The Granger Son

Harry; Hermione; Dr. Grangerx2

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

The Granger Son

Chapter 17

Robert and Jean sat in their living room following dinnertime, the two of them watching an evening game show. Well, Robert was watching it, as Jean was reading the final chapters of a book she had borrowed from the library and needed to return the next day. Just as she finished the book completely and closed it, the gameshow went to commercial, bringing her husband's attention to her.

"Finished?" Robert asked his wife.

Nodding, Jean answered, "Yes, and it was good. Now I can return it tomorrow without getting fined like the last time I borrowed a book."

Robert chuckled and was about to speak once again, only to stop at hearing a tapping on the living room window. Looking at the window, they saw an owl hovering outside of it with a letter in its beak. Jean stood from her seat on the sofa and walked over to the window, opening it and letting the owl inside. Said bird flew in and dropped the letter onto Robert's lap before circling the living room and flying right back out the window into the night. Frowning, Jean shut the window before turning to her husband, him looking at the letter.

"Who is it from?" she asked.

"The children," he answered. "I wonder why they didn't use Hedwig to send a letter like usual."

The woman shrugged before sitting next to her husband, the two of them reading the letter from their children together. The letter's writing was divided into two, letting them know their son and daughter each took a turn in writing the letter.

Dear mum and dad,

Things have been…well, they have been pretty awful this year so far, to say the least. The Ministry of Magic has pretty much taken over Hogwarts, the Minister keeping a close eye on Professor Dumbledore and Hogwarts altogether, especially Harry. Therefore, we used one of the school owls to deliver this letter as opposed to Hedwig because she is so recognizable, and we are afraid she will be stopped, and the contents of this letter read. We have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor again this year, as well. Her name is Dolores Umbridge, and she isn't teaching us a single thing in how to defend ourselves, not even one spell. Classes with her have been just awful and it is completely frustrating, especially because the Headmaster can't and seemingly won't do anything to stop the madness. But you know that if we can help it, we won't just let things continue the way they are.

Hermione had written the letter so far, and now the writing style had changed. Now it was Harry writing to them, taking up the last half of the letter.

Due to the lack of learning in DADA and the frustration of many students, Hermione and our friends took it upon themselves to take matters into their own hands. They have organized a secret defense club so that those who wish to can properly learn and be taught to defend themselves. They dubbed it Potter's Army and have appointed me as leader. I admit, I am reluctant to do so, but I also understand why they would choose me, as well as the necessity of being able to properly defend oneself. And of every one of us with the most experience in doing so, it is me, so it made sense that they thought I would be a good fit as a teacher for this club. It is completely unauthorized and not allowed, but if the professors aren't going to help teach us, then we'll teach ourselves.

We love and miss you both, and hope that you are doing alright. We promise to write again soon before Christmas, and try not to worry too much.

All our love,

Harry and Hermione

Robert and Jean looked at each other after they finished reading the letter, worry present on both of their faces. Looking back at the written words on the piece of paper, Jean asked, "Is it wise of Harry and Hermione to have a secret defense club just because their teacher refuses to let them learn? Won't they get into trouble?"

"No, it probably isn't wise, and yes, they could get in trouble, but only if they are caught. But I also know our children, and if they feel they need to do this, then they will, no questions asked. Especially if it is for a good reason, and they believe it is, as do I."

"You're right, they have always been headstrong and did what they believed they needed to do. I just hope it works out for them, and I hope they don't get hurt. But as Hermione said, if the Ministry is keeping a close eye on Hogwarts, they definitely are on Harry, especially after what they told us occurred at the end of last school year."

Robert nodded, knowing his wife was right. With the return of the wizard that killed their son's birth parents, and it obvious the Ministry trying to hide it from an earlier letter Harry had sent them, then it made sense that a close eye was being kept on him. If anything, their son would be in more trouble and danger than their daughter and the members of Potter's Army. Like his wife had said, he hoped it all worked out for their children.

Harry and Hermione followed Neville Longbottom up to the Seventh Floor during lunchtime, He had joined Potter's Army at the secret meeting about it, and had taken the time to search for a possible place of holding their secret club meetings when Hermione had told him they were searching. And now he was leading them somewhere where he was positive it would be perfect for them. Once they reached the Seventh Floor, they followed him past the entrance of Gryffindor Tower to a patch of empty wall, Neville walking back and forth in front of it three times while mumbling something.

Frowning, Harry asked his sister, "What is he doing?"

Hermione watched the other wizard before her eyes widened in realization. Grabbing her brother's arm, she said excitedly, "He's found it!"

"Found what?"

Just as he said that, the door suddenly appeared on the wall, making his green eyes widen in shock. Neville looked back at them and smiled before beckoning them to follow, him grabbing hold of the doorhandle and opening it, stepping inside with the duo close behind. As soon as the door shut behind them, Harry and Hermione looked around at the open space set up like a dueling or training room. Neville looked at it too before asking, "So what do you think?"

"You did it, Neville. You found the Room of Requirement!" Hermione said grinning at the Gryffindor, causing him to blush. She turned to Harry who raised an eyebrow at her in question. "The Room of Requirement is said to be a myth, that it doesn't exist, but it does. It's a secret room of Hogwarts that allows people entry to it should they need it, and it can be used for whatever a person's need is. And in our case, we need this room to hold our defense meetings."

Harry nodded, looking around again before saying, "Yeah, this is perfect. Good job, Neville."

"Thanks Harry, Hermione," Neville replied.

"Now we just need to devise a way of informing everyone without having to meet up again before the first official meeting."

"Don't worry, I'll figure it out," Hermione said. "I'll also get Draco and Blaise to help me. For now, just get word out to the other Potter's Army members as inconspicuously as possible."

