Oh Great, You're Here

Can I say people are sheep? Or is that way too cliche? Don't want to bore you lot with livestock comparisons, there are way better things to do that with.

Seriously, though, people are bloody sheep.

The meeting for Prepping for the Future began and students began to trickle in. The four of us were so happy with the turnout until the murmuring began. It varied from person to person, but the theme was the same.

"You really think Potter is barmy?"

"What do you think really happened in the third trial?"

"Blimey, I can't believe they let Potter do anything without a proper guard to keep him in check!"

I hate everything.

Was no one here for education? No? Just Hermione then? How freaking typical.

I feel the rage building inside of me as the whispering continues. Ginny catches my eye from where she's greeting all the students under fifth year. She rolls her eyes in sympathy and smiles at me.

Aw, she knows just how to make me feel warm and tingly inside.

Then Umbridge walks into the room.

Mood ruined.

The toad glances around the room with a condescending attitude. She walks in with her horrid pink cardigan and weird black bow. Seriously, it looks like something you'd find on a seven year old. It's just plain creepy to see a grown woman wearing it. She takes in the amount of students gathered and her false smile drops into a sneer for a moment. Then she picks up what everyone's saying and a real smile spreads on her face.

Oh, Merlin! There are some things mere mortals aren't meant to see. The sheer disgustingness of the mixture of cruelty and glee makes me want to gag. I quickly turn back to the information table.

Hermione, Ron, and I are hovering around it. So far no one's been brave enough to approach us directly, but we can feel a change stirring with Umbridge's arrival. Steeling himself, Terry Boot, a fifth year Ravenclaw, approaches the table.

"So, um, what's all this about then?" He asks a bit meekly, yet still loud enough to carry across the now silent has gathered around the main table and eagerly watching to see how it turns out. Umbridge levels me a calculating look.

I glance to Ron and Hermione, silently encouraging them to take up the leadership roles and answer. Ron stares back obliviously, not well versed in the small nuances of silent cries for help. Hermione meets my eye and a conversation takes place in a matter of seconds.

Help me 'Mione! Desperate look and slumped shoulders.

Chocolate eyes flick to the ceiling in a quick replacement of an eye roll.

They asked you Harry, man up and answer it. Quick bounce between Terry Boot and I followed by a stern look and crossed arms.

I hate you. Partial scowl.

I turn back to the crowd which has started awkwardly shuffling in the silence. I grin nervously and attempt to reply.

"It's a, um, a study, er… Group?" I sputter out. I was raised in a damned cupboard! I don't know how to handle people! Terry blinks a bit while the rest of the crowd shifts in confusion.

"Yeah, but, what's it all about?" Terry parrots his original question.

What?

How do I respond? I start to sweat in anxiety while the crowd stares at me. This is why all my adventures take place in secluded areas!

I. Do. Not. Like. Attention.

"Well, it's, a… I mean it's for… er… I'm sorry, what's the question here? It's a study group. I don't understand the confusion." I blurt out.

Dead silence settles over the crowd. Everyone looks at each other trying to figure that one out. I start to turn red and sweat a bit more as the attention settle back on me. Neville, of all people, takes pity on me and steps forward.

"I think he means why now of all times, Harry. People are wondering if this has to do with the third trial." Neville explains steadily. He looks incredibly nervous at the attention but holds firm, staring at me with unwavering friendship and support.

Neville's really the best these days. Um, wait, I mean...

Don't tell Hermione.

"Oh, is that what all the confusion is about? Simple really, the school decided to mix the O.W.L.s and Hermione Granger. She is dead set on making this the most successful exam year Hogwarts has ever seen. Even if she has to drag the rest of us kicking and screaming, she will succeed." I reply smoothly, regaining my confidence. This I could handle. We prepared for the inevitable questions regarding the third trial.

Everyone turns from me to Hermione. Unperturbed by the attention, she stares back with an insane intensity. The fire of learning is in her eyes. The crowd collectively shudders. I take a moment to really look at them. Students from all years and houses are there.

(Despite popular belief, we existed peacefully with the neutral Slytherins. Even Ron understood that being in a house doesn't make you evil. Well, after Hermione beat it into him.)

The crowd seems to relax a bit though, despite the hellfire in the eyes of the force of nature that is Model Student Hermione Granger. They were probably thinking this would be a cult dedicated to fighting fake( if the ministry is to be believed) undead dark lords.

Speaking of the ministry, a hem hem rings out from Umbridge's place in the back of the crowd. The students clear a path directly between me and the toad.

"Mr. Potter, I noticed that you avoided the question," she sing-songs with fake cheer. I actually blink a bit.

"I did, Professor?" I think back over my response. What is she talking about?

"Yes Mr. Potter, you did," she gripes out dryly. "I believe Mr. Longbottom asked whether not this has to do with your ridiculous claims that you have maintained from the beginning of last summer. Well, Mr. Potter?" Umbridge smirks in her imagined victory.

Oh, yes, that.

"Well Professor," I begin slowly, "we decided to create a policy about that incident." I look her evenly in the eyes. She glares back.

"And what policy would that be Mr. Potter?" She hisses out. I smile in respectful cheer.

