Chapter 12 – The DA
Harry Potter and the Valeru
By Lady Urquentha
PG – 13
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J. K Rowling, the exception being any OC characters that might wander in. The plot is my own, and even that may have been influenced by stories I have read in the past, and if so, I apologize.
Telepathic speech
Beast speech
Chapter 12
"GREGORIO! INGRID!" Harry burst into their office, waving a sheaf of papers, "I'm in!"
"Well done, dear," Ingrid embraced him warmly, smiling.
"I'm in too," Carmen added, following him in a bit more sedately.
"Congratulations," Gregorio kissed her affectionately on the head.
"Well, if you two want to have your diplomas by the time you finished seventh year, you'd better get cracking," Ingrid said briskly, "you'll have a lot of work to do."
Harry, Ron, Ginny, Kirke and Sloper headed outside to the Quidditch fields to get ready for the try-outs. People were already milling around, waiting.
"Right," Harry began briskly, "we have to find two chasers, as Ginny has said she'll take chaser position."
"I'm better at that anyway," Ginny shrugged.
"And a reserve team," Ron added, "in case someone's injured or banned or something." Harry nodded,
"We'll start with chasers since that's most important," he declared, "we'll have them go up in groups of two and go against Ron with Ginny, in a mini game with one beater. We're looking for people with fast, nimble flying abilities, a good aim and who work well as a team." The rest of the team nodded.
"All right!" Harry's voice was pitched to carry across the murmuring crowd, "all those trying out for chaser on the pitch please, everyone else head on up to the stands." A handful of about sixteen people remained on the field; six second years, four third years and three fourth years and three fifth years.
"We'll start by sending two of you up at a time to go with Ginny against Ron," Harry told them, "with Kirke being a beater. When you have had twenty shots, you'll land and the next group will go up. All right?" At their nods, Ginny, Ron and Kirke flew aloft.
"You two first," he pointed to two of the fourth years, who mounted their brooms and flew up into the air.
Harry leaned down and released a bludger from the case by his feet, and then threw the quaffle up to Ginny. He settled down to watch with Sloper, the two of them evaluating the two fourth years.
"The blonde girl, Feren, I think, has reasonable aim," Sloper commented, "but she can't work as a team." Harry nodded,
"We can't use her. She'll never get along with Ginny or whoever else we pick," he agreed.
"But the brunette's pretty good," Sloper continued, "good flying skills and team-work."
"But Beren will need some work on her aim," Harry argued, "she's had seven shots at the goal, only three went in." Sloper nodded,
"I agreed, but she's a possibility."
An hour and twenty minutes later, they were done with the chasers. After a moment's conference with his team, Harry turned to look at the candidates,
"We've come to our decision, we'd like to welcome Miss. Vera Delande to the team," the second year squealed her delight, "and Miss. Adelaide Janque." Janque had perfect aim, although she'd need some work on learning to maneuver her broom, and Delande had an okay aim but was good at flying. Neither was brilliantly talented, but they were the best of a bad bunch, and with some work they would be able to work as a team with Ginny enough to make it worth the effort.
"And for our reserve team, Mr. Jacob Teneshi, Mr. Henry Pack and Miss Arabella Horshie," he added.
The disappointed chaser candidates headed up to the stands as Harry called for the beaters to come down.
"We're going to have a mock battle," Harry announced, "you'll all go up with beater bats and try to knock each other off your brooms. But remember that just because you last the longest doesn't mean you'll get the position." The nine candidates were soon in the air, each armed with bats, and Harry released the bludgers.
The five members of the original team huddled as they examined the flyers above them.
"I like him," Ginny pointed, "strong arm and decent maneuvering."
"But he's not very good with aim," Ron shook his head, "it won't work."
"What about her?" Sloper wanted to know, "good maneuvering, decent aim, reasonable strength."
"A possibility," Ron agreed, "but she'll need some muscle toning to work up some force behind that bat."
