I want to thank everyone for the holiday well-wishes. The holidays were wonderful!

I also want to thank everyone for reading, reviewing, and for the placement on your assorted lists. Have a cup of apple cider and pumpkin pie. It means a lot to me, and I'm sincere in my thanks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, or Shakespeare's "Macbeth."

Chapter 36

In anticipation of the Defense Club, students started trickling into the Great Hall as early as 3:00pm. The tables were against the wall, with the exception of the Head Table and five chairs. On the floor were pillows big enough to be seats. Former DA members milled about, not quite cliquishly, murmuring about what was learned last year. Slytherin students from Fifth through Seventh Years were curious if this would be anything like Lockhart's failed Dueling Club. For the most part, students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff intermingled, following the example of last year's DA members, although no one knew what their common bond seemed to be but themselves. The Slytherin students mostly found seats separate from the other students.

Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle sat in front and center, as Draco had every intention of showing off and leading. With them sat all the Slytherins from Professor Masters' Sixth Year class, sans Danny. Other Slytherin students sat closer to the exit. This might be interesting, but many held Terence Higgs' perspective – if this club was more of Professor Masters' DADA class, they were leaving.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione pulled a reluctant Danny from the library, dismissing his excuse for not coming on his own: "I'm working on the paper for Uncle Vlad's class tomorrow." The paper would wait – Danny promised to come to this first meeting, and so by 3:45, the four of them made their way towards the front.

Danny noticed the arrangement of students. Turning to Harry, he asked, "Am I supposed to go over there?" as he nodded at the self-segregated Slytherins.

Harry put a hand on Danny's shoulder. "Sit where you like. This is a club. If it's anything like last year, everyone will move around a lot, changing partners as necessary. Don't worry about it."

Danny sighed and tried to be inconspicuous. He sat near Harry and waited.

At five minutes to 4, the professors drifted in, taking their seats. Vlad sat in the middle, between Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall. Professor Flitwick sat next to Professor McGonagall, and Professor Sprout sat next to Professor Snape.

Vlad observed the students. It intrigued him that every House other than Slytherin had no problem enjoying the company of students from the other Houses. Daniel looked like he tried to hide behind Harry. He was curious to see how this played out.

At four o'clock precisely, Vlad stood up, and the excited murmurs became silenced. "Good afternoon, and welcome to what will be the Defense Association. Over the course of the club's duration, any combination of at least two of us will be here and available to assist or offer advice. But this is a student run affair. As such, we will turn the floor over to the originator of the idea for the club, this year. This is your Club, but we will be on-hand. In order to guarantee that we are not going to unduly influence you (for today), we will… Disillusion ourselves." He glared momentarily. "But you will be orderly and civil. We may be invisible, but we are still here. Harry, the floor is yours."

With that, he nodded to his fellow professors, who waved their wands at themselves and their table and chairs, all of which disappeared. Vlad waved his 'wand' at himself and turned invisible.

Harry stood up and looked to Hermione and Ron. They grinned at him, encouraging him. Harry cleared his throat and began. "Last year, a few of us decided that Defense Against the Dark Arts was not complete without practicing and training. Many of us have faced the consequences of the great evil out there. Lives have been lost, families have been destroyed, and we need to be prepared to fight it.

"Last year, I let it be known that Voldemort has returned." Many students gasped at Harry's mentioning of the Dark Lord's name. "The Ministry did everything it could to suppress the truth. But now…" He scanned the audience. "Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn the skills we need to fight Voldemort and the Death Eaters." Many Slytherins' eyes hardened, but others flew wide open. Everyone deserved an opportunity, and Harry Potter, of all people, was including Slytherins.

Ron said, "Out of all the students here, Harry's had to fight evil more than anyone. He's more practiced in Defense Against the Dark Arts than any other student can claim. Like he was last year, I nominate Harry as our leader."

The Hall burst into cacophony, students clamoring both for and against Harry's nomination. Harry raised a hand to no effect. Seamus stood up, put two fingers in his mouth, and gave a piercing whistle. The room became silent. He sat back down.

Harry grinned. "Thanks, Seamus. Look – this is supposed to be student-run." Looking significantly at the Slytherin section, he said, "Like last year, we will put it to a vote. Last year, I was voted for unanimously. Something different might happen now. That will be our choice. ALL our choice. Ron nominated me." Last year's DA nodded. "Are there any other suggestions?"

