Chapter Eleven: Professor Ambrose
"Are you looking forward to DADA today, Harry?" Ron asked at breakfast on Monday.
Harry nodded, "Professor Ambrose will be taking the class today, so we'll be getting on with new stuff."
"We've got to go Harry," Hermione told him, getting up and gathering her bag and books. "Potions starts in ten minutes."
Harry got up and moved to follow her, "Ron, Neville, we'll see you in DADA. Ginny, Jamie, Mark, we'll see you at lunch."
After a particularly exhausting Double Potions lesson - they had started the two-week process of brewing a complex potion called Verboloserum, a close cousin of Veritaserum - Harry, Hermione, Seamus and Dean hurried up to the third floor to Defence Against the Darks Arts. Ron and the other Gryffindor sixth years were already waiting, the four Ravenclaws joined them a few moments later.
Professor Ambrose opened the door and ushered them inside. She waited until they were all seated then moved back and then walked over to her desk and should beside it. "Good morning class, my name is Meredith Ambrose, I will be your Defence teacher for the foreseeable future." She gestured toward the desk and a roll of parchment flew to her hand. "Let's see who we've got..." she said, running her eyes down the list. "Terry Boot, Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan..."
She continued for a few minutes until she reached the end of the list, "... Harry Potter, Dean Thomas and Ron Weasley. Twelve of you, excellent, that's more than any of my other NEWT classes." she told them. "Shall we get started?" Without waiting for an answer, continued. "This year, you will begin your study of Dark Magic, and the ways you can protect yourself against it."
She paused and regarded the class. "Voldemort and his Death Eaters like to use their enemies against themselves. Fear, pain, confusion, paranoia, these are their true weapons, and it will be my job this year to teach you to fight against them.
"Our first lesson will be counter-attacking while in pain."
"You're not going to use the Cruciatus Curse on us, are you?" asked Neville, hesitantly.
"No, Mr Longbottom. We're going to be using the Dolorus Curse. The pain involved can be similar, depending on how powerful the caster is, but there is no physical damage to the victim."
Neville sighed in relief.
"Can I have a volunteer?" she asked. After a minute or two, Harry sighed and stood up, moving to the front of the class. Civis squawked and flew off Harry's shoulder, landing on his chair next between Neville and Hermione. "Once I cast the curse, you can counter it with whatever spell you want. Understood?"
"Understood," Harry told her, drawing his wand.
"Crus Dolorus!" she shouted, pointing at Harry's left leg. A green bolt of energy knifed out and hit the leg.
Harry cried out and fell to his knees. He fought with the pain for a minute or two, then raised his wand. "Stupefy!"
The red wave of energy burst from his wand and headed for the DADA teacher. For a split second, it looked like it was going to hit her, but she cancelled the curse on Harry and casually conjured a Shield to block it. "Well done, Mr Potter," she said, then she turned to the rest of the class. "As you can see, any charm that disables the caster can be used. But for practice purposes, it would be best to use the correct counter-charm, 'Dolorus Interfectus'. When you cast the curse, the pain can be targeted across the whole body, 'Corpus Dolorus'. or a specific body part - the arm, 'Bracchium Dolorus'; 'Crus Dolorus', the leg; or 'Caput Dolorus', the head - are the most effective." she told them. "Now pair off and practice."
The class paired up as usual and got started. By the time the class was dismissed, they were nursing lingering aches on every part of their body.
The group headed for the ground floor, when they entered the Great Hall, Padma, Goldstein and Terry Boot split off to join the other Ravenclaws, while Harry lead the way to the Gryffindor table. They sat down and they were joined by Ginny a few minutes later, and the two first years a little bit after that.
"Does anyone what we're doing with Hagrid this afternoon?" Neville wanted to know.
"Hagrid received a shipment of Wyverns this morning," Harry told him. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny all looked a little nervous at that revelation. "But, I think they're for the seventh years. I did hear that he had another delivery a couple of days ago, I'm not sure what of though."
"Hopefully something a little less ferocious," said Hermione with feeling. The others nodded.
"We'll find out soon enough," said Harry.
----
Hermione's hopes were to be fulfilled, for today at least, when the Gryffindors arrived at Hagrid's hut they found Hagrid unloading ten Clabberts, relatively benevolent tree dwellers that looked like a cross between a monkey and a frog.
When the Slytherins arrived, Hagrid began his lecture. "These beasts are Clabberts, some American wizards used ter use 'em fer guardians 'til the International Confederation banned 'em from doin' it. The pustules on their heads flash scarlet if they sense danger."
Hagrid didn't have much to say after this initial introduction, so they spent the rest of the lesson feeding the creatures the small birds and lizards that were their preferred food.
After the lesson, Hagrid followed the students up to the castle. "How have yeh bin, Harry?" he asked after a minute or two. " I haven' had much of a chance t' talk t' yeh since yeh left fer yer holidays."
"I'm fine, Hagrid," Harry assured his large friend, the first one he'd made in the wizarding world. "Sirius is back, I'm free of the Dursleys, and thanks to Jason and his friends, I feel a bit better about this whole Prophecy thing."
