~*~Dudley goes to Hogwarts~*~
Chapter 17
Complications
"Who are you?"
"Harry, it's me… It's us. Don't you remember?"
"No… I don't remember… anything."
"It's me, Ron! Harry, snap out of it! Why can't you remember who we are?!"
"Stop it! Stop shaking me! Let me go! Leave me alone!!"
"Ron, stop it! He's just confused. Just let him go! RON!!"
"Ron!"
Ron snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Hermione's pale and concerned face. Everything suddenly came back into view. All around him, almost all of the Gryffindor seventh years were looking at him with a puzzled expression. Even the common room seemed to be on pause, which was normally filled with life.
"What?" he asked faintly as he looked away from Hermione.
"Are… Are you okay?" he heard her ask from beside him.
Ron just sighed quietly. He couldn't handle this right now. He needed some time alone. He turned to the people in the room and tried his very best to give a genuine smile, reassuring that he was fine. After the common room went back to its original state and the rest of the seventh years began doing their work again, Ron shut the Transfiguration book he was trying to read.
"I'm fine, 'Mione. Look, I'm just really tired so I think I'll go to bed early tonight. I'll see you tomorrow," Ron replied as he gathered up all his homework without turning around.
"Ron, if you're worried about-"
"Night Hermione. I'll see you tomorrow," Ron cut her off before he got up from the couch and walked towards his respective dorm room.
But before he could take a step further, Hermione grabbed his arm.
"He's going to be fine, Ron. Don't worry about him," she said, patting his arm reassuringly.
But Ron has had enough. He then spun around and glared at her.
"But I am worried about him! I'm worried like hell that he won't remember who he is or who we are or… or… or whatever things he's suppose to remember! It's driving me crazy that he became like this just because he wanted to save someone that have the last name Goyle attached to her name instead of listening to what we've said! I'm… I'm… I don't know what I am anymore," Ron yelled, falling back onto the couch after the last sentence, his face buried in his hands. 'To hell with everyone else who's watching,' he thought to himself.
"You're an idiot, that's what you are. You're an idiot, selfish bastard. Not to mention short tempered," she said and Ron chuckled against his hands.
Hermione smiled to herself and placed her right hand over his shoulder.
"But you're also one of his best friend, although he can't quite remember that little fact right now. And, for one thing, he doesn't need you to choke him silly just because he can't remember who you are. What he needs now, Ronald Weasley is for you to be there for him when he needs you the most. Can you, at the very least, do that for him?"
Ron sat still for quite some time after hearing what the witch beside him had to say. Although he'll never admit it to her even on his dying day, she was right. Finally, after he managed to calm himself down, he sighed again and looked up at her.
"I'm sorry. Things get to me and I don't know how to handle this right now. You know how I am, right?" he said softly and Hermione pulled him into a hug.
"Unfortunately, yes, I do know how you are. And don't worry about him. He can take care of himself. He is, after all, The-Boy-Who-Lived," she quoted.
After awhile, both of them pulled away.
"Well, since Dudley's tutoring ended well over half an hour ago, I think I'll just go. Good night, Ron. Get a good night's sleep. It'll help," Hermione said while getting up with her stuff.
Ron followed suit and both of them hugged each other briefly before going their separate way. Unknown to them, there was a pair of eyes and ears that caught their every actions as well as every word they said. With a smirk, that person walked away without anyone noticing.
~*~
Harry looked around him.
Dumbledore's office was always a welcoming sight, even though you have no idea what's going on around you. The gadgets were always interesting to watch and Harry found himself being drawn into all of this, the fear that was nagging at the back of his mind was long forgotten.
Everything was so unfamiliar and yet there was some part of him that told him that he should remember all this. It was like he… belongs here.
As he was looking at the weird shaped objects around him, a fiery bird flew towards him right out of nowhere and landed beside him, on the empty seat next to him. Harry looked at him, astounded.
"Wow, you're beautiful," Harry whispered, more to himself than anyone.
Harry then looked around the room to make sure no one was watching before he stroked Fawkes head, the phoenix leaning into his touch. Harry smiled to himself.
"I see you have already been reacquainted with Fawkes, Mister Potter," a voice said and Harry quickly pulled his hand away.
