A True Gryffindor

As the idea of stealing the sword of Gryffindor had been Ginny's brainchild, it was naturally decided that she should be the one to commit the deed, while Seamus and Luna volunteered to keep watch. Such a large act of rebellion, however, required a great deal of planning. As October faded into November it was not uncommon for at least one student to be hidden near the entrance to the Headmaster's office, attempting to obtain the password. Professor Flitwick was delighted by the eagerness of his NEWT students to learn Disillusionment charms, although he could not have guessed that they were practising it on one another most evenings for the purposes of rule-breaking. Ginny sent a long letter asking Fred and George for supplies from the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes stock that could be of use; Luna meanwhile began distributing November's issue of The Quibbler to students to spread its message of support for Harry. Meanwhile, the Carrows' abuse of the students became more frequent, and worryingly for Neville, more vicious.

-o0o-

"Professor Snape, I must insist-"

Snape sighed and threw his quill on the desk in irritation.

"To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Minerva?" he snarled through clenched teeth. "You are aware that it is common practice to knock before entering the headmaster's study?"

"Professor, you must stop this torture business at once!" McGonagall's hair, Snape now observed, had loosened from its usual tight bun and her cheeks were flushed with anger. "Amycus Carrow has chained up a group of second year girls in the potions dungeon!"

Severus leaned back in his chair, his fingers forming a steeple under his chin.

"I suppose you asked Amycus his reason for this punishment?" he inquired delicately. He was pleased to see his casual tone infuriated McGonagall.

"Reason? What could possibly warrant chaining five girls to the roof of a dungeon by their wrists?" she demanded.

"Perhaps they broke a school rule," continued Snape. "I take it you did not ask Amycus why he punished these girls?" He turned his head slightly toward McGonagall and raised one eyebrow. McGonagall's mouth fell open, before she regained her composure and replied with a clipped voice:

"Well, no, I assumed that you, as Headmaster-" she pronounced the word as though it caused her great pain to do so- "-would be able to exercise authority over our new staff members, and remind them that such methods of punishment have not been employed at Hogwarts for many years." She eyed him expectantly.

Snape leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk.

"I take it you are well aware, Minerva, Amycus and Alecto Carrow were appointed by the Ministry of Magic, in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two?"

McGonagall's temple twitched.

"Yes, Professor, I am aware."

"Good. Then you will also be aware that as a result of this, ah, technicality, they answer to a higher power than myself. Therefore, much as I would like to, I am sadly unable to control the actions of the Professors Carrow. Good day." He once again reclined in his chair, indicating that his deputy was dismissed. McGonagall glowered and strode out of the room, taking great care to slam the door behind her. Snape smirked.

"Alas, Severus, you must try to protect the students," sighed a new voice. Snape swivelled his chair to face Dumbledore's portrait.

"And what do you suggest I do? Reveal my true colours, and have the school taken out of my hands completely? It is imperative that I keep up this act, Dumbledore, now more than ever!"

Dumbledore gazed regretfully down at Snape through his painted half-moon spectacles.

"We must try our best, Severus, we owe the students that."

-o0o-

Neville nearly choked on his pumpkin juice as a parcel the size of his torso, carried by six owls, landed on the table next to him one frosty morning in early November.

"What in Merlin's name is that?" he spluttered, mopping up the spillage from his robes with a handkerchief.

"It's for you, Ginny," declared Seamus, checking the label.

Ginny leaned over the table from her seat opposite Neville and slid the parcel to the empty spaces next to her.

"I've been expecting this," she announced to Neville and Seamus.

"Ooh, are you going to open it?" asked Romilda Vane, who had just appeared beside her.

Ginny tore open the wrapping on the box and lifted the lid ever so slightly, glancing at the High Table, and slid her hand in, pulling out a letter. The four teenagers leaned over the table so that their heads obscured the view of any inquisitive teachers.

"It's from my brothers," Ginny whispered conspirationally. "I can't open the box at the table." She tore open the seal on the parchment and read the letter in a low voice to her keen audience:

"Dear Ginny,

It's so lovely to hear from our little sister! We hope you've been a good girl, and have resisted the urge to use a Bat-Bogey Hex on any teachers this year. Included are the cakes you asked for, just the way Mum makes them." Ginny looked up and mouthed the word disguise in answer to the others' questioning looks. "Ron's Spattergroit has unfortunately taken a turn for the worse and he definitely won't be back in school before Christmas." Ginny grinned, then felt a twinge of sadness that she did not know where her youngest brother really was. "In addition, you may be pleased to know that Uncle Gideon has finally fixed his radio! He now just has to tap it with his wand. His favourite programme is Muggle Pottery, on Thursday at 9.

All the best,

Fred and George."

