Hogwarts: Proficiency Panel

Chapter 532 533: The Bloody Baron’s Request

"If I were you, Peeves, I'd take that gum out of the keyhole," Professor Lupin

said, his voice mild and pleasant. "Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to fetch

his brooms if you leave it there."

Peeves, however, didn't seem to care for the Professor's gentle tone. He simply

blew a loud raspberry and spat toward the floor in defiance.

Lupin let out a soft sigh and drew his wand. "This will be a very useful little

spell," he said, turning to the class with a small smile. "Please, watch

closely."

Sean observed Lupin with intense focus. He knew exactly what was coming: the

Slingshot Jinx. It was one of the few spells in existence specifically designed

to discipline poltergeists.

Lupin raised his wand to shoulder height, pointed it directly at Peeves, and

uttered the incantation: "Waddiwasi!"

With a sharp zip, the wad of chewing gum flew out of the keyhole like a bullet,

zooming straight toward Peeves's left nostril. To everyone's surprise, Peeves

performed a mid-air somersault, narrowly dodging the projectile.

"You've improved," Lupin noted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He

raised his wand again, preparing a second cast.

Peeves shuddered, his translucent face twisting as he began to mutter a string

of creative curses. He scanned the crowd of students with a resentful glare, but

his eyes suddenly locked onto a specific figure.

"Mr. Green! Oh—you're here! I've been looking everywhere for you, sir!"

The tone that erupted from Peeves's mouth was unlike anything the students had

ever heard—it was pure, oily sycophancy. Even Lupin lowered his wand, looking

thoroughly baffled.

The class watched in silence as Peeves floated toward Sean, keeping a respectful

distance that was neither too close nor too far.

What on earth...? Harry thought. Since when does Peeves 'sir' anyone?

"You were looking for me?" Sean asked, looking mildly surprised himself.

"Yes... oh... well, no, not me exactly. It's the Baron! The Bloody Baron! He's

been demanding to see you, sir..." Peeves's face twisted as if the mere mention

of the Baron's name caused him physical pain.

"I see," Sean said thoughtfully.

"There! The task is done! I've delivered the message just as the Baron ordered!"

Peeves let out a high-pitched, manic cackle, made a rude face at Lupin, and dove

headfirst into the stone floor. "I'll be back for you, loopy-Lupin-idiot-man!"

His voice echoed through the hallway long after his form had vanished.

Lupin gave his wand a sharp flick, sending a final burst of magic after the

fading voice. The students heard a sudden yelp from beneath the floorboards as

Peeves's tone jumped an octave in terror.

"Brilliant, sir!" Dean Thomas laughed, clapping his hands.

"Thank you, Dean," Lupin said, stowing his wand. "Shall we continue?"

As the group set off again, the students looked at Professor Lupin—shabby robes

and all—with a new sense of respect. But as they walked, Hermione leaned in

toward Sean, her curiosity finally boiling over.

"How did you do that? Even the Professors can't get Peeves to behave like

that..."

"A ghost friend helped me out," Sean replied, choosing his words carefully.

"A ghost friend?" Hermione muttered.

She was starting to feel like the entirety of Hogwarts was "Team Green." When

they visited the kitchens, the house-elves treated Sean like a visiting deity.

Nine out of ten portraits in the corridors would stop their conversations to

wave at him. Even Moaning Myrtle would occasionally pop out of a U-bend to

listen when people were discussing "Mr. Green."

Sean always claimed his circle of friends was small, but Hermione was beginning

to realize that Sean's definition of "friend" was very different from everyone

else's.

Outside the Staffroom.

Professor Lupin led the group to a halt. Sean was still pondering the Bloody

Baron's invitation. It wasn't hard to guess what the ghost wanted; if the Baron

was feeling brave enough, Sean was more than willing to help him cross the

threshold back to the Lands Between.

The only problem was... where was he? Peeves had forgotten to mention the

Baron's current location.

"Inside, please," Lupin said. He opened the door and stepped back to let the

students file in.

The staffroom was a long, wood-paneled room filled with a mismatched collection

of old, sagging armchairs. Currently, there was only one teacher in the room.

Professor Snape was sitting in a low armchair. As the students entered, he

turned his head, his dark eyes glinting with a sharp, cold amusement. A familiar

sneer curled his lip.

Lupin reached for the door to close it behind him, but Snape spoke up. "Leave it

open, Lupin. I would prefer not to witness this... display."

Snape stood up, his black robes billowing like wings as he strode toward the

exit. He passed the students without a glance, but as he reached the doorway, he

paused and turned back.

"Lupin," Snape drawled, "I understand you were previously employed in a...

bookshop?"

Lupin raised an eyebrow. "I was employed by a very respected wizard," he replied

calmly.

"You would do well to make your career here at Hogwarts a permanent one, Lupin,"

Snape said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Because I suspect you'll

find no other shop in Britain willing to take you back once you've failed here."

Snape's jaw twitched as he glared at Lupin.

"I don't believe that is for you to decide, Severus," Lupin replied evenly.

"Hmph."

Snape didn't say another word. He shot Sean a look that clearly promised 'I'll

be dealing with you later,' and slammed the door shut with a resounding bang.

"Now then," Lupin said, glancing at Sean before gesturing for the class to move

toward the far end of the room.

There stood an old, battered wardrobe where the teachers kept their spare robes.

As they approached, the wardrobe suddenly shuddered, thumping loudly against the

wall.

"Nothing to worry about," Lupin said calmly as several students jumped back in

alarm. "There is merely a Boggart inside."

Most of the class felt that a Boggart was exactly the kind of thing one should

worry about. Neville looked at Lupin with wide-eyed terror, and Seamus Finnigan

stared nervously at the rattling handle of the wardrobe door.

"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces," Lupin explained. "Wardrobes, the gap

under beds, the cupboards under sinks. This one moved in yesterday afternoon. I

asked the Headmaster if the staff could leave it for me to use for my third-year

practical lesson."

Sean allowed his mind to drift for a moment. He was being pulled in several

directions at once:

- Trelawney said his "Inner Eye" was opening.

- Peeves said the Bloody Baron was hunting for him.

- Snape was... being Snape.

He focused back on Lupin, who was currently coaching Neville.

"The spell to repel a Boggart is simple, but it requires a massive amount of

willpower. You see, the thing that truly finishes a Boggart is laughter. You

need to force it to take a shape that you find amusing."

Lupin smiled encouragingly. "Neville, it's all up to you. Step forward."

The wardrobe gave another violent shudder, but Neville was shaking even harder.

He stepped forward as if he were walking toward a firing squad.

☆☆☆

-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE

-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER

☆☆☆

-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!

-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper

(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)

If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you