14. Neville's Return of the DA

As Harry passed the Great Hall, the clattering of plates and the chattering of students filtered though the open doors. He kept his cloak on until he reached the fat lady's portrait, where he slipped it off again, giving her quite a start.

'Ooh!' she said, sweepingly clutching at her chest 'I do wish you wouldn't! I lose ten flakes off my paint work every time you do that.'
'Sorry' he said. She breathed pointedly for a moment, continuing her dramatics, and then she straightened, obviously feeling her moment was over.

'That was quite a speech you gave last night.' she said, eyeing him with snobby appreciation.
'What happened after I left?' he asked hesitantly. An amused smile played across her lips.

'I've been hanging here for so long I've lost count of the years, and I have seen a thing or two in that time.' She looked at him under her brow 'One thing I've learned, is never underestimate the teenagers ability to ignore the truths of wisdom. What you said is exactly what they needed to hear, even if they don't know it yet.'

Harry sighed, 'Lobalug.'
'That's not the password.'
'What? It was last night when I left.' Harry frowned.
'True.' She had her hands, one over the other in front of her. Harry waited for a moment until it was clear she was not likely to say anything further.

'Well?' he said impatiently.
'Well what?' she raised an eyebrow. Harry let out his breath impatiently and turned to head down to the Great Hall.
'Where are you going?' the fat lady said indignantly.
'To find someone who will give me the new password!' exasperation laced his voice.
'Poppycock!'

'Pardon me?' Harry turned.

'The password, its "poppycock". One of the Slytherin sixth year Prefects chose it.'
'Poppycock?' He repeated. The portrait door swung open.
'Like I said, ignorance in the face of wisdom.' she added from behind the door.

The common room was practically empty, only Neville and Colin Creevey were sitting at one of the tables under a window. They looked extremely concerned over whatever it was they were writing, so much so, they didn't even notice when Harry crossed the floor and climbed the stairs to his room. As soon as he had placed the scroll safely at the bottom of his trunk, he shoved the backpack under his bed and pulled out some fresh clothes to change into. He welcomed the full day of classes ahead, figuring it would help to take his mind off the coming evening, which loomed over him like a dark shadow.

When he finally caught up with Ron and Hermione outside Charms class, they both looked tired and hassled. Harry was grateful they didn't start in on him for leaving them behind to deal with aftermath of his speech, but he couldn't help feeling guilty anyway as he tried to fill them in on his conversation with Lupin.

It proved awkward however; as Neville, Seamus and Dean kept hovering in the hopes that Harry might start sharing some of his information with them now as well. But this was not the sort of information he could share, and it made him feel doubly guilty when they finally gave up, taking the hint. He decided to not tell any of them about Lupins attack, not even Ron or Hermione. He knew how Lupin felt about it, and it seemed to Harry that even though it had been a Death Eater that had been killed, Lupin was far from proud of it, and would wish as few people to know as possible.

Charms class seemed to drag, the normalness of it grating on Harry's nerves, making him moody and snappy. After waiting impatiently for weeks for his moment with Bellatrix, Harry was finding these last few hours unbearable. He wanted Bellatrix stopped and brought in to pay for her crimes, but the fact that it was Snape who had handed him the means to do it, left a bad taste in his mouth.

It was an understatement that something about it all didn't sit well with him, but what choice did he have? Bellatrix was destructive to the core, she held little or no regard for human life, except possibly her own, Harry thought viciously. He had to take the only opportunity he'd been given.

Harry went to the Great Hall with the others for lunch, though when he sat down to face the piles of steaming hot, meticulously prepared food, he had absolutely no appetite. As he sat watching people load their plates, Hermione started spooning peas and corn onto his, shooting him challenging looks.

'Don't bother. I'm not hungry.' He said. She looked at him through narrowed eyes.
'What's going on Harry?'
'Nothing.'
'Come off it,' Ron interjected 'we know when something's up. Spill!'

