Author's Note: Know what sucks? Writers block. I happened to suffer from a case of it, and that is partly to blame for my delay of updating, but not completely. So, I will try my hardest to get another chapter out before the new year. Anywho, I hope this chapter will explain more, and leave you with some questions. Thanks for staying loyal, and enjoy the chapter!

Things Forgotten

Chapter Seven

The stairs seemed even longer on the way up, which was good in a way. It gave Hermione time to think about all that she had found out…


"That's not possible, I'm not married," Hermione stated as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Yes, but you are engaged," Ron replied.

"I am, but not to an evil wizard. I'm engaged to Chris! He went to pre med-school and med-school with me. I've known him for 4 years. Wouldn't I be able to tell if he was evil?" she questioned.

"Yes, and you did. You noticed the fact that he suddenly was very worried about where you were and who you were with. You also noticed that he had written the dark mark on a piece of paper. You did notice, you just didn't know what it meant," said Ron.

"But…he was never, like that before. He couldn't have just suddenly become evil. You said that Volde, Volda, Vold…whatever his name is, has been around for a long time, before we and Chris for that matter, were born," Hermione answered, trying to find away around the truth.

"Well, he isn't actually Voldemort in the flesh. He has his spirit in him, taking his body over."

"So, he is possessing Chris?"

"No," Harry answered, stepping back into the conversation, "he's kind of like, switching bodies with him. Chris's soul is in Voldemort's body, and Voldemort's soul is in Chris's body."

"But wouldn't Chris say something once Voldemort switched there bodies back?"

"He did," Harry responded.

"But he didn't tell me-" Hermione began.

"I never said that he told you anything," he replied.

"Then he told…" she said, feeling terribly confused, and yet understanding completely.

"Me," Harry finished for her.


She was still quite depressed that she didn't figure out what was wrong with Chris earlier. I mean he'd seemed a little off before, she thought, why did she say anything? Because you just thought he was ill, or tired or concerned. Hermione shook these thoughts again from her mind and returned again to the dungeon conversation as she slowly made her way up the steps.


"Don't bother asking anything more about that, I'll just explain," Harry said, and taking a deep breath he continued, "Chris is a squib, which is someone whose parents have magical powers, but they are powerless. I've known him since about right before you lost your memory. He learned about Dumbledore's Army and was willing to help out. Squibs are very useful to us, they can find out information or watch people, as in your case. Anyways, after you lost your memory we needed someone to watch out for you, to make sure Voldemort didn't try to kill you or worse take you. So, I got Chris on the job. He was only supposed to watch you, and become your friend, but you too hit it off, and well, you know how it ended up. Anyways, there were no signs of Voldemort until a year into your romance with Chris, when he switched bodies with him to, we guess, see if we'd made any attempts to contact you or revive your memory. After he'd switched back Chris suddenly had to go see his "sick aunt" if you remember. He'd come to us and told us about it. We figured that until it happened more frequently or for longer periods of time, not to worry. Once that started to happen, we sent Ron in and tried to get you to remember as quickly as possible. That has worked quite well, as you can see."

"Oh." she said a period of time later, still trying to wrap her mind around everything, "Could I ask one more question?"

"As many as you'd like," Ron responded.

"What does the dark mark mean? You've told me it's "his symbol" but that can't be enough to instate all of the fear and hopelessness I felt when I saw it."

"I'm not sure if you want to know," Ron said softly, sounding very concerned.

"I do, I need to know why. Please tell me," she pleaded.

"Okay," Ron said, and let out a breath, "the dark mark means that a murder has just been committed. It's kind of like a bragging right that he has. It can be used by him or his followers."

"But, why would Chris…I mean Voldemort, draw the dark mark in my kitchen?"

"That is something I have no clue about, but as we get more information, and as you remember more, we can easily piece it together. There isn't anything about the symbol, any memories, that you have remembered, is there?" Ron questioned, knowing the truth, but wanting her to reassure him.

"No, nothing at all," she lied looking down. Hermione just couldn't tell him and hated not telling him but, it just didn't feel right. She felt that if she told him, it would lead to something terrible.


"Phew, the way up always does seem to take a bit longer," Ron said once they had reached the top, between intakes of breath.

"That I do agree to," Harry replied grinning. After a few minutes of rest he walked through the door which the D.A. members had hours before come out of. They walked down a short, brightly lit, corridor and at the end he stopped saying, "Your room is just up these steps. I have some business to attend to, but Ron will show you the way."


"Oh, okay, if you're sure," he replied a bit sadly.

"I am," Hermione answered, still not daring to look up.

"So, are you terribly confused from all of this?" Harry asked her after a few moments of silence.

"A bit," she replied with a smile, "…is that all for now? I just realized how tired I am and I don't think I can take in any more information now anyways."

"If you're good, then so are we, but just remember – tell no one of this. If you have any questions or concerns ask Ron or I. Understood?"

"Yes, I won't tell anyone, I swear," Hermione answered, not realizing that this was a promise she would fail to keep.

"Alright then, we're done here. After you Hermione," Harry said and followed her down the corridor.


After they had climbed a much shorter distance than the previous one, Ron led her down a small passage with brightly colored wallpaper. They ended up next to a door conveniently labeled – Hermione's Room.

"I hope everything will be up to your standards; if it's not, just let us know. Someone's always up in this house. Well, erm…goodnight then," he said and turned. Hermione longingly stared at the back of his head as he made his way down the hall. She was inclined to run after him, but she held herself back. She didn't realize, as she turned towards the door, that it was the last time she would be seeing him for a long time.