Why did the people join the DA? Was it for honor? Or was it because somebody they liked was joining? Or was it because they felt it was their duty to help in the fight against Vodermort?

Discuss away!

I think they joined because they wanted to fight as well as defend themselves. Probably with the exception of Zacharias Smith. I think he was reluctan to join but he joined probaly because everyone else was.

It really depends now doesn't it?

I know why I'd join the DA. *Because I'm madly in love with Ron*

You have to weigh in all the threats as well as expectations. Umbridge could have expelled any student, so that's a major threat, but then they all hated Umbridge so there's that as well, but do you hate her more than you are willing to risk being thrown out of the school? What would your parents think? Is it a decision on your part to be heroic or defiant, or are you just trying to buck your parents authority ... and blah blah blah.

For the Weasley's I think it was honor.

I mean Ron loves Harry, he's his best friend, he's going to go with him everywhere. Hermione is just as loyal to Harry and it really was her idea so ... of course she wasn't going to not do it. Colin did it because he's Harry's biggest fan boy *sniffles* I love you Colin!!!!!11111111 Stupid filmmakers with their Nigel ... *grrrrr* not that I don't like Nigel but ... why didn't they just name him Colin?

Ginny did it because she likes Harry, but not like that anymore and maybe to prove they could still be friends even if they were never going to be together, which is why she dragged her boyfriend into this ... who followed her because he loved her.

Zacharias did it because he's a jerk, and skeptical and probably didn't believe Harry could do it, or to see if half of what they'd said about him were true. Cho was in love with Harry and maybe she wanted to find out about Cedric too so that would be her motivation. The Weasley's did it because ... well they're older but they know Harry's more experienced and I think there's a healthy disrespect for authority there anyways so ... of course they were going to do it.

So you see? There is no easy answer. Half of them did it for love ... though of whom we don't know ... *thinks of the Harry, Cho, Ginny, that guy with the black hair whose name I always forget, Zachary quadrangle ... OMG! Seriously Zach was fiending someone ... but I'm not saying who ... yeah, I went there ...

Zach/Cho? Zach/Ginny? OMG! Go to the shipping discussion ...

Hmm, you can't really add anything onto Ottery's.
Good one .
BUUUUT!! I have insight into Cho Chang! Hmm, I think she became part of the DA because Voldy killed her boyfriend, and she needed support.
and ofcourse, who wouldn't want to kill somone who killed their boyfriend... ect.

Thank you Lia hope you don't mind I call you Lia.

But you've got a good point too, Cho seeking revenge, that would also be one of the reasons the Hufflepuff's who joined, jumped on. Hmm ... and of course, as I argued elsewhere ... Hannah made Ernie do it. I swear those two are the cutest. If I was Jo I'd write about their adventures next ...
The Ravenclaws too maybe they were there hedging their bets, you know? Did they want Harry to win? Did they think he could win? Maybe they were just there out of curiosity, because if y'all remember, the first meeting was just to hear Hermione out. Maybe they were bullied, you know to keep it secret. I mean we all know Marietta was there just because of Cho ... the sneak.

Then there's Luna. She obviously had a crush on Ron and knowing he'd be there ... then again she really believed the things Harry was saying so ... maybe she was there because Harry had a valid point ... or she might have just been following nargles.

And as Sir Otts said...Ernie joined cos Hannah told him to or the other way around!
Zacharias was kinda forced to join Cho cos of Cedric.
The twins naturally cos they wanted to fight.

Let's see...what to add?

Maybe the elinants enchanted them all XD
Well, I guess for all the people who didn't know Harry that well, wanted to see what he done when he faced Voldemort...

Zacharias was a jerk, but you gotta give it up for him not being gullible...wanting to be sure

Zacharias was a gullible jerk like Lari said, and he was totally forced to join. Still, to his credit you have to admit he wasn't the one who betrayed the DA he was just a real jerk like in HBP when he's commentating during the match poor bloke. Serves him right though ...

Who else was on the team? I know Seamus went because he was sorry and he believed Harry, oh and also because of Dean ...

Then again Lari's idea about the elinants could be right ... *wonders* Alicia what do you think? elinants or not elinants? Maybe Voldemort owed one of them money or something ... and to get back at him ...

True that, although Marietta was forced to join, by Cho ** So I guess she got a bit frightened. *Ahem* At this moment in time I would like to give it up for DD! Taking Harry's fall. You ever think Dumbledore knew that Harry would pull a stunt like that and so got Mundungus to tail him? Or was that a *puts on funny old english accent* spot of good luck?

