So,once again,time passed,and yet another DADA class arrived to kill us all.
Joy.

 
Pinky:Wands away.As we finished Chapter One last lesson, I would like you all to turn to page nineteen today and commence "Chapter Two, Common Defensive Theories and their Derivation". There will be no need to talk.
Me:*mutters*Elementary school 101,welcome back.

Hermione had her hand in the air again.

Pinky:What is it this time, Miss Granger?
Herms:I've already read Chapter Two.
Pinky:Well then, proceed to Chapter Three.
Herms:I've read that too. I've read the whole book.
Pinky:Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counter-jinxes in Chapter Fifteen.
Herms:He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named.He says "counter-jinx" is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable.But I disagree.
Pinky:You disagree?
Herms:Yes, I do.Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively.
Pinky:Oh, you do, do you?Well, I'm afraid it is Mr. Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger.
Herms:But-
Pinky;That is enough.Miss Granger, I am going to take five points from Gryffindor house.

There was an outbreak of muttering at this.

Harry:What for?
Herms:Don't you get involved!
Pinky:For disrupting my class with pointless interruptions.
Me:Oh really?Since when is having an opinion and disagreeing with other illegal?As far as I remember,this is a free country,not a dictatorship,so our points of view should't be disregarded,as members of the same society...unfortunately.
Pinky:I am here to teach you using a Ministry-approved method that does not include inviting students to give their opinions on matters about which they understand very little.
Me:In other words,you're here to throw a book at our heads,read it...and be paid for doing nothing.
Herms:Raven,don't!
Pinky:Five points from Slytherin.Your previous teachers in this subject may have allowed you more licence, but as none of them--with the possible exception of Professor Quirrell, who did at least appear to have restricted himself to age-appropriate subjects--would have passed a Ministry inspection--
Harry:Yeah, Quirrell was a great teacher,there was just that minor drawback of him having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head.
Pinky:I think another week's detentions would do you some good, Mr. Potter.
Me:I don't know which case is worse,Quirrell's two-faced problem,or Pinky's.
Pinky:Miss Black seems to wish for a seat next to Mr.Potter in detention.
Me:*shrugs*Sounds fair to me.

The cut on the back of my hand had barely healed and, by the following morning,and throughout the next week,it was bleeding again.
Can't complain though,huh?

#######

After the horrid lesson,Hermione pulled me aside,in an empty corridor,and started telling me about her brilliant idea.

Me:So...you want me to join the Anarchy against her?
Hermione:Well...somehow,yes.
Me:What do I have to do?
Hermione:Join our club,that we have yet to form,and...
Me:Sounds easy enough,but in a club,in order to teach the others,there must be at least 1 knowledgeable person.Hermione,I know you are one of them,but you are lacking in experience.And Harry is at the complete opposite spectrum of you.
Herms:I know...which is why i wanted to ask you to help us most.I know you have...experience...and that you study a lot...especially that area of expertise...
Me:I won't deny anything.I have collected tons of books of spells and have tried them out myself.Some...more or less dangerous than others.
Herms:That's brilliant anyways.So,will you agree?
Me:There's one problem,dear.
Herms:I don't see it?
Me:Who would want to be taught by the Slytherin Prefect?You know how the prejudices go and...I'm not the best seen,anyways.
Herms:It's among friends,I promise.It's not many of us,but in order to be able to pass our OWLs and defend ourselves in needed...and just broaden our boundries...
Me:*sighs*I shall comply.However...take care of me there.I'm under too much stress and preassure already.Even more,and I can just go off myself.
Herms:*looks*I understand...with th-that Mark and...her ...and everything...
Me:Things are out of control.Completely bonkers.Just like the Mad Hatter.But it's fine,little Alice.I'll get high like the Blue Caterpillar and start the teaching.
Herms:*giggles*Let's go meet the others.
Me:Where at?
Herms:Hog's Head.
Me:Great Honeymoon destination...
-
Inside,there were more people then I imagined,as I and Hermione entered last,having been awaited by the lot.

Harry and Ron,Neville,Dean, Lavender, Parvati and Padma, Cho and one of her usually-giggling girlfriends, then Luna Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, Colin and Dennis Creevey Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff girl, three Ravenclaw boys,Ginny, closely followed by a tall skinny blond boy,who is a member of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team and, Fred and George Weasley with their friend Lee Jordan.

Me:*raise an eyebrow*Just a few friends,huh?
Herms:Yes, well, the idea seemed quite popular.Ron, do you want to pull up some more chairs?
Me:So...what am I supposed to say?
Herms:I've told you, they just want to hear what you have to say
I'll speak to them first.
Me:Please do.
Neville:Hi,Raven!
Me:Hey,Neville~.
Herms:Well..um...hi.
Me:Chill,'Mione.You've got this.
Herms:Yes.Well ... erm ... well, you know why you're here. Erm ... well, Harry here had the idea..
-that it might be good if people who wanted to study Defence Against the Dark Arts--and I mean, really study it, you know, not the rubbish that Umbridge is doing with us-... because nobody could call that Defence Against the Dark Arts...Well, I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands.And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just in theory but doing the real spells--
Michael:You want to pass your Defence Against the Dark Arts OWL too, though, I bet?
Hrrms:Of course I do.But more than that, I want to be properly trained in defence because ... because ..because Lord Voldemort is back.

