Chapter Ten

The D.A. Reinstated

Harry woke up early just as Ron was getting dressed. He changed out of his pajamas and went to out of the tower and to the Great Hall. Hermione was already there went they arrived. They each took a seat on each side of Hermione.

"What class do we have next?" Ron asked.

"Double Transfiguration then Double Potions," Hermione replied.

"Great," Ron said under is breath.

They ate a quick breakfast and left for their first class with Professor McGonagall. After the bell rang, Professor McGonagall gave them a strict speech, "This year you will be learning how to do human transfiguration, and need I remind you that if you are caught transfiguring others outside of class. You will receive an automatic detention." She tapped her wand on the board on her notes appeared. They spent the two hours copying the complicated notes off the board and then were given a hard two parchments fill on an essay over human transfiguration. The bell rang after the two hours and Professor McGonagall called Harry just as he was about to leave.

"Mr. Potter, Professor Dumbledore wishes you to practice Occlumency in my class after dinner, and he would like to know if you could continue your club as a sort of practice class," Professor McGonagall told Harry.

Harry was speechless, but said, "I think I need to think on the idea of continuing the club." Then Harry left her class to catch up with Ron and Hermione for Potions.

Potions were held deep in the dungeons with Professor Snape. Harry caught up with them just outside of the door where Malfoy and his cronies were waiting. The door opened and Professor Snape beckoned them to enter. Harry could see the disgust on Snape's at the sight of Harry and his best friends.

"You will be learning your N.E.W.T. level Potions today and I will not tolerate any mistakes in my class," Professor Snape said in barely a whisper and his eyes paused on Harry and his friends table. Professor Snape tapped his wand on the board and the instructions of the potion for today were displayed.

The class spent the first hour over their hot cauldrons adding the necessary ingredients. Harry's potion was nearing the texture of a clear mirror put it still had some color to it. "You should be able to see your reflection in your potion without any stray colors," Professor Snape said with half an hour left. "As it is simmering for the allowed time, clean up."

Harry replaced the ingredients back into the storage cupboard and washed his hand in the bin where the other students were washing up. After the fifteen minutes pasted Professor Snape called for their attention, "Now that you have let it simmer, continue to stir your potion occasionally so that your potion does not boil over," his eyes fell on Neville who was a short distance from Harry. Harry's potion had reached the correct texture as he was stirring his potion.

"Fill a flask of your potion and put it on my desk and I need an essay on the properties of the Invisibility Potion by the next class, two parchments fill, class dismissed."

Harry left the dungeons quickly, after filling his flask of his now crystal clear potion, so not to attract Professor Snape's anger. Ron and Hermione caught up with him just as he made his way through the Entrance Hall toward the Great Hall.

"What did Professor McGonagall want?" Hermione asked.

"She wanted me to do Occlumency with Dumbledore, and she asked me if I wanted to continue the D.A."

"Harry! I think it would be a great idea to continue the D.A," Hermione said as she took a seat next to Harry.

"I told her I'd think about it since I didn't want to be late for Potions."

"Harry, it would be great to help the other students out over the defensive spell we learned last term."

"I think so too Hermione, but I think that we need to allow all students to attend and that would include the Slytherins," Harry said miserably.

"That doesn't matter since you are the leader of the club and he will need to do as he is told regardless if he is a Prefect."

Harry finished his lunch and left for the Gryffindor tower with Ron and Hermione in tow. As they made their way toward the moving staircases they heard screams. It came from the flight above them and they saw some scared first years being chased and pelted by flying water balloons. "Peeves!" Hermione screamed and with a pop a silly looking little man wearing a very colorful shirt appeared holding his last balloon. With a cackle he flew around Hermione, Ron, and Harry individually. "Why if it isn't "Little Miss Perfect, a Weasel, and Potty-Wee Potter?" he let out another cackle tossing the balloon up and down in his hand.

"Peeves stop it!" Hermione shouted but her words were ignored by Peeves as he tossed his last water balloon up and down in his hand.

"Peeves," Harry spoke getting the poltergeist's attention. "You better stop or the Baron will hear of this," at Harry's words Peeves tossed his balloon for the last time looking terrified at what Harry had said and the balloon landed on the poltergeist's head bursting. He left, cursing under his breath. Hermione reassured the scared first years and they left. Harry could hear them whispering his name under their breaths.

