The Hog's Head Inn$3$[1]

[Luna Lovegood]

*Nods and looks up from the table.*

I thought it was quite... strange, really, the way the raspberry smell was so strong, and then no shoes. Usually the nargles are my first suspects whenever something of mine goes missing, but from what daddy's told me they don't favour raspberries.

*Traces some of the patterns on the table with her finger, but continues giving Neville her attention.*

You shouldn't be worried. Nothing's really worth worrying over in the long run. It doesn't do us any good at all, actually.

[Neville Longbottom]

*Bites his tongue at the Nargles comment, not believing such things existed.*

*He licks his lips at her last comment, furrowing his brow as he watched her trace some sort of patterns on the wood.*

I know, but...it just...

*Sighs, whispering*

_{Remember the D.A?}

*Wishes he was as wise as her at times, or that he could accept things the way she seemed to.*

[Luna Lovegood]

*Continues to trace the patterns on the table, mostly little circles. She suddenly remembers that it's winter and is saddened slightly by the fact that she'll have to wait another half a year to see butterflies again.*

*Looks up at Neville when she notices he's whispering and nods.*

_{Yes, I remember. I had lots of friends, then.}

*whispers, matching Neville's tone.*

*Leans on the table, excited by what she assumes he's going to tell her next. Suddenly her wet, cold feet don't seem so wet or cold.*

[Neville Longbottom]

*Is tempted to hit her leg with his snow boot*

You still have those friends, silly.

*Lowers his voice again, seeing her lean forward*

_{Think about it. Snape's the Headmaster and I've never trusted him in the first place...then Malfoy's dad is the School Governor? It doesn't fit. Student's have been-}

*He gulps, remembering the news articles printed a while ago*

_{attacked lately, or worse, and I can't help but think of when we had D.A. meetings. At least we knew how to defend ourselves, even if we weren't amazing at it. They don't have a Harry to stand up and teach things like that!}

*He looks up, searching her eyes with his*

Tell me I'm not crazy. Please.

[Luna Lovegood]

*Thinks over what Neville is saying, finding no good reason to not continue the DA meetings.*

*Stares blankly at Neville's nose as she thinks of what might happen if they were to get caught.*

You're not crazy, Neville. You're rather normal, actually. But supposing

*Lowers her voice and leans in, her great orb-like eyes exceptionally wide.*

_{Professor Snape were to find out about our meetings? I know that he's not all bad- everyone has some good in them, though I rather doubt he'd be too pleased if we were to start the meetings again.}

*Leans back in her chair and stares at the ceiling.*

_{But then maybe he would. Supposing that we held meetings... here? Or in the Shrieking Shack? There's not much room, but how many others would want to stand up to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?}

*Imagines a butterfly flitting about above her head and looks at Neville as she reminisces and laughs.*

Remember when Umbridge caught us? That was fun...

[Neville Longbottom]

*Laughs against his better judgement, remembering when the entire D.A. got caught by Umbridge and her 'henchmen'*

Yes, that was fun. Well, not when it happened, but now that I look back it was.

*Shakes his head*

Pretend that made sense, will you?

*Sits back in the chair, multiple scenarios of being caught by Snape flashing through his mind. He shivers, admitting*

I'd rather be found by the old hag than that greasy git. You may think he's good, deep, deep, deepdeepdeep down inside...but I don't.

I want to keep the D.A. going, even if it's not as strong as it was before. Hopefully though, it'll be stronger, but you're right- I'm not sure how many students are willing to go against... _{You-know-who.}

*Grins*

We were a bit more adventurous if you think about it, because we knew what we were fighting for.

[Luna Lovegood]

Oh, no, it was fun when it happened, too. Or at least watching the Slytherins trying to be authoritative was.

*Smiles, tilting her head a little to the side as she examined the way the light was making its way through the dirty window.*

*Laughs at Neville calling Umbridge 'the old hag'.*

I think that the DA should continue meeting, too. It helped me learn spells that I never would have been taught in Defence Against the Dark Arts class... and I don't think we're likely to be taught them this year, either.

*Fiddles with her necklace.*

We know what we're fighting for now. A world where we don't have to be living in fear of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his followers; a world where everyone is free from judgment.

*Pauses.*

It's just whether or not the other students know that they know what they're fighting for.

[Neville Longbottom]

*Sighs, wondering how in Merlin's name Loony Lovegood happens to be wiser than almost everyone he knows- but then again, she was in Ravenclaw.*

I just don't know how to start it, Luna. 'Mione was the one who planned it all, I just sort of showed up.

*Drums his fingers on the tabletop, pausing to pick at a certain area where the wood was splintering.*

Then there's the teaching part! Harry had so much patience with us, I would've gone mad if I had to teach someone like me to do those spells!

But...if I ever figure this out, I was hoping that you'd be in it too, along with the rest of the group. It wouldn't be the same, the D.A. minus all of us.

*Implies Luna, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and himself, grinning.*

[Luna Lovegood]

*Looks unblinkingly at Neville as he speaks, absorbing everything he's saying.*

Well it's not that hard to plan, really. Hermione simply had everybody sign a sheet of parchment... and we had those coins- do you still have yours? I've got mine in my trunk.

*Watches him pick at the table and wishes to join him, but she can't find any spots like that on her side.*

I'm sure between you, Ginny and I we can figure out how to teach people. As long as we do something more than give a fake cough now and then or look like toads, it should be easy.

*says, completely serious.*

I'd join again, of course, but I don't know about anyone else.

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione had been completely lost in her thoughts off in a corner of the dingy pub, and yet two hushed voices floated to her ears. It was a wonder she hadn't noticed them before! Perhaps she had... Yet it hadn't exactly registered. Well Hermione would finally look up from her thoughtfull state, eyes fixing upon two of the ones she knew quite well at school. What were they doing here... Wasn't this place usually reserved for the worse part of their society?

Well Hermione bit her lip slightly, uncertain... But she finally stood and made her way silently over to the pair, approaching behind Neville before speaking softly.

"Hello there guys... Mind if I join you?"

Indeed, Hermione had heard mention of the D.A. She hadn't heard a whole lot of the conversation, but she had gotten just enough to know a little of what they spoke of. She smiled warmly to the pair, her eyes glittering brightly as the memories played in her mind.

[Neville Longbottom]

Well, it doesn't seem that hard when you say it like that, mate! Maybe I'm thinkin' it'll be worse? I just don't want to mess it up, you know.

*Pauses, nodding*

I hoped you would, Luna. It wouldn't be the same with just one of us teaching-

*Is interrupted by the sound of someone asking to join. Neville looks up, knowing it's most definately not Ron's voice, and is honestly surprised to see Hermione standing before him.*

*Smiles brightly, voice lowering a bit so as not to alert the entire pub*

'Mione!

*Waves one hand over the table, as if showing it off.*

Take a seat- class has started without you, I'm afraid.

*Grins*

[Luna Lovegood]

Oh, it's not hard. You won't mess it up, Neville.

*Smiles, then spots Hermione and waves.*

Hello, Hermione.

*Blinks once, then stares at the wall when she sees a few interesting little patterns in the wood.*

Yes, join us. We're going to start the DA again.

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione did indeed stand there for a moment before speaking, trying to get a little of what they were talking about. A former Gryffindor and Ravenclaw wouldn't usually just come here to hang out... It seemed very odd to her indeed. So she did wonder what her two schoolfriends were doing here. And yet soon she heard Neville's words, and a grin split across her face as she hears him speak of class starting without her. She would move to take a seat at the table with the pair of them.

"Well it would seem I'm losing my touch... I never used to be late when in school... Of course at that point I also always knew when class was..."

She gave a light grin almost in a teasing manner as she glanced to the pair of them. Goodness they were a sight for sore eyes. Well soon she heard Luna's words and she brightened up considerably if that was possible.

"Are we? Brilliant! That is wonderful news."

She kept her voice down low and yet one couldn't mistake the excitement in it. She grinned as she looked between the pair, nodding in determination.

"That is exactly what we need right now. I fear Harry won't be up for teaching and leading it again though... I'm not sure... He's got so much on his plate right now... I mean, he did when he was in school too, but he's got so much more now..."

She nodded slightly, uncertainty in her eyes as she looked to the pair of them. She grinned a little and reached into her pocket, drawing out her tiny coin, grinning a bit more as she placed it upon the table. It was true, Hermione carried it around with her as a reminder always.

"I wonder who's all still got their coins..."

She wondered quietly almost more to herself than to her two friends.

[Ron Weasley]

*walks in after getting neville's owl and looks around the ratted place*

*spots hermione and his eyes light up, not seeing anyone else, just walking up to her, grabbing her and kissing her passionately*

missed you...

*turns around spotting luna and neville and turns bright as his fiery hair*

err...um....hi?

*lost for words, he just sits next to hermione, hand in his pocket playing with the coin, other holding onto hermione's hand tightly*

[Neville Longbottom]

*Blinks at Ron's entrance, not even getting a chance to wave at the wizard before the redhead reached his girlfriend's side. Neville snickers, looking back down at the table to distract himself. As he starts picking at the table top once more, he drawls playfully*

Now, now Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger- stop faffing around and sit down already.

*Runs one hand through his hair nervously*

I know I have the coin somewhere,-

*Smiles sheepishly*

-I just forgot where.

*Pauses, thoughtful expression*

But...how would we pass them around this time? It's not like we could walk through the halls and say "OI! You're in the D.A., take one!"