Harry and Rory returned to the common room once her roommates returned. They sat in front of the fireplace with Ron and Hermione. Rory had taken the liberty of putting a cushion in Harry's lap and resting her head there. Harry didn't mind as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through her dark hair.

"Something's wrong," Rory said.

"With Sirius?" Harry asked.

Rory sat up. "No. With this. With this chat. I don't have a good feeling. I really do think we've been found out."

"How? Because of the letter?" Harry asked. "But no one knows we-."

"I know, but that's what it feels like," Rory said. "We should keep this brief. And I don't think we should risk it again."

Harry sighed. He didn't want to argue with Rory. If her so-called inner eye was saying they'd been found out, they likely had been.

"Alright, but you have to tell him," Harry said.

As if on cue, Sirius made his appearance in the fireplace.

"How are you lot all doing?" Sirius asked.

"Same as usual," Rory said. "Although we did get to see Umbridge put Snape through the ringer today which was very satisfying and unsatisfying at the same time."

"Like it was good that he was so annoyed, but I wish it was someone else annoying him," Ron said. Rory nodded in agreement.

"There's also the new educational decree," Harry said rolling his eyes. "We're not allowed to meet in groups of three or more without Umbridge's permission. They've disbanded all of the clubs pending review. Including all the Quidditch teams except Slytherin."

"Even choir got shut down," Rory said. "It's madness."

"Well, perhaps you shouldn't gather in a large group in an empty pub that you don't usually visit to have a secret meeting about starting an illegal Defense Against the Dark Arts club," Sirius chuckled.

Rory's eyes narrowed on him. "You didn't come to Hogsmeade after we told you not to, did you?"

"No, no. I would never dare to incur your wrath," Sirius said. "But Mundungus was there."

"I thought it would be better if we did it somewhere quiet," Hermione said. "So people wouldn't overhear."

"Easier to overhear in an empty pub," Sirius said. "Remember that for next time."

"Will do," Rory replied.

"Oh, and Ron, your mother wanted me to pass along to you that you are under no circumstances allowed to join the illegal Defense Against the Dark Arts club because if you get caught you'll surely be expelled and you will ruin your future," Sirius said.

Ron nodded. "Tell her I will definitely not join then." He rolled his eyes.

"Remus wanted to tell you the same thing, Aurora, but then he sighed and said 'who am I kidding,'" Sirius said. "I for one think it's a great idea."

"Really?" Harry asked.

"Of course. You know Voldemort is back. You must be able to defend yourselves," Sirius said. "And with your OWLs this year-."

Suddenly Sirius' face disappeared from the fireplace and was replaced with a short, stubby hand covered in ugly, old rings.

The four of them leaped to their feet and held their breath until the hand disappeared and the fire returned to normal.

Rory wrapped herself around Harry's arm and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Someone's definitely reading your mail, Harry," she said. "And I think we know who."


Choir practice returned on Wednesday, much to Rory's relief. She'd had no idea what she would do with herself if she didn't have choir. Thankfully, quidditch had resumed again as well, which put Harry in an infinitely better mood, temporarily.

She expected everything to be great when she and Ara returned to the Common Room after rehearsal, but she found Harry sitting at the window grumpily reading his charms textbook.

Rory loved Harry. She really did, but it was also getting to be exhausting trying to keep up with his moods and doing her best not to set him off. He was sitting alone so it was a good bet that he'd already annoyed Ron and Hermione enough that they didn't want to be bothered with him at the moment.

Rory walked over and sat with him.

"Hello, handsome," she said.

"Bet you say that to every bloke who plays Quidditch," he said, still staring down at the book.

Rory sagged with relief. He wasn't in that bad of a mood if he was joking.

"How did practice go?" she asked.

Harry motioned out the window. "About as miserable as it looks."

It was a downpour outside, and she could only imagine how cold it was.

"Sorry, Lovey," Rory said.

"And then," he went on. He tapped his forehead, right where his scar was. Rory frowned. "He's angry about something. I can tell."

Rory bit at her bottom lip. "I'm concerned."

"I know," Harry said. "Ron thinks I should tell Dumbledore."

"Maybe you should," Rory said.

"I can handle it. Don't worry," he said. Rory frowned. "Don't look at me like that."

