Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten
by:LogicalRaven
Well, I was at 900 reviews and now I'm not….that is the way the cookie crumbles I guess. I hope everybody has had a wonderful week, and I wanted to thank everybody who reviewed the last chapter. I think I read them all, and they were all kind and supportive. I have the best readers in the world following my little story.
I'm also flattered that my sixth year tale has made it into the honored TOP 10 on the main site. Whoa, how did that happened? I sometimes find it hard to believe that so many of you enjoy my writing, and as long as I have people asking for more, I'll continue with this growing hobby.
I'm going to do my best to keep up with my updating plans, but I may fall behind a bit in the future chapters. I have a rather large history paper coming due after all, and I might have to sacrifice a week of fanfiction to it. Don't worry though, that is still far down the storytelling road.
Thanks again to RavenGryffendor who is trying to help me make my stories easier to digest grammatically. I hope everybody enjoys this chapter, I think it is one of the better ones I've written in awhile.
Read and Review, Nothing is my Own
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Choices That Affect Us
Harry arrived back at Grimmuald Place late that evening. He promised Mrs. Weasley he'd return for Christmas morning, with Ron. Though he had to admit it, he hadn't missed him much that evening. Everyone had assumed Ron had gone home to sulk about Ginny's announcement and needed time to get it out of his system.
Hermione had also promised to come back for breakfast, but she went home to spend part of the holiday with her parents and sister. Christmas breakfast had the potential to be a festive event. Mrs. Weasley had invited several former Order members for old time sake, including Remus and December, even Dumbledore had promised he'd do his best to attend. Harry also realized the Prophet would begin its delivery, and the entire wizarding world would finally realize he wasn't running for Minister of Magic.
He walked into the living area from the kitchen and suddenly stopped at the sight that greeted him. Ron and Cho were stilling on the couch on opposite sides with their legs extended and crossing over one another. Harry took a few steps closer and looked at both of them. Two questions actually played in Harry's mind. One was why Cho was at Grimmuald Place the second was how Ron had been sane enough to hold a conversation with anyone after his episode at the Burrows.
"Mate?" Harry said softly, as he nudged Ron's shoulder. Ron made a groggy noise then cracked open his eyes.
"Bloody hell, what time is it?" Ron said in a whining voice.
"Late," Harry confessed, "What is Cho doing here?"
Ron looked towards the opposite side of the couch at Cho before responding. "I think the forty-one day mourning thing got to be a bit much."
Harry nodded as Ron untangled his legs carefully and got to his feet. "I'm going to bed."
"I promised your mum we'd be back for breakfast," Harry stated before Ron had reached the stairs.
Ron moaned in objection as he pulled himself groggily into his room.
Harry shook his head before he turned back to a still sleeping Cho. She looked completely exhausted, and her swollen pale skin told Harry that she wasn't coping with her mother's death well. She never dealt well with death.
Carefully, he lifted her off the couch and carried up the stairs. He decided to bring her into his room so she wouldn't be alone when she woke. She didn't look like she needed to be alone.
He laid her down on the bed and bent down to remove her shoes and socks. She stirred a bit, but didn't wake up, which told Harry she really hadn't gotten much sleep lately. He went to the opposite side of the bed and tucked the covers down before lifting Cho back off the bed and placing her into the pocket created.
He then removed his robe and shoes and crawled into bed beside her. He wasn't sure how long he watched her before he feel asleep. Her small chest rose up and down as she took deep breathes, and he found his fingerers twirled in her hair as he studied her.
As expectant as it was, morning arrived quickly. The sun burned through Harry's eyelids as it streamed through his window. Harry slowly cracked his eyes, and surprisingly his glasses were still on his face. Cho was still beside him, but her eyes were no longer closed.
"Morning," Harry whispered as he caught her eyes.
Cho smiled though it looked more like a frown.
"I've missed you," Harry continued.
Cho closed her eyes before pulling herself into a sitting position. "I can't stay long. I didn't leave properly."
"Your father doesn't know you've left," Harry stated, though it came across more like a question he already knew the answer to.
Cho nodded. "I had to get out of there… it was just too much."