"Brilliant idea Harry," Ron said.

"Thanks," Harry replied.

They made their way toward the Fat Lady and gave the password. They took their seats near the empty fireplace. Ron started on yesterday's homework while Harry and Hermione started on their Transfiguration essay. Hermione only had time to start her first draft since she had Ancient Runes next.

"There you two are," it was Katie Bell, a Chaser for Gryffindor, "we have tryouts tomorrow after dinner and I need the whole team there," she then left.

"We need," Ron paused twirling his quill, "a Chaser, and maybe some new Beaters."

Harry spent much of his time on his Transfiguration essay redoing it several times. He then started on his Potions essay. He just finished his first draft; Hermione came through the portrait door. She sat down in her usual chair and Crookshanks joined them by curling up on the rug in front of the empty fireplace. Hermione checked Ron's homework and helped him editing his homework. She checked both of Harry's essays and as it turned out that he had very few mistakes on it. As it turned out he only misspelled as few words in both of his essays.

Harry spent his dinner in silence as he waited for the time to go to Professor McGonagall's classroom. After an hour, Harry saw Professor Dumbledore leave the High Table. Harry left for Professor McGonagall's classroom to meet with Professor Dumbledore for his Occlumency lessons.

"Ah, Harry, so glad you can make it," Professor Dumbledore greeted him as he entered the classroom. "Now remember Harry what to have been told by Professor Snape during your previous lessons with him."

Harry walked into the area where it has clear of desks and stopped fifteen yards to Professor Dumbledore. "Are you ready Harry," Professor Dumbledore asked and Harry nodded. Professor Dumbledore pointed his want at Harry and said, "Legilimens!"

Harry could see his cousin opening presents found under a Christmas tree and his heart beat with extreme jealously… He tried to stay concentrated… He saw the last time he'd faced Lord Voldemort… He could see Professor Dumbledore clearly… "Protego!" He saw Professor Dumbledore stagger backwards a few steps, but remained on his feet.

"Very good, Harry," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile on his face. Harry spent the next hour greatly improving since his last session with Professor Snape. "That will be all for today, Harry, same time next week. Have you decided on the idea to continue your D.A. club this year?"

"I'd think it would be great Professor," Harry replied.

"I will make notices for the weekend and they may be viewed on the notice boards in each of the Houses," then he left and Harry followed him out. Harry made his way toward the Gryffindor tower.

After Harry made his way through the portrait door, he found Hermione stroking Crookshanks in her lap and Ron was doing his homework. Harry made his way toward an empty chair and Crookshanks left Hermione to greet Harry by rubbing his head against Harry's.

"How did your lessons go Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Much better than with Snape," Harry replied.

"When will the first D.A. meeting this year be?" Ron asked while measuring his Potions' essay.

"This weekend, but the time is unknown," Harry replied.

Harry spent the rest of the evening stroking Crookshanks while Hermione helped Ron check his essays. Crookshanks purred loudly as Harry scratched behind the feline's ears. He fell asleep. He was walking down another corridor at Hogwarts and he heard voices behind a door. He reached out to open it, and touched the doorknob. He turned the doorknob, "Harry."

It was Hermione. "Your snoring was disturbing." Crookshanks had already left Harry's lap to chase wads of discarded parchment that Ginny had been tossing.

"Sorry about that," Harry replied.

"I hope that you are not having any dreams about--" Hermione said before Harry cut her off.

"No, I am not having any dreams about him," Harry replied indicating that his dream was not about Lord Voldemort.

The next morning, Harry woke up early just as Hermione was making her way down the girl's dormitory staircase. They both walked out of the tower and toward the Great Hall. Ron jointed them just as the morning post arrived. Hermione has been continuing her subscription to the Daily Prophet. She chocked on her coffee when she read the front cover.

"Oh no!" she said.

Harry looked over her shoulder and read:

Death Eaters Cause Mayhem in Muggle Community

As of yesterday, there were thirty deaths of Muggles due to the Dark Lord's followers, the Death Eaters. The Aurors were sent to quell the disaster by modifying the memories of the Muggles who witnessed the murders. The wizarding community is posed to let the Aurors fight the Death Eaters unless out of self-defense (continue to page five).

