Harry Potter and the Deadly Deception

Chapter 7 - Friends and Enemies

What have I got myself into?

Harry wondered as he gazed upon the sea of faces that were watching him expectantly. It was fortunate that the Room of Requirement automatically adjusted its dimensions to suit the needs of its occupants. Many students were seated upon cushions on the floor; others were standing or leaning against the bookshelves that lined the walls. Harry thought it was possible that every fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-year student was in attendance at the first meeting of the resurrected D.A., with the exception of Malfoy and his bodyguards. He stood at one end of the room between Professor Shacklebolt and Professor Dumbledore, utterly amazed and completely at a loss for words. Fortunately, Professor Shacklebolt came to his rescue.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Defense Association, more affectionately known as Dumbledore's Army," Shacklebolt said, his eyes crinkling as he smiled warmly.

A ripple of laughter crossed the room, and Harry felt his tension begin to ebb away as the professor continued.

"I'll admit, I wasn't expecting this large a turnout at our first meeting, but I'm immensely pleased and hope that you share my enthusiasm about the coming year. I know that a handful of you attended these meetings in secret last year, but this year the Defense Association will meet with the full support of the Hogwarts Headmaster and faculty." Professor Shacklebolt looked over at Dumbledore. "Headmaster, do you have anything to say before we get started?"

"Yes, thank you, Professor Shacklebolt." Dumbledore stepped forward. "As you have been advised, membership in the D.A. is open to the entire student body of fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh years. You will not have to pass any tests or prove your proficiency in order to be a member. The only things that will be expected of you are a desire to learn, a willingness to work hard and a commitment to set aside any personal differences before each session so that you may work together in harmony." Several students looked puzzled at Dumbledore's words, but he did not elaborate further. "Now is not the time for speechmaking, and even if it were, I detest making speeches. I will turn you back over to your professor, with whom you are in the best of hands." Dumbledore nodded to Professor Shacklebolt and stepped back, placing a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder as he did so.

In a more solemn voice, Shacklebolt addressed the students again. "The D.A. will be student led, in honor of the tradition begun by Harry Potter last year. Evan Jameson has volunteered to help guide the group, under my direction. Evan?" Professor Shacklebolt gestured Harry forward.

Oh, Merlin,

Harry thought. I can't do this. I never should have volunteered.

Many of the students wore puzzled expressions, and Harry knew they were probably wondering why a Slytherin, and a new student besides, had been given the responsibility of leading the D.A. Nearly overcome with nervousness, Harry automatically sought Ron and Hermione in the crowd of faces, but he didn't see Ron towering over everyone or Hermione's bushy hair anywhere. He wondered if perhaps they had decided not to attend. Just as he thought he might begin to hyperventilate, he noticed Ginny watching him from the front row of students seated on the floor, a faint smile gracing her features. Once again, Harry felt the tension coiling in his body begin to release. At least there was one friendly face in the room. He took a deep breath, then began to speak.

"Ahem. I'm Evan Jameson. I know many of you may be wondering why I've volunteered for this job. I can't claim to live up to," Harry nearly choked on his own name, "Harry Potter, but I believe it's important to prepare for what we all know is coming. Um...." Harry paused, glancing back at his professors. "Professor Shacklebolt and I have been talking, and we would like to have a facilitator from each house. Ginny Weasley has already volunteered to be the facilitator from Gryffindor. Now we just need volunteers from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff."

None of the students raised their hands immediately. Harry's heart sank, but he hoped that once people had a chance to think about it, someone might step up.

"Please think about it, and, uh, just let Professor Shacklebolt know if you're interested. Now, um, we don't have a session planned for this evening, but there are a few more things to mention. While the weather is warm enough, we'll be holding sessions out of doors, near the gamekeeper's hut. First we'll review some of the material covered by the D.A. last year; then we'll follow the syllabus provided by Professor Shacklebolt. The D.A. will also serve to assist sixth- and seventh-year students with their Defense Against the Dark Arts research projects." Harry stopped and scratched his head momentarily. "Um, I think that's all I have for tonight...." Harry trailed off, then noticed Ginny gesturing to him subtly. When he focused his attention on her, she mouthed the words "next meeting" at him. He suddenly felt very foolish.

"Oh, um, the next meeting will be held this Sunday, at two o'clock P.M., and every fortnight after that. Are there any questions?"

Many of the students were talking amongst themselves in hushed voices, but no one raised their hand to ask a question. Professor Shacklebolt stepped forward once more, relieving a grateful Harry of the responsibility of dismissing the assembly.

"That will be all, then, everyone. Be ready to work Sunday afternoon!"

The students began trickling out in groups of two and three, chattering excitedly about the next meeting. Harry heard his name mentioned, along with the words "Durmstrang" and "Dark Arts." He knew many of them were probably speculating about just how much he knew about the Dark Arts, particularly the Slytherins, but he was too glad the meeting was over to fret about it. He gathered up the parchment he had sent around as an attendance sheet and the notes he had written, when a voice interrupted him.

"Nervous?" Ginny asked.

"Um, yeah, a little," Harry answered sheepishly. "Did it show?"

"Not too much," Ginny reassured him. "I would have been nervous, too, in front of all those people. But you did fine. And it looks as if we may have our other volunteers." Ginny gestured to Cho Chang and Ernie Macmillan, who were conversing with Professor Shacklebolt and Professor Dumbledore.

Just as Harry glanced over, Professor Shacklebolt looked up and waved them over to where he stood.

"Evan, Ginny, you'll be glad to know we've found our Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff volunteers. Evan, meet Cho Chang and Ernie Macmillan."

Ernie's handshake was overly firm, and Harry returned it in kind. Cho offered her hand as well, and Harry wondered as he grasped her hand whether she would be able to see through his charade. Did his hands feel different now? Not that they had held hands long enough for her to become familiar with the way his felt....

Harry blushed when he realized that he had held onto Cho's hand longer than was acceptable for a handshake. He released it quickly and noticed that she now had a look of discomfort on her face. "Nice to meet you both," he mumbled.

"Hi, Cho, Ernie," Ginny said, smiling. "Good of you to volunteer."

"Yes," Professor Shacklebolt added, "it was good of all of you, and I appreciate it. Now, I'm afraid it's grown too late to accomplish much else this evening, but the five of us should meet again before Sunday. How does Thursday at seven P.M. sound?"

"That's fine with me," Harry answered. Cho, Ernie and Ginny all nodded in agreement.

"Is there anything we should bring?" Ernie asked, looking to Professor Shacklebolt for an answer.

"I'll provide each of you with the syllabus for the fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-year Defense students. Make sure to bring your textbooks, too, as well as any other material you may have on the topic. Anything else we need," he continued, looking around, "we'll likely find supplied for us."

"Well, then, see you Thursday evening. It was nice meeting you, Evan," Cho said, smiling.

"You, too," Harry answered. He felt his stomach do a familiar flop and hoped he wasn't blushing again.

Cho and Ernie walked out together, followed by Harry and Ginny, with Shacklebolt and Dumbledore bringing up the rear. The six of them walked through the corridors together, Ernie and Cho chatting quietly with each other. Harry was just preparing to bid the group good night when a booming voice startled them all.

"Good evening, Dumbledore, Kingsley!" the new voice called loudly from behind them.

Harry turned and was astounded to see Professor McGonagall escorting Cornelius Fudge and Percy Weasley through the corridors. Harry glanced at Professor Dumbledore, whose expression remained placid, save for the slight narrowing of his eyes behind his spectacles. Next to Harry, Ginny gasped audibly when her eyes lit upon her brother. Percy, however, seemed not to notice that his sister was present.

"Good evening, Minister, Percy," Professor Dumbledore greeted the newcomers in a neutral voice. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Now, Dumbledore, you know the Ministry is always interested in how things are going here at Hogwarts. Percy and I had some business in Hogsmeade today and thought we would drop by, make sure everything is going smoothly this term." Fudge turned to Professor Shacklebolt. "Looking well, Kingsley. Are you enjoying your new post?"

"Yes, Minister, very much," Professor Shacklebolt replied, nodding.

With a large smile, Minister Fudge looked around at the students, who were gathered behind Professor Shacklebolt. "I take it these fine-looking young people are some of your pupils?"

Shacklebolt nodded. "Indeed they are. We were just meeting in order to plan a study session."

"Really? For what subject?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts, Minister," Shacklebolt replied with aplomb.

Harry wondered how Fudge would react to this news. Judging by his fury over the D.A. meetings the previous year, he anticipated an explosion.

He was wrong. Minister Fudge blinked twice, then broke into another smile that, while still wide, did not seem to meet his eyes. "Very good, very good. Study hard, children. And remember, I am personally interested in the success of each and every student at Hogwarts. My door at the Ministry is always open. As a matter of fact, Dumbledore, I wanted to discuss that very matter with you. In order to keep the lines of communication between the Ministry and Hogwarts open, I would like to install a Liaison here."

Beside Harry, Ginny made a strangled noise. Her eyes met Cho's and Ernie's, and Harry could see that they, too, had expressions of astonishment and fear. Even Professor McGonagall's lips were pressed together in a thin line, as if to prevent herself from expressing her own dismay at this announcement. Professor Dumbledore, however, did not appear to be surprised.

"So I read in the late edition of the Daily Prophet this afternoon, Cornelius," he said. "In fact, the article in question presented the matter as a fait accompli."

Fudge's smile dropped from his face; he appeared flustered. "Harrumph. Yes, well, obviously there must have been some misunderstanding on the part of the editors. They weren't supposed to go to print until tomorrow, after I had spoken with you on the matter."

One of the other students coughed then, and Fudge turned his attention to the group behind Professor Shacklebolt. He focused on Ginny in particular. "Judging by the hair, I'm guessing you must be Arthur Weasley's youngest?" he asked.

Ginny merely nodded in answer.

"Well, now, my dear, no need to worry. Last year was...unfortunate, to say the least, but new evidence has come to light absolving Ms. Umbridge of any wrongdoing. In any case, you can be certain that won't happen again. The needs of the students at Hogwarts are of the utmost concern to the Ministry, and we are determined to facilitate quality education by utilizing every resource available to us." Fudge laughed jovially, then turned to converse with Dumbledore, Shacklebolt and Percy.

"Hogwash," Ginny mumbled under her breath.

Unfortunately, Harry heard her. In an attempt to stifle the laughter threatening to bubble forth, he choked and sputtered. Ernie began clapping him heartily on the back until Harry waved him away.

"All right there, Jameson?" Ernie asked.

"I'm all right," he gasped. "Frog in my throat."

"Jameson?" asked Minister Fudge, turning back towards the group of students. "Dumbledore, this wouldn't be our new transfer student?"

"Yes, Minister," Dumbledore answered quietly. "Meet Evan Jameson."

Minister Fudge thrust his hand forward and pumped Harry's arm up and down enthusiastically. "Pleasure, my boy, pleasure. Known your uncle for years. Shame about his condition. A few months here at home should fix him up right as rain, though, don't you worry."

Harry nodded, surprised. Dumbledore had assured him that the alias they had created for Harry was magically enhanced by a spell similar to the Fidelius Charm, but he hadn't expected Fudge to recognize his name, much less be acquainted with his fictitious "uncle." He hoped that the Minister would get back to the subject at hand, which he did.

"Now," Minister Fudge continued, "the position I'm thinking of would be strictly observational, nothing more. We're changing things around at the Ministry, mixing it up a bit, bringing it into the twenty-first century. Communication is very important. If the lines of communication between the Ministry and Hogwarts had remained open last year, that entire disaster with Dolores Umbridge could have been avoided."

"I see," Dumbledore replied. "And who is your candidate for the position?"

"As a matter of fact, it had occurred to me that young Mr. Weasley here," Fudge gestured towards Percy, "would be perfect for the job."

Percy smiled smugly as Fudge clapped him heartily on the back. Fudge beamed at him, then at Dumbledore, obviously confident of his own genius. Professor Dumbledore, however, appeared less than convinced.

"Indeed. How are you, Percy?" Dumbledore asked, smiling faintly at the former Head Boy.

"Very well, thank you, Headmaster. It's good to be at Hogwarts again, sir," Percy said in his usual pompous manner. He still had not acknowledged Ginny, nor any of the other students for that matter, Harry noticed.

"Dumbledore," Fudge broke in, "I'll have you know that Mr. Weasley has recently been promoted. He is now the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of the Department of Magical Education. I am fully confident that he would serve most admirably as a permanent Liaison between Hogwarts and the Ministry."

"Then congratulations are in order." Professor Dumbledore took note of the four students, who were listening with rapt attention. "Gentlemen, and lady," Dumbledore added, nodding at Professor McGonagall, "I believe we would be more comfortable holding this discussion in my office." He motioned for Percy, Minister Fudge, Professor Shacklebolt and Professor McGonagall to precede him down the corridor. Before he followed, he turned and addressed Harry and the others, who were still gaping after them. "As curfew is in less than an hour, I think it would be best if the four of you returned to your dormitories posthaste. Have a good evening." With that, he left.

The four students did not break their stunned silence for several moments after Dumbledore and the others left. Finally, Cho spoke up.

"Ginny, wasn't that your brother?" she asked.

"Unfortunately," Ginny replied shortly.

