Chapter 5
Dumbledore's Army
POP … Hermione and Neville appeared in the living room.
"Sorry we took so long, Neville was visiting his parents." Hermione explained.
"That's okay. If you want to go I'll understand Nev?" Harry sort of asked.
"I'm fine. I can do more here than I can at St Mungo's," replied Neville.
"Why's Ginny taking so long?" asked Harry, mainly to himself.
POP … Ginny apparated back; "I can't find Luna! Even her Dad can't find her, but he did say sometimes she goes off on her own."
"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about Gin" said Harry. "Right, well, this will have to do for tonight. I was thinking about not accepting new people into the DA and keeping it a small tight group of friends. What do you all think?"
"I take it you're not inviting any Slytherins to join then Harry?" asked Ron with a smirk.
Harry just looked coldly back at Ron who shut up.
"Do you think Dumbledore will allow us to meet up again?" asked Hermione.
"Hermione, I see it as being our duty to look after the well being of all the students of Hogwarts. Sooner or later Voldemort will attack Hogwarts to show his followers that he's not afraid of Dumbledore. We have to be ready for when that happens. It may be this year, or if we're lucky it will be next year. Either way it will happen!" exclaimed Harry.
Silence fell on the room after Harry's speech and all of a sudden someone near the door started clapping slowly and softly. Everyone looked round as Dumbledore approached everyone, summoned an armchair for himself and sat down.
"Err... Sir?" Harry asked.
"Harry, you said that very well. I would like to believe that your mind is young and you are completely wrong … however … you are correct. It is inevitable that Voldemort will strike Hogwarts sooner or later and we will all have to be prepared. I think you should step up the DA and offer your classes to more students if they want it," said Dumbledore.
"But sir, I wont have the time to teach..."
Hermione cut him off, "Harry, you can teach us and we can teach the others."
"I don't know..."
"Harry," said Dumbledore, "if you are going to teach anyone at all, it will have to be open to the whole school as any other class is, although you can set your own requirements to filter out anyone that may abuse the skills learnt in your lessons."
Ron piped up, "you mean the Slytherins?"
Dumbledore didn't answer that, but Ron took that as a yes.
"Harry, I'm sure the other professors will help you with the training. Please don't feel you have to do everything on your own." Dumbledore said, then left.
"So professor Harry, what's the plan?" asked Ron.
Harry just looked at Ron coldly, "I still don't want a large class. I'd be happy with one class meeting once a week."
"Well, that could be one of your requirements. Classes just once a week, and only a maximum of 30 in the class. Everyone else can go on a waiting list in case anyone drops out."
"Well Hermione, you sound like you've got everything worked out. How about you organise the DA meetings and I'll sort out the lesson plans?" asked Harry.
"Okay."
"I would still like a small group of us to practice together, separate from the big class," Harry said. "Now, we need to bring Neville up to speed on a few things. Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes. I'm free. I won't be visiting my parents tomorrow."
"Right, I'll pick you up at ten in the morning for your training. We've all got to learn advanced apparition."
"Advanced apparition?" asked Neville.
"Yes. This summer I've learned how to apparate through anti-apparition wards and I want everyone here to be able to do the same, something that won't be taught in the big class. That way, if we ever get into any trouble, we can get out quickly and get help. I'm still learning myself and I'm sure I'll be able to learn a few more tricks. I've also been learning advanced transfiguration, legillimency & occlumency and charms, so I'm sure we'll have enough material to learn this year."
"Whoa Harry, you need to slow down, you're getting like Hermione!" joked Ron. Hermione slapped his arm and everyone burst out laughing.
"Well, Hermione, can you take Neville back? I think that's all for tonight. We'll start training tomorrow at ten."
Hermione rose to her feet, as did Neville, touched his arm and disapparated.
"Ron, I'll work with you and Neville tomorrow with your apparating." Harry said, "right, I'm off to bed, busy day tomorrow. See you both in the morning."
Ginny got up, "I'm off to bed as well."
"I'll wait up for Hermione" replied Ron.
Harry got up to his room and Ginny tapped his shoulder, "not giving me a goodnight kiss Harry?"
Ginny didn't wait for an answer, she pushed Harry back into his room and closed the door.
"Ginny, Ron will be up in a sec!" exclaimed Harry.
"No he won't, he'll be with Hermione." she replied.
Harry got undressed, down to his underwear and climbed into bed, as did Ginny. As Harry lay next to Ginny with his arm over her, he smiled and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
Harry awoke with the sound of knocking at his door. He glanced down and noticed Ginny wasn't next to him and looked over to Ron's bed which was empty again. The door opened and Hermione came in and sat down on Harry's bed with a worried expression on her face.
"What's wrong Hermione?" asked Harry.
"Oh, nothing. It's… it's just that Ron and I have gotten quite close and you may have noticed that Ron hasn't slept in your room and..."
Harry cut her off, "it's okay Hermione, I understand. We're all more or less adults. Hell, we've had more 'experiences' than most wizards and witches more than double our age. You don't have to explain anything."
