Today had been the first day since the Hogwarts Express that Mairead hadn't looked forward to the Hogwarts dinner.  Even after the difficult days filled with classes and struggling through homework, the promise of an abundance of delicious, warm food was the promise of euphoria.  She'd never seen so much food - there was so much it didn't need to be carefully divvied up and rationed.  Everyone could eat as much as they wanted and could, and there'd still be more!  It was like Christmas dinner every single day! 

But the knowledge of the pending detention with her Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was hanging over her head throughout the entire meal.  She didn't really know what to expect from a detention - especially a Hogwarts detention.  She'd seen detentions in the movies - but they seemed to range from the wrist-slapping nuns in those old church school movies to the kids wearing strange cones on their heads in American school movies.  Hogwarts already required the students to wear black cones on their heads so, unless they made them wear bright orange ones, that didn't seem a likely punishment.  Did they use magic?  Did they ... did they turn them into toads?  Was this how all those poor little girls in those fairy tales found themselves cursed with some night time troll-shifting affliction until their true love kissed them? 

She paused in the quiet hallway outside the classroom, fidgeting slightly in her ever so uncomfortable skirt and robes, the whole affair souring her already unpleasant mood.  She didn't know why she was here.  Okay.  She did.  But, still.  It was easy enough to convince herself that none of this was her fault and it was entirely unfair that she had to be standing here.  But, even she knew turning and leaving, yet again, was probably the last thing she could do. 

With a bitter scowl, she kicked at the base of the door - a lazy and apathetic excuse for a knock.  She hesitated several minutes, even after she was invited inside.  Finally, regretting ever single movement, she shoved her shoulder against the door and stepped inside. 

Standing on the inside of the door, she glanced up at the professor but, quickly, dropped her gaze again.  Banging her heel rhythmically, impatiently, and nervously, against the door behind her, Mairead shrugged.  "Now what?" she quipped, bluntly. 

 Mainwaring was ready for her. The night's detention was not going to be too onerous but for a first year it could still prove difficult, especially given the lack of resolve she had shown earlier. Still it would at least let him better judge her mettle. He hoped that it would try her without breaking her.Detention was not meant to be enjoyable but it was meant to be a learning experience.

 "Good evening Miss ó Fearghail. I hope sincerely that this detention so early in the year is a one off and not a foretaste of things to come.  Before we attend to the evening's business I would first like an explanation from you for your misbehaviour. What matter was so pressing that you thought it needed to take precedence over your Defence against the Dark Arts class?"

Remaining standing in the doorway, Mairead averted her eyes to the floor as the Professor looked towards her.  Totally oblivious to her own prejudices, Mairead had convinced herself that the man at the desk was quite similar to her perceptions of 'those other people' back home.  The rich, well-educated, chubby ones that always looked down their noses at her when she dared come in a store with dirty hands or uncombed hair.  Even without the glare during class, even without the inquiry about ignored summer homework, the man had been unsettling and intimidating.  More so than she'd been able to handle after her unfortunate first day and the disaster of herbology. 

And, even now, he didn't seem that much less intimidating. 

Mairead shrugged her shoulders, trying to look disinterested.  "I don't know," she admitted.  "I never had a detention before."  But, she had more coming up in Herbology.  So, for the time being, it was looking grim that this would be a one time occurrence.  Again, she admitted, "I don't know.  I didn't - I wanted to be by meself."  Why was she having to explain herself?  It was humiliating - especially since she didn't know what she was saying.  Or how to say it.  It was confusing.  "I just ... I was tired of looking like a bloody cloigis."

 If Theobald  had been asked what a 'cloigis' was earlier that day he would have had no idea what it was but it's general meaning was clear from the girl's tone. He resolved to look it up later to get its precise meaning.

 She at least did not seem to have left for a malign reason. Foolish, not wicked. He decided not to be too hard on her, allowing some warmth into his voice,

 "Fear of looking foolish is not a sin, Miss ó Fearghail. We all have to start somewhere and I appreciate that there will be much that will seem strange and new to you in your first days at Hogwarts. Running out of class though is not an acceptable way of dealing with this nor is it likely to be a productive one. Acquiring knowledge after all is the best way of getting over such concerns and missing classes will not help with this.

 As this is your first week I will let the matter rest at that. See that you catch up what you have missed from your classmates and that it doesn't happen again.

 In the meantime we must turn to the matter at hand. As this is your first detention in Hogwarts I will warn you now that punishments in this school do not resolve around lines or other such profitless toil. They instead involve  doing work for the school. Such tasks can be arduous and dangerous but they are necessary and therefore have value in and of themselves.

 Tonight we will be confronting a boggart that has snuck into the Trophy Room. If you are not aware of them boggarts are shapeshifters. No-one knows what their true appearance is for they take on a new appearance to each and every individual. Everyone looking at a boggart sees what they fear the most so you should prepare yourself for this.

