Chapter 14: Expelliarmus
On the following day, as the clock neared lunchtime, a quiet buzz of anticipation filled the fifth-floor corridor. One by one, the students Hermione had contacted arrived, their curiosity piqued by the enigmatic promise of a secret meeting. Harry stood at the centre, ready to reveal the Room of Requirement to the assembled group, and Harry had made sure that Umbridge and Filch were not in the area beforehand, not wanting to be found out.
"Alright, everyone," Harry began, a hint of excitement in his voice, "follow me." He led them to the corridor where he'd encountered the Room of Requirement, paused, and concentrated on his desire for a place to practice and learn. The door materialized, and Harry swung it open, revealing the hidden chamber that had been a sanctuary for them in the past.
Gasps of amazement and wonder escaped the group as they entered, taking in the vastness of the room. Hermione's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but share her knowledge. "You found the Room of Requirement, Harry. This is incredible! It's also known as the Come and Go Room. It appears when you really need it."
Harry nodded, glad to see their enthusiasm. The room looked just as he remembered, vast and open, with plenty of space for practice and dueling. It was the perfect setting for their DA meetings, a sanctuary where they could hone their skills and be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead, as they had last time. The students spread out, exploring the room, marveling at the endless possibilities it offered.
"Alright, everyone," Harry called their attention, "we're here to learn, to practice, and to become better at defending ourselves. This is our chance to stand up against the darkness that's looming over us. But before we start, there's one matter we need to address."
He turned his gaze towards Michael Corner, who had stepped forward, looking both eager and slightly nervous. "Michael has challenged me to a duel," Harry announced, realizing that this moment would set the tone for the entire group.
The room was abuzz with anticipation. The students watched with eager eyes, knowing that this duel was a crucial test of Harry's abilities, his credibility as their teacher, and a symbol of their collective determination.
As the duel with Michael commenced, it became instantly clear that the match was far from equal. Michael's knowledge of offensive spells was limited, and the few he attempted were clumsy and ineffective. Harry, on the other hand, showed an unparalleled mastery of magic, calmly deflecting Michael's weak attacks with graceful flicks of his wand.
The onlookers watched in amazement as Harry danced effortlessly, dodging spells and countering with impeccable timing. He moved with precision, his calm demeanour contrasting with the intensity of the duel. Michael's spells missed their mark, and Harry responded without breaking a sweat, making the task seem almost effortless.
The duel unfolded without much fanfare. Harry's wand movements were fluid, his control over his magic undeniable. He evaded Michael's spells as if they were mere child's play, displaying a skill that left the room in awe. Harry focused mainly on defensive manoeuvres, showcasing a level of expertise that spoke volumes.
It was during a lull in the duel that Harry decided to conclude things. With a non-verbal flick of his wand, he disarmed Michael, the spell executed with such precision that it was over in a heartbeat. The crowd gasped in astonishment at the display of non-verbal magic, which only powerful wizards were said to have mastered it. There was a brief pause, an almost suspended silence as everyone processed what they had just witnessed. Then, as if on cue, the Room of Requirement erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Amid the applause, Ron couldn't hold back his astonishment, his voice carrying across the room, "Bloody hell, Harry, I knew you were good, but not that fucking good!" His words were a mix of incredulity and genuine pride for his best mate.
Hermione, who usually had all the answers, was left in a state of slight shock, her thoughts racing as she tried to comprehend how Harry had grown this powerful, and even though he'd only beaten Michael Corner, it was obvious that Harry's skill and power was light-years clear of anybody else her. She watched Harry with a look that was part admiration, part bewilderment, as if trying to unlock the secret behind his newfound abilities.
Fred and George, always quick with a quip, couldn't resist the chance to add their own commentary. Fred grinned, nudging George, "I bet old Voldy's shaking in his boots right now, wondering what he's unleashed."
Even Zacharias Smith, whose skepticism had been tested, admitted with a begrudging nod, "Alright, Potter, you've got skills. No denying that."
