Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten

By: LogicalRaven

Hello everybody. Updating, right on time. This week has been hectic, and every week seems to be. I didn't get as far as I wanted to so my next chapter will begin with a touching moment with Harry and Noel, only to have more drama introduced when Cho comes back into the picture.

It should be about two more weeks before my next update. I've accepted an offer to become part of the staff at HPFF so it will take up a bit of my time plus there is Christmas too.

Hope you have a wonderful couple of weeks, and I look foward to reading your reviews. Oh, by the way. While I don't reply to each and every review I do read them, and take them all to heart.

I have some of the best readers in the entire world, so never think your opinion doesn't mean everything to me. You guys are the best, and sincerely are the reason I carry on with this obession. If anybody wants to be added to my mailing list for instant notification when I update e-mail me at

Thanks again to everybody who is still following me and this story!
The Tables Turn

Hermione flipped through a few reports on Amos Diggory's desk, glancing over her shoulder occasionally as she nervously chewed on her lip.

"Get a grip Hermione," she said assuredly to herself.

She had a goal, and she knew she couldn't fail. Again the brilliance of Dumbledore, or ulterior motive, was shining through. His careful placement of Hermione inside the Department of the Regulation of Magical Creatures was turning out to be very useful.

She was looking for any information on Vampires she could find, since they had become a hot issue since the attack on the Ministry. Amos Diggory wouldn't like it very much if he walked in and caught Hermione going through his private desk, but still she risked it because she knew there was more at stake than a job.

Suddenly she stopped and lifted an old paper that was hidden in the bottom of Amos' bottom desk drawer.

Hogwart's Student Killed Accidentally

"Honestly," Hermione said coldly.

She remembered the article well. It had barely taken up a half column towards the back of the Daily Prophet during the summer between her fourth and fifth year. The article hadn't even mentioned Cedric Diggory by name, but apparently Amos knew whom the article referred to. It did little to deflect her from her quest as she recalled what the ignorance of Minister Fudge was capable of.

"Harvey, lunch next week old man."

Hermione froze as the voice of Amos Diggory sounded from down the hallway. In a split second decision she ducked into a side closet and stooped down close to the floor. Not a moment later she heard the door to the office open and click close. Amos apparently moved to his desk, scooted out the chair and sat down.

"How did this…" Amos asked aloud, and Hermione didn't have to guess what she had failed to put up.

"Hogwart's student accidentally killed," Amos read aloud before the sound of something being stuffed back into a drawer caught Hermione's attention.

"Amos," another voice called out, which Hermione didn't recognize, and filtered through the closet wall. Hermione assumed it was coming from the fireplace, via floo network.

"What do you want? I told you not to contact me while I'm working," hissed Amos.

"Cho has a warrant out for her arrest," the voice explained calmly, as Hermione deduced it was a female voice.

Amos exhaled noisily, "That is her problem, what do you want me to do about it."

Hermione's hands flew up to her mouth to try to suppress her surprise as she creped her head closer to the door to sneak a peek through the closet door.

"What would Cedric say?" the voice asked.

"Cedric is dead, and Cho is not our problem. I'm a Ministry official, I'm not jeopardizing my position," Amos said shortly as Hermione caught sight of a floating green head in the fireplace.

"Amos please, can't you do something?"

"NO," Amos said bitterly, "She has Potter to look out after her."

"Potter is under arrest," the voice said with uncertainty, "I just heard it from Madame Bones, Umbridge has already placed a warrant out for him to bring him in for questioning."

Hermione's eyes few open as she tried to restrain herself from rushing out of the classroom.

"What has Potter done this time?" Amos asked.

Hermione suddenly realized that she wasn't a trapped schoolgirl anymore, but quite capable of disappearating out of her situation. She knew of another place to get more accurate information.

Harry landed hard on the floor as he took the port-key back to his dormitory at the Academy. Susan let out a swift scream as Noel did her traditional eye rolling.

"Oh my Merlin, Harry, are you alright?" Susan asked as she helped Harry to his feet.

Harry reluctantly took Susan's hand and immediately started towards the door.

"Where are you going Potter?" Noel snapped.