The reaction was immediate and predictable. Cho's friend shrieked and slopped Butterbeer down herself; Terry Boot gave a kind of involuntary twitch; Padma Patil shuddered, and Neville gave an odd yelp that he managed to turn into a cough. All of them, however, looked fixedly, even eagerly, at Harry.

Me:I don't get how you get scared of the name of the person you'ce never had to experience the malice of.
Herms:Well ... that's the plan, anyway.If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to--
Blond:Where's the proof You-Know-Who's back?
Herms:Well, Dumbledore believes it-
Blond:You mean, Dumbledore believes them.
Ron:Who are you?
Blond:Zacharias Smith.And I believe we have the right to know what makes them say You-Know-Who's back.
Me:Listen,dunderhead,whether you believe us or not,is up to you,I couldn't care less if you did.You can drop dead right here and I wouldn't even bother to report it.But the facts are facts,and some here actually give a damn about their education.Stay or not,I don't care.Now shut up,you're lowering the IQ of the whole Hogsmeade.
Harry:It's Okay,Raven.What makes me say You-Know-Who's back?I saw him.We both did.But Dumbledore told the whole school what happened last year, and if you didn't believe him, you won't believe me, and I'm not wasting an afternoon trying to convince anyone.
Zach:All Dumbledore told us last year was that Cedric Diggory got killed by You-Know-Who and that you brought Diggory's body back to Hogwarts. He didn't give us details, he didn't tell us exactly how Diggory got murdered, I think we'd all like to know--
Me:If you are insensitive enough to talk about Cedric's death in the presence of his then girlfriend,then I suggest you leave the room before I hex you to death.Hermione gathered us here to learn how to defend ourselves,not to *mocks* learn how Voldy kills people.
Harry:If you've come to hear exactly what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone I can't help you.
Herms:So...So ... like I was saying ... if you want to learn some defence, then we need to work out how we're going to do it, how often we're going to meet and where we're going to--
Susan:Is it true that you can produce a Patronus?
Harry:Yeah.
Susan:A corporeal Patronus?
Me:Mine is a wolf.His is a stag.
Harry:Er--you don't know Madam Bones, do you?
Susan:She's my auntie.I'm Susan Bones. She told me about your hearing. So--is it really true? You make a stag Patronus?
Harry:Yes.
Lee:Blimey, Harry!I never knew that!
Fred:Mum told Ron not to spread it around.She said you got enough attention as it was.
Harry:She's not wrong.

With that,I whipped out my wand,and  with a blank expression on my face,I sent the silvery mist,that soon turned into a majestic wolf,prowl around the room.
Might I say,all these idiots kept gawking at it in admiration.
Keh,they better.

The veiled witch sitting alone shifted very slightly in her seat.
It's something off about her,might I say...
However,I can't pinpoint exactly what.

Terry:And did you kill a Basilisk with that sword in Dumbledore's office?That's what one of the portraits on the wall told me when I was in there last year ..
Me:Those portraits better stop gossipping so much,or even this meeting will be found out as the daily morning drama for breakfast..

Justin Finch-Fletchley whistled; the Creevey brothers exchanged awestruck looks and Lavender Brown said 'Wow!' softly.

Neville:And in our first year,they saved that Philological Stone--
Herms:Philosopher's!
Neville:Yes, that--from You-Know-Who.
Cho:And not to mention,all the tasks they had to get through in the Triwizard Tournament last year--getting past dragons and merpeople and Acromantula and things ...
Me:No more arachnids,please.

There was a murmur of impressed agreement around the table.

