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batsutousaiTitle: Abandon
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
batsutousai
Beta:magickmaker17
Pairings: Harry/Tom(Voldemort), Seamus/Blaise, Ginevra/Theodore, post-Ron/Hermione, Salazar/Godric, Sirius/Remus
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.), Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: This computer makes odd sounds when it wants a nap….
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
’Written thoughts’
°°Phoenix speech°°
A/N: I kept thinking, “Oh, this chapter’ll be short. There’s not much to say!” And then I checked the length against last chapter and had to smack myself. It’s about the same length... *rolls eyes* I never want to hear a reader complain about the length of this thing again. *watches in amusement as beta cracks up*
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Chapter 45, Part 1
-
“This has been an interesting week,” Harry informed the group of Juniors, supporters, Severus, and Tom. The teenaged leader was standing in the middle of the circle, hands clasped behind him as he looked over the seated people.
“You know it,” Seamus muttered. Blaise elbowed him sharply while Harry offered a thin smile.
“First off, I'd like to welcome Remus to the meeting, since it's his first one with everyone else,” Harry said, nodding to the werewolf.
“First time as a member at all, in fact,” Remus offered.
“True. Also, we'd like to welcome Michael Corner; he's here to be inducted. Gin? Marcus?” Harry glanced over his shoulder at where the Dark Lord and his second sat. The two stood and came to stand on either side of him. “Michael, could you come here? Stand in front of me.”
The Ravenclaw got up slowly and stepped up to the spot in front of the Boy-Who-Lived. “Is this going to hurt?” he enquired quietly.
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the young wizard while the Juniors around them covered sniggers. Tom's eyes swept around the circle. “Enough,” the Dark Lord ordered in a deadly voice. The room fell silent.
“Thank you,” Harry murmured, focusing on the student before him. “No. We do things a little differently in my section of the Dark Order than Voldemort does with the Death Eaters. You'll have a necklace, which is usually best for everyone...” Harry trailed off suddenly, turning to glance at the doorway to the kitchens.
Poppy and Sally-Anne stepped in and half of the Juniors rose, pointing their wands at the two witches. Poppy shot the students surrounding three of the four leaders in the Dark Order an annoyed look as she got between the shaking Hufflepuff and the wands. “Put those away,” she ordered. No one moved.
“Loyalty without Cruciatus Curse. You've proven me wrong, Harry,” Tom murmured in a voice that carried to everyone.
“That's because I'm brilliant and you're not,” Harry teased lightly. “Poppy, Sally-Anne, welcome. Juniors, stand down.”
The group of Death Eaters In-Training returned to their seats warily, eyes on the two newcomers as Tom walked over to them with Harry. “That was different,” Poppy muttered rather darkly.
“They're trainable, would you believe it?” Harry joked, smiling. “I saw that, Dray.”
“Damn,” the blond Slytherin muttered, putting his wand away as the others around him chuckled. The tension in the room relaxed almost immediately.
“Miss Perks, I am assuming that Poppy has brought you down here because you have made a decision?” Tom inquired coolly.
“Yes, Professor,” the Hufflepuff agreed.
Tom nodded and cocked an eyebrow at the mediwitch. “Poppy, how in Merlin's name did you find your way down here?”
“Harry told me how,” the nurse replied evenly, meeting the teal eyes calmly. “Why? Don't trust me?”
“Oh, stop it.” Harry snorted, rolling his eyes and glancing back at the circle. “Poppy is a supporter, and a friend of my bastard of a lover,” he added, jerking his thumb at the Dark Lord, who scowled. “Sally-Anne is joining us with Michael. Good timing.” The last sentence was aimed at the two witches.
“Good.” Poppy nodded firmly.
Harry smiled. “Poppy, if you could please take a seat next to Sevvie?”
“Potter...” Severus growled as he conjured a chair for the matron.
Harry winked at him before turning back to Sally-Anne. “Sally-Anne, if you could stand with Michael, please?”
Sally-Anne gave the Boy-Who-Lived a nervous smile. “Just Sally's fine, Harry,” she mumbled before hurrying over to where Michael stood.
Tom and Harry traded looks before they returned to their original places. “Sally, I was just telling Michael here that, unlike old Voldie's Death Eaters, we don't have our Dark Marks branded into our arms, but worn around our necks. I showed you my necklace before.”
“Yeah.” Sally-Anne nodded. She seemed to be relaxing a bit. Probably because she had realized that Harry had a good handle on the people around them, and she trusted Harry.
Harry nodded, all smiles and softness leaving him rather suddenly. “The Juniors aren't all that active in things like raids, unless a member wishes to be. For the most part, we gather information, spread rumours, and sabotage things, like the plans of the Order of the Phoenix.”
'And confuse them.' Gin added brightly.
“The Juniors don't get to confuse the Order, that's our job,” Tom replied evenly.
'Then you and your lot suck.'
“What are you two, five?” Harry enquired, rolling his eyes while many of those in the circle around them covered smiles. Even the two inductees were fighting amusement. “Great Merlin. Gin, you know the Death Eaters are in a better position to confuse Dumbles than us, so can it. Marcus, behave or I'll smack you.”
“How undignified,” the Dark Lord replied highly while Gin coughed quietly into a hand.
Harry turned around and smacked Tom's arm with an annoyed look, which drew laughter from the circle. “See what you've done?”
“You're the one that wants your meetings to be friendly,” Tom replied brightly.
“Shut it, bastard,” Harry growled. “Don't make me turn him loose on everyone,” he added in a slightly louder voice to his people. The room silenced immediately, causing both Sally-Anne and Michael to give Tom wary looks. Harry just shook his head helplessly. “He's not dreadfully dangerous,” he offered to the inductees.
“I'm dangerous, but controllable,” Tom replied.
Harry let out a snort, but dropped the issue. “Back to the task at hand.” He turned serious green eyes on the two seventh years before him. “The Dark Order is for life. Those who defect, no matter the reason, will be killed. Percy Weasley defected, he is dead. I hope that makes it clear.”
“Yes, sir,” Michael agreed softly while Sally-Anne nodded, eyes straying to the Dark Lord on Harry's left occasionally.
'You have three people to answer to.' Gin cut in sternly, drawing the attention to herself. 'Voldemort, who runs the Dark Order, Harry, who is his second, and myself, as I am Harry's second. Lucius Malfoy, who is the second of the Death Eaters has no power over you, though he may wish otherwise, at times. So, you only have three people you have to answer to, though I'd suggest paying attention if someone offers you advice.'
“Your Dark Mark pendants will act as the original Dark Mark does,” Tom continued coldly, teal eyes flicking back and forth between the wide gazes of the two inductees. “If Harry, Voldemort, or Gin need you, they will burn. Concentrate on the burn and it will help you find where they are. You'll often have to apparate to get to the caller, of course, and it will, usually, be for a meeting.”
Harry regained Sally-Anne and Michael's attention firmly as he spoke again, “The Juniors are different from the Death Eaters in many ways. The pendants and our obligations being two of them. Another is that we don't run things with an iron fist in here. All disagreements are forgotten in the light of any business; if I catch any Junior fighting during a meeting or when they are discussing a job or anything else pertaining to this group, I promise I will use an iron fist and adopt some of Voldemort's methods while I'm at it. It won't be pretty and, then, Michael, yes, it will hurt.”
Both teens had paled and nodded carefully. “Understood,” Sally-Anne replied in a weak voice.
“Good.” Harry offered both inductees a thin smile. “You know our laws. Do you still wish to become Juniors?”
“Yes,” Sally-Anne replied firmly.
Michael nodded, seeming to shake himself from his stupor. “Very much so, yes.”
Harry handed a necklace to Gin and both slipped the chains around the two newest Juniors' necks. “Before you sit down, I have one other thing to give you,” Harry murmured, frowning as he went through his pockets.
Tom smirked and dangled three charm bracelets in front of the younger wizard's face. “Looking for these, dear?”
Harry scowled and snatched the bracelets from his hand. “Stop stealing my things, prat,” he muttered darkly before refocusing on Sally-Anne and Michael and holding out two bracelets for them to take. “Charm bracelets. They're uniform for the Juniors. I buy this round, you buy any replacements or anything else you want. They all have spells on them to make them visible only to their wearer while you have them on. I'd suggest never taking them off, personally, and I can attest to the fact that they can save your life. Ask one of the others what each charm does, or come to me later.”
“Pretty...” Sally-Anne decided, slipping hers on. Michael put his on quietly.
Harry smiled. “I rather thought so. You two may sit.” He stepped over to where Poppy sat, holding out the third bracelet to her. “We decided you could probably benefit from one as well, Poppy.”
Poppy looked both surprised and grateful as she took the bracelet. “Thank you, both of you.” She nodded to Harry and Tom.
“Of course,” Tom replied as Harry walked back across the circle. “It only seems fair, since both Herm and Nev have them as well, and they aren't members.”
“Some things are important for many people,” Harry murmured as he returned to the centre of the circle. “Now that our new members are all sorted, let's go back over a few things that they need to know. First, I was inducted into the Order of the Phoenix last weekend,” Harry said calmly, glancing around the circle. “Remus and Severus are also Order members, as are the elder Weasleys who are Juniors.
“Second, and probably the most important is the identity of Marcus, which you should probably know, Sally, Michael,” Harry added before glancing at the Dark Lord, who had remained standing next his original seat in the circle. “Tom?”
Tom morphed into his human form of Tom Riddle. Both Sally-Anne and Michael gasped in horror as the chilling red eyes slipped over them. “I believe you know me best as Lord Voldemort,” he offered.
“Or Voldie,” Seamus offered cheerfully.
“Finnigan, are you drunk?” Tom inquired lightly of his student.
Seamus gave Harry a wary look. “...no...”
“SEAMUS!!” Harry roared, making everyone jump. “Out,” he hissed, pointing at the exit to Gryffindor. “I will talk with you later.”
Seamus let out a squeak and fled while Harry scowled at his retreating back.
“One more rule,” Tom offered in a rather amused tone. “Never come to a meeting pissed.”
Blaise let out a sigh. “I told him you'd catch him,” he offered to the green-eyed teen in the centre of the circle as everyone calmed back down again.
