Chapter 16 Memories Lost

Shadow tried not to show it but the truth was he was scared down to his bones. What if something went wrong and Bill couldn't help him after all. What if he stayed trapped here forever and never got home. What if he forgot his home and never wanted to go back because this became home. What if he was forced into Dumbles plans and never even knew it…

Shadow entered the room of requirements to find a very upset Professor Black and an equally upset Dumbledore. Before he could do anything he was grabbed by the headmaster and shaken. Shadow tensed up then tried to relax before he did something to defend himself. "Where have you been young man?" Dumbledore almost spat in his face.

Shadow shut his eyes and leaned away from the man. "Lunch! I went to eat lunch and I practiced what we learned in DADA. What did I do wrong sir?" Opening his eyes he lowered his head in a submissive pose. "I remembered you don't want me to spend a lot of time with the other students yet so I left. Mr. Snape met me in the halls on my way back to your apartment and invited me for lunch and then he helped me practice some." Shadow raised his head so that he was looking at the headmaster. "I'm sorry if I did something wrong. It wasn't deliberate."

At Shadows words the grip on his shoulders slackened. Albus studied the boy's face for a few seconds before he nodded. "It's ok Harry. It was a misunderstanding on your part, that's all. I set up the free time in here so you could get to know these children. Become friends with them. I guess I wasn't clear in my instructions to you." A small smile crept across his face. "Let's avoid another misunderstanding now shall we? On Saturday you are to remain in this room till your lessons are finished for the day and your last free time is finished. Then you and the rest of the children will be dismissed for the day and at that time you will go directly back to OUR apartment. And it is ours you know. You live with me now."

"Yes sir, I understand now." Shadow said quietly.

Professor Black had been joined by a younger woman with neon green hair and a solemn looking man with gray streaked brown hair. The three adults had watched the teen being scolded by Albus, heard the explanations given for the transgression by Harry and watched forgiveness and understanding being handed back to the boy by Albus. What two of the watchers saw was a concerned guardian handling his charge with a little bit less calm than he should have but when you took in to account the worry the guardian had been subjected to it was understandable. That was also what the third person had seen but what he sensed was something totally different. What the third sensed was a power move on the old man's part and satisfaction at winning against the boy. From the boy he sensed fear, confusion, anger and even a developing hatred for the old man…

After the old man left Black introduced Shadow to Tonks first. He was told the young woman was an Auror with the Ministry of Magic. He was then introduced to Remus Lupen. "One of your father and mother's best friends. The four of us were inseparable before they died. If things had gone the way your parents had wanted I would have been your guardian and Remus would have been your honorary uncle." Black smiled, "Well, better late than never hummm?"

Shadow studied the man, Remus Lupen. Had he misread the schedule? Wasn't someone by the name…..wait a second…Moony? His eyes shot back down to the hand he had just shaken. His jaw dropped open. Werewolf. Had to be, that would explain the name Moony but why was he introduced as Lupen? Shadow looked directly into the werewolf's eyes. "Is it a secret then?" He asked. All three looked a bit surprised at the question till Shadow grabbed the man's hand and traced he unusual growth of hair there. "Is it a secret?" he asked again.

Understanding crossed all three adults faces. Remus shook his head no. "Not a secret really but I don't go around advertising it. Is it going to be a problem for you? I can ask the headmaster to replace me if it makes you uncomfortable."

Shadow shook his head no. "It doesn't bother me but you might want to talk to whoever made up my last schedule. Your name is listed as Moony, not Remus Lupen." Remus turned his head and raised one eyebrow at Professor Black whose face turned scarlet. "You and Ms. Tonks should also know that I never used a wand before I was brought here. I suck at casting with it so I won't be giving you much competition today. My spell repertoire includes only what I've learned this past week."

Shadow's words were prophetic. He got hit with so many spells, jinx's and curses that he lost count. Black had not taught him any shields yet and that twice damned jinxed wand he was trying to use was almost useless to him. If he had not been so agile he would have been taken out of the room on a stretcher, as it was he hit the floor so often that he was positive his ass was permanently bruised. Loosing in a magical duel was a new experience for Shadow. One he found he didn't like at all and loosing that many times in a row to people that were that inept was almost more than he could take. He had to stop himself from using physical means against his opponents after he grabbed Tonks wand and was dressed down for it by Black almost as often as he had to dodge spells. This whole class sucked!

After the humiliating experience was over he had to endure another hour and a half of free time with Dumbledore's suck-ups. He played two games of exploding snaps and one game of chess against the boy named Ron who sat in the corner and pouted after he lost to Shadow much to the delight of the twins Fred and George. Finally the time was up and he was released to return to his room.

Shadow spent the rest of the evening after he ate dinner making a list of what he would not mind forgetting then he went to bed early so he wouldn't have to spend much time with Dumbles.

