A/N: Hey everyone. There is just one more chapter after this one. I hope you like it.
Chapter Six
Two weeks had passed since the date and Hermione and Greg were inseparable. The topic of memory gain had not been mentioned again and Hermione was becoming impatient, not that she would let it show. Had she done the right thing? Much more serious questions loomed in Greg's mind. Would he want to go back to his old friends? If so, would they take him back after his "betrayal"? Would Hermione notice a change and could she like the person he might become? But the end of his last year was nearing and he only had the knowledge of a second or third year at best. Could he function without the memory of his past lessons? Would he be able to leave school, get a job, and confront his family without the knowledge he once had? It had been two weeks and he was still no closer to an answer. Hermione had asked Greg to meet her in the library at 4. She was hoping that she could get some sort of answers without asking for them. The Christmas holiday was a week away. They hadn't discussed what they would tell their parents or if they should make plans to see each other.
Greg spotted Hermione at her favorite table near the windows. Hr snuck up behind her and kissed her neck softly, putting his hands around her waist. She jumped at his touch, but turned her head to the side an inch so he could continue.
"Gregory Allen Goyle, how many times do you I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?"
"At least once more. You can't blame me for enjoying it. Your reaction only spurs me on." Hermione blushed as his mouth found her neck once again.
"You need to stop now." she said with self control.
"Fine." he said pulling away. "But you always spoil my fun."
"Yeh, yeh. Anyways, I was just thinking about Christmas holiday. Do you have plans?"
"My parents mentioned something about photo albums and a family gathering of some kind. Should be thoroughly boring, but I guess I should reacquaint myself with my family. Did you want to meet, say the day after Christmas?"
"I would love to." she said smiling brightly. The only other thing on her agenda was the memory spell. 'Since we are on a roll.'
"Greg, have you thought any more about the spell?" she looked up at him pleadingly.
"Yes, I have. I haven't come to any conclusion, but the topic itself hasn't left my thoughts for two weeks. I think that I should be closer to a decision after holiday. After I get my parent's reaction."
"That makes sense." she lowered her head in disappointment. She had thought she might get an answer.
"I'm sorry that this is taking so long. I can see you growing impatient and I wish I could figure this out just as much as you. I see how much you care about my happiness, but 'Mione, I am scared." he looked into her eyes. A grave expression took over his face. "I don't know what I might find. If my old friends are any indication of what my life was like then I don't want to know the rest of it. I don't want to go where you can't follow." he stopped and took her hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze.
"Greg," she paused for a moment, lost in his words. She recovered quickly though. "I will do my best to not pressure you. Have you thought about what this might mean for your schooling? You have been working so hard and I know you could get through it eventually, but you would have to stay at least another year at Hogwarts. I just want to help you, no matter what you choose. I will be here for you."
That last week past by so quickly that neither could believe they were boarding the train. They found a compartment with Harry and Ron, who scowled slightly at Goyle, but smiled when Hermione walked in. The trip itself was uneventful. Hermione and Greg tried to enjoy their last few hours together in comfort. They curled up in a corner of the compartment and watched the boys play snaps and chess. Eventually, Hermione fell asleep on Greg's lap. She woke to bright brown eyes staring lovingly at her and a deep voice prompting her to wake up.
"Hey sweetie. Are we there yet?"
"Yeh, Harry and Ron already left, but they say they will see you in two weeks." he glanced out the window.
"I see my parents. Would you like to come meet them?"
"Yes, I would like that very much." She fixed her hair and stood to get her trunk. As they stepped off the train, two sets of parents walked forward. The Grangers smiled and hugged Hermione, while The Goyles moved towards Greg. Mrs. Goyle got her son in a tight embrace while Mr. Goyle patted him on the back in a cold manner. After the greetings were over Hermione went to Greg and hugged him.
"Mom, dad" she said "this is my boyfriend Gregory Goyle." Both sets of parent's eyes went wide.
"Why Hermione, you didn't tell us you had a boyfriend."
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. We have only been together for two weeks, but we've been friends for nearly two months now."
"She's the one isn't she Gregory?" Mrs. Goyle spoke coldly. "She is the one you took that spell for." She was now appraising Hermione with narrowed eyes. "I don't approve of this relationship. You have taken so much from my son and I refuse to let you hurt him further." she spat these words like venom and they shot through Hermione as such. "Filthy mud blood." she said under her breath.
"Mom, I made a conscious decision. You make it sound like she is responsible for my actions. I have no regrets." he took Hermione's hand and she could not be more grateful for his words.
"Hermione, darling, what is she talking about?" Mr. Granger finally spoke.
"I didn't want to tell you, at least not in a letter and now is not approp-" she was cut off by Mrs. Goyle's next words.
"Your daughter is responsible for my son's memory loss. He can't remember the last 17 years and it is all her fault." she said this pointing at Hermione. They were starting to draw attention to themselves. Other people on the platform were looking on curiously and this is not a conversation to be over heard.
"I don't think this is the right time or place for this conversation and I would greatly appreciate it if we left." Hermione said softly, but her eyes were tearing up and her voice broke slightly.
"Of course, darling. Say goodbye to Gregory and we can go home."
Even with Mrs. Goyle staring her down, Hermione hugged Greg and he kissed her softly. He whispered in her ear.
"See you in a week."
"Yes." she said in reply as she let go of him.
0o0
The incident at the station did not go unnoticed. Harry and Ron owled her that same day asking if she was ok. They had never said anything about her relationship with Greg. She hoped they could see she was happy and just didn't need to question it further, but she was a little worried about their lack of interest. When she arrived home she had to tell her parents what had happened the night Malfoy tried to curse her and how her tutoring led to a friendship, which led to a relationship. They didn't seem mad at her, quite the contrary. Her parents were proud of her for handling the situation so well and taking partial responsibility by offering to tutor the boy. They also asked about a cure.
