Resistance

Chapter 3 - Dark Arts and Muggle Studies

When the Gryffindors arrived in their Common Room after the start-of-term feast, they were met by an unpleasant surprise. The wall above the fireplace now displayed a giant poster of Snape, glowering down at them all. It bore the heading, 'Discipline is the Key to Success', and 'Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts School,' was printed at the bottom.

Neville and Ginny's efforts to add a moustache, devil horns and a speech bubble reading 'I killed Dumbledore' all failed - it was charmed to be unalterable, and likewise it resisted all attempts to remove it from the wall. In the end they enlisted the help of their housemates to cover it up with one of the big red and gold banners they used at Quidditch matches.

The Snape poster and their failure to spoil it seemed to have a big effect on Ginny, who became quiet and withdrawn for the rest of the evening. It was so unlike her that Neville devoted himself to trying to cheer her up and get her talking, but it was useless. 'Hermione would have found a way to get past the enchantments on that poster,' she said softly at one point, and at another, 'Ron and Harry would have gone mad to see it, perhaps it's just as well they're not here.'

Eventually they both went to their separate beds with Ginny still sunk in gloom and Neville not feeling much better. His positive mood on the train had evaporated fast. His heart sank further at the sight of his dormitory, with three bare, empty beds. He'd never have believed even one year ago that only he and Seamus would be left of the five boys in their dorm.

Both lay awake long into the night, turning things over in their minds. Ginny had a sense of deep hopelessness that she'd never experienced before. Being back at Hogwarts had brought home fully to her the awful reality of everything. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't focus properly on anything. Even the thought of restarting Dumbledore's Army didn't inspire her as it had on the train.

Neville meanwhile found himself worrying about his absent friends. He tried to imagine Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dean, out there somewhere on the run. He wondered if the four would manage to meet up. He couldn't stop trying to work out how they were eating, where they were sleeping, how on earth they were remaining hidden. And what did they do all day? He imagined Hermione drawing up a timetable, and nearly laughed. Then it hit him fully, how far they were out of their depth - bossy, well-meaning Hermione, Ron the eternal sidekick, and Harry the very reluctant hero.

He couldn't stop himself thinking, 'How long have they got?' Every time he tried to push the thought away before his mind could form the unavoidable answer. Not long.

On that unhappy train of thought Neville Longbottom finally fell into an uneasy sleep.

*****

Ginny and Luna started the following day back in the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall was organising their timetables. 'I wanted to be an Auror,' Ginny confided in Luna. 'But there's no way I'm letting that jerk Carrow teach me 'Dark Arts'. I suppose I'd better go with whatever is going to help me survive. Not that I'm sure any of this stuff will.' She still felt heavy and hopeless. The way that the horrible huge picture of Snape had continued to stare out at her no matter what she tried had seemed to break something inside her.

Luna was humming tunelessly, apparently unaware of her surroundings. 'You know, you shouldn't let too much negative energy build up inside you. You should let it all out with a big sigh.' She took a deep breath and blew it out so noisily that several people turned to stare at them. 'Sometimes it helps if you make a moaning sound at the same time,' she added conversationally.

Before Luna could demonstrate the moaning, Ginny interrupted hastily with, 'I do like your earrings, where are they from?'

'Oh, these? They're bezoars. Very useful to have a couple handy in case someone tries to poison you,' she explained, beaming. 'I can make you a pair if you like? I'll owl Daddy and see if he has any more.'

'Er, thanks,' said Ginny. She wasn't sure she wanted a pair of bezoar earrings, but at least Luna had made her feel like smiling.

When McGonagall called Luna forwards, a couple of people sniggered. 'Miss Lovegood,' began the Deputy Headmistress, reading from a parchment. 'You've put down to do Defence Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Study of Ancient Runes, and Charms. Let's see...' She studied the parchment carefully, then looked up, surprised. 'Miss Lovegood, you do realise that with nine Outstanding OWLs, you may choose whichever subjects you wish.'

A murmur of surprise ran through the students behind them. Ginny heard someone say in a loud whisper, 'How did she do that? She wrote about Snorkacks in Care of Magical Creatures and they don't exist! She barely even made it to the Charms exam because she was collecting flowers and forgot the time!'

Luna herself just smiled serenely. 'Yes, that's lucky, isn't it,' she commented. 'I'd rather not take the Dark Arts now, though. I think I'll do Astronomy instead.'

McGonagall looked exasperated. 'Miss Lovegood, with grades like these, you should really consider more... challenging subjects. Transfiguration for example...'

'Oh no,' Luna cut her off. 'I'm afraid I've never really seen the point in Transfiguration. All that turning gerbils into tea cosies - it doesn't seem very useful.' She smiled up at McGonagall, who for once was speechless. Finally the teacher said 'very well' in a rather weak voice, and tapped her wand against Luna's timetable.

When it came to Ginny's turn, she found herself at a loss. She'd put down for the 'big five' of Herbology, Transfiguration, DADA, Charms and Potions, but now she couldn't find enthusiasm for any of them. Like Luna, she had no desire to be taught Dark Arts by Amycus Carrow. She listened to McGonagall checking off her subjects against her grades - which were good enough to do what she wanted to - and found herself wondering what relevance it had to her life now what subjects she took. There was a reasonable chance she wouldn't even be at school in two years' time to do the exams.

'Professor,' she said suddenly, just as McGonagall was about to set her timetable. 'Wait. I've... I've changed my mind.' McGonagall raised a single eyebrow at this. 'I want to do the same as Luna.'

McGonagall put down the parchment and her wand. 'Now really, Weasley, this is silly. 'The same as Luna' is not a recognised career pathway. This is your future we are talking about; one thing we're always very clear about is that subject choice shouldn't be influenced by friends.'

Ginny shrugged. 'Most of my friends aren't even able to finish school,' she pointed out. 'What's wrong with wanting to spend time with one of the few remaining friends I've got left?' She wasn't going to add that she sometimes felt the only way she'd stay sane was by sticking with her unconventional friend - she wasn't sure she wanted to admit it even to herself.

On the way out, Luna hugged her in glee. 'I can't believe we're going to be in all the same classes,' she said happily. 'Friends forever,' she added, hugging Ginny again.

For a moment Ginny thought she was going to cry. But she bit her lip and followed Luna to Care of Magical Creatures.

*****

Meanwhile, Neville and Seamus had found their new timetables on their bedside tables when they awoke. A quick check revealed they had Dark Arts in the morning, followed by a free period and then Muggle Studies. 'Double Carrows,' groaned Seamus. Neville found himself instinctively looking up to compare timetables with Harry, Ron and Dean, but was faced by an empty room.

The Dark Arts classroom had continued the slide in décor that had begun with Snape. It was darker than ever and the pictures on the walls were even more horrible. There were things there so unpleasant that he couldn't bear to look. Amycus Carrow - Neville couldn't give him the wholly undeserved 'Professor' title in his thoughts - was sitting at the front of the classroom, grinning his moronic and nasty smile at the students assembling in front of him.

Malfoy sat at the back as had the previous year, and again Neville noted he seemed less enthusiastic than he'd expected. Crabbe and Goyle on the other hand were positively rubbing their hands together in glee. He could tell from the expressions of most of the rest of the class that their feelings were much like his. He caught the eye of Lavender Brown, who pulled a miserable face.

Carrow rose from his seat and began to speak. He had a wheezy voice which brought to mind unpleasant images of bubbling phlegm. 'Welcome, year seven, to the Dark Arts. I am going to teach you magic which will blow your tiny minds!' He gave a giggle. 'Today we're going to start with curses. The stuff I'm gonna show you, no one will ever dare nick your things again!' He beamed round, looking very pleased with himself.

Neville heard Crabbe say, 'Cool!' in a loud whisper. He exchanged a glance with Seamus. Carrow was unpacking a box onto a table in front of his desk. Some of the items were clearly recognisable, others he'd never seen before.

'Everyone can choose something from this stuff here to put a curse on,' Carrow told them. He held up a strange grey object covered in brightly coloured rubber buttons. 'This is a Muggle thing they use for changing the pictures on the telly box.' Several people laughed at this.

'But Professor,' objected Ernie Macmillan, 'Isn't it against the law to enchant Muggle artefacts?'

Carrow laughed so hard it sounded like he was breathing through a bellows. 'No one's bothered about them stupid laws now, boy!' he chuckled. 'Now everyone come and get a thing and we'll get on to the fun stuff.'

