JKR owns the people and places, I own Karista, Julia, Amaia, Vanessa, Callidus, some chick named Jolene as well as the dream...rock on, yo
Chapter 24: Darkened Days
@!)(&$_^%@!*%_%(@!&$&@!$_*!(@&$
Remus sat solemnly by the lake, flicking bits of sand and rocks into the water. The full moon had been last night and he was still excruciatingly sore. The light managed to be disappearing behind the mountains and trees that graced the landscape, making Lupin shiver with the impending weather. He was waiting for Amaia, as he was going to ask her something that would change both their lives.
"What if she says no? I think I might be a little too predictable for this," he moaned to himself after taking the blue velvet box out of his pocket and studying the ring that was inside. He remembered when Sirius and Julia had returned to the Great Hall, herself prancing excitedly along with Padfoot, hand in hand. They had announced their engagement, much to James' and his delight. But now…now he was questioning himself. "Maybe I should just drop it all."
"Drop what?"
Remus whirled around to see Amaia standing behind him, a curious smile flicking her lips. Her arms were crossed haphazardly on her chest, her hair billowing out behind her.
"Oh…just…I don't know," he stuttered. He didn't know exactly what to tell her, and now he wasn't so sure as to whether he should tell her about the box burning a hole into his left hand. "Just boring myself to death over here."
"Really? I though that you talking to yourself was great entertainment."
Lupin chuckled a bit before crossing his legs Indian style beneath him. Amaia soon plopped herself down on the grass beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I'm happy that you came back, Amaia. I couldn't live with myself for much longer," he said quietly, his gaze unwavering from the quarter moon now hanging in the sky.
"Remus, what is that in your left hand?"
He could feel his features tense up slightly and knew that she could see the anxiousness on his face. She was about to ask him another question when there was a loud bang from the castle.
"MOONY! AMAIA! COME QUICK!" Sirius screamed down towards them. Remus and Amaia jumped up from their spot by the lake and ran towards the castle and into the Great Hall where Order members where gathering hastily.
***
"Cornelius Fudge is dead," Dumbledore said solemnly, crunching the roll of parchment in his fist. "The main ministry building has been reduced to rubble. Hundreds are dead, hundreds injured."
The stillness hung like a dead weight in the Great Hall where the whole Order sat or stood. Dumbledore re-opened the crumpled paper and studied it for a moment before slamming it on the table before him.
"Voldemort, as well as his Death Eaters, undoubtedly did this. All of the people who were his successors, save Lucius Malfoy, are either dead or are too scared to take the position of minister. I cannot leave Hogwarts myself and I therefore must ask one of you to be brave enough and take this challenge."
Many of the aurors stepped away from the table except for Sirius, James and Remus, as well as Arthur Weasley.
"Well, then. It looks like we have some hope after all. Which of you four should it be?"
Sirius, Remus and James looked at each other and with an unspoken agreement, stepped away from the table leaving Arthur behind.
"Arthur, you understand what this means, don't you?"
Arthur, although a little pale, nodded his head and walked over to where Dumbledore stood.
"Now. First off, we must rebuild the ministry, or at least find another place for it to be. Second, we need to appoint you all to a job of such, including the Aurors. You can handle this, can't you?"
The Order, which had now approached the table again, nodded their heads in a simple rhythm.
"Lily, if you are well enough, I would like you to take the St. Mungo's division. Remus, magical creatures division. Alastor, the aurors. James, the magical games and sports. Sirius, Azkaban."
Sirius definitely blanched when Dumbledore said this, yet nodded his head solemnly.
"As for the rest of you, I expect a full effort to help in rebuilding and strengthening the ministry. Any more questions?"
The room remained silent while a few people shook their heads no.
"Very well, then. Minister Weasley, you may proceed."
***
The news about the Ministry ran like wildfire throughout the school. Many children had lost their parents in the fire or to a Death Eater. But now, the Order of the Phoenix had something else on their hands. Something that could possibly be bigger than Voldemort's first rise to power…
A misty gloom hung about the Hogwarts grounds that morning. It was silent, not to mention eerie. The sun was nowhere in sight and instead dark storm clouds whirled above the many turrets of the castle-converted school. Classes still resumed, yet there was an uncertain danger and apprehension amongst them.
