On the first Thursday night of February I found myself stealthily walking the halls with Michael to my first Dumbledore's Army meeting. We stopped at the end of every corridor to check around corners before moving on and occasionally stopping at the slightest of sounds in case someone was coming. It had taken Michael and the other Ravenclaws some time to convince the rest of Dumbledore's army that they should let me join, clearly hanging out with Blaise was still having repercussions. It seemed that Ginny stepping in and vouching for me finally toppled me being allowed into the fold. We came to a stop hallway down a corridor and I gave Michael a puzzled look. Suddenly a small door materialised in the stone.
"before we go in, quick warning, Seamus is very wary about you being here so just be you and you'll be grand"
He pushes the door open and we enter a cavernous room lit by torches. Couches and armchairs occupy one corner surrounding a massive fireplace while the rest of the room resembles a makeshift muggle bootcamp. Along one wall a row of enchanted mannequins sits with faces like death eater masks. Opposite the couches is a large radio and microphone set up on a rickety desk. Its covered in newspapers and parchments. The wall behind it has a map marked with sightings of harry potter, death eater attacks and safe houses. The rest of the walls are covered in house flags and pictures of family and friends. A group of students stands in the middle chatting amongst themselves. They stop once they notice us enter. Terry and Padma wave and Anthony smiles reassuringly.
"Hey guys, for those that don't know this is Isobel MacDonald 6th year Ravenclaw" says Michael
"Zabinis mate" says Seamus with a frown
"Yes, Blaise is my friend, he spent Christmas break at my house. He got along really well with my grandparents"
"figures, bigots all together"
"uh Seamus I wouldn't" mumbles Michael
"my grandfather is the ex-head of the auror department and was responsible for the capture and arrests of several high ranking death eaters after the first wizarding wall including Bellatrix Lestrange, so no, on the contrary it was definitely not bigots all together but thanks for the vote of confidence on the basis that one of my friends happens to be a Slytherin"
"oh"
"yeah, oh" I say "now I can go if you want me to, but I want to do something about what's happening here so it's up to you"
Seamus looks at the ground and then towards Neville who's currently giving him a judgemental look. He shakes his head and Seamus mumbles a small apology while not looking me in the eyes.
"you know how to duel?" asks Neville
After a tense first meeting my second foray into underground rebellion went much better. On Sunday afternoon we met, and I was tasked to show what I could do. First, I was to complete the small assault course that they set up. I was rather hesitant at first until I realised it worked like that gun range course that muggle police officers do on television. I was doing pretty well before I nearly hit a hippogriff with a stunning curse. Colin Creevey shouted from the couches that he nearly did the same thing the first time. Neville and Ginny stood with me while the rest watched on as I made my way down the row of mannequins firing off spells that Ginny shouted to me. After I finished that I was paired with Seamus to duel. I would be lying if I said I wasn't smirking when I sent him flying across the room.
"Did your grandfather teach you how to defend yourself by any chance?" asks Neville
"Of course. Can't be too careful he says. He made a lot of enemies in his time in the department"
"Hmmmm, probably should've asked that before letting you near Seamus"
"You think!?" grumbles Seamus pushing himself up off the hard ground.
I was told to sit with others while Neville, Ginny and Michael talked. Michael had told me beforehand that he would fight my corner as much as he could, but it was really up to Neville or Ginny what role I could be given. I made some small talk while I waited. After I few minutes they came over.
"Ok so you're in, I mean that's a given, we can't exactly be turning people away but you're also not in"
"Huh?"
"What Neville is saying is that the Carrows are starting to figure out who some of us are, which isn't good. So, you're not going out at night spraying graffiti or freeing kids from detention, now it's about forming a network. If we need you, can we rely on you? That's what this is about now"
"Um ok? I guess. I don't really get it"
"The only way we can survive this is if we look after one another. If we can trust each other and rely on each other, they can't break us. We've got to go underground"
"I get that. Always have an escape route and all that. But why make me show you what I can do?"
"To see if can do what needs to be done if the situation ever calls for it. If something ever happens that requires force can you do it?"
"Of course. I want to keep the younger kids safe. I'm yours when needed"
"Ok in that case we'll see you in the Gryffindor common room soon, Michael will let you know when"
And with that I was swiftly shown the exit. As I made my way back to the common room wondering what the hell just happened, reality set in. What had I just done? I've just signed up to joining an underground network when I don't even know how to network. As the panic sets in my casual walk turns into a jog back up the stairs of the tower. I pound the knocker and quickly yell out the answer before it gets halfway through its question. I quickly scour the room looking for Julia before running downstairs to the dormitories. I bound in and find her playing with her cat Mr Mustard in the middle of the room. She looks at my wild expression.
"What on earth have you done now?"
