Ever since the previous year, when she stopped taking Flying classes, Marigold’s favourite classes were History of Magic and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

 Remus had also told her countless stories about the time he taught DADA for a year, during Harry’s third year at Hogwarts. Marigold wished that Remus would return to Hogwarts to teach DADA, but she also quite liked Professor Longbottom.

 When Marigold walked into class one day, she saw a large shaking wardrobe with a mirror on the front in the middle of the classroom.

 “Intriguing, isn’t it?” Professor Longbottom asked. “Can anyone guess what is inside?”

 “A Boggart, perhaps?” David asked.

 “Very good, David,” he said. “Now, can anybody tell me what a Boggart looks like?”

 “A Boggart does not have a definite shape,” Marigold said. “Boggarts are shapeshifters, so they take the form of whatever someone fears the most.”

 “You are correct, Marigold,” Professor Longbottom said. “Five points for Gryffindor.”

 Andrew turned around to smile at Marigold; she smiled back at him.

 “There is a simple charm to repel a Boggart.” the professor continued. “Let’s practise it now, without wands. After me - Riddikulus!”

 “Riddikulus.” the students repeated.

 “Very good. A little louder and very clearly - Riddikulus!” he said, enunciating the encantation.

 “Riddikulus!”

 “Very good, but that’s the easy part. The encantation alone is not enough. What finishes a Boggart is laughter. You need to make it assume a shape you find truly amusing. Now, form a line.”

 The students bustled themselves into a queue, pushing each other; Andrew ended up at the very front.

 “Are you ready?” Professor Longbottom asked Andrew, who nodded. “Wand at the ready.”

 They both pulled out their wands, pointing them towards the wardrobe.

 “One, two, three.”

 The doorknob turned, and the wardrobe slowly opened to reveal a rather chubby, mean-looking boy around the same age as them; he was wearing Muggle clothes instead of Hogwarts robes.

 “Freak,” he muttered with disgust.

 “Riddikulus!” Andrew shouted.

 The boy’s clothes changed; he was now wearing a banana costume. Everyone, including Professor Longbottom, burst into laughter as the boy looked down, confused.

 “That was wonderful, Andrew! Brilliant.” Professor Longbottom exclaimed. “To the back. Next, David!”

 Andrew high-fived Marigold as he headed to the back of the queue. David, whose fear was evident in his face, hesitantly walked up.

 “Concentrate, face your fear, be brave.”

 The Boggart now turned into a Slytherin girl with a brown bob: Alyssa Parkinson.

 “You’re not a real wizard, Edwards,” she said spitefully. “You don’t belong in the wizarding world. Go back to the Muggles.”

 Gasps of shock and disbelief could be heard both from Professor Longbottom and the students. For a split second, Marigold forgot that it was a Boggart rather than the real Parkinson; she snarled, reaching into her robes.

 But David was faster; he pulled out his wand and pointed it towards Parkinson.

 “Riddikulus!”

 The Boggart turned into a clown; the entire class started laughing with relief.

 “Yes, very good, David. Very enjoyable.” Professor Longbottom said. “Marigold, next.”

 Marigold walked up, standing tall, trying to be as brave and proud as possible; she pulled out her wand and pointed it towards the Boggart, which rapidly changed itself again.

 Marigold gasped when she saw what was standing in front of her; it was herself, but wearing a black cloak and a Death Eater mask. The Boggart revealed her forearm, which had a prominent Dark Mark on it.

 Marigold suddenly couldn’t breathe; everything in front of her was spinning, and she felt as though she was going to be sick.

 “Marigold, are you okay?” Professor Longbottom asked, concerned.

 Marigold tried to shake her head no, but her whole body was trembling; she felt as though her heart was going to burst out of her ribcage.

 “Andrew, would you please take Marigold down to the Hospital Wing.” Professor Longbottom said. “I think she needs a rest.”

* * *

 A while later, Professor Longbottom made a quick stop to the Hospital Wing.

 “Hannah, I came here to visit a student,” he told Madam Abbott. “Another student dropped her off earlier.”

 “I believe you’re talking about the blonde Gryffindor?” she asked. “She’s right there.”

 Madam Abbott pointed to Marigold, who was wrapped in a blanket and staring into the ceiling; she didn’t seem to notice Professor Longbottom coming towards her.

 “How are you doing, Marigold?” he asked. “Are you feeling better now?”

 “Huh?” Marigold came back into reality. “Uh, yes, sir.”

 “It seems like you were in deep thought.” Professor Longbottom said, smiling.

 “I was still thinking about what happened earlier,” Marigold replied, sitting up.

 “Well, earlier in class, I asked you to picture what you’re most afraid of,” he said. “Tell me - what were you thinking?”

 “I think my biggest fear is being a bad person, like Voldemort or Bellatrix,” she replied. “That’s what I pictured when I faced the Boggart.”

 “I see.” Professor Longbottom nodded. “I could’ve guessed that. Your Boggart suggests that your greatest fear is your dark side.”

 Marigold quietly nodded; it did seem like she feared her dark side the most.

 “Marigold, I want you to listen to me very carefully,” he said gently. “I don’t want you to be overwhelmed by your fear. You’re much stronger than that. Trust me - I was once very fearful myself.”

 “You?” she asked, bewildered. “But didn’t you kill Nagini with the Sword of Gryffindor?”

 “Yes, I did,” Professor Longbottom replied. “But you know who helped me become a brave man?”

 “Was it my father, perhaps?” Marigold asked, faintly recalling Remus mentioning him.

 “Yes, your father, Professor Lupin, helped me become the person I am today,” he said. “You remind me so much of your father. And knowing him, I know your dark side cannot take over you either. So don’t you worry.”

 Marigold quietly nodded.