#Professor Lupin "Alright, Orli, you'll go first. Remember the key points I just mentioned? Think about what you fear the most, then imagine how you can force it to take on a ridiculous form..."
Orli tried hard to figure out what she feared most, but the more she thought, the more her mind went blank.
#Professor Lupin "Is everyone ready?"
Professor Lupin asked.
Orli felt a surge of fear—she wasn't ready. But she had insisted on going first earlier, so Lupin must have thought she was fully prepared. Besides, all the other students were already nodding.
#Professor Lupin "Orli, we're going to step back,"
Professor Lupin said.
#Professor Lupin "Giving you some space, alright? I'll call the next person forward afterward. Now, everyone, step back to give Orli some room—"
The students obediently retreated to the walls, leaving Orli alone by the wardrobe. She took several deep breaths, rolled up her sleeves, and gripped her wand tightly.
#Professor Lupin "I'll count to three, Orli,"
Professor Lupin said, pointing his own wand at the wardrobe as well.
#Professor Lupin "One—Two—Three—Begin!"
A spark shot from the tip of his wand, and a silent spell hit the wardrobe's handle. The door burst open, and a grim-faced Professor Snape stepped out, staring coldly and indifferently at Orli.
What was happening?! Orli's palms were sweaty, her limbs icy. She wasn't afraid of Snape! Was she supposed to turn him into a ridiculous old lady like Neville?
The Boggart-turned-Snape took two strides toward her, but suddenly stumbled, falling to the ground clutching his neck. Streams of blood gushed from between his fingers, staining half his body red. He slid slowly against the wardrobe door, collapsing on the floor with a final gasp, his pitch-black eyes losing all light.
Orli's ears buzzed, and her heart ached as though a knife had been plunged into it. Tears unknowingly streamed down her cheeks as she stood frozen, unable to move. The murmurs of her classmates felt like they came from another world.
She heard Ron ask in confusion:
#Ron "Did Orli cast the spell?"
#Harry "I didn't hear it. But it seems to have worked?"
Harry replied, equally puzzled.
#Harry "Was she imagining Snape dying horribly?"
#Neville "So Orli's afraid of Snape too."
That was Neville's voice.
#Hermione "Quiet! Something's wrong!"
Hermione interrupted sharply.
#Professor Lupin "Orli, cast the spell!"
Lupin placed a warm hand on her shoulder, snapping her out of her daze.
##Orli "Riddikulus!"
Orli heard her own voice, sharp and grating, like a dying cat.
Her wand emitted the spell, producing a crack like a whip. The Boggart by the wardrobe bounced up and transformed into a colorful Easter egg.
#Professor Lupin "Parvati, step forward!"
Lupin called loudly, and Parvati walked up as instructed. The Boggart turned into a mummy.
#Professor Lupin "Orli, take a break."
Lupin guided her back to Hermione, pulling a small piece of chocolate from his pocket and placing it in her hand:
#Professor Lupin "Eat this; it'll make you feel better."
Orli nodded weakly, grateful that Lupin neither scolded her for being unprepared nor mocked her for seeking attention. If Snape had been teaching... The mere thought of Snape's name brought the image of his blood-soaked, dying figure back to her mind.
Feeling drained, Orli leaned her head against Hermione's shoulder, closed her eyes, and let the chocolate melt in her mouth.
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