"Thanks Harry," she leaned down and kissed Harry lightly on the cheek; just then Ginny walked in. She put her hand on her hips and said to Hermione "I hope you're not stealing my man!" and smiled jokingly. Hermione flung her arms around Harry and said "Leave him alone, he's mine" making Harry suddenly sit up and back himself into the corner. Both girls laughed.
Ginny said, "come on lazy, breakfast's served."
Both girls left Harry's room so he could get changed.
"Ha ha ha" Harry laughed sarcastically as Hermione and Ginny were telling Ron about how they got him out of bed. Ron grinned back, "that's it, steal my little sister AND my girlfriend!" exclaimed Ron, jokingly.
Harry looked at his watch, "oh dam, it's nearly ten! We best get ready!"
The girls both stood up, "we're ready" they both said together as Ron apparated to his and Harry's room. Harry then apparated to his room, "Ron where are you?" shouted Harry.
"I'm under here!" shouted Ron.
Harry looked underneath Ron's bed, "what are you doing down there?"
"I misjudged, giz a hand?"
Harry reach his arm under the bed to touch Ron … POP … "Please don't tell Hermione or Ginny about this?" Ron pleaded.
Harry gave a chuckle, "don't worry Ron, your secret's safe with me. We'll walk downstairs and I'll apparate you to the training ground."
"Nice one!" Ron replied.
"Right," Harry said entering the kitchen, "everyone ready?"
"Yes," everyone replied.
Harry nodded at the girls and they disapparated with a POP.
"Come on you," Harry said touching Ron on the arm … POP
"I'll go and get Neville, just practice your apparating till I get back, okay?" asked Harry.
Everyone nodded and Harry disapparated.
"Oh Harry, I've been waiting for hours. I must say I'm a little worried."
"Don't worry Nev, everything'll be fine" Harry replied touching Neville's arm.
Harry gave out his instructions "Right everyone, Ron, Neville go over there a minute, Hermione, Ginny I want you to try and disapparate and then partially apparate somewhere, then apparate somewhere else. Can you both try that for me? Watch each other, I don't want you to appear at all when you partially apparate."
Harry walked over to Ron and Neville "Right, both of you take a look around and try and memorise the area, then close your eyes, clear your mind and think of nothing but disapparating and then apparating over to the other side of the clearing. Think of creating a tunnel or portal from where you are to where you want to be. In your own time, don't rush it."
Ron disapparated first and Neville just crunched his face up, "I can't do it!" exclaimed Neville.
"Neville, calm down… breath steady… clear your mind… think about the other side of the clearing… disapparate and apparate" Harry willed Neville on.
POP … Neville disapparated.
Harry looked over to Ron and Neville, smiled and apparated over to them.
"Good both of you. Both of you practice that, Neville you go first and Ron, help Neville with it."
Harry stood back and watched his pupils practising, 'maybe I could do this for the school' Harry thought to himself.
Harry walked around watching for an hour and then called everyone. Everyone managed to master everything he'd asked of them. Even Neville had caught up to Ron.
He asked Neville and Ron to start practising partial apparition after an hour more basic apparating and moved on to tell the girls what he wanted to do.
"Now for you two," Harry said with a sneaky grin, "Both of you, apparate into Hogwarts and get me some gillyweed."
"But Harry, we can only get that from Snape's personal stash!" exclaimed Ginny.
"Use the partial apparition to see if anyone is around and if the coast is clear fully apparate, grab the gillyweed and disapparate back out. This is a test of stealth. Remember the faster you come out apparating, the more noise you make, like the twin's, take your time. Off you go."
Both girls looked at each other and disapparated away.
Hermione came back and showed Harry the gillyweed, "now take it back" and she apparated away again and Ginny came back all flustered and showed Harry her gillyweed. "Okay Ginny, now take it back."
"But Harry, I think Snape saw me!" Ginny exclaimed and then Hermione popped back.
"Harry, I can't get to take this back. Snape's patrolling his office!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Okay, give it back here. I'll take it back." and with that, Harry apparated into Snape's office.
Harry partially apparated in and looked around. Snape was sat at his desk with Dumbledore. Harry decided he'd better apparate in and explain.
"Ah Harry, I thought this might have something to do with you!" exclaimed Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye, "would you mind explaining why you took some gillyweed from Professor Snape?"
"Yes, sir. Reconnaissance training professor..."
Snape couldn't contain himself, "what reconnaissance? What do you think you're doing and how can you apparate in here? This is very bad for security headmaster!" Snape exclaimed.
"Harry has my approval to train on the grounds ready for this coming term. Harry will be teaching a special defence against the dark arts class, which I might add he did an excellent job last year. Would you mind Harry, giving the gillyweed back to Professor Snape?"
"Certainly sir," Harry said handing over the gillyweed.
With a couple of pops, Hermione and Ginny appeared next to Harry, "Sorry sirs, it's our fault." both the girls explained.
Snape turned to Harry, "Mr Potter, how many more of you can apparate in here?" asked Snape coldly.
"Only five of us, Me, Hermione and Ginny, and Ron and Neville sir."
"Longbottom! Are you sure about him? He'll probably forget where he's apparating to and end up in Australia!"