The applause eventually subsided, and Harry gave Michael a friendly pat on the back, acknowledging the effort he'd put into the duel. Then, turning his attention to the gathered members of the DA, Harry's tone became more serious, yet determined.
"Thank you all for being here," he began, his gaze sweeping across the faces of his fellow students, each with their own mix of curiosity, determination, and perhaps a touch of fear. "I know some of you might be wondering why we're doing this, why we're taking the time to learn all this. But let me be clear, it's not just about learning spells or dueling techniques. It's about being prepared for what's out there, for what's happening right now and what might come."
He paused, his mind racing with the memories of the dark times he'd experienced in his previous timeline. Voldemort's reign of terror, the battles, the sacrifices. It was already beginning anew, and he couldn't let his friends, his fellow students, be caught unprepared.
"We're not just learning for the sake of it," Harry continued, his voice unwavering. "We're learning to defend ourselves, to protect the ones we care about, to give ourselves a better chance if war breaks out. And let's not kid ourselves, it's already happening out there, whether the Ministry wants to admit it or not."
He saw many heads nod in response to his statement, and he continued.
"We'll learn both defensive and offensive spells," Harry declared, his eyes locking onto the faces before him. "Because I think that if we're going to have a fighting chance, we don't just need to know how to defend ourselves but we also need to know how to fight back."
Harry took a final deep breath before finishing off his piece, "And remember, if you want to commit to this, I can't do everything for you. You have to want to be here. But, if you do come, I swear to you I'll do everything in my power to train you up."
As he finished his speech, he saw nods of agreement and an unspoken understanding in the eyes of those who had gathered in the Room of Requirement. They were ready to learn, to train, to fight, to face whatever challenges came their way, and Harry knew this was a step in the right direction. He glanced over to Hermione, who had joined him towards the middle of the group.
Hermione chimed in, her voice steady and assertive, capturing the group's attention once again. "In light of Umbridge's latest 'educational decree,' we have to be extremely cautious about how we proceed with these lessons. The last thing we need is to give her more ammunition against us."
Over the last few days, Harry had brought up how to keep a step ahead of Umbridge, trying to push her to think of the protean charm idea earlier than last time, and his tactics worked. Even now the charm mesmerised him that a fifteen-year-old could perform it with such elegance and execution. Hermione really was a talented witch, perhaps not as magically strong as some of the others, like Ron and Neville, but she was just as useful.
"I've charmed a few Galleons," Hermione continued, holding up a handful of coins that glimmered in the dim light of the Room of Requirement. "Each one is bewitched with a Protean Charm. When Harry activates his, it'll alert you to the date and time of the next meeting. This way, we can stay coordinated without leaving any evidence for Umbridge to discover."
"That's brilliant!" Ron exclaimed, his enthusiasm ringing through the room. "Honestly, Hermione, you're a genius."
Hermione gave a modest smile, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink at Ron's compliment. "Well, I'm glad you all think it's a good idea," she replied, her voice carrying a sense of pride. "Remember, these coins are our secret. Keep them safe."
After that, the meeting died down, and everybody started to leave. As the last of the members filed out, including Ron and Hermione, Harry lingered for a moment in the Room of Requirement, deciding he might as well do some training whilst he was there.
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Harry stood in the Room of Requirement, sweat trickling down his forehead, he couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The hours of training were paying off, and he could sense the improvement in his magical abilities. It was like unlocking a door he hadn't known existed, and the possibilities felt endless.
His magic felt stronger, more responsive. He grinned as he recalled how he effortlessly cast spells that had once been a challenge. It was exhilarating to feel that surge of power with every flick of his wand, to see his magic dance and weave in ways he hadn't imagined.
Wiping his brow with the back of his hand, he realized that his magical stamina had significantly improved. Breathing heavily, he looked around the Room of Requirement. He had set up just one dummy this time, but it was more magically resistant than the five he usually summoned.
With a satisfied sigh, he leaned against the wall. His thoughts drifted to the war he knew was looming in the future. He couldn't deny that he was better prepared this time around. His magical knowledge exceeded what he had during the actual war, and his magical stamina was catching up too.
