Okay, I shouldn't start anything new, but this challenge has been out there and DZ2 is one of my favorite authors (when they write H/Hr since that's what I read). So, here is the challenge:

FORGET-ME-NOT CHALLENGE

Plot: During one of his many death-defying adventures, Harry suffers an accident and when he awakens he either:

A: Loses his memory completely with NO CHANCE of getting it back

Or

B: Can't remember who he is but DOES eventually remember

Rules:

If Challenge A: Harry CANNOT recall anything after July 31st of his first year at Hogwarts or, failing that, can't remember who he is.

If Challenge B: Harry must regain his memory through flashbacks and snippets of memory

Both Challenges:

Severitus (okay, I'm old and had to look this up -Snape as a father-figure to Harry)

Must be any year before - but not including -5th year

Pairings must be H/Hr, H/PLuna, HP/DG or HP/DM (mine is H/Hr)

Harry must sever ties with Ron and see him for what he is: a greedy waste of space

Even if she does not become his paired person - Hermione MUST remain Harry's friend

Harry must not trust Dumbledore

Forbidden:

Harry sticking with Dumbledore

Hermione going against Harry

The Golden Trio remaining together

Neville or Luna bashing

Light Harry (looking for a Grey/Darker Harry)

Without further ado, here we go!

Pain.

That was the first thing Harry was fully aware of. Everything ached. Even his fingers and toes. He tried to remember what happened but came up blank. The last thing he could clearly remember was Hagrid putting him on the Knight Bus after collecting his new school things in some place called Diagon Alley. And telling him he was a wizard. Did he dream it?

Did Uncle Vernon take his frustration at being left on that excuse for an island out on him? Too many fumes from Aunt Petunia trying to dye the wrinkled elephant skins grey for his new uniforms?

No. The room didn't smell right. His cupboard never smelled this nice. In fact, it smelled clean, almost like disinfectant. Like a hospital, though he'd only been in one once and that was because Uncle Vernon had almost killed him by leaving him in his cupboard and forgetting about him for nearly a week.

Harry became aware of a warm weight along his right side and something holding tightly to his right hand. Cracking his eyes, he could see along his body clearly enough to make out the shape of a teenage girl with wild, bushy brown hair curled next to him on the bed. Her face showed clear signs of crying and even sleeping, her breathing hitched. She was dressed in pyjamas that upon closer inspection matched his.

So, some type of hospital, but where? And who was the girl? Why was he bigger than he remembered?

Slowly, trying to slow his pounding heart as well as desperately trying not to wake the girl, Harry reached out with his opposite hand and grabbed his glasses off the nightstand so he could actually see. They were surrounded by old fashioned privacy screens creating a little cubby with two beds.

'The other must be the girl's. But who is she? And why is she holding my hand?'

Before Harry could decide on waking her and getting answers, he heard a door slam open and couldn't hold back a startled jump. The hand holding his tightened but the girl didn't move.

"All I'm asking Professor is if I can hold on to Harry's broom for him until he's out of the hospital wing! He'd want me to!" The voice sounded like it was trying to whisper but was failing miserably.

"Mr Weasley, that broom will not enter Gryffindor Tower until Professor Flitwick, Madam Hooch and I have a chance to strip it down completely. I can't even tell you how foolish it was for the two of you to take that broom out when you had no idea who sent it to Mr Potter!" This voice was older, a gravely woman's voice and she wasn't even bothering to whisper.

"Pffft. I still don't think it's jinxed. I think it was too fast for Harry and he slipped off. Who would jinx a broom like a Firebolt? That's…that's sacrilege that is!"

"Mr Weasley, I can assure you that the broom was jinxed." Another woman's voice entered the loud conversation. "I was able to check it briefly when Miss Granger and Mr Potter were brought in by Dobby."

"Hermione! I knew it. She's the one that's got you all thinking there's something wrong with Harry's broom! She's jealous! Is she back here?"

"Mr Weasley, wait!"

