Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
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The Room of Requirement shifted itself into a safe haven thrice more over the next two weeks, and all three meetings were as vital as they were tense. Mattheo and Theo were still missing from the gatherings since they were falsely busy keeping the Carrows occupied on their "patrols", but inside the D.A., life carried on.
The first meeting of the fortnight was dedicated to reinforcing defensive basics that everyone desperately needed to master if they wanted to stand any chance against the Carrows. Neville opened the session by pointing out that the Carrows were targeting students who faltered during lessons by humiliating them in front of others and punishing even minor mistakes. To counter this, the D.A. focused on consistency and speed.
Pairs formed across the room, wands flashing as students practiced shielding spells. Protego was the centerpiece of the evening, but it didn't stop there. Neville had them layering spells: following a shield with a counter-curse, or immediately disarming an opponent once their initial defence held. Emerson partnered with Olivia, both of them quick to fall into rhythm, the clash of sparks between their spells sending faint ripples of light across the enchanted ceiling above them.
Enzo sparred with Ginny at one point, their duel fast-paced and sharp, but Ginny smirked when she disarmed him, lowering her wand with a sense of triumph. Instead of snapping back with pride, Enzo gave her a cheeky smile and admitted she was faster than he expected for a red-head, which earned a ripple of chuckles around the room.
Blaise didn't engage in the dueling practice as much, but when he did, he practiced with Luna, deliberately moving slower than he was capable of so she could counter him with precision. Emerson caught Blaise murmuring, "Not bad, Lovegood."
Younger members like Ariel were paired with older hands of Susan Bones, who took a liking for the young girl. Olivia patiently guided Colin and Dennis Creevey, correcting their stances and quietly encouraging them when their shields faltered. Ariel beamed with pride each time her barrier held against a light jinx, especially when Enzo, never missing a chance for drama, cheered her on with a mock bow.
Despite the tiredness that weighed on all of them, there was a spark of energy when they left the Room of Requirement. They knew they were better prepared than they were before.
Meanwhile, Mattheo and Theo were living a different kind of resistance that put them shoulder to shoulder with Amycus and Alecto Carrow. It was a dangerous game, the kind that required subtlety, timing, and a willingness to dirty their hands in order to protect the very people they wanted to stand with.
On the evening of the first D.A. meeting, Amycus decided to take both boys with him on patrol around the castle's eastern corridors. The Carrows only trusted their own, which included Mattheo and Theo, as branded Death Eaters.
Their goal wasn't to stop the patrols. They couldn't. Instead, they slowed them inconspicuously. When Amycus grew suspicious at the sound of footsteps echoing ahead, Mattheo would suddenly claim to have seen Peeves dart by, leading them in the opposite direction. Theo, meanwhile, would make observations about "restless Hufflepuffs sneaking to the kitchens," knowing full well it would drag them down unnecessary staircases that ventured nowhere near the Room of Requirement.