The revelations of yesterday still had Shadow reeling when he stopped to think about them. What was he slowly forgetting? It had to be something Dumbledore thought was important. Something that he thought took away his control. About the only thing Shadow could put in that place was his family but he remembered them. He remembered everything about them. Didn't he? Would he even know? Maybe it was something like only trusting Dumbles but how would that fit in with my forgetting?

Shadow drew his knees up to his chest and rocked back and forth trying to figure out what was going on. He thought about the list he had made at the start of the week. If he was to update it now it would be something along the lines of yes he could trust Snape but no one else here in this twice damned school!

After giving it a moment of thought Shadow shrugged his shoulders. Why not? Shadow took out his list and a new piece of parchment and started to prepare a new list with the information he now had available to him.

1. The women who kidnapped me worked for Dumbles. The gun they shot me with shot a spell or dart or hex or something like that so that I would be out cold when they moved me here.

2. Dumbles said he had been in touch with Children's Protective Services. If that was true then it wasn't for my benefit so I need to find out what happened at that meeting and if he even met with them.

3. Dumbles says I'm not allowed to see my family yet because I'm in protective custody. He just wants to keep them away from me so I won't be influenced by them. DID HE GET SOME TYPE OF LEGAL CONTROL OVER ME?

4. In America the blood wards and the charm he used on me would be illegal, so would the block unless he really did manage to get declared my legal guardian and if he did he could only do something like that if I were in danger of loosing my control. Are they illegal here and if they are can I get him thrown in prison?

5. Was that family tree he showed me real? It could be a fake but he knew the last name of the people I thought were my natural mom and dad.

6. I need to find out more about this Voldermort guy. Dumbles said he was my enemy and so did Snape. I trust what Snape says but not Dumbles.

7. Mostly I need to find out why me? Why did Dumbles have me kidnapped in the first place? Having my parents killed by an evil wizard was no reason at all. There had to be something else there.

It all seemed to come down to Dumbles was Voldermort's enemy and both of them were Shadow's enemy. According to Snape Voldermort wanted to kill Shadow and Dumbles wanted to use Shadow. Truth be told Shadow wasn't sure which was worse. He WAS sure which one was more honest though.

All of the teachers here owed their loyalty to Dumbles but for all of that Snape was willing to help him. Dumbles was picking out students to be friends with so those were the ones he would be able to trust the least. What about Bill though? He said his last name was Weasley and that's the same last name as Ron, Ginny, Fred and George so that meant they were all family of some sort so how far could he really trust any of them.

God, all this going around in a circle was giving him a headache. Shadow decided to forget about it till he had another chance to talk privately with Mr. Snape. With that decision made he got up and showered and dressed before going out to the other room to eat breakfast. At least today he got to go outside even if it was on leading strings.

At about 08:50 Dumbledore escorted Shadow downstairs and to the front door where Professor Black and Mr. Weasley were waiting for him. "Remember gentlemen, he has to be back inside at 11:30 without fail. He is also not permitted to leave the grounds." Albus then turned to Shadow, "Harry, I had to do some very fast talking to Protective Services to get you this time outside for play. If you fail to follow the rules then they can and will cancel this privilege as fast as they granted it to you. Obey your guards at all times and do not fail to come back inside when your time is up. Do you understand?"

Shadow gave a curt nod. "I understand Sir."

Albus reached out and ruffled the boy's hair. "Good, keep that in mind and have fun this morning." He turned and walked back inside never noticing the glare the boy gave to his back when he left.

Shadow spent his free time walking around the grounds and then spent a little time flying on the broom Dumbles had bought for him before he was told he had to go back inside. During lunch he watched Mr. Snape talking to Dumbles. Snape had the essay Shadow had written for his class and if he wasn't mistaken it was covered with red ink and had all sorts of things written on it. Unless they were positive comments Shadow couldn't understand why they were there. He knew he did well on the paper because Martin had covered that stuff when Shadow was only about 9 years old and constant application had made the material almost automatic knowledge over the years. Snape and Dumbledore both got up and came over to where he was sitting at the Hufflepuff table. Shadow stood to greet them and find out what was going on. He didn't have long to wait.

"Mr. Potter, I understand that you were not trained in potions at your last school but you do need to understand the information that this essay was about. If you do not know the difference between chopped, diced and sliced you will end up making mistakes that are very easy to avoid in my class. I have spoken to the Headmaster and he has agreed that you should sit detention with me this afternoon. I will use the time to help you correct your essay and answer any questions you have. I expect to see you in my office directly after lunch." Snape said stiffly.

Shadow lowered his head to hide his grin. "Yes sir." Inspiration struck and before he could change his mind Shadow asked, "Sir, that base potion you said I would be making in class on Monday? Can you teach it to me this afternoon? Then I would have it ready to use in those other two potions in the next chapter."

"Potter, look at me when I'm talking to you, not your feet. Headmaster, is this acceptable to you? I would have him back to his room at about dinner time provided he is not as thick as most of my students are." Was the response Snape gave.