"None of your concern," Harry snapped back.

Susan looked desperately at Noel for some help.

"POTTER," Noel snapped, "Will you use your head before you end up arrested."

"Where is Umbridge?" Harry demanded as he started to approach the door.

"You really are thick, do you know that?" Noel said sharply.

Harry smirked sarcastically, "I'm using my head, via your advice."

"Harry, December attacked Umbridge, but she got away," Susan started, "Everything is going to be fine, unless you rush off and try something rash."

"Thanks for the tip, I'll be sure to tell Dumbledore you're following his advice," Harry spat back.

"You are an idiot," Noel said coldly, "Go get yourself arrested, thrown into Azkaban."

Harry walked to the door looking sourly over his shoulder at his two fellow trainees.

"We have to do something," Susan cried.

Noel rolled her eyes and rose, "This is pathetic."

Before Harry could reach the door Noel hand drew out her wand and pointed it precariously at Harry, "Potter, I'm only going to give you one more warning."

"What are you going to do Noel, hex me?" Harry snarled.

"If I have to," Noel threatened.

"Harry, please listen to reason," Susan begged.

Harry cut his eyes away from Noel's changeling wand; "December attacked Umbridge."

"She didn't have choice you idiot!" Noel snapped.

Susan bit her lip in confusion as Harry gave her a puzzled look, causing Noel to sigh in exasperation.

"Are the two of you really that daft?" Noel hissed. "O'Riley attacked Umbridge to give Chang a chance to escape."

Susan eyes lit up as realization dawned on her but it did little to waiver Harry's wrath.

"I don't care, somebody has got to teach Umbridge a lesson," Harry spat.

"You fool," Noel said sharply, "How did someone as thick as you ever get into Auror Academy?"

"Sharp as a needle yourself there, O'Riley," Harry retorted.

Noel narrowed her eyes, "I'm warning you, Potter. Step out that door and I'll put such a binding curse on you, that you won't be able to move for a week."

"I defeated Voldemort, do you honestly think you can scare me with a binding curse?" Harry argued.

Noel smirked, "Don't test me, Potter. I assure you that I can be as worthy of an adversary as Voldemort was."

"Harry, please just don't do anything rash. I heard Cho made Mario promise he wouldn't let you do anything stupid," Susan begged.

Harry snapped his head in Susan's direction, "Cho thought I'd do something stupid."

"Obviously," Noel said curtly.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "What is it to you, O'Riley, if I get kicked out of the Academy or not."

"You really are an idiot, and this entire time I thought it was just an act to annoy me," Noel smarted back.

Susan made a move to grab Harry's arm; "We don't want to see you get kicked out, we need you here with us."

"Potter, think about it. Everybody knows that if Umbridge did something to Chang, you'd go off the deep end. Everybody knows she wants to boot you out of the Auror program. You're doing exactly what she wants," Noel said piercingly.

Suddenly the door to the dormitory opened and the scene presented itself to an angry looking Head of Auror Training. Harry took a step backwards and made a move for his pocket, but Noel grabbed his arm to stop him before he had seized his wand.

"Potter," Umbridge said in her sweet girly voice, "I need some information from you."

"Harry doesn't know where Chang and my aunt are," Noel said quickly pushing Harry to her rear.

"I asked Potter, not you O'Riley," Umbridge said sternly before turning her attention to Harry again.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "I don't know where they are, and even if I did I wouldn't tell you."

"This is most disappointing," Umbridge said, without surprise. "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to go with the two gentlemen outside this room to Azkaban for further questioning."

"That isn't really necessary, Harry hasn't done anything," Noel interrupted.

Umbridge gritted her teeth, "You're an ugly nosy girl aren't you."

"She's right," Harry said bitterly as he flashed Noel a look, "You have no right to order me to Azkaban."

"I have every right in the world, I am your superior," Umbridge barked, "I have been given full authority by Minister Fudge himself."

Harry had to stop himself from laughing.

"Harry isn't going anywhere," Noel stated firmly.

Umbridge smiled, "You're as pathetic and foolish as your aunt."