"I'm not saying you should tell Dumbledore about it, but… I just feel so lost. What can anyone do about it?" Rory asked.

Harry shrugged. "That's the question, I suppose. But it's fine. And don't say it isn't. It's fine… For now."

"Alright," Rory said. She didn't have a solution so there was no sense in arguing the point further. "Do you want me to study with you?"

"Do you need to study?" Harry asked. "Or do you just enjoy being around me?"

"Mostly the latter," Rory said. "Can you blame me?"

"I guess not," he said. "But I'm not really absorbing anything."

"Your head's oversaturated because of the rain," Rory teased.

He smiled at her and returned to his book. Rory grabbed a book of her own and rejoined Harry in the common room. Before long though, Harry had fallen asleep, his head in the book. Rory chuckled at this. Classic Harry Potter.

She continued to sit with him, even as the Common Room emptied to almost nothing.

"Hello!"

Suddenly a cheerful, small voice piped up, startling her away from her book. She looked over to see a small house elf wearing what looked like every single one of the hats Hermione had been knitting for the house elves atop his head.

"Hi. Dobby isn't it?" Rory asked.

"Yes, thank you! Dobby has a message for Harry Potter," he explained.

"Of course," she said. She reached over and gently shook Harry awake. He practically jumped out of his skin.

"Sorry," he said, fixing his glasses. "Bad dream."

"It's fine," she said. "Dobby's here."

Harry looked over and gave the house elf a once over. "Hi, Dobby. What exactly are you wearing?"

"Isn't it lovely? Dobby and Winky have been taking all of the hats and gloves that Miss Hermione makes. Winky still does not care for clothes. None of the house elves do," Dobby said. "Except for Dobby, the elves find the clothes insulting. They refuse to clean Gryffindor Tower in fact."

"That tracks," Rory said. It had not escaped her notice that the common room was in a bit of disarray these days.

"But Dobby wanted to tell Harry Potter that Professor Grubby-Plank says that Hedwig is back in the owlery and is doing quite well now," Dobby said.

"Oh, excellent, thank you," Harry said.

"It is Dobby's pleasure, sir," Dobby said, bowing low. "Is there anything else Dobby can do for you?"

Harry seemed to have a sudden realization. "You know the school pretty well, don't you Dobby?"

"Yes, sir."

"You don't happen to know of a place where 30 or so people can practice defense against the dark arts without getting found out by a teacher do you?" Harry asked.

"Yes!" Dobby said unhesitatingly. "The Come and Go room. Or the Room of requirement some call it."

"What?" Rory asked.

"It is a special room. It only appears when you will it to and it will always have exactly what you need inside of it," Dobby explained. "But it is hidden. Dobby can tell you how to find it."

"That'd be excellent," Harry said.

Rory was astonished. It wouldn't have occurred to her in a million years to ask the house elves for help, but it made sense. They knew every nook and cranny of the castle. Lucky for Harry having a friend who was a house elf.

After Dobby left, Harry and Rory immediately headed out to find the room. On the fifth floor, they found it. It truly had to only appear when you needed it because Rory had walked down this corridor a dozen times and never seen the small door that appeared there.

Harry pushed it open and led her inside.

The walls were lined with bookshelves, the floor was covered in comfy looking silk cushions, and at the back of the room was a shelf holding all kinds of objects she'd seen last year in Moody's office.

"Whoa," Rory said. "Remind me to hug Dobby the next time I see him."

"Me too," Harry said. He put his arm around her and kissed her temple. "I wasn't sure before, but I really think this is a good idea. Especially since it doesn't seem like Umbridge can find us here. We'll have to tell Hermione."

"Her head will probably pop off," Rory said.

"I don't doubt it," Harry chuckled.

"Feels good," Rory said. "I feel like we might actually be doing something."

"Me too," Harry said.


The next day, they managed to spread the word to every member of their new club. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Rory were all waiting in the Room of Requirement before the meeting started.

"This is unbelievable," Hermione said. "There are plenty of rumors about this room, but leave it to the house elves to know where it is exactly."

One by one their friends started to arrive. Once the whole club was present, Hermione took the floor.

"Thanks for coming, everyone. I'm glad you were all able to find it," she said.

"This place is swanky as hell," Ara said.

"Agreed," Matilda said.