"But he didn't even--"

"I don't want to discuss it," Ginny broke in. "Sorry, but I'm really very tired, and I have loads of homework I need to finish before tomorrow morning. I need to get back to my common room."

Cho nodded. "Good night, then. See you Thursday." Cho departed, followed by Ernie, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the corridor.

"Are you all right?" Harry asked softly.

"I'm fine," Ginny said curtly. Her face was a mask of stony indifference, but she had paled the instant she had seen her brother, and her color had still not returned. She was visibly trembling, though whether in shock or in anger, Harry was unable to determine.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he persisted.

Ginny sighed. "I'm sorry, Evan. I don't mean to be rude. It's a long story--two years in the making, and I think I would need a week to tell it."

"I don't mind," Harry assured her.

Ginny looked up at him strangely, as if she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. "You're not at all like what I've come to expect a Slytherin to be."

"Really?" he asked, laughing.

Ginny laughed, too. "Really," she replied. "You're...nice. They're usually...not."

"I've noticed," Harry said ruefully.

"Listen, I'll tell you about Percy sometime," Ginny said, "but not tonight. I really do need to get back to my dormitory, or I'll never get my homework done. See you Thursday, Evan."

Harry hoped his disappointment didn't show. She was the only non-Slytherin who had spoken to him in a civil manner since his first night back at Hogwarts. He dreaded the thought of returning to his dormitory until he absolutely had to, but he couldn't think of a way to dissuade her from leaving.

"All right. See you Thursday," he said, watching as she began walking down the corridor. Before she could turn the corner, he called out, "Ginny!"

"Yes?" she said, pausing to turn back towards him.

"Um, can I at least walk you to your common room?" Harry asked lamely.

Ginny's brow furrowed. "The locations of the common rooms are supposed to be kept secret from members of other houses. Didn't anyone explain that to you?"

Harry could have kicked himself. He knew very well that the common room locations were to be kept secret. He had simply forgotten for the moment that he was a Slytherin, and as such wasn't supposed to know where the Gryffindor common room was. He tried to play it off. "Uh, yeah. Sorry, guess I forgot."

Ginny shrugged. "No matter, you're new. I think it would be all right for you to walk me to the seventh-floor landing. You could use the exercise," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Harry missed the teasing tone in her voice and took offense at her remark. "What d'you mean?" he asked, looking down at himself. While "Evan" appeared to weigh a few pounds more than Harry did, he was certain he still appeared physically fit. "I'm in fine shape."

Ginny grinned smugly. "Maybe, but as Slytherin's new Seeker, you'll have to be pretty fast to keep up with me!"

Harry's indignation faded, and he returned her jibe with pleasure. "I bet I can fly circles around you any day, Weasley."

Ginny's head tilted to one side, and she gave him an appraising glance. "Cocky, aren't you? We'll find out for certain next month." She looked at her watch, then tugged on the sleeve of Harry's robe. "C'mon, we'd better go. Filch is sure to give us detention if we're caught roaming around after hours."

Pleased by the reprieve she had given him from returning to the Slytherin dormitory, Harry slung his rucksack over his shoulder and followed alongside her. Although his feet knew the path only too well, he made certain to let Ginny lead him. He was surprised she had even agreed to let him walk her as far as the seventh-floor landing. Then again, he had begun to realize that Ginny took a certain amount of pride in doing the exact opposite of what was expected of her.

"Congratulations on making Seeker, by the way," Ginny said, glancing at him as they turned a corner and started down another long corridor.

"Thanks," Harry replied. "I didn't have much competition."

Their footsteps echoed in the stillness, and Harry was suddenly doubly glad she had allowed him to walk her partway to Gryffindor Tower. He didn't like to think of her wandering about this late on her own, but when he glanced over at her, she didn't seem to be bothered by the emptiness of the corridors. She had set a leisurely pace and was twirling a strand of her hair about her right index finger as she talked.

"I heard what Malfoy did. That was a dirty trick--but then, that's Malfoy for you. He never plays any other way. You wouldn't believe the stunt he pulled at one of the matches during my second year."

Harry knew she was probably referring to Malfoy's unfortunate attempt at impersonating a Dementor. He decided to shift the subject to her present rather than his past. "He told me to watch out for you, you know," he mentioned casually.

"He did? What did he say?" Ginny asked, surprise evident in her voice.

"He said you like to use your elbows to 'discourage' the other Seeker during a game," Harry replied, the corners of his mouth turning up in a small smile.

