As Strong As We Are United
Chapter 32 – The Return of Dumbledore's Army
All of the students assembled in the Great Hall the next morning. Professor Dumbledore explained the attack to them. There was a general sense of uneasiness that permeated the student body, after they had received the news.
"We could've all been killed."
"Nowhere is safe."
"What happens if we're attacked again?"
"We have to do something."
After hearing these thoughts from several students, Ron and Hermione decided that it was time to announce the return of Dumbledore's Army. They did so during breakfast the following morning.
Hermione stood in front of the teacher's table. Professor Dumbledore called for the students' attention, then gave Hermione the floor.
"Hogwarts will be starting a defense club for all students third year and above," Hermione told the students. "On Saturday, we will hold the first meeting. All students, who are interested in learning to better defend themselves, should attend."
"During the first meeting, there will be demonstrations of both magical and physical defensive techniques. I urge everyone to attend. While Hogwarts is the safest place for us all, none of us is completely safe as long as Voldemort is out there." This last statement caused several gasps from the assembled students.
Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. "Miss Granger is quite right. Nowhere is truly safe. I urge you all to take the time to better prepare yourself for what is to come."
That night, Willow called a meeting of the nine teens in the Scooby common room. Willow addressed the students. "I know that everyone has been very busy during the holidays, but we need to refocus now. I hope everyone has been practicing their wandless summoning charms, because today I'm going to evaluate your progress."
"So, this is going to be like a pop quiz?" Shannon asked.
"Sort of," replied Willow. "Only you aren't doing this for a grade. You're doing it in the hopes of surviving a battle." This thought caused the students to become solemn.
"I don't want to freak you out," Willow explained. "But, we need to remember why we are training so hard."
"It's not like some of us could forget," mumbled Harry.
Willow sighed. "That's true. You all know what's at risk. You all know what we're fighting for. And, we will make it through this. But, the point I was trying to make is that we need to refocus. So, let me see what you've got. If you are proficient enough with wandless summoning, we can begin wandless disarming."
The teens immediately perked up at the thought of being able to disarm an opponent from afar without a wand. Willow smiled to herself, glad that the mood in the room had lightened.
Willow explained her plan for evaluation. "You are going to divide into groups of three. Let me see. Harry, Dawn, and Luna will be first. Ron, Ginny, and Draco will go next. And, last are Neville, Hermione, and Shannon. Now, I know these aren't the groups you usually work in, but in a real battle you never know who your opponents will be."
"Beginning with the first group, you are going to attack two on one. The person being attacked will not have a wand. The want will be across the room. You will need to summon the wand, while avoiding being cursed by your opponents. Does everyone understand?"
The students each either said, "yes," or nodded in understanding.
Dawn volunteered to be the first to be attacked. After spending an entire week opening portals, she could easily call forth her magic.
Harry and Luna slowly began to circle Dawn, who made a point of being aware of their movements. Harry was the first to strike. "Stupefy," he called loudly. Dawn dropped to the ground and rolled out of the line of fire, as Luna fired her own spell. Dawn leapt to her feet and dodged Luna's spell. Harry had already begun his second spell.
Realizing that she was not going to have a chance to summon her wand, Dawn dove behind Luna to ice her as a shield. As Harry's curse hurled toward Luna, Dawn was finally able to turn her attention to her wand that lay across the room. "Accio wand," Dawn called.
As Luna fell to the floor, Dawn's want found her hand. Dawn pointed her wand at Harry and yelled, "Stupefy." Harry crashed to the floor.
Willow revived Luna and Harry. "You did really well, Dawnie. Now, let's see if Harry fairs as well."
The three students switched positions to begin again. When Harry finished, Luna took her turn. The second group did equally as well as the first, as did Hermione and Shannon.
Neville was the last student to take his turn. He had been excelling in his training ever since the memory charm had been broken. Unlike in previous training exercises, Neville took his position with confidence.
Hermione was the first to throw a curse, which Neville easily dodged. Shannon followed quickly with a curse of her own. Neville dropped and rolled. As he came out of the roll, he reached in the direction of his wand. "Accio wand."
Neville's wand shot toward him. The moment he was able to grab it, he pointed it at Shannon and yelled, "Stupefy." Unfortunately, Neville had been holding his wand backwards. He fell to the ground, having cursed himself.
Ginny ran to Neville's side, wand drawn. "Enervate."
"What happened?" Neville asked.
"You cursed yourself," Ginny explained weakly. "Your wand must have been painting the wrong way, when you caught it." Neville smiled sheepishly, as Ginny helped pull him to his feet.
"Neville," said Willow, "I want you to try something for me."
