Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K Rowling.

A/N: Hello, dear readers, I just wanted to start off by thanking you all for the reviews/comments this past week! Please keep it up! Anyways, I won't dribble on for too long. I hope you enjoy your read!

Chapter 32: Required Resolve

-Draco-

Members of the inquisitorial squad, think twice the next time you are about to condemn an innocent to suffering, otherwise, you will face our wrath.

The message written on the wall reminded me eerily of the message by the heir during my second year. It was written in red letters and all.

Umbridge's face matched the colour of the letters perfectly. Me and Daphne had found Fabian and Millicent during our patrol and had alerted Umbridge immediately. The two students hadn't been pretty, both of them had been transfigured to the point where they were barely recognisable. Millicent looked like a fat cat and Fabian had sprouted long, green ears.

I had a pretty good idea of what would happen to me if I became the next victim.

Umbridge looked ready to kill someone, I wondered if she would. Now or eventually.

Her ability to think seemed to have disappeared, she just stood rooted to the spot and glared at the message with an unprecedented intensity.

There were no traces or clues as to who could have done this. But I had a pretty good idea, I think Umbridge did too. Thing is, not even she could arrest someone without any actual charges. The aurors stationed at Hogwarts were firmly loyal to Umbrudge, but I was pretty sure that they wouldn't do anything. Even I'd been forced to turn a blind eye when a first year's wand was thrown between two aurors with mocking laughter.

They were actually less mature than the students in the castle.

Umbridge cleared her throat in a high pitch, drawing the gaze of every member of the inquisitorial squad gathered.

"Fear not, friend. This small rebellion shall soon be removed." Her smile slid off her face with a serious look in its place. "I want all of you to become stricter. Punish even the smallest transgression, don't let anyone come away with anything," she declared. "If I ever hear that any of you have kept information, the punishment will be more severe than this small insurgent group can come up with."

I looked around and saw various expressions. Some looked determined. Others looked outright concerned. One or two looked afraid, it was in their eyes.

We had been on top of the Hogwarts hierarchy for months, but now we had the most dangerous positions in the castle.

There were thirty of us now, plus Umbridge and the aurors. I had no idea how many were with the rebels. Ten, perhaps fifteen.

The problem was that I held no illusion as to which group was currently favoured by the majority of the student body.

-()-

-Harry-

The mirror in my bathroom held a thin layer of condensed water over it, a remnant of my scaldingly pleasant shower.

I took my wand out a removed the thin perspiration as if it had never existed.

The man in the mirror stared back at me; his hair was short yet still looked like he had just come out of a rainy storm.

I smiled broadly and the man did the same. It looked real to me, the man looked happy.

My eyes drifted to my bare torso, on which a couple of dark hairs had begun to sprout. To my delight, one could make out the shapes of abs, likely due to me being short on any body fat rather than overly athletically active, but still, I really didn't look skinny anymore. It felt invigorating to see some physical progress in myself too.

Despite the fact that winter hadn't been long ago, I was more tanned than ever, and no traces of sunburn either.

How far had I climbed in the tree? How many footholds and extended hands had my master given me? How many had Alice given me?

Between the two of them, many was the answer.

However, it was not far enough. Not yet.

-()-

The days subsceding the duel left me with very little rest. Or any time for myself, for that manner. People were beginning to believe that I had a chance at doing well.

Upon hearing the first knock on the door, I rushed there in excitement. What I expected was Alice. What I got was an Australian reporter who wanted to do an interview about my struggle through the tournament.

I had to decline more times than I could remember before the woman left with sullen steps. She would not turn out to be the only person who paid me a visit.

People of all different ages, appearances and social class came to visit.

One stood out more than others. An old man without any trace of hair on his head went to where I lived with the intent to 'plan out my success'.

After speaking to him for all of ten seconds, I realised that he had put some mighty money on me after my first duel and was looking at a huge potential profit.

I assured him that I would do everything I could to win and let out a deep breath when I finally managed to seal the door shut again. There was no way I would open that door again, I would just pretend I wasn't home if someone came by.

Home. When did I start to refer to this place as home?

