From where he was still sitting in his armchair, Dumbledore stared over at Luna. She looked up, and for a moment there was no sign of dreaminess in her face; it looked thinner, and more tired - but when she looked at him sudden amusement flickered through her eyes, and he, in return, smiled at her.
Turning to them, she suddenly flung out her arms and bowed with a flourish. "I," said she, "am the Moth."
"Right." Answered Harry, murmured something to Hermione from the corner of his mouth, and readied his wand.
"No, stupid," said Hermione, quickly, "She doesn't mean the animal. The Moth is a hereditary title. It's rumoured that there is a wizarding family that specialises in spying, and, as a favour to Hogwarts, makes sure that there is at least one of their clan in the school at any one time to protect it."
When the rest of the occupants of the room stared at her, Hermione blushed slightly, and said, "Has no one else even read Hogwarts A History?"
"That particular piece of information," said Dumbledore, "is not in that book." He looked at her keenly, and said, thoughtfully, "It is, however, mentioned from time to time in the Quibbler. Luna?"
Luna (who had been shaking with violent laughter) stopped and said, slyly, "I may have put it by her bed now and then." Noticing that everyone was now staring at her, she said quickly, "Well, who could resist? And besides, by mentioning it in the Quibbler, no one was ever going to believe it was true, were they?"
There was a pause, but everyone continued staring at her. "Why are you staring – oh. I should perhaps mention at this point that I added a little something to that document we all signed after the Sneak got her boils… anyone here who even tries to utter one word about my family to anyone not in the D.A., or hint, or communicate anything about them in any way or form will find themselves with a violent sneezing fit that goes on for sixteen years." She smiled, somewhat unpleasantly. "Although you probably won't last that long, what with not being about to eat, drink or sleep properly. The next time you try it results in instant death."
"And just imagine the cost of the handkerchiefs." Ron whispered.
Luna glanced over at him briefly before rubbing her hands together and grinning down at the board. "And now for some fun." She pointed down at the little man, stood at attention in the centre of the board, just outside The Three Broomsticks. "This is Sergeant Rupert."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"He will help us to coordinate our defence plan by notifying us of important happenings from the present time until the time of attack, alerting our Rotas of relevant information and, sometimes, giving advice to members of the D.A.
"Even more usefully, perhaps, he forms part of this map. Sergeant, I'd like a search of The Three Broomsticks and its occupants, please."
"Yes, ma'am!" Shouted the little man, and he strode manfully into the miniature pub. After a moment or two, a separate section grew out of the map and the members of the D.A. could see the inside of the pub, where Madam Rosmerta leant over the bar serving two witches and a wizard while a group of several mysteriously hooded others appeared to be singing (silently) in the corner, and banging their mugs together.
As they watched, one by one each tiny figure began to glow, some green, some yellow and just one, one of the witches by the bar, a rather vivid orange.
"The green light means that they are completely on our side, the yellow are bordering and red means that they are completely going over – that orange witch has been sidling that way for some time now.
"And if for any reason you wish to get any closer… Sergeant, a close up search of the orange, please."
The separate map zoomed in even closer, until you could see every wrinkle on the orange witch's face.
The tiny sergeant suddenly boomed out efficiently, "Greta Cormstopper, age 56, address: 27A Wimpole Street, Little Pickle, Darbyshire, carrying: one wand, two gobstoppers and some Red Volcano lipstick. Accompanied by -"
"Thank you, Sergeant, that will be all," put in Dumbledore quickly, and then looked round at them all. "I hope you all appreciate this gift, students. It's not often a Moth reveals himself or herself… and even less often that they reveal one of their methods. Toodlepip."
And then he disapperated.
"Hey – didn't you always say that no one could disapperate in Hogwarts or in Hogwarts grounds?" Said Ron to Hermione.
Hermione (looking very shocked) shook her head violently and said loudly, "Very funny, Professor, but we all know that you've just vanished yourself. But come on, the joke is over." She paused for a moment, and looked around suspiciously. "Hello? Fine, I'll just have to catch you myself, then."
"Supper, then?" Harry said to the others, adding, "I always knew something like this would push her over the edge."
They left without a backwards glance, and Hermione,not even noticing their departure, ran around the room crazily, flinging herarmsout andscreaming "Gotcha!" at intervals.
In the corner, Dumbledore giggled, silently.