Dumbledore's Army
Formation
Dumbledore's Army, often referred to as the D.A., was a secret organization founded by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley in their fifth year at Hogwarts. The formation of this group was a direct response to the Ministry of Magic's refusal to acknowledge the return of Lord Voldemort, and the subsequent appointment of Dolores Umbridge as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Umbridge's refusal to teach practical defensive magic led the trio to form a group that would learn and practice defensive spells independently.
Members
The initial members of Dumbledore's Army were recruited from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw houses. These included Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Cho Chang among others. Each member signed their name on a parchment to signify their commitment to the group. This parchment was later revealed to be a jinxed sign-up sheet, which would betray any member who attempted to reveal the existence of the D.A. to an outsider.
Activities
The group met regularly in the Room of Requirement, a magical room that could transform itself into any space the user needed. Here, Harry Potter, who was considered the leader of the group, taught the members various defensive spells, jinxes, and hexes. These included the Patronus Charm, the Disarming Charm, and the Shield Charm, among others. The members of the D.A. also learned to resist the Imperius Curse, a dark spell that could control the actions of the victim.
Impact
The training provided by Dumbledore's Army proved to be invaluable during the Battle of Hogwarts, where the members played a crucial role in the defense of the school. The group also continued to resist the Death Eaters during the takeover of Hogwarts in Harry's sixth year. The existence of the D.A. was a testament to the students' resilience and determination to fight against the Dark forces, despite the odds.
Legacy
The legacy of Dumbledore's Army extended beyond the Battle of Hogwarts. Many former members went on to join the Order of the Phoenix or work for the Ministry of Magic. The bravery and unity demonstrated by the D.A. served as an inspiration for future generations of Hogwarts students.