Disclaimer: It's JKR's not mine
The second DA meeting of the year was planned to precede Astronomy on Thursday night. Harry planned on working out the banishing charm and also the patronus charm. As a result Harry knew that he would be doing more teaching and less supervising than the first meeting. Hermione was most interested in whether Cho Chang would be making an appearance or if she had indeed attempted to betray the group.
Much to Hermione's surprise, Cho did in fact arrive for the meeting, and she made a sweet smile at Harry as he welcomed everyone to the meeting. Blaise and Daphne looked a little worse for the wear when they arrived and Harry concernedly asked, "Blaise, Daphne, you guys look like you haven't been sleeping well. Are you both feeling ok?"
Blaise made a bland smile and replied, "It's kind of hard to sleep a lot when your house is filled with people that want to kill you."
Harry asked, "Would you like me to talk to Dumbledore again, about getting you moved to another house?"
Daphne shook her head and said, "Thank you Harry but we can't. At least not until our families are safe. How is Dumbledore coming on that?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders and said, "I've mentioned it to him the last few times I've talked to him, and he just tells me he is working on it. I'm sorry I can't really tell you any more because I don't know any more." Daphne and Blaise both nodded sadly as they entered the room.
Once everyone had gathered in the room Harry stood up at the lectern the room had provided and said, "Tonight we are going to be working on more difficult spells that very well may save your life in the near future. First, can anyone tell me what a patronus may be used for?"
Ron raised his hand and said, "It can be used to chase of dementors, or to shield someone from the effects of dementors, because a patronus is a concentration of happy thoughts."
Harry smiled and nodded before he said, "Yes, that's correct Ron. Does anyone else know of other uses for a patronus?"
Luna replied, "They could be used as a signal to another person of some danger or of an attack."
Harry looked impressed and replied, "Yes, that is a very creative use of a corporeal patronus. However, few witches and wizards have sufficient training and mental skill to create a corporeal patronus. Is there anyone else with an answer?"
Padma raised her hand and said, "They can be used to repel lethifolds also."
"Yes, those are the primary uses of a patronus for the standard witch or wizard. Luna's suggestion in particular may have some valid application for any future battles you may find yourself in because each individual's patronus is unique to them so it can not be faked and are an ideal means of communication. While the dementors currently are siding with the ministry, I believe they will join Voldemort's ranks very soon." Harry continued as everyone was at rapt attention as he openly discussed the war and its potential players.
Harry spoke passionately as he said, "If we have enough people to pick up the spell, then we will train squads to have at least one patronus caster that will act as a signal, to start counter offensives or retreats in our training. By the end of the DA, I want each and everyone one of you, to be competent enough to take on an equal sized squad of deatheaters, and you will defeat them without suffering any casualties." With those simple and passionately spoken words, everyone in the group knew that Harry was the one they would be following in the war against Voldemort, and they felt that if anyone would see it through to the end it would be Harry.
Harry smiled as he had gained almost everyone's attention and said, "Ok, now that I have your attention."
Harry glanced at Ron who immediately stopped talking to Lavender and look sheepish before Harry smirked and continued, "I am going to show you how to focus your mind on a happy thought in the presence of a dementor without succumbing to its effects."
After Harry finished saying this, a chest much like the one Professor Lupin had used in third year appeared and Harry knew that a boggart charmed to appear as a dementor was inside of it.
Harry looked around and walked around the lectern and up to the chest in the center of the room. Harry smiled and said, "Ok, inside this chest is a boggart that is charmed to be a dementor. I will demonstrate the charm and then I want you to each take a turn. I will step in before the boggart does any damage so give it your best effort. I was almost kissed by one of these my third year so I can tell you this charm is something you want to master."
Harry opened the chest as the rest of the DA stood well behind him. Harry said, "Expecto Patronum" and the great silver stag bounded out of his wand but it was much larger and brighter than even the one he had cast in third year against the dementors by the lake. The boggart was gored one time and flew back into the trunk, which magically latched upon its arrival.
