Dark Days Pass But Never Forgotten
by: LogicalRaven
Hey guys, did you miss me? LogicalRaven is back with a good fixed laptop and my plot ready to roll. I apologize for the delay in this chapter. Never fear though, I'm back and better than ever…maybe. This chapter is shorter than I would have preferred, but I thought you guys had waited long enough. I had to get done with the duel before I could really concentrate on the story again. For those of you who don't know what duel I'm talking about, go visit the duel link on HPFF main site. Some excellent stories passed through this time.
Well, delay no more. Here is the next chapter. If you want to be added to my mailing list e-mail me at or Thanks for your patience.
Never Say Goodbye
The night sky sparkled in a sense of false serenity. Such a beautiful night, but the sky was the only part that relayed this falseness. The cool winter air tickled any bare skin it found, brining with it unseen truth of the coldness of the world.
Only a short while ago Cho Chang had stood in front of the man she had given her heart to. The words she had always ached to hear; the phase she had dreamed about as long as she could remember had finally touched her ears. Ironically, she would have given anything to have it taken back, as if it had never happened.
Her world was falling apart. More had happened in the past two years than she could have ever thought possible. Her soul bared scars she could never shed. Her eyes burned with tears, yet none fell. She had no tears left to cry.
Harry was inside, doubtfully asleep. How could anybody sleep after the death of someone they loved? She remembered clearly that she hadn't slept after Cedric had died. She hadn't slept after her mother had died. No, Harry was not asleep.
Cho shook her head bitterly at how unfair and cruel the world could be. Ron and Harry were like brothers, closer than brothers perhaps. The Weasleys were the closest thing Harry had ever known as family. It wasn't right that another one of them was taken.
"Cho, dear—you're going to catch your death."
Cho turned her head quickly in the direction of her company and offered a sad smile.
"Mrs. Weasley, I'm alright," Cho whispered, as Molly's swollen eyes accepted Cho's sign of gratitude.
Molly nodded. "I know. I just noticed you've been out here a good long time. There is no sense asking for sickness."
"I just needed to be alone for awhile," Cho said, as she started to turn to come back inside.
Molly nodded. "I just convinced Ginny to rest, perhaps you should do the same. Dumbledore has plenty of room for guests."
"I'm so sorry…" Cho said suddenly.
Molly made a sobbing noise and held up her hand. "No, no… there is nothing to be sorry about."
It was too much to bear; Cho placed her small hand on Mrs. Weasley's weeping shoulder. "I have to go somewhere. Can you tell Harry I'll be back in a bit?"
Molly nodded, and Cho slowly remembered how to disapparate. The wind stung her face as the sensation overtook her in way she could barely remember.
The flat looked empty, but Cho knew better. Marietta never like it to appear that she was home. She allowed her small hand to knock on the door, and as she expected, it opened.
"Cho," Marietta said in a rather surprised tone. "Everything alright?"
Cho shook her head. "Can you talk?"
Marietta glanced over her shoulder and bit her lip. "I have company over, but… never mind, come on in."
Cho nodded reluctantly and entered the flat of her only true friend.
Marietta crept into the next room to shoo her boyfriend away to give the two girls some privacy. Cho couldn't make out their conversation, but she knew Marietta was probably exaggerating the problem. She was always good at doing that.
Marietta appeared back in the living room a moment later and took a dramatic seat on the couch. "What did Potter do this time?"
Cho let out a rather unpleasant noise and buried her face into her hands.
"Cho, if you want me to help you through this, you have to stop crying," Marietta ordered.
Cho took in a deep breath followed by a loud sob. "I'm sorry… I didn't know who else to talk to about this."
"You know you can always talk to me—even if I don't agree with everything you decide," Marietta pointed out, "Such as Potter."
"Ron Weasley was killed tonight," Cho started.
"The redheaded Gryffindor guy who was dating Granger?" Marietta asked in over dramatic shock.
Cho nodded. "He was Harry's best friend—Harry was with him when it happened."
"Is Harry alright?" Marietta asked slowly.
Cho gave a clumsy wave and wiped a few escaped tears off her face. "I don't know… I honestly don't know."
Marietta turned her head softly and offered Cho a friendly smile. "You've gotten through worse deaths. You'll be there to comfort Harry."
"He asked me to marry him," Cho blurted.
"Who Weasley?" Marietta said, suddenly taken back.
Cho frowned. "No, Harry."