"Oh, sweet Merlin!" Harry's eyes widened as he spotted their perfect beater, "look!"
"Dennis Creevy!" Ron exclaimed, "he's gotten so much better then last time I saw him."
"Good strength, decent aiming, and very maneuverable," Ginny agreed, "though a tad on the small size for a beater."
"I'm sure we can convince him to eat a bit more and grow," Kirke added, "he'd be perfect, better then us!"
"Which works, because I think I'll need to drop out," Sloper commented, "of the main team, I mean. I'm struggling to keep up with my class." Harry nodded,
"That's fine. We'll keep you in the reserve team, though." Sloper nodded his agreement.
"Mr. Dennis Creevy will be our second beater for our main team," Harry paused for Dennis to be quiet, "and Mr. Thomas André will be our second reserve beater, along with Sloper."
It was almost four hours after they began when Harry was finally trudging back to the dorm. They found their reserve team, and arranged their first practices. The main team would practice this Wednesday, and the reserve team would be on Thursday. He'd just come back from McGonagall's office, where he'd booked the pitch for those evenings to his Head of House's delight.
"So, when are you going to start the DA again?" Ginny asked as he sat down wearily. Harry shrugged,
"Sometime this week."
"You'd better go see if Dumbledore will officially sanction it this year," Hermione suggested, "then we don't have to conduct it in secret." Harry nodded,
"I'll see if I can talk to him tomorrow, because I've got Occulmancy then," he agreed. He glanced around them, and cast a wandless privacy charm.
"I was thinking, Hogwarts is one of the most important strongholds for the light," he began, "and that'll make it a target for Voldemort." Ron nodded,
"It's a strategic thing. Attack the strongholds and weaken them," he agreed.
"Exactly. But the thing is, I don't think the Order is strong enough to defeat him in pitched battle," Harry continued, "it's all well and good, but Voldemort has hundreds of people under his control."
"So, what do you suggest?" Carmen was pretending total innocence of the plan.
"We have the beginnings of an army in the DA," Harry stopped Hermione from interrupted, "let me finish. We can divide the DA into two levels, a basic and an advanced. We can give the advanced students the choice of joining a third group, our army. They'll have more frequent meetings, harder training sessions etc. All to prepare them in case they have to fight."
"I don't know, Harry," Hermione said worriedly, "they're only students."
"We're only students too, Hermione," Carmen reminded her, "and yet, I doubt any of us is not going to fight if Hogwarts is attacked." Ron nodded,
"This way, we can prepare them for battle, so they'll stand a chance of surviving the battle, instead of going in to be slaughtered," he clearly sided with Harry.
"We could almost implement the rule, fifth years and up only," Ginny suggested, as a compromise, "they'll have the power and training to survive best."
"Very well," Hermione agreed, albeit reluctantly.
"One more thing, Hermione," Harry leaned forward, "I'm not telling Dumbledore."
"What!" she exclaimed, "you have to."
"No!" Harry said urgently, "he won't let us. He'll insist the Order can handle it, and I, frankly, doubt it. I don't care if I get expelled for it later on; I want the students here to be trained well enough to survive."
"It's the only practical solution," Ron agreed. Hermione nodded reluctantly, as she seemed to be doing a lot lately.
"I'll speak to Dumbledore about it tomorrow," Harry said, "I've class first thing. If he gives us the go ahead I'll post a sign on the House boards. If he says no, we'll have to pass it around by word of mouth."
"Ah, good morning, Harry," the headmaster said jovially.
"Good morning, sir," Harry greeted him, "before we start, sir, I'd like to ask you if you would officially permit the DA to continue." Dumbledore's eye twinkle faded slightly before coming back full force,
"Certainly, my dear boy," he nodded, "as long as you change the name, and allow me to place a teacher in the room to help you." Harry accepted it,
"Yes, sir. But I have my own conditions as well," he paused for Dumbledore's permission to continue, "I have the right to refuse entry to any student who I deem unfit to be there, or a possible liability. Also, that I run it without interference from any of the teachers except the liaison."
