Anna's POV
"Hermione, are you sure we should do this?" I asked as we sat in the Hog's Head, waiting for people to show up. Hermione had suggested we have a meeting for those who want to join our club that taught defensive spells. We hadn't quite thought of a name yet, but would figure it out.
As if on cue, people started filing in. In the midst, I could see a few people I recognized including Luna, Neville, the Patil twins, Reeve, and Cho, who greeted me with a death glare. Let's just say that we hadn't gotten off on the best terms last year... And well, in general, she already hated me. I returned her rude look by just rolling my eyes and directing my attention back to Hermione who was just answering my question.
"Yes, I'm sure, quit being so worried-"
"I'm not worried, I just don't want to look like an idiot out there... You know how stupid and awkward I sound in front of people," I groaned, and Harry glared at me.
"You're one of the most outgoing people that I know-"
"Shut it, I am NOT!"
"Yes, you are. Honestly, Anna, people would kill to have an outgoing and carefree personality like yours," Hermione admitted sheepishly.
"Nope. Nope. And nope again. I'm not outgoing, nor care-free. Is that really how you guys and everyone else sees me?" I asked.
"Yes," Harry, Hermione, and Ron said at the same time. I just rolled my eyes and gave a laugh. The four of us chatted a while until everyone had filed in, and took a seat. Everyone finally fell silent, and Hermione slowly stood up, cleared her throat, and started talking.
"Um...hi..." she said nervously, and all eyes were on her. She took a deep breath and continued, "Um...I think we all know why we're here... We need a Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher...a proper one...or two maybe," she gave a small smile and motioned to Harry and I. I gave a small and awkward wave, accompanied with a smile. But then, this Ravenclaw guy stood up and glared.
"You think we're going to actually let you nutters teach us?! You must be joking!" he exclaimed. I just got up, walked over to him and smiled sweetly.
"If you don't care, if you want to get yourself killed when there's a war, when Voldemort attacks, there's a door over there, feel free to use it," I snarled, clenching my jaw. He gave a glare, got up, and left. I looked around, and everyone's eyes laid on me, "That goes for the rest of you, you can leave through that door over there if you don't believe us." Nobody spoke or moved. I just gave a nod and sat back down, giving Hermione the chance to speak again.
"Um, yeah, if you don't want to be included in this, take Anna's advice... Anyways, we need proper teachers that actually have had real experience with these kinds of things-"
"Why do we have to know this? I don't think it's really necessary," a random kid asked.
"Because Voldemort is back you dillhole!" Ron exclaimed, and I stifled a laugh.
"Um, what's a dillhole?" I asked, and Ron came over, whispered what it meant, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing. I finally composed myself after a few seconds. "Okay, um, sorry...I'm really immature if you haven't noticed," I said with a laugh, and a few others laughed too.
"Okay, thanks for that insult," the kid said sarcastically with an eye roll but started speaking again, "but who says Voldemort is back? You two?"
"Says Dumbledore-"
"So Dumbledore says what they say. The point is, where's the proof?" the kid asked, and I just realized he was a Ravenclaw. Of course. The room was deadly silent, and I couldn't speak. Was there proof even? No. There wasn't. What if this was all a lie that Voldemort implanted in our heads? What if Cedric's death was an accident? Or what if we killed him but didn't know it? What if Voldemort's been back this whole time? What if my life was a lie? Okay, now I'm just thinking too deep. I was snapped out of my thoughts by the guy talking again, "You know, Potter and Black could tell us a lot more about Cedric's death... And Black sure as hell could tell us why she went insane that night; why she was about to literally kill someone. We all saw her. She was bloody insane. She could have easily murdered Diggory-"
"STOP IT! I DIDN'T KILL HIM!" I screamed, cutting him off. Hot tears were burning my eyes, and on the verge of over-pouring, and running down my face. I swallowed hard and blinked back the tears the best that I could. I wanted to speak, to tell the whole story, but I couldn't. I would break down and go hysterical. Harry put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.
"Okay, we're not telling you all about how Cedric died, so if that's why you're here, clear out now," he said, and relief spread throughout me. I wouldn't have to explain, thank Merlin... But Harry grabbed my hand and mumbled to Hermione, "Come on, let's just go they think we're freaks-"
"Is it true that you two can produce a patronus charm?" Luna asked in her whimsical voice. Harry and I nodded in unison.
"Blimey, I didn't know you could do that!" Dean said in awe.
"A...and Harry had killed a basilisk before with the sword of Gryffindor!"
"And Anna survived being kidnapped and tortured by death eaters!"
"The two of them fought off at least a hundred dementors at once!" People were calling out all of the extraordinary things we had done that the two of us had never thought about twice. After a while, the commotion died down, and Hermione stood up.
"And last year, they both really did fight You Know Who by themselves..." Hermione stated. Harry and I both had enough attention and stood up at the same time. I let him speak first.
"Look, it all sounds...great...when you say it. But facing this stuff in real life is just different," he said, and I could tell he was trying to find a way to convey the message so it would make sense.
"Right. I mean, when you're really there, a second before yours, or someone else's death, you act on instinct. It's just not as simple and easy that school makes it seem. If you screw up, in class, it's all okay. You can try again tomorrow. When it's real, you don't get a second chance, and there's a big price to pay..." I said quietly, the image of Cedric dying replaying over and over. It was my fault... My sacrifice was a stupid idea. I was supposed to force them to leave, but instead, I took the easy way out, and Cedric was the price to pay for my careless mistake. I would have kept talking, but the lump in my throat was keeping me from doing so.
"She's right... It's completely different. None of you know what that's like," Harry said sadly, Hermione stood up and nodded, placing a hand on our shoulders.
"That's exactly why we need your help, both of you. If we're going to have any chance of beating..." she trailed off and closed her eyes while taking a deep breath before she continued, "Voldemort..." The room was silent, but a young boy who's name was Nigel spoke up.
"So it's true? He really is back?" he asked sadly. I gave him a slight nod. That's when I could feel everyone in the room finally believing us and trusting us. I got up, picked up a quill and wrote on the sign-up parchment. I had finally thought of a name.
Dumbledore's Army I wrote in a fancy, cursive style above mine, Harry's, Ron's, and Hermione's names that were already written.
"If you want to join, we would really appreciate it. I promise, you won't regret joining Dumbledore's Army," I said and held out the quill. Luna was the first one to get up and sign it. Then, a line of everyone in the room formed. Harry and Hermione were at the sign-up sheet while Ron and I stayed in the back.
"I know what you're thinking, but it's not your fault Cedric died," he said quietly with a sympathetic look. I shook my head.
"You don't know what happened that night, you weren't there. I could have stopped it-"
"Stop blaming yourself-"
"Ron, I'm not making this up. I really could have stopped it. I should have forced them to leave, I really could've, and none of this would have happened. Cedric would be alive, Voldemort wouldn't be back," I explained, tears in my eyes. He was at a loss for words, and I just shook my head, looking down, "I wish I would have stopped it... I would give anything to just go back... Oh, how I wish I had a time turner," I groaned, and Ron gave a laugh.
"That sure would've been helpful. You should have just kept it in third year when you had the chance."
"You're right, I'm such an idiot."
"You're the complete opposite of an idiot. I mean, I think you're smarter than Hermione to be honest. But please don't tell her I said that," he whispered. I smiled.
"I'm really not. You know, I really think it's about time you and Hermione get together," I said, nudging him. He quickly shook his head.
"She's cool and all, but I really don't like her in that way-"
"Oh come on! You're joking! I mean, I know we've already had this conversation, but really, just admit it!" I hissed. He laughed, and just got up, leaving me by myself. I just rolled my eyes.
"I agree with you, they would be a cute couple," Luna said in her airy voice as she sat next to me. I grinned.
"It's about time someone agrees with me. Oh, by the way, I'm really happy you signed up, I know you'll do great."
"I'm happy I signed up too. I do believe you, I've always believed you about Voldemort and Sirius Black, and the rest too."
"Thanks, that really means a lot."
"I also don't think you're crazy like everyone else does, no offense though.
"Oh, I know how everyone thinks of me. And I am a little psycho... I have bipolar disorder you know..." I said quietly. I was expecting her to call me a nutter and tell everyone, but all she did was give a small smile.
"I figured. You see, I don't look at people's similarities, I see them with their differences instead, if that makes any sense," she said, and I nodded.
"Yeah, I get it. I don't judge people by their differences, because your differences are what make you, you. But just about everyone is so insecure, and afraid to be different, who they really are. You know Luna, I like you. you're really cool and don't care what people think," I grinned.
"Thank you, I think you're my first actual friend who doesn't think I'm a weirdo and talk about me behind my back, that means a lot."
"Sure thing-"
"Okay everyone! Can I have your attention please?!" Hermione asked loudly, and the room fell silent. She continued, "Thank you all for coming and signing up! We'll meet back here next week at the same time so we can give you all the details about the meetings. You are dismissed, and thanks again!" She said cheerfully, and everyone started filing out. One thing I noticed was that the majority of the people were smiling, and that's when I realized how much we were helping people. So what if Umbridge found out? We had a chance to fight back!
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Hey everyone! Sorry if this chapter was boring, it was more of a filler. But I still hope you liked it anyways. And sorry for the late updates, I've just been really busy lately with marching band, volunteering, school, babysitting, ect. So yeah, I guess that's about it. Thanks for reading, and I would really appreciate any suggestions or ideas for this story, comments, votes, and follows! Thanks again! :)