'I'm waiting for the Halloween feast tonight.' Harry said truthfully. Hermione was still regarding him suspiciously.
'Oh really?' she said sarcastically 'I expect you'll eat loads then, of course.'
'That's right.' Harry said, getting more than a little irritated.

'Hey,' Neville had just arrived at the table. He sat down opposite Harry and handed Hermione a bit of parchment. 'This is the lot, so far. They're all set, they'll be ready when needed.' Hermione skimmed it quickly.

'I had hope there'd be more than this.' she frowned.
'I reckon there will be soon.' Neville said, smiling at Harry.
'What is it?' He asked.

'A list of people in the DA.' She said as she handed it to him. There were twelve people on the list. Harry, Hermione and Ron came first, followed by Neville, Dean and Seamus, then Ginny, Harry's stomach tightened at her name, then Luna and Ernie, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott and lastly Colin.

'No real surprises there,' Ron said, reading over Harry's shoulder.
'I haven't seen you organizing this.' Harry said, looking at Hermione questioningly.
'That's because I didn't. Neville did! All I did was enchant some more coins.'

Harry smiled at Neville who was blushing slightly. He had come to school this year with a determination that even surprised Harry. 'Actually, I was thinking ... we need to appoint a coordinator, someone in charge of keeping everyone updated. Make sure we're all on the ball. What do you think?' he asked.

'I-I thought that's what you three did?' Neville said tentatively.
'Harry's right,' Hermione chimed in. 'we're swamped, what with the Defence classes and everything. You'd be perfect for the job!'
'Well … I-I guess…'
'Excellent!' Ron interrupted 'That's settled then, lets eat!'
Hermione prodded her finger at Harry's plate. 'All of us!' she said sternly.

Maybe it was Neville's pleasure at his new assignment, but Harry was suddenly not in the mood to argue. He picked up his fork and pierced a piece of cauliflower coated in cheese sauce, and lifting it under Hermiones watchful gaze, he shoved the whole thing into his mouth defiantly. Once he started chewing, it wasn't as difficult as he'd expected, and he finished off the cauliflower and started on some Brussels sprouts, aware that he had a long afternoon ahead of him.

Neville rushed down his food and then jumped up from the table and made a swift exit as Harry put his own fork down with still half a plate full of beefsteak and mushrooms left. He looked to the staff table.

McGonagall's eyes were roaming over the students, and Harry automatically followed her gaze. Everyone was chatting and tucking into their food as always, and it struck Harry how vulnerable they all were. Sharing the Gryffindor tower with the whole of the sixth and seventh years, and conducting the younger students in Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, meant that unlike previous years, he recognized everyone's faces as he looked around.

Things had changed so much, that he couldn't help wondering if Hogwarts would ever be the same again. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the entrance of an assortment of brown and grey owls, flying in through the high windows and circling around the enchanted ceiling. Harry didn't bother to look for Hedwig, having pretty much given up on receiving any mail.

A magnificently sized tawny frogmouth owl landed in front of Hermione importantly. Its markings were striking; it's grey and brown feathers looked extremely well groomed and it's blue-black flecks lining the edge of its face and wings gave it a very regal appearance. Lifting its beak and leg in the air at the same time in a haughty and obviously well practiced manner, it waited for Hermione to untie the scroll from it's leg before launching itself with its impressive wingspan and swooping silently and elegantly over the tables and back up and out through the windows.

'Bloody show off.' Ron said sullenly, clutching Pig in his fist in an effort to stop him from leaving footprints all over his mashed potato as he danced around enthusiastically on Ron's plate. He pulled a message from Mrs. Weasley off the little owls leg, as Hermione opened the ornate blue wax seal on her scroll, unravelling it. She started reading it and then stood up, flushing brightly, and made to climb over the bench seat to leave, but Ron grabbed her arm, looking up at her guilty expression.

'Read it here.' He said, his face suddenly serious. Harry had guessed the same thing as Ron had, and took hold of her robes to urge her back down between them. She swung herself back down slowly and reluctantly opened the scroll once more. 'What does it say?'