“Would you like me to talk to him?” Tom inquired lightly.
“No!” Harry and Blaise cried at the same time, both turning their gazes on the Dark Lord.
“Sit and be quiet before I put the Full Body-Bind on you,” Harry ordered the Dark Lord sharply, scowling. “And stop threatening my Juniors.”
“Yes, Mum.” Tom snorted, rolling his eyes and sitting with a smile.
“Bastard.” Harry snorted, looking back at the group in front of him. “Remus, do you have any reports to make?”
The werewolf gave his godson a contemplative look before shaking his head. “Nothing you don’t already know.” He shrugged as Harry scowled again. “What about Sirius?”
The green-eyed wizard sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not in his personality to become more than a supporter for us, and we’re pushing it enough as it is when it comes to trusting people who aren’t sworn in,” The teen murmured. However, upon seeing the looks on Hermione, Neville, and Poppy’s faces, he quickly continued, “Not that I don’t trust you three, I do, with my life, but I do feel safer only passing our secrets on to the Death Eaters and Juniors.”
“We understand, Harry,” Poppy said with a smile. Both Hermione and Neville nodded in agreement.
“Thanks.” Harry smiled thinly. “Sirius is a good man, and extremely loyal. Remus, your take? You’ve known him longer.”
Remus tugged on his chin. “You’ve got the gist of it. He’ll support you, Harry, but I can’t really see him ever joining. I wouldn’t quite trust him with every little secret, either, since his temper could flare and he might give you away,” the man replied honestly after a moment’s thought.
Harry nodded. “I leave it up to you to share your current position with him, or not, as you choose. In fact–” Harry’s eyes raked over the group in the room coolly, “–I leave it up to everyone in here to share your position as a member of the Dark Order with whomever you please, I just ask that you not give other names or the name of our group to them. I do want you all swaying people to our side. If telling them your position will truly gather them into the fold, wonderful. Just, be careful.” He gave Michael a sharp look and the boy flinched. “The world has ears and eyes, and this school is a rather dangerous place to open your mouth and speak about anything.”
‘Does anyone have any reports to make?’ Gin enquired.
“Our last meeting wasn’t so very long ago,” Blaise pointed out. “The most exciting thing that has happened between now and then was your godfather returning.”
“Yeah.” Draco scowled. “What was up with that?”
Harry grinned. “Was widdle Dwaco scawed?” he teased in a baby voice. Everyone laughed and even Draco had to fight a smile. “No, seriously?” Harry sobered. “Apparently the Veil kicked him back out again at the end of last year and he was admitted to St Mungo’s, since he was unconscious. He woke up yesterday and Dumbles sent for me.”
“And then they got into a fight over Marcus, but managed to patch things up,” Remus offered with a smile.
“Who’d fight over him?” Pansy asked in an amused voice.
Tom scowled while everyone laughed again. “It’s a good thing I’m not insulted by that, Miss Parkinson.”
“Harry’s better-looking anyway,” Parvati threw in, waving a hand dismissively.
Harry grinned. “Me and my ‘rather fine’ arse, as I recall.”
“Why don’t you turn around so we can get a good look at that arse of yours?” Padma suggested, winking.
“Is this a meeting, or a modelling show?” Remus enquired, which send all of the students into gales of laughter. Tom was shaking his head with a smile while both Severus and Poppy hid grins.
“Finally someone asks the question I’ve been wondering about for months.”
“Good evening, Salazar,” Harry called cheerfully. Everyone else but Tom gazed at the ghost warily. “Godric went out earlier.”
“Why should I care?”
:I really don’t know why you’re still trying, Harry,: Tom commented. :You know they’re never going to work anything out.:
Harry shrugged helplessly while Salazar glared at his Heir. “Did you need something, Salazar?”
The Founder glanced back at Harry. “Yes, actually. McGonagall was looking for you, little Gryffindor. That little monster you’ve adopted sent her to the library, saying you were probably either there, or in the Slytherin commons.”
“Not my room?” Tom inquired.
“That was the first place she would have checked,” Harry murmured. “Very well. Thank you, Salazar. I’ll be sure to thank Ula next time I see her as well.” He glanced around at the serious faces surrounding him. “If that is all?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Tom nodded, standing. “Meeting adjourned.”
“Come here, Marvolo,” Salazar ordered as everyone got to their feet.
“Uh oh.” Harry grinned at Tom. “Have fun with Salazar, love.”
“Enjoy your time with Minerva,” the Dark Lord shot back.
“Of course.” The teen waved at his lover before falling into step with Draco, Blaise, and Pansy. “Hey, ‘Bini, could you tell Seam I’ll chat with him tomorrow?”
“Oh, can I watch?” Draco inquired.
“No, Draco, you may not,” Blaise cut in. “Of course I’ll tell him, Harry. In fact, I think I’ll go find him now.”
“Have fun,” Harry offered as the Slytherin took off at a jog.
“Sure thing!”
Pansy draped an arm over Harry’s shoulders as they started down the damp corridor that led from Godric’s room to the rest of the dungeons. “So, sexy, you been showing those Gryffs your very fine arse lately?”
“No, his jeans are probably just too tight.” Draco snorted, smirking. “Marcus is the only person he’s been showing his arse to.”
Harry slung his arms around both of their shoulders and drew them close in a sort of huddle. “But Marcus doesn’t compliment my arse like the ladies do. Shall I get a girl on the side who will appreciate me, do you think?”
“Mmm. I’m willing,” Pansy offered slyly. “And I’ll bet Dray is, too.”
“Do I look like a girl to you?” Draco growled.
“Yes,” Pansy and Harry chorused before breaking out into sniggers.
“It’s those beautifully shaped cheekbones of yours,” Harry offered.
“And those gorgeous silver eyes,” Pansy added.
“And that silky blond hair that you just have to run your fingers through.” Harry sighed, tugging on the blond’s hair.
“Okay, enough.” Draco pulled away from his friends, scowling. “You’re very funny.”
“We know,” they chorused again before laughing.
“I despise you both. You’re horrible people. Get out of my sight. If I see you again, I may have to resort to something illegal.”
“He’s sure told us, hasn’t he, Pan?”
“Sure has! I’m so scared I think I may have wet myself!”
“I know! Look at this, my knees are trembling!”
“Uhg.” Draco groaned and shook his head helplessly. “Harry, I thought you were trying to find a girlfriend.”
“Oh, yeah.” Harry shrugged and grinned at Pansy. “So, what do you say? Go hide in some shadows and feel each other up? I promise not to tell your parents if you promise not to tell Marcus.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Of all the ridiculous things I’ve heard you say over the years, Mr Potter, this tops them all!” a voice said sharply from behind the group.
Harry and Pansy turned, still with their arms around each other’s shoulders, grinning, while Draco burst out laughing next to them. “Hullo, Professor McGonagall. How are you this fine evening?”
McGonagall scowled at the students. “What are you three doing wandering about?”
“Checking the corridors for the minions of evil that are plotting to take over the school as we speak,” Harry informed the Deputy Headmistress with a straight face. “Dray can fill you in while Pan and I go check that dark corner over there.”
“Minions of evil indeed.” McGonagall snorted, shaking her head in amusement while Pansy howled in laughter and Draco tried to calm himself. “Where do you come up with these things, Potter?”
“Afternoon cartoons,” Harry replied brightly. “Aunt Petunia let me hang out in front of the telly during my suspension. It was loads of fun, especially since Saber’d never seen any sort of programme before.” Draco started laughing again. “Did you need one of us for something, Professor?” Harry finished, grinning.
“Yes.” McGonagall nodded. “I was hoping to have a word with you in my office.”
“What have you done this time, Harry?” Pansy asked in mock exasperation, slipping from Harry’s grasp.
Harry gave the young witch a horrified look. “Do you think she found out about the...the you-know-what?” he asked in a loud whisper.
Pansy’s face slipped into a mask of matching horror. “Oh no…” she moaned before looking at the Deputy Headmistress with a pleading look. “Professor, please don’t punish Harry for that. It’s my fault, I swear on it. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Right place, right time, wrong person,” Draco clarified, having gathered himself. As McGonagall turned to him, an amused smile on her face, Draco’s expression changed to one of panic. “I swear I had nothing to do with it!”
McGonagall gave Harry an exasperated look. “Oh, come along then, you little trouble-maker.”
Harry laughed as the two Slytherins broke out into matching mischievous smiles. “The Professor doesn’t trick easy, I suppose.” He shook his head with a sigh. “Oh well. I’ll see you two tomorrow, then.”
“See you, Harry!” Pansy called happily, grabbing Draco’s arm and leading him down the hall to the Slytherin dorms.
“Don’t let her change you too much, Har!” Draco added, a laugh colouring his voice.
Harry shook his head, smiling. “Hullo, Professor McGonagall.”
McGonagall smiled and motioned for Harry to walk beside her as she started from the dungeons. “You’re a difficult person to find, Mr Potter. It seems that, no matter where I look, I’ve just missed you.”
“Colin said something like that the other day, actually. I suppose it’s just a big school.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “Or I’m just very good at hiding when I don’t wish to be found.”
“The latter, I’m sure,” McGonagall agreed. She glanced at him curiously. “Have you three been up to no good?”
“Pan, Dray, and me?” Harry asked. McGonagall nodded. “No. Dumbles made me swear to stay out of trouble, actually.”
“And you’re listening to him?” the woman asked with no mild shock.
Harry shrugged. “Yeah. Testing his patience is fun and all, but I don’t much care to find out how he’d handle me right now. Anyway,” his lips curled up at the edges coolly, “Sirius is probably more than making up for my lack of pranks.”
“Indeed he is,” McGonagall agreed, pausing before a picture Harry had never really noticed before. “Change is inevitable.”
“Quite,” the portrait, a young woman with flowing black hair, agreed before the picture frame jumped open.
“Your rooms?” Harry inquired softly as his professor motioned him in. He watched for her nod before pausing just inside the portrait hole to look around.
