Disclaimer: This can hardly be called fanfiction if I owned the Harry Potter series...so, uh, no.

Warnings: ZOMBIESand all the reactions they bring (y'know—language, violence, character death, etc.), HP/TMR slash, follows up to the fifth book -takes elements from the last two, and a writer from the US of A—not the UK.

Color Me Dead

Chapter One

Downtown London

Tuesday, July 9th

9:43 am

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When fourteen year old David 'Tony Don' Schultz woke up, he was hungry and ready for the day's monotonous adventures.

Only he didn't know a word like 'monotonous' and was unlikely to ever know because he hadn't set foot in a school in over three years, and he would rather keep it that way. He hadn't been home in that long too, and if the lack of 'missing' posters were to say anything...well, his bitch of a mother was probably too busy kissing a toilet to notice he was gone. But right now Tony was hungry (like he always was every second of everyday) and since the four other boys in the upturned garbage bin that served as their home were still asleep, he figured he would get a head start and get the good stuff first for once.

Tony tiptoed over the tangle of limbs and gently lifted the nailed in blanket that covered a large hole of a door, and crawled out. He squinted and shielded his eyes as he walked out of the narrow alley.

Today's a Saturday and it's not too early, so it'll be alright for me to be out.

There would probably be enough families and packs of teens about that Tony didn't look too out of place. Just as he reached a major street, Tony stepped into another alley where he tried to smooth out his clothes and wipe away the grit in his eyes. He puffed out his baggy jacket, set his face to an arrogant expression, and walked out with a swagger that wasn't hard to fake and hands deep in his pockets.

About fifteen minutes later, Tony glanced about the street while munching on a filched apple, looking for prospective 'patrons'. His eyes alighted on two oddly dressed, but obviously rich, men arguing in front of a book shop and a records store.

Honestly, who wears such long silky coats like that in the middle of London?

Tony watched them discreetly, specifically eyeballing the thick, almost gaudy, ring one wore over a glove—Won't be able to tell it's gone with such thick leather—and the silver snake-head that topped the cane of the other man. He wouldn't be able to get the cane without some real intense maneuvering—break it and run—but the ring would do just fine. He tossed the apple stem, pocketing the seeds for later and casually walked closer, close enough to catch the end of their conversation.

"-our Lord grows ever more impatient with you Avery." The cane tapped the ground at an impatient rhythm.

Mr. 'Avery' scoffed. "Just go Malfoy, I'llbe the one to take it to him. We'll see what your money amounts to then."

Tony lost concentration then as a mother and two rowdy children meandered between him and the two men. When they passed, he saw that Mr. 'Avery' was alone and angrily muttering to himself. The street rat looked about with confusion and some alarm. Where had the blond man gone? After one more long glance about the street Tony dismissed it and stuffed his hands into his pockets again.

He made sure that they were in line of collision then faced the other direction, as if fascinated by a group of girls across the street. He counted down the seconds and was ready when they crashed, his hands shooting out to grasp at Mr. 'Avery's' arms for stability. There was a shocked pause before Mr. 'Avery' shoved him away, actually growling at him. Tony widened his eyes, hands back in his pockets. "Sorry Mister," he gave a cursory shrug and slunk past. He walked quickly, vaguely registering disgusted mutters of "horrid", "dirty", and something that sounded an awful like "muggles"; whatever that was. Twenty-five measured steps later, Tony felt it safe enough to take out the ring and did so, popping a seed in his mouth to crunch while at it.

The ring was a thick band of gold decorated with masculine carvings and a big hunk of shiny black stone. There was an odd shape engraved in the center and Tony turned it this way and that trying to see what it was. All he could make out was a triangle, a circle, and a line superimposed over each other. Hmm, doesn't matter. The gold can be melted and Mr. Johnson can sand down the stone if-

"You!" Tony started and spun to see that Mr. 'Avery' was stalking toward him, expression thunderous. "Give me back that ring boy!"

Spitting out the ground seed, Tony clenched the ring in his fist and dashed into the growing crowd inwardly sniggering at the explosive curses ringing out behind him. As he swerved and ducked through the people Tony mentally calculated his course, already figuring his final destination would be the subway. There it would be impossible for the man to find him in the morning rush.

Oh, let's take a left turn here...

Several times throughout the chase Tony thought he had lost Mr. 'Avery', especially when he ditched his jacket in a hole of tree and took up a hat he had hidden there, but the man seemed always find him within a few seconds—as if he had a tracker on the ring. That made Tony actually pause and take another look at it, getting a breather and losing precious time. A familiar shout had him running again and he practically flew down the stairs into the subway station, Mr. 'Avery' stumbling down after a few seconds later. Tony cut people off at the ticket lane, leaping over the blocks and completely ignoring the officer yelling at him.