Harry looked at Hermione who had an awed expression on her face matched by each member of the DA. Mathias Stern spoke for everyone when he said, "Bloody hell Harry. Professor Dumbledore's patronus wasn't even that powerful, when he used it at your quidditch match third year."
Harry had a knowing smile on his face before he shrugged, and said, "I guess, I guess I just had a really happy memory to use."
Hermione had to cover her laugh with a cough before Harry had everyone line up for his or her turn against the boggart dementor. Hermione went first and her doe flew from the tip of her wand and rammed the boggart back into the chest with relative ease. Hermione was very pleased with herself because it was the first time she had used her patronus against a dementor, and everyone else in the group was impressed with her casting because they weren't aware that Harry had taught her the charm last year. Ron looked at the pair with envy because his first attempt resulted in only the fairest amount of silver vapor to come out of his wand.
The Ravenclaws seemed to pick up the concept faster than the other students did, with Cho even successfully casting a partially formed patronus by the end of class.
The Hufflepuffs were able to conjure a shield when they weren't in the presence of the dementor, but as soon as the dementor was released they lacked the discipline to calm their minds enough to cast the spell. Harry even mused to himself quietly, "I think they just want all of my chocolate." Which prompted a chuckle from Hermione that was once again disguised as a cough.
Daphne and Blaise were both creating solid shields and they appeared more pleased with their success than everyone else did, for reasons only Harry could guess.
With the exception of Harry and Hermione the best attempts from Gryffindor house were from Neville and the twins. Neville made a very impressive shield and each of the twins made average shields, which would buy them 30 seconds from the effects of the dementors. Ron and the other Gryffindor fifth years only had limited success and were able to get some silvery wisps to come from their wands. Alicia had the misfortune of being the only student who passed out from the effects of the boggart dementor. Harry sympathized with her plight and even informed the group of his first experience with a dementor, which caused the laughs of the less sensitive in the group to dry up.
After they finished working on the patronus Harry said, "Ok good work everyone. Now we are going to work on our first potentially lethal curse for the group. The banishing charm, more commonly called Reducto, will be our most valuable tool when we actually find ourselves in an actual combat situation. It is very difficult to shield against because the defending wizard needs to be able to conjure a solid shield which only powerful wizards can do. I am sure you are all aware with the spell, but I am asking you to use it as a weapon. Our greatest resource over the enemy will be our creativity and adaptability to our environments. I am only going to teach you a limited number of advanced spells that will be vital to your survival. The primary purpose of the group is to teach you how to survive in every conceivable scenario I can throw at you. Make no mistake, a war is coming and our OWL and NEWT scores while important don't equate to life and death. Now lets work on some dummies." As soon as Harry finished speaking, the room provided enough dummies for everyone in the room to practice on.
Harry looked around and said, "Same as first week. We are going to work with accuracy on this spell. Try to hit what you are aiming for both moving and stationary."
As Harry and Hermione practiced on their accuracy everyone else on the group was doing the same. Eventually Harry was happy with his work so he walked around the room watching each person use the spell and gave tips to improve the accuracy of everyone else. Unlike the patronus practice, everyone took a businesslike demeanor on the banishing charm as several repeatedly made the dummies head splinter before it magically repaired itself for the next barrage.
Harry was happy with the group's performance and indicated that they would practice with the boggart again their next meeting. Harry said, "Well, that's all the time we have for tonight. I hope you are all learning useful stuff in here so far." There were a couple of cheers and scream that indicated they were happy, which caused Harry to grin before he continued, "Next meeting this month, we will work the first half of the meeting on patronus practice. The second half of the meeting we will split up into three squads as Hermione and I will be wildcards. Basically a wildcard is someone who works in his or her own interests. We may work with you one minute and work against you the next. We'll be using the same simple spells we practiced first meeting and the winning team will be rewarded with a very useful prize. Keep your eye on the galleons and I'll see you all then."
