Chapter 33: Dumbledore's Army
October 8, 2002 – Tuesday
Charms' Classroom
Dawn's voice dripped with concern as she leaned in close to Harry, her eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and frustration. "Umbridge has been reading your mail, Harry. There's no other explanation."
"You think Umbridge attacked Hedwig?" Harry's voice crackled with indignation, his eyes blazing with anger.
"I'm almost certain of it," Dawn replied, her tone grim and resolute. "Watch your frog, it's escaping."
With a swift flick of his wand, Harry redirected the bullfrog that had been making a break for freedom, the creature reluctantly returning to his grasp.
In the midst of the bustling Charms class, where the air was filled with the cacophony of croaks and caws, and the rain outside beat against the windows like a relentless drum, Dawn, Harry, Ron, and Hermione huddled together, their conversation shrouded in secrecy.
Hermione's voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried an urgency that matched the gravity of their situation. "Anyways Buffy confirmed Umbridge is watching the Floo network which means she is likely intercepting owls also. I've been suspecting this ever since Filch accused you of ordering Dungbombs, because it seemed such a stupid lie. I mean, once your letter had been read it would have been quite clear you weren't ordering them, so you wouldn't have been in trouble at all."
Dawn glanced at her sister, a hint of skepticism in her expression. "It's a bit of a feeble joke, isn't it?" Turning back to Harry, her eyes narrowed in contemplation. "But then Hermione and I thought, what if somebody just wanted an excuse to read your mail?"
Hermione's voice was laced with a sense of frustration as she elaborated on the possibility. "Well then, it would be a perfect way for Umbridge to manage it — tip off Filch, let him do the dirty work and confiscate the letter, then either find a way of stealing it from him or else demand to see it — I don't think Filch would object, when's he ever stuck up for a student's rights?"
As Hermione spoke, Harry's grip tightened unconsciously around the bullfrog in his hand. "Harry, you're squashing your frog," her sharp observation snapped him out of his thoughts, and he hastily loosened his hold, placing the amphibian back on the desk.
"It was a very, very close call last night," Hermione continued, her voice tinged with anxiety. "I just wonder if Umbridge knows how close it was. Silencio." With a flick of her wand, the bullfrog she was practicing her Silencing Charm on fell silent, casting her a reproachful glare.
"If she'd caught Snuffles —" Dawn began, her voice trailing off with concern.
Harry finished her sentence, his tone heavy with worry. "—He'd probably be back in Azkaban this morning. Well, he mustn't do it again, that's all. I just don't know how we're going to let him know. We can't send him an owl."
Ron shook his head, his expression grave. "I don't reckon he'll risk it again," he remarked as the raven in front of him cawed. "He's not stupid, he knows she nearly got him." But his attempt to silence the raven proved futile. "Silencio," he muttered, his frustration mounting as the bird defiantly cawed back at him, seemingly mocking his efforts.
Dawn leaned in, her brow furrowed in concentration. "It's the way you're moving your wand," she advised. "You don't want to wave it; it's more a sharp jab."
"Ravens are harder than frogs," Ron grumbled in response.
Without hesitation, Dawn swapped her bullfrog for Ron's raven, determined to demonstrate. "Silencio!" she commanded. To her satisfaction, the bird's beak moved, but no sound emerged, proving her technique successful.
Professor Flitwick beamed at Dawn's accomplishment. "Very good, Miss Summers! It seems your sister has rubbed off on you. Now, let me see you try, Mr. Weasley."
Ron, feeling the pressure, stammered in response. "Wha—? Oh — oh, right," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Er — silencio!" With an awkward jab of his wand, he inadvertently poked the bullfrog in the eye. The resulting croak was so loud that it startled both Ron and the nearby students, causing the frog to leap off the desk in a frenzy.
Buffy's Suite
As the rain poured outside, the group gathered in Buffy's suite, seeking refuge from the dreary weather. Dawn glanced at Hermione, noticing the distant look in her eyes. "What's up with you, Hermione?" she inquired, her concern evident in her voice.
Hermione's gaze remained fixed on the window, her thoughts seemingly far away. "Just thinking..." she murmured, her voice trailing off.
