Chapter 22

"Mum?" said Nell, eyes wide with shock. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

Next to her, Lupin stiffened.

"I'm fine," said her mother blandly. "Who is this?"

"It's Nell, mum," she said shakily, "Your daughter? Is -- what's happening?"

"Oh, I'm all right, my dear. When did I get a daughter?"

Nell swallowed hard, mingled relief and concern mixing oddly in the pit of her stomach. "Er, I'm twenty-one, Mum. What's going on?"

Her mother made pleasant but noncommital noises, and Nell was sure that her frustration was broadcast on her face.

Lupin silently held his hand out for the phone, and Nell handed it over. "Hello, Mrs. Burton," he said pleasantly. He listened for a moment, then, "Remus Lupin. Yes, I'm a friend of your daughter. Yes. Yes. No, you've never met me, ma'am. No. No."

He rolled his eyes at Nell. She was a bit amused by listening to his side of the conversation, although she was still mostly concerned.

"Have you seen any men or women in robes lately? Yes, funny dresses. Right. Yes, with sticks, exactly! Did you hear what they said when they pointed them at you? Ah. No, don't worry if you can't remember. What exactly happened right when they said it? Dizzy? Is that when you started to feel confused? I see. Well, I'll be there to see you in a few minutes. Okay. Okay, I'll tell her. Thank you. Thank you. 'Bye."

Lupin handed the phone back to Nell. "Can you describe to me where your mother lives, please?" he asked.

"Well," she said, startled, "she's in Kent, about two miles northwest of Glendale Common. Her house is called Whitcombe Grange, if that matters."

He closed his eyes. "I think that should be sufficient. I'm familiar with Glendale Common, thank goodness. I'll be back as soon as I can." With that, he vanished with a loud POP.

Nell sat back, startled. "Well!" she said. "I was going to ask what on earth was happening, but it looks like we're going to have to guess."

"Maybe she was abducted by aliens?" Harry said tentatively. When Nell stared at him, confused at the non sequitur, he blushed and said, "Well, that's my guess."

Understanding dawned and Nell laughed, a little edgily. "Maybe she's been possessed!"

"She's been obliviated," said Lupin, who popped back into existence a moment later. He held Nell's unconscious mother in his arms.

"Obliviated?" echoed Nell. "What's that? Is she okay? Why is she unconscious?" Her voice steadily rose with alarm, and she was nearly shrieking by the time she asked the last question. Harry had leapt to his feet in alarm, staring at the woman in Lupin's arms with wide eyes.

Lupin placed Nell's mum carefully on the settee, took a step back, and pulled his wand. Nell drew in her breath, ready to repeat her questions, at the top of her voice if necessary, but Lupin held up his hand to forestall her.

"Enervate," he said firmly. Nell's mother jerked awake, and she looked around with apparent alarm and confusion.

"What's going on?" Mrs. Burton quavered. "Who are you, and why am I here? Please, tell me," she pleaded.

Nell dove for the settee and threw her arms around the other woman. "Oh, mum!" she wailed. "Are you okay?"

Mrs. Burton, looking no less confused, gently patted the distraught girl's back. "There, there, dear. Remind me of your name again?"

Nell choked back a sob. "Nell, mummy." She pulled away. "You really don't remember who I am?" she asked, sounding years younger.

Mrs. Burton patted her shoulder helplessly. Lupin broke in. "She wouldn't remember you. She's been Memory Charmed."

"She what?" asked Nell, bewildered.

"Memory Charmed. Whoever was there made her forget everything that happened. Depending on what the caster intended her to forget, she may or may not get back her full memory." Lupin looked very sober. "There are a few spells to help enhance the subject's memory, but the Memory Charms are meant to be permanent."

Nell was less successful at choking back her sob this time. Harry came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder, as if to comfort her. Nell turned and grabbed him, squeezing him tight and burying her face in his hair.

"Claritas," said Lupin. Nell jerked upright, looking at her mother. Mrs. Burton did look less confused, that was sure, but she still looked at Nell like she was a stranger. "Mrs. Burton," Lupin said gently, "Can you tell us who came to your house and did this to you?"

"Oh, my!" said Mrs. Burton, her eyes distant, "What rude men! There were two of them, I believe, and they didn't even wear proper clothes, only these very odd dresses." She trailed off for a moment. "But I can't remember what they wanted. It's a bit like a dream, really. The harder I try to remember it, the more it won't be remembered." She put her hand up to her forehead. "Oh, it makes my head ache so dreadfully!"

Lupin nodded, his eyes veiled. "I understand. But if you do remember anything else, please tell me right away." He looked at Nell. "Who were the friends you mentioned? Perhaps one of them had more luck with her memories."

"Audrey and Emma," said Nell promptly.

"Addresses?" asked Lupin.

"Aud's in Bayswater. 51 Gloucester Terrace. Emma owns a flat in Central London, in Duke Street. She's Dalancey Courts No. 6." Nell smiled vaguely. "She inherited it from her grandmother." She shivered. "Ooh, that old witch would roll over in her grave if she knew someone had broken in and interfered with Emma."

"Witch?" said Lupin interestedly.

"Oh, metaphorically speaking," said Nell, waving her hand.

"Ah. Well, Audrey will be easier to retrieve. She'll take a bit longer, though. It's much easier to find a place to apparate in the country than in the middle of the city. 51 Gloucester Terrace?" Nell nodded confirmation. "Excuse me, then," and Lupin vanished once more.

Mrs. Burton jumped at the sudden noise. "What -- Where did that nice young man get off to?"

"He went to get a friend of mine, Mum," said Nell gently. "He'll be back soon. Would you like to play cards while we wait for him?"

Mrs. Burton brightened. "Certainly! Why, I used to make a killing at bridge, you know."

"Yes, mum, I know," said Nell patiently.

"Oh, yes, you would, wouldn't you?" said Mrs. Burton. "And you, young man?" she asked of Harry. "Do you play?"

He shook his head. "Only gin rummy," he confided.

"Besides, we haven't four for bridge," said Nell sensibly. "Gin rummy it is." She dealt, and they waited.

They had been waiting for nearly half an hour. Harry was wiping the floor with the two women, winning hand after hand. It was with double relief that Nell heard the telltale POP of apparation that signaled Lupin's return.

Once again he had a woman lying unconscious in his arms, and once again he laid her on the settee to revive her.

Nell was struck with deja-vu. Audrey's story was startlingly similar to Mrs. Burton's, as well as her confusion.

Lupin set his jaw. "Central London. Duke street?" he said brusquely to Nell.

She nodded. "Dalancey Courts number six."

He nodded back and disappeared.

"Well!" said Mrs. Burton cheerfully. "Now we have a fourth for bridge!"

Nell settled down to wait once more.