Chapter 5 Dumbledore's Army Returns

With a resounding crack Dobby aparated into my parlor with Luna, Neville and Ginny. I

smiled and said, "Hello, I am Luna's aunt, Calliope Lovegood. It is a pleasure to be able to know you all as myself ; rather than Calliope Steele. I do not know how much Luna has been able to tell you about all of this. I do know that you have had some meetings with Minerva." Luna nodded, "Yes, auntie. We did meet with Professor McGonagal. Ginny and Neville know most everything. They are aware that Professor Snape was essentially forced to kill Dumbledore and that we are half Fae." Neville smiled at Luna and grabbed her hand, "It did not surprise me, Luna. I always knew that you were different in a way that was very special."

Ginny interrupted, "Professor Lovegood, how badly did we screw things up when we tried to steal the sword of Gryffindor from Professor Snape's office? We feel really badly now that we know the entire story. We were only trying to help Harry." I laughed and took note of the love shinning in Ginny's eyes. It was obvious that the young lady was very much taken with Mr. Potter. "Ginny, Severus does not blame you. He did say it was bloody annoying; but he knew you were all three doing what you thought to be right. It was a bit of a problem for Severus; because he had to steal it back from Ms. Lestrange's vault and then find a way to get it to Harry. But, it is all done. Miss Weasley's brother has destroyed the Horcrux. It was a locket that they had to steal right off the neck of one Dolores Umbridge." All three children began to laugh. Neville gasped out, " I can not imagine the look on the old cow's face."

After the laughter subsided I offered the children some tea. Miss Weasley and Luna followed me into the kitchen as I bustled about preparing the kettle. Luna spoke, "Auntie, I love this place. I hope that it can all be real for you one day." I swallowed and said, "Yes, Luna I would like that very much; but for now I suppose it is my reality." Ginny smiled, "The Room Of Requirement is an incredible place. It became an amazing Defense Against The Dark Arts class room; when Harry created Dumbledore's Army." I smiled, "I hope that you three will continue on with Dumbledore's Army! Annoying The Carrows is a number one priority." The girls and I returned to Neville and I noticed Luna poured tea for him and made certain all of his needs were met before her own. It made me smile.

I saw the vacant stare that Ginny wore and the dark circles under her eyes. I knew this face; it was my face when I did not know if Severus was safe. When he had been in that room with The Dark Lord. I grabbed Ginny's hand and said, "Miss Weasley, we have a great deal in common, I think. We both love men that The Dark Lord is intent upon destroying. What say you to joining forces and learning as much as we can from each other and then channeling our desperation into something with a purpose." I was surprised when the young witch launched herself into my arms and began to cry. She managed to stammer out, "I-i-it's so awful not knowing if he is going to live or die. Every day I expect to hear that one of my family has been killed, or Merlin forbid Harry or Hermione. I hate V-v-v..." I interjected, "You can call him The Dark Loser, love! I find that it helps and it is a most apt description." Now everyone was laughing. Neville said, "The Dark Loser, I like that!"

I cleared my throat, "From this point on I want you to think of this cottage, and my forest, as our safe place. Whenever all of this seems too much to bear remember this place and know , at some point during the day, we will all get to be here and be happy; for just a bit. I hope you will allow me to become a part of Dumbledore's Army. I'm feeling a bit displaced. I'm not a member of The Order and for the protection of my baby; I really can not leave this room. Ginny gasped, "Do you mean...Professor Snape? Wow, I mean I just can not imagine." Then Neville laughed, "Well, he is a man Ginny and they are old enough." Now I had to laugh, "Yes, I'm certain that is a lot for you to absorb. When I first met Severus I did not like him at all. He has had to be extremely hard on all of you to keep his cover as The Dark Loser's main man. However, Professor Snape is actually capable of great kindness and love. He cares a great deal about all of you. He tries his hardest to protect you from the wrath of The Carrow's without revealing his duplicity to The Death Eaters.

Right at that moment Severus apparated into the parlor and Neville Logbottom let out a blood curdling scream. If I had not felt so bad for the boy I would have laughed. Severus slowly turned towards Neville. "Mr. Longbottom, I know that you find me to be...unpleasant. However, I wish to make you more comfortable with me. We all need to band together. I had not planned on things happening so quickly. I had hoped to have more time. Calliope, have you spoken to Luna yet?" I shook my head no. I was very glad that Severus would be here for this. He felt my reluctance to begin the conversation so he took the lead. "Luna, I have some distressing and confusing news for you. The Dark Lord, wants Carrow and I to kidnap you over the Holiday. I have discussed this over and over with Calliope." He grabbed my hand because he knew that I was likely to fall apart. "I have told your aunt that I will not do this. I will give myself up and hope that all of you can find and destroy the Horcruxes before The Dark Lord kills me...and your aunt. We are bound now; and have both decided to give our lives to prevent you from being at risk."

Luna had been shaking her head no since Severus began talking. "Professor Snape, I can not let you do that. Please hear me out, I have a plan that I believe will work. When I leave for Holiday break give me two days with my father; then I will go with you to be held as bait for Harry. Dobby will be able to apparate in and out; he can bring us food and water. Dumbledore and I discussed this behind The Veil. I know that they already hold Mr. Olivander. I know I could be a comfort to him. With my ability to spirit walk; I will be able to keep you up to date on everything I learn. Please, let me do this? I love my aunt and...and I suppose I love you too; if you are her soul mate then you are my family."

I fought back tears and grasped Luna in a great hug. "Luna, if we go with your plan; know that any moment you change your mind we will get all of you out; and go into hiding. Severus, will have to stay here to protect the children; but Minerva and I will storm the gates of Malfoy Manor and bring you to safety. We are hoping to buy Harry some more time; and Severus says that they will not torture you. They know that you don't have information. They think that Xenophilias has the information." Luna pulled back and said, "I want to do this. I can not stand sitting here; knowing my friends are out there and I'm not doing anything to help. I know Neville and Ginny feel the same way."

Neville nodded and Ginny grabbed Luna's hand, "Luna, we love you. You are so dear to us. If I could leave here right this minute and help Harry you know that I would. I cry every night; because I am stuck here. Professor Snape, what can Neville and I do?" Severus smiled and I think poor Mr. Longbottom almost passed out. "Ginny, you two will have the full time job of being as annoying as possible. Push all of the Carrow's buttons. Keep them distracted and practice your defense techniques here with Calliope. I know that in the end the fight will come to us. Luna has learned from Dubledore that the last Horcrux is probably here. We must have all of the students ready to fight and you two must train them."