Pansy Parkinson said, "I nominate Draco." There was a general eye-roll, but no one really expected her to say anything different.

Draco stood up and eyed the students. The leader of this club had to be good at DADA, no question. But the leader also had to be able to connect with people from all four Houses. While many students in Slytherin might agree that he was qualified, he already knew that people from other Houses would dismiss him. Still… a Slytherin really should be a leader. He came to a decision.

"I thank you for the nomination, but I must decline. The leader of a Club such as this definitely needs someone familiar with the Dark Arts and the Defense Against it." Every Slytherin head nodded. Other students agreed. "But if this is going to be effective, it needs the cooperation of students from all four Houses. There is one of us who has been able to get that better than any other. I nominate Danny Fenton."

There was applause and happy chatter at this from all four Houses. There were a few students who glared at Danny as a Slytherin on principle, but the majority of everyone present cheered. Vlad beamed invisibly, but he was curious to see what Daniel would do.

Danny looked at both Harry and Draco, and they each grabbed a hand and pulled Danny to his feet. Danny gulped. He waved his hands and the audience became quiet.

"Listen, guys. I thank you for your vote of confidence. I do realize what an honor this is, especially since I'm new this year, and extra-especially because I'm in Slytherin." He looked at his Housemates. "Sorry, guys, but you know that it's true."

Danny took a breath. "But as cool as that is, I can't lead this club." He closed his eyes. "Anyone in my class can tell you that I have trouble in Charms."

Professor Snape clenched his eyes and fists, and whispered, "No! You never admit a weakness publicly!"

Professor Sprout murmured back, "He's being honest, and a true leader knows when he's not necessarily the best one for a job."

Danny continued, "But I've seen Harry do amazing things. Like Ron said, he's got more real life experience than the rest of us put together. And besides, is anyone else here confident in your own skills enough to train other students to cast a Patronus?" He turned to look around. "No one, huh? Not only can Harry cast a corporeal Patronus, he tutored last year's DA and many students learned to do it. If we are going to learn Defense skills from a fellow student, I'd want to learn from Harry."

There were many people who agreed with Danny. Even Slytherin students who were anti-Harry found themselves realizing that as a student teacher, Harry would probably be most effective. Zacharias Smith folded his arms and huffed. He belonged to the DA last year and still couldn't produce more than a little silvery vapor when he shouted 'Expecto Patronum!'

Hermione stood up. "Right, then. By a show of hands, who here is in favor of Harry leading this year's Defense Association?" With a handful of abstentions, Harry won by a landslide.

Vlad grinned madly. He practically burst with pride. There were any number of reasons Danny might not have wanted to lead the club and teach the students. While Daniel opted not to be the group's figurehead, there was no doubt who pulled all the strings. Daniel unified the student body in solidarity with Harry Potter. Vlad said, "I am so proud of my boy."

Professor Snape said, "You should be."

Harry raised a hand, and the room became quiet again. "Okay. Last year, we started with a simple Disarming Spell, so we'll start with that again."

Terence Higgs sneered. "That's not all that flashy. Anyone can do it. Why would you do something like that?"

Harry rolled his eyes. It was interesting to note that a Seventh Year would have dismissed this very useful spell. "You're right. It's not flashy. But we have First and Second Years here who have not yet learned the spell. But more to the point, we haven't exactly had a steady DADA education, what with a different teacher every year. Many students might be unfamiliar with it. Further… It might be simple, but I've used Expelliarmus against Voldemort to save my life. That's why I would do something like that.

"And you might want to remember something. Last year I also worked with people older, younger, and the same age as me. It might surprise you to know how many students have not mastered that spell." Harry raised his eyebrows. "Care to have a go?"

Terence gave him a sidelong glance. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. We'll start with a demonstration. Why not?"

Terence shrugged. "Okay." The students between them cleared a path, allowing them to walk towards each other.

"Upon my mark, you cast Expelliarmus and I'll cast a shield against you. See if you can disarm me." Harry counted down from three, and Terence's Disarming spell hit Harry's shield and rebounded on him. He flew through the air from the force of his own spell and landed on a pillow.

Harry offered a hand to help Terence back up. "You see? No harm done. None was intended. But if we pair everyone up and practice the technique, everyone will have the skill, perhaps by the end of today's session. And if not, we've got plenty of time. For now, the twenty-four members of the DA from last year who are still students, including me, will help the others learn the spell, correct your technique, and see about who among the new members can help the others."

