Sinners and Serpents {g.w.}

Chapter 5

The next weekend, Harry, Ron, you, and Hermione filled out of Hogwarts' giant doors into the icy afternoon air, excited for another weekend in Hogsmeade. Excited, and horrifically nervous, as it was the first meeting of students who wished just as badly as the four of you that they had a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You all had been planning it all week, using any free time to spread the word and figure out what you would actually do if you managed to create a functioning group. You could tell Harry was more nervous than the rest of you, because the three of you had insisted that Harry be the figurehead of the movement. He was the best out of all of you, and more people knew him than the rest of you.

For all his disagreement and humility, Harry really was a born leader. There was just something about him that drew people in.

The air, while cold, was still and pleasant, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for something. You felt that way too; nervousness had rattled your frame the past day and a half, the thought of so blatantly defying a teacher and the Ministry rather daunting. Hermione, of course, had brought up a long, detailed list of everything that could possibly go wrong, and you could see the blood drain out of Harry's face as Hermione had read every scenario out to us.

You wondered fleetingly what your parents would think of this. Your family was Pureblood, but nothing like the elitists, such as the Malfoys and the Parkinsons. A Slytherin family too, through and through; your parents had met in the very school you now attended. You thought that they'd might be a bit proud of you for at least standing up for something that you believed in.

The snow softened your footsteps on the cobblestone road as the four of you reached Hogsmeade's main road, the lanterns lit with a soft glow, even in the late morning. Students moved up and down the roads, laughter and shouts ringing in the air as they let go of the stress that school had begun to build up in everyone. Storefronts shone with inviting warmth as you made your way to the designated meeting spot, and you longed for a hot drink to warm your freezing hands.

You were too nervous to admit this, but you were worried that no one would show up, or worse, that you'd be walking into the room and find Umbridge and her lackeys waiting to ambush you. Walking into the Hog's Head, you stomped some of the caked snow off your shoes, taking in the dingy bar that lay before you. Unlike the Three Broomsticks, it was poorly lit, and an unpleasant, sour smell hit your nose as you walked towards the stairs and up to the small room above the filthy bar.

Ron had grumbled about having to be in the Hog's Head, but Hermione argued seclusion was more important than comfort, and you had agreed with her. This wasn't something you all could afford to be sloppy with; one serious slip-up, and you could very well just be expelled from Hogwarts on the spot. None of you wanted that, of course. In varying degrees, you all viewed Hogwarts as a second home, but that was exactly why you all felt so strongly about learning things that could actually protect you.

Voldemort hadn't been mentioned once in your extensive discussions, but you knew that you all were thinking about it. You had to be prepared, because something big was coming, and the Ministry wanted Hogwarts defenseless on purpose.

The meeting wasn't set to begin for another ten minutes, leaving you to anxiously pace, making Hermione ask you exasperatedly to stop. You murmured an apology, and sat down, tapping your foot quickly, which made her send another annoyed look your way, but she didn't say anything. You could tell they were nervous, too; Harry was rubbing at his scar, Ron was picking at the worn hem of his top, and Hermione was twirling a curl around her finger over and over again. People slowly began to trickle in. More than were expected showed up, but that only encouraged the four of you, even if Harry looked as though he was going to be sick.