The sitting room was done in greens and blues, the stone walls painted a colour that was somewhere between green and blue. All of the tables were done in a dark wood that shone, as if recently cleaned. The floor wasn’t carpeted, unlike Tom’s rooms, but plain stone. There wasn’t really anything personal seated around the room, though there was a large bookcase along one wall, filled with books that were mostly on transfiguration, thought there were also some on other subjects that were taught at the school. The fireplace had a fire burning merrily within it and a picture of McGonagall and a younger man that looked like her with their arms around one another in a friendly manner sat on the mantle. From the part of the kitchen Harry could see through the gap beneath and above the swinging door, it was done in pale green with white wood cabinets. The bedroom door was closed, so Harry couldn’t see in there.
“Nice,” Harry decided, nodding. “You like green?” He glanced back at his teacher, smiling when she grimaced.
“Yes. At least I know you won’t think any less of me for it, hm?” she shot back teasingly before smiling. “Have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”
“Some pumpkin juice would be wonderful, yes,” Harry decided, settling himself in a dark green armchair and grinning when he sunk down into it.
McGonagall set a cup of pumpkin juice on the end table next to Harry’s chair and sat in a blue chair across from him with a cup of tea. “Comfortable?” she inquired teasingly.
“Oh, yes. I never took you for the type to have chairs that would eat the person who sits in them, but I suppose it allows you to torture visitors without them getting away,” the teen replied brightly, taking a sip of his juice.
McGonagall laughed. “Well, you’re here to talk, not be tortured.”
Harry let his head fall to one side, a curious expression talking over his face. “What about, Professor?”
McGonagall smiled slightly. “You’re in my private rooms, Mr Potter. Surely you can refer to me as Minerva.”
Harry blinked slowly once before speaking again, “Then you shall have to call me Harry, I think...” He paused while McGonagall nodded. “This is about Albus wanting me to ‘befriend’ the staff, isn’t it?”
“To a certain degree, yes,” McGonagall agreed, nodding again. “But I’d like to get to know you better anyway. As you said on Saturday, you’re all adults now.”
The teen smiled faintly. “True...” He glanced at the photograph on the fireplace’s mantle again. “That picture, who’s that with you?”
McGonagall twisted in her chair so she could glance at the picture as well. “My brother, Reynold. He’s living in France right now with his boyfriend, Jeff.” She glanced back at Harry, who looked contemplative. “I suppose you could say he’s my best friend.”
Harry nodded slowly. “Do you miss him?”
“I suppose...” McGonagall shrugged. “We keep in contact, and I’m, actually, just glad he’s out of You-Know-Who’s reach.”
“Oh, yeah, Voldemort.” Harry sighed, ignoring the Transfiguration Professor’s shudder at the name. “Almost forgot about him.”
McGonagall gave him an amazed look. “However did you manage that?”
“Forgetting about Voldemort?” The witch nodded, shuddering again. “Lack of activity? Mind on other things?” Harry shrugged. “Wishful thinking?”
“I suppose.” McGonagall sighed.
Harry cocked his head to one side again, gazing at McGonagall. “Minerva, why do you shudder when someone says ‘Voldemort’?”
The professor frowned at her student. “I always have.”
“But, so many people say his name now: Albus, Sirius, Remus, Herm, Marcus, Gin, Fred, George, Nev, Mad-Eye, Tonks, Poppy, myself...”
“You, Sirius, Remus, and Albus have never feared the name, and you’ve been rubbing off on everyone else,” McGonagall replied with a dark look.
“I suppose. Still, it does seem foolish to be afraid of a name.” Harry shrugged. “It’s not like old Voldie’s going to suddenly appear out of thin air because you’ve spoken his name.”
The Deputy Headmistress smiled faintly. “That’s true, but it doesn’t mean I’ll ever be comfortable with that name.”
“Suit yourself.” The teen sighed helplessly with a shrug.
McGonagall pursed her lips. “Whatever happened to the DA? I haven’t found anyone running to their dorms right before curfew this year.”
“Oh.” Harry grinned. “Competent teacher. We agreed no one really needed it this year, since Marcus actually knew what he was talking about and could teach the material.”
McGonagall smiled. “I see. And what about next year? Do you think they’ll have a competent teacher?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” The teen nibbled on his lower lip. “He might be adequate. At least, I hope he is. Mad-Eye seems to think he’ll be okay, at least.”
The witch chuckled as Harry offered her a small smile. “You’ll do fine, of that I have no doubt. You’re more than qualified for the position. After all, it’s not like you’ve never had any practice before at teaching those younger than you how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts.”
Harry nodded. “I know, but that doesn’t make me feel much better.”
“The students already know and respect you,” McGonagall added. “And you know them. That’s a greater advantage than most of the other Defence Professors we get.”
“Oh, but everyone always knows me,” Harry muttered, rolling his eyes. McGonagall chuckled again. “But you’re right, I do have an advantage, I guess. I know them, they know me, and Marcus has been giving me some tips on some of the students. Like, I now know that Rose Zeller in Hufflepuff and Geneva Shepard in Ravenclaw should never be paired together because they’re best friends and don’t allow their full potential to show through, in fear of hurting one another.”
McGonagall smiled, nodding. “That would make sense. I’m lucky to not have them in the same class, myself.”
“Not that it would make much difference. They’re only in third year. We don’t start learning how to transfigure other people until sixth,” Harry replied with a smirk.
The Transfiguration Professor snorted. “Indeed.” She shook her head. “Are you going to continue the DA? It was a useful group.”
“I may make a club out of it, I suppose,” Harry said thoughtfully. “It would be open to all of the Houses, of course, but I’d probably have a year limit, though I don’t know what that might be. I’d need help, what with so many more students than I’m used to teaching, but I’m sure I could get help, if I needed it.”
“Kind of like the Duelling Club of five years ago?” McGonagall suggested lightly.
“Oh, Merlin, no!” Harry shuddered. “I lived through that mistake once, and I don’t ever plan on seeing it again.”
McGonagall chuckled. “No. I suppose not. You could ask Severus, though.”
“Yes, and I probably will, if only to get more Slytherins to come.” Harry tapped on his chin. “Perhaps Professor Flitwick? I heard he was a good duellist.”
“Yes. He may be willing to help you,” McGonagall agreed. “In fact, he’d probably be delighted that you asked him.”
“Probably,” Harry agreed wryly. “Anyone else? The more people I have, the better.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I know Herm would love to help, babies or no...”
“Will she be remaining here next year?” McGonagall inquired, surprised.
“Yes.” Harry nodded. “I got Albus to allow that, but she doesn’t know it yet. Which reminds me, I still have to talk to Madam Pince about Herm helping her out in there.”
“I’m sure Miss Granger will find herself welcomed by any of the staff, if she wishes to give her help.”
“And I’m sure many of the staff won’t mind babysitting,” Harry agreed, eyes glinting with mischief.
“We’ll have to, won’t we?” McGonagall chuckled. “Back to the DA. Will you be keeping the same name?”
“I don’t know. I could call a quick meeting of current members and ask. Well...” Harry frowned. “I would call a meeting, but no one’s supposed to know I’ll be teaching here next year.”
“Ask anyway,” McGonagall suggested. “Ask them if you think it would be worth continuing the DA at Hogwarts even after you’ve all graduated. I’m sure they’d be glad to come back and help you teach it on days that they have free. Or you could hold the club over the weekends, so many people can come.”
“Even Order members?” Harry replied, grinning.
“Perhaps. There’s always something we could use practice on, after all,” the Deputy Headmistress agreed, also smiling.
“That’s an idea. I’ll think about it.” Harry nodded. “Thank you, Minerva. I hadn’t really given that much thought. It would be a good way to allow everyone, student or graduate, a chance to get some extra practise in. And, Albus could use that as an excuse to get reports in a more discreet method.”
“What, you don’t think it’s discreet enough to be wandering off once a month for a meeting?” McGonagall laughed.
“And have random people attempting to sneak up to his office all the time.” Harry snorted. “I do notice them, you know, and I doubt I’m the only one.”
“You have a point. We could hold meetings at the school after the club breaks up.”
“Oh, and not leave the school undefended when both you and Albus need to leave, you mean?”
“Yes.” McGonagall scowled at Harry, who smirked in response. “You’re nothing but trouble, Harry Potter.”
“So I’ve been told,” the green-eyed wizard agreed brightly. McGonagall laughed. “I’ll discuss it with Albus tomorrow or Thursday, I guess.”
“You could bring it up at the meeting on Saturday, you know.”
“I could.” Harry nodded slowly. “But I want to run it past Albus first, lest he find it a bad idea and disagree.”
“I can see that, I suppose. Of course, you also want everything hacked out, first, don’t you?” McGonagall teased.
“Yeah, I suppose so.” Harry grinned. “If I have a clear-cut idea, people will be more likely to agree with it, right?”
“Right.” McGonagall pulled a pocket watch from the pocket in her robe and frowned. “I should send you back to the common room now.”
“Oh, alright.” Harry sighed and stood. “It’s been fun talking with you, Minerva.”
“Likewise, Harry,” McGonagall agreed, also standing. “We should do this again.”
“I agree,” Harry decided. “It’s nice being able to discuss next year with someone.”
“You don’t talk about it with Marcus?” McGonagall asked, concern sliding through her voice.
“Oh, we talk about it, yeah.” Harry shrugged. “But when I talk about next year with him, it can get depressing.” The teen shrugged. “Not seeing each other as much and all, you know?”
McGonagall was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, her manner that of someone who didn’t really wish to say what she was saying. “Invite him to the club thing, if Albus okays it, I mean. Then you’ll know you’ll be seeing him every weekend, at least.”
Harry nodded slowly, frowning at his Head of House. “Why is it you dislike Marcus so much, if you don’t mind me asking?”
McGonagall gave the teen a started look. “He just... reminds me of someone who I knew once that I had some problems with while I was at Hogwarts.”
“Who does he remind you of?” Harry asked curiously.
McGonagall paused for a moment before replying. “Tom Riddle.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “You would have been in school with him, wouldn’t you have?” he murmured in a thoughtful voice.
“Yes.” McGonagall sighed. “I was in fourth year when he graduated.”
Harry nodded. “Sounds like fun. I’m glad I wasn’t in school with him, at any rate.”
McGonagall let out a faint laugh. “Understandable.”