Harry was a natural leader, and with the confidence he gained from last year's DA experience, he was an excellent teacher who could delegate responsibility. Professor Snape said, "And he did this type of thing last year. And everyone has been properly included. I'm proud of him."

Vlad murmured, "You should be."

At dinner, the professors spoke about the Defense Club with excitement. Professor Dumbledore asked, "So how did it go?"

Professor McGonagall beamed. "I have rarely seen students so excited to learn. Harry Potter was elected the leader of the club. Further, I've never seen students from all four Houses cooperate quite so smoothly."

Vlad was smug. "It also helps that Daniel showed a good deal of logic when he offered his support for Mr. Potter."

Professor Dumbledore smiled. "And how was the club received?"

Professor Flitwick's eyes twinkled. "There were over a hundred students, some from each year in each House. There was a great preponderance from Gryffindor, but there was a respectable showing from the other Houses. Once they decided that Harry should lead them, the students whose names were on the list for Dumbledore's Army last year helped tutor the others. By the end of the session, there was not one student besides Danny who had the slightest difficulty with Expelliarmus, and every student cast a Protego with ease."

Professor Sprout said, "It was interesting to watch. Harry insisted that yearmates be placed together, but that often meant mixing and matching students from different Houses. Most Slytherins were distrustful (and were distrusted in return), but they all cooperated. I was very impressed."

Professor Snape seemed to ignore the merry chatter at the Head table, watching the Slytherin table intently. Many faces showed anger as students glared at students from the other Houses. Many students were happy and excited. Some students looked unhappy, as they didn't want to upset their friends. And Daniel looked hopelessly lost, and refused to look at anyone else. Snape shook his head, coming to a decision.

"Severus, is everything alright?" The Headmaster heard from everyone but the one he wanted to hear from more than any other, this evening.

"Professor, I'm going to need to call a House meeting. There isn't… no, it has to happen before things get out of hand. Professor Masters, may I have your permission to have Daniel back in his Common Room after your tutoring session?"

Both Vlad and Albus raised their eyebrows. The fact that Severus asked Vlad's permission rather than dismissing his thoughts on the matter out of hand made the old wizard realize that the respect Severus had for Vlad increased astronomically.

Vlad recognized the difference immediately: Severus lorded the fact that he took Daniel from him early on September 1 over him, and here on December 8, Severus asked his permission. Vlad wasn't sure if it was because of respect, or the fact that he recognized the importance of the growing familial bond between ward and guardian. Snape wouldn't want his growing bond with Harry disturbed, and maybe he acknowledged that Vlad wouldn't appreciate that type of disturbance, either.

"Is it important?" Vlad picked up on Severus's worried tone.

"Very."

"Then I'll send him back to the Common Room at 8:00."

Professor Snape nodded. "Thank you. I'll be right back." He left the Head Table to announce the House meeting. From what Vlad could see, a collective not-quite sigh of relief seemed to come from the students at the Slytherin table. Danny looked up at Vlad, who gave a concerned nod. Some tension seemed to leave Daniel, but all was still not right.

Professor Snape entered the Slytherin Common Room, and noted the polite expectation, as well as everything he saw at dinnertime. "Good evening, my beloved Slytherins. I noticed quite a few of you at the Defense Club, and what I saw today made me very proud." A few frowns relaxed, and a few more smiles blossomed.

"I also noticed that there are a few issues that have made quite a few of you unhappy. Perhaps many of you share similar concerns. There might be a few issues you would like to keep private. For the private things, I will be available after this meeting for as long as you need. But for now… Let us see what we can do." Many students nodded.

"Who would like to begin?" More than a few students looked ready to burst.

Theodore Nott exclaimed, "Harry Potter, sir!"

Professor Snape nodded patiently. "Fair enough. We will begin by discussing Mr. Potter. At the meeting, Mr. Fenton raised some very valid points. I was rather surprised that more than a few of you voted for Mr. Potter to head the Club, but I was quite pleased that you largely kept an open mind."

Blaise folded his arms. "I'm not sure I want to be in a club that he's the head of." Several students murmured in agreement.

"I can understand why you might feel that way. But I have a few thoughts on the matter you might consider before you decide to drop this very worthy club. Mr. Potter specifically intended it to be open to students from all four Houses."

Pansy said sourly, "And everyone knows that Potter is friends with Danny."