"About Sirius?" Harry suggested, his tone filled with understanding.
Hermione shook her head slowly. "No... not exactly," she replied, her words measured and thoughtful. "More... wondering... I suppose we're doing the right thing... I think... aren't we?"
Ron couldn't resist interjecting with a hint of sarcasm. "Well, that clears that up," he quipped. "It would've been really annoying if you hadn't explained yourself properly."
Hermione's gaze shifted to Ron, as if she had just noticed his presence. "I was just wondering, whether we're doing the right thing, starting this Defense Against the Dark Arts group," she voiced, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
"What?" Harry and Ron exclaimed simultaneously, their confusion evident.
Dawn exchanged a glance with her sister, interjecting gently, "Hermione, it was your idea in the first place."
Hermione corrected her with a slight shake of her head. "Dawn, it was our idea. But after talking to Sirius..."
"But he's all for it," Harry interjected, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. "And so is Buffy."
"Yes," Hermione acknowledged quietly, her eyes drifting back to the window. "Yes, that's what made me think maybe it wasn't a good idea after all..."
Harry's frustration simmered as he confronted Hermione, his words laced with anger. "Let's get this straight," he began, his tone sharp. "Sirius agrees with us and so does Buffy, so you don't think we should do it anymore?"
Hermione's expression grew tense, her distress palpable. Avoiding Harry's gaze, she stared down at her hands, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you honestly trust his judgment?"
"Yes, I do!" Harry responded vehemently, his loyalty to Sirius unwavering. "He's always given us great advice! Do you trust Buffy's?"
Hermione let out a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping. "I trust Buffy with my life. But don't you think Sirius has become... sort of... reckless... since he's been cooped up in Grimmauld Place? You don't think he's... kind of... living through us?"
"What d'you mean, living through us?" Harry shot back, confusion evident in his voice.
Dawn's heart sank as she recognized Hermione's concerns. Sirius, confined to Grimmauld Place, must be feeling stifled, even desperate. The thought of him going stir crazy weighed heavily on her mind.
Hermione's words hung in the air, laden with concern and apprehension. "I mean... well, I think he'd love to be forming secret Defense societies right under the nose of someone from the Ministry... I think he's really frustrated at how little he can do where he is... so I think he's keen to kind of... egg us on," she explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ron's expression shifted from confusion to bewilderment. "Sirius is right, you do sound just like my mother," he remarked, his tone bemused.
"Hey!" Dawn interjected, her defense of her sister swift and fierce. She fixed Ron with a steely glare. "There is no need to insult my sister. She's just worried. To tell the truth, so am I."
The tension in the room was palpable as they processed Hermione's words and Dawn's impassioned response. The bell's sudden ringing shattered the moment, signaling the end of their break. With a collective sigh, they gathered their belongings and headed for their next class.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
When Harry and Ron made their way down to Quidditch practice that evening, Hermione and Dawn ascended to Buffy's suite, their minds heavy with concern.
As they entered the familiar surroundings, Buffy greeted them with her usual calm demeanor. "Buffy," Dawn began, her voice hesitant, "We've been thinking this Defense club may not be a good idea."
Buffy's expression remained composed as she listened to Dawn's words. "Is it about my being Umbridge's stooge? Or about Sirius almost being caught?" she inquired, her tone betraying a hint of weariness.
Hermione let out a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping with the weight of their shared worries. "Both, I think," she admitted reluctantly.
Buffy nodded in understanding, her gaze steady. "My fireplace is not watched because the idiot trusts me," she revealed, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and determination. "I sent Sirius a note after you came to talk to me last night, Dawn, telling him to be careful that the Floo Network in Hogwarts was being watched. And that Harry's owls were being read."
Dawn's tense shoulders relaxed slightly as she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "That's good," she murmured, relief evident in her voice.
"About me, as long as you're careful," Buffy reassured them, her tone firm yet tinged with a hint of resignation. "I'll be fine. And should Umbridge find out, I have plans in motion to keep me in her good graces. That assumes you both are willing to go along."
Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" she interjected, her voice reflecting her uncertainty.
