Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten
by: LogicalRaven
A short update I was going to try to have up yesterday in honor of James, Lily and Nick. However it is a day late. This is a very short chapter for me, but I really wanted to end it here because the next scene just wasn't going to fit.
Hope you all are still enjoying it. I will be back in touch in about two weeks or so. I'm actually starting my new job today, so next time I update I'll let you all know how it went, but thanks for asking.
I also hope all of you are planning on entering the Writer's Duel on HPFF. Goodluck!
Thanks to Ravengryffendor for giving my story a once over!
Also, to all my French readers, please forgive my feeble attempts. I used a online translator for parts of it. I was never very good at French.
Read and Review: Nothing is My own.
Umbridge Returns
Nobody said it was going to be easy, but even December O'Riley didn't expect the horrors of Dolores Umbridge. Within a week, she had attempted to restructure the entire departmental structure and had suddenly decided she was going to do random inspection of classes, which didn't sit well with the professors.
Master Wallace had tried to dump a cauldron of boiling toad slime on her when she informed him that his potion curriculum wasn't up to par. If it hadn't been for a few of the students in his upper level class, Umbridge's skin would now be glowing puke green.
To make matters even more uncomfortable with the students, she had demanded to be called Master Umbridge, even by upper rank students. December had already received three petitions stating that the students would not refer to Umbridge as Master Umbridge until she completed Auror's training, and several of the teachers had signed in protest as well.
December knew it was going to be thorny because the day after her conformation with Umbridge in the Ministry of Magic, she had come to work to find her office redone and her belongings packed neatly in a few boxes outside the door. Apparently Umbridge had decided her office was one of the perks of the position. December's powers had all but been stripped away, and she now needed official permission from Umbridge before she could assign any tasks to the students.
One thing O'Riley had been grateful for over the past week was the fact her lowest rank students weren't back from their suspension, except for Susan Bones. Susan's lessons had not yet picked back up and most of her time had been spent doing private studies and Auror monitoring with her mentor. December had managed to keep Bones out of Umbridge's hands for the time being. However this one sunny spot was soon to be faded. Harry and Michael were returning the next day.
December O'Riley already had gone through hell trying to cover Cho Chang's sudden disappearance from the Academy. With Umbridge's thoughts and policies on werewolves being the way they were, she didn't even want to imagine her thoughts on vampires.
Cho had made a swift recovery, and with the help of Mario Fortez and Master Wallace, her potions had been reformulated. In another life she would have been concerned about the changes in Cho's condition, or more precisely, the cause of the change. However, she didn't have the time or patience to discuss the dangers of adult encounters with her best friend's son or her student. She assumed Remus probably already covered that base, or at least she hoped he had.
"Hem, hem…"
"Dolores, I'm busy," December said shortly, as she picked up a nearby file.
"Well, I won't take too much time. I hear Mr. Potter and Mr. Corner are returning from their leave tomorrow. When is your niece returning?"
"Soon," December continued in a curt tone.
Dolores Umbridge simply took a seat in front of December's desk. "I really would like to be informed on the reasoning behind their leave."
"I told you, Dolores…." December said, trying to keep her tone civil, "they needed rest after the battle in China."
"Yes, well….may I wonder why Miss Bones did not receive the same amount of rest?" Umbridge continued in her sweetest voice.
December slammed her hand onto her desk. "Damn it, Umbridge, that situation isn't your concern!"
"On the contrary. I am the Head of Auror training, and it is my responsibility and duty to know where my students are,"
Umbridge pointed out.
December flashed Umbridge a cool look and shook her head. "They'll be back tomorrow, until they return… they are my students."
"I would like to discuss the Rank III's last assessment," Umbridge continued, "or rather their first assessment."
"What about it?" December asked.
"Shameful, wasn't it? I do not think it's right that they received high enough marks to pass. I'm demoting them," Umbridge explained.
"What!"
"Demoting, meaning they'll return to Rank II status, which I'm not sure they really deserve."
"OUT!" December snapped, "GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!"
Umbridge brought herself up to full size and snarled her nose. "Excuse me…do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
December swiftly drew her wand. "I think the question is, do you have any idea who you're talking to? I have gone through Auror training. I've been killing dark wizards for over half my life, and you my dear lady, are pissing me off!"
"Is that a threat?" Umbridge barked.
"What do you think," December said, pointing her wand menacingly at the fat old toad's head.
Umbridge stalked towards the door. "The minister will hear of this."
