Thick Of It

The castle was abuzz with whispers about Umbridge. Her appointment as High Inquisitor was just the latest blow in a series of Ministry intrusions. She'd expelled Professor Trelawney, and if it hadn't been for Dumbledore stepping in, she'd have thrown her off the grounds entirely. As much as I disliked Trelawney's vague prophecies and constant predictions of my impending doom and suffering , this was beyond cruel.

Still, as frustrating as she was, Trelawney and Umbridge's antics were small potatoes compared to the elephant : Voldemort.

Jason's Inner Monologue :

"Tom Riddle isn't sitting on his hands. He's moving, recruiting, building an army. He'll start with the same playbook he used last time: giants, werewolves, and every half-blood or magical creature shunned by the Ministry. It's almost poetic, really. The Ministry, run by purebloods, persecutes anyone who isn't, and then Voldemort swoops in, preaching about superiority and still get them on his side. The hypocrisy is stunning. It's almost like watching a drunken house-elf try to juggle goblets."

I leaned back in the chair of the Room of Requirement, staring at the ceiling.

"Then there's Azkaban. Voldemort, next move would be breaking his Death Eaters out. It's a glaringly obvious step. Dumbledore knows it, but he can't stop it too much politics, too little action. And me? Let's just say my odds of sneaking into Azkaban and eliminating Death Eaters are somewhere between slim and laughable. The place is a fortress of despair guarded by literal soul-sucking nightmares. One misstep, and I'm a Jason-flavored husk."

I rubbed my temples. The headache was creeping in again.

"So, that leaves Fudge. The dimwitted son of a pixie is denying Voldemort's return, slandering Harry and Cedric, and basically pouring gasoline on an already raging fire. If Voldemort's the disease, Fudge is the idiot doctor saying it's just a cold while the patient's organs are shutting down."

I tapped my wand against the desk absentmindedly.

"Killing Fudge would be cleaner, wouldn't it? One quick spell and poof—problem solved. But no, the paranoid prick probably has more security around him than a dragon sitting on a gold hoard. Every time he sneezes, a dozen Aurors probably dive in to shield him. And let's not forget the purebloods who've got his back. Even if I managed it, it would create chaos, not clarity."

I sighed.

"So, that leaves me with one grim reality: Voldemort has to make a public appearance. And the only way that happens is if Harry is out there, exposed. That thought alone makes my stomach turn, but right now, everything's in a deadlock. Voldemort's a master of guerrilla warfare, striking from the shadows. And us? We're here, floundering in bureaucracy and school politics."

I looked around the Room of Requirement, its bookshelves and training dummies offering no comfort.

"I need to think like him. Anticipate him. But every move I make feels like treading water while the storm's brewing on the horizon. I hate this feeling—knowing the fight's coming but not being able to do a damn thing about it."

With a sigh, I stood up, rolling my shoulders.

"Alright . Let's see how long this stalemate holds. But when it breaks? You'd better be ready, because I sure as hell will be."

The Great Hall was alive with the morning hum of clinking cutlery, idle chatter, and the occasional explosion from the Weasley twins' end of the table. Jason and Hermione sat at their usual spot, engaged in a hushed conversation, which—by the intensity on Hermione's face—clearly had her riled up.

Hermione: [leaning forward earnestly] "Jason, we need to do this. it's about being prepared for what's coming."

Jason: [calmly sipping his pumpkin juice] "How many of you are there so far?"

Hermione: [sighing] "We're meeting with everyone today to see who's interested."

Jason: "Alright, leave it to me. Hey!" [turns to their Ravenclaw friends a few seats away] "Vik, Josh, Simon, Tobi, Freya, Talia, Padma—Hermione's hosting a meeting today. Be there. Simon take JJ , Ethan and harry lewis also ."

The group paused mid-bite, exchanging curious glances.

Vik: "What's it about?"

Jason: [nonchalantly] "It's illegal, but it'll be good for you. "

Simon: [grinning] "Well, I am in ."

Tobi: [raising an eyebrow] " Straight up Illegal? That's… bold, even for you. IN ."

Hermione: [incredulous] "Wait—you're not even going to ask any proper questions? It's illegal! Your lives could be in danger!"

Josh chuckled, leaning back as though this was the most normal conversation ever.

Josh: "Hermione, it's Jason. He rarely makes mistakes. When my dad's potion business was on the brink, Jason swung by during summer, rearranged a few things, and—bam—business boomed again. My dad told me to follow him wherever he leads."

Freya: [nodding] "Me and the girls were bullied back in second year when we don't say anything to Harry. Jason dealt with the seniors so thoroughly they didn't even look at us afterward."

Talia: [grinning] "Yeah, we became practically invisible to them after that. A relief, really."

Tobi: "My dad was this close to being fired from the Ministry after some trial nonsense. Next thing we know, he gets promoted. Who was behind it? Take a guess."

Simon: [grinning mischievously] "And I just like trouble."

Talia rolled her eyes and smacked Simon on the head.

Talia: "Don't try to act cool, Simon. It's embarrassing."

Hermione: [turning to Jason, smacking his shoulder lightly] "Why don't you ever tell me these things?"

Jason: [shrugging, a faint grin on his face] "Just small stuff, you know? Summer was quiet, so I tackled a few things."

Hermione stared at him, caught between exasperation and admiration.

Hermione: [muttering] "Small stuff, he says. You're impossible."

As the group continued their breakfast, Hermione couldn't help but feel more determined. If Jason's endorsement could bring in his friends, maybe the rest of the students would see the value of what they were trying to build. Meanwhile, Jason casually reached for another slice of toast, seemingly unaffected by the weight of Hermione's steely resolve.