Buffy let out a weary sigh, her gaze steady as she explained the difficult decision they faced. "You'll have to lie to Umbridge, of course," she clarified. "Tell her you went behind my back. And I will have to visibly punish you. I mean actual detentions where you use that stupid quill. She's made me have any student I give detention to use it. I hate doing it or even asking either of you to do it."
Dawn met her Hemione's eyes, silently communicating the weight of the decision they were about to make. With a solemn nod, Hermione confirmed their agreement to Buffy's plan. "We'll do it, Buffy," Dawn affirmed, determination flickering in her gaze.
Buffy's smile held a hint of reassurance as she affirmed their agreement. "Good. If you all are ever caught, I will make sure that I give you the punishment. That way it's not as bad as Harry's was. Umbridge will be reluctant of course. But I think she will do it for me since you're my sisters."
Hermione hesitated for a moment before bringing up another pressing concern. "Buffy, one other thing," she began, her voice earnest. "Do you think Dawn and I should be learning to defend ourselves? So you don't have to worry about us. As the Slayer, you have enemies the world over—many vampires and demons. Do you think we should learn to defend ourselves, not to help you if you don't want? But to make sure we're not a target for anyone seeking a way to get at you through us."
Buffy regarded her sisters with a mixture of pride and contemplation, weighing their words carefully. After a moment of reflection, she nodded in agreement. "Yes," she responded, her tone firm. "I may never want you to help me patrol. And that has more to do with me than either of you. I want you both to have as normal a childhood as you can have, one that I didn't have. But you both should be able to protect yourselves, you're right there. So yes, I think you should be learning to defend yourselves. It's why I agree with you both doing this club."
October 9, 2002 – Wednesday
Great Hall
At lunchtime, Harry discreetly began spreading the word about the newfound location for the Defense Against the Dark Arts group.
"Good," Harry murmured to Angelina when she informed him that Quidditch practice was canceled. "Because we've found somewhere to have our first Defense meeting. Tonight, eight o'clock, seventh floor opposite that tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by those trolls. Can you tell Katie and Alicia?"
As Harry relayed the message, Hermione observed him with a furrowed brow, her concern evident in her gaze.
"What?" Harry questioned, his voice thick with confusion, as he noticed Hermione's contemplative expression.
"Well... it's just that Dobby's plans aren't always that safe. Don't you remember when he lost you all the bones in your arm?" Hermione voiced her apprehension, her words laced with caution.
Dawn, however, interjected with a sigh, coming to Harry's defense. "Don't you remember when he gave us the gillyweed? I didn't drown during that task now, did I?" she countered, her tone carrying a hint of frustration.
Hermione's glare intensified at her sister's retort.
"This room isn't just some mad idea of Dobby's; Dumbledore knows about it, too," Harry stated confidently, his voice carrying a sense of assurance. "He mentioned it to me at the Yule Ball."
A flicker of realization crossed Hermione's features as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "Dumbledore told you about it?" she inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity.
"Just in passing," Harry replied nonchalantly, shrugging as if it were no big deal.
Hermione's expression softened as she absorbed this information, a sense of relief washing over her. "Oh, well, that's all right then," she remarked, her voice infused with a newfound sense of reassurance. The knowledge that Dumbledore was aware of the room's existence seemed to ease any lingering doubts she may have had about its legitimacy.
Room of Requirement
At half past seven, the quartet of Harry, Dawn, Ron, and Hermione departed from the Gryffindor common room, their steps purposeful and determined.
"Hold it," Harry cautioned, his voice low yet resolute, as he unfurled the parchment containing the Hogwarts map and tapped it with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
With a flicker of magic, the map materialized on the blank surface of the parchment, revealing a intricate layout of the castle grounds. Tiny black dots, each labeled with names, darted across the map, indicating the whereabouts of various individuals.
"Filch is on the second floor," Harry reported, his eyes scanning the map with precision. "And Mrs. Norris is on the fourth."
Hermione's brow furrowed in concern as she posed her question. "Buffy and Umbridge?" she inquired, her voice tinged with apprehension.
"Buffy's in her suite. Umbridge is in hers and Buffy's shared office," Harry responded, his tone focused and resolute. "Okay, let's go."