I looked around. Only one room was currently lived in. The others were left dead and desolate. Ida had left only a couple of hours ago. It felt strange being here by myself. It dawned on me that I was properly alone now. But the same feeling of loneliness I got upon my arrival here never appeared. Strange.

I picked my master's book up and sprawled on the couch comfortably.

The book started to glow warmly and I couldn't contain a grin from breaking out. It had been too long without talking to her. Part of me felt relieved since it meant that I had better things to do. Another part of me missed her.

Yes… She was something to miss, I decided.

So when I spawned inside the room in her mind or soul, whatever it was.

My master was standing with her arms folded by and with an unimpressed look. Of course she did.

"Hi," I said with a smile and fell down into my armchair.

She inclined her head in greeting and sat down elegantly. "How did it go?"

"It went well," I said with a satisfied expression. "The exercise you wanted me to do worked."

Rowena nodded. "I expected it to work…"

"So it obviously worked," I finished with a grin.

The corner of her lips quirked ever so slightly. "You have done adequately to come this far, it wasn't always guaranteed."

"How could the apprentice of Rowena Ravenclaw not do well?" I asked rhetorically.

My master got a faraway look. "If one learns too much," she said.

I shrugged. "If I keep on learning like this… I'll win."

Rowena arched an eyebrow. "Remember what I told you before the third task?"

"To never be arrogant," I said. "And before you say so, I know that believing I'm incapable of arrogance is arrogant by itself."

She nodded succinctly. "It is good to know that some of the things I tell you stick." Rowena paused for a moment and folded her hands. "I want you to begin practising an aspect of magic of uttermost importance."

I sat up a little straighter. "Yes master, I will."

"We have for the lack of a better expression, taken a break from Voldemort and the war this past year," my master said, causing me to raise my eyebrows. "You are not ready to directly work against him but you will be soon." She held up a finger warningly. "But to do that, you need to learn one vital skill."

"How to protect myself from Legilimency," I surmised.

The founder smiled thinly. "Indeed."

Legilimecy was one of the most scary things I knew about. I could bear to lose an arm or even a leg, but losing my mind meant that I was lost. There was no way to recover.

My master licked her lips and continued, "I have done a little work to figure out how we deal with Voldemort ultimately. Mainly with the horcrux he kindly provided for us."

"If murdering my parents is considered kind, then yes," I said, a little annoyed.

She raised her eyebrows. "I didn't know you were one to take much offence." Rowena looked into the flame, as if to remember what she was talking about. "However, you need to be the one to kill him. The horcruxes can be left to me, killing him will be left to you."

"As the prophecy states," I said soberly. "My one meaning in life."

"If you say so," she responded brusquely. "Anyway, if you ever go up against him, you will need to be at least adequate in occlumency. That is non-negotiable."

"I understand, master."

"Good, because it is not something which can be learnt." She paused briefly. "It is also something which can easily be unlearned."

"How so?"

Rowena frowned. "The most important aspect of occlumency is resolve and belief. If you know that you can keep your opponent out, things will be much easier for you. If you think that your opponent will get inside your head; you make it much easier for him."

"I understand, I think."

"I don't expect you to, not yet." She grimaced. "I'm wondering if I should have tried to teach you this sooner…" Rowena sighed. "But you've had more than enough on your mind these past couple of months."

"I'll manage," I said with determination pouring out like a forceful river. "It is my destiny to manage. If I don't…"

"You will succeed," my master said. "Remember, belief you will succeed is the most important. Otherwise, Voldemort has already won."

I chuckled bitterly. "If only you could face him, then it would be no problem."

Rowena didn't say anything.

"Is there a book or something I should read to learn occlumency?" I asked to break the silence.

"Yes and no," her purple eyes met mine. "Make no mistake here, occlumency can't be taught, it is inherently different to every person."

"Every mind works differently," I said evenly.

"Exactly, therefore you will have to create a way to defend yourself. I will, of course, be there to guide you. Just remember, the only important thing you need to learn is that your mind is a castle impossible to besiege or a river impossible to stop."

"Can you make it impossible for someone to break in?" I asked curiously.

