𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 | 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲.

FINE LINE - DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY

Hermione made no mention of Harry giving Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons for two whole weeks after her original suggestion. Mavis' detentions with Umbridge were finally over and she doubted whether the words now etched into the back of her hand would ever fade entirely.

Ron had had four more Quidditch practices and not been shouted at during the last two; and all four of them had managed to keep on top of their homework, before the subject was broached again, on a wild, blustery evening at the end of September, when the four of them were sitting in the library, looking up potion ingredients for Snape.

"I was wondering," Hermione said suddenly, "whether you'd thought any more about Defence Against the Dark Arts, Harry."

"Course I have," Harry said grumpily, "can't forget it, can we, with that hag teaching us -"

"I meant the idea I had about you teaching us," Hermione said.

"Well," he said slowly, "yeah, I - I've thought about it a bit."

"And?" Hermione said eagerly.

"I dunno," Harry said, playing for time, looking over at Mavis.

"I thought it was a good idea from the start," Mavis said, raising her hands in surrender.

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair, "I just -"

"Look, Harry," Mavis said. "There's no point in pretending that you're not food at Defence Against the Dark Arts, because you are. Take a look at last year for example."

"Exactly," Harry said. "You did it too -"

"Harry," Hermione said, joining in. "Viktor always said -"

Mavis looked round at her so fast she appeared to crick her neck. Rubbing it, she said, "Yeah? What did Vicky say?"

"He said," Hermione said, looking into Mavis' eyes. "Harry knew how to do stuff even he didn't, and he was in his final year at Durmstrang."

Mavis was looking at Hermione suspiciously, "You're not still in contact with him, are you?"

Sighing slightly, Hermione placed her hand on top of Mavis and said softly, "he's just a pen-pal."

"Right," Mavis nodded reluctantly.

"So, Harry?" Hermione turned to him. "What do you think? Will you teach us?"

"Just you, Maeve and Ron, yeah?" Harry asked.

"Well," Hermione said, looking a mite anxious again. "Well.. now, don't fly off the handle, Harry, please... but I really think you ought to teach anyone who wants to learn. I mean, we're talking about defending ourselves against V-Voldemort - Oh, don't be pathetic, Ron - It doesn't seem fair if we don't offer the chance to other people."