"Agreed," Dumbledore nodded again, "as long as you have a legitimate reason to believe the student may be a hazard if they remain there. And that you do not exclude Slytherins simply because they are Slytherins." Harry nodded slowly,
"Certainly. As for the teacher liaison, how about one of the Professors Cortez? They are the Defense teachers?"
"I'll speak with them about it," Dumbledore nodded, "now, shall we get started?"
"He agreed!" Harry whispered to his friends as he joined them in Transfiguration.
"Yes?" Hermione nodded, "I'll make up signs during lunch, and we can post them after classes."
"Attention please, students," McGonagall faced them sternly.
"Mr. Potter, will you please remain behind?" Ingrid requested after DADA that afternoon. Harry waved his friends on, and waited.
"I hear the DA is being started up again?" Ingrid asked. Harry nodded,
"Are you to be the teacher helping us?" Ingrid nodded,
"I am. Where will you be meeting and when?" They had already decided that during lunch, and Hermione had written up the notices, which were to be hung on the notice board of each house.
"In the Room of Requirement, tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm," Harry answered. Ingrid nodded, having heard about that room earlier,
"I'll be there at 7," she promised, "would you like me to bring anything?" Harry thought for a moment,
"Not really. Just your wand."
"Okay," Ingrid nodded, and then smiled broadly, "I hear you had a few conditions of your own." Harry grinned,
"It's only fair."
At quarter to seven, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Carmen were watching Harry pace outside the Room of Requirement, concentrating on what he needed. At last a door appeared and they hurried into it. They were in a large room with stone surfaces that wouldn't be damaged by spells. There were dozens of seats in rows facing the front, and the far end was filled with bookshelves. As they were just going to start by practicing basic spells, there wasn't any need for anything else today. The five of them hurried around, doing last minute organizing and preparations.
At seven o'clock, Ingrid turned up.
"I'll be watching for today," she informed them, "to see how you run it." Harry nodded,
"sure. Just sit in the corner and enjoy the show." She flashed him a smile, and moved to the side, where a comfortable armchair appeared.
At about quarter past, students started to come in, murmuring and talking as they found seats.
I hate public speaking Harry grumbled.
Well, you'd better get used to it, you're going to have a lot of it to do, Ingrid informed him.
"Quiet, please!" Harry called, and the room slowly fell into silence. He scanned the crowd, noting that there were no Slytherins, as expected. Most of Gryffindor house was there, and about twenty from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw each, to make a total of about sixty students. It was limited to the third years and above.
"Professor Dumbledore has asked me to lead the DA this year," he began, "and that's why you're all here. This is a club, or an association, where we're learning defensive and offensive spells, dueling basically. We don't learn about creatures or anything like that, that's for DADA." Harry pointed into the corner,
"Professor Cortez will be watching us to help out if we get into problems," he added, "and my friends, Hermione, Ron and Carmen will be helping us run this." People twisted, spotting the woman for the first time.
"We will begin by practicing the disarming spell," Hermione spoke up, "and based on your level, we'll split you into three groups."
"I'll demonstrate the disarming hex," Carmen said, "anyone willing to volunteer?" After a moment a Gryffindor fourth year got up,
"I will." Carmen motioned for him to join her at the front.
"Watch closely, please," she lifted her wand, "Expelliarmous!" She neatly caught the boy's wand and then handed it back, with a smile. As the boy took her place, she continued,
"as demonstrated, this spell will disarm your opponent. If your spell is powerful enough, it may also send your opponent flying backwards. Pair up, please, and practice Expelliarmous on your partner."
The four of them exchanged looks, and began to move around the group, watching the students. They corrected each student as they passed, and made notes of where they thought they should be placed.
It was an hour later when all the students had managed to cast a successful hex, and the four met at the head.