Jason's Thought: "Illegal or not, if Hermione's running it, it'll probably be more organized than half the Ministry. And honestly, what's life at Hogwarts without bending a few rules?"

The air in Hogsmeade was crisp, with a light snow dusting the rooftops as Harry, Hermione, and Ron made their way toward the Hog's Head Inn. Harry was visibly apprehensive, his steps slower than usual, his brow furrowed.

Harry: [grumbling] "This is mad. Who'd wanna be taught by me? I'm a nutter, remember?"

Ron: [smirking] "Look on the bright side: you can't be any worse than old toad face."

Harry: [glancing sideways at Ron] "Thanks, Ron."

Ron: [clapping Harry on the back] "I'm here for you, mate."

As they approached the door, Harry hesitated, looking around nervously.

Harry: "So... who's supposed to be meeting us, then?"

Hermione: [leading the way] "Just a couple of people. Thought it'd be safer off the beaten track."

Ron: [glancing at the dingy exterior] "Lovely spot."

Inside, the room was dimly lit, with cobwebs in the corners and the faint smell of firewhisky in the air. Yet, the space was filled with students of all houses. Among them were Jason's friends—Vik, Josh, Simon, Tobi, Freya, Talia, and Padma—along with Neville, Luna, the Patil sisters, Fred, George, and a smattering of others.

Hermione: [addressing the group] "Hi. So, you all know why we're here. We need a proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts."

The group exchanged murmurs until JJ spoke up, his tone skeptical.

JJ: "Why?"

Ron: [rolling his eyes] "Why? Because You-Know-Who's back, you tosspot."

Ethan: [folding his arms] "So he says."

Hermione: [sternly] "So Dumbledore says."

Harry Lewis: "So Dumbledore says because he says."

Ethan: "The point is, where's the proof?"

Before Hermione could respond, Josh raised a hand.

Josh: "Hey, Ethan. Jason said it's true."

Ethan: [visibly uneasy] "Well... if Jason says so..."

JJ: [gasping dramatically] "Oh my god!"

Simon: [nudging JJ] "Calm yourself, JJ. We're safe now."

Harry Lewis: [gripping the back of his chair] "We don't know that!"

Hermione stepped in, her voice firm but calm.

Hermione: "Everyone, calm down. This is Hogwarts. Dumbledore is here."

The group settled, though Ethan, JJ, and Harry Lewis still exchanged wary looks.

Ron: [grinning at Harry] "Maybe we should have Jason tell the world he's back."

Hermione: [groaning] "Guys, we're not here to panic but to learn what to do when we panic."

Luna raised her hand, her dreamy tone breaking the tension.

Luna: "Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm, Harry?"

Harry: "Yes."

Hermione: "I've seen it."

Dean Thomas: "Blimey, Harry. I didn't know you could do that."

Neville: "And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledore's office."

Hermione: "It's true."

Ron: "Third year, he fought off about a hundred Dementors at once."

Hermione: "Last year, he really did fight off You-Know-Who in the flesh."

Harry raised his hands, trying to calm the wave of admiration.

Harry: "Wait. Look, it all sounds great when you say it like that, but the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help."

Hermione: [gently] "He's just being modest."

Harry: [shaking his head] "No, Hermione, I'm not. Facing this stuff in real life isn't like school. In school, if you make a mistake, you can just try again tomorrow. But out there... when you're a second away from being murdered, or watching a friend die right before your eyes... You don't know what that's like."

The room grew silent, the gravity of Harry's words sinking in.

Hermione: [softly] "You're right, Harry. We don't. That's why we need your help. Because if we're going to have any chance at beating Voldemort..."

Nigel: [wide-eyed] "He's really back?"

Harry nodded solemnly.

Vik: [breaking the silence] "Wait a minute. Why isn't Jason here?"

Hermione: [looking sheepish] "He said he was busy."

Everyone turned to Hermione, raising eyebrows. Jason wasn't exactly known for missing action, especially when Hermione was involved.

Vik: "He knows stuff. Stuff even Harry doesn't know."

Before Hermione could stammer a response, Jason's voice cut through the room as he revealed himself, lifting a Disillusionment Charm by the window.

Jason: [grinning] "Because I'm busy working on a project this year."

George: "Wicked entrance, mate."

Vik: "But Jason, you know so much. Why not just teach us?"

Jason: "Knowing and doing are different things. Harry's the one with practical experience, not me. But don't worry—I'll drop in for lessons from time to time."

He strode to the front of the room, clapping his hands.

Jason: "And my first lesson starts now. Rule number one: We don't talk about this club."

Simon: [grinning] "Bit dramatic, but alright."

Jason: "Rule number two: We don't talk about this club."

Hermione: "Jason, we got the point."

Jason :[smirking] "No you don't "

Jason: "Rule number three: Mask your movements. Leave separately. Stick with people you already know. Umbridge will catch on fast, and I'd rather not see you in detention with her Quill of Doom."

The group murmured in agreement, and Jason's confident tone seemed to inspire the room.

Jason: "At the end of this, you'll be ready to defend yourselves. Believe Me."

As students eagerly lined up to sign their names on the parchment labeled Dumbledore's Army, Jason turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Harry: [grinning] "You do love being the center of attention, don't you?"

Jason: [smirking] "Not more than you."

The group left the meeting, their spirits bolstered, ready to take on the challenges ahead. For the first time in a while, it felt like they had a chance.