Harry took that as his cue to leave and offered her a smile. “Riddle’s a bastard; whatever stupid thing he did, don’t let it bother you, that’s my suggestion. I’ll see you tomorrow, Minerva.”
McGonagall nodded. “Very well. Don’t stay up too late, now, Harry.”
“Nah. Straight to bed with me. If I don’t beat Sirius up, he pranks me,” Harry replied with a grin and a wink. Then he stepped out of the room and into the hallway, allowing the picture to swing shut behind him.
--------------
“Hullo, everyone!” Harry called, stepping into the Room of Requirement and grinning at the gathered DA.
“Harry, is there a reason you’re calling us all? I have other things I could be doing, you know,” Zacharias Smith growled.
Harry’s smile chilled. “I never said you had to come, Zacharias. That was a choice you made all on your own. If you have something you’d rather be doing, be my guest. I’m not holding you here,” the Boy-Who-Lived offered in a cold voice, gaze cutting through Zacharias like a knife.
“Any other complaints?” Hermione asked mildly from where she sat at the front of the room. Everyone shook their heads while Harry slid up to the front of the room.
“Just asking,” Zacharias muttered. “We did agree not to meet this year, since Brutús actually knows what the fuck he’s doing.”
‘Yeah, why are we meeting, big brother?’ Gin asked.
“Wait, you mean Harry’s the only one who’s got any idea?” Hermione asked, giving Harry an odd look.
“Yeah.” Harry scowled at his best friend. “What’s that look for? Do I have to run everything I do past one of the two of you before I do it now?”
Hermione and Gin traded looks. “‘Yeah.’” they chorused, getting a laugh from most of the members of the DA.
“Figures.” Harry rolled his eyes helplessly before holding up his hands for attention. “Look, I called this meeting to talk about next year, okay.”
“Do you think we’ll have a bad professor next year, Harry?” Dennis Creevey asked in concern.
“No.” Harry shook his head and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “In fact, I know who will be teaching here next year, and he should be fine.”
Those DA members who were also Juniors traded looks as the room filled with noise.
“Who is it, Harry?” Ernie MacMillan called over the other voices.
Harry smiled slightly. “I’ve been forbidden to tell you, actually. Just trust me when I say he should be adequate.”
“Why should we care who’s teaching here next year?” Terry Boot sneered. “We’re graduating.”
“My little brother is starting next year, Terry,” Ernie shot back sharply. “I want to know he’ll actually learn things.”
“Guys, guys!” Hermione called sharply while Harry shook his head with a pained look. “What are you, three? Let Harry say what he needs to say. For all we know, it does have something to do with us, Terry, seventh years or not.”
“Good point. Just because we’ve left Hogwarts doesn’t mean we can’t come back or that it won’t affect us,” Leana Moon agreed from her spot next to her best friend, Sally-Anne Perks.
“I’m going into the Department of Magical Games and Sports after Hogwarts, Leana, so excuse me if I don’t think much will affect me that happens at Hogwarts.”
“With Voldemort on the loose, Hogwarts is the safest place in all of the United Kingdom to be,” Neville offered in a quiet voice, startling quite a few people. Everyone turned to stare at him in shock, except a few Juniors and Hermione who knew better, by then, to be surprised by his speaking up or speaking the name of the Dark Lord. “I think, Terry, that no matter where you go after this, Hogwarts will still be important to you.”
“Well said, Nev.” Harry nodded. “At any rate, this won’t just be affecting you all. This will be affecting everyone who’s ever been at Hogwarts, and even some people who have gone to other Wizarding schools.”
‘Okay, what sort of crazy scheme are you concocting this time, Harry?’ Gin asked with a mildly annoyed look.
“I was talking with Professor McGonagall yesterday and she mentioned the DA, which got us to thinking about making it into a club for the whole school, like Lockhart’s Duelling Club,” Harry replied, smiling at the many winces that appeared in response to his reminder of five years before. “When we thought about keeping the same name or not, McGonagall suggested mentioning it to the current DA, perhaps even going so far as to set up the club on weekends and inviting old members who have graduated to attend the meetings, in case they wish to learn more or even just help teach the class.”
“You’re going to make it open to everyone that’s ever been to Hogwarts? Ex-DA member or not?” Dean whispered in awe.
“Yes, actually, that was the basic idea.” Harry nodded. “So I brought the idea to Dumbles during lunch and he thought it was a grand one, so the club will be set up for next year.” Everyone cheered.
“Do we have to come up with a new name, Harry?” Orla Quirke, a fourth year Ravenclaw, asked in a pleading voice once the noise had died.
Harry let out a sigh and leaned back against the wall behind him. “Yes, we do. Let me explain what I want to do with the DA for next year and perhaps you’ll get a clearer picture,” the teenaged leader suggested, smiling when everyone nodded, settling down in their seats, in case the explanation took a while. “I likened next year’s group to the Duelling Club because that’s what it’s going to turn out like. It will be advertised for all students, even Slytherins, and all witches and wizards in the United Kingdom, no matter their education–“
“Even Death Eaters?” Lavender Brown asked coldly.
“If they have the Dark Mark, we will have to consider not letting them in, but, if they are clean, we have no right to deny them entrance,” Harry replied firmly. “Knowledge of Dark spells makes not a Death Eater.”
“That’s true.” Michael Corner nodded. “Aurors have to learn quite a few Dark spells in their training so they will recognise them.”
“And they used the Unforgivables in the first war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters to even the score,” Hermione offered.
“Some did, but not everyone,” Neville muttered.
“Oh, that’s true.” Hermione inclined her head towards Neville in an apologetic manner. The Heir offered her a brief smile in response.
Harry smiled at the group in front of him fondly. “Come on, everyone, you’ve got the basic idea of what I’m planning. Do you have any other ideas? Especially the name?”
‘We could go with Cho’s original idea, maybe. Defence Association?’ Gin suggested mildly.
“We could continue calling it DA,” Colin agreed brightly.
“We could call it ‘The Duelling Club That Would Win Against Lockhart Any Day’!” Padma Patil called.
The Room of Requirement filled with laughter at the wild suggestion as Harry shook his head in amusement. “Perhaps something a bit shorter, Padma.”
“Duelling Association,” Luna offered in an airy voice that somehow managed to carry over the rambunctious group seated around her.
“I second it!” Lotus Vanger, another sixth year Ravenclaw, called from the back of the group.
‘And I third it.’ Gin added firmly. ‘We can still say DA for short, it’s a short name, and it tells a little about the group at first glance.’
“Well put.” Harry nodded. “Excellent idea, Luna. I knew you’d come through for me again.” He winked at the Ravenclaw, making other members laugh while Luna just smiled faintly. “Ideas?”
“Why are you so desperate to get everything straight now?” Terry asked suspiciously.
“I have a meeting with the staff, courtesy of Dumbles, to see which teachers will be willing to help me set everything up next year,” Harry replied fluidly. “The meeting is this weekend, so it’s in our best interest to get everything hacked out today.”
“Okay, what will you be teaching?” Hermione pressed. “You’ll have to come up with an outline.”
“Not exactly.” Harry shook his head. “The DA has never been run as a class of any sort. I come up with what I wish to do the day of the meeting. It’s how the DA’s always been, and always will be. What I really want to know is, who would be willing to help me teach it? Remember that this won’t just be our generation, but also former generations of graduates that we’ll be teaching.”
“I’ll help, of course,” Hermione said firmly.
“Count me in,” Anthony Goldstein agreed.
“Me,” Justin Flinch-Fletchley called out after trading a look with Ernie Macmillan.
“Why not pick someone from Slytherin, Harry,” Ernie suggested. “Then you could have one helping teacher from each House. If one of them doesn’t feel comfortable with what they’re planning to teach that day, they can trade off with another person from their House.”
“I think the teaching needs to be left to former DA members,” Zacharias cut in.
‘I think you need to stick your head up your ass and keep your mouth shut.’ Gin offered sharply, turning to glare at Zacharias.
“I was planning on adding Dark Arts to the curriculum anyway; I’ll need a Slytherin to help me,” Harry slid in soothingly. All eyes returned to him, though Gin kept shooting Zacharias dark looks. “It’s easier to fight that which you understand, after all.”
‘Moody clone.’ Gin complained.
“Perhaps.” Harry shrugged, smiling. “Aurors learn Dark Arts because they fight better if they know what to expect. I know a few Dark Arts myself, and I’ve found that it does help me against Dark Wizards, when I face them, because I know the spells and can defend myself against them.” The silence following that statement was stifling. “At any rate, Sally, I’ll also need your help with this.”
“Me?” Sally-Anne whispered, a shocked expression on her face.
“Yes. And Leana. I also want to add medimagic to the curriculum, and you’re both going to St Mungo’s after this, correct?” Both Hufflepuffs nodded. “Then you’ll be a great help. I have no doubt that Poppy will help, but I’d like other help as well, in case she’s called away.”
“Poppy?” Owen Cauldwell, a fourth year Hufflepuff, asked.
“Madam Pomfrey, to you,” Harry answered, eyes dancing with amusement. “Sorry. I always seem to forget that I’m one of the few students who dares call her or Professor Snape by their first names.”
“What about Marcus?” Hermione teased.
“You may have noticed that he lets nearly everyone get away with calling him by his first name,” Harry replied with a wry smile.
‘Harry’s the only one who gets to call him other things.’ Gin offered, then ducked the pillow Harry threw at her. ‘What? It’s true.’
“I’ll get you when you least expect it, you brat,” Harry threatened fondly before returning his attention to the grinning DA. “I can’t think of anything else, but let me know by Friday if one of you all do.” Harry grinned as everyone nodded or gave noises of consent. “Great. We’re done, then. Go do whatever it is you monsters like to do after dinner on Wednesdays.”
The room filled with laughter again as everyone stood and headed towards the door.
-------------------
Chapter 45, Part 2
Abandon & Reclaim Series:
Abandon the Prequel: Sixth Year
Abandon Chapters:
01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09 || 10
11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19 || 20
21 || 22 || 23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29 || 30
31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 || 38 || 39 || 40
41 || 42 || 43 || 44 ||45 || 46 || 47
Reclaim Chapters:
One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten
Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen
Epilogue
Side Stories:
Ginevra Weasley & Theodore Nott
Minerva McGonagall || Minerva McGonagall (again)
Author:
batsutousaiBeta:
magickmaker17Pairings: Harry/Tom(Voldemort), Seamus/Blaise, Ginevra/Theodore, post-Ron/Hermione, Salazar/Godric, Sirius/Remus
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.), Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: This computer makes odd sounds when it wants a nap….
