Ron calls the Room to order.
“I know this isn’t what most of you had in mind-”
“Shut up!” Harry bellows. There are a few audible clicks as jaws snap closed, and angry red faces turn to the front of the Room.
“I know this isn’t what most of you had in mind.” Ron repeats. “But we can’t afford to be picky, alright? If you can’t get along, bummer, deal with it.”
“We were told it was the DA meeting up!” Ernie Macmillan shouts from where he’s hovering near the door.
“I never said that. I said everyone from the DA should come.” Ron says. “And thanks for being here.”
Draco is visibly uncomfortable, sitting on the back of a chair with his feet on the seat, his eyes scanning through the crowd of classmates. Harry stays planted firmly at Ron’s right.
“We’re here to talk about how we’re going to win the war.” Harry says. “But we need to know who’s trustworthy beforehand.”
He intentionally doesn’t lay eyes on Cho, who hasn’t brought Marietta this time around.
Stepping forward, clearing her throat lightly, Hermione holds up a clipboard.
“If you sign this pact of secrecy, you’re agreeing to not discuss any of our plans outside of closed quarters with other members of this group.” She says. “Spots will be the least of your worries if you don’t follow it. We’ll be keeping track of who’s coming to the meetings. Signing is necessary for admittance at the door.”
The noise starts up again, and Hermione huffs as her voice is drowned out by chattering.
Harry blows a whistle shrilly, and Ron winces, sticking his finger in his ear.
“Sorry.” Harry mutters.
“As I said, signing is necessary. If you don’t sign now, you can always come back and sign later. If you want out at any time, you have to come talk to me, specifically, to let you out of the contract. You’ll be Obliviated and all specifics of our meetings will be wiped, though it’s likely you’ll retain some skills you learn.”
With that as the introduction, Harry doesn’t really expect anyone to join.
And yet, Ginny is the first to step up. Luna’s behind her, followed by Neville, Parvati, Lavender, Seamus, Dean, Cho, Theodore Nott, Goyle, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and a whole crowd of others from the DA.
“What are we learning?” Ginny asks, a bright look in her eyes and hands on her hips.
“To throw off an Imperius, and a lot of the same stuff we did last year.” Harry tells her under his breath.
“Seriously? Who’s casting Imperius? They’ll be in a lot of trouble.”
“I… sort of got…” Harry tilts his head. “I mentioned it to McGonagall and she told me not to let her find out about it. So. That’s about as close to a blessing I’m going to get.”
Nodding, Ginny punches Harry’s shoulder and steps back into the crowd.
As Hermione casts spells on everyone that signs their name, Ron stands by the door, blocking the exit. The line dies down, and Harry blows his whistle again.
“Alright!” Hermione says, standing on a chair. “Is there anyone else that wants to sign?”
Two hands lift, and she takes their signatures quickly.
“I’m going to call your name, and you’ll cross to this side of the room.” Hermione announces. “Do not move until I call your name.”
She’d learned from last year, and taken secrecy up a notch.
