Disclaimer: Not mine.

The silence pressed down on my ears. I don't think the Great Halls ever been this quiet, not really.

Snape walked up and down between the tables, robes billowing around and behind him, hands behind his back. Everyone in there, save the Slytherins, seemed terrified. They held their breath and their eyes never left Snape, not for a moment.

"So," Snape said. "So. . . ."

His eyes were flashing. It was obvious that he was furious, incredibly. Someone coughed. Snape spun in the direction of the Ravenclaw table. "Do you find this funny? Hmm? Do you think that this is just some game?"

The third year who had coughed looked close to tears. "N-n-n-n-no sir," he stammered

Snape stared at him for a moment before moving back down the hall. "I'll have you all know that this is not at all funny! Destruction of school property! Spreading propaganda! Mentioning that hideous idea of a 'club'. . . . DUMBLEDORE!"

Everyone swivled around to the Gryffindor table, looking at Gale who (Merlin) was reading a book. I groaned inwardly. Couldn't that girl just stay out of trouble for once?

Snape swooped over to the table. Two first years scooted quickly sideways as he leaned forward between them, his face inces away from Gale's. "I'm sorry. Am I boring you?"

Of course, she didn't answer him. But it was obvious in the way that she looked at him, flicking her white ponytail over her shoulder, that he was indeed boring her.

"Maybe you can tell me then who just happened to deface the school's wall," Snape said, his voice a low whisper but everyone could still hear him. "Hmm?"

On either side of Gale, Neville and Ginny looked just as defiant, though slightly anxious. Gale, however, still continued to stare directly at Snape as if she weren't scared though I'm sure she knew what the consequences were going to be. After a minute, she touched the tip of her finger to her tongue, flipping the page of her book and going back to reading. I resisted the urge to slap my palm to my head.

If it were possible, smoke would have come out of his Snape's nostrils, the way they flared. He snatched her book from underneath her hands, throwing it halfway across the Great Hall. "Dention Dumbledore."

As if he had been summoned, Ark appeared nearby. No one really understood what the deal was with Gale and Ark. In the last couple of days, people had had detention with him but the also had detention with other teachers. Gale was the only one who was constantly sent to Ark.

My heart lept into my throat as Gale stood, looking to Ark who was smiling at her. "Come along, Miss Dumbledore."

After a moment's hesistation, Gale stood, grabbing her bag. You had to give it to the girl. She was the look of defiance, attitude, and confidence as she walked out of the Great Hall. She held her head high, back straight as she moved, ignoring the many eyes watching her. Ark followed her out on the other side of the table, taking her arm when they reached the door.

I watched them leave, vaguely aware when Snape commanded for the rest to 'get out of his face'. Everyone jumped up at once, hurrying out of the Great Hall, me among them. I heard someone called my name but by then, I was out of the Great Hall, hurrying down the hallway towards the dungeons where I knew Ark took his 'victims'.

I caught up with them halfway down the hallway, Ark still gripping onto Gale's arm. "Hold still. Struggling won't make anything better."

But Gale continued to fight against him, her ponytail flinging in the air. He sighed and the shoved her, hard, against the wall. "Hey. I said stop. What's wrong with you Gale? We used to be so close."

I don't think I've ever seen anyone so terrified. Even from where I was standing, I could see that she was shaking, her eyes wide. She shut her eyes though, turning her head as Ark reached up, grabbing a piece of her hair.

"Hey," I said, stepping forward. They both looked up and for a minute, I thought I saw relief in her eyes but it faded quickly. I moved up to Gale, gently grabbing her wrist. "McGongall wants to see her."

"And the Headmaster assigned her detention," Ark said, his eyes darkening.

"And I told you that she was no longer under your watch." I yanked her away from him, pulling her into my side. "I also told you to stay away from her."

I pulled her back up the stairs, feeling Jaspers glare on my back. When we were far enough away I turned to Gale, who was still looking shekn but I didn't care about that at the moment. "Are you insane?"

She glared at me, raising her hands in a shrug.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," I said, angry. "You purposely going out of your way to get in trouble."

Gale shook her head, moving to walk away from me but I grabbed her elbow. I sighed. "Please. Gale. Let me – please talk to me."

If possible her glare deepened. She pressed both hands against my chest and pushed me back. It was obvious she didn't want to talk to me. She shook her head again, as if she just couldn't believe me and walked away

"Gale," I called after her as she hurried down the hall. "I'm sorry!"

