Chapter 10

Throughout the rest of the weekend, everyone seemed to find out what had happened and were avoiding George as much as possible. I stuck by him, though; he was there for me and I would be there for him. The castle seemed to tingle with rumors of what had happened, the students making their own stories of heroism in the face of danger. By Sunday afternoon, the halls were buzzing with a story of mayhem and terror. Someone had said that Voldemort himself had entered the castle without any of the teachers knowing, and had dueled me in the Ravenclaw common room. It was preposterous, of course, but the students felt it was true, no matter what I said.

I was ready for classes to being so the students would stop staring at me with terror in their eyes, whispering in the halls and skirting around me as I walked to the Common Room. I was beginning to feel like Harry Potter during his second year when everyone thought he was he true heir of Slytherin, which was ridiculous. Did they think I was Voldemort's old house elf of something? I had never worked for the Riddles, nor their relatives, and I was proud of that fact, although working for Mr. Crouch had been no walk in the park.

I had just stepped foot on the grand staircase when I heard a sharp whisper coming from a tapestry. Turning my head I realized someone was calling me. Walking gingerly to the tapestry, I stuck my head in and saw Hermione and Harry, waving me onwards. Curious about where they were leading me, I followed, looking around me as we headed up.

Quirking an eyebrow, I whispered to Hermione

"Where are we going?"

"Shh, just a bit further Winky," she replied, putting a finger to her lips and gesturing me to follow. I nodded my head, watching Harry as he stopped suddenly and gestured for us to be quiet. He pulled something out of his pocket. It looked like a piece of extremely old parchment, and I heard him murmur "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." I leaned forward to see what he was looking at and was amazed at what I saw. Lines were suddenly appearing on the parchment, along with tiny figures which were moving. I suddenly realized this was a map of Hogwarts and the surrounding areas. I could clearly see Hagrids hut in the distance, behind it the Forbidden Forest, which had two figures in it. Leaning in further, almost touching Harry's forearm, I saw where we were; the seventh floor, right by the 'Come-and-Go room', as we House Elves called it.

Harry whispered another couple words and the parchment was rid of its lines. Placing it in his pocket again, he gestured us to follow him, and so we did. I was amazed as I saw

Hermione jump ahead and begin to cross back and forth in front of a blank wall, concentration etched on her features. After crossing over the same spot three times, a door appeared out of nowhere.

"Amazing!" I muttered to myself, as I followed Harry towards the spot where the door appeared and entered to find myself in a room full of books and portraits. All around me were numerous witches and wizards of all ages casting charms and jinxes at figures in dark black cloaks with masks on their faces.

"Welcome Winky, to the Room of Requirement. This is where we practice our defense without the Ministry knowing," Hermione said eagerly. I could see her eyes light up and her cheeks glow with anticipation. I was giddy. I knew about this place, but every time I went in here it was always filled with antidotes for butterbeer and a nice comfy House Elf sized bed where I always woke up. I turned around, feeling proud and hopeful as Harry began to speak.

"I think you know why you're here, Winky. Professor McGonagall has asked us to teach you some spells which should help you. Now these spells are advanced for First years, but we know you can do it. We have a secret group, which not even the Ministry of

Magic knows about. We are called the D.A. or Dumbledore's…" At this his eyes glazed over and his voice trailed off. I knew he was still hurting over the painful loss, all of us were. Harry regained his composure quickly, though, and continued. "Dumbledore's Army."

"Here we learn spells which the Ministry feels we shouldn't learn, since we're supposed to be small, insignificant teenagers who can't do anything but complain. Sorry, got a little annoyed there. The Ministry has been nothing but trouble for me lately, always wanting to know where I am every second." He walked over towards the furthest wall, where a shelf stood with what looked like a Pensive and removed a memory from his mind. After placing the silvery strand of memory into the Pensive, he spoke again.

"Now, we don't expect you to learn quickly. We understand if you don't want to do this but hear me out. We'll protect you from Voldemort; we know why he's after you, however I can't say for fear of scaring you."

"Tell me, please, I think I have a right to know." I interrupted him, my eyes bearing into his. He smiled, his green eyes twinkling happily and answered.

"Sorry, Winky, all in good time. We don't have all the facts. Anyway, we want you to join the D.A. You would make a great student. You have all the qualities and I know you can do this."

"I have one question, though; I just got my wand, I know no magic, so how in the world am I to learn anything? The only magic I know is my own and I'm not allowed to use it here… Wait, does my magic have something to do with Voldemort?" The question jumped out of my mouth before I knew what I was saying. Hermione looked at Harry, who had a weird expression on his face, almost as if he was hiding something. I knew then it was true; Voldemort didn't want me, he wanted my magic! No wonder I wasn't allowed to use it. If I did he would know and try to come here and take me. I shuddered

to think of what he would do to get my magic. Before I could think on that any further,

Hermione stepped in.

