Merry Christmas everyone. It's not been great so far for me this year, but I hope you're all having a good time.

Umbridge showed up to inspect McGonagall and Grubbly-Plank during Harry, Ron and Hermione's classes with them later that afternoon. It was particularly satisfying to hear how Umbridge had been put in her place by McGonagall and how Grubbly-Plank had backed Dumbledore when Umbridge asked her about him. Unfortunately, Harry gained himself another nights detention. He had told Umbridge the real reason behind Malfoy being attacked by Buckbeak, which she of course took as a lie.

While Harry was doing his detention that evening, Ron, Hermione and I ended up having a very interesting conversation. Hermione took me aside and asked me to wait with them for Harry to get back from his detention, as there was something she really needed to discuss with the three of us specifically, and before Harry, it would be beneficial for us to discuss how to get the idea across to him. I was intrigued by the way she was acting, as if this could have potentially life defining ramifications. Once the common room had emptied, and it was just the 3 of us, I posed the question.

"So what is it you're so desperate to talk about Hermione?" I asked

"We need to take a stand" Hermione began

Ron and I rolled our eyes

"Hermione, for the love of all that's holy-" Ron began

"This is nothing to do with SPEW!" she snapped angrily "thanks for the assumption though!"

"Well what else are we supposed to think when you say we need to take a stand?" I said

"Umbridge"

"What, you want us to protest for her rights too? I mean house elves was one thing Hermione, but-" Ron began

"No of course I don't want that! Something needs to be done about her!"

"Poison?" said Ron

"What can possibly be done? The ministry control Hogwarts now, she's hardly gonna be sacked is she?" I said

"If she won't teach us, then we need to get someone who can to teach us instead, and ideally, she won't find out about it"

"What are you talking about? How are we supposed to be taught defensive spells without her knowing?" I said

"We do it ourselves. We find someone who we know, who's seen and done it all multiple times already, and get them to teach us somewhere in secret"

"Who do you mean, Lupin, Moody? People like them are way too-"

"No, I mean Harry"

There was a moment of silence and I bit my lip while we considered this

"You know what? That's not a bad idea actually" said Ron "Out of everyone we know, even those in the Order, Harry is one of the most been there done that guys when it comes to fighting the dark arts"

"Exactly. He'd be perfect" said Hermione

"I mean, yeah Harry has done a lot" I said, still chewing my lip, "but I dunno how he'll feel about this. He isn't a teacher, and you know he doesn't like the limelight, being the centre of attention. If he's teaching us stuff he'll defo be that"

"Let's just see what he thinks when he gets here shall we? Only I think we should try and act like we haven't pre discussed it, we don't want him thinking he hasn't got a choice"

Harry didn't arrive until just after midnight. We gave him some murtlap essance for his hand.

"I still reckon you should complain about this," said Ron in a low voice. "No," said Harry flatly.

"McGonagall would go nuts if she knew —"

"Yeah, she probably would," said Harry. "And how long d'you reckon it'd take Umbridge to pass another Decree saying anyone who complains about the High Inquisitor gets sacked immediately?"

"We don't need McGonagall sacked, that's true. She's one of the few people here who can hold their own against her" I said

Ron opened his mouth to retort but nothing came out and after a moment he closed it again in a defeated sort of way. "She's an awful woman," said Hermione in a small voice. "Awful. You know, I was just saying to Ron and Ginny when you came in . . . we've got to do something about her."

"I suggested poison," said Ron grimly.

"No . . . I mean, something about what a dreadful teacher she is, and how we're not going to learn any defense from her at all," said Hermione.

"Well, what can we do about that?" said Ron, yawning. " 'S too late, isn't it? She got the job, she's here to stay, Fudge'll make sure of that"

They were doing a very good job at acting like this hadn't been a rehearsed conversation. I don't think Harry caught on.

"Well," said Hermione tentatively. "You know, I was thinking today. . . ." She shot a slightly nervous look at Harry and then plunged on, "I was thinking that — maybe the time's come when we should just — just do it ourselves."

"Do what ourselves?" said Harry suspiciously, still floating his hand in the essence of murtlap tentacles.

"Well — learn Defense Against the Dark Arts ourselves," said Hermione.

"I mean yeah" I chimed in "we're in a war regardless if the Ministry admits to it or not. If we go a whole year without learning any defense, we're in big trouble. Taking it into our own hands is a good idea"

"We can't do much by ourselves," said Ron. "I mean, all right, we can go and look jinxes up in the library and try and practice them, I suppose —"

"No, I agree, we've gone past the stage where we can just learn things out of books," said Hermione. "We need a teacher, a proper one, who can show us how to use the spells and correct us if we're going wrong."

"If you're talking about Lupin . . ." Harry began.

"No, no, I'm not talking about Lupin," said Hermione. "He's too busy with the Order and anyway, the most we could see him is during Hogsmeade weekends and that's not nearly often enough."

"Who, then?" said Harry, frowning at her.

Hermione heaved a very deep sigh. "Isn't it obvious?" she said. "I'm talking about you, Harry."