"What is this place? I never knew about it before," Ginny said, looking around.
Orli gave Harry a push from behind. He quickly began explaining to Ginny, but before he could finish, another wave of people entered, forcing him to start over.
"Hi, Luna," Orli said, walking over to Luna, who was gazing around with a dreamy expression.
"Hi, Orli Waters," Luna whispered softly. She patted a cushion, held it to her ear to listen, then sat down. "This place doesn't have any Wrackspurts. Very nice."
"I wanted to say, about The Quibbler being banned at school, I'm sorry..." Orli said, not quite sure how to begin.
"Why should you be sorry?" Luna asked, tucking her hair behind her ears to reveal earrings that looked like cheese. "It's never sold so quickly before. Since we published the Pink Lady story, we've sold more in these past few months than we did in several previous years. Daddy's already printing more copies."
"That's good," Orli said, finally feeling relieved. "Perhaps later, when the timing's more appropriate, could we publish an exclusive interview with Harry in The Quibbler?"
The perfect timing in Orli's mind would be after the first mass breakout from Azkaban. What could be more panic-inducing than Death Eaters escaping en masse? When Harry stepped forward again to announce Voldemort's return, it would surely be more convincing.
"Of course. Daddy says Harry Potter is more interesting than a Crumple-Horned Snorkack now," Luna said dreamily.
By eight o'clock sharp, every cushion was occupied. Orli walked to the door, closed it, and turned the key in the handle—it made a satisfying click. Now the door had completely vanished from the corridor.
Everyone fell quiet, looking at Orli and Harry, who were still standing. Ron and Hermione had also settled on a cushion. Orli tilted her chin toward Harry, indicating he should speak first.
"Well..." Harry said, a bit nervously. "This is the practice space we found—actually Orli found it, everyone—I think it's pretty good..."
"It's brilliant!" Ginny said cheerfully.
"Weird, I remember we hid from Filch in here once, remember, George?" Fred said, looking around and whispering to George beside him. "It was just a broom cupboard then. How'd it get so big?"
"I've been thinking about what we should do first..." Harry said. A hand shot up.
"Yes, Hermione?" Orli asked.
"I think we should have a name first," she said clearly, hand still raised. "It would promote unity and group spirit, wouldn't it?"
"Call it the Anti-Pink Alliance?" George asked hopefully.
"Or Believing Newspapers Makes You Stupid," Fred suggested.
"I think the name should be something that doesn't give away what we're doing," Hermione said with a frown. "That way we can mention it safely in public."
"Defense Association?" Cedric said. "D.A. for short—nobody would know what we're doing."
"Hey, D.A.'s good!" Ginny said. "It could also stand for Dumbledore's Army—that's the Ministry's worst fear."
A murmur of discussion and approval rippled through the group. Orli noticed Cho Chang and Cedric exchange a smile, but Harry's gaze remained fixed on Ginny.
"So everyone agrees on D.A.?" Orli asked, counting the raised hands. "Well then, majority rules—motion passed!"
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