Sacrifices, Harry Potter Year 5

18. Dumbledore's Army

Lilly's POV
I woke up early wanting to avoid Neville, I went to the Great Hall very early. I was the first one there. As soon as I saw Neville walk in, I hid my face and went to Charms early. I know I'm being rude, but Neville deserves to know what he did wasn't okay, he knew I was trying to help, and he was rude.
Haery, Hermione, Ron, and I were able to have a nice private conversation about last night. Charms class was full of toads, ravens, and clatter, so our conversation was easily drowned out. Hermione was telling Harry that Umbridge was reading his letters and that Fitch was just a trap to read his letter. I silenced my toad and raven and just listened into the conversation.
We stayed inside back it was raining heavily outside. Angelina came up to us and told us that Quidditch was back on and she wanted us on the pitch at seven o'clock... I hoped the weather would clear up a bit.
Hermione was thinking and she was having second thoughts on the Defense Against the Dark Arts club. She thinks that Sirius is living though us and she was right, in all honesty.

The conditions did not light up, we were soaked and we atempted to have a good practice, but to be honest, it wasn't good because we couldn't see...
Harry's scar hurt and I hung back with the boy's and Harry said it's because Voldemort is happy...
We walked back to the common room and Neville immediately saw me and I tried to avoid him by hurrying into the girls' dorms, but Neville said, "Lilly, please..."
I turned around said, "No."
He said, "Look, I know I deserve to be treated like dung, but can we please talk?"
I sighed nodding, we sat by the fire and he said, "Look, I'm sorry for being angry at you. I know you're just trying to help, but Lilly. I'm not eleven anymore, I can fight for myself. I can decide what I want to stand up for and who I want to fight."
I nodded saying, "I know you've grown up, Neville, I know that comment really hurt you, and I know that you can stand up for what you want and whom to fight, but if Harry, Ron, and I hadn't stopped you, you would have been badly injured and I wasn't about to let that happen. I know you're tough and strong, but while I'm here, I want to minimize the pain you receive. I don't like seeing people I really care but getting hurt..."
He put his hands on my cheeks and caressed my face. He said, "I know you care about me. I care a lot about you, Lilly."
I nodded and said, "Hey, it's like what you did in Hog's Head, you stopped me from smacking Zacharias."
He chuckled and nodded saying, "I'm sorry..."
put my hands on his forearms saying, "I'm sorry..."
He leaned forward and kissed me. I smiled into that kiss pulling him closer. After a few seconds he pulled away and asked, "What did you and Umbridge talk about? I saw you and her leave the classroom and then in Divination, you looked like you were crying really hard."
I said, "She was just evaluating me and I was crying hard during the break because I thought you were really mad at me. I cry when I'm angry sometimes." He nodded and I looked at the time and said, "I'm going to bed, I have had a very long day." I kissed his lips once more and went to bed.

I saw that Harry got Hedwig back and he talked to Dobby. Dobby told him about the Room of Requirement and it's purpose was self explanatory, it was a room that appears when a person has real need of it.

The next day we had double Herbology and we could hardly hear Professor Sprout with the rain. Care of Magical Creatures was moved to a classroom and Angelina told everyone Quidditch was canceled. Harry smiled because the first meeting was happening tonight.

Everyone got there easily and we first needed to decide a leader. A few people said Harry and a few people said me. I said, "I'm good, really, Harry can handle this all on his own!"
Dean said, "But you two are our teachers, so should both of you be the leaders?"
I said, "I'm okay with it if you are, Harry?"
Zacharias said, "No, about about we do the strongest wizard. Whomever wins a Wizard Duel is leader."
I said, "That's ridiculous!"
He said, "No, we shouldn't have to prove ourselves."
Hermione asked, "All in favor for Lilly and Harry to be co-leaders?" It was unanimous. We selected our name, "Dumbledore's Army"
I smiled and said, "Right, shall we get practicing then? I was thinking, the first thing we should do is Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm. I know it's pretty basic, but I've found it really useful-"
"Oh please," said Zacharias, rolling his eyes and holding his arms. "I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You-Know-Who, do you?"
Harry said simply, "I've used it against him, it saved my life last June."
Smith opened his mouth stupidly and everyone was very quiet. I said, "If you think it's beneath you, you can leave." No one moved. I said, "Alright, I say we dive into pairs and practice." I partnered up with Neville and kept beating him to it. I was looking around and Neville disarmed me, but I wasn't really holding my wand firmly and I wasn't really paying attention. Harry was going around looking at everyone. Zacharias had a bit of trouble. Every time he tried disarm Anthony Goldstein his own wand flew out of his hand, Fred and George were the culprits. Ginny was doing very well, Michael either didn't want to jinx her, or he was very bad. Ernie was flourishing his wand too much which gave his partner time to get under his guard, the Creevey brothers were quite enthusiastic, but we're responsible for the books leaping off the shelves. Luna was patchy, she was either sending Justin Finsh-Fletchley's wand in the air or causing his hair to stand on end.
Harry wanted everyone to stop and I did a loud whistle and he said, "That wasn't bad, but there is definitely room for improvement."
I joined him walking around the room, making suggestions, slowly, the general performance improved. Harry was with Cho and she said he made her nervous. I looked at the time and did my whistle. I said, "Next Wednesday, same time, same place. Amazing job today!"
Harry was in charge of making sure everyone got to their common room safely, I talked with Hermione and Ron. Ron disarmed Hermione with magic and his clumsiness! Harry still couldn't get over the fact that Cho said he made her nervous. I smiled and went to bed, it was a nice day...

Even with the rain. :)

Thanks for reading! Vote please! :)
-Lilly :)