"Yeah, Dumbledore told us 'bout tha' Prophecy a few days after yeh left t' go home. Tha's some task yeh've got yerself, Harry. But not much different than what yeh've bin doin' since yeh firs' got here, eh?"
"That's about what I figured," Harry told him. "It's always been me and Voldemort before, so I expected it would be at the end too. It's just a bit sad to know that my parents died because of that prophecy, and Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban."
"Yeah, too bad 'bout tha', but yeh've jus' gotta carry on I suppose."
"Yeah, and I'm doing that," Harry told him. "I'll deal with Voldemort as best I can when the time comes, but I want a normal life too."
"Speakin' a havin' a normal life, how's the Quidditch team goin'? Perfesser McGonagall told me she made yeh Capt'n."
"Yes, she did. We had tryouts on Saturday and got a decent line-up together. Wilhelm Whisp and Ginny are going to be the new Chasers, a couple of second years - Connor David and Henry Shaw - have replaced last year's Beaters and we've also got a couple of reserve Chasers and a reserve Keeper."
"What do yeh reckon yer chances fer the Cup are?"
"Even to in our favour, I'd say," Harry told him after a pause. "Ron's got over his stage fright, Connor and Henry are much better than Kirke and Sloper. Hell, given a little time they'll be better than the twins."
"How 'bout Ginny an' tha' Whisp kid? How're they making out?"
Harry frowned. "Fifty-fifty," he admitted. "Skill wise they're almost as good as Angelina and Alicia..."
"But?"
Harry sighed, "Their teamwork needs sharpening."
"Well, tha's what yeh'll have ter focus then."
"I know. We have been." Harry told him. "We've got six weeks until the game against Slytherin. I aim to be ready."
"Yeh will be, Harry," Hagrid told him. "Yeh will be."
----
"Can you meet me outside my office after dinner?" Harry asked Ginny, after his Double Transfiguration class on Wednesday afternoon. "And tell Luna to join us if she can make it?"
"Sure, Harry," said Ginny. "Who else is going to be there?"
"Ron, Hermione, Neville and me."
"Is it about the DA then?"
"Yeah, I want to run a list of people who I'd like in the club past the four of you. I know I'm officially in charge, but you've got as much stake in this as I do."
"We'll be there, Harry," Ginny assured her, then stood up and headed outside. As Harry had a free period and Civis was watching the two first years, he got up too and walked her down to Greenhouse Five where her Herbology lesson with Ravenclaw House would be held, Harry nodded a greeting to the other two familiar faces in the class when they arrived - Luna and Colin - and waited outside until the class began.
Just as the door to the greenhouse closed behind Professor Sprout, Fawkes appeared in a puff of feathers, a note clutched in his beck. Harry opened it and read the short missive:
Harry, Jonas and Stewart have finishing setting up the War Room in the Room of Requirement. Please meet me in there immediately so we can have our first discussion about castle security.
Albus Dumbledore.
Harry turned to Fawkes, "Tell Albus, I'm on my way."
The phoenix trilled a single soft note in reply and disappeared.
As the Room of Requirement was on the seventh floor, it took Harry a while to get there. When his hand touched the handle, a voice spoke from within. "Name and position?"
"Harry James Potter, sixth year, Gryffindor House. Defence Assistant and Gryffindor Captain of Quidditch."
"You may enter."
The room was very different to when Harry last saw it. The room was dimly lit, the centrepiece of the room was a round, oak meeting table with silver inlays, surrounded by nine chairs, also made of oak and silver. Floating above the table was a large, scale model of Hogwarts constructed of shimmering silvery-blue energy. Hundreds of tiny symbols, each with their own label, were dotted around the castle. Peering at a few of them, Harry noted that they were divided into two groups: shield-like glyphs, with house crests representing students, and the school crest for the teachers (Harry's symbol flitted between the Gryffindor one and the school crest); and simplified silhouettes for the beasts.
Harry could see that most of the Council - Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Dr Chrystan, and Jonas Johnson - were already there and were seated around the table. Stewart Kylan, a member of the Order who had set up the holo- map, excused himself as Harry sat down between Professor McGonagall and Dr Chrystan. Flitwick and Professor Ambrose arrived a moment later.
As soon as they were seated, Professor Dumbledore got to his feet and surveyed the seven of them. "Greetings, I have called you here today for a meeting because as you can see, Phase One of my plan to protect Hogwarts is complete and I thought that the Council should be aware of this."
"What's Potter doing here?" Snape said with a sneer. "What does he know about protecting the school?"
Before Harry could say anything, Dumbledore replied. "He is here, because I asked him to be here Severus. Over the past five years, Harry and his friends have done more to ensure the safety of this school than anyone in this room or anywhere else in this castle. Furthermore, the result of keeping Harry out of the loop was nearly fatal.
"Unfortunately, Pomona cannot be here in person, however we have a solution. Jonas, if you would?"
"Certainly, Professor. One moment." said Jonas. «This is Jonas Johnson, establishing telepathic link. I'm on-line and in your head.»
