Disclaimer: How many times do I have to repeat myself? Harry Potter belongs to the extremely talented J.K. Rowling.
CHAPTER XVII: A NEW START
Hermione felt as though the ground had suddenly vanished from underneath her feet. Out of all the different possibilities of what Ron would say once he woke up, it had never occurred to her that he might have forgotten his memory. And now holding his hand ever so firmly, she realized he was a stranger to him. Struggling to keep her voice level, she responded, "What do you mean who are you?"
Ron's weary blue eyes left his sister's face and traveled over to hers and remarked, "I don't know you." Suddenly, the truth dawned on him. "I don't know anyone of you," he cried frantically.
He tried to sit up but Dr. Murdock pushed him back down. "Mr. Weasley, I think it would be best if you rest right now," he advised gently.
"Get away from me," he shouted hysterically, pulling away his grasp from Hermione's hand.
"Ron, please calm down," Professor Dumbledore stated firmly. From the look of the aged man's face, Ron knew he wasn't a man to be messed with so he clamped his mouth shut.
"Now," he continued. "Ron, I'm going to ask you some questions and I want you to nod or shake your head in response. Is that understood?" he remarked gently. The youngest Weasley nodded his head.
"Good. Now do you know who I am?" he questioned. He shook his head slowly. "Do you know who those two are?" he inquired, gesturing towards his parents. Again a small shake, causing Mrs. Weasley to gasp in fright.
"Do you know," Dumbledore went on, and placed his hands onto Harry and Hermione's shoulders'. "Do you know who these two young people are?" he finished. Ron shook his head frantically and Professor Dumbledore, the person who knew the answer to everything that he would finally have to face the inevitable.
"Mr. Weasley, do you know who you are?" he asked finally. Ron shook his head. "I don't know anything," he admitted apparently crazed.
He shot up and interrogated, "What am I going to do and why do you keep calling me Ron? Am I Ron?"
Professor Dumbledore sighed heavily. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected this to happen. He patted his shoulder gently. "Ron, I think it would be best if you rest right now. You've been through a lot and right now I don't think you need to be burdened with anything," he informed kindly.
Turning to Dr. Murdock, he advised, "Give Ron some sleeping potion and then call me when he wakes up."
He nodded his head curtly, while Ron pleaded, "No, I don't want any sleeping potion for whatever it does, I want some answers. I want some-" he was cut off because at that moment Dr. Murdock had shoved some sleeping potion into his mouth. His eyes became glazed with the effect of the potion. Leaning his head against the pillow, he murmured something and slowly he fell into a blissful sleep.
Once Hermione was sure he was somewhere in dreamland, she turned on Professor Dumbledore. "Okay, how did this happen?" she demanded, placing her hand on her hip and tapping her foot impatiently.
"Hermione, I think it would be wise if we took this outside," Harry suggested, steering her by the elbow and out the door. Everyone followed suit. Once they were in the hallway, she repeated her question. "Why can't Ron remember who we are?"
"That's what I would like to know," Ginny added turning towards Professor Dumbledore. He was quiet for a while and then faced Harry. "Harry, did anything happen to Ron that didn't happen to you?" Hermione could have sworn that Harry's face actually turned pale at the memory of what had happened between them. Apparently he wasn't quiet ready yet to disclose what took place five years ago.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity for her, he nodded his head. "The Reverse Memory Charm," he muttered, running his hands through his untidy black hair.
"Oh God," Mrs. Weasley moaned, clutching her husband's arm. Dumbledore's eyes glazed with apprehension. "Oh dear," he murmured, scratching his white beard thoughtfully.
"What do you think we do?" Mr. Weasley prompted him.
"I think," he began considerately. "I think it would be best if we give Ron some time to settle himself into our world. Then once he thinks he's ready, we'll start telling him about his life. After all," he chuckled slightly. "Twenty-two years of his life have gone by, and I'm sure he wants to know every single detail. That is why," he paused and gestured towards the entire Weasley clan.
"That is why, you are going to tell him about ten years of his life before he started Hogwarts. Then," and he directed his statement to Harry and Hermione. "You two, are going to tell him about his life at school."
No one had spoken since he had given his orders, but once he was through Hermione cleared her throat. "Well," she started, rubbing her hands together. "I don't think you guys need me right now, especially since Ron doesn't even know who I am. So I'm going to go home.