He let out an inward whoop as he saw a train preparing to leave. Tony clutched the ring to his chest as he sprinted. Won't be able to catch me now! There was a shout of gibberish and Tony yelped as he felt something tug his feet and painfully slammed his chin on the tiled floor. Dazed and panting, Tony watched with dread as the train doors slid shut and zoomed off.

"I've caught you now, you fucking muggle." Hands grabbed his shirt and jerked him up. Panic shot through him as Tony noticed he could not get a footing—his legs were like jelly.

"Help! Rape!" Tony paused for a breath, but then looked about with disbelief as people in the station completely ignored him.

Mr. 'Avery' gave a legitimately evil cackle. "They can't hear you boy. No one can even see us."

Tony stared up at the gaunt and smug face of Mr. 'Avery', eyes wide with fear for the first time. The ring in his fist seemed to burn, but Tony could only concentrate on the man now pointing a stick at him. Mr. 'Avery's grin was a barring of teeth as with great relish, he shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"

Bright green light crackled and spat from the stick and Tony watched, frozen, as the eerie light reflected off of Mr. 'Avery's wide eyes. Tony had no idea what was going on but he tried to throw the stupid ring at this mad man, this devil - lifted his shaking arm to do so, but when he opened his hand it was to the chilling sight of the ring on his finger, his burning and rotting finger! Tony stared uncomprehendingly at his trembling hand, What the -

then everything was green.

(10:15 am)

St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Same day, 11:08 am

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With an exhausted sigh Poppy Pomfrey poured herself a cup of tea and settled back into the cushy armchair the St. Mungo's break room provided. She should be out there with her patients and not using a simple alarm charm—or even be helping out the attending Healers make more room; but, Poppy winced as she rolled her wand hand wrist, she needed a rest if she wanted to be of any good use to anyone here. It was something she had painfully learned in her five years apprenticing at this very hospital many decades ago—and the very reason Poppy had left to apply as the mediwitch of Hogwarts.

Actually, if it weren't for the panicked call for any and all licensed mediwizards and Healers available (and they needed more because this was the blackest of Dark Magic she had ever seen and for it to hit so many people...) she might have never returned to this miserable place until the end of her days.

Poppy was jerked out of her thoughts when a gray haired Healer staggered into the break room briefly disrupting the silencing ward and letting in screeches of pain and intelligible moans until the door shut again. The wizard staggered toward her table until he flopped down on the seat next to her, dropping his head onto the table with a soft 'thunk'.

She casually poured him a cup, manually because her magic needed to recuperate, and watched with grim amusement as he blindly reached out and gulped it down like it was a shot of firewhiskey. It wasn't until he was on his third cup that he had enough energy to sit up and actually look to see who had been helpfully providing him with tea. He held out a hand. "I do apologize ma'am," the man gave a rueful smile, "I usually don't wake until an hour from now and I can't find any extra Pepper-up lying around. It doesn't help that I haven't been in practice in a very, very long time – Healer Quinn, at your service."

Giving his hand a perfunctory shake, Poppy answered, "Mediwitch Pomfrey, and I don't blame you. I haven't worked this intensely since the First War myself either."

Quinn nodded gravely, "Yes, yes, dark times then. I retired a few years after it, thinking it was time to relax when peace was about. But it seems I assumed too early. Have you ever seen anything quite like this?"

"No, this is the first time I've encountered such a widespread curse. The acute bodily aches, weakness, tremors, high fever, and decreasing articulation are all general symptoms of dark torture curses and hexes; but how quickly they all grow stronger in such little time...Well, it boggles the mind."

"Indeed it does. Why, just before I came in here a new symptom popped up! All the earlier affected patients are moaning about hunger, craving meat of all things! As I'm sure you know, patients usually want chocolate or water if anything, but meat? All the Healers and mediwizards are in a tizzy—can't decide if they should or if the curse will be somehow affected by it." Quinn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "And that shock wave people are saying that started all this… No one seems to know where it originated, how large it was, or who even set it off." You-Know-Who was left unsaid between them.

He sighed, "Whoever it was, they certainly crippled the Ministry of Magic. Over a third of the Auror forces were out and about on patrols when it hit. Why, I heard even the new Minister Scrimgeour was hit too!"

Poppy snorted derisively, "So much for a 'firm offensive start'! He didn't even last a week!" Quinn chuckled.

"Did you perhaps see this shock wave yourself? I've only heard what other people have been saying, and of course seen the results, but," here Quinn chuckled again, "I must confess I was having a late Saturday morning lie in and saw nothing."

"Oh, I didn't see any of it either working in my office as I was – didn't even know anything had happened until St. Mungo's gave me a firecall, asking me to come in for an emergency."

"Mm yes, that was what happened to me too, only my caller had the misfortune of having the job of waking me up!"

The both shared a small laugh and then fell into a companionable, if tired, silence as they sipped their tea.

