Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten

by: LogicalRaven

I I know this is a short chapter, but I got preoccupied with something else this week. Forgive me... I do like where I ended this chapter, although I will warn you nothing has become resolved. The next chapter promises to be a long ride.

This week I'm putting out an official cry for help. I've finally been pushed over the edge with some of my reviews. I know my stories aren't perfect, in fact, grammatically they're a bit embarrassing, I can admit that. Well, I've decided to make a plea for help to solve this problem. I'm searching for five beta readers. There isn't much fame or glory in what I'm asking, in fact, it is more like slave labor. I know some of you have offered to beta for me, so I'm taking you up on your offer if you're still reading.

I can, due to circumstances beyond my control, offer no time. Meaning, I need a beta who will correct my stories without making me go back through them had actually make the final corrections. This is a bold move on my part, because I'm giving my beta(s) complete and total trust. I'm wanting to beta my entire Harry Potter series, starting with my James and Lily story, and if anybody is willing, I'd also like to beta my Cho story (Eyes of the Phoenix) Please e-mail at if you are interested. Hopefully if I can get these stories into shape I can publish them on , a site that has strict guidelines for grammatical correctness on their stories.

I would greatly appreciate any help I can get on this endeavor. Again, thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing... you are all amazing! Well, here is the next chapter, again, If you would like to be added to my e-mail notification list, let me know.

Read and Review

Nothing is My Own

Someone to Lean On

He was the one she had always turned to when she couldn't figure out her own way. Sometimes his direction was what she needed to get her back on the right path. Just like before, she found herself at his door again.

"What are you doing, O'Riley?" December asked herself as she paused before her knock.

She knew he'd welcome her in, ask her sit spell and stare at her with his graying werewolf eyes. She knew his heart would ache as she left and his spirit would fade a bite more because she could never be his. All of this knowledge, and it didn't matter. She knocked.

"Come in."

December O'Riley sighed as she painted a fake smile on her face, a smile she never would have worn in her youth, and pushed open the doors to the quarters Remus Lupin held during his teaching months at Hogwarts.

"December, I'm glad to see you. Please, have a seat, I don't have another class for at least an hour."

December froze and dropped her eyes at his word, she hated being right all the time, "Thanks, Remus."

"What brings you to Hogwarts today?" Remus asked with a kind expression of sincerity.

December sighed again, "I'm sure you've already heard."

"There is so much news floating around out there, I'm afraid you'll need to be a tad more specific," Remus joked.

"Eros Raymer had taken Noel as his student," December said darkly, "Of course I'm trying to fight it, but Fudge is moron."

Lupin nodded, "Eros Raymer is a gifted Auror... I'm sure your niece will do fine."

"You don't know Noel. She's bitter almost vengeful. You know, I'm still not convinced she wasn't behind the attack on Harry at the Academy," December confessed as she felt Remus sad eyes studying her.

"Have you asked her if she had anything to do with the attack?" Remus asked.

"Of course I have..." December shrugged off, "but I'm not sure I can believe a word she says to me."

"I know it isn't easy for you, but you have to let Noel be her own person. Your brother would have wanted it that way," Remus comforted.

"Would he? I'm sorry, Remus, I shouldn't have come here with my problems again."

"I'm all you have left, December, and you're all I have left," he said shaking the comment off. He placed warm cup of tea on the desk in front of her.

"You still have Harry," December smiled, but Remus seemed to frown a bit at her words.

His face gave a strange contort, but hide his emotions, "I never hear from Harry anymore. I'm a bad memory he probably wishes he could forget about. He has his own life, his own friends. He doesn't need an old burden like me pushing into his life."

"That isn't right—Harry cares for you deeply."

"One can only handle so much disappointment in life before he become content with nothing," Remus sighed, "It isn't self pity, I assure you, just an acceptance of reality."

"Remus..." December started.

Remus shook his head, "You came here to talk to me about Raymer taking on Noel as his student.... continue with that."

It was like she was a young girl, watching Remus Lupin from the shadows, and fearing with ever fiber of her being that he was going to disappear. She never could quite place her finger on it, but she needed Remus. He was something she fed upon for support, for guidance. If he left her now, she would surely crawl back into her office and die. Perhaps this is what gave her the courage to go him. Without really thinking, she found herself moving across the floor towards him, with the same heat rising through her body that had risen so many times before.

"Remus," she whispered, "You are right about one thing... you are all I have."

The old werewolf lowered his head so his sorrows could not been seen etched on his aging face. It was only when December's soft hand grazed his cheek did he look up. She offered his a quaint smile.

"You've always been there for me..."

