Chapter 7
Harry looked from Hermione to Ron, waiting for an explanation. Why did Ron know what was going on here while he had no clue why Hermione didn't recognize them anymore?
"The day before we left to search for the Horcruxes, Hermione took me aside and gave me a few bottles of a potion she'd make. She said she and I should keep drinking the potion regularly in case the death eaters caught her or me and used Veritas serum to question us about your plans and whereabouts. Hermione invented the potion herself. The potion alone has no effect, but when it is taken together with Veritas serum it makes the person who drinks it instantly forget everything which is associated with a certain person. You have to put a hair or something else of the person you want to forget in the potion, like with Polyjuice potion," Ron explained.
"But why can't Hermione remember you and your family? And why didn't you tell me about the potion?" Harry asked. He was still confused and now a little angry that his friends' had kept something like that from him.
"Think about it, Harry. How many memories of my family and me can Hermione possibly have which aren't connected with you? The only times when Hermione and I were together without you were the Hogsmead visits in third year and the first weeks of the summer before our fifth year. In Hogsmead we talked about you and bought you sweets and during the summer you were the main conversation topic of everybody in the house. And about your other question: Hermione didn't want to cause you even more worries than you already had," Ron answered.
Harry decided not to argue with Ron because he didn't tell him about the potion, but asked the question that was most important to him. "How long does it take for the potion to stop working? You said you had to take it several times, so it loses his effect eventually, right?"
Ron looked very uncomfortable. "I hope so. The potion eventually leaves your system when it doesn't react with Veritas serum. Considering that this potion is a new creation nobody knows how long it takes to lose its effect when it is taken with Veritas serum. Hermione said she tested the potion on herself with a hair of Fleur's mother and she still didn't recognize her on a photo when we tried it a few weeks ago. Hermione said it's likely that we would eventually remember you though, because you're more important to us, but we can't be sure," Ron admitted worriedly.
"You mean I took a potion that might cause permanent memory loss?! But why? How could I have been so stupid? Why would anybody want to capture me and question me about Harry Potter? What are Horcruxes and who are you?" Hermione asked Ron, clearly upset.
Before Ron could think of a way to give Hermione a brief summary of the last seven years, the door burst open for the third time and Arthur and Ginny Weasley, Lupin, Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt entered the room with raised wands.
"I see we are late for all the fun. Too bad, that means all we have to do is gift wrap those guys and bring them back to Azkaban," Tonks said, lowering her wand.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione exclaimed, thankful for the first familiar face in the room. "What are you doing here?"
"You recognize Remus?" Harry asked, confused. "That doesn't make sense, I was nearly always there when you met him."
"You were?" Now it was Hermione's turn to be confused. "Does that mean you are a Hogwarts student, too?"
"What's going on here?" Lupin asked Harry.
"Apparently, one of the death eaters gave Hermione Veritas serum, but Hermione had taken a new potion she invented that makes the person who drinks it forget everything connected with a certain person when it reacts with Veritas serum. Hermione wanted to make sure she couldn't tell a death eater where I am under Veritas serum. Now she doesn't remember anybody here besides you," Harry explained.
Lupin was quiet for a moment, looking like he was deeply in thought. "Hermione, what's the last thing you remember about me?"
"You were my Defence against the Dark Arts teacher in third year, but you had to leave because..."
"It's alright, Hermione, everybody here knows that I'm a werewolf," Lupin reassured her.
Lupin directed his attention to Harry. "Hermione obviously only remembers me as her teacher and has forgotten everything about me that is connected with you. During classes Hermione always paid close attention to the teacher, that you and Ron sat next to her during the lessons isn't an important part of these memories, that's probably why she remembers me at all."
"Where are Mr. and Mrs. Granger?" Mrs. Weasley suddenly asked.
"My parents are here?" Hermione asked, even more confused. "But why? Are they alright? Where are we anyways?"
"Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, could you please go and look for the Grangers? They know you and they know they can trust you. If they are hiding somewhere here they will come out if they hear you. I'll try to explain everything to Hermione," Harry suggested.
"Yes, that's a good idea, dear. Don't worry, Hermione, I'm sure your parents are fine," Molly said and left the house with Arthur.
"We should sit down, this is going to be a long story," Harry said. He sat down on the couch with Hermione to his right, while Ron took the seat on her other side, Ginny took the armchair and everybody else got chairs from the dining table.
"Maybe I should start with introducing everybody?" Harry suggested and Hermione nodded.
"You've already figured out that I'm Harry Potter. The young man on your other side is Ron Weasley. We are in your year at Hogwarts and we're both Gryffindors, too. The three of us have been best friends since first year. The girl in the armchair is Ron's sister Ginny. She's a year younger than we and in Gryffindor, too. The twins are Ron's and Ginny's brothers Fred and George. The couple who is looking for your parents at the moment are their parents. The young woman with the bright pink hair is Nymphadora Tonks. Just call her Tonks or she might hex you. Tonks is an Auror and Lupin's wife. They got married a year ago and have a baby boy. The black man is Kingsley Shacklebolt, he is an Auror, too. Tonks, Kingsley, Lupin and Arthur and Molly Weasley are all members of the Order of the Phoenix. That's a secret defence organisation against Voldemort. Do you remember Voldemort?" Harry asked.
"Of course, I've read many books in which he was mentioned. He is the most dangerous dark wizard. He and his followers tortured and killed many Muggles," Hermione answered.
"That's all you remember about Voldemort?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded.
"Voldemort was a very mighty dark wizard during the time we were born. Everybody feared him, but there were a few brave people who founded the Order of the Phoenix to defend him. Professor Lupin was a member of the order back then and so were my parents. They fought him and his followers, but no one ever managed to beat him. A few months before I was born, Professor Trelawney, who became the divination teacher at Hogwarts, had a vision and made a prophecy. This prophecy said that the person who would be able to kill Voldemort would be born at the end of July and that he would be the offspring of a couple who had fought Voldemort three times. The prophecy also said that Voldemort himself would mark this person as an equal. There were only two couples who had fought Voldemort three times and survived - my parents and Frank and Alice Longbottom, the parents of Neville Longbottom. Neville was born on July 30th and I was born on July 31th. Voldemort heard of the prophecy and decided to find and kill both babies. Voldemort found the place where my parents were hiding with me and killed my mum and dad. He tried to kill me too, but he couldn't. I knows now that I was protected, because my mother died to save me. Her sacrifice made it impossible for Voldemort to kill me. When he used the killing curse on me it fired back and Voldemort nearly died. That was the day he "marked me as an equal" as the prophecy says. He survived because of several dark rituals he performed on himself, but he was less than a ghost. I later learned that Voldemort had created magical objects which contained parts of his soul - the Horcruxes. I had to find and destroy them before I had a chance of killing him. You and Ron accompanied me on my journey to find the horcruxes and you fought with me two days ago during the final fight with Voldemort at Hogwarts. I killed Voldemort and we managed to kill or catch several death eaters, but some escaped and are now looking for revenge. That's why they came here. We are in Australia by the way. You sent your parents here to protect them before we left for the Horcrux search and you came here to bring them home now that Voldemort is gone," Harry explained.
"My parents were here during the fight?" Hermione asked, alarmed. "What if they are hurt?"
"I'm sure they are fine, Hermione. If the death eaters had caught them, we would have found their... their bodies already. That they aren't here can only mean they found a safe place to hide," Harry reassured her.
As if on cue, the door opened and Arthur and Molly came in with the Grangers.
"Hermione dear, are you alright?!" Mrs. Granger asked, worriedly.
"I'm not hurt, but obviously I've taken a potion that made me forget Harry and everybody who's
connected with him," Hermione explained.
"You erased your memory, too?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Too?" Hermione asked.
"You made your parents forget about you with a spell to protect them," Harry explained.
