Laughter echoed through the Room of Requirement, filling the space with an infectious warmth. Dumbledore's Army had reconvened after the Yule break, their spirits high as they gathered once more under the guidance of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Tonight's lesson focused on the Patronus Charm, a spell of hope and protection in dark times.
As the flickering candles cast shadows on the walls, silvery forms began to materialize. Luna Lovegood's hare bounded gracefully, its ethereal form dancing alongside Ginny's majestic horse. Hermione's otter darted playfully, weaving through the air with agile grace, while Ron's jack russell terrier chased after it with enthusiastic determination.
For Harry, the sight of his friends mastering the spell brought a sense of profound joy. Despite the challenges they faced, there was a sense of determination that filled him with gratitude. In this moment, surrounded by the laughter and camaraderie of Dumbledore's Army, Harry felt a glimmer of hope for the future, knowing that together they could face whatever trials lay ahead.
An abrupt sound filled the room. The camaraderie died down as fast as it erupted. Lights flickered on and off. Patronuses disappeared, fear instilled in their hearts. Another rumble caused some of the students to gasp. The last Patronus, Luna's, dissolved into the air. The chandeliers shook, glass clinking.
They had been discovered.
The mirrored glass crackled and broke, throwing shards of glass towards the DA. Harry wasted no time in putting up a shield. A hole in the wall suggested that the Reductor Curse had been used.
Nigel, one of the youngest members, second year, stepped forward to see who was there, nevertheless of he fact that they knew who it was.
"I'll make short work of this. Bombarda Maxima!" Umbridge pointed her wand directly at Nigel's face.
In a split second, Harry ran forward, grabbing the younger boy by the waist and roughly pulling him away. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and a few others vigilantly stepped forward. The consequences of his actions were priceless. Harry's leg got caught in one of the rocks pulling him to the ground. He barely pushed Nigel ahead when he was buried under a pile of rubble.
"Harry!"
A piercing scream tore out of Hermione and Ginny's mouths. Ron was still processing what was happening. Few of the DA members, including Ginny, Hermione, Fred and George, and Nigel, rushed to him. However, they were unable to move forward because of a force field. They looked up to see Umbridge's wand pointing at Harry's broken form.
"He needs medical help! He's dying!" Hermione exclaimed angrily.
"Mr. Potter should be fine for a few hours. All of you will come with me to the Headmaster's office immediately," Umbridge squeaked.
"No! My best mate is lying there!" Ron said, finally understanding his surroundings.
The other members there were terrified. They saw what happened to Trelawney. They hated her, yes. But they feared her.
"Malfoy, Crabbe, go grab the ginger head and Granger for me. Rest of you WILL follow," the Inquisitor commanded.
Rightfully, the Slytherins grabbed both of them, dragging them to Dumbledore's office.
/
The Minister for Magic, along with Kingsley Shacklebolt and Percy Weasley were well informed and discussing the matter with Dumbeldore. Umbridge walked in proudly. "Cornelius, these children are forming an army with instructions from Dumbledore himself! Dumbledore's Army it's seems."
"No! We aren't! We just named it so!" Hermione exclaimed, Harry would never put the Headmaster in a tough situation.
"'It is indeed very kind of you Ms. Granger but ah, yes. I did tell young Mr. Potter to help. Where is Harry?" Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling with warmth and kindness.
"She! She blasted the wall! Harry got caught! He's lying unconscious in the RoR!" Ron said fiercely.
Dumbledore gasped, "Is it true Dolores?"
"Hem, hem! Potter got in the way. I did what had to be done." Umbridge said, her chin up in the air.
"Well then, Shacklebolt, Weatherby. Take Dumbeldore to Azkaban for on charges of conspiracy and sedition where he shall await trial!" Fudge said dauntily.
"About that Cornelius... I shall not... What's the phrase? Come quietly." Dumbeldore said, chuckling softly before disappearing in flames, transporting to somewhere with Fawkes.
Shacklebolt chuckled, "You may not like him, Minister, but you can't deny, Dumbledore's got style."
/
Umbridge was cross. She herself dragged Ron and Hermione to the Great Hall where the long tables were replaced by singular desks. The members of the DA had settled down and Umbridge forced Ron and Hermione on two desks.
"You will all begin writing! 'I must not break the Educational Decrees'. Use the quills provides. They do not require ink.
Just as soon as everyone started writing, they realized that their blood was the ink. Younger students hissed while some of the older ones tried to keep their mouth shut.
/
Around two hours later, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins hurried back to the RoR.
Harry was still lying unconscious, his breathing shallow.
"We have to get him to the Hospital Wing!" Ginny cried, checking his pulse.
Just with a bit of wand work, Hermione and George managed to remove the stone on top of Harry as Fred and Ron pulled him out. Fred carried Harry to Madam Pomfrey, running. The others followed quickly.
"Madam Pomfrey!" Ginny called.
The mediwitch scurried towards the students calling her and was taken by shock. "Oh my! What has the boy done now?" She quickly gathered Harry in her arms, not waiting for an answer. She laid him on the bed he always laid on, casting diagnostic spells here and there. The spinal injury caught was the most prominent out of the extensive list.
Poppy quickly conjured a back and neck brace to stabilize Harry and administered some potions through magical IV port. She walked back to her office, lighting the fire place and fire-called St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Soon enough two healer, a male and a female stepped out of the floo. "Healer Standler and Healer Crew. Thank you for coming on such short notice," Madam Pomfrey said, leading the healers to Harry. "Apparently, young Mr. Potter has injured his spine. I do not have means strong enough to help him heal. However, it is imperative that he stays here."
"It is not every day that we get to help the Golden boy. We shall do our best," Healer Crew said, implying to give them some space.
Just as the mediwitch left, the curtains were drawn and beeping and soft glows of spells were seen. She left the room to find Potter's housemates.
"Ah, there you are!"
Madam Pomfrey took a deep breath, steeling herself before addressing Harry's friends. "Potter has suffered a severe spinal injury. Now, shed some light on how could that have happened."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. "But... but what does that mean for him?"
Madam Pomfrey's expression softened with sympathy. "It means that Harry's mobility is in jeopardy. He may have difficulty walking, and there's a chance he could be permanently paralyzed from the waist down."
Ron's face paled, his hands trembling. "No... Harry can't... he can't be..."
Ginny squeezed Ron's hand tightly, her own eyes filled with tears. "We have to believe he'll pull through this. Harry's faced worse odds before."
The twins exchanged a worried glance, their usual banter silenced by the gravity of the situation. "We'll do whatever it takes to help him," Fred said firmly.
George nodded in agreement. "We won't let Umbridge get away with this."
Madam Pomfrey had a questioning look on her face. "Umbridge?"
"She blew up a wall of the Room of Requirement. Harry went forward to save a second year and got caught in it himself. We could not reach him and were dragged into detention." Ginny explained quietly.
"Well, I believe that you should rest, all of you. I shall inform Dumbeldore." Pomfrey said firmly.
"But Professor Dumbeldore left earlier," Ron said.
"Well, then Minerva must be informed."