Chapter 18

Dumbledore's Army

One week later, we met back in the library and Karina delievered the message to us.

"Ok. So the first meeting is on Friday at 8:00. Seventh floor, room of requirement. And Harry said that it would be best if we went down in small groups so that Umbridge won't get suspicious,"

I was excited. Real defensive magic! Now that was going to be interesting. Everyone else was interested too, although, I think it really had to do with the fact that Harry Potter was going to be teaching us. I knew that got Mirabella (one of Giovanna's friends) it was that way. She would not shut up about him. I wondered how Karina put with it. It must be weird for her, hearing that about her own cousin. Its as weird as Anthony dating Iris. Or Antonio dating Alicon. Or anyone dating either of them.

At 6:45, Cheyenne, Allegra and I quietly left the Ravenclaw Common room for our first Defense Meeting.

"I hope he's not there," Allegra said suddenly.

"Who?"

"Michael. I hope he's not there," she said, "Great. He probably will be thought. Your sister is dating Anthony Goldstein

who is his best mate, and of course, he's going to the meeting with Iris so…" Allegra stopped,

"Hey-,"

"I can't go in there," she said.

"I thought you were okay about him thought," Cheyenne stated.

"You know, I thought I was okay too. Until…,"

"Until what?"

"Until Tuesday,"

"What happened on Tuesday?" I asked, "you didn't tell us a thing!"

"I'm sorry," Allegra said, "its just we were so busy with that potions essay and history of magic paper and the herbology project,"

"Screw herbology. Tell us what happened!"

"Well," Allegra started, "He talked to me,"

"What? Oh my god!" Cheyenne exclaimed, "And you never told us!"

"You guys were quizzing each other when I came up,"

"Screw quizzing, we want to know what happened!"

'Well, I was coming back t the common room, and the question to get in was something I didn't know. You know how it likes to toughen up. Something about moonstone and the Draught of Living Death…anyways, I was stumped. So I was stuck outside the common room for a while. That's when Michael came and saw me waiting outside. And you know, I really thought he's just answer the question and be off with it. But no. He saw me and said 'hey, what are you doing out here?'"

"And what did he say?"

"well, I just said that I didn't know the answer to the question and that I was basically trapped outside. And then he answered it…something about Moonstone's properties being unaffected if dropped in the drought…I don't know. Anyways, he was then like 'After you," and let me in first and I thanked him for answering it and he said it wasn't a problem. And then he asked how I've been. And I said that ive been fine. That I was good. And he said that that was good. It was awkward. But before I could even ask him about how he's been doing, we reached the common toom and he said 'Catch up with you later,' and headed upstairs to the boy's dormitories,"

"He likes you," Cheyenne said.

"Hmph," Allegra scoffed, "no he doesn't,"

"Yes he does!" Cheyenne continued, "the signs are all there! He took notice of you at the ball last year. Danced with you. Bought you a drink. Then throughout the year he was always looking at you and watching you from afar."

"Till I made a fool of myself by sending him chocolate on Valentine's Day and then telling him that it was from me,"

"Even after that, think about it! He still couldn't seem to get over you,"

"I don't think that there's anything to get over for him.,"

"Bullshit he never felt anything, Allegra. You can see it every time he looks at you. And remember he bookstore thing you told me about. And how he saw you, panicked and walked away. Just now, he did the same thing. I think he's nervous!"

"Yeah," I agreed, "that makes absolute sense,"

"You know what I think?" Allegra asked.

"What?"

"I think I embarrass him,"

"Embarrass him? Why on earth….Allegra, you are so gorgeous and smart and talented,"

"None of that matters when you're not even 13 yet," she said, "I don't turn 13 until December,"

"Age is but a number,"

"For some people. But not to him! I mean, how would it look if Michael Corner, the biggest Ravenclaw player, who is in his fifth year, started dating a second year. It's ridiculous! How would it look? How could that be?"

