Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten
By: LogicalRaven
Well, hope everyone isn't too turned off on this story. The last chapter was rushed and I didn't get it quite the way I wanted. I think it showed because I didn't get nearly as many reviews as I typically do, not that I'm complaining, I still got my fair share.
Rest assure this will not turn into a Harry/Ginny fic. I think there enough of them out there with out me adding to them. Harry will end up with the right GIRL.
The last chapter was just writtten to close up the Harry/Ginny possibility in Rise of the Dark Lord. I like to think of Ginny as the one who got away.
As for Harry he's lonely and prideful at the present moment. He wants to be with Cho, but his wounded pride won't let him. Ginny was just what she was afraid she might be, a rebound. And Noel just wait.
The One That Got Away
The night air felt sticky as Cho stared out the open window in the library. The Academy seemed lonely. Most of the students had taken the weekend off for holiday. She was alone. The breeze touched her face and danced through her hair. It reminded her of a distant memory.
"Snap out if, Cho," she whispered to herself as she turned a page to the book she was studying.
Somehow the words didn't seem to make sense as her thoughts wandered again. It was pointless she wasn't going to get anything accomplished tonight she quickly gathered her things and left the empty library.
Moments later she found herself sitting at the kitchen table at her only friend's flat. Marietta always welcomed company. It wasn't much of an option. Being with Marietta was a good as being alone. Cho almost immediately regretted her decision to visit. Marietta's boyfriend, Brendan, was visiting that evening.
"I can always see if Anthony is able to come over, "Marietta offered.
Cho barely caught on to what she was saying, "What? Oh no, don't be ridiculous. If you want a night alone with Brendan I can go somewhere else."
Marietta shook her head profusely, " You're the one being ridiculous. You aren't going anywhere. Brendan and I were just going to have a night in. You're more than welcome to stay in with us. I just though Anthony might make it a bit less awkward for you."
Cho forced a smile, "I'm really not interested in being entertained by company. Anthony is a really sweet guy, but I'm not really wanting to be put into that kind of situation."
Marietta looked at Cho suspiciously, "You aren't still in love with Harry Potter, are you?"
Cho's smile faded as she took a breath, "I'll always be in love with Harry, but it's alright. He's happier now. I'm just not ready, that's all."
"I told you not to get involved with Potter. I said he was nothing but trouble for you," Marietta lectured.
Cho rolled her eyes, "You said the same thing about Cedric."
"And it was trouble," Marietta argued, "You still aren't over him."
"He died," Cho said quickly, "I didn't have much of a choice."
"I'm sorry," Marietta said softly, "I didn't mean anything by that."
"It's alright. I talked to Harry the other day. He…." Cho started then stopped.
"What?" Marietta asked quickly.
Cho shook her head as if trying to shake a thought from her head, "It's silly really. He just seemed like he still cared. He knew about the vampire attack, he knew about everything. It was almost like he wanted me back."
Marietta laughed in a sarcastic tone, "Of course he knew about the vampire attack. It was in the Prophet. You really are out of you mind you know that?"
"It was more that just that. You didn't see the way he looked at me," Cho argued, looking slightly annoyed at Marietta's lack of support.
"Listen to me, Cho. You need to forget about Harry. He's no good for you," Marietta said taking Cho's hands.
Cho rolled her eyes, "I miss him."
"Honestly, you are truly hopeless," Marietta said looking exasperated.
"It's stupid that we are both being so childish. I'm just going to talk him," Cho decided as she affirmed her decision with a nod.
"What are you going to say?" Marietta asked, "I think we should get back together?"
"Maybe," Cho confessed.
"And what would you parents say?" Marietta pushed.
Cho shrugged, "It isn't their decision, is it?"
"Cho, I'm saying this as a friend. You are only going to get your heart broken again. X-boyfriends are X-boyfriends for a reason. He's probably already found another girl to fancy by now. If he really cared about you, he would have tried to win you back by now."
"He thought I was with Eros," Cho argued, "I would have been furious to."
Marietta rolled her eyes, "Whatever you think. You've never bothered to heed my advice before, why would you now?"
A loud crack sounded in the main room and Marietta rose from her seat at the kitchen table, "Brendan's here. Can we just keep the talk about Potter to a minimum? I don't want to end up talking about your stupid obsession all night long."