Danny blushed furiously, but Professor Snape headed off his comments with a raised hand. "This is true. Daniel and Harry are close friends. But the club is not open to Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Daniel. It is open to all Slytherins. From what I could tell, every student was treated as an equal." He paused for a moment. "Is there anyone who felt slighted by inattention or offense? Please tell me, and we will correct the situation."

Astoria Greengrass said, "That Hufflepuff Smith said something nasty. I was paired up with Cynthia Gale. He corrected my partner's Shield Charm, but I couldn't do mine right until Katie Bell saw me get Disarmed too many times."

Professor Snape frowned. "That is the type of thing that needs to, and WILL, be changed. Who was out of line, Mr. Smith, or Miss Bell?"

"Smith, sir. Katie helped me as soon as she saw how much trouble I was having. Smith told me I deserved what I got." There was an angry murmur. Danny looked a bit angrier than most.

The professor took two deep breaths. "I will speak to him tomorrow, and Professor Sprout will be notified. If Mr. Smith cannot tutor students equitably, he will be defrocked of his mantle of authority and leadership. Make no mistake about that." The Second Year Slytherin was mollified at present.

"If anyone else has similar complaints, I would like to address them privately. In my office, I will record any grievance so there will be no repeats of their necessity." Eight students sighed with relief. The professor stored that information for later. "Punishment will be swift, but not tonight. Tonight I will be here for you.

"I am of the mind that, if the student teachers do their jobs well, any of you who attend can and will benefit. But if you don't agree, I want you to weigh and balance the pros and cons, and decide whether being in or out of this club is in your best interest. And, of course, there is no reason you can't have study sessions to practice what some of you might learn in this club." More students nodded and looked relaxed.

"What else is bothering you?" Professor Snape asked gently.

Millicent said, "They said they had this club last year. How come no one told us?"

"Very good question, Millicent. Do you remember who was the leader of the DA last year?"

Millie frowned. "Harry Potter."

"Indeed. And as a member of Dolores Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad, surely you remember the temporary Educational Decree Number Twenty-four."

She nodded. "No team, group, or club Professor Umbridge didn't approve of was allowed."

"And did Dolores Umbridge approve of anything Mr. Potter said or did?"

"No. Actually, we ended the club." She stopped for a moment and understanding came to her.

"Considering your cooperation with the Ministry's High Inquisitor, what do you think would have been Mr. Potter's logical course of action?"

Millie pulled on a loose thread on her robes. "I guess I can see why Harry didn't include us last year." Most Sixth and Seventh Years, especially others who were on the Inquisitorial Squad, huffed indignantly, but reluctantly agreed.

Terence Higgs announced, "I think it's great that we're finally included in something on a nominal, if not actual, equal footing with students from other Houses that isn't strictly confrontational. Quidditch is always fun, and we have a superior team, but most students are all against us. Here, Harry himself worked with me. I never thought I'd see the day I'd say this, but Harry's not a bad bloke. Even if I think what we're learning with Professor Masters is rubbish, if Harry's going to…"

Urquhart interrupted, "Don't know if you remember, Higgs, but Potter totally tossed you."

Terence responded, "Yeah, he did. And I don't know if you remember, Urquhart, but Harry made it clear he wasn't out to humiliate me. He wouldn't let me alone until he said my Expelliarmus was as good as Ron's. If this is the way Harry teaches, I'm for it."

Pansy scoffed, "Huh. Equal footing. Slytherin students are better. We should have had a Slytherin leader." She glared at Draco, but especially at Danny.

Danny shrugged. "Are we better? From what I understand, in the past five years, Harry fought and either defeated or drew a stalemate with the Dark Lord no fewer than four times. I've also been made to understand that most people don't get to fight the Dark Lord more than once and live. With Harry's track record, I would think that any student willing to hone his or her skills in the DA would like to learn from a guy who's proven himself over and over, rather than someone you might be best buddies with but can't cast a spell to save his life."

"Sounds like someone's stuck on the hero-worship of Saint Potter," Tracey Davis quipped.

Danny looked askance. "No, it sounds like I've had to fight for my life, teaming up with people who've hated me when we weren't fighting a common enemy." Danny crossed his arms and looked away from everyone, at the nearest fireplace.

Everyone in the room dropped whatever train of thought they had before and stared at Danny. Draco, who sat closest, snuck an arm around Danny's shoulder. In his anger, his mysterious American friend revealed more about himself in one moment than he had in the rest of the three months they knew each other.

