A/N: Thank you for your wonderful reviews. Just so you know, the H/Hr stuff will happen in two or three chapters. It will probably be one of my longest chapters. This chapter is mainly so that I have some unromantic plot that doesn't pop out of nowhere.
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all related indicia are the property of JKR.
Dumbledore's Army
Harry called an emergency meeting of the heads of DA the next day. "Voldemort is steadily rising every day. We must increase everything. Dumbledore's Army will meet everyday. We also need to increase research. I know Hermione and Luna have found many useful spells, but we want as many as possible. I can only trust the five of you to be able to do this. We shall meet every other day to discuss progress. However, practice and spells are not the solution. Strategy is the key. Ron, we know how good you are at chess. This means that you have a good head for strategy. We need history. I want a compilation of successful battles, magical and muggle. We want to also delve into historical Voldemort battles. We must discover his patterns. Any questions?"
"What are we all supposed to do?" Neville asked. "Individually, I mean. Like Ron and strategy. We've got to divide the tasks up."
"All right. I want to you all to do a little of everything. However, Ron, your main task is to devise a strategy. When we get the historical information and information from the Order, change the strategy to fit. Hermione, since you take good notes in History of Magic, and you're muggle-born, please research historical battles and arrange them in an easy format. Luna, you are very insightful and good at reading character, so please look at Voldemort's habits and strategies, and try to find patterns. Ginny, look up some spells if you can, but you have a greater talent. You can control people. I want you to take over some of the teaching, and should we be attacked on two fronts, I want you to lead the one without Voldemort. Neville, look up spells and potions. There are probably things to do with Herbology that we missed. I'll work with everyone and teach classes. Meet here again in two days."
Harry was quite satisfied with this meeting. Hermione kept Ron under control, and they kept staring at each other, so he didn't have many interruptions. Now, he could be really prepared for Voldemort.
When Harry went down to the Great Hall, Ron and Hermione were already there, snogging. He smiled to himself. They would definitely be too interested in each other to "help" him. Everything was going according to plan.
That night at the DA session, he noticed something. The members seemed to be losing heart in their practice. He finally stopped everyone.
"Everyone, stop what you're doing. Why is everyone doing everything half-heartedly?"
"Well, Voldemort hasn't shown up the past two years. Why should he anytime soon?" Hannah Abbot replied.
"Ah. No reason. Perhaps I should let you guys in on a few secrets. Voldemort is gaining power. Do you all remember the Triwizard Tournament? When Cedric died? The cup was a portkey. Voldemort took some of my blood, as well as a few other things. These essentially brought him back to life. In my fifth year, he staged an attack on me, as well as five others here and more who are not, and managed to kill someone very close to me. Last year, he attacked me in Hogsmeade. He gets more powerful by the day. I learned in my fifth year that either I must kill Voldemort, or he will kill me. Do not give up hope. Will all muggle-borns or half-bloods stand?" About half the room stood. "How many of you are friends with at least one of these people?" Everyone else raised his or her hand. "If we don't keep working, these people may well die or be tortured beyond belief. If you can't work for a better tomorrow, a tomorrow without fear, do it for your friends."
Harry sat down. Everyone gaped at him. Quite a few people blushed, and many mumbled apologies. When they got back to work, they performed with a new spirit. Everyone was much more supportive of everyone else, and people seemed much more focused. Harry felt more relaxed and confident than he had in years. Perhaps he could even pull this off.