"You're always welcome here," Harry assured her.
Cho nodded. "I best be going. I don't want to cause you any trouble."
Cho made a sudden movement to get out of bed before Harry seized her hand. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Depends how you define alright," Cho muttered miserably.
"Why don't you come with me this morning? I'm going to the Weasley's for Christmas breakfast," Harry offered.
Cho shook her head. "I'm here illegally…I apparated straight here, so I don't even have legal clearance to be in the country."
"Then we'll have breakfast here—just the two of us," Harry suggested.
"I appreciate the offer, but I really should be getting back," Cho explained in a weak voice, as she put her shoes back onto her feet.
"I suppose your presents are at your fathers," Harry said quickly.
Cho nodded. "Nobody even knows I've left—they should be there."
Harry smiled. "I hope you like what I got you. I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate with everything that happened."
"What did you get me?" Cho asked heavily, although it didn't matter what Harry had gotten her; it wouldn't take her away from this reality.
"You'll find out soon enough. I don't want to spoil it for you," Harry returned, as he brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Cho glanced up as she visibly fought back tears. "Stop trying to cheer me. You can't."
"I know, I just want to make sure you know I'm here for you if you need me," Harry confessed. "I'm just not sure how to make things right."
Cho took a deep breath and threw her arms around Harry's neck and placed her lips firmly on his. Harry stumbled backwards and caught himself on the edge of his bed, but Cho didn't seem to notice. She pushed her weight forwards causing Harry to continue to topple and land firmly on top of him.
Harry let out a moan of pain as Cho continued to try to deepen the kiss.
"Cho," Harry tried but she silenced him with another forced kiss.
Harry returned it for a second, and then placed his hands on her shoulders and drew back. "What are you doing?"
Cho closed her eyes. "Don't ask questions…"
Harry felt her lips forcefully on his again, and it took a moment to regain his composure. Cho's hands roamed freely, as she continued with her quest.
"What's wrong, don't you want me? Don't you want to make things right?" Cho finally cried, as Harry wiggled out from under her grasp again.
Harry shook himself as he tried to catch his breath. "This isn't going to make things right. What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Cho said shortly, as tears started to build in her eyes again.
He stood their dumbfounded for a moment as he watched Cho cry.
"Take me, Harry. It's the only way I can stay safe from him," Cho whispered between sobs.
Harry cautiously touched her back. "I'm not going to take advantage of you while you're in this state."
Cho shook off his touch and reared on him, "Would you rather let him take me? Would you rather him make me a vampire?"
Harry frowned. "It isn't going to make a difference if we do anything or not. If he can't make you his wife he'll kill you."
"I'd rather die," Cho replied weakly. "Death is better than slavery."
Harry sighed. "You know how I feel about you… and I want nothing more than for us to be together in that way, but -"
"Not this way, not under these circumstances," Cho finished.
Harry nodded. "I don't want to be a regret."
"You could never be a regret," Cho said, as she gazed into his eyes.
Suddenly, something hit Harry, and he walked over to his desk and opened he drawer.
"I have another present for you," he said quickly.
Cho eyed him as he walked towards her and then grabbed her hand and placed a small stone on a chain into her palm.
"A protection crystal?" Cho asked.
"Your mum gave it to me when you were in St.
Mungo's during your seventh year," Harry explained, as she held it up.
"Thank you," Cho replied weakly.
Harry tilted her chin up and placed a quick kiss on her nose. "I'm here if you need me."
Cho rested her head on Harry's chest. "I wish I could stay."
"Me too," Harry agreed.
Cho gave Harry a quick kiss before backing
away. "Happy Christmas, Harry."
"Happy Christmas, Cho."
A Boy Like No Other
It's official. The Daily Prophet can officially report that the boy who lived, Harry James Potter, has officially declined the Order of Merlin's nomination as candidate for Minister of Magic. Harry James Potter is most well known for his defeat of the Dark Lord, who remains the one who will not be named, during his final and seventh year at Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardary.
Harry Potter also has received the Order of Merlin, First Class and is a successful student at the Ministry's Academy for Aurors in training. The young wizard has been astonishingly ahead in the election polls and was thought to take the position of Minister Magic in the impending elections.
