𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗩

(Y/N) woke up earlier than Hermione for the first time in a long time. She knew her brother woke up earlier and if she wanted to show him the letter, she had to. She grabbed all her stuff she would need for the day and left to the library, Josh never liked studying and yet she always found him in the library, that was because his best friend, Cedric Diggory liked to study. Cedric looked like that guy who would play with someone's feelings and not care about school but he is the exact opposite. (Y/N) has only ever seen Josh at his happiest when he is with her or Cedric.

Cedric and Josh met on the train in their first year and even though they were sorted into different house they made sure to stay close and spend as much time together as possible. Josh is one of those people who are just naturally smart and don't need to study to get a good score on tests, (Y/N) on the other hand could study for hours and then forget it all as soon as the test starts.

She smiled at Madam Pince as she entered the library, the librarian scowled in return, (Y/N) was known to be quite loud when in the library so she assumed that's why the librarian never liked her. She rolled her eyes at the lady's gesture and walked through the shelves, there she found her brother sound asleep, head in a book and Cedric chuckling to himself while he played with Josh's hair.

She smirked, grabbed a book and whacked Josh in the head with it, he groaned in pain and rubbed his head. Cedric burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hand to stifle his laughter.

"You little rat." Josh growled.

"Who you calling a rat, you ugly roach." (Y/N) snapped.

"I'm not a roach, I'm a handsome boy. Isn't that right Cedric?" Josh was signalling for his friend to back him up.

"The most handsome man in the land." Cedric said mockingly.

"Anyways, I have something to tell you. So get your fat ass up, don't worry Cedric, he will be back in no time." Cedric smiled at her and she returned the gesture.

(Y/N) and Josh walked a few aisles down until they were sure no one could hear them. She handed him the letter and watched his facial expression morph into a happy look.

"Dad's alive?" He asked, shock spread across his face, "he didn't leave us because he was a coward? Is he actually in St Mungo's?"

"I don't think he left us, and yes he is in St Mungo's. Anni said we can visit him, maybe in the winter holidays, like a Christmas present." (Y/N) smiled.

"Yeah, but keep in mind he has dementia now, we can't get our hopes up." Josh sighed, "are you going to tell any of your friends?"

"Probably not, I don't want to tell them, I don't think any of them will relate and they are all to busy anyway." She shrugged, "are you going to tell anyone?"

"Probably only Ced." She nodded understandingly. They were about to part ways when Josh quickly turned around and said, "(Y/N), just don't get your hopes up, it hurts me seeing you disappointed."

With that, he left her standing in the library aisle all alone. She rethought his words, how could she not get her hopes up?  She barley remembers her father, and she just found out he's not a coward who left her, so how could she not be excited to see him and talk to him?

"Uh... (Y/N)?" A voice asked, she turned around to see Neville, scratching his neck nervously. Did I hear what I think I just heard? Is her dad actually in St Mungo's? Is her father in a similar situation to my parents? Should I tell her about my parents to help comfort her and supposedly comfort myself? All these thoughts clouded his mind, that he forgot that she was still standing there.

"Neville you look pale, do you want to go for a walk and get some fresh air?" She asked sweetly, Neville swiftly nodded.

The left the library and headed towards the greenhouses, where Neville's favourite lesson was normally held.

"I uh.. need to tell you s-something." Neville stuttered turning to face (Y/N) but still not meeting her eyes.

"Take your time."

(Y/N) always felt the need to be more gentle towards Neville, he was always picked on and there was so much she didn't know about him, she was always willing to hear him out. Neville is brave, he just doesn't believe he is yet, but one day he will show everyone how strong and brave he is.

"I'm just going to start from the beginning. Last night I was researching about something Professor Sprout said in Herbology and I fell asleep because it was getting really late. When I woke up this morning I heard you and Josh talking about y-your dad." He finally looked her in the eyes, (Y/N) sighed. "I just wanted you to know that I am in a similar situation, m-my parents are both in St Mungo's, t-they were tortured to i-insanity but You-know-who's followers."

