Work Text:
As a general rule, Peter doesn’t attend the kids’ lessons. He had, at first, before they knew who and what he was, when Peter had been scared of his own shadow and terrified of letting them out of his sight. Eventually, there had been too many close calls, requests for volunteer pets to test a new potion or spell and Peter had, slowly, relaxed.
It didn’t help that Harry— all three kids, really, but especially him— were equal parts fiercely independent and grossly overprotective.
And now, with Remus in the castle…
There had been trust between them, once. They hadn’t been much older than the kids were, which seems so dreadfully young now, but there had been trust.
Peter pushes back memories of writing on scraps of paper, of soft hands, quiet whispers. He focuses his attention onto the boy in front of him, putting a hand on Harry’s shoulder.
“It’s true a boggart is a risk, yes—” especially for a first lesson, really, what was Remus thinking?— “Perhaps dangerous, or perhaps preparing you for the danger he knows you’ll someday face. You did the right thing by not jumping into the action and revealing a fear you weren’t confident in. If you don’t visualize your fear first, a boggart can pick from any of the anxieties floating around in that brain of yours.”
“Like Voldemort, or the dementors.” Or the Dursleys, he doesn’t say, but it’s plain on his face.
“Exactly. I do think you should have practice against one, if nothing else than because it’s likely to end up on an exam sooner or later.” Peter grimaces. “And while you might hate to admit it, I really don’t want you to be caught unawares by one.”
Harry shakes his head, pale and a touch frantic.
“Take some time,” Peter adds, wrapping him in a gentle hug. “Decide what you want to face, what you want to float to the top of your mind when you come across one. What truly frightens you that doesn’t let you lose sight of the world.”
“And that other people can see,” mutters Harry into his shoulder.
Peter pulls away enough to give him a curious look.
Harry looks at him sheepishly. “Well… I can’t exactly let everyone see you get arrested or something, can I?”
“No—” says Peter, thinking there must be a rather large piece of dust in his eye. “No you can’t.”