Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten
by: LogicalRaven
Alright, who is mad at me? I know I'm late but I had a very good reason. I've been art at work with HPFF. The contest is up and running, and hopefully I'll be able to update early, maybe even just after Thanksgiving, but I make no promises. This chapter didn't really turn out the way I wanted it to, but it does set things up nicely for the future.
The story is in its lull period. I mean, if everything is happening, then it doesn't work.
I haven't had the chapter beta read, because I haven't seen RavenGryffendor around lately. As soon as she gives me the beta read chapter the mistakes will be gone… but I thought I'd go ahead and post since you've waited so long.
Thanks again to everybody for being patient. Read and Review
Nothing is my own.
OH! And a Big thanks to Dumbledave for nominating Dark Days as a featured story on HPFF! I love Dumbledave!
Feelings
Dean Thomas had a smile that was almost contagious. Even with everything going on with the Ministry, Harry found a grin creeping over his face. Seamus smiled widely as Dean carried on about the adventures the group of boys was planning on embarking on.
"First we'll head to the Leaky Cauldron, we need to stop off in Diagon Alley to transfer some wizarding money into muggle money. Then we'll go to a little shaky spot I know on the other side of town."
"Why do we need to get muggle money?" Neville asked causing a few snickers from the group.
"Dancing women don't take wizarding money," Dean explained.
Harry sighed, "So what is this place we're going to called?"
"The Dancing Beaver," Ernie said excitedly, "should be interested to watch."
Neville leaned closer to Harry, "It's naked women dancing, not beavers."
Harry's eyes grew wide as he tried to suppress his laughter, in fear of hurting Neville's feelings.
"I'm ready for a nice tall class of mulled meade," Ron said sharply with an eager look.
Dean shook his head, "No mulled meade tonight my dear Weasley."
"Beer, the muggle drink, remember," Ernie interjected.
"I swear, Ernie looks so excited he might wet his trousers," Ron whispered over to Harry as the boys walked up the street to Gringotts.
"Must not get any from Parvati," Justin put in, as he overheard Ron's comment.
Harry merely shook his head and didn't comment. He serious doubted Parvati was holding anything back from Ernie.
A quick stop at the wizarding bank and a shot of fire whiskey later the group was back out of the streets of London acting very mugglish. Dean was hollering out to passing girls and Ernie and Terry were egging him on.
Harry was actually thankful when the group entered into their first pub. The atmosphere was heavy and smoky. The boys had taken careful measures to look like muggles, but Seamus bright green dragon skin shirt definitely drew attention.
"Bachelor coming through!" Dean shouted as he led Seamus to the bar. "Hello lass, can you give my friend here the largest glass of lager you have."
The bartender smiled and then filled an exceptional large mug full of a yellow frothy liquid and slid it towards Dean.
"This my dear friends," Dean announced, "is a beer."
Seamus eyes it with amusement as Dean passed it to him.
"And this is the part we pour the beer down this poor bloke's throat," Dean continued as he urged Seamus to tip up the glass.
Ernie and Justin both ordered beers for themselves and Ernie took a long swig from his mug before spitting it out; "Its gone bad."
"Nah, beer isn't suppose to taste good," Dean assured, but Ernie didn't look convinced.
"Tell you what," Dean finally conceded taking the mug of beer away from Ernie before he could waste anymore of it, "I'll take this beer, and we'll order you some kind of fruity drink."
"Fruity?" Ernie asked.
"I don't think this stuff is all that bad," Justin commented as he sipped the foam off the top of his mug.
"Don't drink the foam, mate," Seamus warned, "It will make you sick."
"Lass, can this bloke get a…" Dean lowered his voice, "A girly drink."
The bartender gave Dean a curious expression before preparing a nice tall red frozen drink with a strawberry stuck to the side.
"What is it?" Ernie asked.
Dean merely shrugged, "Doesn't really matter what it is."
