Harry Potter and the Power of Emotions

Chapter 15: Malfoy's worst fear

"You can go back to your common room now, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Thanks for alerting me."

Harry did as Dumbledore told him and headed that way. As soon as Harry arrived in the Gryffindor common room, he was slapped on the back by the other Gryffindors. They praised him for his victory on the Slytherin Quidditch team. However, Harry quickly sought the company of Ron and Hermione. He told them what he had seen, and what Dumbledore had said.

"So," said Hermione. "Dumbledore thinks the Death Eaters are getting restless. This is very important Harry. If the remaining Death Eaters are getting restless, they may start to do crazy things. Maybe even get reckless. Times are going to get darker."

"That's what I thought," said Harry. "Why didn't I kill him when I had the chance?"

"Because you're too noble, Harry," said Ron.

"You did defeat him, but you couldn't set your mind to killing him, yet," she paused for effect, then continued, "You can do it. But you have to grow stronger. We'll all help you, including Luna," said Hermione.

***

The problem was that the Death Eaters were not the only ones getting restless. The students at the school also started to get restless. They were getting more scared now that Voldemort had appeared in front of the school. They knew it was only a matter of time, before the Death Eaters in Azkaban would break out.

Professor Lupin and Harry were working hard in order for the students to know enough about Dark Arts to defend themselves in case of emergency.

Dumbledore had scheduled it thus that Harry gave his classes after dinner, when he had to give them. This way they wouldn't collide with his other lessons. His next lessons were approaching rapidly, and for the first time, he would have to teach Slytherins too. He had planned a nice lesson about the Dementonus Boggartius Curse. It was a curse that would cause a persons worst fear to haunt them for twenty-four hours. He couldn't wait to try it on Malfoy. Of course there was a counter-jinx, be he wasn't going to tell them what it was in class. That was the homework. But it did mean that he couldn't put the curse on anyone, for that would mean he had to perform the counter-jinx also.

Just after dinner the sixth-year Slytherins filed into the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Harry was already there.

"Hello class. As you might know, it is full moon tonight. So I'll be your teacher," Harry said. The Slytherins were surprisingly calm. They were not pulling any pranks.

"I'll be talking about a spell called the Dementonus Boggartius. Does anyone here know this curse?"

Several hands shot in the air, including the ones of Theodore Nott and Draco Malfoy.

"Crabbe?"

"Er..." said Crabbe.

"You don't know?" Harry asked, "Okay then. Nott, do you know anything about this curse?"

"That spell is highly advanced and we are not that advanced yet," answered Theodore.

"Remember that you are a sixth year now, Nott, sixth years are advanced. Malfoy?" chastised Harry.

"The Dementonus Boggartius makes someone's worst fear haunt him for a day," said Draco in his usual drawling voice.

"True. Five points for Slytherin," said Harry. "If your worst fear is... let's say Professor Snape, than you would, I guess constantly hear his voice in your ear." The Slytherins sniggered.

"Of course, that's not my worst fear," began Harry.

"What is your biggest fear then?" asked Draco Malfoy.

"I wouldn't tell you, would I? You would take advantage of it. Like telling it to your daddy..." The class turned quiet. "What would your worst fear be, now? Would it be to be turned into a white bouncing ferret, AGAIN?" Harry continued. "That's the worst thing that I know of that happened to you at the hands of a Death Eater."

Draco Malfoy was as red as Ron's hair by now. Harry concluded that he was right and smiled. "Death Eaters also hex each other or each others children if they get the chance. So be warned. Even you are not safe." Harry glanced at Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Nott. He was sure they would interpret it the way he wanted them too! "Your homework is a three foot long essay about the Dementonus Boggartius and it's counter-curse. It is to be handed in to Professor Lupin," Harry said finally. The Slytherins left the classroom. When they were all out of earshot, he said to himself, "I have to ask McGonagall what the spell is to turn something or someone into a ferret. Those Death Eaters sure pronounce their spells softly,"