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
’Written thoughts’
°°Phoenix speech°°
A/N: I kept thinking, “Oh, this chapter’ll be short. There’s not much to say!” And then I checked the length against last chapter and had to smack myself. It’s about the same length... *rolls eyes* I never want to hear a reader complain about the length of this thing again. *watches in amusement as beta cracks up*
Chapter 45, Part 1
-
“This has been an interesting week,” Harry informed the group of Juniors, supporters, Severus, and Tom. The teenaged leader was standing in the middle of the circle, hands clasped behind him as he looked over the seated people.
“You know it,” Seamus muttered. Blaise elbowed him sharply while Harry offered a thin smile.
“First off, I'd like to welcome Remus to the meeting, since it's his first one with everyone else,” Harry said, nodding to the werewolf.
“First time as a member at all, in fact,” Remus offered.
“True. Also, we'd like to welcome Michael Corner; he's here to be inducted. Gin? Marcus?” Harry glanced over his shoulder at where the Dark Lord and his second sat. The two stood and came to stand on either side of him. “Michael, could you come here? Stand in front of me.”
The Ravenclaw got up slowly and stepped up to the spot in front of the Boy-Who-Lived. “Is this going to hurt?” he enquired quietly.
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the young wizard while the Juniors around them covered sniggers. Tom's eyes swept around the circle. “Enough,” the Dark Lord ordered in a deadly voice. The room fell silent.
“Thank you,” Harry murmured, focusing on the student before him. “No. We do things a little differently in my section of the Dark Order than Voldemort does with the Death Eaters. You'll have a necklace, which is usually best for everyone...” Harry trailed off suddenly, turning to glance at the doorway to the kitchens.
Poppy and Sally-Anne stepped in and half of the Juniors rose, pointing their wands at the two witches. Poppy shot the students surrounding three of the four leaders in the Dark Order an annoyed look as she got between the shaking Hufflepuff and the wands. “Put those away,” she ordered. No one moved.
“Loyalty without Cruciatus Curse. You've proven me wrong, Harry,” Tom murmured in a voice that carried to everyone.
“That's because I'm brilliant and you're not,” Harry teased lightly. “Poppy, Sally-Anne, welcome. Juniors, stand down.”
The group of Death Eaters In-Training returned to their seats warily, eyes on the two newcomers as Tom walked over to them with Harry. “That was different,” Poppy muttered rather darkly.
“They're trainable, would you believe it?” Harry joked, smiling. “I saw that, Dray.”
“Damn,” the blond Slytherin muttered, putting his wand away as the others around him chuckled. The tension in the room relaxed almost immediately.
“Miss Perks, I am assuming that Poppy has brought you down here because you have made a decision?” Tom inquired coolly.
“Yes, Professor,” the Hufflepuff agreed.
Tom nodded and cocked an eyebrow at the mediwitch. “Poppy, how in Merlin's name did you find your way down here?”
“Harry told me how,” the nurse replied evenly, meeting the teal eyes calmly. “Why? Don't trust me?”
“Oh, stop it.” Harry snorted, rolling his eyes and glancing back at the circle. “Poppy is a supporter, and a friend of my bastard of a lover,” he added, jerking his thumb at the Dark Lord, who scowled. “Sally-Anne is joining us with Michael. Good timing.” The last sentence was aimed at the two witches.
“Good.” Poppy nodded firmly.
Harry smiled. “Poppy, if you could please take a seat next to Sevvie?”
“Potter...” Severus growled as he conjured a chair for the matron.
Harry winked at him before turning back to Sally-Anne. “Sally-Anne, if you could stand with Michael, please?”
Sally-Anne gave the Boy-Who-Lived a nervous smile. “Just Sally's fine, Harry,” she mumbled before hurrying over to where Michael stood.
Tom and Harry traded looks before they returned to their original places. “Sally, I was just telling Michael here that, unlike old Voldie's Death Eaters, we don't have our Dark Marks branded into our arms, but worn around our necks. I showed you my necklace before.”
“Yeah.” Sally-Anne nodded. She seemed to be relaxing a bit. Probably because she had realized that Harry had a good handle on the people around them, and she trusted Harry.
Harry nodded, all smiles and softness leaving him rather suddenly. “The Juniors aren't all that active in things like raids, unless a member wishes to be. For the most part, we gather information, spread rumours, and sabotage things, like the plans of the Order of the Phoenix.”
'And confuse them.' Gin added brightly.
“The Juniors don't get to confuse the Order, that's our job,” Tom replied evenly.
'Then you and your lot suck.'
“What are you two, five?” Harry enquired, rolling his eyes while many of those in the circle around them covered smiles. Even the two inductees were fighting amusement. “Great Merlin. Gin, you know the Death Eaters are in a better position to confuse Dumbles than us, so can it. Marcus, behave or I'll smack you.”
“How undignified,” the Dark Lord replied highly while Gin coughed quietly into a hand.
Harry turned around and smacked Tom's arm with an annoyed look, which drew laughter from the circle. “See what you've done?”
“You're the one that wants your meetings to be friendly,” Tom replied brightly.
“Shut it, bastard,” Harry growled. “Don't make me turn him loose on everyone,” he added in a slightly louder voice to his people. The room silenced immediately, causing both Sally-Anne and Michael to give Tom wary looks. Harry just shook his head helplessly. “He's not dreadfully dangerous,” he offered to the inductees.
“I'm dangerous, but controllable,” Tom replied.
Harry let out a snort, but dropped the issue. “Back to the task at hand.” He turned serious green eyes on the two seventh years before him. “The Dark Order is for life. Those who defect, no matter the reason, will be killed. Percy Weasley defected, he is dead. I hope that makes it clear.”
“Yes, sir,” Michael agreed softly while Sally-Anne nodded, eyes straying to the Dark Lord on Harry's left occasionally.
'You have three people to answer to.' Gin cut in sternly, drawing the attention to herself. 'Voldemort, who runs the Dark Order, Harry, who is his second, and myself, as I am Harry's second. Lucius Malfoy, who is the second of the Death Eaters has no power over you, though he may wish otherwise, at times. So, you only have three people you have to answer to, though I'd suggest paying attention if someone offers you advice.'
“Your Dark Mark pendants will act as the original Dark Mark does,” Tom continued coldly, teal eyes flicking back and forth between the wide gazes of the two inductees. “If Harry, Voldemort, or Gin need you, they will burn. Concentrate on the burn and it will help you find where they are. You'll often have to apparate to get to the caller, of course, and it will, usually, be for a meeting.”
Harry regained Sally-Anne and Michael's attention firmly as he spoke again, “The Juniors are different from the Death Eaters in many ways. The pendants and our obligations being two of them. Another is that we don't run things with an iron fist in here. All disagreements are forgotten in the light of any business; if I catch any Junior fighting during a meeting or when they are discussing a job or anything else pertaining to this group, I promise I will use an iron fist and adopt some of Voldemort's methods while I'm at it. It won't be pretty and, then, Michael, yes, it will hurt.”
Both teens had paled and nodded carefully. “Understood,” Sally-Anne replied in a weak voice.
“Good.” Harry offered both inductees a thin smile. “You know our laws. Do you still wish to become Juniors?”
“Yes,” Sally-Anne replied firmly.
Michael nodded, seeming to shake himself from his stupor. “Very much so, yes.”
Harry handed a necklace to Gin and both slipped the chains around the two newest Juniors' necks. “Before you sit down, I have one other thing to give you,” Harry murmured, frowning as he went through his pockets.
Tom smirked and dangled three charm bracelets in front of the younger wizard's face. “Looking for these, dear?”
Harry scowled and snatched the bracelets from his hand. “Stop stealing my things, prat,” he muttered darkly before refocusing on Sally-Anne and Michael and holding out two bracelets for them to take. “Charm bracelets. They're uniform for the Juniors. I buy this round, you buy any replacements or anything else you want. They all have spells on them to make them visible only to their wearer while you have them on. I'd suggest never taking them off, personally, and I can attest to the fact that they can save your life. Ask one of the others what each charm does, or come to me later.”
“Pretty...” Sally-Anne decided, slipping hers on. Michael put his on quietly.
Harry smiled. “I rather thought so. You two may sit.” He stepped over to where Poppy sat, holding out the third bracelet to her. “We decided you could probably benefit from one as well, Poppy.”
Poppy looked both surprised and grateful as she took the bracelet. “Thank you, both of you.” She nodded to Harry and Tom.
“Of course,” Tom replied as Harry walked back across the circle. “It only seems fair, since both Herm and Nev have them as well, and they aren't members.”
“Some things are important for many people,” Harry murmured as he returned to the centre of the circle. “Now that our new members are all sorted, let's go back over a few things that they need to know. First, I was inducted into the Order of the Phoenix last weekend,” Harry said calmly, glancing around the circle. “Remus and Severus are also Order members, as are the elder Weasleys who are Juniors.
“Second, and probably the most important is the identity of Marcus, which you should probably know, Sally, Michael,” Harry added before glancing at the Dark Lord, who had remained standing next his original seat in the circle. “Tom?”
Tom morphed into his human form of Tom Riddle. Both Sally-Anne and Michael gasped in horror as the chilling red eyes slipped over them. “I believe you know me best as Lord Voldemort,” he offered.
“Or Voldie,” Seamus offered cheerfully.
“Finnigan, are you drunk?” Tom inquired lightly of his student.
Seamus gave Harry a wary look. “...no...”
“SEAMUS!!” Harry roared, making everyone jump. “Out,” he hissed, pointing at the exit to Gryffindor. “I will talk with you later.”
Seamus let out a squeak and fled while Harry scowled at his retreating back.
“One more rule,” Tom offered in a rather amused tone. “Never come to a meeting pissed.”
Blaise let out a sigh. “I told him you'd catch him,” he offered to the green-eyed teen in the centre of the circle as everyone calmed back down again.