Harry:Look,I ... I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be modest or anything, but ... I had a lot of help with all that stuff ...
Michael:Not with the dragon, you didn't,that was a seriously cool bit of flying ...
Harry:Yeah, well-
Susan:And nobody helped you get rid of those dementors this summer.
Harry:No,no, OK, I know I did bits of it without help, but the point I'm trying to make is...it was mostly luck.And I was never alone.
Me:I don't know about you,Potter,but I don't base my existence on sheer luck.I use my knowledge,wits and skills.Try that too,next time.
Herms:Yes, well,the point is, are we agreed we want to take lessons from Harry and Raven?
Them:*agree*.
Herms:Right.Well, then, the next question is how often we do it. I really don't think there's any point in meeting less than once a week--
Angelina:Hang on,we need to make sure this doesn't clash with our Quidditch practice.
Cho:No,nor with ours.
Zach:Nor ours.
Harry:Raven?
Me:Sorry,I dropped out.Had a bad feeling about this year so...yeah.
Herms:I'm sure we can find a night that suits everyone,but you know, this is rather important, we're talking about learning to defend ourselves against V-Voldemort's Death Eaters-
Ernie:Well said!Personally, I think this is really important, possibly more important than anything else we'll do this year, even with our OWLs coming up!I, personally, am at a loss to see why the Ministry has foisted such a useless teacher on us at this critical period. Obviously, they are in denial about the return of You-Know-Who, but to give us a teacher who is trying to actively prevent us from using defensive spells--
Herms:We think the reason Umbridge doesn't want us trained in Defence Against the Dark Arts,is that she's got some ... some mad idea that Dumbledore could use the students in the school as a kind of private army. She thinks he'd mobilise us against the Ministry.
Luna:Well, that makes sense. After all, Cornelius Fudge has got his own private army.
Harry:What?
Luna:Yes, he's got an army of Heliopaths.
Herms:No, he hasn't.
Luna:Yes, he has.
Neville:What are Heliopaths?
Luna:They're spirits of fire,great tall flaming creatures that gallop across the ground burning everything in front of--
Neville:They don't exist, Neville.
Luna:Oh, yes, they do!
Herms:I'm sorry, but where's the proof of that?
Luna:There are plenty of eye-witness accounts. Just because you're so narrow-minded you need to have everything shoved under your nose before you--
Me:ENOUGH!This is becoming ridiculous from both of you!I don't care if it's true or not.If it is,then let them scorch me to death,I wouldn't mind.But we need to end this meeting SUCCESSFULLY!
Ginny:*mocks Pinky*:Hem, hem
Me:That...gave me a heart attack.
Ginny:*chuckles*Weren't we trying to decide how often we're going to meet and have defence lessons?
Herms:Yes,yes, we were, you're right, Ginny.
Lee:Well, once a week sounds cool.
Angelina:As long as-
Herms:Yes, yes, we know about the Quidditch.Well, the other thing to decide is where we're going to meet ...
Me:Don't worry about that.The answer will come sooner than expected,in the most unexpected way.
Herms:Right, well, we'll try to find somewhere.We'll send a message round to everybody when we've got a time and a place for the first meeting.

She rummaged in her bag and produced parchment and a quill, then hesitated, rather as though she was steeling herself to say something.

Herms:I--I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. But I also think,that we all ought to agree not to shout about what we're doing. So if you sign, you're agreeing not to tell Umbridge or anybody else what we're up to.
Me:If she finds out,we can use the paper to cut our own throats.She's worse than good old Voldemort.I mean,did you see her fashion sense?

Fred reached out for the parchment and cheerfully wrote his signature, but several people looked less than happy at the prospect of putting their names on the lis.

Zach:Er ..well ... I'm sure Ernie will tell me when the meeting is.
Ernie:I--well, we are prefects.And if this list was found ... well, I mean to say ... you said yourself, if Umbridge finds out--
Harry:You just said this group was the most important thing you'd do this year.
Ernie:I-yes,yes, I do believe that, it's just-
Herms:Ernie, do you really think I'd leave that list lying around?
Ernie:No. No, of course not,I--yes, of course I'll sign.
Me:Don't worry about the details.We've got it all sort out.

Nobody raised objections after Ernie.
After we all signed,I nod at Hermione and left the place.

Deciding that I'd use a lazy day,I changed into my sleep wear and went to wash my face and brush my teeth once again.
However,the second I splattered water on my face and looked at the mirror,the flash image of a sleep deprived self,pulling at self's hair aggressively went before my eyes.
It startled me to no end,for it left,just as it came.
Barely unnoticed,but lingering in my mind,appearing and disappearing like lightning.

Okay,take a deep breathe.
Nothing bad has happened lately,right?
Oh,wait.
The detention.
Again.

I glanced at the damaged hand,and a jolt of pain suddenly electrified my whole body,especially on the hand and neck area.
Despair knows no wit,for it maddens the victim,leading me to punch the mirror as hard as possible,and clutch hard on two of its bloody shards.

That's it.
No more vision.
I can't see it anymore.
I can calm down and repair this.
Urgh,what a mess...
This needs to stop.

I went for the handle,to get my wand,when another vision flashed my sight,but this time,more gentle.
It was of dear Tom,once again,kissing the my cheek,with the same devious smirk.

What seemed peculiar,is that with each vision,the image stays longer,and appears more...spazzic.
Distorted.
Like it's trying to change to another one.
More gorey.
More self-destructive.

What kind of warning is this even?
It's not something Voldemort can do,for I'm too well-trained to let him just barge in my mind like this.
But...could it be...
My own unconscious self-destruction?