"I'm looking forward to it," December spat acidly before aiming the wand at the door and causing it to snap shut in Umbridge's face.
December threw her head back into her chair as her eyes glazed in fury. Oh, what she wouldn't give to hex the living daylights out of that miserable old bat.
"You really ought not have done that."
December whirled around and saw her student entering from the opposite door with a grin on her face. "I don't like Umbridge; she'll probably return with even more power."
"I don't have time for her nonsense. If Minster Fudge wants to try to fire me, then more power to him," December said shortly.
The air was cold, and a single cloak was hardly enough to keep anybody warm inside the hidden lair of the rising dark lord. Luna pulled her cloak a bit tighter over her shoulders as a cool breeze stung her bare skin.
"You're supposed to be on guard," hissed a concealed Death Eaters.
"I've got things covered," Luna snapped back.
She could hear the Death Eater sneer behind his mask. "You have to have your wand out. Are you too cold to cover the post?"
"I've been standing guard for two hours. I don't see you jumping in line for this position," Luna accused.
"His Lordship will not be pleased with your lack of preparedness."
Luna pulled her wand out quickly. "Unless you want your face errantly rearranged I suggest you move on and mind your own business."
"You're threats are empty… keep your wand up the, Une Sombrer should be arriving soon."
"Une Sombrer?" Luna asked. "I thought they didn't want our offer."
"Apparently his Lordship has offered Le Gardien de la Connaissance an offer he can't refuse."
The Death Eater walked off into a dark corridor without ever revealing his face. Yet, Luna could not complain. A cold white mask and a thick heavy robe covered her face too. Animosity was everything within this lifestyle.
"Une Sombrer?" Luna whispered to herself. If Malfoy could unite himself with Le Gardien de la Connaissance, then he would be even more powerful than he who must not be named.
A sudden shift in the darkness caused Luna to narrow her eyes. "Who goes there?"
A tall figure cloaked in robes of bright purple and red appeared with a lowered head. "I seek Le seigneur de Lumière et de Mauvaise Foi."
"My master doesn't except unannounced visitors," Luna warned.
"Il me prévoit."
"Je ne parle pas le français," Luna replied with an uncomfortable tone. "Very well."
"Je comprends," the figure replied. "Your maître is expecting moi."
Luna nodded and moved to open the sealed door. "Wait here."
"Comme vous souhaitez," the figured nodded.
Luna crept in slowly and lowered herself before the throne of her new master. "I think Une Sombrer has arrived."
Lucius's red eyes gleamed as a smile tickled his lips. "Show them in."
Luna nodded as she rose and walked back to the door. The figure was still waiting outside. "My master will see you now."
"De remerciement," the figured, replied as Luna led him into the new Dark Lord's throne room.
"Bonjour, j'entends vous cherche un auditoire avec moi," the figure said quickly, as he nodded in respect.
"Oui, vous a fait receive mon offer?" Lucius asked in a wicked voice.
The figure sneered and replied with sarcasm in his voice. "Une offre que je ne peux pas refuser."
"Wise of you," Lucius said slowly.
"J'ai besoin de la preuve que vous avez ce type de pouvoir, real proof," the figured demanded. "My maître has requested it."
"And your master doesn't have the decency to show up himself? Je suis très disappointed," Lucius continued.
The figure did now waiver, "Voldemort ne pourrait pas offrir la preuve de tel pouvoir—what make you think you are able to?"
"I am not Voldemort," Lucius hissed. "And you are not to use my master's name before me. Cela permettre d'être mon dernier avertissement."
"If it is proof you want, then I offer it," Lucius continued, his red eyes burning as he rose. "Compter sur l'Est sur la Nuit de la Lune Pleine, il luira un vert que jamais a été vu."
"The lune?" the figure asked in disbelief. "You expect me to believe you can control the moon?"
"Look to the East, the color of the moon will just provide the lighting I need for the demonstration," Lucius hissed.
The figure bowed slightly. "Comme vous souhaitez. Je passerai cette information sur à mon maître…"
"Luna, please show our guest out," Lucius instructed before turning a cold shoulder and disappearing into the shadows of the room.
The figure slowly followed Luna back out into the main room where he bent down and seized her gloved hand; "Merci."
"Is your master seriously thinking about joining sides?" Luna asked, as her voice quivered slightly from her own bravery.
"Non, nous ne joignons pas de côté."
"I don't understand," Luna said sharply.
"Je demande pardon—I mean I apologize," the figure said lightly, "Your master has not given us a chance to… join sides."
