Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten

by: LogicalRaven

Ravengryffendor is beta reading this chapter as we speak, I'll post her correction as soon as I get them…..Thanks again Ravengryffendor, you're the greatest (Everyone go check out her stories, brilliant I tell you)

Hello everybody, here is the next wonderful chapter to this story. I'll admit—I'm battling a nice little round of writer's block so bare with me. Thanks to Ravengryffendor for helping me find a little inspiration this week. I think the story is back on pace, but I'm still unhappy with it. For those of you who follow the HPFF forum you know I've been really getting into the Changeling Theory. I think it's ruined my creative streak, because I can't get past it right now. Hopefully next weeks update will be on time, but the way I'm writing I'm scared to make any guarantees.

Thanks in advance for your patients. I promised when I started this fic to continue it until Rowlings released HBP. That promise may have been made in vain. Don't worry, this story is far from over, but at the rate J.K is going….this story will more than likely end before HPB is released…I apologize for that, but I don't want to drag this story out if I don't have to, I'm afraid it will take something away.

Many of you may be asking why Lucius attacked the Minister; hopefully I've answered that. I'm really into politics so I couldn't help adding a few political moments in there for fun. I really don't know the governmental structure of the wizarding world, so I'm guessing. Does anybody know who the Minister was before Fudge? I used a generic name to fill in the blank, until I can find out for sure who it was.

I have so many ideas floating right now, some of them are essential to the story, some of them just add a bit of humor and color. The story of Padma and Neville will never be more than a back story, similar to the story of December and Remus, though December and Remus will have a bit large share of the spotlight. I won't spoil the details of the plot, but after this battle things are going to get a bit shaky. Then everything will move really quick and the story will jump over a large space of time, several months to be exact.

I'll then get more into Harry's second year in Auror training, and a you can tell from Cho, it differs from the first. Keep with me, and hopefully I won't disappoint all of you.
Thanks again for all the support, and reviews! Each one is appreciated and I take all your suggestions into consideration when I'm writing ;-) some of you have a better grasp on this story than I do.

Keep reading and reviewing
Nothing is my Own

E-Mail notification e-mail (will not show up on ) or go to my author's page. Thanks again!


A Diversion: Part II


The sense of danger was finally starting to lift as the sun began to rise. It had been a long night. The enemy had been carefully never to show their face, but had also kept the Aurors and Shen Luu busy defending their hexes. Either by chance or fate, the Death Eaters and Giants had not attempted another outright attack on the medical tents. It seemed the Aurors had finally gained the upper hand.

"Long night?"

Harry looked up as Cho took a seat next to him outside the medical tents. Her hair was in a messy bun, and dirt lined her face. The scar that was once a prominent feature and reminder of the attack on Hogwarts her seventh year had started to fade. All scars fade over time, all scars but Harry's.

"I heard O'Riley went rather easy on the lot of you," she continued in a long voice that seemed more exhausted than calm.

Harry shrugged, "Yea."

"It could have been worse. I've heard of trainees being tossed out for less than what you, Michael and Noel did."

"Maybe she should have thrown us out," Harry confessed, "It would have been worth it. I have no regrets."

Cho lowered her head slightly, "I own you a thank-you."

Now it was Harry's turn to lower his head, "No you don't. You would have done the same for me."

"Your right, I would have," Cho nodded with a stifled yawn.

Harry reached out a brushed her cheek, "You're exhausted, why don't you go get some rest."

Cho shook her head, "I'm fine, really."

"No you're not. How many hours have you been awake?"

Cho shrugged, "I quit counting. I want to make certain everything is over before…"

"You don't have to try to save the world, the world really isn't worth saving," Harry said softly.

Cho frowned, "How can you say that?"

"I've spent my entire life trying to save the world, it just doesn't seem to matter as much anymore," Harry confessed, "There was only one thing I was concerned about saving tonight, you."

"You shouldn't be concerned about me. I'm a big girl, I'll be alright," Cho said with a grin.

Harry took a deep breath and acted like was wanted to say something but stopped himself.

"It's a beautiful morning," Cho suddenly said as her eyes watched the fog lifting up the mountain.

Harry startled, "Yea, beautiful."

"Harry…" Cho started slowly, "Do you ever wonder if maybe you didn't defeat you know who?"

