Never A Memory

Chapter One

~The Sacrifice~



Three years later...

***



Harry Potter sighed and ran a hand tiredly over his eyes. It was three o'clock on a Wednesday afternoon and the workday was nearly over. However, judging by the nature of the owl Harry had just received from his old Potions professor; Harry very much doubted his workday would be over at five pm sharp.



Tilting his head to the side and letting his green eyes take in his cluttered desk, Harry lifted a hand and lazily pet Hedwig behind her ears. Satisfied, Hedwig ruffled her feathers pleasantly and flew off.



Harry picked up the note from Snape and reread it.



'Potter,



I need to speak with you immediately. At Hogwarts. 6 o'clock.



~S.S.'



Severus Snape never requested an audience with Harry Potter unless it concerned Draco Malfoy. In fact, Harry hadn't heard from Snape in nearly two years--when the Healers at St. Mungo's made it clear that Malfoy wasn't going to wake up from his coma any time soon. The Healers had put their foot down more for Snape's benefit than Harry's.



Convinced that Draco Malfoy's single act of heroism in the entire time Harry had known him was centered around his need for redemption in being one of the main conspirators that led to Albus Dumbledore's death in their sixth year and revenge for the murder of his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, Harry's interest in Draco's well being was simply professional.



Voldemorte had murdered Narcissa Malfoy because, even though Draco had kept his word by letting Death eaters into Hogwarts, the Malfoy heir could not, in the last minutes of Dumbledore's life, kill his Head Master. For whatever reason, was still a mystery to Harry.



Draco had disappeared after Narcissa's funeral where Death Eaters had attacked him when Draco had appeared to pay his final respects. Draco Malfoy did not re-appear until the Eve Battle where he used his body as a conduit for the magical energy that caused Harry to be Voldemorte's final Horcrux and killed himself.



Why Draco Malfoy survived the Killing Curse was still a mystery one of Harry's best friends, Hermione Granger, was obsessed to figuring out. Harry had the feeling it had something to do with why he survived the Killing Curse himself. Harry's mother had sacrificed herself to save Harry as an infant, which awoke--according to the late Albus Dumbledore--old magic that wrapped Harry in a cocoon of impenetrable energy that was strong enough to not only deflect Voldemorte's Killing Curse, but also destroy the Dark Lord.



Regardless of Draco Malfoy's motives, Harry had to grudgingly concede that none of them were selfish and that his sacrifice was as pure as Lily Potter's; and that enough of it was embedded in the love for his mother, Narcissa Malfoy.



So, whatever the science that would explain away what happened that night, three years ago, Draco Malfoy survived the Killing Curse and though his sacrifice saved his life, Malfoy remained in a coma-like state since then. No matter what St. Mungo's Healers tried, he wouldn't wake up.



And though Severus Snape would never admit to holding affection for any breathing thing, it was no secret to Harry that his old Potions master cared for his godson. Snape was willing to kill Dumbledore in accordance with the vow he made with Draco's mother in order to protect the Malfoy heir. And Snape was holding Harry Potter to his Gryffindor nature. Though Harry did not believe any of Draco's actions were for Harry's benefit, that fact remained that he would not be alive if not for his old school rival. And so, Harry, his Gryffindor honor, and Ronald Weasley--his partner and longtime friend--remained Head Aurors on the Malfoy case.



A case that, though it remained open, was pretty lax...except for the incessant need to keep a minimum of five Aurors around the sleeping Malfoy at all times.



A year ago, Harry and Ron had stumbled on a bounty warrant for Draco Malfoy's assassination while chasing after Harold Werain, a Death Eater who managed to slip away during the last moments of the Eve Battle like so many others the Ministry had made first priority to catch and convict. Unfortunately, there were more Death Eaters in Voldemorte's Army than originally anticipated and the cases for them were slow-going, at best.



Harry Potter had joined the Aurors immediately after that last battle and has made a career for himself in bringing these renegade Death Eaters to justice. Ron followed, like he always does, and managed to secure a spot for himself as Harry's partner; a position that was sought after by many Aurors.