Cho forced another smile, "I wouldn't want to annoy you."
December O'Riley sat at her desk as the sun rose welcoming the new day. She had pulled another one of her all niters. She typically did about once a month, on the nights of the full moons. Remus Lupin was somewhere curled up, playing the part of a humble werewolf. He assured her his transformations were much less painful now that he took the wolfbane potion. December closed her eyes trying not to worry about Remus. If she thought about him too long, she'd start thinking of her brother again.
A loud call from her window seal interrupted her thoughts.
"Suppose you want your tipping?" December asked the delivery owl.
The owl gave an unusually groggy hoot before she rose to her feet and placed a knut into the owls pouch and removed the prophet from the owls delivery satchel.
"Off with you now," December shooed at the owl before taking her seat and unrolling the paper.
"Bloody hell," December choked. It was a good thing that she was sitting, because she would have surely fallen over if she had been standing as she read the front page.
Potter's Affair and Betrayal
Harry James Potter, candidate for Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin First Class, and savior of the magical world from the evil dark lord was due to marry his Hogwart's love interest Cho Chang sometime late this fall.
Intelligent, resourceful reporter, Rita Skeeter, has attempted to discuss the exact details of the Potter/Chang wedding with Mr. Potter several times since the news broke in the Daily Prophet. Mr. Potter has been unwilling to disclose any information about this event.
We now know why! The World Quidditch Cup, held in St. Petersburg, Russia this year, was attended by Mr. Potter a few of his close friends. His fiancé was not present. The spirit of Quidditch typically brings out the best in us; it seemed to do the worst with our young hero.
Harry Potter was seen in a very compromising lip lock with an unidentified red headed witch just last evening. Surely our young Miss. Chang knew nothing of Mr. Potter's betrayal. There has been no news out of the Potter campaign team on whether or not the wedding will still go on as planned. It appears Mr. Potter has finally shown his true colors. He has given in to his famous name and divulged in the life of the rich and famous. Witnesses say this new young mistress is just one of Harry's many mistresses. Mr. Potter has been known to get drunk and go home with nameless girls eager to please the boy who lived on almost nightly basis.
It appears this erratic life style is kept secret and a false image of Mr. Potter is fed to the public. This is no innocent young man, but a destructive individual who doesn't care who he hurts or who he takes home with him. This reporter offers her sincerest apologies to Miss. Cho Chang. Let us all keep her in our thoughts as this story continues to unfold.
December eye's bulged as she watched the picture of Harry and Ginny kissing feverishly on the front cover. After the moment of shock passed she flung the paper back down onto her desk and swore under her breath.
"Harry, what the bloody hell are you thinking," she said to herself as she glanced back down at her desk.
December closed her eyes, "This is going to get dreadful."
Cho stretched as she rose from the spare bedroom at Marietta's flat. Something outside had woken her.
"Marietta, who's at the door?" Cho asked as she pulled her cover robe over her shoulder and walked out of the room.
Marietta was standing at the door looking like deer in headlights as four or five reporters asked her question.
"Miss Chang!" one them called spotting her over by the wall.
"Are you and Mr. Potter still planning on getting married?"
Cho raised her eyebrows, "No."
"Did you call off the wedding because of the affairs he has been having?"
Cho bit her bottom lip as she glanced behind her debating on whether or not to abandon Marietta and apparate back to the Academy.
"What affairs," she heard Marietta ask.
"Have you not read the Prophet this morning?" one of the reports with unusually pointy glasses asked in a rather offended tone.
"We just got of bed," Marietta retorted.
Rita Skeeter grinned, "I'm sorry dear."
"What are you sorry about?" Cho asked softly as Rita tossed a copy of the paper towards her.
Cho's heart nearly fell out of her chest as she watched the picture of Harry and Ginny kissing, "He didn't cheat on me."
"My dear, we have the proof right here in black and white. Denial won't help," Rita said a sweet voice.
Cho took another deep breath, "He's a single man and has been for quite awhile. He has every right to kiss Ginny Weasley… I broke up with him."
"When?" another reporter asked eagerly, "Why haven't you reported it to the media yet?"
"Because it was nobody's business," Cho spat, "Harry hasn't done anything wrong and I'm disgusted that anybody would write such nonsense about him."
"Do you have any comments about Harry's reckless lifestyle?" Rita asked.
"Harry doesn't have a reckless life style," Cho continued her face growing flushed.
"Then explain the picture on the cover of the Daily News. He's been seen snogging several unidentified girls in the recent past, and he has been seen leaving many unnamed bars in a compromising state," Rita accused.
Cho narrowed her eyes, "You evil foul woman. You know that's a lie! How could Harry be at bars when he's in Auror training? He doesn't have time to have a life, much less one like the lie you're trying to push off on him. Harry is a serious student. Our break-up was a mutual decision and it had nothing to do with Harry's nonexistent reckless lifestyle. Why can't you people just leave him alone? That's is all he wants, just to be able to move on with his life without you horrid people telling lie on him all the time. You want a quote, there you go!"
Rita snickered under her breath as her quill scribbled furiously on a pad in her had, "Poor dear's obviously delusional."
"I am not delusional!" Cho said acidly, "Now, if you don't mind, you have not been invited into my friend's home as far as I can see which is clearly a violation of section 779 of the Wizarding Guideline of the Conference of 1910. Get out before I find grounds for your arrest."
Rita's fake smile make Cho skin crawl as she simply nodded, "Perhaps I've caught you at a bad time. If you would be interested in granting me an interview please contact me at the Daily Prophet."
"I said get out," Cho gritted as Rita stuffed her quill and pad back into her bag and made her way out the door with the disappointed looking reporters behind her.
Marietta quickly shut the door, "Honestly, do you always have to take up for him?"
Cho raised her head, "What do you mean?"
"Last night you were talking about how you thought he wanted to work things out and this morning there is a picture on him on the front cover of the Prophet no less, snogging that Weasley girl," Marietta said with disgust in her voice.
"What would you have me do, Marietta, vent my anger about Harry kissing Ginny Weasley by bashing him to the papers?" Cho said sharply, "He didn't do anything wrong."
"What? Skeeter's right you are delusional. He's replaced you," Marietta exclaimed.
Cho took a deep breath, and to her surprise felt no urge to cry, "It's fine. I think Ginny would be good for him."
"Weasley, that scrawny little red headed girl. Cho, you can't be serious?" Marietta continued.
Cho ignored her friend as she read through the article, cringing at every word, "Oh, that foul woman."
"Harry, get up mate. He's going to kill you!"
Harry swallowed hard as he reached for his glasses. Neville Longbottom had a frantic look on his face as he shook Harry by the shoulder, "You've got to get out of here. I don't know how much longer Dean and Justin can hold him back."
Harry crinkled his forehead and exhale noisily, "What in Merlin name are you talking about."
"I've never seen him this tempered before. Not even when he broke Dean's nose! He's gone insane," Neville continued fretfully.
"Ron?" Harry asked.
"Yes, please get out of here before he gets past…"
"POTTER!"
Harry jumped quickly as Ron Weasley pushed past Dean, "I trusted you. You grimy stink'n cheat."
He flung a copy of the Daily News toward Harry's head rather viciously, "Where is she?"
Harry rose to his feet, his temper lingering towards the surface. He didn't have time for this nonsense, "Who?"
"GINNY! You idiot! Who do you think I'm talking about?" Ron fumed, his ears going as red as his hair.
Harry looked completely confused; "I haven't seen her since the game. You mean to tell me she's gone missing?"
Ron frowned, "Do I look that thick., Potter? What was the Wood thing? A diversion so I wouldn't find out you was shagging my sister?"
"I'm not doing anything with Ginny," Harry defended.
"Then what the bloody hell are you doing on the front cover of the Prophet with your tongue down her throat?" Ron asked acidly.
Harry paused for a moment then unrolled the paper Ron had just pitched him.
"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," Neville attempted.
"SHUTUP NEVILLE," Ron roared.
"How did they get this?" Harry asked, mostly to himself.
Ron narrowed his eyes, "Where is she?"
"I don't know," Harry snapped, "This is ridiculous. When are they going to figure out that I'm not marrying Cho."
"You're still in love with Cho and you're shagging my sister?" Ron asked gasping, "You, you…."