"And the added bonus that Umbridge and probably most of the staff have no idea how to find us," Rory said.

"Definitely," Hermione said. "But as I was saying, thanks for coming. Before we get started, I thought it would be good, even if we're technically an 'illegal' club, that we should make ourselves kind of official. Pick a name and a leader."

"How do we pick?" Stephen asked.

"We vote," Hermione said. "Simplest way, right? And we can pick anyone in the group."

"Sounds good to me," Ron chimed in.

Cho raised her hand. "I vote for Harry."

Yes, Harry was the obvious choice to be in charge, but Rory didn't hide her eye roll at Cho being the first person to vote for him. Everyone agreed almost unanimously.

"I know it doesn't matter because I'm easily outvoted, but just know that my vote is for Rory. Dare to be different," Matilda said.

"That would've been my vote as well," Harry said, taking hold of her hand.

"Well, I graciously concede this election. But you're very sweet," Rory said. "Have any words then?"

Harry thought for a moment. "I really hope I don't let you guys down."

"Fat chance of that," Ron said.

Harry smiled. "I guess we still need a name."

"Probably something to do with defense against the dark arts, because that's why we're here," Rory said.

"I was thinking," Cho chimed in, again. This time Rory didn't roll her eyes because Cho was more than welcome to speak in the club that she was a member of even if Rory didn't like her. "We could call it D.A. Like for Defense Association or something."

"I like D.A., but it should stand for Dumbledore's Army because that's what the Ministry is most afraid of right now," Ginny said.

"Yes, I love it," Matilda said. "All in favor of 'Dumbledore's Army.' Wait. Mister Prime Minister, you should call for the vote."

"Thank you, Matilda, and please never call me that again," Harry said.

"I'm going to call you that exclusively from now on," Matilda said.

Harry nodded as though he should have seen it coming. "All in favor of calling ourselves Dumbledore's Army?" Every hand in the room went up. "Alright. Then let's get the first meeting of Dumbledore's Army underway."


They started with the disarming charm, Expelliarmus. Harry demonstrated with Ron "Because it feels weird to try to disarm my girlfriend."

"More like you'd rather disrobe her," Matilda teased.

"Can you stop?" Rory asked.

"You know I can't," Matilda replied.

They all split up into groups of two, while Harry and Rory went around helping as needed or giving an encouraging word here or there. Having spent lots of time with Professor Flitwick before, during, and after choir rehearsal, Rory got to hear tales of his time as a dueling champion. She'd learned that when it came to attacking or defending yourself, wrist control was key.

"You've got to steady your hand a bit," Rory said to Neville. He'd tried three times to disarm Matilda and had no luck.

"This is hopeless," he groaned.

"It's not. You're practicing. Learning. That's the whole point of this," Rory said. She held out her wand to demonstrate when suddenly there was a small eruption of flames down the line. They glanced down to see that Cho had set her friend, Marietta's, sleeve on fire accidentally while Harry watched in mild horror.

But the flames were out quickly and Rory returned to Neville.

"Well, you haven't set anyone on fire," Rory said. "So you've got that going for you."

"Thanks," Neville said.

Rory demonstrated to Neville, disarming Matilda once more for good measure. And then with a flick of his wrist, he managed to pop the wand right out of Matilda's hand. The people around him applauded. Neville's face went scarlet.

"Told you you could do it," Rory said.

She glanced back down the line and saw that Harry was still standing there, talking to, and laughing with Cho. His gaze shifted down the line and Rory quickly looked away. Rory did not want to be jealous. Harry had made it very clear that he wasn't interested in Cho and that he loved Rory, and he said that he wasn't going to let Cho make her uncomfortable anymore. She just had to trust him.

But what the fuck were they talking about?

She looked back down the line and Harry had returned to his conversation with Cho.

"Don't do it," Neville said.

"Don't do what?" Rory asked.

"Go down there and make a fool of yourself by inserting yourself into the conversation," Neville said.

"I'm not," Rory said. She paused for a beat. "I know Cho likes him. So it makes sense that she's being all cute and flirty and giggly."

"Right," Neville said.

"But what hell is he being all cute and friendly for?" Rory asked. "Tell me I'm crazy and that it doesn't look like he's flirting with her."

Neville glanced down and then looked back to Rory. "Maybe so, but-."

