5th February 1998

'What's the password?' whispered Lavender excitedly.

Parvati looked eagerly in Neville's direction, however, he did not answer.

'Neville?' prompted Seamus, elbowing Neville in the ribs, 'Come on man, we've been waiting for ages.' Seamus' words were greeted by a hum of approval from the rest of the DA who were all huddled in a group, trying to get a glimpse of what was going on.

Neville, who had been crouched over what seemed like a small black box for over ten minutes, still didn't answer but instead picked the box up and held it triumphantly in the air, 'Got it!' he said, not able to conceal his enthusiasm.

'Well come on then! Turn it on, turn it on!' said a voice from the back.

'Glumbumble,' said Neville clearly into the black box. A few seconds passed. Everybody seemed to be on the edge of their seats, waiting with anticipation for something to happen. After a few painful minutes crept slowly past, a loud voice suddenly filled the room.'

'Welcome to Potterwatch. We apologise for our temporary absence from the airwaves…'

'No!' shouted Seamus, a broad grin on his face, 'That's George Weasley!'

'Sh!' said Hannah, giving Seamus a small push on the arm; however, her face also bore a large grin. Everybody shuffled in a little closer and Neville turned the sound up.

'We have special guests tonight to give us news on some of the more insane rumours circulating around Harry Potter whom we will be referring to as the Chief Death Eater…'

'Harry!' cried Lavender.

There was a loud cheer in the room and Neville felt his heart flutter quickly in his chest. He could not remember a time he had ever been this excited or relieved to hear a voice of a friend coming from outside of Hogwarts. It had been months since he had heard proper news from anybody and the fact that people were still out there fighting made him feel happier than he had ever felt before. Not to mention that Harry was still alive! Which meant that Ron and Hermione were too!

'I'm happy to welcome Hedwig who will be talking with us today.'

Before Neville even had the time to try and guess who 'Hedwig' was, a familiar voice echoed from the radio.

'Hello Rodent, I'm happy to be here as usual.'

'Ginny,' breathed Pavarti, bringing her hand up slowly to cover her mouth. There was a ripple of murmuring and whispering as DA members put their heads together, relieved that Ginny was all right and safe.

'We've heard you have some news for us today?'

'I do and I am afraid not all of it is good. However, before I continue, I want to make it clear to everyone listening in; no matter if you are on the run, fighting, hiding or at Hogwarts, there is still reason for hope. Whether it be tomorrow, the day after or in a few weeks time; there will come a day where we will join up and fight for our freedom and the freedom of our friends and families! I know that this last year has been difficult, to say the least. Chaotic and dangerous in some places even. But times change and we will succeed no matter how long it takes us.'

'Well said, Ginny!' whispered Padma in her hands and Neville smiled.

'Today,' continued Ginny's voice, 'we have lost Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Gornuk and,' there was a pause and a distinct clearing of the throat was heard from the other end of the line. Neville braced himself, ' and Dobby, a free elf. I would like us all to close our eyes for two minutes and remember those who have passed.'

A silence swept over the Room and Requirement. So silent was it that you could have heard a fly. Bowing their heads and closing their eyes the DA paid their respects to the dead, some of whom they had known personally.

After the two minutes silence the radio crackled back to life, 'All right then. To finish off, there have been sightings of the Chief Death Eater whom we know he and his friends are still alive and fighting. Thank you, Hedwig, for joining us today. The next password will be Dumbledore. Don't forget to tune in again listeners, for more stories, tales, updates, and advice. In the meantime – Stay safe! And support Harry Potter!' the radio crackled for the last time until the room was left completely silent.

'Brilliant!' cried Ernie Macmillan, 'That was bloody brilliant!'

A small smile crept up on Neville's face, 'My grandmother told me about Potterwatch over half-term. Their updates are pretty irregular but they do get new speakers on every time…'

'It's way past curfew,' said Hannah suddenly, pointing at the large hourglass that was above the fireplace.

Neville glanced at the hourglass, 'Well,' he said, heaving himself out of his chair, 'You have the option of either going back to your dorms and meeting up tomorrow or doing a little more duelling practice and then meeting up tomorrow?'

'I say duelling practice,' shouted Seamus loudly, putting his arm up in the air. There was a murmur of approval and a few laughs as more hands shot into the air.

Neville scanned the room, feeling a sudden swell of pride. 'Duelling practice it is,' he said, now far happier and more hopeful than he had before Potterwatch.