Noel was on the verge or retorting when a flash of blue light whirled past her and struck Umbridge firmly in the stomach causing her to fly out the door way and into the hall. The door snapped shut behind her and bolted itself tightly closed.

"You fool," Noel snapped, "I had the situation under control."

"She was going to take me Azkaban either way," Harry snapped back, "Where did they go?"

"Dumbledore's," Susan muttered nervously.

Noel's hand swiftly found Harry's face with a loud crack; "Umbridge will have both our heads for this one."

"Make that all three of our heads," Susan fretted.

"We needed to stay at the Academy," Noel hissed, "Now we're on the outside looking in. I've worked too hard to have my future muddled up by the likes of someone like you."

"Than stay here and see if Umbridge throws you into Azkaban or not, I didn't ask you to stick up for me," Harry yelled touching his sore face.

Noel eyes widened, "I was trying to keep you from doing something stupid, apparently I failed."

"Miserably," Harry replied.

"Can the two of you fight about this later, we have to get out of here," Susan said quickly as she went to fetch a port-key off the mantel.

"Umbridge couldn't get past that locking charm if her life depended on it," Harry jeered.

Susan sighed, "My aunt is going to be so disappointed."

The three were just about to make a reach for the port-key when the door was blasted open and the three where hit with a strong charm, rendering them each unconscious.

December never felt quite comfortable at Dumbledore Manor, the walls were just too shiny and the floors were just too glossy. She and Cho had been waiting for the former Head Master of Hogwarts for nearly four hours, but Bilto, one of the many house elves that volunteered to work for Dumbledore, had told them to wait. Dumbledore was trying to do what he could to fix the situation, and little did December realize it was only destined to get worse.

Cho sighed, "You really shouldn't have attacked Umbridge."

December didn't respond, because there really weren't any need for words. Both she and Cho knew what would have happened if she hadn't intervened, and it most likely would have resulted in a visit to Azkaban for Cho.

"I really hope Harry doesn't do anything rash when he finds out what happens. He's always to quick to act before thinking things through," Cho rambled, almost to herself.

"Harry is in good care," responded a sudden whimsical voice that came out of nowhere.

"Dumbledore, it is about time," December snapped.

Cho was suddenly on her feet as the former head master moved from a wall that matched his robes; "Harry knows?"

"Yes, Harry is currently in Azkaban," Dumbledore said lightly with a slight laughter to his voice.

"Damn," December swore, "We've got to get him out of there."

"Taking up the life of a fugitive quite quickly are we not?" Dumbledore asked. " I sent Remus to Harry's to ensure he'd return to the Academy to confront Dolores."

"Why?" Cho demanded, "You knew he'd do something stupid and get himself thrown into Azkaban!"

"Precisely," Dumbledore revealed, "there was more in the Daily Prophet today than the warrant out for the two of you."

December suddenly noticed a copy of the Daily Prophet laying on a coffee table; a copy she knew hadn't been lying there a moment before. She and Cho were front page, in a couple very unappealing mug shots, and just under their story was another.

"Skeeter?" December asked.

"Apparently two who Harry felt he could not trust are now on his side," Dumbledore said softly. "I'm afraid the magical community is not going to be happy to learn that the former head of Auror training and the love of Harry's life are on the run and they might be even more distraught to learn that Minister Fudge is doing all this under an illegal use of power."

"You set Harry up?" Cho asked.

Dumbledore winked, "Ah, it does sounds rather unpleasant when you put in those terms."

December shook her head, "What if it doesn't work Dumbledore?"

"Harry is not alone, he's there with those who love him, of should I say one who does," Dumbledore smiled as he looked dead straight at December.

"Noel?" December asked, "Dumbledore you can't trust Noel."

"Why can't he trust Noel?" Cho snapped as she watched the interaction.

Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on Cho's shoulder, "You are not the only one who desires Harry's love. Though you are the only one he chooses to give it to. When the truth is revealed, it will be seen that Noel is willing to sacrifice herself for what she loves, just as her father was."

December's skin had suddenly become pale, as she stood motionless with guilt; "Dumbledore, you don't know all the details."

