First Training

"Defense Association?"

Cho said, "D.A. for short. No one will know what we're talking about."

"Hey, D.A. is good,"

Ginny said. "It can also stand for 'Dumbledore's Army,' which is what the Ministry of Magic fears most, right?"

A murmur of approval and laughter spread through the room.

"Does everyone agree on D.A.?"

Hermione asked like a moderator, kneeling up to count heads. "The majority has it—the motion passes."

She pinned the slip of paper with everyone's names on it to the wall and wrote at the top: Dumbledore's Army.

"Good," Harry said after she sat down. "Shall we start practicing?

"I think the first thing we should learn is Expelliarmus. You all know it—the Disarming Charm.

"I know it's rather basic, but I think it really is useful—"

"Oh, come on,"

Zacharias Smith said with his arms folded, eyes wide. "I don't suppose Expelliarmus would work on the Dark Lord, would it?"

Though he knew he should not speak at a time like this, because he had come with a mission—he was here to record everything—he still had to maintain his persona so that his classmates would not become suspicious of him outside of work. Otherwise, while his original purpose might not be exposed, it would be bad if people mistook him for a traitor. This opportunity was valuable, and he had gone to great lengths to get it.

"I used it on him,"

Harry said calmly. "It saved my life in June."

Smith stood there with his mouth hanging open. The room was utterly silent. Though he had come to record things, he was still shocked to hear such news.

"But if you think you're too good to practice it, you can leave."

Smith did not move.

Neither did anyone else.

"Right," Harry said, his mouth a little