"I'll have one of those to," Ron hollered out, causing Harry and Neville to give him a look.
Ron blushed lightly, "I like strawberries."
Dean turned his attention back to Seamus who was currently working on his four beer and was preparing to do a whiskey suicide. Michael took a seat near Harry and poked his beer with caution.
"Muggles sure don't worry much about flavoring," Michael commented before pushing the glass back away from himself.
"We should be at the Academy tonight," Harry finally spoke, "We shouldn't have left Noel and Susan there to cover for us."
"Umbridge isn't going to go doing any head checks. Plus, we got permission from O'Riley a month ago," Michael brushed aside.
"December isn't the head of Auror training anymore," Harry pointed out, "I just have a bad feeling something is going to happen tonight."
Michael looked at Ron who was letting Neville take a sip of his 'girly' drink and sighed; "This is Seamus's bachelor's party. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We have permission to leave the Academy and we aren't engaging in anything illegal, yet. Lighten up and try to have some fun, Harry. You've looked like hell ever since we got back from our leave."
"Suspension," Harry corrected, "Cho is at the Academy tonight. I just don't want Umbridge doing anything while I'm not around."
"Relax," Michael pleaded, "have one of those red frozen thingies."
"They're actually pretty good," Ron said loudly as he passed his drink to Harry for a taste.
Seamus shouted loudly something that was barely coherent before falling over the bar and landing on his backside.
"Time for the dancing club," Dean announced as the bartender helped Seamus back up to his feet. "Free women, here we come!"
"The Dancing Beaver," Neville whispered under his breath, "Do you think the women will really be naked?"
"I would bet on it safely," Harry noted, "Dean's been talking about it for weeks."
Ron smiled, "He had a thing for muggle girls."
The Dancing Beaver was a good distance away and Dean apparated with Seamus before Harry could protest. It was a miracle that they all ended up in the same place. The Dancing Beaver was in a dark alley, hidden away from decent eyes.
Neville let out a gasp as they entered into the establishment and Ron shielded his face while he mouthed something nervously to Harry that looked to end in the word "Hermione.."
One of the women, who was wearing nearly nothing, brushed by Harry causing him to jump back nervously.
Dean led the way to a table near the stage where another girl was dancing in a tight black outfit with bright sparkling jewels.
"Come on Potter, I figured you'd be comfortable with the naked female form," Dean joked as he caught sight of Ron, Neville, Justin and Harry all looking nervously down at the floor.
Ernie was asking a nearby waitress for a tall red frozen drink with a strawberry on the side and Michael and Terry were analyzing the situation as only Ravenclaws could do.
Harry grinned, "Cho would kill me if she knew I was in here."
"No talk about girlfriends in here, sweetie," said one of the nearly naked women as she passed, letting her fingers dance along the back of Harry's neck.
"Nobody is telling Cho," Dean argued, "Or Hermione, Ron. First lap dance is one me."
"Lap dance?" Neville asked.
Harry shook his head, "No thanks, I'm going to the loo."
The loo was disgusting. The walls were a dingy yellow and the toilets were stained. Harry quickly washed his hands and dashed back out, realizing there was really nowhere to go or to hide.
"You look lost, love," a free looking woman said in a flirty voice.
Harry forced a smile, "No, my group is just over there."
"If you need any services tonight, ask for Jezebel," she whispered into his ear as he hurried back to the table.
Back at the table Neville looked like a ghost as the guys hooted and hollered. One of the dancing girls was performing a number of acrobatic like tricks around him as he clung tightly to his chair.
"Lap dance," Ron commented as Harry appeared next to him, "Interesting place, but if Hermione asks I protestest how disgusting this place was the whole time."
"Right," Harry laughed.
The group applauded and clapped as the dancer finally released Neville and took her money from Dean's hand with her chest area.
Michael hooted loudly as Dean asked who wanted to be next.
Neville moved to hide behind Harry slightly with a flustered looking expression; "Padma wouldn't have liked that."