Albus smiled to see the boy stand up straight at the reprimand delivered by his potion master. "I don't see why not Severus. Just have him back in our apartment by 6:00 p.m. tonight." Albus looked down at the boy. "Finish your dinner Harry." And with that said both men walked away.

Shadow rushed to finish eating then practically ran to Snapes office. Snape was waiting for him and the two went to his private quarters where Bill Weasley was waiting for the both of them.

Bill had Shadow sit down on the sofa and lay back in a semi reclining position. He then asked the two what memories Shadow was going to sacrifice for the charm.

"You mentioned the price of tea in China. How specific do these memories have to be anyhow?" Snape asked. "Can we really use something like that?"

Bill smiled and shook his head no. "Sorry but unless he really does know the price of tea in China he can't forget it. I'm sorry Shadow but you will have to sacrifice some real memories that you have and they aren't reclaimable nor can you relearn them unless the charm is canceled which we don't want to do at this time. One good thing is you can choose memories from your subconscious. You just have to be very careful what you select there because the subconscious mind helps us sort our memories in real time."

With a subdued look on his face Shadow asked "How much do I have to give up Bill?"

Bill traded a troubled look with Severus. "I hate to say it but quite a bit."

Shadow nodded to show that he understood. All of my memories from before I met my adopted father. I don't have many that I remember but you said it will work on subconscious memories too? I read someplace that our subconscious mind remembers everything that ever happened to us. That will give you three full years to work with. Will that be enough?"

Bills face cleared and a smile spread. "It should be and if its not we can start erasing any novels you have read. You can reread them later after the charm is removed and it will be like the first time you read them."

"Do it then." Shadow said and closed his eyes.

Shadow lost track of time as he listened to the soft chanting. His mind began to drift and he almost fell asleep before the curse breaker was finished. Bill put his hand on Shadow's shoulder and shook the boy gently. "Finished" He said.

Severus called his house elf and asked for some hot chocolate for the three of them and over chocolate the three discussed what was going on. Snape took the opportunity to tell Shadow about the prophecy and what it meant to the boy.

"So do you think I am really this Harry Potter Mr. Snape." Shadow asked.

"You know you can call me Severus when we're alone Shadow and I've already told you about calling me Professor Snape when your around other students or professors but to answer your question…Yeah, remember when I did the spell check on you last Tuesday? The stemma –atis potion showed up on you so I think it's a very good chance that you are Harry Potter. The one thing that bothers me is the scar. You didn't have it when I visited your house. I think the Headmaster put it there with the cutting curse he used on you."

Bill looked at the scar for a few seconds before asking. "Why does it bother you aside from the fact that you think it was given deliberately by Dumbledore?"

Snape got up and walked over to his bookcase. He selected a thick volume titled The Heroes of Magic. Flipping through the last part of the book he selected the place he was interested in and handed the book to Bill. Stabbing his finger at a certain paragraph he instructed Bill to read that out loud.

Bill started reading. "After He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was thrown from his body by the rebounding curse baby Potter was left with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead above his right eyebrow…" Bill started to snicker "He forgot which side the scar was on didn't he."

"More importantly is if you are Potter what happened to your scar?" He asked Shadow. "I've always been told that those cannot be healed." Snape looked at Bill. "Do you know a way to heal or otherwise make vanish a curse scar?" Bill shook his head no. "Shadow, if I rebrew the stemma –atis will you take it so we can settle that question once and for all?"

"Yes, we need to know one way or the other." Shadow said.

(Gringotts)

"Griphook I need to see Raveark. I do not need nor do I want to see you. Now please inform him that I am here at once." Dumbledore demanded.

Griphook rolled his eyes. "As I have already explained to you Dumbledore. Raveark is very busy. If you would make an appointment then I am sure he would be willing to see you or better yet bring the heir in so that the two of them can settle their business and you will have no need to see Raveark at all. This after all does not directly concern you. It concerns Harry Potter and Raveark."

Dumbledore's eyes had long since lost all twinkles and now his face was taking on a decidedly ugly shade of purple in his rage and frustration. "And as I have explained repeatedly. Harry Potter is to fragile emotionally at this time to try and deal with anything like this. I am his guardian both physical and magical. I need to deal with this until he is stronger."

Griphook slamed his hands down on his desk. "This conversation is over until you produce the heir." Griphook then summoned several guards and instructed them to escort Dumbledore out of the bank and to not allow him back in until he either schedualed an appointment with Raveark or produced the Potter heir.

After the man was escorted out Raveark came in through the other door laughing. One look at his face and Griphook lost all semblance of control till both goblins were almost rolling on the floor in their mirth. "Did you see his face" Raveark gasped out. "I think if you would have pushed it a little bit harder we could have had him in a coronary."

"I know, I know. Priceless that." Griphook howled with laughter.