Neville agreed, and Willow took his wand and placed it on the other side of the room with the casting end facing him. Willow asked that he summon it, which he did catching it backwards.
Willow again placed Neville's want across the room, this time with the handle facing Neville. When he summoned it, the wand again found its way into his hand with the casting end facing him.
"That's very odd," noted Willow. "One more time." Willow placed the wand across the room with the length facing Neville. Again it came to him backwards.
Willow shrugged. "I'm at a loss to explain it. I'll have to do some research to figure it out. For now though, you all did really well."
"I want to begin working on wandless disarming. We'll follow the same procedure we did with the wandless summoning. Today you will take turns disarming each other and focus on how the magic fells – really analyze what you are feeling, what you are thinking, and how you are moving."
"Everyone divide into pairs." Knowing that the couples always paired together, Willow added, "Luna, you can work with me."
Willow gave the students a full half an hour to evaluate all aspects of the disarming charm. Finally, she recalled their attention to her. "Wands away," she ordered.
"Those words still make me cringe," commented Ron. The students, who had experienced Defense Against the Dark Arts with Umbridge, quickly agreed.
Willow ignored Ron's comment. "Same pairings, try disarming without a wand. Use the same technique of pulling your magic to your fingertips that you've been using for summoning."
The students practiced for another half an hour, before Willow excused them. Only Harry and Dawn had disarmed their opponents with any accuracy and consistency, though everyone else did make some progress. They agreed to practice before meeting again the following week.
After their training session, Harry approached Willow. "Willow, I was wondering if you'd be willing to give a demonstration of wandless magic during the DA meeting this weekend."
"Sure," Willow replied. "Though I think that you should focus on wand magic and physical defense with the students first. I'm beginning to worry that we don't have a lot more time."
Harry threw himself into the chair that stood beside Willow. He unconsciously rubbed his scar, as he spoke. "He's preparing to take Hogwarts."
Willow looked concerned. "Have you been having dreams again?" she asked.
Harry shook his head. "I've been really good with the Occlumency. I just have a feeling that the time's coming. The attack on the train was a warning."
"I've been thinking," said Willow. "Maybe it's time to start using your connection with Voldemort. He can't use you to get information about our side, because of the See no Evil, Hear no Evil spell. But, we can get information about his plans."
"The last time I let him into my mind, he tricked me and Sirius died. I can't risk something like that happening again."
Willow placed her hand on Harry's shoulder. "I understand why you don't want to do it. But, if you change you're mind, you won't be alone this time. You have all the Scoobies, and we're experts at getting around traps."
"Maybe I'll think about it," Harry mumbled.
"Good," said Willow. "Now, why don't you tell me who else is doing demonstrations at this DA thing."
Harry was happy to move onto a different topic. "Professor Flitwick agreed to do a dueling demonstration. He used to be a dueling champion, when he was younger. Genevieve was going to duel against him, but I think it would be best for she and Spike to do the physical defense demonstration."
"What about Professor Snape?" Willow asked. "He's supposed to be very good at dueling." Harry made a face. "And, I could ask him for you," Willow suggested.
Harry smiled. "It's just that Snape and I have . . ."
"Obvious issues," Willow finished. "I know. I'll ask him. He'll be needing something to take his mind off things this weekend."
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked.
Willow smiled. "Because Lena is leaving in the morning."
Snape looked up from his work, when he heard a soft knock at his office door. He was surprised to see Lena, standing in the doorway. "I would've expected you to be spending your last night at Hogwarts with your cousin."
Lena entered the office. "We're having breakfast together tomorrow morning, before I leave."
Snape rose from his desk and walked toward her, stopping only inches from her. "And tonight?" he asked softly.
"Tonight I was hoping to spend with you," she replied, her voice near a whisper.
Snape looked into her eyes. Giving in to his instincts, he placed his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her to him. He forgot his promise to himself that he would not allow anyone to become close to him, as he captured her lips and she melted against him.
Casting a quick locking charm on the door and a silencing charm on the room, he backed Lena toward his desk. They hastily cleared the desk, as they tore at each other's clothes. She cried out his name loudly, as he plunged into her.
Later, they made their way to his private rooms, where they took the time to slowly explore each other's bodies. In the early hours of the morning, Severus Snape and Lena Rago fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning Snape woke alone.
"So, are you going to tell me about last night or not?" Cat asked her cousin over breakfast the next morning.
Lena smiled, before answering. "No."
Cat raised her eyebrow. "Since when don't you tell me about your conquests?" she asked.
"You haven't exactly volunteered intimate details about you and Wes."