I didn't know what to tell her, other than that I knew the feeling. I had been over this with Seamus so many times. Because the age difference was still there. Aside from Seamus being a twat in general…but even so. I know that there is no way that Seamus sees me the way I see him. I'm nothing but a little second year to him.

"Then he's an idiot," Cheyenne said, "Believe me, if he can't swallow his own pride because he's Michael Corner, then you deserve way better then a self-centered bastard. In the end, you know that,"

"Yeah…but he's so cute!" Allegra gushed, shaking her head, "every time I see him, he makes me feel fluttery. I get butterflies. And I can't stop looking at him…I just like him. Too much!"

"I know how that feels," I told her, "That all happens when I look at Seamus,"

She smiled sadly, "it's hopeless, isn't it?"

Cheyenne shook her head, "it's not hopeless. You can't control who you like,"

"I know,"

"And you never know what could happen,"

"I know. That's the thing. It's the part I don't know that scares me,"

"We're only in second yea," Cheyenne said, "we've got time,"

Allegra sighed. Cheyenne was right.

"honestly, you guys talk like you're adults already sometimes,:

I shrugged, "Wise beyond my years,"

Cheyenne laughed, "Allegra maybe. You not so much,"

"Hey!"

We reached the end of the Seventh floor corridor where there was a door.

"This is it," I opened it and the three of us passed through a tunnel, shutting the door behind us. The Room of Requirement was a large spacious room with mirrors lining the walls as well as shelves of Defense Against the Dark Arts supplies. There was enough room for everyone to freely move. It was perfect.

"Hey!" Karina called. She and Giovanna came running up to us.

"Glad you guys could make it!"

"Of course! Wouldn't miss it!'

The turnout was pretty big. Students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were all there.

"Hey!" Mina bounded up to us with Magnolia, "You guys made it too!"

"Sure did!" said Cheyenne.

"There's so many people!" A lot of them I noticed were older students, but there were some people I knew too. Alan, Stuart, Patrick and some of the other Ravenclaw boys were there. Jasleen, Zetta, Cheryl and everyone from my dorm. Alicon, her friend Patricia and her Hufflepuff friends. Anthony, Romilda, and Iris were in one corner talking to Ernie MacMillan and Hannah Abbot. Cho Chang and her younger sister Olympia (who was a brat that Giovanna couldn't stand). Amd the whole clan of Ravenclaw first years. Karina, Vanna, Anna, Nancy, Kandise, Desiree, Alina, Mirabella. Dean and Neville were there too (no Seamus, I noticed…go figure.) Karina was talking to Fred and George Weasley.

"Oh God," Allegra whispered, "there he is,"

I glanced at the door and sure enough it was Michael Corner and Terry Boot.

"You gonna be ok?" I asked. His presence seemed to make her level of nerves skyrocket.

"Yeah,"

"Allegra, you're shaking,"

"Gosh, Katerina, I can't help it! See? Everytime I look at him, this happens!"

I could relate. I could relate so much. As much as I tried to ignore Seamus' prescence, wheyther it be in the Great Hall at dinner, or in the library. Or even just in passing in the hallway. But it was getting easier. Somewhow.

"I know the feeling. But focus on something else. We're here to learn magic. We're here to fight back against Umbridge,"

"Right," Allegra nodded.

At that moment, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley entered the room.

"Right," Harry spoke up, "Well, this is the place we've found for practice sessions and you've-er-obviously found it okay,"

"It's fantastic!" Cho said.

"It's bizarre!" said Fred Weasley, "we once hid from Filch in here, remember George? But it was just a broom cupboard then."

"Hey Harry, what's this stuff?" Dean was in the back of the room, examining some weird looking instruments that I had never seen before.

"Dark detectors," Harry answered, "Basically, they all show when Dark wizards or enemies are around but you don't want to rely on them too much. They can be fooled,"

"Well, I've been thinking about the sort of stuff we ought to do first and-er- what?"

Hermione had her hand raised, "I think we ought to elect a leader,"

"Harry's leader," Cho said,

"Yes, but I think we ought to vote on it properly. It makes it formal and gives him authority. So- everyone, who thinks Harry ought to be our leader?" We all raised our hands.