"I'm too young to be Minister. I've barely made it through the beginnings of my Auror training. I'm flattered by all the support I've received, but I think I should step aside so a more qualified candidate can be selected," Potter said to reporters gathered outside his home yesterday morning.
Amazingly, Harry Potter announced to this group of reporters outside the Potter Estate that he would not be accepting the position of Minister of Magic if elected. He went further in saying that anybody who wishes to vote for him would be better off giving their vote to Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Potter's campaign team, headed up with campaign legend, George Steppin, refused to comment on the particulars of Potter's statement, but he did go to say that he believed it to be a "big misunderstanding that should be resolved shortly."
It is still unclear if Harry Potter will run for the position of Minister of Magic or not, but one thing is clear. Albus Dumbledore has the support of Harry Potter.
"Gloria!"
George Steppin slammed the paper onto his desk.
"Yes Mr. Steppin?"
"We have exactly three days until the elections. How am I going to fix this? We won't even get any poll results until after the votes have been tallied."
"Perhaps we should support Mr. Potter's claim and if Dumbledore wins, claim victory?" the young witch named Gloria offered.
George Steppin sneered. "That boy has been the most unappreciative client I've ever serviced. My reputation is ruined."
"He was quite a popular candidate thanks to your efforts, sir," Gloria offered.
"Yes, I suppose he was. Gloria, deliver our final statement to the press. Tell them that Harry Potter indeed does not want to be a candidate for Minister of Magic. We completely and totally support the election of Albus Dumbledore, and a vote for Dumbledore is a vote for Potter." Steppin conceded. "That should do it. Well still claim victory either way."
"That is very noble of you, sir," Gloria said quickly.
Steppin muttered under his breath, but what he said, nobody knew. He simply closed his folder labeled 'Potter Campaign'.
"Merry Christmas!" Mrs. Weasley announced, as she embraced December and Remus. "I'm so glad you all could come."
Harry grinned from over near the couch as Remus flinched slightly under Molly Weasley's bone crushing, motherly hug.
"I have bacon, eggs toast, oatmeal…well, I have about everything," Molly continued.
"Yea, mum about cooked the entire house," George Weasley called out, as Fred chuckled under his breath.
"I don't know why you made me come here?" Ron hissed over towards Harry. "Don't blame me if I end up hexing that burly looking git over there."
"Ron," Hermione scowled, "Will you grow-up."
"No," Ron snapped, as he cut his eyes in Ginny's direction.
"Honestly," Hermione sighed, as she rolled her eyes.
Harry grinned, but he was still worried about Cho. He wished she would have come with him to the Weasley's breakfast, but understood why she wouldn't. He couldn't remember losing his mum and dad, but he did remember losing Sirius and it wasn't easy.
She'd need some time before she could move on with her life, and it wasn't helping with the extended mourning ceremony that was granted to Kim Chang.
"She'll be alright," Ron said suddenly, as he caught sight of Harry.
Harry shook his head in appreciation of the gesture, and he knew Ron was right. Still he wished there was something more he could do. He glanced over at December, who was talking to Fleur, who was showing off her slightly bulging belly.
"It's about time to. I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to be a grandmother," Molly joked, as the group of adults laughed.
"Who knows mum, by this time next year Ginny might be knocked-up," Fred suggested, but quickly regretted saying it when Arthur Weasley slapped the twin over the head.
"Ouch," Fred cried.
The senior Weasley said nothing, but Molly looked like she was about to cry.
"Did you hear the news?" Hermione offered, as she looked at Remus and December. "Ginny is getting married."
December forced a smile. "I thought you wanted to be an Auror?"
Ginny grinned. "I haven't ruled it out completely. Oliver and I aren't getting married for some time."
December nodded and chanced a glance at Remus, who was now making his way over to the couch.
"Ron, get the door, that must be Dumbledore," Molly ordered, as the doorbell rang again.
It was Dumbledore, and he entered in his normal whimsical cheer. He had a paper tucked firmly under his arm, and behind him was a croaking Alastor Moody.
