12

Chapter 12

Our Fears

Lily's POV

Madam Pomfrey fixed me right up. Harry came and found me and I sighed. I knew he was going to start talking about Draco.

"Now do you see what I'm talking about? He's an idiot who's only going to get you hurt."

"Harry please don't start!"

The doors slammed open and I looked at my father.

"What happened?"

He ran over and looked at my arm.

"It was just an accident. I did something stupid."

"You did not! Malfoy did! He didn't listen and almost himself killed. You shouldn't have tried to help him." Harry said.

"Shut up Harry!" I hissed.

"Leave Potter."

"But sir-"

"Now!"

He left without another word. I looked at my dad.

"It really was an accident. It was during class and Draco was acting like an idiot. It wasn't the Hippagriff's fault, dad."

"Calm down. I don't care about any of that as long as you're alright. You're all that matters. But there will be a punishment for Mr. Malfoy. And as much as it pains me, fifty points will be taken from Slytherin. As for you young lady, five points will be taken from Gryffindor."

"But daddy I-"

"Don't 'daddy' me, young lady. You're lucky I'm still letting you go to Hogsmade this weekend."

I shut my mouth because he had a point. I nodded.

"Okay. And I'm sorry."

He hugged me tightly and pat my back.

"I know. I say it all the time, but you're just like your mother." He said.

I smiled and closed my eyes.

"Thanks dad."

"I love you Lily. Please don't do something like that again."

I nodded but I didn't say anything. He sat back and nodded.

"And I'll have you now your Potions midterm."

I smiled proudly.

"It's in my blood. And I did learn from the best."

He smirked and shook his head.

"There is something I need to teach you. So tonight after dinner, I want you to come to my office."

I nodded and he hugged me once more before leaving. As I was leaving Draco came in. He looked incredibly guilty. I walked over to him and he looked at my arm.

"Lily… I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." He said.

His eyes were a little red. I put my arms around him.

"Don't ever do that again." I whispered.

He wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"I was such an idiot. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Just don't do it again."

"I swear to you I won't." he said.

I nodded and we left.

I was interested to see how Professor Lupin would teach us. After that god awful Lockhart, we needed a good teacher. There was a wardrobe in the classroom, and it was shaking violently.

"Can anyone venture a guess as to what is inside?" Lupin asked.

I raised my hand.

"Lily."

"It's a boggart, sir."

"Very good."

I smiled a bit.

"Now can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?"

"No one knows. Boggarts are shapeshifters, they take the form of whatever a particular person fears the most."

"When did she come in?" Ron asked.

I looked at him and shrugged.

"Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart. Let's practice it now. Uh, without wands please." Lupin said.

We all put our wands away and he told us the incantation.

"Riddikulus!" we said.

"Very good. Neville will you join me please?"

Neville slowly went forward.

"Hello. Now, what frightens you most of all?"

He muttered something but I couldn't hear.

"Sorry?"

"Professor Snape."

I laughed but I felt really bad.

"He frightens all." I smirked. "And I believe you live with your grandmother."

"Yes, but I don't want that Boggart to turn into her either."

We all laughed a little.

"It won't. I want you to picture her cloths, only her cloths in your mind."

"She carries a red handbag."

"We don't need to hear. So long as you see it, we'll see it."

He stepped forward and whispered something in Neville's ear. Then he opened the door. My father walked out in a rather menacing way.

"Think Neville. Think." Lupin said.

"Riddikiulus!" Neville said.

Right before my eyes, I saw my father wearing the cloths of Neville's grandmother. I couldn't help but laugh with the others.

"Next, Ron!"

I knew what was coming when Ron stepped forward. A giant spider appeared. I flinched but then Ron gave it roller skates. We all had a good laugh at that.

"Lily."

I went forward and he room changed. I saw a lanky dog-like creature was slowly coming towards me. I started to shake then I remembered what my dad told me.

"Ridikulus!"

The creature was gone and instead, a puppy with feet and ears too big for it was wobbling and tripping around the room. I smiled and took a deep breath. Pavarti was up next and I stood in the back. The fear was coming back. I hadn't seen that creature in years. Dad always said it was just a nightmare and that I would grow out of it. Whatever it was, it was a real creature. I heard a shout and looked up. Lupin was standing in front of Harry. The Boggart had turned into the full moon. I looked at it curiously before Lupin turned it into a balloon.

"That'll be all for today, class dismissed. Sorry, can't have too much of a good thing." He said.

The class filed out but Harry lingered.

"Harry?"

He looked at me and shook his head.

"What was that thing?" he asked.

"I don't know. I had a nightmare when I was maybe nine. Dad told me to imagine it was a puppy."

He smiled and laughed a bit.

"It was funny. Let's go, I'm starved."

I nodded but took one last look at Professor Lupin. I could see the fear in his eyes. He tried to cover it up and smiled, but he couldn't fool me. Still, I was probably wrong about him. Maybe he was just afraid of werewolves.

Finally, the first Hogsmade visit had come. I just felt horrible for Harry. Our aunt and uncle hadn't signed his permission form.

"Now remember, these visits to Hogsmade are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege will not be extended again." Harry walked up to her. "No permission form signed, no visiting the village, that's the rule Potter." She said.

I sighed.

"But professor, I thought if you signed it then I could go."

"I can't. Only a parent or a guardian can sign. Since I am neither it would be inappropriate. I'm sorry, Potter. That's my final word." McGonagall said.

Harry looked at us and sighed.

"Forget about it guys. See you later."

I took a deep breath.

"I'll stay here."

"What?"

I went and stood next to Harry.

"Besides, my dad said he had something to teach me tonight, but I'm sure he's got free time now. And then after, maybe Harry and I can go to see Hagrid." I said.

"Lily, you don't have to do this. Go."

"But Harry-"

"But nothing. Go and have fun. I'll see you later."

He left before I could say or do anything. I sighed sadly and Ron put his hand on my shoulder. I left with them.

Harry's POV

I watched my twin sister and my friends leave. I was depressed and frustrated. I was a little jealous of Lily. She'd been raised by a loving father, even if that father was a complete git to me. She'd always been protected and encouraged, I was ignored and hated.

"Potter. What are you up to?"

I growled but looked at Snape.

"Sir?"

"What is it?"

I took a deep breath.

"Thank you for raising my sister."

He stood rooted to the spot. I just smirked and walked away.

Draco's POV

I met up with Lily in the Three Broomsticks. I smiled and she smiled back, but she seemed down.

"Lily?"

"Harry's up at the castle all by himself. I tried to stay with him, but he made me come to Hogsmade."

Even I felt bad for him. And I didn't like him.

"C'mon."

I sat her down and ordered two Butterbeers. I took her hand and smiled at her.

"Cheer up, there's still the Halloween feast tonight. He won't miss that."

She smiled a bit.

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better." She said.

Madam Rosemerta set down the butterbeers.

"This'll make you feel better."

She smiled more and took a sip.

"Thanks." She said.

"Anything for you."

She squeezed my hand and took another sip.