Lupin then chose Morag MacDougal.
"I think…" Morag said after a moment's thought, "it's because there are so many of us. It can't decide what to turn into."
"Exactly right."
Professor Lupin smiled and awarded her another two points.
"When dealing with a Boggart, it's always best to have company. That way you confuse it. Should it become a headless skeleton? Or a man-eating slug? I once saw a Boggart make exactly that mistake. It tried to scare two people at once and ended up becoming half a slug. It wasn't frightening in the slightest."
He then raised his wand.
"The spell used to repel a Boggart is very simple. But what truly defeats one is your strength of will. In the end, laughter is what destroys a Boggart."
"You need to force it to become something you find ridiculous."
"Let's practice the incantation first without using our wands."
"Repeat after me…"
"Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!"
The whole class chanted together.
"Very good," Lupin nodded approvingly.
"Very good indeed."
"But that's only the easy part."
"The spell alone isn't enough."
"So… who would like to go first?"
Everyone looked at one another.
No one wanted to be the first to reveal their greatest fear.
Lewis sighed inwardly.
He was about to volunteer and set an example for everyone.
But Lupin shook his head.
"No, Mr. Grimm."
"I have no doubt that you can defeat a Boggart."
"But I think you're better suited to ending today's lesson."
"So…"
"Besides Lewis… is no one willing to step forward?"
Lupin looked around helplessly.
"Very well."
"Take a few moments to think about what frightens you the most."
"Then imagine how to make it look ridiculous."
The classroom immediately fell silent.
Lewis also began thinking.
What am I most afraid of in this world?
If I release Mind Blank… what would a Boggart become?
The more he thought about it…
The more he realized he didn't fully understand himself.
And that made him curious.
Perhaps…
A Boggart could reveal the answer.
A short while later, Lupin asked,
"Has everyone decided?"
"Who would like to begin?"
The first person to step forward was Lewis's dormmate, Steve Cornfoot.
Among the Ravenclaws, Steve was known for being carefree and bold.
Courage wasn't something he lacked.
"Excellent, Steve."
"We'll all move back," Lupin instructed.
"Give him some room."
"When he's finished, I'll call the next student."
"Everyone back, please."
Lewis suddenly realized something.
He glanced at Lupin in surprise.
It made sense that Lupin knew his own name—they had already met aboard the Hogwarts Express.
But now…
Lupin had effortlessly called Steve by name as well.
That could only mean one thing.
He had memorized every student's appearance and name beforehand.
As a professor, he'd come prepared.
From that perspective alone…
He truly was an excellent teacher.
Perhaps the finest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor they'd ever had.
And that evaluation would probably remain true for years to come.
The students retreated to the walls, leaving Steve alone before the wardrobe.
His face had turned pale…
But he didn't back away.
"On the count of three, Steve," Lupin said, pointing his wand toward the wardrobe.
"Ready?"
The tip of Lupin's wand burst into sparks.
The sparks struck the wardrobe handle.
The doors flew open.
Out crawled a hideous green creature moving on all fours.
It hissed viciously at Steve.
The sound resembled a burning fuse.
Dragging its stiff limbs across the floor, it slowly crawled toward him.
Its hissing grew faster and faster, as though it would explode at any moment.
Steve froze in place.
"Steve!"
"Cast the spell!"
his roommate Kevin shouted.
Snapping back to his senses, Steve took a shaky step forward.
His face remained deathly pale as he pointed his wand.
"Riddikulus!"
Instantly…
The crawling monster sprouted a pair of cat ears.
A fluffy cat tail grew behind it.
It immediately began scurrying around the room in confusion, apparently frightened by its own appearance.
"Excellent!"
Lupin called.
"Next! Padma!"
Encouraged by Steve's courage, Padma Patil gritted her teeth and hurried forward.
With a loud pop…
The monster disappeared.
A gigantic cobra appeared in its place.
It coiled tightly before raising its hood, baring venomous fangs as it stared directly at Padma.