"Alastor, Dumbledore, I'm so glad you could make it," Molly greeted.
Mad-Eye nodded. "I'm not here to eat, though I do appreciate the invitation. I ate breakfast at my place before I left. I'm here to see Potter and ask him some questions."
"Not on Christmas you won't," Molly warned lightly. "This is Christmas, and there will be no talk of dark wizards today."
"Dark wizards don't just disappear because of Christmas. You always have to be thinking of their next move, or they'll get ahead of you. They don't take a rest, I assure you, Molly."
The doorbell continued to ring and soon Tonks, the Bones and Professor McGonagall had arrived.
"Headmistress, I'm so glad you could make it," Mrs. Weasley said, as she greeted her last guest.
"Well, I think Professor Sprout has everything under control. I'm on my way out of town as we speak to being interviewing candidates for the new position open at Hogwarts," McGonagall said grimly.
Ron was about to ask what position had come open when Hermione quickly stomped his toe and gave him an annoyed look.
"I forgot—give me a break. I wasn't going to say something insensitive on purpose," Ron whispered, as he shook out his throbbing foot.
"Do you have candidates professor?" Harry asked out of curiosity.
McGonagall nodded. "Indeed. The Minister is pushing me to hire Draco Malfoy."
"What?" several people in the room said at once.
McGonagall looked slightly taken back "Professor Snape was the head of Slytherin house, so it would make sense to hire a Slytherin back in his place. I am interviewing others."
"Did Viktor Krum apply?" Hermione asked, not daring to chance a glance at Ron.
"Yes, Miss Granger," McGonagall revealed. "I'm also heading up north to interview Terence Higgs."
"He was the seeker on the Slytherin team, our first year," Harry explained to Ron, who looked slightly puzzled.
"I knew that," Ron insisted.
The group took a seat at the table as they prepared to feast.
"This looks wonderful, Molly," Dumbledore said lightly. "I love these little flat pieces of bread with syrup."
Hermione took a noticeably deep breath in the middle of the meal and looked over at Professor
McGonagall; "I think Viktor would do a wonderful job at Hogwarts, Professor."
"Do you?" McGonagall asked. "I'll keep that in mind during his interview. He's lucky to have such a strong reference."
Hermione smiled and turned back to her food.
"I didn't know you were still talking to Krum," Ron hissed.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "We're just friends."
"Why didn't you tell me you still wrote to him?" Ron spat.
"Because I didn't think it was important. It isn't like I've written to him often," Hermione said quickly. "He just wrote to ask if the rumors were true, because he was thinking of applying to the open position if they were."
"And you didn't call him insensitive?" Ron asked with an insulted expression.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "He didn't quite say it like that. I was just trying to give you the easy to digest version."
"How bloody long of a letter did her write you?" Ron demanded.
Hermione narrowed her eyes and chose not to answer the question.
"I'd rather see Krum at Hogwarts than Malfoy," Harry said quickly, adding his two cents in.
"So, Oliver, when are you and Ginny going to get married?" Remus asked, causing Ron to suddenly lose interest in his plate of food.
Oliver grinned broadly. "Well, not until after she's finished with Hogwarts."
"I want to have a long engagement," Ginny revealed. "I still want to make something of myself."
Oliver frowned lightly. "I'd rather you travel around with the team and I."
Ginny chanced a glance at her father and whispered faintly. "We'll talk about this later."
Oliver gave her a goofy grin and mouthed the words, 'I love you.' Ginny giggled lightly and mouthed 'I love you too' back to Oliver.
Hermione sat up a little straighter as she blushed from Harry catching her staring in a dreamy expression at Ginny and Oliver as Ginny wiped the edges of Oliver's mouth with her napkin.
"Ridiculous," Ron muttered under his breath.
"What's ridiculous?" Hermione reared.
Ron nodded his head in his sister's direction.
"I happen to think Oliver is romantic," Hermione confessed. "It would do you some good to take lessons."
"Lessons? From that git?" Ron asked with a disbelieving look.
Hermione turned her head as she noticed the rest of the table finishing up their breakfast. "May I be excused?"