'This is most irregular,' Ernie muttered to Neville and Seamus as they made their way to the front. 'I'm sure the Ministry would have something to say!'

Neville surveyed the range of objects available to them. 'I reckon all of this is stuff Muggles could use,' he said, looking to half-blooded Seamus for confirmation. 'Muggles wear necklaces and so on, don't they?'

'Course they do,' replied Seamus, frowning. 'And what's the betting after we've cursed all this it somehow finds its way back into Muggle hands?'

'But that would be illegal! Not to mention immoral!' said Ernie, looking horrified that anyone could suggest such a thing.

'I don't think morals are high on Carrow's priority list,' said Neville grimly, selecting a tarnished looking bracelet. For once he felt glad that his spell probably wouldn't work.

The lesson didn't go very well. Carrow kept forgetting the curse he was trying to teach them, and having to go back a step because he'd done it wrong. Goyle had selected a bizarre wood and metal contraption, which Seamus informed Neville was a 'mousetrap', and managed to get his fingers stuck in it. The lesson degenerated into Goyle running round bellowing in pain and waving his hand. Crabbe went to help him and got hit in the face by Goyle's flailing arm, after which Crabbe added to the general pandemonium by blundering around with blood spurting from his nose.

Most Hogwarts teachers could have released Goyle's hand and stopped Crabbe's bleeding nose with a wave of the wand, but Carrow didn't seem to know what to do. He tried to get Crabbe to sit down, but only managed to put his hand onto Malfoy's freshly cursed rubber duck. Of the whole class, Malfoy seemed to be the only person who had placed his curse successfully, and as a result Carrow erupted immediately in huge red boils.

Several people began laughing. Carrow screamed at the class to, 'Shut yer stupid faces!' and threw out a hex. Everyone screamed and ducked, shocked that a teacher would try to hex his own students. He stumbled out of the room and was seen running along the corridor in the direction of the hospital wing.

'Great start to the year,' commented Neville to Seamus, Parvati and Lavender as they left the classroom, having first tidied away their poorly cursed objects before the next class arrived.

'It's a complete disaster,' sniffed Parvati. 'I only came back this year because I want to finish my education; with that idiot teaching us that's one subject I'll never pass. My parents really didn't want me and Padma to come back at all but now we're of age they couldn't stop us. My Dad was at Hogwarts with Carrow, he said that Carrow didn't even pass his own NEWTs, not to mention being the nastiest bully in the school.'

'He's worse than Umbridge,' said Lavender. 'At least the theory stuff Umbridge did was OK for our exam, even if it wasn't much use in real life. And at least she didn't actually teach us to do dark magic.'

'I wish Harry was still here,' said Parvati sadly. 'He could teach us some more defence. We could start up Dumbledore's Army again.'

Neville glanced around and then said, 'Listen, Ginny and Luna and I were talking about that. We think we should restart it - I mean, I know Harry's not here, but there's still quite a lot of us. We could practice defence and think of things to make Snape's life difficult.'

'Sounds good to me,' agreed Parvati, brightening up a bit. 'I used to enjoy our DA meetings. I'll get Padma to spread the word in Ravenclaw. Next weekend is Hogsmeade, shall we meet in the Hog's Head like we used to?'

Neville agreed and they parted ways, Lavender and Parvati on their way to Divination, Neville and Seamus to a free period. They spent their time in the Common Room practicing disarming and simple jinxes. 'Blimey, you're really good at this stuff nowadays Neville!' said Seamus breathlessly, after Neville had once again floored him with a Trip jinx. Neville noted the surprise in Seamus' voice - Neville had never been really good at anything other than Herbology.

'I've just practiced a lot,' he said modestly, helping his friend to his feet. 'I've had to try and fight Death Eaters twice now, and both times I promised myself if I survived I'd get better.'

'Intense,' commented Seamus. He checked his watch and groaned. 'It's nearly time for Muggle Studies, I suppose we'd better go.'

The Muggle Studies classroom was located on the first floor, up a particularly tricky moving staircase. The room wasn't really big enough for the whole seventh year to sit in; generally only small numbers of students took the subject. Now everyone was crammed in, two to a desk, and the air was stuffy with the heat of too many bodies in too small a space.