Neville looked down, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes. He had never told one of his friends his situation, so it made him feel quite emotional. (Y/N) lifted his head up so he was looking her in the eyes, she wiped his tears with her thumb and placed one of her hands on his shoulder.

"Neville, thank you so much for telling me." She smiled softly pulling him in for a tight hug. "We can get through this together, maybe we can even visit together. I visit my dad while you visit your parents and then we leave together." She smiled at the thought, and Neville did too.

"I'd like that." He said as they separated, they walked back to the castle in comfortable silence, entering the Great Hall, ready to start the day.

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It was currently free period for the Third years and almost all of them were sat in the Great Hall, finishing off homework. Harry, Hermione and Ron were all sitting in a group, while (Y/N) sat in between Bem and Neville to help Neville with some homework he didn't understand.

"Does it hurt terribly Draco." Pansy Parkinson asked dramatically from the Slytherin table.

"It comes and it goes, still I consider myself lucky, if it weren't for Madam Pomfrey another minute or two and I could've lost my arm." Draco said nonchalantly. Soo dramatic, (Y/N) thought to herself.

"Listen to the idiot, he's really laying it on thick isn't he?" Ron said irritated.

"Yeah but at least Hagrid didn't get fired." Harry sighed.

"Yeah but I hear Draco's fathers furious. We haven't heard the end of this." Added Hermione.

"He's been sighted! He's been sighted!" Seamus yelled, as he ran into the Great Hall, holding a newspaper in his hand.

"Who?" Ron asked.

"Sirius Black." Seamus replied.

Hermione scooted closer to Bem, Ron got up and moved closer to see, while Harry came behind (Y/N) — Seamus having placed the newspaper in front of her. Harry placed his arm on the table in front of her, leaning over (Y/N) to see the newspaper.

She felt blood rush to her cheeks but quickly turned her attention to the newspaper.

"Dufftown!? That's not far from here." Hermione said while examining the paper.

"Y-you don't think he'd come to Hogwarts? Do you?" Neville asked fearfully.

"With dementors at every entrance?" Bem questioned.

"Dementors, he's already slipped passed them once hasn't he, who's to say he won't do it again?" Seamus stated.

"That's right Black could be anywhere, it's like trying to catch smoke, like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands." Bem said.

(Y/N) looked intensely and the picture and the longer she stared at it the less fearful she felt. He doesn't look to bad, and who is to say he did commit those crimes when they never even held a trail.....?(Y/N) thought.

"Yeah, but Dumbledore's here, even if Sirius were to get into the school, Dumbledore is more powerful and would obviously protect us. Right?" (Y/N) said, questioning her statement.

When no one replied she realised that they were asking themselves the same question.

➳ ➵ ➴ ➶ ➸ ➷ ➹

It was finally the lesson (Y/N) and Harry were very excited for, Defence Against the Dark Arts (DADA). In the past (Y/N) dreaded this lesson but that was probably because one of the teachers was a weirdo, who had Voldemort living on the back of his head, and the other was a stuck up prick who thought everything was about him. Professor Lupin seemed like a great teacher and she thought that for the first time she might actually like DADA.

Hermione was using the time turner to get to another lesson she was taking — one that (Y/N) was not taking, so she wasn't with them right now, making Ron confused and concerned about her whereabouts.

When they entered the classroom, Professor Lupin was no where to be seen, so they sat down on their desks and took out their quills, parchment and anything else they thought they needed for the lesson. (Y/N) was sat next to Dean, who was drawing a cartoon version of Snape, making it look ugly on purpose.

"The nose needs to be bigger." (Y/N) said, grinning. Dean smirked and made cartoon Snape's nose even bigger, they heard a low chuckle behind them and whipped their heads around to see Professor Lupin laughing at Dean's drawing.

"Do you think I can have that to keep?" He questioned.