"Potions sometimes can cause quite a lot of trouble," Dumbledore replied in a sing song voice and Cho let out a gasp as all the pieces suddenly came crashing together and December's head dropped in shame.

"You must not tell Harry, either of you. A man only sees what he wants, and does not always take to be forced to see something lightly," Dumbledore warned, "and now, I think it is time to call a meeting of the Order."

"You reassembled it?" December asked.

"Indeed, forgive me for not notifying you but I did not feel it was safe knowing the history of the tactics used by Dolores Umbridge."

His eyes cracked open slowly as the dark grim of a long forgotten place filtered in. Azkaban, there was no other word to describe the hell he suddenly found himself in.

Harry tried to make a motion to stand but a sharp hand forced him back to the ground.

"Stay down," ordered a harsh raspy voice.

The river trolls were still as terrifying as ever with their large forms and dark hooded robes. The only difference between them and the Dementors was they didn't glide nor suck out human souls. The Dementors were outcast and forbid to return to wizarding society, and that was one thing the community would not allow Fudge to do.

"What am I doing here?" Harry demanded, but he didn't really expect the troll to answer.

He slowly turned his head to take a look at his surrounding but his vision was blurry because his glasses were missing. He would have asked where his glasses were but it wouldn't have done any good. His legs were tightly shackled and an enchanted chain bound his arms loosely.

He squinted as he tried to make out the form of the body lying beside him.

"Susan?" Harry whispered causing the troll to let out a fierce grunt.

"You're going to get us into even more trouble," a voice hissed from Harry's opposite side.

Harry snapped his neck around to see a battered looking Noel lying helplessly beside him on his opposite side.

"You alright?" Harry asked.

Noel smirked, "Peachy, just how I wanted to spend my holiday."

Harry couldn't help but smile; it was odd that her sarcasm gave a strange sense of peace.

"How long have you been awake?" Harry asked.

Noel's eyes darted around the room, "I can't be sure, but maybe about half and hour. Mr. Guard hasn't been to keen on talking."

The troll smashed his cane loudly into the floor causing Noel and Harry to jump.

"Are the prisoners awake yet?" asked another troll as he passed by.

"All but one," the guard troll responded.

The other troll grunted loudly, "Leave her, they have a visitor."

The river troll snatched Harry and Noel off the floor lifting them off the ground by their arms and carried them down the hallway.

"I assure you I can walk," Noel snapped, but the troll didn't respond and didn't release them until they reached a dark gray room with a table two chairs. The two crashed into the floor.

Harry let out an slight 'ouch' as he picked himself off the floor and offered Noel a hand up since navigating up in binds wasn't an easy task.

"Honestly," Noel said under her breath as she attempted to rub her bruised rear, "you'd think they could figure out a type of magic that isn't so primitive."

Harry was about to respond with the voice of his enemy suddenly answered for him.

"You would think."

"Malfoy," Harry hissed as Draco Malfoy suddenly appeared from the corner with a look of utter delight on his face.

"Ironic how the tables have turned," Draco jeered as he rattled his hand across the table in the room.

Noel's eyes widened, "What are you doing here."

"I asked Minster Fudge if I might have a word with the two of you. You know, to see if some kind of deal could be established," Draco said in a overacted diplomatic voice, "He's appointed me head of Wizarding relations, and the community gets a bit rattled when Aurors are arrested."

"And I thought Fudge had already appointed his worst position," Harry sneered.

Draco simply smiled, "Manners, Potter, I truly hold your fate."

"Then I'd rather rot in Azkaban," Harry spat.

"Very well," Draco nodded, "Take Mr. Potter to solitary confinement, until he's ready to cooperate."

The troll swiftly seized Harry around the waist and hoisted him over his shoulder.

"Malfoy, I swear," Harry started.

"Save it, Potter, you don't have the power to do anything. Enjoy solitary confinement, there are a few old friends down their dying to see you."

Draco continued laughing until Harry was out of sight and then he turned his attention to Noel.

"Don't think you can manipulate me into making another deal," Noel spat.

"Did we ever have a deal?" Draco asked innocently, "I thought you said we had no deal. Remind me again what our deal was."