Cat waved off the comment. "That's different. We're . . . Oh my God, you actually have feelings for him."
Lena smiled sadly. "Not that it matters, since I'm leaving."
"But you can always come back and visit. And, trust me when I say that Snape isn't going to find someone else."
Lena shook her head. "His life's here, and mine's not. We have that ships passing in the night thing. It can't be any more than that, at least not now. So, drop it, please."
Cat nodded and switched topics. "I'll probably be in the States this summer. We have to do something fun."
Lena gave her cousin a genuine smile. "We should do a week in Vegas."
Cat and Lena continued discussing vacation plans until it was time for Lena to depart. After saying her goodbyes to the Scoobies and hugging Cat tightly, Lena clutched the portkey that Dumbledore provided and was gone.
Severus Snape had been distracted ever since Lena's departure. They had not said goodbye. It seemed better that way. He kept reminding himself that her leaving was for the best. He could not have a relationship. Voldemort would use Lena against him.
Snape was pulled from his thoughts about Lena by a knock on his office door. "Hey," said Willow. "I thought I'd remind you about the dueling demonstration. You've been pretty distracted lately."
Snape rose from his desk and gathered his wand. He was glad that Willow had come to remind him about his promise to duel with Flitwick. He had forgotten. 'Maybe a bit of dueling will do me some good,' he thought.
"Want to talk about it?" Willow asked.
"No," Snape replied, leading her out of his office.
Most of the students had turned out for the first meeting of the new defense club. All third year and above students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw were in attendance. Most Slytherins were not. However, Pansy, Blaise, Millicent, Morag, and three fifth year Slytherins did make an appearance.
Ron called the students' attention. "We are going to begin with a dueling demonstration by Professors Flitwick and Snape," Ron announced.
The two professors took their places on a raised platform that ran the length of the Great Hall. They each stepped forward and bowed. They turned and counted their paces, before turning again to face each other.
Tiny Professor Flitwick was quick to cat his first spell. "Expelliarmus."
"Protego," called Snape. Without a moment's pause, he called, "Stupefy."
Flitwick stepped sideways to avoid the spell, flicking his own wand and yelling a second, "Expelliarmus," and a quick, "Tarantallegra."
Snape avoided the first spell with a quick, "Protego," but was not quick enough to avoid the second spell. As he danced, he called out, "Petrificus Totalus." As Flitwick again stepped aside, Snape pointed his wand at his own dancing legs and said, "Finite Incantatum."
Both professors called, "Stupefy," simultaneously. The spells collided in a shower of sparks. There were several gasps from the watching students.
"Expelliarmus," Flitwick called again, as the sparks cleared.
"Protego," Snape responded. "Serpensortia." A large snake erupted from Snape's wand.
"Evanesco," cried Flitwick. "Expelliarmus."
Snape began to say, "Protego," but he was not fast enough. His wand flew out of his hand. Flitwick caught it easily.
The two men stepped forward and shook hands, before climbing down from the platform. Hermione then introduced Genevieve and Spike, who would be demonstrating physical fighting techniques.
The two vampires easily leapt up onto the raised platform and began circling each other. "Do you want to take the first shot, my dear William?" Genevieve asked playfully.
"Ladies first, my dear Genevieve," Spike replied.
"If you insist," said Genevieve, as she took a swing that Spike blocked. He returned the punch, but she deflected it, finally landing a punch of her own.
All eyes were glued to the vampires, as they began kicking out at each other. "Wow," said Shannon. "I hope I'm that good someday."
"It's no wonder she lived so long," said Dawn.
Spike threw several punches and kicks at Genevieve, as she did several back handsprings to avoid his onslaught. As she landed near the edge of the platform, she picked up a quarterstaff.
Genevieve gave Spike a quick smile and a wink. He backed up, as she charged. When she neared him, instead of striking, she used the quarterstaff to vault over him.
Spike was unable to turn around quickly enough, and Genevieve landed a hard kick to his side. Spike stumbled slightly. Genevieve grabbed the second quarterstaff from the side of the platform. "That's cheating, Luv," Spike noted, as he came in under the staffs and landed a hard kick to Genevieve's left hand. She dropped the staff, and he caught it.
"Now who's cheating, Luv?" Genevieve asked.
Spike smiled wickedly, as he attacked. Neither vampire was holding back, as they sparred with the staffs.
Buffy and Faith could not tear their eyes away from the fight. "I've never seen anyone dance like that," commented Buffy.
"I hate to say it, B., but they put us to shame," Faith replied.