"Now, now Severus," Dumbledore said, "I trust Harry's judgement on this. Now, you three carry on with your training and Hermione, Ginny, please practise some more."
The three of them apparated back to the clearing in the forest.
"Well, that was fun!" exclaimed Harry. "Now, back to training, apparate in the restricted section in the library. Ginny you bring me back a book on mind control and you Hermione bring me back a book on advanced curses and jinxes."
Off they popped, and Harry saw Dumbledore walking up to him.
"I'm very proud of you Harry. I'm sure you'll make a splendid teacher." said Dumbledore.
Ron and Neville apparated to them. "Is there a problem sir?" Neville asked.
"Oh no Neville. I just thought I'd pop down and to see how you're all getting on." replied Dumbledore.
"Carry on you two." said Harry.
Ron and Neville apparated back to the other side of the clearing and Hermione and Ginny popped back with the books Harry asked for.
"Ah, excellent reading I think." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "please put them back when you've read them both Harry." Dumbledore got up and wondered off back up to the castle.
Harry continued giving everyone their training until the sun started going down and they all returned to Grimmauld Place.
"Oh my dears," said Mrs Weasley, "I didn't think you were in. Are you staying for tea Neville?"
"No thank you Mrs Weasley, I'd better get back to my gran." Neville turned to Harry, "same time, same place tomorrow?"
Harry nodded and Neville disapparated.
"Erm, is Neville of age?" asked Mrs Weasley.
"Erm no, we're all getting some practice in before we take our tests next year. Better be prepared." replied Harry.
"Mmm" was all Mrs Weasley said before turning to leave.
"Nice save Harry!" Ron said.
Harry continued training Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville right up to the time to go back to school. Apart from teaching them advanced apparition, he also went on to teach them basic occlumency including how to block out the Imperius curse, different types of shield charms as well as some attacking and counter charms and jinxes.
All in all, the small group of friends had a very busy schedule!
"Right, everyone up!" exclaimed Mrs Weasley up the stairs, "you don't want to miss the train!"
Harry and Ron heard the girls running down the stairs, got up, got dressed and quickly rushed down for their breakfast.
Mrs Weasley had out done herself again with the breakfast, with a mixture of a traditional English breakfast and Scottish produce such as Haggis.
"Mmm … this is great Mum," Ron spluttered out. Everyone nodded in agreement.
In no time everyone had shovelled their breakfast down, including Ron who had two helpings, and ran around the house gathering up all their belongings to finish packing their trunks. Harry was the only one who didn't run around, he just summoned his things straight to his trunk.
"You'll have to teach us that," Ron said watching Harry.
Harry just shrugged, "It's just a simple summoning charm, you should already know how to do it."
"Yeah, but you didn't use your wand!" exclaimed Ron.
Harry apparated his and Ron's trunks downstairs to the living room and Ron ran downstairs. By the time Ron had run into the living room, Harry had apparated Hermione's and Ginny's trunks as well.
All four of them, all dressed in their muggle clothes, waited patiently for the Ministry cars to arrive. When they arrived, Arthur Weasley, Mad Eye Moody, Remus Lupin and last of all Kingsley Shacklebolt came in to pick up the trunks and take them off to catch the Hogwarts Express.
Harry wasn't at all happy to see Kingsley Shacklebolt. Harry blamed Kingsley for Bellatrix Lestrange's escape from the Ministry Of Magic. If she hadn't escaped, maybe Sirius would still be here.
Kingsley walked up to Harry, sombrely, and extended his hand. "I'm sorry Harry." This didn't sit well with Harry, he just nodded and walked past him.
Remus saw Harry walk off and went after him, "Harry!"
Harry turned around to face Remus, "what?" Harry spat.
"Don't take that tone with me! You can't blame Kingsley for Sirius' death or Lestrange's escape." replied Remus, "I knew Sirius from my first year at Hogwarts, he was like a brother to me!" Remus moved closer to Harry.
By now, everyone was watching the argument in the hallway between Harry and Remus. Remus reached out to Harry but Harry raised his hand and Remus flew back against the wall; Harry then apparated away.
"What the hell just happened?" Kingsley asked.
"Something is happening to Potter. We need to track him down and take him into custody," barked Moody.
Remus stirred and rose from the floor, "leave Harry alone. He just needs time, he doesn't need you going after him! I'll floo to Hogsmeade and let Albus know what happened and Hagrid and I can search the grounds, including my old hang outs."
"Okay," said Arthur, "let's get the others on the train, we're already running late."
Remus flooed to Hogsmeade and Arthur, Alastor and Kingsley loaded all the trunks, including Harry's, into the cars; everyone got in and off they went to Kings Cross.
The journey only lasted a couple of minutes as Grimmauld Place wasn't far from Kings Cross.
When they arrived, their trunks were shrunken and handed out to Ron, Hermione and Ginny before they ran to platform 9¾ and through the barrier.
Just as they went through the barrier to platform 9¾ the Hogwarts Express blew its whistle and the doors all closed.
"Dam," Hermione exclaimed, "apparate quick!"
With three POP's, they all disapparated.
"Ginny, where's Ron?" asked Hermione.