Chapter 38

-oOo-

"I think you're lucky," Remus stated once they were all settled safely back in Grimmauld Place after a shaky event in the crossway.

"Lucky doesn't begin to cover it," Lily replied shakily, she was still breathing heavily and a haunted look had taken refuge in her eyes.

"I can't believe they still sent a letter." Sirius tossed the sheaf of parchment onto the table with a disgusted scoff. Harry looked between the adults and then pointed his wand at it until it successfully caught on fire.

"It's to be expected though, right? Isn't Fudge trying to make us all out as criminals?"

"Oh yes, bringing up all sorts of old hat articles." Remus agreed looking over at Harry and smiling slightly.

"Well then, let's get ready to fight a war of words."

-oOo-

"So are you prepared to learn from Harry?" Hermione asked as they all sat in the Hog's Head.

"What are we even going to call ourselves?" Michael Corner asked from his seat next to Ginny.

"The Anti-Umbridge League?" Lee Jordan suggested.

"Order of the Giant Squid." Fred and George said together looking as though they had just made the most perfect suggestion.

"The Defense League."

"Hogwarts Justice Group."

"The Defense Association, D.A. for short." Cho spoke up and Harry smiled weakly.

"What if the D.A. stood for Dumbledore's Army instead, since it's what the ministry is most afraid of?" Ginny piped in with a grin.

"Yeah," everyone agreed together excitedly.

"Alright then, we'll be known as Dumbledore's Army." Hermione wrote it across the top of the parchment she had with her. "Now if you'd all just sign this paper so we know exactly who is a part of the D.A. then you all can go and enjoy your Saturday."

-oOo-

"Professor Snape?" Harry asked leaning around the door frame.

"Ah, Potter." Severus looked up from his desk where he was grading papers. His face showed confusion for a few moments before he posed his thoughts. "Our monthly meeting about the order isn't for another few days."

"Yes well, I just wanted to let you know. The kid order has extended beyond just the Weasley's, Hermione, and I."

"Has it now?" He set down the paper which was covered in red ink and Harry bit his lip, praying the parchment wasn't his-his last essay had been dreadful.

"We've also chosen a name for ourselves."

"Let's hear this name then,"

"We've decided to make ourselves the Ministry's worst fear, Dumbledore's Army."

"You're sure it's wise to use the headmaster's name without his consent nor his knowledge of your gaining the information he's so desperate to keep contained?"

"He's not meant to find about any of it sir,"

"This is Albus Dumbledore we're talking about, not many things remain a secret for long."

"I'm hoping for the element of surprise then."

"Let us hope your group of underage wizards remains one of Hogwarts' well kept secrets then. I will see you in class on Monday."

"Yes sir," Harry bowed out respectfully and hurried away up the corridor. Severus did not return to grading the paper before him however, the situation was starting to grow out of hand and he wondered just how many students he could house in his office.

-oOo-

"You do recognize Educational Degree Number Twenty-four is in your honor, don't you?" Severus asked on Wednesday, once the six he had been relaying info to, gathered in his office for "remedial potions."

"No idea how she figured out about Dumbledore's Army though," Fred stated leaning back in his chair.

"What are you and your little club going to do now? I can't have too many students in remedial potions." Severus pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I think you misunderstood our intention sir," Hermione stated softly, almost not daring to say it out loud.

"And what was your intention?"

"Harry's going to teach proper Defense Against the Dark Arts to them, we're not really inducting them to learning everything about the Order's movements from you. I don't think they'd agree to it to be honest." Ron stated then cowered under the glare he received from the potions master.

"And you're planning on teaching them what they need to know?" Snape addressed Harry who nodded. "You think you have the qualifications for teaching them?"

"No sir," Harry said honestly.

"He is best in the year though," Hermione argued.

"He's done a lot more dangerous things than most of the older students too." George defended.

"He's just too noble to admit how good he is at certain things because he doesn't want to stick out in the crowd." Ginny stated quietly, she still wasn't completely comfortable around Harry, but dating Michael had helped out a lot.

"Alright, if you're absolutely insistent on doing this-"

"We are," Ron interrupted without thinking.

"Then I will at least give you some advice on keeping this from the newly appointed High Inquisitor."

"Thank you Professor," Harry grinned and sat up a little straighter.

-oOo-

Harry,

I had to burn your letter to keep your mum from finding it, how could you think sending a letter with that information in it would slip past your mum? It doesn't sound good for you at Hogwarts, what with all the new positions the ministry it putting into place in an attempt to shut down Dumbledore. I want you to listen to me, keep your head down and run your group in the shadows. If you're really going to do this, and have Snape's blessing (seriously, how did that even happen), then you're going to have to stop attracting attention from Umbridge. I'm betting she's going to start searching everyone's mail any day now, so be very careful what you write in and out of the castle. I'm looking out for you and your mum is spiraling into depression from not being able to participate in the order. She feels trapped and I hear her talking to no one almost every night. Look, whatever it is that's going on, your mum needs to know you're safe. I'm almost to the point of calling Snape and it's not something I'm eager to do. Remus isn't completely sure what to do either, so for now, just try and be a good boy and stay out of trouble. Stop telling Umbridge Voldemort is back, it's not doing any good. I've heard about that hand of yours, don't think Hermione wouldn't tell us. I'm trying to keep it from your mum for now as she doesn't need that on her plate, but one more detention and I'm going to have to do something.

See you at Christmas,

Sirius

-oOo-

"Harry!" Ron yelled.

"Ron, it's your dad."

-oOo-

"Sirius?!"

"What is it Lily?"

"We need to get to Molly, Arthur was injured. Was he on a mission for the order tonight?" Sirius' worried face confirmed her fears.

"Let's go, this is an emergency."