"Excellent. Thank you." Dumbledore told him. «Pomona, can you hear me?»
«Loud and clear, Professor.»
«This link can be used by anyone here, at any time to contact the other members of the Council.» Dumbledore told them. «Is there any other business?»
«Yes, Albus.» said Harry. «What are we going to do about the attack on Jamie Clayton? Civis' been keeping an eye on her at my request and she's had nightmares six times in the past two and a half weeks, he's getting a little tired of casting Silencing Charms and Sopuro Spells, so she and other kids in her dorm can get some sleep!»
«Mind your manners, Potter,» snapped Snape. «You have no business talking to the Headmaster like that!»
«If you weren't so narrow-minded about the Slytherins, she'd be sleeping fine because she'd know that the people who did it had been punished!» Harry told Snape angrily. «But you just let Malfoy get away with it, like you always do.»
At this point Snape looked angry enough to pull out his wand and curse Harry. Dumbledore held up his hand for silence. «If I might interject?» Neither Harry nor Snape objected. «Harry, you are correct that something must be done for Miss Clayton. However, on this occasion, as I told you before, Severus was right not to act. There is not enough reliable evidence to support a charge against Mr Malfoy at the moment and unless more evidence comes to light, there is nothing we can do from that angle. However, I agree that Miss Clayton disturbed nights cannot continue, and so I will ask Madame Pomfrey to prepare a flask of Dreamless Sleep Potion, which should alleviate matters. I trust yourself, Mister Bonsocus, or Miss Granger have the necessary knowledge to ensure the correct dosage is taken?»
«Yes, Albus. We do.» Snape snorted in derision at this assertion. Harry chose not to respond. «Can I go and get the Potion from Madame Pomfrey before curfew to-night?»
«I will tell Madame Pomfrey to expect you, however, there has apparently been quite a... demand for such potions recently, and I believe she is running quite short. Severus, I believe you are currently brewing some more?»
«Yes, I am, Headmaster,» Snape admitted reluctantly. «Unfortunately, I have been rather busy and it will not be ready for another three days.»
«If there is nothing further?» asked Dumbledore. «Then you are dismissed.»
"Active telepathic link terminated," reported Johnson. "If you need to reach me, think hard at me with your mind and that will activate the link."
The others nodded to show they understood and filed out, Dumbledore held Harry back. "I would like a word, Harry."
"Certainly, Albus," Harry told him.
When all the others - apart from Jonas Johnson - had left, Dumbledore spoke up again. "How are you coming with the DA, Harry?"
"We haven't had any meetings yet. I'm going to discuss the situation with some of the others this evening, and then we'll schedule the first meeting. I'll let you know when that'll be."
"Do you have any new members?"
"A number of people have expressed an interest," Harry admitted. "I'd say we'll probably have about forty."
"Any Slytherins?"
"Six," Harry told him. "Romulus Moon, Blaise Zabini, Jessie Blackfern, Morgan Redthorn, Claude Guile, and Lorna Greensboro."
"I see... are there no others you would trust?"
"Not below third year," Harry said, decisively. "Malfoy's got to much influence. He may not be responsible for the attacks on Jamie but he's definitely a security risk, his family's too close to Voldemort.
"Very well," said Dumbledore. "We'll talk again soon."
"Of course, Albus." said Harry, and left.
It was only about two o'clock, so Harry decided to return to his office and do a little reading from his private collection. On his way back to his office he passed a window overlooking the Quidditch pitch. There was some activity there and although he couldn't see the flyers clearly he was fairly sure they were the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Deciding that it would do any harm to scout out the competition, he perched on the broad windowsill and - after fishing his Spyglass out of his bag - he began to watch them,
After about half-an-hour, he decided that he'd learned enough, stood up, and walked away briskly. A few minutes later, he arrived at his office. He unlocked the door and went in. After checking to make sure that none of the dark detectors had sensed anything unusual - which they hadn't - he removed a couple of books from his bookshelf and sat down behind his desk. He cracked open one of them, the Aeternitae Liberae, and began to read.
He became so engrossed in the book, that he didn't hear the bell ring for end of classes. He was startled when Civis flew into his room through the open window and transformed. "Civis, what you doing here?"
"Looking for you," the hobgoblin replied sarcastically. "Dinner started ten minutes ago."
Harry started, and then glanced down at his watch. It read ten-past-five. "So it did! I guess time really does fly when your having fun." He returned the books to their proper places and headed for the door. "You coming?"
Civis growled a word that Harry was fairly sure that Hermione and Mrs Weasley would not approve of and transformed back into his crow shape. He flew over to Harry and landed on his shoulder. To further show his opinion, he nipped Harry's ear hard, though not hard enough to draw blood. "Ouch! That hurt!"
The crow looked at Harry, and he could almost hear him thinking. That was the idea, Harry.
Harry picked up his bag and headed out the door, which locked itself automatically.
----
The meeting that evening went smoothly, with all but Ron agreeing completely with Harry's proposed membership list (Ron initially objected to the inclusion of any Slytherins at all, but eventually agreed that the six suggested could probably be trusted and that they would be useful), and Harry sent out a notice to all previous and potential members using the Protean-Charmed Galleons and the school owls, asking them to be at the disused Defence Against Dark Arts classroom on the second floor at eight o'clock on Friday.