She was pleasantly surprised to meet another who respected and followed the Healers' neutrality. There had been no blatant digging questions trying to uncover her 'allegiance' throughout their conversation. Now that the truth of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was out people everywhere were making sly and blatant inquiries. It was much more blatant and common in the Tri-Alleys. Why, Poppy had seen several other Healers and mediwizards here in St. Mungo's be victims of nosy and desperately frightened witches and wizards checking for any sign of dark magic even while in their sick beds!

Poppy fortunately had it much easier than most other mediwizards and Healers, being employed and under Albus Dumbledore's protection, but there had been a few irritatingly meddlesome people who wanted answers and information on poor Mr. Potter. It was simply ridiculous how ignorant so many people were or acted.

Every single Healer had to take a series of oaths—an oath to heal any and all, to keep the physical and mental state of a patient secret and silent to all but authorized people chosen by the patient, etc. It was actually not unlike an Unbreakable Vow, and because of it Healers and mediwizards were all supposed to be neutral. It was also supposed to be common, public, knowledge.

But since the start of the First War, the younger generation had taken to ignoring or perhaps forgetting that; conspicuously demanding support for one side or another. This of course led to awful conflicts and condemnations of betrayal between friends and family when an 'allied' Healer or mediwizard were compelled into healing enemies and/or criminals.

Despite personally knowing and interacting with Dumbledore and many of those in the Order herself, she still took a strong stance as a neutral.

Minerva, Filius, Severus, Pomona, Harry…But she could understand why they would want to do so, Merlin's right foot if she hadn't considered it many a time throughout her years as Hogwarts' matron!

The break room door suddenly banged open, letting in those horrible screeches of pain again, and a frazzled young witch threw herself against it to slam it closed. Poppy and Quinn gaped as they quickly took in her bloody and torn green robes. She had injuries too; injuries in the forms of deep bite and claw marks. Poppy quickly stood and brandished her wand, reflex having her clearing away the blood, "Girl, what on Earth-"

The girl stayed still long enough to catch her breath and then spun around, shouting a variety of different locking charms and warding spells, seemingly all she knew off the top of her head, at the door. Quinn simply stared at the young Healer in bemusement while Poppy huffed and quickly moved closer to take a closer look at those wounds. She also took in the poor girl's absolutely terrified expression and shaking limbs.

Quinn tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully before getting up and placing a calming hand on the girl's wand arm. She started and screeched rather dreadfully as she scrambled away from him.

Both Quinn and Poppy raised their brows in surprise. Quinn quickly lifted his hands in surrender as he took a step back. "I apologize for startling you Ms-," he read the visitor's tag on her muggle clothing, "-Smithson, but the break room cannot be warded or locked in case of emergencies."

She stared at him in-comprehensively. "...W-what? It c-can't?!" Poppy was unsurprised when Ms. Smithson then dramatically fell to her knees and burst into heaving sobs.

Poppy tsked and kneeled down next to her, wiping away the tears and sweat that had accumulated with a conjured handkerchief. "Now child, calm down tell us what's wrong. Why were you trying to ward the employee's break room?"

Ms. Smithson tried taking deep breaths and talking at the same time, ending up saying complete gibberish where the two only caught words like 'patients', 'zombies', and 'turning'. Quinn looked at Poppy confusion mouthing 'zombies' in question. She shook her head, utterly confused too.

"Deary, you have to calm down. We can't understand what you're trying to-" Suddenly Poppy paled as the alarms on her patients went off one by one, all loudly stating that they were in critical condition. She shot up and went for the door only to stumble. Poppy looked down at Smithson who had her arms around one of her legs. "Cease and desist, Ms. Smithson! My patients need me," Poppy snapped.

The girl shook her head quickly, her face etched in fear. "Y-you can't go ou-out there!"

"And why not?" Quinn stepped toward them, holding up a hand when Poppy opened her mouth. "Why can't we leave?"

Smithson panted and twitched as she stared at the door, tightening her grip on Poppy's leg. "T-they'll know we're h-here and come in a-and k-kill us all!"

"What? Who will?" The girl just shook her head and whimpered. Poppy scowled and shook her leg, her magical alarms growing louder much to her dismay.

What in Merlin's beard is everyone else doing?! What is going on out there!"Answer me Ms. Smithson! Who?!"

The door banged open again. Smithson screamed and scurried toward the back, covered her ears and huddled into a quivering ball. Poppy gasped.

Oh my...

Her wand clattered to the floor.

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Next chapter: We introduce Dudley and Privet Drive.

"Dudley! Shut up and stay still!" hissed Harry. Despite his best efforts, Dudley whimpered when he heard the dragging footsteps become louder behind his back. From the doorway his mother was pale as milk and watching with wide eyes.

Don't worry, the next chapter will be longer. Hope you enjoyed!