Chapter 13

Leita pumped her wings, trying to stay afloat. Even with the weight-reducing spell, the package was still too heavy for Leita to carry long distances, let alone across worlds. But Hogwarts was in sight so Leita used the last of her strength to make it though the castle window and entered the Great Hall. Her wings were giving out on her. She was quickly losing strength.

She scanned the Great Hall, looking for Morgan's familiar black head but was dismayed to not find her anywhere. Where could she be? She circled the Gryffindor table numerous times, steadily losing altitude as fatigued took over. She eventually gave up and decided to land next to the Potter boy Morgan was supposed to be protecting.

Leita nearly crashed into his bowl of oatmeal as she landed on the table, the package making a soft thump as it hit the wood. Leita flopped down to try and catch her breath.

"Hey, isn't this Morgan's bird?" asked Harry.

Leita hopped back on her feet and chirped, trying to ask where Morgan was. She looked between the three mortal kids that had gathered around her but doubted they got the message.

"Where is Morgan anyways?" asked Ron.

"She's still sleeping when I left," said Hermione. "I wonder if she got up yet."

Leita groaned. There was no way she could find Gryffindor tower while lugging this giant package around. Maybe these three mortals could give the package to her…

Leita started chirping again, hoping somehow they understood her.

"What's the bird want?" asked Ron.

"I don't know," replied Harry. He bent down so that his face was level with Leita. "You're looking for Morgan right?"

Leita nodded.

"Is this package for her?"

Leita nodded again, her hopes rising.

"She's up in Gryffindor Tower."

Her hope deflated. I don't bloody hell know where that is! Can't you take this to her? Please? Or go get her or show me where the tower is!

"Er, mate, I think the bird's gone mental," said Ron as Leita jumped up and down with frustration.

"Maybe she doesn't know where Gryffindor Tower is," suggested Hermione perceptively.

"Well that's easy. It's on the seventh floor."

Leita groaned. The seventh floor was very big. Hell, the castle was very big! How was she supposed to know which window was Gryffindor Tower's?!

"Hedwig's delivered letters to me loads of time in the common room," said Harry. "Go on, Morgan's probably in the common room by now. You can catch her if you hurry." He nudged Leita with his hand but Leita refused to move.

Do you idiots know how far I've flown to get this thing here?! Bloody hell, I came from a different world! Besides, once I land, the spell wears off. There's no way I can carry this thing now!

"Guess this bird really doesn't know where Gryffindor Tower is," said Harry.

"Yeah well, canaries probably aren't as smart as owls," said Ron with a shrug.

Smart? I'll show you who's smart! Leita hopped onto Ron's flaming red head and began pecking him furiously. Now who's the smart one, huh?! I'll peck your brains out you stupid mortal!

"Argh! Get this crazy bird off me!" He covered his head with his arms but she just proceeded on attacking his arm instead.

Hermione chuckled. "I think you offended her, Ron."

"Don't just sit there, do something!" exclaimed Ron to Harry.

"Er, what?"

"I don't know. Just do something or my arm's going to turn into Swiss cheese!"

Harry's hand wrapped around Leita's little body and pulled her out of the air. His grip was firm but didn't hurt her. Outraged all the same, she was about to peck his hand so he'd release her when Hermione stuck a grape on her beck.

"There. Sorry about this," she said apologetically.

Leita glared angrily at her in response. When I get free I am so clawing your eyes out mortal…

"Anyways, if the bird doesn't know where Morgan is, I don't see why we can't just give the package to her," said Hermione, talking to the boys. "She's going to Hogsmeade with us after all."

Ron snorted while rubbing his sore arm. "If she ever gets out of bed…"

"Well, we might as well meet her out in the Entrance Hall. Everyone else is already leaving for Hogsmeade," said Hermione, indicating the crowd of people heading out of the Great Hall. "Come on."

They got up and Ron picked up the package. "Merlin's beard! What's in here, boulders?" He groaned as he lifted the brown paper-wrapped package off the table. Harry helped him with his free hand while the other one still kept a firm grip on Leita.

Morgan rushed down to the Great Hall while still fastening the lining of her cloak. She had over slept and woke up to find the dorm completely empty. Why didn't Hermione wake her up?

She jumped the last few steps to find a crowd of students waiting in line while Filch checked his list of names. Morgan looked around, trying to spot Harry, Ron, or Hermione. Luckily, Ron's flaming red hair was like a beacon in the darkness and she spotted them by the Great Hall double doors.

