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On Monday morning, Deanna had gone down with a grin on her face. "Morning, Pops... Professor?" Her voice died down when she saw who was there. It was Umbridge, smiling widely at Deanna.

"Good morning, Miss Dumbledore," said Umbridge.

"Good morning, love," said Dumbledore with a serious tone. "Sit down." Deanna sat down with a questioning gaze at her father. He looked down at the sign on his table, and Deanna leaned forward to read it.

— BY ORDER OF —

The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts

All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded. An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students. Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

Signed:

Dolores Umbridge

HIGH INQUISITOR

Deanna gritted her teeth to keep her calm because Umbridge was watching her intently. "If ever you're planning to make a group, Miss Dumbledore," said Umbridge. "You must know that you'll have to go through me first."

"Then, it's good that I'm not planning to make one at all, Professor," said Deanna, smiling naturally at her. Umbridge's eyes flashed, but she couldn't do anything with Dumbledore in front of them so she merely took a deep breath and nodded curtly.

"Good day," she said and left the room, slamming the door. Deanna slumped back in her seat while Dumbledore watched her.

"Do you know anything about this, love?" said Dumbledore.

"Nope, not at all," said Deanna, standing up and turning her back on him. "I have to go, Pops. See you later." She heard the faint goodbye of her father as she ran down the stairs and to the Great Hall. She saw that Umbridge was not there and sat down at the Hufflepuff table with Ernie, Hannah, Justin and Susan. To her relief, Zacharias was not there.

"Have you seen the sign, Deanna?" whispered Ernie.

"Yeah," she said gravely. "There were people in that pub. I don't think it would be one of the students anyways."

"It's not," said Hannah. "I heard Hermione Granger say that she cast a spell on the parchment."

"I wouldn't put it past her," said Justin, shuddering. "She's clever, that witch."

"She truly is, isn't she?" said Deanna with a smile on her face as the Golden Trio came in. Hermione truly was clever, but most of all, she was kind. The kindness she had shown to Deanna was something Deanna would treasure. She was there to reassure all of Deanna's worries. Deanna couldn't help her eyes from following the Gryffindor as she sat down at their House table, and somehow a strange thought came into her mind. Hermione Granger looked absolutely beautiful today.

"Deanna? Hello?" said Susan, snapping her fingers. Deanna's eyes widened and she looked at them in confusion. Ernie, Susan, Hannah and Justin chuckled at their friend's look before they told her it was time to go to class. Deanna nodded and stood up with them, but not without one last glance at Hermione.

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Deanna was in her room, doing her homework, when suddenly, her eyes started drooping. She was there again, walking along the dark and long corridor, and there was a door at the end of the passage. Deanna felt curious, what was it? What did it have and a hand was outstretched, it wasn't hers, but something prevented her from seeing whose it was... It was only a few inches away...

Her eyes flew open because there was a sudden knock on her door. "Come in," said Deanna huskily, and Dumbledore came in with a glass of chocolate milk and a plate of hotdogs.

"Hello, little phoenix," said Dumbledore, sitting in front of Deanna, "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Pops," said Deanna, munching on her hotdogs immediately. Dumbledore chuckled and watched his daughter eat. When she finished, he handed her the glass of chocolate milk then he reached over and wiped the marks left with his sleeve.

"You still eat like a child, love," said Dumbledore, patting her head. Deanna smiled with her cheeks puffed and she took one last gulp.

"I am a child," said Deanna, pouting at him. "A fifteen year old child."

"If you say so," said Dumbledore in amusement before he turned serious. "Now, Deanna, I want to talk to you. Is there something you aren't telling me?"

"I don't think so, Pops," said Deanna, looking down.

Dumbledore frowned slightly before nodding. "All right, Deanna. But just know, I'm always here if you need an ear."

"I know. I'll come to you, Pops, you know I will," she said, staring at Fawkes, who was behind Dumbledore. She was sure now. Dumbledore knew about their plans, and him asking her about it was his own way of warning her. Umbridge knew, and they had to be careful if they were going through with it.

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The next day, Deanna was told by Harry, Ron and Hermione where to meet and how to get there. When she arrived at the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy, her eyes widened. She knew where they were and her eyes softened at the memories, but she shook her head and did as she and Tom did countless times before. She walked past the wall three times, thinking... Somewhere to practice, somewhere to fight...

And she smiled as a door appeared in the wall. It was the same door. She pulled the door open and smiled at everyone there. It was eight o' clock and everyone had sat down on the cushions. Deanna sat down with Ernie, Hannah, Susan and Justin.

