A/N ~ the amount of guilt I feel rn for taking so damn long to update💀 Oh well, here we are. Happy late Valentines, btw x

TW: blood, descriptive detention scene.

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It had been barely an hour, but Y/N could hardly feel the back of her right hand anymore.

It felt as though a hot metal rod was pressing against her skin, as the words 'I must not tell lies' appeared on the red skin for the hundredth time.

She took in a shaky breath and looked to her side to see Harry practically murdering Umbridge with his glare.

"That's enough for now," the toad-like lady finally said, after what seemed like hours.

Y/N let out a quiet sigh and she and Harry dropped their quills, not meeting each other's eyes.

Y/N looked down at her stinging hand. The cut had healed, but her skin was red raw.

"Hand, Miss Scamander," Umbridge beckoned.

Y/N slowly extended her right hand and Umbridge took it in her own.

Umbridge smiled triumphantly and pressed one of her stubby fingers onto the red area of Y/N's skin.

Y/N took in a sharp breath, as the stinging spread painfully from the pressure of Umbridge's finger.

"Don't touch her!" Harry roared, but Umbridge had already let go of Y/N's hand.

"Tut, tut," she said, smiling sweetly. "I don't seem to have made much of an impression yet. We'll try again tomorrow evening. You may go."

Y/N and Harry stood up immediately and left her office without another word.

They walked down the corridor quietly for a while, until Harry was sure Umbridge would not hear him, he stopped walking abruptly and gently grabbed Y/N's wrist.

"Harry-"

"I'm going to kill her," Harry said in a low voice, examining the back of Y/N's hand.

"I'd rather you not," Y/N grinned, as Harry stared at her hand. "her spirit might call you a liar again,"

"Not funny, Y/N," Harry muttered, finally letting go of her hand.

"Let me see yours," Y/N said, ignoring him. She took his hand in hers, not waiting for an answer.

Harry's looked slightly better than hers, with a barely recognisable red tint on the back of his hand.

Y/N then looked up at him and their eyes met.

She slowly placed her hand around the left side of his neck, not breaking her gaze from his eyes.

Finally, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a comforting hug.

Harry closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist, tucking her closer to him.

"I'm sorry, Niff," he said quietly, his voice breaking half way.

Truth was, he didn't know what exactly he was sorry for, because he had dragged her in so much trouble since they've met. Even so, it felt like the right thing to apologise to her.

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Wednesday went by, with the professors slowly piling up a good amount of homework for all of them.

Harry was glad to see Y/N's mood brighten up when Professor Grubbly-Plank pulled out a bunch of baby Bowtruckle during their Care of Magical Creatures class.

"My grandpa has one in America," Y/N told the professor excitedly, as she extended her hands for the Bowtruckles to hop on. "He's almost seventy years old- the Bowtruckle, I mean. His name's Pickett."

"Of course," Professor Grubbly-Plank chuckled. "your grandfather is well-known to the world of Care of Magical Creatures."

Dinner, however, didn't do them so well- or mostly for Harry, at least.

Angelina tracked him down and learned that he wasn't able to attend the Friday tryouts, told him she wasn't at all impressed by his attitude, before storming off again.

"I'm in detention!" Harry shouted after her, before growling in annoyance and turning back to his friends. "Does she really think I'd rather sit in that salmon-flushed room instead of playing Quidditch?"

"At least it's just lines," Hermione gave him and Y/N a weak smile. "it's not that dreadful of a punishment."

Y/N and Harry swapped quick glances, but didn't say anything further.

"We have so much homework already," Ron complained, breaking the silence.

"Well, why didn't you do any of it last night?" Hermione asked swiftly with a frown.

"I was- fancied a walk..." Ron muttered.

Y/N stared at him suspiciously, as he continued with his meal, his ears tinting red. She had the distinct impression that she and Harry weren't the only ones hiding something.

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Their second detention was no better than the first- in fact, it was a lot worse.

Y/N wanted to scream out in pain as she felt the back of her hand slash open again. It was like rubbing salt on a wound.

Harry was forced to watch her cut her hand open for the first ten minutes, gritting his teeth and breathing heavily.

Thursday, though, was the worst.

The words 'I must not tell lies' were eventually permanently carved into the back of their hands.

As Y/N started writing, blood was trickling down her wrist, causing a bug bloody mess on her parchment.

