Dumbledore's Army (OP)

From UnknowableWiki

Dobby the house elf wearing Hermione's knitted hats.

Dumbledore's Army is the eighteenth chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

This chapter summary is not done yet. Please be patient.

Hermione suggests that they elect a leader. Cho points out that Harry is that, to which the Gryffindor replies that a vote is necessary to confirm that. The decision is unanimous.

They then examine the matter of the name of the group. Angelina suggests "Anti-Umbridge League"; Fred comes up with "the Ministry of Magic are Morons Group". Hermione reminds them that the name shouldn't be something that specific, so that they can talk about it in public.

Cho suggests "Defence Association," "DA" for short. Ginny likes the abbreviation, but is of the opinion that it should stand for "Dumbledore's Army" instead—that is, after all, the Ministry's greatest fear. The parchment with everyone's signatures is pinned to the wall, with the new name written above it.

Expelliarmus

Harry announces that the first charm that they will practice is the Disarming Charm. Zacharias annoyedly complains that Expelliarmus won't quite help them against Voldemort, to which Harry replies that the spell saved his live in June (GF34); "but if you think it's beneath you, you can leave."

The students divide in pairs to practice. Harry ends up with Neville, whose wand flies to the top of a bookshelf; Harry Summons it. Several DA members have problems with Disarming. Neville succeeds while Harry is distracted, after warmly congratulating him, the boy asks his fellow Gryffindor to practice with Hermione and Ron while he issues out instructions.

Zacharias Smith is unable to perform the charm against Anthony Goldstein; he keeps getting Disarmed every time he tries, even though his partner is not making a sound. Harry notice that Fred and George have been taking turns hexing him, but they stop when he catches George's eye.

Ginny is doing very well; Michael Corner is either very incapable or unwilling to hex her. Ernie is flourishing his wand too much. Dennis and Colin are enthusiastic but not very good. Luna is also very erratic.

Harry realises that he needs a whistle. One appears on demand, and he blows hard. When everyone quiets down, he announces that there is move for improvement, and orders them to try again. Slowly, the students start getting better.

Cho mispronounces the charm ("Expelliarmious! I mean, Expellimellius!"), and causes Marietta Edgecombe's sleeve to catch on fire, which the girl extinguishes while glaring at Harry.

"That was quite good," he says. Cho raises her eyebrows. "Well, no, it was lousy, but I know you can do it properly, I was watching from over there."

Marietta glares at them and stalks off. Cho mentions that the girl didn't want to come to DA meetings; she only did so at Cho's request. Marietta's parents have forbidden her to do anything against Umbridge's regime, because Madam Edgecombe works for the Ministry.

The Changs have also forbidden Cho from doing anything against Dolores, but she is determined to fight Voldemort after what happened to Cedric.

She falls silent. Terry Boot's wand flies past them and hits Alicia Spinnet on the nose. Luna intervenes (her partner, Justin Finch-Fletchley, is trying to disentangle himself from the robes she's sent flying up his head), saying that Mr. Lovegood is very supportive of any action against the Ministry ("He's always said he'd believe anything of Fudge; I mean, the number of goblins Fudge has had assassinated! And of course he uses the Department of Mysteries to develop terrible poisons, which he secretly feeds to anybody who disagrees with him. And then there's his Umgubular Slashkilter —".

Cho is about to ask what that could be, and Harry prevents her from doing so. Hermione warns him about the time; it is ten past nine, and everyone has to hurry to their common rooms.

He blows his whistle. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night.

Harry pulls out the Marauder's Map and searches for any sign of teachers nearby. Students leave in groups of three or four, and he watches as they safely arrive at their common rooms: Hufflepuffs take the basement corridor that leads to the kitchens; Ravenclaws go to a tower on the west side of the castle, and Gryffindors walk the corridor to the Fat Lady's portrait.

Hermione encourages Harry, saying that the meeting was good. Ron happily mentions that he succeeded in Disarming her at least three times. She claims that it was only once; the two argue all the way to the Gryffindor Tower, but Harry doesn't listen; he is far too busy thinking of Cho.