Just before it struck—
"Riddikulus!"
Padma screamed the incantation.
The cobra lunged toward her…
Only to trip over itself.
It immediately tied itself into a knot.
Watching the snake desperately struggle to untangle itself—only to become even more hopelessly knotted—the class burst into laughter.
"Draco Malfoy!"
Lupin called.
After watching the first two students succeed, Malfoy confidently strode forward.
The next instant…
Buckbeak appeared.
The Hippogriff raised its razor-sharp talons toward him.
"R-R-R-Riddikulus!"
Malfoy stammered in terror.
Buckbeak's head was instantly chopped off by an executioner's axe.
But apparently Malfoy's spell lacked sufficient conviction.
The Boggart transformed again.
This time…
It became Lewis Grimm himself.
The fake Lewis glared fiercely at Malfoy as if saying:
"Would you like me to turn you into a toad again?"
The classroom instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked back and forth between the two Lewiss.
Then…
Another hand landed on Malfoy's shoulder.
He slowly turned around.
The real Lewis was standing behind him.
"Were I really that frightening?"
Both Lewiss spoke in perfect unison.
Malfoy's face turned bright red.
He let out a terrified scream before bolting straight out of the classroom.
His embarrassing display sent the room into roaring laughter.
Everyone now knew…
The person Draco Malfoy feared most…
Was Lewis Grimm.
The lesson continued.
The Boggart transformed into giant spiders…
Mummies…
Giants…
All manner of terrifying creatures.
The most horrifying belonged to Terry Boot.
His Boggart was a Dementor.
The strangest, however, belonged to Daphne Greengrass.
Her greatest fear…
Was her younger sister transformed into a fox.
Lewis gave Daphne a meaningful glance.
The other students didn't understand.
But he did.
The Greengrass family carried a hereditary Blood Curse.
Unfortunately…
Her younger sister, Astoria Greengrass, had inherited it.
Those afflicted by the Blood Curse could transform into cursed beasts.
Unlike Animagi, however…
Their transformation was irreversible.
As the curse deepened, they would eventually become beasts forever.
It truly was a terrifying fate.
Finally, Lupin called out,
"Lewis."
"Come forward."
"Finish it."
Every student watched him expectantly.
They all wanted to know…
What someone as brilliant as Lewis—
Someone who seemed capable of everything—
Feared most.
Lewis nodded and stepped forward.
Pop!
The Boggart became a blood-covered eyeball.
Then—
A bomb.
A giant spider.
A corpse.
Its transformations accelerated faster and faster.
The creature spun wildly in the center of the room, changing forms almost continuously.
Yet Lewis remained perfectly calm.
It was as though the Boggart had no effect on him whatsoever.
The students turned toward Professor Lupin, silently asking for an explanation.
Lupin looked equally impressed.
"There's actually another way to deal with a Boggart that I haven't mentioned."
"Occlumency."
"It's an advanced and highly sophisticated branch of magic."
"It seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence."
"That's why the Boggart cannot read Mr. Grimm's fears."
"Clearly…"
"Your Lewis possesses extraordinary Occlumency."
Of course…
Lewis wasn't actually using Occlumency.
Whether it was Conceal Thoughts or Mind Shield, either spell produced essentially the same result.
The students gazed at Lewis with renewed admiration.
Once again…
He had demonstrated that he seemed capable of anything.
"Lewis," Lupin said sincerely,
"You're one of the most talented students I've ever taught."
"But…"
"Why not try discovering what you're truly afraid of?"
"The best way to overcome fear…"
"…is to face it."
Hearing Lupin's earnest tone, Lewis almost expected him to continue with, "Believe in yourself! You can do it!"
Still…
Lupin had a point.
Lewis himself was genuinely curious about what lay hidden within his own fears.
Besides…
Everyone else had already exposed their weaknesses.
If he alone continued hiding behind mental defenses…
Wouldn't that be a little unfair?
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