The Raven's Call

Hogwarts Bound

Monday, September 1st 1997

The time has come for the majority of us to return to Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been missing since the wedding, and none of us had heard from them. But we know what they're doing. They're searching for Voldemort's horcruxes—each a part of his soul that was split into seven pieces and scattered. We have faith in them. So much faith, in fact, that Neville, Luna, Ginny, Asteria, Stella, and I began discussing the return of Dumbledore's Army.

It started on the train ride back. The compartment we'd crammed into was quieter than usual, the chatter from other students muffled by the steady hum of the wheels against the tracks.

"They're out there doing something," Neville said suddenly, staring out the window. "Risking everything. We can't just go back to class like nothing's happening."

"I heard the Carrows are teaching this year," Asteria muttered, her expression tight. "One's taking over Defence Against the Dark Arts, the other's doing Muggle Studies. They are bad news. It's not going to be normal."

"Which is why we need each other," Luna said softly, looking at us over the top of The Quibbler. "Dumbledore's Army gave us strength before. It can do it again."

Asteria sat up straighter. "Do we all agree, then? We bring it back. We train. We protect the others."

We all looked at each other, no one needing to say the names that haunted our thoughts—Harry, Hermione, Ron. Wherever they were, whatever they were facing, this was our way of standing with them.

"I'm in," I said. "Dumbledore's Army lives."

And just like that, a plan was in motion, though the high didn't last very long. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my throat.

Then the train shrieked to a stop.

Not slowing down—stopping. Hard. The sudden jolt made Stella sit upright, Asteria's arm around her instantly. My breath caught. I looked toward the fogged-up window. Mist curled thick outside, swallowing the world. I couldn't see anything, but I felt it. Cold. Wrong.

Then came the footsteps. Heavy, slow. Cloaks dragging across the floor.

Luna sat very still, her gaze drifting to the door with that strange, dreamy calm she always wore like armor. Neville's hand went toward his pocket. I knew his wand was shaking, but he was ready to use it anyway.

The compartment door slid open, and two tall figures in black stood there, wands already drawn.

Without a word, the two males took a few steps inside. 

"My father will hear about this." Cormac McLaggen piped up as he stood from his seat.

The men ignored him as they passed through. 

Neville stood slowly. "Hey, Losers." Neville spoke, standing too. "He isn't here." He continued. He really grew some balls throughout the years.

The Death Eater in front's eyes narrowed. They lingered on Neville, then swept over the rest of us. When his gaze hit me, I felt it pause—recognition, maybe. My last name always made people look twice. I didn't flinch. I just stared back, twirling my wand between my fingers.

Then his eyes met Asteria's. It's possible they knew each other, considering what she'd been through over the summer. Though no more words were said, the tension in the air was palpable. 

Then.. nothing. The men left.

No one spoke for a long time.

Neville sat back down, running a hand through his hair. "We'll need somewhere to meet," He said, shifting back into planning mode. "Somewhere secret, somewhere safe."

"The Room of Requirement?" Ginny offered.

Asteria shook her head. "Can't. It's being used for storage now—piled wall to wall with junk. I heard McGonagall sealed it off after what happened at the Astronomy Tower last year."

"Could we use one of the empty classrooms?" Luna asked, her tone hopeful.

"Too risky," Stella chimed in. "Filch will been patrolling more than ever. He's got this weird sixth sense for secret meetings."

"What about the Owlery?" Neville suggested.

"Too cold. And too open," said Ginny. "We need somewhere we can train without worrying who might see or hear us."

There was a pause as everyone thought. I glanced between them, then leaned forward slightly.

"...I might have an idea," I said.

They all looked at me.

"The Undercroft."

Asteria's eyes flicked to mine in recognition. Stella raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Neville frowned. "What's the Undercroft?"

"It's hidden below the castle," I explained quietly. "Not on any maps. There's a passageway behind a standing clock near the Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Only Asteria, Stella, and I know about it."

Asteria nodded. "It's safe. We've used it before to get away from things."

"It's perfect," Stella added, a faint grin tugging at her lips. "No one would think to look there."

There was a beat of silence, then Neville grinned. "Then that's our base."

We all exchanged nods. The decision was made. The DA was back—and this time, we had an even better hiding place.