"But it wasn't always enough," Remus whispered back as her hand gently touched his face.

When their lips touched it was like the ache from an old memory. The sensation was so familiar yet so unknown. December felt her heart pound painfully in her chest, as Remus seemed to struggle with the intimacy. The two stood frozen, neither of them able to move. He knew and she did; soon she would pull away from this perfect embrace and create a million reasons not to repeat it.

December felt her eyes become wet, but no tears fell. She pulled away as she had so many times in the past and bit her bottom lip, "Remus..."

Remus gave a small sigh, "I know."

"I'm sorry," December said softly, "I shouldn't have done that."

He tucked a strand of her dark hair neatly behind her ear and back away like a gentleman.

"I've got to go... I have a meeting with George Steppin. Apparently Harry and him had a brief exchange of words," December said quickly.

"Will I hear from you again soon?" Remus asked.

December forced a weak smile, "I'll send you an owl to let you know how my meeting with Steppin goes."

She made her way out into the empty corridors of Hogwarts. The students were in class and she took advantage of their absence. Her heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces again. She had just kissed Remus, and like before she couldn't get Sirius out of her mind; she couldn't get the guilt out of her heart. If it was possible, she loved him more now that he was dead, then she ever had when he was alive. It was ironic how history repeated itself. Sirius had disappeared and it was Remus she was turning to.

The bell rang; sounding the end of the classes and the halls suddenly became filled with students. Some of the upper year students greeted her and she pressed on with her normal solemn face.

"Hello professor." "Nice seeing you back professor." "Cheers professor."

December was actually slightly surprised how many students actually greeted her presence, since her classes weren't known as a favorite among students during the year she taught at Hogwarts.

She made the final turned that lead towards the teachers' lounge where she would be able to floo back to the Ministry. A sharp pain collided with her shoulder as she opened the door. Severus Snape was gripping his arm tightly with his hand with a look of horror on his face.

"Is everything alright, Severus?" December asked, struck odd by his expression.

Severus Snape glanced around the room and turned quickly to leave without saying a word, his black cloak swirling behind him.

Dear Harry,

Sorry I haven't been able to write you, but I wasn't quite sure what to say. I guess things never really became resolved between us, but then again maybe they did. Congratulations on your recent marriage, engagement, whatever with Cho. I owled Ron to ask how things were going, but he never responded. Are things all right between the two of you yet? Concerning Cho, forgive me for the 'I told you so' speech. I knew you two weren't really through, and it appears I was just the rebound you needed to get you to stop being so thick.

Regardless of what it may appear up to this point, I am not writing to harass you. Today while I was in Hogmeade I saw something that might be of interest to you. Draco Malfoy was in the Three Broom Sticks. I probably wouldn't have even noticed him, but I'd know that slimy voice anywhere and I overheard him ordering a drink. If that wasn't odd enough, I saw Vincent Crabb passing him a letter of some kind. Crabb has been working at Hogwarts this year, and he's terrible but still as dim witted as ever.

Do you think I'm being paranoid? It just didn't feel right, does it to you? Send reply if you find anything out, even if you don't want to. Oh, and if my oaf of a brother is still being a prat and keeping up his silent treatment, let me know. I'm working on improving my bat boogey hex and I'd love to test out.

Ginny

Harry ran though Ginny's letter again. Yes, it did concern him that Malfoy was receiving odd letters from Crabb, but there wasn't much that could be done about that. Cornelius Fudge had made it clear that no Auror was to go after Malfoy now that his father was dead. Though most thought Fudge was an idiot, the example he had set with Mad-Eye Moody was enough to keep them from questioning his orders as Minister. Most decided to remain silent until after the upcoming elections.

He made a mental note to mention the observation to Tonk, who was in a far better position to do something about it, or better still he could mention it do December.

"Who's the pen pal?" Susan asked as she chewed on a piece of bacon.

Harry shook his head, "It's just a letter from Ginny."

Susan almost spat out her food, "Weasley? I thought you weren't seeing her anymore?"

"I was never seeing Ginny," Harry corrected, "She was just letting me know about something odd she saw on her last Hogmeade's visit."

"Really, what?" Terry pushed.

"Malfoy talking with Crabb," Harry said flatly.

"Who's Crabb?" Noel asked as she looked up from her own plate of food.

"A big fat oaf of a Death Eater," Terry said casually.

Harry sighed, "I wish Moody was still around, he'd figure out a way to figure out what Malfoy was up to."

"I heard Fudge had indefinitely forbade him from setting foot into the Ministry or the Academy. He doesn't want him having anything to do with the Auror department," Michael put in.

"Do you think that Malfoy is trying to join the new rising?" Susan whispered.

