the_debt_of_time

"Riddikulus!" James finally shouted, and the scream behind the door turned to
laughter.
Instead of looking proud or even smug, he spun away from the boggart with his
head low and his brow furrowed in anger. Without another word, he turned and walked
out of the room, not giving a passing glance to anyone as he left.
"That might do for now," Professor Prewett said as he aimed his wand at the
boggart, shouting a charm to contain the creature, sticking it back inside the trunk. "Read
chapter one in your books, and be prepared next class to dive into basic defensive spells.
Dismissed."
Everyone turned to leave, none more eager than Mia and the Marauders who were
determined to go after James, but unfortunately, the professor called out, "Not you three.
Misters Black and Lupin, and Miss Potter, will you linger for a few moments?"
They each gave a heavy sigh.
Mia turned once the rest of the students had left and the door shut them in the
quiet classroom. "Sir, I think I should go after my brother."
"Can I assume that the voice Mr Potter heard beyond that door was yours?"
"Yes," Remus and Sirius answered together, both looking stricken.
Mia stared at them with wide eyes, embarrassed. "I have nightmares sometimes."
"Are these nightmares shared?" Professor Prewett asked, his focus shifting between
the three of them. "Some fears are much worse than others, Miss Potter. I hadn't thought
that a group of thirteen-year-olds would have more to fear than a few bugs, a ghoul or two,
perhaps a banshee if we were lucky. I made a mistake in my assumption, and for that, I
apologise." He touched his hand to his heart in a gesture of true remorse. "I will say the
same to young Mr Potter next I see him."
Mia inclined her head. "Thank you, sir."
"That being said, I refuse to allow my students to let their fears overtake them. It
was the purpose of this lesson after all." He stood and moved to the trunk. "An important
talent in learning to fight the Dark Arts is observing your surroundings. Do you know what
I observed today?" he asked them, and they all shook their heads. "When I spoke of my
intentions to release the boggart where everyone would see it, I observed a large group of
curious but nervous students. And three students.. ." He pointed to each of them