Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was no more. At least, for the time being. The store had been compromised. Fred knew it was going to happen the minute he and George returned to their flat on Wednesday night. It was late, and their patrolling was successful.

Dolohov, the Death Eater that sent Hermione into a coma the night Sirius died, was sauntering with two others around, looking for the perfect target. Fred and George didn't hesitate for a moment before they sent spells at the Death Eaters. Fred loved to use Charms while he dueled. No one was ever expecting to be tickled in the middle of a duel. Their surprise was a distraction Fred could take advantage of. It also made the Death Eaters look like idiots. And this was a success in Fred's mind.

Unfortunately, the duel took place in the middle of Diagon Alley. Fred and George had made three Death Eaters look like morons in front of a crowd. It was only a matter of time before they seeked retribution. So, Fred and George packed their belongings, took their products hoping that when this was all over, they would return. Until that time, they had to say "goodbye" to their beloved store.

They Apparated to their Burrow, where their mother was waiting for them.

The more Neville went over it in his mind, the less sense it made. Why would Malfoy lie? Why didn't he tell Amycus the truth about him and Hannah? Neville wanted to ask Malfoy, but Malfoy still scared him slightly, so he debated not doing that.

But he wanted to know why Malfoy had protected him. Besides, Neville's Gran had always told him that everyone deserves a second chance. Or, in Malfoy's case, a thousand changes. After Charms class one day, Neville was able to quietly ask him about it. Malfoy told him he didn't know what Neville was going to talk about and to stop talking to him.

So, Neville persisted. He asked Malfoy nearly everyday until Malfoy was so annoyed by Neville that he had to answer. It worked pretty well for him. "It just seemed like the right thing to do," Malfoy muttered. "And Amycus deserved it."

Neville played his words over in his mind. Malfoy had definitely changed since the year prior. And during this thought, an idea planted itself there and began to grow. He knew Ginny wouldn't like it and that it was probably a terrible idea. But it didn't seem to disappear with common sense.

He found Ginny working on her homework on the sofa in front of the fire in Gryffindor Tower. Neville was still getting used to seeing the sofa empty. Harry, Ron, and Hermione usually took those seats. He missed them. They were good friends, and he really missed Hermione's help with his homework. Neville took the seat beside Ginny.

"Where do you think they are?" Ginny wondered aloud. She asked this question about once a week. Neville knew that she missed them, he felt the same way. She glanced over curiously. "I heard Amycus Carrow was stuck in a portable swamp."

"Yeah, Hannah and I did that." Ginny wait a beat for Neville to continue, but apparently he didn't understand her implication.

"Well, I'm glad you weren't caught," Ginny said. "Amycus was pretty livid in class today." Neville explained what Malfoy had done for them. Ginny was certain he was mistaken somehow. Draco Malfoy would never help a Gryffindor.

"It was him," Neville insisted. "He said Amycus deserved it and that's why he did it." The way Neville said this caused Ginny to think he had more to say. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I think we should see if he wants to join the D.A."

Ginny burst out into laughter, automatically assuming Neville was joking. He had to be. It was the only explanation. But the look on Neville's face told her otherwise. "Neville, he's the reason that Harry, Ron, and Hermione aren't at Hogwarts this year! He cursed Katie Bell, accidentally poisoned Ron, helped Death Eaters get into the school, and nearly killed Dumbledore. And that was only last year! Not to mention the fact that he is a Death Eater!"

Neville knew she was right. These were the very things that he had been telling himself, too. He just felt like they were missing something. So, Malfoy had done all of these terrible things. Perhaps, he just needed someone to be there for him. Neville had grown up with Malfoy, something neither of them ever mentioned. He, too, did come from a pure blooded family. He knew how terrible of a man Lucius Malfoy could be to his son, was it any wonder that this was who he had become?

But Ginny was right. One good act didn't atone for the seven years of torture he had inflicted upon them. So, Neville pushed the idea from his mind. Malfoy would just tell the Carrows about the D.A.

A few days later, in Muggle Studies, Alecto started talking about how the savage Muggles had to form what they called electricity to make up for their lack of magical abilities. She then proceeded to explain how these savage creatures were idiotic, thick headed and deserved to have the Wizarding World rule over them. "Squibs, too," Alecto stated. "Squibs are just Muggles trying to be wizards and witches."

Neville had always thought that he was the closest thing a wizard could get to a Squib. That thought had always made him feel more understanding and caring towards Squibs. He was seriously considering speaking his mind again in the class. He needed to stand up for what was right. But before he could say anything, a voice from behind him said, "You only feel that way because you are one." What was Malfoy doing? He wanted to know.