"I'd bet my right eye on it," Harry said acidly.

"I wonder if Moody made a similar bet?" Michael asked, causing Noel to roll her eyes.

Harry folded Ginny's letter and place it into his bag with the intent to give it to December later.

"Who's the letter from?"

Harry looked up to see Cho and Mario Fortez approaching. Harry and Cho had come to an unspoken agreement not to mention the fight they had over Harry's Minister of Magic problems. It appeared neither was willing to budge on the issue, so it was pointless to fight about it.

"Ginny," Harry mumbled, hoping Cho wouldn't flare up with anger as she had done in the past.

Cho's face twisted for a second but she collected herself, "What was she writing to you about?"

"She saw Malfoy socializing with Crabb during her last Hogmeades visit," Michael explained, knowing how quickly Cho's jealous could flare up from personal experience.

"Crabb? The Slytherin beater?" Cho asked.

"The same," Terry affirmed.

"You aren't thinking of going after Malfoy again, are you?" Cho asked looking directly at Harry.

Harry shrugged, "I'd like to know what he's up to."

"Who wouldn't, but Harry-- you can't go after Malfoy right now," Cho warned.

"We have Advanced Dark Arts," Noel suddenly spoke, rising from her seat dramatically.

Harry rose from his seat to. Cho gave him a quick peck on the cheek and whispered into his ear, "Promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"Define stupid," Harry replied sarcastically.

Cho gave him a scowled look as he followed Noel out into the corridors and up the staircase leading to the Dark Art's rooms. Harry noticed that Noel chanced a glance in his direction. He smirked at her and she promptly narrowed her eyes and tilted her chin upwards. The two had barely made it up to the second step when December O'Riley came running after them.

"Master O'Riley?" Harry asked as he saw her approaching. She said nothing, but seized his arm and ripped his shirtsleeve up.

"Has it burned, has it burned at all?" she asked almost desperately.

Harry looked taken back, "No, it hasn't burned since..." but he stopped.

December let out a breath of relief, "Thank Merlin."

"Is something wrong, Master O'Riley?" Noel asked watching her aunt carefully.

December looked sternly at her niece, "I need a word with Harry in private."

Noel flashed a bitter look but started up the stairs as requested.

"What's the matter?" Harry demanded, he didn't care if Noel was out of hearing distance or not. Nobody had mentioned the Dark Mark on Harry's arm since he had destroyed Voldemort, why would the Head of Auror training mention it now?

"Nothing, I just suddenly remembered that Voldemort marked you last year," December explained, "You know we found two Death Eaters with the Dark Mark burning on their skin when Moody was attacked."

"And you just now thought about mine?" Harry pushed, "what happened to make you think of my Dark Mark?"

December O'Riley merely shook her head, "Nothing I can confirm yet. Go on to class, I'll explain more once I know for myself."

Harry would have questioned her more, but he didn't have the time. She rushed away as quickly as she had appeared. Harry glanced back down at his arm again to make sure that his mark hadn't reappeared, but his skin looked unmarked.

"What was that all about?" Noel asked as she watched Harry's studying his arm from a few steps above.

"I'm not sure," Harry confessed.

Noel rolled her eyes, "Well, we're definitely late for class now."

Harry glanced up at her, "Go on with out me. Tell Master Sinter that I had something come up."

"Come up? What could possibly have come up?" Noel asked harshly.

Harry ignored her as he turned to head back in the direction they had come from.

"Harry!" Noel hollered. "You can't just skive off class."

Harry heard Noel's voice fading out behind him as he rushed back into the mess hall towards the table where Cho was sitting. She looked slightly taken when Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the hall.

"Do you have a Dark Mark?" Harry asked quickly once they reached the corridor.

Cho face when slightly pale, "No, I never accepted it."

Harry let of breath of frustration, "What do you mean you never accepted it?"

Cho bit her bottom lip before she reached out and took Harry's arm. She slowly pulled back his sleeve and rubbed her fingers across his arm.

"It isn't there," stated Harry, though it was obvious.

"Why would it be?" Cho asked slowly.

Harry sighed, "It was there last year. It was there until the night I defeated Voldemort."

"But it isn't there now," Cho continued, not changing her tone.

"But why? If Death Eaters are being found with the Dark Mark, why isn't mine burning? Why aren't I being summoned?" Harry asked aloud.

"Did you accept it?" Cho asked.

Harry frowned, "What do you mean accept it?"

"Did you willing allow the mark to summon you? Did you ever answer a summon?" Cho tried again.

"No," Harry answered instantly, almost looking insulted she'd even ask such a question.

