Flight of the Fat Lady

           Innotimeatall,DefenseAgainsttheDarkArtshadbecomemostpeople’sfavoriteclass.OnlyDracoMalfoyandhisgangofSlytherinshadanythingbadtosayaboutProfessorLupin.

           "Lookatthestateofhisrobes,"MalfoywouldsayinaloudwhisperasProfessorLupinpassed."Hedresseslikeouroldhouseelf."

           ButnooneelsecaredthatProfessorLupin’srobeswerepatchedandfrayed.Hisnextfewlessonswerejustasinterestingasthefirst.AfterBoggarts,theystudiedRedCaps,nastylittlegoblin-likecreaturesthatlurkedwherevertherehadbeenbloodshed:inthedungeonsofcastlesandthepotholesofdesertedbattlefields,waitingtobludgeonthosewhohadgottenlost.FromRedCapstheymovedontoKappas,creepy.water-dwellersthatlookedlikescalymonkeys,withwebbedhandsitchingtostrangleunwittingwadersintheirponds.

           Harryonlywishedhewasashappywithsomeofhisotherclasses.WorstofallwasPotions.Snapewasinaparticularlyvindictivemoodthesedays,andnoonewasinanydoubtwhy.ThestoryoftheBoggartassumingSnape’sshape,andthewaythatNevillehaddresseditinhisgrandmother’sclothes,hadtraveledthroughtheschoollikewildfire.Snapedidn’tseemtofinditfunny.HiseyesflashedmenacinglyattheverymentionofProfessorLupin’sname,andhewasbullyingNevilleworsethanever.