He looked up and saw Dumbledore standing behind his oak table.
"I- I'm sorry. I thought there was -" Harry stammered and Dumbledore held up his right hand.
"It's quite alright, Harry. It's not the first time you've been friendly with him. He quite enjoys your company," Dumbledore said and then took a seat in his own chair, right across from Harry.
"Professor Snape, Professor Lupin as well as Sirius will be here shortly. I assumed that you have no idea who they are either, unfortunately?"
Harry shook his head slowly. He just watched as Fawkes flew towards the perch beside Dumbledore.
Harry looked at the old man in front of him and Dumbledore gave him a smile. Harry then found himself smiling back but then he cast his view downwards almost instantly.
"Time is one of the many elements that can be one most valuable teacher. Do you why, Harry?" Dumbledore said, breaking the silence between them.
Harry looked up from his view of the corner of the table and into the Headmaster's warm eyes.
"No sir," Harry said softly.
Dumbledore then leaned forward and looked at him with his piercing blue eyes.
"It's because, Harry, it is only through time that one can find the answers to questions that one was looking for. People say that looking back is a waste of time but sometimes it is necessary to go back in order for you to move forward," Dumbledore answered.
Harry looked blankly at the headmaster but before he could say anything, a knock was heard.
"Come in," Dumbledore said without looking away from Harry.
"You wish to see us?" Lupin asked as he stepped into the room.
Behind him was Snuffles as well as Snape, who shut the door behind him after stepping into Dumbledore's office.
"Yes Remus. Please, have a seat," Dumbledore gestured to the couch in front of the fireplace after getting up from his own seat.
He then gestured Harry to follow him.
"Harry! You're awake!" Lupin exclaimed as he swept the Gryffindor into a tight hug. "I'm sorry we haven't visited you for the past few days. Sirius and I were… we have something to take care of." He looked confusedly at Harry when the boy felt stiff in his arms and due to the fact that Harry haven't said a word since he'd stepped in Dumbledore's office.
Sirius, who had changed into his human formed again without realizing Harry's unusual behavior towards Lupin, too pulled Harry into a hug after Lupin have stepped aside.
"Harry, are you okay? You looked kinda pale. Maybe you should go back to the Infirmary," Sirius said after he pulled away from the boy.
He wasn't kidding when he said that Harry looked quite pale. In fact, Harry's face was completely colourless not to mention that he looked as if he was on the verge of passing out.
"He should be. You probably squeeze the life out of the kid," Snape said as he sat down on one of the couch there.
Sirius just glared at him and was about to reply with something more… impolite when Dumbledore stepped in.
"Sirius, please. Why don't we all just have a seat? I have some things to inform all of you. This concern young Mister Potter here," Dumbledore said as he placed his right hand over Harry's shoulder.
Unknown to all except Remus, Harry was moving away from Sirius and Remus and was edging towards Dumbledore without making it too obvious.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Remus asked the Gryffindor, concerned.
Harry didn't answer him but Remus inhaled sharply when he saw the look in Harry's eyes. There wasn't warmth in it like it usual does but there was something else in it and it shocked Remus to see it there and was directed to Sirius and him. It was… fear.
"Remus, Sirius, please. Have a seat. We have a lot to discuss but only a limited amount of time," Dumbledore said and the both of them finally took a seat on the double couch at the opposite of Snape.
Harry too sat down on one of the armchairs there.
"What's wrong with him, Albus and don't you dare say nothing," Remus said, his voice almost a whisper.
"I know that you have sensed something is wrong with Harry, Remus and I am in no position to tell you otherwise. While the both of you were on a mission for the past two days, Harry here had woken up from his deep slumber. As Poppy had said earlier, there was nothing wrong with the boy… physically," Dumbledore explained.
"Wait just a minute. Are you trying to tell me that my godson is… crazy?!" Sirius exclaimed as he jumped up from his seat.
Remus just laughed while both Dumbledore and Harry just smiled. Harry found this man plain amusing and friendly when compared to the Potions' Master.
"Don't be stupid Black! Only the most advance magic can make one lose their mind!" Snape said and Sirius glared at him again.
"I'm afraid he's right Sirius. Harry is not crazy. However, the impact did cause damage to his brain. He has amnesia, Sirius," Dumbledore said.
