Chapter 14 – The DA



Harry, Ron and Hermione decided it was time that they held another meeting regarding the DA and the new arrangements.

“Do you still have the coins?” enquired Hermione to Ron and Harry.

“Yeah, lucky though, I nearly spent it in the holidays.” replied Ron.

“I imagine everyone else kept theirs.” replied Harry. “Work your magic Hermione, let’s set up a meeting in the room of requirement. Quidditch practise isn’t starting for another week, there should be no excuses!”

“No problem, what time?”

“Tonight, at seven, I will get the Marauders Map out, to make sure we don’t get caught coming back.”

“Better tell Karis.” replied Ron.

“Yeah, no probs, I’ll go tell her now.” With that Harry left the room.

Hermione turned to Ron. “I’m worried about Harry. He’s holding something back. I wish I knew what it was.”

“You know what Hermione? I think your right. I can’t believe I’m agreeing with you!” he replied with a wry smile.

“I wish I knew what was in the prophecy, we never was told what it said.”

“It’s because no-one heard it, Neville broke it by accident.” replied Ron

“Didn’t you hear Dumbledore in the meeting? He said that Voldemort probably took Mad Eye Moody because of the Prophecy, which means he must know what it said, or something about it at least.”

“I never even thought of that. But then again You-know-who is a total crackpot, he is just desperate, he’s clutching at straws.

“If that’s the case, then I fear for Alastor, if he has nothing to tell them, then he’s no better than dead. “

Ron looked at Hermione in submission; after all she had a point, a very good one indeed.

“Whatever it is, it can’t be good. I just hope Karis can really pull this one off. Harry needs guidance. Dumbledore hardly looked at him once last year and now he brings in his Grand Daughter, probably the light of his life to help Harry, I still don’t get it.” replied Ron.

Hermione nodded in full agreement.

“Karis is cool, but I just can’t help but wonder what this is all about. I think Harry knows.” she replied.

“Hermione, if he knew he would have told us.”

“What if he did hear the prophecy when it smashed and he’s too scared to say anything?” said Hermione with her voice rising high with emotion. “He’s putting on a brave face I know it. We both know him better than anyone Ron, and well, I heard something when we were at Grimmauld Place but I haven’t told anyone.”

Ron shot a look of expectancy at his Girlfriend. “What did you hear?” he nudged closer to her on the sofa, so there arms were touching.

“You remember when we said Goodnight and left his room?”

“Yeah.”

Well I couldn’t sleep, so after about an hour I went downstairs to get a drink of water, I heard voices from the hallway. I heard Phineas Nigellus portrait tell Lupin that Harry was crying for Sirius in his sleep, I also heard him say that he heard Harry shouting, something about dying at the hand of the other. I don’t understand what that was about, but I’m scared for him.” Hermione slowly put her head down.

Ron put his arm around her shoulders.

“I didn’t want to leave him, but something told me to leave him alone that night, he needs time to grieve Hermione, we all loved Padfoot.” Ron took a deep breath and continued to speak. “I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you, this is hard for us all I know, but you have made it easier for me just being here.”

Hermione looked up at Ron with tears welling in her eyes, she felt overwhelmed with what Ron had just said, she felt exactly the same, Ron was a strength that she desperately needed to hold onto, they were strength for each-other. Gently she leaned in closer and they both shared their first long embracing kiss.

Part 2

Harry approached the door to Karis’ classroom. He was about to knock when he heard voices. Quietly he put his ear to the door and tried to listen to what was being said, thinking that he could have really done with some extendable ears right about now.

“I can’t believe he did that Karis, I am so sorry.” Harry recognised those dull tones as belonging to Professor Snape. “I know he has had it hard, he’s not really a bad kid.”

“I know Severus, he’s confused. His Dad is in Azkaban, his Mother is a head case, who I’m pleased to say I only ever met the once, but what he did was still wrong.” replied Karis.

“Yes it was inexcusable, and I will make sure he receives detention.”

“OK, but...” Karis trailed off then continued. “Severus I am concerned about him and Harry, they hate each-other, I couldn’t just sense it, I could really see it. I think we may have trouble with those two.”

“Well yes, Potter is unpredictable, much like his Father in that respect.”

“Just because you didn’t like James, don’t take it out on Harry, he’s a great young man, he has a big heart and has been though so much, surely you realise that.” said Karis.

Harry felt a warmth travel through his body; she was sticking up for him. He was seething however at Snape for talking untoward about his Father.

“Well No Karis, I don’t. He has been through a lot but he brings it upon himself, he takes matters into his own hands without thinking of the consequences. He would have been killed if it wasn’t for the Order.”