Y/N hated every inch of herself, when she felt a tear of pain and anger roll down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away, angry at herself for showing weakness in front of Umbridge.

But her hand was stinging horribly. She couldn't continue anymore. Please, don't let her continue.

"Continue, Miss Scamander," Umbridge said, when she spotted that Y/N had stopped her writing.

For the rest of the detention, Y/N's eyes were blurred and she was starting to feel light-headed from all the excruciating pain.

They were finally allowed to return to their common room, a little past ten, with their hands gashed.

When they finally reached the Gryffindor common room, Harry immediately sat Y/N down at one of the velvet sofas and took her hand in his.

Before he could speak, however, the two froze, as another person had entered the common room right after them.

"Y/N? Harry?" Ron exclaimed, stopping in his tracks abruptly.

Y/N's head shot up, and in the middle of the room, she saw her tall redhead friend standing still, with his new broom over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Y/N and Ron asked each other at the same time.

"Nothing!" Ron replied quickly.

Y/N looked at him up and down with raised eyebrows, forgetting about her hand for a moment- his trousers were muddy and his flaming red hair was pointing in different directions.

"C'mon, you can tell us, Ron," Harry frowned at him.

"If- if you must know," Ron stuttered out. "I was hiding from Fred and George... they were with some first years, testing their joke products, you know-"

"No point lying, mate," Harry said grimly. Ron had always been terrible at lying.

"Fine," Ron sighed, coming around to sit on the armchair next to Y/N and Harry. "OK, but you've got to promise to not laugh-"

"Oh, stop the blabbering," Y/N grinned.

"Alright, alright!" Ron looked down at his feet nervously. "I'm trying out for Gryffindor Keeper tomorrow."

Y/N and Harry stared at Ron blankly.

"You can laugh now." Ron added quietly.

"We're not laughing, Ron," Y/N said with a smile. "That's brilliant!"

"Yeah, it'd be awesome if you were on our team," said Harry, grinning eagerly.

Ron looked up at them and smiled brightly.

"You think?"

"Of course," Y/N and Harry chorused, chuckling slightly.

"Thanks," said Ron, his ears turning red, as Y/N and Harry swapped delighted looks. "Hang on- hey, what's that, on-... that's... is that- is that blood on your hand?"

Y/N's hand had been twitching the whole time, but she'd forgotten about it for a moment there. Ron was now staring at them in horror.

"Oh, it's nothing-"

But Ron had already gotten up and snatched Y/N's wrist to his eye level.

His eyes fell on the bloody letters on the back of her hand and his eyes grew wide.

"No..." Ron managed to breathe out.

"It's not what you think-"

"That old hag!" Ron bellowed, looking at both Y/N and Harry unbelievably. "She's sick! Tell McGonagall- hell, tell Dumbledore! She can't-"

"Dumbledore wouldn't care," Harry said bitterly. "he can't even look at me in the eye."

"Are you mad?" Ron roared, pointing at Y/N's hand heatedly. "You're going to let Umbitch get away with this?"

"Um-what?" Y/N managed to let out a laugh, which turned into a hiss of pain, when she accidentally swiped her hand on her leg. "Ouch!"

"Mate, you should stay out of this-"

"I think the bloody hell not, Harry," Ron spat, glaring at Harry. "not when my two (pretty) best friends are getting their hand cut open every evening."

"Tomorrow's going to be the last," Y/N said weakly, the pain on her hand growing more and more every second.

"I don't c-"

"Go to sleep, Ron," Harry said firmly. "just go. You've been practicing for hours. Get some rest."

"I don't need rest-"

"Yeah, you do," Y/N said loudly, interrupting the redhead again. "tryouts tomorrow, remember? Good night, Ron."

Ron opened his mouth and closed it several times, but Y/N and Harry were determined to shoo him off.

"This isn't over," Ron grunted, standing up and swinging his Cleansweep Seven over his shoulder. "And I will tell Hermione about this. Good night."

Y/N and Harry waved at him, as he stormed off, up to the boy's dormitory.

"It- it stings so bloody bad," Y/N gasped out, once she was sure Ron had closed the dormitory door behind him. Her right hand was shaking uncontrollably.

Her circulatory system must be drastically different from Harry's, since his wound was merely thin red letters, but hers was still bleeding uncontrollably.

"Accio," Harry magicked a napkin from across the room and carefully wrapped it around Y/N's hand.

Y/N winced and groaned in pain, cursing under her breath.

