Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 534, Section 532: Lupin and Snape

“Very well, Neville,”

Professor Lu Ping said,
"Let's start with the most important question: What are you most afraid of in this world?"

Neville's lips moved, but no sound came out.

"Sorry, Neville, I didn't hear you."

Professor Lu Ping said in a friendly tone.

Neville looked around in a panic, as if pleading for help.

Then, he said in a voice so low it was almost inaudible:

"Professor Snape."

Almost everyone laughed, even Neville grinned sheepishly.

Professor Lu Ping, however, seemed to be deep in thought.

"Professor Snape... um... Neville, I suppose you live with your grandmother?"

"Uh—yes,"

Navee said nervously,
“But—I don’t want Boggart to become like Grandma.”

"No, no, you've misunderstood."

Professor Lu Ping said that at this moment, a smile spread across his face.
"Could you tell us what kind of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"

Neville seemed surprised, but he said:

"Okay... she always wears that hat."

A tall hat with a specimen of a vulture on it.

She wore a long dress...usually green...and sometimes a fox fur scarf.

"And there's another handbag, right?"

Professor Lu Ping reminded him.

"A large red handbag."

Nawi said.

"alright,"

Professor Lu Ping said,
"Navie, can you visualize these clothes very clearly? Can you see them in your mind?"

"can."

Neville wasn't sure, but he was clearly worried about what would happen next.

“Neville, when the Boggart rushes out of the closet and sees you, it will transform into Professor Snape,”

Lupin said,
"Then you raise your wand—like this—and shout 'Funny, funny'—and then focus on thinking about your grandma's clothes."

If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced to wear that vulture hat, the green dress, and carry that big red handbag.

The students burst into laughter.

The wardrobe shook even more violently.

“If Neville succeeds, Bogut will turn his attention to each and every one of us in turn.”

Professor Lu Ping said,
"I hope everyone takes some time to think about what you're most afraid of, and then imagine how you can make it funny..."

The classroom was completely silent.

Lupin gave Sheen a special look, then blinked his eyes with a hint of anticipation.

What is Sheen afraid of?

Many students had their eyes closed, and Ron muttered to himself:

"Remove its legs."

Sheen finally came to his senses and knew exactly what had happened to Ron.

Ron is most afraid of spiders.

Is everyone ready?

Professor Lu Ping asked.

The students nodded and rolled up their sleeves.

“Navie, we all step back,”

Professor Lu Ping said,
"I'll leave you a space, okay? I'll call the next student up later..."

Alright, everyone step back and make room for Naviten—

The students all retreated to the wall, leaving only Neville standing by the wardrobe.

He was pale and looked very frightened, but he had already rolled up the sleeves of his robe and raised his wand in preparation.

“I’ll count to three, Neville,”

Professor Lupin pointed his wand at the wardrobe doorknob and said,
"One—two—three—go!"

Professor Lupin's wand tip shot out a string of sparks, which struck the spherical doorknob.

The wardrobe door suddenly burst open, and Professor Snape, with his hooked nose, strode out menacingly, his eyes fixed on Neville with a fierce glare.

Neville retreated repeatedly, holding his wand in his hand, but no sound came out.

Snape approached him step by step, reaching into his robes for his wand. "Excuse me..."

A chilling voice came from the side of the wardrobe, and the wizards were all marveling at the lifelike appearance of Boggart.

But Sheen keenly sensed something.

He looked toward the wooden door, where Professor Snape was giving a sinister smile.

"Lupin, it seems I need to talk to my teaching assistant about some really useful matters. Sorry—"

Professor Snape said this, but his expression showed no remorse whatsoever.

He looked at Lupin as if he were looking at a corpse.

"I'm afraid I can't..."

Lupin was taken aback at first, then tried to refuse.

"Come with me."

Professor Snape stared intently at Sheehan.

Finally, Lupin frowned as he watched the two wizards disappear into the classroom.

With a wave of his hand, the wardrobe slammed shut with a loud bang.

"Okay, students, let's continue."

It wasn't until get out of class ended that Lupin finally found Harry and the others, looking worried.

They were huddled together, making a ruckus.

"Did you see how I subdued that female ghost?"

"Simole shouted."

"And that hand!"

Dean waved his hand as he spoke.

"And Snape wearing that hat!"

"And my mummy!"

"I really don't understand why Professor Lupin is afraid of crystal balls."

Lavender said thoughtfully.

"This is the best Defense Against the Dark Arts class we've ever had, isn't it?"

Ron said excitedly as they walked back to the classroom to get their bags.

"He seems to be a very good teacher,"

Hermione said approvingly,

"But I hope I'll also have the chance to deal with that Boggart—"

What will it become in front of you?

Ron said with a grin,
"Is it an assignment that didn't get full marks, only nine points?"

And Justin, what about you? Just you wait, you'll love this class.

Justin smiled gently, occasionally adding a few words of agreement.

"Mr. Finley, please stay a moment."

Just as Justin reached the classroom door, he was called to a stop.

“Mr. Lupin, you look better.”

Justin said.

"Yes, sir."

Lupin smiled and closed the door, leaving the young wizards outside looking puzzled.

"My mother told me that no matter what, a person always has some leverage..."

Justin sat down politely.

"what?"

Lu Ping poured tea and asked.

"Tomorrow. It brings waiting and hope, and thus, all of human wisdom is contained in these two words."

Justin took a sip of tea and squinted his eyes.

Lupin remained silent for a moment, lost in thought, before finally putting on a smile again.
"You are right."

"You didn't come to me to catch up?"

Justin put down his teacup.

"Of course, it's about Mr. Green..."

Lupin spoke tentatively, his expression growing even more troubled.

"And Professor Snape, between them..."

"I've wanted to talk about this for a long time, don't you think..."

Justin's eyes immediately lit up.

(End of this chapter)