Mrs. Weasley turned to look at Hermione with a sympathizing looked and gave her a reassuring nod.
Harry watched Hermione walk off before turning on Ron. "Do you know how thick you are?"
Ron blinked hard and brought his lips together in an
unpleasant frown.
"If you don't get your act together you're going to lose Hermione. I can't believe she hasn't told you to sod off already," Harry continued.
"I didn't do anything," Ron insistent.
"Exactly, took you long enough to figure that out," Harry said curtly.
Ron gave a sound of exasperation and grumbled something under his breath before leaving the table.
"Those two," Remus said lightly from Harry's opposite side.
"They're going to be the end of me," Harry said as he shook his head.
Dumbledore chuckled loudly. "Look, these sausages look like little fingers. How amusing."
"Hermione," Ron called out, as he wrapped his winter cloak around his shoulder and held Hermione's coat in his arms.
Hermione was sitting over by a tall oak tree near the back of the garden, she but didn't look up as Ron called for her.
"You forgot your coat," Ron said quickly, as he passed it over to her.
Hermione took a deep frustrated breath as she pulled
her coat over her shoulders.
"It's pretty cold out here—you might get sick," Ron continued, as he knelt down beside her.
Hermione made an uncomfortable huff. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Viktor writing me. I didn't want to upset you."
Ron frowned slightly, and then forced a smile back on his face. "Err, you thought I'd act the way I did."
Hermione nodded. "I don't know Ron. Sometimes I wonder what we're even doing."
"We aren't doing anything," Ron said a bit bitterly. "Sometimes I don't think we've gotten much further than where we were at the beginning of our seventh year...Well, maybe even before that."
"Don't be silly," Hermione said quickly.
"Well, we haven't. When was the last time we did anything, together?" Ron argued.
Hermione blushed furiously. "So, you're unhappy for
physical reasons."
"No," Ron retreated quickly, "that isn't what I meant."
"Oh," Hermione said shyly, as she turned her head
back in the opposite direction.
Ron took a seat next to her. "You're the most important person in my life right now—you know that."
"Do I?" Hermione said sarcastically.
Ron made a slow motion as he softly touched her chin and pulled her head back towards him. He stared at her uncomfortably for a moment, then moved clumsily forward and placed a kissed on her lips.
Hermione took in a quick, sharp breath before allowing her eyes to flutter close. Ron's gentle kiss turned quickly into something much more desperate, and Hermione pulled her head away.
"Honestly," Hermione snapped.
"I thought you wanted me to be romantic?" Ron argued.
"That isn't romance," Hermione retorted.
Ron pinched his eyebrows together. "How is it not?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and rose from her seat on the ground. "Surely I don't need to explain it to you in detail."
Ron sighed as he quickly made a motion to follow and catch her before she reached the house. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing you don't want to do," Hermione snapped.
Ron grabbed her arm and brought her closer to him and looked her in the eyes before placing another kiss firmly on her lips.
"I love you," Ron said quickly, as he pulled back from a rather shocked looking Hermione.
Hermione lowered her head and chuckled slightly. and Ron's face spread into a mortified expression.
"I love you too," Hermione finally returned, as she looked up at Ron. His face relaxed slightly as he began to laugh lightly.
"Really?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Hermione assured, "It took you long enough to realize this."
"I was waiting for you to say it," Ron defended. "Why didn't you say it if you already knew you loved me?"
"I was afraid you didn't feel the same way," Hermione confessed.
Ron gave her a cheeky smile and pushed a strand of hair from her face. "Well, it's out of the way now."
Hermione laughed. "How romantic of you."
December took Remus' arm as they walked down the streets of Hogsmeade, the place they apparated to after Mrs. Weasley's breakfast feast. It seemed to make sense to go to a place like Hogsmeade on a day like today. The streets were empty, and the stores were closed, but the drifting snow gave the small village a peaceful glow.
"Sometimes I wish Hogsmeade was always like this," Remus said, causing December to look up at him curiously.
"Empty?" December asked.
Remus nodded. "Yes, empty."
"I've never known you to be a shy type," December replied, as she wiped a seat clean of snow on a bench.
