𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 | 𝐟. 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

{ 88 }

── ⲇ ──

"You see the numerals around the edge of the coins?" Hermione said, holding one up for examination at the end of their fourth meeting.

The coin gleamed fat and yellow in the light from the torches.

"On real Galleons that's just a serial number referring to the goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting. The coins will grow hot when the date changes, so if you're carrying them in a pocket you'll be able to feel them. We take one each, and when Harry sets the date of the next meeting he'll change the numbers on his coin, and because I've put a Protean Charm on them, they'll all change to mimic his."

A blank silence greeted Hermione's words. She looked around at all the faces upturned to her, rather disconcerted.

"Well - I thought it was a good idea," she said uncertainly, "I mean, even if Umbridge asked us to turn out our pockets, there's nothing fishy about carrying a Galleon, is there? But... well, if you don't want to use them -"

"You can do a Protean Charm?" said Terry Boot. "Yes," said Hermione. "But that's... that's NEWT standard, that is," he said weakly.

"Oh," said Hermione, trying to look modest. "Oh... well... yes, I suppose it is."

"How come you're not in Ravenclaw?" he demanded, staring at Hermione with something close to wonder. "With brains like yours?"

"Well, the Sorting Hat did seriously consider putting me in Ravenclaw during my Sorting," said Hermione brightly, "but it decided on Gryffindor in the end. So, does that mean we're using the Galleons?"

There was a murmur of assent and everybody moved forwards to collect one from the basket. Harry looked sideways at Hermione.

"You know what these remind me of?"
"No, what's that?"
"The Death Eaters' scars. Voldemort touches one of them, and all their scars burn, and they know they've got to join him."

"Well... yes," said Hermione quietly, "that is where I got the idea... but you'll notice I decided to engrave the date on bits of metal rather than on our members' skin."

"Yeah... I prefer your way," said Harry, grinning, as he slipped his Galleon into his pocket. "I suppose the only danger with these is that we might accidentally spend them."

"Fat chance," said Ron, who was examining his own fake Galleon with a slightly mournful air, "I haven't got any real Galleons to confuse it with."

── ⲇ ──

DA meetings didn't come often. Especially since the first match of the season was coming up.

Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

McGonagall found it in her best interest when she abstained homework the week leading up to the match. She had even informed her (though she denies it) favorite student and captain,

"I've grown accustomed to seeing the trophy in my study. I would hate to hand it over to Professor Snape so take the extra time to practice."

Y/n saluted her and proclaimed (having taken lessons in dramatic from Fred), "I shall protect our honor. My team shan't sleep as they prepare for war and we will claim glory and victory over the beaten corpses of our serpent enemies."