But of course she didn't turn around. I groaned to myself, kicking the wall.

This was definitely not going to be my year.

Gale, Nevielle, Ginny, and Luna sat together in an empty classroom, waiting.

"Do you think anyone will actually show up?" Ginny asked.

Gale nodded and Neville couldn't help to agree with her. "They're curious. They'll show up because they want to know what's going on.'

"And they want to be like Gale," Luna said, smiling.

Gale looked down. What she was doing, she couldn't really call defiance or bravery. So what was it? Draco had called her a trouble maker. She didn't know if she wanted people to be like her if all it was going to do was get them thrown in dentention.

There was a slight knock on the door, a pause, and then a single knock. Ginny opened it and Michael Corner walked in, followed by Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan. Moments later Parvati and Padma appeared with Lavendar in tow. Five minutes later, Terry Boot, Ernie Macmillian, Anthony Goldstein, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, and the Creevy brothers joined the rest.

Seventeen. Their numbers had been severely cut down what with people graduating and some just refusing to come but it was still a good lot of them.

"Still recruiting, eh?" Dean said, grinning.

"Gale's idea," Ginny said, smiling. "You guys interested?"

"Don't suppose we would be here if we weren't," Terry whispered.

"Isn't this a little dangerous though?" Parvati asked. "Meeting up in an empty classroom in the middle of the night?"

"They've got the Carrows patrolling," Ernie informed everyone. He was standing by the door, peering through the window. "Not to mention Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and every other Death Eater scum they brought up here."

"And that includes that Jasper Ark character," Lavendar said with a shiver.

At his name, everyone shot a glance at Gale but she had turned her gaze to the floor. This was not about her tonight.

"This meeting won't be long," Ginny said. "We just wanted to see how many of you were still interested in the D.A."

"Well, why don't we get started?" Seamus asked. "Start tearing up stuff, yeah?"

"Don't be daft," Padma said, shaking her head. "We're no match for trained Death Eaters."

"Gale suggested that we show people that we're still here," Neville said. "That's why she graffittied the wall."

"Didn't do much good for her, though did it?" Anthony said. "She still got detention. And she won't even talk! How much help can she give us?"

"Gale was brave enough to come back here even after everything that happened last year," Luna said softly. "And she's done more standing up to the Carrows and Snape in the last four days than any of us have ever thought to do. So Anthony . . . what have you done?"

The boy fell silent, looking away from Luna's dreamy gaze.

"This is just for us you guys," Ginny said. "We know we're no match against fully trained Death Eaters but . . . I for one, refuse to sit in class while Alecto criticizes Muggles and Muggleborns and Amycus continus to torture students and let them think I'm scared. I want to do something, even if I'm not fighting back directly. Just like Harry did two years ago when he started the D.A."

There was a moment of silence for Harry, Hermione, and Ron. No knew where they were or what they were doing and all they could do was hope that the trio was still safe.

"So . . . what do we do?" Justin asked. "I heard they were torturing students in detentions."

Once again, everyone looked to Gale. Out of all them, she was the only one who had had detention thus far. She sighed and nodded, moving her hair slightly so that everyone could see her eye which was still slightly purple after her first detention with Ark.

"This is so we know, you know, that we can count on each other," Neville said. "We're not trying to tell to be purposely defiant but . . . don't just sit there and complain. If you want to do something, do it. Just – be careful. I want to see you all reach Commencment."

"For some reason, I seriously doubt there will be a Commencment this year," Dean said, sadly.

It was probably true, Gale realized. The Seventh years would probably have to come back next year to take their N.E.W.T.s. This was no kind of environment to learn in.

"Well, I'm in anyway," Colin said and Dennis nodded. They both reached in their pockets and pulled out their D.A. Galleons.

Gale smiled and pulled out hers. Neville, Ginny, and Luna followed, glad that this was semi going to plan.

Justin was the next to pull out his Galleon, and then Padma, Parvati, and Lavender. Soon, everyone had their coins out in an agreement.

"Gale." Everyone looked up at Seamus who was grinning. "Are you going to teach us that graffetti thing or what?"

Gale smile widened and she pulled her wand from her pocket.

The next morning, in various places around the school, it could be read:

WE SHALL PREVAIL!

A/N; Sorry it took me forever to update. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned.