Chapter 6: Amateurs

In which Colin yells a lot and Luna curses me for being a twat.

…

I found this bunch around the corner by the portrait of Lady Corillea. I told them how to enter, so there shouldn't be a problem next time.

Thank you Luna.

Thirty or so students from all different years stare at me expectantly. Er…, I say, rubbing my palm on the back of my neck.

You should get started then. Don't you have a speech or something, that's how Harry used to start D.A. meetings.

The edge in Luna's voice was unexpected. When we'd planed this meeting we'd agreed to share responsibility between Luna, Ginny, and myself.

A-Aright then… I'm glad all of you came. We've all seen a lot this term. How… bad it is, with Snape as Head and the Carrows running detentions. It's only going to get worse. It's just…. R-Really bad, isn't it?

Everyone laughed. The nervousness in the new students seemed to calm. Colin started a slow clap that no one else joined.

Now that that's out of the way, Colin smirked, let's talk strategy. What we need is a castle-wide walk-out, to show Snape just who we are who he's dealing with. They can't teach us this bullshit!

The new Dumbledore's Army shifted uneasily.

Luna and I'd actually thought we'd start out with spellwork. Get everyone on the same page.

I didn't mention how the Bleeders were nowhere near ready for his plan, or any sort of resistance effort. They had no confidence, and I was supposed to be one to give it to them? We'd have to start with simple spells and hope to Merlin I could still do them myself.

Ginny had equipped the Room of Requirement with a round table and chairs, around which all the D.A. was now seated. She had called the table cliché, but the Arthurian effect it had on the D.A. lent a sense of purpose. Even Colin seemed to settle down once we were all seated and Ginny, Luna and myself began to talk about wandwork.

At Luna's suggestion we even began to demonstrate a few of the techniques. Ginny, being adept with wrist movements and a few other tricks, has everyone showering the room with sparks of their house colors. To those of us in grey uniforms, it was a small happiness.

I should have realized sooner that as Luna and I stood ten paces apart something was off. She always was the odd one, the lonely one, and so normally there was no need to worry about her.

So, as I will disarm Luna on the count of three, being careful to clear my mind of bitter thoughts as we discussed.

1-2-3-

Expellia- But I stop short when I hear the incantation from Luna;

Petrificus Totalus!

I'd heard that spell before. It didn't bring pleasant memories, as Luna knew well. The same as when I was a first year, the curse struck my chest and my limbs go tense and straight. Unable to move or correct my balance, I fall forwards, hitting the carpeted floor. If I had a nose as long as Ron's it would have broken.

I hear Colin's bemused laugh and a few others follow suit. It was infinitely more embarrassing than it had been when Hermione had cast it to prevent me stopping them retrieve the Sorcerer's Stone. How did this mean I would be able to get any sort of point across? How could they respect me?

To add to the humiliation Luna was beginning to sob over me. She hadn't thought to cast the counter-curse to her Full Body-Bind, instead her tears were bringing the D.A. into more cautious laughter. Luna herself, between, sniffs, began to giggle.

Neville, I didn't mean to hurt you! I thought you were going to disarm me!

Someone unbound me to the curse and after much rambling on my part the meeting was over. We would be meeting every few days and the three of us would be available for extra practice whenever we could schedule it.

Luna, on her way out, hugged me.

Neville, I'm sorry. I saw your face when I cast that curse. I meant to cast it, I apologize for that. You and Ginny have been my only friends. It would be horrible to lose both of you at once.

She let go and left the room quicker than I could think of an answer. To be honest, I was distracted from what she was telling me by Colin. He had cornered Ginny, who was collecting her spellbooks.

Hey don't I know you, baby Weasley? Wanna hang out with me tonight? And wake up with me? I'll eat your knickers!

She summons the last of her books from across the room, stuffs something invisible in her ear, and storms into the hall. Colin and I both follow steps behind her.

Want me to walk you back to the common room? Colin taps her on the shoulder.

She doesn't need you to do that.

Colin continues to follow Ginny, leaving me awkwardly trailing after Colin.

You know that walk-out I was talking about earlier? Why don't you help me organize it? I know its short now, but you still have the most beautiful color hair. You could be my muse, sugar tits.

No, Ginny says picking up her pace.

No? Why not?

I don't want to.

No problem. We'll do something else. Something to really rile up the Carrows. And Snape. Oi-, he says waving a hand when she continues to ignore him, I'm talking to you.

She doesn't want to talk to us, I tell him.

Shut the hell up!

What is it Ginny, do you have a problem? Are you deaf or am I not good enough?

Let her go, Colin. It's not worth it. I put a hand on Colin and he stops short.

Bye Neville, Ginny waves to me as she runs up a flight of stairs, and Colin goes dumb-faced. The staircase begins to pivot on its axis, meaning we won't be able to follow the way Ginny had taken to the portrait hole.

Colin turns on the spot.

'Bye Neville?' What do you think I am? What the fuck is that?

What what?

Watwat! What are you a fucking duck? Why'd you fuck me like that? You've been talking to her behind my back?

We were there setting up. She's Luna's best friend and so she's helping us with the D.A. Because she knows her shit Colin, not because I'm trying to talk to her behind your back.

What did you talk about?

Nothing. Spell stuff.

You think I'm stupid? How long have you been fucking?

This isn't fucking Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, Wizardy, and Sexual Exploration. You're paranoid. You don't like that I got stuck leading D.A., and you're jealous. You know I don't want to lead it, Colin. Take it if it'll make you happy.

Girls like that aren't best friends with girls like Luna. If they're so tight, why don't I see her at the Bleeder tables with you two? She's worming her way to the top because she's a pureblood little whore. I say 'Hi' to her; she ignores me, but teases me with her head-fuck mind games!

If you looked as good you'd do the same. And the last time I checked, ignoring you isn't a mind game. She wants you to step the fuck off.

Colin takes a deep breath and his hand clenches his wand as he tries not to retaliate.

You've been acting really weird lately, you know that?

...

A/N - thanks for to anyone who has put up with my fic and read this far :) you guys make my day.