Chapter 305 The Broken Boggart
"Traveling in pairs can render a Boggart helpless, but to repel it, you need laughter. This requires transforming the Boggart into an image you find amusing.
A very simple spell can achieve this, but it requires strong willpower."
"Now, practice without your wands first." Professor Lupinlooked at the many students before him, "Repeat after me, Riddikulus."
"Riddikulus," the Gryffindor students chorused.
"Good, louder, and articulate. Listen… Riddikulus."
"Riddikulus."
"Very good, that's enough for the simple practice." Professor Lupin said, "Next, I will guide you through the exercise.
Neville, please come here."
"Lupin," Snape's tone carried a hint of mockery, "Perhaps no one has reminded you, but I suggest you choose someone else. Longbottom isn't capable of anything complex."
Neville nervously took a small step back, his face flushing.
He was already quite shy, and now being singled out by Snape made him so embarrassed he wished he could disappear into the floor.
"I, on the other hand, think he can do very well." Professor Lupin raised an eyebrow, hinting, "Neville Longbottom is an excellent Wizard, he just lacks proper guidance.
Neville, don't be shy, come on!"
Neville's body trembled continuously as he stumbled towards Professor Lupin.
"Neville, what are you most afraid of?" Professor Lupinasked.
"Professor Snape," Neville said, extremely nervous, his voice barely a whisper.
"What? I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."
Neville swallowed, casting a trembling glance in Snape's direction, so aggrieved he was almost in tears.
He might have had a little courage to say his name when Snape wasn't there, but now he truly didn't dare.
"Oh!" Professor Lupin drew out the sound, saying thoughtfully, "I think I understand. Professor Snape, right? Many people are afraid of him.
Neville, you live with your grandmother, don't you?"
"Yes, I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."
"No, it won't." Lupin shook his head slightly, "Think about how your grandmother dresses. Only think about her attire. Think clearly."
"She carries a red handbag…"
"You don't need to say it out loud; as long as you see it, we will see it." Lupin hinted, "Alright, when I open the wardrobe, I want you to do this: imagine Professor Snapewearing your grandmother's clothes."
Hearing this, the Gryffindor students all burst into laughter, and the Boggart in the wardrobe began to shake violently.
"This is a bit much." Aaron said with a grim face. He now understood why Professor Snape had called him over to cause trouble.
If Snape was the representative of Slytherin, then Lupinmust be the representative of Gryffindor, practically a carbon copy of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter.
Snape, however, stood expressionless, merely watching with indifference, as if he had anticipated this and had no intention of stopping it.
Professor Lupin gestured for the others to step back, clearing a space for Neville to stand alone in front of the wardrobe.
"Here we go, wands ready." Professor Lupin drew his own wand, "One, two, three."
The wardrobe doorknob turned, and Professor Snape, clad in black robes, stormed out.
"Think, Neville, think!" Lupin prompted from behind Neville.
Watching Professor Snape approach him step by step, Neville nervously drew his wand, "Riddikulus!"
Snape stumbled back a step, his black robes transforming into a green dress, complete with a hat adorned with a stuffed vulture and a brown scarf, and in his hand, a red handbag.
Neville sighed in relief, knowing he had succeeded.
The rest of Gryffindor also laughed heartily, with Lupin's laughter being the loudest.
"This is too much." Aaron angrily wanted to go over, but Snape held his shoulder firmly.
"Don't go."
"Professor Snape, can you really tolerate this?"
"It's pointless to do meaningless things. Longbottom will pay the price for his actions." Snape said meaningfully, but seeing the faint black fury in his eyes, Aaron shivered involuntarily, silently mourning for Neville Longbottom for a second in his heart.
You're happy now, but in Potion Class later, you'll definitely get what's coming to you.
"Excellent, Neville, incredible!" Lupin laughed, "Everyone, line up, one by one."
Everyone became deeply interested in the Boggart and spontaneously lined up. Lupin even put on some music to set the mood.
"Everyone, think of your greatest fear, and then make it ridiculous.
Next, Ron."
Ron nervously stepped forward. Professor Snape in grandmother's clothing quickly flipped in mid-air, transforming into a giant spider the moment he landed.
Ron's face turned green as he retreated, drawing his wand.
"Riddikulus!"
The spider's six legs each gained a roller skate. Its legs immediately became uncontrollable, and it could only lie on the ground, twitching constantly.
