The Carrows' Calling
Chapter Ten
Disclaimer; None of this belongs to us, all goes to J.K. Rowling. Hope you will enjoy this chapter, happy reading!
"So," asked Luna nervously. "What do you think?"
Neville, Ginny and Luna were in the Room of Requirement again, huddled around the table, looking at the edition of The Quibbler Luna had copied. Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood, had sent them to Luna at her request.
Neville looked at Luna. "It's great!" he said happily. "This is perfect for informing other students!"
Luna smiled. "Well, I need to duplicate it first. But that'll be easy, I'll do it tonight. Is that okay?"
"Yep!" Ginny responded, "the sooner the better. But if we're giving it out tomorrow, we better think of what we'll do after we have D.A. back up. I was thinking…" As Ginny talked, she noticed that Luna and Neville weren't really listening. Out of the corner of her eye, Ginny saw Neville give Luna a look. She wasn't sure what it meant, but decided to ignore it.
Together, they brainstormed ideas until they thought of what seemed like a good plan. Ginny decided to tell it to the D.A. members, and put it in action once they were all back together.
"Thanks!" Lavender said as she skimmed over the page Ginny gave her.
"Would you mind giving one to Parvati too?" asked Ginny, handing Lavender another edition of The Quibbler.
"No problem!" Lavender said, taking the newspaper from Ginny's hand. Neville and Luna were doing the same thing, in different places in Hogwarts.
The Quibbler copies they were giving out told them to go the the Room of Requirement tonight at 7:30. That is, if they still wanted to join. Ginny was worried there wasn't going to be enough people. Relax. We've managed with three before.
After Ginny had finished handing out the editions of The Quibbler (near the end, some people Ginny asked had already taken one), she entered the Room of Requirement, and waited for Neville and Luna.
They walked in together after a couple minutes, whispering to each other about something. Ginny frowned, not sure about what they were saying. She thought she heard 'she'll like it' and 'are you sure', but decided not to pry any further, trying to trust them.
"So, how'd it go?" Ginny asked, interrupting their conversation.
"It was great, many people wanted to join again. I even recruited some new members, like that guy Logan you were talking about!" Luna exclaimed. Ginny was relieved; people did want to join again. That was probably what they were talking about. Her friends weren't excluding her on anything.
"So, shall we get some rest? Meet here again, 7:30?" Neville said. Ginny and Luna both nodded, and left.
That night, Ginny went into the Room of Requirement early, along with Luna and Neville. They sat at the table (Luna had created some extra chairs, too), waiting for the others.
As 7:30 came, more and more people came into the room, until the table was full. Ginny saw many familiar faces, like Lavender Brown, Parvati and Padma Patil, Seamus Finnigan, Terry Boot, and the last face she recognised was the biggest surprise, Logan Erudia. When they were certain no one else would come, Ginny nodded to Neville, and he stood up. The room quieted.
"Thank you for coming, and proving your faith and commitment to Dumbledore. As we know, Snape is now Headmaster," some angry mumbles filled the air, "and we have two new professors; the Carrow siblings." Ginny heard nervous and scared voices scattered throughout the room. "They have been terrible, as you very well know, and we have to stop it—this is what Dumbledore's Army is about; keeping Hogwarts… well, Hogwarts. Keeping Hogwarts home, keeping it home to the many students that live here.
"To protest for what the Carrows are doing, Ginny, Luna, and I have created a plan." Finishing, he sat down and nodded to Luna, who stood up.
"We have to make sure all the professors know about the Carrows' doings. And to do so, we have planned to vandalise the school." Ginny heard gasps from nearly everyone as it set in. "It sounds dangerous, and it is. But this is the best way for everyone to know about how the Carrows are treating us." Luna paused for a moment. "If anyone thinks this is too risky, and wants to back out, you may do so now. But if you do choose too, you must sign a sheet to promise that you will not sell us out."