"In an official meeting, your not allowed to mention it. No matter which side you're on, or if you're on neither side, this is a group for learning. Political beliefs and opinions on speculation don't belong here. This group is only for discussing facts and practicing subject material." I say evenly, parroting what Hermione came up with. I do a mental happy dance as she scowls.

Sirius and Remus worked with the four of us to develop our "political sides." They taught us how to maneuver through all the dragon dung the ministry would throw our way. Sirius has really turned himself around since the final fight with Mrs. Weasley. He's become more active and hopeful. I sent him a letter yesterday asking for advice about my date with Ginny. I don't care if he takes the mickey out of me, I need all the help I can get.

"Very well Mr. potter, but if i catch wind that this is really some secret group to brainwash these students to follow your flights of fancy, you will regret it." Umbridge declares with finality. I snap back to reality and watch her leave.

Well, that's one problem solved. Just a few hundred more to go.

Sigh.

Like a spell being broken- oh, I have to share that one with Ron and Hermione! Anyway, the crowd relaxes and the actual information starts. Ron and I spread out into the crowd with Ginny, while Hermione stays at the table. We spend the next two hours answering questions and greeting people. In the two hours there was a steady flow of students, making me believe more people must have showed up later on. Luckily there are no more questions about the third trial, so people must have told their friends already.

That's the Hogwarts rumor mill for you.

With a final third hour around the table taking care of the stragglers, we're finally alone in the room.

Well, not entirely.

Neville makes his way to the table. The four of us crowd around it and stare at him expectantly. He fidgets a bit before gathering his courage.

"I don't believe you," he finally stutters out. He's looking directly at me. The four of us share a glance. We had spent a good seven hours during the summer coming up with a list of people who could be trusted with the truth. Neville ended up at the top of the pathetically short list.

"You're going to have to be more specific than that, Neville" I state a bit amused. He flashes a bit before regaining his wits. He clenches his fists and starts again.

"I don't believe this is just a simple study group. You're using it to fight back against You-Know-Who. I don't know how, but I want to help." He finishes in a tone that brokers no argument. We share one more look, and Ron takes over.

"Of course mate, and we'd love to include you. There just one thing we need first." Ron explains in a friendly tone. We present a united force with Hermione sitting at the table with her fingers steepled, Ron standing behind her with her arms crossed. Ginny is lounging on the side of the table, twirling her wand in the hand she's not using to steady herself. I'm leaning against the front of the table at the opposite side from Ginny. Neville looks down at his feet, then snaps his head back up with steel in his eyes. It was a look we had seen a few times before. Most notably when he tried to stop us in first year.

"What do you need" he asserts. Ginny smiles at him.

"We need you to say his name, Nev. Don't worry, it's just a name, and we don't expect you to say it every time." Ginny explains softly. Hermione stares at him intensely from behind her hands, her hair creating a shadow over her face. He balks a bit, whipping his eyes between us.

"It's a name Neville, we need you to say Voldemort," Hermione states clearly. Neville shakes a bit at the sound before closing his eyes.

He stands there unmoving for what seems like ages. We wait silently. Finally, his eyes snap open.

"V-Voldemort." He blurts lets out a sigh as we smile at him. I jump up and move up to clap my hand on his shoulder. He flinches a bit at the sudden movement.

"Great job Nev!" I exclaimed with a smile. "In the future, if you can't say the name again just call him some variation of Tom Riddle. That's the name his mother gave him. Now let's explain, shall we?" I lead him over to the table. We take the next hour laying out the basics of our plan. We stop for lunch and leave to eat and talk about lighter things. We head back to the room, and the real explaining begins. We hit him with a few bombshells and continue until the whole plan is out.

"So, are you in?" Ron asks at the end. Neville is sitting in one of the chairs, shellshocked. He blinks a bit before nodding. With that, we head back to Gryffindor tower.

I mentally tick this off the list and consider what will come next. We have nothing major planned for a while, so the only thing to worry about is my date with Ginny.

Merlin help me.

Well, there you go, guys! The second arc has officially begun! I hope I stepped up my game with this chapter! Now for reviews!

ObsessedWithHPFanFic- Yay! I was trying really hard to make the description "elfy," it's great to know you think I succeeded. Thank you for reviewing!

smallwjl- Here's more! Things have settled down so expect more rapid updates!

LordTicky- Yeah, she was COMPLETELY responsible with it. My trio's going to be a bit more balanced like they were in the first three books. Glad you liked it!

GinnyPotter6891- Thank you for saying so! I loved creating a more human Lily and James. Yeah he's being modest, he has horrible self-esteem. I do think Ron should be the battle leader though. Has anyone else noticed how everything seems to blow up when Ron's not involved in the planning? In the end though, I just want them to be equal, like a group of friends should be.

randver- Thank you! I really want to create a equal dynamic between the three. I also firmly believe that harry deserve all the family I can give him. He's earned it. Thank you for reviewing.

535Colinm- Thank you! You're cool too!

stars90- I'm glad you liked it! I try my best and I'm so glad it shows!

Thank you, everyone!

~GHEARTSTONE