Chapter 38:
A few weeks passed and many members who had signed up for the DA have been searching the school for somewhere to practice. With only a few weeks before Christmas, they were wasting time. Emily was sitting in the common room with Harry, Ron , Hermione, Fred and George. She was reading her book beside the fire when they all turned their heads towards the portrait hole and saw Neville running into the room, out of breath.
"Neville what's wrong?" Emily asked, as she rose from her spot and went up to him. He was still catching his breath.
"Neville?" Hermione asked.
"I...I think I might've found a p-place we could use." He stuttered, finally calming down. Emily smiled to herself, of course. She almost completely forgot about it.
"Hermione." Emily spoke, turning to face Hermione, who was already walking up to her.
"What?" she asked, noticing the weird smile on her face. "What?" she asked again.
"He found it." She said.
"Found what? Are you talking about what we were talking about the other day?" Hermione asked.
"Yes!" Emily jumped up excitedly.
"Emily I already told you that the school's been searched, it doesn't exist." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh really? Well then, Neville lead the way." Emily said, determined to prove Hermione wrong. Neville exited the room with Emily following, then Hermione, followed by the rest of them. "Five galleons says I'm right." Emily smirked.
"Five galleons says you're insane." Hermione mocked, crossing her arms. Emily rolled her eyes and followed Neville.
"I don't mean to interrupt the party, but what the bloody hell are the two of you on about?" Ron asked from behind.
"The Room of Requirement!" Emily said.
"Possibly!" 'Mione corrected Emily. "We don't know if Neville's even found a decent place!"
"Why do you have such little faith?" Emily asked. "Don't you believe in our glorious friend mister Longbottom here?" Hermione laughed at her friend and continued on. The only fun they have these days are the bickering that go on between the two.
The seven of them got to an empty wall on the seventh floor corridor.
"Alright, just think about how badly you need a place to practice. Watch, a door'll appear!" Neville said. Emily turned to Hermione and smirked.
"This seems awfully like..." She began in a sing-song voice.
"This doesn't prove anything yet." She muttered.
"Are you guys thinking?" Neville asked.
"Yes!" They all said at the same time. Just a few moments later the door appeared, no one was around, so they all hurried into it.
"Oh my goodness." Emily gasped.
"It really is." Fred said. "So you're telling me this room only appears when a person is in real need of it?" He asked Hermione.
"That's what the books say." Hermione replied. "Why?"
"I dunno, just curious I guess." He shrugged. Emily smiled to herself, she only wished she could have remembered this room a long time ago. But now that everyone else knew about it, what good would it do?
"You did it Neville, you found the room of requirement!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Looks like someone owes me five galleons." Emily smirked.
"It's also known as the come and go room. The room of requirement only appears when the person is in real need of it." Hermione explained
"'So say you really needed the toilet..." Ron said.
"Classy Ron." Emily raised an eyebrow.
"Very charming, but yes, that is the general idea." Hermione sighed.
"It's brilliant." Harry spoke up. "It's like Hogwarts wants us to fight back. We'll start tomorrow."
It wasn't long before the word got out to the rest of the members of the DA. They were told to come to the seventh floor corridor at the intended time so that practice could start. Emily helped people find their way to the room. Once everyone got there they got into a line, Neville was at the front along side with Harry. A practice dummy was set up and put i front of them. It raised its wand, waiting for Neville to strike.
"Go on, remember this is only just a practice class to see how far you all have gotten." Harry stated. "Now c'mon, give it a try." He pointed at the dummy. Neville stood up straight and held out his wand.
"Expelliarmus!" He shouted, and his wand flew backwards and hit the mirror on the back wall, almost hitting Nigel doing so. Thank goodness that child ducked when he did! A few laughs and snickers could be heard directed to Neville. "I'm hopeless." Neville said.
"No no, you're just flourishing your wand too much, try it like this, Expelliarmus!" Harry hit the wand out of the dummy's hand and onto the ground. "Give it another try." Practice went on, everyone showed Harry what they could do and Emily had to admit, they didn't know very much.
Emily's turn came and she performed exceptionally. Expelliarmus wasn't seventh year spell work but it was something she mastered long ago with Snape.
"Alright, we made excellent progress today everyone. The next meeting will be at the same time tomorrow." Harry announced. "Well done for the first day." Everyone was proud of themselves as they left the room. Emily caught up with Harry before he left.
"Hey, that was brilliant. You're a pretty good teacher Harry." She told him.
"Oh, thanks. Not that you need teaching" He chuckled.
"How're you feeling?" She asked, Harry looked at her. "I dunno if it's any of my concern, but you just seem a little distant."
"I'm feeling better... or getting better." He said honestly.
"Oh well that's nice to hear." She said, then an uncomfortable silence fell upon them. "So listen..." She began. "If you're ever feeling, oh I dunno... alone? Feel free to come and find me. I wouldn't mind chatting." She was trying to reach out to him. "I've had my fair share of days where I've been feeling like I don't belong as well and I've always found it better to talk to someone." She smiled.
"Thanks." He said. Emily smiled. "Really, you have no idea how much I'd love to do that." She nodded in understanding. Just then the dinner bell rang.
"Is it dinner time already? I've gotta go!" She said rushing off. "But Harry, think about what I said. Anytime you need to talk, come find me!" She shouted from down the hall and waved. Harry continued on with a small smile on his face.
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