A moment of silence. No one left the room. Luna smiled. "Thank you all. Before we begin, would you all please sign this sheet of paper?" Luna passed down the table a sheet of parchment and quill and waited patiently for everyone to sign the paper. "When you sign this parchment, I will remind you once more, you are signing up for danger. I will give you one more chance if you don't want to join." Again, no one made move to leave the room, and Luna continued.
"If you sign the paper and rat us out, we will know exactly who you are." Luna sat down and the parchment was passed back to her, with all of the signatures of everyone in the room. She nodded at Neville.
"OK, thank you," Neville said, thanking D.A. for signing the promise. "Starting tomorrow, we will give the Carrows a little… surprise about Dumbledore's Army being back again. We will vandalise the school in groups with at least one skilled charm-caster, who will, at that time, cast an Disillusion spell on everyone in their group. And we will try to do this as much as possible, until the professors decide to do something." Neville sat down and nodded at Ginny, who finally stood up and began to speak.
"This will be dangerous, and risky. However, it will be even more so if we continue to let the Carrows treat us like crap; who knows what hell will be brought upon us? If the professors can't do anything, we will. And we're not just doing this for the fun of it. The Carrows are horrible; just a month ago," Ginny took a deep breath. "They gave me detentions, and during them, they used on me both the Cruciatus Curse and the Imperious Curse."
As Ginny had expected, voices of outrage and anger spread through the room. "Yes, two of the Unforgivable Curses. I'm sure they would've been happy to cast the last one left on me, but they can't, can they?" Ginny glanced at Neville, who looked beyond angry. She gave him a small smile, and saw with relief that his scowl had cleared a little. "This is why we must fight. For students, friends, family and even our professors. And of course," she looked around the room. "For Dumbledore!" Ginny raised her wand to the ceiling and silently lit it up. The others did the same.
"FOR DUMBLEDORE!" every voice in the room shouted enthusiastically. Neville, and Luna stood up with Ginny. They smiled at each other, and took a small bow to the audience.
Ginny allowed herself a small, proud, grin through the flutter of clapping.
Ginny woke up smiling.
Throughout the day, her attitude did not dim, not even when Professor Carrow unleashed what seemed like the most crap assignment Ginny had ever heard.
"You will write a paper with all the ways Muggles are mistreating us wizards and witches," she told the class, as she caught Ginny's eye and smirked. "You will also write how we are superior compared to them. Due in two days."
Ginny raised her hand, and without waiting to be called on, she spoke.
"Professor Carrow, I'm finished my assignment." she said in a cocky voice. When Professor Carrow glanced in her direction, Ginny took out a blank sheet of parchment and waved it up in the air, making sure everyone in the room saw it. "I guess I have two free days now?" Ginny grinned. Professor Carrow glared.
"Well, do you want another detention?"
"Oh no, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" Ginny said in mock horror, but with just enough fake honesty so that Professor Carrow couldn't tell she was faking.
"Alright then. Know better than to talk back, Miss. Weasley." she huffed. Ginny wanted to burst out laughing. Normally she would be incredibly angry, but there didn't seem to be a reason for that anymore. Now that we're doing something to stop her.
In the Room of Requirement, the people were split into five groups, each of them flickering between invisibility, practising for that night. Ginny, Neville, and Luna were together as they talked.
"Okay, we have everything planned out. Nothing will go wrong," Neville said, then, seeing Ginny's face, hastily restated, "and I mean it this time!" Ginny laughed, eyes sparkling.
"Yes, I trust you. And everyone here as well. Shall we begin?" With Neville's eager nod, Ginny turned to the crowd. "Okay, Dumbledore's Army! We trust that you are adequately prepared for tonight. Again, we will all go to the Great Hall. Make sure you are being quiet, and whoever's casting the spell must concentrate. And don't forget your spray cans!" Ginny added. Everyone smiled and nodded. "Alright then, let's get going!"
