Chapitre 98: Chapter 98: The Boggart in the Wardrobe
"Now, like this," said Professor Lupin, motioning for the students to gather at the far end of the staffroom. There was nothing there but an old wardrobe, typically used by staff to store spare robes. As Professor Lupin approached it, the wardrobe began to shake, banging noisily against the wall.
"Don't worry," said Lupin calmly, as a few students jumped back in fright. "There's a Boggart inside." This announcement didn't seem to ease anyone's nerves. Neville Longbottom shot Lupin a terrified glance, while Seamus Finnigan nervously eyed the now-trembling wardrobe handle.
"How touching," sneered Malfoy, his voice dripping with malice. "A Boggart tucked away in a wardrobe. Let's just hope it doesn't give us a warm hug like Hagrid's Hippogriff did. I don't think I can handle another shock like that." His eyes glinted mischievously, and Harry could tell he was already scheming ways to disrupt the class.
"Boggarts prefer dark, confined spaces," continued Lupin, glancing briefly at Malfoy without reacting, before addressing the class again. "Wardrobes, under beds, cupboards beneath sinks... I once found one hiding in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the Headmaster for permission to leave it undisturbed so my third-year students could get some practical experience."
"Now, the first question is: what exactly is a Boggart?"
Hermione's hand shot up, but Lupin turned to Augustus instead. Augustus nodded and explained, "A magical creature that can detect your innermost fears, transforming into the form you find most terrifying. In simple terms, it's just an amusing creature that loves to scare people."
"Excellent answer. I couldn't have said it better myself," Lupin said warmly, smiling. "However, there's a slight issue with your perspective. For many witches and wizards, a Boggart represents the embodiment of fear. Even experienced adults can be overwhelmed by the illusions it creates. Without strong willpower, a Boggart can be far more than just an amusing creature—it can become the very definition of terror."
"But we have a significant advantage over the Boggart in this situation. Who can tell me what that is?" Lupin asked, glancing meaningfully at the class.
Hermione's hand shot up again, and Lupin nodded at her. "Because there are so many of us, right? The Boggart won't know what form to take to scare us all at once."
"Exactly, very clever," said Lupin, not sparing his praise. Hermione blushed slightly. "When dealing with a Boggart, numbers are your best weapon. It gets confused. Should it become a headless corpse? A carnivorous slug? I once saw a Boggart try to frighten two people at once, and it turned into half a slug. It wasn't scary at all."
"The spell to defeat a Boggart is simple but requires willpower. True success comes from laughter. You need to force the Boggart into a shape you find comical."
"Let's practice the incantation without wands first. Repeat after me: Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!" the class echoed in unison.
"Good," said Lupin. "Now we'll move on to the practical part. Neville, you'll go first. Think about what you fear most, then imagine how you could make it look ridiculous. It's important to dramatize it. Boggarts respond strongly to that."
Lupin gave Neville an encouraging look. Terrified, Neville took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped forward hesitantly.
"If Neville succeeds, the Boggart will shift its attention to each of you in turn," Lupin explained. "Take a moment now to think about what frightens you the most—and how you could turn it into something funny." The room fell silent as everyone pondered.
Augustus, meanwhile, was genuinely curious to see what form the Boggart might take in his presence. However, as a skilled practitioner of Occlumency, he knew that a Boggart would struggle to access his innermost fears unless he deliberately lowered his mental defenses.
"I'll count to three, Neville," said Lupin, also pointing his wand at the wardrobe. "One... two... three... begin!"
A flash of sparks shot from Lupin's wand, striking the wardrobe's handle. The doors burst open, and out stepped Severus Snape, his hooked nose and menacing glare fixed directly on Neville.
Neville stumbled backward, raising his wand, but couldn't speak. Snape advanced, his hand reaching into his robes.
"R-Riddikulus!" Neville squeaked.
With a cracking noise, Snape stumbled. He was now wearing a long, frilly dress, a tall hat with a moth-eaten vulture on top, and clutching an oversized crimson handbag.
The class erupted into laughter, and the Boggart faltered, momentarily confused.
"Malfoy, step forward!" Lupin called out.
Pale-faced, Malfoy reluctantly approached, glaring venomously at Lupin. He clearly thought being called next was an act of revenge.
A loud crack signaled the Boggart's transformation. Before Malfoy now stood a roaring, golden lion, its majestic form prowling slowly toward him with menacing claws extended. The Slytherins gasped in shock—none had expected Malfoy to fear a lion.
Malfoy's face contorted in terror as he raised his wand and shouted hoarsely, "Riddikulus!"
The lion's mighty golden head was replaced with a bunny's, while its body remained massive and intimidating. The comical mismatch left the creature momentarily unsure of itself.
Relieved, Malfoy smirked and cast a smug glance at Harry, who was watching with a thoughtful expression. Harry found it amusing that Malfoy's fear of lions might subconsciously indicate a fear of Gryffindor itself.
"Well done," said Lupin with a slight nod. "Next, Lillian."
Lillian took a steadying breath and stepped forward.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone