Paola woke up to a sore hand, still wrapped with a white bandage and a red stain where the cut was made. She sighed and stood up from her bed, to her bathroom. She took off the bandage and cleaned the cut, slightly flinching at the sudden pain. She didn't wrap the cut this time. It's the weekend, so Paola decided to go outside and chill out.
She got to the forest to see a bare-foot, Luna hanging out with some Thestrals. Paola greeted Luna. Luna turned around and shot her a smile. The curly haired walked over to her and the Thestral she was petting.
"Got any food for it?" Paola asked her, deciding to not ask why she didn't have any shoes on.
Luna nodded and took a piece of meat out her bag "Here."
Paola took it and threw it in the air for the animal to catch, it did. Luna started to pet it once again. While Paola went over to the ones that sat near a small body of water.
Luna and Paola had been quite acquainted. They've talked but wouldn't be considered friends. The Slytherin heard Luna say something but ignored it. But she then heard another voice.
"What are they?" asked the voice. A voice Paola recognized easily, making her rolled her eyes.
"They're called Thestrals. They're quite gentle, really, but people avoid them because they're a bit..." Luna explained.
"Different." said the boy "But why can't the others see them?" He asked.
"Only people who have seen death can see them." Paola said, going up to them.
"So, both of you have known someone who's died, then?" Harry asked, a little startled at Paola's sudden appearance.
"My mum" Luna said.
Harry looked over at Paola "You?" Not knowing why he asked her exactly.
"That's none of your business, Potter." she snarled. Harry scratched his neck and glanced at the side nervouly, as Luna gave Paola a 'calm down' look. Paola scoffed, and stepped away from them but she could still hear them talking.
"My mum was quite an extraordinary witch," Luna said, changing the subject "But she did like to experiment..." She started to slowly walk over to Paola, Harry following "I was 9."
"I'm sorry" Harry said apologetically.
"Yes, it was rather horrible." Her soft voice spoke. "I do feel very sad about it sometimes, but I've got Dad."
They stayed quiet for a little, looking at the dark animals, a rustling sound in front of them.
"We both believe you, by the way." Luna said. As they watched Paola play with one of the baby Thestrals, making said rustling. The sight made Harry slightly smile, unintentionally. He snapped out of it and processed what Luna said, then turned his head to look at her.
"That He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and you fought him... and the Ministry and the Prophet are conspiring against you." Luna finished, reminding him of all that had happened.
"Thanks. It seems you're about the only ones that do" He responded, looking back at Paola, who laid in the floor with the baby Thestral on top of her, laughing. Harry has never seen her smile or never noticed anyway. Looking at her, genuinely laughing, it made him feel... Different.
"I don't think that's true. Even she does." She said, looking over at Paola too. "But I suppose that's how he wants you to feel."
Harry looked over at her again, confused "What do you mean?"
"Well, if I were You-Know-Who... I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else... because if it's just you alone... you're not as much of a threat." She smiled sweetly, looking back at him, then Paola.
Harry just stared at her, not saying anything.
"She talks about you a lot." She says, earning another confused look from Harry "Paola. She talks about you. Not very good things though... many profanities."
"Yeah. She doesn't like me very much." He said honestly, shrugging.
"Damn right I don't!" Paola yelled from afar, making Harry purse his lips together in an awkward manner.
But when Paola was out of ear shot Luna said, "I wouldn't say that." and she left it at that, leaving him even more confused.
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"What's happening?" a student asked another, as they exited the Great Hall.
"I don't know" they answered
"Pardon me, professor, but what exactly are you insinuating?" Professor Umbridge asked
"I am merely requesting that when it comes to my students... you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices." Professor McGonagall responded.
Both professors stood by the stairs outside the Great Hall, students flooding the hallway, hearing the professors' discussion.
"So silly of me, but it sounds... as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva." Umbridge said
"Not at all, Dolores, merely your medieval methods."
