Magic? || Years 1-5

Barge On In: Year 5

Harry crawled through the portrait hole after a very excited conversation between Amisty, Hermione, and Ron.

"Here, soak your hand in that, it's a solution of strained and pickled murtlap tentacles, it should help," Hermione pushed the yellow bowl she'd prepared closer toward him. His pained expression faded as he sunk his hand into the liquid, smiling faintly as Crookshanks curled up in his lap, purring.

"Thanks," He sighed, scratching the ginger cat gently behind his ears.

"I still reckon you should complain about this," Ron muttered quietly.

"No."

"McGonagall would go nuts if she knew -- "

"Yeah, she probably would," Harry interrupted. "And how long d'you reckon it'd take Umbridge to pass another Decree saying anyone who complains about the High Inquisitor gets sacked immediately?"

Ron's open mouth promptly closed.

"She's an awful woman. Awful," Hermione murmured. "You know, I was just saying when you came in... we've got to do something about her."

"I suggested poison," Ron piped up. Amisty swatted his shoulder.

"No... I mean, something about what a dreadful teacher she is, and how we're not going to learn any defense from her at all," Hermione explained.

"Well, what can we do about that? 'S too late, isn't it? She got the job, she's here to stay, Fudge'll make sure of that," Ron grumbled.

"Well. You know, I was thinking today..." She paused, brown gaze flickering to Harry. "I was thinking that -- maybe the time's come when we should just -- just do it ourselves."

"Do what ourselves?" Harry asked, eyes narrowed.

"Well -- learn Defense Against the Dark Arts ourselves," Hermione continued.

"Come off it. You want us to do extra work? D'you realize Harry and I are behind on homework again and it's only the second week?" Ron groaned.

"But this is much more important than homework!" Hermione protested fiercely.

Ron blinked, whispering, "I didn't think there was anything in the universe more important than homework."

"Don't be silly, of course there is! It's about preparing ourselves, like Harry said in Umbridge's first lesson, for what's waiting out there. It's about making sure we really can defend ourselves," She went on, eyes gleaming. "If we don't learn anything for a whole year -- "

"We can't do much by ourselves. I mean, all right, we can go and look jinxes up in the library and try and practice them, I suppose -- " Ron began, looking crushed.

"No, I agree, we've gone past the stage where we can just learn things out of books," Hermione interrupted. "We need a teacher, a proper one, who can show us how to use spells and correct us if we're going wrong."

Harry frowned, "If you're talking about Lupin..."

"No, no, I'm not talking about Lupin. He's too busy with the Order and anyway, the most we could see him is during Hogsmeade weekends and that's not nearly often enough," Hermione shook her head.

"Who, then?"

Amisty sat up suddenly, "Oh, of course! It's you, Harry, she's talking about you!"

Harry sat there in silence. The breeze rustled through the windowpanes as they waited with baited breath.

"About me what?"