D.A. (spoilers!)

[Lizzy Bennet]

For those who have read the book, D.A. obviously stands for 'Dumbledore's Army'. What did you think of DA in book 5? Will it be continued in book 6 or disbanded if they get a decent DADA teacher? Will the Slytherins create a counter group?

Someone, I think it was Holly, mentioned Zacharias and pondered whether or not his 'obnoxiousness' would later play a role in future books? Will he go to the 'dark side'? If Cho remains a member of DA and the group does, indeed, stay in tact, I imagine it'll be awkward for her and Harry. Additionally, the 6 who went to fight (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville) will probably come back to the group with a different perspective (or, at the very least, all of them minus Harry, who's been in that kind of situation before)...they'll have seen that people will and have been lost in this fight against Voldemort.

The last chapter of book 5 referred to the second war beginning. That makes me think DA may continue, as well as, of course, the OotP formed at the end of book 4 and carried out in book 5. Do you think the 6 kids who fought will be allowed to sit in on the OotP meetings? What did you think of DA on the whole as well as who was members of it?

[Lizzy Bennet]

Paul, could you move this discussion to the 'Book 5 Characters' section, please? I think it would be better suited there, upon later reflection, but you're the boss--it's entirely up to you!

[Fafnul Black]

The whole DA stuff is great, with grown-up kids deciding
to do something all by themselves. I really enjoyed it
in book 5.

Now, it seems certainly usefull to continue it, with the
war coming and all, although now Harry is no more
the only one with lots of first hand experience with
Dark Troubles, plus he did not really learned anything
new in terms of spells (like Patronus in book 3, shields
an jinxes in book 4, ...), so it could perhaps go on,
say, on a training-to-stay-fit basis. I guess it would
not have to stay secret, but then lots may apply (remember
the duelling club in book 2). An army, indeed ...

[highsorcerer]

I would have to imagine Dumbledore would allow D.A. to continue. I have no doubts he was aware of it and allowed it to continue, believing it to be an excellent idea. After all, Hogwarts is an institution of learning.

I rather doubt any Slytherins would join even if it was out in the open - they would be more likely to form their own counter-club (D.A.A. - Dark Art's Association). Malfoy and his cronies wouldn't want to be part of any group led by Harry Potter.

[APWBD]

I think that DD would let it stay open, but I don't think Harry would keep it open if there were a good DaDa teacher next year. After all, he's going to be on quidditch next year, and so he won't have as much free time anymore.

[June]

Actually, I was the one who mentioned Zacharias. =) In any case, somehow, I don't think D.A will be continued in Book 6, unless it's in another form, like a mass participation thing, not led by harry Potter either. I just don't think he'll have the mood to continue it after Sirius' death, and the fact that he's going to have to "murder" or "be murdered" hanging over him. And, I just feel quite instinctively for some reason that we've seen the end of D.A...

Still, my instincts have been wrong before... plenty of times, in fact... =P

[Boycey]

I can't see why DA will still need to keep running, the hole point of DA was to use pratical skills for DADA that they was'nt able to do in umbridges DADA lessons, and as Dumbledore is back in charge why keep the classes going, infact I think the lessons stopped when they nearly got captured by umbridge as there was no mention of DA from then on.

As for the comment on slythrin doing a counter group, I beleive that this is possible. The oviously would not be a group that will practic DADA like DA, but maybe a group to help try and tople Dumbledore or help Lord Voldemort in anyway.

As for Zacharias Smith becoming bad, this is possible I guess but I can't see this happening, okay he's annoying but I can't see why he will turn against the good side, in fact I don't think we will hear much about him from now on to be honest.

To the comment on how did I find DA, well in the hole I think it was a useful group, it helped im sure the members in there pratical skills for there OWLs and gave them better grades in the process, plus I think it gave the members of the DA that was in the ministry of magic at the end the skill to fend of death eaters otherwise I guess they all would be dead now.

[Fafnul Black]

The point about DA is that it was a unifying group of Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students. Now, I do not remember any Slytherin in the group, so that would be the next (thoughest) step, towards the cooperation wished for by the sorting hat. Though not necessarily in the DA group.

[Rebecca Spinnet]

sorry this doesn't have much to do with the subject but it does have to do with D.A. i know it stands for Dumbledores Army but i started laughing because my friend asked what D.A. stood for when i was talking to her and for some reson i thought of Dolores Assasins lol anyways thats all i had to tell some people..... I am bored there needs to be a book six to read!!!!!

[Malachim]

I think the fate of the DA will be completely decided by the new DaDA teacher.

If they get to practice then there is no need for the DA as some in this thread have said. Although, I would be suprised if you don't see it referenced in the next book at the least. They did seem to get to some advanced topics like the patronus(sp?).

[Person#11]

You are right, well except they were supposed to do Patronuses soon and hadn't quite gotten to them yet when there meeting was compromised. The very name Dumbledore's Army makes them controversial. I think it is likely they could be continued though if they have a good new DADA teacher, but more that it depends on the descions of that teacher and DD.

[choki]

DA is such a cool organisation...it is the place they really can practise their defence...even Hermione, Cho can produce corporeal patronus
DA unites the 3 houses together...team spirit

[Violet]

I think that the DA was a great idea, and i think that it will continue throughout the next book. i mean even if they do have a good DaDA teacher, it still cant hurt to get in extra practice!
i think that DD was in full support of the DA, and will be totally fine with it carrying on.

[HuffleDuck]

With so much tragic going on with harry, don't know if he'll have time for it. But he might still be in it. Anybody ever guess whose the next Dark Art teacher? Could it be Lupin will return? I'm really looking forward for the next Dark Art teacher Hmmm maybe Slytherin will do something like that, create a organization too... But doubt that they'll win since the other 3 houses untied b/c their hatred for Slytherin. Hope some new evil character will be introduced besides Draco and his gang.

[AccioNiffler]

I think that the DA will continue. I thikn it will kind of be more like a study group type of thing. Sort of like in the muggle world there's a math class, and like a math league, kinda for extended learning. And maybe if the new DADA teacher is in he charge then it will be easier for the school to be united. If its a good teacher, good enough that the students enjoy the class, then he/she can convince people from all houses to join. I do think that Harry might be reluctant to join though because of the whole Sirius thing, but i'm sure that eventually he'll suck it up and participate