Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Hermione/Remus/Sirius
Warnings: Mentioned Non-Con
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 718
Notes:
30 Day OT3 Competition/Challenge: Day 8 - Laughter
Pokemon Trading Card Collection Challenge: Beheeyem - Silver - Write about altering someone's memory through a memory charm or potion.
Remus and Sirius watch Hermione as she stares off into space. They know they should be grateful that she's no longer crying into her pillow every second of every day, but being completely cationic is just as bad.
They miss their girl, their Hermione. They miss her laughter and her sparkling eyes when she gains a new piece of knowledge. They miss her confidence and her determination. They miss her kindness and loudness. They even miss her lecturing know-it-all tone she sometimes uses. They miss all of that because it makes up Hermione—the girl they fell in love with.
Now she's a shell of the person she used to be. When she was kidnapped by Lucius Malfoy—a man that somehow managed to remain out of Azkaban—they feared the worst. Lucius had always hated Hermione. It was more than her simply being a Muggle-born. His hatred seemed personal.
They feared they wouldn't get their girlfriend back alive.
They did get her back alive, but they also got her back broken. He had repeatedly raped her while she was captive, and every inch of her body was bruised on the outside. She also had internal bleeding, but thankfully, magic healed the physical damage relatively quickly.
Unfortunately, there was no magic that could heal her emotionally. Not even a mind healer seemed to make any sort of progress.
Remus swallows and steps forward. "Hey, Hermione. I was thinking that maybe the three of us can get out of the house today. Maybe we can have a picnic at a park?"
No answer.
Sirius bites his bottom lip. "Do you maybe want to go to the bookstore? You haven't been there in a while. We'll even spend the whole afternoon there if you want."
Again, no answer.
Sirius pulls Remus away. "We talked about our only other alternative."
Remus looks at the floor. "I know, but taking away her memories? It's an invasion, and we really don't have any right."
"Don't you want our Hermione back?"
"Of course, but there has to be a way other than obliviating the bad memories from her mind."
"Nothing is working, and I want her back. You agreed that we'd give it eight months, and today's the day. She hasn't had even a little improvement. You promised."
Remus nods. "Okay, but I'll do the charm."
Sirius nods. Remus is much better with charm work, and frankly, he trusts Remus more to not screw it up.
Remus moves and sits in front of Hermione. She doesn't blink, or even acknowledge him. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he whispers, lifting his wand and pointing it at her. He murmurs, "Obliviate."
With his focus completely on her mind, he blocks the memories of her being taken and abused by Lucius. Instead, he inserts happy memories of all things she did with the two of them so there wouldn't be any blank spots.
When he's sure it's done, he leaves her mind. He waits with bated breath while she confusingly blinks.
Suddenly, she shakes her head and smiles, a lightness in her expression that Remus and Sirius haven't seen since before she was taken. "Hey." She looks from Remus to Sirius. "Why are you two looking at me so intently?"
Sirius holds back his tears. "No reason. We're just thinking about how much we love you."
She laughs. "I love you guys as well." She leans forwards and presses a soft kiss to Remus's lips. Remus almost grabs her and pushes against the bed. He hasn't felt her lips on his in months.
She moves away before he does more than think about it, though, and she's up and kissing Sirius. He grips her waist and angles his head, tasting her in the way he loves so much.
When their lips separate, she rests her head on his chest. "I was thinking about going to the bookstore the afternoon. You guys want to tag along?"
"Yes," they answer simultaneously, not even having to think about.
Remus and Sirius watch her leave the room to get ready. They look at each other. They know they did something she would never forgive them for if she found out the truth, but they missed her and needed her. Anyways, she's better off not remembering. They won't lose sleep over it. They won't.