"Sorry-! sorry," Harry whispered.

"Whatever, it's f- ouch!"

"That old hag," Harry mumbled, his blood boiling dangerously as he wrapped up Y/N's hand irritatingly. "I promise I'll find a healing spell for you tomorrow. If not, I'll nick a healing potion from Snape's-"

"Don't bother," Y/N said quickly, pulling her wrapped hand away from Harry's.

"You can't stop me," Harry said stubbornly.

"it- it doesn't hurt that bad," Y/N muttered, looking away from him, even though the napkin on her hand was now stained with blood.

"You just said that it was stinging," Harry said grimly with a frown. "it's alright to accept help sometimes, you know?"

"Look who's talking," Y/N scoffed. "the amount of times I've told you to tell Dumbledore about your scar-"

"It's different!" Harry exclaimed, making Y/N roll her eyes. "It's... different. You don't understand."

"As much as I would like to correct you, I'm not going to argue with you today, Harry." Y/N snarled loudly.

There was a moment of silence, as they stared at each other intensely.

But Y/N didn't see any annoyance or anger in Harry's eyes- instead, they were sparkling with care and... crave.

Harry gulped, as he continued eyeball her. Y/N could swear his eye flashed down at her lips, before he quickly brought them back to her eyes.

"Look, I know your scar's hurting and Voldemort's getting to you," Y/N started with a sigh, "you don't realize it, Harry, but sometimes you look at me like you want to murder me- and your eyes would flash red- and I know you're having those dreams again. But the anger you're feeling is not yours, alright?"

There was a short pause, as Harry continued to gaze at Y/N blankly.

"What?" Y/N demanded.

"You're right." Harry replied bluntly, taking a quick step closer to her. "The anger I'm feeling isn't mine... but- this feeling surely is,"

"What feeling?" Y/N laughed, but immediately stopped when Harry suddenly leaned into her.

He grabbed her chin and tilted her head up, and before she could say anything, he silenced her with his lips on hers.

Y/N knew... she would never get used to the excitement she felt from his touch- Harry's touch.

She froze in her spot in shock for a few breaths, as Harry moved his lips slowly and passionately, nibbling her bottom lip slightly, with his hand now cupping the side of her face.

Y/N felt as though she was melting on her spot. She finally came to her senses and slowly kissed him back, letting him caress her jaw with his fingers. Shivers shot down her spine as she felt a teasing flick of his tongue graze her bottom lip.

After long minutes, to Y/N's slight disappointment, Harry finally pulled away, but his hand was still locked with her jaw.

"You're bracelet's blinding me," he explained quietly, looking down at the bright pink light from Y/N's wrist.

"You gave this to me as a trick, didn't you?" Y/N grinned.

"Maybe," Harry replied, a smile spreading on his face.

Y/N felt his thumb press on her bottom lip, before he slowly swiped it downwards teasingly, grinning down at her awed face. Y/N's mind spun crazily.

Butterflies. Thousands of them.

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It finally came down to Friday, the last day of their detention with Umbridge.

A few nice things about that evening were that they didn't have any homework, and Ron had successfully made in to the Gryffindor team.

"I did it, Harry, Y/N! I made it into the team!" said the redhead excitedly, when Y/N and Harry entered the common room that evening.

Ron was with the Gryffindor Quidditch team, in his dirty clothes, his face was stretched with excitement and happiness.

"I knew it! Congrats, Ron!" Y/N tried her best to ignore the excruciating pain from her hand and gave Ron a hug.

"Well done, mate," Harry beamed, thumping Ron on the back.

"You'll be getting your Quidditch robes next week, Ron," said Angelina Johnson, beaming pleasantly.

"Thank, Angelina- c'mon," Ron led Y/N and Harry to the other side of the room, away from the team members and Fred and George, who were already gathering with a bunch of first years.

Umbridge had let Y/N and Harry out from detention earlier than other days, so the Gryffindor common room was still quite busy at that time.

Hermione had passed out on the armchair by the fireplace, with a mug of butterbeer swinging dangerously from her hand.

"She's been knitting for the past three hours," Ron explained with a sigh. "she was glad when I told her I made the team, though."

The three stalked across the room and sat on the couches surrounding Hermione.

"So... how was detention with Umbitch?" Ron asked, his voice dropping.

Harry showed him the back of his hand. Ron flinched at the sight- but when Y/N extended her right hand, he let out a yell of horror.

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed.