She paused and ran her fingers through her hair. "I haven't seen them for a while," she murmured to herself, remembering her and well, Ron's kids. She gave everyone a faint smile. "I'll see you guys later." Harry returned the smile, and mouthed, "I'll come by." She nodded her head curtly and disapparated from the hospital. But once she reached her parents' house, she silently let the tears flow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~***************************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hermione," Mrs. Granger squealed giving her daughter a huge hug.
"Hey Mom," she murmured, wrapping her arms around her mother.
"Oh honey," she whispered, pulling away from her gently and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Why didn't you call and say you were coming?" she inquired.
"Couldn't find a Muggle phone," she lied softly. Truth to be told, she wanted to surprise her parents and tell them she was planning on taking her kids back to her apartment.
"Is Dad home?" she questioned, stepping inside her house and surrounding her with childhood memories.
"No, he was called in for a late appointment," she replied, closing the door behind her. "Do you want anything, dear?"
She shook her head and lifting her head she could hear the voices of her children from their room upstairs. Raising her voice she called up the stairs, "Guess who's here?"
Their voices stopped in mid-sentence, soon followed by the pounding of footsteps down the stairs. "Mum," they shrieked in unison, clambering down the stairs and throwing their arms around Hermione.
"Hey kids," she cried, instinctively wrapping her arms around her children.
"We've missed you so much," Jason admitted, burying his face into her shoulder. She smiled and rubbed his back soothingly. "I know," she sighed.
"Are we going home now?" Kelly inquired, waggling her eyebrows at her, an act that painfully reminded her off Ron. She nodded her head and replied, "Yes we are, so why don't you two go upstairs and pack your bags." With excited squealing and chattering they clambered back up the stairs.
Sighing she stood up and dabbing at her eyes, she turned to her mother. "Thanks for taking care of them for me, Mum," she remarked, draping an arm around her mother's shoulder.
She gave her daughter a watery smile. "Darling you know we're always there for you, especially when it concerns you and your friends," she responded, before turning her attention back to the counter she was cleaning.
"Mum, we're all set," Kelly, announced from the doorway, Jason close at her heels.
"Great," she stated. She gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek. "Say hi to Dad for me," she told Mrs. Granger.
"Don't worry about it," she reassured her daughter. With that, Hermione Granger Weasley took her children home, while listening to the exciting news of someone's goldfish dying or a picture that earned first prize.
"Now that we're home would you guys like anything?" Hermione asked her kids, once she had entered her familiar apartment. Staying for a week in a hospital room was too much for her and being surrounded by recognizable surroundings and the memorable scent cleared her mind.
"How about some ice cream?" Jason suggested playfully.
"Since it is the day you guys came back home why don't I take you over to Florence's Ice Cream Parlor," she answered, ruffling his hair.
"Yay," Kelly exclaimed.
"But first," Hermione declared, "I want you guys to unpack your bags." Taking advantage of their mother's good mood, they decided to agree with her and headed for their separate rooms.
Meanwhile, Hermione decided it was best for her to rearrange her makeup. Ever since her departure from the hospital, she continuously started to cry, remembering the fact that Ron didn't know who she was and probably would never know who his kids were. She was just about to go to the bathroom when someone knocked at her door. Glancing at her watch, she thought to herself, "Who could be coming right now?"
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see, "Harry," she said in a hushed tone.
He gave her a faint smile. "Hey," he replied.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, rubbing her eyes as if to make it certain that he was here.
"I came to see how you were," he answered softly. "What, aren't you happy to see me?" he teased gently, his emerald eyes twinkling brightly.
"Yea, I am," she remarked, shaking her head. "It's just that I didn't expect to see you so soon. I thought you'd want to spend some time with Gin."
"I did but I wanted to see how you were first," he admitted.
"Oh."
"So can I come in or do you think I'm too unbelievable to come in?" he joked. She gave him a grin and stepped aside, allowing him to enter her apartment.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked, heading for the kitchen.
"How about some Butterbeer?" he requested, settling himself on the couch.
She was about to tell him that she was out of Butterbeer when her kids walked in through the door. "Mum, we're all set to," Kelly's voice trailed off at the sight of a stranger sitting on the couch.