Morgan had to shove her way through the crowd before she could reach them. As she neared, she noticed a large package sitting at Ron's feet and that Harry was holding something yellow and fluffy in his hand.

"Sorry I'm late," she said.

"It's all right. You needed some well deserved sleep." Hermione smiled.

"What do you have in your hand, Harry?" Morgan pointed, curious.

"Oh, er… don't get mad but er, you had a delivery this morning and…" He handed over the yellow ball of fluff and Morgan gasped as she realized it was actually a very disgruntled Leita with a big grape stuck on her beck.

"Leita!" The spirit beast looked furious like she wanted nothing better than to murder the three mortals. "What happened?"

"Er, well, she dropped off this package at breakfast," Ron pointed at the package in question, "but you weren't here so we tried to tell her to take it to Gryffindor Tower. Then she started throwing a fit and began pecking me."

"Eh?" Morgan looked down at Leita, bewildered. "Why would you do something like that Leita?"

Leita huffed, puffing up her feathers. Because they were being idiots and the red one called me stupid.

Morgan glanced up to see Ron massaging his arm tenderly.

"Well, here's your package, Morgan," said Hermione as she tried to lift it. "It's really heavy. What's in it anyways?"

Morgan wondered the same thing. She knelt down and unwrapped the package. It was a stack of hardcover books and an envelope. Morgan checked the titles but there wasn't anything written on the covers. She opened the letter and realized it was from Isis.

Great, if it's from her than it's bound to be more homework.

She tucked the letter into her pocket, saving it for later, and quickly packed away the books into her new backpack.

"Aren't you going to read your letter?" asked Hermione.

"Later."

Leita hopped up and down on Morgan's shoulder. Hello? Aren't you forgetting something? GET THIS GRAPE OFF MY BEAK!

Okay okay, you don't have to shout.

Morgan pulled the fruit off and grabbed Leita just as she attempted to resume her attack on Ron.

"Cool it, Leita."

"That bird's out to get me!" exclaimed Ron leaping back in fright.

"Well maybe you shouldn't have insulted her," said Hermione with her hands on her hips. "Shall we go, then? Everyone's already gone."

Morgan nodded and they got in line, which had gotten noticeably shorter. When they passed Filch, Morgan could've sworn she saw him sniffing Harry and she wasn't the only one that noticed.

"Was Filch sniffing you?" asked Ron once they were outside.

"He's probably checking for Dungbombs. Someone apparently tipped him off that I had placed an order for a dozen Dungbombs when I went to the Owlery to send my letter to Snuffles," explained Harry.

"I bet it was Malfoy," said Ron, wrapping his cloak more securely around him.

It was a chilly morning so after Morgan was sure Leita had calmed down enough, she let the canary rest on her shoulder, under the folds of her cloak to stay warm. The village of Hogsmeade was small but Hermione explained that it was the only All-Wizarding village in the country and had a lot of amazing sights. There were many interesting shops in the village. Morgan felt like she was back at Diagon Alley; she was looking every which way, trying to see everything at once.

"Over there is Zonko's. It's a joke shop. My brothers, Fred and George, go there a lot," said Ron.

"That's Honeyduke. It's a sweet shop that sells all kinds of candy," said Hermione. "And over there is Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. You can buy quills, parchment, and different color inks in there."

"What's this shop?" asked Morgan, noticing a very busy building that they were passing.

"Oh, that's the Three Broomsticks. It's an inn and it's run by Madame Rosmerta," replied Ron with a strange, dreamy look in his eyes.

"Ron fancies her," whispered Hermione, rolling her eyes.

"So where are we supposed to be meeting everyone?" asked Harry. "In the Three Broomsticks?"

Hermione shook her head. "No it's too crowded over there. We're meeting everyone at the Hog's Head. It's another pub just down the road. Students don't really go there so we won't be overheard."

In Morgan's opinion, she'd rather be in the Three Broomsticks. The Hog's Head was really dark and dingy compared to the Three Broomsticks. It looked like the kind of place criminals would hang out at, not students. The four of them decided to sit down at a table in the corner, closest to the window where some of the morning light seeped through the dirty glass.

"I guess I'll go order us some butterbeer," said Ron, heading towards the bar.

"What's butterbeer?" asked Morgan while using her mind to sense the room for danger. The place made the back of her neck prickle, like they were being watched, but she couldn't place the source.