"Do you have your newspapers?" Luna asked. Lavender, Ernie and Logan all nodded. Floating in the air in front of them were a stack of The Quibbler, ready to be slipped all over the place. The papers were charmed with a spell that would duplicate the object if touched. They would spread The Quibbler all over the school, so it would be impossible for the Carrows (or anyone) to clean up. There was also a spell placed on the papers so no one could summon them. The clock chimed eleven o'clock; one hour to midnight.
One by one, each group left the Room of Requirement, everyone having a different destination. They marched through the hall, in the inky blackness, in muted excitement. All the members were careful not to leave any hints of their trek behind. Each group had a person that would lead with the spray paint, one that would hold the newspaper and one that would keep the Disillusion Charm alive.
Soon, Ginny, Neville and Luna were the last people left. All of the groups would meet up together in the Great Hall for the final act of the plan at exactly 11:45. Ginny had given the leader of each of the groups a watch, so they could synchronise.
Luna replaced the Disillusion Charm once more, and Ginny floated the newspaper up. Their destination was Headmaster Snape's office door. They were to paint a huge phoenix on the door of his office, to symbolize the Order. But Ginny had a better idea. She nodded to Neville and Luna, and they exited the Room of Requirement.
Ginny had checked the times of all of the professors' patrol times, and the Professor Carrows were not patrolling, much to her relief. The patrol guard for tonight was Professor Flitwick, who, as planned, was at the other side of the school. The trio tiptoed across the many staircases and hallways until they reached the ugly old gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office. Ginny grinned at what she thought looked like Luna blended into the wall. Neville passed Luna and Ginny a can of spray paint, and they began to work.
The silence was only broken by the quiet fizzling of paints.
When Ginny, Luna and Neville were finished, Ginny stepped back and admired the view.
'LILY DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE IN YOUR OFFICE.'
Ginny checked her watch. It was 11:26; Professor Flitwick would be coming back soon. Ginny nodded to Luna and Neville, who silently dropped the cans of spray paint on the floor, right in front of Snape's office, and left for the Great Hall. They entered, and saw the rest of D.A. still in the Disillusion Charms. She could barely make them out; they had done their job well. Ginny ran down to the staff table. Behind it were the four house banners. With a flick of Ginny's wand, the banners all ripped in the middle and left a space for writing. Neville and Luna caught up with her. She turned to Dumbledore's Army.
"Ready?" Ginny whispered, and from where she could see, they nodded and, as far as Ginny could eye, some of them raised their cans of spray paint. They set to work. Lavender was spreading out the newspaper all over the place. She touched a few experimentally, and they duplicated, as they were expected to. Ginny grabbed a can of spray paint from Neville, and using her wand, began to write the words: 'DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY, STILL RECRUITING!' in big, bold red letters. Luna was painting on the Headmaster's chair: DUNDERHEAD, SITTING RIGHT HERE! Ginny saw out of the corner of her eye that Seamus was writing on the wall closest to the Slytherin table: HARRY POTTER IS ALIVE AND IS GOING TO KICK YOUR BUTT, SEVERUS SNAPE! Logan, Padma and Parvati had helped Ginny with writing the sign that said: YOU SHOULD MARRY UMBRIDGE, CARROW! Ginny saw some of the Hufflepuffs in the group write again, but in smaller letters: DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY, STILL RECRUITING!
They had worked relentlessly, and when finished, silently left. It seemed like nothing at all had happened, to a passerby or professor, in this special night. At least, until morning came.
A paper flew into Ginny's face. She woke up, and was neither surprised or disappointed.
There were papers. Lots of them.
As Ginny hurriedly got dressed, and walked out of the room, she laughed quietly at the view. Dozens of The Quibbler were on the floor, the walls, and some people had even taped newspapers onto the ceiling. Most of the students were immensely confused, then shrugged and walked away, only to slip on yet another sheet of paper. But once in awhile, Ginny noticed some students smile proudly at the sight, just like Ginny had.
"So," Lavender whispered, seeing Ginny. "D'you like it?" Ginny looked around at the many Quibblers. She nodded, words couldn't express what she felt today.