Marietta raised her eyebrow. "Odd sense of romance, that one has."
Cho scowled. "Ron was going to propose to Hermione Granger. He told Harry about it tonight… right before."
"Ah, so Harry decided he'd quit wasting time and finally make an honest woman out of you," Marietta said frankly. "Can't say I agree with his timing, but I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. So, when are you thinking? Date wise?"
"His best mate was just murdered," Cho cautioned. "He wasn't thinking clearly when he asked me."
Marietta groaned. "Please tell me you didn't tell him no."
Cho shook her head. "I didn't give him an answer."
"Cho, are you insane? You've wanted this ever since you met Potter. What is wrong with you?" Marietta snapped.
Cho drew a deep breath in shock. "I have not wanted this since I've met Harry. I never wanted this."
"You never wanted to marry Harry Potter?" Marietta retorted.
"I never wanted him to ask me to marry him because his best mate died!" Cho snapped in frustration.
Marietta frowned for a moment, then put on her typical face of sarcasm. "So he didn't ask you the way you've always dreamed. Life if full of disappointments isn't it? He did ask you, and you do want to marry him."
"Not like this," Cho countered. "I love him, Marietta- I don't want him to be disappointed in marrying me."
"He won't," Marietta pleaded. "Anyways, what are you doing here? You should be with Harry right now."
"I can't go back there," Cho said suddenly, looking terrified at the thought.
"You have to go back sooner or later," Marietta pointed out.
Cho nodded in resignation. "Can I just stay here for a bit?"
Marietta smiled. "You know I'd rather keep you here, then send you off to make-up with Potter."
Noel's arrival at Dumbledore Manor wasn't a major event. The house was mainly empty except for December, who was sleeping on the couch in the main parlor. Noel glanced at December, then sat the port-key she had taken from the Ministry of Magic down on the floor.
Her instincts told her to take the stairs to the upper level. It didn't take her long to locate the library where she saw the sleeping form a bushy haired girl. She did another quick scan of the room, then moved on. Noel's heart pounded faster and faster as she pulled the first door open.
"Can I help you?"
Noel fumbled for a brief moment. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to wake you."
Ginny Weasley frowned. "I'm not asleep."
"I was looking for Potter…" Noel trailed off.
Ginny's form was hidden in the darkness, and she didn't answer immediately. "Harry's in the next room, but he's asleep."
"Thank you," Noel said, as she started to shut the door.
"My brother, Ron was killed tonight. Didn't you know?" Ginny asked.
Noel didn't respond, and Ginny took her silence as a no.
"Why are here?" Ginny asked in an accusing tone.
Noel took a deep breath. "I was tipped off that Potter was hurt tonight."
"Only if you consider having your heart ripped out hurt," Ginny sighed.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Noel said softly in a tone she rarely used. "I know how hard it is to lose a family member."
"Why did you really come here tonight?" Ginny asked in an emotionless tone.
"I had to make sure Potter was okay," Noel confessed. "He's my partner."
Ginny let out of a soft sob. "Don't wait for him. Harry's isn't one who is good at accepting hearts."
"I don't know what your talking about," Noel said in a much colder tone than she aimed for.
"Yes you do," Ginny said lightly.
Noel quickly closed the door and found herself standing in the hallway with a racing mind. Was she really that obvious? Without dwelling on the thoughts, she went to the very next room and slowly opened the door.
Ginny was indeed right. Harry was sleeping on the couch in the next room. His glasses laid a skewed on his face. Noel hesitated for a moment before leaning down and shaking him gently.
Harry gave a variety of angry noises before cracking his eyes open. His squinted harshly before readjusting his glasses so he could see again.
"Noel, what in Merlin's name are you doing here?" Harry said before adjusting himself.
Noel sighed. "I came to make sure you were alive."
"Yes, quite alive," Harry said bitterly.
Noel took a deep breath. "I have to tell you something."
"What?"
Noel closed her eyes in frustration. "Something happened tonight. I saw someone."
Harry sat up so fast that he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Who, when were you contacted?"
"I don't know who it was," Noel lied. "He was at the scene tonight, and told me you were at Dumbledore's… how would a Death Eater know you were at Dumbledore's?"
"Did you tell Kingsley?" Harry asked quickly, as he made a reach for his wand.
"I can't," Noel said slowly. "This Death Eater apparated from the location. Nobody will believe me…"
"But you think I will?" Harry asked slowly.