Immediately, Alecto looked over in Neville's direction. "Who said that!" she demanded to know. No one answered. But Alecto wasn't backing down. "Was it you, Longbottom?" she wanted to know. Neville shook his head.

"It was me," Malfoy said loudly. Alecto looked at passed Neville at Malfoy, curiously.

"Malfoy?" Alecto said disbelievingly. Neville glanced behind him at Malfoy. The blonde was lounging in his chair, completely disinterested in what was happening around him. "You said that I was Squib?"

"It was me," Neville said boldly. It was the least he could do for Malfoy not ratting him out. He definitely didn't want the detention that was sure to follow, but he probably would have gotten it anyway, if Malfoy hadn't gotten there first.

"Then why did Malfoy say that he had done it." Neville shrugged.

"We're friends now." Alecto glared at him, not believing Neville one bit.

"Well, if you're such good friends, then you'll both enjoy detention with me tonight after dinner."

Both Malfoy and Neville were prompt to their detention. Alecto looked positively pleased when they walked through the door. "I've had an idea, Longbottom. I know I can cast a fairly nice Cruciatus Curse. But what about Draco? He needs to learn how to as well, don't you, Malfoy?"

"Where are you going with this, Alecto?" Malfoy asked uneasily.

"You're going to practice the Cruciatus Curse on Longbottom."

"And if I refuse?" Malfoy said quietly. He looked smaller than Neville had ever seen him before. Alecto barked out into laughter. She began walking around them as she spoke.

"Then, I'll chain you to the wall over there. And I'm sure your mother would love to hear of another failure by you, Malfoy." She took a seat at her desk, an evil smirk on her face. "This is easier than killing. So, I'm sure you'll be able to do it."

Malfoy looked terrified and unsure of what to do as he faced Neville. He should have just stayed silent in class, he thought. Then, Malfoy wouldn't be faced with this impossible decision. "Well, get on with it," demanded Alecto.

Neville nodded encouragingly to Malfoy. He wasn't afraid of the pain that would come. He had felt it before and he was certain to feel again. Shakily, Malfoy raised his wand. "Crucio!" he shouted.

Instinctively, Neville fell to the floor. But the pain this time was bearable, nothing like the extreme pain that Alecto had inflicted on him at his last detention. He remembered Professor Moody once saying that the caster needed to feel the Unforgivable Curses. He or she had to really feel the hate in the curse. Malfoy doesn't have so much hate anymore, Neville realized.

"Again, Malfoy. You have to mean it!" instructed Alecto. Malfoy took a deep breath and shouted the curse again. Like before, Neville was able to stand the pain, but he didn't want Malfoy to get into trouble. So, Neville cried out in pain. "Once more, Malfoy." Hesitantly, he shot the curse at Neville again.

Neville gave this last time his best performance. His screams pierced the silence. Alecto looked greed, like this was the greatest show in the world. "Good," Alecto said. "I hope this has taught you something, Longbottom." Neville nodded and stood up. Dismissed, they both walked from the room.

Malfoy looked at Neville curiously. "Why did you do that Longbottom?" Malfoy wanted to know.

"I think you're different this year, Malfoy," Neville said boldly.

"I know about your little Defense group," Malfoy stated. Neville glanced around them, making sure they were completely alone in the corridor. "Pansy and me figured you would start that Dumbledore's Military group again after meeting the Carrows."

"It's Dumbledore's Army," Neville corrected.

Malfoy was staring at the wall behind Neville. "I reckon they'd hate it if they knew you had started that again." Neville felt nervous. Was Malfoy going to tell the Carrows and Snape? He shouldn't have said anything. Now, he's completely ruined it. But Malfoy walked past Neville, and taking his wand out, wrote: Dumbledore's Army. Recruiting Now!

"Are you mad?" Neville wanted to know. Malfoy shrugged.

"I am just tired of my own cowardice," he said quietly. "This brings people hope, Longbottom. Everyone needs a little hope." Malfoy stared at the floor while he spoke, hating his own words.

"Harry's coming back," Neville stated. "It's not over yet." Malfoy never replied and Neville wasn't sure he agreed.

Hermione despised the locket with everything inside of her. It was slowly ripping them apart. She couldn't explain the nastiness she felt while wearing it. It was the worst for Ron, though. It seemed to bring out every jealous feeling he had locked up inside of him. She hated to watch it happen.

It all came crashing down one night when Hermione was talking Fred through the two-way mirrors. The minute, she put down the mirror, smiling slightly to herself, Ron started murmuring about how Hermione wasn't fully committed to the task as he and Harry were. "What's that supposed to mean?" she immediately shrieked. She was the one who had actually packed for their trip. She had to obliviate her own parents. She was completely committed to the task that they had been given.