On Harry's orders, Civis and several of the house-elves - including Dobby and Winky - spent most of the next two days refurbishing the room, which connected to Harry's office via a short concealed staircase. Although the room was larger than the normal DADA classroom on the floor below, and therefore more suited to Harry's needs, it had not been used for quite some time and so it was a rather in need of a clean. Nonetheless, the hobgoblin and his four willing helpers made quick work of the mess and it was ready for use when Harry, Ginny and Neville arrived half-an-hour before the agreed start time of the meeting to check it. Under Civis' supervision, the elves had removed the old desks and replaced them with a circle of more comfortable chairs arranged in such a way as to leave a thirty-foot square of space in the idle of the room. This would be the practice area.
Harry sat down in a comfortable red velvet armchair at the point of the circle that was nearest the blackboard, Ginny took the chair nearest him, while Neville staked out one of the small sofas nearby. Once he was satisfied that their services were no longer required, Civis dismissed the house-elves, then rather receiving a nod for Harry, left the room himself, intending to return to Jamie's side. As if Civis' departure was a catalyst, the other members of the club began to trickle in a few minutes later, Ron and Hermione were first to arrive, sitting down cosily together on the sofa on Harry's right hand, closely followed by Luna - who joined Neville on his sofa - and the other Gryffindor sixth years.
By the appointed time, all forty invitees had arrived and were sitting - comfortably or not - on the chairs, sofas, stools and pouffes that circled the room. When he was satisfied that everyone was ready, Harry stood up. "Good evening everyone, you know me, some of you better than others, but for the sake formality I will introduce myself. My name is Harry Potter, and as some of you know and others do not, in addition to being student, I am also the Assistant Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, or Defence Assistant for short, and I have been since the beginning of term." This pronouncement was greeted by several different reactions, the other sixth year Gryffindors, Ginny, Luna, Katie and Roger Davies were naturally not at all surprised, and the sixth year Ravenclaws present were only a little more so.
"Before I actually begin anything new, I would like to give you a little background to this club you are about to join," Here Harry paused, possibly to decide exactly how much to reveal. "As you all know, last year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolorus Jane Umbridge, decided that it was not necessary for students to have practical experience in defending themselves, why exactly this was when one of the two OWLs in DADA is entirely practical is known only her, and anyone she chose to confide in." There were several sniggers and one or two outright laughs at this remark, though all were quickly silenced. "Now, more than most, I understand the dangers that exist in the wizarding world, I have faced some of greatest of them personally, and strange as it may seem, I had, nor I do now, have any intention of allowing myself, or those I care about, to be in danger because those around me do not know how to protect themselves. Shortly after our first lesson, I can't remember exactly when, Hermione suggested that a study group be formed, without Professor Umbridge's knowledge, which would attempt to learn practical defence techniques on their own. I agreed and after an initial meeting of interested parties at the Hog's Head Inn on the first Hogsmeade visit of last year, we began meeting in a secret location on a regular basis. Also at Hermione's suggestion - and with the approval of the rest of the club - I took charge of running it and taught the members the spells I knew might come in handy. In time, one of the members, Marietta Edgecombe, betrayed us to Umbridge and enabled to oust Dumbledore and take control of Hogwarts." he paused. "At the end of July, Professor Dumbledore came to me and asked me to reform the club - which we called Dumbledore's Army - which certain modifications. We are now approved by the Headmaster, and so will have certain responsibilities?"
"What sort of responsibilities?" asked Zacharias Smith.
"In addition to the training sessions, we will be working with the staff and prefects to ensure the safety of the school," Harry told him. "Those of you how are not prefects, will not be given any additional powers, however club business does grant a curfew waiver. If, when, we are attacked, the DA will be expected to be at forefront of any defence. Anyone who doesn't feel that they can handle that... The door is over there. You may walk out, all I ask is that you tell, no-one, what happens here. This applies to all of you."
He waited a minute or two, then turned to Hermione. "Do you have the coins?" Hermione nodded and got up. "Last year we used spelled Galleons to notify members of the meeting times. These new coins which Hermione is handing out will do that, but they will also allow us to identify you, and make it easier for you to be tracked down if there is an emergency. Keep them on you at all times."
Harry waited until Hermione had handed out the last coin and sat down beside Ron. "That's all for today. Next meeting will be a week from now, same time. Dismissed."
A/N: Part of Jonas Johnson's dialogue in this chapter is adapted from dialogue in JLA: World War Three written by Grant Morrison. I'd like to everyone who has reviewed so far, and also address a comment made by one reviewer, ~*Obsessed~with~Snuffles*~. As she pointed out wizards cannot Apparate in or out of Hogwarts, however house-elves can (CoS Chapters 10 & 18) and hobgoblins (at least in my fanon) are related to house-elves, so they can too. That is also the reason why he can 'Apparate' with passengers, something wizards apparently can't do. As always, please read and review and stay tuned for Chapter Twelve, which will be up soon.
