A/N: This is the sequel to "Hermione's Transfixion Spell." Sirius is alive, but his memory is wiped completely of anything he had ever said, done, or even his identity. Harry is devastated yet joyful, and he works hard to help Sirius regain his memory. However, there are obstacles in the way that they must overcome. There is also a new girl, who is very mysterious. What is she hiding and why is it so dangerous?
Everyone, I'm sorry about the long wait for this story. It has been sitting in my notebook for ages, untyped. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize as J.K. Rowling's work, and I do own anything you don't recognize.
Chasing Memory
Chapter 1: Hope
Flashback
"You… don't remember… me," Harry said, downcast. "You don't remember anything."
"Look, kid, I'm sorry!" Sirius exclaimed. "I didn't choose to have my memory wiped by some nut, alright? I wish it had never happened, but you can't undo the past!"
Harry was startled by the outburst. "How did you know what…?"
"Oh, Dumbledore told me," he said, gesturing toward the man in the corner, who was watching the conversation.
"Oh." There was nothing but silence for a few minutes. Then, "I'm Harry."
"Nice to meet you, Harry." There was no sign of recognition in those black eyes, no spark of memory. It was like Sirius was meeting Harry for the first time.
Don't start, Harry warned himself. Not now. Be manly about it. Don't start—
Unable to control his tears, Harry fled from the headmaster's office to GryffindorTower.
End of Flashback
Harry knew he had to control himself. He couldn't run and hide every time Sirius stared at him with blank eyes. It would not help anything.
He just wished Sirius would remember him and all the fun they had together—how he would say Harry was exactly like his father, how he stood up for Harry, how he would risk everything to make sure Harry was all right.
He had none of those memories now.
-
"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said, catching Harry running in the halls in order not to be late for Potions. "Could you step inside my office for a moment, please?"
"But Professor, I'll be late-"
"I'll excuse you."
"But sir, its Potions and-" With a stern look from Dumbledore, Harry closed his mouth.
"It's about Sirius," the old wizard said softly. Without another word, Harry followed the headmaster up the magical stairs to his office.
When they reached the top, Fawkes saw Harry and immediately flew to his shoulder. Harry stroked the phoenix's scarlet and gold plumage.
Dumbledore sat down, looking… tired. Harry had only seen him tired once before, and that was at the end of Harry's fifth year, after Sirius had… well… had his 'incident.'
"Harry," Dumbledore started, "you know what a coma is, don't you?"
"A what?" asked Harry, not ready for this question. "Oh. Yeah, of course I do."
"Well, I've done some heavy research as well as conversing with Madam Pomfrey. A lot. She was quite annoyed. Anyway, I've also talked to St. Mungo's and have come to the conclusion that Sirius' mind acts like he just woke from a coma. His memory is wiped, but he can still recover."
"He… he can?" Harry asked, startled, his heart and voice filling with hope. "You mean, he'll remember?"
"Oh, now don't get your hopes up. I don't mean to crush them, but I don't want you to get too hopeful that you get frustrated with Sirius when he doesn't progress as quickly as you'd like him to."
"I won't," Harry promised quickly. "But sir, Sirius' mind will heal, won't it? I mean… how do we make him remember?"
"We cannot make him do anything. But we can help him."
Harry sighed impatiently. "Yes, that's what I-"
Dumbledore held up a hand for silence. "We can just talk to him. Feed him memories. Do not make him feel too special—as if he's disabled. You don't he will not like that. Treat him as you normally would. He'll remember on his own, with given time."
"All right."
"You may go to class. Oh, and one more thing—Sirius is in the Room of Requirement. He has a password—it's 'Padfoot'."
"He remembered?" Harry's spirits rose.
"No. I told him."
Harry's hopes crashed. Dumbledore handed him an excuse note.
-
Deciding to stop to visit someone before making his way to Potions class, the note in his hand, (A/N: As Amy would say, "a ticket to the outside world") Harry paused at the Room of Requirement. His throat went dry.
"Padfoot," he croaked.
The door creaked open. The room was completely void of a person, but there were definitely signs of living. The pillows on the floor beside the bookshelf were mussed, and there were books missing from the shelves. The bed was unmade, the shower curtain hanging open, and remains of last night's dinner on the table.
"Ahem," said a voice behind Harry. He whipped around to see Sirius.
"Oh. Hi."
"Who gave you the password?"
"Professor Dumbledore."
Sirius nodded.
"Oh, by the way," Harry asked, "do you remember what Padfoot means?"
Sirius shook his head. "Nope. Dumbledore told me… you're my godson, Harry, am I correct?"
Harry nodded. "Do you remember my father? James Potter?" Sirius shook his head no. "My mum—Lily? Lily Evans? Lily Potter?" Another negative. "How they… died?"
"No. But I am curious. Why don't you tell me about it? Everything that happened. And the Padfoot thing, too."
So Harry sat down. And he told him.
-
A/N: Sorry—kinda short.
I want lotsa reviews! Lots and lots! Thanks!
Also—don't forget to check out my other stories:
To Be Young Again
Hermione's Transfixion Spell
You Need A Girl, Mate
And Coming Soon: Letters To No One
Thanks everyone! 143!
OutofAzkaban