"I'm not shagging Ginny," Harry said quickly, but he didn't hear Ron response.
"Harry, can you hear me mate?"
Harry cracked open his eyes as if he were waking from a peaceful sleep, but a wet sensation and a sharp pain in the center of his face brought him back into reality quickly.
"He didn't break it," Terry said as he touched the tip of Harry's bleeding nose with his wand, "I just wanted you to wake up before I tried to stop the bleeding."
"The stupid prat punched me didn't he?" Harry asked sharply whipping his face with his robe.
"The famous Weasley nose crunch," Dean said lightly, "I think he went rather soft on you."
"I didn't shag Ginny," Harry said suddenly, "Nothing happened."
Michael made a funny nose as he held up the paper, "Nothing happened?"
Harry made a motion to snatch it away, "Nothing happened."
"It's alright if it did. I mean Ginny's old enough to make her own decisions. I'd hate to see you call it off with her because Ron is a prat when it come to his sister," Dean said sincerely.
"Here, here," Michael agreed.
Harry sighed, "Ginny and I are just friends."
Michael shrugged, "I imagine Cho is probably pretty upset."
Harry looked up slightly confused, "Well, didn't you read the article? I bet the reporters are swarming her door."
"Why would they do that?" Harry asked quickly feeling a sinking sensation in his stomach.
"They're all over the place outside. Been there all morning the most of them. They want to ask you questions about your infidelity," Justin explained, "I wouldn't go outside this tent if I were you."
Harry sighed again, "This is getting ridiculous. Where did Ron go?"
"After he knocked your nose into your face he stormed out of here. Muttering something about finding that scarlet sister of his," Ernie said with a smirk, "Parvati, Padma and Susan went looking for her this morning. Hopefully they've found her and gotten her to a safe place away from Ron. I mean if she finds out Ron punched you, she'd liable to perform one of her famous bat boogey hexes on him."
"It would serve him right. He just can go punching anyone who snogs his sister," Dean laughed.
"I've got to find Ginny," Harry said quickly.
"Easy there, I'd stay away from Ginny if I were you Harry," Neville said carefully, "At least until everything blows over. She's got a pretty nasty temper when it comes to stuff like this."
"I hope the rest of the Weasleys have a sense of humor," Terry said as he watched the graphic image of Harry and Ginny.
Harry shook his head, "I've got to fix this. Is anybody outside talking to the reporters about this?"
"Hannah had to leave early this morning, and nobody has seen Noel since last night. She probably got annoyed and went back to the Academy. She was pretty pissy after that row you had with her last night," Michael explained.
December O'Riley glanced around the large room filled will floating golden bubbles. It was whimsical.
"I take it you find my new invention amusing?" Dumbledore asked lightly as he entered into the room with a bright smile.
December returned it and nodded, "What exactly are they?"
Dumbledore touched one the small orbs and sent it soaring towards the other side, "I'm not precisely sure myself. It was a product of a slightly misread potion. I thought it called for toad warts and it was calling for toadstools, a simple mistake, but look at the results. Sometime are mistakes can create amazing results."
"Sir, I wanted to speak to you about the Prophet this morning. The people are going to want a response out of us as well. Have you spoke with Harry about the election?" December asked.
"Alas, it popped," Dumbledore observed, "Perhaps there are more to these small orbs than meets the eye."
"Albus, what should I tell Skeeter?" December tried again.
Dumbledore's face suddenly grew into what could be described as serious, "Is Miss Chang still working on my campaign?"
"Yes, she's been a great help," December affirmed.
Dumbledore nodded, "Than she will understand why Harry's choice is what it was. It is not the campaign that will suffer from this news. It is the people who care about Harry who are affected. Rita Skeeter does not understand her stories are more than just words, they are much more."
"Are you feeling alright, sir. You seem a little distant today?" December said delicately as Dumbledore continued to tap the golden bubbles with his wand.
"Forgive me, this is just the ramblings of a silly old man," Dumbledore responded.
December sighed, "So you don't want to grant Rita our opinion on this entire shenanigans?"
"The truth will reveal itself without our involvement, it always does," Dumbledore explained.
December bit her lip, "Sir, you hired me win this election for you. You have to start allowing me to do my job…."