The carved letters on Y/N's skin was bright red, with a tone of purple surrounding the wound.

"Did Hermione find anything for it?" Y/N asked weakly.

"Y-yes, this- I don't know what it is," Ron stuttered in panic, pushing two bowls of thick yellowish liquid towards Y/N and Harry.

"Essence of Murtlap- thank Godric," Y/N quickly grabbed the bowl and dipped her entire hand into the liquid.

The stinging pain on her hand was immediately doubled down, as the Essence of Murtlap touched it.

Harry frowned at it curiously, before following her actions and sighing in relief.

"My mother used to heal my wounds with this stuff," Y/N said, after a short pause.

She smiled at the mention of her childhood.

When she was little, after a long day of playing outside with Rolf, she would get cuts from the tall and sharp grass and her mother would heal the wounds with her bottle of Essence of Murtlap.

"Oh... you're back." Y/N turned to see Hermione stretching in her seat, awake and aware. "is the Murtlap helping?"

"Yes. Thank you, Hermy." Y/N smiled, as Hermione sat up properly.

"Let me see your wound, Y/N," Hermione beckoned, extended her hands.

Y/N hesitated for a moment, she didn't want to leave the Essence of Murtlap just yet, but she slowly emerged her hand from the bowl and Hermione took it in hers.

She stared at Y/N's hand for a moment and made a face like she had swallowed a lemon.

"That woman is sick. Evil." she said quietly, letting go of Y/N's hand gently. "Harry, let me see yours,"

She examined Harry's and made the same twisted face.

"Look, I need to tell you all something," Harry said weakly, as Hermione let his hand go. "when.... when Umbridge touched my arm, I- my scar... burned. Like how it burned when I saw him, last year."

"What?" His three friends exclaimed.

"Why didn't you tell me this right away?" Y/N fussed in concern. Harry opened his mouth to answer, but she cut him off, "Doesn't matter. what do you think it means?"

"It could be Quirrell all over again," Ron suggested.

"I don't know, Harry," Hermione said carefully. "Maybe it was just a coincidence. I mean- your scar's been hurting quite often, lately."

"Could be," Harry shrugged.

"You've got to tell Dumbledore about this, mate." said Ron seriously.

"How many times do I have to tell you- Dumbledore doesn't give a single damn about me, right now." Harry rolled his eyes.

Every time the headmaster walked past him, he would look straight ahead, even when Harry called after him.

"Alright, that's it." Ron started, shaking his head. "Bad guys appearing, arse Defence teacher, petty headmaster- we've got to do something about this."

"I agree with Ron," Hermione declared. "being able to defend ourselves... I mean- this is much more important than homework!"

Y/N, Harry and Ron goggled at her.

"I didn't think there was anything in this universe more important than homework!" said Ron dramatically.

"Don't be silly," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You're the silly one here!" Ron snorted. "Tell me, Hermione Granger, what's more important than homework?"

"I despise you sometimes, Ronald." Hermione said cooly with her nose in the air.

"Snog in five... four... three...-"

"Oh, shut it, Y/N." Ron muttered, his ears turning bright red. Harry and Y/N burst into laughter.

"The point is," Hermione continued, her face as pink as her knitted hats. "our O.W.L.s are coming up- but also, our future is coming up. We need to learn how to defend ourselves from You-Know-Who's side."

"Great. Who's gonna teach us then?" asked Y/N.

"I dunno... but we need a proper teacher." Hermione said thoughtfully, "someone who will teach us spells and correct us when we're doing something wrong."

"If you mean Remus..." Y/N began.

"No, no, I'm not talking about Lupin," Hermione said quickly. "I know he's busy."

"Who, then?" Harry asked, frowning at her.

Hermione heaved a very deep sigh.

"Isn't it obvious?" she scoffed. "I'm talking about you, Harry."

There was a long pause. Ron and Y/N turned to each other and a grin slowly crept onto their faces.

"That's not a bad idea, actually," said Y/N brightly, the yellow gem on her bracelet flickering.

"What's not a bad idea?" Harry asked her.

"You teaching us!" Y/N and Ron exclaimed.

Harry was the one smiling, now.

"That's funny... I'm not a teacher."

"You know Defence better than any of us, Harold," Y/N laughed. "remember the Philosopher's Stone? Tom Riddle? The dementors? What about the sodding Triwizard Tournament?"