"Are you looking forward to DADA today, Harry?" Ron asked at breakfast on Monday.
Harry nodded, "Professor Ambrose will be taking the class today, so we'll be getting on with new stuff."
"We've got to go Harry," Hermione told him, getting up and gathering her bag and books. "Potions starts in ten minutes."
Harry got up and moved to follow her, "Ron, Neville, we'll see you in DADA. Ginny, Jamie, Mark, we'll see you at lunch."
After a particularly exhausting Double Potions lesson - they had started the two-week process of brewing a complex potion called Verboloserum, a close cousin of Veritaserum - Harry, Hermione, Seamus and Dean hurried up to the third floor to Defence Against the Darks Arts. Ron and the other Gryffindor sixth years were already waiting, the four Ravenclaws joined them a few moments later.
Professor Ambrose opened the door and ushered them inside. She waited until they were all seated then moved back and then walked over to her desk and should beside it. "Good morning class, my name is Meredith Ambrose, I will be your Defence teacher for the foreseeable future." She gestured toward the desk and a roll of parchment flew to her hand. "Let's see who we've got..." she said, running her eyes down the list. "Terry Boot, Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan..."
She continued for a few minutes until she reached the end of the list, "... Harry Potter, Dean Thomas and Ron Weasley. Twelve of you, excellent, that's more than any of my other NEWT classes." she told them. "Shall we get started?" Without waiting for an answer, continued. "This year, you will begin your study of Dark Magic, and the ways you can protect yourself against it."
She paused and regarded the class. "Voldemort and his Death Eaters like to use their enemies against themselves. Fear, pain, confusion, paranoia, these are their true weapons, and it will be my job this year to teach you to fight against them.
"Our first lesson will be counter-attacking while in pain."
"You're not going to use the Cruciatus Curse on us, are you?" asked Neville, hesitantly.
"No, Mr Longbottom. We're going to be using the Dolorus Curse. The pain involved can be similar, depending on how powerful the caster is, but there is no physical damage to the victim."
Neville sighed in relief.
"Can I have a volunteer?" she asked. After a minute or two, Harry sighed and stood up, moving to the front of the class. Civis squawked and flew off Harry's shoulder, landing on his chair next between Neville and Hermione. "Once I cast the curse, you can counter it with whatever spell you want. Understood?"
"Understood," Harry told her, drawing his wand.
"Crus Dolorus!" she shouted, pointing at Harry's left leg. A green bolt of energy knifed out and hit the leg.
Harry cried out and fell to his knees. He fought with the pain for a minute or two, then raised his wand. "Stupefy!"
The red wave of energy burst from his wand and headed for the DADA teacher. For a split second, it looked like it was going to hit her, but she cancelled the curse on Harry and casually conjured a Shield to block it. "Well done, Mr Potter," she said, then she turned to the rest of the class. "As you can see, any charm that disables the caster can be used. But for practice purposes, it would be best to use the correct counter-charm, 'Dolorus Interfectus'. When you cast the curse, the pain can be targeted across the whole body, 'Corpus Dolorus'. or a specific body part - the arm, 'Bracchium Dolorus'; 'Crus Dolorus', the leg; or 'Caput Dolorus', the head - are the most effective." she told them. "Now pair off and practice."
The class paired up as usual and got started. By the time the class was dismissed, they were nursing lingering aches on every part of their body.
The group headed for the ground floor, when they entered the Great Hall, Padma, Goldstein and Terry Boot split off to join the other Ravenclaws, while Harry lead the way to the Gryffindor table. They sat down and they were joined by Ginny a few minutes later, and the two first years a little bit after that.
"Does anyone what we're doing with Hagrid this afternoon?" Neville wanted to know.
"Hagrid received a shipment of Wyverns this morning," Harry told him. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny all looked a little nervous at that revelation. "But, I think they're for the seventh years. I did hear that he had another delivery a couple of days ago, I'm not sure what of though."
"Hopefully something a little less ferocious," said Hermione with feeling. The others nodded.
"We'll find out soon enough," said Harry.
----
Hermione's hopes were to be fulfilled, for today at least, when the Gryffindors arrived at Hagrid's hut they found Hagrid unloading ten Clabberts, relatively benevolent tree dwellers that looked like a cross between a monkey and a frog.
When the Slytherins arrived, Hagrid began his lecture. "These beasts are Clabberts, some American wizards used ter use 'em fer guardians 'til the International Confederation banned 'em from doin' it. The pustules on their heads flash scarlet if they sense danger."
Hagrid didn't have much to say after this initial introduction, so they spent the rest of the lesson feeding the creatures the small birds and lizards that were their preferred food.
After the lesson, Hagrid followed the students up to the castle. "How have yeh bin, Harry?" he asked after a minute or two. " I haven' had much of a chance t' talk t' yeh since yeh left fer yer holidays."
"I'm fine, Hagrid," Harry assured his large friend, the first one he'd made in the wizarding world. "Sirius is back, I'm free of the Dursleys, and thanks to Jason and his friends, I feel a bit better about this whole Prophecy thing."
