What's this? Two updates in a month?? That hasn't happened in like five-ever. And it probably won't happen again anytime soon, so enjoy it while you can!

Lucius Malfoy wasn't a terrible teacher, much to Harry's relief. At least, he didn't try to provoke him or give him detention for breathing. The only downside was that he was still not teaching anything useful. The students were still supposed to read the book and take notes and only then would they actually get to practice.

"It'll be next spring by the time we get through with this stupid book," Harry grumbled as he took a seat next to Fred at the Gryffindor table.

"At least he's not following Umbridge's example," Fred said, trying to be optimistic.

"True," Harry conceded, glancing down at his hand. "But we're still not going to learn anything for a while."

"I was just about to mention that," Hermione said as she and Ron joined them. "You said you'd be willing to teach some of us in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"I almost forgot about that." Harry looked around to make sure there was no one else nearby. "When and where should we meet?"

"I was thinking on the first Hogsmeade visit, in Hog's Head. It's quieter because there'll be less people, so it's perfect."

"Hogsmeade, Hog's Head. Got it. Finally, something to look forward to."

"So, who did you say is supposed to be meeting us?" Harry asked as he and Luna walked into Hog's Head.

"Just a couple of people," Hermione told him. "I told them to be here about now and I'm sure they all know where it is— oh, look, this might be them now."

The door of the pub had opened and in came a crowd of people.

"This is a pretty big group for a 'couple of people,'" Harry commented, brightening up as Fred plopped down next to him.

"Yes, well, the idea seemed quite popular," said Hermione happily. "Ron, do you want to pull up some more chairs?"

Once settled, Harry began speaking. "All right, you all know why we're here. Hermione had the idea we should get together and actually study Defense Against the Dark Arts because neither Umbridge nor Malfoy are useful right now."

"And you want to pass your O.W.L.s," Michael Corner said.

"Obviously," Harry said dryly. "Then maybe people will stop talking about something that happened before I could talk properly."

Hermione nodded. "But it's more than that. We want to be properly trained in defense because... because..." She took a great breath and finished, "because Lord Voldemort is back."

The students flinched back from the name, but no one protested. Many of them had come to terms that Harry might not be as mental as he was being made out to be even if their parents still didn't agree.

"Now we need to find a place to meet," Hermione said.

"We need to make sure this doesn't clash with our Quidditch practice," Angelina Johnson said.

"No," said Cho, "nor with ours."

"Nor ours," added Zacharias Smith.

"I'm sure we can find a way," Harry said.

"We think the reason the Ministry doesn't want us trained in Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Hermione, "is that they've got some... some mad idea that Dumbledore could use the students in the school as a kind of private army. They thinks he'd mobilize us against them."

"Well, that makes sense," said Luna. "After all, Cornelius Fudge has got his own private army."

"Of what?"

"Heliopaths," said Luna solemnly.

"Those tall creatures that burn everything in their path?" Harry recalled.

"Yes."

'They don't exist," snapped Hermione.

"Oh, yes, they do!" Luna snapped back.

"I'm sorry, but where's the proof of that?"

"We're getting off topic," Harry broke in. "Where are we meeting?"

"The library?" Katie Bell suggested.

"Too exposed. Anyone could walk in and see us," Harry pointed out. "Besides, I can't see Madam Pince being too chuffed with us doing jinxes in the library."

"Maybe an unused classroom?" Dean suggested.

"Yeah," said Ron, "McGonagall might let us have hers."

"Maybe." But Harry wa doubtful of that.

"Right, well, we'll try to find somewhere," said Hermione. "We'll send a message round to everybody when we've got a time and a place for the first meeting."

She rummaged in her bag and produced parchment and a quill, then hesitated, rather as though she was steeling herself to say something.

"I— I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. But I also think that we all ought to agree not to shout about what we're doing. So if you sign, you're agreeing not to tell Malfoy or anybody else what we're up to."

Fred was the first to sign, but several people were not quite as eager. But eventually, they all did.

Umbridge may be gone, but classes were still being carefully watched. An unfamiliar wizard came in to inspect the classes, but much to Harry's relief, he hardly spared a glance toward him.

Harry was finishing up an essay one evening when he heard Luna give a sharp exclamation of surprise. He turned to see her staring into the fireplace.

Two faces stared back.

"Moony! Padfoot!" Harry exclaimed, grinning.

"Hi," they said, grinning back.

"How're things now that the pink toad is gone?" Sirius asked.

"Better. My hand's all right." Harry showed them his left hand.

"And Professor Malfoy isn't too horrible," Luna admitted but continued in an uncharacteristically bitter tone, "Except he's still not teaching us anything all that useful for the real world."

"Well," Remus said, shifting around, "at least you have that secret Defense Against the Dark Arts group."

There was a short pause.

"How did you know about that?" Harry demanded.

"You want to choose your meeting places more carefully," Sirius said. "The Hog's Head, I ask you."

"Well, Hermione said that the Three Broomsticks is always packed with people."

"Which means you'd have been harder to overhear."

"Who overheard us?" Harry demanded.

"Mundungus, of course," said Sirius, and when he and Luna looked puzzled, he laughed. "He was the witch under the veil."

Harry didn't admit he hadn't even noticed. "Eh, that's not important right now. What do you think of the group?"

"I think it's an excellent idea," Sirius replied.

"Terribly excellent," Remus added.

"Of course it is. It's just the kind of thing you Marauders would do," Harry said. "Any idea where we could meet?"

"The Shrieking Shack?" Sirius suggested.

Luna shook her head. "Trying to sneak twenty-eight people into that place would be nearly impossible."

"Fred and George told me that the passageway behind the mirror on the fourth floor is blocked off," Harry added.

"Oh..." Sirius frowned, looking put out.

"I wonder if the house-elves know any place," Harry mused.

There was a crack, and Harry leapt sideways, crashing into Luna. "Sorry!"

"It's fine!" she said, though she was rubbing her arm. "Hi, Dobby."

"Dobby knows place for secret Defense Against the Dark Arts meeting!" he said, eager to help.

"What is it?" four voices said in unison.

"The Come and Go Room, sirs and m'am, or else the Room of Requirement!"

"Room of Requirement," Luna repeated slowly. "A room in which you can only enter if you require something?" It sounded vaguely familiar, although she never heard a name to it before.

"That's it!" Dobby said, beaming at her. "Harry Potter's Loony is so smart!"

Luna giggled, pleased.

"Well," said Sirius, reminding Harry of his presence, "it sounds like you're all set. Come on, Moony, it's getting late."

"You're the one who insisted on poking your head in," Remus grumbled. "See you later, Harry."

"Bye."

Sirius and Remus disappeared.

"So, Dobby," Harry said, feeling much better now, "how do you get into the Room of Reqiurement?"

Classes start on Tuesday, so yippee for me. Also, I have a new story: that Ron/Harry one I mentioned in the author's note (depending on when you reach this chapter, it may be deleted)