The Doctor blinked slowly, his large eyes darting around the room. He delved into his pockets, and pulled out a fob watch, which he palmed fondly. The glow from the hearth beat over the Doctor's face warmly, making his skin tinge orange. He had the incomprehensible look of a boy who didn't know what he'd forgotten. However, before Harry, Hermione and the Ginger Clan had chance to inspect the Doctor fully, Mrs Weasley came bustling over, her face blistered and red. "Do we have a guest for dinner," she eyed the Doctor disgracefully, "or is he leaving?"
"No-"
"Yes-"
Hermione and Ron jumped in at the same time, and started to glare at each other. Harry gingerly whispered into Mrs Weasley's ear, "we did just erase his memory." Mrs Weasley nodded deliberately, "maybe he should stay for a while."
"That's fine, Harry, dear." Mrs Weasley grinned, "I just needed to know." She trotted away back into the kitchen, and put enough food for the Doctor in the oven. She could be heard muttering to herself and Arthur, scrubbing and stirring away.
"Doctor?" Hermione edged closer to the Doctor, who was slyly opening his fob watch.
"Hm?" The Doctor's dreamy eyes focused on Hermione once more. "Ah yes," he said finally, "Hermione." He smiled sweetly, and collapsed, once more, onto the sofa. He held up the fob watch for Hermione to see clearly, and explained. "It's a Time Lord's memories. Your spell, luckily might I add, transferred my memories to the watch as you cast it, meaning that, as soon as I opened it, I could remember again." He stood up, and clasped his hands on her strong shoulders, "it worked." He repeated louder, "it worked."
"See Mione?" Ron, shifted his girlfriend so the Doctor's hands fell off of her shoulders and grinned. "I believed in you."
"Actually, you said that she couldn't perform the Vanishing Charm the other day..." Ginny looked at Harry, who nodded reluctantly.
"Shut up Ginny!" Ron scowled evilly, and turned to Hermione, "only because you were sick! Not because you're incapable."
"It's ok." Hermione lied fakely, and sat next to the Doctor. "But why on you?" She asked, "what's so special about you?"
"Me?" The Doctor retorted. "I'm just a madman with a box, Dear Herm."
"Herm?" Ron looked at the Doctor as if he had a bad smell under his nose.
"Uh... better than Granger." Hermione shrugged. "But a madman with a box? Interesting."
"Now, why can't you perform the spell? You cleaned your kitchen and shattered a plant pot with an orchid in." The Doctor paced, scanning everything that lived. And then, he scanned Harry. "Wait-" He looked startled. "I've seen this before." He stared at Harry's scar for just a moment, then looked back to his sonic screwdriver. "I had a friend- a companion, really- Sarah Jane Smith. She never had children, but she adopted one. Luke Smith, she named him. She was the most amazing mother, Harry. She gave her son a gift, for even long after she'd gone from this world." He peered through Harry's circled rimmed glasses, and deep into his fierce green eyes. "Where's your mother now, Harry?" The Doctor dared.
"She died when I was a baby." Harry looked at his feet as Ginny rubbed his back sympathetically.
"The gift of Mother's Love." The Doctor lifted Harry's head up by his chin, and smiled sympathetically. "My mother died too, Harry. My whole race did." He lifted up his fob watch, "and this is what safeguards my memories of them. Because I've tried to forget. Oh I have." He chuckled softly, and moved in front of Hermione, who was watching intently. "Your friends, Herm, have given you their love so you will never forget them. Be grateful you cannot perform that spell." The Doctor grinned. "So, Hermione, do you still want to forget?" He turned Hermione around so she could face her adopted family, who were all welling up, and smiling supportively. "Your parent's will remember, Herm. They don't want you to forget; they want you to be safe."
"That- thank you all." Hermione engulfed Harry and Ron into a close hug, then stepped away.
"But you're not safe. There are things that will feed off of this safeguard." He held out his hand for Hermione; this time offering himself. "Will you stop them with me?"
"O-of course." Hermione took his hand, and smiled bravely.