What kind of person would be afraid of himself?
The other students in the classroom looked baffled. None of the young wizards had thought of that.
After his brief surprise, Will studied the other "Will." The Boggart's magical structure was perfectly clear to him, and Will knew he couldn't possibly be afraid of himself.
But after a few seconds of careful observation, he saw that the Boggart was almost identical to him. Its face was exactly the same; only its clothes and bearing were worlds apart. The Boggart seemed utterly Mediocrity, like any other child. Even its rare silver-gray eyes lent it no appeal. Instead, it looked frail and frightened, with the air of a loner.
Anyone who saw this Will would think the boy would grow up to be nothing more than Mediocrity.
Anyone could see the difference between them. Lupin had already guessed what Will feared. This was not unheard of in history; other wizards had seen themselves.
Will realized it too. What he feared wasn't himself. He feared Mediocrity.
He had understood that when he stood before the Mirror of Erised. What he truly wanted was to surpass everything and become all he could be.
Many people were like that. They would rather blaze for a single moment than endure decades of Mediocrity.
As for the frailty and fear the Boggart displayed, Will knew his "mother" was responsible for those.
At that thought, Will raised his Wand and said calmly, "Riddikulus!"
The Mediocrity Will's skin split open, and brilliant light burst from within. In moments, it flared too brightly to look at. The Boggart had practically turned into an enormous lightbulb, illuminating the entire Staff Room.
The students covered their eyes without thinking.
Lupin stepped in front of Will. The Boggart soon changed shape, and the students