"Er, right. Thanks. And-what Hermione?"

"I also think we ought to have a name. It would promote a feeling of team spirit and unity, don't you think?"

"Can we be the anti-Umbridge league?" Angelina Johnson asked.

"Or the Ministry of Magic Are Morons Group?" Fred asked.

"I was thinking more of a name that didn't tell everyone what we are up to so that we can refer to it safely outsode meetings,"

"The Defense Association?" Cho asked, "DA for short, so no one knows what we are talking about,"

"Yeah, the DA's good," Ginny said, "Only, make it stand for Dumbledore's army, because that's the Ministry's worst fear, isn't it?"

"That sounds great!" I said to Cheyenne who nodded in agreement.

"All in favor of the DA?" Hermione asked. She did a head count, "That's the majority. Motion passed!" Hermione took out her quill and a piece of parchment and pinned it up on the wall with the words 'Dumbledore's Army' as the title.

"And anyone who hasn't had a chance to sign yet, please do before you leave today!"

"Right," said Harry, "shall we get to practicing then? I was thinking, the first thing we should do is 'Expelliarmus'" I smiled. I knew that one well. Though for a second, it made me sad. It reminded me of the first time I met Seamus. He had saved me with that spell. Well, technically a messed up version of it; expellirumus. For a second, I wished that he wasn't behaving like such an idiotic asshole. Because this would have been a great time to tease him about that. And flirt.

"You know, the Disarming charm. I know it's pretty basic, but I've found it really useful-,"

"Oh please," one older boy interrupted, "I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You Know Who, do you?"

``I`ve used it against him," Harry said quietly, "It saved my life in June. But if you think it's beneath you, you can leave,"

He didn't budge.

"Ok. I reckon that we should divide into pairs and practice."

"Cheyenne, you come with me," Allegra grabbed Cheyenne, dragging her to the other end of the tom as far away from Michael Corner as possible. Vanna partnered with Anna. Zetta with Jasleem.

"Hey Kat!" Karina said, "wanna be my partner?"

"Sure!" I agreed and we found ourselves a space.

"Sure!" I agreed. We found ourselves a space.

"Expelliarmus!" Karina exclaimed out of nowhere.

The spell hit my shoulder disarming me and my wand went flying. All on the first try.

'Wow," Harry said, "Karina, that was brilliant!"
Karina blushed, "it was nothing,"

"Seriously," I said, "it was brilliant. Most first years can't pull something like that off!" I glanced over to Giovanna who was struggling. Her wand was giving off little red sparks, but nothing more. Even I still had trouble, despite knowing of the spell previously.

"You're too smart,"

"She's right," a voice came behind Karina.

"Smarter than you!" she retorted back at George.

"Woah, woah, Let's not get that far" George said, "Uou're a first year, I'm a seventh year,"

"Expelliarmus!" George was disarmed.

"Hey!"

"The trick is to never doubt your opponent and to always be alert to whatever they may have up their sleeve,"

"Hey! We weren't even dueling! I wasn't ready!"

"You should always be ready!" Karina retorted smugly.

"Fine, Fine. You sure you wanna give this a go?"

"As ever," Karina grinned back and she and George began firing hexes back and forth.

So much for me having a partner.

I wandered around, observing. Hermione kept disarming Ron (to some extent he was letting her win. I went over to my sister and her friends who were standing in a huddle not far away with Anna and Alina.

"Hey!"

Vanna immediately shut up.

"Hey Kat," she said sheepishly. Oh. I knew something was up.

"Whatcha doing?" I asked.

"Just practicing,"

"In a huddle?"

Alina laughed, "Giovanna, you are such a bad liar!"

"What?"

"Come on Giovanna," she urged, "spit it out,"

My sister sighed, "see Ron over there?"

"Yeah?"

"He's cute,"

I looked back at Ron and Hermione. He wasn't bad looking I decided. Not as attractive as Seamus was, but still. Not nad.

