Chapter Five

The day started off slowly with the ever-vigilant dullness of Professor Binns's History of Magic, a subject that if a different teacher taught it would be interesting. After threatening to not allow Ron or Harry to copy her notes before the exam the three walked out into the chilly September air, complete with a fine misty rain, and found a secluded corner under a dripping balcony. The trio agreed that Professor Snape would most likely give them an extremely difficult potion when the conversation turned to Hermione, who was attempting to decide what she would tell them about the events of last night. "What'd Dumbledore want to see you about this morning?"

"What?"

"What'd Dumbledore want to talk to you about this morning?"

"Oh, erm… Well he wanted to—Harry, look behind you."

Harry turned around to see Cho walking towards them calling out Harry's name. Hermione let out a breath of relief as she still didn't know what to tell them, and what not to tell them. In an attempt to keep from being asked again Hermione engaged herself in an argument with Ron over his accusation of Cho's support of the Tornados and keeping it going until they reached the dungeon.

As they had suspected Snape had indeed given them an extremely difficult Potion. Hermione set about mixing together the ingredients while still debating what to say. By the time she was finished she had decided that when it was asked she would respond with, I'll tell you later. And when the proper time came she would tell them everything.

At the end of the double period Hermione and Ron finished cleaning up their cauldrons they set off after Harry who had already began eating.

Sitting down Hermione grabbed a bit of Shepherd's Pie she said to Harry, "That was really unfair, your potion wasn't nearly as bad as Goyle's. When he put it in his flagon the whole thing shattered and set his robes on fire."

Harry glowered at his plate and replied, "Yeah, well since when has Snape ever been fair to me?"

The three of them sat in silence since they all knew that Harry and Snape were mutual enemies.

"I did think he might be a bit better this year. I mean… you know…" Hermione stopped to look around to make sure no one might over hear them, "…Now that he's in the Order and everything."

"Poisonous toadstools don't change their spots," said Ron, "Anyway, I've always thought Dumbledore was cracked for trusting Snape, where's the evidence that he really ever stopped working for You-Know-Who?"

Hermione snapped back saying, "I think Dumbledore's probably got plenty of evidence, even if he doesn't share it with you, Ron."

Ron had just opened his mouth to argue back when Harry interjected angrily, "Oh, shut up the pair of you," Hermione and Ron froze with mixed expressions, "Can't you give it a rest? You're always having a go at each other, it's driving me mad." With that Harry left his shepherd's pie he stormed out of the Great Hall leaving the two of them sitting there.

Ron was the first to speak, "Well… now we know his opinion on this matter."

Hermione, who was felt hurt more than anything else, said, "I do wish he would stop taking out his anger on us, though I think it would be wise for us to try and not argue in front of him."

"Yeah…"

At the sound of the bell Hermione stood up and said good-bye to Ron as they set off in different directions, only to meet back up for the final class of the day. Double Defense Against the Dark Arts. Standing outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom Hermione saw that Harry and Ron were already inside. Seeing that Umbridge was also in there Hermione took a deep breath and walked in.

Fuming Hermione stormed into the common room, she knew not to expect much from Professor Umbridge, but not this. Harry had gotten a weeks detention for telling the truth about Voldemort, and even worse they weren't even going to be allowed to practice spells. Entering into the Girls' Dormitory Hermione closed the door behind her and stopped. She walked slowly towards her bed, which was covered in neatly stacked and folded clothes. Sitting at the end of the bed were two pyramids of olive-drab socks, beside the socks lay a pair of black gloves. In the middle of the bed was a stack of seven olive-drab T-shirts. Next to the T-shirt was a stack of five woodland patterned camouflaged tunics. Directly beneath the tunic was a stack of five woodland patterned camouflaged pants. And at the top of her bed, laying on her pillow was a hat, however it was not a normal ball cap. Unlike a normal hat the bill was slightly shorter in length, it lay flat with no curve in the shape. The part of the hat where you put your head looked as though someone had cut it in half and then put a flat piece of cloth over the hole and it also was woodland camouflage patterned. Underneath the hat was a letter.

Hermione,

I've asked Dobby to deliver these to you. Since you're in Dumbledore's Army I have to tell you a few things. Number one, the chain of command is used, and enforced. So that means I give an order, and it is to be followed without question. Not pretty, but there's no alternative.

Second of all when you wear a helmet, or your Jeep Cap you're hair must not go past the collar on your tunic. Though when wearing your helmet you're hair must not be visible, you're bangs are not allowed to go past your eye brows, and I would also advise not having your bangs visible when wearing your helmet. Fingernails will not be in an excess of one quarter of an inch, measuring from the tip of the finger. Under normal circumstances, these measures would apply at all times, but due to the secretive nature (currently) you are allowed to not follow the above regulations during school, or Hogsmeade trips unless notified in advance by either myself or another ranking officer.

Third, due to the nature of events as of last year you are hearby ordered to wear your BDUs at all times, wear them beneath your school robes during school. The BDUs will appear invisible to all when under other articles of clothing. When only the BDUs are worn, and there are no non-Dumbledore's Army issue clothing on top of your BDUs they will be visible. You will be notified in advance as to when to wear only your BDUs.

Fourth, when wearing BDUs all clothes will be tucked in. Your tunic will be the only exception, your pants will be tucked in to your boots (which you will receive at a later date, along with your helmet and other items). Underneath your tunic you will wear the DA issue olive-drab T-shirt, which will be tucked in. And don't worry about how hot it'll be wearing all those layers of clothes the BDUs have a charm that will regulate your body temperature, the BDUs are also charmed to resist most curses, jinxes, and other such spells.

These are your orders, carry them out Captain.

Major General Kitoriav Lightningstrider

Putting down the letter Hermione set about following the first orders she had received.