"Yes," my master stated firmly.

"How?"

"You have to get past believing yourself unbreakable," she said simply. "You have to know that you are unbreakable. The fact that no one can get inside your head has to be just that, a fact. You have to know it as well as you know that the sun is warm and that the earth is round."

"Is that even possible?"

"It is," my master said and paused. "I know you can achieve it. Trust me, Harry, when I say that I know that you can do it."

I let out a long breath. "It sounds really hard." I frowned. "Couldn't you confound me or alter my mind into believing it impossible? Could that work?"

Rowena looked into the fire with a deep frown. I saw a strange look in her eyes. Anger and perhaps…sadness. "In my experience, it doesn't work. Your mind will recognise that some thoughts are foreign, even if you yourself don't recognise this."

"Okay," I forced a smile upon my face. "Where do we start?"

-()-

-Draco-

I could only remember a couple of times the school had gathered like this apart from the opening and closing feasts of the school year.

The selection of the champions last year. The night the Azkaban escapee broke inside the castle during my third year.

I couldn't think of any at the top of my head; yet here we were. The entire school gathered inside the sullen and sober Great Hall. Even the roof was dark and dreary. It was raining outside.

The colours of the houses felt muted along the walls, as if someone had taken the saturation from the world. Apart from one small spot on the place belonging to the headmaster, or now temporary headmistress.

One small spot of colour which held so much power in here.

The pink cardigan shone like a lumos. The person befitted in the clothes cleared her throat.

The mutterings burned down to ashes. Every eye fixed on the pink pest. For I had no illusion that was how people looked upon her. Even I in my Slytherin robes was met with glares and anger.

Yet some looked upon Umbridge like she had tortured them, like she had killed a member of their family.

I mean, the first one was true, but still.

A surge of guilt traversed through my veins like someone had injected it inside my blood. I had resolved to be someone good last year, how had I ended up here? I glanced over at Daphne two seats away from me.

That. That was why.

She deserved her revenge, I reasoned. Her anguish should end before all, then I can focus on… whatever I wanted to focus on.

Yet a question crept inside my mind through all the walls keeping it at bay.

How far would I be willing to go for her?

"We have gathered here today for a grim reason," Umbridge said haughtily. "Today, within this very castle, two innocent students were attacked. But not just attacked, they were also mutilated." She peered over the crowd and settled at a point at the Gryffindor table. "This is unacceptable, our school needs to be better. This school is an extension of the ministry and it should be set at the same standard."

I thought I heard some stifled laughter from the Ravenclaw table. But when I looked over, every face was blank as a mirror.

"This will have consequences," Umbridge declared imperiously. "From now on, curfew will be set to four o'clock, breaking that will have severe punishments. Additionally, all extracurricular activities will be cancelled for the foreseeable future."

Mutterings broke up but no one dared to boo or make some comment about it. Not even the notorious Weasley twins.

"Yes, I was gracious enough to allow these activities, but it was a privilege that has been abused." She smiled sweetly. "Thank the rebels who have brought this down upon you."

I saw Daphne conceal a smile. I wouldn't have been surprised if that particular phrase had been her idea.

"Lastly, I would like anyone who has even the smallest of ideas about who these people are to come forward. I will remember who you are, don't worry."

I felt the urge to smack my head. That sounded more like a threat than an encouragement.

Whatever the outcome of these announcements, there was one thing which was certain.

This was a beginning. Not an ending.

Umbride had given the rebels a spark, it was only a matter of time before it was a fire.

The real question was how large the fire would become.

And who it would burn.

-()-

-Harry-

I waited with excitement for Alice to arrive. We hadn't been able to see each other even once since the duel and subsequent…confrontation with Greengrass and Malfoy.

The whole interaction made me cringe, just thinking about it. It felt like even achieving a truce would be like travelling to the moon, it would take tremendous effort and time. It might even be impossible. However, becoming friends and then…lovers would be like traversing another galaxy. It wasn't even on the map, it wasn't attainable. Or so I thought.

I heard a knock on the door and prayed it was indeed Alice and not another old aristocrat.

