Chapter 7 The Boggart in the Wardrobe

Malfoy didnt reappear in fellowshipes until late on Thursday morning, when the Slytherins and Gryffindors were halfway through double Potions. He swagge tearing into the dungeon, his right arm coered in hold fasts and bound up in a sling, acting, in raises opinion, as though he were the valiant survivor of some dreadful battle.How is it, Draco? simpered Pansy Parkinson. Does it hurt much?Yeah, express Malfoy, regurgitateting on a brave sort of grimace. But vex saw him wink at Crabbe and Goyle when Pansy had looked away.Settle down, substantiate down, say prof Snape idly. nettle and Ron scowled at each other Snape wouldnt discombobulate verbalize garmenttle down if theyd walked in late, hed have given them detention. But Malfoy had perpetually been able to get away with anything in Snapes classes Snape was head of Slytherin House, and gener all toldy favored his own students above all others.They were making a new potion today, a Shrinking Solution. Malfoy set up his cau ldron right next to Harry and Ron, so that they were preparing their ingredients on the same table.Sir, Malfoy called, sir, Ill contract help cutting up these daisy roots, because of my arm Weasley, cut up Malfoys roots for him, say Snape with prohibited looking up.Ron went brick red.Theres nothing wrong with your arm, he hissed at Malfoy.Malfoy smirked across the table.Weasley, you perceive prof Snape cut up these roots.Ron seized his knife, pulled Malfoys roots toward him, and began to chop them roughly, so that they were all different sizes.Professor, drawled Malfoy, Weasleys mutilating my roots, sir.Snape approached their table, stared down his hooked nose at the roots, past gave Ron an unpleasant grinning from beneath his long, greasy black hair.Change roots with Malfoy, Weasley.But, sir Ron had spent the last quarter of an hour care honorabley shredding his own roots into exactly equal pieces.Now, say Snape in his most dangerous voice.Ron shoved his own beautifully cut roots across the table at Malfoy, then took up the knife again.And, sir, Ill need this shrivelfig skinned, state Malfoy, his voice full of malicious laughter.Potter, you can skin Malfoys shrivelfig, tell Snape, giving Harry the look of loathing he always reserved entirely for him.Harry took Malfoys shrivelfig as Ron began experimenting to repair the damage to the roots he right off had to use. Harry skinned the shrivelfig as fast as he could and flung it back down across the table at Malfoy without speaking. Malfoy was smirking more broadly than ever.Seen your pal Hagrid lately? he asked them quietly.None of your business, state Ron jerkily, without looking up.Im afraid he wont be a teacher much longer, said Malfoy in a tone of mock sorrow. Fathers not genuinely happy rough my injury Keep talking, Malfoy, and Ill give you a sure injury, snarled Ron.?C hes complained to the school governors. And to the Ministry of Magic. Fathers got a lot of influence, you know. And a lasting injury like this he gave a capacious, fake sigh who knows if my armll ever be the same again?So thats why youre putting it on, said Harry, accidentally beheading a dead caterpillar because his spate was shaking in anger, To try to get Hagrid fired.Well, said Malfoy, lowering his voice to a whisper, partly, Potter. But there are other benefits too. Weasley, slice my caterpillars for me.A few cauldrons away, Neville was in trouble. Neville regularly went to pieces in Potions lessons it was his worst subject, and his great fear of Professor Snape made things ten times worse. His potion, which was supposed to be a bright, acid green, had turned Orange, Longbottom, said Snape, ladling some up and allowing to splash back into the cauldron, so that e rattlingone could see.Orange. Tell me, boy, does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours? Didnt you hear me say, quite puzzle outly, that hardly one cat spleen was needed? Didnt I arouse plainly that a dash of leech juice would su ffice? What do I have to do to make you under basis, Longbottom?Neville was pink and trembling. He looked as though he was on the verge of tears.Please, sir, said Hermione, please, I could help Neville put it right I dont remember asking you to show off, Miss Granger, said Snape coldly, and Hermione went as pink as Neville. Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we pass on feed a few drops of this potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that bequeath encourage you to do it properly.Snape go away, sledding Neville breathless with fear.Help me he moaned to Hermione.Hey, Harry, said Seamus Finnigan, leaning over to borrow Harrys brass scales, have you heard? Daily Prophet this morning they play Sirius Blacks been sighted.Where? said Harry and Ron quickly. On the other side of the table, Malfoy looked up, listening closely.Not too far from here, said Seamus, who looked excited. It was a Muggle who saw him. Course, she didnt really understand. The Muggles think hes just an ordinary criminal, dont they? So she phoned the telephone hot line. By the time the Ministry of Magic got there, he was gone.Not too far from here Ron repeated, looking significantly at Harry. He turned close to and saw Malfoy notice closely. What, Malfoy? Need something else skinned?But Malfoys eyes were shining malevolently, and they were fixed Harry. He leaned across the table.Thinking of assay to catch Black single-handed, Potter?Yeah, thats right, said Harry offhandedly.Malfoys thin mouth was curving in a mean smile.Of course, if it was me, he said quietly, Id have through with(p) something before now. I wouldnt be staying in school like a good boy, Id be out there looking for him.What are you talking about, Malfoy? said Ron roughly.Dont you know, Potter? breathed Malfoy, his pale eyes narrowed.Know what?Malfoy let out a low, sneering laugh.Maybe youd rather not risk your neck, he said. call for to leave it to the Dementors, do you? But if it was me, Id want revenge. Id hunt him down myself.What are you talking about? said Harry angrily, nevertheless at that moment Snape called, You should have finished adding your ingredients by now this potion needs to stew before it can be drunk, so clear away while it simmers and then well test LongbottomsCrabbe and Goyle laughed openly, watching Neville sweat as he stirred his potion feverishly. Hermione was muttering instructions to him out of the corner of her mouth, so that Snape wouldnt see. Harry and Ron packed away their unused ingredients and went to wash their workforce and ladles in the stone basin in the corner.What did Malfoy mean? Harry muttered to Ron as he stuck his hands under the icy jet that poured from the gargoyles mouth Why would I want revenge on Black? He hasnt done anything to me withal.Hes making it up, said Ron savagely. Hes trying to make you do something stupidThe end of the lesson in sight, Snape strode over to Neville, who was cowering by his cauldron.Everyone gather round, said Snape, his black eyes seem, and watch what happens to Longbottoms toad. If he has managed to produce a Shrinking Solution, it will shrink to a tadpole. If, as I dont doubt, he has done it wrong, his toad is likely to be poisoned.The Gryffindors watched fearfully. The Slytherins looked excited. Snape picked up Trevor the toad in his left field hand and dipped a small spoon into Nevilles potion, which was now green. He trickled a few drops down Trevors throat.There was a moment of hushed silence, in which Trevor gulped then there was a small pop, and Trevor the tadpole was sinuate in Snapes palm.The Gryffindors go bad into applause. Snape, looking sour, pulled a small bottle from the pocket of his robe, poured a few drops on top of Trevor, and he reappeared suddenly, fully grown.Five points from Gryffindor, said Snape, which wiped the smiles from every spunk. I told you not to help him, Miss Granger. Class dismissed.Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed the steps to the entrance hall. Harry was still thinking about what Malfoy had said, while Ron was seething about Snape.Five points from Gryffindor because the potion was all right Why didnt you lie, Hermione? You shouldve said Neville did it all by himselfHermione didnt answer. Ron looked most.Where is she?Harry turned too. They were at the top of the steps now, watching the rest of the class pass them, heading for the Great Hall and lunch.She was right behind us, said Ron, frowning.Malfoy passed them, walking between Crabbe and Goyle. He smirked at Harry and disappeared.There she is, said Harry.Hermione was heaving slightly, hurrying up the stairs one hand clutched her bag, the other seemed to be tucking something down the front of her robes.How did you do that? said Ron.What? said Hermione, joining them.One clarified you were right behind us, the next moment, you were back at the bottom of the stairs again.What? Hermione looked slightly confused. Oh I had to go back for something. Oh no A seam had develop on Hermiones bag. Harry wasnt surprised he could see that it was crammed with at least a dozen large and heavy books.Why are you carrying all these around with you? Ron asked her.You know how many subjects Im taking, said Hermione breathlessly. Couldnt hold these for me, could you?But Ron was turning over the books she had handed him, looking at the covers. You havent got any of these subjects today. Its only defense Against the Dark liberal arts this afternoon.Oh yes, said Hermione vaguely, but she packed all the books back into her bag just the same. I hope theres something good for lunch, Im starving, she added, and she marched off toward the Great Hall.Dyou get the feeling Hermiones not telling us something? Ron asked Harry.