"I am sorry, dear. But to question my practices is to question the Ministry... and by extension, the minister himself. I am a tolerant woman... but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty."
"Disloyalty." Professor McGonagall said, stepping down, looking at the woman in pink.
"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared." Umbridge started "Cornelius will want to take immediate action."
Now things took a turn for the worst... Dolores Umbridge is now high inquisitor at Hogwarts, the reason, "to address the seriously falling standards" at Hogwarts School as the Minister said. She would interview teachers during class to see how they worked in their classroom, taking notes as well.
"Cho. What's going on?" Harry asked the girl he slightly fancies, as many people crowded the hallways around the courtyard
Cho Chang. Like said before, the girl Harry Potter slightly fancies. She started dating Cedric on her fifth year but broke up by the end of the year, leaving her heartbroken. Her feelings for Harry are... confusing, to say the most. But she feels the same in a way. Though she's not completely over Cedric.
"It's Professor Trelawney." she responded. Harry made his way to the front of the crowd to see a quivering Trelawney with various trunks and a few bags. She was getting sacked.
"Sixteen years I've lived and taught here." Professor Trelawney said, on the verge of crying, if she wasn't already. "Hogwarts is my home... You can't do this."
"Actually, I can." Umbridge said, with a chilling smile "Something you'd like to say?" She directed at McGonagall
"Oh, there are several things I would like to say." She shot back "There..." McGonagall comforted Trelawney
Suddenly, Dumbledore burst through the doors, making some students gasp and/or whisper.
"Professor McGonagall, might I ask you to escort Sybil back inside?" Dumbledore asked. Making McGonagall take the quivering Trelawney inside not before she thanked him a few times.
"Dumbledore, may I remind you that under the terms-" Umbridge started only to get cut off by Dumbledore
"-of Educational Decree Number You have the right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the headmaster." He finished
"For now." she said with another chilling smile
Dumbledore dismissed the students watching and turned back to exit the courtyard. Harry tried to call for Dumbledore only to get ignored.
Paola turned away from the scene, leaving for class when she heard someone call for her. She turned and saw Cedric.
"That was quite a show, huh." He spoke
"Well, hello, five-year-old."
"So that's a thing now?" He smiled, asking about the nickname
"Better get used to it." Paola smiled a little, but then got a glance from behind him. A girl stood there looking at them with a look Paola knew too well. Jealousy.
"Who is she?" Paola asked him
"Huh?" He looked back and turned back at Paola with a sigh. "She's my ex-girlfriend, Cho Chang. I guess she never fully moved on." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly
The curly haired took one last look at the girl before he said
"Come on, let's go" He grabbed her left hand, she winced violently, making his eyes go wide and let go immediately and she pulled away.
"What? What happened? Are you okay?" He asked quickly with slight panic on his voice. She nodded holding onto her arm. Not believing her, he took a hold of her hand, seeing that the cuts had opened again.
"Wha- Who did this to you?" He asked desperately.
She shook her head
"Paola, you have to tell me." He pleaded her.
"No. I don't." She pulled her hand way from his grasp. "I don't have to tell you anything." She readjusted her bookbag with her healthy hand and left, hearing Cedric call for her, but she ignored.
Now away from Cedric, on Paola's way to class, she bumped onto Hermione.
"Oh! Sorry, Rogers." She apologized. Paola told her it was okay in a monotone voice and started to walk pass her but was stopped by her.
"Actually, Rogers? I was meaning to ask you..."
Paola turned around, with an annoyed facial expression that Hermione noticed and made her stumble on her words.
"Yes?" Paola said clearly mad
"I... Uh... Never mind, sorry to bother." She finally said, backing away with a bit of fear.
Paola sighed "No, sorry. It's just been a long day." She said honestly.
"Oh, it's okay. I get it." She said "So, what I wanted to ask," She stepped a bit closer to Paola so she could whisper "We're planning on forming a group to actually learn Defence Against the Dark Arts. Meet me at the pub on Hogshead, tomorrow. Don't tell anyone. Only maybe Lynx if you want to." Paola only nodded
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"This is mad. Who'd wanna be taught by me? I'm a nutter, remember?" Harry said on their way to Hoghead.