"We aren't going to tell her, Neville," Ron assured, "Just like nobody is going to tell Hermione."
"Yea, Granger might have a few comments on this place," Terry agreed.
"You have no idea," Ron sighed pitifully.
Terry smiled lightly then looked a Ron with a twisted expression, "Oh I think I have a pretty good idea."
Terry moved over closer to where another girl was now dancing on Michael.
"What did he mean by that?" Ron hissed as he watched Terry, "Where him and Hermione very close?"
"They were Healer trainees together," Harry replied causally as he watched Michael grinning from ear to ear and the dancer showed him some more of her tricks.
Neville swallowed hard, "Are places like this even legal?"
Harry shrugged, "Has anybody seen Ernie?"
"Probably still trying to find one of those frozen drinks," Justin commented as he shuffled back towards the un-participating side of the table.
"I'M THE BACHALOR!" Seamus screamed loudly as he stood up on the table, "KISS ME WHILE I'M STILL AVALIBLE."
Justin shook his head and looked at Neville who was watching the scene with a petrified expression.
"I'm going to…to…the loo," Neville stuttered slightly.
Harry placed a quick and on Neville's shoulder, "I wouldn't recommend doing that mate. Not unless you fancy a chat with Jezebel."
Neville quickly sat back down.
The girls had managed to pull Seamus up onto the stage and started undressing him to the catcalls of the guys on the floor below. After they tied him to a chair and took a few non-magical pictures of him for blackmail. The group started to come down.
Harry gave a stifled yawn and suddenly became thankful that he had managed to avoid the attention that the rest of the guys were engaging in.
"I wouldn't let Dean see you doing that," Ron warned as he watched the stage with a slight grin.
"We've been here for hours," Harry commented, "I think the group is too drunk to realize that I'm yawning."
"I think Michael over there fancies Jezabel," Neville pointed out, "he has been chatting her up for at least an hour now."
"I suppose that means he's over his Noel thing," Harry commented offhand.
A loud crash behind them caused a startle and when the boys turned around, Seamus was sprawled out on the floor, stone cold drunk.
"We've got to get him home," Neville sighed.
Harry nodded and then turned towards Dean, "DEAN!"
Dean nodded upwards as he held up his hand to the girl he was chatting up, "Yea mate."
"I think this party is official over," Harry said as he pointed out Seamus's unconscious form.
Dean laughed loudly as he rose with a stumble from his seat, "You're right, time to get this wanker home."
Neville and Ron helped pick Seamus off the floor as Harry and Dean tried to gather the rest of the group. Michael protested slightly, but promised Jezabel he'd return to see her again. Terry had to lured Ernie out into the street with a red frozen drink.
"Jez was really something," Michael said with a grin as the group made their way onto the streets again.
"How much money did she get?" Dean laughed.
Michael scowled as the rest of the conscience group laughed.
"I thought Jezabel was quite nice," Michael defended.
"Of course she's nice," Ron teased, "she's paid to be nice."
Dean gave Ron and Neville a hand in dragging Seamus down the back streets of London, towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hope we don't run into a bobby again," Michael said lightly as Terry glanced over his shoulder.
"Something doesn't feel right," Harry said lightly.
Terry nodded, "Probably because nothing is right anymore."
"UMBRIDGE!"
Dolores Umbridge kept moving down the corridor and into the main study area of the library and slammed open the door. December O'Riley was hot on the heels of the new Head of Auror Training screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Dolores! Stop now," December demanded, "You have no authority."
"Authority, you hide that monster from me, and now you question my authority. The Minister himself has demanded that creature removal from these premises," Umbridge said shortly as she scanned the library crowd.
December quickly grabbed Umbridge's arm and spun her around, "You miserable old bat, I will not tolerate."
"Chang," Umbridge called out spotting Cho sitting at a corner table with Mario Fortez.
