CHAPTER 3
Professor Dumbledore stroked his beard, trying to decide a tactful way to break the news to Harry. Harry sat staring expectantly at him, bracing himself for what he was sure was not good news.
"Harry, you are a wizard. Not only are you a wizard, but you are a rather famous one. You've noticed the lightening bolt shaped scar on your forehead?" Dumbledore turned his back to Harry, and Harry was sure he saw the old man shudder. "That scar came from one of the most evil wizards that the world has ever seen, Lord Voldemort."
"Um, sir." Harry stammered. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Be patient, Harry." Dumbledore still faced the wall, not wanting to look Harry in the eye. "You and Lord Voldemort are to battle to the death someday Harry. You must face him. The prophecy states that you are the only one that can defeat him." Finally Dumbledore turned to face Harry. "In your weakened state now though, you are too vulnerable…"
"Vulnerable? I am not…"Harry forced himself out of his bed and onto his feet. "I am not vulnerable…just because I don't…" The world around Harry began to swirl and he grabbed the bed for support. "Just because I can't remember who I am, doesn't mean that I'm a weakling."
"Now that's the spirit of the Harry Potter I know." Dumbledore helped Harry back into bed. "Listen to me Harry. I know that I've made some mistakes in the past by not telling you the whole story about everything. Please, forgive me, but what I said was true. Lord Voldemort has captured Petunia Dursley." Harry stared blankly at Dumbledore. "Your aunt, Harry…"
"My Aunt?" Harry exploded. "I'll…"
"Calm down. We have the best aurors out looking for her. For right now, you won't be doing anything. Pease, listen Harry. On the night of your accident two days ago, as everyone was distracted with taking care of you, someone kidnapped Petunia, and put a nasty curse on your uncle and cousin." Dumbledore gestured toward the two beds opposite Harry's. There Harry saw two stiffened forms: one very large man and one very large boy.
"Petrified…but with a new hex that we can't seem to figure out yet. It'll be some time before we can undo the curse." Dumbledore reached his hand into his robes. "I know it's in here somewhere…" Harry's eyes grew wide as he began to pull rolls of parchment, quills, bottles, even a dove from within his robe. "Ah…here it is…" Dumbledore pulled a small vial from his robe. "These enchanted pockets are handy for carrying things, but I tend to forget which pocket I place them in. "This serum will return your memory to you."
"What? You mean that all this time, you had that in your pocket?" Harry's face grew hot. "Why didn't you give it to me in the first place?"
"Harry. This serum has side effects. That is why you must decide. Your memory will return in time, perhaps, on its own. However, we don't' know if we can afford that time." Dumbledore handed the vial to Harry.
"What sort of side effects?" Harry turned the purple vial in his hands, wiping the dust from its surface. There was no label on the bottle, just dust. Harry examined the bottom, noticing a small skull and crossbones. "Will this kill me?"
"I don't know, Harry. As far as I have researched, no. However, it may cause you to lose consciousness and become trapped in past memories. You could essentially live your whole life again, moment by moment inside your head over and over again. There is no way to reverse that. However, more than likely, you would re-live those moments your sub-conscious was trying to forget."
"You mean, I was trying to forget something and that's why I can't remember anything?"
"The human mind has built a defense for itself, Harry." Dumbledore removed his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. "When a traumatic experience occurs, the mind is flooded by emotions that it can't control. A knock on the head like yours, then sends it into a hibernated state. Thus, your mind is clear of the grief and the pain, however empty of all of its memories. Your memory is in your head somewhere, Harry. Eventually it will come back with or without this potion. Sometimes another knock in the head, will help. Sometimes, a person or an object will trigger it."
"So what do I do?" The scar on Harry's head began to burn again. "I don't think I understand."
"You have two choices. Try to regain your memory on your own, or take this potion and hope that it comes back. Harry…there's something else you should know…" Dumbledore again reached into the pocket of his robes, but this time he quickly succeeded in retrieving it. "This, Harry, was received by owl no less than two hours ago." Harry took the piece of parchment from Dumbledore. It was addressed to "Harry Potter, Hospital wing, Hogwarts." It read:
"I have taken possession of the muggle woman. If you wish to see her alive, meet me at the former home of Sir Edward Edgerton esq. I will expect you promptly at 8:00 tomorrow night. If you are even a second later, I shall dispose of her."
There was no signature on the parchment, but Harry reasoned where it had come from. "So I have to go and meet this Lord Voldemort, huh? Tommorow? What if I don't regain my memory in time? I don't know any magic…do I?"
"Harry, you must decide what to do. You can hope to recover your memory before tomorrow night, or you can take the potion and take the gamble. Whatever you decide, it must be soon." Just as Harry opened his mouth to reply, a tall man with menacing eyes and black hair stepped out of the shadow. "Servus? Dumbledore turned around. "I was just explaining to Harry about the potion."
"Sir, I found an expert on the memory retrieval potions. I have discovered the effects the potion will have on the mind."
"Good work Servus. Enlighten us, please."
"This potion takes effect immediately. It will force the memories that have been suppressed to resurface. He will be forced to relive the memories his mind is trying to forget. This could be painful, but will restore his memory without any lasting long-term effects to his physical health. However…"
"I see. His mental health? Reliving painful memories is tough, but I think Harry can withstand them if he so chooses."
"I would regain all my memory? Just like that?"
"The full effect would take several hours of real time. However to you, it may seem longer." Servus frowned at Harry.
"Let's do it." Harry pulled the cork stopper from the vial.
"Are you sure, Harry?" Dumbledore frowned. "You don't have to do this."
"Yes I do. I have to be there tomorrow. If I'm not he'll kill my aunt. I have to do something about it. There's no other way." Harry raised the vial and held it near his mouth. "Bottoms up!" Harry quickly gulped the contents of the vial. The burning liquid seared his throat, and instead of traveling into his stomach, went to his head. The purple vial shattered to the floor as Harry fell back on the pillows. The darkness swirled around him, and swallowed him whole.