"No," Noel said bitterly.
Harry sighed. "Well I do believe you."
"Why?" Noel asked in barely a whisper.
"Because sometimes you can't explain things that are happening…I know what it's like when nobody will listen…" Harry confessed.
Noel lowered her eyes and began to fiddle with a sugar quill that was sitting on an old style roll top desk. She couldn't tell him about Malfoy. She couldn't tell him about Eros Raymer—he'd never forgive her.
"Noel?" Harry brushed.
"Nothing, this is the first time I've been contacted," she said ruefully.
"Contacted?" Harry pushed.
Noel narrowed her eyes as she began to raise her voice slightly. "Yes, contacted—what else would you call it?"
"Do you think they're trying to recruit you?" Harry continued.
"I'm not a simple follower, Potter," Noel spat.
"I'm trying to help you," Harry admonished.
Noel paused as she allowed herself to collapse onto the chair near the desk. "Yes, they're trying to recruit me… or milk information out of me."
"You have no idea who the Death Eater was? Do you have any idea of what he wanted?" Harry asked in a voice that dripped with sarcasm.
"NO!" Noel snapped before stopping… "He wanted to know how you defeated Voldemort."
Harry frowned as he studied Noel's form. "You have to tell someone. Tell December."
"My relationship with my aunt isn't as pleasant as her relationship with you," Noel replied.
Harry shook his head as he reached out and grabbed Noel's hands. "She'll believe you."
Noel's first reaction was to recoil from Harry's touch, but at the same moment, she couldn't move. Harry's hands suddenly made a slowly understanding motion on top of hers as his eyes studied her with compassion and understanding. Slowly, Noel lifted her eyes from her hands to Harry's face. Her heart pounded faster and faster.
Harry sighed loudly as if he were immersed in a deep thought. "I proposed to Cho tonight."
Noel suddenly frowned and pulled her hands back quickly. "Odd timing."
Harry didn't move as he spoke. "I had to… I kept thinking about what she would feel if I had been the one who died. She's been with me through everything; she deserves to know."
"You love her?" Noel said in an emotionless voice.
Harry smiled. "Define love?"
"I don't know. I've never been in love," Noel said sharply. "Congratulations I suppose are in order."
"She didn't say yes," Harry shrugged.
Noel's eyes suddenly lit up.
Harry grinned. "It was probably my timing, as you skillfully pointed out just a moment ago."
The days had passed from here to there so quickly and so slowly that time seemed to stop existing. The moments that had transpired between knowing a wizard named Ron and then saying goodbye was a blur of painful memories. The group of mourning friends and family had little comfort to those who were suffering.
Mrs. Weasley looked as only a mother who had lost her child would look. Mr. Weasley looked as though he had aged twenty years since the first time Harry had laid eyes on him.
Ginny was no longer a young foolish girl with a diary, but a woman, as Oliver Wood attempted to offer her comfort in his arms. The twins, for the first time, didn't seem to stand out. Harry did notice Fred slipping a Canary Cream into Ron's hand as he passed by his coffin.
"Harry, are you alright?" Cho asked softly, as she looked up at Harry with sympathy.
Harry nodded. "I'm fine. Have you seen Hermione?"
Cho frowned. "She wandered outside not long ago…"
"I best go find her."
Cho made no protests as Harry turned to go. Harry didn't have to go far to find Hermione who was leaning against a wall. In all the time he had known Hermione, he had never seen her break.
"Hey you," Harry greeted. "Thought you could use some company."
Hermione gave no response, not even looking at Harry.
"Come on, I'll help you back in. The ceremony is about to begin," Harry said gently.
Hermione shook her head. "I can't- I can't go in there."
"Hermione," Harry said softly, as he pulled her into a hug. "I'm going to miss him too."
"It's not fair—it isn't right!" Hermione cried. "How did this happen… how?"
"If you ask those questions they'll haunt you forever," Harry warned. "It happened, if you're looking for someone to blame, then blame me."
Hermione shook her head viciously but couldn't voice anything due to her sobs. After several minutes of tears, she finally composed herself.
"What happened?" Hermione whispered. "Tell me what you two saw…"
"The Dark Mark," Harry replied with hesitation.
Hermione frowned. "Was it truly the reverse patronus?"
"Dumbledore believes so…" Harry evaded.
"I'M NOT ASKING WHAT DUMBLDORE BELIEVES!" Hermione snapped.