#######

  BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All student organisations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An organisation, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor

(Professor Umbridge).

No student organisation, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organisation,society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree

Number Twenty-four.

Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor

Oh.
Great.
That's exactly what I needed.

Draco:Huh.Wonder what made her make up this rule.
Me:Good question.
Draco:Probably just Potter being an idiot,as usual.At least there's one more teacher with common sense,who hates him.
Me:And me as well.
Draco:Well...you kind of asked for it.
Me:She begged mockery the second she decided to be a pink nightmare.
Draco:*chuckles*If you say so.At least it's not all that bad,right?Some lines?
Me:Yeah...piece of cake.
Draco:Thanks for the Seeker position,by the way.But are you sure you want to resign?
Me:My gut feeling is always right,dear Draco.One's got to do what one's got to do.That's how the saying goes,am I right?
Draco:Mayhaps so.
Me:Besides...I haven't been too successful either.I just put my House in a bad spotlight,always being second to...him.
Draco:No,no,no.Don't think of that.Nobody dares speak ill about you,especially not in my presence.I'm quite the influence,you see.
Me:I'm aware.Not difficult to notice.
Draco:Then don't put yourself down.You are one of the House prides.Act like one.Miss Prefect~.
Me:O-Oh,right,yes.I'm a Prefect.Pansy was the first to congratulate me.
Draco:Glad to know she's finally sane.
Me:She's not that bad,might I say.
Draco:*kisses me hand*My lady deserves the best.
Me:*flushes*Ah-...I...Th-Thanks,I guess...
Draco:*chuckles*At least pink suits you.

Kissing my cheek,he left me there,rooted on the spot,with my hand on the spot he kissed,and staring dead ahead.
Half of me thought it was sweet.
But the other half recalled a sudden and previous vision,similar to the scene that has just occured.

Me:Bloody hell...I'm a Seer,but I definitely didn't see that one coming...sheesh...

##

Potions class is the best delight of my day,for I feel in my own natural habitat between shimmering couldrons and various ingredients.
Arriving first,I quickly took my usual seat at the front of the class, pulled out parchment,a quill and my copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.
The class around was whispering about what Neville had just done, but when Snape closed the dungeon door with an echoing bang, everybody immediately fell silent.

Snape:*sneers*You will notice that we have a guest with us today.

He gestured towards the dim corner of the dungeon and  Umbridge was sitting there, clipboard on her knee.
Oh,sweet baby Lady Vashj,I've been so much in my own head with excitement for this lesson,that I missed her presence.And now,even poor Severus has to suffer her presence.

Snape:We are continuing with our Strengthening Solution today. You will find your mixtures as you left them last lesson; if correctly made they should have matured well over the weekend;instructions on the board. Carry on.

Umbridge spent the first half hour of the lesson making notes in her corner.
Then,she strode between two lines of desks towards Snape, who was bending over Dean Thomas's cauldron.

Pinky:Well, the class seem fairly advanced for their level.Though I would question whether it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus.
Me:*mutters*Don't you dare...

Snape straightened up slowly and turned to look at her.

Pinky:How ... how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?
Snape:Fourteen years.
Pinky:You applied first for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?
Snape:Yes.
Pinky:But you were unsuccessful?
Snape:Obviously.

Professor Umbridge scribbled on her clipboard.

Pinky:And you have applied regularly for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post since you first joined the school, I believe?
Snape:Yes.
Pinky:Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently refused to appoint you?
Snape:I suggest you ask him.
Pinky:Oh, I shall.
Snape:I suppose this is relevant?
Pinky:Oh yes,yes, the Ministry wants a thorough understanding of teachers'--er--backgrounds.

As she said that,I felt the quill I was holding snap in my grip,which made several heads turn their way towards me...including hers.

Pinky:Ah,Miss Black,once again.
Me:Um...that's me indeed.
Pinky:Since you are the Prefect from Professor Snape's House,I'm going to ask you some question regarding the class.
Me:Right.
Pinky:Tell me,Miss Black,why do you think Professor Snape has been denied the post of the DADA teacher?
Me:I don't believe I am qualified enough to know the answer myself.It is you who kept saying that unqualified people shouldn't speak.
Pinky:*eye twitch*However,I am asking for an opinion,not a certified answer.
Me:Weren't you the one saying the opinions don't matter?I believe the topic of discussion occurred quite recently,too.
Pinky:Miss Black,I merely asked you a question,and I expect a legitimate answer.
Me:Are you saying that I'm allowed to say...anything on this matter?My...true,humble,honest and unnecessary opinion?
Pinky:Yes,Miss Black,I want to hear it today.
Me:Today is at 11:59pm as well,so if you'd let me walk around at such hour to-
Pinky:BLACK!
Me:Yes?
Pinky:Yes,Ma'am!
Me:Oh,you flatter me,but there's no need to call me Ma'am,professor.
Pinky:*red with fury*I'll ask one more time,Black,and if I don't hear an answer-
Me:Detention again?
Pinky:Continue this way,and you can be expelled for destruptive behaviour.
Me:Okay.
Pinky:And your answer.
Me:*exasperated sigh*You want to know my answer?Fine.As you know,in 5 years we've had 5 different DADA teachers,more or less competent.However,there's only ONE true Potions Master,and that is Professor Snape.Can't imagine our Headmaster would like to replace Professor Snape from his rightful post of Potions,when that is where his true potential shines.As for the DADA post...any desperate,unknowledgeable  individual can get that post.Quite like you.
Pinky:*fuming*Very well,Black.Detention for one more month.*leaves*.
Me:Well,wasn't that refreshing.
Snape:10 points to Slytherin.
Ron:*chuckles*.
Me:*hits the back of his head*Shut up
Snape:*hits the back of his head*No amusement in my class.