They quickened their pace along the dimly lit corridor, their anticipation mounting with each step as they approached the spot Dobby had described to Harry.
"OK," Harry murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Dobby said to walk past this bit of wall three times, concentrating hard on what we need."
Following Harry's lead, they completed their circuit around the designated area, their minds focused on the task at hand.
"Harry!" Dawn's sharp voice cut through the air as they turned around after their third pass.
To their amazement, a highly polished door had materialized in the previously solid wall, seemingly appearing out of thin air. With a mixture of awe and excitement, they pushed open the door and stepped into the room beyond. Inside, they found themselves in a spacious chamber adorned with towering bookcases and plush silk cushions arranged in lieu of traditional chairs.
"These will be good when we're practicing Stunning," Ron exclaimed enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming as he prodded one of the cushions with his foot.
"And just look at these books!" Hermione exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement as she ran her finger along the spines of the large leather-bound tomes. "A Compendium of Common Curses and their Counter-Actions... The Dark Arts Outsmarted... Self-Defensive Spellwork... wow... Harry, this is wonderful, there's everything we need here!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and the others couldn't help but share in her excitement as they took in the wealth of knowledge that surrounded them. But Hermione's eyes soon fell on a familiar book, one she had received her first Christmas with Buffy and Dawn.
"Dawn, look at this," she exclaimed, holding up the book. "It even has 'A Treatise on the Mythology and Methodology of the Vampire Slayer.'"
Dawn's eyes widened in astonishment. "Wow," she breathed, her voice filled with awe. "And here Buffy had trouble locating that book. If she knew about this room, she could have had any book she had been looking for right here at her fingertips."
Before they could dwell on the implications of their discovery, there was a gentle knock on the door. Turning around, they saw Ginny, Neville, Lavender, Parvati, and Dean standing in the doorway, their expressions filled with curiosity.
"Whoa," Dean exclaimed, his eyes scanning the room in amazement. "What is this place?"
Harry began to explain, but before he could finish, more people began to arrive, eager to see the mysterious room for themselves. With each new arrival, Harry found himself having to repeat his explanation, until finally, every cushion was occupied and the room was filled with eager faces.
"Well," Harry began, feeling slightly nervous under the scrutiny of the group. "This is the place we've found for practice sessions, and you've — er — obviously found it OK."
"It's fantastic!" Cho exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm, and several others in the room murmured their agreement. Dawn's eyes narrowed as she observed Cho's reaction. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, knowing Harry's feelings for the girl and wishing it were her that he looked at with such admiration.
But Fred's voice cut through the momentary tension, his tone tinged with bemusement. "It's bizarre," he remarked, frowning as he surveyed the room. "We once hid from Filch in here, remember, George? But it was just a broom cupboard then."
As the group continued to explore the room, Dean's curiosity was piqued by the assortment of magical artifacts displayed on a nearby table. "Hey, Harry, what's this stuff?" he called out from the rear of the room, gesturing toward the Sneakoscopes and the Foe-Glass.
Harry moved to join Dean, explaining the purpose of the dark detectors. "Basically, they all show when Dark wizards or enemies are around," he elucidated. "But you don't want to rely on them too much; they can be fooled."
As Harry contemplated their next steps, Hermione raised her hand, drawing everyone's attention. "What, Hermione?" Harry prompted, acknowledging her with a curious glance.
"I think we ought to elect a leader," Hermione declared, her voice firm and decisive,
Dawn nodded in agreement, her determination evident in her expression. "I second," she affirmed, throwing her support behind Hermione's suggestion.
"Harry's leader," Cho interjected immediately as she glanced at Hermione and Dawn as though they were mad.
But Hermione remained undeterred by Cho's reaction. "Yes, but I think we ought to vote on it properly," she insisted, her voice steady and resolute.
Dawn chimed in, echoing Hermione's sentiment. "It makes it formal and it gives him authority. So — everyone who thinks Harry ought to be our leader?" she proposed, her gaze sweeping across the room.
Without hesitation, every hand in the room shot up in agreement, a collective gesture of support for Harry's leadership. Even Zacharias Smith, though he did it very half-heartedly, reluctantly acknowledged Harry's suitability for the role.