The article below it also caught Harry's eye:

Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, Removed

Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister of Magic, has been removed from office due to not preparing for the Dark Lord's return two summers ago. Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, has been appointed the new Minister of Magic (continue to page four).

Harry and along with the other students who receive the paper looked worried over the murders and at the same time; the thought it was good that Cornelius Fudge was replaced for Minister of Magic. The most frightened were the Muggle-borns who have parents near the area that was attacked. Harry, Ron, and Hermione finished their breakfast and left for the grounds for their Herbology class at the greenhouses. In Herbology, they learned to care for seedling Venemous Tentaculas, which looked like miniature parrots beaks with stingers attached to tentacles, in Greenhouse Three. After spending two hours under the sun and some students had cuts from the Venemous Tentacula, which thanks to Professor Sprout had an antidote for the venom from its stings. Harry, Ron, and Hermione left for Gryffindor tower to return their books; then to walk the grounds.

As they went the Entrance Hall they ran into someone they disliked. It was Malfoy and several other Slytherins. Malfoy looked around to make sure that there were no teachers, especially Professor Pierce, was visible.

"Well Potter, and you too Granger, you think you are better than the rest of us," Malfoy sneered, but Harry ignored him knowing that Malfoy won't listen to anyone except to his own house.

"What the matter, are you still second-rate to Weasel?" Malfoy and his Slytherins chuckled and Harry and Hermione had to grab and drag Ron from trying to reach his wand while the Slytherins laughed harder as they left.

"You should have let me jinx him," Ron said after they were out of earshot of Malfoy.

"You will get much worse than detention," Hermione reminding Ron.

They made their way toward the trees near the lake and sat under their usual tree. They spent the time chatting over the past classes and spent time watching the other students at Hagrid's hut as he was teaching a class. They went back just in time for lunch and ran into Malfoy again accompanied by his usual friends Crabbe and Goyle and Pansy Parkinson.

Malfoy didn't wait to talk he drew out his wand but Harry, sensing Malfoy's action, drew out his wand just as Malfoy cast his spell.

"Stupefy!" Malfoy shouted but Harry was ready with his Shielding Charm.

"Potter!" It was Professor Snape coming from the dungeons. "Explain!"

"Potter attacked me!" Malfoy pointing at Harry.

"What is going on here?" it was Professor Pierce coming down the grand staircase before Harry could argue.

"Draco said that Potter here attacked him," Professor Snape said silkily.

"Is there any proof?"

"Yes right here," Professor Snape said pointing where Harry and Malfoy stood.

"I think I can straighten this out," Professor Pierce said approaching Harry and Malfoy. "Your wands please." They gave her their wands and she took out her wand. She then tapped on Malfoy's wand first muttering 'Deletrius' and Malfoy's wand emitted a red light; then she did the same on Harry's wand but his emitted a clear light.

"There you have it Professor Snape; Mr. Malfoy tried to stun Mr. Potter, but he used a Shielding Charm as self-defense. That would be ten points from Slytherin for using magic in the corridors Mr. Malfoy. Off you lot go," Professor Pierce told them. Harry, Ron, and Hermione left so that they would not anger Snape any longer than he already was.

"I don't think that Snape liked what happened, and he would have loved to take points from Gryffindor if Professor Pierce didn't show up," Hermione said as she sat down by Harry and pouring her some tea.

"I don't think Malfoy likes it either," Ron pointing to Malfoy as he made it past the Ravenclaw table with his bag deliberately hitting the students he past with his gang following.

Hermione only shook her head knowing that she can't make him stop letting his anger go on other students. Ginny had joined them just as she came from Charms class. Harry could hear complements about Professor Pierce's class and her fairness toward students without acting on what she sees or hears too hastily. Harry, Ron, and Hermione finished lunch quickly so that they could visit Hagrid since they had the afternoon off. They left the Great Hall and crossed the grounds towards Hagrid's hut and knocked on the door. They were greeted by booming barks from inside the hut.

"Down Fang down!" they heard Hagrid over the sounds of his dog. He opened the door and his dog ran out almost knocking Harry over while trying to reach his face. Hagrid grabbed Fang by the collar allowing them to enter.