Midnight In Hogwarts | Harry Potter FanFiction

Capitulum Duodecim

The D.A. meeting was all the members could talk about the following morning. Sirius had covered quite a bit of material and told them that it was up to them how fast they progressed. Members were already scheduling meetings throughout the week to practice. Sirius' tactic of making learning fun had certainly paid off by demonstrating how the simplest of skills could save one's life. Unfortunately, Ron had been Sirius' assistant and was nursing a few faint bruises because of it.

The meeting had concluded with a review of what was covered last year which Harry and the Council had taken over for Sirius to prepare everyone for next week where they would begin covering new material. Sixth and seventh years would be covering nonverbal spells while fifth years and younger would be concentrating on Patroni and other spells that they hadn't learned yet. Since the majority of the Council was in their sixth or seventh year, Sirius volunteered to help Ginny and Luna instruct the handful of students who were still struggling with their Patroni.

All of the excitement ended up causing quite a stir among nonmembers, especially when nonmembers discovered what the D.A. was covering. The most persistent was Cormac McLaggen who once again was doing everything in his power to convince Harry that he deserved special consideration which really irked Harry. McLaggen was everything Harry didn't want to be, grasping onto fame and actually believing that he deserved special treatment because of who his relatives knew. McLaggen actually enjoyed Slughorn's parties and had the audacity to ask Harry not to schedule Quidditch practice during any of the parties. Harry, of course, informed McLaggan that Quidditch was a responsibility that came before any parties or other recreational events and if he didn't like it, he was welcomed to quit the team.

McLaggen left Harry alone after that but he didn't quit the team. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about that. McLaggen was a good player but his personality left little to be desired. It really wasn't a surprise that McLaggen and Slughorn got along so well. They were really two of a kind.

Harry wasn't surprised when he was asked to stay after in Defense Against the Dark Arts. With all of the hassle, Harry had expected to be cornered by a teacher. He was just surprised that Professor Snape had been elected to do it. Perhaps it was because Professor Snape was the Defense teacher or perhaps it was because Professor McGonagall was too busy covering for a missing Professor Dumbledore. Harry wasn't sure. All he knew was that this was probably going to be an extremely trying conversation.

Professor Snape stood in front of his desk, sneering at Harry like he always did. After the discussion they had two weeks ago, Snape had gone out of his way to avoid Harry completely. "There appears to be a problem with your little group, Potter," Snape said coolly. "Several students have voiced their dislike for not being allowed to join although I can't imagine why."

Harry seriously doubted that. Snape was well aware that Harry hated the entire 'boy-who-lived-to-be-the-chosen-one' nonsense. "I can and I'm sure you can too," Harry said honestly. "Tell me something, Professor. There are other groups here. People can do exactly what we did and make their own group. Why do they have to join mine?"

Snape glowered at Harry before snorting. "Because it's yours," he said in disgust. "Everyone wants to be around 'The Chosen One'."

"Exactly, sir," Harry said softly. He hated how Professor Snape could make any title bestowed upon him sound like an insult. It wasn't like he had asked for it. He never had. Sometimes Harry wondered if Snape had him mixed up with McLaggen. "The people you're talking about don't care of the risk everyone in the group took last year by joining a group that was going against Umbridge's teachings. The D.A. believed in me when everyone else was questioning my sanity. They didn't pester me for information on what happened with Umbridge or that night at the Ministry. They are who I trust. They see me for who I really am."