Harry had never heard Ron speak so gravely to Hermione when she was so obviously embarrassed, he normally took the opportunity to tease her into a further state of red-faced flustering. He could sense there was trouble brewing.

Harry and Ron both leaned in so no one else would be privy to the contents of the letter as she took a deep breath, and read out quietly.

'Dearest Hermione' she spoke in a squeaky telltale voice that she was very uncomfortable sharing this with them. After reading ahead a couple of lines to herself, she seemed to decide she could not go through with reading it aloud, and held the letter away from her so that Harry and Ron could peer over her arms.

'I was rather surprised, and yet somewhat delighted, to hear from you. I always suspected there was a little spark between us. You were frequently attentive to me in our DA classes together. I will admit, of course, I noticed you too, though I have to say, your abrupt manner was a trifle off-putting.'

'Prat!' Ron said ungraciously, 'Never figured out it was just him you were abrupt with then?'

'You obviously tried to catch my eye on more than one occasion last year, but I always rather thought you had another target for your affections in mind. Still, it is said you should never try to second guess a woman in love.'

'Git!' Ron scoffed, obviously cheesed-off . Hermione was cringing in her chair.

'Friends of the family are hosting a Champagne and Lobster dinner party next week, there will be a number of young suitors attending, both male and female, and although I am one of the most sort after bachelors that frequents these suppers, I have yet to procure myself a partner. I am prepared to take you as my date, though you must remember we move in high social circles and your conversation and dress standard would need to suit.'

'What an insufferable snob.' The distaste in Hermione's voice unmistakeable.

'I await your reply; though don't leave it too long, I am likely to be snapped up soon by some other lovely young lady otherwise.

Yours most sincerely,

Zacharias Smith'

'Doesn't sound like he's exactly head over heels,' Ron muffled a smirk with his hand. 'Maybe you haven't made the love potion strong enough.'

'I haven't used it yet!' Hermione scowled at him 'This is just his own delusional take on things.' Ron suddenly didn't seem to find it so funny anymore.

'What? You mean he likes you anyway … without the potion?'
'Is that so hard to believe?' she said a little angrily.

'Well, no. Its just … we didn't bargain on that, did we?' Harry watched Ron, as he gradually turned pink. 'I mean, its going to make the potion's effects stronger isn't it? And what happens when you're finished with him? He might not be easy to get rid of. What are you going to do then?'

'Ron, it's a potion, when its worn off he'll go back to normal, normal for him anyway.' Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
'Yeah, but he likes you, and by the sound of things, the only reason he hasn't approached you because you treat him like the pretentious boob he is!' he frowned.
'It wont be a problem Ron, he's far too narcissistic to swoon over me for long once the effects wear off.' She waved her hand at him impatiently.

'I don't know' Harry said.
'Not you too?' she sighed.
'It could be difficult, now that he's already shown a genuine interest you. A love potion's usually used on people who lack those feelings isn't it. Don't you think it will heighten the effect?' Harry said cautiously, knowing Hermione wasn't in the best of moods now.

'Maybe, until it wears off, but its only for a short time. Don't worry!' she said, looking from one to the other. Ron did not look as if she had put him at ease at all, and Harry couldn't blame him. Zach was extraordinarily arrogant and was rather thick skinned. He wasn't the sort who was used to taking no for an answer. Harry wondered if under the circumstances, he would have let Ginny do it in her place.

It was then that Harry realized he hadn't seen Ginny. He looked around searchingly. Lunch was almost over, and the plates would be cleared any minute.

'Where's Ginny?' he asked of no one in particular, his voice louder than before.

'I saw her up in the common room before I came down.' Lavender, who was sitting nearby offered 'I asked her if she was coming, but she said her and Luna had something to do.' Harry frowned, for some inexplicable reason he had the distinct feeling her absence meant she was up to something. Before he could think about it any longer, the plates vanished and the remaining people in the Hall straggled out.