“Would you like me to talk to him?” Tom inquired lightly.
“No!” Harry and Blaise cried at the same time, both turning their gazes on the Dark Lord.
“Sit and be quiet before I put the Full Body-Bind on you,” Harry ordered the Dark Lord sharply, scowling. “And stop threatening my Juniors.”
“Yes, Mum.” Tom snorted, rolling his eyes and sitting with a smile.
“Bastard.” Harry snorted, looking back at the group in front of him. “Remus, do you have any reports to make?”
The werewolf gave his godson a contemplative look before shaking his head. “Nothing you don’t already know.” He shrugged as Harry scowled again. “What about Sirius?”
The green-eyed wizard sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not in his personality to become more than a supporter for us, and we’re pushing it enough as it is when it comes to trusting people who aren’t sworn in,” The teen murmured. However, upon seeing the looks on Hermione, Neville, and Poppy’s faces, he quickly continued, “Not that I don’t trust you three, I do, with my life, but I do feel safer only passing our secrets on to the Death Eaters and Juniors.”
“We understand, Harry,” Poppy said with a smile. Both Hermione and Neville nodded in agreement.
“Thanks.” Harry smiled thinly. “Sirius is a good man, and extremely loyal. Remus, your take? You’ve known him longer.”
Remus tugged on his chin. “You’ve got the gist of it. He’ll support you, Harry, but I can’t really see him ever joining. I wouldn’t quite trust him with every little secret, either, since his temper could flare and he might give you away,” the man replied honestly after a moment’s thought.
Harry nodded. “I leave it up to you to share your current position with him, or not, as you choose. In fact–” Harry’s eyes raked over the group in the room coolly, “–I leave it up to everyone in here to share your position as a member of the Dark Order with whomever you please, I just ask that you not give other names or the name of our group to them. I do want you all swaying people to our side. If telling them your position will truly gather them into the fold, wonderful. Just, be careful.” He gave Michael a sharp look and the boy flinched. “The world has ears and eyes, and this school is a rather dangerous place to open your mouth and speak about anything.”
‘Does anyone have any reports to make?’ Gin enquired.
“Our last meeting wasn’t so very long ago,” Blaise pointed out. “The most exciting thing that has happened between now and then was your godfather returning.”
“Yeah.” Draco scowled. “What was up with that?”
Harry grinned. “Was widdle Dwaco scawed?” he teased in a baby voice. Everyone laughed and even Draco had to fight a smile. “No, seriously?” Harry sobered. “Apparently the Veil kicked him back out again at the end of last year and he was admitted to St Mungo’s, since he was unconscious. He woke up yesterday and Dumbles sent for me.”
“And then they got into a fight over Marcus, but managed to patch things up,” Remus offered with a smile.
“Who’d fight over him?” Pansy asked in an amused voice.
Tom scowled while everyone laughed again. “It’s a good thing I’m not insulted by that, Miss Parkinson.”
“Harry’s better-looking anyway,” Parvati threw in, waving a hand dismissively.
Harry grinned. “Me and my ‘rather fine’ arse, as I recall.”
“Why don’t you turn around so we can get a good look at that arse of yours?” Padma suggested, winking.
“Is this a meeting, or a modelling show?” Remus enquired, which send all of the students into gales of laughter. Tom was shaking his head with a smile while both Severus and Poppy hid grins.
“Finally someone asks the question I’ve been wondering about for months.”
“Good evening, Salazar,” Harry called cheerfully. Everyone else but Tom gazed at the ghost warily. “Godric went out earlier.”
“Why should I care?”
:I really don’t know why you’re still trying, Harry,: Tom commented. :You know they’re never going to work anything out.:
Harry shrugged helplessly while Salazar glared at his Heir. “Did you need something, Salazar?”
The Founder glanced back at Harry. “Yes, actually. McGonagall was looking for you, little Gryffindor. That little monster you’ve adopted sent her to the library, saying you were probably either there, or in the Slytherin commons.”
“Not my room?” Tom inquired.
“That was the first place she would have checked,” Harry murmured. “Very well. Thank you, Salazar. I’ll be sure to thank Ula next time I see her as well.” He glanced around at the serious faces surrounding him. “If that is all?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Tom nodded, standing. “Meeting adjourned.”
“Come here, Marvolo,” Salazar ordered as everyone got to their feet.
“Uh oh.” Harry grinned at Tom. “Have fun with Salazar, love.”
“Enjoy your time with Minerva,” the Dark Lord shot back.
“Of course.” The teen waved at his lover before falling into step with Draco, Blaise, and Pansy. “Hey, ‘Bini, could you tell Seam I’ll chat with him tomorrow?”
“Oh, can I watch?” Draco inquired.
“No, Draco, you may not,” Blaise cut in. “Of course I’ll tell him, Harry. In fact, I think I’ll go find him now.”
“Have fun,” Harry offered as the Slytherin took off at a jog.
“Sure thing!”
Pansy draped an arm over Harry’s shoulders as they started down the damp corridor that led from Godric’s room to the rest of the dungeons. “So, sexy, you been showing those Gryffs your very fine arse lately?”
“No, his jeans are probably just too tight.” Draco snorted, smirking. “Marcus is the only person he’s been showing his arse to.”
Harry slung his arms around both of their shoulders and drew them close in a sort of huddle. “But Marcus doesn’t compliment my arse like the ladies do. Shall I get a girl on the side who will appreciate me, do you think?”
“Mmm. I’m willing,” Pansy offered slyly. “And I’ll bet Dray is, too.”
“Do I look like a girl to you?” Draco growled.
“Yes,” Pansy and Harry chorused before breaking out into sniggers.
“It’s those beautifully shaped cheekbones of yours,” Harry offered.
“And those gorgeous silver eyes,” Pansy added.
“And that silky blond hair that you just have to run your fingers through.” Harry sighed, tugging on the blond’s hair.
“Okay, enough.” Draco pulled away from his friends, scowling. “You’re very funny.”
“We know,” they chorused again before laughing.
“I despise you both. You’re horrible people. Get out of my sight. If I see you again, I may have to resort to something illegal.”
“He’s sure told us, hasn’t he, Pan?”
“Sure has! I’m so scared I think I may have wet myself!”
“I know! Look at this, my knees are trembling!”
“Uhg.” Draco groaned and shook his head helplessly. “Harry, I thought you were trying to find a girlfriend.”
“Oh, yeah.” Harry shrugged and grinned at Pansy. “So, what do you say? Go hide in some shadows and feel each other up? I promise not to tell your parents if you promise not to tell Marcus.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Of all the ridiculous things I’ve heard you say over the years, Mr Potter, this tops them all!” a voice said sharply from behind the group.
Harry and Pansy turned, still with their arms around each other’s shoulders, grinning, while Draco burst out laughing next to them. “Hullo, Professor McGonagall. How are you this fine evening?”
McGonagall scowled at the students. “What are you three doing wandering about?”
“Checking the corridors for the minions of evil that are plotting to take over the school as we speak,” Harry informed the Deputy Headmistress with a straight face. “Dray can fill you in while Pan and I go check that dark corner over there.”
“Minions of evil indeed.” McGonagall snorted, shaking her head in amusement while Pansy howled in laughter and Draco tried to calm himself. “Where do you come up with these things, Potter?”
“Afternoon cartoons,” Harry replied brightly. “Aunt Petunia let me hang out in front of the telly during my suspension. It was loads of fun, especially since Saber’d never seen any sort of programme before.” Draco started laughing again. “Did you need one of us for something, Professor?” Harry finished, grinning.
“Yes.” McGonagall nodded. “I was hoping to have a word with you in my office.”
“What have you done this time, Harry?” Pansy asked in mock exasperation, slipping from Harry’s grasp.
Harry gave the young witch a horrified look. “Do you think she found out about the...the you-know-what?” he asked in a loud whisper.
Pansy’s face slipped into a mask of matching horror. “Oh no…” she moaned before looking at the Deputy Headmistress with a pleading look. “Professor, please don’t punish Harry for that. It’s my fault, I swear on it. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Right place, right time, wrong person,” Draco clarified, having gathered himself. As McGonagall turned to him, an amused smile on her face, Draco’s expression changed to one of panic. “I swear I had nothing to do with it!”
McGonagall gave Harry an exasperated look. “Oh, come along then, you little trouble-maker.”
Harry laughed as the two Slytherins broke out into matching mischievous smiles. “The Professor doesn’t trick easy, I suppose.” He shook his head with a sigh. “Oh well. I’ll see you two tomorrow, then.”
“See you, Harry!” Pansy called happily, grabbing Draco’s arm and leading him down the hall to the Slytherin dorms.
“Don’t let her change you too much, Har!” Draco added, a laugh colouring his voice.
Harry shook his head, smiling. “Hullo, Professor McGonagall.”
McGonagall smiled and motioned for Harry to walk beside her as she started from the dungeons. “You’re a difficult person to find, Mr Potter. It seems that, no matter where I look, I’ve just missed you.”
“Colin said something like that the other day, actually. I suppose it’s just a big school.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “Or I’m just very good at hiding when I don’t wish to be found.”
“The latter, I’m sure,” McGonagall agreed. She glanced at him curiously. “Have you three been up to no good?”
“Pan, Dray, and me?” Harry asked. McGonagall nodded. “No. Dumbles made me swear to stay out of trouble, actually.”
“And you’re listening to him?” the woman asked with no mild shock.
Harry shrugged. “Yeah. Testing his patience is fun and all, but I don’t much care to find out how he’d handle me right now. Anyway,” his lips curled up at the edges coolly, “Sirius is probably more than making up for my lack of pranks.”
“Indeed he is,” McGonagall agreed, pausing before a picture Harry had never really noticed before. “Change is inevitable.”
“Quite,” the portrait, a young woman with flowing black hair, agreed before the picture frame jumped open.
“Your rooms?” Harry inquired softly as his professor motioned him in. He watched for her nod before pausing just inside the portrait hole to look around.
