Chaos and Order - A Multiverse Fanfic-Chapter 985: Black’s Worst Fear - A Gothic Princess!

"A Boggart is an amortal, non-being," Professor Lupin taught the gathered students. "Meaning, it is magically alive. There are a few things you all must know before we proceed with our little fun activity."

He walked toward the students and stood next to Neville, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder in a consoling manner.

"A Boggart possesses sapience," Professor Lupin said. "If your fear is that of a person, then he would assume that form and act like that person based on that person's image in your mind. Imagine a Boggart as a puppeteer and the shape-shifted form as a puppet. Something like that.

"All I want to say is that no matter what you see, hear, or sense after the Boggart has assumed any form, it's nothing but an imitation — a poor one at that. Neither can a Boggart replicate the true intelligence of any being, nor can it use that being's full power. There are more limitations, but we will cover that in class later."

Lupin walked back to the rattling cabinet and smiled toward the boys and girls.

"So, the Boggart inside the cabinet has not assumed any form," he said, tapping the cabinet with his wand. "He does not know what form to take without confronting a target. When I let him out, it will instantly assume the form of our worst fears. That's why, as most of you already know, it is advised to have company when you're dealing with a Boggart. He becomes confused. In the rarest of rare cases, it will even return to the cabinet without assuming any form…"

Professor Lupin peered at Black, all faces turning toward him as well, shocked.

"OK, that's enough of an introduction, I guess," Lupin said. "The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, but it needs focus. What truly finishes a Boggart is laughter, by forcing it to assume a force that you find… amusing. Let's practice the Spell without wands first. After me… Riddikulus!"

After practicing the Spell a few times, Lupin made the students stand back, save Black.

"So, what do you think is the thing that frightens you most in the world, Black?" Lupin asked.

Black shook his head. "To be honest, I have no idea," he said. "I don't think I fear anything…"

Draco, Ron, and Harry booed from behind, bringing out laughter from the others.

Lupin shook his head amusingly, seeing an old friend in Black's place. He instantly reined in his mind and patted Black's back. "Well…" he said, moving away. "Let's see if that's true… Meanwhile, I would like the rest of you to think about what scares you the most and what you can do to it to make it look comical."

The room went quiet, the laughter dying.

What they feared the most…

Draco, Ron, and Harry shared glances, a pale-faced Neville shuffling on his feet next to them.

If they had known that they would be facing a Boggart in their very first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, then perhaps they would have stepped up yesterday for Neville's help against that Boggart after the Divination Class.

"We need to make it up to Neville somehow…" Harry whispered, Draco and Ron guiltily nodding at his words.

But, as Black stepped forward, wielding his wand, that guilt was replaced by immense curiosity.

It was not only them.

Even Hermione and Daphne looked extremely interested, both looking at Black's back, remembering yesterday's scene.

No matter how casual Black was, he was also the only one in the entire school who had, time after time, pushed Darcie into a corner.

The same thought was going through everyone else's mind, too.

It happened instantly, then.

Lupin flicked his wand, and the cabinet's door banged open.

Darkness reflected in all eyes, as if the cabinet's insides were depthless.

All gulped together.

Black licked his lips, involuntarily lifting his wand out.

Then, from the darkness, a hand appeared, its fingers wrapping around the cabinet's edge.

In the very next moment, with a jerk, the entire figure, to whom those fingers belonged, came slithering out of the cabinet.

Dark robes, with a touch of green here and there.

Long, golden-white hair and dark green eyes.

Tall and… beautiful.

Darcie Malfoy!

And she was carrying a suitcase in her right hand.

From Harry to Daphne, from Draco to Hermione, from students to Lupin himself, all gaped at the sight silently, stunned.

Darcie only stared at Black, though.

Slowly, the corners of her lips arched up, along with the suitcase in her hand. "Should I… open it?"

Black's wand shook.

"… Do it, Black," Lupin urged, coming out of the shock much earlier than the students. "This is your chance."

Darcie's smile widened, becoming an unsettling grin.

She reached for the suitcase's lock.

Black's eyes narrowed.

"Riddikulus!" he flicked his wand.

To his and Professor Lupin's dismay, nothing happened.

"Imagine, Black!" Lupin hissed from the side. "Imagine!"

As if that was a cue, Draco, Harry, and Ron shouted together. "Come on! Do it!"

Black took a deep breath, blinked slowly, and flicked his wand one more time. "Riddikulus!" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The Boggart jerked with a Crack.

It blurred and spun.

In the next moment, Darcie was still there — wearing a black gothic jacket and jeans, black lipstick, several earrings, and black, spiky, short hair.

Jaws dropped.

"Hahaha!" Black laughed.

And with that, none could hold it any longer, laughter ringing across the classroom as Boggart-Darcie looked around quizzically.

Hermione had curled her lips inward to not smile.

Daphne cared for nothing, openly laughing with others.

"Well done, Black — Well done!" Professor Lupin praised. "Now, on my cue, start coming forward one by one. Come on, Neville. Hurry up!"

As Neville walked forward, half laughing, half crying, Black joined the students, high-fiving with Harry, Ron, and Draco.

"That was awesome!" Draco said, twisting his lips. "I wish I could use one of those Muggles' comora…"

"Camera!" Harry and Black corrected.

"Oi…" Ron suddenly said offhandedly. "What are the chances of Darcie finding out that we laughed at her… Haha…"

And faces paled once again, a wave of terror smothering all laughter from student to student.

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AN: Original Image of Gothic Darcie is available

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