Asking for a Beating

Most fifth year students paid close attention to the O.W.L.s exam content and took dealing with Boggarts especially seriously. Whether or not banishing Boggarts would appear again in the O.W.L.s practical exam, they would not joke around with their grades.

After all, the examples from the previous two years were enough to prove that mastering how to banish Boggarts was important. Who knew whether their year would be tested on it again?

With the experience of dealing with Boggarts at the previous gathering, most fifth year students had come well prepared and easily used "Riddikulus" to drive back the Boggart in the box.

Once most of the students were able to handle the Boggart, Albert had those willing to stay line up to face it again. He could not simply let them stand there watching; that would not foster unity. Laughter soon filled the Chamber of Secrets once more.

However, Harry gave up the chance to face the Boggart again, so everyone was denied the sight of Lord Voldemort in a long dress.

Time always passed especially quickly. After the gathering ended, Albert shut the Boggart back inside its box, cleared his throat, and said, "At the next gathering, I'll start teaching you the Counter-curses and Defensive spells you need to master. All right, today's gathering is over. Please leave in an orderly manner."

The moment he emerged from the secret passage, Harry stretched and said with a smile, "Come to think of it, today's gathering was really interesting."

"I thought you two would find it boring." Hermione looked suspiciously at Harry and Ron. Honestly, she had found it rather dull. They had not learned much that was useful today, and most of the time, they could only stand aside and watch others deal with the Boggart.

"Boring? How could