lord Voldemort."

Harry frowns as Michael said, "yet you didn't worry about me?"

Lupin, "I've heard you're the much braver twin. And I noticed how you were a little frightened of the thunderstorm on the train, so I assumed you'd be afraid of lightning. Harry though…. I was wrong."

Harry, "I did think of Voldemort first. But then, I remembered that night on the train…. And the Dementors….

Lupin, "well, well. I'm impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all is…. Fear. Very wise."

Harry, "before I fainted…. I heard something. A woman. Screaming."

Michael, "and I remember…. I saw green lightning…."

Lupin, "Dementors force us to relive the worst memories of our lives. Our pain becomes their power."

Harry, "I think it was my mother. The night she was murdered."

Michael, "and the lightning was…. The spell that was used to kill her and dad…."

Harry and Michael look up to find Lupin studying them.

Lupin, "the first time I saw you, boy's, I recognized you immediately. Not by your scars. By your eyes and hair. Harry has green eyes. Michael has ginger hair. Your mother Lily's eyes and hair. Yes. I knew her. She was there for me at a time when no one else was. We used to talk for hours. She was not only a singularly gifted witch but an uncommonly kind woman. She had a way of seeing the beauty in whoever she met, even…. And perhaps most especially…. When that person couldn't see it in themselves….", Lupin's eyes glaze in memory, then he blinks and smiles, "which perhaps explains her affection for your father. James had, shall we say, a certain talent for trouble. A gift, rumor has it, he passed on to you two."

Lupin turns and eyes Michael and Harry affectionately. They smile vaguely.

Lupin, "I could tell you stories…. And there are many about your parents, Michael, Harry…. But know this…. They lived. Every moment of every day. You should know that. That's how they'd want to be remembered."

Michael and Harry smiled with tears in their eyes….

…..

The Hall buzzes with tales of Hogsmeade, as students swap stories, sample sweets, and send soap bubbles of all shapes, sizes and colors into the air. A marionette of a Harlequin cavorts atop the Gryffindor table, moving its limbs in response to the strands of light that extend from Neville's fingertips. Seamus passes his hand through the light beams and….

FLUMPH!

The Harlequin collapses.

Hermione, "and the post office! It's about 200 owls, all sitting on color-coded shelves, depending on how fast you want your letter to go!"

Ron, "and Honeyduke's is brilliant! Sugar Quills, Flaming Whizbees, and blood-flavored lollipops for Halloween!"

Michael grimaced at the last one.

Harry nods, picking quietly through the spray of brilliantly colored sweets on the table.

Hermione notices and says, "but, I mean, after awhile, it got a bit boring. Don't you think, Ron?"

Ron, "huh? Oh. Yeah. Dead depressing. Hang on. I almost forgot. I got you something wicked at Dervish and Banges. It's a Pocket Sneakoscope."

Ron places a small glass spinning top on the table.

Ron, "if there's someone untrustworthy around, it's meant to light up and spin. Mind you, Fred and George say it's rubbish, sold for wizard tourists, but I thought, you know, it can't hurt, given that…."

Harry, "Sirius Black's trying to kill us."

Harry looks up and grins at the two of them. Michael joins in.

Michael, "we're glad you had a good time. Really. And thanks for this."

He and Harry eye the Sneakoscope.

Harry, "rubbish or not, you're right. It can't hurt. "

With that, Harry pops a pepper imp into his mouth.

Ron, "oh, careful of those, they'll make your…."

On cue, smoke curls from Harry's ears and nose.

Ron, "never mind…."

….

As Harry, Michael, Ron, and Hermione climb the stairs, they find a crowd gathering on the Seventh Floor landing.

Ron, "what's the hold-up? Only Neville ever forgets the password."

Neville pops up and says, "hey, it wasn't me!"

Ron, "oh! Sorry."

Michael, "wait, then what's going on?"

Percy pushes his way to the door, "let me through, please. Excuse me, thank you, I'm Head Boy…. Back! All of you! No one is to enter this dormitory until it has been fully searched!"

Michael, Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchange dark glances, when…. Ginny emerges from the crowd, her face ashen.

Ginny, "the Fat Lady…. She's gone."

Ron, "probably stuffing her face with the apples in that still life on the second floor again."

Ginny, "no. You don't understand-"

Hermione gasps and grabs the twins arms. They look and see that the Fat Lady's portrait has been slashed viciously, great

strips of canvas hanging from the frame. Just then, Dumbledore appears and says, "Mr. Filch. Round up the ghosts. Tell them to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."

Michael mutters, "I doubt Peeves will help…."

Just then, there is a scream. The students dash to the landing, where all the paintings whisper fearfully.

Filch's rheumy eyes peer up, searching the upper shadows, then narrow.

Filch, "there'll be no need for ghosts, Professor…."

Filch extends a crooked finger. High up, near the ceiling, the Fat Lady cowers in a portrait not her own, trembling.

Dumbledore, "dear lady. Who did this to you?"

Fat Lady, "eyes like the devil he's got. And a soul as dark as his name. It was him, Headmaster. The one they talk about. He's here. Somewhere in the castle. Sirius Black!"

As the students react in fright, Dumbledore's voice cuts through.

Dumbledore, "secure the castle, Mr. Filch. The rest of you…. To the Great Hall…."

….

Reviews:

Canadude2029: well, I'm happy you enjoyed the chapter, and the stuff with Trelawney.

Bailey Radcliff: awesome to hear.

….