"Hahahaha!" Lupin laughed, "See that? It's magnificent, absolutely hilarious."
"Next."
The spider transformed into a giant rattlesnake, and the female student standing opposite it looked somewhat panicked.
"Don't panic, whatever you do, don't panic." Professor Lupincautiously reminded her.
"Riddikulus!"
The rattlesnake turned into a clown, swaying back and forth.
After that, the laughter in the classroom never stopped.
A feast of Transfiguration clearly unfolded before everyone's eyes: a blood-stained mummy tripped over its own bandages, a glowing female ghost turned into a mouse, a severed hand caught in a mousetrap… Snape stood silently nearby, offering no comments.
It wasn't until it was Harry Potter's turn that he nudged the chair next to him with his arm. Aaron, who had been dozing, groggily opened his eyes.
"Class dismissed?" Aaron yawned.
"What class dismissed?" Professor Snape said, exasperated, "It's your turn."
Aaron froze for a moment, then turned his head to see Harry Potter approaching eagerly. He couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Professor Snape, you… is this really necessary?"
"Don't disappoint me, otherwise Dumbledore will…"
"I'll go." Aaron interrupted, annoyed, "Can't I just go?"
Professor Snape nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Lupin, "Lupin, I imagine you wouldn't mind my star student cutting in line, would you?
Mr. Gaius is quite interested in this Boggart and would like to try it out early."
Professor Lupin paused, then looked at Aaron with interest, "Really?"
Aaron: …Fake. Please don't misunderstand.
He said that; it has nothing to do with me.
Seeing Aaron not respond, Snape subtly pushed him from behind. Aaron reluctantly nodded, forcing a rather strained smile, "Really."
Lupin glanced at Snape behind him, seemingly understanding something, and smiled, "Alright, then you can go after Harry. There's still time before class ends."
Aaron's smile became even more strained, because there were still a few Gryffindors behind Harry Potter, and they were looking at him with resentful eyes.
"Professor Snape forced me to do this." Aaron comforted himself mentally, "I am innocent."
Harry stepped forward, looking excitedly at the constantly twitching severed hand before him, wondering what to transform his greatest fear into.
The severed hand spun a few times in mid-air, transforming into a Dementor. A long, rasping breath emanated from its mouth, and a chilling cold washed over them.
Harry seemed to be startled, his body stiffening.
Aaron was hesitating whether to help when Lupin swiftly stepped in front of Harry.
The Dementor changed again, becoming a night scene, with a full moon slowly emerging from black clouds.
Roar!
Abey suddenly jumped in front of Aaron, growling protectively at Professor Lupin.
Aaron stared at this scene in astonishment, then glanced at Professor Snape, who had drawn his wand at some unknown point and looked as if he was ready to act at any moment.
Gulp!
Aaron swallowed, a ridiculous guess forming in his mind.
No wonder Abey had called Professor Lupin a ticking time bomb on the Hogwarts Express. If he hadn't guessed wrong, then he could only express his admiration for Dumbledore.
You dare to bring anyone into the school; are you truly not afraid of a teaching accident?!
"Riddikulus!"
Professor Lupin loudly cast the spell, and the full moon turned into a deflated balloon, bouncing erratically around the staff room.
Professor Snape vigorously waved his wand, and the shriveled balloon was locked into a cabinet by him.
"Begin, Gaius, class is almost over."
Hearing this, Aaron shrugged and walked to the wardrobe.
The cabinet shook violently, then a crack opened, but nothing happened.
"What are you doing?" Snape frowned, "Think of your greatest fear."
"I am thinking." Aaron said somewhat anxiously. Past experiences flashed through his mind, but there was almost nothing that truly made him feel fear.
After more than ten seconds, the wardrobe fully opened, and a gentle man walked out, wearing a Wizard robe emblazoned with the Slytherin crest.
"Tom Riddle." Harry murmured in disbelief. Hermione and Ron also nervously took half a step back, but on second thought, this wasn't too surprising, as You-Know-Who was almost every Wizard's fear.
"Get lost!" Aaron disdainfully turned his face away.
Who do you think I am? A mere defeated foe dares to come out and scare people.
The smile on Riddle's face instantly froze, as if he had crashed.
A moment later, the Boggart changed again, becoming a crown-wearing dwarf adorned in gold and silver, but with vacant eyes.
"Uh… can I have a different one?" Aaron said with some disdain, "I definitely have a fearful side, but don't you dare use him to insult me, alright?"