Hermione heard Harry gasp and she felt her own heart skip a beat upon the realization that Harry didn't know about her kids. He turned to face her and by judging the look upon his face, he was utterly shocked. "Mum," he repeated disbelievingly.
Hermione heaved a deep sigh, knowing that there was no way for her to avoid the situation. Taking a breath, she placed a hand on Kelly and Jason's shoulders. "Harry, I would like you to meet my kids, Kelly and Jason Weasley," she stated firmly. Harry's face didn't hide the look of amazement when he heard their last names. She knew he was flabbergasted at this little news so she continued but this time directing her kids, "Kids, I want you to meet my best friend and a brother to me, Harry Potter."
"Hi," Jason remarked shyly, while Kelly gave a feeble wave. Harry finally shook out of his daze and regarded the two kids intently.
"Oh my God," he stated breathlessly. "Are these your kids?" he inquired from Hermione. She nodded her head slowly. He took in a deep breath and murmured, "Wow."
"Go meet him," Hermione instructed, giving her kids a slight nudge. Very slowly they approached Harry, who seemed to be having difficulty breathing.
"Hey," he said brightly, shaking their hands in attempt to cover up for his amazement. "You've got your father's eyes," he commented, looking at them.
"You knew our Dad?" Kelly remarked, breaking out of her shyness. He gave her a gentle smile. "I sure did, and I'm sure that you haven't been bothering your Mum for the past few years so here's something for the two of you." He pressed an object into their hands and by their squeals of delight, Hermione was certain it was money.
"Wow, a whole Galleon. Thanks Mr. Potter," Jason stated happily.
"Don't mention it. Now run along."
"Wait for me downstairs with Henry," Hermione told her kids. Once they were out of earshot, Harry turned on Hermione.
"When did this happen?" he questioned her.
Sighing, she leaned against the doorframe. "The night before you told us Dumbledore wanted to speak to us," she informed him.
Harry weakly sat down. "And you never told me," he squeaked.
She eyed him slyly. "There're a lot of things you don't know about us," she reminded him.
He groaned. "Don't remind me. The minute Ron gets his memory back I'm gonna pounce on him." He sighed dejectedly. "I just hope it's soon," he muttered to himself.
Hermione closed her eyes. She hoped he would too.
***
CHAPTER XVII: A NEW START
Hermione felt as though the ground had suddenly vanished from underneath her feet. Out of all the different possibilities of what Ron would say once he woke up, it had never occurred to her that he might have forgotten his memory. And now holding his hand ever so firmly, she realized he was a stranger to him. Struggling to keep her voice level, she responded, "What do you mean who are you?"
Ron's weary blue eyes left his sister's face and traveled over to hers and remarked, "I don't know you." Suddenly, the truth dawned on him. "I don't know anyone of you," he cried frantically.
He tried to sit up but Dr. Murdock pushed him back down. "Mr. Weasley, I think it would be best if you rest right now," he advised gently.
"Get away from me," he shouted hysterically, pulling away his grasp from Hermione's hand.
"Ron, please calm down," Professor Dumbledore stated firmly. From the look of the aged man's face, Ron knew he wasn't a man to be messed with so he clamped his mouth shut.
"Now," he continued. "Ron, I'm going to ask you some questions and I want you to nod or shake your head in response. Is that understood?" he remarked gently. The youngest Weasley nodded his head.
"Good. Now do you know who I am?" he questioned. He shook his head slowly. "Do you know who those two are?" he inquired, gesturing towards his parents. Again a small shake, causing Mrs. Weasley to gasp in fright.
"Do you know," Dumbledore went on, and placed his hands onto Harry and Hermione's shoulders'. "Do you know who these two young people are?" he finished. Ron shook his head frantically and Professor Dumbledore, the person who knew the answer to everything that he would finally have to face the inevitable.
"Mr. Weasley, do you know who you are?" he asked finally. Ron shook his head. "I don't know anything," he admitted apparently crazed.
He shot up and interrogated, "What am I going to do and why do you keep calling me Ron? Am I Ron?"
Professor Dumbledore sighed heavily. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected this to happen. He patted his shoulder gently. "Ron, I think it would be best if you rest right now. You've been through a lot and right now I don't think you need to be burdened with anything," he informed kindly.
Turning to Dr. Murdock, he advised, "Give Ron some sleeping potion and then call me when he wakes up."