At the end of the class,Snape told me to stay behind.
Guilt took over me,so I hung my head down,as I leaned on the desk in front of his own desk.

Snape:Are you out of your mind?
Me:Don't hate me,please.Do anything,but please don't hate me.That'd be the worst.
Snape:*sighs*You're more troublesome than I imagined.
Me:I-I couldn't stop myself.I know,I was reckless and stupid,but  I was fully aware of my actions.
Snape:Why?
Me:Why...?...Because you're the only person,despite everything,who truly cared about me...and remembered I exist on this planet as more than just a waste of space.You looked after me and took care of me,even if I was pretty much a stranger to you...and I just...felt...the need to do it too...at least once...
Snape:I appreciate the thoughts,but I am a grown adult who can take care of himself.I don't need your assistance.
Me:I can't stop caring about you,Severus.We are more alike than you know.I know how it is to be bullied and...I couldn't stand the idea of you being treated that way...
Snape:Next time,care for yourself as well.I'm doing better than you in that regard,so don't worry.
Me:It's in our nature.We share the same Zodiac Sign,Severus.Remember that,when you think about the reason behind my actions.
Snape:Nevertheless...Your witty remarks are gold.
Me:*winks*Learnt from the best.

#########

Soon,we had to go to our first Group meeting place,which,as Harry says (being told by Dobby recently) is the Room of Requirement.

As we made sure to check the Marauder's Map for any threats and made our way to the Floor in cause,and wished for the room to appear and aid our needs.
And it did.

The walls were lined with wooden bookcases and instead of chairs the re were large silk cushions on the floor. A set of shelves at the far end of the room carried a range of instruments such as Sneakoscopes, Secrecy Sensors and a large, cracked Foe-Glass.

Ron:These will be good when we're practising Stunning!
Herms:And just look at these books!A Compendium of Common Curses and their Counter-Actions ... The Dark Arts Outsmarted ... Self-Defensive Spellwork ... wow ...Harry, this is wonderful, there's everything we need here!

And without further ado she slid Jinxes for the Jinxed from its shelf, sank on to the nearest cushion and began to read,and I got a Dark Arts book,taking a seat next to her.

There was a gentle knock on the door. Harry looked round. Ginny, Neville, Lavender, Parvati and Dean had arrived.

Dean:Whoa.What is this place?

Harry began to explain, but before he had finished more people had arrived and he had to start all over again. By the time eight o'clock arrived, every cushion was occupied. He moved across to the door and turned the key protruding from the lock; it clicked in a satisfyingly loud way and everybody fell silent, looking at him. Hermione carefully marked her page of Jinxes for the Jinxed and set the book aside.

Harry:Well,This is the place we've found for practice sessions, and you've--er--obviously found it OK.
Cho:It's fantastic!
Fred:It's bizarre.We once hid from Filch in here, remember, George? But it was just a broom cupboard then.
Dean:Hey, what's this stuff?
Harry:Dark detectors.Basically they all show when Dark wizards or enemies are around, but you don't want to rely on them too much, they can be fooled...Well, I've been thinking about the sort of stuff we ought to do first and--er--What, Hermione?
Herms:I think we ought to elect a leader.
Cho:Harry's leader.
Herms:*looks at me?Yes, but I think we ought to vote on it properly.It makes it formal and it gives him authority.
Me:I'm fine with it.
Herms:*nods?So--everyone who thinks Harry ought to be our leader?

Everybody put up their hand.

Herms:Er--right, thanks.And--what,Hermione?
Herms:I also think we ought to have a name.It would promote a feeling of team spirit and unity, don't you think?
Angelina:Can we be the Anti-Umbridge League?
Fred:Or the Ministry of Magic are Morons Group?
Me:Maybe something more...neutral.
Herms:I was thinking,more of a name that didn't tell everyone what we were up to, so we can refer to it safely outside meetings.
Cho:The Defence Association?The DA for short, so nobody knows what we're talking about?
Ginny:Yeah, the DA's good.Only let's make it stand for Dumbledore's Army, because that's the Ministry's worst fear, isn't it?

There was a good deal of appreciative murmuring and laughter at this.

Herms:All in favour of the DA?That's a majority--motion passed!

She pinned the piece of parchment with all of their signatures on it on to the wall and wrote across the top in large letters:

DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY

Harry:Right,shall we get practising then? I was thinking, the first thing we should do is Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm. I know it's pretty basic but I've found it really useful--
Zach:Oh, please,I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You-Know-Who, do you?
Harry:I've used it against him.It saved my life in June.
Me:Not only that though.Priori Incantatem...
Harry:But if you think it's beneath you, you can leave.Fine.I reckon we should all divide into pairs and practise.

We all paired up,and I stayed with Hermione,awaiting further instructions.

Harry:Right--on the count of three, then--one, two, three.

The room was suddenly full of shouts of Expelliarmus.

Me:Well done,Hermione.
Herms:Thank you.
Me:However,most of these guys missed the aim of it.It's supposed to disarm them,not...jump.
Herms:Thank you for doing this.I appreciate it.
Me:Any time...

After some time,though...

Harry:Okay,stop!Stop. STOP!That wasn't bad,but there's definite room for improvement.Let's try again.

He moved off around the room to correct others.
What can I say,this is boring so far,but whatever...charity work and Karma.
After this practice hours,we decided to meet up next Wednesday.

###

Herms:You see the numerals around the edge of the coins?On real Galleons that's just a serial number referring to the goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting. The coins will grow hot when the date changes, so if you're carrying them in a pocket you'll be able to feel them. We take one each, and when Harry sets the date of the next meeting he'll change the numbers on his coin, and because I've put a Protean Charm on them, they'll all change to mimic his.Thanks for the idea,Raven.
Me:*shrugs*Well--I thought it was a good idea.I mean, even if Umbridge asked us to turn out our pockets, there's nothing fishy about carrying a Galleon, is there?
Terry:You can do a Protean Charm?
Herms:Yes,we both can.
Terry:But that's ... that's NEWT standard, that is.
Me:And?Big deal.It's easy.
Terry:How come you're not in Ravenclaw?With brains like yours?
Herms:Well, the Sorting Hat did seriously consider putting us in Ravenclaw during our Sorting,right?
Me:Mhhhyeaaah... but it decided on our current Houses in the end.
Herms: So, does that mean we're using the Galleons?

There was a murmur of assent and everybody moved forwards to collect one from the basket.

Harry:You know what these remind me of?
Me:The Mark.I know.
Herms:Well ... yes,she came up with the idea ... but you'll notice I decided to engrave the date on bits of metal rather than on our members' skin.
Harry:Yeah ... I prefer your way.
Me:*rubbing my arm*I suppose the only danger with these is that we might accidentally spend them.
Ron:Fat chance.I haven't got any real Galleons to confuse it with.

####

Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring,
That's why Slytherins all sing:
Weasley is our King.
Weasley was born in a bin
He always lets the Quaffle in
Weasley will make sure we win
Weasley is our King.

Draco wrote this hymn for the Slytherins to chant during the match against Gryffindor,when he found out Ron was elected the new Keeper.
Well,it's very creative,might I say...it's trouble.

##
Potter caught the Snitch,nothing surprising,which made Draco and the others mad.
And Crabbe,as the new Beater,whacked the Bludger at Harry the moment he saw him catch the Snitch.
I went down the pitch to congratulate the team,and Draco,on his great performance,as the new seeker,but he merely scoffed and went with the team to the Gryffindor team, white-faced with fury,and sneering.

Draco:Saved Weasley's neck, haven't you?I've never seen a worse Keeper ... but then he was born in a bin ... did you like my lyrics, Potter?
Me:Draco,please don't.

Harry didn't answer. He turned away to meet the rest of the team who were now landing one by one, yelling and punching the air in triumph; all except Ron, who had dismounted from his broom over by the goalposts and seemed to be making his way slowly back to the changing rooms alone.

Draco:We wanted to write another couple of verses!But we couldn't find rhymes for fat and ugly--we wanted to sing about his mother, see--
Angelina:Talk about sour grapes.
Draco:--we couldn't fit in useless loser either--for his father, you know--
Me:Don't pick up fights like this!
Draco:You're not my mother,Black.You can't control me.
Me:I wasn't trying to!I just don't want you hurt or something.
Draco:*scoffs*As if they can hurt me.

Fred and George had realised what Malfoy was talking about. Halfway through shaking Harry's hand, they stiffened, looking round at Malfoy.