 Thankfully it is easy enough to defeat a boggart. The incantation is simple. One only need say 'Riddikulus' to cast the spell. The word alone is not enough though. You need laughter to defeat him.  

 Take a moment to think of your fears and how you could make them funny. If you fear your peers' mockery for example picture them having the tables turned on them, for example by them  being suddenly drenched in slime; if snakes are a worry you could think of one made harmless by sucking on a pacifier.

 If you can do this, your spell will make the boggart take that shape and when you laugh he will be beaten.

 Do you have any questions? If not then take out your wand and practice the spell. To do so wave your wand like this and say clearly 'Riddikulus!'"

"And, not fair," Mairead couldn't prevent herself from mumbling as she scuffed the warn sole of a boy's trainer against the floor.  In addition to being strange and new, there were some things that just didn't seem that fair.  And, that's what it was all about in the end, right? 

Sure - Mairead understood they all started somewhere but, even after just two days, she was tired of feeling like she'd started ridiculously behind everyone else.  "But - everything seems so bloody easy to everyone else," she admitted, quietly, shifting on her feet in front of the door.  In her naive frame of mind it had proved easy to only see the students who, like Effie and her friend, who seemed to find everything so simple and overlook the other students that were struggling. 

With a resigned sigh, Mairead nodded her head.  She could have Adley or Keegan tell her what she missed.  Though, catching up might take a little longer than she would like, though.  She scuffed her shoes, again.  "I ... I'm gonna try, but.  I don't ... I didn't do the reading over the summer.  I can't really - I'm still working on the reading and writing and all that.  I'm better - I learned a lot since before.  But, it's still hard." 

Yes, Mairead had heard of boggarts.  Even though she now knew they weren't the globular chunks of goo that came out one's nose, she still felt compelled to slap her hand over her mouth and nose.  "What if ye don't know what yer afraid of?"  Finally, Mairead stepped away from the door and took a seat behind one of the student desks.  She tugged her engraved and painted wand out of her pocket.  "I really haven't gotten it to do anything, yet," she said, rather than the incantation, giving the wand a flick similar to the one the professor had demonstrated. 

 Her admission startled him. That a pupil did not do their recommended reading was hardly unusual. That one could not was something else. He wondered if the Headmistress knew of the girl’s illiteracy. Would she expel her too if she learned of it?  He hoped not but he wasn’t sure. He certainly wasn’t going to ask her to find out.

 “Take a seat Miss ó Fearghail. I remember starting at Hogwarts when I was your age and I remember the muggle-borns in my year expressing similar concerns then. I had the opposite experience. I came from a wizarding household and we initially had an advantage due to our familiarity with the magical world. I can assure you that it was only a fleeting one. Within a couple of months everyone was on a level playing field.
 
In your case if you are still concentrating on your reading and writing I realise that the gap may seem larger and you will need to work on them until they become second nature to you but this is certainly not an insurmountable problem. The important thing is that the issue be dealt with immediately. Is your Head of House aware of it? I am sure that if you need it extra tuition in this matter could be easily arranged.

 Returning to the matter of the boggart if you do not know what you are afraid of that may not actually be a disadvantage as it will confuse him at first. It does mean that you will be more reliant on your wits when he does figure it out though. I would not worry too much. Tonight I will be with you. If you find the boggart first all you really need do is to alert me and buy time until I can get there to deal with him.
 
 If you have not yet cast a spell we should start we something simpler. Try this,”

Theobald held up his wand,

“Lumos!”

Mairead rolled the wand between her fingers and the desk.  "Dexter - I mean, Professor Pratt said the same thing.  When he came to find me after he heard I'd set a plant on fire," she admitted.  And, then, added, "...and, then, skipped class."  While the confession wasn't liable to win her any brownie points, she felt the need to point out that it hadn't been just Professor Mainwaring's class that had prompted Mairead to scatter.  It had been the whole first two disastrous days. 

However, habit and years of being taught to be wary of adults from what she assumed Professor Mainwaring's social status was making it easier to believe those words coming from Dexter.  She continued to watch the wand on her desk. 

"I ... I don't know."  Mairead admitted.  "I haven't told him.  He asked me why I didn't go to class but - I didn't...I don't."  Actually, it was all proving to be quite a transition.  Even more so at school than it had been at the Grimlish residence.  "It's just all so different.  I mean - I never been away from home before."  Though, home was constantly moving.  "None of me family's been to school and ..." Why was she complaining to him?  By the time she'd stepped into Defense Against the Dark Arts and had seen the man sitting behind the desk, the sense of of being overwhelmed had taken over. 