"Did I?" Dumbledore asked, "I acquired your services so everything would be in place if Harry decided he didn't want the responsibility that has been handed to him. I do not what him running merely because of his dislike of Minister Fudge. I am a way for him to make a wise decision. I owe him that much."
"Harry isn't running for Minister sir," December said firmly.
"Has he personally told you that?" Dumbledore asked.
December lowered her head, "Yes."
"Are you sure?"
December thought back slightly, "Are you saying Harry wants to run?"
"I'm saying that we should not make decision for Harry when he is capable of making decisions on his own," Dumbledore explained, "We shall remain quite in our quest until the appropriate time."
December nodded, "I would like to speak with Harry."
"He will come to you when he is ready. This is something he must figure out on his own," Dumbledore warned.
December sighed, "By that time, it could be to late. Did you see what the Prophet reported."
"I found it rather amusing," Dumbledore revealed, "I trust Harry will see the irony in it as well."
December frowned, "I didn't join this campaign to lose to Fudge."
"And neither did I," Dumbledore said softly, "neither did I."
"Keep a steady hand," Noel whispered to herself as she carefully allowed the ingredient to drip from her hand into the boiling cauldron.
The sizzling potion hissed softly as it changed into puke pink then to a colorless liquid.
Noel finally exhaled as she set the bottle back onto the table and picked her ladle.
Tap the cauldron three times on the right side, and then whip the potion in a clockwise direction until it turns into a clear green.
Noel re-read the instructions again before tapping the cauldron. The liquid gave a juicy burp sound before she submerged her ladle and began to whip the potion rapidly. It didn't take long before the clear liquid faded into a soft clear green.
Noel promptly stopped and glanced back down at her notes.
Add three charred Unicorn Hairs and a pinch of Doxie Dust. Carefully allow a swift breath to shutter the top of the potion until it gives a deep shutter. Allow it to simmer in a dying yellow flame for ten seconds then release it from its heat
Noel took a deep breath as she slowly dropped the three Unicorn Hairs into the potion then, carefully took exactly a pinch of Doxie dust between her fingers and released it. She lowered her head and allowed her breath to dust the surface of the boiling potion and it shuttered and became still. She waved her wand and turned the flame beneath the cauldron into a streaming yellow flame and counted off ten second off her watch.
" Nox," Noel whispered as her wand tip touched the unusual flame allowing it to extinguish.
A click near the door made her head pop up nervously from her work. The room was dimly lit and she couldn't make a figure anywhere in the room. She dismissed it as a mouse or perhaps her mind playing ticks on her.
She quickly filled a vial and stuffed it into her pocket and vanished her notes so they couldn't be read. Her potion had taken her hours to create, and now it was time to test it.
Another sound startled her and she waved her wand over her cauldron causing the remaining potion to disappear.
"Who's there?" Noel asked narrowing her eyes.
When nobody answered she lifted her wand, "Lumos."
Her wand tip glowed, brightening up the room so she could see clearly. Nobody was there.
Noel narrowed her eyes as she quickly gathered the rest of her thing. Her cloak swished behind her as she exited the room, allowing the door to click behind her. She was well aware there was more than one way to make yourself invisible, and she wasn't keen on finding out what or who had made themselves company in the room with her.
She pushed swiftly though the corridors her mind and heart racing. Could she go though with this? Although she was confident in her potion making ability, there was still a chance of side effects. Even the most thought out tested potions had side effects. The list of things that the drinker could suffer from haunted her thoughts. Then there was another problem. How was she going to get Harry alone for an hour to test the potion? The only place they were ever together besides class was in the dormitory, and they were hardly ever alone for a full hour.
This was one detail she had neglected to pay much attention to. Noel bit her bottom lip in frustration, as she racked her mind for the perfect excuse. Then her eyes lit up with delight, it was perfect. In her brilliance she had added a thirty-five minute delay to the potion, so she would have time to work if she spiked Harry's refreshment. It was so obvious, it was going to be almost too easy.
"As soon as you've done this you can forget about him. You feeling nothing for him," Noel thought to herself as she reached into her bag touching her vial to make certain it was still there.