"Well," said Harry, slightly nervous. "This is the place we've found for practices, and you've — well — obviously found it okay —"

While they started discussing, Deanna was distracted, thinking of her memories with Tom in this place. The soft kisses and the warm hugs they shared as they watched the fire, but then again, it was different now. He was Voldemort, not Tom. Deanna did not feel excitement anymore when she thought of him, only sadness remained. After all, she did love Tom, and he still had a place in her heart despite everything. Hermione noticed how Deanna clenched her fists suddenly and frowned, thinking of a reason why the girl would feel angry, but she would have to ask later since they still had their meeting.

"Um — right, thanks," said Harry. "And — what, Hermione?"

"I also think we ought to have a name," Hermione said brightly, her hand still in the air. "It would promote a feeling of team spirit and unity, don't you think?"

"Can we be the Anti-Umbridge League?" said Angelina hopefully.

"Or the Ministry of Magic Are Morons Group?" suggested Fred.

"I was thinking," said Hermione, frowning at Fred, "more of a name that didn't tell everyone what we were up to, so we can refer to it safely outside meetings."

"The Defense Association?" said Cho. "The D.A. for short, so nobody knows what we're talking about?"

"Yeah, the D.A.'s good," said Ginny. "Only let's make it stand for Dumbledore's Army because that's the Ministry's worst fear, isn't it?" There was a good deal of appreciative murmuring and laughter at this while they stared at Deanna.

"It's Pops anyway, not me," said Deanna lightly, and they all laughed again.

"All in favor of the D.A.?" said Hermione. "That's a majority — motion passed!" She pinned the piece of paper with all of their names on it on the wall and wrote DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY across the top in large letters.

"Right," said Harry, when she had sat down again, "shall we get practicing then? We were thinking, the first thing we should do is Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm. I know it's pretty basic but we've found it really useful —"

"Oh please," said Zacharias, rolling his eyes and folding his arms. "I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You-Know-Who, do you?"

"I've used it against him," said Harry quietly. "It saved my life last June." Zacharias opened his mouth stupidly. The rest of the room was very quiet. "But if you think it's beneath you, you can leave." Zacharias did not move. Nor did anybody else.

Deanna smirked at him and muttered under her breath. "Take that, you arse." Ernie and Justin chuckled, Susan shook her head in exasperation while Hannah slapped Deanna's arm lightly.

"Okay," said Harry, "I reckon we should all divide into pairs and practice." Deanna smiled at him encouragingly before she walked to Lee, not wanting to pair with Zacharias.

"Right, everyone — on the count of three, then — one, two, three —"

"Expelliarmus!" shouted Deanna as Lee's wand came flying into her wand.

"Impressive, Deanna," said Lee as Deanna gave back his wand. She grinned when she saw that Fred and George kept on disarming Zacharias Smith. Maybe, not only Fred and George, her and Lee too. After a few more rounds, Harry blew a whistle. Everyone lowered their wands.

"That wasn't bad," said Harry, "but there's definite room for improvement." Zacharias Smith glared at him, and Deanna flicked her wand to make his wand drop. "Let's try again..." While Lee was now paired up with Katie Bell, Deanna saw that Ron was now paired with one of the younger Hufflepuffs named Eleanor Edmonton and Hermione didn't have a partner.

"Hey, Mione," said Deanna. "Will you be mine?"

"W-What?" said Hermione, blushing a deep shade of red.

"Will you be my partner?"

"O-Oh," said Hermione, blushing even more. She was such an idiot for thinking Deanna meant the other thing.

Deanna looked at her worriedly and pressed the back of her hand to Hermione's forehead. "Do you have a fever, Hermione?"

"N-No," said Hermione, taking a step back, trying to calm her loud heart down. "Er... l-let's practice, Deanna." Deanna just nodded as they started disarming each other. All the while, Hermione had an inkling on what those feelings meant. They were something she read in the novels, but she never thought she'd be experiencing them in real life, and especially for Deanna Dumbledore. The speeding up of her heart, the instant smile on her face and the fading away of everything but Deanna. She liked Deanna Dumbledore.

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"Her –"

"Sorry, I've got to go, I'll see you later," said Hermione, running away from Deanna, who watched her go with a frown. Hermione had been avoiding Deanna since the first meeting of Dumbledore's Army. She thought at first the witch was just busy, but for two weeks? That was a different matter.

Hermione had stopped running as she reached the library. She leaned against the wall, holding a hand to her chest. After she had finally realized she liked Deanna, she couldn't really talk to the girl properly or look at her without blushing. It was a good thing that Deanna always accepted her excuses and did not push on. If she did, the feelings Hermione were holding in would just flow out.

