Seventh-Year: The Next Generation

Chapter 5: The Boggart

Like a sterling pearl
Painted over with black
Unattractive.
Not showing it's real worth.
Judged
Like a cover
Of a book.
Never opened
Nor read
Placed at the back
Of the shelf
Not being seen.
Ignored by all.

Not all -
But only those
who care
Are curious
Willing
To discover
What good is set
On the inside.

Lily rushed into the corridor outside the Transfiguration classroom, but Monique had already disappeared. "Shoot," said Lily with passion, as she stomped her foot.

Just then, Albus and Scorpius came around the corner, and started walking toward her. They were discussing something in low, but urgent tones.

Scorpius looked up, and caught sight of Lily standing there, watching them. "Hey, Lily."

"Have either of you seen Monique?"

"Who's Monique?" asked Albus, looking confused.

"Hugo's latest girlfriend."

"Oh, you mean the tart?"

"I like tarts," declared Scorpius, smiling.

"Oh, shuttup, don't start that again," said Albus, hitting Scorpius across the back of the head with his Herbology textbook.

"Ow," said Scorpius, ruefully rubbing the back of his head.

"No, why?" asked Albus, talking to Lily again.

"Let's just say, she's no longer Hugo's girlfriend, and Hugo didn't let her off easily," said Lily, looking Scorpius and Albus up and down. She noticed that their hair was plastered to their faces with sweat, and that their robes clung to them with dampness.

"I told you he'd be done with her by the end of this week, didn't I?" cried Albus gleefully. "And look, she didn't even last two whole days!"

"I never said you'd be wrong," snapped Scorpius.

"Monique is devastated by the way Hugo treated her, you shouldn't be so happy, Albus," said Lily angrily.

"Right, sorry," said Albus, sobering up. "Though, she should have known better than to get involved with Hugo," he pointed out.

"Talking about me?" asked Hugo curiously, emerging from the Transfiguration classroom, as he slung his bag over one shoulder.

"Yes," said Lily viciously.

Hugo blinked at her. "What's up with you?"

"Hugo, how could you do that to someone?"

"You mean Monique? I didn't do anything. I was in a sticky situation, and I made it funny. She shouldn't have made it a bigger deal than it was," he said defensively.

"She didn't make it bigger than it was! What you did was just plain cruel!" said Lily fiercely.

"Cool it, Lily," said Hugo, trying to pacify her.

"I will not cool it! I'm just getting started," said Lily, sending her long red hair out of her eyes with a quick flick of her head.

"What I do, or do not do, is none of your business," said Hugo angrily.

"It is too, when you're treating someone so terribly," said Lily, her voice rising in volume.

"Whoa, wait a second here," said Albus, stepping between the two, and holding his arms up.

Scorpius was leaning against the corridor wall. His arms were crossed across his chest, and he looked slightly amused. Look at him standing there so pompously! He doesn't care about a soul in the world who isn't Albus or Rose, thought Lily furiously.

"Why don't we all just relax a bit," said Albus, trying to be a peacemaker.

"Exactly what I was suggesting, Albus," said Hugo icily.

"Al, Hugo needs to wake up and realize there are more important things out there than his bodily desires! Like people's emotions, for one," said Lily, glaring at Hugo from around Albus.

"No, you need to wake up, Lily. You need to stop being a child, with a child's dreams. You need to realize that this isn't Wonderland, that people get hurt, that there's no way to protect everyone," said Hugo coldly. There were bright red spots of anger on his cheekbones. "The only thing you can do, is to make sure that you're not the one that gets hurt, to make sure that you're the one that's happy."

Lily felt color rush to her cheeks. All three sets of eyes were on her. She knew what they all saw. They all saw a kid. Someone who seemed silly and immature. She had known about Scorpius, and even Hugo, although he was the same age as her. But Albus? Albus had always treated her fairly, like an equal, but would he defend her now, when she needed his support?

She looked up at her brother. He was looking back, though she could tell he wasn't really seeing her. His eyes were distant, somewhere else, down some other lane of thought.

She blinked back the tears that were threatening to come.

"No, Hugo. That's true, people will get hurt, and sometimes there's nothing we can do about that. But that doesn't mean we go around intentionally thrusting that pain on people, just to protect ourselves. No, if anything, we should throw ourselves in the way of the pain, to shield others." Lily spoke so quietly, that the others had to lean forward to hear.