She nodded, not entirely sure, but also not intimidated by the boggart.  But, she was glad they were trying something else first.  She picked up her wand and held it like the professor demonstrated.  "Lumos!" she said, giving the wand a slight wave.  When nothing happened, she repeated it.  "Lumos!  Lumos!"  Still, the wand resembled an ornate stick more than it did an illuminated wand. 

 Theobald could see where he thought she was going wrong. The girl seemed flustered for some reason. She was allowing her mind to drift instead of concentrating solely on the matter at hand.

 "Being away from one's loved ones  for the first time is certainly an unnerving experience. It does get easier though.

 Forget about the boggart for now. This is more important. Take a deep breath. Clear your mind of all distractions. Focus on your wand and what you are trying to do. Concentrate on the word of the spell and on the light you want to make. Try it again but this time more slowly, each time taking a moment to regain your focus before beginning again."

Mairead nodded her head, silently agreeing that it was unnerving but didn't comment further.  Even if she had something to say, the prospects of working more with her wand was just far too distracting. 

Clear your mind of all distractions.  Of course, at first, it seemed like the professor could have just as well asked Mairead to take her feet off and leave them at the door before coming in.  And, clearing one's mind wasn't always an easy thing to do - as soon as she started, her mind started chanting "clear your mind, clear your mind." 

But, she could try.  And, she would.  The prospects of being successful were just far too tempting.  She hoisted her wand in the air and tried to clear her mind.  Finally, her thoughts seemed to clear some.  Concentrating on the spell, Mairead gave her wand a careful flick and said the incantation.  At first, nothing happened.  She tried again.  And, again.  Mairead could start to feel her frustration grow but, with a deep breath, she tried to squash it.   

She closed her eyes and focused on clearing her mind.  With a clear voice, she gave the wand a wave and said, "lumos."  To her surprise, the tip of her wand began to glow, a soft, pale light.  "I ... I did it!" she declared, proudly.

The Professor smiled warmly,

 "Well done!

 Well done indeed Miss ó Fearghail. You see you are not so far behind your classmates as you feared. It will become easier with time and practice of course but for now congratulations. You have taken the hardest step in controlling your magic for the first time. If you doubt your abilities again in the next few days  think back to this moment. You have shown now that you can do it.  Take confidence in that and believe that with the proper determination and focus you can overcome all the challenges that lie ahead.

 Now do you feel up to the task of dealing with that boggart?"

Mairead vaguely heard the professor's congratulatory comments.  She knew he was congratulating her.  For several long moments, Mairead sat staring at the tip of her wand where, just a few moments ago, a small, dull light had previous shone. 

Slowly, but eventually, Mairead's amazed stupor faded enough that she was, finally, more aware of what the professor was saying than the dark point of her wand.  She turned her face back towards Professor Mainwaring and a broad grin spread across her face.  Ten minutes ago, Mairead would have told anyone who passed her that she couldn't care less what the well-dressed and even more well-spoken man thought of her.  But, now, she couldn't help beaming at him as he congratulated her. 

She had done magic.  And, she could still sock Eirene in the kisser.  She did, indeed, find confidence in that. 

"I - the buggar.  Or - boggart?  The fear thingy?  I ...um ... yeah.  I think I can.  I - I don't remember the thing you said, though.  To make it funny."

 Mainwaring quite understood her distraction. He was delighted for her. He could still remember the time he stood in her shoes as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. It had been a levitation spell in his case though. He was also pleased that she was willing to dare the boggart.

 "Excellent. Yes, humour is indeed the way to defeat a boggart. When he comes at you he will be something you fear. To defeat him you must picture that thing as something amusing. The charm is no harder that the one you just cast. As I mentioned before you merely need to do this."

 He waved his wand and said,

 "Riddikulus!"

 Nothing discernible happened.

 "Without a boggart in front of you of course the charm will do nothing but the spell is not the difficult part. It is in forcing yourself to find him amusing that is the awkward thing. The first time facing one is the hardest time so do not be worried if you do not succeed. Having dealt with one before I know what shape he is likely to take for me and how I can picture it in a funny light. As you do not know your greatest fear you will have to think quickly on your feet. Once you have seen what form he takes with you, you can of course plan what to do with him next time. 

 Boggarts like to hide in dark spaces so we will likely find him by opening cupboards. If you come across him first call me immediately then picture him in a humorous light and cast the spell.

 You should practice the enchantment before we head up to the trophy room so you don't need to think about the word and wand action at the time  though you will not see any result until you are before the boggart himself. When you are ready we can go but if you have any more questions I will be of course happy to answer them."

Mairead beamed.  Not only had her wand done something - Correction.  Not only had she made the wand do something but she'd gotten a question right!  An in-school-asked-by-a-professor-honest-to-goodness-it-counts question.  It wasn't during class but it'd do. 

While, on the heels of setting a fire in Herbology and the punishment dealt there, the fear of failure in front of the class had been overwhelming, Mairead had little hesitation about facing this boggart thing. 