Footsteps approached the screened in area and Harry watched as the girl sat up, still keeping his hand in hers. She didn't look at him, she must have thought him still asleep since he didn't move, but she did position herself closer to his middle, as if she was shielding him from whoever was coming. Seconds later the screen was ripped away by a young teenage boy with red hair and freckles. He was tall and lanky, dressed in worn black robes lined in red with a red and gold patch on the chest showing a golden lion rampant. His face was red in anger.

"You! This is your fault! You just couldn't handle it that Harry got a Firebolt for Christmas and had to ruin everything. I didn't even get to fly it!" The redhead spat.

"Ron - I tried to stop you both. I'm…I wasn't jealous! That broom is hugely expensive. Who would send anyone a Christmas gift like that and not sign it? And with Sirius Black having escaped from prison and supposed to be after Harry here?"

"And how exactly could a mass murderer buy a broom, Hermione?"

"I don't know…how about having another Death Eater buy it? One that bought their way out of Azkaban? Someone like Lucius Malfoy, maybe?"

Now, Ron's ears started to turn red at not having thought of that, and Harry started to get nervous. He already hated yelling and he had no idea who any of these people were, even if they seemed to know him. Right now, the only one he wanted anywhere near him was the girl. She seemed to be making sense or at least as much sense as flying brooms and mass murderers after him made. And she was the calmest one out of the group. He began shifting himself slightly to the left so that he could exit the bed quickly if needed.

"It's your fault Harry is in the Hospital wing." The redhead grouched. "If you had just cast that stupid spell right, we would still be flying around right now and you could have your nose in a book in the library."

"Mr Weasley," A woman in an old fashioned hospital matron's dress stepped up to the boy. "Miss Granger nearly died trying to save Mr Potter. She almost exhausted her magical core on that spell to slow him down."

"Well, you sure did a shit job on it you stupid bint." Just as the boy stepped forward (along with the two women once they realized what was happening) Harry threw himself off the other side of the bed, taking the girl with him. He shifted slightly so he was shielding her with his back, not noticing an opaque magical shield popped up around them, too.

"Harry! Are you okay?"

Hermione looked over at her best friend, shifting to run her hands along his arms, trying to reassure herself that nothing was broken any longer. She noticed he was trembling, a fine tremor running along his muscles which were more tense than she had ever seen them.

"Harry?"

She watched his eyes stop on her momentarily before darting around the room again. Hermione reached up and grabbed his chin gently, pulling his face so he would look at her. There was confusion and fear in those beautiful green eyes but no recognition.

"Harry, do you know me?"

Startled, Harry stared at the girl.

"How?"

She gave a small smile. "You've been my best friend for two and a half years now. Since we started at Hogwarts. I can read you like a book, Harry."

"I…The last thing I remember is getting my wand and books. Oh, and Hedwig at Diagon Alley with Hagrid."

"And when was that, Harry?"

"My Birthday. July 31st, 1991."

She left out a breath. "It's Christmas Day 1993. You've been at Hogwarts for two and a half years. Hedwig is here, too, she's in the Owlery. Ron Weasley, the loud redhead, is your best friend - he was the first friend you ever met on the train on the way to school."

Harry looked like he didn't believe her. "He's my best friend?" She nodded. "And I'm yours?" She nodded again. "And he talks to you like that? And I let him?"

Hermione looked down at her lap. "We're having a rough year. I'm…I'm stressed because I'm taking too many classes - not that I'll say that to Ron but you know or knew. Ron is angry because I got a pet - who is actually my familiar - and a kneazle/cat mix who hates Ron's rat. But I keep him in my dorm room or out of the Tower unless I'm sleeping! Plus, we fought when you got the Firebolt - the broom you fell from - for Christmas this morning. It wasn't signed and you didn't know who would send such an expensive gift. He'll calm down eventually."

"And apologize?"

"No, Ron never really apologizes for anything but things would go back to normal for the three of us"

Harry shook his head. "No."

Hermione frowned, "No?"

"No. Even if I get my memories back, it's not right that I let him treat you like this."

