Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Jade and Emma's Story

Chapter 9

"So what's this place you've heard of?" Hermione asked.

Jade blinked, a little nervous. She wasn't sure if the place was even real. Her source was not the most reliable. "It's called the Room of Requirement. It changes to fit your needs, and those you do not want to find it - won't."

Hermione blinked. "That seems too good to be true."

"How did you find out about it?" Emma asked curiously.

"From my sister. Who heard it from Luna Lovegood," she added honestly.

Hermione frowned. "Luna Lovegood?" She turned to Harry worriedly.

"This room isn't just some mad idea of Luna's; Dumbledore knows about it too, he mentioned it to me at the Yule Ball."

Jade was surprised, and Hermione's expression cleared. "Dumbledore told you about it?"

"Just in passing," Harry said, shrugging.

Hermione didn't have any other protests. "Where can we find it?" She looked at her pocket watch. The meeting was supposed to start at eight.

"I can take you there," a dreamy voice twinkled.

The group turned to see Irene and Luna walking towards them, though Irene quickened her pace so she could jump into Jade's arms. "J!"

Jade rolled her eyes. "Rene, get off. You're heavy." But she gave her baby sister a loving squeeze before dropping her back on the floor.

Luna led the way, and Jade saw Harry pull out an old piece of parchment and looked at it questioningly. Harry grinned and pulled it over so she could see as he whispered, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," and tapped his wand to the blank space. Black ink spilled onto the parchment from seemingly nowhere. She watched with wide eyes as the splotches of ink formed into names and footprints. "Look here," he said to Jade. "Filch is on the floor."

"What about Umbridge?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"In her office."

They had supposedly reached their destination, and Luna said quietly, "You have to walk past this bit of wall three times and think about what you need."

Jade stared as Harry complied, his eyes narrowed at the wall in concentration. As he made his third walk, a black polished door formed itself into the stone. The others were hesitant, but Harry grasped the bronze handle and led the way in confidently. Jade's jaw dropped in awe as she stepped into the spacious room - silk cushions were scattered around the floor, and a shelf held number of instruments such as Sneakoscopes and Secrecy Sensors. Hermione found a bookshelf and excitedly took down Jinxes for the Jinxed.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and Ginny, Neville, Lavender, Parvati and Dean walked in. "Whoa. What is this place?" Before anyone could answer, more people began filing in. Jade happened to notice Zacharias Smith come in and greet Emma warmly. She wasn't sure if she imagined the coldness in Ron's eyes when he looked at them.

Jade sat next to Emma - who sat next to Ron, though neither looked at each other - and made sure Irene sat behind her. When every cushion was filled, Harry turned the key in the lock on the door. With the loud click, the guests fell silent. "So, this is the place we've decided to practice. It seems you find it okay -"

"Its fantastic!" Cho Chang exclaimed, leading to murmured agreements.

Upon seeing Harry's small smile in Cho's direction, Jade felt her insides burn and she glared at the ground. "Well I've been thinking of the stuff we ought to do here-" Harry began before a hand shot in the air. "What, Hermione?"