"Only that you spend more time talking to Fred than you do with helping us find another Horcrux or destroying the one we have."

"Ron-" Harry started.

"You're no better!" he said venomously. "You spend half your night staring at the Marauder's Map." Outside, it started to rain. Harry glared at Ron.

"If you have something to say, just say it.

"All right. I'll spit it out. It's not like I'm having the time of my life here," Ron spat. "You know, with my arm mangled and nothing to eat and freezing my backside off every night. I just hoped, you know, after we'd been running around a few weeks, we'd have achieved something."

"Ron," Hermione said quietly, trying to calm down her friend.

"I thought you knew what you'd signed up for," Harry returned.

"Yeah, I thought I did, too."

"So, what part of it isn't living up to your expectations?" Harry asked angrily. "Did you think we'd be staying in five-star hotels? Finding a Horcrux every other day? Did you think you'd be back to Mummy by Christmas?"

"I thought you knew what you were doing!" Ron shouted. "I gave up everything for you and all we've done is still in a tent! We thought you had a real plan!"

"Well, sorry to let you down," Harry answered. His voice was hollow now. Hermione could easily see that Harry was blaming himself again. "I've been straight with you from the start, I told you everything Dumbledore told me. And in case you haven't noticed, we've found-"

"What do you mean you gave up everything?" Hermione questioned calmly. She raised her voice louder than normal so the boys would hear it over their arguing. Ron's ears turned pink in embarrassment. But he said nothing. "What do you mean you gave up everything, Ron?"

He sat down and sighed. His face filled with pain. "I-I was in a relationship when we left Hogwarts." Hermione sat down beside him, patiently waiting for him to continue. He seemed reluctant to do so.

"Lavender?" Hermione prompted. Ron shook his head.

"No...I was with Pansy Parkinson." Ron raised his eyes to Hermione and Harry. Hermione looked startled beyond belief, Harry just looked mad.

"Parkinson?" Harry spat at him. "Are you mad! She was probably just using you. Malfoy probably sent her to find out what I knew." Anger coursed through Ron, more anger than he'd ever felt in his entire life.

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked, surprised Harry had even suggested such a thing.

"You know, Potter, not everything in this world revolves around you!"

"She's always been the enemy! She's always been with Malfoy!"

Ron was livid. He was suddenly remembering why he had kept his relationship with Pansy a secret. He tore the locket from his neck and threw it at Harry. He glanced at Hermione before he left the tent.

"Ron! No!" Hermione chased after him. "Please, please come back!" But it was no use. He had Disapparated.

"And he's just gone?" Fred said in disbelief. He knew his brother could be a prat, but he never thought he would run out on Hermione and Harry. Hermione nodded gravely. Fred could see the evidence of Hermione's tears on her face.

"Did you know he was seeing Pansy Parkinson?"

"I didn't even know he and Lavender broke up," Fred said honestly. "When did that happen?"

"Some time in March, after he was poisoned." Hermione rubbed her face. He hated his brother for giving Hermione that heartbroken look on his face.

"He'll come back," Fred told her. "He will." She nodded, but didn't answer. She didn't believe him. "George and I'll take his place if you want. And we'll be much more entertaining that Ron." Hermione cracked a smile.

"You need to help Lee with his radio thing," she stated. "But I do miss you."

"I miss you, too," he said. "So, are you going to do anything for Christmas?" She blinked.

"When's Christmas?"

"Few weeks. I'd invite you to the Burrow, but the Ministry's watching Dad to see if Harry'll contact him."

"I think we'll go to Godric's Hollow actually," she replied honestly. Fred frowned.

"You sure You-Know-Who won't be waiting for you? Godric's Hollow isn't exactly subtle."

"I think we have to," she said. Fred raised an eyebrow at her.

"For the task you can't tell me about, right?" She nodded. Behind him, Fred heard George calling his name. Potterwatch was about to start. "I better go, then. You'll be listening?"

"Of course," she said.

"I love you, Granger."

"Love you, too, Fred."

Fred knew very little of what Hermione, Ron, and Harry were doing. He did know it had to do with some locket. He had seen Hermione wear it occasionally. When she did wear it, she was always close to tears and her temper was shorter. He wondered if that was what they had stolen from the Ministry.

"Ready, Fred?" Lee asked. Fred nodded to his friend. George started counting backwards from five.