"Seriously, Hermione," said Ron, coming out from the library. "What's happening to you?"

"N-Not –"

"Don't say it's nothing," said Ron firmly. "You've been avoiding Deanna."

"I'm –" Hermione started, but when Ron raised an eyebrow, she let out a sigh and pulled him by the arm into an empty corridor. She looked at Ron nervously and started pacing, thinking of what she should tell him.

Ron sighed and put his hands on her shoulders to calm her down. "You can tell me, Hermione. I'm your friend after all."

She stared at him for a few seconds, thinking if she should really tell him or not. She wanted to tell him, she really did, but it was his reaction she feared. But then again, this was Ron. She could trust him. Hermione smiled gratefully as she took a deep breath. "I-I like someone."

"Really?" said Ron, his eyes widening. "Who is it?"

"Ron, before I tell you, you can get mad or avoid me, but please just don't tell anyone," said Hermione pleadingly.

Ron frowned at her. "I won't get mad at you, I –"

"I like Deanna." Silence greeted Hermione's words. Ron gaped at her, and Hermione turned around in the fear of his reaction. She closed her eyes. She knew she shouldn't have said anything. Ron was going to hate her now. He was going to think that he shouldn't have bothered at all. But she was surprised when someone suddenly wrapped an arm around her. She opened her eyes and saw Ron, smiling in a brotherly manner.

"I was just surprised," said Ron. "I didn't see that coming, but I don't see anything wrong with you liking her. I mean she is beautiful and kind. You two look great together."

Hermione got teary-eyed all of a sudden. "You really think so?"

"I do, Hermione," he said, hugging her tight. "You don't have to be afraid to tell me things like this. I may be an idiot at times... Okay, most of the time, but you have me to tell your secrets and all. I'll always understand."

"I- Thanks, Ron." And Hermione felt a huge weight lift from her chest. She finally told somebody about the feelings she had been holding in, and she felt happy. Ron accepted her, and maybe so will Harry. She had everything she needed in these two friends of hers who were like brothers now. And maybe, after sometime, she could tell Deanna too what she felt for her.

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"You see the numerals around the edge of the coins?" Hermione said, holding one up at the end of their meeting. "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 their coins, and because I've put a Protean Charm on them, they'll all change to mimic theirs." There was a blank silence. Hermione glanced at Deanna, who sent her a thumbs up. That made Hermione smile slightly.

"Well — I thought it was a good idea," Hermione said a little more confident now, "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..."

"You can do a Protean Charm?" said Terry Boot.

"Yes," said Hermione.

"But that's... that's N.E.W.T. standard, that is."

"Oh," said Hermione, trying to look modest. "Oh... well... yes, I suppose it is..."

"How come you're not in Ravenclaw?" he demanded, staring at Hermione with something close to wonder. "With brains like yours?"

"Well, the Sorting Hat did seriously consider putting me in Ravenclaw during my Sorting," said Hermione brightly, "but it decided on Gryffindor in the end. So does that mean we're using the Galleons?" There was a murmur of assent and everybody moved forward to collect one from the basket. Deanna waited for all of them to get their own before she took hers and tapped Hermione on the shoulder.

"H-Hey, Deanna," said Hermione, avoiding her gaze.

"Mione," said Deanna. "Er... can I talk to you?"

"Sure," said Hermione and the two girls bid goodbye to Harry and Ron, who both smirked at Hermione (she told Harry before the start of the meeting), before they left the Room of Requirement.

"Here," said Deanna, taking out something from her robes. It was a Pumpkin Pasty. "Harry said you haven't eaten yet and these are your favorites. I got it from Dobby."

"Thank you, Deanna," said Hermione, smiling softly while nibbling on the pasty.

"Am I forgiven now?" said Deanna in a small voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I started thinking, but I couldn't find a reason why you would be mad at me so I thought maybe I'd make a peace offering?"

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at Deanna, looking so nervous. She looked adorable, she did, and Hermione wanted nothing else but to kiss away that pout and pinch those cheeks. She patted the smaller girl on the head. "I'm fine, Deanna. I just... had to fix a few things. I'm not mad at you, but thank you for this... peace offering. I appreciate it."

"That's great, Mione," said Deanna, grinning at her. "I'm glad we're fine." Hermione grinned back at her and felt it again. The increase in her heart rate and the warmth through her body. Yeah, she liked Deanna Dumbledore, and it may be long before she could tell the girl, but seeing her smile like that and being the cause of it? That was enough for Hermione. 

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Hey guys! Thank you so much for your support for Salvation. I hope you're enjoying the story so far uwu. Don't hesitate to message if you have anything to ask and all. Much love! <3

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