"We'll just be a minute," Harry called to them, before they huddled. Hermione spoke first,
"all the DA members from last time can be put in one of the advanced groups," she began, "and there's a number of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs who can be put in as well…" she quickly named them.
"But the others need to stay in the basic group," Harry continued, "all right. The advanced students in fifth year and above will go to the room on the right with me, the advanced students below fifth year will go to the room on the left with Carmen. The basic will stay here with Ron and Hermione." The others nodded their agreement, and they separated.
Twenty minutes later, Harry was standing in a smaller room, facing a group of about thirty students. He took a breath,
"You lot are the most advanced students in fifth year and up," he began, "and I have a proposition to make. You are all aware that Voldemort has returned, correct?" There was a shudder, but they nodded their assent.
"However, I am not sure that you know what role Hogwarts will play in the war," he continued, "Albus Dumbledore was the only wizard Voldemort ever feared, and Albus Dumbledore is here. I defeated Voldemort as a baby, and he is sure to want his revenge, and I too, am here. Also, the children of many of his enemies are here, making it an even tastier target." There were nods of agreement.
"But, frankly, this war will be on a country-wide if not world-wide scale. There is not enough man-power to defend every place, and there will not be time enough to call aurors in to defend Hogwarts," Harry continued, "we need an army who can hold back the Death Eaters until the aurors and other fighters can arrive. An army who is here all the time."
"But the only people here are the teachers and students," Joseph Elspeth, a sixth year Hufflepuff pointed out. Harry nodded grimly,
"we need an army of students and teachers. Unfortunately, many of the teachers are otherwise occupied, and cannot be counted on to be here, as well as the fact that there are simply not enough of them. Voldemort's forces will be here by the hundreds."
"Then it's down to the students," Dean said grimly, picking up on what he was saying. Harry nodded slowly,
"I would rather it wasn't, but it is. And you lot are the best in the school, and so I'm asking if you'd be willing to create an army?" he scanned them, "if not, that's okay, you'll have your memory wiped and go to join the other advanced group. If you are, you'll sign a secrecy pact and we'll start training." Two Ravenclaw fifth years stood up,
"we can't, it's too dangerous." Harry nodded calmly,
"very well. Obliviate!" he muttered. Their memories were promptly wiped as he reinstated a memory of them sitting down, and then deciding to join the other group.
After they'd left, he turned to the rest and produced a sheet of parchment.
"This parchment is charmed with a spell that's slightly more advanced then the one Hermione used last year," he informed them, "upon your signature, a spell will prevent you from saying anything about what we discuss in here in front of anyone except someone bearing our mark."
"Mark?" Angela Chen, a seventh year Ravenclaw, looked at him curiously, "what sort of mark?"
"Not like a Dark Mark," Harry assured him quickly, "a necklace bearing a crest that will change according to when our meetings are set." Angela nodded, and Harry passed the parchment around.
Once it was signed, Harry leaned forward,
"Now that that's signed, there's something I need to tell you," he took a deep breath, "about me."
"You know I'm not normal," he said slowly, "but I don't think you know just how different I am. I'm not even a wizard, I'm one of the Valeru."
"Valeru?"
"Yes, I have powers different to that of a wizard. I can do normal magic," he assured them, "but I also have other abilities, such as wandless magic, I'm empathic, I'm a fire elemental and I can speak most languages as long I've heard it at least once." They all gaped at him.
"What the hell?" Seamus cried.
"That's impossible," Terry Boot declared. Harry shook his head,
"Watch." He held out his hand, and a spinning ball of flame appeared, summoning more gasps.
"I discovered my powers on my birthday and I've spent the summer being trained in my abilities without Dumbledore knowing," he explained, "and I've mastered them."
"To fight in this battle against Voldemort, we're going to need as much training as possible," he continued, "you'll need to improve your magical dueling skills, learn physical combat and learn strategy at the very least."
"Why physical combat?" a fifth year Gryffindor, John Tankston, demanded, "we're wizards!"