Harry headed off to his private session with Sir, while Ron left for the Common Room to study, and Hermione drifted off to Arithmancy. Harry had learned over the past few weeks that he could expect anything when he entered the classroom, so he was already preparing himself as he walked down the corridor.

A strange feeling was growing in him, and he scoffed at his own over-sensitivity, before hearing the faintest crackling sound behind him. He reacted before he could think, and dropped to the floor, rolling on his back with his shoulders off the ground, and his wand gripped firmly in both hands, staring in the direction the hex had come from. The coat of armour behind him clanged and clattered as the beam of light hit it. Harry was panting as he scrambled to his feet, still unable to see where the attack had come from.

'You walked straight past me.'Sir grunted 'I could have hit you at point blank range.' Harry was searching the area in front of him. Slowly Sir came into view, seeming to melt out of the wall, the disillusionment charm he had been hiding under reversing.

'How am I supposed to fight something that's invisible?' Harry said wearily as he got to his feet and replaced his wand in his robes.
'If you can't figure that out, then you're not going to last long.' He said with out looking at him, as he opened the door to the classroom. Harry followed him in.
'You're asking the impossible.' he said under his breath.

'The impossible?' Sir turned on him suddenly 'What is it you think we have been doing here, Potter?' Harry could tell this was one of those questions Sir deliberately asked, knowing Harry would not give him the answer he wanted.
'You're teaching me how to duel and-'

'Wrong! You already know how to duel; you've proved it on quite a number of occasions. Do you think McGonagall would've trusted the education of the younger students to you if you couldn't teach them how to defend themselves?' He turned away from Harry again and walked down to the cleared area in front of his desk.

Harry stayed where he was. Sir had a way of making him feel incredibly stupid and naive at times like this. 'What was your instinct as you were walking down that corridor?' he asked Harry challengingly.

'I felt like I was being watched.' He said reluctantly.
'And yet you chose not to act on it. Why?'
'I though I was being paranoid.' He said quietly, his eyes on the floor space between them. Sir jutted a finger at him pointedly.
'Trust your instincts. They are the main reason you are standing here today.'
'How do I know when I'm right?' Harry asked, walking towards him slowly.
'Feel it. I was under a disillusionment charm and that leaves a mark. Magic leaves a mark.'

That night in the cave Dumbledore had been able to sense enchantments, pinpoint them with an accuracy that had mystified Harry at the time. Now that he thought about it, Harry had also been quite certain that years ago his invisibility cloak had not fooled Dumbledore when they had stood in the same room as each other whilst he wore it. Sir was watching Harry when he finally met his gaze.

'Can you teach me to sense magic?' he asked, it seemed almost impossible to Harry.
'You already can, though you still have a long way to go if it's going to be of any real use to you. You have to learn to trust your instincts.'
Harry nodded slightly. Then another thought occurred to him.

'Can you teach me Occlumency?'
'Learning how to sense magic is the most useful ways of detecting when someone is trying to enter your mind. You can block it before they even get close.' He seemed intensely focused on Harry.
'But that's the problem; I can't block it, I've tried.' Harry said gravely. Sir studied Harry for a moment.

'First things first, if you're going to stay alive long enough to worry about having your thoughts read, then you need more drilling. I think its time we moved outside.'

They spent the rest of the session hovering on the edges of the DarkForest, Harry moving through the trees, waiting for Sir to strike. It was the most arduous session Harry had been put through yet. A couple of times Harry spent almost twenty minutes by his reckoning, waiting for some sign of Sir's attack. It was too easy to drop his guard when he was tiring from a constant state of alertness, and Abe seemed to know exactly when to strike to get the maximum impact.

On the first lengthy wait, Harry had wielded a spectacular shield charm just in the nick of time, trusting in his instinct, though he had already cast the shield charm several times previously as a false alarm. The second time however, he was wearying, and found himself flung against a nearby tree trunk, unable to react in time to deflect the stun. When Sir had enervated him back to consciousness, he had felt extremely agitated and a embarrassed that he was still getting caught.