The fight continued for quite awhile, since Spike and Genevieve had supernatural stamina. The fight finally ended, when Genevieve swept Spike's legs out from under him. She blocked him from rolling and thrust her quarterstaff at his chest, stopping less than an inch from his skin. "You, dear William, are dead," she said, smiling down at him.
Genevieve held out her hand to help him to his feet. Spike took her hand, gave her a mischievous grin, and yanked her down onto the floor beside him. Several students laughed, as Genevieve pulled out her wand and transfigured Spike into a small bat. The bat flapped frantically around her, squeaking incessantly.
"You want me to turn you back, Luv?" she asked.
"Squeak."
"Do you promise to behave yourself?"
"Squeak. Squeak."
"No? I won't fell bad about leaving you this way?"
"Squeak."
"No, I won't."
"Squeak. Squeak."
"Oh, fine." Genevieve raised her wand and untransfigured Spike.
The blonde vampire glared at her. "Now that was definitely cheating." The students continued to laugh, as the two vampires jumped down from the platform.
"Our last demonstration," Ron yelled over the laughter, "will be on the use of wandless magic."
Willow climbed onto the platform. "My demonstration is going to be a bit more interactive than the others." Willow chose several students to come up on the platform with her. She handed each student a tennis ball.
Willow asked a fourth year Hufflepuff girl to throw the ball as hard as she could. As the ball flew toward Willow, she waved a hand in front of herself and said, "Thicken." The ball stopped in midair.
"Accio ball." Willow summoned another ball from a box at the side of the platform. She tossed it to the Hufflepuff girl.
"Let's try it again on a bigger scale. Everyone throw their balls at me on the count of three," Willow instructed. "One, two, three." As the students released their balls, Willow again said, "Thicken." The balls hung in the air around her.
With a grin, Willow again raised her hand. "Return." The balls flew back to the students. Those who were watching clapped.
"Now, which one of you wants to try your hand at disarming me?" Willow asked, pulling out her wand and holding it loosely in her left hand.
Pansy Parkinson volunteered. She pulled out her wand and clearly yelled, "Expelliarmus."
Willow waved her right hand and quietly said, "Protego." Pansy's spell bounced away, having no effect on the wand loosely held by Willow.
Willow reached her empty hand toward Pansy. "Expelliarmus." Pansy's wand flew toward Willow, who easily caught it.
Willow demonstrated several more wandless spells, before excusing the students, who were helping her, and climbing down from the platform.
Hermione climbed onto the platform to address the students. "There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board outside the Great Hall. If you want to participate in the defense club, please sign your name on the sheet. Our first meeting will be held at 8:00 on Monday evening. I hope to see you all then."
Everyone who had attended the defense demonstration signed up for the DA. The first official meeting was held in the Great Hall in order to accommodate so many students. Genevieve had agreed to be the official faculty advisor.
As she called the students to order, she could not help but smile to herself. "Hello, everyone. I'm glad to see so many of you have decided to learn additional defensive techniques. We are going to begin today with the basics – disarming and protecting. Harry has agreed to help me demonstrate."
Harry stepped forward and stood several feet from Genevieve. "Ready?" she asked. He nodded. "Expelliarmus," she called with a flourish of her wand.
"Protego," Harry cried out in defense, preventing himself from being disarmed.
Genevieve turned her attention back to the students. "I know you are hoping to learn more advanced spells, but it's critical that all of you first be able to disarm an opponent and protect yourself from the same. So, let's pair up and get started."
"Harry and I will walk around the room and observe. If you are having any difficulties, raise your hand and we will help you."
"There were a lot of scuffling sounds, as the students found partners and spread out. Genevieve and Harry walked around the room, occasionally stopping to offer advice to various students. Harry was thrilled to see that those, who had been members of the DA two years earlier, were performing better than the other students.
An hour and a half passed quickly. Genevieve called for the students to stop. "I'm glad to see how well you are all doing. I suggest that everyone continue practicing during the week. We will meet again next week, same time, same place."
"Professor Rayne," said a timid-looking third year, raising her hand.
Genevieve smiled at the boy. "Yes, Thomas?"
"Do you think we could meet more than once a week?" the boy asked. Several students mumbled their agreement with the request.
Genevieve thought for a moment. If she combined the teens' magical training with their physical training, it would be possible for the DA to meet twice per week. She would need to discuss her plan with Buffy and Faith. "We'll meet at this same time on Thursday." The students were happy with this.
As the group dispersed, Dawn, Shannon, and Hermione approached Genevieve. "What about out training?" Dawn asked quietly.
"We'll work something out," Genevieve replied. "It's time to fully integrate your physical and magical training. And, I think that it's important that all the students know how to properly defend themselves. Especially as Voldemort plans to bring the fight here."