Spinning on her foot, Lily stormed away from the three boys. Her vision was blurry, and she was dangerously close to succumbing to tears, but she would not. She would not.

"Sheesh, what's gotten under her skin?" asked Hugo, looking rather uncomfortable.

Albus had apparently come back to earth, and was looking after his sister in puzzlement. "I'm not sure."

"Kids these days," said Scorpius, shaking his head. "So emotionally unstable, and unpredictable. Impossible to tell what'll set them off."

"Exactly what I was thinking," said Hugo, breaking a wry smile.

"And just think, you're one of them, Hugo," said Albus, walking down the corridor without so much as a backward glance at his cousin.

"Wait, what?"

"You heard him, snotty," said Scorpius, clouting Hugo over the head with a grin as he swept after Albus.

An indignant Hugo was left staring after them.

***

Lily flew through the door of the girls' lavatory. Running over to a sink, she placed one hand on each side, and leaned over it, staring down into the plain white porcelain.

Her body shook, as she did all she could to hold back the tears of frustration and anger.

The sound of soft sobs echoed off the tiled walls.

Lily's head snapped up, and she stared at herself in the mirror. Her blue eyes sparkled dangerously, on the verge of tears, but there were none that were shed.

Following the sound of the sobs, Lily went around a corner of the bathroom. There, sitting on the ground, leaning against the wall with her knees drawn up and her head in her arms, was Monique.

Lily sighed and walked over to her, her shoes making soft clipping sounds on the floor.

Monique looked up in surprise, and blushed furiously. She hastily tried to wipe away the tears that were evident on her cheeks.

Lily slid to the ground, and sat beside the other girl, thinking of what to say.

They sat in silence, as Monique fought to gain control of herself. Once she had managed this to a reasonable degree, Monique spoke up. "What are you doing here?" she asked, looking away from Lily.

Lily shrugged. "It seemed like you would need a friend, after what happened in Transfiguration."

Monique let out a breath that sounded more like a hiss.

"I don't know what to say," said Lily, hesitantly.

"Well, then maybe you should not say anything at all, and just leave," said Monique harshly.

"I don't think you mean that," said Lily quietly.

"Oh?" said Monique sardonically, still looking away from her. "And why wouldn't I? Hugo is your cousin, I know that. How do I know you aren't here just to rub it in, that he doesn't want me? It stands to reason you're just here to make it worse than it already is, or just to gloat, and run back to Hugo to tell him how I bawled like a baby." Monique let out a hoarse laugh that contained no humor.

"Hugo is my cousin, he shares my blood, and I love him. But that doesn't mean I always approve of what he does, or of his lifestyle. Believe me, he knows it. He thinks I'm foolish though, a child; he doesn't listen to me, and I don't know if he ever will."

Monique looked at her in surprise. "But you two always sit next to each other in Transfiguration, I thought you were good friends."

"We used to be the very best of friends, but not so much recently. As we grew older, we've each sort of gone our own ways, if you know what I mean. Yeah, we still sit next to each other in Transfiguration, but that's the main time we're around each other these days."

"What do you think I did, to make him mad enough at me to do this?" Monique looked down at her knees. Lily could see that her eyes were red and swollen slightly. She was close enough to make out where the tears had dried on her cheeks.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Monique."

"Then why? Why did he do it? And then he just sat there and laughed like the rest of them, like he was having the best time in the world." Monique looked at Lily with wide, inquiring eyes.

Lily had never really taken much notice of Monique before, but now she could easily see how she had caught Hugo's intention. She was beautiful. Her hair was a very light blonde, so fair it was more white-silver than actual blonde. Her irises were a mix between gray and light blue -very captivating and rare eyes.

"Because he's Hugo. I don't want to hurt you, Monique, but you should know the truth," said Lily hesitantly.

"Your cousin already did that," said Monique bitterly. "Just say what you need to say."

Lily took a deep breath. "Well," she began, "Hugo doesn't generally hook up with girls because he likes their personality, or is interested in having an actual relationship with them. He just kind of, um, you know, gets together for a couple of...er...close encounters... and then sort of moves on." Lily fell silent, blushing furiously.