"Can anyone describe to me what 'You-Know-Who's' last rise to power was titled?" Julia asked to her sixth year Gryffindor/Slytherin class. Many of the students flinched while others like Harry, Ron, Hermione, Karista and Draco simply sat stoically in their seats. "Very well, then. As of now, we will be discussing the period of Darkened Days."
There was a hushed murmur throughout the classroom as Julia opened up a book on her desk and began to flip through the pages until she finally stopped. After adjusting her reading glasses, she began to read.
"The period of Darkened Days, otherwise known as 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's rise to power, was a period of nearly thirteen years until he was defeated by the infant Harry Potter."
Harry blushed while sliding down further into his seat. Julia glanced up, a small smile on her face, before she continued.
"The Darkened Days began around the time when 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' first began his approach to muggle killings and torture of half-bloods. The Darkened Days referred to the ever-setting gloom placed upon the magical community (unbeknownst to muggles) and lasted until his defeat. The sun refused to shine and was believed to be because of an ancient magic that supposedly covered up 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's powers as the Sorcerer of Fire."
The class visibly shuddered with the exception of Karista, who had an odd smirk on her face. Julia paused, closing the book on her finger as a place marking.
"The Darkened Days refers in general to the 'suffering' of many people during 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's rise to power. Can anyone tell me why Voldemort did this?"
Karista slowly raised her hand and sat up in her seat. The class turned their heads to look at her.
"He probably did it because it signified the good Magical communities' downfall. It meant that there would never be a 'light at the end of the tunnel', or so they say."
"Very good, Miss Flannigan. Five points to Gryffindor. Now, I want a twenty-inch essay on the period of 'Darkened Days'. Harry, feel free to interview your Godfather about it. This will be due next Friday, class."
The bell rang and Julia's class left the room. She watched as the hallways crowded with students and began filtering down to the Great Hall for lunch.
"The only thing all of you don't know is that the Darkened Days are here again," Julia cursed as she glanced out the window at the vicious thunder and lightning striking in the sky.
#(*$&!*(&$_!@&$(&@$_(!&@_!&$
Author's note: Title of this chapter sound familiar to peeps on HPC? It should because it is the name of the series after *My* version of book seven...carry on...
Coming Next:
Arthur Weasley, Minister of Magic?
raw=war
Il incideus corpeus maximus
De-programming Callidus
Chapter 24: Darkened Days
@!)(&$_^%@!*%_%(@!&$&@!$_*!(@&$
Remus sat solemnly by the lake, flicking bits of sand and rocks into the water. The full moon had been last night and he was still excruciatingly sore. The light managed to be disappearing behind the mountains and trees that graced the landscape, making Lupin shiver with the impending weather. He was waiting for Amaia, as he was going to ask her something that would change both their lives.
"What if she says no? I think I might be a little too predictable for this," he moaned to himself after taking the blue velvet box out of his pocket and studying the ring that was inside. He remembered when Sirius and Julia had returned to the Great Hall, herself prancing excitedly along with Padfoot, hand in hand. They had announced their engagement, much to James' and his delight. But now…now he was questioning himself. "Maybe I should just drop it all."
"Drop what?"
Remus whirled around to see Amaia standing behind him, a curious smile flicking her lips. Her arms were crossed haphazardly on her chest, her hair billowing out behind her.
"Oh…just…I don't know," he stuttered. He didn't know exactly what to tell her, and now he wasn't so sure as to whether he should tell her about the box burning a hole into his left hand. "Just boring myself to death over here."
"Really? I though that you talking to yourself was great entertainment."
Lupin chuckled a bit before crossing his legs Indian style beneath him. Amaia soon plopped herself down on the grass beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I'm happy that you came back, Amaia. I couldn't live with myself for much longer," he said quietly, his gaze unwavering from the quarter moon now hanging in the sky.
"Remus, what is that in your left hand?"
He could feel his features tense up slightly and knew that she could see the anxiousness on his face. She was about to ask him another question when there was a loud bang from the castle.
"MOONY! AMAIA! COME QUICK!" Sirius screamed down towards them. Remus and Amaia jumped up from their spot by the lake and ran towards the castle and into the Great Hall where Order members where gathering hastily.
***
"Cornelius Fudge is dead," Dumbledore said solemnly, crunching the roll of parchment in his fist. "The main ministry building has been reduced to rubble. Hundreds are dead, hundreds injured."