Ginny rolled the parchment back up and stuffed it down the front of her robes.

"Er, Ginny, about that last bit..." Neville trailed off.

"Yes?"

"Well, isn't he, erm, dead?" Romilda asked nervously.

"Of course he is," replied Ginny. "He was never a fan of pottery, either."

-o0o-

The following Thursday evening a fairly large group of students sat on the floor of the Room of requirement, forming a circle around a battered old wireless. Neville checked his father's old watch and cleared his throat.

"It's nine o'clock," he announced. Ginny nodded.

"Here goes, then," she murmured, and tapped the radio, whispering, "Gideon!"

"Good evening ladies and Gentlemen, and welcome to the first ever broadcast of Pottterwatch." Here a ripple of squeals and clapping ensued, and Luna threw hers arms around Neville, who went plum pink and motioned for everyone be quiet to hear the next part of the broadcast. "Now, as you are all aware, our Ministry has been taken over by You-Know-Who and his motley crew. As most newspapers and radio stations are now releasing an edited version of current events, we here at Potterwatch have decided to report the real news. Tonight I have my guest Red here with me, to talk about how we can all show support for our bespectacled hero, Harry Potter. Evening, Red!"

"Evenin', River!" Every student familiar with Hagrid now gasped at hearing their teacher's voice on the radio.

"Red," continued River, "do you have any updates on sightings of The Boy Who Lived?"

"I certainly do, River. The escape of all them Muggleborns from the Ministry last month is rumoured to have been aided by Harry in disguise, although the Ministry'll tell yeh that it was a paperwork error, but that's just 'cause they don't want people ter know that he got inter the Ministry under their noses. The price on Harry's head has now gone up to two hundred thousand galleons, so please, ladies an' gents, if yeh see him, do yer best ter protect him."

"Well said, Red. In other news, we have to inform friends of Potter to use extreme caution when talking in public. It seems that our new ministry has placed a jinx on You-Know-Who's name. Anyone who has the courage to say his mane is instantly locatable by the Ministry, so unless you're keen to get a visit from a bunch of dark wizards wearing masks, avoid using it. Also, as a result of this jinx, the Auror Kingsley Shacklebot was almost captured by Death Eaters last week, and managed to knock out several Ministry workers during his escape."

There was a loud cheer in the Room of Requirement as the students welcomed this information, and several called out wishes of luck to the absent Kingsley.

"On this happy note I must leave you now, friends of Potter. The next password is Hermione. Until next time, keep safe. Goodnight."

-o0o-

Neville had a good feeling in his heart that lasted for several days after the first broadcast of Pottterwatch, which lasted until breakfast time on Tuesday, when The Daily Prophet carried the headline:

WANTED FOR NUMEROUS CRIMES

Ministry of Magic announces Muggleborn is Undesirable Number Three

The Minister for Magic yesterday surprised the wizarding world by upgrading the status of missing fugitive Hermione Granger (pictured) from "truant" to Undesirable Number Three.

"We have reason to believe that Granger is possibly travelling with or may have information on the whereabouts of Harry Potter," a Ministry spokesman announced last night. "She is believed to be armed with a wand and highly dangerous. She is around five foot eight, with bushy brown hair and brown eyes, and although she was not born possessing magical skill, carries a stolen wand and can perform complex and powerful curses."

Granger, 18, is well-known for her friendship with Harry Potter during her years at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Despite the Muggleborn Registration Commission's introduction three months ago, Granger did not present herself at the Ministry of Magic for interview as the law requires. She is currently truanting from Hogwarts and is wanted for assault of Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and several other Ministry officials. She may also possess valuable information that could lead to the capture of Undesirable Number One.

Granger's new criminal status means that citizens are allowed to use force to capture her, and her punishment if found guilty is a life sentence in Azkaban. The reward for her return to the Ministry is fifty thousand Galleons. Members of the public are advised that she is wanted alive so that she can share valuable information with the Ministry.

THE UNDESIRABLE TOP FIVE:

Number One

Harry Potter

Wanted for: Assault, information on the death of Albus Dumbledore

Reward: two hundred thousand galleons

Number Two

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Wanted for; Assault of Ministry officials, known member of the Order of the Phoenix

Reward: One hundred thousand galleons

Number Three

Hermione Granger

Crimes and reward detailed above

Number Four

Lee Jordan

Wanted for: spreading pro-muggle propaganda

Reward: fifty thousand galleons

Number Five

Nymphadora Tonks

Wanted for: Illegal relations with a werewolf, known member of the Order of the Phoenix

Reward; fifty thousand galleons

Members of the public are advised to use extreme caution when confronting an Undesirable wizard.

"Well," muttered Neville as he scrunched up the newspaper, "this changes things."