Ginny looked affronted, then she shrugged. "As if he's one to talk. But I have to admit, it works. Most of the other players don't expect it from me, because I'm a girl, and rather small at that. I can't help it if I was raised with six brothers," she finished with an impish grin.

Harry laughed. "I guess not." He enjoyed the image of petite Ginny Weasley holding her own against and perhaps even besting the six older Weasley boys.

"Have you any?" Ginny asked.

"Any what?"

"Brothers. Or sisters," Ginny added.

"Oh, well, no. There's just me," Harry explained. He fervently hoped she would not continue the line of questioning. The less he discussed his family life, the fewer chances he had of slipping up.

"Lucky you," Ginny said. Then she clapped her hand over her mouth in horror. "Oh, I don't really mean that. I love my family, I do. It's just that being the youngest and the only girl.... It's not a good combination, you know? If my brothers could have their way, I'd still be wearing a chastity belt on my fiftieth birthday."

Harry's eyes widened. Did she just say...?

Ginny looked up at him and then blushed at his shocked expression. "Oh, um, did I say that out loud?" she asked meekly.

Harry nodded, grinning. This was a side of Ginny he had never seen before. Although she had lost her shyness around him the past year, their conversations usually had been focused on either Quidditch or whatever the current crisis happened to be. He was realizing more and more that Ginny's sense of humor was not unlike that of the twins, whom he missed.

"Well, I didn't.... I mean, it's not like.... Oh, damn. I didn't mean I actually wear one now!" Ginny sputtered.

Harry laughed. "I know what you meant, Ginny. Besides, I don't think they make those anymore."

Ginny's only response was to raise one eyebrow.

Harry stumbled over his own feet and felt his cheeks grow warm. "You don't mean..." he began, laughing weakly. When Ginny nodded, he fell silent. Then he noticed the corner of her mouth twitching, as if she were struggling not to smile, and he caught on. "You're having one over on me, aren't you?"

Ginny burst into laughter. "Had you going, didn't I?"

"You certainly did," Harry answered. "Can we change the subject now, please? I don't fancy discussing women's unmentionables."

"That's good, because I think that's a subject you don't have any business discussing with my sister," a voice said in front of them.

Ginny and Harry halted in their steps just in time to avoid running over Ron, whom they had failed to notice standing beneath the archway of the landing to the Grand Staircase, so engrossed in their conversation were they.

"Ron, what are you doing out here?" Ginny asked, an edge creeping into her voice.

"I was just coming to look for you," Ron answered. "Dean came back almost half an hour ago. Where have you been?"

"Evan and I needed to meet with Professor Shacklebolt and the other student volunteers for a few minutes, which you would have known if you had bothered to attend the meeting," Ginny snapped.

So, he really wasn't there,

Harry thought. He felt strangely hurt, although he knew he had no legitimate reason to be. Ron had no way of knowing who Harry was, and he had several good reasons to want to avoid both the D.A. and Evan Jameson. Harry's good mood evaporated quickly in the face of yet another reminder that he was a misfit. No longer a Gryffindor, and not really a Slytherin--there just wasn't anywhere that Harry felt he belonged.

Except when I was talking with Ginny,

he thought. Then, it didn't seem to matter. Surprisingly, he had been more comfortable talking to Ginny during their walk to the tower than he had been at any other moment during the entire five years that he had known her. For that matter, Ginny had seemed more comfortable with "Evan Jameson" than she had ever been around Harry Potter. The notion pleased him at first, until it occurred to him to wonder if Ginny always got on well with boys whom she didn't really know. He made a mental note to ask Ron about it, and then he thought, Oh, wait, I can't.

A set of footsteps sounded in the corridor, and a tall boy ran up behind Ron.

"Ron, wait," Dean began, but then he noticed the other two people standing in front of him. "Oh, hi," he said. When no one else said anything, Dean looked around from one face to another, apparently deciding to try and defuse the situation. "Hey, Ron, guess there's no need to call out the cavalry now, is there?"

Ron ignored him. "Ginny, I've been thinking about this whole D.A. business, and I'm not certain it's a good idea," he said, his voice taking on a distinct "older brother" imperiousness.

Ginny's eyes jerked from Dean back to Ron, and she grew very still. "Ron, it was your idea for me to volunteer to help in the first place. I'm not backing out now."

"But Ginny, think of your O.W.L.s. You're already swamped with homework, and you'll need to start revising soon. Not to mention Quidditch. I just don't think--"

"You're right, Ron. You don't think," Ginny said sharply. "We've already gone over the reasons one of us should do this, and if you aren't going to be the one to do it, then I am."