"Magic relies on physical strength as well. You'll be magically stronger if you're physically stronger. Also, what if you lose your wand? Then you'd be left without a defense, at least this way you'll have a way of defending yourself," Harry explained calmly. He spotted Carmen, Hermione and Ron slide into the room and then come to stand with him.
"First, you guys need your crests," he drew a bag from his pocket, "you should wear them at all times."
"Why a necklace?" Dean asked, "we're boys!"
"I thought of rings, but they're not big enough, same with pins. The only other option would be a bracelet, but I thought you'd prefer this," Harry shrugged, holding out an example.
It was a delicate black metal choker with a black disk suspended in the front, with the image of a red dragon on it.
"We'll have a council, made up of a Leader, a battle division commander, a spy commander, a research commander and a healing commander," Harry told them, "and we're all divided into battle, spy or research. Research and spy are also under healing." There were nods.
"I'm thinking of getting some people from outside school for research, as they'll have more access," Ron added, "to certain things."
"We'll see what your strengths are and then decide," Harry continued, "I've already decided some basic parts of the council. I'm the Leader, and Carmen will be my deputy, because she's a Valeru as well." Earlier that day, Harry had finally explained to Ron and Hermione what they were, as Hermione had caught them with their essays for the university.
"For the battle commander, I'd like Ron, because he's good with tactics and strategy," Harry continued, pausing for acceptance from the rest of the group, "but I don't know about Spy, Research or Healing."
"My brothers can handle research," Ron suggested, "they're pretty good with things like that, especially with their joke shop now. And they can get outside people who don't need to know what it's for."
"I have friends in Slytherin," a Gryffindor seventh year, Nicole Renner, spoke up, "I can pull some strings and see if there's anyone willing to play spy." Harry nodded,
"you do that. I'll keep a look out for some people who might be sympathetic to our cause and are good at healing."
He passed out the necklaces, which were slid under clothes.
"They're all charmed for invisibility," he told them, "but we can always see each others. They will heat when I change mine, and change to reflect that. The ones for the Leaders have three small rubies above them, so we can tell each other apart."
"How soon you can you find spies, Nicole?"
"By Friday," she said confidently, "I'll have a few names. And there's a few Slytherins who are brilliant duelists, and are firmly on the side of the light." Harry nodded,
"get them to come."
"When's our next meeting?" Carmen asked.
"How about this Saturday?" Harry suggested, "at seven o'clock." They nodded, and Harry tapped his necklace, changing the date inscribed upon the back.
"We'll leave now," Harry said, "because it's almost curfew, but I'd like Nicole to stay behind for a moment."
When the room was emptied, Nicole approached. She was the head girl this year, opposite the Hufflepuff head-boy who hadn't joined. She had very pale skin and long black hair that was braided and then wrapped into a bun at the back. She had the sort of beauty that would make most straight men stop and stare, and some gays as well.
What do you bet she uses her looks to her advantage? Carmen commented slyly.
No, duh, Harry returned.
"How are you planning to get spies?" Ron wanted to know. Nicole smirked,
"I have contacts in the different houses," she explained, "I was going to pass on information anonymously, but this makes it easier."
"You're a Gryffindor? With friends in Slytherin?" Ron exclaimed. Nicole regarded him,
"I may be a Gryffindor, but I'm not prejudiced. My two best friends are in Slytherin," she answered icily, "and I can be as Slytherin as you can get when I need to and want to be."
"You mentioned you might be able to convince some Slytherin friends to join us?" Carmen asked.
"I can try," Nicole nodded, "I've got a few friends who might join, but most of those may be interested would prefer to remain anonymous to the majority of the DA." Carmen nodded,
"that would be sensible. Can you give us a list of names for spies by next meeting?"
"No names. I think most would like for just me to know who they are, it's safer that way," Nicole answered. Harry nodded firmly,
"just come up with a figure," he decided. Nicole nodded,
"sure. I'll talk with my friends tonight."