"We don't know that for sure, but it's a good possibility. That's why we want you to join; we can protect you just as much as the Order can. The Ministry doesn't want to protect you, they only want what's good for them. If you join us, you'll be protected by the greatest bunch of students. We battled Voldemort and his followers, we know what they're like, and the Ministry doesn't. You have a better chance of keeping your power with us, than with the Ministry.

"Listen, Winky; think on it. It's a big decision to make, only you can make it. Take this." She placed a Galleon in my palm, only it didn't seem like a real Galleon. I looked up at her with my big tennis ball-shaped eyes and spoke in a shaky voice, which was not my own.

"What's this?"

"It's a way of getting our members here for meetings. You see those numbers, how they're not the same as normal Galleons? They show the time and date for our meetings. See?" She tapped her wand to her Galleon and the numbers magically changed before my eyes. I nodded.

"Amazing, something like the Dark Mark right? Only not so painful."

"Exactly. Our next meeting isn't for another two weeks, we have to go somewhere. We think we know where one of the Horcruxes is, so we're going to find it. Don't tell anyone about this club, though, it's a secret." She looked at her watch and hung her mouth in shock. "Look at the time, it's almost curfew! We need to get back now. Winky, come back here for the meeting if you want to join, if not then it's no big deal. But think about what we said, alright?"

"I will." I began to walk towards the door and before I opened it I turned back, "Wait.

You said you might have found a Horcrux? Where? Maybe I could help you."

"No." Harry said stepping forward, "It's too dangerous for someone who hasn't used a wand before, Winky, we don't want anything to happen to you. You're far too important."

I just stood there in shock. I was beginning to feel useless, like I wasn't even worthy of being here with them. Hanging my head in shame for harboring such emotions, I turned back to the door and stepped out, wondering what I should do. I was so confused. Harry had acted so cold towards me, as if he didn't care about anything but himself. Of course, his life was in danger everyday, so I could understand that.

I made it back to my Common Room with no problems at all and, as I slid into my bed that night, I thought about what Hermione had said. Was I truly that important? I was

scared and afraid. It seemed like forever before I closed my eyes and drifted off into a nightmarish sleep.

"My Lord, it has been done." My voice sounded skittish and terrified. I heard voices all around me, whispering silent curses at me while the man stood in front of me. I was holding a body wrapped in a plain white sheet, the body was moving, trying to break free of its confines, but I held on.

"About time you did something right, Wormtail. Give her to me," the man hissed, in a snake-like way that made the skin crawl on my arms. I placed the body into the man's cold, pale-white hands and stepped back, watching.

"Now my faithful Death Eaters, watch as I become the most powerful wizard in the world, more powerful than ever. Our time has come, the time when the world will become a cold, dark place. And all thanks to one House Elf…" His voice drifted away as he placed the body in a cauldron. The sheet had slipped off, showing a floppy brownish ear and head. The tennis ball-shaped eyes of the House elf were half closed, its mouth quivering in fear. The man looked down at the House Elf and cackled.

"Watch now, as I take this pathetic House Elf's power from her. She thought she could hide from me, but she was wrong. Winky the House Elf is no more!" With that, the cauldron flared into life…

I awoke, screaming, as the remnants of the dream left me shaking in my bed, sweat glistening on my forehead. I looked around to make sure I was indeed at Hogwarts, safe in my dorm room, and gave a mighty sigh of relief with I saw Sarah just waking up beside me.

"Winky? Are you okay?" She asked groggily as she got up and started to fish out her robes for the day. I nodded my head, not trusting myself to speak and got ready for school. I was terrified now. I had just had another vision, this time I was in it, yet I wasn't who I thought I was, I was Wormtail, formerly known as Peter Pettigrew. I knew then that I was in extreme danger and my choice was made. I would join the D.A

Breakfast went by fast and soon enough I found myself in Charms class, listening to Professor Flitwick go on and on about Wingardium Leviosa. I wasn't paying much attention though; I was too concerned about what had happened in my dream.

"5 points deducted from Ravenclaw! Winky, please pay attention or leave the class."

Professor Flitwick squeaked out as he glared down at me. I shook my head, clearing it and nodded shyly.

"Sorry professor." I gave him my full attention as George turned to watch me. I nudged him in the ribs, telling him silently that I was fine and listened as Professor Flitwick finished.

"Now remember, it's Win-gar-dee-um Levi-O-sa. The Gar and O must be clearly spoken or the spell won't work properly. Now, you have your feather in front of you, let's try."

I looked at George who had this funny expression on his face as he began to concentrate on his feather. He swished and flicked his wand shouting "Wingardium Leviosa" but to no avail. The feather just sat there not moving at all. He looked at me shrugging, a goofy grin on his face.

"Well, your turn Winky." I smiled at him, reassuring him I was able to handle this one tiny thing as I pointed my wand at the feather and concentrated hard on what the spell was. Swishing and flicking my wand, I shouted softly and the feather rose an inch off the table, casting a small shadow to caress the hard wood which had been scorched many times by candles. I held my concentration for as long as I could, but was stopped soon as I heard someone mutter something about me being a sniveling dimwit. The feather fluttered helplessly onto the table once I dropped my wand, trying to get my composure back and took deep breaths to control myself from retaliating.

