This chapter is quite short, compared to previous ones. All I can say is - blame my workload!
But don't blame my reviewers, as they are all wonderful! I hope you all return to review this chapter too - SuzieGeorge, Someone aka Me, cyiusblack, Likewow5556, Jarka, PrincessSophie21, talapadme, notwolf, gogguli, Moromu and Arlath's Daughter.
Previously: After Snape and the Carrows began their reign of terror, Neville and the others decided to restart Dumbledore's Army - and this time Ginny invited Eva.
When they entered the Room of Requirement, Eva blinked in surprise. She'd been in this room only twice before – once to watch a video, once to cry in privacy. Both times it had been different, although she'd taken little notice of her surroundings during her second visit. This time, though, it had filled itself with lots of squashy armchairs and comfy sofas. They were all pointing to the front of the room.
Eva and Ginny took two of the last vacant seats, right up at the front. Soon after, Neville stood up.
"Right, if that's everyone?" He looked over them. "So, we're all here because of the Carrows. They're a problem, as several of my fellow detentionees will recall."
There were fervent nods.
"Unfortunately, we can't get rid of them. We can't fight them openly, not yet. We're outnumbered and inexperienced."
"Great way to cheer us up," shouted a Hufflepuff seventh year.
"Zacharias Smith," Ginny whispered in Eva's ear. Eva still wasn't sure on the names of anyone outside her year, whilst Ginny had had previous DA meetings and a whole four extra years to learn them.
Neville flushed, but continued valiantly. "And that situation isn't being helped by the fact that we don't even have lessons where we learn to defend ourselves any more. Instead we have lessons where You-Know-Who's propaganda is forced down our throat."
"Hear, hear!" Someone called out.
"We might be small, but we can still make a difference. We can keep up the spirits of the younger students, whilst making life as difficult for Snape and the Carrows as we can. And we can learn to defend ourselves. Because I don't know about you, but when the time comes to fight – and it will come, I'm going to be there and I want to take out as many Death Eaters with me as I can!"
Ginny clapped and the rest of the room took up the cheering.
"So, what do we do first?" a Hufflepuff girl, Susan Bones, asked.
"I guess we need to elect a leader. Potter's gone so he's not doing it," It was the same Hufflepuff boy who had shouted out before.
The Hufflepuff girl who had had the detention stared at him. "Are you mad, Zach? Neville's our leader."
Neville looked embarrassed. "Thanks Hannah, but I don't know if I'm-"
A broad boy who Ginny identified as Ernie Macmillan spoke up. "All those in favour of Neville as leader?"
All over the room, hands went up. "Looks like it's unanimous, mate." Seamus grinned.
"Uh, okay." Neville said awkwardly. "I guess I can try. But I think I should have deputies. I know Harry didn't officially, but he kind of did. Ron and Hermione basically were and anyway, it wasn't as dangerous in fifth year. Umbridge might have been mean with a quill," a few people flinched in memory, "but the Carrows are playing it tougher."
People nodded in agreement.
"I reckon that Ginny and Luna should be my deputies," Neville went on. "They were at the Ministry too, and they were in the battle last summer. Plus if the Death Eaters decide that once we're of age, we're a threat, they've still got a year."
Everyone seemed to be fine with this plan. "Good idea," Eva thought. "Though the thought of Luna commanding people is a bit odd."
"Any questions?" Neville asked.
"I have one," Zacharias Smith said. "Where are Potter, Granger and Weasley?"
Nobody spoke. All eyes turned to Ginny, including Eva's. She'd asked that question on their first night, and, after confessing that she knew very little, the two of them had worked out what she should say.
Undaunted, Ginny watched them calmly. "As far as the Ministry knows, Ron is ill at home," she said. "And I don't know where the other two are."
Her words did not convince anyone.
"But what are they doing?" Smith persisted.
"Something that Dumbledore left them to do. And all you need to know about it is that."
Eva and Ginny had decided that it was best that people didn't realise how little Ginny knew. The vaguer she was, the more rumours that would start. And hopefully, rumours would hide any traces of the truth that might be discovered.
"Anyone else?" Neville questioned.
"We should tell people," Luna's dreamy voice contributed.
Neville nodded. "You're right. We need to tell the other students that the DA is back in business, and tell the Carrows. We've lost a lot of members too, one way or another. We need to recruit."
Terry Boot frowned. "Yeah," he agreed, "but we can't let them find out where we are. If we get caught…" he left the end of the sentence trailing.
"Make sure you can trust someone before you bring them along," Ginny suggested. "Most people probably should be okay. It's not like in fifth year, when a lot of people were for the Ministry. With the exception of Slytherin, pretty much everyone is anti You-Know-Who."
"Speaking of untrustworthy people," Zacharias Smith drawled, "Why is she here?"
Eva didn't need to look to know who he was talking about. But she looked anyway and met his eyes straight-on.
The room was silent. The Gryffindor seventh years looked angry, as did the boy whose cuts Eva had healed.
Most of the others looked uncertain though, even her own class mates. With the exception of Colin, Ginny and Luna, the first two of whom started insulting Zacharias for all they were worth.
Neville cut through them. "Because she fought with the six of us last summer and she is as trustworthy as Ginny, or Luna, or Ernie, or Seamus or any of you."
"But she's a Malfoy," a Ravenclaw seventh year objected. "She's related to most of those Death Eaters that we're fighting against."
Ginny glared at him. "So are most of the people in this room. So am I, so is Neville, so was Harry if you go back far enough. Are you going to blame them? Think of Sirius Black, who died for the Order of the Phoenix. What about Professor Lupin? He's married to Bellatrix's niece. Do you think she's untrustworthy?"
The others fell silent. Once again, Neville took control. "If that's dealt with," he announced. "Who has an idea for getting people's attention?"
For a while, nobody spoke. Then Seamus grinned. "I think I just might."
So, what do you think his idea is?
What would your idea be?
You'll find out what it's going to be in this story when I update, which I promise will be soon
But review, and it might be sooner!