Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 5 - Some New Problem

The next afternoon, after the trio's meeting with Hagrid, it was time for the first meeting of Dumbledore's Army. Despite having to be in the same room with Ron, Hermione was very excited. She wanted to learn as much as she possibly could, for she knew one day everything good would be put to the test by Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Hermione used the entrance to the Room of Requirement and walked in to find all of the students that signed her contract at the Hog's Head. Dark Detectors, Sneakoscopes, and other miscellaneous were scattered around everywhere. Harry entered shortly after her. 

"Glad to see all of you could find this place all right," Harry said.

"Hey, Harry, what is all this stuff?" Neville asked.

"Loads of Defense Against the Dark Arts equipment. Hopefully, we'll be able to get all of it before the end of the term." Harry began to pace in front of the crowd like a real professor. "You need to understand something before we start, though. Defending yourself from the Dark Arts has less to do with magical ability and more to do with thinking fast and a lot of luck. We'll be doing Expelliarmus tonight, though hopefully, we  can move on to other things if we have time."

"Oh please," a snooty blonde Hufflepuff named Zacharias said. "Professor Lockhart taught us that in second year."

"Lockhart didn't teach as much as prune himself," Ron sneered. Zacharias shut himself up.

"Besides, it works. I used it against You-Know-Who last June. It saved my life," Harry added. Zacharias hid in the crowd of students ashamedly. "Right. Well, let's split into pairs and give it a go."

Everyone split into their own pairs for the most part, except for Zacharias. No one wanted to be paired with him. Hermione refused to be paired with Ron, so she paired up with Ginny instead. Ron was with Neville. Harry strode over to Ron and Neville, where Neville was practicing his wand motions. 

"Try the incantation, Neville," Harry suggested.

"Okay..." Neville looked a bit uneasy. He shifted his stance and poised his wand. "Okay... um, Expelliarmus!" Ron's wand flipped out of his hand in a swift motion.

"Well done, Neville!" Harry beamed. "Look here, you lot! Neville's really got the hang of this one. go ahead again." 

Fred tossed Ron's wand back to him. Neville adjusted his stance uneasily once more. "Expelliarmus!" Ron's wand once again flew out of his hand. "I did it! I did it!" Harry patted Neville on the back.

"Never forget this spell, Neville. it could save your life someday," Harry smiled at Neville. "Okay, everyone. We've done a lot today, and I've seen some great improvement. That's it for now. We'll meet back here same time next week!"

As students began filing out of the room, Hermione approached Harry. "Harry, that was great."

"Thanks, Hermione."

"This is really going to help us. I can feel it. We're going to need these skills sometime soon, I fear."

"I know. Unfortunately."

"You're a great teacher, Harry."

"Thanks. It means a lot."

"You're welcome. I'm grateful to learn something I haven't already been taught."

Harry laughed. "That's rare coming from you." The duo walked out of the Room of Requirement laughing and talking. 

"I'll see you later?" Hermione asked.

"Where are you off to?"

"Library."

"Ah. Have fun."