Chapter 4: Bogart in the Closet

At the welcoming ceremony for the entire student body, Professor Dumbledore announced the presence of Dementors guarding the castle grounds, urging caution. Malfoy sensed Dumbledore’s intense dislike for the creatures. Had there been some past conflict? It was surprising to see such open animosity from the usually stoic Dumbledore.

This year’s new faculty included Sybill Trelawney, Remus Lupin, and Rubeus Hagrid. They all seemed like shabby paupers, and Lupin was the only one who appeared remotely qualified. Had it not been for Lupin’s competent handling of the situation on the Hogwarts Express, Malfoy would have dismissed all three.

The first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin. The Slytherin students chattered excitedly on their way to the classroom.

“That poor excuse for a professor, right?”

“I don’t know. He looks like a beggar. I doubt he can even afford a wand.”

“Dumbledore probably hired him as part of some charity program for impoverished wizards.”

Karina Malfoy, who usually offered subtle support to her housemates, remained silent. Dementors were Azkaban guards and incredibly dangerous magical creatures. If this Lupin knew how to deal with them, the lecture might be worthwhile.

‘At least he’s better than that stuttering Quirrell and the fraud Lockhart.’

Once the students were seated, Professor Lupin finally entered, carrying a worn briefcase. Thanks to Hogwarts’ decent meals, he looked healthier than yesterday.

“Hello. We’ll skip introductions. Today is a practical lesson. Just take out your wands.”

The mention of a practical lesson made the Slytherins nervous, recalling last year’s chaos under Lockhart. Malfoy frowned slightly, wondering if they were in for a repeat performance. Lupin, however, simply flicked his wand and led them out of the classroom.

“Follow me!”

He led them to the staff room. The students, bewildered, trailed behind him like ducklings. Inside, a shabby room and a single, old wardrobe awaited them. It was as worn as Lupin himself.

“Inside this wardrobe is a Boggart.”

As Lupin approached, the wardrobe wobbled and then crashed to the floor in the center of the room.

“Today’s lesson is on Boggarts. Does anyone know what a Boggart is?”

“A Boggart is a magical creature that prefers dark places. It transforms into the shape of whatever its target fears most.”

Malfoy stated casually, without raising her hand. She enjoyed showing off her knowledge but refused to be seen vying for points. She always answered without raising her hand. Some professors disliked this, but Lupin didn’t seem bothered.

“Well done, Miss Malfoy. Inside that wardrobe is a formless Boggart. It hasn’t taken shape yet because it doesn’t know what anyone fears. But if someone stands in front of it, it’ll transform into their worst fear to frighten them.”

The fundamental way to deal with a Boggart was simple: don’t be afraid.

“So, the most basic approach is to confront it as a group. If a Boggart has multiple targets, it gets confused about what form to take. It might try to decide between a headless corpse and a giant slug, only to end up as a half-formed slug-corpse to scare both. Of course, that wouldn’t be scary at all.”

But if one had to face a Boggart alone, they had to overcome their fear or use the ‘Riddikulus’ charm to transform the Boggart into something comical. Lupin had the Slytherins practice the spell.

“Now, everyone, think of something that frightens or startles you. Then, imagine a funny version of that thing. If done correctly, the Riddikulus charm will make that fear disappear! Alright, Pansy, you’re first!”

Pansy Parkinson’s greatest fear was a giant octopus. As she yelled “Riddikulus!” the octopus’s tentacles shriveled and crisped, transforming into a calamari platter.

Next was Gregory Goyle. The Boggart turned into a vicious pixie. Just as the pixie lunged, Goyle flicked his wand, and its wings fell off, sending it tumbling to the floor.

Unfortunately for Vincent Crabbe, her greatest fear was her own overweight self. Mortified by everyone staring at her plump double, Crabbe couldn’t even lift her wand properly.

“Step back, Crabbe!”

Ashamed of her past self? Malfoy sighed, stepping forward to help. Lupin guided Crabbe back. Malfoy faced the Boggart, gripping her wand. What would it become? She didn’t know. The flawless Karina Malfoy knew no fear.

Nothing could shake her confidence. No matter how startling its form, Malfoy would remain composed.

She was curious. What would the Boggart become?

Chin held high, Malfoy watched the Boggart transform.

Plump Crabbe spun in the air.

Whoosh. A dark-robed figure appeared. The robe obscured its face, leaving only a slender frame visible.

What was it? Malfoy had never encountered such a shady figure. Perhaps this vague image stemmed from her lack of concrete fears.

Malfoy hesitated, unsure how to make the figure comical.

She decided to remove the robe and force the figure to bow. As she raised her wand…

She met its gaze.

Pale skin, a cold expression, and a sinister smile.

Malfoy thought it resembled Harry Potter…

Then Professor Lupin intervened.

“Step aside, Malfoy! Riddikulus!”

The moon momentarily flashed through the clouds before exploding like a firework. Dozens of sparks showered down as the students cheered. Lupin shoved the Boggart back into the wardrobe.

“That’s all for today! Excellent work, everyone! You all faced your fears and defeated the Boggart. Five points to each of you!”

Malfoy looked down at her hand, feeling a sense of emptiness.

Why hadn’t she moved?

More importantly, why Harry Potter? Was it because of the diary and the threats?

Unlikely.

She had been threatened. She had agreed to cooperate to protect a secret. But this was different.

