Chapter 13: A Plan of Action

Novermber had arrived, and with all the complaints about no formal statements being made regarding Quidditch, Dumbledore was forced to make his final announcement.

"I understand that there have been numerous complaints to the Heads of Houses regarding the lack of Quidditch this term," he began, and there was a murmured agreement from the student body.

"I also understand, as it was pointed out to me by my Deputy Headmistress, that it would be inadvisable to withhold our substitute plans any later than this date. I am sure that you are all well aware that Lord Voldemort has indeed risen again, with a larger threat than ever on our society, and our world, as we know it.

"I have deemed it appropriate at this time to raise a call and a plan for action from all willing and able students. To define more clearly, all those students that constitute "able" would be those in fifth year and above, and those that would constitutes "willing" would be any of those in our esteemed younger classes that wish to participate.

"The Heads of Houses, myself, and all our other reputable staff members have already appointed specific leaders and captains to take order of these groups and, given your consent, of course, we would be ecstatic to have you take control of your area of defense. I am sure that you would like to know what these specific areas are, and so I will now step down off of my soap box, and let the program Professors explain them to you."

There was rapt silence in the hall; no one had expected this. The members of the D.A. had been informed (during a private meeting) a very general outlook by Harry, but even Harry himself was not entirely sure as to what schemes Dumbledore had dreamed up. The students focused their attention once more on the staff table as tiny Professor Flitwick stood up, and began to speak.

"Good evening. Professor Snape and myself will be heading the "Department of Defensive Charms and Potions". This particular group will focus on researching new charms to protect not only the school by strengthening its wards, but also the students by developing Disillusionment charms and Healing Potions.

"This group is key, because its success will rely on the most reputable researchers and preeminent potion makers this school has to offer. It will require many additional hours of study time, and is not to be taken lightly. This will be the largest of our groups, and will require the most student leadership.

"Our pre-appointed heads will work hand in hand with the Dueling Coaches, and must master charms of great complexity, in order to insure that those competent enough will be able to cast them strongly and correctly. Whether you accept or decline the responsibility will you please rise and state your intentions. Professor Snape and I have nominated the following students."

Professor Flitwick returned to his seat, while Professor Snape rose and began to read off a list of names.

"From Ravenclaw House: Miss Cho Chang."

Cho stood, her back proud and straight. Looking towards the Gryffindor table, she caught Harry's eye and gave him a smile and a nod as if to say 'I never could have done this without your training last year'.

"I accept."

"Also from Ravenclaw House: Angelo Braddock."

Angelo stood, shaking his long hair out of his eyes, and nodded. "Count me in."

Cheers ensued from the Great Hall, with Ravenclaw being the loudest of all.

Snape cleared his throat and continued, "From Hufflepuff House: Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchly."

"I accept."

"Also from Hufflepuff: Miss Isabelle Newton."

"Accept."

Applause ricocheted off the walls of the hall, and Snape waited for silence before he continued.

"From Slytherin House: Miss Daphne Greengrass."

Daphne rose, and stared down the table at her housemates, many of whom were glaring at her with contempt. Raising her nose at them all, she proclaimed loudly, "I ACCEPT!"

Snape nodded at her, and Harry felt almost sure that he had spoken with his House's appointments prior to Dumbledore's announcement. Harry couldn't blame him. He knew that many of them were putting their very lives in jeopardy by openly proclaiming their allegiance with Dumbledore.

"From Slytherin House: Mr. Draco Malfoy."

"Decline."

Snape raised his eyebrows. Apparently, Harry thought, this was not supposed to happen.

Draco rose, and stated once again, "I decline, sir, on the account that Blaise Zabini is by far better at potions than myself, and nominate him in my stead."

Snape looked surprised, but nodded. "Very well, then. Mr. Zabini?"

"I accept."

"Moving on. From Gryffindor House: Miss Katie Bell."

"I accept!"

"Gryffindor House: Miss Hermione Granger.

Hermione rose, and smiled at her mentee over at the Ravenclaw table. "I accept, sir."

"Excellent," muttered Professor Snape. "Madam Hooch, you make take the floor."

There was a chorus of cheers for all those that would be heading the Potions and Defensive Charms team, and the flying coach stepped forward, looking as though she had just flown through the window on her broomstick.

"Evening! I represent the "Escape" portion of our Defense. I require the top flyers from every house to be with me, so we can plan an escape route, run drills and teach younger students how to fly evasively in the event of an attack.

"For this term the First Year Broomstick Ban has been lifted, and any and all students that are able to obtain a broom from home are asked to bring it with them when they return from Christmas Holiday.

"The Escape Group will require much patience and concentration, as well as leadership skills from all that are appointed. You will be responsible for nominating one person from your house to help you manage your group, and all groups shall be composed of students from all four houses so as to confuse any attackers.

"Each group will meet at a designated point in the castle, and drill from that point every time. Captains will establish a buddy system and will be expected to make and execute any decisions regarding those that have fallen behind.

"From Gryffindor House: Mr. Ron Weasley."

"I'm your man, Madam Hooch!"

There was a trickle of laughter that coursed its way through the hall.

"I nominate my sister, Ginny Weasley to be my Co-Captain."

"I have no objection to your nomination. Miss Weasley, do you accept?"

"You bet I do!"

Ginny leaned over the table and gave Ron a hug. "Thanks, big brother."

"I wouldn't have anyone else, little sister."

"Oh, thanks!" muttered Harry, sarcastically.

"Come off it, mate!" cried Ron, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You know they're going to want you to teach people to duel!"

"I don't know, Ron. I think they might only let Professors do that. It's a lot of responsibility, and I don't think the other students would trust just any old classmate. I know I sure—"

"Pay attention, you guys!" cried Hermione, applauding enthusiastically. "They just picked Lucy Everglade and Mina Hall from Hufflepuff!"

