Katie Bell

When she first feels the Galleon in her pocket burn, Katie's more than a little bit surprised.

When she takes it out of her pocket and reads the message, though, she's even more surprised. Harry Potter, who's been missing nearly a year, has shown up at Hogwarts. They're taking back the school.

A rush of excitement floods her. This, she is forced to admit, is even better than Quidditch – though she'd never tell that to Oliver, of course.

Speaking of Oliver, Katie remembers abruptly that he was never a part of the DA – he wouldn't have a Galleon.

She Floos his house, yelling before she's even out of the fireplace. "Oliver Wood, you'd better be here! This is important!"

Oliver looks up calmly from the couch in front of the fireplace. "No need to shout." He smirks, and Katie scowls at him in return.

"This is serious, Oliver!"

Oliver sobers. "What is it?"

"They're taking back Hogwarts! Potter's there, and they've required whatever help available!"

"You're serious?"

"I'm serious! It all ends tonight, one way or another." Katie knows her eyes are shining. She's exhilarated. This is exciting.

Oliver stretches off the couch fluidly – there's no urgency in his movements, which bothers Katie.

"Come on, Oliver! Get moving!"

Oliver strides to his bedroom even slower than he normally would, just to irk her.

"Oliver!" Katie cries, exasperated. "Now is not the time!" He chuckles and moves at a normal pace, throwing on robes and grabbing his wand holster.

He doesn't seem to understand how Katie feels right now. Every nerve ending is tingling with excitement and anticipation. She's buzzing. This, she knows, is her chance. This is her chance to really do something good, to really make a difference.

This is her chance to make up for nearly allowing herself to be the murder weapon used against her late Headmaster. Katie sighs. She doesn't want to think about that. Not now, not ever.

She doesn't want to blame herself. She knows, rationally, that Draco Malfoy – the little spoiled prat – put her under the Imperious Curse, and it's a rare witch that can throw that spell off. Still, she can't help but think that if it hadn't been for Leanne's stubborn suspicions, Katie would have unknowingly been an accessory to murder.

And that is not all right with her.

So that's what tonight is to her. It's more than adrenaline, she realizes. It's more than just anticipation buzzing in her veins. It's more than the chance to fight, to do something after being passive for so long. It's the chance to make up for what she almost did.