The door swung open to reveal the dark skinned girl with her amber eyes. I smiled broadly. She went inside without a word and sat down in an armchair.

"You alright?" I asked and laid down on the couch again.

"You've got some explaining to do," Alice said with a serious look.

A sense of discomfort settled over me. "About what?"

Alice looked at me incredulously. "You said she wasn't hot!" She exclaimed and shook her head. "If she wasn't already taken, I might have taken a shot myself."

"First of all, I didn't say she wasn't…hot," I ground out. "I said that it didn't matter." I let out a deep breath and gave her a pointed look. "Secondly, if you want to give it a try, you have my blessing. As you could see, we were not on the friendliest of terms."

"I have seen people who are supposed to marry be on better terms," Alice observed. "But I won't get in the way. If I get in the way, you won't ever have a chance to win her affections," she teased.

I shook my head. "My chances are abysmally low already, it really won't matter if they get worse still."

Alice frowned and regained a sense of seriosity. "I think you should at least try when you get back, how will you be happy with your wife if you don't?"

I shrugged but didn't answer. Greengrass was a bastard, what could I do to change that?

"Just think about it, okay?" Alice continued.

She stood up and walked around the room. Her eyes settled on the silvery bag in the corner of the room. I felt my eyes widen in fear as she picked it up. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open it.

I relaxed, of course she wouldn't be able to. Alice may be an incredible duellist but she could not match the prowess of Rowena Ravenclaw.

"Are you ready for some practice?" I asked with just a little bit of excitement lacing my voice.

Okay, a lot of excitement lacing my voice.

I couldn't tell why I was so excited, perhaps it was because I finally felt like I was good at duelling.

Alice smiled broadly. "Of course, our weekly session of me beating the crap out of you."

I smiled challengingly. "We'll see how it works out now."

She nodded. "We will."

We went inside the training room of Hogwarts' little house and stood at opposite ends, wands held like they were worth their weight in gold.

"Ready?" Alice shouted with her eyes narrowed in concentration.

I smirked. "More so than you."

Her spell resounded against my shield like a great drum had been hit.

I smiled.

It's on.

-()-

-Hermione-

I was in the room of requirement with the rest of the Dumbledore's Army. Umbridge's office had become much larger over the past month. The most likely reason was some kind of extension charm. I hadn't been inside myself but the previously round room now had a rectangular extension which was more often filled with names.

It was possible to see the orderly fashion with which students sat within the room on the Marauder's map. Straight row of names after straight row of names. I could see Alicia's and Fred's names inside the office.

The members of Dumbledore's Army did get caught occasionally. The map couldn't be used by everyone at the same time and the galleons couldn't get messages across quick enough. Being caught meant tedious torture. The infamous blood quills were used rarely, very rarely in fact. I think the only thing keeping Umbridge from using them was that the teachers would never stand it if the information got out to the entire population.

Everyone knew about the detentions. Most people were only forced to write lines or clean toilets. Which presented us with a problem, a lot of students were kept working for hours up and after midnight. Which was fine for the later years but several first and second years fell asleep and were found by the squad. Which led to another session, or sessions, of detention.

The thing was, when a member of the DA got caught, we made sure to make it look like they weren't out on 'rebel activity'. I wouldn't have been surprised if Alicia and Fred had hidden in a broom cupboard right before they got caught. They would have to act like they were in a relationship for a couple of weeks to not raise too much suspicion. I don't think either of them would be too mad about it.

I looked up from the map and saw Susan Bones and Luna Lovegood put the last couple of vials inside the bag. This night's detention should be over in just a couple of minutes. Which meant that we would have to lead the way, the clock read thirty minutes after one o'clock.

I yawned and put on the backpack. Me, Luna and Susan exchanged no words as we quietly made our way through the castle, avoiding patrols with the help of the map. We didn't dare go to the fifth floor, where the detentions took place. People who went to that floor always got caught, we didn't know how. Yet the squad and Umbridge knew the second we put a foot up there. So we hid in the Great Hall and waited for the stream of students to descend.