"From Ravenclaw: Mr. Michael Corner."

"I accept, and I nominate Dave Galaspy for my Co-Captain."

"Mr. Galaspy, do you accept?"

"O' course I do!"

"Good. From Slytherin House: Evan Urquhart."

"Accept. Draco Malfoy."

"Mr. Malfoy?" asked Madam Hooch tentatively. She seemed frightened that Malfoy would decline again.

Malfoy stood, gazed down the table and sighed. To Harry it seemed as if he was debating on whether or not his "honor system" could uphold with turning down a position of leadership more than once.

"I accept."

"Wonderful! I'm all set," concluded Madam Hooch, taking her seat. "Professor Luenebraum, if you please."

The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher stepped forward, looking slightly apprehensive. Harry zoned in on his face, and saw he was sweating. It was most odd- Bertram Luenebraum was from an island in the Pacific Tropics, so Harry didn't understand why he would suddenly start to perspire in the middle of November in Northern Scotland.

Harry had attended several classes with the new Professor, and had liked him very much. Bertram, Harry found, had extremely extensive spell knowledge and nearly lightening-quick reflexes. The best thing that he liked about the new defense teacher, however, was not his skills or knowledge, but the fact that he treated Harry like any other student, something that the Boy-Who-Lived had appreciated immensely.

But something wasn't right, and Harry knew it from the moment the man had taken leave of his seat

"What's the matter with him?" whispered Hermione, concernedly to Ron. "He looks like he's about to curse— Harry!"

Professor Luenebraum had barely raised his wand when Harry had jumped halfway clear across the hall and landed in between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. A foreboding green energy was beginning to loom at the edge of the Professor's wand, and Harry knew he had not even a moment to act. Raising his hands in front of him, he roared:

"Theca Arma Alarius!"

The Professor was lifted from his feet, and bound in a golden light. Harry summoned the man's wand with the beckoning of his finger, and then released the spell with a wave of his hand. Striding forward, he raised Bertram Luenebraum's own wand to his throat, and spoke vehemently,

"You think I would let you get away with this? The Ultimatus Bombarda hex? Did you honestly think that you could pull this off in front of Albus Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard alive?"

Professor Luenebraum breathed what seemed to be a sigh of relief, before Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "Let him up, Harry."

Harry averted his gaze toward the Headmaster, but did not lower Luenebraum's wand.

"Sir?"

Dumbledore nodded. Harry held out his hand, and helped the Professor to his feet. Luenebraum pulled a handkerchief from his robes and mopped his forehead.

"I told you Dumbledore, I told you I didn't want to do it."

To Harry's (and the entire student body's) astonishment, Dumbledore was laughing merrily.

"Ah, yes, Bertram. But tell them why."

Professor Luenebraum nodded, and once again turned to face the crowd.

:"As you can see, for reasons none other than those demonstrated here, I will have no other than Mr. Harry Potter be the head of the Dueling and Defensive Spellwork branch of our Protection Plan. He is obviously the best candidate, and if the skills he just demonstrated are not enough to convince you then I encourage you to see Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing. She, I'm sure, will have something to cure whatever has blinded you to his extraordinary light."

A thunderous applause broke out from the hall, shaking it to the rafters. Harry nodded, and shook the Professor's hand as a show of his acceptance, while the cheering of the crowd seemed as if it would never stop, with many of the D.A. members standing on the tables and benches, screaming their approval. Walking past Dumbledore on the way back to his seat, Harry gazed into his eyes for the briefest moment.

'An evil, evil trick, Albus. You wouldn't have happened to have been in Slytherin house when you were at school, would you?'

The Headmaster merely smiled benignly as he applauded, and replied 'I plead the fifth, Mr. Potter.'

Harry grinned, and headed back to his seat next to Ginny while Albus made his final statements.

"Thank you to those who have pledged their participation. Full details of the program will be discussed after Christmas Holiday, with group leaders being informed of their priorities beforehand. I cannot stress to you enough how important these new Defensive tactics will be for your safety, and insist that you take them most seriously.

"This concludes our announcements, and I am sure that you are all ready for bed. As a thank you for listening to us so long, I will have hot chocolate sent to your rooms. Thank you for your attention, and goodnight."

There was a large scraping of chairs as they all headed back to the doors of the Great Hall, many of the older students waiting until the rush had cleared. Harry and many of the D.A. members were among the last to leave, and right before he had reached the door, Harry stopped.

"What is it, Harry?" asked Ginny.

"It's Dumbledore, he called me."

"No he didn't. And if he did, how could you hear him over all this—"

"Shh, once second, Gin, please?"

'Oh, Harry?'

'Yes, sir?'

'Good show, Harry. Good show.'

Harry smiled.

'Thanks Albus.'

Turning back he asked, "You ready to go, Gin?"

"Yeah. What was that about?"

"Albus just said goodnight."

"In your head?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Something like that. I could teach you, if you'd like."

"To get inside your head? I don't know Harry… I can read your mind enough as it is."

"Oh really?" he asked, holding open the door to the fourth floor for her.

"Really."

"I see. And what am I thinking right now, Miss Weasley?"

"Harry…"

"Come on, Gin!" he pleaded. "Tell me what's in my head."

Ginny smiled mischievously. "I think the North Tower might be empty, don't you?"

"Why, Gin, you divine little witch, I do believe you read my mind!"

Grinning devilishly, Harry whipped his invisibility cloak out of his bag and threw it over them while Ginny grabbed the Marauder's map from the outside pocket. Winking at each other, they placed their wands on the parchment and whispered,

"We solemnly swear that we are up to no good."