"Yeah, Dumbledore told us 'bout tha' Prophecy a few days after yeh left t' go home. Tha's some task yeh've got yerself, Harry. But not much different than what yeh've bin doin' since yeh firs' got here, eh?"
"That's about what I figured," Harry told him. "It's always been me and Voldemort before, so I expected it would be at the end too. It's just a bit sad to know that my parents died because of that prophecy, and Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban."
"Yeah, too bad 'bout tha', but yeh've jus' gotta carry on I suppose."
"Yeah, and I'm doing that," Harry told him. "I'll deal with Voldemort as best I can when the time comes, but I want a normal life too."
"Speakin' a havin' a normal life, how's the Quidditch team goin'? Perfesser McGonagall told me she made yeh Capt'n."
"Yes, she did. We had tryouts on Saturday and got a decent line-up together. Wilhelm Whisp and Ginny are going to be the new Chasers, a couple of second years - Connor David and Henry Shaw - have replaced last year's Beaters and we've also got a couple of reserve Chasers and a reserve Keeper."
"What do yeh reckon yer chances fer the Cup are?"
"Even to in our favour, I'd say," Harry told him after a pause. "Ron's got over his stage fright, Connor and Henry are much better than Kirke and Sloper. Hell, given a little time they'll be better than the twins."
"How 'bout Ginny an' tha' Whisp kid? How're they making out?"
Harry frowned. "Fifty-fifty," he admitted. "Skill wise they're almost as good as Angelina and Alicia..."
"But?"
Harry sighed, "Their teamwork needs sharpening."
"Well, tha's what yeh'll have ter focus then."
"I know. We have been." Harry told him. "We've got six weeks until the game against Slytherin. I aim to be ready."
"Yeh will be, Harry," Hagrid told him. "Yeh will be."
----
"Can you meet me outside my office after dinner?" Harry asked Ginny, after his Double Transfiguration class on Wednesday afternoon. "And tell Luna to join us if she can make it?"
"Sure, Harry," said Ginny. "Who else is going to be there?"
"Ron, Hermione, Neville and me."
"Is it about the DA then?"
"Yeah, I want to run a list of people who I'd like in the club past the four of you. I know I'm officially in charge, but you've got as much stake in this as I do."
"We'll be there, Harry," Ginny assured her, then stood up and headed outside. As Harry had a free period and Civis was watching the two first years, he got up too and walked her down to Greenhouse Five where her Herbology lesson with Ravenclaw House would be held, Harry nodded a greeting to the other two familiar faces in the class when they arrived - Luna and Colin - and waited outside until the class began.
Just as the door to the greenhouse closed behind Professor Sprout, Fawkes appeared in a puff of feathers, a note clutched in his beck. Harry opened it and read the short missive:
Harry, Jonas and Stewart have finishing setting up the War Room in the Room of Requirement. Please meet me in there immediately so we can have our first discussion about castle security.
Albus Dumbledore.
Harry turned to Fawkes, "Tell Albus, I'm on my way."
The phoenix trilled a single soft note in reply and disappeared.
As the Room of Requirement was on the seventh floor, it took Harry a while to get there. When his hand touched the handle, a voice spoke from within. "Name and position?"
"Harry James Potter, sixth year, Gryffindor House. Defence Assistant and Gryffindor Captain of Quidditch."
"You may enter."
The room was very different to when Harry last saw it. The room was dimly lit, the centrepiece of the room was a round, oak meeting table with silver inlays, surrounded by nine chairs, also made of oak and silver. Floating above the table was a large, scale model of Hogwarts constructed of shimmering silvery-blue energy. Hundreds of tiny symbols, each with their own label, were dotted around the castle. Peering at a few of them, Harry noted that they were divided into two groups: shield-like glyphs, with house crests representing students, and the school crest for the teachers (Harry's symbol flitted between the Gryffindor one and the school crest); and simplified silhouettes for the beasts.
Harry could see that most of the Council - Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Dr Chrystan, and Jonas Johnson - were already there and were seated around the table. Stewart Kylan, a member of the Order who had set up the holo- map, excused himself as Harry sat down between Professor McGonagall and Dr Chrystan. Flitwick and Professor Ambrose arrived a moment later.
As soon as they were seated, Professor Dumbledore got to his feet and surveyed the seven of them. "Greetings, I have called you here today for a meeting because as you can see, Phase One of my plan to protect Hogwarts is complete and I thought that the Council should be aware of this."
"What's Potter doing here?" Snape said with a sneer. "What does he know about protecting the school?"
Before Harry could say anything, Dumbledore replied. "He is here, because I asked him to be here Severus. Over the past five years, Harry and his friends have done more to ensure the safety of this school than anyone in this room or anywhere else in this castle. Furthermore, the result of keeping Harry out of the loop was nearly fatal.
"Unfortunately, Pomona cannot be here in person, however we have a solution. Jonas, if you would?"
"Certainly, Professor. One moment." said Jonas. «This is Jonas Johnson, establishing telepathic link. I'm on-line and in your head.»
"Excellent. Thank you." Dumbledore told him. «Pomona, can you hear me?»
«Loud and clear, Professor.»
«This link can be used by anyone here, at any time to contact the other members of the Council.» Dumbledore told them. «Is there any other business?»
«Yes, Albus.» said Harry. «What are we going to do about the attack on Jamie Clayton? Civis' been keeping an eye on her at my request and she's had nightmares six times in the past two and a half weeks, he's getting a little tired of casting Silencing Charms and Sopuro Spells, so she and other kids in her dorm can get some sleep!»
«Mind your manners, Potter,» snapped Snape. «You have no business talking to the Headmaster like that!»
«If you weren't so narrow-minded about the Slytherins, she'd be sleeping fine because she'd know that the people who did it had been punished!» Harry told Snape angrily. «But you just let Malfoy get away with it, like you always do.»
At this point Snape looked angry enough to pull out his wand and curse Harry. Dumbledore held up his hand for silence. «If I might interject?» Neither Harry nor Snape objected. «Harry, you are correct that something must be done for Miss Clayton. However, on this occasion, as I told you before, Severus was right not to act. There is not enough reliable evidence to support a charge against Mr Malfoy at the moment and unless more evidence comes to light, there is nothing we can do from that angle. However, I agree that Miss Clayton disturbed nights cannot continue, and so I will ask Madame Pomfrey to prepare a flask of Dreamless Sleep Potion, which should alleviate matters. I trust yourself, Mister Bonsocus, or Miss Granger have the necessary knowledge to ensure the correct dosage is taken?»
«Yes, Albus. We do.» Snape snorted in derision at this assertion. Harry chose not to respond. «Can I go and get the Potion from Madame Pomfrey before curfew to-night?»
«I will tell Madame Pomfrey to expect you, however, there has apparently been quite a... demand for such potions recently, and I believe she is running quite short. Severus, I believe you are currently brewing some more?»
«Yes, I am, Headmaster,» Snape admitted reluctantly. «Unfortunately, I have been rather busy and it will not be ready for another three days.»
«If there is nothing further?» asked Dumbledore. «Then you are dismissed.»
"Active telepathic link terminated," reported Johnson. "If you need to reach me, think hard at me with your mind and that will activate the link."
The others nodded to show they understood and filed out, Dumbledore held Harry back. "I would like a word, Harry."
"Certainly, Albus," Harry told him.
When all the others - apart from Jonas Johnson - had left, Dumbledore spoke up again. "How are you coming with the DA, Harry?"
"We haven't had any meetings yet. I'm going to discuss the situation with some of the others this evening, and then we'll schedule the first meeting. I'll let you know when that'll be."
"Do you have any new members?"
"A number of people have expressed an interest," Harry admitted. "I'd say we'll probably have about forty."
"Any Slytherins?"
"Six," Harry told him. "Romulus Moon, Blaise Zabini, Jessie Blackfern, Morgan Redthorn, Claude Guile, and Lorna Greensboro."
"I see... are there no others you would trust?"
"Not below third year," Harry said, decisively. "Malfoy's got to much influence. He may not be responsible for the attacks on Jamie but he's definitely a security risk, his family's too close to Voldemort.
"Very well," said Dumbledore. "We'll talk again soon."
"Of course, Albus." said Harry, and left.
It was only about two o'clock, so Harry decided to return to his office and do a little reading from his private collection. On his way back to his office he passed a window overlooking the Quidditch pitch. There was some activity there and although he couldn't see the flyers clearly he was fairly sure they were the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Deciding that it would do any harm to scout out the competition, he perched on the broad windowsill and - after fishing his Spyglass out of his bag - he began to watch them,
After about half-an-hour, he decided that he'd learned enough, stood up, and walked away briskly. A few minutes later, he arrived at his office. He unlocked the door and went in. After checking to make sure that none of the dark detectors had sensed anything unusual - which they hadn't - he removed a couple of books from his bookshelf and sat down behind his desk. He cracked open one of them, the Aeternitae Liberae, and began to read.
He became so engrossed in the book, that he didn't hear the bell ring for end of classes. He was startled when Civis flew into his room through the open window and transformed. "Civis, what you doing here?"
"Looking for you," the hobgoblin replied sarcastically. "Dinner started ten minutes ago."
Harry started, and then glanced down at his watch. It read ten-past-five. "So it did! I guess time really does fly when your having fun." He returned the books to their proper places and headed for the door. "You coming?"
Civis growled a word that Harry was fairly sure that Hermione and Mrs Weasley would not approve of and transformed back into his crow shape. He flew over to Harry and landed on his shoulder. To further show his opinion, he nipped Harry's ear hard, though not hard enough to draw blood. "Ouch! That hurt!"
The crow looked at Harry, and he could almost hear him thinking. That was the idea, Harry.
Harry picked up his bag and headed out the door, which locked itself automatically.
----
The meeting that evening went smoothly, with all but Ron agreeing completely with Harry's proposed membership list (Ron initially objected to the inclusion of any Slytherins at all, but eventually agreed that the six suggested could probably be trusted and that they would be useful), and Harry sent out a notice to all previous and potential members using the Protean-Charmed Galleons and the school owls, asking them to be at the disused Defence Against Dark Arts classroom on the second floor at eight o'clock on Friday.
On Harry's orders, Civis and several of the house-elves - including Dobby and Winky - spent most of the next two days refurbishing the room, which connected to Harry's office via a short concealed staircase. Although the room was larger than the normal DADA classroom on the floor below, and therefore more suited to Harry's needs, it had not been used for quite some time and so it was a rather in need of a clean. Nonetheless, the hobgoblin and his four willing helpers made quick work of the mess and it was ready for use when Harry, Ginny and Neville arrived half-an-hour before the agreed start time of the meeting to check it. Under Civis' supervision, the elves had removed the old desks and replaced them with a circle of more comfortable chairs arranged in such a way as to leave a thirty-foot square of space in the idle of the room. This would be the practice area.
Harry sat down in a comfortable red velvet armchair at the point of the circle that was nearest the blackboard, Ginny took the chair nearest him, while Neville staked out one of the small sofas nearby. Once he was satisfied that their services were no longer required, Civis dismissed the house-elves, then rather receiving a nod for Harry, left the room himself, intending to return to Jamie's side. As if Civis' departure was a catalyst, the other members of the club began to trickle in a few minutes later, Ron and Hermione were first to arrive, sitting down cosily together on the sofa on Harry's right hand, closely followed by Luna - who joined Neville on his sofa - and the other Gryffindor sixth years.
By the appointed time, all forty invitees had arrived and were sitting - comfortably or not - on the chairs, sofas, stools and pouffes that circled the room. When he was satisfied that everyone was ready, Harry stood up. "Good evening everyone, you know me, some of you better than others, but for the sake formality I will introduce myself. My name is Harry Potter, and as some of you know and others do not, in addition to being student, I am also the Assistant Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, or Defence Assistant for short, and I have been since the beginning of term." This pronouncement was greeted by several different reactions, the other sixth year Gryffindors, Ginny, Luna, Katie and Roger Davies were naturally not at all surprised, and the sixth year Ravenclaws present were only a little more so.
"Before I actually begin anything new, I would like to give you a little background to this club you are about to join," Here Harry paused, possibly to decide exactly how much to reveal. "As you all know, last year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolorus Jane Umbridge, decided that it was not necessary for students to have practical experience in defending themselves, why exactly this was when one of the two OWLs in DADA is entirely practical is known only her, and anyone she chose to confide in." There were several sniggers and one or two outright laughs at this remark, though all were quickly silenced. "Now, more than most, I understand the dangers that exist in the wizarding world, I have faced some of greatest of them personally, and strange as it may seem, I had, nor I do now, have any intention of allowing myself, or those I care about, to be in danger because those around me do not know how to protect themselves. Shortly after our first lesson, I can't remember exactly when, Hermione suggested that a study group be formed, without Professor Umbridge's knowledge, which would attempt to learn practical defence techniques on their own. I agreed and after an initial meeting of interested parties at the Hog's Head Inn on the first Hogsmeade visit of last year, we began meeting in a secret location on a regular basis. Also at Hermione's suggestion - and with the approval of the rest of the club - I took charge of running it and taught the members the spells I knew might come in handy. In time, one of the members, Marietta Edgecombe, betrayed us to Umbridge and enabled to oust Dumbledore and take control of Hogwarts." he paused. "At the end of July, Professor Dumbledore came to me and asked me to reform the club - which we called Dumbledore's Army - which certain modifications. We are now approved by the Headmaster, and so will have certain responsibilities?"
"What sort of responsibilities?" asked Zacharias Smith.
"In addition to the training sessions, we will be working with the staff and prefects to ensure the safety of the school," Harry told him. "Those of you how are not prefects, will not be given any additional powers, however club business does grant a curfew waiver. If, when, we are attacked, the DA will be expected to be at forefront of any defence. Anyone who doesn't feel that they can handle that... The door is over there. You may walk out, all I ask is that you tell, no-one, what happens here. This applies to all of you."
He waited a minute or two, then turned to Hermione. "Do you have the coins?" Hermione nodded and got up. "Last year we used spelled Galleons to notify members of the meeting times. These new coins which Hermione is handing out will do that, but they will also allow us to identify you, and make it easier for you to be tracked down if there is an emergency. Keep them on you at all times."
Harry waited until Hermione had handed out the last coin and sat down beside Ron. "That's all for today. Next meeting will be a week from now, same time. Dismissed."
A/N: Part of Jonas Johnson's dialogue in this chapter is adapted from dialogue in JLA: World War Three written by Grant Morrison. I'd like to everyone who has reviewed so far, and also address a comment made by one reviewer, ~*Obsessed~with~Snuffles*~. As she pointed out wizards cannot Apparate in or out of Hogwarts, however house-elves can (CoS Chapters 10 & 18) and hobgoblins (at least in my fanon) are related to house-elves, so they can too. That is also the reason why he can 'Apparate' with passengers, something wizards apparently can't do. As always, please read and review and stay tuned for Chapter Twelve, which will be up soon.