******Professor lupine wasnt there when they arrived at his first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. They all sat down, took out their books, quills, and parchment, and were talking when he finally entered the room. Lupin smiled vaguely and placed his tatty old briefcase on the teachers desk. He was as shabby as ever but looked healthier than he had on the train, as though he had had a few square meals.Good afternoon, he said. Would you please put all your books back in your bags. Todays will be a practical lesson. You will need only your wands.A few curious looks were exchanged as the class put away their books. They had never had a practical Defense Against the Dark Arts class before, unless you counted the memorable class last year when their old teacher had brought a cageful of pixies to class and set them loose.Right then, said Professor Lupin, when everyone was ready. If youd follow me.Puzzled but interested, the class got to its feet and followed Professor Lupin out of the classroom. He led them along the deserted corridor and around a corner, where the first thing they saw was Peeves the Poltergeist, who was floating upside down in midair and stuffing the nearest keyhole with chewing gum.Peeves didnt look up until Profess or Lupin was devil feet away then he wiggled his curly-toed feet and broke into song.Loony, loopy Lupin, Peeves sang. Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin Rude and unmanageable as he to the highest degree always was, Peeves usually showed some respect toward the teachers. Everyone looked quickly at Professor Lupin to see how he would take this to their surprise, he was still smiling.Id take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves, he said pleasantly. Mr. Filch wont be able to get in to his brooms.Filch was the Hogwarts caretaker, a bad-tempered, failed wizard who waged a constant war against the students and, indeed, Peeves. However, Peeves compensable no attention to Professor Lupins words, except to blow a loud wet raspberry.Professor Lupin gave a small sigh and took out his wand.This is a useful little spell, he told the class over his shoulder. Please watch closely.He raised the wand to shoulder height, said, Waddiwasi and pointed it at Peeves.With the force of a bullet, the survey of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down Peevess left nostril he whirled upright and zoomed away, cursing.Cool, sir said Dean Thomas in amazement. give thanks you, Dean, said Professor Lupin, putting his wand away again. Shall we proceed?They set off again, the class looking at shabby Professor Lupin with increase respect. He led them down a second corridor and stopped, right outside the staffroom door.Inside, please, said Professor Lupin, opening it and standing back.The staffroom, a long, paneled room full of old, mismatched chairs, was empty except for one teacher. Professor Snape was sitting in a low armchair, and he looked around as the class filed in. His eyes were glittering and there was a nasty sneer playing around his mouth. As Professor Lupin came in and made to close the door behind him, Snape said, intrust it open, Lupin. Id rather not witness this. He got to his feet and strode past the class, his black robes billowing behind him. At the doorway he turned on his heel and said, perchance no ones warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear.Neville went scarlet. Harry glared at Snape it was bad enough that he bullied Neville in his own classes, let alone doing it in front of other teachers.Professor Lupin had raised his eyebrows.I was hoping that Neville would sanction me with the first stage of the operation, he said, and I am sure he will perform it admirably.Nevilles face went, if possible, even redder. Snapes lip curled, but he left, closure the door with a snap.Now, then, said Professor Lupin, beckoning the class toward the end of the room, where there was nothing but an old wardrobe where the teachers kept their spare robes. As Professor Lupin went to stand next to it, the wardrobe gave a sudden wobble, banging off the wall.Nothing to worry about, said Professor Lu pin calmly because a few people had jumped backward in alarm. Theres a Boggart in there.Most people seemed to feel that this was something to worry about. Neville gave Professor Lupin a look of nice terror, and Seamus Finnigan eyed the now rattling doorknob apprehensively.Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces, said Professor Lupin. Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks Ive even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice.So, the first capitulum we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?Hermione put up her hand.Its a shape-shifter, she said. It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most.Couldnt have put it better myself, said Professor Lupin, and Hermione glowed. So the Boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other s ide of the door. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears.This means, said Professor Lupin, choosing to ignore Nevilles small sputter of terror, that we have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?Trying to answer a question with Hermione next to him, bobbing up and down on the balls of her feet with her hand in the air, was very off-putting, but Harry had a go.Er because there are so many of us, it wont know what shape it should be?Precisely, said Professor Lupin, and Hermione put her hand down, looking a little disappointed. Its always best to have company when youre dealing with a Boggart. He becomes confused. Which should he become, a decapitated corpse or a flesh-eating slug? I once saw a Boggart make that very mistake tried to frighten two people at once and turned himself into half a slug. Not remotely frightening.The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing.We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, pleaseriddikulusRiddikulus said the class together.Good, said Professor Lupin. Very good. But that was the easy part, Im afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville.The wardrobe shook again, though not as much as Neville, who walked away as though he were heading for the gallows.Right, Neville, said Professor Lupin. First things first what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?Nevilles lips moved, but no fraudulent scheme came out.I didnt catch that, Neville, sorry, said Professor Lupin cheerfully.Neville looked around rather wildly, as though begging someone to help him, then said, in barely more than a whisper, Professor Snape.Nearly everyone laughed. Even Neville grinned a pologetically. Professor Lupin, however, looked mentationful.Professor SnapehmmmNeville, I believe you live with your grandmother?Er yes, said Neville nervously. But I dont want the Boggart to turn into her either.No, no, you misunderstand me, said Professor Lupin, now smiling. I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?Neville looked startled, but said, Wellalways the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture on top. And a long dressgreen, normallyand sometimes a fox-fur scarf.And a handbag? prompted Professor Lupin.A big red one, said Neville.Right then, said Professor Lupin. Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your minds eye?Yes, said Neville uncertainty, plainly wondering what was coming next.When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape, said Lupin. And you will raise your wand thus and cry Riddikulus and concentrate hard on your gr andmothers clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag.There was a great shout of laughter. The wardrobe wobbled more violently.If Neville is successful, the Boggart is likely to shift his attention to each of us in turn, said Professor Lupin. I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comicalThe room went quiet. Harry thoughtWhat scared him most in the world?His first thought was Lord Voldemort a Voldemort returned to full strength. But before he had even started to proposal a possible counterattack on a Boggart-Voldemort, a horrible image came floating to the surface of his mind.A rotting, glistening hand, slithering back beneath a black cloaka long, rattling breath from an unseen mouththen a cold so penetrating it mat like drowningHarry shivered, then looked around, hoping no one had noticed . Many people had their eyes shut tight. Ron was muttering to himself, Take its legs off. Harry was sure he knew what that was about. Rons superior fear was spiders.Everyone ready? said Professor Lupin.Harry felt a lurch of fear. He wasnt ready. How could you make a Dementor less frightening? But he didnt want to ask for more time everyone else was nodding and rolling up their sleeves.Neville, were going to back away, said Professor Lupin. Let you have a clear field, all right? Ill call the next person forwardEveryone back, now, so Neville can get a clear shot They all retreated, backed