As the group slowly funneled out of the room an hour before Astronomy was to begin, Harry and Hermione discussed the finer parts of the meeting and both were happy with the progress of the group. As they chatted, Cho came up to Harry with a sweet smile on her face and ignored Hermione as she said, "Harry, did you get my letter?"
Harry arched his eyebrow and replied, "Yes I did Cho, and I have to say it was very surprising."
Cho smiled and said, "I'm glad you liked it. Have you thought any about your answer?"
Harry sighed and replied, "Cho, I'm with Hermione for as long as she'll have me. I'll tell you the same thing I told Ginny Weasley except this time with a twist. Give it up Cho, and this time I add, if you try to do something to Hermione I personally guarantee you won't like the end result."
Harry then stepped closer to Cho, and he whispered to Cho so not even Hermione could hear, as he said, "You really make me sick with how you dishonored Cedric's memory with your letter. I mean for Merlin's sake, I can even tell you need to talk to someone, because that letter indicates you are having emotional problems. If it becomes an issue you'll be kicked out of the DA and have your memory wiped of your knowledge of the group as indicated by the parchment you signed. I don't want to do that because you are a strong member of the group, but your delusions of me in your love life won't ever become reality so please stop this before it's too late."
Harry then stood back and evenly said, "You need to talk to someone about Cedric, Cho. I know I never would have made it through the end of the term if it weren't for Hermione and the headmaster around to talk to. Talk to Professor Flitwick or Professor Snape for all I care but talk to someone because it helps I promise you."
Cho nodded sadly, and Harry gave the girl a hug before she left the room in tears, the reality of her situation finally crashing down upon her, nearly six months after the tragedy of Cedric's death. Harry hugged Hermione and said, "I think she needs to grieve over Cedric. I hate having to be the one to tell her this stuff but I think it will be better if I say it than if someone else who didn't know Cedric does. I don't think she ever truly got over him and she was just trying to replace him with me. I think things will get better from her from now on. I just pray that this war doesn't take anyone else from us." Hermione gripped Harry tightly, and then kissed his lips before they left the room to prepare for Astronomy.
Finally, Friday on their Prefect rounds the battle for Hogwarts officially began. As Harry and Hermione were just beginning their rounds in the dungeon they were cornered by the entirety of the Inquisitorial squad and their toadish leader who sneered and said, "Ah Prince Potter, and his mudblood princess to what do we owe the pleasure?"
Harry simply stood silently as Hermione wrapped her arm around Harry's tightly. Harry smile at Hermione before he spoke without any touch of respect for those in front of him and said, "We are on our prefect rounds. Is there something we can do for you people?"
Malfoy made a move for his wand that was cut short as Harry merely arched his eyebrow menacingly and the ferret dropped his arms back to his sides slack. Umbridge spoke for the entire group who shared a brain as she said, "You truly don't understand the power I have here, do you Potter? I could have you arrested for the mere mention of a threat against a pureblood. There are statutes that govern such an action."
Harry smiled condescendingly and said, "I know your threats are the means in which you wish to control me Delores. I can personally guarantee that any moves you make against me during your short stint here at Hogwarts, they will be returned tenfold upon you and your little toadettes. I will not stand for your idiocy any longer and this is my final warning. Now step aside you inbred horrors and allow us to do our rounds."
Umbridge wrinkled her nose in disgust before she ordered her squad to step aside as she added, "This isn't over Potter. As soon as your precious Dumbledore is gone I will make your life hell and I'll keep you around to have some fun with you, and then as for your little mudblood girlfriend, I leave her to my squad for to do as they wish."
Harry's eyes flashed green for a moment as his magic flared. Harry's show of power forced the squad and the toad to scamper back to the safety of their common room, as Harry and Hermione shared a good laugh at the expense of the dozen pathetic excuses for witches and wizards that had just confronted them and continued on their rounds.