Professor Snape realized this, too. But before he could say anything, a younger student, Malcolm Maddox, asked, "You fought for your life? Why would anyone want to hurt you?"

Goyle didn't need to see Danny's horrified face to realize how badly shaken he was by his inadvertent admission. "That's Fenton's business. Don't ask. You don't need to know." He glared at other students in the Common Room as if daring them to challenge him on this. Their bald looks of curiosity died away, but that didn't mean they wouldn't scheme about it at a later time.

"Thanks, Goyle," Danny whispered.

"No problem."

Professor Snape studied the faces of his troubled students. Resentment against Harry Potter leading the DA seemed to have evaporated as the curiosity about Daniel set in.

"Gregory is right. Mr. Fenton deserves his privacy. Mr. Malfoy will cheerfully take points from anyone who tries to delve too deep into Daniel's background, and that says nothing about what I will do. My job is to protect all of my Slytherins, and speaking about what happened in America is too painful a topic for Mr. Fenton." Many shoulders drooped. Professor Snape never threatened to take points away from his own House, unless there was a danger that some Slytherins would harm their Housemates. Further, the good professor allowed no one intra-House to punish other Slytherin students besides himself or a prefect. There was that incident that happened a few years ago that Marcus Flint was called upon to redress… No one wanted to think about that. The message was received: hands-off Danny Fenton.

"Does anyone else have any thoughts you would like to share about the Defense Association?" There was no more burning anger that needed to be defused. Many students looked pensive with their own concerns. "Very well. I want to remind all of you how very proud you have made me. Personally, I believe that it will serve your best interests to sharpen your Defense skills in this club, but the choice is ultimately yours. As I told you on September 1, I will support you, regardless of the choices you make. For now, I know some of you need and want private appointments. Come to me at your leisure. I will be waiting for you."

Professor Snape was a little surprised that Danny was the first to come to his office. "Welcome, Daniel." Danny took a seat. "What is on your mind?"

Danny clasped his hands and stared at them for a few seconds. Then he met Professor Snape's gaze. "I don't want to join the club."

Professor Snape's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that. "Alright. May I ask why?"

"I can't do magic, Professor. It's bad enough that I sit in Charms and don't accomplish anything. I mean, yeah, I pay attention to the wand movements and stuff. We're spending more time on wordless spells. But all I need is one more place to show my complete failure to produce a single spell. It's humiliating, and I don't want to do it."

That is logical, Snape mused. "Then why did you work so hard to advocate Harry's leadership?"

" 'Cause he's the best one there is. He knows what he's talking about, and he's an awesome tutor. I meant all those things I said about him. But I never said I wanted to join the club. I said that if people wanted to sharpen their skills that Harry makes the most sense to student teach."

Danny folded his arms. "I'm a Muggle, plain and simple. And unless Desiree shows up and turns me into a wizard (she can do that, you know. Don't mess with a wishing ghost's magic), all I'll do is foolish wand waving, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Snape blinked. Danny shrugged. "Uncle Vlad and I read Macbeth earlier in the semester." Ah. That explained it.

"Daniel, your objections are valid and more than fair." The professor narrowed his eyes in thought. "Daniel, let me ask you this. Is your main objection against the atmosphere, the appearance of failure in the eyes of other students, or something else?"

"I don't want them thinking that I'm a failure. I don't want them to call me a loser." Danny had Spectra to thank for that lovely flashback.

Professor Snape gave a small smile. "Fair enough. Although I doubt anyone would even think of calling you a loser, Daniel. You must know you are the most widely sought after student. For the next few days, a few of our Housemates might fuss over your support of Harry Potter, but you have enough supporters that those few days will be all the time they have before your friends help them change their minds. Forcefully, if need be."

"I have supporters?"

Severus smiled. "Indeed."

Danny sighed. "And if I don't go, I'll have other problems."

This was a line of thought the good professor didn't anticipate. "What problems do you mean?"

"Uncle Vlad is really excited about this club. I mean, it really is a good idea. I just think it will hurt his feelings if I don't go."

Snape's eyebrows shot up. "Daniel, your uncle may be the head of Defense Against the Dark Arts, but he is very much aware that both of you are Muggles. Why do you think this club has the extensive faculty sponsorship it does? He knows that he can't cast spells to demonstrate them. He is well aware that you can't, either."