"You know I had help, Niff," Harry said, as his three friends grinned at each other knowingly, slowly breaking into sniggers. "First and second year were complete coincidences- third year, you know it was the time turner that helped us. Fourth year,- STOP LAUGHING!"

But the three continued to shake their heads and swap smirks with each other.

"We know you had help, Harry," Hermione said, still grinning, as Y/N and Ron laughed. "But talent and practice are also required. You can't deny that."

"But-"

"Think about it, will you?" Hermione asked weakly.

"You don't-"

"Please, Harry." Hermione's voice was determined.

"Fine! I'll think about it," Harry said bitterly, glaring at the laughing Ron and Y/N.

"Great." Hermione finally stood up, and Ron and Y/N stopped laughing. "I'm off to bed. Coming, Y/N?"

"Sure, i'll deal with the Murtlap first, you go." Y/N grinned.

Hermione gathered her knitted hat and school bag and disappeared up the stairs.

"Coming, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Murtlap. You go." said Harry, gesturing to his hand and wooden bowl. Ron narrowed his eyes at them like always.

"I'm starting to think Murtlap is a codename for something else-"

"I'll follow you up there in a few minutes, Ron," Harry said quickly, his face turning pink.

Ron gave them one last look before turning on his heel and marching up the stairs to the boy's dormitory.

"It isn't a codename for something else, right?" Harry asked Y/N quietly.

"No!" Y/N exclaimed, laughing to herself. "C'mon, give me your hand. I'll wrap it up nicely-"

"Take your time... take all the time." Harry said with a bright grin.

Y/N looked up and gave him a look. Harry chuckled and pulled his hand from the bowl of Murtlap.

Y/N picked up her wand with her left hand, before magicking Harry's hand clean.

"Shouldn't bandage it- it can get irritated." she explained, examining Harry's hand. "I'm afraid it might leave a permanent scar. You already have one to deal with."

"It's not that bad- here, let me do yours." Harry said.

Not waiting for another word, he grabbed Y/N's hand gently and pulled out his wand, before casting the cleaning charm. "There."

Harry stared at Y/N's hand for a moment. The letters on her hand were clearly deeper than his.

The redness had gone down thanks to the Murtlap, but the dark purple words remained.

Harry traced his thumb along her knuckles gently, as he stared at her wound, speechless.

"Harry, it isn't that horrible." Y/N lied, pulling her hand away from him. Harry remained silent, as he cursed himself, mentally.

This was all because of him- because he couldn't control his temper. Sometimes, he was convinced Y/N's life would've been so much brighter, without him.

"Can you come sleep with me, tonight?" he asked her quietly.

Their eyes met and the familiar feeling of warmth rushed inside them.

"Of course," Y/N replied, grinning brightly. Harry felt his stomach do a backflip. "I'll go tell Hermione and change into my bedclothes first."

"Wait- really?" Harry's eyes lit up. "Finally! Thanks, Niff," Harry leaned in and kissed her on the cheek eagerly, ruffling her hair.

"Alright, give me ten minutes." Y/N grinned, feeling her face burn from all the smiling. "I'll meet you up there."

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The first few weeks back at Hogwarts past by as slow as ever.

Fred and George were right. Fifth year was the most stressing and difficult year, with all the homework and the teachers, always nagging them and reminding them of the life-changing examination.

Y/N barely had time to write to Tonks or Remus.

According to Tonks, she was trying to 'talk' to him about her feelings- but Remus being Remus, he pushed her away. He didn't want to put his loved ones in danger.

They hadn't heard from Sirius either, because it was just too risky for them to exchange letters.

Although, Y/N had a feeling Harry was secretly sending coded messages to Sirius somehow.

Y/N felt miserable and slightly worried that St Mungo's didn't allow anyone to visit her father at that moment.

And she didn't want to bother her grandfather, who was busy working in America- again.

Uncle Jacob, Aunty Queenie and her grandmother's names would appear on the Prophet once in a while, which was enough for Y/N to know that they were also busy with Ministry work.

Busy, busy, busy, was what everyone was, these days.

Y/N didn't mind all that too much, though.

The thing she was most worried about was Pansy Pug-face Parkinson.

Why was she always looking at Harry like that? She was shoving her flirtatious looks down his throat and batting her eyelashes like there was something irritating in her eye.

Why can't Snape rearrange their Potions partners already?