"Ten points to Ravenclaw. That was wonderful Winky, well done." Professor Flitwick said, his voice squeaking slightly as he stood up and moved towards me. I raised myself up, feeling proud of what I had just accomplished. Sure, it wasn't a Patronus or anything powerful like that, but it was a start. I knew I still had a long way to go, but was prepared for all the bumps and bruises that would no doubt come my way as I headed towards my goal.

We spent the rest of the class practicing and trying to get our feathers to float more than a few inches off the table and in the end, only a few students were able to get it right. I didn't get any homework as I had performed the spell properly and had proven to

Professor Flitwick that I could do it. The others weren't so lucky though, and had to write a 12 inch essay on the proper wordings of the charm and what could happen if it was said incorrectly. I was thrilled! I hated writing essays as I wasn't good at it, if my potions homework was any indication. I sent all of Saturday and Sunday doing it, hoping for at least a passing mark. To say that I wasn't looking forward to it would be an understatement.

I started getting hungry halfway through our next lesson. I was already bored of hearing about the kind of soil we should use for what plant, where we should keep them so they'll grow the best and what type of equipment we have to have in order to properly maintain the plants. I wasn't interested in Herbology at all, it was really pointless, but I concentrated the best I could and tried to listen as Professor Sprout lectured us on the Devil's Snare, a highly dangerous plant which pulled you into its trap and suffocated you. It hated the light and loved dark damp places like sewers. It reminded me of Harry

Potter's first year. Hermione had told me that when she, Harry and Ron had jumped through the trapdoor, they landed on a patch of the evil plant and Harry and Ron had panicked and began to squirm out of its grip, which enabled the plant to tighten its tentacles around them, suffocating them slowly. If it hadn't been for Ron shouting at

Hermione, she would also have completely lost her head and wouldn't have been able to save them by making a blue fire come out of her wand to scare off the plant. Needless to say they had managed to get to the Stone and destroy it before He-Who-Must-Not-Be-

Named procured it.

I snapped back to attention when I heard Professor Sprout give us our homework and immediately smiled. We had to write of an instance when the Devil's Snare was used to stop someone from getting something, in detail, with examples of spells they used or incantations. It had to be 11 inches long and single spaced. I heard George groaning beside me, along with all the other first years from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. I just chuckled and put my books away and headed out towards the castle. The weather was gorgeous. The sun was shining brightly over the grounds, the wind was gently flowing over our heads, bringing along with it a faint smell of flowers from Hagrid's garden, making me long for a time when I would be out here, actually enjoying the weather before winter hit.

The rest of the afternoon went by smoothly, nothing serious happening except our poor muscles getting a workout. Professor Tonks seemed to think she should move on with her training as she called it and began working us to the bone, having us run laps and learn the basics of hand to hand combat. She wanted us to learn something called "Karartea" what she called a Muggle Chinese defense. I had no idea what it involved except a lot of running and moving around. George seemed to know what it was, though, and he tried explaining it to me.

"Karate is something the ancient Chinese Muggles came up with hundreds of years ago.

It's a way of defense but can be used to attack people at will. You use only your hands and feet, fighting off your attacker, or in the case of you being the attacker, knocking your opponent to the ground and throwing them unconscious to steal. It's all about the mind. I'm surprised she isn't telling us to start meditating to get our minds at ease and prepare our soul for the lessons."

"Um, okay. I didn't get anything that you just said, George, but I'll believe you." I chuckled as we practiced. It was tiring. Needless to say, I didn't do that well since I was so short and clumsy. I kept falling out of step and tripping over my large feet, making the

Hufflepuffs laugh and point. I was just at the point of giving up when the bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Wearily we split up, walking towards the castle and trying to enjoy the last rays of sunshine before the storm clouds rolled in.

The rest of the day went by smoothly, as everyone was either in their common rooms or elsewhere, leaving me in peace. I finally had time to think over my vision and I was still unnerved by what I saw. It seemed so real yet it wasn't. George stayed within speaking distance to me. I guess he was worried about me, but I needed to be alone. I told him I was going to my dorm room to study and do my homework, but I knew he knew the real reason. It was then I realized he was a sort of shield for me; I could rely on him at any given point in time. He would always be there for me, through thick and thin, and I felt bad for not being able to tell him about the D.A. He would learn a lot there too, yet Harry and Hermione both felt as though George would be able to handle anything I guess and I couldn't.

I was curious as to where they were going, though, and wanted to go with them. It was burning me up inside, knowing that they were heading off into the unknown, when I would be here, suffering through my adolescence alone. I shivered as I thought of the dangers that awaited them, and prayed for their safe return. I just hoped they didn't end up like Professor Dumbledore. At this thought, I cried myself to sleep.