"I told you so. Everyone's delighted that the DA Meeting can continue."
As the three of them left the Great Hall, Ron excitedly explained to Harry why everyone was so enthusiastic about the meetings.
"Bill said the Ministry of Magic's Defence Against the Dark Arts training is very popular. In these turbulent times, everyone wants to learn something useful to protect themselves."
"Snape may know more about Dark Magic than most Defence Against the Dark Arts Professors, but there's actually very little he can teach us..."
"Ron..."
Hermione interrupted him, feeling that Ron's assessment was rather unfair.
"At least, it's completely meaningless until you've had real practice." Ron shrugged. "You can't expect to become a great Defence Against the Dark Arts expert just by memorizing a whole pile of spells."
"I've heard things like that plenty of times. Sometimes I really don't understand where all their enthusiasm comes from." Noticing Hermione's expression, Harry asked in confusion, "What is it, Hermione?"
"Oh, Harry, I'm sure you've realized it." Hermione wore an odd expression. "You've become popular, actually. Though that ought to be a good thing."
"A good thing?" Harry truly could not understand what Hermione meant. "I don't think it's a good thing at all."
"At least lots of people support you and are willing to attend the DA Meeting." Ron raised his eyebrows slightly, clearly not liking what Harry had said.
"Without Fred, George, and Cedric helping us, we simply wouldn't be able to manage, much less teach that many people." Harry thought Hermione and Ron were overthinking things. He himself had little interest in being popular. "Don't forget what happened last year. Lots of people thought I was some brain-damaged idiot because of the newspapers, and now, because of another newspaper, they see me as some so-called savior?"
"Harry..."