"Good evening, Listeners!" Lee exclaimed. Fred could practically see his mother and father listening to the Burrow, probably worrying about them. "These broadcasts are for all of you who want to know the truth, not the lies of the Prophet is writing. I'm your host, River. With me is Rapier, my co-host. To start off, I reckon we should address the rumors about Harry Potter. Don't you agree, Rapier?"

"Certainly," Fred answered. "Truth is Harry Potter isn't dead and he didn't abandon us. I reckon he's trying to find a way to rid us of You-Know-Who permanently."

"He may be scrawny," George continued. "But don't count him out just yet."

"Thank you, Rapier," Lee said before launching into a reminder for the listeners to refrain from saying Voldemort's name, as it was jinxed. Lee glanced at Fred and George while he spoke. He and George were going to say who had been killed. This was the segment that Fred hated the most, but was the most necessary. It reminded those listening why they needed to fight.

"Muggle-born, Samantha O'Connor, a fourth year Hufflepuff at Hogwarts was found dead three days again," Fred said thickly. "Let us have a moment of silence for her."

"Also," George continued a few seconds later, "the families of Dean Thomas and Ted Tonks are searching for information on their whereabouts. If you have any information on them, please contact their families."

"Well," Lee finished, "that is all we have for you this evening. Tune in again with us next week. Potterwatch, where the information is real and better than the Prophet. The password for our next broadcast will be 'Alastor.' Good night, everyone!"

Neville, Luna, Ginny, and the rest of the D.A. were sitting in the Room of Requirement, listening intently to Potterwatch. When it had finished, no one spoke for quite some time, absorbing what they had heard. Finally, Neville stood up and said clearly, "I've been saying all along that Harry's been up to something. He's going to come back and help us rid the school of the Carrows and Snape." A big cheer sounded after this, surprising Neville.

Ginny stood up beside Neville. "We're not done yet," she continued. "We have hope, but that's not enough. We have to do something with it. Harry always stood up for what's right! Who's with me?" Another cheer resounded across the room.

A week had passed since. Malfoy had written: Dumbledore's Army, Recruiting Now. It had driven Snape mad. At dinner, he demanded the person who wrote it to step forward, but no one was telling. Snape decided to reinstate Umbridge's decree about no student organization existing outside of Snape's knowledge.

As Neville instructed the D.A., an idea formed in Ginny's mind. The D.A. wouldn't exist outside of Snape's knowledge because they were going to show the D.A. right in Snape's face. They were going to spread the word about the D.A. and there was nothing Snape could do to stop them.

After their meeting, the group sneaked around the corridors and wrote: Dumbledore's Army, Still Recruiting on every wall. Seamus even had the audacity to write McGonagall for Headmaster beside the entrance to the Headmaster's office. They had to work as quietly as they could. And it was worth every minute.

The response was terrible, though. Since no one would openly state who had been involved in the graffiti, he placed anyone he suspected in detention. Amycus and Alecto elected to have the Slytherins, none of which were in the detention, practiced their Imperius Curse. Goyle nearly forced Neville to jump off of the Astronomy Tower.

Yet, the more Snape opposed their work, the more they did. A few nights later, Ginny and Luna created a distraction with Fred and George's Box 'O' Rockets. They sneaked into the detention and freed the first years, who were chained to the wall.

The students were fighting back for what they believed in, just as Harry, Ron, and Hermione had done.

Professor McGonagall entered the teacher's lounge to find Filius and Pomona talking quietly. Filius looked away tired. Recently, the Professor had been instructed to send any students that needed disciplinary action to Amycus and Alecto. Naturally, the professors tried to keep their students in line as much as they could, knowing what would happen to them in detention.

"Evening, Minerva," Filius greeted.

"Hello, Filius. Pomona." She sat down at the table with them. Filius returned to the Wireless, trying to find the right station. "Alastor," he kept repeating.

"-Ello, Listeners," Lee's voice sounded through the radio. McGonagall quite missed Lee's commentary during the Quidditch Matches. It was always a colorful commentary. "Welcome back to Potterwatch. I'm your host, River. Joining me tonight is my co-host, Rapier."

Lee launched into a rather long explanation of how a pureblood managed to protect a Muggle-born and her family from being killed by Death Eaters. McGonagall wondered if it was one of the Weasleys who had done this.

When they continued with the deaths, Minerva felt her heart was being crushed. She had taught many of those people. She had known them, had known their friends, what house they were in. She could even picture their faces in class.

"Have hope, Listeners," Lee said. "Harry Potter knows what he's doing. This isn't it. You-Know-Who is going to be destroyed. This isn't it for us. Thank you all for listening. We'll be back again next week. The password is 'Albus.' Good night!"

McGonagall was proud of her old students for what they were doing. They were strong and brave. And they made her hope again.