Cho let her hand leave his arm, "I don't for sure how it all works myself, but in order to truly receive the Dark Mark, you have to accept it. Meaning you have to answer your summon. If you don't then you aren't permanently branded."

"Just another way Voldemort manipulated his followers. He makes you think you've joined him without letting you know you had a choice in the matter," Harry whispered acidly under his breath.

"Harry," Cho said softly, "Voldemort is dead. He can't harm you anymore, and soon we'll have all his remaining followers locked up in Azkaban."

"Who but Voldemort has the power to wheeled the Dark Mark?" Harry asked.

Cho frowned, "If you're referring to the Death Eaters we found at Moody's..."

"They had the Dark Mark," Harry reminded.

"But it could have been an mistake, we haven't seen it since, and now with Lucius Malfoy dead there isn't a threat," Cho said, sounding like she wasn't completely convinced herself.

"We thought Voldemort was dead before, but he came back," Harry retorted.

"You're being paranoid," Cho continued, "You heard what Dumbledore said about the spell you used to defeat Voldemort."

"Why would December come up and ask if my mark had burned?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Cho said softly, "I can ask her if you'd like."

"She probably wouldn't tell you any more than she told me," Harry waved off, "Promise me you'll keep alert."

"I always do," Cho tittered, "Come on, Harry, you need to get to class."

"I love you, Cho," Harry said suddenly, "I wouldn't be able to handle it if something happened to you again."

"Nothing is going to happen to me. Well, nothing that wouldn't happen to any other Auror," Cho said lightly.

"This isn't a joke," Harry snapped impatiently, "I mean it, keep alert."

"Alright, I'll keep alert," Cho surrendered before Harry pulled her into a hug. Something that wasn't typical of him.

"I've almost lost you four times now, Cho. I don't want him to come after you again," Harry sighed as he remembered the words Voldemort had once said to him.

"You'll hear their screams for the rest of your life."

The two of them didn't even seem to notice the pair of piercing eyes watching them from a distance.

"I think this idea is brilliant!" Dean exclaimed as the group relaxed out in the back lawn of Grimmauld Place. It looked to be the last promising day of the year. Soon the snow would coat the ground and the last nice day of fall would be gone. The boys had decided to take advantage of the pleasant weather and were gather around a magical campfire with a few bottles. Seamus who was lying across from him turned up one of the bottles of his homemade Fire Whiskey and let out a smoky belch.

"Brilliant?" Ron snickered, "You're talking about slags and fire whiskey, what's so bloody brilliant about that?"

Dean looked over at Ron and shook his head, "I swear mate, Hermione is turning you dull."

Ernie let out a loud burp that caused all the guys to laugh, including Ron who had forgotten he'd just been insulted.

"Now, like I was saying—I'm the best man so I'm planning the night of fluthered celebration with scrubbers and the whole works, more commonly known as the bachelor's party," Dean announced loudly, "We will be doing it muggle style, because lets face it, muggles know how to party and we're less likely to be caught doing something illegal or immoral."

Everyone whistled and hooted in agreement as Dean gave a half bow from his sprawled out position on the ground, "Now, the evening will start with a traditional pouring of the beer down the poor bachelor bloke's throat. After he is inebriated to the point he cannot walk, we will head to what is known as a muggle free house with dancing girls. Now, now... a strip club is a free house where muggle women, beautiful muggle women, take off their cloths for muggle money."

All the guys cheered and raised their drinks, except Neville who was blushing slightly at the thought.

"They really do that?" Ernie asked, being a pureblood and unfamiliar with such a concept.

"Oh yea mate! They dance while their removing their cloths too," Dean said proudly, "I've been checking out a few here and there while planning the event. We're going to the Dancing Beaver, it's is a wonderful little pub."

"The Dancing Beaver? Why is it called that?" Neville asked looking slightly confused.

"We'll tell you when you're older," laughed Ernie who was nudging Dean with his elbow.

"Yes gentlemen, Seamus is never going to forget his last night as a free man. Our goal is to remind him why he wants to be single and NOT get married," Dean announced.

Seamus grinned and gave a drunken nod, "As long as there is going to be beer and women I'm not complaining."

"Better not say that to Lavender, she might not let us have you for the evening," Ron warned with a chuckle.

"I think the more intelligent thing to do is make sure none of the girls know what we're doing," Dean retorted, "meaning, don't tell Hermione, Parvati or Padma. I'll have to remind Harry not to tell Cho or Susan either. Oh, and Ernie, don't mention it to Hannah, you know how girls like to stick together."

"So we're inviting Harry?" Ron asked bitterly.