For the heiress of the pure-blood Malfoy family to be paralyzed by fear was absurd.

Malfoy addressed Professor Lupin.

“I don’t deserve any points. I didn’t defeat the Boggart.”

“You stepped forward when Vincent hesitated. That’s enough. In fact, the best way to deal with a Boggart is to face it together.”

Lupin’s reply didn’t satisfy her. Still displeased, Malfoy stared at the wardrobe.

“Alright, everyone. That was a wonderful lesson. Your homework is to read and summarize the chapter on Boggarts. Due on Monday. That will be all.”

Then, as if just remembering, he turned to Malfoy.

“Ah, Malfoy, please stay. I’d like a word.”

The students filed out excitedly. Crabbe and Goyle wanted to wait, but Malfoy waved them on.

Once they were alone, Lupin pulled up two chairs.

“Have a seat. I want to talk about your Boggart.”

“What a coincidence. Me too.”

Malfoy sat down. Lupin sat opposite her, speaking cautiously.

“I believe the figure under that robe… was Harry Potter. Am I correct?”

“Yes. But I’m not afraid of him. Annoyed, perhaps.”

If she had been afraid of Harry, she wouldn’t have sought him out on the train after hearing his scream. The diary and other matters were annoying, but not frightening.

Of course, she absolutely loathed Harry Potter!

“The Boggart must have malfunctioned.”

“Yes, I thought so too. If it was truly Harry Potter, he wouldn’t be wearing such a robe. However… please don’t misunderstand me. When I first saw that form, it reminded me of… He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, rather than Harry.”

Malfoy flinched, despite herself.

If there was anything that could truly strip her of everything, it would be the Dark Lord.

Her family, wealth, power, status, sanity, and even her friends… Even her rival, Harry Potter’s life could be taken by the Dark Lord.

He could certainly be her greatest fear.

“…You think I’m afraid of a wizard who vanished before I was even born? Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t even know his face.”

“Yes. It must be a vague fear, which is why the Boggart took such an unclear form. So, it’s not surprising that it borrowed the form of… well, Harry Potter, someone you find particularly annoying. Especially after last year’s events.”

Last year, when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, Harry had been suspected of being Slytherin’s heir.

With his Slytherin-like acts and Parseltongue ability, the suspicion was understandable. Even Malfoy had briefly wondered.

Well, Harry had declared, “If you want to call me Slytherin’s heir, every Slytherin student must kneel before me.” Since Malfoy had no desire to serve him, a comical situation arose where she had to defend him.

But after learning about the diary, Malfoy heard the truth from Harry.

“Do you know something about Harry Potter and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?”

Lupin inquired. Malfoy straightened her posture to hide her unease.

She had stumbled upon a secret: Harry was hunting Horcruxes. If the diary’s existence came to light, Malfoy would be in danger.

But it was a secret between Harry and her. Revealing it would put her at risk.

She couldn’t speak unless she completely trusted Lupin.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. As I said, I dislike Harry Potter so intensely that the Boggart probably took his form.”

“Is that so?”

Lupin nodded, rising from his chair.

“Then, would you mind showing me how you defeat the Boggart? If I see you overcome that fear, I’ll be much more at ease.”

“Fine. I’ll show you that such trivial matters don’t bother me.”

A vague fear. It was truly insignificant. Like fearing the dark, it grew by feeding on one’s fear, lacking any real substance.

Malfoy had only been momentarily taken aback by the Boggart, not truly frightened. Now, knowing the source of her fear, even less so.

“Alright, get ready… and begin!”

Lupin opened the wardrobe. The Harry Potter in the robe grinned menacingly.

“Riddikulus!”

Malfoy swished her wand. Harry Potter’s form shifted. The heavy robe vanished, his glasses flew off. He stood before her in a tailcoat fit for a party, a stark contrast to his usual attire.

Malfoy narrowed her eyes, sitting back casually.

“Hmph. Now you’re somewhat presentable… Wha—?!”

Tailcoat Potter suddenly grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. Startled by the contact, Malfoy yanked her hand back.

“Wait, what…?!”

Rejected, Tailcoat Potter kissed her hand again, like an invitation to a dance.

Malfoy finally understood. The Boggart, in its attempt to be comical, was now acting like a party guest.

Malfoy swished her wand again.

“Riddikulus!”

Now Harry Potter, dressed as a butler, bowed before her. Just as Malfoy was about to sigh in relief, Butler Potter knelt at her feet and removed her shoes.

“Huh?”

By the time she realized what was happening, he had already removed her long socks, folded them neatly, and begun massaging her feet.

“Ahh?!”

He was surprisingly skilled. Skilled enough to elicit a moan from Malfoy!

“Mm, Ahh. What are you doing?!”

“I suppose this is what you imagine a butler doing.”

“I get it, so please get him away from me!”

Lupin smiled warmly.

“So it wasn’t Harry himself you feared, but his actions. Did Harry ever truly frighten you?”

“Don’t, Ugh, pretend you know, Hmm. Do something!”

“I’m relieved. It’s troubling when someone fears another person. I considered separating you and Harry. But it seems unnecessary. If it’s a matter of his behavior, that’s for Harry to overcome.”

“Just do something!”

Five minutes later, Malfoy stumbled out of the staff room, her legs trembling.

‘This is all Harry Potter’s fault…’

Her animosity towards him renewed, Karina Malfoy proceeded to her next class.