"Ginny, why don't you go on to the common room. We can discuss this in a few minutes," Ron replied in a voice that clearly indicated he had run out of patience. "Right now, I'd like to have a word with Jameson, if you don't mind."

Even though Ron had addressed his sister, his eyes were focused on Harry's face, as if he was certain that "Evan" would somehow manage to spirit Ginny away to his dark lair beneath Ron's very nose. Harry thought it was high time he gave Ron a piece of his mind about his behavior of late, but Ginny snapped back at Ron before he even had a chance to open his mouth.

"I do mind, Ron," Ginny retorted. "You're being an ass, and if you think for one minute that I'm going anywhere, you're sadly mistaken."

As she spoke, Ginny folded her arms and glared mutinously at Ron. Ron wore a similar expression.

"Ginny," he muttered through clenched teeth, "I said, go inside."

Harry had never heard Ron use that tone with Ginny, or for that matter, with anyone. Beside him, Ginny's shoulders stiffened in reaction. Although only her profile was visible to him, he could tell that her eyes were now blazing with anger. Any trace of a smile had long ago dissolved, and her face had grown so pale that her freckles stood out in stark contrast to the alabaster of her skin. Harry knew it wouldn't be long before Ron and Ginny's Weasley tempers got the better of them, unless someone intervened. After all, screaming was likely to attract Filch, and the last thing Harry wanted was to serve another week of detention.

"Ginny," he began, reaching a hand to the sleeve of her robe. He dropped it again when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Ron's face darken. Once Ginny turned to look at him, he continued, "Curfew, remember?"

Ginny nodded, but before she could reply, another voice spoke softly.

"Evan's right," Hermione said calmly. "It's almost curfew, and Filch will be making his rounds soon. Ginny, didn't you say you needed some help with your Charms essay?"

Ginny appeared to be just as surprised to see Hermione as Harry was. She shot the older girl a sharp look, but Hermione's presence seemed to be just what was needed to defuse the situation. Ginny took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as if to calm herself, then turned to Harry with a smile.

"Thank you for walking me back, Evan. I'll see you at the next meeting. Good night."

"Good night, Ginny," Harry replied warmly. He refused to let Ron's attitude put a damper on the best half hour he'd spent since Dumbledore had first informed him of his own demise.

Ginny's smile grew wider briefly. Then she turned and graced Ron with a look that could only be described as murderous. Harry had to struggle not to grin. For a moment, Ron appeared cowed beneath Ginny's fury, before he remembered to retain his "big-brother-in-charge" expression. Finally, Ginny turned to Dean.

"Coming?" she asked.

"Right behind you," he answered, but he didn't move.

Ginny's eyes narrowed once more, and her smile this time was brittle.

"Fine," she stated icily. "Come on, Hermione."

Hermione briefly directed a pointed look at Ron, who schooled his features into an expression of innocence. Hermione rolled her eyes, then disappeared with Ginny through the archway, leaving Harry to face Ron and Dean alone. Harry sighed inwardly, wanting to scream at the top of his lungs that it was him, Harry, and that the two of them were being complete gits. Instead, he steeled his resolve and managed to address them in what he thought was a perfectly rational tone.

"Is there a problem, gentlemen?" he asked calmly.

Ron turned to Dean and nodded as if to indicate Dean should answer.

"No problem. We haven't met, have we? I'm Dean Thomas."

Dean offered his hand to Harry with his usual friendly smile. Harry accepted it, then answered in what he hoped was an equally friendly manner. "Evan Jameson."

"I know. I was at the Sorting Ceremony," Dean answered.

He was still smiling, but Harry was certain that the smile wasn't quite as friendly as it had started out to be. "Well, nice to meet you, Dean, but as I'm certain you aren't hanging around out here simply to introduce yourself to me, why don't we just get to the point?"

"No point really, I just wanted to thank you for keeping an eye on my girl," Dean said.

No point indeed,

Harry thought. Dean obviously wanted to make it clear to him that Ginny was off-limits romantically. He decided that he'd be damned if he would give Dean the satisfaction of thinking that he was properly intimidated.

"My pleasure," he answered lightly. Something inside him--Aunt Petunia would probably have said it was the devil--made him smile in such a way that the rest of Dean's smile faded abruptly and his expression hardened.

"See you around, Jameson," Dean said.

He nodded civilly at Harry, then turned to Ron and nodded again ("give him hell," was what Harry imagined he meant). Ron also nodded (a "will do," Harry thought); then he looked back at Harry.

