Chapter 10

There had to be someway to do this thought Ginny. Jennifer Stevens had suffered and Ginny did not want many more to suffer the same way. Jennifer had been raped and 'Crucioed' without a single protest from anyone. She wondered why the teachers had not said anything. At least they could have tried to moderate the proceedings of the School. Had the Death Eaters actually assumed so much control on the school? Had Voldemort taken over every aspect of their society? People my play innocent and unknowing but the events in the past summer demanded action. She wondered whether the Order of Phoenix needed leadership, leadership to get rid of these maniacs who called themselves 'pure'. She wondered what Harry would have done if he had been present at Hogwarts. She was sure Harry was chivalrous enough to stand behind Jenny Stevens and he was brave enough to face the severest consequences as long as justice was served. She had been cross with Harry for him letting her off the hook as far as coming to Hogwarts was concerned. She wanted him to take her on his quest. She never understood why he had left her and gone to this quest of his. She knew this dealt with Voldemort and she also knew that he wanted to keep her 'safe'. "Safe", she sighed. After last night she really did not know what was safe. Her thoughts slowly began drifting away from the current situation. It moved towards that thought which was helping Ginny feel brave enough to be plotting about this. Love. Love for the Boy-Who-Lived, The Chosen One Harry James Potter. Ginny knew it was not difficult to fall in love with Harry Potter. He was very lovable and brilliant as a human being, he wasn't a bad wizard either. Exceptionally talented on the Quidditch pitch and handsome. But above all he was a true hero in every sense of the term. His good heart made controversial decsions . Decsions that did not go down well with his loved ones, all because he wanted them to be safe. Ginny forgave him days ago. The incident with Jack Fawcett had truly shaken her. She knew that she could no longer afford to be weak and lost because Harry was too busy saving the world. She understood that Harry needed her to be strong for him. Maybe she could not help him directly, in that quest of his, but well she could help him form here she had to help she corrected, from here. Help keep those in Hogwarts safe from those obnoxious Death Eaters and Snape.

"Ginny…! You okay?...Whats wrong?"asked Neville, who had been observing her from the past few minutes. They had been discussing the plan of action to restart the DA or Dumbledore's Army. It was him and Luna along with Ginny on the main players. They were thinking of a way to meet and start confronting that rubbish who called themselves Death Eaters. Then Ginny had suddenly asked for a minute after which she was lost in her thoughts and dreams. Neville did not quite understand why Ginny was so lost. The previous night's incident had left him sick and he found it difficult to stomach. The boy who had shouted at Amycus Carrow when he dragged Jennifer Stevens by her hair had remained her only defender. To tell the truth Neville was a ashamed at his inability to respond to the situation. The classes for the seventh years were to say very suspicious but at same time very normal. The Gryffindors atleast thankfully had avoided the Carrows as well as the Slytherins so far. It was Lunch Hour. They had finished Transfiguration and Charms. After the break they had Defense Against the Dark Arts taught by Amycus Carrow and followed by Muggle Studies by Alecto Carrow. The last Hour of the day was Potions and somehow Neville was looking forward to Potions. Transfiguration was something that Neville had not really expected to study, Proffesor Mcgonagall had decided to admit Neville in after his grit to prove himself was evident. Neville was grateful. He had one more hour of false security in this creepy stay. Sure none of their years had been uneventful at Hogwarts but this year would take the cake as the creepeist year. The Term surprisingly enough after such opinions had just begun. Neville suddenly knew their was no room for fear and no room for doubt. This was their fight against that twisted loony Voldemort and Neville knew this was the wayhe would remember his parents sacrifice and repay the belief that his friends had in him. Especially Harry.