Neville nodded. "When will it be?"

They looked at each other before looking at the bespectacled wizard. As the leader, it was technically Harry's responsibility to announce when the meetings would take place. Harry looked at his sister and the nice Gryffindor boy before finally saying, "Friday, after dinner. We'll have the first official meeting then."

Snape had to admit that he was impressed. Potter was getting much better with his continued Occlumency lessons, able to kick him out after ten minutes in his head now rather than before. However, the boy was still struggling, so they would keep at it. He gave his pupil a minute to catch his breath before saying, "Again. Legilimens."

He infiltrated Potter's mind once again, flitting through previously seen memories that he had been seeing for a while since starting the lessons with the boy. He made sure to keep away from certain memories and thoughts that riled Potter up for whatever reason and kept to those that he knew it wouldn't matter if he saw them. However, like usual, new memories always came to the forefront of Potter's mind as he tried to kick him out. In this new memory, he saw what looked like the inside of the Hog's Head with a large gathering of students seemingly from every House. It looked like they were having a meeting of some sort. It then flashed to a piece of parchment with signatures on it, the heading of it reading 'Potter's Army'. Taking interest, he continued perusing through Potter's memories, coming across a coinciding memory to what was obviously a Potter's Army meeting; at least, he was sure it had to do with it. The memory was of Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Longbottom discovering the Come and Go Room. It seemed like they planned to use this secret room as the base of operations for Potter's Army.

It seemed like Potter had enough of him looking at looking at those memories, because the next thing he knew, he was being kicked out once again and looking at the panting Fifth Year. Watching as he tried to catch his breath, he said, "Explain those memories, Mr. Potter."

Harry looked up at his Head of House, hesitant to tell him anything. Even so, he knew that if he didn't, the Potions Master would force it out of him one way or another. Taking a deep breath, he shifted uncomfortably in his chair before saying, "Hermione, Draco, and the rest of our friends formed this secret defense club so that we can learn how to defend ourselves and be ready should a battle of some sort come about. We're sick of not learning anything in Umbridge's class, and Defense Against the Dark Arts isn't fun anymore. They figured that if she or no other professor was going to teach us, then we have no choice but to teach ourselves."

"And as for the name?"

"They figured that since I have the most experience with defense both in and outside the classroom—mostly outside—I'd be a good teacher to teach everyone. It wasn't my idea and I didn't want to, but I also understand the necessity of being taught to properly defend ourselves should we have to fight. And with Umbridge not teaching, and no way for Professor Lupin to come back to teach us, it has to be me." Harry then blushed in embarrassment. "But it wasn't my idea to name it Potter's Army. That was their idea."

Severus felt slightly annoyed at the notion that no one else could teach them DADA. He could teach the position just fine, despite Dumbledore's insistence he continue to teach Potions. But he also knew that there was no way he could undermine Umbridge and teach real DADA behind hers and Dumbledore's backs without facing some sort of consequence, and he didn't fancy having a row with Umbridge of all people. Despite this, he couldn't help but be impressed with Potter and his friend's ingenuity in the face of their situation.

Crossing his arms, he said, "Admittedly, I am impressed by the initiative you all are taking, especially with the Ministry breathing down Albus's and Hogwarts's necks this year. But I hope you also know that your little group will eventually be discovered by someone who won't turn a blind eye to it. And it will be made worse because of not only the name, but you heading it."

Harry was surprised to know that Snape wasn't going to do anything about Potter's Army, but he also knew the man was right. They would be discovered someday, even he knew that. He just hoped they could start before it had to end. Nodding in understanding, Harry replied, "I know, sir. I didn't want to lead, but I also understand why they want me to. We're going to have our first meeting Friday after dinner while there is still time before curfew. I don't expect us to do any spells and such, but more so discussions of what we'll go over. Kind of like a lesson plan, I guess."

Snape was quiet for a moment, then spoke saying, "Stop by my office during your free period on Thursday."

"Why?" Harry asked confused.

"Just do as I say. Now, let us continue on with the lesson."

The two of them continued with the Occlumency lessons, Potter still attempting to keep Snape out of his head. As they continued, Severus couldn't help but think about what Potter and his friends were doing. He knew that what they planned on doing could get them into trouble, as well as likely piss off Umbridge and the Ministry (which he was all for) but hoped that it would pay off for them.

The first meeting of Potter's Army was upon them, and Harry couldn't help but feel a bit jittery about it. He had expressed this feeling to Hermione Thursday morning, only for his sister to be feeling excited about it. It was strange seeing his by-the-book sister so ready to disobey the rules and rebel; maybe this was the rebellious stage kicking in. When free period rolled around later that day, Harry did as Professor Snape asked and went to his office. Reaching it, he knocked on the door and waited for entry.

Snape's office door opened, revealing the older wizard behind his desk working. Stepping inside, Harry closed the door and stepped up to the man's desk, seeing him grading another student's assignment. He waited a moment before saying, "Sir?"

Severus looked up from the Third Year Hufflepuff's work assignment to look at the bespectacled boy. Setting his quill down, he summoned a book from his bookshelf, looking at it as it floated into his hand before handing it to Potter. As he took it, he said, "This is my own personal Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook from when I was a Fifth Year. Use it wisely, Mr. Potter."

Harry looked at the textbook in his hand in surprise before looking at his Head of House just as surprised. He couldn't believe that Snape was lending him his own DADA school book to help aid him in Potter's Army. Even so, he was thankful and smiled at his professor. "Thank you, Professor."

"Hm. Just make sure no one sees it. You're dismissed."

He went back to grading, ignoring the boy as he put the book away in his school bag before leaving his office. Once the door was closed behind the boy, Severus looked up for a brief moment before going back to grading, silently wishing Potter and the others luck.