It takes a few minutes for her to process everything I frantically whispered at her after she asked that. During that time, I resorted to curling up on my bed and staring out the window not even acknowledging Mr Mustard digging his claws in while he attempted to scale my body.
"Right. Ok. So, you're getting cold feet about joining an underground rebellion. That's totally understandable"
I glare at her.
"Ok come on its not that bad" she says sitting on my bed and removing Mr Mustard "You're good at this Iso, you might not think it but you've got the abilities, I believe in you and I'll be here if you need help ok? Its not the worst thing you've ever done"
I relax a bit. She's right. Its not the worst thing I've ever done. But its quite possibly up there. I can do this. I just have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. We spend the rest of the day discussing what I could possibly be needed to do. For the next week after we finish studying we stay up a little longer when the common room is empty and come up with all the secrets of the castles we've uncovered over the years, all the useful spells we've learnt and most importantly; all the resources we have on hand. Its fun spending time just the two of us for once. We haven't been able to since this year starting with everyone coming together to become one group. While it was good to have closer friends, I do sometimes miss when it was just the two of us. Well us and Mr Mustard. It was fun talking about how she still fancied Anthony even though he annoyed her so much she wanted to scream. She seemed to have this knowing look when I spoke about Blaise, like she somehow agreed with my sisters that we'd end up married. I told her that wasn't happening at all, she replied always with a "we'll see". I couldn't see it. No matter how many times she gave me that look.
On Friday night after everyone had gone to bed and we were planning she asked if I thought Blaise would get me something for valentines to keep up the façade for his mum, I laughed. While his mum was still pushing, I don't think she'd be paying that much attention to whether it was going well on not with her future circle promotion, especially as word had gotten out in pureblood circles over Christmas that Blaise was taking beatings rather than helping the Carrows. He hadn't heard much from her since that was exposed. He seemed rather happy though that communication was dwindling. We ended up abandoning the plans and just chatting about anything and everything. When we finally made our way to the dormitory it was nearly two in the morning. We quietly got into our beds and I turned to her and whispered
"Hey, you never know, maybe Anthony will make you a card"
She giggles
"Oh, shut up Isobel"
When my alarm rings four hours later I instantly regret choosing to stay up so late when I knew I needed to get up so early. I grumbled as I feel in the general direction of my bedside table to turn the alarm off. On the third attempt the thing stops beeping and I turn over and stare at the ceiling. The sun isn't even up yet. I roll myself out of bed and grab a pair of jogging pants and my comfiest sweater, slowly putting them on as I creep out the dormitory with my shoes. As I make my way to the lake, I notice that I'm not the only one awake at this time of the morning, quite a few seventh years are out having a morning jog. I don't know how they do it, as I'm barely able to walk a few feet without yawning. With all the rules put in place this year I'm genuinely surprised that we are allowed to have some freedoms. But really as long as we play by the rules we could generally not get stopped going about our everyday activities. After all there isn't something inherently suspicious about people going for a jog or reading by the lake. And what else do they expect us to do when all clubs have been disbanded.
I trudged the final few yards to the lake shore and begin to pick some wildflowers. When I've got a sizable bunch, I slowly make my way back to the castle. When I arrive back to the dorm Julia and Kate are still fast asleep. I put some of the flowers into vases and place them by each girls' bed before falling back into bed not bothering to take off my muddy shoes. I'm awoken a couple hours later by Julia and Kate landing on me with words of thanks and hugs. As it was Saturday, we only studied for a few hours in the afternoon together in the library. Thankfully Blaise did not get me a valentine's gift to keep up appearances and sadly Julia had not received a card from Anthony. Although to be honest if he had she probably would've been torn between blushing and yelling at him for embarrassing her in front of the whole common room. As we sit slowly making our way through our history of magic essays, Barnaby Rochester approaches the table looking thoroughly unimpressed carrying a bouquet of flowers and small package.
"Please tell me they're not for me" I say resting my head onto the desk
"Sadly yes. Please just take them. My mum will know otherwise. She knows things. Its terrifying. Cut them up and make a temporary modern art installation or give them to someone else just please take them so I can stop carrying them around like a tosser" he pleads
"Ugh ok. You're the last one you know"
"I know mum is stubborn"
"Can't you just tell her you don't want to marry me?"
"Countless times. Believe me I don't want to marry you"
"Thanks a lot" I say feigning indignation
"You're not my type is all. You kind of scare me if I'm honest"
"I scare you?"
