✓ Heavenly

025. No Such Thing

Part One / Chapter Twenty-Five

Defense against the Dark Arts had become more of a thrill since the start of the D.A. meetings. While Umbridge and the Ministry were infiltrating Hogwarts, they were undertaking them. Doing what the Ministey feared most stirred every member, especially when they were in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Venus would have enjoyed the excitement more if the crippling horror of what happened that Tuesday evening had climbed back into her head. With no way of communicating new meetings dates, Venus and Hermione used their brilliance.

       "You see the numerals around the edge of the coins?" Hermione said, holding one up for examination at the end of their fourth meeting. The coin gleamed fat and yellow in the light from the torches. Venus took over after Hermione had choked on the rest of her explanation.

       "On real Galleons that's just a serial number referring to the goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting. The coins will grow hot when the date changes, so if you're carrying them in a pocket you'll be able to feel them. We take one each, and when Harry sets the date of the next meeting he'll change the numbers on his coin, and because I've put a Protean Charm on them, they'll all change to mimic his."

       A blank silence greeted Venus' words. She looked around at all the faces upturned to her, rather disconcerted.

       "Well — we thought it was a good idea," Hermione said uncertainly, "I mean, even if Umbridge asked us to turn out our pockets, there's nothing fishy about carrying a Galleon, is there? But . . . well, if you don't want to use them . . ."

       "I think it's an amazing idea," Ginny spoke up. "How are you two not in Ravenclaw?" Venus and Hermione hid their prideful grins and began handing out coins to everyone. She'd hate to admit but, she skipped past Cho and began again with Constance.

       As the first game of the Quidditch season arrived, the D.A. meetings had come to a halt. Angelina Johnson was adamant on getting as much practice as possible. McGonagall was busy parading the team and encouraging them to beat Slytherin, or excepting they'll win. While Snape was allowing Slytherin students to hex Gryffindor Quidditch players.

       "Ron, you can do this," said Venus.

       Her redheaded friend was excited for the match, but Slytherin's insults, jokes and snide comments didn't help. Ron had missed one Quaffle became so flustered that he'd miss more. Venus made another Quaffle in and said to Ron across the field, "The Apocalypse won't be triggered if you miss one Quaffle."

       "Again," he demanded, his ears looked like they were simmering under the dying sun.

       Venus raised a Quaffle in her hands and shot it at one of the goalposts. Either Ron was encouraged or had lousy balance, he hung one-handed from his broom and kicked the Quaffle so hard it nearly smacked her in the face.