She hoisted her wand and, riding on the confidence of her previous success, she mimicked the professor's gesture and said, "Riddikulus!"  She repeated the ritual several times before lowering her wand and nodding, decisively. 

"I'm ready.  Let's go!" she declared, perhaps a bit too eagerly.  This might have been intended to be a punishment but the unique combination of hunting down something frightful and turning it into something comical sounded more like an adventure.  And, now she was curious.  What would it turn into?  The entirely naively immature side of her was quick to declare there wasn't anything she was afraid of but she was also now highly curious. 

 “Excellent. Then we shall get on our way.”

 Theobald led the way to the Trophy Room, which they progressed to fairly swiftly despite the efforts of moving staircase to obstruct their path.

 Once they got there, he turned to Mairead,

 “He’ll be lurking in one of these cupboards. I’ll take the ones down this side of the room Miss ó Fearghail.”
 
 He pointed to his right.

 “You take the ones on that side. If you get in any bother just call me and I’ll be there in a second. Now let us begin.”

 The professor opened the first cupboard...dust, dust and more dust. He would have to speak to the caretaker about that. The second was no better...some sort of raunchy magazine of muggle origin. It had all the appearance of having being dumped there by a pupil about to be caught. He disintegrated it lazily and moved on. The third caught his attention. He thought he had heard a flicker of movement there after he had closed the second one. Yes this could well be the one.

 Theobald took a moment to prepare himself. Then he flung open the door. What he saw next was no surprise. It was what he usually saw with boggarts. Still it was never easy encountering it.

 The boggart assumed a familiar shape of a handsome young man who was almost immediately slain horrifically, his screams echoing around the room. It then became a pretty woman, whom the same thing occurred to, then an older couple who each in turn shared the same fate. It then assumed the form of Mairead’s classmate Laurissa who howled in agony for what seemed like minutes before her screams were likewise silenced. After Laurissa’s ‘death’ it became a slightly younger boy who bore a close resemblance to her.

 As the boy began to whimper in pain, a grim Theobald raised his wand and roared "Riddikulus!"

 The boy immediately stopped crying, his flesh fell away and took the form of a piano which his skeleton began playing a merry tune on.

 The professor turned to Mairead as the skeleton started taking up the song of ‘Goodnight My Sweetheart’,

 “As I said humour is how to defeat him. Do you want to give him a try? If so just step in front of me and wait for him to change. If you don't fancy it tonight we’ll bottle him up and get on our way and you can have a go with him later.”

Eagerly and enthusiastically, Mairead followed behind the professor, much of her previous distrust and uncertainty about the man having faded.  So far, Hogwarts punishments were seeming ... well ... almost enjoyable.   

Anticipation and uncertainty filled Mairead's head and she hesitated before tugging the first cupboard open.  The results were anticlimatic to say the least.  There was nothing but dusty old awards in the cupboard.  The anticipation built a little more when she turned towards the next cupboard but, again, she was faced with disappointment. 

So far, the only 'bother' were the far too frequent encounters with dusty, sticky spiderwebs.  "There's nothing here," Mairead said - complained, even.  "Maybe he-"

But before Mairead could fully speculate on the whereabouts of this booger, a sharp scream echoed through the room.  Mairead quickly turned towards the source of the sound and froze, just as the horrific injuries sliced across the young man.  Suddenly, without warning, the boy changed to a woman but, again, grave injuries were carved into her features.  Mairead stared, open mouthed as, one by one, a serious of people flashed into appearance and were brutally cut down.  The girl was the only one of the series of people Mairead recognized and Mairead couldn't resist recoiling slightly at the sight of the girl's grisly demise. 

Mairead's attention remained fixed on the scene even as the professor barked the incantation and the scene changed to a rather bizarre one. 

Doubt, uncertainty and, for the first time, a trace of fear lingered in Mairead's features as she, finally, wrenched her eyes from the piano-playing skeleton and stared at the professor.  "I -"  She hesitated.  Was that thing going to turn into something grisly in front of her?  Mairead was half-tempted to shake her head and refuse to confront the thing but, a combination of a stubborn refusal to admit defeat and the lingering morbid curiosity won out. 

"I'll try," she said, firmly for her own benefit as much as anyone else's.  Clutching her wand, tightly, Mairead stepped forward.  In one, single, swift motion, the skeleton rose from the piano bench and the piano melted, the flesh returning to the figure's form.  By the time the figure was upright, it had taken the form of a tall, uniformed officer of the Irish Garda.  The officer took a step towards them before the uniform, suddenly, became the a skirt-suit clad women with a Child Welfare and Protection Identification card clipped to the suit coat pocket. 

Mairead's eyes widened and she faltered, momentarily forgetting where she was and what she was doing.  Not unlike when she'd stood at the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class the previous day, Mairead was ready to bolt.