"Er — right, thanks," Harry mumbled, feeling his face flush with embarrassment under the spotlight. "And — what, Hermione?" he prompted, eager to move past the attention focused on him.
But Hermione was already forging ahead with her next suggestion, her enthusiasm undimmed. "I also think we ought to have a name," she declared brightly, her hand still raised in the air. "It would promote a feeling of team spirit and unity, don't you think?"
Dawn rolled her eyes at Hermione's suggestion and took a moment to consider her point. She couldn't deny the logic behind Hermione's proposal; after all, Muggle sports teams often had names to foster a sense of camaraderie and unity among their members.
"Can we be the Anti-Summers-Umbridge League?" Angelina suggested hopefully, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Dawn's expression hardened as she shot a disapproving glare at Angelina. "Um, you do know that's our sister, right?" she pointed out, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Despite the fact that we're not too happy with her at the moment, we still would rather our or her name not be slung through the mud."
Angelina's shoulders slumped in realization, and she nodded in understanding. "Okay then, just the Anti-Umbridge League? Better?" she suggested tentatively.
Dawn nodded in agreement. "Better. Thank you, Angelina," she acknowledged, grateful for her friend's willingness to compromise.
Angelina smiled warmly. "Sure, Dawn. By the way, I never believed anything the Daily Prophet said about you," she added earnestly.
A small smile tugged at Dawn's lips at Angelina's words. "Thanks, that means a lot," she replied sincerely.
"How about the Ministry of Magic is Morons Group?" Fred interjected with a mischievous grin, earning a few chuckles from the group.
"I was thinking," Hermione began, her brow furrowing in disapproval as she shot a reproachful glance at Fred, "more of a name that didn't tell everyone what we were up to, so we can refer to it safely outside meetings."
"The Defense Association?" Cho suggested, her voice thoughtful. "The DA for short, so nobody knows what we're talking about?"
"Yeah, the DA's good," Ginny chimed in, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Only let's make it stand for Dumbledore's Army, because that's the Ministry's worst fear, isn't it?"
Dawn nodded. "More or less, yes," she confirmed.
Hermione took charge, kneeling up on her cushion to address the group. "All in favor of the DA?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room as she began to count. "That's a majority — motion passed!" she declared triumphantly, sealing their decision and marking the official beginning of Dumbledore's Army.
She carefully pinned the piece of parchment, adorned with all of their signatures, onto the wall, ensuring it was prominently displayed for all to see. With determined strokes, she wrote across the top in bold, large letters:
DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY
With the official name established, Harry wasted no time in initiating their first practice session. "Right," he declared, his voice resolute, "shall we get practicing then? I was thinking, the first thing we should do is Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm. I know it's pretty basic but I've found it really useful —"
But before Harry could finish, Zacharias Smith interjected with a dismissive tone. "Oh, please," he scoffed. "I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You-Know-Who, do you?"
Harry's response was measured yet firm. "I've used it against him," he stated quietly. "It saved my life in June."
Hermione offered her support, nodding in agreement. "I used it last June also. It saved Dawn's life. As I was able to defend her from her attacker," she added, her voice carrying a note of conviction.
Harry's gaze hardened as he addressed Zacharias. "But if you think it's beneath you, you can leave," he asserted, unwilling to compromise on the importance of their training and the efficacy of the Disarming Charm, even in the face of skepticism.
As Harry's command hung in the air, met with silence, he pressed on with determination. "OK," he reiterated, his tone firm, "I reckon we should all divide into pairs and practice."
Despite Hermione's objections, Dawn made her choice clear by pairing up with her sister. Harry surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group. "Right — on the count of three, then — one, two, three —" he counted, preparing them for the exercise.
Suddenly, the room erupted with shouts of "Expelliarmus!" Wands were brandished fervently, spells unleashed in a flurry of motion. Missed incantations resulted in unintended chaos; books soared off shelves and cluttered the air around them.
In the midst of the chaos, Dawn's reflexes proved quicker than her sister's as she deftly disarmed Hermione, sending her wand spinning through the air. Despite being caught off guard, Hermione couldn't help but smile in admiration at her sister's skill. "Good one, Dawn," she praised, her voice filled with genuine pride. "I see you've been practicing," she added, acknowledging Dawn's dedication to honing her magical abilities.
