Everyone arrived early in the Room of Requirement for the last D.A. meeting before the holidays, and the atmosphere was especially lively.
Their hard practice had paid off handsomely. Everyone had made tremendous progress.
Neville was particularly impressive, almost like a different person.
He had become quite proficient with practical spells such as the Disarming Charm, Impediment Jinx, and Stunning Spell.
While sparring with Harry just now, he had landed three Impediment Jinxes in a row, freezing Harry in place three times.
"Hss!" After the meeting ended, Harry suddenly sucked in a sharp breath, pressing one hand tightly against the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead while bracing the other against the wall.
"Harry! Are you all right? Is your scar hurting again?" Ron hurried over and helped him sit down on one of the scattered cushions.
"I'm fine..." Harry took a few breaths, his voice rather weak. "After all... Voldemort's already come back..."
Seeing this, Jerry quickly said, "Leave the tidying to us. Ron, help Harry back so he can get some rest."
"All right!" Ron nodded and helped Harry back toward the Gryffindor dormitory.
In an instant, only Jerry, Hermione, and Neville, who was still putting books away, remained in the spacious Room of Requirement.
Hermione glanced at Neville. Seeing that he did not seem inclined to leave, she urged him, "Neville, you should go back and get some rest too. Thanks for all your help. We can take care of the rest."
"Don't you need me to stay and help?" Neville scratched his head, looking hesitantly at the scattered cushions and the books sitting askew on the shelves.
"Really, we don't," Hermione said with unquestionable firmness. Then, apparently feeling she had sounded too harsh, she added, "Jerry and I... have something to discuss."
After Hermione's repeated urging, Neville