"It's delicious. Just wait till you try it, though I'd think you'd enjoy it more if we had them at the Three Broomsticks," said Hermione, looking around the dark pub nervously.

Ron returned with four bottles of butterbeer and Morgan handed over two sickles to pay him back for hers. She took a sip and was surprised at the sudden warmth that filled her stomach. It was sweet and calming. Morgan wondered vaguely if there was any alcohol in it as she took another sip.

"So when did you tell them to meet us here?" asked Harry.

Hermione checked her watched. "They should be here soon."

Just then the door opened and Neville, Ginny, and Luna stepped in. They smiled and sat down with them and were about to exchange greetings when the door opened again as more students came in. Soon, the once gloomy and dark pub was packed full of chattering, curious students. Fred and George went to the bartender to order more butterbeer while the other students grabbed chairs. Their focus was on Harry, who Morgan noticed was looked more nervous and slightly embarrassed than before.

She dug one of the books Isis sent her and decided to get a head start on her reading while everyone was still settling down.

Hermione began the meeting by standing up and clearing her throat to get everyone's attention. "So you all know why we're here. We're taking Defense Against the Dark Arts into our own hands and actually learning how to defend ourselves, not that rubbish Umbridge is teaching us."

"You can say that again," said the Weasley twins, raising the bottles of butterbeer.

Hermione smiled. "So if you're interested in joining us, we need to discuss details of when we're going to meet, where we're going to meet and –"

"Who's going to teach us?" asked a Hufflepuff boy.

"Um, well Harry will."

"He's going to teach us? The one who keeps raving on about You Know Who being back?"

"Who are you?" snarled Ron.

"Zacharias Smith."

"Well, Smith, it's because Harry fought You Know Who last year," snapped Ron.

"That's what he said, which is the only reason Dumbledore says it these days."

Ron was about to retort but Harry put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Drop it Ron," said Harry. "They're just here because they want to hear what really happened last year, don't you?" The last part was directed at Smith. "Well, I don't want to talk about Voldemort and I certainly don't want to talk about how Cedric died so if that's what you wanted to hear then you can clear out."

Harry expected people to start leaving but as he scanned the room, all he saw were silent faces watching him – except Morgan, who had buried herself in one of the books her canary had brought her.

"Is it true you can produce a corporal Patronus? One that takes the form of a stag?" asked a girl, Susan Bones if Harry's memory was working properly.

"Er, yeah…"

"Blimely, that's amazing Harry!" exclaimed Lee Jordan.

"Oh oh and I heard you killed a basilisk with that sword in Dumbledore's office!" said Terry Boot excitedly.

"Yeah, I did…"

Someone whistled and a bunch of people gaped in awe at Harry, making his cheeks flush. He noticed Morgan's eyes straying from her book, her green eyes meeting his in surprise.

"Don't forget in our first year Harry saved the Sorcerer Stone from You Know Who," said Neville to the group. "He, Ron, and Hermione got past all the Professors' defensive spells to get to the Stone too."

"Not the mention last year's Triwizard Tournament. He had to get past a dragon, merpeople, and the maze," said Cho, which made Harry blush even more. Cho was praising him?

Harry tried not to look too pleased as he cleared his voice to speak, "Look the way you guys all say it makes it sound real great but in truth I nearly always had help and most of that stuff was luck. I'm not trying to be modest here, but I just want to make my point that – "

"What are you talking about, Harry? You got past that dragon all on your own," said Cho.

"And that dementor you fought against in the summer," added Susan Bones.

"Don't forget you threw off the Imperious Curse last year in class," said Dean Thomas.

"Okay so I did some of that stuff on my own but most of it –"

"What he means to say is, are you all still willing to learn from him?" cut in Hermione.

The group was silent but soon people started nodding.

"Good, then I was thinking we should meet no less than once per week – "

"Don't make it clash with our Quidditch practice," interrupted Angelina.

"Nor ours," said Cho

"And ours," said Smith.

"Yes yes, we'll find a night where everyone is available," said Hermione in a slightly exasperated voice. She reached into her bag and pulled out a parchment and quill. "I think everyone should write their name down – so we know who was here. It'll also help us track you down when we've decided a time and place for our first meeting."

Harry noticed nearly everyone was hesitant about signing the parchment. The Weasley twins cheerfully signed their name, along with Lee Jordan. The others looked like they needed some convincing.