"Can't you just give Hermione he memory back, like she did with us?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"Unfortunately, it isn't that easy. Hermione made sure that the dark wizards wouldn't be able to restore her memory. Hermione didn't want to be able to tell one of our enemies where I am. We don't know how long it will take for her memory to come back," Harry explained, not daring to add 'or if it will come back'. He couldn't bear the thought of being a stranger to Hermione forever.
"You mean Hermione might never remember you and Ron again? But you've always been so close!" Mrs. Granger exclaimed.
"There must be something we can do." Lupin said. "I suggest we bring Hermione to Madame Pomfrey, she might know what to do. Do you remember our school nurse, Hermione?"
Hermione nodded. "I went to her a few times when I had a headache or something."
Harry smiled. "You actually saw her very often, but usually it was to visit me when I nearly got myself killed again. And when you were in the hospital wing, it was usually because of me." Harry's smile disappeared when he said the last sentence.
"It seems like you have a talent for getting into trouble," Hermione noticed.
"You always accused me of searching for trouble, but that's not true, well, not entirely true at least. Trouble often finds me, even if I didn't search for it," Harry answered.
"Ron, Harry, I think you should accompany Hermione and her parents to Hogwarts. Fred, please take Ginny home, she hasn't passed her apparition test yet. The rest of us will bring the death eaters to Azkaban and question them," Arthur Weasley suggested.
Fred complained a little about being placed on babysitting duty, but complied after a stern look from his mother. A few minutes later only Harry, Ron and the Grangers were left.
"I think we best apparate to Hogsmead and walk from there. The fireplace isn't connected to the floo network and I don't think Mr. And Mrs. Granger would like to fly and we don't have brooms anyways," Harry suggested.
"Hogsmead, the Wizarding village? I've read about it and always wanted to go there," Hermione said happily.
"Hermione, you've been there countless of times," Ron reminded her.
"Ron, Hermione can't remember that. She has always been with at least one of us when she went there. We can do a little sightseeing in Hogsmead when we come back, if your parents don't mind," Harry promised.
"That's a good idea." Mr. Granger agreed. "Seeing familiar places might help Hermione remember."
"Apparating is a strange feeling for the first few times, but don't worry, we'll take care of you," Harry reassured the Grangers. "Ron, can you take Mr. And Mrs. Granger? I'll take Hermione since she doesn't know where we're going," Harry decided and Ron nodded.
Harry gently took Hermione's hand and was surprised how much this small touch affected him. A minute later they had reached their destination and Harry reluctantly let go of Hermione's hand.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked her parents who looked slightly shaken by their first apparition experience.
"Do wizards always travel that way?" Mrs. Granger asked instead of an answer.
"No, not always, it's just the most comfortable way," Hermione explained. "Flooing, using a Portkey or flying on a broom are other possibilities."
"This is the most comfortable wizarding way of travelling?" Mr. Granger asked incredulous.
"Many wizards think so," Harry explained. "I prefer flying, but that takes too long for long distances."
"... and it's awfully dangerous," Hermione added.
"You keep telling me that before every Quidditch match," Harry said and gave Hermione a warm smile. He often complained about Hermione's over-protectiveness, but truth to be told, he liked it that Hermione cared so much about him.
"You play Quidditch?" Hermione asked. "Wasn't it enough that some dark wizard out there wanted to kill you? Do you really need to find more ways kill yourself?"
Ron laughed. "It's good to know that you're still the same old Hermione, even without your memory."
During their walk through Hogsmead Hermione looked in awe at the village and Harry and Ron pointed the different locations out to her and her parents.
"There's Honeydukes. They have the best sweets. There's a secret passage from Honeydukes to Hogwarts, but we better don't take it. The students and sales clerks would probably look odd at us if we go straight to the cellar," Ron explained.
"And how do you know about this passage?" Hermione asked.
Ron grinned. "Fred and George are the biggest pranksters the school has seen in twenty years. They know all secret passages in and around Hogwarts."
A few minutes later the group had reached Hogwarts. The entrance door of the castle had been repaired, but inside they could still see the signs of the fight that had taken place.
Harry sensed Hermione's affright before he even looked at her face. He quickly turned around and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Hermione, are you all right? Do you remember anything?" Harry asked carefully.
"I'm not sure. I see flashes of people running and people in dark cloaks shouting curse, but it's all very blurry," Hermione answered, trying to make sense of the fragments of her memory.
"That's good!" Ron exclaimed excited and Harry gave him a disapproving look. "I mean, of course what you remember is bad, but it's good that you start remembering things," Ron corrected himself sheepishly.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked Hermione again.
Hermione gave Harry a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, don't worry."
"That must have been a huge fight, the school looks terrible!" Mrs. Granger sounded horrified at the thought of her daughter and their fiends participating in a life or death battle.
"Are your other friends all right?" Hermione asked Harry, who looked sad at the question.
"None of our friends got hurt severely, but two students didn't make it," Harry answered. He didn't mean to scare Hermione, but he wouldn't lie to her. She deserved the truth.
"Did we know them?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "Both of them were Gryffindor's, they were in Ginny's year. One of the was a member of the DA, a defence organisation of students we founded, and the other one was a prefect, so you knew him better than I did."
"It must be so hard on their families," Mrs. Granger said and took her daughter's hand, like she wanted to convince herself that she was really still alive.
Harry led the group to the hospital wing, where they found Madame Pomfrey in her office. The people who had been injured during the battle had either been sent home with the other students or transferred to St. Mungo, so Harry, Ron and the Grangers were alone with the Medi witch.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, I thought you had left with the other students. Is there a problem I overlooked when I examined you this morning?" Madame Pomfrey asked Harry. She looked worried and Hermione didn't miss the expression in her eyes.
"You were here this morning? Were you injured during the battle?" Hermione asked and the Medi witch looked confused.
"I'm fine, Hermione, don't worry," Harry reassured Hermione before he directed his attention towards Madame Pomfrey.
"Like you see, we're not here because of me," Harry said and he and Ron explained what had happened.
"How often do I have to tell you kids not to experiment with potions?" Madame Pomfrey said after they had finished their story. "Does anybody of you know which ingredients Miss Granger used for her potion? I can't do anything if I don't know anything about the ingredients this potion consists of."
"Yes, I know the ingredients. Hermione made me learn them by heart when she first told me about the potion," Ron said and told Madame Pomfrey the ingredients of the potion.
Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened. "Miss Granger, do you have any idea how dangerous this mixture is when it reacts with Veritas serum?"
Hermione had turned pale when she heard Ron list the ingredients.
"These ingredients would cause an overstimulation of the neurons in the brain when it is combined with certain
ingredients of the Veritas serum. It would cause some kind of short-circuit in the brain. This might cause permanent
brain damage!"
"I'll have to examine you thoroughly and then we can try some spells and potions that usually help with memory loss, but I honestly doubt that will help in your case. I'll do what I can though," Madame Pomfrey said and let Hermione to one of the beds. Her parents, Ron and Harry followed them, but when they were all standing around the bed while Madame Pomfrey gathered several bottles of potions, Harry sensed how uncomfortable Hermione felt being the centre of all attention. She must feel like an animal in the circus. Harry thought.
"Maybe we should go and wait outside," Harry suggested. "That will give Madame Pomfrey more peace to work."
Hermione gave Harry a grateful smile before she directed her attention to her parents. "He is right, you can't do anything right now anyways. Why don't you go and drink a cup of coffee?"
"Are you sure?" Mrs. Granger asked and Hermione nodded.
Madame Pomfrey offered Hermione's friends and parents to wait in her office, where Mr. and Mrs. Granger sat down.
"I'll go and get us some coffee. Or would you prefer a cup of tea?" Harry asked.
"Coffee is fine, thanks," Mr. Granger said and Mrs. Granger nodded.
"I'll come with you," said Ron. "You know to help you carry the cups."
"To help me carry the cups?" Harry asked amused, as soon as they were out of hearing distance. "I'm sure even Hermione's parents know that I could just levitate the plate."
"That was the only excuse I could come up with so fast," Ron justified himself. "So, didn't you forget to mention a little something to Hermione? That you two are married and magically bound to each other for example?"
Harry sighed. "I didn't want to confuse her further. Hermione has enough to deal with without knowing that she is married to somebody she doesn't remember."
"But you're not simply married, you're soul-bound! Don't you think Hermione will notice that you can read each other's thoughts?" Ron asked.
"I can't read her thoughts, Ron. I sense her emotions. And yes, she will eventually notice something is odd, but not right away. Sometimes I don't even know if it's my own emotion I feel or Hermione's, so I think it's the same for her. When we feel similar things she probably won't notice anything. When I know how she feels without asking she will probably think it's just because I know her so well and when Hermione senses my emotions she will probably find a rational explanation for that and think that she just interpreted my facial expression or something," Harry reasoned.
"So you want to lie to Hermione?" Ron asked.
"No, I won't lie. I just don't confront her with the whole truth at once. There's still something we have to confess to Hermione anyway and she won't take it well," Harry said and Ron looked confused. "The NEWTs, Ron! They are in two months and Hermione doesn't know about that. She doesn't remember the battle, so she can't remember that the NEWTs were delayed because of that."
"Oh no, I hadn't thought about that. She'll freak out, mate," Ron sounded slightly panicked.
"So, when are you going to tell Hermione about the NEWTs?" Ron asked when they were on their way back with coffees for Ron and the Grangers and tea for Harry and Hermione.
"When became the 'we' an 'I'?" Harry asked his friend.
"Who's her husband?" Ron asked back.
"That doesn't mean I have to take all of Hermione's anger for being the bearer of the bad news," Harry argued and Ron laughed.
"I can't believe it. The boy who lived, defeater of You-know-you and saviour of the wizarding world is afraid of his best friend and wife."
"Hermione can be a lot scarier than Voldemort when she is stressed or angry," Harry defended himself.
When Harry and Ron came back with the coffee, Madame Pomfrey had already finished Hermione's examination and the Grangers were standing next to Hermione's bed.
"Were you able to do anything for Hermione?" Harry asked the Medi witch.
"Unfortunately not," Madame Pomfrey answered. "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do but wait for Miss Granger's brain to recover. You should show her as many familiar things as possible and tell her stories of your time together, that might help her to regain her memory. I'm sorry, but I can't do anything at the moment."
Harry placed a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder. He wasn't sure if the fear and sadness he felt were her emotions or his, but Hermione's facial expression told him that the news had discouraged her.
"Don't give up, Hermione. It's not possible that your memory of Ron and me has been permanently erased. We've been too close for that. There must be some traces of memories in your head and we will find them. It's not possible to forget someone who is so important to you." Harry tried to reassure her, hoping she wouldn't be able to see through his lie. He thought about Neville's parents who didn't recognize their own son anymore. Harry knew it was possible to permanently forget the people closest to you, but he didn't want Hermione to know that. There was still hope.
"We've brought you some tea; it's your favourite. Peppermint with two pieces of saccharine and no milk," Harry explained and handed her the cup. "When we've finished our tea or coffee we can show you Hogsmead, that might stir some memories."
Hermione smiled sadly at Harry. "Thanks, Harry. We've really been very close friends, haven't we?"
"We still are and we'll always be very close friends," Harry promised sincerely.
Half an hour later the group was back in Hogsmead. Hermione was impressed by the large post office and obviously liked Honeydukes a lot, but restrained herself from buying too many sweets because she knew her parents wouldn't approve.
Harry was happy about Hermione's enthusiasm about the town, but he couldn't really enjoy the trip. Where ever they went people stared at Harry and he was even asked for an autograph two times. Harry hated the attention. He wished he could simply spend the day with his friends, paying Hermione all the attention she deserved without being bothered by nosey fans.