Here it comes,

Harry thought. And he wasn't disappointed.

The minute Dean disappeared from view, Ron's stance changed. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and planted his feet slightly farther apart in a forbidding pose. "Stay away from my sister," he said emphatically, pronouncing each word slowly and clearly, as if he were addressing someone of limited intelligence.

"All I did was walk her back from the meeting," Harry explained, "a meeting you didn't even bother to attend. If you're so concerned about her, perhaps you should have."

"I had other obligations," Ron said. "But you can believe I'll be at the next one, and every one after that, if for no other reason than to keep an eye on you. I'm not going to let you use the D.A. to worm your way into Ginny's good graces," he finished, his voice rising a notch.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, his anger and frustration finally getting the better of him. "We're friends. It's late, and I didn't think she should walk back alone, so I walked back with her. That's all."

"Friends?" Ron said incredulously. "You've known her all of a week, and you're friends?"

"It's not unheard of," Harry answered, thinking back to his first year at Hogwarts. He and Ron had become friends before the train had even reached Hogsmeade.

"Maybe not with anyone else. But you're...a Slytherin," Ron said. His expression was that of someone who had detected a foul odor in the air.

Harry took a step closer, unable to keep his anger in check any longer. "What of it?" he demanded in a frigid voice.

Ron paused as if to gather his thoughts. "Look, you're new here. There are things you just don't understand. You may be an okay bloke, but I can't take that chance where Ginny is concerned. She's my sister, and things have happened to her...to us, that you know nothing about. And that's all I'm going to say about it. Leave her alone."