Malfoy became annoying and horrid again. Y/N was pleased he was avoiding the topic of blood status, but apart from that, he, like Pansy, clearly had an issue with Y/N and Harry.

Lucky enough, Harry could tell Pansy was purposely trying to get Y/N jealous.

The only things Harry looked forward to were spending time with his girlfriend and friends, Quidditch, laughing with Y/N by the common room fireplace, and humming Y/N to sleep.

They found that- once they've started, they both couldn't sleep so well without each other.

And so, they didn't.

On September 30th, Y/N woke up to the feeling of coziness and warmth.

She was about to shoot out of bed, but found that her waist locked in a pair of arms- Harry's arms.

She chuckled to herself and placed her hands on his, feeling her wounded hand stretch with numbness.

Even so, she felt floaty and safe in his embrace- with butterflies still lingering around, and his soft breath on the back of her neck-

"What're you giggling about?" Came Harry's quiet and sleepy voice, making Y/N jump noticeably.

"You're awake?" she questioned. She rolled to her left to face him and smiled.

The dormitory was empty and bright. It was always empty when they woke up.

Seamus avoided Harry at all cost, Neville was an early bird, and Ron couldn't handle seeing Y/N with Harry on the same bed.

Harry's eyes were squinting from the morning sun and his hair was scrambled up.

"So what were you chuckling for?" Harry asked, grinning at her teasingly, his hand moving slowly along her back.

"Nothing in particular," replied Y/N, rolling her eyes at him playfully.

"If you say so," Harry whispered, admiring her tired eyes and messy hair. "G'morning, by the way."

The two quickly got up and changed, gathering their school supplies and books for the day.

"I've got Divinations, first class," Harry groaned, as he waited for Y/N by the dormitory door.

"I've got Runes." said Y/N, approaching him by the door.

"Pity..." Harry shrugged. He wrapped one of his free arms around Y/N's waist and pulled her close to him, crashing his lips onto hers.

Y/N raised her eyebrows in surprise- their morning kissed were always just a peck on the cheek- but she kissed him back gladly.

"Alright-" Y/N pulled away after a moment, smiling widely up at him. "we're going to miss breakfast, Harry-" Harry dove down for another kiss, "-hey, what's got you-?" and another, "Harry, enough!"

"Bracelet says otherwise," Harry shrugged, smirking down at the familiar pink light from Y/N's chain bracelet.

"You brought me this for a reason, didn't you?"

"Of course- it was your birthday, wasn't it?"

"Merlin, I'm not doing this today... let's go."

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"What do you mean Umbitch was made High Inquisitor?" Y/N exclaimed, and was immediately hushed by Hermione.

"She'll hear you!" the muggle-born fretted, looking around the buzzing Great Hall.

It was announced all over the place- in the Daily Prophet, on all the noticeboards, posters, and was announced through the radio. Dolores Umbridge was Hogwarts' High Inquisitor.

"It means that she has the rights to inspect all the professors and make the rules for the school- she's basically in Dumbledore's position, now."

"No!" Ron and Harry groaned.

"The Ministry's got the whole school in their hands," Hermione continued, "you know, the faster we get a proper Defence teacher, the better." she gave Harry a knowing look.

"You're not going to drop it, aren't you?" Harry demanded.

"Harry, this is important, you know?" Hermione continued,

"I know it is- you've been shoving it down my throat for the past month," Harry grunted, buttering his toast bummly.

"Think about it- this could save lives, Harry," Hermione didn't seem to want to drop the subject. "Please? Will you teach us?"

"It'd do us lots of benefits, Harry," Y/N added, earning a thankful smile from Hermione.

"What do you say? Will you teach us?" Ron asked eagerly.

"Just you three, right?"

"Well," said Hermione loudly, looking down at her plate. "I was thinking- of- asking some other students around too, you know? I mean they all are being- quote in quote- taught by Umbridge. So it would be nice if they had the chance to-"

"Fine, i'll do it." Harry said bluntly, making Hermione's face light up. "Only 'cause no one wants to be taught by me- I'm a total nutter, remember?"

"People will surprise you," Hermione shrugged, but was grinning in delight. "Thank you, Harry. I'll start asking people around-"

"-but not too many people- we don't want Umbridge knowing," said Y/N cautiously.

"Yes, of course," said Hermione, "should the first meet-up be on the next Hogsmeade trip?"

"Why should we wait for the trip?" Ron asked curiously.

"So we can be nice and far away from the twisted toad-lady."