"Can I come with you?" Carmen requested, "I'd like to meet these people." She hesitated for a moment, and then nodded,
"but just you to start with."
"Let's go, then," the two girls moved towards the door, and Harry linked his mind with Carmen's.
"So, why are you friends with Slytherins?" Carmen asked, "most Gryffindors hate them." Nicole shrugged,
"I met Chantal Doran and Samara Wales when I was six," she explained, "we've been friends ever since."
"Doran? Wales?" Carmen mused, "I've heard those names before."
"Probably," Nicole agreed, "they're both purebloods." Carmen nodded, and then watched as they arrived outside the portrait leading into the Slytherin dorms. The portrait took one look at Nicole, sighed and swung open,
"you're in here far too often for your own good."
"I'm sure I am, but then, I'm the one who has to deal with it, not you," Nicole retorted. She led Carmen into the Slytherin common room, and the entire room turned to look at them.
"Where's Draco?" she asked, "Chantal? Samara?"
"In their rooms," a boy called, "what you doing with the Gryff, Nicole?"
"In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a Gryffindor too," Nicole smirked, "and she's under my protection. She's Carmen Cortez." There were a few mutters, before a seventh year girl got up and held out her hand,
"Hi, I'm Joanna Alsmeth."
"Carmen Cortez," Carmen accepted her hand, "how come you guys let Gryffindors in here?"
"We don't, we normally hex them. But don't worry, you're safe in here since Nicole's taken you under her wing," Joanna assured her, smirking.
"You have that much power?" Carmen stared in disbelief at the Slytherin. Since when did Gryffindors have power over the Slytherins.
"When you're best friends with Chantal Doran and Samara Wales, of course you do," an approaching girl remarked, "good evening."
"Cortez," Carmen answered, "Carmen Cortez." Another girl sauntered over, nodding briefly to Nicole, whom Carmen supposed was Chantal Doran.
"Ah, yes, you're Potter's girlfriend," Samara nodded, "why are you here?"
"We need to talk to you two," Nicole interrupted, "in private, preferably." She glanced at Chantal meaningfully. Chantal sighed,
"We'll talk in my room," Chantal led the way through the packed room.
Once inside, Chantal gestured to a number of armchairs by the fire,
"What is it?" she demanded, almost icily.
"Chantal, that's not nice," Nicole retorted. Chantal smirked,
"that's why you love me." Nicole grinned, and then sobered.
"You know I joined the DA, darling?" Nicole began. Samara nodded warily,
"hm."
"They're looking for spies," Nicole continued, and Samara's eyes narrowed.
"And what does that have to do with us?" she sneered.
Pureblood Slytherin bitches, Harry complained.
An understatement, Carmen remarked dryly.
"I was thinking you could inquire around to see if you could find some spies," Nicole replied calmly, "with your contacts?"
"What contacts?" Carmen asked.
"Yes," Chantal echoed, "what contacts?" Nicole's eyes narrowed and a scowl appeared.
"We can't help you," Samara sneered again. Nicole's forehead smoothed out,
"that's okay, guys, thanks anyway," she seemed overly bright for someone who had just been told her friends refused to help, "we'll just be leaving then."
Five minutes later, Nicole was smirking as they returned to Gryffindor Tower.
"What are you so pleased about?" Carmen demanded in exasperation.
"They just agreed to help us," she informed her. Carmen blinked,
Did I miss something?
Not as far as I could see, Harry replied.
"Do you mind running that pass me again?" Carmen requested.
"Samara signaled me that they'd look around," Nicole shrugged, "they're Slytherins, they don't give you straight out answers."
"Oh," Carmen was deep in thought for the rest of the way back.
A/N: Chapter 12 finished, with the start of the DA and Quidditch.
E/N: Told you that this would be updated faster then the last one. Thanks to me and the fact that I never let her alone, lol. Anyway, as soon as we know what's going to happen, Chapter 13 will be up.