Ron turned without another word, stepped through the archway and was gone. Harry began the trek down to the Slytherin common room, frustrated and angry with his best friend in the world. If Filch even looks at me cross-eyed, I'll hex him into next week, he thought. Fortunately, he made it to his dormitory without further incident. Finding himself alone there, he took advantage of the opportunity to refresh his appearance charms, then collapsed into his bed with a groan. However, sleep eluded him until well after his roommates had returned and retired for the night.

~~~~~~~~~~

When Ron stepped into the Gryffindor common room, he saw Ginny and Hermione sitting across from one another at one of the study tables. Hermione looked up and smiled as he made his way over to them. Ginny refused to take her eyes off of the parchment spread before her, on which she was scribbling furiously. Ron rolled his eyes and walked around the table to sit next to Hermione. Finally, he couldn't stand the silence any longer.

"Ginny, aren't we a little old for the silent treatment?" he complained.

Ginny did not look up from her parchment but answered, "Tried and true, Ronald."

She said nothing more, but Ron understood her meaning. When they were younger, the point of the silent treatment had always been to see who broke down first and begged their sibling to talk to them out of sheer boredom. Ron had just lost the contest without even putting up a fight, but he didn't care.

"Ginny, you know I'm only looking out for your best--"

Ginny's head snapped up, and she fixed Ron to the spot with a glare that rivaled Molly's deadliest. "Ronald, I am going to say this once, so listen well. I am a big girl, and I am old enough to decide whom I will and will not befriend. You have no say in the matter whatsoever. I do not need you looking over my shoulder or threatening my friends. Or my boyfriends. Or anyone else I come in contact with in any capacity. End of discussion!"

"But Gin--"

Ron never got a chance to finish his sentence. The moment he began speaking, Ginny whipped out her wand and waved it at him with a slashing motion. "Rictus Occludo!"

Ron's mouth snapped shut, his lips pressing together in a thin line. It became obvious he was struggling to speak but couldn't. Ginny's hex had completely sealed his mouth shut. Hermione gasped with shock, and Ginny herself looked horrified by what she had done.

"Ginny Weasley," Hermione hissed angrily, "you remove that hex this instant, or I will see to it that one hundred points are docked from Gryffindor and that every member of this house knows the reason why!"

Ginny nodded sickly and bit her lip, but she did not speak the words for the counter-hex. She watched helplessly as Ron attempted to pry his mouth open with his fingers, to no avail.

"Ginny..." Hermione began warningly.

"Hermione," Ginny whispered, sounding panicked, "I can't remember the counter-curse!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, then drew her own wand and pointed it at Ron. "Finite Incantatem," she whispered, but nothing happened. Ron's lips remained sealed.

"Ginny, do something!" Hermione whispered, beginning to sound panicky as well.

Ginny wracked her brain for the right words, then noticed that Ron had grabbed a quill and begun scribbling on her parchment. "Oh, thank Merlin," Ginny whispered. Once more she waved her wand, and she spoke the word Ron had written. "Aperio!"

With a soft *pop*, the seal on Ron's mouth was released. Ron began working his jaw up and down, relieved to have control over his entire face once again.

"I'm sorry, Ron. I didn't mean to do that; it just slipped out. Are you going to tell Mum?" Ginny asked, praying he wouldn't. Nothing was worse than facing the wrath of Molly Weasley, especially when the offense in question was using magic of a dubious nature on a sibling. All of the Weasley children had learned at a very early age that Molly had zero tolerance for her children aiming curses at one another.

Ron hesitated, but at a sharp look from Hermione, he shook his head. "No, Gin. I won't tell. Let's just forget it, all right?"

"I think I found something that will make you forget all about Evan Jameson," Hermione said.

"What?" Ron asked.

Hermione pointed to the special edition of the Daily Prophet she had been reading and began to read aloud.

Minister Speaks on Department of Magical Education

Dolores Umbridge has been restored to the Ministry of Magic with full salary, retroactive to the date she was placed on "medical leave." The Wizengamot has found her to be completely blameless in the unfortunate events that led up to the invasion of the Ministry of Magic by several Dark wizards this past June. Despite complaints made by the parents of several students, Ms. Umbridge has resumed her post as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister and will continue to assist both him and the Minister of Education.

Minister Fudge has assured the

Daily Prophet that he has the utmost confidence in Ms. Umbridge to carry out the responsibilities of her position. He was heard to state "she has only ever had the best interest of the students of Hogwarts in mind and was following what, to the best of her knowledge, were specific orders from the Ministry of Magic." The Minister also went on to explain that officials had uncovered evidence of possible tampering with his memos and decrees between the time they left his office and the time they arrived at Hogwarts. A full inspection into the Owl Post is currently underway. Minister Fudge assures there is nothing to be concerned over and citizens should continue to use the Owl Post just as they normally would. Possible delays in operation are to be expected, but the Owl Post should be running at full capacity again within a fortnight.

"Communication is our primary concern at the Ministry. It is the very lifeblood of our society, for without proper communication, we will stagnate. In the interests of furthering understanding between the Department of Magical Education and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ministry will be establishing a permanent Liaison at the school," the Minister explained at a press conference late Tuesday afternoon. When questioned about the difference between the "High Inquisitor" position Ms. Umbridge held and the new Liaison to the Ministry, Fudge had the following to say:

"There is a world of difference. Communication is a two-way street; our Liaison will not only serve by relaying Ministry guidelines, he will also keep us abreast of the needs of both the faculty and students at Hogwarts. Improving the quality of education is foremost in our minds, and we can only succeed by ensuring open lines of communication between the Ministry and Hogwarts. Our candidate for the position is a recent graduate of Hogwarts. He was a student with top marks, a prefect and Head Boy. He is well respected by both the faculty at Hogwarts and by officials here at the Ministry. We expect great things from him."

Hermione trailed off. "There's more, but Fudge is essentially repeating himself for four more paragraphs."

"What a bunch of hooey," Ron mumbled. "Wonder who the Liaison will be?"

"I can tell you that," Ginny answered. "It's Percy."

"You're joking," Ron said. "Please, tell me you're joking."

"I only wish I were," Ginny answered. "He showed up with Fudge after the meeting tonight. You know, the meeting that the two of you promised to attend, but then skived off? Where were you two, anyway?"

Hermione glanced furtively at Ron, who shook his head at her almost imperceptibly. "Not now, Gin," Ron said impatiently. "Something else came up, but we'll be at the next one. Tell us about Percy."

Ginny's eyes flashed as she relayed the details about Percy's visit to Ron and Hermione. "He didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence," she finished, two spots of color appearing on her cheeks.

"Stupid git," Ron said. "Wonder what he's up to?"

"I'm less concerned about what Percy's up to than I am about that," Hermione said, pointing to the passage in the article about the Owl Post.

"What d'you mean?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"I'm not sure. I just.... It makes me a bit uneasy, that's all."

"The tampering, or the inspection?" Ginny asked.

"Both," Hermione replied, her brow furrowing in concern.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Hermione," Ginny said, yawning hugely. "Merlin, but I'm tired. I think I'll head up to bed. See you in the morning."

Ginny collected her parchments and books and stuffed them into her rucksack. She proceeded across the common room to the stairway without sparing a single glance in Dean's direction, leaving Ron and Hermione to continue studying together.