"I saw you last year in duelling club. You're more terrifying than my mum and that's saying something"
"He's right. I've met his mum" says Blaise nodding
He shrugs and leaves. I look down at the massive bouquet and wonder how in Merlins saggy old underpants I'm going to get rid of it. I put the package in my bag and look to the others for suggestions. I regret asking immediately when Trevor suggests a Viking burial down by the lake. I go with Russell's idea instead and we spend the rest of the afternoon handing out flowers to anyone that walks past the table. Madam Pince has a vase full by the time we leave for dinner. I kept one to give to Maisie when we got to the great hall. I made a detour to the Gryffindor table and her face lights up when I hand it to her. After a quick hug I make my way over to the Ravenclaw table and quickly start eating in between talking to Terry and Padma quietly.
"You'll never guess who I saw today before I met you guys in the library" Kate suddenly pipes up during dessert
We all look at her weirdly.
"I'm going to guess someone who we go to school with. Seeing as this is a school. That we go to. And are trapped in. Until Easter" Daniel says rolling his eyes
"Well yeah ok. But its someone doing something out of character"
"Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you saw Neville Longbottom smashing up the greenhouses. This year is mental enough for it to happen" Russell says while writing his transfiguration essay and eating trifle.
"No. God no. Jeez man. That's dark as, I saw Goyle reading. Books. Like actually actively engaged with a book"
"You saw Goyle. Studying. Is that really what we've been reduced to in terms of school gossip?" questions Declan shaking his head
"No no no, you don't get it. It wasn't a textbook. It wasn't for class"
This does get strange looks from everyone in the group. From what we gathered from Blaise, Goyle never reads out of his own free will. Him and Crabbe have only ever relied on their power and luck for classes. Him reading in his own free time was really out of the ordinary behaviour. This year really has turned everyone crazy.
When we finally make it back to the common room that night I fall into an armchair by the fireplace. I sit for a while hugging my bag slowly falling asleep when I suddenly remember the package Barnaby gave me as well as the flowers. I root around my books and parchment until I find it. it's a relatively thin square package, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a book about how to be a good pureblood wife. I rip open the brown paper to find a jewellery box. Oh boy. Tentatively I open it to find a very expensive looking necklace. An old one at that. I can't help but laugh out loud. Don't tell me his mum has given me a family heirloom to try and win my over. A medium sized oval ruby pendant surrounded by small diamonds hangs from a thin gold chain. Oh, I have to give this back to Barnaby as soon as possible. I'm about to put it away when Julia sees it and snatches it from my hands.
"Merlins beard!" she yells gaining the attention of the entire common room "If you don't marry him I will! Look at this!"
It takes a good thirty minutes to get the box back as everyone wants to get a look. Kate looked very disapprovingly at it and asked if Barnaby's mum thought I was a magpie easily won over by sparkly things. A few girls from the year below did actually begin to resemble magpies and couldn't take their eyes off it as it was passed around the room. Declan had it for about ten minutes just valuing it. Clearly having a jeweller for a grandmother rubbed off on him. He finally passed on after declaring it was the real deal. Everyone seems to have the same consensus; Mrs Rochester is a very determined woman. If only someone had told her that she'd be better off trying to win me over with books rather than precious gems. The next morning after breakfast I rush to catch up with Barnaby as he leaves, dragging him to the side in the entrance hall.
"Hey so I don't know if you know what your mum got me, but I think you should have this back seeing as it looks like a family heirloom"
He looks confused as I give him the box, but he peeks inside and smirks.
"It's not a family heirloom. Rochester family is all about sapphires"
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I was with mum when she spotted it in the antique shop over Christmas, thought she bought it for my aunt actually. Keep it"
"What? I can't keep it, it's obviously bloody expensive"
"Believe me if I give that back to mum, she'll just get rid of it like its nothing, its better off with someone that will actually give a toss about it. Think of it as a gift from me for successfully and gracefully dealing with pureblood families trying to marry you into the family" he says smiling
I laugh.
"Ok. Ill see you around Barnaby"
"See you in history of magic" he says running his hand through his curly brown hair before walking away in the direction of the dungeons.
I ended up putting the necklace in my trunk as soon as I got back to the dormitory as quite frankly, I was terrified to wear it even though it didn't stand out that much. I wanted to put the entire thing to the back of my mind really, as I was still waiting to hear from Michael about the Gryffindor common room. It was another two weeks before Michael took me to the side one evening in the common room to tell me that id be visiting the Gryffindor common room on Tuesday night to let Neville and Ginny about all my connections in and out of the castle. It was all organised to raise the least suspicion. He'd take me over at seven o'clock and Anthony and Padma would safely return me at 9 o'clock as they passed Gryffindor tower on their prefect rounds under the guise that they were escorting me back after I'd had a small accident and had been in the hospital wing until after curfew.
I hurriedly told Julia the news later that night in the dormitory before Kate returned from the bathroom. It's not like I didn't trust Kate and the others, but they would hit the roof and turn the panic dial to nuclear if I did tell them. And quite frankly this year is already stressful enough.