Secrets // d.m

T E N

"Hi!" Terry Boot said with a cheerful voice as he greeted me with a hug. What had I gotten myself into? Terry was a Ravenclaw student in my year Ginny had set me up with. How they knew each other was beyond me, but she's convinced him to take me to Hogsmeade on this beautiful Saturday morning.

"So if I got this right we're headed for Hogs Head, right?" I asked awkwardly.

"That's what Ginny told me," he said followed by an unsure chuckle. "Hermione Granger has something set up there and we can go to the Three Broomsticks after. If you want," he rushed the last sentence.

"Yeah, sure." He nodded his head towards the streets of Hogsmeade and so we began to walk towards Hog's Head.

"So," he breathed. "Nervous about OWLS?" It was really going to be this generic.

"You know, the average amount of nerves here. You?"

"My nerves are going wild! I really need to get Os! My parents expect a lot from me." He seemed to open up a little bit, be more relaxed.

"Is there a subject you want to pass more than others?"

"Personally I really like Transfiguration, but my mom really wants me to excel in Herbology. So why not both." Another awkward laugh. "You?"

"I think my dad will kill me if I don't pass Potions!" I saw a smile on Terry's lips appear. "But I think Defence Against the Dark Arts is very important right now, considering everything! Umbridge doesn't really make it easy though!"

"I think what Hermione has arranged is related to DADA."

"We'll just have to see," I said as we reached Hog's Head. Terry was quick to pass me and hold the door open for me. I thanked him quietly before entering the dimly lit place, to be greeted by familiar faces. If I were to guess, there were probably nearly 30 people here.

"After you," Terry said as he gestured to two available seats next to the crowd. Once I was seated I made eye contact with Ginny, who had the most mischievous grin plastered on her face. I just shot her a dirty look. She turned back around but I was almost entirely sure she was still grinning.

Across from the crowd I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione sit by a table. After a minute or two of silence, Hermione nervously stood up to speak.

"Hi!" She started of awkwardly. "So, you all know why we're here. We need a teacher," she paused. "A proper teacher! One who's had real experience defending themselves against the dark arts.

"Why?" A lad I didn't know the name of spoke.

"Why?!" Ron was quick to snap back. "Because You-Know-Who's back you tosspot!"

"So he says," the lad spoke again, nodding towards Harry.

"So Dumbledore says," Hermione spoke in Harry's defence.

"So Dumbledore says, because he said. The point is, where's the proof?" 

"Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed," another boy chimed in, and Harry was now noticeably uncomfortable.

"I'm not gonna talk about Cedric," Harry said and stood up. "So if that's why you're here, you might as well clear out now." He then leaned over to Hermione and whispered something to her only she could hear.

"Is it true you can produce a patronus charm?" Luna interrupted as it looked like Harry was about to leave, and it caught his attention.

"Yes," Hermione answered for him when he didn't say anything. "I've seen it!"

"Blimey Harry! I didn't know you could do that!" Dean spoke, who I hadn't noticed were here. 

"And he killed the basilisk. With the sword in Dumbledore's office!" Neville joined in. 

"He fought about a hundred dementors at once," Ron said, continuing to admire Harry. 

"And last year he really did fight of You-Know-Who in the flesh-"

"Hermione!" Harry interrupted. "Look," he spoke, his voice just the slightest laced with sadness. "It all sounds great when you say it like that, but the truth is that most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I nearly always had help-"