It was a large group tonight, almost twenty of them. Alicia and Fred gave me a nod where I stood in the shadows. I gave them a nod back, wishing them some peaceful sleep. I had already slept a little myself already, then I would sleep again once this was done.

I was just about to signal to the others that it was safe and sound when I heard the sound of people running.

Four people clad in Slytherin robes and with the gleaming pins of the inquisitorial squad entered the hall. We scrambled to hide and just about managed.

"I can't believe it, there were four of them," one said between gasping breaths.

"Yet all of them were taken down," another one added bitterly.

"We will never catch them," the first one said with misery.

"If they take us down when there are four of us, how will we ever catch them?"

A third one shrugged. "I don't know, it feels like every single person not in the squad is against us."

"We'll manage," the fourth one said quietly. I recognised this one, Nott. "These rebels are nothing but cruel bullies, people may like them as long as they just hurt and mutilate us." I could imagine the small smile on his face. "But it won't take long before they attack someone not in the squad, innocent or otherwise. Then they will be exposed for what they really are."

"I hope you're right."

The group went quiet and I looked around the huge entrance hall. No one except the group was left, or so I thought. From our spot behind the wall I could make out one small figure crouching behind the railings of the staircase. It would only need one of the members to look up and he was caught…

I nudged Luna and pointed to him. She smiled broadly and nodded. I could almost see the small boy shaking with fear, his robes were black and blue. He was worth saving.

We needed a distraction. We couldn't take all four of them without being seen.

Susan started to sneak off and I desperately wanted to stop her. There was a chance she would be caught, it was likely, even. Yet there was nothing I could do, partly because they would hear us if we spoke, partly because all of us knew the risks and were willing to take them.

We waited for a couple of minutes, the group only remained in the middle of the entrance hall, chattering nonsense.

Then we heard it, a great explosion. It sounded as if every window in the Great Hall had shattered at once. It came from the opposite direction of us two.

Smart girl, I thought as the patrol ran off to the source of the sound. Just get back safe Susan, I prayed internally.

The shivering boy got up from behind the railings and looked around as if he was lost. Luna got into view first. They little boy physically shook back as he saw us but relaxed when he recognised the colours.

"You're them aren't you?" he said with adorable eyes staring up at me.

"We are just here to help you get back to your tower."

He nodded and started up the staircases. We followed closely behind, I inspected the map but there didn't seem to be anyone on the way to Ravenclaw tower. I glanced at the congestion of names in the trophy room, frantically searching for a name I didn't want to see.

Yet there she was, Susan Bones appeared together with the rest. At least she wasn't caught directly linked to any rebel activity, the explosion could be explained as something else, a dare, perhaps. Susan was smart, she would manage. Or so I tried to convince myself.

We arrived at Ravenclaw tower and I was just about to bid them goodbye when I glanced at the map. The patrols were out and about again, and there was no way for me to escape them. Every corridor and staircase was covered. I wondered if Susan had talked.

No, she wouldn't have. She was loyal to a fault. Hufflepuff she was.

Luna smiled at me brightly. I hadn't said anything. "Isn't the solution obvious?"

I frowned.

"Just stay in the tower tonight."

It wasn't allowed. Yet so wasn't sneaking around the castle at two o'clock at night.

I nodded and climbed the short staircase.

My expectations were bookcase after bookcase. Perhaps desks to work at, as to fit the studious stereotype of Ravenclaw.

Yet none of these things were true. It held comfortable couches and a welcoming warm fire. My eyes were drawn to the statue at the other end of the room. It was made entirely of blue crystal, precisely the shade of the house's colour. I walked closer and stared up at it in awe. The details were incredible, I could very well imagine this statue springing to life and talking as a regular woman. Even the wrinkles in the clothing were there, the small creases in the face.

"Is it Ravenclaw?" I asked in awe.

"I don't know," Luna said and walked up to stand beside me. "It was made by her but I don't know if it is of her."

"Why would there be a statue of anyone else in Ravenclaw tower?" I asked rhetorically.

"She wouldn't say," Luna replied and tilted her head.

I tore my gaze from the statue and looked at Luna. "Who wouldn't say?"

Luna looked at me as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Her daughter, of course."