Ginny first checked the hallway for any passersby, and then began to pace in front of a bare wall and to mutter under her breath, "I need a dance studio. I need a dance studio."
A door eventually opened and after checking once more for anyone watching, Ginny stepped into the Room of Requirement. It was risky teaching the DA here of all places; Snape knew that this is where Harry had first held the DA, and the Room, as it was often called among the current members of the DA, was likely watched by someone. However, Ginny couldn't think of anywhere else that the new DA could meet, so she had set up new security precautions for the Room and the members of the DA. One of these precautions was the change of location. It was never, "I need a place for the DA to practice." The first week it was a classroom, and then it was a bathroom. Dance studio was at the bottom of the list of ideas, and they would have to come up with some more ideas soon. Another security measure instituted was the ability was the ability to get into the DA. One had to know one or more of the leaders, Ginny, Neville, or Seamus, personally. The prospective member would then undergo questioning under veritaserum. Only after being approved by all three leaders and several other DA members would anyone be accepted. Otherwise, it was a memory wipe for you. Along with a safe word that was needed to talk about anything regarding the DA, this was one secret organization that was remaining a secret as long as Ginny could help it. The whole operation would have been much easier if Harry hadn't taken the Marauders'' Map. What did he need it for, anyway?
"Good afternoon, Dumbledore's Army!" Ginny spoke as if addressing an army of aurors instead of about twenty eleven to seventeen year olds. None of the DA leaders believed in age restrictions when fighting to defend your life.
"He will only have truly left Hogwarts when none here are loyal to him," was the appropriate response, and it was chorused with enthusiasm by the members. The dance studio had decent acoustics, so there was a slight echo of every shoe scuff, every nervous cough, and every impatient sigh. The mirrors on every wall depicted various reactions of the various students: nervous, confident, wary, scared, and enthused.
Ginny began to pace at the front of the room. "As you may or may not know, in the last war You-Know-Who had assistance from not only wizards and witches who had serious mental problems, but also from various magical creatures, namely giants and dementors. As his power is increasing rapidly, he is also regaining the alliances that he once had with these magical creatures. As members of the DA, you will need to know how to defend yourself against such creatures. Today, we will start with the dementor.
"You could certainly find some boring description of them in the library, but I'll give you a brief summary. If you ever see a floating figure wearing a black cloak that looks like it hasn't taken a trip through the laundry in a couple of centuries, or if you suddenly feel cold or depressed for no apparent reason, chances are you are dealing with a dementor. They do have the ability to suck out your soul, so let's learn the one spell that is effective against them: the Patronus Charm.
"This charm has two forms: shield and corporeal. A shield charm is definitely effective, but not nearly as powerful as a corporeal. Shields can only defend from one direction. Corporeal patronuses, if they are powerful enough, can create entire walls that dementors can not pass through. Corporeal patronuses will take the shape of an animal, for example." Ginny drew her wand and exclaimed, "Expecto Patronum!" A silver doe leapt from her wand and pranced around the room. Some of the younger children's eyes danced with excitement as the hind stepped right up to them and extended her head toward them. Ginny let the DA marvel at her creation while she continued to explain, "Patronuses can only be cast if you are thinking about something extremely happy. So conjure up a memory and remember the incantation, 'Expecto Patronum.'"
Neville and Seamus showed up about halfway through the lesson. They tried to avoid getting to meetings at the same time; again, they didn't want to cause suspicion. By the end of about an hour lesson, about half of the class had been able to cast some sort of corporeal patronus, although only three had been able to maintain it for any sustained period of time.
"Wonderful lesson everyone. I have some announcements before everyone leaves. The safe word for this week is flobberworm, and we are meeting the Friday after next in a gym."
"What's a gym?" one of the first years asked.
"It's a place where muggles go to work out," answered a fourth year.
"Any other questions?" Everyone was mute and looked sad because it was nearing the end of the best class at Hogwarts.
"DA dismissed! Although, can I speak to Neville and Seamus afterward?" Ginny asked.
After the last DA member had left, Ginny said, "We can't stay in the shadows any longer. We have to make an active move against Snape and the Carrows."
"Like what?" asked Seamus. "Give them puking pastilles?"
"Was that a serious suggestion?" Ginny questioned incredulously.
"Seamus does have a point," Neville added. "There's not much that we can do besides the DA lessons."
"I have a plan to steal the sword of Gryffindor from Snape's office."
Neville and Seamus opened their mouths to disagree, but Ginny stopped them.
"We'll use disillusionment charms on ourselves, sneak into Snape's office, and hide the sword in the Room."
Seamus saw a gaping hole in the plan. "You do realize that you need a password to get into the Headmaster's office, right?"
"Here's what I'm thinking," Ginny said. "Do you remember when we were in one of the Carrow's classes, I can't remember which, and a floorboard came up and smacked him in the face? Or what about that time when Snape was giving the start of term speech, and all of the candles suddenly just went out?"
"I remember!" Neville exclaimed. "No matter how hard the teachers tried, they couldn't get them to light until two days later!"
"My theory is that the school recognizes that it's being attacked from the inside, and it is working for us."
Seamus and Neville stared skeptically.
"It makes sense," started Seamus, "but what if that's not true? What if we get to Snape's office and it won't let us in?"
"We will turn around and come back," Ginny said.
"I'm in," Neville said.
"Me too," Seamus echoed.
"Okay. Meet me in the common room at midnight next Thursday. That's the day when there are the least guards around the route to Snape's office."
Ginny made a move to go to the door, but Seamus asked, "Ginny, can Neville and I ask you something?"
"Yes, of course," Ginny responded.
"Well," Neville started, "Seamus and I remember when Harry first started the DA, your patronus was a mare. We saw you cast a doe earlier. It may not be any of our business, but we kind of wanted to know what happened to you that caused your patronus to change."
"You're right," Ginny stated, "It is none of your business."