Head Boy // Cedric Diggory

4. Dumbledore's Army

"Um, hi," Hermione smiled nervously at the group before them.

After deciding on the safest possible location to gather those interested in joining the four's new union, they had one month to spread the word before the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. Fred, George, Ginny, Neville, and Luna took no convincing. They spread the word to meet at the Hog's Head at half past twelve. Of course, they had to be discreet, and telling just one wrong person could jeopardize their entire operation.

It was now 12:32 and the room was filled with at least 20, red nosed and rosy cheeked, bundled up students, the majority of which were from 5th, 6th, and 7th years, with the exception of 3rd year Nigel. Phoebe and Lena sat with the others, between Fred and George. They all looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the front of the room expectantly before Hermione finally spoke.

"So you all know why you're here," she said. "We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the dark arts."

Hermione's posture was tense and she took hitched breaths between each sentence. Phoebe worried for her, and she could tell Lena, who was unintentionally tapping her left boot against the stone floor, did too. She reached her hand over to grab hold of her best friend's and squeezed it tightly.

"She's doing great," Phoebe whispered.

Lena returned a weak smile before turning her attention back to her sister.

Phoebe had chosen not to sit at the front of the room with the others, despite being the one to suggest the idea to the trio in the first place. Not only was she a bit ashamed of not revealing that it wasn't exactly even her idea, but a part of her regretted not mentioning the meeting to Cedric. She knew nobody else would, so it was entirely up to her. His absence in the room was notable and she debated whether it was too late now to include him.

"Why?" One of the fifth years piped up.

"Why?" Ron stood, offended by the boy's interruption. "Cause You-Know-Who's back, you tosspot."

"So he says," the boy spoke again.

"Would you shut your trap for one second, Adams?" Phoebe snapped. "There's no point in poking any of us til we snap. If you're here for any reason than to stand up to the Ministry and learn to protect yourselves when Voldemort eventually comes back, you might as well bug off now."

Half of the room winces when she says his name, some of which glance down at their shoes. Harry feigns a slight smile at Phoebe as if to say 'Thank you' as one of the twins starts a slow clap. The other joins in, but they quickly die out after Phoebe shoots them a glare at their poorly timed applause. Hermione sets up a clipboard and quill at the front of the room, empty black lines all the way down the page.

"And if you have any doubts about Harry being the one to teach us..." Ron starts as a line begins to form. "Then... just don't."

After the line had cleared out, Fred, George, Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Lena, and Phoebe stayed behind to return the chairs and tables to their rightful places. They worked mostly in silence, aside from a few clever comments from the twins. It wasn't an awkward silence, though. The room was buzzing with excitement and adrenaline from the group, but Phoebe sensed a heavy anxiety coming from the trio. She had to admit, though, the idea of what would come was exciting.

Hermione placed a few sickles in the owner's hands for his troubles, then the group made the trek through the snow back towards the castle.

"Well that turned out much better than expected!" Neville smiled as they crossed the bridge back to the clocktower courtyard.

"Don't act so cheery yet. We've barely even started," groaned Ron.

"Oh, don't be so harsh, Ron!" Hermione scolded him. "It's all a bit exciting, isn't it? Breaking the rules..."