What happened next completely surprised, and dumbfounded, Lily. Monique laughed. Monique laughed a hearty and genuine laugh.

Lily watched Monique in bewilderment. The other girl broke off laughing, and looked at Lily with eyes that were now sparkling with merriment.

"What's so funny?" asked Lily, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"That you find it so awkward to talk about things like this," said Monique, eyes bright. "Don't you ever talk about boys with other girls?"

"Er, not really."

Monique laughed again. "We're going to be great friends, I can tell."

"Mutual," said Lily, just for something to say.

Monique sighed a heavy sigh of acceptance. "Well, I guess this is just one of those things you need to get over, and move on from."

You really are a tart, aren't you? thought Lily in amusement. No wait, that's putting people in boxes. I just don't know her yet, and I'm not use to people like this. I can't make judgments of people I don't even know, and even once I do know her, is it really my place to make any sort of judgment? Isn't that what I'm so mad at Scorpius, Albus, and Hugo for doing to me?

"Yeah, I guess so. I've never really had an experience like this one," said Lily.

"I've had more than my share," said Monique, curling a lock of her hair around her finger absentmindedly.

"Don't you ever get tired of it?" asked Lily with wide eyes.

"It does get kind of annoying after awhile. You know what? Yeah, I have. I'm finished with this type of thing. I'm not going to fall for another boy, that'll do something like this to me, ever again!"

Watch her be with a new boy tomorrow night, thought Lily wryly.

"Wanna eat lunch with me?" asked Monique excitedly.

Lily opened her mouth to decline, but then changed her mind. "Yeah, I would love that."

***

Scorpius collapsed against a desk, sweat pouring down his face. He shuddered, and his wand slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

They were in an abandoned classroom, hoping to be left alone, and given time for Scorpius to practice the Patronus. So far they had been at it for half of an hour, and still Scorpius had had no luck.

Albus slammed the heavy trunk closed, and sat down on it, watching Scorpius closely. The blonde boy's face was rather pale. Sweat rolled down it and dripped off his chin, leaving small pools of salty water on the floor. He was gasping for breath, and seemed only to be on his feet because he was clasping the desk. His hands were white with the force with which he gripped it.

"You need a stronger memory!" said Albus, his voice hard.

"I'm trying! Believe me, I'm trying," said Scorpius angrily, glaring at him across the distance that separated them.

Albus ran his hand through his dark locks. He knew under ordinary circumstances he would have been more concerned about whether or not Scorpius was okay, and he would be more lenient on Scorpius's genuine attempts to master the Patronus. But as it was, his nerves were too taut and tense about everything that was going on. He was reliant on Scorpius being able to cast Patronus, and if he couldn't...well, then they would be in trouble. And Albus did not want to end up locked away in Azkaban. No he did not.

Albus sighed. "Have some more chocolate, and we'll have another go at it."

"I need a break," demanded Scorpius.

"We don't have time for a break."

"I need a break," Scorpius repeated forcefully.

"Stop being a prat!" yelled Albus, jumping to his feet. "We don't have any stinking time."

"And I don't have the strength!" Scorpius bellowed. His blue eyes were strained and hard -almost gray in the dimness of the classroom. The only light came from a single window at the far end of the room.

Albus felt the anger flow out of him abruptly. "You're right, I don't know what got into me. Sorry Scorpius," said Albus, walking over to his friend and helping him into one of the seats.

Scorpius's eyes were still angry. "It's not like I'm messing around Albus, I'm doing all that I can."

"I know," said Albus,"and I'm sorry. I guess I'm just tense about the whole situation."

Scorpius took a bite of chocolate, and a swig of pumpkin juice from a jug they had brought along. "You say the actual thing is worse than a Boggart, right?" he asked.

"That's what my dad said, though I've never actually faced a Dementor," said Albus, re-taking his seat on the trunk.

Scorpius shook his head, sending bits of sweat flying off of his white-blonde strands of hair. "I just don't get what I'm doing wrong."

"I think you don't have a strong enough memory," said Albus, fiddling with the one of the trunk-clasps which was between his legs.

"That's not true," said Scorpius, his brow furrowing.

"Well, what are you using?"

"That time we beat the snot out of Babcock, and his goons."