She shook her head. "Harry, it's okay. Ron is your best friend. I don't have to have him as mine. You never treat me like he does or say anything like that."

"But I don't stop it either. And I should."

Harry stared at her for a long moment. The girl…no, Hermione, looked exhausted. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked too thin to Harry's eyes - which was saying something. He also noticed she kept casually touching him, something he never thought he would allow anyone to do. It almost seemed like it was reflex to her, her hand on his knee, fingers drumming lightly as she thought.

Hermione looked at the shield around them. "I'll tell you what, let's talk to Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey - that's our Deputy Headmistress and Healer - and see what they think about you not having your memories. If you still feel that way after getting them back -"

"If I even do."

"If you do," Hermione smiled sadly, "you can talk to Ron. You might decide that you don't like me either, Harry. I'm not the easiest person to like. You and Ron are really my only friends."

It was Harry's turn to frown. He already liked Hermione. She was calm, she spoke quietly, and obviously over the last few years he had grown used to her touching him. Would he really not like her once he started to interact with everyone else?

"How do I let us out of here?"

Hermone's voice took on a teacher quality. "Well, we both learn magic differently. You seem to tap into your emotions more easily than I do. I get stuck on the theory and primary purpose of the spell. So for you, think of magic as following your intent. You needed to be safe, so your magic created a shield. Now, you need to let us out, so picture the shield dropping or fading away. Does that make sense?"

Harry smiled and nodded. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, the shield was gone. Ron moved to rush them but to Hermione's surprise Harry intercepted him.

"STOP! Look, I don't know what's going on right now, but everyone can just stay back over there."

Hermione offered Harry a hand up and he took it gratefully. Everything still hurt. Hermione tucked him back into bed and perched next to him, this time on the opposite side from his guests.

Madam Pomfrey frowned. "Is there a reason you're keeping me from my patient, Miss Granger?"

"This needs to stay in this room." Hermione eyed Ron. This was the sort of thing Ron would take advantage of. She hated the idea of Ron telling lies about the 'bucktoothed know-it-all' but she could deal with that. As long as Harry was happy and safe, she could make it through Hogwarts by herself.But it couldn't get 'round the school. Not yet.

"Ronald Weasley, that means you. You cannot repeat what happens here."

The redhead laughed. "I can keep a secret, Hermione."

"Swear it." Ron looked shocked. "That's how big this is, Ronald. Swear it or you need to leave the room.." Hermione looked at the two adults. "We won't say anything until we know it will stay here."

"Mr Weasley, if you cannot abide by Miss Granger's request then it would be best if you leave the room for now."

"Fine. I swear I won't tell anyone the secrets I learn here. So mote it be." Ron held his wand up and a flash of light left the tip. "Happy now? What's such a big deal? Your book get ruined when you messed up your spell and it's a library book?"

Hermione took a deep breath and looked at Harry. He nodded once. "Harry lost his memory from the fall. He only remembers going to Diagon Alley when he turned 11. He's missing the last two and a half years."

Ron stared at her for a moment then burst out laughing. "Good one, Harry! Wicked if you can pull that over on Hermione!"

Harry narrowed his eyes at the obnoxious redhead. This guy was really his best friend? He was loud, rude, more than a little crude if what he said about Hermione was how he normally talked about girls, and a bit sloppy with the food and dirt stains on his robes.

"Ron, is it? Hermione told me you were my best friend - "

"Wait, you really don't remember anything?"

"Not really - "

"Sweet. Well, I sure am your best friend. Been best mates since we met on the Express. I'm surprised Hermy here told you that. Figured she'd take advantage of things and try to keep you locked up in the library with her." He started chuckling.

"Like I said, Hermione told me you were my best friend but I don't remember anything. I wouldn't know you from some stranger on the street."

The matron stepped forward. "Mr Potter, My name is Madam Pomfrey and as Miss Gran - I mean, Hermione, can attest to, I have treated you here a number of times. I would like to run a few scans on you. With your permission, of course."