Remus sighed. "It's not really that I'm shy. I am perfectly capable of dealing with masses that hate me for what I am. It's just nice not having to worry about who is looking at me as a monster."
"You're hardly a monster," December said lightly, as Remus took a seat next to her.
The two of them seemed to enjoy the quiet serenity of
the snow as it fell silently from the sky.
"I sometimes can see them waking, hand in hand down the streets," December said softly and suddenly.
Remus smiled. "James loved the snow."
"So did Lily," December added.
"And Sirius."
"Why do we always do this to ourselves," Remus asked.
"What?"
Remus sighed. "We keep living in the past."
"Perhaps because the past is easier than the future," she answered, as she pulled Remus's arm a little closer.
"For some of us," the old werewolf replied. "I'm sure Harry would be inclined to disagree with that statement."
December released Remus arm and took a deep breath. "What do you think is the most important thing in one's life should be?"
"Where are you going with this?" he asked suddenly, as she moved uneasily.
"Well, what do you think is more important—family or one's responsibility," December said, as she looked desperately into Remus eyes.
Remus looked at December and shook his head. "Surely you know me well enough to know you don't have to beat around the bush. Tell me what is on your mind."
"I've been researching potions," December started.
"Not exactly your field of expertise, but not mine either," Remus commented.
December nodded. "Perhaps if it was, I would have caught on to this lead sooner. Do you know anything about love or binding potions?"
"Very little, besides the fact they are outlawed in our world," Remus admitted.
December smiled forcefully. "Yes, me too. But lets just say I started following a little lead, and I discovered that Harry's symptoms during his attack at the Academy followed those of a binding potion."
Remus' eyes grew wide.
"Noel is very talented in the art of potion making. A talent she inherited from her father," December continued. "I checked the record of ingredients used during the two months prior to Harry's attack. Noel used ingredients out of the surplus for a private experiment. All but two ingredients needed for a binding potion. I decided to check further, and I discovered the final two ingredients were also used out of the surplus, but they were taken by Susan Bones."
"You think Bones knew?" Remus asked.
December shook her head. "No, I don't think Susan did, but I am aware that Noel is very capable of manipulation."
"Have you confronted Noel about this?" Remus asked.
December gave a frustrated groan. "I have the proof right in front of me. Over twenty years of experience tells me that Noel did this, but I don't know what do to about it."
"You have to report it. If it is discovered, and they find you knew, you'll be banished from the Ministry and perhaps even the wizarding world. You owe it to Harry to tell him the truth. It's too dangerous to have Harry working with someone who is willing to attack him and put him in harms way. He already has enough to contend with," Remus argued, as he rose from his seat.
"I don't think her intention was to hurt him!" December snapped. "I think she's in love with him."
"In love?" Remus said in shock.
"I owe it to my brother to protect his daughter. We both own it to him," December retorted.
Remus sighed. "Your brother's work was noble, and he was a good wizard. That doesn't mean Noel is. I understand your dilemma, but you have to make the right decision. Until you do, I'd watch Noel closely, especially when she's around Harry."
Winter was always colder in Germany. Perhaps it was colder because of the memories that surrounded this place. Noel felt chilled to the bones as she stood near a frozen lake near her mother's house. Still, it was better than being inside. Outside she could escape from the pain, even if it only was an allusion of escape.
Noel walked briskly as she tried to ignore her frozen toes.
"A bit cold out here today?"
Noel's head snapped up as she noticed a new figure on the opposite side of the pond.
"This is private property," Noel spat.
The figure's face was cloaked, but she knew he was hounding her.
The figure laughed. "I didn't see the sign…don't worry,
I'll be on my way soon enough."
"You're wasting your time," Noel replied, as she turned and looked at her gloomy home.
"You don't want to go back in there," the figure said in a distant voice. "I understand what that feels like."
"Do you?" Noel responded.
"I owe you an apology. I did not fill my end of our bargain."
Draco Malfoy removed his hood and stared at her in the eyes.
"We had no bargain," Noel said sharply. "I didn't want you to attack my fellow Auror."