against the walls, leaving Neville alone beside the wardrobe. He looked pale and frightened, but he had pushed up the sleeves of his robes and was holding his wand ready.On the count of three, Neville, said Professor Lupin, who was pointing his own wand at the handle of the wardrobe. One two three nowA jet of sparks shot from the end of Professor Lupins wand and hit the doorknob. The wardrobe bur st open. hook-nosed and menacing, Professor Snape stepped out, his eyes flashing at Neville.Neville backed away, his wand up, mouthing wordlessly. Snape was bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes.R r riddikulus squeaked Neville.There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was singe a huge crimson handbag.There was a roar of laughter the Boggart paused, confused, and Professor Lupin shouted, Parvati ForwardParvati walked forward, her face set. Snape rounded on her. There was other crack, and where he had stood was a bloodstained, bandaged mummy its sightless face was turned to Parvati and it began to walk toward her very slowly, dragging its feet, its stiff arms rising Riddikulus cried Parvati.A bandage unraveled at the mummys feet it became entangled, fell face forward, and its head rolled off.Seamus roared Professor Lupin.Seamus darted past Parvati.Crack Where the mummy had been was a woman with floorlength black hair and a skeletal, green-tinged face a banshee. She opened her mouth wide and an unearthly sound filled the room, a long, wailing shriek that made the hair on Harrys head stand on end Riddikulus shouted Seamus.The banshee made a rasping noise and clutched her throat her voice was gone.Crack The banshee turned into a rat, which tail its tail in a circle, then crack- became a rattlesnake, which slithered and writhed before crack becoming a single, bloody eyeball.Its confused shouted Lupin. Were acquire there DeanDean hurried forward.Crack The eyeball became a severed hand, which flipped over and began to creep along the floor like a crab.Riddikulus cry Dean.There was a snap, and the hand was trapped in a mousetrap.Excellent Ron, you nextRon leapt forward.CrackQuite a few people screamed. A freak spider, six feet tall and covered in hair, was advancing on Ron, clicking its pincers menacingly. For a moment, Harry thought Ron had frozen. Then Riddikulus bellowed Ron, and the spiders legs vanished it rolled over and over Lavender browned squealed and ran out of its way and it came to a halt at Harrys feet. He raised his wand, ready, but Here shouted Professor Lupin suddenly, hurrying forward. CrackThe legless spider had vanished. For a second, everyone looked wildly around to see where it was. Then they saw a silvery-white orb hanging in the air in front of Lupin, who said, Riddikulus almost lazily.CrackForward, Neville, and finish him off said Lupin as the Boggart landed on the floor as a cockroach. Crack Snape was back. This time Neville charged forward looking determined.Riddikulus he shouted, and they had a split seconds view of Snape in his lacy dress before Neville let out a great Ha of laughter, and the Boggart exploded, burst into a thousand tiny wisps of smoke, and was gone.Excellent cried Professor Lupin as the class broke into applause. Excellent, Neville. Well done, everyoneLet me seefive points to Gryffindor for every person to tackle the Boggart ten for Neville because he did it twiceand five each to Hermione and Harry.But I didnt do anything, said Harry.You and Hermione answered my questions correctly at the start of the class, Harry, Lupin said lightly. Very well, everyone, an excellent lesson. Homework, kindly read the chapter on Boggarts and summarize it for meto be handed in on Monday. That will be all.Talking excitedly, the class left the staffroom. Harry, however, wasnt feeling cheerful. Professor Lupin had deliberately stopped him from tackling the Boggart. Why? Was it because hed seen Harry collapse on the train, and thought he wasnt up to much? Had he thought Harry would pass out again?But no one else seemed to have noticed anything.Did you see me take that banshee? shouted Seamus.And the hand said Dean, waving his own around.And Snape in that hatAnd my mummyI wonder why Professor Lupins frightened of crystal balls? said Lavender thoughtfully.That was t he best Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson weve ever had, wasnt it? said Ron excitedly as they made their way back to the classroom to get their bags.He seems like a very good teacher, said Hermione approvingly. But I wish I could have had a turn with the Boggart What would it have been for you? said Ron, sniggering. A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten?