TWENTY THREE

RORY WAS AN ENTIRELY NEW PERSON entering seventh year. In just a few months she'd gotten a boyfriend, a dad, and a shiny badge that said Head Girl. However, she'd lost a friend. Going back to school was harder than she expected. Sure, it was great no longer being cooped up in Grimmauld Place, but sitting where she once sat with Cedric, looking over in class to make a joke and realizing he wasn't there was hard on her.

And then there was Umbridge. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor who decided to teach them anything but defending themselves. They weren't even allowed to use their wands. The worst part about her, though, was the fact that she force fed them all the narrative that You-Know-Who wasn't back and Cedric's death was an accident. It made Rory's blood boil. It was a disgrace to his memory.

She found herself ranting about Umbridge to the tree planted for Cedric's memory in the courtyard. Rory didn't want to risk losing Head Girl over snapping in class. So, she took it out on a damn tree. It was a bit pathetic. She had had another bad day, Umbridge nearly made her cry and Fred got detention for being caught with a prototype for their shop in class... so as October entered the air, she needed to get things out before it got too cold to sit by Cedric's tree for hours.

"Ya know Cedric," she sighed, "I don't think being Head Girl is worth it, not if I can't lash out at my teachers. Of course you'd probably get mad at me if I got in trouble over you. We're only a month into school and I'm honestly looking forward to getting out of here, which I'd never thought I'd say. I love school, that's why I want to come back... to teach. But, I dunno. The atmosphere is just off this year. It's really not the same without you. Quidditch practice is really rough, although I think we have a good shot of beating Slytherin. You know, we always said they were never that good. Today was a bad day. I've been having a lot of those as of late. Fred got detention, it always makes me anxious when they get in trouble. It was fun when we were kids, but it's different now, ya know?"

The tree remained silent. She shut her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. She knew what she needed to do. She needed to write to her father. The girl held off any mention of Umbridge to him in their letters because she knew Andrew would probably march down to Hogwarts himself to give her a piece of his mind. And although Rory would have loved to see that, she couldn't risk it. Umbridge held a scary amount of power at Hogwarts.

The girl said her goodbyes to the tree and headed back to the common room. Fred would hopefully be back from his detention when she arrived and she could spend some time with him, since it was a Friday night. Usually, they spent their Friday nights by the fireplace just enjoying each other's company. It worked out the past few weeks that they got some alone time when everyone else went up to bed. That was always... fun.

Rory spoke the password to the Fat Lady portrait and walked into the common room, immediately searching for Fred. She saw him, sitting in their usual spot, in an armchair next to the fire. She smiled and came up behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders

"Hello, love," he said softly as she turned to face him, "What've you been up to?" Immediately she noticed something was off. He didn't seem as cheerful. Although, perhaps he was just tired from detention.

She sat in his lap, her legs swung over the side of the chair and began playing with his hair, "Oh just in the courtyard... you know." She didn't want to say talking to Cedric, because that sounded insane, but Fred understood, he always did. He smiled and nodded, then gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"So what was your detention?" she asked, "Are you alright?"

Fred shrugged, "She made me do lines."

"Well that's not too bad, I mean - what's that on your hand?" Rory noticed his right hand had become very red and was bleeding. She took it lightly and saw cuts in the shape of the words "I must pay attention in class". She gasped and covered her mouth with her other hand.

"She had a... a special quill. It doesn't hurt too bad, really." He said as Rory's eyes swelled with tears.

"You have to tell Dumbledore!" She said, throwing her arms around him in a hug.

The boy shook his head, "Its no use, he won't do anything. Just, drop it. I'll be fine."

Fred Weasley was stubborn. He always had been. Rory knew she wasn't going to get anywhere with the situation, so she decided to change the conversation, but made a mental note to add Umbridge's disciplinary tactics in the letter to her father.

Their friends soon joined them by the fire and they began planning their Hogsmeade shenanigans for the next day. However, as they were mid-way through discussing when to grab butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks... Hermione joined them.

"Hey..." she said slowly, "So you know how Umbridge isn't really doing a good job of teaching us?"

They nodded.

"Well —" Hermione continued, "I won't give away too much but, if you're interested in learning some proper Defense Against the Dark Arts, then come to Hog's Head tomorrow around noon. We're sort of forming a... club. Are you guys interested?"

"Absolutely!" Lee beamed.

"We'll definitely be there," Rory said with excitement.

Hermione nodded, "Brilliant! Well... see you there." With that, she left the group of seventh years by the fire.

"Guess we've got to cut our trip to Zonko's a bit short," George sighed.

Rory kicked her legs back over the armchair and stood up, causing Fred to pout slightly.

"Where are you going?" He asked, a twinge of sadness in his eyes.

Rory smiled softly at his neediness, "I'm going to write to Andrew. I'll be back, don't worry."

The girl went over to a small desk in the corner and got out ink, a quill and parchment.

Dad,

I know I've been saying things are fine, but that was a lie. Sorry. Head Girl duties aren't bad. It's a bit fun roaming the corridors at night and actually being allowed to. Quidditch is a bit stressful, I'm excited for you to come to the match next month though. What's really been weighing on me is the new DADA teacher... she works for the Ministry and is telling us Cedric's death was accidental... on top of that she won't even let us use magic in class! That's not even the worst bit though. Fred got detention with her. She's got a special quill that seems to cut words you write into your skin. So now Freddie has "I must pay attention in class" etched on his hand. I know Dumbledore isn't going to do anything, and I don't expect you to. I just needed to tell you. There might be hope on the horizon, but I'll update you about that in my next letter. Stay safe and tell Remus and the others I said hi!

Rory

[][][][][]

"D'YOU KNOW IF IT'S COLD OUT?" Rory asked, sifting through her drawers to pick out an outfit for Hogsmeade.

"It's not bad," Angelina shrugged, "Probably the last nice day we'll have in a bit."

Rory nodded and dressed accordingly. She decided a denim skirt with one of Fred's jumpers seemed like the way to go. The boy seemed to agree, and he smiled widely when she joined him at breakfast.

"Looking beautiful as always," he winked and gently placed a hand on her thigh as she sat next to him. She smiled, thanked him, and ate her breakfast of jam and toast.

"So Zonko's first and then... Hog's Head?" George said, lowering his voice a bit.

Fred and Rory nodded as the others joined them at the breakfast table.

"I should invite Aaron," Rory said.

"His first Hogsmeade trip ever and you want him spending it in a dingy old pub?" Fred joked.

Rory sighed, "Might as well ask." She got up and found her brother sitting with his fellow Hufflepuffs.

"Aaron!" She beamed, the boy turned around and smiled, "Can we talk?"

He nodded and got up, Rory went to a corner of the Hall where no one could hear her.

"Before I start... how're you? Have you been writing to Dad?" She asked.

"I've been alright, and yeah a couple times. I think I want to stay with you guys for Christmas but... I don't think Mum would like that." He said.

"Well remember, do what you want. Don't let her dictate your life, alright?" She said, "What I came here to ask was... at Hogsmeade today, a few Gryffindors and probably others are meeting up and discussing forming a club of sorts to teach ourselves Defense Against the Dark Arts. If you want to go, it's in Hog's Head at noon."

Aaron smiled, "Sounds wicked! Yeah, I'll be there! Thanks for telling me."

"Of course!" Rory said, happy she had succeeded, "I'll probably be in Zonko's for a bit beforehand if you want to meet me there, incase you get lost or something."

He nodded and both of them walked back to their friends. Rory sat back down next to Fred with a smile.

[][][][][]

THE HOG'S HEAD SEEMED TO light up as nearly thirty eager Hogwarts students entered. Rory had entered with Aaron, Marina, Angelina, Lee, and the twins, but were certainly not the only ones there. Many faces Rory did not recognize, some she did. Kirsty Blaine, a Scottish sixth year who Rory was convinced had Veela in her blood came in with the McDowell twins. Cleo and Zane were the sixth year Gryffindor prefects... Rory would be terrified to get in trouble by them and she held more authority than they did. Students from other houses joined them as well. Mostly kids in Harry' year but, there was still lots of representation throughout the pub.

After Fred bought her a butterbeer, everyone settled into chairs and eagerly awaited Harry to speak. He didn't though. Instead, Hermione began.

"Er," said Hermione, her voice slightly higher than usual. "Well — er — hi."

"Well... erm... well, you know why you're here. Erm... well, Harry here had the idea — I mean" — Harry gave her a sharp look — "I had the idea — that it might be good if people who wanted to study Defense 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 Defense Against the Dark Arts  —  well, I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands." She paused, looked sideways at Harry, and went on, "And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just theory but the real spells —"

"You want to pass your Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. too though, I bet?" said Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw.

"And our N.E.W.Ts!" Nodded Marina.

"Of course I do," said Hermione. "But I want more than that, I want to be properly trained in Defense because... because..." She took a deep breath, "Because Lord Voldemort's back."

Rory shut her eyes and quickly grabbed the closest thing to her, Fred's hand. Others gasped, nearly spilling their butterbeers, and some shrieked. 

"Well... that's the plan anyway," said Hermione. "If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to —"

"Where's the proof You-Know-Who's back?" said a blonde Hufflepuff boy Rory quickly knew to be Zacharias Smith.

"Well, Dumbledore believes it —" Hermione began.

"You mean, Dumbledore believes him," he said, nodding at Harry.

"Who are you?" Ron said in a short tone.

"Zacharias Smith," said the boy, "and I think we've got the right to know exactly what makes him say You-Know-Who's back." Rory felt her anger rise and if it weren't for Fred holding tighter on to her hand, she would've given Zacharias a smack.

"Look," said Hermione, intervening , "that's really not what this meeting was supposed to be about —"

"It's okay, Hermione," said Harry.

"What makes me say You-Know-Who's back?" he asked, looking at Zacharias. "I saw him. But Dumbledore told the whole school what happened last year, and if you didn't believe him, you don't believe me, and I'm not wasting an afternoon trying to convince anyone."

Rory began shaking her leg nervously. She did not enjoy the tension in the room.

Zacharias shrugged, "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 —"

"No, I don't think we would, actually!" Rory snapped.

"If you've come to hear exactly what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone I can't help you," Harry said. "I don't want to talk about Cedric Diggory, all right? So if that's what you're here for, you might as well clear out."

Nobody left their seats.

"So," said Hermione. "So... like I was saying... if you want to learn some defense, 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 —"

"Tell us, Harry... is that Patronus rumor true?," interrupted Kirsty Blaine.

Rory's ears perked up. Producing a corporeal Patronus was something Rory had always wanted to do, but had yet to master.

"Yeah," said Harry, not seeming too cheerful.

"A corporeal Patronus?" Kirsty asked raising an eyebrow.

"Blimey, Harry!" said Lee. "I never knew that!"

"Mum told Ron not to spread it around," said Fred, grinning. "She said you got enough attention as it was."

"She's not wrong," mumbled Harry and a couple of people laughed.

"And did you kill a basilisk with that sword in Dumbledore's office?" Zane McDowell smirked, "That's what one of the portraits on the wall told me when I was in there last year..."

"Er — yeah, I did, yeah," said Harry. Rory was impressed. She knew Harry had quite the repertoire, but it was fascinating when put into perspective.

"And in our first year," Neville beamed to the group, "he saved that Philanthropy Stone —"

"Philosopher's," corrected Hermione.

"Yes, that, from You-Know-Who," finished Neville.

"And that's not to mention," Cho Chang chimed in, "all the tasks he had to get through in the Triwizard Tournament last year — getting past dragons and merpeople and acromantulas and things..."

Everyone seemed to agree, Harry was the most skilled person to teach them.

"Look," he said and everyone fell silent at once, "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..."

"Not with the dragon, you didn't," said Michael Corner.

"That was a seriously cool bit of flying..."

"Yeah, well —" said Harry.

"And nobody helped you get rid of those dementors this summer," Angelina mentioned.

"No," said Harry, "no, okay, I know I did bits of it without help, but the point I'm trying to make is —"

Zacharias scoffed, "Are you trying to weasel out of showing us any of this stuff?"

"Here's an idea," said Ron loudly, before Harry could speak, "why don't you shut your mouth?"

"Well, we've all turned up to learn from him, and now he's telling us he can't really do any of it," The Hufflepuff snapped.

"That's not what he said," Rory rolled her eyes.

"Would you like us to clean out your ears for you?" inquired George, pulling a long and lethal-looking metal instrument from inside one of the Zonko's bags.

"Or any part of your body, really, we're not fussy where we stick this," said Fred.

"Guys!" Rory whispered, trying to keep them civil... however, she did find Fred's attitude a bit attractive.

"Yes, well," said Hermione hastily, "moving on... the point is, are we agreed we want to take lessons from Harry?"

Hermione nodded in relief as everyone murmured in agreement, "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 —"

"Hang on," said Angelina, "we need to make sure this doesn't clash with our Quidditch practice."

"No," said Cho, "nor with ours."

"Nor ours," added Zacharias Smith.

"I'm sure we can find a night that suits everyone," said Hermione, slightly impatiently, "but you know, this is rather important, we're talking about learning to defend ourselves against V-Voldemort's Death Eaters —"

"I agree!" Cleo McDowell exclaimed, "I can't think of anything more important than this. I've always wanted to punch a Death Eater. To be honest, it's a bit rubbish the Ministry sent that hag to be our teacher at times like this. It's fishy."

"We think the reason Umbridge doesn't want us trained in Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Hermione, "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 mobilize us against the Ministry."

Luna Lovegood, a dreamy Ravenclaw girl in Ginny's year piped up to give her two sickles about how Fudge has an army of heliopaths, but was quickly shut up by Hermione who didn't enjoy her theories.

Hermione brought the attention back to the meeting, "Well, the other thing to decide is where we're going to meet..."

"That's going to be rather difficult, isn't it?" Rory murmured.

"Right, well, we'll try to find somewhere," said Hermione. "We'll send a message round to everybody when we've got a time and a place for the first meeting." She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a quill and parchment, "I-I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. But I also think," she took a deep breath, "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."

Fred reached out for the parchment and cheerfully put down his signature, he handed the quill and parchment to Rory and she gave it a nervous look. She had the slight fear of getting caught and what that would do to her position as Head Girl... but, she decided whatever punishment she got was worth it and proudly wrote "Rory Archer" on the parchment.