He nodded his head curtly, while Ron pleaded, "No, I don't want any sleeping potion for whatever it does, I want some answers. I want some-" he was cut off because at that moment Dr. Murdock had shoved some sleeping potion into his mouth. His eyes became glazed with the effect of the potion. Leaning his head against the pillow, he murmured something and slowly he fell into a blissful sleep.
Once Hermione was sure he was somewhere in dreamland, she turned on Professor Dumbledore. "Okay, how did this happen?" she demanded, placing her hand on her hip and tapping her foot impatiently.
"Hermione, I think it would be wise if we took this outside," Harry suggested, steering her by the elbow and out the door. Everyone followed suit. Once they were in the hallway, she repeated her question. "Why can't Ron remember who we are?"
"That's what I would like to know," Ginny added turning towards Professor Dumbledore. He was quiet for a while and then faced Harry. "Harry, did anything happen to Ron that didn't happen to you?" Hermione could have sworn that Harry's face actually turned pale at the memory of what had happened between them. Apparently he wasn't quiet ready yet to disclose what took place five years ago.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity for her, he nodded his head. "The Reverse Memory Charm," he muttered, running his hands through his untidy black hair.
"Oh God," Mrs. Weasley moaned, clutching her husband's arm. Dumbledore's eyes glazed with apprehension. "Oh dear," he murmured, scratching his white beard thoughtfully.
"What do you think we do?" Mr. Weasley prompted him.
"I think," he began considerately. "I think it would be best if we give Ron some time to settle himself into our world. Then once he thinks he's ready, we'll start telling him about his life. After all," he chuckled slightly. "Twenty-two years of his life have gone by, and I'm sure he wants to know every single detail. That is why," he paused and gestured towards the entire Weasley clan.
"That is why, you are going to tell him about ten years of his life before he started Hogwarts. Then," and he directed his statement to Harry and Hermione. "You two, are going to tell him about his life at school."
No one had spoken since he had given his orders, but once he was through Hermione cleared her throat. "Well," she started, rubbing her hands together. "I don't think you guys need me right now, especially since Ron doesn't even know who I am. So I'm going to go home.
She paused and ran her fingers through her hair. "I haven't seen them for a while," she murmured to herself, remembering her and well, Ron's kids. She gave everyone a faint smile. "I'll see you guys later." Harry returned the smile, and mouthed, "I'll come by." She nodded her head curtly and disapparated from the hospital. But once she reached her parents' house, she silently let the tears flow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~***************************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hermione," Mrs. Granger squealed giving her daughter a huge hug.
"Hey Mom," she murmured, wrapping her arms around her mother.
"Oh honey," she whispered, pulling away from her gently and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Why didn't you call and say you were coming?" she inquired.
"Couldn't find a Muggle phone," she lied softly. Truth to be told, she wanted to surprise her parents and tell them she was planning on taking her kids back to her apartment.
"Is Dad home?" she questioned, stepping inside her house and surrounding her with childhood memories.
"No, he was called in for a late appointment," she replied, closing the door behind her. "Do you want anything, dear?"
She shook her head and lifting her head she could hear the voices of her children from their room upstairs. Raising her voice she called up the stairs, "Guess who's here?"
Their voices stopped in mid-sentence, soon followed by the pounding of footsteps down the stairs. "Mum," they shrieked in unison, clambering down the stairs and throwing their arms around Hermione.
"Hey kids," she cried, instinctively wrapping her arms around her children.
"We've missed you so much," Jason admitted, burying his face into her shoulder. She smiled and rubbed his back soothingly. "I know," she sighed.
"Are we going home now?" Kelly inquired, waggling her eyebrows at her, an act that painfully reminded her off Ron. She nodded her head and replied, "Yes we are, so why don't you two go upstairs and pack your bags." With excited squealing and chattering they clambered back up the stairs.
Sighing she stood up and dabbing at her eyes, she turned to her mother. "Thanks for taking care of them for me, Mum," she remarked, draping an arm around her mother's shoulder.
She gave her daughter a watery smile. "Darling you know we're always there for you, especially when it concerns you and your friends," she responded, before turning her attention back to the counter she was cleaning.
"Mum, we're all set," Kelly, announced from the doorway, Jason close at her heels.