Harry couldn't really say if he trusted doctors or not, Vernon wasn't one to take him to Emergency unless he was dying and even then it took an argument with Aunt Petunia to get him treated. But Hermione seemed to trust her, and for the moment that would have to do.

He watched curiously as she waved her wand over him, lingering over his right shoulder and then over his head before frowning.

"What is it, Poppy?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Mr Potter you were VERY lucky today regardless of what Mr Weasley tells you. You fell from several hundred feet in the air and had Miss Granger's spell been any weaker…well, I'm not sure how many pieces you would have found yourself in."

"HA! She still messed up though. Obviously or else Harry would be fine. Stupid…"

"MR WEASLEY! I have had more than enough of you. If it had been just the two of you out flying that ridiculous broom, Mr Potter would be dead. Do you understand that? Dead. You did nothing to help your friends, instead you ran back to the castle with that damnable broom and tried to hide it!"

Madam Pomfrey took a deep breath before turning back to Harry who was staring at her wide eyed.

"I apologize, Mr Potter. As I was saying, you were very lucky. However, I am not sure if your memory loss is going to be permanent or not. Your magic seems to be unaffected at least from the demonstration you just provided us."

"But I don't know how I did it. If I've been in school for two years…I don't know anything. How am I going to catch up?"

Minerva stepped forward then. "Mr Potter, I am Minerva McGonagall and in addition to being Deputy Headmistress, I am also Transfiguration Professor and Head of Gryffindor House. Your House here at Hogwarts along with Mr Weasley and Miss Granger. You may not remember this but your house here at Hogwarts is like your family, you eat with them, sleep with them and study with them. Right now, there are very few students here for the holidays and I think that will work to our advantage. You and Mr Weasley are the only two boys in the third year dorm and Miss Granger is the only one in the third girls dorm."

"Okay, but how does that help me? Two weeks isn't a lot of time."

Ron snorted. "We can do it, mate. Two weeks is loads of time."

McGonagall frowned. "Mr Weasley, I doubt you've even begun your holiday homework let alone being able to catch Mr Potter up on two years worth of work."

Hermione bit her lip. "What about a pensive? We can put in our memories, not just of classes but of the last two years in general. That way Harry will know what's happened and who people are as well as school work?"

"And how do you know about pensieve's, Miss Granger?"

She blushed and swung her feet on the bed and if she was shuffling them. Harry thought it was cute. "I overheard Professor Dumbledore mention it here once before when Harry was injured."

Madam Pomfrey just shook her head. "She probably did, Minerva. I can never keep Miss Granger out of here when Mr Potter is my guest. And it's a good idea. Harry viewing the memories will give him more of a "real life" view of the things he can't remember. And it may help jog his memory if it's going to return."

"How's this pensieve thing work?" Ron asked.

Hermione jumped in to explain. "It's a shallow stone bowl with runes carved in it. You can remove or copy memories to place in it and play them back in real time to look for things you may have missed. This way Harry can see things from both your perspective and mine!"

"Why would we want to show him both? Don't you trust me?" Ron narrowed his eyes.

"I'd want both of your memories so I can see both points of view. What if one of you missed something? Especially for classes." Harry said, trying to avoid any more yelling.

"Huh. Hermione can tell you that stuff. That's all boring. I'll show you all the cool stuff we did!"

Minerva frowned at that but held her tongue. Poppy clucked a moment and scanned both students one more time.

"Alright, both of you are going to be a bit tired and sore for a few more days - Miss Granger please limit your spell casting for the next few days. Avoid anything requiring more power than a first year spell for a bit. Mr Potter, I'd like you to stop in every morning for the next few days. Just for me to check up on you. Right now I will let you both go."

"I will leave you to make your way to Gryffindor Tower and I will bring you Professor Dumbledore's pensieve and I would like to make a few changes that will last the duration of the holiday."

Harry watched as Hermione slipped away to change while Ron Weasley waited for Harry on the other side of the curtains going on and on about something called Quidditch. He was thankful for Hermione's suggestion that he view both her and Ron's memories of the past two years. He had a feeling he was going to need both to get a clear picture of just what was going on at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry..