The Grounds

I walked up toward the castle with all of the second through seventh years. I knew that it was going to be strange--beyond strange--to be coming back here without Dumbledore. I wondered to myself who the new Head would be. I couldn't think of anyone more qualified for the job than Dumbledore. Any other name that popped into my head felt wrong. For a split second I wondered if Voldemort would take the position somehow. Since his beloved Snape killed Dumbledore, it seemed only fitting that he had cooked up some scheme relating to Hogwarts and its future. I sighed and looked around me. So many familiar faces, as well as some new ones. What would be their fate at the start of this school year?

I spotted Harry ahead of me in the group and pushed through to get to him. "Are you sure it's a good idea that we're here?" I asked, looking at him. "I mean with the Ministry having been taken over, is it really safe?"

I looked around shyly searching for some of my friends. Last year's events seemed to have had an impact on everyone. The energy just felt really odd and out of place. I spotted Harry and Hermione. They seemed to be getting the same feelings as me so I walked over to them with an awkward smile. "Hi Harry. Hi Hermione," I greeted pleasantly with a voice that thankfully contradicted my hopeless smile.

I glanced over and saw that Hermione was walking next to me. I sighed, "To tell you the truth, I was shocked that anyone allowed their students to return. You're right, it isn't safe. But I just had an interesting thought: What if Vol-*" I caught myself, "What if He decides he doesn't want to be Minister and decides to become Headmaster of Hogwarts? I mean, it's highly unlikely, he'd most likely have a death eater, but what if?" I looked over and saw that Cho had joined us, "Hi Cho."



(I am adding notes to benefit those who have yet to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)

*-In the 7th novel, Voldemort has a sort of taboo on his name. If anyone speaks it, Death Eaters automatically can find you. Harry, Ron, and Hermione find this out after trial and error in the book, but for purposes of the roleplay, the way that they found out in the novel is different than the roleplay, and the roleplay doesn't go into detail about how it came about (yet).

I shifted my weight to my other foot feeling uncomfortable. "So another year, huh?" I forced a short laugh. I stared down at my feet now.

I nodded, "Another year." I repeated. "Yeah, and way more dangerous than any other year. With the Ministry corrupted and Dumbledore gone...." I trailed off.

I bit my lip and nodded as Harry spoke. "Well, that makes me all the more worried, Harry, worried about you," I told him. "You're the one he wants." I smiled and looked at Cho. "Hello, Cho," I greeted her, happy to see another friendly face, and not only a friendly face, a member of the DA. I nodded as she spoke. "Yeah, and hopefully with Dumbledore gone, well, hopefully everything will still be safe. Or.... safe enough,"

I walked slowly as the group moved toawrds the castle, I noticed a group of three ahead of the rest of the group. A boy, and two girls. I sighed, as I kept walking, I was known to be really shy; I just hoped no one noticed me, just pretending I was invisible. I stared down at my feet, while I kept walking.

I nodded to Hermione. "Yeah, my parents thought it might be an issue... but I wanted to come back." I shook my head. "Maybe it wasn't a smart decision on my part, but us students need to be here to keep the school safe because who else is?" My smile grew a little less awkward. I glanced at a girl who walked by us. I didn't think I'd seen her before.

I shook my head, "No, we need to find Horcruxes here as possible. And I have allies here, what about the old members of Dumbledore's Army? Everyone who isn't on his side, is on my side, with a few exceptions. And if it comes down to it, I'll hide in one of the deserted passageways using the Marauders map." I agreed with Cho, "Exactly Hermione, if we aren't here, the school is going to become corrupt. As long as I can I am going to fight against their forces to protect the school and its students." I followed Cho's gaze and saw the girl that was walking alone. "In the meantime," I added, "we need as many allies as possible." I said before I walked over to the girl. "What's your name?" I asked her.

I sighed a nodded, realizing what they were saying was true. "Well, I suppose you're right, but there are obviously teachers against us too," I pointed out. "They'll have more power than students," I watched as Harry ran ahead to another girl, asking her name.

"Teachers and Slytherins versus most of the population of wizards, a handful of teachers, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Death Eaters, You-Know-Who, and most Slytherins may be ruthless, but I'm prepared to do anything and everything." I muttered to Hermione and Cho.

I gave a quick nod to Harry and Hermione, and then smiled at the girl amiably. She seemed a bit shy.

I looked up, slightly, noticing the guy from the small group getting closer to me. I heard him ask for my name, "My name's Amber." I said, slightly, feeling my cheeks brighten. I didn't really like attention and now it seems like most of the group was staring at the boy and I. I got a better look of the boy, "Ah, I know who you are." I smiled, slightly. "Your Harry Potter."

I smiled as I realized the girl who introduced herself as Amber was a Gryffindor. We could use her help, all the Gryffindors would hopefully be on our side, as well as most of the teachers and Ravenclaws as well as Hufflepuffs. Maybe even a few Slytherins, if we were lucky.

I nodded at her, "It's nice to meet you Amber."

I smiled, "Likewise." I looked down as I kept walking.

I was pleased that Amber seemed to be rather nice. This was going well. I thought for a second about who else I could talk to to get on our side. My eyes wandered through the crowd.

I looked at Cho and Hermione, "We're going to want to head into the Great Hall. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

I broke my gaze and nodded. "Right." I sped my pace a little.

I nodded, feeling anxious. I didn't know what was waiting for us, and didn't want attention drawn, but with a sign I started walking into the Great Hall. "We should all try to sit as close to the back as possible," I suggested.

I sighed, "Yes, but it's inevitable that we will be noticed. Actually, that I will be noticed."

I overheard Harry and the two girls he was walking with talking about entering through the Great Hall, not wanting to be noticed. I furrowed my brow and stayed with the large group. It was highly unlikely that Harry would go unnoticed, I thought to myself as I walked.

I smiled at Harry trying to help him relax. "Just act natural." And we all stepped in.