His body ached and he felt stretched, pushed to the point of exhaustion as he headed back up to the Common Room. When he climbed through the portrait hole, he was met by wary looks from the other students that littered the area. Harry knew it was primarily because he looked terrible, and he suspected they still feared he might launch into another rant given any sort of provocation.

Ron and Hermione, were sat with most of the other DA members, only Ginny seemed absent, yet again. They all looked up at him with varying degrees of worried or dubious expressions.

'What is he doing to you?' Hermione asked, a deep frown etched across her face. It appeared she spoke for all of them as they stared at him.
'Preparing me.' Harry said flatly 'I'm going to get some sleep. Wake me around five will you?' he directed at Ron.
'Maybe you should stay in bed for the night, you look awf-'

'NO!' Harry directed far to sharply at Ron, his tiredness getting the better of him. 'I don't want to miss the feast, I mean.' He added in a more controlled voice.
'You wont really be missing much,' Dean said.
'Yeah, it's the same thing every year, nothing special.' Added Seamus. Harry sighed in a clearly irritated way.

'If you wont wake me, I'll stay up.' He said as he threw himself on the sofa beside Luna. He noticed instantly that Ron and Hermione were glaring at him questioningly. He knew what they would be thinking. He had shown so little interest in food lately, that they were finding it hard to swallow that he was suddenly so desperate to go to the Halloween feast to gorge himself.

'I'll wake you.' Luna volunteered 'You won't want to miss the Puffle Crubwoofats!'

'Er ... the what?' asked Hannah hesitantly.

'Puffle Crubwoofats. They only come out on Halloween, and even then only every sixteenth one.' She said. 'And tonight is the night.' She said, her protuberant eyes widening in anticipation.
'And what, dare I ask, is a Puffed Snub-hoofer?' Ernie asked.
'Puffle Crubwoofat' she corrected him 'It a pumpkin headed creature that runs up to your front door, knocks, and then runs away again.'

'What's the point in that?' Ron screwed his face up.

'When the owner of the house comes out, they appear from behind the bushes in groups of five or six at a time, then they light their heads up and perform a most interesting re-enactment of the greatest love story ever to come out of their culture.'

'Er … why?' Susan looked completely befuddled.
'Oh, it's a long story-'

'Well, I think I'll hear about it another time, Luna' Harry stood up again 'don't forget, wake me at five, okay?'
'Have a good sleep. Anyway' Luna turned back to her reluctant audience 'Legend has it…'

Harry was once again aware that Hermione and Ron's suspicious gazes were following him as he headed up the stairs. It was just after three pm, which meant he had almost two hours to catch up on some sleep. He had no idea what he would be called upon to do this evening, but in his current state, he wouldn't stand much of a chance against Bella, so some sleep was essential. He didn't bother changing, or getting under the covers. He collapsed onto his bed, pulling the curtains together to shut out the light, and laid back.

When he finally awoke, he remembered nothing after his head had hit the pillow. Luna came into focus, standing over him as he put his glasses on. The room was dark, lit only by a low lamp.

'Harry'
'Thanks Luna, what time is it?' he asked groggily.
'Almost six,' she said vaguely.
'What?' Harry suddenly threw his feet on the floor, shaking his head clear. He stood up and opened his trunk hurriedly, fumbling with the latch in his haste. 'Why didn't you wake me earlier?' he said angrily.

'The others seemed to think I should let you sleep. I had to sneak away from them in the end as they were heading to the Great Hall. I managed to lose them on the stairwell.'

Harry barely heard her as he rummaged through his gear, finally locating the scroll and slamming the lid down behind him. He took off out the door, Luna calling after him to wait, so he turned and took a few steps back towards her, grabbed her hand, and pulled her after him, going as briskly as she would allow.

'You really are looking forward to the feast, aren't you?' she said dreamily