Chapter 178: Boggarts
Chapter 178: Boggarts
"The entrance to Classroom 21 is related to the basic transfiguration principles taught by Professor Flitwick." Albert led Katrina to the corridor on the sixth floor of the castle.
Katrina raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting to the portraits lining the corridor. She was well aware that many of the portraits and tapestries concealed secret passages. "Is this some sort of test?" she asked, a challenge in her voice.
Albert smiled. "If you want to call it that, I won't deny it."
Katrina's eyes narrowed as she focused on Albert. "Did you find the entrance on your own back then?"
"I did, but in the end, it was Isabelle who brought me to Classroom 21," Albert admitted.
"Why?" Katrina questioned, intrigued.
"The method to enter is a bit unique," Albert explained. "Do you want to try figuring it out yourself, or should I just tell you where the entrance to Classroom 21 is?"
Katrina shot Albert a glance. "I'll find it myself." And with that, she began her search for the entrance to the Transfiguration Club on the sixth floor.
After scouring the floor for over ten minutes, the pair returned to the original corridor, having failed to locate the entrance to Classroom 21.
"Alright, you win. I can't believe I wasted my time on this," Katrina conceded, biting her lip. "Where is the entrance?"
She knew she shouldn't have let her stubbornness get the better of her, but she couldn't deny that Albert had gotten under her skin.
Albert pointed to the side of the portrait next to him. "It's right here."
Katrina's expression turned suspicious as she eyed Albert. "You were leading me on this whole time, weren't you? You've got a wicked sense of humor."
"No," Albert denied with a shake of his head. "Magic cannot conjure delicious food out of thin air."
"I know that," Katrina muttered, still annoyed.
Undeterred by her tone, Albert addressed the witch in the portrait. "We need to enter Classroom 21."
The witch nodded slightly, and the portrait slid to the side, revealing a half-height opening in the wall behind it.
"To enter Classroom 21, you need to inform the witch, and she will open the way for you," Albert explained.
"So, you were intentionally misleading me, huh? You certainly have a peculiar sense of fun," Katrina remarked, giving Albert a meaningful look before bending down to enter the opening.
Albert checked his pocket watch. "It's about time," he said, glancing at the time. He turned to Katrina and said, "I'll be heading off now. I still have a Dark Magic Defense class to attend. Remember to pass on the message to Professor McGonagall during our gathering tonight."
"If I remember," Katrina mumbled, watching as Albert walked away.
Albert arrived at the Dark Magic Defense classroom just before the bell rang. Most of the students were already present.
Professor Rowena entered the classroom as the bell chimed, drawing everyone's attention. He made his way to the lectern and pulled out a roll book. "I received a letter from Professor Blodd," he began, "and he informed me of your progress. Now, it's time to learn about, recognize, and understand how to deal with dark magical creatures such as Boggarts, Red Hats, Hinkypunks, and Grindylows..."
Professor Rowena scanned the roll book and then surveyed the classroom to ensure everyone was present. "Today, all you need is your wand, and you'll need to figure out how to deal with Boggarts. Come with me, as it's not easy to find a practice subject. I've managed to get someone to bring one to us from outside."
Professor Rowena led the class out of the Dark Magic Defense classroom to an empty classroom on the third floor. The room contained nothing but dusty desks piled on top of each other and a large box. As the professor approached the box, it suddenly shook, startling everyone.
"Without a doubt, this Boggart is eager to come out and scare people," Professor Rowena remarked as he sat on the box to calm the class. He surveyed the students and raised his index finger. "Now, who can tell me what a Boggart is?"
The students exchanged glances, and their gazes eventually settled on Albert, the unspoken message clear.
"Very well, Albert," Professor Rowena acknowledged, following the class's unspoken cue. "This should be an easy question for you."
"A Boggart is a shape-shifting non-being that appears out of thin air but has never truly lived," Albert explained. "It can transform into anything that a person nearby fears."
"They particularly enjoy dwelling in dark, narrow spaces like closets, gaps under beds, sinks, storage cabinets under desks, and boxes," Albert continued. "They often make noises to assert their presence."
"No one knows what a Boggart looks like when it's alone because it instantly transforms into the thing that person fears the most," Albert added, pausing briefly before continuing. "Perhaps we could try using some special means to capture its true form when it's by itself."
"An intriguing idea," Professor Rowena praised, awarding Gryffindor ten points. "However, such an attempt would require the right equipment."
"Now, who can tell me the best way to deal with a Boggart?" the professor asked.
