‘Is this because my smeared reputation has been recovering ever since the Prophet article?’ pondered Harry.

Ever since the article trying to redeem itself in Dumbledore’s and Harry’s eyes, the Daily Prophet had made it a point to paint the two in a good light in any way possible.

He even noticed a few who were obviously younger by at least a year or two. Ron, of course, had not showed up, much to Harry’s relief.

Eventually, everyone calmed down as Hermione stepped up front and addressed the crowd.

“As many of you may have already been told, I wanted to set up a club, of sorts, that would help us pass Defence Against the Dark Arts. Our current teacher is - not up to the mark - for lack of a better phrase, and I’m almost certain that most of us wouldn’t be able to pass our O.W.Ls this year if we had to go through the current curriculum” said Hermione, almost in one breath. “The theory is lacking, covering defence that a first year would learn and there are no practicals. If we want to have any hopes of passing this year, we need a new teacher”

Many nodded at Hermione’s speech, clearly quite a few felt the same way as her. Many still, kept looking over at Harry, seeming more interested in Harry than what Hermione had to say.

“So, to remedy that, I’ve asked Harry to teach us whatever practical skills he knows so we’ll at least not fail in the year end exams” said Hermione, looking over at Harry.

“Uhm, well” started Harry, ‘no matter if I’ve been through the situation or not but standing in front of a large crowd really is nerve-wracking’

“As Hermione said - in a more succinct manner - Umbridge is a tool and if you guys are okay with it, I’d be happy to teach whatever little I know” said Harry with a refreshing smile, having gotten over his nerves.

A few giggled and immediately after, Harry was inundated with questions about Cedric Diggory’s death. Recalling how it had gone the last time, Harry immediately shut them all down.

“I did not agree to meet here to talk about that. If that is the only reason you are here, then you’re better off going back” said Harry sternly.

This earned the displeasure of many but not one seemed to want to get up and leave. As he was subjected to many different types of gazes, Harry noticed one that seemed especially hostile.

Marietta Edgecombe, the one who had betrayed the DA in his past life, stared at Harry with unchecked hostility. Seemingly not able to hold on any longer, she spoke up.

“The Prophet may have changed tunes but that doesn’t change the fact that you have absolutely no proof of anything you said about you-know-who, Harry. You or Dumbledore might have just bribed the Prophet to side with you” said Marietta with a fierce expression. “Not to mention, you might just be using this ‘club’ for more of your desires as an attention-hog”

That particular remark earned a growl from Ginny, while Lily and Hermione looked ready to punch her in the face. Luna alone seemed lost in her own world, though there was an almost imperceptible frown on her face.

Harry couldn’t help but sigh, and just as he was about to reply, another voice cut in.

“Attention-hog? Oh please!” said a girl, her head full of curly hair bouncing around as she spoke. She gave off the impression of a cheerful, energetic girl who had an air of confidence about her.

She was someone Harry recognised, though he couldn’t quite recall her name but he had met her in his past life. Though, the situations he had encountered her could not be called pleasant by any stretch. She, could not be called pleasant.

Harry couldn’t help but frown seeing that girl there, he focused his attention on her as she continued speaking.

“Just look at everything he’s done over the years” she said, “In his first year, he got past all the security set up by the various teachers and - ” she trailed off, before continuing with renewed vigor, “Okay so he may have done some high profile things in his first year but in his second year, he was - the heir of Slytherin and entered the Chamber - ”

She tried again for the third and then finally for the fourth year before she stopped, turning towards Harry with a playful smile on her face. Her expression clearly showing that she had planned this all along.

“You sure, you’re not a bit of an attention-hog?” she asked, her smile growing wider.

Harry’s frown couldn’t help but grow deeper. No matter the previous life or this, this girl is annoying, he thought.

“And you are?” asked Hermione from the side, she, likewise, had a frown on her face.

“Romilda Vane, third year Gryffindor” replied the curly haired girl confidently, almost proudly, looking around at everyone as she spoke.

Marietta on the other hand, looked like Christmas had come early, “See!” she exclaimed with barely concealed jubilance, “I’m not the only one who thinks so!”

