Aria Ashborn and the Order of the Phoenix (A Harry Potter fanfiction)

Chapter 13: Dumbledore's Army

The following week, Aria was swarmed with homework. She had another chapter to read for Defense Against the Dark Arts, she had to practice a Silencing Charm for Charms, there was an essay for potions, dream journal for Divination, and another two essay for Transfiguration and History of Magic. She, however, couldn't concentrate whatsoever on any of it. She was too concerned with trying to find a place for the group to practice Defense Against the Dark Arts in secret. This was becoming harder since Umbridge had banned all clubs, teams, and student organizations unless they got permission to continue.

On Wednesday, Aria sat down to dinner, next to Ginny. Ron was shoving chicken and sausage links into his mouth. It was as if he couldn't decide on which to eat first so he decided to eat them both at the same time. Aria noticed that Harry's gaze was over her shoulder towards the Ravenclaw table where Cho Chang was inevitably sitting. Aria tucked the red streak of her hair behind her ear. Just then, Neville ran to the Gryffindor table straight for Harry.

"Harry," he said, panting, "I think I've found a place."

"Hush Neville!" Ginny warned.

"Right." Neville whispered, "I think you better come see this." Neville began to explain in a hushed whisper that he had been keeping away from Crabbe and Goyle, who had been taunting him when he stumbled upon a room that just appeared. Hermione, having read about the room, was very zealous about the idea of using it and she and Ginny spread the word to the rest of the members of their club to meet there at 8 o'clock. After dinner, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Aria, Ron, and Neville all made their way to the room.

The six of them entered the room and shut the door cautiously behind them as if Filch or Umbridge would pop out from around the corner any second. Aria could not believe how spacious the room was. There were several cushions on the ground where the students could sit. There was a bookshelf in the corner with books containing knowledge on defensive magic. There was a silver knight-looking dummy next to the large fireplace. In the corner opposite the bookshelf was a large mirror. Aside from the large door, they had just entered, there was no doors or windows.

"You've done it, Neville!" Hermione exclaimed, "You found the Room of Requirement!"

"The what?" Ron asked, screwing his face up after hearing the name.

"It's also known as the Come and Go Room." Hermione explained, excitedly, "The Room of Requirement only appears when a person has real need of it. And it's always equipped for the seeker's needs."

"So say you really needed the toilet..." Ron started.

"Charming, Ronald." Hermione replied, revolted, "But, yes, that is the general idea."

"It's brilliant." Harry said, "It's like Hogwarts wants us to fight back." Not too soon after he said this, club members started filing in little by little and took seats on the cushions around the room. Aria, Neville, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione did so as to give Harry the floor.

"Alright." Harry called, gathering everyone's attention as they had been chatting, "so let's break up into pairs shall we?"

"Would you like to be my partner, Aria?" Luna asked as Aria stood up. Aria, who had rather hoped to be paired with Hermione, didn't want to hurt Luna's feelings.

"Sure." Aria said, "How are you, Luna?"

"Exquisite actually."Aria waited for Luna to say more or ask her how her day was but Luna just swayed.

"That's good." Aria said. Next, Harry had all the pairs stand equal lengths apart from each other as if they were dueling. Hermione was paired with Ron, Ginny with Michael Corner, Cho with her friend Marietta, and Neville found himself without a partner.