She quickly shook off December's grip and approached with a delight in her eyes.
Cho's head popped up as she started to rise to greet her new Head of Auror training.
"Don't you rise," Umbridge said swiftly, "I need your wand, immediately."
December interjected, "Don't you dare, Cho."
Umbridge glared hatefully at December before turning back to Cho, "Your kind isn't permitted here or in any civilized society."
"You listen here," December said hatefully as she moved between her student and Umbridge, "You have no right to barge into our Academy and insult our students."
"Get out you… vampire," Umbridge continued, ignoring December's warnings.
There was a murmur throughout the library as Cho's eyes started to fill slightly.
"Chang received her injuries fighting for the Auror Academy and organization. You have no idea what this Auror has been through. You have no concept of honor and duty," December hissed.
Umbridge grins, "A monster is a monster. The Minister does not want a dark creature in his Ministry. She's through."
"This isn't Fudge's Ministry," December challenged.
"Master Umbridge," Mario started, "Cho's condition is completely harmless. She isn't really even a vampire."
"Hold your tongue, you were not asked for an opinion," Umbridge snapped as she bowed up to her full height, "I want that creature out of here within the next twenty minutes."
"She isn't going anywhere," December warned eyeing Umbridge with a hateful gleam in her eyes.
"December, don't," Cho pleaded.
Umbridge smiled sweetly, "You aren't in any position to determine whether she stays or goes. In fact, you're in jeopardy of losing your own position."
December's eyes widen and in a swift motion and seized her wand and made a strange motion with it. A bright purple beam broke from the tip and the next instant Umbridge was smashed against the wall and rendered unconscious.
"O'Riley," Mario said swiftly and Cho turned her head into Mario's shoulder in shock.
"Miserable old bat," December hissed.
"December, what have you done?" Kingsley Shacklebolt said quickly as he approached with Master Wallace behind him.
December grinned, "She asked for it."
"December, do you realize what this means?" Wallace asked with a sigh.
December nodded, "I'm going to Dumbledore. If you need me go find him."
"Go quickly, I'm sure Umbridge will be ready for blood when she wakes. Chang, go with O'Riley," Kingsley instructed.
Cho nodded as Mario gave her an encouraging hug before she parted.
"It will be alright," Mario whispered.
Cho nodded, "Tell Harry where we went, and don't let him do anything stupid."
Remus Lupin's eyes cracked open as a steady beating tapped against his office window. He dismissed it first as rain but it was much to constant. He limped slowly to the window and opened it where a familiar bird flew in.
"Fawkes?" Remus said with a puzzled expression. Owls were one thing, but for a Phoenix to arrive meant only one thing.
"What does Dumbledore want?" Remus asked.
Fawkes let a few soft notes escape him and then placed a letter in front of Remus.
Remus,
Please report to Harry's home immediately. Wait there for further instructions. Whatever you do, do not let him return to the Academy.
Albus Dumbledore
With another quick scan of the Dumbledore's letter, Remus rose to his feet and grabbed his cloak and pot of floo powder.
"Number 12 Grimmauld Place," Remus stated clearly as he threw the green powder into the fire and allowed the green flames to engulf him.
The house was empty, except for Dobby to rushed out to greet Remus.
"Can Dobby get Professor Lupin anything, sir?" Dobby asked as he helped Remus brush the soot off his robes.
Remus coughed, "No, I'm quite alright. Is Harry home?"
"No sir, he's out on a back'lor party," Dobby replied as his ear wiggled.
"Right? Do you know if he's planning on coming home?" Remus continued.
"Dobby doesn't know sir, Harry Potter doesn't stay home very much lately," Dobby answered.
Remus threw his cloak off over the couch and let himself collapses, Harry surely would come back to Grimmauld before returning to the Academy. No sooner had Remus sat, then the door opened followed by a group of stumbling drunk former Hogwart's students.
"PROFESSOR!" Dean exclaimed, "You're late… Seamus is already sloshed."
