burning hearts - Harry James Potter

chapter 47: Dumbledore's Army

"Cho and I kissed."

first meeting of the DA

"Expelliarmus!"

It was the first gathering of the DA all together and Neville, who was the first in the line of students, tried disarming the statue holding a wand in front of him.

The wand the statue was holding flew straight through the line of students, so everyone ducked their heads in order not to get hit.

The boy at the end of the line named Nigel almost ducked too late, causing him to let out a yell.

Neville sent Nigel a small, apologetic smile, then said: "I'm hopeless."

"You're just flourishing your wand too much." Harry explained to him. "Try it like this. Expelliarmus!"

The wand in the statue's hand flew away perfectly. Neville nodded as a way of saying he understood how to do it now.

After a couple more people disarmed, it was Davina's turn to try.

"Expelliarmus!" She exclaimed. Except for Hermione, she was the only other person who managed to do it the right way at the first try.

"Great job!" Harry praised Davina. She smiled at him and went to stand at the back of the line again.

After everyone had practiced the spell multiple time, almost everyone could do it. The only one who couldn't was Neville.

"I still can't do it." The boy sighed as he approached Davina.

With as much reassurance in her voice as she could, Davina said: "You can do it Neville. You can try again next time. Don't worry."

Before Neville could say anything after the smile he sent her, Harry spoke to all the people in the room: "So this concludes the end of the first lesson. Good job everyone! See you next time."

✧

Davina was more bored than ever.

"You will please copy the approved text four times to ensure maximum retention." Umbridge said as she stood in front of the class. The woman started walking in between the tables and the smell of too much perfume invaded Davina's nose as she walked past the desk Davina and Hermione were sharing.

"There will be no need to talk." The woman in pink assured everyone.

From the corner of her eye, Davina saw how Hermione gave the woman a small glare.

"No need to think is more like it." She said softly, making Davina chuckle.

Somewhere else in the classroom, Neville was holding his wand under the table and was practicing the movements for 'expelliarmus'.

"Wands away." Umbridge demanded and Neville quickly did as she said.

Davina was really looking forward towards the next meeting in the Room of Requirements. The lessons Umbridge were giving were basically useless and way less fun.

✧

second meeting of the DA

Finally, Dumbledore's Army met again.

There were two lines formed. One containing all the boys, the other containing all the girls. The two rows were facing each other and in the middle was a space where people could practice the next subject Harry was going to teach them.