A temporary distraction was in order. "Your guardian is particularly proud of what you did today."

Danny jerked his head. "What?"

"He crowed about how what you did was worthy of him."

Danny's eyes grew wide. "What do you mean? What did I do? My ectoplasmic glass in place of Protego is okay, but he can form something small in his hand – say, the size of a fly-swatter – and mentally project it into a much bigger form. I can't do that yet."

"Daniel, with a well-reasoned argument, you turned the entire anti-Harry contingent of the student body to Harry's favor. While many Slytherin students weren't thrilled at the idea (and I will most assuredly hear from them soon), they saw the logic of your arguments."

Professor Snape smirked. "It was gentle and benign, so please don't take offense at what I'm about to tell you." Danny cocked his head curiously. "Vlad is particularly pleased because you manipulated the students who disagreed with you into seeing things your way. There weren't many, but there were a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs – Mr. Zacharias Smith is an odd one who needs to be dealt with – who shared the general anti-Harry sentiment. Using logic and their own emotion against them (you may or may not have noticed the curious or almost greedy expression that came over many when you mentioned Harry's ability to not only produce a Patronus, but to teach others to do it)… The non-Slytherin anti-Harry contingent unanimously changed their minds. The Slytherin anti-Harry contingent is still a mixed bag of reviews, but many voted for Harry because of you."

"Me?"

"You. They 'know' that you are the nephew of the Defense instructor, and the Slytherins are aware of your daily extra lessons with him. Whether some agreed with you because they believe you have a serious edge in the field, or they agreed with you because your logic bowled them over, or they agreed with you because they think if they got on your good side you'll share more of your secrets with them…"

A horrified look crossed Danny's face. "No way! That's… that's… completely nuts!"

Severus's smile broadened. "Never underestimate the deviousness of the Slytherin mind. Including your own."

"But…"

"Vlad is thoroughly pleased that even though you are not the leader Draco wanted you to be, you were much more of a leader by having the audience agree with you so thoroughly that even if they didn't want Harry, they had a supremely difficult time coming up with an attractive alternative. You, yourself, might have been one, but you expressed why Harry was infinitely better. It would thrill his sense of irony if you brought the students under your sway to your decision and then did not show up. It would be a successful, complete manipulation."

"But…"

"And I know how he feels, because I'm just as proud. Not because you highlighted the more impressive qualities of my ward (although you did), but because you knew what you wanted – a lack of recognition in Defense Against the Dark Arts. You deflected attention to someone you felt was a worthier target, and you settled into the background, where you desired to be in the first place.

"There are all kinds of ambition. Power, recognition, fame, and fortune are the most easily recognizable forms. But getting what you want as you want it is a different kind of ambition. It isn't necessarily harmful to others, as it can be completely benign. In this instance, you put Harry in the spotlight, and took yourself out of it, which ultimately benefits everyone involved. Very nicely done."

Danny beamed. He wasn't sure he liked the idea that he manipulated people, but a diadem-sponsored moment of inspiration made him realize that in one fell swoop, he got several things he was looking for. Harry was the leader of the DA, as he should be, Vlad was proud of Danny for helping Harry to get there, Professor Snape was proud of him for removing himself from undue attention gracefully, and no one would particularly care if he didn't show up at the next meeting. This was great!

Severus smiled. Daniel was in a much better mood than he had been since the club. But the boy wasn't the only one capable of manipulation. "I would like to revisit an idea we discussed earlier. You said earlier that your main objection against belonging to the club is the appearance in front of the other students."

"Yeah."

"But we know you can come, and you wouldn't appear to be there at all."

Danny raised his eyebrows. "You're saying I should come, invisible, and probably intangible, to the DA?"

Bright boy. Snape figured Daniel would get there, eventually. "Absolutely. The spells that are practiced would be infinitely useful to know. There will be two professors on hand at any meeting. You can observe the spells and how they're used, and you can observe which students have mastered the spells. All of the sponsoring professors know you are a ghost, so if you ask questions invisibly, nothing will be given away. We may have something new to discuss during our morning meetings. What do you think?"

"I think I like the idea." Danny was quiet for a moment. "Would it be okay if I went to talk to Uncle Vlad? I just… I don't know. I just want to talk to him."

Today was an emotional day. It was a perfectly reasonable request. "Go ahead, Daniel. Take as long as you need, but try not to come back too late."

"Thanks, Professor."

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