They reached the third floor by where they stumbled onto Fluffy first year and made their first contact with Ginny since her banishment from Gryffindor. She looked very different in the green and silver of Slytherin but she had the same smile they had each become accustomed to in their three years of friendship with the girl.
Ginny was smiling at the pair as she noticed their presence in the room and said, "Ron told me that this is where you began piecing together the whole mystery of the sorcerer's stone. You know I really miss talking to him, and you guys for that matter. But, I guess what I did was pretty terrible so I don't deserve your pity."
Harry looked at Hermione who was barely keeping her anger in check before Harry softly said, "Ginny, your presence at the school is an example of how much we still valued our friendship. If it were Pansy Parkinson that had done the same thing, she would be sitting in Azkaban right now. Take advantage of your opportunity to do some good. We'll never be able to fully trust you again, but that doesn't mean we can't work together again in the future. Your family may be mad at you, but they're still your family and they will stick with you if you only ask for them to. As far as Ron goes, he'll take longer than the rest because along with that famous Weasley temper he also has a stubborn streak that runs for ages, as evidenced by his behavior last year when my name came out of the goblet. It'll be a long road but if you want to, I'm sure you can start your way back right now."
Hermione nodded and then added, "Harry's right Ginny. But, instead of feeling sorry for yourself you'll need to work for it and stop wasting time reminiscing about what you used to have because that isn't coming back. You are a strong witch and you can do this if you commit to it. Now please leave this hallway before we have to dock you points for being here."
Harry wrapped Hermione into a hug and said, "Think about it Ginny. It's never too late to make a difference in your life. You just have to want it."
Ginny smiled at them sadly and said, "Thanks guys, it means a lot that you are even willing to talk to me after what I did. I'll do my best to take advantage of my second chance. I'll be seeing you." Ginny slowly walked away a little more upright and with more spring in her step since the day of her sorting. Time would only tell what Ginny Weasley would do with her chance.
The remainder of their rounds Harry and Hermione found that they really couldn't find anything to say to each other. So, they filled their awkward silences with a lot of snogs, and although if they couldn't find anything to say, they were still really happy.
Saturday morning, Harry and Hermione found themselves in the great hall very early as Hermione's subscription to the paper came flying in the talons of an owl. The paper landed in Hermione's lap and after she unfurled it she immediately paled. Harry scooted next to her as they read the horrible news on the front page.
Ministry in Hysterics as Massive Azkaban Breakout and Dementor's Disappearance Cripple Justice System
By: Rita Skeeter
Last night at 9 pm a group of men in black cloaks matching the description of deatheaters, led a massive breakout of Azkaban prison. Among the 13 escaping prisoners, were the most prominent deatheaters that were captured after the fall of he-who-must-not-be-named, including Bellatrix Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Rabastan and Rudolphus Lestrange, the recently captured Peter Pettigrew, and Augustus Rookwood.
Soon after the breakout the dementors who did not actively attempt to stop the breakout left the prison and disappeared without a trace a short amount of time later.
With the two events following so closely after the tragic events of the tri-wizard tournament and the boy-who-lived's capture of two other deatheaters, we must all question if he-who-must-not-be-named has possibly returned.
We here at the prophet hope that the ministry can coordinate its efforts with Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter in order to bring peace to the world again, and to avoid the atrocities of he-who-must-not-be-named's first reign of terror.
As soon as Harry and Hermione finished reading the paper they glanced over to the few students from Slytherin that were already up and they could see the looks of glee on their faces as they read their copies of the paper. Then Harry looked up to the headmaster as they shared a look that even someone who couldn't read minds would understand. The first blood of the war had been spilled and the light side was on the wrong side of the ledger.
A/N: Please Review. I hope you liked the chapter, I was trying to give some background as to Cho's letter and also to check in on Ginny. The breakout at Azkaban will lead to some heavy fallout at Hogwarts. Thanks for reading.