The stillness hung like a dead weight in the Great Hall where the whole Order sat or stood. Dumbledore re-opened the crumpled paper and studied it for a moment before slamming it on the table before him.
"Voldemort, as well as his Death Eaters, undoubtedly did this. All of the people who were his successors, save Lucius Malfoy, are either dead or are too scared to take the position of minister. I cannot leave Hogwarts myself and I therefore must ask one of you to be brave enough and take this challenge."
Many of the aurors stepped away from the table except for Sirius, James and Remus, as well as Arthur Weasley.
"Well, then. It looks like we have some hope after all. Which of you four should it be?"
Sirius, Remus and James looked at each other and with an unspoken agreement, stepped away from the table leaving Arthur behind.
"Arthur, you understand what this means, don't you?"
Arthur, although a little pale, nodded his head and walked over to where Dumbledore stood.
"Now. First off, we must rebuild the ministry, or at least find another place for it to be. Second, we need to appoint you all to a job of such, including the Aurors. You can handle this, can't you?"
The Order, which had now approached the table again, nodded their heads in a simple rhythm.
"Lily, if you are well enough, I would like you to take the St. Mungo's division. Remus, magical creatures division. Alastor, the aurors. James, the magical games and sports. Sirius, Azkaban."
Sirius definitely blanched when Dumbledore said this, yet nodded his head solemnly.
"As for the rest of you, I expect a full effort to help in rebuilding and strengthening the ministry. Any more questions?"
The room remained silent while a few people shook their heads no.
"Very well, then. Minister Weasley, you may proceed."
***
The news about the Ministry ran like wildfire throughout the school. Many children had lost their parents in the fire or to a Death Eater. But now, the Order of the Phoenix had something else on their hands. Something that could possibly be bigger than Voldemort's first rise to power…
A misty gloom hung about the Hogwarts grounds that morning. It was silent, not to mention eerie. The sun was nowhere in sight and instead dark storm clouds whirled above the many turrets of the castle-converted school. Classes still resumed, yet there was an uncertain danger and apprehension amongst them.
"Can anyone describe to me what 'You-Know-Who's' last rise to power was titled?" Julia asked to her sixth year Gryffindor/Slytherin class. Many of the students flinched while others like Harry, Ron, Hermione, Karista and Draco simply sat stoically in their seats. "Very well, then. As of now, we will be discussing the period of Darkened Days."
There was a hushed murmur throughout the classroom as Julia opened up a book on her desk and began to flip through the pages until she finally stopped. After adjusting her reading glasses, she began to read.
"The period of Darkened Days, otherwise known as 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's rise to power, was a period of nearly thirteen years until he was defeated by the infant Harry Potter."
Harry blushed while sliding down further into his seat. Julia glanced up, a small smile on her face, before she continued.
"The Darkened Days began around the time when 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' first began his approach to muggle killings and torture of half-bloods. The Darkened Days referred to the ever-setting gloom placed upon the magical community (unbeknownst to muggles) and lasted until his defeat. The sun refused to shine and was believed to be because of an ancient magic that supposedly covered up 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's powers as the Sorcerer of Fire."
The class visibly shuddered with the exception of Karista, who had an odd smirk on her face. Julia paused, closing the book on her finger as a place marking.
"The Darkened Days refers in general to the 'suffering' of many people during 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's rise to power. Can anyone tell me why Voldemort did this?"
Karista slowly raised her hand and sat up in her seat. The class turned their heads to look at her.
"He probably did it because it signified the good Magical communities' downfall. It meant that there would never be a 'light at the end of the tunnel', or so they say."
"Very good, Miss Flannigan. Five points to Gryffindor. Now, I want a twenty-inch essay on the period of 'Darkened Days'. Harry, feel free to interview your Godfather about it. This will be due next Friday, class."
The bell rang and Julia's class left the room. She watched as the hallways crowded with students and began filtering down to the Great Hall for lunch.
"The only thing all of you don't know is that the Darkened Days are here again," Julia cursed as she glanced out the window at the vicious thunder and lightning striking in the sky.
#(*$&!*(&$_!@&$(&@$_(!&@_!&$
Author's note: Title of this chapter sound familiar to peeps on HPC? It should because it is the name of the series after *My* version of book seven...carry on...
Coming Next:
Arthur Weasley, Minister of Magic?
raw=war
Il incideus corpeus maximus
De-programming Callidus