A grin tugged at his lips. He was ready for the challenges that lay ahead. But he also knew that there was more to learn, more to explore. His thoughts turned to the idea of duelling with real people. While dummies were a good training tool, they lacked the unpredictability of human opponents. Sirius came to mind. The thought of duelling with him sparked excitement within Harry. He imagined the friendly competition, the laughter, and the camaraderie that would accompany such a sparring session. It was a goal he now looked forward to, but for now, he was hungry and left for some late lunch.
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Seated at his grand desk in his cozy office at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore found himself deep in contemplation. The present circumstances weighed heavily on his aging shoulders, and his vibrant blue eyes held a complex mix of emotions – a blend of frustration and a touch of resignation. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished surface of the wood, a subtle cadence echoing his inner thoughts.
The intrusion of the Ministry into the sacred walls of Hogwarts had proven to be a challenge that even his considerable influence struggled to surmount. The authority he had wielded with grace and wisdom seemed to be dwindling, like grains of sand slipping through an hourglass. The whispered doubts and suspicious glances that had infiltrated the castle were wounds on his legacy.
The Daily Prophet's relentless campaign to cast doubt on him and Harry Potter had further eroded his credibility. The Headmaster had weathered political storms before, but the venomous tone of this attack felt different, a calculated attempt to undermine the trust he had nurtured.
His mind, as if seeking refuge, turned towards his current research on Voldemort's enigmatic survival. Amidst the turbulence of the times, this solitary pursuit offered a sense of purpose. The term "horcruxes" reverberated through his thoughts, an unsettling notion that had been confirmed when he encountered Tom Riddle's malevolent diary years ago. The very concept was a twisted defiance of the laws of magic and nature, a mark of the Dark Lord's warped mastery.
Yet, Dumbledore couldn't shake the nagging question – how many of these vile anchors had Voldemort crafted? The puzzle pieces eluded him, each fragment of information raising more questions than answers. The headmaster's brow furrowed in concentration as he envisioned the intricate threads of Voldemort's convoluted plan.
His musings inevitably drifted to Harry Potter—the boy around whom everything seemed to revolve. Dumbledore had made the conscious decision to maintain a certain distance from Harry this year, a move born out of the desire to offer the young wizard a respite from the storm that perpetually surrounded him. It was a protective measure, an attempt to give Harry some semblance of normalcy. However, things were not unfolding as he had anticipated. He had expected Harry to clash vehemently with Dolores Umbridge, to resist the Ministry's intrusion with fiery determination. Yet, he had heard no whispers of such confrontations. It was disconcerting, a riddle within a riddle, and he couldn't help but feel that he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Dumbledore's fingers reached out and closed around a lemon drop, his lips curving into a faint smile. The candy had become something of a trademark, a comforting habit in times of contemplation. He unwrapped it and allowed the familiar tang to fill his senses. Mr Potter was definitely not acting as he had foreseen, and that confused him, but nevertheless, he had faith in the boy.
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After wrapping up his classes for the day, Harry stepped into the inviting ambiance of the Gryffindor common room. The warm glow of the fireplace welcomed him as he took in the scene before him. His friends were huddled around a low table, immersed in a lively game of Exploding Snap. Laughter echoed, and the occasional pops of cards added an exhilarating touch.
"Hey, Harry! Join us for a round?" Ron beckoned, patting the seat next to him.
With a grin, Harry slid into the offered chair, his heart lifting at the sight of his friends' camaraderie. Luna was seated cross-legged on the floor beside Ron, her serene expression masking the intriguing mysteries that always seemed to surround her.
"Hey, Luna," Harry greeted as he picked up a card, a warm smile directed her way.
"Hello, Harry," Luna replied, her voice calm as ever. Her ethereal presence added a touch of otherworldly comfort to the room.
The six of them had formed quite a group over the last few weeks, and Luna had almost become an unofficial Gryffindor with the amount of time she was spending with the others. They seemed to have such great chemistry together, the group dynamic flowing seamlessly, as were the conversations. Harry enjoyed it, because he got to spend a lot of time with them, and Ginny in particular, who he seemed to grow closer and closer to with each coming day, and it was such a struggle not to give into his feelings.