Noel eyes flashed, "What do you think you're playing at? Do you honestly think Harry is going to remain in Azkaban?"

"No," Draco confessed, "but that is just my simple opinion. It's good to see you, it has been awhile."

"Not long enough," Noel said acidly.

Draco reached out and brushed a small strand of hair out of Noel's face and then slowly let his finger roll across her bottom lip. Noel's immediately stiffened and turned her head away.

"The beaten prison look really doesn't suit you," Draco teased in his Slytherin voice.

Draco leaned in closer so his lips could have brushed across her ear, "Fudge is going to be thrown out of office, but you know the merit of our power now. We control the government, no matter who's the minister."

"You think you could control Dumbledore?" Noel asked scathingly

"Ask me that question at the next full moon," Draco said in a delightful whisper.

Noel narrowed her eyes, "Why are you telling me this?"

"As you said before, we have a deal. Lets just say I think we understand one another," Draco explained, "Except I don't understand your loyalty to Potter."

Noel narrowed her eyes, "I have no desire to help you."

"As long as you help me, you stay an Auror. As long as you help me, Potter stays safe."

"Safe in solitary confinement," Noel sneered.

Draco shrugged, "He deserves a taste of hell he put me through."

"You put yourself through it," Noel spat.

Draco cupped Noel's chin firmly, "The trolls are going to take you back to the holding cells now. If you agree to cooperate than you'll be out of here before the next sun rise."

"What about Potter and Bones?" Noel asked carefully.

"I'm a mere Death Eater, not a miracle worker. Don't fret, Potter and Bones will be released in due time," Draco said spitefully.

Noel nodded, "I swear, Malfoy, cross me and it will be last thing you've ever done."

"Does this mean you want to become a Death Eater. We'd gladly except an Auror among our ranks," Draco said with a tease in his voice.

Noel recoiled back, "Not if my life depended on it."

Noel rose quickly and marched out the door with the troll close behind her.

"But what if Potter's life does?" Draco asked as his eyes gleamed with ideas.

The night after a bachelor's party was never a pleasant sight, and Hermione winced as she landed in the middle of the living room from the overwhelming stench of alcohol.
Seamus was passed out in a wide spread eagle pose on the couch clinging on to a trash bucket and Michael was located nearby with a bottle of Madame Roach's Headache Easy Powder.

"Forgot to tell him it would knock him out cold for a few hours," Terry shrugged as he caught Hermione examining the bottle she had just pried from Michael's hands.

"Where's Harry?" Hermione said quickly before she had completely gotten a hold of her tongue.
Terry sighed, "I'm not sure. I stayed behind to watch the drunken lot. Remus Lupin came by about the time we got back in from the pubs and told Harry that Dumbledore wanted him to stay here. Then some guy from the Ministry came and searched the house for December O'Riley and Cho. Next thing we know Harry is losing his head and apparating back to the Academy, which is forbidden in his rank, I might add."

"Harry went back to the Academy? How long ago?" Hermione continued now grabbing Terry's arm in panic.

"Last last night, or early this morning depending on your perception. Remus took Dean, Ron, Neville and left. Said something about going to Dumbledore's and told me to stay behind to make sure this lot lived."

Michael let out a strong belch causing Hermione's expression sour, "How much did they have to drink?"

"More than I did," Terry laughed, "You should have seen Michael with Jezabel."

"Who's Jezabel?" Hermione asked narrowing her eyes.

Terry let out another laugh as he recollected the former night's memories, which caused Hermione to sigh.

"Nevermind," Hermione snapped, "Dumbledore's you say?"

"Yea, I hope Harry isn't in too much trouble," Terry nodded.

Hermione tutted, "He's been arrested, haven't you heard?"

"Arrested?" Terry said suddenly very serious.

"Yes, December attacked Umbridge last night and I suppose Harry went after her to," Hermione said with frustration. "Get this lot up, do you know what has been reassembled?"

"No," Terry said raising his eyebrows.

Hermione sighed again, "It doesn't matter, get this lot up and alert. We might need them, especially Michael."


NEXT UPDATE: 12-19-04