This time, Amanda planned carefully. She knew that just following someone into the mysterious room was impossible, so she decided to work on Neville.
She cornered him outside the greenhouses one afternoon. "I've heard rumors about you."
"What kind of rumors?"
"That you're planning something against the Carrows."She shuddered at the thought of the vile pair. "I could help you."
Neville quickly pulled her into a shadowy corner. "What do you know?"
"Just that."
He frowned. Well, if you really want to help, meet me in the common room tonight at 8."
He walked away, leaving Amanda to celebrate her victory alone.
That evening she waited in the common room for Neville, and when he finally appeared jumped up and ran eagerly to his side.
"There you are, Amanda. We should get going." Nearly everyone else in the common rom had already slipped away.
As they walked through the corridors, Neville explained his secret.
"An army?" Amanda asked. "Do you really think a bunch of kids can defeat the Dark Lord?"
"We can help."
Stopping in front of a blank wall, Neville began pacing back and forth muttering to himself. A door suddenly appeared.
"Just one thing, Amanda. If you're going to join us you have to believe in Harry Potter."
"Yeah, of course." She didn't much care about Harry Potter, in fact still half believed him a criminal, but she'd say anything to get a look at Hogwarts' deepest secret.
They stepped through the door into a room hung with the banners of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and crowded with students.
"OK, guys." Neville announced. "Let's do freeform duels today. And try not to hurt each other."
The students split into pairs and soon the cries of spells sounded from dozens of lips.
"You can be my partner, Amanda. "
"That sounds good."