"Excellent, Neville," Professor Lupin said. "First and most important: what's the one thing in the world you're most afraid of?"
Neville's lips moved, but no sound came out.
"Sorry, Neville, I didn't catch that," Lupin said kindly.
Neville glanced around in panic, silently begging someone to rescue him. Finally he whispered, barely audible, "Professor Snape."
The whole class burst out laughing. Even Neville managed a sheepish grin.
Lupin, however, looked thoughtful.
"Professor Snape… hmm. Neville, you live with your grandmother, right?"
"Uh—yeah," Neville said, shifting uncomfortably. "But I don't want the Boggart turning into her."
"No, no, you misunderstand," Lupin said, smiling now. "Can you describe what your grandmother usually wears?"
Neville looked surprised but answered, "She always wears that hat—one of those tall ones with a stuffed vulture on it. And a long dress, usually green. Sometimes she has a fox-fur scarf."
"And a handbag?" Lupin prompted.
"A big red one."
"Perfect," Lupin said. "Neville, can you picture those clothes very clearly in your mind?"
"I… I think so," Neville said, though he sounded worried about where this was headed.
"When the Boggart bursts out of the wardrobe and sees you, it'll turn into Professor Snape," Lupin explained. "The moment it does, raise your wand—like this—and shout 'Riddikulus!' Then picture your grandmother's clothes as clearly as you can. If it works, Boggart-Snape will be forced to wear the vulture hat, the green dress, and carry that big red handbag."
The class howled with laughter.
The wardrobe rattled even harder.
"If Neville succeeds, the Boggart will move on to the rest of us," Lupin continued. "So right now I want everyone to think about what scares you most, then imagine how to make it ridiculous…"
The room fell quiet.
Lupin's eyes lingered on Sean for a moment, as if he were especially curious.
What would Sean be afraid of?
Most students had their eyes squeezed shut. Ron was muttering under his breath, "Rip its legs off…"
Sean already knew why. Ron was terrified of spiders.
"Everyone ready?" Lupin asked.
The class nodded and rolled up their sleeves.
"Neville, we're all stepping back to give you some room," Lupin said. "I'll call the next person forward when you're done. All right—everyone back, clear the space for Neville—"
The students pressed against the walls, leaving Neville alone in front of the wardrobe. He was pale and shaking, but he'd rolled up his sleeves and held his wand ready.
"On three, Neville," Lupin said, pointing his own wand at the doorknob. "One—two—three—now!"
A burst of sparks shot from Lupin's wand and hit the knob.
The wardrobe door flew open. A hook-nosed Professor Snape strode out, eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Neville.
Neville stumbled backward, wand raised, but no sound came out.
Snape advanced, reaching into his robes for his own wand.
"Excuse me…"
A cold voice came from the side of the wardrobe. The students were impressed by how realistic the Boggart looked.
But Sean noticed something off.
He glanced toward the real wooden door. The actual Professor Snape stood there, wearing a dark, unpleasant smile.
"Lupin, it seems I need to borrow my assistant for some genuinely useful business. Terribly sorry."
Snape didn't sound sorry at all. He looked at Lupin like he was already dead.
"I'm afraid I can't—"
Lupin started to protest, but Snape cut him off.
"Come with me," Snape said, staring straight at Sean.
Lupin could only frown as the two wizards left the room. He gave his wand a sharp wave; the wardrobe slammed shut with a bang.
"All right, class, let's continue."
By the end of the lesson, Lupin looked troubled when he finally caught up with Harry and the others. They were clustered together, buzzing with excitement.
"Did you see how I took down that banshee?" Seamus yelled.
"And that hand!" Dean waved his own hand dramatically.
"And Snape in the hat!"
"And my mummy!"
"I still don't get why Professor Lupin's afraid of crystal balls," Lavender said thoughtfully.
"That was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts class we've ever had, right?" Ron said eagerly as they headed back to the classroom for their bags.
"He seems like a really good teacher," Hermione said approvingly. "I just wish I'd gotten a turn with the Boggart—"
"What do you think it would've turned into for you?" Ron teased. "An essay that only got nine out of ten? And Justin—you're gonna love this class, mate."
Justin smiled mildly and chimed in now and then.
"Mr. Finch-Fletchley, could you stay behind a moment?"
Justin paused at the classroom door.
"Professor Lupin, you're looking a bit better today," Justin said politely.
"I am, thank you." Lupin smiled as he closed the door, leaving the rest of the students outside looking puzzled.
"My mother always told me that no matter what, people always have one chip left to play," Justin said, sitting down courteously.
"What?" Lupin asked, pouring tea.
"Tomorrow. It brings waiting and hope, and that's where all human wisdom lives—in those two words."
Justin took a sip and narrowed his eyes.
Lupin was quiet for a long moment before he smiled again. "You're right."
"You didn't ask me to stay just to catch up, did you?" Justin set his cup down.
"No. It's about Mr. Green…" Lupin said carefully, his expression growing more troubled. "And Professor Snape. The two of them…"
"I've been wanting to talk about this for a while," Justin said, eyes lighting up.