"Uh.." Dean said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Only if you don't tell Professor Snape." (Y/N) grinned.

"I wasn't going to."

"Ok, then you can have it." Lupin smiled at her, took the paper and placed it on his desk.

"Today we are doing a practical lesson, you'll only need your wands, so on your feet." The Professor ordered, the children packed their stuff up and got onto their feet, placing their wands in their pockets.

"What do you think we are doing?" Dean whispered to (Y/N).

"Dunno, probably something fun though." She shrugged.

"Right then," Professor Lupin said, when everyone was ready, "if you'd follow me."

Lupin led the intrigued class down an empty corridor and around a corner. Unfortunately, Peeves the Poltergeist was there, stuffing the nearest keyhole with chewing gum. It took him a while to notice Lupin and the class of third years, but when he did, he broke into song.

"Loony, loopy Lupin," Peeves sang, "loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin -"

Peeves usually showed some form of respect to the Teachers, however Professor Lupin seemed to be an exception. Harry glanced at the Professor, and to his surprise, he was still smiling.

"I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves." He said calmly. "Mr Filch won't be able to get in to his brooms."

Peeves stuck out his tongue at Lupin, before returning to the keyhole. Professor Lupin sighed amusedly and took out his wand.

"This is a useful little spell." He told the class, he raised his wand, pointing it at Peeves. "Waddiwasi!"

Suddenly, the chewing gum soared out of the keyhole and straight up Peeve's left nostril. He shot upwards and zoomed away to gales of laughter.

"Cool, sir!" Dean said in amazement.

"Thank you, Dean." Professor Lupin said, putting his wand away again. "Shall we proceed?"

The class eventually made their way to the staff room door, all having taken a liking to Professor Lupin. (Y/N) already knew he was going to be one of the her favourite teachers.

The Professor opened the door and held it open for the class, and one by one, they filed into the staff room. It was a long room filled with mismatched chairs, and to their misfortune, perched at the front was Professor Snape. Lupin was about to close the door when Snape stood up.

"Leave the door open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this." He said bluntly. He'd almost reached the door, when he turned back to Lupin, smirking cruelly. "Possibly no one's warned you, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult."

Neville went crimson, and Harry and (Y/N) glared at Snape; it was bad enough that he bullied Neville in his own classes, let alone in front of other teachers.

"I was actually hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," Lupin said slowly, (Y/N) noticed Neville gulp and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "And I'm sure he will proform it admirably."

Snape scowled unpleasantly, before leaving the room and slamming the door shut behind him.

"Now, then." Professor Lupin said, walking up to a wardrobe at the end of the room. As he approached, it gave an abrupt wobble, causing a few students to jump back in alarm. "Nothing to worry about, would anyone venture a guess as to what is inside?"

"That's a Boggart, that is." Dean said.

"Very good Mr Thomas."

Neville looked horrorstruck at the mention of the creature, and Seamus and (Y/N) looked at each other apprehensively.

"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces." Professor Lupin explained. "Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks - I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in this afternoon, and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice. Now can anybody tell me what a Boggart looks like?"

"No one knows." Hermione stated.

"When did she get here?" Ron asked, Harry shrugged in response.

"Boggarts are shape-shifters, the take the shape of whatever particular person fears the most, that's what makes them so-" She continued on, ignoring Ron's remark.

"-so terrifying, yes." He trailed off, "luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart, let's practice it now. Without wands please, after me, Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus." The class repeated.

"Very good, a little louder and very clear, listen, Riddikulus!" He repeated, louder this time.

"Riddikulus!" The class said, louder and more clear.

"This class is ridiculous." Draco sneered.

"Very good, well so much for the easy part, see the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart is laughter, you need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. This is where you come in Neville." Lupin said, beckoning a nervous Neville forwards.

Neville slowly walked forwards, fearfully.

"Neville, what frightens you most of all?" The Professor questioned.