Why did Luna join? Maybe she's chasing after Neville...

*points hysterically* Oh I bet he did! *gasps* O_O

I happen to like Zacharias If you guys dont know

yes, maybe she was And also cos she believed Harry & wanted to fight

Well Marietta joined because of Cho but what she did was still be a sneak and was totally all wrong and evil. OMG! Witch *hexes Marietta*

As for DD taking the fall ... he's just too cool. I swear DD is the best. He's such a hippy and clearly a member of the DA if only by default. He had to do it though because Harry had to stay in the school that was were he was safest from Voldemort, and then DD is a teacher first so I'm sure he didn't want Harry skipping all the time ...

Luna I think really believed in Harry's ideas ... she's so cute ... I love Evanna ... *Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* but she could have been chasing Neville in any event I'm sure that's half the reason she kept going to the meetings you know it.

*fires the cannons for N/L*

Our fearless leader likes Zacharias Smith? Seriously Alicia, this is the guy that picks on Harry, then starts badmouthing Gryffindor at the quidditch match in HBP and gets his just desserts if you ask me ... what with Ginny ... but hey it's okay. I think he was there cuz he's a heckler ... you know, just wanted to pick on Harry or because he's a skeptic and he didn't really believe all the stuff Harry had done. He's not such a bad guy though I suppose ...

♥'s Neville

Maybe Neville joined to chase after Luna?

Love, loyalty and faith! These are the basic reasons some of our most loved characters joined the DA. But I think few jumped in without think seriously about what they were doing, even Zacharius and Cho! Take Cho...did she "love" Harry? Possibly, but with everything that had happened beforehand, Cedrik being murdered etc., I think it was more the realization that Voldemort was truly back and was the cause of Cedrik's death. She had the foresite to see the fight ahead of them...first and formost because she had faith in what Harry had said, whether she truely loved him or just had a high school crush. Cho was not stupid nor were most of those who joined...proof? Ravenclaws also joined the DA!! Luna was a Ravenclaw, and although rather ditzy in some ways....she was definately not stupid enough to join something just because she was accepted there and had "freinds". She longed for friendship, yes, but would never compromise herself for them. She truly didn't care what people thought of her! She had a self-confidence that a lot of real people lack! She joined due to loyalty and faith in her friends. Also, we must remember that even Hermione....despite her loyalty to Harry, questioned what they were doing at one point, even though it was her own idea, but that it was more out of concern for the others and what might happen to them should they get caught than for herself. Love? Heck yes, when it comes to Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Fred, George etc, but it wasn't love acting blind nor loyalty...it was faith! They truly believed in their friend and that he WAS truly the one with the best chance of defeating Voldemort, thereby saving everything they held dear....those that they loved and their way of life!
Yes, there were a few that probably joined to boost their own sense of importance, or like Marietta - reluctantly and fearfully - and it was the fear that caused Marietta, (probably a rather decent person normally but who had no faith, love or loyalty in Harry) to turn the club into Umbridge. Remember...in the film Cho was forced to tell on the DA through Umbridge's use of veritaserum - an act banned prior to Umbridge's takeover.
But regardless most had to be convinced that Harry was not what the "authorities" were saying he was and that he was the one telling the truth and the one who stood the best chance to defeat Voldemort before they agreed to sign on, then most did very willingly and with their eyes wide open as to what it meant!

I know all that he does but I still love him! LOL Dunno why!
Maybe Neville was chasing after Luna!

I honestly believe that few people knew what they were getting into the day they entered the Hog's Head to meet up with Hermione Ron and Harry. Some probably felt like, 'ok, I'm here, now what?' I honestly think that many joined out of curiousity, then grew more loyal to the group when they began to discover their talents for spell casting.

Let's face it, who WOULDN'T be curious about the idea of a secret organization. Not even, cause they weren't allowed to say why they were gathering at the Hog's Head. Just a whisper about a secret meeting and ANYBODY would have shown up, just to see if it was worth their while.

I guess they were all frustrated because of Umbridge, and their OWLs were coming up, so they all just wanted to do something.

i think they joined the DA out of loyalty for Dumbledore and because they wanted to help bring down Voldemort once they beleived Harry, some of them might have joined because Harry was teaching but i think it was mainly Loyalty and to help destroy Voldemort.

I think the reason they joined is because they knew what a tyrant Voldemort was and they didn't want to see the wizarding world taken over by him and their friends hurt. It was a sense of honor and doing what's right.

I think that almost all of the DA members joined to soop up on their defensive spells, learn what they hadn't learned in class and to prepare themselves for sending Voldemort on his way! All hail DA!