It seemed as if time passed faster than the blink on an eye. It seemed only hours later when the Academy was full of happy faces chatting about the World Quidditch Cup or other nonsense that belong outside of the wall of the establishment.
Noel took a deep breath and entered into the Main Hall.
Harry collapsed into his bed, the one that wasn't nearly as comfortable as his bed at Hogwarts, but much more comfortable than his bed at Privet Drive.
He closed his eyes; his mind was racing with confusion. He barely noticed when someone sat on the bed next to him.
"How was the Quidditch Cup?"
Harry opened his sore eyes and saw a bushy haired familiar face looking curiously at him.
"You mean you haven't read about it?" Harry asked sarcastically.
Hermione frowned as she reached out a touched Harry's bruised face, "Let me guess, Ron?"
"I think busted noses are becoming his trade mark," Harry confirmed.
Hermione shook her head; "He can be such an idiot sometimes."
Harry nodded in agreement, "So how was your weekend with Viktor?"
"I didn't go," Hermione said softly, "I didn't think it would have been right to go."
"I didn't think you would," Harry admitted, "I didn't tell Ron."
Hermione smiled, "Thank-you. At least one of my best friends knows me."
Harry sighed, "At least he didn't break it. Terry did all he could but there isn't much you can do about the bruising."
Hermione frowned, "So is it true? Are you and Ginny."
"No," Harry said instantly.
Hermione didn't even look mildly surprised, "I didn't think so."
"You didn't?" Harry asked.
"Of course not. She's been interested in you for too long. I don't think it would have worked out," Hermione continued, "Maybe it's the same with Ron and I."
"Don't say that. Ron cares about you. He's just to stupid to realize it sometimes," Harry said sincerely.
Hermione forced another smile and pulled her hair back into her hands, "I'm sorry I couldn't keep Rita Skeeter from reporting those horrible things about you."
"Rita likes to cause trouble. It's my own fault," Harry sighed.
"It isn't your fault," Hermione said firmly.
Harry frowned, "If I had just stopped all this Minister on Magic before it got to this point."
Hermione brow furrowed, "I wish I could disagree with you, Harry, but you are absolutely right. You should have put a stop to this Minister of Magic thing right when it started."
Harry sighed, "I was hoping you'd tell me I'm being to hard on myself."
"Why don't you just tell Rita that you aren't running? Let her write a story about how you've backed out of the election," Hermione suggested.
"Because maybe I'm not so sure I shouldn't run," Harry confessed closing his eyes as he spoke.
"Harry, you can't be serious. You're too young to be Minister. It takes years of experience in policy and magical law before one is truly qualified to be Minister of Magic," Hermione argued.
"Think about it. I could throw Malfoy back into jail; pass pro-werewolf legislation and anti-vampire policies. I can make sure nobody I care about is ever hurt again. I could silence Skeeter once and for all…"
"Those are not reasons to run for Minister. You should want to be Minster to change our society for the better," Hermione lectured.
Harry frowned, "Throwing Malfoy back into Azkaban will better society."
"You know what I mean, Harry."
The Main Hall was full as the students gathered for their first meal together since the World Quidditch Cup. Harry sighed as he buttered a roll; his conversation with Hermione kept running through his mind. He knew she was right, he was thinking of running for all the wrong reasons. Somehow Hermione always had a way of doing that.
"Chicken pie again?" Susan said bitterly as she took a seat at Harry's table with Michael.
To Harry's surprise Noel took the seat next to him, even though there were still available seats elsewhere at the table. He glanced at her suspiciously, but then chose to ignore her presence.
"I know what you mean, you think they'd feed us properly," Michael agreed.
"Where are Hermione and Terry?" Susan asked, noticing the missing dormmates.
"They have a practical tonight at St. Mungo," Harry explained.
Noel cleared her throat, "Speaking of practicals, we have meeting with Master Moody this evening."
"We do?" Harry asked looking slightly puzzled, "I wonder why Master Tonks didn't mention it. I'm suppose to meet with her to practice some new hexes tonight."
Noel held her breath; "I received an owl right before dinner saying that I was to notify you that we had a meeting tonight about our mission."
"I thought we had a weeks vacation from our missions to allow us to focus on our studies," Michael said.
Noel narrowed her eyes, "I didn't write the message. You know how Master Moody can be at times."
Harry nodded, "Well, perhaps it won't take to long. He probably just wants to update us on the progress of the situation."
"That would be my guess," Noel said bitterly.
The group continued to chat amongst one another. Noel slowly reached down into her bag and pulled out a small vial that fit snug into her hand. Harry's drink was only a few inches away and it would only take a second to deposit the potion into its contents. After he had ingested the potion it would take precisely thirty minutes for it to start working. Noel hesitated as she glanced around the room nervously, if Harry looked at someone else before he looked at her, the potion would be ruined.
She would have to wait; she couldn't do it here, not now.
"What time and where are we meeting Master Moody?"
Noel snapped her eyes up violently, interrupting her thoughts, "Eight, just meet me in the dormitory."
Harry rose from the table and left with Michael. Noel glanced at the two as they headed out the door of the Main Hall, her look caught Susan's attention.
"Is everything alright, you don't seem like yourself," Susan said softly.
Noel snapped her look back towards Susan, "Everything is fine."
"Did you finish the potion?" Susan whispered.
Noel glanced back down towards her hand, "No, it isn't finished."
"Maybe I can help," Susan offered.
"No," Noel said instantly.
"Oh," Susan frowned.
Noel face contorted as she tried to put on a comforting face, "I don't mean I don't want your help. I just work better alone."
Susan mouth twitched at the corners, "It's alright. My offer stands if you ever need it."
"I appreciate it," Noel said flatly.
It seemed like an eternity but eventually Susan left the Main Hall. The table was empty except for Noel who was in deep thought. She twirled the vial in her hand as her eyes narrowed. Nothing was going according to plan. The potion had to be ingested, she couldn't very well force Harry to drink it.
Noel bit her bottom lip as she contemplated different options. For a brief moment she reconsidered what she wanted to do, but only for a moment. She had to know. She had never felt like this before. Noel didn't believe in feelings like this, she didn't want to believe she was capable of feeling something for someone, especially some like him.
"Just do you fool," Noel hissed at herself as she snatched a couple pastries off the table. She quickly walked out of the Main Hall and into a smaller corridor off to the side that was disserted.
She took one final glance over her shoulder and unplugged the vial, allowing a few drops of the potion to seep into the soft layers. She corked the vial and dropped in into the pockets of her robes with a shaky hand. She pinched a corner off of the un-tampered pastry and wrapped them both in a napkin from her pocket.
The corridor seemed to grow as she walked towards the Rank I's dormitory. She would simply tell Harry they weren't going to get a chance to eat tonight, so she brought them a bite to eat. Noel cringed at the thought of her excuse it would never work. She wasn't the type of person who would bring food to someone because they were hungry.
Before she could create a satisfactory excuse she was standing inside the dormitory. Michael and Harry were studying Defense over by the fireplace and Susan was reading a history of Magical Remedies.
"Harry, are you ready?" Noel asked swiftly, praying the nervously was present in her voice.
Harry glanced down at his watch; "I thought Master Moody didn't want us until eight?"
Noel eyes grew slightly as she stiffened slightly, "That doesn't mean we should arrive at the last second."
Harry sighed, "Alright, just let me finish this last line."
Noel stood impatiently by the door with a uncomfortable sensation stirring in her stomach, she had no idea how she was going to get Harry to eat the pastry. If she merely offered it to him, surly he'd refuse. After all, they had just finished dinner.
"I'm done," Harry announced as he slid his book across the floor and under his bed.
"Well, hurry up, I don't want to be late for Master Moody," Noel snapped shortly turning quickly so he wouldn't see her face.
Soon the two were in the corridors walking towards the meeting rooms. She had to stall. Why had she decided to tell Harry they had a meeting with Moody, couldn't she have come up with a better excuse than that?
"I do hope this doesn't take long," Harry grumbled, "I really need to get those hexes down before the next assessment."
Noel tutted, "I think an update on our mission and the status of Malfoy is more important than mastering a few silly jinxes."
"Hexes," Harry corrected.
Noel rolled her eyes, "Do you mind if we stop by the kitchen, I'm a bit parched."
"I thought you didn't want to be late?" Harry retorted.
Noel gave Harry an angry grin and sneered, "Well, we aren't running late are we, so we have plenty of time to make a slight detour."