Harry had, by now, had enough. “You know - ” he started, only to be interrupted by Romilda.

“Huh?” she said in a loud voice, her expression morphing from the previous playful smile to one filled with confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“But, you just said - ” started Marietta, only to trail off, unsure of herself.

“I was clearly just making a joke” scoffed Romilda, “Anyone with half a brain can see how much Harry hates being in the spotlight, why the hell would you people even paint him as an attention-hog?”

Marietta aside, Harry, himself, felt rather surprised at her outburst. ‘I’d been planning on shunning her from the meetings, if she was planning on being disruptive but at least it’s safe to say that I can ignore her, if nothing else’

“That’s enough” said Harry, before he turned to Marietta, “If you have that much of a problem with me, then you’re free to leave. I have absolutely no desire to help someone who’s going to go out of their way to make my life miserable”

He stared hard at her before he continued, “You have only two choices” he said, “Either you stay but then you have to shut up about this, or you can spew all the rubbish you want but do it elsewhere”

Marietta had her mouth agape, she clearly did not think that Harry’s reply would be that venomous.

Cho Chang, next to Marietta interjected, “You don’t need to be that rude, Harry” she said, looking rather offended, “There are better ways to phrase it”

“I have no time or desire to put up with any rubbish” said Harry, “Whether she believes me about Voldemort or not is her choice. When the truth does come out, then she wouldn’t have anything left to say. Though, it would be much too late by then”

“Not to mention” continued Harry, not allowing Cho to interject. “She’s also denying the whole situation of Cedric dying. I witnessed his murder and I refuse to have someone smear his death with bullshit just because they’re too much of a coward to face the truth”

Those words shut Cho up, his bringing Cedric up was enough for her to break down into tears. Marietta glanced at Cho guiltily as she hugged her friend with one arm around her shoulder, apologising profusely.

Eventually, the little drama ended and Harry turned back to the group. Romilda was staring back at him, her eyes practically twinkling.

‘I might be better off not interacting with this girl’ thought Harry with a frown.

Hermione stood in front of the group once again, “Anyone who wants to sign up, please line up and sign your name on this parchment, anyone who doesn’t want to is free to leave”

They really had no reason for secrecy other than Umbridge trying to be a little nastier in class, nothing more.

Every single one of them lined up, even Marietta and the still sobbing Cho Chang were no exception. Towards the end of the line stood Romilda along with one of her friends, giggling while throwing furtive glances at Harry.

Eventually, everyone had finished signing when Ginny asked, “So what should we name this club?”

For the first time since the whole even started, Luna piped up, “Why not Harry’s boon? Since he’s doing this for us”

Harry cringed hard at that, “Can we not make such a big deal out of it, I’m really just doing a little thing, helping out”

Romilda, as if pouncing on a chance, spoke up with a wide grin, “Then, why don’t we name it Harry’s Little Thing?”

“Absolutely not!” bellowed Harry amidst giggles from most of the girls.

Looking at all their happy faces, laughing and joking around, Harry couldn’t help but heave a defeated sigh. ‘At least they’re happy and not living in fear like my past life’ thought Harry, ‘This time around, I’ll make sure to kill Voldemort before he has the chance to terrorise the magical community’

As he was renewing his determination, Hermione turned to him, suppressing her giggles, as she asked, “So, are we going with - that - name, or do you have something else in mind?”

Harry sighed again, “Just call it Defence Association or something”

“Oh!” exclaimed Hermione, “That’s great, let’s go with that!”

She quickly jotted the name down the top of the list of names and looked up, “So when should our first meeting be? We have a really nice spot we can use to learn”

“How about tomorrow?” asked Romilda. “It is Sunday after all”

People nodded at her suggestion, most seemed to be in agreement.

“Oh wait” said Harry, realising something, “I have something to do, so I won’t be able to do tomorrow, how about Monday or Tuesday instead?”

Everyone broke off into discussion at that, till eventually they settled on doing the meeting on Tuesday.

While on their way back, Hermione approached Harry and whispered, “What do you have to do tomorrow that you’re so busy?”

“Hmm” said Harry, thoughtfully as he looked over at her, whispering back, “Prison break?”