The term was about to end. Dumbledore had just been buried and Voldemort was stronger than ever before. Neville was walking out of the Charms classroom. He was watching Hannah Abbot. The Hufflepuff was very fancied her very much. He was thinking on the current status of the war. The Daily Prophet was junk according to him and his grandmother. He however read the 'junk' because it gave him that extra perspective about everything. Especially the War. Neville had visited the Library to check on Hannah. He pledged to make an impact and he was ready to take those against him head on. He was after all a Gryffindor. He quitely recollected that night in the first year when Ron had told him that he was worth twelve of Malfoy. He was touched by the faith they had in him – the hopeless Longbottom the family disappointment and he knew they were trusting him with being capable of fighting Voldemort. His thoughts crowded his head. Neville descended the steps towards the Transfiguration courtyard and mad ehis way towards te Grand Staircase. Suddenly he heard Harry call out for him. Nevile was surprised. Harry had been a good friend of his but from the past few days the only people who he had spent time with were Ginny and Ron and Hermione. In fact most of the time he spent alone and seldom spoke except when he was with ginny or maybe discussing something very important with Ron and Hermione. Neville did not expect this call at all. He turned and saw Harry waitig along with Ginny near the the benches. As Neville made his way he heard Harry call, "Hey Neville here…!"

He saw Harry kiss Ginny quickly and she left leaving him alone. Harry watched Neville as he made his way.

"Neville I wanted to…er..tell you something and wanted a favour form you…",said Harry , "If you're okay with it!"

"Yeah Sure Harry",said Neville.

"Neville , please take care of Hogwarts and all our friends and well wishers. The Death Eaters are getting strong and we are going to face many challenges ahead and I want you to be there and lead the fight!"said Harry.

This took Neville by surprise. Harry was here why was he just asking himtp take care of hose they cared for and why was he specifically asking Neville to lead the students against Voldemort. Harry was still here;why would the need arise?Did Harry have something in his mind.

"I will Harry, but why me, why now?" asked Neville.

"I may not come back to Hogwarts Neville. I have some sort of a mission to do…."said Harry.

"What mission…?"Neville began. But Harry cut him off.

"That is all I can tell you Neville, Please forgive me, I understand your want to know about my mission and it is all right,you know you need not do that…"Said Harry.

"Don't worry Harry I will do it!"Neville assured him. Then Harry looking reassured asked him one more thing-"Neville keep an eye on Ginny for me. Please take care of her. I….I trut you Neville. I can depend on you."he finished.

Neville looked up and said "Harry I give my word I swear by my honour that I will do my best!"

The memory of the evening was flooding his mind. He could fail Harry. Harry had indirectly entrusted this responsibility to Neville. He hoped that Harry was safe right now. There had been no news of the whereabouts of Harry. Neville thought of his friend's trust in him. It just pushed the spirit in Neville to strengthen further. He knew one thing though failure was not an option. He knew to do anything they needed a place where they were safe from the Death Eaters to plan and to discuss. And Neville found himself in a similar thought process as Ginny who sat in front of him with the same things in mind. He did not know what to do bt he was absolutely determined to find a way.

All of a sudden it struck him like a bolt. The Room of Requirement. Why hadn't it come to him in the first place? They could do what they wanted in there and resist the Death Eaters without getting caught. First up they needed volunteers. The pieces of the puzzle began to fit in front of his eyes. He turned to Ginny-

"Ginny, I have got plan, I think it will work!" he said simply and Ginny looked up with interest.

"We need to get into the Room of Requirement and get ourselves to move ahead."

Ginny thought for a moment and replied, "You're right lets get there."

Neville nodded and said, " Spot on. Lets make a list….!"

Ginny quickly took a piece of parchment and started writing they had a few names; a decent headstart. Ginny looked at the list and examined it along with Neville.

Dumbledore's Army

Neville Longbottom

Ginny Weasley

Luna Lovegood

Seamus Finnegan

Terry Boot

Anthony Goldstein

Micheal Corner

Lavender Brown

Ernie MacMillan

Hannah Abbot

Susan Bones

Jimmy Coote

John Peakes

Parvati Patil

Padma Patil

Neville took the list and kept it inside. Ginny went up to her dorm to pick up her books while Neville waited down. After Ginny reappeared they made their way downstairs into the Grat Hall to grab a bit of lunch befor they went for their classes. Both of them were visibly excited. There was a lot to talk about an dplan. They were in for an exhaustive evening and they were quite looking forward to it.

A/N

Long time no see…..!Hope you like it Pls review…..!

ksvhp