"What type of proof?" Luna continued.
"The proof that he has a power that Une Sombrer has searched for since our master was destroyed."
"Good Mr. Potter, remember to hold your wand lightly otherwise the transformation will not work," Master Igulia said quickly, as she walked by Harry and Michel.
Harry grunted but did try to use less pressure with his fingers as he turned his desk back into a rug.
"Next week we shall start testing your ability to animagi abilities," Maser Igulia announced, "though I haven't sensed any such notions within any of you as of yet."
"Hem, hem…"
The class snapped its' necks back to the door where a fat miserable looking toad was smiling sweetly.
"Did you get my memo, Professor Igulia," Dolores Umbridge began.
"Master Igulia or Auror Igulia. Professors are for schools, this is a training facility," Master Igulia said coldly. "I did receive your memo, but we do not allow outside observers in class."
"I'm not an outside observer. I am the new Head of Auror training," Umbridge pointed out.
Master Igulia didn't seem at all phased by Umbridge's point, and she simply turned her head. "Until you have completed the training course, you can not be previewed to it. This is an ancient bylaw dating back to the beginning of our Academy."
"The Minister has given my full authority over Auror training," Umbridge replied, though her face was growing impatient.
"Our bylaws do not," Igulia snapped back. "Leave before I'm forced to escort you out."
Umbridge narrowed her eyes. "I'll be reporting this to the Minister. Exactly how long have you been teaching at the Academy?"
"Forty-two years," Igulia said shortly.
Umbridge grinned. "I think a retirement is near in your future."
"Odd, I didn't realize you were such a gifted seer," Igulia said. "It's a shame we don't teach Divination here."
"I'll be sending you another memo shortly," Umbridge announced. "Professor."
Michael nudged Harry as Umbridge left the room, and Master Igulia fumed with anger. She was so angry that her hair kept transforming into flames then reappearing again. Smoke rose steadily from her head, giving her a devilish appearance.
"Umbridge," Harry muttered hatefully under his breath. "What else can go wrong."
"Reckon she's going to try to can you?" Michael asked.
Harry almost laughed. "I give it a week and I'll be tossed out of here."
"Don't be ridiculous, Fudge isn't that insane," Susan said swiftly.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Susan sighed. "Haven't you two heard the word around the Ministry? They're saying you know who is back. People are terrified. They want Harry Potter to destroy him again, taking you out of Auror training will cause such an uproar that Fudge would probably be thrown out on his ear. That is what my auntie said."
"Yea, Umbitch would probably want to piss you off and make you quit," Michael agreed.
Susan nodded. "It wouldn't surprise me if she went after Cho."
Harry narrowed his eyes as he watched Master Igulia's hair go up in flames again. He knew exactly how she felt.
George Steppin threw his legs up on Dumbledore's desk with a genuine smirk on his face. His ideas were presented and now all he was waiting for was Dumbledore to congratulate him on his brilliance.
Dumbledore eyes didn't twinkle, and his face didn't break into a smile; instead, he frowned.
"I am well aware of the law you are speaking of," Dumbledore finally said. "But I'm afraid there is nothing we can do. Only the Minister can enact the ancient law that could call about the next election. I apologize for all the effort you've put forth, but alas, there is nothing we can do."
"Nothing we can do?" Steppin shouted. "Dumbledore, you can't be serious. He has cheated the people out of their right to elect government. There is no state of emergency. He has brainwashed the people to believe that you know who is back."
"Yes he has, but only the people can reject his mandate," Dumbledore explained. "And they have not."
Steppin shook his head in disbelief, "This is ridiculous. Fudge has crossed the line; he has broken the law, Dumbledore. Do you honestly just plan on standing by?"
Dumbledore grinned lightly. "Perhaps this is what is best. Now Harry does not have to worry about being Minister."
"Harry didn't want to be Minster!" Steppin yelled loudly.
Dumbledore simply nodded and lifted his fingers and started tapping the air as if he were listening to a set of headphones.
"I see your point," Steppin muttered. "We still have to do something."
"I believe the solution to this problem is a little bug," Dumbledore said in a singsong voice.
Steppin scrunched his nose, "Are you off your rocker?"
Dumbledore repeated, "I believe the solution to this problem is a little bug."
"A bug? I'm not following…" Steppin suddenly stopped; his words short and a smirk crossed his face.
Dumbledore rose from his seat and started walking towards a closet in the corner; "Have I ever shown you my golden bubbles? Wonderful little creation I made by accident."
Next Update: 11-14-04