Remus grinned, "That is quite alright. I just wanted to make certain you boys returned home safely."
"Very fatherly of you," Terry slurred as he collapsed onto the couch next to the old werewolf.
Harry appeared in the doorway with Seamus draped over his shoulder with Ron on the other side and Neville holding Seamus feet from behind.
"Is he alright?" Remus asked standing in a gesture to offer help.
Harry's eyes suspicious looked Remus over before he answered; "He's fine, we just need to get him to bed."
"I wouldn't do that," Remus offered, "Here drape him over the couch on his stomach, it's easier to clean the marble floor than the bed. I'd but a bucket or something next to him in case he gets sick."
"Done this before?" Ron asked.
Remus grinned as he helped the boys settle Seamus onto the couch.
"Why are you here?" Harry asked as Remus positioned Seamus in a safe position.
Remus sighed, "I was worried about you boys. I wanted to make certain that you arrived home."
"I didn't even realize you knew I was going out tonight," Harry said as he watched Remus's expression.
Remus sighed, he had always been terrible at lying, "Dumbledore sent me."
"Dumbledore?" Ron and Neville said together as they exchanged a look.
"I've been sent here to keep you from returning to the Academy," Remus tried to explain.
Ron chanced at glance at Harry who remained silent, "Why can't Harry go back to the Academy?"
Remus shook his head, "That is the brilliance of Dumbledore, he neglected to divulge any details to me."
"You have no idea what's happened?" Harry asked in a serious tone.
"No," Remus confessed, "Dumbledore wants you to remain here until further notice."
Harry started to speak when he was interrupted by a loud bang on the front door.
"What in bloody hell is that?" Ron swore.
Dobby ran past the group of boys and opened the door with a gracious boy, "Welcome to the home of Harry Potter."
"Is Potter home?" a ministery law offical greeted in a gruff voice.
"I'm Harry," Harry said immediately as he brushed past Remus to get to the door.
"Mr. Potter, I'm here to search the premises for two wanted witches," the officials explained.
"Who?" Harry demanded.
"Cho Chang and December O'Riley," the official stated clearly as he moved inside the parlor and held his wand high in the air. A soft green beam shot straight up and then moved downward in a circular pattern until the beam touched the floor in a large 360 degree circle.
"What happened?" Harry demanded as the wizard turned to leave.
"They attacked the Head of Auror Training," the official explained, "if you hear from them please contact the Ministry immediately."
"Umbridge?" Remus asked.
The official nodded before turning to leave.
"Bloody hell," Ron swore.
Neville placed a hand on Harry's arm, "Don't go, Dumbledore wants you to stay here for a reason."
Harry quivered with a mixture of emotion and then looked a Remus, "Tell Dumbledore I'm not a child anymore."
"Harry," Remus snapped but it was too late, Harry had already disapperated.
Susan paced back and forth in a panicked manor.
"Will you calm down," Noel snapped.
"She's coming after us next. Everybody knows my Auntie fought beside Dumbledore in this last war. Everybody knows my father fought."
"Any my aunt just attacked Umbridge in front of the entire school. Calm down, our precious head isn't going to do anything," Noel continued in a cool tone.
Susan looked and Noel and then sighed, "Harry is going to go insane."
"Hopefully Potter has more sense than to lose his head," Noel said hatefully.
"He will, it wouldn't surprise me if he tried to attacked Umbridge himself," Susan said as she continued to pace, "Where are they?"
"Will you shut-up. I really am not in the mood for your silliness," Noel snapped.
Susan stopped cold, "I can't believe Umbridge has placed a warrant for their arrest. They'll be thrown into Azkaban."
"For about half a second. They won't be in Azkaban," Noel said sarcastically, "Umbridge isn't that powerful."
"Don't you realize what we just witnessed, don't you even care?" Susan wailed.
"No," Noel said acidly.
"I know you hate Potter," Susan started.