"Fine, if you want a drink, then we'll get you a drink," Harry replied flatly.
Noel dashed into the kitchen area where she poured herself a cup of pumpkin juice and downed it quickly. Her mouth was dry and her heart was pounding as she started to turn to leave then suddenly stopped. Her hand wandered back down towards her pocket where she pulled out the vial and glanced back over her shoulder.
Biting her lip she slowly dropped a few drops of her potion into another goblet, then filled both with pumpkin juice and proceeded back to where she had left Harry.
"Thirsty, Potter?" Noel asked in her usual tone, trying not to seem over anxious about him drinking what she had brought him.
"Thanks, but I'm not thirsty," Harry replied as he started to walk off.
Noel narrowed her eyes as she dodged in front of him and pushed the goblet into his hands, "Well, this is what I get for trying to be considerate. Take the bloody goblet, Potter, I don't need it."
Harry stared after Noel as she proceeded down the corridor, he couldn't figure her out, and nor did he have any desire to. Noel held her breath as she glanced over her shoulder to see if he had taken a sip of his juice yet. She couldn't tell whether he had or not from the angle she was at.
Noel's hand wandered into her pocket where she had the pastries wrapped up; perhaps it was a better solution. Still, if she couldn't get him to drink the pumpkin juice how was she going to get him to eat a pastry?
Just as her mind was racing with uncertainty she heard a clunk behind her. She turned around in time to see Harry setting his goblet down on a small corridor table.
"I suppose you just plan on leaving that there for the house elves to find," Noel snapped as she backtracked and snatched up the goblet. To her surprise it was empty. She froze as she noticed this small detail and her eyes slowly lingered up towards Harry who was looking at her with his usual annoyed tone.
"I suppose you have a problem with me leaving my goblet for the house elves now?" Harry barked.
Noel paused for a moment before she set the goblet back down, "No, it would be silly for me to have a problem with that."
She quickly glanced at her watch; she had exactly thirty minutes before the potion kicked in. She defiantly was the first female Harry saw after drinking the potion, so that worry was resolved. Noel entered into the first meeting room, thankful it was empty and took a seat the square table.
"Looks like Moody is late," Harry commented.
Noel nodded looking down at her watch again, "He'll be here shortly, I'm sure."
Harry nodded as he leaved in onto his elbows, "Thanks for the juice."
Noel tutted, "Better late than never I guess."
"That's the second time I've told you thanks. Why do you enjoy fighting with me?" Harry asked, frustration growing on his face.
Noel sighed, "You just get under my skin, Potter. I'm sorry I'm not lining up to join your pathetic little fan club."
"I'm not asking you to," Harry spat, "I'm not asking anybody to."
It remained quite between for the next several moments, but Noel finally broke the silence, "So did you rekindle your romance with your mates sister?"
"No," Harry muttered, "Please, don't bring up that horrid Prophet story. I'm really not in the mood to think about it."
Noel looked around anxiously as she glanced at her watch again, "I wonder where Master Moody is."
"It isn't like Master Moody to run late for anything. Are you sure you read the letter correctly?" Harry asked.
Noel nodded, "Positive."
Harry narrowed his eyes and pulled out his wand.
"What are you doing?" Noel hissed.
"Don't you find it odd. You get a letter and I don't telling us to meet here in the dead of the night. Then the sender doesn't show. I don't think Moody sent that letter," Harry revealed in a low whispered tone.
Noel tried to laugh, but it came off completely unnatural sounding, "Don't be silly, you're just being paranoid."
"Am I?" Harry asked staring at he suspiciously.
Noel turned her head away from him and glanced at her watch again, any time now.
Harry rose from his seat and started towards the door, "I'm going to go find Master O'Riley. She needs to know about his."
"Wait," Noel said sharply, as Harry froze at the door.
Harry spun back around with the same frustrated look on his face as before, "Why?…."
Noel eyes grew wide as Harry shook his head. The expression on his face melted away and a distant confused look overcame him.
"Harry?" Noel asked quietly, feeling the air around her become rather heavy.
Harry blinked, "You're breathtaking."
Noel froze as Harry slowly started to approach.
NEXT UPDATE: 06-27-04