"Great," she stated. She gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek. "Say hi to Dad for me," she told Mrs. Granger.
"Don't worry about it," she reassured her daughter. With that, Hermione Granger Weasley took her children home, while listening to the exciting news of someone's goldfish dying or a picture that earned first prize.
"Now that we're home would you guys like anything?" Hermione asked her kids, once she had entered her familiar apartment. Staying for a week in a hospital room was too much for her and being surrounded by recognizable surroundings and the memorable scent cleared her mind.
"How about some ice cream?" Jason suggested playfully.
"Since it is the day you guys came back home why don't I take you over to Florence's Ice Cream Parlor," she answered, ruffling his hair.
"Yay," Kelly exclaimed.
"But first," Hermione declared, "I want you guys to unpack your bags." Taking advantage of their mother's good mood, they decided to agree with her and headed for their separate rooms.
Meanwhile, Hermione decided it was best for her to rearrange her makeup. Ever since her departure from the hospital, she continuously started to cry, remembering the fact that Ron didn't know who she was and probably would never know who his kids were. She was just about to go to the bathroom when someone knocked at her door. Glancing at her watch, she thought to herself, "Who could be coming right now?"
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see, "Harry," she said in a hushed tone.
He gave her a faint smile. "Hey," he replied.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, rubbing her eyes as if to make it certain that he was here.
"I came to see how you were," he answered softly. "What, aren't you happy to see me?" he teased gently, his emerald eyes twinkling brightly.
"Yea, I am," she remarked, shaking her head. "It's just that I didn't expect to see you so soon. I thought you'd want to spend some time with Gin."
"I did but I wanted to see how you were first," he admitted.
"Oh."
"So can I come in or do you think I'm too unbelievable to come in?" he joked. She gave him a grin and stepped aside, allowing him to enter her apartment.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked, heading for the kitchen.
"How about some Butterbeer?" he requested, settling himself on the couch.
She was about to tell him that she was out of Butterbeer when her kids walked in through the door. "Mum, we're all set to," Kelly's voice trailed off at the sight of a stranger sitting on the couch.
Hermione heard Harry gasp and she felt her own heart skip a beat upon the realization that Harry didn't know about her kids. He turned to face her and by judging the look upon his face, he was utterly shocked. "Mum," he repeated disbelievingly.
Hermione heaved a deep sigh, knowing that there was no way for her to avoid the situation. Taking a breath, she placed a hand on Kelly and Jason's shoulders. "Harry, I would like you to meet my kids, Kelly and Jason Weasley," she stated firmly. Harry's face didn't hide the look of amazement when he heard their last names. She knew he was flabbergasted at this little news so she continued but this time directing her kids, "Kids, I want you to meet my best friend and a brother to me, Harry Potter."
"Hi," Jason remarked shyly, while Kelly gave a feeble wave. Harry finally shook out of his daze and regarded the two kids intently.
"Oh my God," he stated breathlessly. "Are these your kids?" he inquired from Hermione. She nodded her head slowly. He took in a deep breath and murmured, "Wow."
"Go meet him," Hermione instructed, giving her kids a slight nudge. Very slowly they approached Harry, who seemed to be having difficulty breathing.
"Hey," he said brightly, shaking their hands in attempt to cover up for his amazement. "You've got your father's eyes," he commented, looking at them.
"You knew our Dad?" Kelly remarked, breaking out of her shyness. He gave her a gentle smile. "I sure did, and I'm sure that you haven't been bothering your Mum for the past few years so here's something for the two of you." He pressed an object into their hands and by their squeals of delight, Hermione was certain it was money.
"Wow, a whole Galleon. Thanks Mr. Potter," Jason stated happily.
"Don't mention it. Now run along."
"Wait for me downstairs with Henry," Hermione told her kids. Once they were out of earshot, Harry turned on Hermione.
"When did this happen?" he questioned her.
Sighing, she leaned against the doorframe. "The night before you told us Dumbledore wanted to speak to us," she informed him.
Harry weakly sat down. "And you never told me," he squeaked.
She eyed him slyly. "There're a lot of things you don't know about us," she reminded him.
He groaned. "Don't remind me. The minute Ron gets his memory back I'm gonna pounce on him." He sighed dejectedly. "I just hope it's soon," he muttered to himself.
Hermione closed her eyes. She hoped he would too.
***