Harry turned sharply, "Why do you ask that?"

Cho shook her head, "It just seems all too familiar, how did this new rising get so powerful so quickly. Wouldn't it make more sense if he was back?"

"Voldemort isn't back," Harry said firmly, "He's gone, he can't be back."

"You're right, you'd know if he was back," Cho concluded. "I just wish this was over, it was so nice when we weren't having to fight all the time."

Harry placed a warm arm around Cho and tilted her chin up, "Thing are going to get better, this is just an aftershock. Soon these new dark supports will realize that their master is gone and they'll give up. It's the order of magic, it's like a balance."

Cho smiled softly and let her lip gently touch Harry; "Wisdom never really suited you."

Harry gave her a lopsided grin; "It made more sense when Dumbledore said it."

"I'm sure it will make more sense coming from you when you're his age," Cho teased.

"If I live to be his age," Harry pointed out.

Cho frowned, "You're going to live to be twice Dumbeldore's age."

"Have it all planned out do you?" Harry asked.

Cho nodded, "Well, I might."

"I don't plan on fighting dark wizards the rest of my life, Cho. I don't think you do either," Harry revealed.

Cho took another deep breath and looked out over the broken mountain, "I don't want to fight, but I don't want to turn away either. Not after everything they've put me through."

"Is it worth dying for?" Harry asked as he watched Cho's eyes harden.

Cho laughed, "I don't fear death anymore. I'm surprised you do."

"I don't fear death," Harry retorted.

"Sometime, I actually look forward to it," Cho whispered.

Harry watched as a few tears formed in her eyes but she quickly pushed them away.

"I miss her so much."

"I promise it gets easier," Harry tried.

Cho nodded, "I know, the pain will fade and I'll move on from this stronger and wiser. I just wish there was an easier way of learning this lesson."

Harry let his thumb roll across her cheek and then pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm glad you're here," Cho continued in a straggled voice.

Their lips met briefly, and the two suddenly forgot about their surroundings for a brief moment. The pain, death and horror that surrounded them were a far off memory. Reality suddenly hit again when Harry felt Cho chuckle against his lips.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

Cho pulled back and looked around, "This isn't exactly the place to be engaging in these types of activities."

Harry gave her a coy smile and pulled her close again, "We're Auror, given our profession I'd say this is a perfect place for romance."

The kiss was briefer than the first and Cho suddenly pulled back in horror and grasped her mouth. She turned her head with wide eyes muttering something Harry couldn't hear under her breath.

"Are you okay?"

Cho eyes met Harry's and she shook in panic, "Something isn't right…"

"What isn't right?" Harry pushed.

Cho opened her mouth and revealed her still growing fangs. Most times her vampire qualities were non-existent, but now her fangs were distinctively present. Harry seized her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Where are we going?" Cho cried.

"We've got to find December," Harry replied before whipping through the rows of hospital beds. Hermione glanced at him as he passed, but he didn't stop to entertain her.

"DECEMBER!" Harry called as he spotted the senior Auror standing in a group of discussing ministry officials.

December turned her head with a scowled look.

"Mr. Potter, I take it you've forgotten your rules," December started, "I am to be…."

"There isn't any time, Master O'Riley," Harry snapped, realizing his mistake instantly.

December frowned a bit more then looked at Cho, "Is something wrong? Has the enemy advanced again?"

"No," Cho said suddenly, "I think the vampires maybe up to something, I think they may be about to attack."

"You can sense this?" December asked.

Cho shook her head, "No, I'm not one of them. I don't get the orders as they do, but…"
She slowly pulled her hand away from her mouth and revealed her new additions.

"Good Merlin," December said as she grasped Cho's chin to examine her fangs a bit closer, "has this happened before?"

"No," Cho confessed.

"What were you doing before you notices this change?" December asked as she eyed Harry, "Never mind, I'm not positive I need to know."

"Should we prepare for an attack?" Harry asked, "Surely if Cho is having this kind of reaction, Darthaynia must be near…"

"HE'S BEEN ATTACKED!" yelled a healer, "IT JUST CAME ACROSS WIZARDING WIRELESS…THE VAMPIRES HAVE ATTACKED THE MINISTER."