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The morning of the Hogsmeade trip dawned bright but windy.

After breakfast, the Quartet and hundreds of other students queued up in front of Filch, who took all of their permission slips.

They reached the cozy village fifteen minutes before eleven, and walked along the main street.

Hogsmeade was drastically different, without all the heavy layers of snow on the roof of the shops.

They visited Zonko's joke shop, saw Fred and George getting advice from the shop owner, and walked all the way to the back of the village to a small bar called Hog'a Head.

The bar wasn't at all the same as the Three Broomsticks, with not more than a dozen wizards in the bar, and only two bartenders:

An old wizard with long hair and a long grey beard and a young man, presumably the old man's son, with ash brown hair and dark eyes.

"What can I get for you lot?" asked the young wizard.

"Oh, just three bottles of butterbeer, please," Hermione replied politely.

The Quartet found a quiet corner in the back of the bar, with a row of empty deserted tables, as the bartender threw them three bottles of butterbeer.

"You sure it's safe here?" Y/N asked Hermione cautiously,

"Sure it is." Hermione said seriously. "I mean- it's safer than The Three Broomsticks, isn't it?"

"I s'pose," Y/N shrugged quietly, landing on a seat next to Harry.

"So... how many people are we expecting, to be here?" Harry asked Hermione anxiously.

"Oh, just a couple of people..."

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"A couple of people?" said Harry to Hermione hoarsely, "A couple of people?"

There sure were... people. Exactly thirty of them.

Hannah Abbott had came in first with Y/N's Ravenclaw cousin, Anthony Goldstein, Lavender came with Parvati and Padma, then came Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinet, Luna with a beaming Rolf by her side,

"My sister's starting a gang," Rolf sang, as he entered the bar.

"Hello, Y/N," Luna waved at Y/N dreamily, who smiled and waved back brightly.

Then, came Susan Bones and Terry Boot, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe, Michael Corner with Ginny, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Neville, Ernie McMillan, Dean Thomas, Zacharias Smith, and finally, Fred, Lee and George.

"Um... hi." Hermione said nervously, once everyone had settled down. "So w-we all know why we're here... we need a teacher- a proper teacher."

"Why?" sassed Zacharias Smith, a tall blonde Hufflepuff.

"Why?" Y/N scoffed, making every pair of eyes fall on her. "Because Voldemort's back, you tosspot."

Several people flinched at the name, but Zach continued,

"That's what your boyfriend says," he spat, "the point is- where's the proof?"

"Look, Smith," Y/N snarled, glaring at the boy. "this isn't exactly what this meeting is about."

"Why're you even here? I don't even bloody know who you are," Ron said bitterly.

"You can get up and leave, no one's stopping you." Rolf chimed in, earning sniggers towards Zach. But he remained seated in his spot.

"Back to why we're here," Hermione continued grimly, "I'm sure we all want to pass our O.W.L.s, but the important thing is to actually learn how to defend ourselves- with Harry's help."

"Hermione..." Harry gritted his teeth.

"And so," Hermione continued loudly, ignoring Harry. "we should arrange a time and place for us to practice-"

"Is it true you can produce a Patronus charm?" Luna asked Harry dreamily. The room fell silent for a moment.

"Yes," Y/N replied with a smile. "I've seen it."

"You can, too," Rolf added.

There were loud mutters of impress, as people raised their eyebrows.

The Creevey brothers looked at each other excitedly.

"And he'd fought off the Basilisk with a sword, in his second year," said Ginny,

"Along with about three dozen dementors, in his third year," Ron added with a proud grin.

"Last year, he also defeated You-Know-Who, in the flesh." Hermione said with her nose in the air.

There was a beat of silence, as everyone looked at Harry in amazement and awe.

"Look, this sound great and all," Harry finally spoke up, as he started to feel uncomfortable with all the stares. "but it was mostly luck."

"Then why are we even here?" Zacharias taunted.

"Because actually being out there, isn't like school, Smith," Harry answered calmly. "you don't get a second chance, once you choose that spell you're going to use against that death eater. You don't know what it's like when you're an inch from death."

There was another long and silent pause.

"He's really back?" squeaked Dennis Creevey.

"Yes, he is." Harry replied. "And he was the one who murdered Cedric Diggory. It wasn't some accident, like the Ministry says it was."

Y/N saw Cho look down at her feet gloomily, and felt a rush of sympathy towards her.

"So... is everyone still interested in joining?" Hermione asked slowly.

Everyone nodded.

"Good..." Hermione beamed gladly. "So first, we need to come up with a name for our organization. Ideas?"

"I suggest Anti-Umbitch," Ron called, making everyone snigger, but Hermione quickly threw him a look.

"What about DA?" Cho suggested. "Short for Defence A-"

"Dumbledore's Army?" Fred laughed.

"Wait- I like that one." Hermione clicked her fingers.

"What?" Fred asked, looking bewildered.

"Dumbledore's Army. DA for short." said Hermione. Most people were nodding with her. "So are we agreeing with that name?"

There were murmurs of agreement.

"Great, then." Hermione sighed happily, pulling out a long piece of parchment.

"What's that for?" Ernie asked curiously.

"Oh, I just think it would be better if we all signed this," Hermione explained, placing the piece of parchment onto one of the wooden tables.

"Oh- that's... thoughtful." Anthony Goldstein laughed weakly, but his eyes were saying otherwise.

"It's to make you wouldn't snitch on us all," said Y/N, helping Hermione out. "why the long face, cousin?"

"I... I dunno..." Anthony's face turned pink. "we're prefects- and if the list goes out-"

"I'm a prefect," Padma Patil said boldly, straightening herself. "so are Ron, Hermione and Hannah. I'll sign first, if you wont."

Padma stood up and came forwards, taking the quill from a beaming Hermione and signed her name on the parchment.

"Thank you," Y/N flashed the Ravenclaw girl a quick smile.

After Padma, everyone else including Zach and Ernie stood up from their seats and formed a line to sign their names.

"Thank you- so much, guys." Hermione grinned around, rubbing her hands together in delight. "I'll let you all know right away about the time and location."

"It better not interfere with our Quidditch practices," Angelina huffed. "the first match is coming soon."

"Yeah, or ours," Cho chimed in.

"No worries," Hermione said quickly. "I'm sure we'll find a time where everyone is free."

When the last person signed their name on the piece of parchment, everyone started to talk to each other normally again.

"Well, time's ticking on," said George briskily, checking his watch. "Fred, Lee and I have some more Zonko's products to purchase. Catch you all later,"

In twos and threes, the rest of the group took their leave, too. When everyone was out of the bar, the Quartet followed them out of Hog's Head, out into the bright afternoon sunlight.

"Well, I think that went very well," said Hermione happily, as the four walked down the main street, towards the busy Honeyduke's sweet shop.

"That Zacharias bloke's a wart," Ron grunted, glowing red in the sunlight.

"I second that," Y/N huffed, "but he overheard Hermione invited Hannah and got all nosy. I mean- Micheal Conner only came because he's been going out with Ginny-"

"He what?" Ron exclaimed, abruptly stopping in his steps, making Hermione crash into him. "When? What- what?"

"Not like it's your business," Hermione said grimly, "but they've been going out since the Yule Ball."

"Well, he's a wart, too," said Ron heatedly, his face burning scarlet. "never liked him."

"Enough about Ginny," Hermione shook her head, grinning at Harry. "do you want a biscuit, Harry?"

"What d'you mean?" Harry asked quickly. Y/N turned to him to see the boy blush furiously.

"You've been eye-snogging Y/N for the past whole hour," Hermione replied with a smirk. "If someone looked at me the way you do at her, I would be the luckiest girl in the world."

Y/N bit down her bottom lip to contain her very obvious thrilling smile.

Ron smirked at her desperate attempt, making her walk ahead of the group quickly to hide her grin.

Hermione and Ron sniggered at Harry.

"You just can't keep your eyes off her, could you?" Hermione gave her friend a small smile.

"Well, I'd like to see you try," Harry muttered grumpily under his breath, more to himself than anyone else...

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A/N ~ Be honest- how many time skip symbols have y'all named?💀

Anyway, to make up the slow update, here's a little game to entertain u all ig...

What house are u in? (I'm a Gryffindor that loves all houses, we cool👊)

Favourite HP character? (Mine r Lupin and Luna)

Favourite fandom apart from HP? (Mine are Brooklyn-99, Stranger Things, Anne With an E)

Favourite HP ship? (Romione, Deamus, Marauders era Wolfstar, and Remadora, for me)

HP fanfic recommendations? (Check out my reading list for immaculate stories :)

I'll stop now jxnsksk- Happy Wednesday<3

-ScribblingQuills