Padma Patil was in the library.

This wasn't very strange for her, she was a Ravenclaw. So people who saw her there didn't pay her any mind. Madam Pince gave her a strange look at the list of books she needed, but nodded approvingly as she said that she needed some extra study, Professor Carrow wasn't teaching much.

Part of being brilliant was that Padma knew how to manipulate people. Most of her books were from the Restricted Section, and the signed note she had brought was forged in the Room. Terry Boot had used McGonagall's signature, she was most likely going to cover for them if the note was discovered.

It was Terry himself who said that they shouldn't tell the teachers in the Order just yet. He also said that the Transfiguration professor would probably know by the end of the week;so strong was her sense for trouble.

They all agreed with that, and knew that McGonagall wouldn't interfere...much.

Padma was a little hesitant about about the Fidelius Charm. Oh, no, not performing it. Padma relished the challenge, and she knew her abilities were up to par. It was for Parvati she worried.

When her stupid sister got herself sorted into Gryffindor, defying generations of Patil Ravenclaws, Padma knew something was different.

She always knew that, the distinct difference between herself and her lovely sister. It didn't change the way she saw the girl, but all the stereotypes that came with the house affected her mind, a little.

So when Parvati did something so brave, so stupid, Padma was reminded exactly how they were different.

She would be a great Secret Keeper, despite her Gryffindor reputation. Michael Corner openly expressed his doubt that Parvati could withstand a bit of torture, and that she would give up their secret before long.

Padma slapped him, collected Terry's note, and left the Common room.

The Charm itself was extremely complicated, and a potion needed to be prepared. Good news was that the potion was simple and could be completed in a week, or a few days with help from another Ravenclaw, most probably Luna.

The incantation was easy, but it was long. Memorizing it shouldn't be a problem. Everything else checked in, wand movements, positioning, and an Oath.

The Oath was simply ceremonial, and nobody had any idea if it actually affected the spell, so the D.A would perform it, just in case.

Padma then did something she had never done before, and wished for Hermione.

. . .

. . .

Ginny was happy.

She had been made Quidditch captain over the summer(who else?), so to take her mind off of the D.A tensions, she had set up tryouts in the second week of classes.

Not many signed up, a sure sign of fear among the younger years. What she did get wasn't very encouraging.

"Cormac. Cormac McLaggen, Keeper."

Ginny grimaced at his extended hand, but took it.

"Yes, I remember you from last year. The Slug Club."

It was decided that D.A members who shouldn't have any business together would avoid contact. So as Ginny knew Cormac, she wouldn't say a word.

"Ah, yes. Being old Sluggy's favorites was really demanding, right, Ginevra?"

She worked hard at keeping her mouth shut. Ginevra?

"Please, just Ginny. Why don't you sit over there and wait for the Keeper tryouts?"

He nodded, then leaned in and winked at her. "See you tomorrow."

Failing to keep the look of astonishment off her face, Ginny stared after the large boy. How stupid could he get?

Ginny's attention was diverted by a fistfight occurring on the field.

"Oi!" she yelled, running towards them.

After twenty minutes, the Beater tryouts finally commenced. Jimmy Peakes returned to the team with an excellent trial, but as Coote was a Muggle born, a new Beater had been found.

Ginny found the perfect Beater, and coincidentally, in Peakes best friend. His name was Araon Collassanto, a fifth year from Toledo. Apparently, his mother had moved to England, the subject of her fascination, after his Muggle father died. Araon was only eight.

He had a bit of an accent, and an aloof nature. That might be a problem, Ginny reasoned. She needed someone who would gell well with the team. At least he could aim really well, he reminded Ginny of the twins.

For Chasers, there was a problem. Ginny was looking for two, she decided to play the Chaser position unless a Seeker couldn't be found.

Seamus entered the team with an okay trial, but Ginny wasn't sure. He could be better.

With Demelza gone, a third year called Marie Commons took her place. She was great and out flew all the competition.

The Keeper tryouts were next. To Ginny's great disappointment, only second and third years tried out, albeit McLaggen. Hoping for fresh blood, Ginny was let down. Cormac made the team.

Well, she thought, if he even tries to give me helpful tips, I'm hexing him. Harry was the one with the patience, not her.

The Seeker tryouts were next. Another new find, a fourth year named David Herring. She liked him, he seemed nice enough, and though no one could replace Harry, the boy had talent. Ginny couldn't deny that. Bit of training, and he might fly with Harry's skill one day.

After shoving the rejected people off the pitch, Ginny turned to her new team.

"I'm not going to lie to you guys, we need to do a lot of work. So I am going to fix mandatory practices once a week, along with normal practices. Even if we don't get the pitch, I'll have you practice somewhere else, alright?"

She was harsh and she made sure they knew it. Ginny would work them to the bone.

"Also, I am going to fix induvidual practices, and then practices in groups. For instance, I'll take Marie one time, then Seamus another, then all three of us will practice. Same with Peakes and Collassanto. Understand?"

They nodded.

"For you two, McLaggen and Herring, you guys are lucky I've played both of your positions, I can give you tips. I will tell you when your one-on-one time is, it's probably going to be all day on a weekend, every other week."

McLaggen snorted. "You played Keeper? I hardly think-"

"You forget that I'm a Weasley. I came from a good sports family, and at one point I've drilled in all the positions."

He still looked disgruntled, so Ginny added, "With Charlie."

Charlie Weasley was still famous around Hogwarts. Playing that card usually worked.

She clapped once. "Okay, disperse."

To her annoyance, McLaggen followed her to the portrait hole.

"Listen, I know your inexperianced, so I figured I can give you some pointers. And it would be better if you showed me your game plan, no, I'll help you develop one."

Ginny cut across again. "Listen. I don't know what your going on about. I have played since I was about six years old. I've been on the house team for three years, and my boyfriend was the best Seeker this school has ever seen. So I think I have enough knowledge."

His face grew ugly. "I'm a full year older than you-"

"So? If you think you can do better, take it to McGonagall, she chose me. Now, I don't need to see you until tomorrow afternoon's practice, and we'll talk strategy then. I have figured one out."

Ginny stepped through the portrait leaving the rather fat seventeen year old standing behind her.

. . .

. . .

"I think that it's done." Luna said. She was with Padma, in a corner of the Room. They were hunched over a cauldron, both looking exhausted.

"No, I think a bit more."

"It it ages too much-"

"I don't want the potion to be too raw either." Padma said, pushing her hair out of her forehead. "Just give it a bit. Tomorrow's meeting, we'll set things up then."

Luna nodded and sat back. "The incantation?"

"Got it. Oh, wow. It's past midnight, should we go?"

"I'll stay here for a bit. It's too dangerous anyway,the Carrows are partolling. We could probably sleep he-"

A popping noise and the two hammocks hung from the wall. Luna smiled.

"Do you want to stay?"

Padma shrugged. "Yeah, why not. Let me tell the others." She grabbed her Galleon and typed out a message.

'Too dangerous to come out, Luna and I in the RoR. Potion ready."

About a minute later, Neville repiled.

'Ok. We re gonna come erly in mrning. night.'

It was a symbol of a Ravenclaw. Punctuation.

Padma smiled at it, and then asked the room for pajamas and a toothbrush. It was going to be a long year.