Cho gasped as Harry face twisted in confusion, "Why would they do that? Why would they attack Fudge, he's a puppet."
Dumbledore tapped his fingers across his knee in a curious pattern as he watched Cornelius Fudge wave in and out of consciousness. The healers said he would be alright, and that the vampire did not deliver a fatal blow. This was most unusual, as a vampire always attacked to kill. Normally they caused such severe damage to the jugular veil that it was un-repairable even by magic. This attack came at the lower neck where it was much less critical.

"What have you to gain, Lucius? What would come that would benefit you if Fudge is almost killed," Dumbledore asked mostly to himself as he continued to watch.

"Ah, I didn't expect you to be here Dumbledore."

Albus Dumbledore turned quickly to a smirking Rita Skeeter. She was wearing her darkest magenta robe with her Quick Quill in her hand giving her the impression of being a flat shaped plum.

"I was told that Minister Fudge was off limits to visitors," Dumbledore stated.

Rita merely smiled, "Well, how could I write a proper article on the Minster's condition if I couldn't get a good look at him. My readers want details."

"Truthful details?" Dumbledore asked.

"The truth is all in the eye of the beholder," Rita dismissed, "Poor old bloke, looks like that about killed him."

"On the contrary, this attack was not meant to take a life," Dumbledore said slowly as he waited for Skeeter's reaction.

"Oh really, well, the Healers are disagreeing with you. They think Minister Fudge is very luck bloke. If Arthur Weasley and Padma Patil hadn't been around then the Minister would have been dead before he was recovered. I assume they'll be honored once Fudge awakes."

Dumbledore continued tapping his knee, "Perhaps."

"Well, would you like to make a statement about tomorrow?" Rita asked, "Since it is the election."

"I'm sure your article will arouse much sympathy for the minister…" suddenly Dumbledore stopped and his old eyes twinkled with delight. A small laugh escaped him, "The simplest solutions are typically the correct ones."

"What are you rambling on about, Dumbledore? Flipped your lid again?" Rita said nastily.

Dumbledore eyes twinkled a bit more and he gave Rita a slight bow before clasping his hands together. Rita sneered her nose and then her face suddenly changed to a blank confused one.

"Why thank-you, Rita, for your kind words," Dumbledore began as he placed a quick hand on Rita's shoulder and walked her towards the door.

"What kind words," Rita asked stridently.

"Why, you agreeing with the Minister that I would make a delightful replacement," Dumbledore said casually.

"When did the Minister say that?" Rita interrogated.

Dumbledore pulled back curiously, "Right before he went back to sleep, don't you remember. I'm sure your Quick Quill got it?"

Rita glanced at her notebook, which was blank, "I must have forgotten to activate it."

"How unfortunate—I'm sure you'll be on your way, Cornelius needs his rest," Dumbledore said softly.

Rita smiled, "Please give the Minister my best wishes for a speedy recovery."

"Consider your message delivered," Dumbledore assured.

Rita closed the door firmly behind her and Dumbledore returned to his seat and began tapping his knee again. Comprehension was drawn on his face, it all made sense now, but how desperate was his enemy was? Could it be that Lucius thought that a bit of sympathy might sway the election, or was that just an added bonus?
It was a perfect night for a date, and now it was a perfect morning. Dean Thomas smiled boldly as his date curled a bit closer into his chest. He smirked at his own brilliance, nothing more romantic than a mere suggestion to watch the sunrise; it left the rest of the evening to snogging.

"Morning."

Dean grinned, "I think we missed it."

"You would think someone who has studied as much science as you would have been better prepared," Laura teased.

Laura, the muggle girl Dean had met over the holidays, was just as naïve as ever. She didn't suspect that Dean was different; she didn't suspect he had a wand in his pocket.

"Well, you know I study medical science, we don't really need to know about the astrology stuff," Dean explained.

"Astrology?" Laura asked sharply.

Dean grinned, still oblivious to his mistake.

"Don't you mean Astronomy?" Laura continued.

"Yes, Astronomy… I didn't realize muggles…" Dean stopped short.

"Muggles?" Laura said with a cocked eye.

"Oh, just a term we University people use to refer to non-medical studying folk," Dean lied.

"Curious, I've never heard that term before. What does it mean?"