"You didn't want Chang dead? Tisk, tisk…I thought you wanted a clear shot at Potter's heart," Draco teased. "Not that I understand what a woman like you would want with a pathetic wizard like Potter."
"Pathetic? Some would say he's the most powerful wizard alive," Noel retorted.
Draco smirked. "So, the truth comes out. You crave power, not love. A woman after my own heart."
Noel narrowed her eyes. "Well, perhaps you're right. In
that case, you never have to worry about me pursuing you, since you are rather powerless."
"My father would be disagree, and so would many others," Malfoy sneered, as he positioned his hood back over his head.
Noel snapped her head back towards her house before turning to look back at Malfoy, "Do you see yourself as powerful? Do you think you can honestly defeat both Potter and Dumbledore?"
Malfoy's expression could not be seen, but his tone left a chill on Noel's soul. "There is no prophecy protecting Potter this time—eventually we all lose, sooner or later."
"I'm out," Noel said quickly. "I'm not going to jeopardize my career as an Auror over something as stupid as this. I want nothing to do with this or you."
"We both know you're in too deep to back out now. I will call on you again, and I wouldn't deny me at that time," Malfoy said before he disappeared with a loud crack.
"Your father has gone to the temple again," An-Xi said, as she helped Cho into her robes.
Cho nodded as she turned to head out of her room.
"Miss has not been happy," the house elf said slowly. "The Madame would not want her daughter to be unhappy."
"What is happiness really?" Cho muttered. "It is nothing more an allusion. Nothing is as it seems, and happiness can be ripped away without a moments notice."
"Miss, I am just a servant, but I know you have many who love you. You are not alone in this pain."
"You're wrong—I am alone," Cho replied before leaving the room.
Each day passed a little slower, and this day was no exception. She could barely remember the events of just a few hours past. The sweetness that once clung to her lips after she kissed Harry seemed more like a fairy tale then a reality. The laughter that once surrounded her seemed like a nearly forgotten dream. Life was an allusion, and nothing was every going to be the same again.
The house was empty, and the only sounds that could be heard were the constant beating of rain on the roof. It was like a drum beating the rhythm of her doom. Her father would return at nightfall. He would eat dinner, bathe, and go to sleep only to rise the next morning to start his mourning ritual again.
It was still a good many days away before her mother could be officially laid to rest in a solid marble tomb on the side of an enchanted mountain. If she strained long enough, she could hear the chats of the priest and the cries of her family. They all seemed more than willing to participate in the festival of death, but not Cho.
This was torture. She was away from everyone she loved, and she was alone to wallow in her grief. The rain seemed to summon her as she stepped outside onto the uncovered porch. Each dropped reminded her of the many tears she had cried, the tears she had cried for Cedric, the tears she had cried for Harry, and now the tears she cried for herself.
Her hair matted quickly under the moisture, and her clothes clung to her skin as the rain washed her woes away. She felt she could stand out in the cold December shower forever.
A scream filled the air that was so high pitched it almost sounded surreal when it finally hit Cho's ears. It was undeniable where it had come from. The ground seemed to shake as Cho made her way back into the parlor and dropped her knees with a pot of floo powder tight in her grasp.
"The English Ministry of Magic, Emergency Room," Cho said firmly, as she pushed her head into the magical flames.
"Ministry of Magic emergency channel, what is your emergency?" asked an annoyed looking witch, who was staring with a bored expression into the fire.
"I am Cho Chang from the Department of Aurors in the division of Magical Law Enforcement—there is an attack in my location," Cho explained. "I need you to notify my mentor and the Aurors of my situation and tell them to send back up."
"Who is your mentor?" asked the witch.
"Head of Auror training, December O'Riley. I do believe she is at the home of Arthur Weasley."
Cho didn't wait for the receiving witch to respond. Her job was calling her, and she had to do it to the best of her abilities. Her mother had already been taken from her; she wasn't going let her memory be desecrated as well.
By the time Cho made it back outside the house, the lights of hexes and spells could be seen near the temple mountain. Cho took one glance at the protection crystal around her neck and then gathered her courage.
NEXT UPDATE: 09-26-04