Love Potion #9-3/4

Dumbledore's Army

"Okay, now add in the frogs' eye, and then stir counterclockwise three times," Dan instructed me as he sat by my side, leaned over a Potion's book.

I did as instructed and the liquid in my cauldron turned a foul brown color with thick consistency. I wrinkled my nose. "Are you sure this is right?"

"Oh yeah," Dan replied. "It says right here it's supposed to look like that. Now just a dash of rosemary and it should be done."

I frowned, but dutifully picked up the jar of rosemary across from me. I pinched a wad between my fingers, and sprinkled it lightly over the top of the mixture. After a moment's hesitation, the brew began to turn a violent shade of green and bubbled over. With a gasp, I pushed the cauldron away so the sticky substance poured across the opposite edge of the table, narrowly avoiding what would have likely been a permanent stain on my robes.

Professor Slughorn, who happened to be walking by, tutted calmly at my frenzy. "A far cry from the invisibility potion I'm looking for, Melody. And you usually do so well."

Dan stiffled a snicker as the Professor walked away. I turned to him, fury boiling over in my chest.

"What did you do?!"

Unable to supress it anymore, Dan doubled over in a fit of laughter.

"Give me that!" I reached over to grab the textbook from his hands, but he wouldn't let go. Tugging it in my direction, I began to read the instructions as he giggled beside me. There were four hands on the book now, arms tangled in front of us. The directions were nothing like what he had just been telling me, but somehow I could hardly think about that. I felt his chest pressed up against my shoulder, his face just inches from mine. A warmth spread across my thigh where his arm brushed against it. I felt myself lean into him just a little, hoping he wouldn't notice.

Then I felt my pocket begin to burn. Something seared my leg in the shape of a coin. I put the book down and turned to Dan. He was still chuckling to himself, his brown fringe of hair covering a rosy glow on his cheeks.

"Dan," I whispered.

"Alright alright, I'm sorry." He grinned as he put the book down on the table.

"No, Dan." I grabbed his arm to get his attention. He glanced at me, a sudden seriousness in his eyes as he saw the Galleon I was holding.

Dumbledore's Army was being reassembled.

Some of the core members of Dumbledore's Army had been working against Snape and the Carrows since September, but in the months since Christmas things had continuously gotten worse. Luna had been taken away by Death Eaters, and Ginny had gone into hiding with her family. Rumors about Harry Potter and his adventures were circulating more and more every day. As a result, Hogwarts had gotten stricter and more brutal, and the DA had returned in full force.

Dan and I held our composure through the last few minutes of class, but I could feel the nervous energy between us. The only thing that kept me calm at times was the knowledge that he was beside me. The seconds ticked by, and when the class was finally dismissed we rushed out of the door side by side.

"What do you think's going on?" Dan whispered through the chattering crowd.

I shook my head. "It can't be good."

With the way the tensions were rising this semester, that much was obvious. Neville, more than anybody, had been testing his luck for too long. It was courageous, and awe-inspiring, and reckless, and maybe a bit stupid at times. I could only imagine that he had something to do with the call now. But we all stood behind him and the cause, and we would do whatever it took to help.