The sitting room was done in greens and blues, the stone walls painted a colour that was somewhere between green and blue. All of the tables were done in a dark wood that shone, as if recently cleaned. The floor wasn’t carpeted, unlike Tom’s rooms, but plain stone. There wasn’t really anything personal seated around the room, though there was a large bookcase along one wall, filled with books that were mostly on transfiguration, thought there were also some on other subjects that were taught at the school. The fireplace had a fire burning merrily within it and a picture of McGonagall and a younger man that looked like her with their arms around one another in a friendly manner sat on the mantle. From the part of the kitchen Harry could see through the gap beneath and above the swinging door, it was done in pale green with white wood cabinets. The bedroom door was closed, so Harry couldn’t see in there.
“Nice,” Harry decided, nodding. “You like green?” He glanced back at his teacher, smiling when she grimaced.
“Yes. At least I know you won’t think any less of me for it, hm?” she shot back teasingly before smiling. “Have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”
“Some pumpkin juice would be wonderful, yes,” Harry decided, settling himself in a dark green armchair and grinning when he sunk down into it.
McGonagall set a cup of pumpkin juice on the end table next to Harry’s chair and sat in a blue chair across from him with a cup of tea. “Comfortable?” she inquired teasingly.
“Oh, yes. I never took you for the type to have chairs that would eat the person who sits in them, but I suppose it allows you to torture visitors without them getting away,” the teen replied brightly, taking a sip of his juice.
McGonagall laughed. “Well, you’re here to talk, not be tortured.”
Harry let his head fall to one side, a curious expression talking over his face. “What about, Professor?”
McGonagall smiled slightly. “You’re in my private rooms, Mr Potter. Surely you can refer to me as Minerva.”
Harry blinked slowly once before speaking again, “Then you shall have to call me Harry, I think...” He paused while McGonagall nodded. “This is about Albus wanting me to ‘befriend’ the staff, isn’t it?”
“To a certain degree, yes,” McGonagall agreed, nodding again. “But I’d like to get to know you better anyway. As you said on Saturday, you’re all adults now.”
The teen smiled faintly. “True...” He glanced at the photograph on the fireplace’s mantle again. “That picture, who’s that with you?”
McGonagall twisted in her chair so she could glance at the picture as well. “My brother, Reynold. He’s living in France right now with his boyfriend, Jeff.” She glanced back at Harry, who looked contemplative. “I suppose you could say he’s my best friend.”
Harry nodded slowly. “Do you miss him?”
“I suppose...” McGonagall shrugged. “We keep in contact, and I’m, actually, just glad he’s out of You-Know-Who’s reach.”
“Oh, yeah, Voldemort.” Harry sighed, ignoring the Transfiguration Professor’s shudder at the name. “Almost forgot about him.”
McGonagall gave him an amazed look. “However did you manage that?”
“Forgetting about Voldemort?” The witch nodded, shuddering again. “Lack of activity? Mind on other things?” Harry shrugged. “Wishful thinking?”
“I suppose.” McGonagall sighed.
Harry cocked his head to one side again, gazing at McGonagall. “Minerva, why do you shudder when someone says ‘Voldemort’?”
The professor frowned at her student. “I always have.”
“But, so many people say his name now: Albus, Sirius, Remus, Herm, Marcus, Gin, Fred, George, Nev, Mad-Eye, Tonks, Poppy, myself...”
“You, Sirius, Remus, and Albus have never feared the name, and you’ve been rubbing off on everyone else,” McGonagall replied with a dark look.
“I suppose. Still, it does seem foolish to be afraid of a name.” Harry shrugged. “It’s not like old Voldie’s going to suddenly appear out of thin air because you’ve spoken his name.”
The Deputy Headmistress smiled faintly. “That’s true, but it doesn’t mean I’ll ever be comfortable with that name.”
“Suit yourself.” The teen sighed helplessly with a shrug.
McGonagall pursed her lips. “Whatever happened to the DA? I haven’t found anyone running to their dorms right before curfew this year.”
“Oh.” Harry grinned. “Competent teacher. We agreed no one really needed it this year, since Marcus actually knew what he was talking about and could teach the material.”
McGonagall smiled. “I see. And what about next year? Do you think they’ll have a competent teacher?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” The teen nibbled on his lower lip. “He might be adequate. At least, I hope he is. Mad-Eye seems to think he’ll be okay, at least.”
The witch chuckled as Harry offered her a small smile. “You’ll do fine, of that I have no doubt. You’re more than qualified for the position. After all, it’s not like you’ve never had any practice before at teaching those younger than you how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts.”
Harry nodded. “I know, but that doesn’t make me feel much better.”
“The students already know and respect you,” McGonagall added. “And you know them. That’s a greater advantage than most of the other Defence Professors we get.”
“Oh, but everyone always knows me,” Harry muttered, rolling his eyes. McGonagall chuckled again. “But you’re right, I do have an advantage, I guess. I know them, they know me, and Marcus has been giving me some tips on some of the students. Like, I now know that Rose Zeller in Hufflepuff and Geneva Shepard in Ravenclaw should never be paired together because they’re best friends and don’t allow their full potential to show through, in fear of hurting one another.”
McGonagall smiled, nodding. “That would make sense. I’m lucky to not have them in the same class, myself.”
“Not that it would make much difference. They’re only in third year. We don’t start learning how to transfigure other people until sixth,” Harry replied with a smirk.
The Transfiguration Professor snorted. “Indeed.” She shook her head. “Are you going to continue the DA? It was a useful group.”
“I may make a club out of it, I suppose,” Harry said thoughtfully. “It would be open to all of the Houses, of course, but I’d probably have a year limit, though I don’t know what that might be. I’d need help, what with so many more students than I’m used to teaching, but I’m sure I could get help, if I needed it.”
“Kind of like the Duelling Club of five years ago?” McGonagall suggested lightly.
“Oh, Merlin, no!” Harry shuddered. “I lived through that mistake once, and I don’t ever plan on seeing it again.”
McGonagall chuckled. “No. I suppose not. You could ask Severus, though.”
“Yes, and I probably will, if only to get more Slytherins to come.” Harry tapped on his chin. “Perhaps Professor Flitwick? I heard he was a good duellist.”
“Yes. He may be willing to help you,” McGonagall agreed. “In fact, he’d probably be delighted that you asked him.”
“Probably,” Harry agreed wryly. “Anyone else? The more people I have, the better.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I know Herm would love to help, babies or no...”
“Will she be remaining here next year?” McGonagall inquired, surprised.
“Yes.” Harry nodded. “I got Albus to allow that, but she doesn’t know it yet. Which reminds me, I still have to talk to Madam Pince about Herm helping her out in there.”
“I’m sure Miss Granger will find herself welcomed by any of the staff, if she wishes to give her help.”
“And I’m sure many of the staff won’t mind babysitting,” Harry agreed, eyes glinting with mischief.
“We’ll have to, won’t we?” McGonagall chuckled. “Back to the DA. Will you be keeping the same name?”
“I don’t know. I could call a quick meeting of current members and ask. Well...” Harry frowned. “I would call a meeting, but no one’s supposed to know I’ll be teaching here next year.”
“Ask anyway,” McGonagall suggested. “Ask them if you think it would be worth continuing the DA at Hogwarts even after you’ve all graduated. I’m sure they’d be glad to come back and help you teach it on days that they have free. Or you could hold the club over the weekends, so many people can come.”
“Even Order members?” Harry replied, grinning.
“Perhaps. There’s always something we could use practice on, after all,” the Deputy Headmistress agreed, also smiling.
“That’s an idea. I’ll think about it.” Harry nodded. “Thank you, Minerva. I hadn’t really given that much thought. It would be a good way to allow everyone, student or graduate, a chance to get some extra practise in. And, Albus could use that as an excuse to get reports in a more discreet method.”
“What, you don’t think it’s discreet enough to be wandering off once a month for a meeting?” McGonagall laughed.
“And have random people attempting to sneak up to his office all the time.” Harry snorted. “I do notice them, you know, and I doubt I’m the only one.”
“You have a point. We could hold meetings at the school after the club breaks up.”
“Oh, and not leave the school undefended when both you and Albus need to leave, you mean?”
“Yes.” McGonagall scowled at Harry, who smirked in response. “You’re nothing but trouble, Harry Potter.”
“So I’ve been told,” the green-eyed wizard agreed brightly. McGonagall laughed. “I’ll discuss it with Albus tomorrow or Thursday, I guess.”
“You could bring it up at the meeting on Saturday, you know.”
“I could.” Harry nodded slowly. “But I want to run it past Albus first, lest he find it a bad idea and disagree.”
“I can see that, I suppose. Of course, you also want everything hacked out, first, don’t you?” McGonagall teased.
“Yeah, I suppose so.” Harry grinned. “If I have a clear-cut idea, people will be more likely to agree with it, right?”
“Right.” McGonagall pulled a pocket watch from the pocket in her robe and frowned. “I should send you back to the common room now.”
“Oh, alright.” Harry sighed and stood. “It’s been fun talking with you, Minerva.”
“Likewise, Harry,” McGonagall agreed, also standing. “We should do this again.”
“I agree,” Harry decided. “It’s nice being able to discuss next year with someone.”
“You don’t talk about it with Marcus?” McGonagall asked, concern sliding through her voice.
“Oh, we talk about it, yeah.” Harry shrugged. “But when I talk about next year with him, it can get depressing.” The teen shrugged. “Not seeing each other as much and all, you know?”
McGonagall was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, her manner that of someone who didn’t really wish to say what she was saying. “Invite him to the club thing, if Albus okays it, I mean. Then you’ll know you’ll be seeing him every weekend, at least.”
Harry nodded slowly, frowning at his Head of House. “Why is it you dislike Marcus so much, if you don’t mind me asking?”
McGonagall gave the teen a started look. “He just... reminds me of someone who I knew once that I had some problems with while I was at Hogwarts.”
“Who does he remind you of?” Harry asked curiously.
McGonagall paused for a moment before replying. “Tom Riddle.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “You would have been in school with him, wouldn’t you have?” he murmured in a thoughtful voice.
“Yes.” McGonagall sighed. “I was in fourth year when he graduated.”
Harry nodded. “Sounds like fun. I’m glad I wasn’t in school with him, at any rate.”
McGonagall let out a faint laugh. “Understandable.”