Between rounds, a lull in the action allowed Harry to share his newfound idea. "Guys...Since the DA meeting, something's been on my mind, and I've got an idea."
His words drew curious glances, and Hermione's attentive eyes locked onto him. "What's that?"
Harry leaned in, enthusiasm radiating from him. "What if I take your training up a notch? You can do the normal sessions with everyone else, but I thought, why not challenge yourselves with some advanced sessions? Might be good to excel the people who are capable."
Ginny's eyes sparkled with interest. "Advanced sessions? Like, going beyond what we're learning in the DA?"
Harry nodded, his excitement contagious. "Exactly. You could start with the basics, like everyone else, for the first few weeks. But then, we could delve into more complex stuff—magic that might be a bit harder."
Neville scratched his head, considering the idea. "You mean, like, learning the cool stuff?"
Harry chuckled, appreciating Neville's straightforwardness. "Yeah, exactly. You all have different strengths, so why not learn from each other?"
Ginny leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of magic are you thinking?"
Harry's gaze flitted across his friends, "I believe there's potential in all of you. I'll teach you, help you strengthen what you're already good at."
Hermione's analytical side perked up. "We could structure it, maybe even do some research."
Harry grinned, his excitement undimmed. "Sure, Hermione, we could make a loose plan. But let's keep it practical and fun, okay?"
Amidst the laughs and discussions, they continued with their card game. The idea of advanced sessions seemed to hang in the air like a promise of greater challenges and growth. As the night wore on, the glow of camaraderie deepened, and Harry felt a profound sense of unity. They had been spending more time together, sharing stories, exchanging thoughts, and learning from one another's experiences. Luna's quiet wisdom had become an unexpected but welcome addition to their group dynamic, but certainly a welcome one. Harry remembered how close she'd grown to Neville and Ginny last time around, and was happy that Ron, Hermione and he had an opportunity to get to know her better as well, now.
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Over the next few days, Harry and Hermione agreed on a time for the first lesson for the DA, settling upon a Friday afternoon. Hermione then sent the details out on the charmed coins that the members had. Fast forward to that date, and the Room of Requirement was bubbling with energy and people, ready for the lesson to begin, and they gathered around Harry for instruction. "Today," Harry began, his voice carrying the weight of the responsibility he felt, "our focus will be on mastering a crucial spell—the Disarming Charm, Expelliarmus. I'll-"
However, before Harry could delve further into the details of the day's lesson, Terry Boot, rudely interjected. "Harry," Terry's voice cut through the room with frustration, "is this what we're doing today? Learning Expelliarmus? We need more than that. We need advanced magic, something that can actually help us in a real duel!"
Harry's expression hardened as he heard Terry's impatience. He flicked his wand with a swift and decisive motion, casting a potent silencing charm that enveloped Terry, muffling his words and freezing his gestures in mid-air. The room descended into an uneasy silence, and all eyes were on Harry. He didn't really want to do it, but Harry felt it was necessary to show his leadership and control, in the hopes that the DA could be even more useful and effective than it was last time.
His tone was stern as he addressed Terry directly, "I'm in charge here, Terry. If you can't respect that, you're free to leave." The gravity of the moment hung heavily in the room as Harry emphasized his authority.
After a tense pause, Harry continued, his voice firm but measured, "Expelliarmus is more than just a basic spell, Terry. It's a spell that saved my life against Voldemort last summer." He locked eyes with Terry, who was still trapped in the silencing charm.
"In capable hands, Expelliarmus can be extremely effective," Harry emphasized, his unwavering conviction evident. He then released the silencing charm on Terry, allowing him to speak once more.
Terry, now contrite, quickly offered an apology. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful."
Harry nodded, accepting Terry's apology, and continued with his teaching. "Now, it can be a tricky spell to master, but it's all in the technique. Watch closely."