"Er, well Hermione, if that list gets found out – you and me being a prefect and all…" mumbled Ernie Macmillan. "Also we have O.W.L.s coming up and –"

Morgan snapped her book shut with a deafening thump, catching everyone's attention and making them jump.

"Tell me, what is more important: learning how to defend yourself against Voldemort or your school standing? Because I'm pretty sure Voldemort won't spare your life just because you passed your O.W.L.s." She stood up and grabbed the parchment out of Ernie's hand and signed her name.

"You all need to get your heads out of the clouds and come back down to earth. Fudge thinks Dumbledore is just making trouble for the Ministry but the reality is, Voldemort is back. If you want a chance in hell at surviving, I suggest you learn how to defend yourself. Personally, I would never go down without a fight." Then she briskly took her seat and once more returned to her reading.

There was a long silence as everyone could only stare at this strange girl. It was Hermione who finally broke the silence.

"Well, um, so who wants to sign next?"

"But Hermione, if the list is found –"

Morgan cast a dark glare at Ernie, making him freeze in fright.

"Ernie, do I look like I would just leave this list lying around?" said Hermione, trying to reassure him.

"Well, no…" Finally he and everyone else signed the parchment. Then people slowly got up to leave in twos and threes until it was only the original four left.

"I think that went rather well," said Hermione as they got up to leave.

Morgan tucked her book back into her bag before silently following them out the door. She remained silent as they headed back into the busier part of Hogsmeade.

"So where do you think we should hold our first meeting?" asked Ron. "The library?"

"Do you really think Madame Pince would let us practice spells in the library?" asked Hermione.

"Er, good point."

"What about an empty classroom?" asked Harry.

"And risk a teacher walking in on us? I don't think any of the teachers will approve of what we're doing." Hermione sighed. "Well, we'll think of something."

"What's that run down old building over there?" asked Morgan, pointing to the Shrieking Shack.

"Morgan your brilliant!" exclaimed Ron. "We can practice in there! There's no way a teacher could walk in on us and the Whomping Willow will keep Umbridge out."

"Ron, you do realize we'd have a hard time smuggling nearly thirty people out of school without anyone noticing," said Hermione.

Harry thought Ron's idea was good but Hermione had a point. They could barely fit under Harry's Invisibility Cloak – and there were only three of them. How would they going to smuggle thirty people out of Hogwarts every week?

They passed by Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, where a nice pheasant quill caught Hermione's eye. She went inside, followed by Ron. Harry was about to go in too when Morgan mumbled something about buying another set of robes. She drifted to the next shop down, Gladrags Wizardwear. This reminded Harry of the detention they had served together last Monday. She must be replacing her torn uniform, thought Harry.

Doubting that Morgan wanted company, Harry entered Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and found Ron steaming over something Hermione had said.

"What's going on?"

"Ron wants to murder Michael Corner," said Hermione absently as she examined the quills on display.

"Why?"

"Because he's dating Ginny. Yes, I think I want this one." Hermione picked up a silver-gray quill and headed for the cashier.

"What?!"

"That bloke, I swear I'll wring his neck," grumbled Ron.

"Oh stop it, Ron. This is exactly why she didn't tell you earlier." Hermione paid for her quill and they stepped out of the shop. "Where's Morgan?"

"Buying a new set of robes," said Harry, pointing at the shop next door.

"Oh, well I suppose we should wait for her out here." She glanced at Ron, who was noticeably distracted by grumbling death threats to himself, before whispering, "So what's up with you and Cho?"

"Huh?"

"Didn't you notice? She could take her eyes off you back in the Hog's Head." Hermione smiled.

Warmth and something else filled him, making his heart flutter and suddenly, Harry felt as light as air. His euphoria lasted him the rest of the weekend and he was still in a good mood when he met Ron in the common on Monday morning until he saw the new educational decree that had been posted on the Gryffindor notice board.

By order of the Inquisitor of Hogwarts, all student organizations, societies, teams, groups, and clubs are henceforth disbanded. Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No student organization, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled. The is inaccordance with Educaitonal Decree Number Twenty-four.

There was much whispering among the Gryffindors, especially those who had been at Hogsmeade. Harry caught Dean and Ginny's questioning eyes but he just shook his head, telling them to drop the subject, but he knew what they were thinking. Could Umbridge have found out about their little Defense Against the Dark Arts club already?

"Come on, Ron. Let's find Hermione and see what she thinks," said Harry.

"I'll get her. She's probably still in her room." Ron ran up the girl's staircase but only managed to reach the sixth stair before the steps suddenly melted to form a slide.

