Your Spell On Me (Book 5)

Dumbledore's Army

"That foul, evil, old gargoyle. We're not learning how to defend ourselves. We're not learning how to pass our OWLs. She's taking over the entire school" Hermione said as we sat just the three of us in the common room.

"Once again the Ministry is using its power to feed its ego," I said.

"Security has been and will remain the Ministry's top priority. Furthermore, we have convincing evidence... that these disappearances are the work... of notorious mass murderer Sirius Black" The radio said as Ron turned it up.

"Harry," Sirius said as his face appeared in the fire.

"Sirius. What are you doing here?" Harry said.

"Answering your letter. You said you were worried about Umbridge. What's she doing? Training you to kill half-breeds?" Sirius said clearly joking and it did make me smile.

"She's not letting us use magic at all," Harry said.

"Well, I'm not surprised. The latest intelligence is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat" Sirius said.

"Combat? What does he think, we're forming some sort of wizard army?" Ron said.

"That's exactly what he thinks. That Dumbledore is assembling his own forces to take on the Ministry. He's becoming more paranoid by the minute. The others wouldn't want me telling you this, Harry... but things aren't going at all well with the Order. Fudge is blocking the truth at every turn... and these disappearances are just how it started before. Voldemort is on the move" Sirius said.

"Well, what can we do?" Harry said

"Someone's coming. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. But for now, at least, it looks like you're on your own" Sirius said and he left.

"He really is out there, isn't he?" Hermione said looking as she looked outside and I hugged her from behind as I tried to comfort her.

"We've got to be able to defend ourselves. And if Umbridge refuses to teach us how, we need someone who will," I said.

"Harry," Hermione said.

It has been a few days and Hermione has come up with a plan and we are walking through the snow to the meeting place for those who feel the same as we do about our situation.

"This is mad. Who'd wanna be taught by me? I'm a nutter, remember?" Harry said.

"Look on the bright side: you can't be any worse than old toad face," Ron said referring to Umbridge no doubt

"Thanks, Ron," Harry said.

"I'm here for you, mate," Ron said and I smiled at his joke.

"Who's supposed to be meeting us, then?" Harry said.

"Just a couple of people," Hermione said as we open the door to an ugly and rundown bar... I think.

"Lovely spot," Ron said

"Thought it would be safer off the beaten track," Hermione said.

"Sure as hell smells off the beaten track," I said

We then passed the bar to a staircase and headed up to see a room full of kids from all years the room was cold in more ways than one and the tension was unmistakable.

"Hi. So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts" Hermione said as she stood.

"Why?" One of the kids said.

Why? Because You-Know-Who's back, you tosspot," Ron said.

"So he says," The kid said

"So Dumbledore says," Hermione said.

"So Dumbledore says because he says. The point is, where's the proof? If Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed..." The kid said.

"I'm not gonna talk about Cedric, so if that's why you're here, clear out now. Come on, Hermione. They're here because they think I'm some sort of freak," Harry said as he stood.

"Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm?" Luna said.

"Yes. I've seen it," Hermione said.

"Same here," I said.

"Blimey, Harry. I didn't know you could do that," Dean said.

"And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledore's office," Neville said.

"It's true," Hermione said.

"Third year, he fought off about a hundred Dementors at once," Ron said.

"And last year, he really did fight off You-Know-Who in the flesh," Hermione said.

"Wait. Look, it all sounds great when you say it like that... but the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help," Harry said.

"He's just being modest," Hermione said.

"No, Hermione, I'm not. Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake, you can just try again tomorrow. But out there... when you're a second away from being murdered... or watching a friend die right before your eyes... You don't know what that's like," Harry said.

"You're right, Harry, we don't. That's why we need your help. Because if we're going to have any chance at beating... Voldemort..." Hermione said and I was stunned that she said his name.

"He's really back," One of the younger kids said and I nodded.

Later after all the kids had a few minutes the think it over all of them put their names down on the sign-up sheet which in truth was just a piece of paper I happen to have on hand.

"Right. First, we need to find a place to practice where Umbridge won't find out," Harry said as we walked across the bridge.

"The Shrieking Shack," Ginny said.

"It's too small," Harry said.

"Forbidden Forest?" Hermione said.

"Not bloody likely," Ron said.

"Harry, what happens if Umbridge does find out?" Ginny said.

"Who cares? I mean, it's sort of exciting, isn't it, breaking the rules?" Hermione said.

"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" I said.

"Anyway, at least we know one positive thing that came from today," Hermione said.

"What's that?" Herry asked.

"Cho couldn't take her eyes off you, could she?" Hermione said and Ginny didn't like that for some reason.

"Right. Over the next few days, we should each come up with a couple of possibilities of places we can practice. We've got to make sure, wherever it is, there's no chance she can find us," Harry said.

"Will do, Harry," We said as we headed inside.