He raised his wand, demonstrating a slight flick of the wrist followed by a controlled downward motion. It was a precise, almost fluid movement. "The key is in the wrist," Harry explained, his voice laced with a sense of mastery.
With patience, he asked everyone to try it themselves without uttering the incantation. The room was soon filled with the whisper of wands slicing through the air as the group attempted to replicate Harry's movements. It was a scene of collective effort, as students of various skill levels practiced with determination.
Harry moved through the room, offering guidance and corrections as he went. He approached Neville, whose wand movements were initially hesitant and shaky. Harry stood beside him, demonstrating the proper technique once more. "Remember, Neville, confidence is crucial. I know you can do this."
Neville nodded, determination in his eyes. With Harry's guidance, his wand movement became more fluid and controlled, a testament to his progress. This version of Neville was very different to the one Harry knew at the same point previously, his confidence was much improved, but Harry knew that it could be even better.
With the basics covered, Harry's gaze fell on the room's enchanted walls, which seemed to respond to his unspoken command. In a matter of seconds, a row of magical dummies appeared, each holding a fake wand. Harry strode toward one of them, his posture poised and focused.
In one swift motion, he cast Expelliarmus, his wand slicing through the air with precision. A red jet rushed towards the Dummy, and its wand flew towards the Chosen One, landing neatly in Harry's free hand. The room erupted into appreciative applause as they witnessed his expertise. One by one, the members of Dumbledore's Army stepped forward, attempting to replicate Harry's feat. Some were successful, their confidence growing with each successful disarmament. Others struggled, their wands swishing through the air with varying degrees of success.
Time seemed to blur as the class continued, Harry patiently guiding each member, offering encouragement and corrections. Ron was up next, executing the charm well, and Harry clapped him on the back and gave him an appreciative nod. "Ron, that's brilliant! You've got the hang of it," he said, genuine pride in his voice.
Moving through the room, Harry came upon Hannah Abbott, whose wand movements seemed slightly off, causing the spell to misfire. He stood beside her, offering a reassuring smile. "Hannah, don't worry. You're close. Just remember to keep your wrist steady and follow through," he said, demonstrating the correct motion. Hannah nodded, and her next attempt showed marked improvement.
But it was when Harry approached Ginny that the atmosphere seemed to shift. Ginny's wand movements were impressive, and her control was evident, but her spell wasn't perfect. Harry couldn't help but be drawn to her, as he was finding more and more as of late. He slowly moved closer to her, the room fading away as he gently took her arm or hand to adjust her wand movements ever so slightly. The touch of their skin sent a jolt of tension through both of them, an electric connection that they couldn't ignore. Quickly, Harry withdrew his touch and gave her a quick 'well done' after she successfully disarmed the dummy and walked off, leaving Ginny slightly flushed and breathless behind him.
As the hours passed, it became clear that this lesson, which had started with skepticism, had turned into an invaluable learning experience and the members of the DA were beginning to understand that this venture would be one they'd be looking forward to. Soon though, the meeting dwindled to a close, and Harry stood at the center of the room, surrounded by the twenty or so DA members.
He cleared his throat, his eyes sweeping over the group with pride and appreciation. "Well done, everyone," Harry began, his voice carrying the genuine admiration he felt. "I'm really impressed with how quickly you picked that up. Keep at it whenever you can, practicing on your own or with eachother, just be careful that Umbitch doesn't see you."
A ripple of smiles and nods spread through the room as the members of the DA exchanged proud glances.
Harry continued, "I want you all to know that we'll be meeting again soon, likely in the coming days. Keep a close eye on your Galleons; they'll let you know when the next meeting is scheduled."
With a final nod and a sincere, "Thank you all for being here today," Harry concluded. As they began to disperse, the Room of Requirement seemed to shimmer with approval, a silent witness to their journey of resistance and resilience.
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Author Notes:
Hi Guys! Thanks for reading this new chapter, hope you enjoyed it. Please please please review, it gives me motivation to write more. More quidditch and stuff about this advanced group coming up next, so stay tuned.
Next Update: 10/09/23
ENJOY