Angelina:Leave it!Leave it, Fred, let him yell, he's just sore he lost, the jumped-up little--
Draco:-but you like the Weasleys, don't you, Potter?Spend holidays there and everything, don't you? Can't see how you stand the stink, but I suppose when you've been dragged up by Muggles, even the Weasleys' hovel smells Okay-

I kept trying in vain to stop Draco,who kept ignoring me and pushing me aside.Harry grabbed hold of George. Meanwhile, it was taking the combined efforts of Angelina, Alicia and Katie to stop Fred leaping on Malfoy, who was laughing openly. Harry looked around for Madam Hooch, but she was still berating Crabbe for his illegal Bludger attack.

Draco:Or perhaps,you can remember what your mother's house stank like, Potter, and Weasley's pigsty reminds you of it--

I was so upset about this,that I didn't realise slapping Draco,until the whole pitch went quiet.
He stared at me in shock and hurt,but at the same time,Harry and George were sprinting towards the blond...and all teachers were watching. He had completely forgotten that all the teachers were watching.Harry merely drew back the fist clutching the Snitch and sank it as hard as he could into Malfoy's stomach-

Angelina:Harry! HARRY! GEORGE! NO!

He could hear girls' voices screaming, Malfoy yelling, George swearing, a whistle blowing and the bellowing of the crowd around him, but none of them cared,until I used a spell to know them all backwards.

Me:Really,guys?I know you hate Draco and he had it coming,but using such a barbaric,muggle way of harming?You're despicable!
Hooch:What do you think you're doing?

Malfoy was curled up on the ground, whimpering and moaning, his nose bloody,and I sat down near him,put his head on my lap,and proceeded to fix his nose with a simple yet effective spell,called Episkey.
George was sporting a swollen lip; Fred was still being forcibly restrained by the three Chasers, and Crabbe was cackling in the background.

Hooch:I've never seen behaviour like it--back up to the castle, both of you, and straight to your Head of House's office! Go! Now.
--
Snape scolded Draco a lot,which made him glare at me.
However,he praised my healing spell skills,which I'm happy about.
I'm glad that at least he let us off easily.
At the Common Room though,being alone,he could release his rage in peace.
At me.
By shouting.

Draco:So now you made up with Potter and diss me?
Me:When did I diss you?I just told you not to get into trouble.
Draco:You slapped me.
Me:Because you insulted-
Draco:POTTER'S mother,not yours!
Me:My mother was best friends with his mother!They technically lived in the same place for a long time!
Draco:It's not like I care about her either,y'know?Cause she's dead?
Me:I noticed that some years ago...
Draco:I don't even get why I started pitying you.Why did I think you were different?
Me:I..well...I know I'm nothing important,but...
Draco:Saint Black...always stealing the spotlight...
Me:*flinch*Draco,please,be reasonable,I don't want the attention!
Draco:Oh really?Is that why you keep shit talking Umbridge and getting detentions?
Me:I don't want detentions!Especially not with her!She's evil!Horrible!

At the mention of that,he kept making his way towards me,intimidating,until  my back touched the wall,and I couldn't escape his wrath.

Draco:Why,because she doesn't agree with you?
Me:*lip quiver*N-No...that's n-not it...
Draco:Right,cause all this time you haven't tried to change me.
Me:I did not!I just want us to be friends!Please,Draco,I apologize for offending you!
Draco:Prove that you're not doing it for attention.All you know is cry and whine.Just like Potter.I hate you!

I looked down,with a sniff,biting my lip and feeling tears making their way down my cheek,as I slowly lifted my hand,and made my hand reveal the encraved words from my hand.

I am a traitor.

When he saw that,he gasped and gingerly took my hand into his grasp.

Draco:How...?
Me:Umbridge's detention have more...depth...in their lines...
Draco:Why didn't you tell anyone?
Me:Snape knows...
Draco:You must get this healed before-
Me:I can't.she thinks nobody knows.Plus,it's going to be worse if I heal it and carve into it again...for this whole month.
Draco:You can't go.I'll talk to her to at least let off some of your detention.She likes me,maybe I can-
Me:Don't bother...it won't work...
Draco:I-...
Me:Do you still...hate me now?

He looked at me with a guilty expression,then took me in his arms,and craddled me protectively,stroking my hair soothingly.

Draco:I could never hate you.Not you.Out of all the people,never you.
Me:I don't want to lose you.
Draco:You won't.

####

Hagrid has finally returned,and with this,his examination by Umbridge.
What did he bring us?
Thestrals.
Because that's an incredible idea.

A pair of blank, white, shining eyes were growing larger through the gloom and a moment later the dragonish face, neck and then skeletal body of a great, black, winged horse emerged from the darkness. It surveyed the class for a few seconds, swishing its long black tail, then bowed its head and began to tear flesh from the dead cow with its pointed fangs.

Most of the people can't see it.
They have not witnessed death yet.

Most of the rest of the class were wearing expressions as confused and nervously expectant. There were only three other people who seemed to be able to see them:Harry, a stringy Slytherin boy standing just behind Goyle, watching the horse eating with an expression of great distaste on his face; and Neville, whose eyes were following the swishing progress of the long black tail.

