Roses and Riots | f. weasley

Chapter 35: The Meeting

They all looked at each other in surprise at Ginny's words, though Harry looked unconvinced, and then the door of the pub opened again and they heard multiple sets of feet walking around the corner to where they were sitting.

Emilia could hardly believe her eyes. All of her friends were there, and while she'd told them what was happening, she didn't think they would actually show up.

Angelina, Alicia, Lee, and Beth Wolpert sat in the booth behind Emilia and the twins, and Henry Chang came in with Cho and her friend from Ravenclaw, with Kenneth Towler shuffling awkwardly behind.

Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Dean Thomas walked in then, looking around curiously, and they were followed by at least a dozen other students who greeted each other in hushed whispers of anticipation as they pulled over seats and stools.

Within ten minutes, their corner of the Hog's Head was filled with fellow students.

At least thirty young people, or more, sat in the small dingy pub with them, chatting curiously between themselves while tossing a few curious glances at the six of them sitting at the front of the room.

"I was not expecting this many people," Emilia whispered.

Fred nudged her arm with his, "people want to learn, and people trust Harry. And you."

She glanced at him, "me?"

"Yes, you, Emilia," he smiled warmly at her.

The firmness of his voice left her in a wonderstruck silence, and then Hermione cleared her throat and stood from her chair.

"Um...hi."

The room was silent so Hermione continued nervously, "so you all know why we're here - we need a teacher. A proper teacher."

She looked at Harry who was sitting beside her looking like he wanted the floor to swallow him up, "one who's had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts."

"Why?" a voice spoke up.

Emilia narrowed her eyes at Zacharias Smith, recognising him as a third-year Hufflepuff who had eagerly passed around 'Potter Stinks' badges during the Triwizard Tournament the previous year,

Ron scowled, "why? Because You-Know-Who's back, you tosspot."

"So he says," Zacharias answered with a shrug and nodded at Harry.

"So Dumbledore says," Hermione corrected him.

"So Dumbledore says because he says," the boy retorted with a scowl on his face, "the point is, where's the proof?"

"If Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed..." another boy suggested eagerly.

"Right, if you lot are only here to question Harry, or hear about how Cedric died, you can clear out right now," Emilia said sharply, and the room went silent.

Harry gave her a grateful look, and then turned to Hermione with a grimace, "we should just stop this, they're just here because they think I'm some sort of freak."

"Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm?"

Everyone looked at Luna as she spoke, who smiled brightly at Harry. Though she didn't know the younger girl well, Emilia had always admired Luna's self-assuredness and how perceptive she was towards other people's emotions.

A brief silence followed and then Hermione answered her question firmly, "yes. I've seen it."

"Blimey, Harry. I didn't know you could do that!" Lee exclaimed in admiration.