Harry startled slightly. "I don't know."
"Why don't you know? What makes you question it?"
Harry drew a deep breath and moved a lock of Hermione's bushy hair out of her face. He studied her, asking himself if she was better off never knowing.
"I don't see how he didn't have a will to live," Harry finally answered.
Hermione closed her eyes. "I was only a small portion of his life, Harry…"
"You were his life."
Hermione drew a shaky breath. "What did he tell you?"
"That he wanted to spend his life with you," Harry finally confessed, feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
Hermione buried her head back into Harry's shoulders as her back heaved to her sobs. Harry softly touched her back as he allowed a few of his own tears fall from his own eyes.
"I can't say goodbye Harry… don't make me go in there to say goodbye," Hermione begged.
Harry sighed. "You have to say goodbye—Ron isn't coming back."
Hermione shook her head. "No!"
"Hermione… Ron wouldn't want you to cry for him like this."
Hermione calmed slightly as her sobs lightened and suddenly she let out a small laugh. "Yes he would."
Harry smiled lightly as he nodded. Ron would have never admitted it, but Hermione crying over him like this would have flattered him.
Hermione brushed her robes lightly. "How am I going to go on without him?"
"The same way he would have," Harry replied. "After all, the ones we love never really leave us."
Hermione frowned. "I'm not going back in there, Harry."
Harry conceded. "I'm not leaving you out here alone."
Hermione nodded as she followed the wall down and drew her knees into her chest as her eyes drifted towards the sky. A few more tears welled in her eyes. Slowly, she started humming to herself.
Harry grinned. "Weasley is our King."
"I'm so sorry I missed that game," Hermione said suddenly.
"I'm just glad he gained some confidence… though Quidditch was scarce after our fifth year," Harry added.
"You two and your silly Quidditch," Hermione said gently. "I wish I hadn't been so hard on him about the Canon thing."
"You just wanted him to succeed—vested interest and all," Harry argued.
The two sat silently until Hermione suddenly started laughing. "Ron… his silly fear of spiders. Do you remember in Lupin's class during our third year?"
"Yea, you should have seen him in our second year after Hagrid told us to follow the spiders… I didn't think he'd ever forgive Hagrid for that one."
Hermione nodded. "Wouldn't talk to him for weeks if I recall. I don't know if Ron would have ever spoken to Hagrid again if it wasn't for the distraction of Hagrid making professor."
"Ron never could hold a grudge," Harry sighed. "Oh, he'd try… but he'd forget he was mad."
"I never told you what happened in the broom closet," Hermione started but Harry interrupted.
"You don't need to. I think that is a memory for just you and Ron."
Hermione lowered her head again. "I loved him, Harry. He wasn't supposed to leave me."
December watched Harry disappear out the front door as Cho let him go. She knew where he was going because she had seen Hermione leave through the same door not long before. The trio that could not be broken had now fallen.
With a quick glance around the somber room brought back recollections she had longed to forget. She could still see Lily dressed in her best black robes on James' arm as she approached the coffin. Her eyes could see Peter leaning down gripping Beth's hands.
December felt the image blurring as she blinked, then it was gone.
"Hey."
December startled as she looked over at Remus Lupin. Unless she was mistaken, he was remembering the same thing she was.
"I was hoping Harry would never have to bury someone so young," Remus signed. "It's happening again."
"Only this time we don't know who the traitor is," December said bitterly.
"We didn't know then either," Remus reminded.
December frowned. "Do you realize how many times I suspected Peter? Do you realize how many times I turned the other way? I can still see him gripping his arm."
"You couldn't have done anything, you didn't know," Remus argued.
"No, I think I always knew, I just didn't want to believe it… I'll never forget finding her Remus…"
"I wish I was the one who had," Remus said softly. "I didn't think you'd ever make it through."
December shook her head suddenly as if to push the memory from her mind. "Kingsley has been named the new head of Auror training."
"Kingsley is a good choice; he'll make certain Harry is kept out of harms ways. Dumbledore has already recalled the original Order. We know we can trust everyone in the original Order," Remus whispered.
"The original Order… are we truly that much wiser?" December asked in a sarcastic tone.
Remus reached down to squeeze December's hand. "We are wiser—this is just a power we haven't seen before. Nobody is beyond suspect; we don't know what these new dark followers are capable of."
"I think we know exactly what they're capable of," December commented, as she glanced up at Ron's coffin.
Next Update: 02-20-05