"We all knew she was going to go after Chang," Noel interrupted, "It's Potter's own stupidity for leaving the Academy while it was in such a volatile situation."
"Where do you think they went?" Susan asked.
"Fortez says they went to Dumbledore's. I hear Moody's his secret keeper so I'm sure they're safe," Noel said bitterly.
Democracy Among Wizards
Fudge, the man we all look up to as the leader of our world here in Britain may be more a villain the average magical being suspects. Brilliant reporter Rita Skeeter has done it again. Minister Fudge's policy and mandate is not only questionable but illegal according to several magical doctrines that rule our kind.
"The Year is 1108 A.D.
Under Wizarding Creed of the 6th council of the Magical Republic of 1108 A.D. it is decided that no governing council will thee have ultimate power. So it was written and decided by the gentlemen of the council."
Harry J. Potter's former campaign manager, George Steppin, says that the wizarding community at large must question the Minister's actions, and his illegal rule should be overthrown immediately because it endangers the governing principals of our laws.
This Creed has never been questioned making it a legal and respected bylaw. Unless the Minister tries to destroy this law to keep his ultimate power than it stands.
Many in our community are saying that you know who has returned to power. If this is the case, do we really want Cornelius Fudge running things again. His latest blunder is appointing Dolores Umbridge as the new Head of Auror Training at the Academy of the Ministry. Umbridge is under suspicion of threatening to use the unforgivable curses against students during her brief period as Head Mistress of Hogwarts.
We urge all our readers to petition against this vial act against our democratic process enacted by Minister Fudge. Do it before Fudge's dictatorship is created as staple in our society. Fudge, the man we all look up to as the leader of our world here in Britain may be more a villain the average magical being suspects. Brilliant reporter Rita Skeeter has done it again. Minister Fudge's policy and mandate is not only questionable but illegal according to several magical doctrines that rule our kind. "The Year is 1108 A.D. Under Wizarding Creed of the 6th council of the Magical Republic of 1108 A.D. it is decided that no governing council will thee have ultimate power. So it was written and decided by the gentlemen of the council."Harry J. Potter's former campaign manager, George Steppin, says that the wizarding community at large must question the Minister's actions, and his illegal rule should be overthrown immediately because it endangers the governing principals of our laws. This Creed has never been questioned making it a legal and respected bylaw. Unless the Minister tries to destroy this law to keep his ultimate power than it stands. Many in our community are saying that you know who has returned to power. If this is the case, do we really want Cornelius Fudge running things again. His latest blunder is appointing Dolores Umbridge as the new Head of Auror Training at the Academy of the Ministry. Umbridge is under suspicion of threatening to use the unforgivable curses against students during her brief period as Head Mistress of Hogwarts. We urge all our readers to petition against this vial act against our democratic process enacted by Minister Fudge. Do it before Fudge's dictatorship is created as staple in our society.
"Brilliant," Steppin grinned as he read the article and handed the rough draft back over the Skeeter.
Rita smirked, "The difficult part is getting the Prophet to publish it."
"Leave that to me, Mr. Hoss owes me a favor," Steppin assured.
"Mr. Hoss is only in charge of printing and distribution," Rita said with question in her voice.
"Precisely," Steppin said with a hint of something in his voice.
Rita simply cocked her eyebrow, "You're good."
"This should get the shit to hit the fan," Steppin said with assurance.
"Or cause Fudge to shut down the Daily Prophet," Rita supplied.
"All the better for our cause," Steppin assured, "I'm going to get this to Hobbs, I wouldn't show up to work tomorrow if I were you."
"So Dumbledore is granting me full access to his administration, exclusive access to his networking as the next Minister?" Rita asked quickly as he watched Steppin take her story.
"You will be his news advisor. You'll have complete access to everything," Steppin returned, "Imagine what you could discover."
Rita grinned, "Long live Minister Dumbledore."
Next updated: 12-5-04