Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I sat in the common room, studying for our OWLs, when Harry spotted something in the fire.
"Sirius!" Harry cast his books aside and hurried to the fire. I hurried behind and kneeled beside the warm flames.
"Harry," Sirius greeted, "don't worry about your scar. It burns when Voldemort feels strong emotions, which is probably what has been happening. I don't believe it is because of Umbridge. Although she is quite unpleasant, I do not believe she is a death eater"
I wasn't so sure.
"If it would make you feel safer, I could transform into a dog and accompany you to your next trip to Hogsmeade-"
"No way," Harry protested.
"It's too dangerous, Sirius" I frowned.
He sighed, "James would have enjoyed the risk"
I watched as Sirius disappeared into the fire.
"That sadistic toad!" I huffed, "she's taking over the entire school!"
Umbridge had been named High Inquisitor, which basically means she can strut round Hogwarts like she owns the place. She had visited all of the classes and criticized each teacher. Poor Trewlany's prediction had been shot down. Professor McGonogall seemed furious to be in her presence at all. Worst of all, she had turned Defense Against The Dark Arts into some sort of preschool class. I hadn't learned a thing!
"There's nothing we can do about it," Harry stated.
"Maybe not, but we can do something about Defense Against The Dark Arts. Harry, we could have our own study group. You could teach us!"
"Jenny," he seemed unsure.
"That's a great idea! Harry, it's the only way to pass our OWLs!" Hermione beamed at the chance to learn.
"This is mad, who'd want to be taught by me?"
"Look on the bright side: you cant be any worse than that old toad face," Ron assured him.
"Thanks, Ron"
"Harry, you've fought You-Know-Who, slain basilisks and dragons, fought off death eaters and dementors. If anyone should be teaching us how to defend ourselves- it's you"
I was eager to get to this meeting. I had invited tons of people, including the entire quidditch team.
I was nervous to get to this meeting. What if no one showed?
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I were positioned at the front of a room full of students. There had to be at least twenty crowded in Hog's Head. Ron sat at the table we had up front while Harry, Hermione, and I stood nervously.
"Uh… hi" Hermione cleared her throat, looking around the room.
"So, you all know why we're here," I continued, "we need a teacher"
"A proper teacher. One who's had real experience defending against the dark arts," Hermione added.
"Why?" someone asked.
"Because You-Know-Who's back, you tosspot!" Ron defended.
"So he says," the boy argued, referring to Harry.
"So Dumbledore says," Hermione corrected.
"So Dumbledore says because he says! The point is, where's the proof?"
"Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed-" another boy joined.
"I'm not going to talk about Cedric, so if that's why you're here, clear out now," Harry snapped, turning towards the exit, which just so happened to be past me. "Come on Jenny, they're here because they think I'm some freak-" he tried to convince me to let him by.
"Is it true you can produce a Patronus charm?" Luna asked suddenly, grabbing Harry's and my attention.
"Yes," I answered when Harry didn't, "a stag"
"Blimey, Harry! I didn't know you could do that!" Dean exclaimed.
"And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledore's office," Neville added.
"Third year, he fought off about a hundred dementors at once," Ron contributed.
"Last year, he really did fight off You-Know-Who in the flesh," Hermione began.
"Wait- look, it all sounds great when you say it like that, but the truth is most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help-"
"He's just being modest," Hermione insisted.
"No, Hermione, I'm not. Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow, but out there when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die before your eyes… you don't know what that's like"
"You're right Harry, that's why we need your help. If we're going to have any chance at beating Voldemort-" I paused when I saw the reaction on everyone's face from hearing his name.
"He's really back," a young boy gaped. I nodded.
"So… anyone who wishes to sign up, just come up and sign your name," I cleared my throat. I moved away from Harry's side and stood beside the table where Ron and Hermione sat, a piece of parchment and a quill lying before them. I found myself missing Harry's company, and to my relief he shifted to stand beside me. I smiled at him as a line formed on front of the table. It seemed everyone was going to join. I squeezed Harry's hand excitedly; elated to see it was a success.
"Harry, I have to go"
"Why?" his smile faded.
"I, er, promised I'd tutor Adry," I nodded at Adrienne, who waved and hurried over.
"Hey Jenny, hey Harry," she stood away from the line and joined us.
"Adry, we'd better get going. By Harry!" I hurried out with Adrienne, pulling her beside me.
"What was all that about?" she asked once we were clear of Hog's head.
"Sorry, I just panicked"
"Panicked? About what?" then something clicked in her head, "oh, I see"
"What?" I looked at her, puzzled. I didn't think I had explained anything to her, so how could she know more than me?
"You know," she waggled her eyebrows.
"No… I really don't"
She laughed, "oh come on Jenny. Don't make me say it!"
"Say what? What?" my voice rose from excitement or frustration, I couldn't tell.
"You like Harry," she smiled.
"I d-" I began, but stopped when she finished.
"He likes you, too"