The weather didn't improve when they went down to the Quidditch pitch and they were soaked within minutes.

"All right," Angelina said. "I know it's not ideal weather, but we could well be facing Slytherin in this, so it's a good way to see how we can cope. Megan, what was it Hermione did to your goggles when we faced Hufflepuff in the same kind of mess?"

"Oh, yeah..."

She pulled them out and said:

"Impervius!"

"Right, all of you, do the same, it'll help visibility. Good. Let's go."

They stepped out into the rain, which had gotten worse in the short time they had been in the changing rooms.

"Okay. On my whistle..."

Megan kicked off, the wind pushing her slightly off course. But she could hardly see anything, and only managed to avoid the bludger they were using thanks to the Sloth Grip Roll (spinning over so you hung like a sloth). Angelina kept them working for an hour until she finally gave up and led a soaked, cold and tired team back into the changing rooms. They sat down and dried themselves off, and was just about to say something when her scar stung badly.

"Ow!" she gasped, slamming her hand onto it.

"What is it?" asked George.

"Oh, nothing..." she said, covering her eye with her hand. "Something in my eye..."

But a glance at Ron told him otherwise. And he hung back.

"What happened, was it your scar?" he asked when Alicia had gone.

Megan nodded, rubbing her forehead.

"But... he can't be here now, can he?"

"No, he's probably miles away... But it hurt because... he's angry."

Megan didn't know how she knew this, but it was clear somehow that it was true.

"... Was it the same with Umbridge?" Ron asked.

"... No. That time he was... happy, I think." Megan said, thinking back. "And the night before we came to Hogwarts... he was furious. Something he wanted wasn't happening fast enough..."

Ron gaped at her.

"You know what you're doing? You're reading his mind!"

"No, I'm not... more his mood, I suppose... I used to feel only his hate, and now... I guess I know when he's happy, too."

"You've got to tell someone."

"I told Sirius last time."

"Well, tell him again."

"I can't, can I? Not if Umbridge's watching the fires and owls."

"Dumbledore, then."

"He knows already." Megan said.

Ron sighed. They both knew that she was right.

"C'mon, I still need to practise Silencing Charms..."

"Okay..."

They fastened their cloaks and marched into the rain.

As they trudged through the rain, Megan thought hard. What did Voldemort want so badly? Finding her was easy enough, everyone knew she was at Hogwarts... and she seriously doubted he would be stupid enough to use the same plan as before. Pry her away somehow magically... Then Megan remembered what Sirius had said about Voldemort wanting a weapon he didn't have fourteen years ago. A weapon he could only get without being seen... she had been so preoccupied with Umbridge and the Ministry, she hadn't given it much thought... But now, it got her thinking: Voldemort's anger would make sense if he hadn't managed to get it, whatever it was. But if that was the case, where was it now? Who had it? She kept throwing these thoughts around in her mind and never got any nearer to an answer.

Harry was waiting, having planned to practise with Ron, in the common room when Megan and he arrived. They worked on their charms while Megan stared out the window, too wound up to think of going to bed like Hermione. Harry and Ron practised for about an hour, then decided to go to bed too.

"You okay, Megan?" Harry asked before leaving.

"Yeah... I'll be off in a minute..." she said, forcing a smile.

"Night, then." he said, and she doubted he was convinced.

"Yeah, night."

He went up the stairs and out of sight. Megan rested her head against the back of the chair she was sitting in. The memories of what Hermione had said about Sirius still trotted in her mind, along with how the Prophet would make her look even more unbalanced if they found out she knew what Voldemort was feeling. Heck, they might accuse her of working for him! But then... why did she feel what Voldemort did? Was it part of that connection between them on which Dumbledore had never bothered to elaborate? Was it better to be as confused as she was? Crookshanks hopped up onto her lap. She stroked him absently, the repetitive movement and purring feeling quite soothing.

Megan walked down the corridor, dark and dimly lit, the flames reflecting on the shiny tiles all around her. She had seen several times before, her surroundings didn't interest her. All she cared about was the door ahead. The door was there, just a few feet away from her. Megan headed towards it and tried to reach it. She could almost touch it... she stretched out her arm...

"Miss Potter!"

Megan opened her eyes with a start. In front of her, in the early morning light, was Dobby.

"... What the... Dobby?"

"Dobby has your owl, miss," he said.

Sure enough, on top of his head, on which was a wolly hat, was Megan's dear Hedwig. She hooted softly and looked perfectly healed.

"Thanks, Dobby!" she smiled.

She held out her arm. Hedwig fluttered over and landed on her forearm. She stroked her gently.

"She is very well and very friendly, miss!" Dobby smiled.

"Thanks, Dobby, I was worried about her. But how did you get her?"

"Dobby heard Megan Potter's owl was injured, and volunteered to bring her to Miss Potter when she would be healed."

"Great. Thanks, Dobby."

"Dobby is happy to see a smile on Miss Potter's pretty face!" he grinned, then turned serious, his ears dropping slightly, his eyes wide with concern. "She does not seem happy... Miss was muttering in her sleep... is Megan Potter having bad dreams?"

"... More frustrating than bad." Megan said. "I've had worse."

"Dobby would like to help, for Megan Potter set him free and he is happy."

"It's nice of you to offer, Dobby, but I don't thi-"

Then, it dawned upon her. Maybe he could tell her where the DA could practise!

"Dobby... d'you know, I think you can help me."

"Name it, Miss Potter."

"Would you know where thirty people could practice magic without being found by the teachers?"

"Oh, yes, miss, Dobby knows just the place! The room of Requirement!"

"The what?" Megan asked eagerly.

"It's a very special room, miss," Dobby said. "Because one can only enter when they have real need of it, you see?"

"So... say someone needed a bathroom, for instance... would they find it?"

She had remembered what Dumbledore had said at the Yule Ball.

"Yes, miss, Dobby imagines so, miss. Dobby has seen Mr Filch get new cleaning materials when he was out of them."

"That sounds great," Megan said happily. "Who knows about it?"

"Very few, miss. You see, most people never find it again once they've crossed it." Dobby said. "Dobby believes hardly anyone except Mr. Filch knows about it."

Megan contained her excitement.

"Can you tell me exactly where it is and how to get in?"