"How on earth is there a 'but,' Neville?" Rory asked sighing exasperatedly.

"But he might just be reacting in kind with what she's doing."

Rory rolled her eyes. "That makes me feel better. Some girl is flirting with my boyfriend and he can't help but flirt back. Wonderful."

"Well, if you go down there, you're going to cause a scene," Neville said.

"Can I go make a scene? He's not my boyfriend," Matilda offered.

"No," Neville said.

Rory glanced down toward him again and this time he was looking back at her. Their eyes met for just a moment and Rory looked away. She was sure she looked irritated.

"One death glare and he walked away," Matilda said. "Imagine that."

Rory rolled her eyes and moved on to help Michael Corner and Ginny. Rory was adjusting Michael's wrist when Harry came over. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Rory," Harry whispered her name into her ear.

"We can talk later," Rory said. "I'm helping Michael." She let go of Michael's hand. And with a flick of his wrist, he also managed to disarm Ginny. "Nice."

Harry kissed her cheek and Rory flashed a brief smile. It was more reflexive than anything. Rory glanced down toward Cho. She was looking at Rory now and looked away almost guiltily.

Good, Rory thought. She should feel guilty.

When the meeting was over, everyone agreed to meet up the following week. Everyone left in pairs, waiting a minute or two before sending someone else out so that no suspicions were raised.

"That went really well," Hermione said. "You two are actually very good teachers."

"I was raised by the best, obviously," Rory said. "And no one that I helped set anyone on fire."

"Yeah, that was bizarre," Harry said.

"It was a little impressive, especially since she'd been doing it alright before," Ron said.

"Harry probably just makes her nervous," Hermione said dismissively. But Rory grimaced and then Hermione seemed to realize that this was not anything Rory wanted to hear.

"Uh, I think it's safe for us to go, Hermione," Ron said.

Hermione nodded in agreement. "See you in the common room."

Ron and Hermione left the room. Harry and Rory stood in silence.

"She was telling me about Cedric," Harry said. "That's the only reason I was talking to her for so long."

"I already told you I don't care who you talk to, Harry," Rory said.

"That's obviously not true," Harry said. "You realize that she's going to be here every week, right? And that it's unavoidable that I'll end up talking to her."

Rory sighed. "I know. I told you it's fine. I don't care."

Harry groaned. "Why do you keep saying you don't care if you do?"

"Why are you asking why I'm saying 'I don't care' when you clearly don't care?" Rory asked. She crossed her arms and turned her back to him.

"Rory, I'm standing here talking to you because I do care," Harry said. "I cannot control how she acts or how she talks to me. I can't control that she likes me."

"Do you like her?" Rory asked.

"Are you mad? Of course, I don't," Harry said. He turned Rory around to him. "Fish, listen to me. I love you. I love you more than anyone and anything on this planet. I need you to understand that. Okay?"

Rory blinked and a tear rolled down her face. Harry wiped it away before she could.

"I love you," Harry repeated. "It's only you."

"It doesn't feel that way when I see you with her," Rory said.

Harry frowned and shook his head. "Rory… You are the only person I know how to be around right now where I can still feel like myself. I don't know how I'd feel normal if I didn't have you." He took hold of her hands. He kissed the backs of each one of them. "I know telling you not to worry doesn't mean you're not going to worry, but you don't need to. There are a thousand other things about me you can worry over, but Cho Chang? If I love you? Never that."

"Promise?" Rory asked. Tears still clouded her vision.

"I promise," he said. He leaned down and kissed her hard and deep. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said. And Rory felt like maybe she was being insecure for no reason. Every instinct in her body told her that what she and Harry had was real. But every time she saw Harry and Cho together, her blood went hot.

Harry kissed her again and then pulled her into his arms.

"Do you want to stay here for a while?" he asked.

"What?" she asked.

"We can hang out here for a bit," Harry said. "We're well and truly alone after all."

"And what do you want to do with our aloneness?" Rory asked.

"We can read," Harry said. "I haven't quite finished Jurassic Park yet."

"You just walk around with that book?" she asked.

Harry glanced around the room for a moment and then he pulled her over to one of the empty bookshelves, where there was a copy of the book.

"Room of Requirement indeed," she said pulling it from the shelf.