"I guess,"

"He's not just cute, he's hot!"

I shrugged.

"Oh come on. You think Seamus is hot!"

"Vanna!"

"What?" Anna asked.

"Nothing,"

"Seamus Finnigan? Really?"

"As if you're no better with your obsession with Fred Weasley," Vanna said to Anna. That shut her up. Vanna giggled.

"What?"

"We are so stupid. Having all these crushes on older Gryffindor boys. And we don't even know them,"

"Wait, I know Seamus," I said, "or rather, knew. I don't know. He still acts like he doesn't know me,"

Vanna smiled apologetically. "But should I talk to him?" She glanced back at Ron.

"If you want to,"

"But how?"

"Er, maybe ask Karina?" I suggested, "She talks to him, I bet. Especially with Harry being her cousin. And even better yet, she talks to his brothers,"

Karina and George were still firing hexes, disarming then jinxing eachother (even though we were technically still supposed to be practicing expelliarmus). How did she know so many spells? And she was muggleborn, for god sakes!

"Maybe," Vanna sighed.

"Oi, Katerina!" Alan called waving. I walked over to him.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Well….um..see..we've got a bit of a predicament," he said. I looked over and it became obvious. Patrick was just not right. He was crumoled on the floor, his legs looking oddly contorted. Almost like tentacles, in the way that they offered no support at all. It was as if his limbs had vanished, but that hadn't, had they?

"What did you do?!"

"Erm jelly legs," Alan said, "though I really didn't think of a countercurse,"

Patrick looked at me helplessly. Then glared at Alan.

"I'm sorry mate!"

"I can't walk cuz of you! I swear, once this curse wears off…" He tried to move his legs, but nothing.

"You don't happen to know the counterjinx?" Alan asked. I shook my head.

"What were you thinking anyways? Using spells that you don't even know how to use properly!"

"I don't know, heat of the moment I suppose?"

I shook my head.

"Hey Alicon!" I called. My sister looked at the mention of her name.

"Yes Kat?"

"Do you know the counterjinx for jelly legs?"

"Why?"

"My friend…well…he used it,"

She sighed and came over, muttering something at Patrick who regained feeling in his legs again.

"Ahh," he sighed, struggling to get up, "oh boy,"

"What?"

"Ahh. The bloods all rushing back to my lrgs. Think I'm gonna go sit down a bit,"

"Ok,"

Patrick hobbled away as Alicon shook her head.

"I'm warning you guys. Don't use spells that you don't know. There's no telling what could happen,"

"I told him that,"

Alan sighed, "Yeah. Wasn't thinking. Oops,"

"Oops is right. That jinx could've easily become something else. You'll learn about it later, but there have been serious accidents that have happened as a result of curses mixing,"

"I didn't know that," I said.

"You guys be careful," Alicon warned.

"Will do," Alan agreed, "I think I'm gonna just stick with expelliarmus for now," He looked at me, "partner?"

I hesitated a moment.

"Oh come on! I'm not gonna kill you!"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Alan, you guys almost killed Umbridge with the rate that those rubber ducks were multiplying in her classroom,"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Killing? Now that is an exaggeration,"

"Fine, suffocating Umbridge,"

"For a few minutes,"

"Which could have led to killing her,"

"Hey!"

"Nothing but the truth buddy,"

"I wouldn't hurt ya, I swear,"

"Fine. But if you utter a curse other than expelliarmus, I swear-,"

"Katerina, when have I ever fallen through for you?"

I shook my head.

"Expelliarmus!" he caught me off guard and my wand went flying.

"Alan!"

"What?"

"I wasn't ready!"

"You should always be ready," he winked. I rolled my eyes.

The meeting continued with more practice. By the end of it, a lot of people had mastered the charm. Vanna even managed to get it right once! The only one who was really still having trouble were the first years and Neville.

"Well, that was pretty good," said Harry, "but we've overrun, we'd better leave it here. Same

time, same place next week?"

Nods of agreement went around and with that, the meeting ended.

"See you around Kat," Alan said.

"See you,"