Dawn returned Hermione's smile with a determined one of her own. "Well, I have to make sure I pass my OWLs, don't I? I am technically a second year in a fifth year class," she quipped, her tone laced with determination.
As she glanced around the room, Dawn couldn't help but notice Zacharias Smith's wand continuously flying out of his hand, much to his frustration. However, his partner, Anthony Goldstein, remained silent and composed. It didn't take long for Dawn to spot Fred and George, who were clearly up to their mischievous antics. They kept pointing their wands at Zacharias's back, causing his constant struggle.
"Sorry, Harry," George interjected hastily, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Couldn't resist," he added, unable to completely hide his amusement.
Dawn rolled her eyes at the twins' antics, briefly entertaining the idea of what it would be like to have the same carefree spirit as Fred and George. But in the end, she knew she was content with who she and Hermione were. She wouldn't trade her sister for all the galleons in the world.
"OK, stop!" Harry's voice suddenly cut through the chaos, growing increasingly frustrated as his attempts to regain control went unnoticed. "Stop! STOP!" he shouted, his tone commanding, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Finally, a shrill whistle pierced through the commotion, effectively halting everyone in their tracks. As the room fell silent, Harry took a moment to address the group. "That wasn't bad, but there's definite room for improvement," he declared, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students, including Zacharias Smith, who glared back at him with evident frustration. "Let's try again."
Hermione's determination paid off as she finally managed to disarm Dawn, eliciting a grin of satisfaction from her. "Finally. You gave me a run for my money, Dawnie," she remarked, acknowledging her sister's resilience.
Dawn returned Hermione's smile, her eyes gleaming with playful mischief. "What kind of sister would I be if I hadn't? Got to keep you on your toes as much as you keep me on mine," she quipped, a hint of teasing evident in her tone.
Hermione laughed in agreement, nodding in acknowledgment of their dynamic sibling relationship. "Yes, we have to do that," she agreed, her gaze shifting to scan the room for Harry. "Hey, Harry, have you checked the time?" she inquired, her voice carrying a note of urgency.
Harry glanced down at his watch and was shocked to see that it was already ten past nine. Realizing they had overrun their allotted time, he blew his whistle to signal the end of the session. The room fell silent, the energy of the practice dissipating.
"Well, that was pretty good," Harry acknowledged, addressing the group. "But we've overrun; we'd better leave it here. Same time, same place next week?" he suggested, seeking confirmation from the assembled students.
"Sooner!" Dean Thomas exclaimed eagerly, his enthusiasm for their training evident.
However, Angelina interjected quickly, her tone practical. "The Quidditch season's about to start; we need team practices too!" she pointed out, highlighting the competing demands on their time and attention.
"Let's say next Wednesday night, then," Harry suggested, taking charge of scheduling their next meeting. "We can decide on additional meetings then. Come on, we'd better get going." With that, he retrieved the Marauder's Map and scrutinized it carefully, ensuring there were no signs of teachers patrolling the seventh floor.
As they began to depart in small groups, Harry remained vigilant, observing their progress on the map to ensure they safely returned to their respective dormitories. It wasn't until everyone had left that Harry, Hermione, Dawn, and Ron were left standing in the corridor.
"That was really, really good, Harry," Hermione commended, her voice filled with genuine praise.
"Yeah, it was!" Ron chimed in enthusiastically, a smile spreading across his face as they watched the door melt back into stone behind them.
"Did you see me disarm Hermione, Harry?" Dawn inquired eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Only once," Hermione interjected playfully, a hint of competitiveness in her tone.
Dawn shook her head, a smug grin crossing her face. "I got you loads more than you got me," she boasted, reveling in her small victory.
Harry observed the friendly banter between the sisters as they debated over their dueling prowess. Dawn's assertion that she had disarmed Hermione more times than vice versa seemed to hold true, and Harry couldn't help but be impressed by her skill. Despite being a second-year student taking on the challenges of fifth-year classes, Dawn was holding her own remarkably well.