"Wah!!!" Ron lost his footing and slid backwards, landing in a heap next to Harry's feet.

"Er, I'm guessing we're not allowed in the girl's dorms." He gave Ron a hand and helped him to his feet.

"That's not fair! Hermione's always in our room." Ron straightened his tie and uniform.

A few seconds later, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Hermione came sliding down, giggling.

"Ooh, who tried to go up the stairs?" asked Lavender, still giggling.

"Er, me," said Ron. "I was looking for Hermione."

Parvati and Lavender giggled harder and left, heading out the portrait hole.

"Did you need something?" asked Hermione, still smiling.

"Have you seen this?" Ron dragged her over to the notice board. She read the sign intently and frowned. "I bet that Michael bloke ratted out on us –"

"That's not possible."

"What? Why not?"

"Because I jinxed the parchment so if someone did tell Umbridge, we'd know."

"How?"

Hermione smiled, "Let's just say it'll make Neville's Mimbulus Mimbletonia look beautiful. Let's go down to the Great Hall. I wonder if the other's saw the sign."

"Hang on," said Harry. "Where's Morgan?"

"Oh, she must still be in the room. I'll go get her." Hermione headed back to the staircase but just then there was a loud crash and someone yelled as she tumbled down the slide. A bundle of black robes landed at Hermione's feet followed by a dark red hardcover book.

Morgan sat up looking very sore and irritated. "Who the bloody hell changed the stairs into a slide?!"

"Er…" Ron ducked behind Harry.

She got to her feet, massaging her back as she picked up her book.

"Sorry, I forgot to tell you. The stairs change into a slide whenever a boy tries to go up to the girl's dorm," apologized Hermione.

Morgan groaned. "Man, it's bad enough I don't get enough sleep these days, but to wake up and have to deal with this first thing in the morning…"

They made their way down to the Great Hall. Hermione filled Morgan in on the Educational Decree Number ermiHTwenty-four.

"But don't worry. We still plan to carry on," said Hermione with a smile.

Morgan, however still looked troubled. "I wonder if this is just a coincidence…"

"Well, like I said before, the parchment is jinxed so we'll know immediately if someone ratted us out."

"What if Umbridge disguised herself and listened in at the Hog's Head?" asked Ron.

Morgan shook her head. "No. None of the occupants could have been her. She's too short and her features are too noticeable."

"How would you know? You were practically buried behind your book the whole time," said Ron.

Morgan ignored him as she took her seat. She only grabbed a few pieces of toast as she once more opened her book and returned to reading.

"What is it that you're reading anyways?" asked Hermione, curious as she twisted her head to try and read the spine.

Harry, who was sitting next to Morgan, tried to peer over her shoulder to see but the way she sat made it impossible for him to even glimpse the page number.

"It's just extra reading my guardian sent me," said Morgan vaguely, making Harry feel like she was hiding something.

Just then, Harry spotted Ernie and Michael heading towards them with concerned looks on their faces. They must have seen the educational decree sign too.

"Those idiot! Don't they know they're going to make a scene?" hissed Hermione. "Sit down! We'll talk later!" she mouthed using her arms to wave them away. Luckily they got the message.

"Harry! Ron!" called Angelina, running up to them.

"What is it Angelina?" asked Ron.

"If it's about the Defense Against the –"

"No, don't you see? Umbridge is including Quidditch in the Educational Decree!"

"WHAT?!" they exclaimed loudly.

Angelina nodded. "Yeah, teams are included so I'm begging you Harry, don't lose your temper or we may not get to play at all this year."

"Okay okay! I promise I won't lose my temper," said Harry as a sinking feeling filled his stomach.

"I'll make sure he doesn't, even if I have to shove my foot down his throat to do it," said Ron, giving her a thumbs-up.

Angelina nodded and continued down the table to spread the word to the other members.

"You don't think Umbridge would actually forbid the Gryffindor Quidditch team from reforming, do you?" asked Ron.

"I hope not…" Harry checked his watch as he started on his breakfast. There was fifteen minutes left before class started. He needed to hurry and –

Suddenly Morgan sat bolt upright, looking alert and alarmed. She shoved her book into her bag and leaped to her feet.

"Hey, where you going?" asked Harry but she was already sprinting out of the Great Hall. She practically ran over the Creevey brothers in her haste to the double doors.

Hermione was watching with a very serious and suspicious look that made Harry wonder what was going on with that girl.