The last class Remus rostered to teach on September 2nd was a mixture of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff third-years. He'd spent all week planning and prepping for the class, making sure he could make the best first impression possible for each class.

Looking up at the clock, he took a deep breath as the first bunch of students filtered into the classroom.

"Hello, everyone," he greeted. "You're right on time. Don't bother taking out your books; we'll be doing a practical lesson today."

"With all the poking and prodding at it over the last week, I expect it'll be a bit more temperamental— but I'm sure you'll all be able to handle it," Remus explained, reaching for the doorknob.

He held open the door for the others and beckoned them into the room, holding back a grunt when he saw none other than Severus Snape sitting in one of the armchairs by the fire. He, too, seemed annoyed, bearing such a look of loathing on his face.

Before either of them could say anything, a Hufflepuff boy piped up the front of the room, his shirt untucked and his tie hanging loose around his neck.

"Ello, teach!" He said brightly to Professor Snape," Where'd ya dress go? I heard you looked lovely in magnolia, love,"

His friend group struggled to contain their laughter, while the other students bore faces of shock at his audacity. Remus fought hard to keep a straight face as he swore Severus was about to burst a blood vessel.

"Do us all a favour and think before uttering whatever crude thought come to mind, Taylor," Snape hissed, leaving his chair.

"So did the heels match the dress, or just the bag?" he called out to the professor, who stormed out of the room after glaring Remus down.

"Detention!"

"Well, someone's tights went too far up their arse," he noted sarcastically, exchanging fist bumps with the boys behind him before the coat closet door in the far corner of the room began to rattle.

Whatever was inside was ready to explode as the wooden door struggled to keep itself locked.

"Maybe temperamental wasn't the right choice of words," Remus joked, getting them all to filter into a line," Now, can anyone tell me what a Boggart is?"

When the class stayed silent, Jack Taylor lazily called out the answer," They take the shape of your worst fear."

"Precisely. The Boggart inside the wardrobe has not yet chosen a form— it does not know what will frighten us yet. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like when it's alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become each of our worst fears."

Calling up the first student, a Ravenclaw called Amelia Stratton, Remus moved towards the wardrobe door, ready to open it when he finished talking theory," We, however, have an advantage over the Boggart. Any guesses?"

"Gryffindor's, where the brave at heart dwell!" A boy from Jack's gang shouted out, earning the classes giggles.

"Not quite, Henry," Remus grinned," What about you, Mr?"

The boy squeaked out an answer," Wayne Hopkins, sir. Well, there's like twenty of us and only one of it."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Wayne!" 

Remus spent the next five minutes explaining the reasoning behind it, as it would confuse the Boggart but didn't dwell on it too much as it would be presented much clearer in their reading this evening. 

"The charm that repels a Boggart is simple enough, but it requires concentration. The best weapon against a Boggart is laughter. To defeat a Boggart, you must force it to assume a shape you will find amusing. We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, if you will Riddikulus!" 

"Riddikulus!" they all chorused, enthralled at his every word.

"Excellent. Now, Amelia, don't fret; I'll be here to help if you need it. After Amelia, I'll call the next person. On the count of three... one-two- now!" Remus gave her a reassuring smile, flicking his wand towards the lock.

The wardrobe burst open, and a vast, Acromantula stepped out, its mouth foaming red as it beards its fangs down at Amelia. She froze in place, her wand shaking as she rose it higher.

"R-Riddikulus!" she screeched, causing the spider to stumble about on a pair of rollerskates.

The class continued to take turns, jumping from banshees to zombies, clowns in flamingo bathing suits, to vampires in a cat onesie. Next in line was Jack, though while he acted unbothered by the mutilated bodies that visually frightened the other children when his Boggart materialised, he turned paler than the bloody baron. The man in front of him didn't look as scary as the other creatures and bore a similarity to Jack; then, he started to speak.

"You're a useless waste of space," he spat at Jack, sizing him up," I should've wrung your neck a long time ago along with your mother."

Catching onto the boy's discomfort, Remus placed a hand on his shoulder," It's not real, Jack. You can do it."

"You can't do anything for yourself, always whining for mummy. Well, I made quick work of her, and I'll do the same to you," The man started to charge towards Jack, who screamed the spell with such force it slammed back into the wardrobe.

Quickly, Remus locked the door, dismissing the class early while Mr Taylor regained his composure. Before he could leave, he called him back to make sure he was alright. Summoning two cups of tea, he motioned towards an empty chair.

"I thought I recognised you when you entered the class. You were working at Flourish and Blotts the day I got my books," Remus committed, handing him the teacup.

"Yeah, you were chatting up Francesca", Jack recalled, cautiously taking a sip," You got a thing for her."

Chuckling at his directness, Remus clarified the facts" We were friends in school, a long time ago, nothing more."

"Didn't look like that to me, teach. But don't worry about it; Francesca fancies you too," Jack said.

Remus nearly choked on his tea, spluttering as he cleared his throat," Excuse me?!"

"Ever since you came in, she hasn't shut up about ya." the boy elaborated, placing his cup down," something along the lines of 'he so kind and caring-"

"While my life may be entertaining to you, Mr Taylor," Remus cut him off, fighting furiously to stop his cheeks from reddening with embarrassment," that's not why I called you back. Is everything alright?"

Remus' expression shifted to one of sorrow when Jack suddenly became defensive, jerking up straight in the chair.

"Nothing you can help with." he declared with assertiveness.

Letting out a sigh, Remus interlaced his fingers, resting them on his desk, "Help is always here at Hogwarts if someone is hurting-"

Jack shut him down, collecting his stuff as he walked towards the door, "I ain't telling you! I've only known you for an hour. Besides, it's a long story."

"You don't have to tell me anything, Jack. Just let me know if you're ok."

Looking back, he seemed conflicted, flashing a small that didn't make it to his eyes, "I'm ok, sir."

The bell rang at that exact moment, signalling that it was time for Jack to head to his next class.

Letting out a sigh, Remus ran his hands through his head, catching a glimpse of his scars through the window. It was going to be a more complicated year than anticipated.

Glancing at his watch, he decided to hold Francesca to her offer, grabbing his coat before heading out to Diagon Alley.

❀❀❀

- Sorry it took so long, but here's the second chapter! Let me know what you think by voting or commenting x

*The_lost_flower*