A/N: For colorful soul's Dr. Suess Quote contest, just my take on the effect that Voldemorts reign would have on ordinary wizards. My quote was "why fit in when you were born to stand out"

Gray. Fog. Depression. Short bursts of thought ran through his head, like words breaking through a bad connection on a radio. He tried- and failed, to tell himself for the millionth time that the weather was the only cause of his mood, and not the fact that things in his world, the wizarding world, had just taken a sharp turn for the worst. That it was no big deal that the fountain of magical brethren had been replaced at the Ministry; That it was no big deal that Olivander and Florean Fortescue were no longer in Diagon ally catering to contented wizards. (Sure, they were probably just on holiday in the Caribbean.) He acknowledged that fact that trying to shield himself from his own thoughts probably wouldn't work, but that he should pretend that everything was fine and dandy. For everyone he loved, for everything he had ever loved, and for himself. He shivered, and pushed his broomstick a little downwards, towards the muggle roadway, trying to escape the onslaught of rain. A brief let up in the rain showed a bright flash of color ahead, and he found himself flying almost directly aligned with one of those things that muggles called bill- boards, or maybe bill- posts? He automatically took in the contents of the poster, having read every thing from sign boards to sweet labels all his life. The sign read "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?!" It had been a rhetorical question, and the most foolish one he had heard in ages, but he answered it anyway, unconsciously. Before all this darkness that seemed to have taken hold of his life, he would have done anything to be noticed, and unique. Now, though, was another story, and keeping his head down was the best protection he could afford from the bright green skull that he feared would show up over his house any day now.

This man might have survived, or the dark mark he so dreaded might have found its way over his house. Voldemort might have won, or he may have been defeated. Nothing could protect this man from the permanent scars that he would sport forever; the loss, even for such a short time, of his individuality.