Amnesia

Amnesia

By: Lilie Blaze

Chapter 2: Chameleon Eyes

Looking around the room, Draco noticed that Professor Dumbledore was the only one in the room who wasn´t even slightly shocked.

"That´s quite a comforting piece of information, Mister Malfoy," the Headmaster said, smiling at the young man. "Now, Severus, why don´t you tell everyone the reason as to why we are all here."

"Yes, thank you Albus," Snape replied, standing up slowly. "As most of you know, Voldemort has found a new prey; Hermione Granger. Don´t look so shocked, Mister Malfoy, and please do try to listen. Apparently, Miss Granger is much more powerful than anyone gave her credit for. We all know she is the top student here at Hogwarts, but this amount of power surpasses that. To put it in perspective, she may be able to pass as Voldemort´s equal. So, naturally, this makes one question Miss Granger´s heritage."

"So you´re saying Gra- I mean, Hermione, may not be a Mud- Muggle-born after all?" Draco said, correcting himself quickly.

"Yes, Mister Malfoy, this is exactly what we mean," Dumbledore answered, looking around the room,

"Knowing this, we must protect Miss Granger as best we can. Our only alternative is to use a memory charm to act as a loss of old memories. This will allow us to give her what memories we wish for her to have. We will also need to give her a new life and a new appearance. She will be introduced to the Hogwarts students as Professor Snape´s daughter, who has been living with her mother in Italy for the past seventeen years."

"Professor Snape´s daughter?!" Draco exclaimed. "Won´t that be a little suspicious?"

"No, Mister Malfoy, it will not," the Headmaster answered. "Because she will be his long-lostdaughter who´s mother kept her existence a secret. Now that her mother has passed away, she has come back to stay with her only living guardian, Professor Snape. That said, Mister Malfoy, would you please inform Miss Granger that her meeting is about to start?" the Headmaster finished, smiling softly.

"Yes, Headmaster," Draco answered, getting up and making his way to the door quickly.

"Thank you, and might I suggest you finish unpacking?"

~*~*~*~

"Peppermint," Draco said, before walking into the large common room. Once inside, he noticed the balcony door slightly ajar and figured that he would most likely find Hermione outside reading. To his surprise, she was curled up on one of the lawn chairs, fast asleep. He couldn´t help but notice how sweet she looked when she slept.

"Hermione.... wake up.... your meeting with Dumbledore starts in a few minutes," he whispered, leaning closer to her.

"Oh my God! I´m going to be late!" Hermione shrieked, jumping out of the lawn chair and running for the door. "Thanks... Draco... See you later!" he heard her say before the door closed again.

"Good-bye.... Hermione Granger," he said, making his way to his room.

~*~*~*~

"Hello, Miss Granger," the Headmaster said, smiling warmly as he gestured for her to have a seat in one of the fluffy chairs. "Do you know why you are here?"

"No, Sir, I do not," she answered, feeling a little nervous.

"Maybe it is for the best, then. Miss Granger, I am sorry for what I am about to do but it is the only way," the Headmaster said, no longer smiling, as he pointed his wand at her and whispered a spell she didn´t quite catch.

"Albus, is she...?" Snape began to ask.

"Yes, Severus, her memory is gone. It is up to you now," the Headmaster said, standing up and making his way to the door. "We shall leave you alone now to complete the task."

With that the Headmaster walked out, followed by the rest of the room´s occupants, with the exception of Snape and Hermione. Walking over to Hermione, he sat in the seat in front of her own and, pulling out his wand, began to fill her head with new memories.

~*~*~*~

Since this process was quite long and very tiring, Snape was glad when it was finally over. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small vile containing the violet liquid and helped Hermione swallow its contents. The changes began to happen immediately and even Snape had to agree that the results were extraordinary.

"Miss Laurent?" he asked, seeing her eyes flutter open. "Did you hear a word I said?"

"Yes, Father, I heard you," the girl answered politely, as she stood up to follow Snape out of the office.

~*~*~*~

A few hours later, Draco finally heard the door open and close as someone entered the common room. Getting up from his bed, Draco left his room and entered the common room to face the girl he assumed was the new Hermione.

Looking toward the entrance, he saw Professor Snape and a girl about Hermione´s height standing with her back toward Draco.

"Ah, Mister Malfoy, you are just in time to meet this year´s Head Girl and my daughter, Miss Chloe Arwen Snape-Laurent," Snape began, before being cut off by the short girl.

"Actually, I much prefer the short and sweet version; Chloe Laurent." the girl said, turning to face Draco. As she did so, Draco felt his knees weaken at the sight before him. If he´d thought Hermione was pretty before, she was beyond stunning now. Her hair fell in soft, jet-black wisps all the way to her small waist. She had a flawless, creamy complexion and delicate high cheekbones. Her eyes were still the same almond shape except they were much more defined and the color could only be described as magnificent. They seemed to be silver at first glance, but looking closer, he found that they took on more colors than the rainbow.

"Chameleon eyes!" Draco exclaimed, realizing what was in front of him.

"Yes, Mister Malfoy, you are right," Snape answered, smirking slightly. "Miss Laurent does in fact have chameleon eyes.... just like her mother´s."

"But I thought..." Draco began, still puzzled.

"You thought right," Snape said. "Chameleon eyes are incredibly rare. Only the most powerful pureblood witches have been found to have them. Now I think Miss Laurent needs some time to unpack and settle in. I trust you will be of help to her, Mister Malfoy. Goodnight." the professor said, leaving the room quickly.

"So..." Chloe began, turning to face Draco once again. "What did you say your name was? I didn´t quite catch it the first time."

"That´s because I never said it," he started, smiling softly, "My name is Draco Lucius Malfoy."

"Well, it´s nice to meet you, Draco," she said, smiling warmly as the cold silver of her eyes became a warm mint green.

"So you´re the new Head Girl?" he said. "What house were you sorted into?"

"Yes," she began, "and I am a Slytherin."