"Mean? Muggle you know," Dean tried as he laughed nervously, "The base word mug is somebody's face and gle is the scientific word meaning medicine."

"Face medicine? I thought you were studying bio-cranial medicine?" Laura asked with skepticism seeping into her voice.

"Bio-cranial, the human part of the head, the face," Dean continued, digging the whole deeper and deeper.

"What exactly is your branch of medicine called?"

"Bio-Cranial doctors," Dean said with a cheeky grin, "I can give you a personal exam if you'd like."

He started to inch towards her but she quickly pulled away.

"You aren't really going to school to be a doctor are you?"

Dean laughed again, "Why would you say that?"

"Have you told me anything truthful?"

Dean flinched, "Of course, I'm a very talented man."

"Oh, talent—what sort of talents besides lying do you possess?" Laura snapped.

Dean was tempted to pull out his wand and show her his talent, but instead took a calming breath.

"You've been lied to in the past. I can see that. I'm not the best explaining my field in words. Just trust me," Dean pleaded as he reached for her face.

Laura huffed loudly, "What type of idiot do you take me for?"

Dean rolled his eyes realizing her perfect evening of muggle snogging was rapidly reaching its end. He glanced upwards and suddenly found himself on his feet staring at the sky at the sight unfolding.

Laura broke the moment; "Is it normal for owls to behave like that?'

Dean cut his eyes towards her, "What do you mean?"

"In the daylight? What are those things flying around that owl?"

Dean narrowed his eyes trying to get a better look, "I don't know, but they're swarming…"

Dean raced forwards as he felt his wand in this pocket. His mind wondered if this was one of those emergencies where he could use magic in front of a muggle. Deciding it best to send Laura on her way he grasped her by the shoulder and place a swift kiss on her lip.

"Love, I've had a wonderful time, but you're right about me. I'm a no good dirty liar who is just trying to get into your pants. You've figured me out, numbered me. I won't beg for your forgiveness…"

"What?" Laura snapped.

Dean acted like he was about to fake a few tears, "Just go, I've hurt you too much."

"You're odd," Laura said quietly.

"I'm trying to save you from several month of heartache, love," Dean protested, "but I don't really have the time to discuss the detail of that heartache with you right now, can I call you tomorrow?"

"I have a better idea, don't call me," Laura rebuffed before she started away.

Dean smiled after her, "You'll change your mind-- they all do."

Enough time had been waste on his lovely little chat, he raced forward towards the area where he had seen the owl flying and began to scan the ground. He recoiled at the sight of the small murdered bird.

The owl was small, like the one Ron had. Its eyes were glassed over and it stood stiff as if petrified. That would have been the logical conclusion if the bird wasn't also covered in bird.

"Damn," Dean swore as he scooped up the little bird, "poor little bugger."

He gave the owl a quick scan over and noticed a message attacked to its leg. He removed it and unrolled up and swore again. Grimmauld was only about five blocks away and Dean ran the entire way. He pushed through the front door and hollered at the top of his lung.

"ATTACK!"

"Where?" Ernie asked, as if he was eager to go watch it.

Dean dropped the dead bird on the living room table and tried to catch his breath.

"Nasty, what did you do to it?" Seamus asked as he started at the bloody heap of feathers.

Dean shook his head, "I saw it attacked, by little flying things."

"That really narrows it down," Ernie commented.

Dean narrowed his eyes, "Where is Ron?"

"Upstairs, but don't worry—I don't think this little guy is Pig," Seamus argued.

"Pity," Ernie added with a snicker.

"Will you guys use your head for a bloody second! An election owl was attacked, don't you find that odd?" Dean argued.

Ernie frowned and then glanced at Seamus, "Maybe a bit."

Ron suddenly raced from the upstairs area and snapped on the Wizard Wireless unit downstairs, "Mine was fuzzy, I don't think I heard them correctly."

"This just in…that's right wizards and witches listening out there, the Minster of Magic has been attacked by a dark creature. Early indications say it was vampires. Of course vampires have been a rather big problem. They also seem to make a habit of murdering Ministers. With the election only hours away, how is this to effect the elections. Also, an inside source at the Department of Mysteries says the election Minute
Owls are missing. Where could they be? Perhaps they decided to take a vacation, aye Brian?"

Ron snapped his head back towards Dean, and then down at the table; "What is that?"

"My best guess, one the missing Election Owls," Dean replied.

"Bloody hell," Ron swore.

"We should go tell somebody," Dean suggested.

"Who?" Ernie asked, "We aren't at Hogwarts anymore, we can't just waltz up to a professor."

"What about your dad, Ron, we can tell your dad!" Dean suggested.

"I wonder if he's at work?" Ron asked.

"We'll simply appearate to the Ministry of Magic and then ask to talk to your dad. We'll tell him we've found one of the missing owls," Dean said, "We can even bring the owl with us."

"I suggest you leave the dead bird here," Ernie pointed out. "That is if you want to get in to talk to your father."

Ron nodded, "Lets go, what are we waiting for?"

In seconds Ron and Dean were presenting their case to the receptionist at the Ministry of Magic.

"I'm sorry, but the Ministry is closed to all visitors, in case you haven't heard the Minister was attacked. The entire compound is under investigation."

"Is there anybody we can talk to? It's important. I just need to talk to my father," Ron protested.

"I'm sure it can wait, you don't look like you're in dire need."

Ron slammed his hand on the counter, "Please, it is an emergency."

"We found something that may be connected with the missing Election Owls," Dean added.

"All leads are to be filed with the Department of Law Enforcement. You can send your owl and information directly to them and they will follow it through."

"But…"

"It's no use, Ron," Dean said holding his friend back.

"But…" Ron started to protest.

Dean shook his head, "Ernie is right….we need to go find McGonagall. She'll know how to get in touch with Dumbledore."

Ron eyes grew wide with comprehension, "Brilliant!"

"Boys…" the receptionist started, but it was too late.

Ron and Dean ran up the trail towards the castle from Hogmeade as fast as their feet would carry them.

"What if McGonagall isn't around?" Ron asked, slightly out of breath.

"Then we talk to somebody else," Dean answered.

The two boys tore threw the hallways in search of the first professor they could find. Professor Flitwick was talking to a burly looking fellow as the two former students approached him.

"Professor!"

The small man looked up and asked in his squeaky voice, "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Thomas, I was under the impression the two of you completed your education at Hogwarts."

"We need to see Professor McGonagall," Ron explained, "It's important."

"Of course, I'll take you to her," Flitwick said with a nod before turning back to the burly fellow, "Welcome aboard Professor--."

"KRUM!" Ron exclaimed.

Viktor Krum looked Ron up and down and finally smiled, "Rovnald, vis that correct?"

"Ron," Ron gritted.

Professor Flitwick either didn't notice or ignored the sudden tension; "Come along boys, I think the professor is in her office."

Ron glared hatefully at Krum and they walked past with a bitter expression. Dean signaled to him to calm down, but Ron was raging.

Flitwick stopped in front of the stone gargoyle, "Catnip."

Dean chuckled, but Ron wasn't in the mood for humor apparently.

"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Thomas, what are you two doing here?"
"Professor, we have some information, and we don't know where else to go," Ron started, "Dean found a Minute Owl, an Election Minute Owl…"

"It was attacked, I saw it," Dean jumped in.

"One at a time, gentlemen, please," McGonagall snapped.

"I saw something black swarming around it, and when I found it—it was dead and covered in blood," Dean said quickly.

"Have you reported this to the Ministry?" McGongall asked.

"We tried, they wouldn't let us talk to anybody," Ron explained.

McGonagall nodded, "Dumbledore and I have discussed this, if Fudge is re-elected…"

"What have you discussed?" Ron asked.

McGonagall eyed both students with pity, "It's happening again, and our world has barely begun to pick up the pieces. Can we count on the two of you?"

"For what?" Dean asked, but Ron face grew pale, he knew what McGonagall was asking.

"You're thinking of restarting the Order."

McGonagall nodded.

Dean looked confused but Ron gave him a nod, "Of course you can count on us Professor."
Everything raced through Noel's mind as she patrolled the mountain forest edge. She had gotten away with it. How, she didn't know exactly. She assumed it was the poor pitiful conscience of her aunt, feeling she owed her something because of her father's death.

Noel leaned against the tree as she bit her lip in thought, this attack just didn't make sense. She was positive that the reason for the attack was because of Malfoy's promise to kill Cho for her, but this didn't fit. If they wanted to kill Chang, they would have sent vampires. She hasn't seen a single vampire since they had arrived.

