Alexandra Dursley {Golden Trio}

Chapter 75 - Dumbledore's Army

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 "Alright," Al called to the group of Slytherins, "Bow and...duel!" In an instant Al found herself blocking spells from on top of the table where she stood. Stray paint sprays from first years and dodged stunners from fifth years flew at her. Just then, a sixth year prefect beckoned her over from the door.

 "Hufflepuff girl looking for you," she said, "Macmillan, I think."

 "Thanks," Al said with a grin, before stepping outside, where Anne was waiting anxiously. Al was grateful that Anne had spread word that she was trustworthy - it meant that she'd had loads of news surrounding various inspections and detentions. She now knew to tell anyone that came to her with cuts on their hands to soak it in murtlap essence, and that Trelawny would probably be getting the sack any day now. "What's up, Anne?"

 "Well, I've got loads of people to sign up to Harry Potter's duelling club," Anne said happily, "You have to go to Hermione Granger to sign up. And I know when the first meeting is!"

 "Yeah?" Al said, "When?"

 "Seventh floor corridor, tonight," Anne said, "Opposite the tapestry of Barnaby the Barmy. But if you want to go, you have to sign the members list."

 "That's great, Anne! Thanks," Al said with a grin. "You're sure everyone's welcome?"

 Anne nodded happily, "Yep. I'm heading up there now." Al gave her thanks and headed back into the common room, fully intending to head up there in ten minutes.

 "Alright everyone," Al called to the duellists in the common room, "That's it for now. I'll be doing full Defence Against the Dark Arts next week instead of just duelling, for anyone that's interested!"

 "How come you're suddenly qualified?" someone Al couldn't see called.

 "I'm not," Al called back, "But if you don't want the practice, that's fine. It's just a study group."

 There were a few thumps, and a book was thrown in the air, before a shout of, "Sorry! Ignore me!" Al grinned widely as the group dispersed, before turning back out the doorway and heading to the seventh floor corridor. It was time to see what the fuss was about.

*****

 "Miss Dursley," Umbridge's voice called from the bottom of the stairs, "What are you doing out?"

 "Just my prefect rounds, Professor," Al lied smoothly, indicating the shiny green badge on her robes.

 "Very good, Miss Dursley," Umbridge said, "I'll give you ten points for Slytherin." Al watched as she walked back down the stairs and out of sight, then turning and heading along the seventh floor corridor. She reached the tapestry and looked around - there was no one in sight. Had Anne made it up?

 Al stepped forward and knocked on the wall hesitantly, thinking she may as well give it a go. Out of nowhere, a large brass door appeared in the wall, and Hermione's head popped around the edge. "Al!" she said suddenly, her eyes looking around, "I...what are you...?"

 "Umbridge isn't here, Hermione," Al said warmly, "Can I come in?"

 Hermione hesitated, then said, "Yes, yes," she held the door open, "Come in..." Al stepped through, and looked around. It was a large chamber, filled with students. She recognised a fair few from her own year, but most of them were strangers.

 Then, from behind her, "Al!" Her head whipped round and she saw the twins grinning at her, apparently having a conversation with Harry, who rushed over.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed.

 "Word travels fast," Al shrugged, "And don't worry, no one's told. Umbridge would've told me on my way here."

 "Right, well...welcome to Dumbledore's Army," Harry said with a grin.

 "That's what you named it?" Al asked judgmentally.

 "Yeah..." Harry said, "Why don't you pair up with Neville? We're practising stunning spells."

 "I'm going to teach the Slytherins what we do here," Al said, "We've already set up a Duelling Club, but they won't want to join the Harry Potter fan-club."

 "It's not-" Harry protested.

 "I know," Al replied calmly with a teasing grin. Harry rolled his eyes and wandered off back to the twins, while Al turned to Neville. "Hi, Neville," she said.

 His face flushed red as he raised his wand shakily, "Hi, Al," he said, his eyes darting about. Al felt a bit sorry for him - why was his confidence so low?

 "Why don't you go first?" she suggested.

 "Alright," Neville said, "Stupefy!"

*****

 Al walked through the Ministry of Magic in unashamed wonder peering around at the golden decorations that littered the ceiling. She followed Umbridge through the corridors and into a lift, receiving many poisonous glares as she did so. Al returned them with a meek smile, guessing Umbridge was as disliked at the Ministry as she was elsewhere.

 They arrived at a heavy door and Al followed Umbridge into a conference room, filled with serious looking witches and wizards. Al only recognised three of them. One, was Fudge himself, two was a Weasley that had been head boy two years ago, and three - to Al's horror - was a stony faced man that Al recognised from the Death Eater meetings.

 Al would've glared at him, but Umbridge beckoned her over to where she was talking to Fudge. "Miss Dursley is a model student," Umbridge was saying, "Top marks, honest, a prefect. I thought perhaps she could do an interview?"

 Fudge looked at her with a smile, "Yes, Miss Dursley, I do believe we met briefly. Magical law is it?"

 "Yes, Sir," Al said grinning and taking Fudge's hand.

 "Well, perhaps I can introduce you to Amelia Bones afterwards," Fudge said, "She's a judge for the Wizengamot you know."

 Al upheld her smile as if she was a pureblood who enjoyed history and knew what he was talking about. "That would be wonderful, thank you, Sir." They all took their places, with Al on a seat around the edge, listening intently. There weren't any Order members here, so any information she could snatch up would be crucial.

 "How's the tail on Arthur Weasley going, Hopkins?" Fudge asked a pale wizard who sat down the table.

 "Very well, Minister," Hopkins said, looking over his notes, "We haven't found where he's going yet but we're very close. He's doing later shifts too, but he hasn't found anything important yet." Al made a note in her head to tell George when she got back.

 "Excellent, very good," Fudge said, apparently satisfied, "The sooner we have him out of here the better." They went on to talk about Gringotts, relations with the Daily Prophet, and how things were going on at Hogwarts, most of which Al tuned out because it was boring and she'd guessed it all already.

 "And Dumbledore's still spewing he same rubbish he did last summer, is he?" Fudge asked Umbridge.

 "Unfortunately so, Minister," Umbridge said, "We must call for his resignation as soon as possible."

 "Agreed," Fudge murmured, "Agreed." Then, suddenly, "Perhaps Miss Dursley can shed some light on the situation?"

 Caught unawares, Al felt her face become hot as the important Ministry people all looked at her. "The way I see it," Al said slowly, "is there's no evidence You-Know-Who's back. I don't really remember much of it, to be honest - I got lost in the maze at some point. But Professor Dumbledore said I'd been killed by You-Know-Who, yet here I am. I think that's enough evidence against the case."

 A few of them nodded or smiled in agreement and Fudge smiled at her, "Get that quoted and in the Prophet," he said, and the Weasley began scribbling down what she'd said. The meeting dragged on a fair bit after that, and Fudge introduced her to Amelia Bones, who looked like she'd much rather be heading home. And then Umbridge whisked her away back to Hogwarts, where she heaved a huge sigh of relief. That had been far too stressful.