"Definitely. It's amazing." Lavender grinned, happy with herself, and skipped away. Ginny waved goodbye, and with a spring in her step, she walked to the Great Hall. She felt like skipping too. Ginny met Neville on the way out of the Gryffindor common room and they walked together to breakfast.
"Last night, eh?"
"I can't wait to see the professors' reactions!" Ginny said enthusiastically. Neville nodded. They spent the rest of the walk there in silence.
Once they had made it to the Great Hall, it was a sight to see. Professor McGonagall had her wand upraised to perform a spell, but no incantation rose from her lips. From where Ginny could see, Professor McGonagall looked almost proud. A feeling Ginny couldn't describe welled up in her heart. But the look on Headmaster Snape was the one that gave Ginny the most satisfaction. Snape's face was contorted and twisted in anger. His fists were clenched, and the look in his eyes could be described as a barely controlled rage of fire, ice and flame.
He seemed on the verge of losing control. Got what he deserved. And the Carrows were seething, with their wands out, trying (without success) to get rid of the words. Ginny was sure that Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick could have had the words gone in a minute, but like Ginny, they enjoyed seeing the Carrows struggle.
Ginny was careful to make sure that no one knew it was her; the Carrows couldn't have any more leverage. Soon, more and more students came in, with shocked expressions on their faces. Ginny grinned, but then wiped it off her face. Neville noticed Ginny, and stopped his conversation with Luna to sit beside her.
"Pretty impressive, isn't it?" Ginny nodded, beginning to eat her breakfast. Ginny looked back up to the staff table. Snape was trying to get rid of the offensive message on his seat, as was Professor Carrow. Professor McGonagall had already sat down and began to eat, acting like nothing was happening, but Ginny thought she saw a shadow of amusement flicker across her face.
Professor Carrow seemed to feel offended from this, because he yelled at her:
"Get up you little PRICK!" Professor McGonagall looked startled, but continued to eat her breakfast wordlessly. Professor Carrow glared at her, and yelled again,
"DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME THE FIRST TIME, YOU OLD SENILE BITCH?!" Professor McGonagall pretended that she had not, and poured her milk steadily. Professor Carrow was raging now.
"ARE YOU DEAF, YOU LITTLE—"
"Why, Professor, lauganuge!" Professor McGonagall scolded, in a voice as if reprimanding a child. Professor Carrow looked scandalised. He glared at her once more, but did not say anything. Ginny and Neville exchanged grins.
Just then, Luna joined them at the Gryffindor table.
"This is wonderful; the teachers all seem happier!" she said cheerfully, the grin already on her face broadening.
"Well, if you don't count the Carrows and Snape, yes!" said Neville.
"Who cares about them? We'll continue this until people are forced to actually do something." Neville and Luna nodded. Ginny quickly finished her breakfast, listening to the conversation of her friends. She told Luna that she was going to get ready for class, and left. Ginny wandered the halls for a while, basking in her happiness. That is, until she met Professor Carrow in the halls. He seemed to smell her happiness and swooped down upon it like a hawk. He pressed his finger into her cheek, already accusing her wordlessly. Ginny looked him dead in the eye, ignoring the sharp nail digging into her face, daring him to speak. He released his finger from his cheek and crossed his arms angrily.
"You think you're so smart, do you, Miss. Weasley? I know you're behind this. And you'd better stop." Ginny's heart froze, but she forced her stare not to waver. "Yes, you don't want another detention, do you?" And before waiting for a response from Ginny, Professor Carrow elbowed her aside, and strolled away.
Ginny scowled at his shrinking shadow. However, it disappeared into a slightly sly smile. Well, too bad for you. I'm not the only one who can make threats.
Author's Note:
We really hope you have enjoyed this chapter, we had great fun writing it! Please, please, PLEASE, review, it would really make our day. And to those who have reviewed, THANK YOU! Thank you so much, you don't know how much it means to us that people are reading our fanfictions.
-Zigostia