Hermione had the idea of Harry teaching DADA since he's the one with most experience.
"Look on the bright side: you can't be any worse than old toad face." Ron tried to support
"Thanks, Ron." Harry said
"I'm here for you, mate."
"Who's supposed to be meeting us, then?" Harry asked Hermione
"Just a couple of people." She said
"Hi." Hermione said awkwardly "So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts."
"Why?" One of the many people in the pub, asked.
"Why?" Mocked a voice from the back the group, the person stepped to the front revealing Paola with very cosy winter clothes on. "Because Voldemort's back."
"Why is she here?" Harry whisper-asked Hermione
"So, he says." Continued to argue the boy, pointing at Harry
"So, Dumbledore says." Hermione defended, ignoring Harry completely
"So, Dumbledore says because he says." said the same boy. "The point is, where's the proof?
"If Potter or Diggory could tell us more about how Krum got killed..." Another boy spoke cautiously.
Harry noticed how Cho got uncomfortable at the mention of Cedric and said, "I'm not gonna talk about Viktor or Cedric, so if that's why you're here, clear out now."
"Come on, Hermione. They're here because they think I'm some sort of freak" he whispered to her.
"Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm?" The sweet voice of Luna's was heard through the room.
"Yes." Hermione responded for him. "I've seen it."
They talked about the many amazing things Harry has done during his young life, like how he defeated the basilisk on his second year, or how he fought off about a hundred Dementors by himself, or even how he fought the actual Lord Voldemort last year. All of this made Paola roll her eyes.
"Okay, I didn't know this was turning into a Harry Potter fan club. Thought we came here to learn." Paola said, crossing her arms. Her comment getting a few laughs.
Harry rolled his eyes at the comment and said "I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help." He started "Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake, you can just try again tomorrow. But out there... when you're a second away from being murdered... or watching a friend die right before your eyes... You don't know what that's like..." He finished, sitting down. Silence flooded the room before Hermione spoke.
"You're right, Harry, we don't." She agreed "That's why we need your help. Because if we're going to have any chance at beating..." She stopped for a second, not really wanting to say his name "Voldemort..."
"He's really back..." One boy said. Some nodded in agreement
In the end, the ones that agreed to join the group, that they agreed would be named Dumbledore's Army or DA for short, had to sign a sheet with their name. If anyone were to say something about all this to Umbridge or anyone, the sheet of paper will uncover who did.
Surprising for Harry, Paola was on the line to sign the paper. When she got to the table the trio sat with the sign up sheet, she picked up the pencil, Harry pulled away the paper. Before Paola could say anything, he said
"You know this is serious. You can't go and tell people about this. It's not a game. I'm risking a lot here." He didn't trust her with this and she found it kind of offensive.
She laughed sarcastically "Unlike you, I work for what I want, Potter. I'm doing this for me, not you. I wouldn't risk it either." She spat out "And you should know, not everything is about you, maybe you should get that in your little head for once, or is your ego too big?"
She left him speechless, not even Ron or Hermione dared to say anything. Normally, when she would say things like this to him, she would smirk and be proud of herself. But this time she was too mad at him to. She signed the paper. Before she left, she shot him one of the dirtiest glare yet. It even made a chill run down his spine. Yosire was behind Paola. Yes, she is joining Dumbledore's Army too, along side of Paola. She quickly signed the paper and ran out to catch up with Paola.
"Forgot about me?" Yosire joked, noticing how Paola bit her bottom lip, something she did when she felt stressed, mad, or was overthinking. For Yosire she was clearly mad.
"Oh. Sorry. Potter's just being extra annoying today." Paola explained. Yosire nodded, understanding. And they walked back to Hogwarts.
The only thing left is a place where they could practice and not get caught
(2456 words)