76. Hog's Head

**Fred's POV**

"Harry" 'Mione said.

"This is mad. Who'd wanna be taught by me? I'm a Nutter, remember?" Harry said.

"Look on the bright side, Mate: You can't be any worse than an old toad face, " I said.

"Thanks, Fred" Harry said sarcastically.

"I'm here for you, Mate" I said smiling.

"Who's supposed to be meeting us, then?" Harry asked.

"Just a couple of people," George said.

'Mione opened the Hog's Head door and Ron said "Lovely spot."

"Thought it would be safer off the beaten track" 'Mione said.

We entered a room that had students from Hogwarts. I sat next to 'Mione waiting for everything to start.

'Mione stood up and said "Um- Hi. So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts."

"Why?" A kid asked.

"Why? Because You-Know-Who's back, you tosspot" Ron snapped.

"So he says" The kid said.

"So Dumbledore says" 'Mione said.

"So Dumbledore says because he says. The point is, where's the proof?"

"If Potter could tell us more 'about how Diggory got killed" Gin's boyfriend said but trailed off.

Harry stood up and said "I'm not gonna talk 'about Cedric, so if that's why you're here, you best clear out now. Come on, Hermione. They're here because they think I'm some sort of freak."

"Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm?" Luna asked.

"Yes. Fred and I've seen it" 'Mione answered.

"Blimey, Harry. I didn't know you could do that" Dean said.

"And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledore's office" Neville said.

"It's true," Ginny agreed.

"Third year, he fought off 'bout a hundred Dementors at once" Ron said.

"And last year, he really did fight off You-Know-Who in the flesh" 'Mione said.

"Wait," Harry said, cutting in. "Look, it all sounds great when you say it like that, but the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help."

"He's just being modest," Mione said.

"No, Hermione. I'm not. Facing this stuff, in real life, is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake, you can just try again tomorrow. But out there, when you're a second away from being murdered, or watching a friend die right before your eyes, you don't know what that's like" Harry explained.

Harry then sat back down and 'Mione said "You're right, Harry, we don't. That's why we need your help. Because if we're going to have a chance at beating-" 'Mione said but hesitated. "Voldemort."

"He's really back" Asked Nigel.

Harry didn't look up but just nodded.

Everyone that was seated stood up and formed a line. Nigel had just finished writing his name on the parchment for the Dumbledore's Army thing.

When everyone was done, they left except for Ginny and Neville.

We walked towards the castle and Harry said "Right. First we need to find a place to practice where Umbridge won't find out."

"The Shrieking Shack" Ginny suggested.

"No, it's too small," Harry said.

"The Forbidden Forest?" 'Mione asked.

"Not bloody likely" Ron said. George told me about the spider incident in Ron's first year.

"Harry, what happens if Umbridge does find out?" Ginny asked.

"Who cares? I mean, it's sort of exciting isn't it, breaking the rules?" 'Mione asked.

My eyes widened and Ron asked "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?"

"Anyways, at least we know one positive thing that came out of today" 'Mione started.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Cho couldn't take her eyes off you, could she, Harry?" 'Mione smirked.

I looked at Ginny and she just walked there shocked.

Jealous