"In deep thought?"

Noel spun around as she glanced at Eros Raymer. Raymer had been hit with a minor stinging hex, which had rendered him unconscious, likely story.

"Glad to see you're going to live. Did you enjoy hiding?" Noel smirked.

"My witty student," Eros said lightly, "Actually, no. I had a few new jinxes I was planning on testing out."

"Nothing like a free round of target practice where nobody is held liable," Noel continued, her tone not changing.

Eros leaned in close and hissed in her ear; "Guilty conscience?"

"I have no conscience," Noel answered, "First on the scene again, somebody tip you off."

"No, not this time," Eros responded.

"You don't seem as ill with me anymore," Noel noticed.

Eros nodded, "I think it might look a bit off if I was ill with my student."

"I was just pondering why they didn't send the vampires," Noel confessed.

Eros simply smiled as if he already knew the answer to that question, "Haven't you heard? The vampires attacked the Minister tonight, they've already deployed several Auror's back to London, that's actually why I'm out here, we're on the deploy team."

"The Minister? That doesn't make any sense," Noel snarled.

"Doesn't it?" Eros teased, "The Election Owls have also gone astray, meaning the election is delayed. Minister Fudge should recover and then he'll panic. He'll instate a mandate of emergency and keep himself in power, and the people will support him because they're in a panic. The word is the Dark Lord himself has re-risen, which is nonsense."

"It's Malfoy," Noel snapped.

"Proof?" Eros asked.

Noel narrowed her eyes; "My word isn't enough proof for you, Master?"

"I know Malfoy is in power, so does half the Ministry, but it's said that Lucius is dead and Draco is very close to Fudge. Unless you want to suffer Moody fate, I wouldn't proclaim that theory too loudly."

"So, now you fear Fudge?" Noel taunted.

Eros reared, "Fudge is the Minister of Magic, and in case you haven't been notified, is your boss."

"You really are twisted," Noel said acidly.

"Thank-you for noticing," Eros teased, "Have you severed your contact?"

Noel grinned, "Completely."

"Good, then I'll ask you no more questions," Eros said in cold way.

"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies," Noel retorted.

Eros snapped back his head in her direction, "Old adages do little to disguise the sins one has committed."

"You would do well to remember that also, Master."
George Steppin stood in the middle of the Three Brook Sticks looking as shocked as the next wizard standing by him. The Wizard Wireless was blaring through the bar.

"Why don't they just come out and say it. Potter didn't defeat anybody," an old wizard yelled, "I knew you know who wasn't dead. I told everybody Potter was lying."

"Don't be silly Merle, Potter didn't lie," Madame Rosemerta snapped, "He's a good kid."

"But you don't deny he who must not be named might still be alive," the old man retorted.

Madame Rosemerta, "I was never attacked by vampire when you know who as in power. This is something new."

"Or something worse," an old hag in the corner threw in.

"I don't doubt that," Madame Rosemerta considered.

George Steppin tried to listen to the wireless, "Did they say anything about the Election Owls, have they been found?"

"Still worried Potter won't get elected, didn't he drop out of the election?" Merle asked with a hearty laugh, "Not that I would have voted for that kid, Fudge has always had my vote."

"Well, if the Election Owls aren't found tonight you won't have to worry about that," Madame Rosemerta snapped.

"What do you mean?" Steppin asked.

"Isn't it obvious? You remember what Minister Smith did during the first war. He brought fourth that order that gave him complete power. Oh, what was it called again?"

"That isn't legal," Steppin argued, "You can't interfere with the democratic process like that."

"They did it, and they'll do it again," the old hag argued, "You were just to young to remember last time."

Steppin shook his head, "There must be some kind of magical precedent so that kind of act cannot be ordered."

"There isn't any, Dumbledore would figure it out if there was," Madame Rosemerta sighed, "And Cornelius can be such a nice man when he isn't acting on his emotions."

"Dumbledore can't possible know all the laws," Steppin still argued, "No man can."

"If you think you can find a loop out it, by all means try. Use that head and talent of yours for something useful for a change," Rosemerta snapped as she began to polish a butterbeer mug.


NEXT UPDATE: 10-24-04