"You really hate being the hero for all these people, don't you?"
Hermione asked when they left Honeydukes. "You look so annoyed that I could swear I can feel your
frustration."
Harry sighed. "I'm not a hero, Hermione. I was lucky, that's all. The fight could have easily ended with my death. There was a time when the papers portrait me as some crazy kid searching for attention, because nobody wanted to believe that Voldemort was back. The people believed every word they wrote about me and hated me. Now everybody thinks I'm some kind of superhuman hero and worship the ground I walk on. Their behaviour is the exact opposite, but to me it doesn't make much of a difference. They still treat me like someone I'm not and nobody is interested in getting to know the real me," Harry explained.
Hermione looked very sad. "And now even one of your best friends doesn't know you anymore. I'm so sorry, Harry."
"There's no reason to apologize, Hermione. You did all this for me. You sacrificed so much to keep me safe and I'll never be able to thank you enough for everything you did for me. It's true, you don't remember everything you knew about me anymore, but you still understand me. Most people assume I love being the hero of the wizarding world, but it only took you a few hours to understand that I hate it. You have always understood me, sometimes even better than I understood myself," Harry reassured Hermione.
Hermione took Harry's hand, wordlessly thanking him for his friendly words. Harry gratefully accepted Hermione's hand and didn't let go of her until they reached the Three Broomsticks, where they had dinner.
When they were eating their deserts Harry approached a topic he had been thinking about for the last few hours.
"Hermione, Ron, I think you should stay with me at Grimmauld Place for a while. We don't know how many death eaters are still out there and we probably won't hear from the order before next morning; they will be busy with their captures for a while. There are already many protective spells around Grimmaulds Place and we could use a spell to prevent apparition on it, too. You would be much safer there than at your homes."
"I don't know Harry. Maybe it's better if Hermione stays at home with us after everything she's been through." Hermione's mother said.
"You are more than welcome to stay with us as well. Feel free to stay as long as you want," Harry offered.
"Are you sure?" Mr. Granger asked. "Is there even enough room in your house?"
"Don't worry, there's plenty of room," Harry reassured the Grangers. After some minutes of debating, Mr. and Mrs. Granger agreed that reopening their practice could wait another week or two and decided to take Harry up on his offer.
Harry, Ron and the Grangers apparated to Grimmauld Place and Harry quickly placed anti apparition wards around the house before giving his guests a tour.
Hermione gasped when they reached the library. "Wow, Harry, the library is amazing! Are you the bookworm or were all the books already here?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not really a bookworm. I read novels occasionally, but it's not my favourite hobby. Many of the books were already here when I inherited the house from my godfather, but I bought new ones, too. I thought you might like to have something to read when you come for a visit," Harry explained.
"You extended your library for me?" Hermione asked amazed and Harry nodded.
"I want my friends to feel at home at my house and I hope you guys will visit me often. The house is far too big for one person anyways," Harry explained, before leading his guests to the guest rooms.
"I redecorated your rooms from last summer, too. I hope you like them," Harry explained to Ron and Hermione.
"Wow, Harry, the room is awesome!" Ron exclaimed when he saw his bedroom. "All that's missing are a few Chudley Cannons posters to make it perfect."
"The room is great, Harry, thanks," Hermione said sincerely when they reached her room. "I love the design."
Harry led the Grangers to the third room and told them they could simply choose one of the remaining guest rooms. When everybody had settled in, Harry went back to the living room and reopened the album with the photos of him, Ron and Hermione which was still lying on the coach table. Harry spent a long time looking at pictures of him and Hermione and playing with his wedding band. He had taken the wedding band off while Madame Pomfrey had examined Hermione who had thankfully been too confused to notice the wedding band until then. When Harry was finally tired enough to sleep despite his worry for Hermione, he went to his bedroom and placed the album and wedding band in the top drawer of his bedside table before he lay down and soon fell into a fitful sleep.