The Spark {Book 5 in the Star of Gryffindor Series}

Chapter 36 - A Real Spy

The Daily Prophet
Issue No. 102,215
12 June, 2022

Does the DA Really Care About Us?

Over the past few months, many in the public have turned their hope for stopping Stillens from the Ministry to a shadowy organization known as the DA, or Dumbledore's Army, allegedly led by the likes of Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger-Weasley. Many throughout the county have expressed a belief that this group is doing much more to oppose Stillens than the Ministry is capable of. However, we at the Prophet wonder about the rationale behind trusting our future to an organization that won't even submit to an interview. If a group refuses to give their true motivations, should they really be trusted?

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I entered the tense almost-silence of the office, and I briefly wondered if it had been like this the whole time. Wren was still kneeling beside James, who hadn't moved, it seemed. She gripped his hand tightly, whispering that it would be okay, the only sound breaking the silence. James only grimaced.

Albus met my eyes from his perch against the wall; at least he was more aware, now. He'd pushed the sleeves of his jumper up, and I bit my lip. It looked like he'd laid his arms on a hot stovetop for a solid minute. I resisted the urge to run over to him.

Colette had been pacing, but stopped when I walked in. She looked furious, and I reminded myself never to make her that mad. Even without a wand, she could be a little scary.

Kimmel was sitting at the desk. It looked like she was trying her best to pretend there were no students in her office, going through papers on her desk and hardly seeming to notice I'd arrived. At my entrance, though, Welling pushed himself off the wall, where he'd been leaning, and held out his hand. "Let me see it."

I walked over and handed him the forged letter. His eyes scanned the page, then he dropped it onto the desk, right in front of Kimmel's face. She watched it flutter down, blinking, then sighed and put her papers away. "Satisfied, Ferdinand?"

"Not quite." He motioned for Wren to stand up. She did, slowly, glancing at me uncertainly. James tried to push himself up as well, though he quickly winced and dropped back down. Luckily, Welling didn't reach for the glove again; it was lying forgotten on a shelf now. I wondered how it worked; did someone have to be wearing it for it to burn others? If I were to grab it right now, would it hurt?

"What does this letter say?" Welling asked Wren, motioning to the parchment Kimmel was now reading.

"I... I didn't memorize it, sir," Wren said softly.

"Generally," Welling said, an air of exasperation in his tone.

I bit my lip. Guess well, please. Wren tensed up only slightly, her eyes not leaving the headmaster. "Um... It was from my mom." Welling raised an eyebrow; that was the easy part. "She basically said... Said they want me to come back to them," Wren continued. I almost sagged with relief, but a warning glare from Colette stopped me. "That she loves me," Wren finished in an almost-whisper, finally daring a look at me.

Welling glared at her for several long seconds, then waved his hand. "Out. If I ever catch you in this office again without express permission, you'll all be worse than expelled."

"May we have our wands back?" I asked, hurrying over to help Albus up.

"Of course, dear," Kimmel said, jumping up before Welling could answer. She took all four of the wands off the desk and handed them to me after I'd pulled Albus to his feet.