"Stick together," Lee Jordan piped up.
"Correct," Professor Rowena affirmed. "That's why we have an advantage when facing a Boggart, as it will become confused and transform into something absurd when faced with a group."
Unfazed by the box squirming beneath him, Professor Rowena continued, "The spell to repel a Boggart is simple. You just need to focus your mind and force it to transform into something you find amusing. But there's one thing you should know: it's not the spell that truly scares a Boggart away, it's your laughter. Otherwise, reciting a spell will only change its form without defeating it."
"Now, without your wands, repeat after me: Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!" the class chorused.
"Excellent. Let's put this spell to the test. Who wants to go first?" Professor Rowena clapped his hands and looked around the room expectantly. "Anyone?"
"I will." Albert stepped forward.
"Very well, Albert," Professor Rowena said. "What are you most afraid of?"
Albert shrugged. "To be honest, I'm curious myself."
In truth, Albert had no idea what he was afraid of.
Was it having his secrets exposed?
"Alright, the Boggart will soon transform into what you fear. You need to imagine how you can force it into a comical form. First, picture it in your mind, then recite the spell," Professor Rowena instructed, his words aimed at the other students as well.
"Now, everyone move back and give the Boggart some space, free from any distractions." Professor Rowena gestured for the students to step back, leaving Albert alone to face the Boggart in the box.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes," Albert replied, raising his wand and staring at the shaking box.
"One, two, three, begin!" Professor Rowena cast a spell to open the box.
The Boggart burst out of the box and, upon encountering Albert, suddenly spun around and transformed into... a thick book?
Not just Albert, but the entire classroom was stunned, whispering amongst themselves.
Many even craned their necks to get a better look, trying to figure out what book Albert's Boggart had become.
"I have to say, it's just like Albert to be unique, even in what he fears. Is this because you're afraid the book is too thin and you'll finish it too quickly?" Lee Jordan teased.
"Professor Rowena, what's going on here?" George asked, bewildered.
"Perhaps... it's because Albert doesn't truly fear anything, so the Boggart..." Professor Rowena's words trailed off as he saw Albert walk forward and raise his hands to slap the book, attempting to... yes, trying to open it and look inside.
Indeed, Albert had guessed what the book was as soon as the Boggart transformed—it was the complete collection of Harry Potter books.
So, what he feared was the plot of the Harry Potter stories being changed?
Maybe, or maybe not, Albert himself couldn't be sure.
However, Albert wanted to try and see if he could open the book and flip through its contents.
But it seemed that objects created by a Boggart didn't have such functions.
"Useless, what good is it then?" Albert threw the book on the ground and stomped on it with all his might.
The rest of the class watched with their mouths agape.
This was a bit too violent.
At that moment, they felt a twinge of sympathy for the Boggart.
You wanted to come out and scare people, but you've met your match this time! "Wait, Albert, please don't treat the Boggart so roughly. Give everyone else a chance to practice," Professor Rowena said, his lips twitching as he quickly stepped forward to stop Albert's brutal actions.
The Boggart, upon seeing Professor Rowena, finally escaped its fate of being trampled and transformed into a corpse.
Albert frowned slightly and glanced at Professor Rowena before stepping aside.
"Alright, if that's how it's going to be," Professor Rowena sighed, raising his wand and reciting the spell, "Riddikulus!"
With a bang, the corpse vanished and was replaced by a coffin.
"Your turn again, Albert." Professor Rowena stepped aside, allowing Albert to face the Boggart once more.
The coffin transformed back into a book, which was then wrapped in iron and became a solid iron brick.
However, no one paid attention to the Boggart anymore, as they noticed Professor Rowena's somber mood.
"It was a good friend of mine who passed away during a magical experiment," Professor Rowena said sadly. "Alright, let's begin. Line up and take turns facing the Boggart."
No one laughed at Professor Rowena, and there was no doubt that the death of his dear friend had greatly affected him.
Fred and George's Boggart transformed into a giant eight-eyed spider. Just a few months ago, they had almost been eaten by one, and the incident had left some psychological scars.
However, they had dressed each of the spider's eight legs in roller skates, causing it to lose its balance and only spin in place, unable to stand up. This comical scene had the whole class bursting into laughter.
Lee Jordan's Boggart was even funnier—it turned into a spilled box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but every bean was filled with disgusting flavors like earwax and boogers. This incident earned him teasing from Fred and George for quite some time.
(End of Chapter)
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