"You are wizards after all, isn't there some way to reverse what this horrible little boy has done?" asked Mr. Granger.
"Actually, I spent quite a bit of time researching that theory and I found a way." her face fell at this news and her parents looked utterly confused.
"Well, that is great news. If you have found the cure than why does he still not have his memory back and why do you look so sad sweetheart." Mrs. Granger moved to comfort her daughter.
"He doesn't know if he wants his memory back. You see, he has what you might call a dark past. His father is a known Death eater and his friends are horrible. He doesn't want to remember. It's so sad, that someone could have such a horrible life that they wouldn't want to remember it. I want him to be whole though. I want him to graduate this year and have the life he was meant to have before he helped me." she put her head on her mother's shoulder.
"I do believe it is his decision. I'm sure he is grateful, darling, but you have to respect his opinion."
"Thank you, both."
She got an owl the day before Christmas from Greg.
Hermione,
I hope your holiday is going well. I miss you. Would you like to meet at the leaky cauldron at three on the day after Christmas? Send your reply with Kayla. My parents are exactly how I expected them to be. I know they are trying to hide things from me. Things I knew before, but would obviously not appreciate now. I feel like a prisoner and I really wish you were with me. I guess I will see you the 26th.
Gregory
Hermione frowned at the mention of his parents and their many secrets. She couldn't wait to see him.
Greg,
I can't wait to see you. Three sounds great. As for your parents, I'm sorry you feel so out of place there, but we only have one more week before we arrive back at Hogwarts. I miss you. See you soon.
Hermione
Greg was wondering around the library at his incredibly large house, no mansion, this was definitely a mansion. They had more books than Hogwarts and he thought of Hermione the whole time he wandered through the shelves. He was about to leave when he heard his father's voice coming from his study, which was a large room off of the library.
"I still don't know what I'm going to do. What use will he be now? Even if he did still have the knowledge he needed, I wouldn't know how to explain what has to be done. This is why we begin the process at birth. The Dark Lord will be so angry." another male voice said.
"You could always put him under the imperious curse until you can find a way to reverse the spell. The Dark Lord will never have to know." Mr. Goyle racked his hands through his hair.
"But his birthday his coming up. The Dark Lord will be able to see through it."
"If it helps, Draco was severely punished. I know he was trying to curse the mudblood, but he ruined your heir. There is no excuse."
"Thank you, Lucius, but Draco did nothing wrong. It is the mud blood who needs punishing."
Greg didn't need to hear anymore. He ran to his room and locked the door. 'I have to get out of this house.'
Hermione flooed to the leaky cauldron at 2:55 and found a table. Greg spotted her and made his way towards her. He had a grave expression.
"Greg, what's wrong?" she put her hand on his arm.
"I need my memory back 'Mione. I think it is the only way I can protect us." she looked perplexed.
"Why would you need protecting?"
"I heard my father speaking to Lucius Malfoy and they said the Dark Lord would not be pleased that I lost my memory. They are trying to hide it and my father said he needed to explain something to me, but didn't know how. Lucius suggested the imperious curse. I need my memory so they won't come after you. They blame all of this on you. They kept calling you 'mud blood', like you were an animal, not worthy of a name." he put his head on her hand.
"I am no more than an animal to them. You have to remember what Voldemort's ultimate goal is. It does not surprise me that they blame me, but are you positive you want to go through with this."
"Yes," he raised his head. "If I don't regain my memory than they will come after you and I can't let that happen. I don't even want to think of what they might make me do under the Imperious."
"Can it wait until we get back to school or would you rather we see Dumbledore now?"
"I think now would be best. I don't want to give my father the chance to curse me."
Hermione fire called Professor McGonagall and asked permission to see him and flooed home to grab a copy of the spell then they both went to Hogwarts.
Professor Dumbledore looked happy to see them, but confused.
"Professor, I have found a spell to restore Greg's memory, but we need your help casting it. It is quite advanced."
"I would love to help, Miss Granger, and may I keep this parchment. I dare say if this works you will be famous. How exactly did you find it?"
"Well, actually I created it. The parchment explains which incantations are the basis and the theory of why it works, but I can't really take the suspense much longer." he smiled and studied the parchment again.
"This is brilliant, Hermione. I see no reason why it won't work." He stood from his chair and walked closer to Greg, who had been relatively quiet. He lifted his wand and with intricate waving spoke the incantation. A thin, blue line shot out from the tip of his wand. Greg's eyes turned gold as the light swept through him. They slowly turned back to brown and he fell to his knees. Hermione slowly walked towards him. She touched his shoulder. He jumped at her touch. "What have I done?" he said softly.
"What's wrong, Greg? You are scaring me." He moved away from her touch, got off his knees and walked to the opposite side of the room.
"Headmaster, could you give us a moment, please?"
"Of course. If you need anything I will be in my study." He walked slowly up the stairs. As soon as the door closed Greg turned towards Hermione.
"We can't be together." he said with sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Why?" she asked. He stayed silent. "Why, damn it?" she said this as tears started to roll down her cheeks.
"I've always loved you 'Mione. That is part of the reason I stepped in front of that spell, but I accepted a long time ago that we could never be together. I am destined to be marked. Unfortunately, we live in two very different worlds. You could never love me for who I truly am anyway. You don't know the things I have done and must do." He left.
Hermione wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and walked to the fireplace.
A/N: Dun dun DUN. Gotta love it. Review. aLtO