Hagrid:Now ... put yer hands up, who can see 'em?Yeah ... yeah, I knew you'd be able ter, Raven,Harry,.An' you too, Neville, eh? An'--
Draco:Excuse me,but what exactly are we supposed to be seeing?

For an answer, Hagrid pointed at the cow carcass on the ground. The whole class stared at it for a few seconds, then several people gasped and Parvati squealed.Bits of flesh stripping themselves away from the bones and vanishing into thin air had to look very odd indeed.

Parvati:What's doing it?What's eating it?
Me:Thestrals
Hagrid:Hogwarts has got a whole herd of 'em in here. Now, who knows --?
Me:Only people who have seen death.
Hagrid:Tha's exactly right,ten points ter Slytherin. Now, Thestrals--

Hem, hem.

Fuck.

Professor Umbridge had arrived. She was standing a few feet away from Harry, wearing her green hat and cloak again, her clipboard at the ready. Hagrid. who had never heard Umbridge's fake cough before, was gazing in some concern at the closest Thestral, evidently under the impression that it had made the sound.

Hem, hem.

Hagrid:Oh, hello!
Pinky:You received the note I sent to your cabin this morning?Telling you that I would be inspecting your lesson?
Hagrid:Oh, yeah.Glad yeh found the place all righ'! Well, as you can see-- or, I dunno--can you? We're doin' Thestrals today--
Pinky:I'm sorry?What did you say?
Hagrid:Er--Thestrals!Big--er--winged horses, yeh know!

He flapped his gigantic arms hopefully. Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows at him and muttered as she made a note on her clipboard: 'Has ... to ... resort ... to ... crude ... sign ... language.'

Hagrid:Well ... anyway ...erm ... what was I sayin?

'Appears ... to ... have ... poor ... short ... term ... memory,' muttered Umbridge, loudly enough for everyone to hear her.

Hagrid:Oh, yeah.Yeah, I was gonna tell yeh how come we got a herd. Yeah, so, we started off with a male an' five females. This one,' he patted the first horse to have appeared, 'name o' Tenebrus, he's my special favourite, firs' one born here in the Forest--
Pinky:Are you aware,that the Ministry of Magic has classified Thestrals as "dangerous"?
Hagrid:Thestrals aren' dangerous! All righ', they might take a bite outta yeh if yeh really annoy them --

'Shows ... signs ... of... pleasure ... at ... idea ... of... violence,' muttered Umbridge, scribbling on her clipboard again.

Hagrid:No--come on!I mean, a dog'll bite if yeh bait it, won' it--but Thestrals have jus' got a bad reputation because o' the death thing--people used ter think they were bad omens, didn' they? Jus' didn' understand, did they?
Pinky:Please continue teaching as usual. I am going to walk,and ask them questions.
Herms:*mutters*You hag, you evil hag!I know what you're doing, you awiul, twisted, vicious--
me:*holds her hand*Shh...it's okay...it's how it is...
Hagrid:Erm ... anyway,so --Thestrals. Yeah. Well, there's loads o' good stuff abou' them ...
Pinky:Do you find that you are able to understand Professor Hagrid when he talks?
Pansy:*chuckles*No ... because ... well ... it sounds ... like grunting a lot of the time ...'

Umbridge scribbled on her clipboard. The few unbruised bits of Hagrid's face flushed, but he tried to act as though he had not heard Pansy's answer.

Hagrid:Er ... yeah ... good stuff abou' Thestrals. Well, once they're tamed, like this lot, yeh'll never be lost again. 'Mazin' sense o' direction, jus' tell 'em where yeh want ter go--
Draco:Assuming they can understand you, of course.
me:Stop distrupting the class.It's unethical.
Pinky:The same could be said about you too,Miss Black.
me:Indeed.
Pinky:You can see the Thestrals, Longbottom, can you?
me:This is highly insensitive and unsensible of you!
Pinky:Who did you see die?
Neville:My ... my grandad.
Pinky:And what do you think of them?
Neville:Erm...Well, they're ... er ... OK ...
Pinky:Students ... are ... too ... intimidated ... to ... admit ... they ... are ... frightened.
me:Well MAYBE if you'd stop misinterpreting their words-
Neville:No!No, I'm not scared of them!
Pinky:It's quite all rightWell, Hagrid,I think I've got enough to be getting along with. You will receive the results of your inspection in ten days' time.Miss Black,detention for distrupting the class again.
me:WHAT NOW?!
Pinky:And for shouting.

I was left jaw dropped as she left the place with a poison smile on her face.
I was devastated once again.
Draco tried to take my hand and comfort me,but I yanked it from his grasp and stormed back to the castle.

I want to kill this bitch ASAP.
Stabby Stabby.