Harry took that as his cue to leave and offered her a smile. “Riddle’s a bastard; whatever stupid thing he did, don’t let it bother you, that’s my suggestion. I’ll see you tomorrow, Minerva.”
McGonagall nodded. “Very well. Don’t stay up too late, now, Harry.”
“Nah. Straight to bed with me. If I don’t beat Sirius up, he pranks me,” Harry replied with a grin and a wink. Then he stepped out of the room and into the hallway, allowing the picture to swing shut behind him.
“Hullo, everyone!” Harry called, stepping into the Room of Requirement and grinning at the gathered DA.
“Harry, is there a reason you’re calling us all? I have other things I could be doing, you know,” Zacharias Smith growled.
Harry’s smile chilled. “I never said you had to come, Zacharias. That was a choice you made all on your own. If you have something you’d rather be doing, be my guest. I’m not holding you here,” the Boy-Who-Lived offered in a cold voice, gaze cutting through Zacharias like a knife.
“Any other complaints?” Hermione asked mildly from where she sat at the front of the room. Everyone shook their heads while Harry slid up to the front of the room.
“Just asking,” Zacharias muttered. “We did agree not to meet this year, since Brutús actually knows what the fuck he’s doing.”
‘Yeah, why are we meeting, big brother?’ Gin asked.
“Wait, you mean Harry’s the only one who’s got any idea?” Hermione asked, giving Harry an odd look.
“Yeah.” Harry scowled at his best friend. “What’s that look for? Do I have to run everything I do past one of the two of you before I do it now?”
Hermione and Gin traded looks. “‘Yeah.’” they chorused, getting a laugh from most of the members of the DA.
“Figures.” Harry rolled his eyes helplessly before holding up his hands for attention. “Look, I called this meeting to talk about next year, okay.”
“Do you think we’ll have a bad professor next year, Harry?” Dennis Creevey asked in concern.
“No.” Harry shook his head and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “In fact, I know who will be teaching here next year, and he should be fine.”
Those DA members who were also Juniors traded looks as the room filled with noise.
“Who is it, Harry?” Ernie MacMillan called over the other voices.
Harry smiled slightly. “I’ve been forbidden to tell you, actually. Just trust me when I say he should be adequate.”
“Why should we care who’s teaching here next year?” Terry Boot sneered. “We’re graduating.”
“My little brother is starting next year, Terry,” Ernie shot back sharply. “I want to know he’ll actually learn things.”
“Guys, guys!” Hermione called sharply while Harry shook his head with a pained look. “What are you, three? Let Harry say what he needs to say. For all we know, it does have something to do with us, Terry, seventh years or not.”
“Good point. Just because we’ve left Hogwarts doesn’t mean we can’t come back or that it won’t affect us,” Leana Moon agreed from her spot next to her best friend, Sally-Anne Perks.
“I’m going into the Department of Magical Games and Sports after Hogwarts, Leana, so excuse me if I don’t think much will affect me that happens at Hogwarts.”
“With Voldemort on the loose, Hogwarts is the safest place in all of the United Kingdom to be,” Neville offered in a quiet voice, startling quite a few people. Everyone turned to stare at him in shock, except a few Juniors and Hermione who knew better, by then, to be surprised by his speaking up or speaking the name of the Dark Lord. “I think, Terry, that no matter where you go after this, Hogwarts will still be important to you.”
“Well said, Nev.” Harry nodded. “At any rate, this won’t just be affecting you all. This will be affecting everyone who’s ever been at Hogwarts, and even some people who have gone to other Wizarding schools.”
‘Okay, what sort of crazy scheme are you concocting this time, Harry?’ Gin asked with a mildly annoyed look.
“I was talking with Professor McGonagall yesterday and she mentioned the DA, which got us to thinking about making it into a club for the whole school, like Lockhart’s Duelling Club,” Harry replied, smiling at the many winces that appeared in response to his reminder of five years before. “When we thought about keeping the same name or not, McGonagall suggested mentioning it to the current DA, perhaps even going so far as to set up the club on weekends and inviting old members who have graduated to attend the meetings, in case they wish to learn more or even just help teach the class.”
“You’re going to make it open to everyone that’s ever been to Hogwarts? Ex-DA member or not?” Dean whispered in awe.
“Yes, actually, that was the basic idea.” Harry nodded. “So I brought the idea to Dumbles during lunch and he thought it was a grand one, so the club will be set up for next year.” Everyone cheered.
“Do we have to come up with a new name, Harry?” Orla Quirke, a fourth year Ravenclaw, asked in a pleading voice once the noise had died.
Harry let out a sigh and leaned back against the wall behind him. “Yes, we do. Let me explain what I want to do with the DA for next year and perhaps you’ll get a clearer picture,” the teenaged leader suggested, smiling when everyone nodded, settling down in their seats, in case the explanation took a while. “I likened next year’s group to the Duelling Club because that’s what it’s going to turn out like. It will be advertised for all students, even Slytherins, and all witches and wizards in the United Kingdom, no matter their education–“
“Even Death Eaters?” Lavender Brown asked coldly.
“If they have the Dark Mark, we will have to consider not letting them in, but, if they are clean, we have no right to deny them entrance,” Harry replied firmly. “Knowledge of Dark spells makes not a Death Eater.”
“That’s true.” Michael Corner nodded. “Aurors have to learn quite a few Dark spells in their training so they will recognise them.”
“And they used the Unforgivables in the first war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters to even the score,” Hermione offered.
“Some did, but not everyone,” Neville muttered.
“Oh, that’s true.” Hermione inclined her head towards Neville in an apologetic manner. The Heir offered her a brief smile in response.
Harry smiled at the group in front of him fondly. “Come on, everyone, you’ve got the basic idea of what I’m planning. Do you have any other ideas? Especially the name?”
‘We could go with Cho’s original idea, maybe. Defence Association?’ Gin suggested mildly.
“We could continue calling it DA,” Colin agreed brightly.
“We could call it ‘The Duelling Club That Would Win Against Lockhart Any Day’!” Padma Patil called.
The Room of Requirement filled with laughter at the wild suggestion as Harry shook his head in amusement. “Perhaps something a bit shorter, Padma.”
“Duelling Association,” Luna offered in an airy voice that somehow managed to carry over the rambunctious group seated around her.
“I second it!” Lotus Vanger, another sixth year Ravenclaw, called from the back of the group.
‘And I third it.’ Gin added firmly. ‘We can still say DA for short, it’s a short name, and it tells a little about the group at first glance.’
“Well put.” Harry nodded. “Excellent idea, Luna. I knew you’d come through for me again.” He winked at the Ravenclaw, making other members laugh while Luna just smiled faintly. “Ideas?”
“Why are you so desperate to get everything straight now?” Terry asked suspiciously.
“I have a meeting with the staff, courtesy of Dumbles, to see which teachers will be willing to help me set everything up next year,” Harry replied fluidly. “The meeting is this weekend, so it’s in our best interest to get everything hacked out today.”
“Okay, what will you be teaching?” Hermione pressed. “You’ll have to come up with an outline.”
“Not exactly.” Harry shook his head. “The DA has never been run as a class of any sort. I come up with what I wish to do the day of the meeting. It’s how the DA’s always been, and always will be. What I really want to know is, who would be willing to help me teach it? Remember that this won’t just be our generation, but also former generations of graduates that we’ll be teaching.”
“I’ll help, of course,” Hermione said firmly.
“Count me in,” Anthony Goldstein agreed.
“Me,” Justin Flinch-Fletchley called out after trading a look with Ernie Macmillan.
“Why not pick someone from Slytherin, Harry,” Ernie suggested. “Then you could have one helping teacher from each House. If one of them doesn’t feel comfortable with what they’re planning to teach that day, they can trade off with another person from their House.”
“I think the teaching needs to be left to former DA members,” Zacharias cut in.
‘I think you need to stick your head up your ass and keep your mouth shut.’ Gin offered sharply, turning to glare at Zacharias.
“I was planning on adding Dark Arts to the curriculum anyway; I’ll need a Slytherin to help me,” Harry slid in soothingly. All eyes returned to him, though Gin kept shooting Zacharias dark looks. “It’s easier to fight that which you understand, after all.”
‘Moody clone.’ Gin complained.
“Perhaps.” Harry shrugged, smiling. “Aurors learn Dark Arts because they fight better if they know what to expect. I know a few Dark Arts myself, and I’ve found that it does help me against Dark Wizards, when I face them, because I know the spells and can defend myself against them.” The silence following that statement was stifling. “At any rate, Sally, I’ll also need your help with this.”
“Me?” Sally-Anne whispered, a shocked expression on her face.
“Yes. And Leana. I also want to add medimagic to the curriculum, and you’re both going to St Mungo’s after this, correct?” Both Hufflepuffs nodded. “Then you’ll be a great help. I have no doubt that Poppy will help, but I’d like other help as well, in case she’s called away.”
“Poppy?” Owen Cauldwell, a fourth year Hufflepuff, asked.
“Madam Pomfrey, to you,” Harry answered, eyes dancing with amusement. “Sorry. I always seem to forget that I’m one of the few students who dares call her or Professor Snape by their first names.”
“What about Marcus?” Hermione teased.
“You may have noticed that he lets nearly everyone get away with calling him by his first name,” Harry replied with a wry smile.
‘Harry’s the only one who gets to call him other things.’ Gin offered, then ducked the pillow Harry threw at her. ‘What? It’s true.’
“I’ll get you when you least expect it, you brat,” Harry threatened fondly before returning his attention to the grinning DA. “I can’t think of anything else, but let me know by Friday if one of you all do.” Harry grinned as everyone nodded or gave noises of consent. “Great. We’re done, then. Go do whatever it is you monsters like to do after dinner on Wednesdays.”
The room filled with laughter again as everyone stood and headed towards the door.
Chapter 45, Part 2
Abandon the Prequel: Sixth Year
Abandon Chapters:
01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09 || 10
11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19 || 20
21 || 22 || 23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29 || 30
31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 || 38 || 39 || 40
41 || 42 || 43 || 44 ||
Reclaim Chapters:
One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten
Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen
Epilogue
Side Stories:
Ginevra Weasley & Theodore Nott
Minerva McGonagall || Minerva McGonagall (again)
.