All the guys let out a groan, "Ron, when are you going to let it go. It wasn't like he did anything wrong with Ginny. You already about broke the bloke's nose," Ernie argued.

"He snogged her, isn't that enough?" Ron spat acidly.

"You've snogged Parvati. I don't hold that against you," Ernie countered.

Ron wrinkled his nose, "That isn't the same and you know it."

"Why isn't it? I mean think about it. Dean over there has snogged Ginny and so has Michael. I don't see you refusing to talk to either of them," Neville interjected.

"Oh trust me, Ron gave me the silent treatment after me and Ginny decided to call it quits," Dean laughed, "and my nose still isn't straight."

"Harry is my best mate. It's an unwritten law, you can't snog your best mate's sister," Ron explained.

Justin stared at Ron for a moment then smirked, "Well, we aren't best mates—would it be alright if I snogged Ginny?"

Ron's eyes grew wide but Dean threw his hands into the air before Ron could respond to Justin's taunts, "Why are we talking about Ginny? I'm voting we get back on the topic of naked muggle girls."

Ernie let out a loud whistle and Dean gave him a shove, "Mate, I bet you've never even seen a naked girl before."

"I bet he has," Ron defended, "he is dating Parvati."

"Ha ha," Ernie snapped in a sarcastic tone.

"So, Ron, have you gotten there with Hermione yet?" Seamus asked.

Ron face when pale an his ears went pink, "Even if we had, I wouldn't tell a wanker like you."

"So you haven't?" Dean laughed.

"Oh like you've had more experience with women than I have," Ron hissed in Dean direction.

Dean smirked, "I would tell you mate, but you won't even talk to Harry because he snogged Ginny. I'd hate to think what you'd do to me since we..."

Ron threw a handful of Bernie Every Flavor Beans at Dean causing everybody to laugh.

"So what about you and Padma, Neville? Gotten anything out of her yet?" Ernie asked.

Neville frowned, "What would I get out of her?"

"Have you rounded the bases yet, mate? Has you played with her knockers?" Ron put in impatiently, but immediately blushed after saying it.

"Padma and I are just friends," Neville pleaded.

The guys laughed again, "Come off it."

"I'm serious," Neville insisted.

Dean smirked, "Well, I know our little bachelor isn't going to be so innocent on his wedding night. You should hear him and Lavender when they are engaged in a nookie session.."

"Jealousy, that is all it is my dear friend," Seamus said proudly, "Lavender and I decided it was just pointless to wait."

Dean smirked, "I don't see how you're going to be satisfied with only one girl the rest of your life. I'm just gaining all the experience I can now so I don't disappoint the future Mrs. Thomas."

"Good excuse," Justin laughed as he took a sip of Fire Whiskey being passed around.

"Just wait until the bachelor party—soon we'll all be experience when it come to the subject of the female form. We'll see all the totties we can imagine that night," Dean assured and they all cheered again.

It couldn't be burning again. Yet for the ninth time within a month his arm raged in a scorching pain and a dark form of a skull with a snake protruding out of his mouth burned through his arm.

He had heard the rumor that the new dark lord was rising, and he had learned how to access the Dark Lord's Dark Marks, but it seemed impossible. He who must not be named went great lengths to make positive none of his Death Eaters could replace him. What if Dumbledore was mistaken, what if the Dark Lord was not dead after all.

Surely he knew of his betrayal by now. Surely he knew that he had taken the hair of Barty Crouch Jr., lied and been a spy for Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. Severus Snape knew he was as good as dead once the Dark Lord found him. The Dark Mark seared in pain, as Snape stared at it. All he had to do was touch it and answer its summon, but doing so could mean certain death.

Still part of his own curious nature pushed him to go. He alone could discover what no

Auror could; he alone could rectify all the wrong he had done in a past life. Suddenly he slowly moved his fingers towards his arm and touched the Dark Mark on his arm. He changed his mind at the last second and his fingers lingered above his mark. Just when his nerves began to settle a noise outside his office, sounding like a student had just dropped their cauldron, caused him to jump and his finger touched the devilish mark.

The sensation was one he had longed to forget, but he knew he never would. There was a painful sensation in his head, like someone had just punched him in the eye then a violent tug around his neck. He appeared in a location he had not visited in years. He quickly withdrew his wand as he scanned the room.

It was one of the old headquarters of his former master. He hadn't seen the location since before the second rising. He knew better than to call out. He quickly pulled his robes over his head and walked slowly towards the main chamber. It looked deserted, but Snape had learned long ago that things were not always as they appeared. Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, those dreaded words rang in his ear, and all he saw was a bright green flash. " I Avada Kedavra. /I "

Next Update: 08-22-04