All of them fell silence when Dumbledore finally mention what was wrong with the trembling boy in front of them all.
"You mean to tell me that he can't remember… anything?" Remus said after a good five minutes.
Dumbledore, who had sat in the armchair beside Harry a while ago, nodded his head slowly. Lupin then turned to look at Harry but the Gryffindor just looked away.
"I don't believe this. How could this have happened? I was there with him. Both of us were along with Hermione and that Weasley kid. Why weren't we infected or hit or… something," Sirius cried and Lupin just placed his trembling hand over Sirius shoulder.
"That I cannot answer, Sirius since not even I know what the cause is. Remus, can you tell me what happened in that warehouse that day?" Dumbledore asked.
Lupin then, after looking at Harry again, nodded his head slowly.
"I'm not very sure, really. When the six of us arrived at the warehouse that day, I just told them to get to the portkey and transport themselves back here. Somehow, a Death Eater captured one of them, Jade Goyle. Harry refused to get back to Hogwarts without her. The next thing we knew, there was some sort of a blinding green light, which killed all the Death Eaters. When I asked if everyone was all right, Miss Granger informed me that Harry had passed out. But the strange thing was, his scar was glowing," Lupin explained and Dumbledore nodded his head slowly as Lupin filled them in on what had happened.
'Warehouse? Death Eaters? What the hell? I don't even remember any of this!' Harry thought to himself as he too listen to what this Remus person have to say.
"Where did this light come from?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, to tell you the truth, it came out from Harry himself," Lupin answered with a sigh and leaned back against the chair.
"What does that mean, Albus? Why did that light came out of his body? It's not possible," Sirius said, leaning forward towards Harry who leaned back against his armchair.
Sirius scowled at Harry's action.
"Do you think this have anything to do with the prophecy?" Snape said to nobody in particular quietly and both Sirius and Remus turned towards him sharply.
"That's not possible. Besides, we already know that Harry is one of them," Sirius said but Dumbledore looked as if he was thinking over what Snape had said.
"I know that you prat! But what we don't know is what he's capable of doing. The prophecy have never mention anything about his powers nor that it stated how he's suppose to access them," Snape said and Dumbledore nodded his head slowly.
"Severus has got a point that we've, unfortunate to say, have overlooked. We do not know much about the prophecy other than Harry is one of them as well as there are three others. As much as I hate to say it, Voldemort indeed have the upper hand in this," Dumbledore sighed, breaking the small pause.
"He knows? How?!" Sirius exclaimed as he jumped up from his seat.
From the corner of his eyes, Remus could see Harry cowering and sinking deeper into his seat.
"Of course he knows. Why do you think he's trying to kill the boy?" Snape snapped.
Harry paled.
"How am I suppose to know why that idiot wants to kill my godson? All I know is that we have to stop him," Sirius said again and Remus pulled his hand downwards so that he would sit down.
Sirius just pulled his hand out of Remus' grip.
"What do you think we're doing all this time? Planning a party?" Snape hissed.
Sirius glared at the Potions master and was just about to lunged at him when Remus stood up and stood in his path.
"Sirius, calm down! You're scaring the poor child," Remus hissed softly and Sirius turned to look at Harry but the Gryffindor wasn't looking at him.
Harry curled himself into a tight ball on the chair, his face colourless, worst compare to before and Sirius could see his frail body shaking.
"Harry…" Sirius began as he reached out to comfort him but Harry scramble up to his feet and backed away from the four of them.
"Stay away from me. All of you," he said shakily, retreating from them and eventually backed up to Dumbledore oak table.
"Harry, it's okay. We're not going to hurt you," Remus said gently and walked slowly towards the frighten Gryffindor but he just rushed around the table and kept backing away.
"No!! Just stay away. I don't know who you are or how you're able to do all that stuff but just let me go. I don't want to stay here," Harry said.
"Harry, I know you don't remember any of us but we promise you that we won't hurt you. Trust us," Sirius said but Harry shook his head frantically.
"No! Just leave me alone. I don't want your help. I don't want anything to do with you!" Harry yelled as he made a dashed towards the exit.
Halfway to the door, a fine line of gold sparks hit him from behind and Harry was unconscious. Sirius leaped forward towards and caught him before he could hit the floor.