Alecto Carrow stood at the front of the class in front of a white screen. Once everyone had uncomfortably squeezed into their seats, she flicked her wand. An image appeared of a pair of Muggles dressed in what Neville recognised as trousers and tops with long sleeves and what appeared to be a metal line up the middle. The clothes were in eye-wateringly bright colours with strange symbols on. The man had a big tick on his top, which stretched round his huge belly, the woman had the word 'Reebok' written across her enormous bust.

Both had vacant looks, the woman with her mouth hanging open. She was holding one of those plastic bags that they sometimes saw littering the countryside; that too had an incomprehensible word written on it and a symbol. 'Muggles,' said Carrow, her tone heavy with contempt. 'What do people notice about them?'

There was a reluctant silence, until eventually Ernie Macmillan, unable to bear not answering a question, raised his hand. 'They've got words written on everything,' he said.

'That's right,' said Carrow, smiling unpleasantly. 'And why do we think that is?'

There was silence from the class, so Carrow eventually supplied the answer herself. 'Because they're too stupid to know what things are if they don't have the name written on,' she explained. 'What else?'

Malfoy called out, 'They're fat and ugly.'

'Good, well done.' Carrow nodded. 'Muggles are fat and ugly and also dirty.'

'She's hardly one to talk,' muttered Seamus.

'What was that?' asked Carrow sharply. 'Do you have something you want to share, boy?'

Seamus blushed but held his own. 'Some wizards are fat and ugly,' he said boldly. 'Doesn't mean we all are.'

Carrow's upper lip curled in contempt. 'Detention!' she cried.

'Why?' asked Seamus, as a murmur of consternation passed round the class.

'Because I said so,' replied Carrow, sneering. 'Now, I've brought some Muggle food and drink in so you can all see why Muggles are so fat and nasty. Form a queue.'

With some difficulty due to the small size of the room, the class managed to form a straggly line around the edge. Carrow handed each person a tiny goblet containing a dark brown liquid with little bubbles rising to the top, and three round, flat, golden coloured disks. Neville sniffed at the drink suspiciously, wondering if Carrow planned to poison them all. It had a horrible, toxic smell and look about it.

'The drink is called 'Coaler' because it is made of coal, and the food - if you can call it that - is called 'crisps'. This is what Muggles eat and drink all the time,' explained Carrow. Neville noticed she had put on gloves in order to handle the food. The Coaler came in a huge bottle made of what seemed to be flexible glass, whilst the crisps were from a lurid shiny packet with more words on and a picture of some rather nicer looking golden discs.

Cautiously, Neville took a sip of the black liquid. It had a strangely sharp feeling against his mouth, followed by a wash of overwhelming sweetness and a horrible taste. Involuntarily, he pulled a face. On the other side of the room, Malfoy was doing a lot of exaggerated gagging. The crisps were just as nasty, they seemed to be covered in a poisonous tasting dust that coated his tongue. He drank some Coaler to try and get rid of the taste, and shuddered again.

Carrow looked thoroughly satisfied. 'Muggles guzzle this stuff in huge quantities every day, along with other things too dangerous and nasty to give to wizards,' she told them. Several people knocked their Coaler cups over on purpose to avoid drinking it. Neville half expected it to corrode the floor. 'This shows how stupid Muggles are. They are like animals, eating and drinking anything without any understanding or thought to taste. Because of this, they are fat and smelly, their skin is covered in spots, and their bodies weak. Most Muggles in this country die before they reach 80.'

A gasp went round the room at that. 'That's so young!' whispered Lavender loudly.

Neville noticed that Seamus looked very angry, as though he might attack Carrow at any moment. Fortunately, it was the end of the lesson and Neville got him out before he got himself into any more detentions. 'It's all lies!' exploded Seamus, as soon as they left the room. 'Muggles don't eat that all time; most Muggles eat normal food like we do! Cola and crisps are a snack - a bit like butterbeer and Fizzing Whizzbees. She's taking stuff and making it sound worse than it is!'

'You've got to admit though, that 'Coaler' was pretty nasty,' said Ernie.

Seamus turned on him and grabbed him by his collar. 'Are you saying Muggles are nasty? My Dad's a Muggle!'