"Oh, that's not going to be nearly strong enough. The memory has to be of a moment when you were truly happy, not just satisfied with winning a fight."

Scorpius drummed his fingers on the desk, lost in thought.

Albus was glad to see that his friend had stopped shaking, and that color was returning to his face. He hadn't expected the Boggart to affect Scorpius so much, but for some odd and unknown reason it had. He also hadn't thought the Boggart would turn into a Dementor for Scorpius, seeing as Scorpius had never faced one before and didn't know what they were like. But apparently, just their reputation, and the fact that they would soon be walking into the heart of a host of them at Azkaban, had made them become Scorpius's worst fear, at least for the moment anyways. Albus had thought there might be a possibility of this happening, and he had had to take it, even though it had been a really long shot.

"I've got one," said Scorpius, standing to his feet. "Let's do this."

"Wait, are you sure? You've got your strength back already?" asked Albus, hesitant.

Scorpius nodded, and then broke a smile. "Come on Albus, I'm sure I've got it this time."

"Alright, since you're sure," said Albus, doubtful.

Albus rose to his feet, swung the trunk open, and then got hastily out of the way.

A cloaked, hooded figure swept out of the trunk and into the air. Albus could feel the happiness getting sucked from the room, could feel the coldness washing over everything. He looked to Scorpius with expectation.

Scorpius was once more pale, the skin around his eyes pinched. A look of intense concentration was the only expression on his face.

"Expecto Patronum!" yelled Scorpius, his wand aimed at the Boggart's chest. A silvery light started to blossom from the end of his wand.

Albus, despite the coldness and despair that was created by the Dementor's -although it was really a Boggart- presence, began to smile a little.

A look of triumph passed over Scorpius's features, but then something flitted past behind his eyes. The triumph fled from his face, and fear and despair were the only emotions left. His legs went out from under him, and he sprawled on the floor, unmoving.

"Scorpius!" cried out Albus in alarm. The Boggart started to turn it's empty face toward Albus, and suddenly it was no longer the shape of a Dementor. It was Aubrielle Lestraud. Her midnight-black hair poured down over her bare white shoulders. Her eyes were dark and mischievous, her lips that were red, so red, were soft and beckoning. She wore a long dress of deep blue satin that contrasted the paleness of her skin, and made her all the more breathtakingly beautiful.

Albus took a step back, the mere sight of Aubrielle -even though it wasn't actually Aubrielle- was like a blow to the chest. She stretched out her hand toward him, beckoning him to come closer with an outstretched finger.

Albus shook his head furiously, taking another step back.

Aubrielle just smiled at him, and took a couple of strides toward him. Her hands that were white, so white, went up to the thin straps of her dress. She started to slide them off of her shoulders, all the while smiling coyly at Albus.

Do something! Do something! Albus's head was screaming at him. He knew that if she got that dress off, he would be a goner. Steeling his will with all his strength. Albus swung his wand up and screamed, "Riddikulus!" just as the blue folds of satin had started to fall from her body.

Suddenly, Aubrielle was wearing one of those orange jumpsuits that Muggle prisoners wore. Rollerblades were on her feet as well, and on top of that, her jumpsuit was far to big for her. She seemed lost within it, and it made her lose her balance and tumble over backward.

As she hit the ground, she started rolling head-over-heels backward, gaining speed, and going faster and faster until she collided with the large trunk, shot into the air, and tumbled inside. The trunk's lid slammed closed with a dull thud as soon as she vanished into its interior.

Albus stood with his chest heaving up and down, as if he had just run a long distance.

How Scorpius will laugh after seeing that my deepest fear took on the form of a gorgeous girl stripping in front of my eyes, thought Albus dully.

However, Albus need not have feared about the laughter of his friend. For as he turned, there was Scorpius, still lying sprawled on the floor.

Despite everything, the corner of Albus's mouth turned up in a smirk. Oh Scorpius, how the Slytherins would love to see you now. Not so tough and mocking when you're lying spread eagle on the floor, in a dead faint, are you?

Author's Note:

Hope that you liked this last chapter enough to review, for reviews are the diet of writers. :) We live off of them, and if you've ever written a fanfiction, you know how important they are. The opening poem is On the Inside, by Jessica Amal Bonifas. The poem was used with the permission of the author.