Despite all of this, Ron had retained his cheery nature and was more interested in playing quidditch and hanging out with his new fiancée, Hermione Granger--as of a solid week ago--than selling his soul for the Ministry and dedicating every minute of his life to being an Auror as Harry had.



Coincidentally, Hermione had landed herself a job at the Ministry as well; however, not as an Auror. Hermione, in the last three years, had managed to create two new divisions at the Ministry and now headed the Muggle Affairs division. The newest additions to the Ministry, the Research and Comprehension of Old Magic division--headed by Luna Lovegood--and the Slavery Liberation Act division--headed by a sweet-faced witch named Marie Cellar--had caused quite a stir and not a few raised eyebrows two years ago. However, being a young veteran of the Eve Battle and...well, and being Hermione Granger, she had had her way eventually. The new divisions actually did quite well...as long as they stayed within budget--which wasn't very often--and usually managed to stay beneath the radar.



Harry frowned and tossed Snape's note onto his cluttered desk. Harry wondered what was so urgent. None of the Aurors posted at St. Mungo's had reported anything unusual...and anything short of Malfoy waking up wasn't something that would grasp Snape's attention.



Shrugging, Harry bowed over a pile of paperwork and began completing the two hour task of filing reports for the last week.



***



Harry huddled further into his robes and watched his breath frost in front of him. Harry had just Apparated outside of Hogwarts grounds and had to pause. It never ceased to amaze him that no matter how often...or infrequently, he visited, Harry was always flanked by a dizzying amount of memories at just the sight of the old castle.



Steadying himself against the sound of faint laughter and the ghostly visions of old friends dead and gone, Harry pulled open the large iron gates and began making his way to the school, snow crunching softly beneath his feet.



Once reaching the large double doors, Harry was immediately greeted by Head Mistress Minerva McGonagall.



"Good evening, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, her eyes darting around the grounds behind Harry. "Do come in."



Harry was too suspicious of McGonagall's nervous behavior to be flanked again by memories but he did pause outside the Great Hall, listening to the sound of students eating, laughing, and talking to one another in loud, carefree voices. McGonagall stopped beside him and waited for Harry to turn to her.



"I'm here to see Snape," Harry said finally.



"Yes, yes, I know. This way."



Harry followed McGonagall to the dungeon where she paused outside of Snape's office. Looking once back at Harry, she rapped lightly on the door. Immediately the door opened, its hinges creaking slightly. Stepping in the dark room after the Head Mistress, Harry was slightly annoyed and even more curious to see that Ron was already there.



Snape's owl had asked specifically for Harry's presence so he hadn't bothered to owl Ron. Harry usually filled Ron in later with the details when he went off to do something on his own. Ron waved and his grin turned into a grimace when Harry mock-glared at him. Ron shrugged and jerked his chin toward Snape, who was sitting behind his desk with a less-than-tolerant look on his face. Harry looked back at Ron and shook his head warningly. Ron shrugged again and then his grin was back.



"Really," Snape drawled from behind his desk. "As much as I hate to interrupt this fascinating bit of communication between the Ministry's two most...prized Aurors, I must inquire if we could get down to business. I have papers to grade."



Harry stiffened and turned towards Snape, green eyes flashing with barely restrained spite. "So speak."



"My godson woke up this afternoon. Half past one."



Harry turned immediately back to Ron, who spread his hands in surrender while nodding the affirmation.



"And I wasn't informed because...?" Harry growled with unwarranted vehemence.



"Harry, we thought it would be better handled in private," Ron said.



Harry narrowed his eyes. "Why?"



McGonagall, who had remained silent until now, found this moment to speak up. "Please, Mr. Potter. We have everyone's best interests at heart...including your Aurors. Hear us out."



Harry eyed his old Transfiguration teacher and took a deep breath. "Alright, I'm listening."



"I was visiting Neville, you know, to tell him about 'Mione and me," Ron began. "Neville burnt his hand handling some plant that he probably shouldn't've and now he's shacked up at St. Mungo's--"



"The point, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall interrupted tersely. Snape raised a brow and looked mildly annoyed but said nothing.



"Alright, anyway," Ron continued. "While I was there, I ran into Mitchel, one of the Aurors on staff for Mal--"



"I know who he is, Ron," Harry snapped.



"Would you let me finish!" Ron exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "I mean, really! Anyway, Mitchel was off to Apparate to the Ministry to tell us Malfoy was up and when he told me we went to see him. And, well, Malfoy acted like he'd never seen me before so I owled Snape, figuring maybe he could jog his memory--"



"He doesn't remember anything." The quietness in Snape's voice was unnerving. "He doesn't even remember his own name."



Harry took a moment to digest this information before speaking. "We have charms for that," Harry said finally. "Potions, even. Why...?"



McGonagall looked sharply at Snape and when he nodded to her, she cleared her throat. "Mr. Potter, Snape and I had discussed...in the event that...well, Mr. Malfoy may be safer among Muggles."



Harry couldn't help himself. He laughed.



Draco Malfoy, pureblood slime, Mr. I'm-too-good-for-anything-that-isn't-an-exact-replicate-of-me, living with Muggles. It was completely insane. Incredulous to a fault.



However, Harry quieted when he saw that the three assembled in front of him were quite serious.



Harry searched for a chair and sat down. Then he looked at Snape. "This couldn't have been your idea."



Snape scowled. "Of course not. However, Minerva has some valid points and Weasley has expressed the need for more Aurors in the field weeding out Death Eaters."



"Death Eaters who would see Mr. Malfoy dead," McGonagall added.



Harry glanced over at Ron who, though his freckled face was the perfect mask of seriousness, had eyes that shone with wicked humor. Harry bit back another smile.



"And where would we stash him?" Harry asked.



Snape opened his mouth, a retort ready to ridicule Harry's choice of words, but closed it at another sharp look from McGonagall.



"We were hoping Ms. Granger could help with that," McGonagall replied. "I hear she's quite the expert on Muggle comings and goings."



"He would still need to be hospitalized for a few weeks," Ron said.



Harry looked at Ron. "Yeah?"



Ron shrugged. "He's still really weak...and if he's going to live in the Muggle world, he's going to need to be in a place where they're willing to teach him basic stuff from scratch."



Harry nodded. "That's true..."



"So help me, Potter," Snape all but growled. "If you're not taking this seriously--"



Harry waved a hand dismissively at his old Potions teacher. "This is my case, Snape. I know how to do my job."



"You're protection is owed him, Potter," Snape said, his voice rising. "If one of the Dark Lord's little minions so much as sneezes within thirty feet of him--"



"I owe him nothing," Harry said quietly. "But I will do my job." One nicety does not change years of torment from that Malfoy git.



Snape slammed his fist on his desk. "He saved your life!"



"Yes," Harry said, rising to his feet. "And until you can brew some concoction that will wrap Malfoy in an impenetrable bubble for the next few years, we are going to do it my way. I think this Muggle thing is an excellent idea. No Death Eater would think to look for the Almighty Pureblood Malfoy Heir among 'Mudbloods'. We would only need one Auror to shadow him. We really could use the extra men."



"Mr. Potter," McGonagall said quietly, placing a thin hand on Harry's arm. "Please..." McGonagall glanced over at Snape, who was glowering darkly at them. "We're still all in this together."



Harry shrugged her hand off. "I'm sorry Head Mistress. I'm not as easily forgiving as you." Harry spared one last glance over his shoulder at Snape and thought of Dumbledore. "My trust has to be earned."



Ron followed Harry out the door and out of the dungeon. It wasn't until they were outside in the snow that Ron allowed himself a snigger. "You have to admit, it's damn funny."



Harry offered half a smile. "Yeah." Harry turned and looked back at the school. "I never would have thought Snape would agree to something like this, though."



Ron shrugged and grinned. "It's still damn funny. Can't wait 'till Hermione hears about this one."



Harry looked sidelong at his partner and allowed himself a full smile.



***





a/n: Thank you so much for the kind reviews. This is my first HP fanfic so any and all CC's and reviews are muchly appreciated.