'Now, hang on!' spluttered Ernie, trying to free himself, as Neville pulled Seamus off. Malfoy was walking just behind them and overtook them, sniggering. 'I wouldn't shout about being related to a Muggle if I were you, Finnigan,' he called back, and Neville had to trip Seamus again to stop him attacking Malfoy.

After Seamus gave Ernie a rather grudging apology, Neville distracted the indignant Hufflepuff by telling him about the plans to restart the DA. Ernie seemed quite pleased by the idea. 'I'll tell the others - though it's only Zacharias Smith and Susan that are left from Hufflepuff now Hannah's gone.' Hannah Abbot had left school the previous year after her mother was killed. 'But I'll write to her and let her know,' he added. 'It might cheer her up a bit.'

'It's going to take more than that to cheer me up,' growled Seamus, leading the way down to lunch.

Neville found Ginny sitting alone near the end of the Gryffindor table. She didn't have many friends left in their own house; she'd hung around with Harry, Hermione, Ron and Dean for most of the past year. Neville filled her in on the events of his first two classes. Ginny looked grim. 'I decided not to do 'Dark Arts' - I couldn't bear it. Sounds like I made the right choice. I had Care of Magical Creatures; Hagrid's really upset about Harry not coming back. He kept going on about Harry not even telling him that he was going,' she sighed. 'He was trying to make me and Luna tell him where Harry is, I don't think he believed that we didn't know.'

'Poor Hagrid. I can understand why Harry didn't tell him though, he's not great at keeping secrets.' Neville pushed his food around his plate. It was hard to feel hungry when there was so much wrong with the world.

'No. He was so hurt he could barely even get excited about having two NEWT students - it's the first time anyone has chosen to take his course beyond fifth year.'

'Why did you?' asked Neville, unable to suppress his curiosity.

Ginny shrugged. 'Why not? What difference does any of it make now? It was something Luna said to McGonagall, about Transfiguration - I suddenly realised, it's all academic. None of it's going to stop us getting killed, only Defence could have done that and they've taken that off the curriculum.' She took a sip of her water. 'Anyway, it actually wasn't too bad. There are some really adorable baby unicorns, so he's given us the project of helping him with them.'

'Sounds better than Screwts,' he agreed. 'Anyway, about Defence - we're going to have the first DA meeting in the Hog's Head next weekend. I've asked Padma and Ernie to spread the word in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. And in the meantime, I'm planning on practicing duelling and defensive spells most evenings and I wouldn't mind someone to practice with.' He looked at her anxiously. 'You can't just give up, Ginny. The Ginny I know is always fights back.'

She gave a weak smile. 'I know you're right Neville, it's just... it feels like there's a fog in my head and I can't get through it. I can't really even describe it.'

'Maybe you should see Madam Pomfrey...' he began.

'No,' said Ginny at once, sounding more like her usual feisty self. 'There's nothing wrong with me. It's not like I broke a leg, is it? Or got mauled by a werewolf or had my ear cursed off or something.' She shook herself and blinked her eyes several times. 'I've just got to pull myself together. Fight back, like you said. Practising defence sounds good, Neville.'

'Good - mind you, once you've had a session of hex practice you might need that visit to the hospital wing after all.' He gave a wry smile; Neville's spells were legendary in their ability end up in unintended ways.

'Ha! We'll see about that. You're working on the assumption I won't be able to block everything.' She turned her back resolutely on the High Table and helped herself to some of the steak and kidney pie. 'Now Neville, you mentioned on the train that you found your Dad's old Auror training stuff. Tell me all about it.'

The two friends began an earnest discussion of duelling techniques. From the High Table, Severus Snape observed them with an expression of mild distaste. Alecto Carrow, perhaps following his gaze, leaned over and spoke in a loud whisper. 'Who's that podgy kid over there, Severus? Weren't he one of those meddling brats tried to fight us the night you offed Dumbledore?'

'Will you lower your voice?' hissed the Headmaster furiously, before regaining his composure and casting another disparaging look at the Gryffindor table. 'As for Mr Longbottom, I wouldn't waste any time worrying about him. The boy barely has the wits to dress himself in the morning, let alone cause us any trouble. The boy's toad is more of a threat than he is. No, of all the things I have to worry about, Neville Longbottom is not one of them.'