Love Lasts

Chapter 29

Draco started to follow Harry from the Room, but Harry stopped him.

"I've got to do this on my own. Thank you, but I have to." Draco stared at him in surprise and some suspicion, but nodded.

He saw the determination in Harry's eyes and felt something stir in his chest. Get over yourself. Go eat some food. It'll take your mind off of him.

Harry smiled at Draco then sped off down the corridor. He took the stairs three at a time and reached the ground floor in record time.

Harry ran through the snow and down to the Quidditch changing rooms and grabbed his firebolt. He also grabbed a jacket someone had left and his scarf. He found a pair of gloves on the floor and pulled them on too.

When he was ready, he walked quickly outside, mounted his broom, and took off. He didn't go in the direction of the stands. No. He flew to the Hogwarts gates.

Harry flew and the bitter wind bit at any skin that was available, but he kept flying as fast as he could. If he knew who had obliviated him then maybe, just maybe, he could get his memories back.

Hermione and Ron are supposedly a big part of my life. I need to know who they, and their families, are.

Little did Harry know that Draco was flying silently behind him. Harry told me to stay? Like hell I will when he's having turns all over the place. He could fall out of the air and this time there would be no one to put a cushioning charm on him.

Draco watched Harry for any sign that he was turning around, but he stayed on his path away from Hogwarts. Draco knew he was going to Hogsmeed, he just didn't know why.

After several minutes Harry landed, none too gracefully, outside of The Three Broomsticks. He put his broom beside the door and flicked his wand. His broomstick became invisible, absolutely undetectable which was what Harry had been going for.

He pushed open the door and noticed how empty it was. Only four people were in there and they were all Hogwarts students. Couples, to be exact. Harry walked up to the bar and looked at Madam Rosemerta.

"I need to see your workers." He said blandly. Madam Rosemerta stared at him.

"You aren't allowed to go to the back room Mister Potter. There are rules." Harry slammed his hand down on the counter and the room went silent.

"Do you think I am asking you this for my health? Something is going on and you can either help me or I can stupefy you out of my way. It's your choice." The woman's eyes were large and she seemed lost for words. Draco was standing in the doorway in shock. He had never seen Harry like this.

After several tense seconds, Madam Rosemerta set down the glass she was drying and beckoned Harry to a door behind the bar.

Harry followed quickly and the door slammed behind the two of them. The couples in the room exchanged curious glances then went back to their conversations.

Thanking Merlin that no one had noticed him, Draco quietly slipped behind the bar and to the back room after them.

It was a very large storage area with spare cups, plates, cutlery, and ingredients. Madam Rosemerta led Harry to the back corner where three women were chatting.

Harry recognized the woman he needed right away. Her eyes seemed slightly vacant and her words were very slurred and vague.

"Who is the middle one?" Harry whispered to Madam Rosemerta.

"Bernadette. This young man would like to talk to you." Bernadette turned around and smiled warmly at Harry.

Her hair was solid black but she had lines on her face that told Harry she was older than she looked. Her eyes were a warm brown and she wore a simple blue dress with a white apron tied around it.

"How can I help you dear?" Harry smiled in what he hoped was a nice way.

"I need to speak with you. In private." Bernadette glanced around her then nodded and followed Harry out into the main area. He led her over to a booth in the back and leaned over the table.

"You met Avery Nott on the street one day, didn't you? He sent you on a little task that seemed so small and simple you did it. He may have looked different, but you felt something was wrong, didn't you?" Bernadette racked her brain, but she couldn't come up with any strange encounters.

"I think you have the wrong person dear. I haven't met any strange people, and most certainly not known Death Eaters!" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"So there are no blank spaces? No gaps in your memory?" Bernadette looked down at the table.

"T-There is one. It was a long while ago. I was walking down the street, heading home after a very long day, and I met someone. It was a kind old lady who asked me to do her a favor, but I can't remember anything after that. I'm sorry dear. I can't remember anything else."

Harry furrowed his brows in irritation. She had to remember. She had to.

"Can I ask you to do something?" She nodded. "Do you know what a pensive is?"

Ten minutes later Harry walked out of The Three Broomsticks with a swirl of silver memory clinging to his wand.

He conjured a flask and slipped it in then shoved it into his pocket. He then found his broom, made it visible, and took off into the sky. Draco flew behind and below him, wondering what on Earth was going on.