Semper - Fred Weasley

Conditions at Hogwarts under Dolores Umbridge were terrible. Not only did we learn nothing about Defense Against the Dark Arts, because we weren’t even allowed to use our wands, no, she interfered in all matters.

Sirius had mentioned that Fudge feared that Dumbledore will use the DADA classes to build an army and fight the Ministry.

That’s why he had send Umbridge, to spy on the school and take control. And when the time was right, even take Dumbledore’s place.

And the first step has already been taken. Dolores Umbridge was appointed Hogwarts High Inquisitor.

Hermione, who was willing to learn to defend herself properly, decided to take the DADA lessons into her own hands. Under Harry’s lead, a group of students who wanted to take part, should learn to duel and defend themselves in combat.

So it happened that we met one evening at the Hog’s Head.

More students came than expected and Harry was visibly nervous.

We all signed a parchment that Hermione charmed, so no one, who’s name was on that piece of parchment, was able to give anything away.

With that, Dumbledore’s Army, the DA for short, was born.

Even if Dumbledore wasn’t my best friend, I didn’t like the idea of naming our group after him. It was like handing him over directly.

Unfortunately, Umbridge seemed to have heard of a unauthorized group of students banding together.

This was the reason why she imposed Educational Decree number twenty-four, which immediately disbands all existing clubs, teams, societies and groups and forbids further groups without the High Inquisitor’s permission.

Fuck her and her shitty Educational Decrees. I thought to myself while I watched Filch nailing the new Decree on the wall.

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I was awakened roughly by Hermione shaking me.

„I’m sleeping,“ I mumbled, turned around again and pulled the covers over my head.

„Something happened!“ Hermione whispered, pulling the covers off me.

„What?“ I rubbed my eyes and sat up.

Hermione was standing next to my bed with a pair of my sweatpants and jumper in hand.

„Put that on and come with me. Hurry up.“, Completely confused and drunk with sleep, I stumbled out of bed and put my clothes on.

Hermione was almost out of the room and I followed.

„Now can you explain to me what happened?“ I ran down the stairs to the common room.

„Hermione, what’s going on here?“ I asked after getting downstairs. Fred, George, and Ginny were there too, all as confused as I was.

„We have to see Dumbledore, this is about Mr. Weasley,“ she said.

„WHAT?“, the twins asked at the same time.

„Harry, he saw something, there was an attack. Please come with me, Dumbledore will explain it to you.“ I took Fred’s hand, and so did Ginny with George’s hand before we followed Hermione.

Nobody said a word, we almost ran through the corridors until we finally reached the entrance to Dumbledore’s office.

When we entered, Harry, whom I had never seen so pale and distraught, was sitting in a chair, Ron next to him.
Professor McGonagall stood next to Dumbledore, who was sitting in his chair, with a depressed expression on her face.

„Can someone explain what’s going on here?“, Fred was the first to speak.

Dumbledore got up and walked over to Harry, putting a hand on his shoulder.

„Harry, tell us again what happened,“ he said calmly.

„I saw Mr. Weasley, at his shift at the Ministry, and he was attacked by a giant snake.“ Harry stuttered.

Dumbledore, who had already checked if something happened, now spoke to one of his portraits.

„The Weasley kids, Harry and Ms. Campbell, you’re traveling to Grimmauld Place with floo powder. Sirius knows, he’s waiting for you. Your father is at St Mungo’s.“

Dumbledore spoke.
„Minerva, Professor Umbridge knows that students are out of their beds, please distract her.“ Professor McGonagall nodded and left.

„Then we’ll go to St Mungo’s too,“ said Fred seriously. George was holding a sobbing Ginny in his arms, Ron, who was still confused, looked from one to the other.

„No, you can’t show up there,“ Dumbledore said calmly but firmly.

Fred was about to protest when I spoke.

„It’s okay, Freddie. We can‘t do it. Let’s go now.“ I stroked his hand, which I was still holding.

„Listen to Ms. Campbell! You have to leave now.“