“I appreciate that but it’s not all his fault. If you had continued with the Occlumency and were more supportive towards him, he wouldn’t hate you so much, and you would both learn to get along.”

“I will not argue with you over Potter, he has caused enough trouble, and I refuse to let him interfere with us.”

All was silent for a few moments. Harry’s head was reeling, he felt sick inside. They must be a couple he thought. He was so mad at Karis, he felt like she had let him down. Talking about him behind his back to one of the people he hated the most. She was younger than him too, she didn’t look much older than 22 years old, what was she thinking, and what did Dumbledore think about this – does Dumbledore even know? These were just some of the questions Harry was tormenting himself with, while still leaning against the door straining to hear the rest of the conversation.

“Nothing will ever jeopardise what we have Severus, nothing at all.” replied Karis.

These last words she spoke rang in Harry’s head like church bells. He felt so angry; suddenly he swung on his heel and stormed back towards the Gryffindor Tower. He didn’t want to see her or talk to her, in fact he was disgusted by her - And he felt the one person he really started to care for, respect as a teacher and a good friend had betrayed him more than anyone.

Harry entered the Gryffindor Common Room to find the Creevy Brothers, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom all sitting with Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

The Patil twins were also hanging around. Suddenly Harry remembered why. The DA Meeting. Hermione had already done the protean charm on the galleon coins, and people were assembling together for the first lesson of the new term.

“Are you alright Harry?” asked Ginny, noticing he was looking pale in the face and was carrying a defiant frown.

“Uh… Yeah I’m fine. I’ll go get the map, and then we can head out.” replied Harry, while storming for the stairs that lead to the Male dormitories.

C’mon Harry, we don’t have long, we are already late, what are you doing?” shouted Hermione from the stairway.

Harry was sitting on his bed looking at his wand, lost in his thoughts. He was still reeling over what he heard. Why Snape? He kept thinking to himself. Anyone else would have been alright, but why him?

Slowly they all made their way to the Room of Requirement, Harry keeping a close eye on the marauders map for signs of anyone anonymous approaching.

Ron looked across at the map and noticed a name approaching nearby, a name that Harry had his eyes fixed on, yet he held a defiant frown and was starting to grip his wand until his knuckles turned white.

“Harry, are you sure your alright?” asked Ron, looking at his friend with uncertainty.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” replied Harry irritably.

A swish of a crushed purple cloak could be heard and slowly Karis approached the awaiting crowd. With a large smile and eyes twinkling, she felt quite surprised at the number of students who were involved in this venture.

“Hey Karis, oh, I mean Professor Karis.” stuttered Ron.

“Yeah, wow Professor, what you did to Malfoy was awesome.” interrupted Seamus Finnigan, while looking at her with awe.

“Well, he deserved it, but I don’t make a habit of it, and I would have done the same to any one of you, regardless of who it was.” replied Karis.

Harry looked up at her; she stared straight in his eyes, and her expression changed very slightly. Karis felt that there was something on Harry’s mind, even though, she knew he wouldn’t tell her straight.

“What’s the matter Harry?” she asked.

“How did you know about the D.A. gathering, I didn’t get a chance to tell you.” retorted Harry with an unduly abruptness.

“I have a galleon that Professor Dumbledore gave to me, to make sure you didn’t try sneaking off without me knowing, he thought it best.” replied Karis. “Good job he did too, because Harry, you didn’t tell me!”

Hermione and Ron exchanged looks, as they believed that was his mission earlier.

“But surely Harry that is not all that is on your mind, please share!” said Karis.

“Well, I just wondering where you learnt that shielding spell, I remembered afterwards that as I saw Voldemort do it last year, then maybe your not telling us everything. After all you seem to enjoy the presence of a once Death Eater.”

There were a few loud gasps and a quiet muttering in the DA crowd.

Hermione was gaping at Harry in amazement; Ron was shaking his head and started to turn pink in the face. Ginny however out of shock kicked Harry in the shin. “Ouch, Gin, what are you playing at?”

“I could ask you the same question!” she retorted.

Karis however just continued staring at Harry, to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable and albeit would he want to admit it to himself, rather guilty.

“It’s not what you think!” she whispered to him, then she turned away to look at the others, who all felt rather uneasy.

“Right, well I guess you all know how to enter the room. Harry, would you like to go first?” gestured Karis.

“Harry, hello, would you like to go first?” she repeated.

“Uh, yeah, sorry.” stumbled Harry awkwardly, he seemed to be in a daze. Karis had thrown him completely off-guard, he felt silly about his abrupt behaviour with her.

“Very well then, let’s go!” replied Karis.

One by one they strode three times by the hidden door and entered.