"P-professor Snape." Neville said, barley above a whisper.

"Sorry?"

"Professor Snape." He said more clearly, the class laughed at his response, (Y/N) chuckling along with them slightly.

"Professor Snape," Lupin chuckled, "frightens all. And I believe you live your grandmother?"

"Y-yes but I don't want that Boggart to turn into her either." Neville said nervously.

"No, it won't. I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, very clearly in your mind." Neville slowly nodded. "Now when I open that wardrobe, heres what I want you to do." Professor Lupin walked up to Neville and whispered something inaudible to the rest of the class. "Can you do that?"

"Yes."

"Ok. Wand at the ready, one, two, three." Lupin flicked his wand, making the wardrobe nob turn with a click.

The door creaked open, and out came Professor Snape.

"Think Neville think." Lupin said encouragingly

Snape strutted closer to Neville.

"Riddikulus." Neville yelled, pointing his wand at Snape. Snape's clothes changed into one's that an old lady would wear, everyone was booming with laughter.

"Wonderful, Neville, wonderful. Ok Neville, to the back now, everyone form a line." Lupin yelled.

Everyone formed a line, excited to have a go.

"I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the very most, and turn it into something funny." Professor Lupin, started playing upbeat music on a record player to boost the mood. "Next, Ron."

The Boggart turned into a huge spider, freaking the living hell out of Ron. Ron whimpered in fear, pulling out his wand and pointing it at the creature.

"Riddikulus." Roller skates appeared on the spiders legs, making it struggle to stand. The class erupted with laughter once more.

Next up was Parvati, her Boggart was a Snake, which she turned into a jack-in-the-box, Seamus's was a Banshee, Dean's was a severed hand - which (Y/N) knew was because his love for drawing. A few other people went until it was (Y/N)'s turn.

She stepped up to the front and the Boggart swiftly changed into a clown, it was one that you would have at a children's birthday party but also one with glowing dark red eyes, ready to murder at any second. (Y/N) gripped her wand tightly, pointing it at the ugly clowns face and yelled "Riddikulus!"

The clown turned into a clownfish, flipping on the floor. She smiled to herself, as the class laughed once more, and then stepped out of the way, letting Harry have his turn.

The clownfish turned into a dementor and everyone went silent as it drew closer to Harry. Lupin screamed and stepped in front of him, blocking the dementors path. The dementor turned into a shiny full moon, but the rest of the class seemed to think it was a shiny ball.

"Riddikulus!" Lupin screamed, the moon turned into a balloon and it flew across the classroom. He flicked his wand so it landed back into the wardrobe to be locked in there again.

"Right, uh, sorry about that. That's enough for today, if you'd all like to collect your books from back in the classroom. Thats the end of the lesson, thank you, sorry." The Professor said quickly.

Everyone left the classroom slightly disappointed, some more than others.

"(Y/N), your scared of clowns?" Seamus asked.

"Yeah, when I was at the age of three to six, every Halloween, Josh used to dress up as a clown. He put on red contacts, only when he got older though, and he stood over my bed, waiting for me to wake up and then he'd chase me around the house while all the lights were off. So I guess thats why I'm scared of them." She replied, Seamus and Dean laughed at the story. "Why did your Boggart turn into a Banshee and you can't just say because they are ugly." Dean snorted at her comment while Seamus rolled his eyes.

Seamus spent the rest of the afternoon, talking about how scary Banshee's were, but (Y/N) tuned out half of his words. She wondered how Harry was, he was probably overthinking like usual, probably wondering why Professor Lupin stopped him from doing the Riddikulus charm. She knew she was right, she knew him better than he knew himself, well she likes to think that at least.

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I'm actually not scared of clowns, lowkey like them but I didn't want her Boggart to be all complex so I thought, keep it simple.

My update schedule is once every two weeks, sometimes more if I'm not busy.

Thank you all so much for 1k reads, I'm going to try and finish third year as fast as possible, I love you all so much <3