"Was that really necessary, Albus?" Remus asked quietly as he watched Sirius cradle Harry limp body in his arms.
"As much as I hate to do it Remus, it has to be done. Please, have a seat. That goes for you too Sirius. Don't worry about him. I just cast a sleeping charm on him. He should wake up in about an hour or two," Dumbledore replied as he motioned the two of them to sit down at their previous place.
Remus quietly sat down and he shot a look at Snape, who, despite his hatred for Harry, looked wordily at him and, Remus noted, looked paler than he usually does. Sirius picked up Harry, walked towards the Gryffindor's previous seat, and sat down with Harry still sleeping soundly in his arms.
"I'm sorry Sirius but it had to be done," Dumbledore said softly and Sirius nodded his head in response.
"Is there any thing we can do for him to regain his memories?" Remus asked the Headmaster.
Dumbledore didn't answer him instantly. He just looked as if he was in deep thought while stroking his silver beard.
"I think I know of a way," Snape answered him instead.
"You? I would rather die than trust you," Sirius growled as he unconsciously tightened his grip on Harry.
"Don't be dense, Black. That boy's life is on the line as well as the fate of the wizarding world. As much as I loathe him, I was quite fond of Lily. She was like a sister to me," Snape said quietly and Remus smiled at him.
"I know what you mean. What do you have in mind?" Remus asked him.
"Remy! Don't tell me that you actually trust this git," Sirius exclaimed and Remus rolled his eyes.
"Siri, I know you hate him but this is Harry we're talking about. What other way is there?" Remus explained and Sirius' eyes darken.
"I warn you Snape. If anything, anything at all, goes wrong, I swear I am going to hunt you down and tear you apart," Sirius growled.
"Yeah, yeah. What else is new," Snape mumbled under his breath and Remus looked away from both of them, trying to hide the smile that was creeping onto his lips.
"What is this idea you have Severus?" Dumbledore said, his eyes still twinkling behind those half moon glasses of his.
"A highly complicated potion that regains ones lost memories. In this case, Mr. Potter there," Snape said shortly.
"And why doesn't Poppy have this potion if it could help regain lost memories after losing them?" Sirius asked.
"Because it's so complicated that nobody can predict how far back that person will remember. I mean you could drink the potion and remember as far back as what happened to your ancestors! That's why it's not in any standard magical medical solutions," Snape explained.
"Yes I have read about it once before," Dumbledore said.
"Is there any other way?" Remus asked and Snape shook his head slowly.
"The potion is only half our concern. The other part is the incantation that follows the drinking of the potion. The 'incantator' as you might call it, have to be of his blood," Snape continued.
"Meaning…" Sirius trailed off as he saw Remus face palled.
"Meaning that the 'incantator' have to be one of his relatives. Blood relative," Remus whispered as he slumped back against the chair.
"But James and Lily's dead. That means...." Sirius trailed off again.
"That only Mrs. Dursleys… Petunia Evans can perform the spell," Remus continued weakly.
Okay peeps, that thing just came out of nowhere! Anyway, how's Harry gonna get his memories back? Do you really think that Petunia'll be able to do the spell? Will she even agree to do it in the first place? Or will they find some other alternative? Either that or will Harry be memory-less forever? Not exactly a cliffy but it'll hold ya. Oh yeah, by the way, 10 reviews for this chapter and then I'll put up the next chapter. 30 more days till I die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry 'bout that. Oh yeah, could you guys read and review my other story (Winter's Sonata)? Please??? Sorry for the shameless plug and all. Well, I'm off! Cookies to those who reviewed!!!!!! I love you guys so much!
~Shattered~
Preview for the next chapter (questions anyway):
Harry's power makes another appearance and Dudley decided that he'd learn enough to get back at poor defenseless Harry. They found someone who will cast the spell on Harry. Will Harry allow the spell to be cast to him in the first place or will he freak out like before? Will Hermione finally find the spell she needs to translate writings in Latin?
[sw]: Sorry if there are any grammatical or spelling errors in this chapter or even in the previous and future chapters. This chapter actually should have been updated much sooner, if I hadn't lost my copy of the chapter. So sorry for the wait. Please Review!