Memory Magic
Memory magic is the broad terminology for any magic that deals with recollections of humans, wixes and creatures susceptible to wix magic.
The discussion for this aspect of AO canon can be found here
See more canon information about Memories here
Internal Memories
Internal memories relates to any memories held inside of a living creature's mind.
Improving Memories
Short Term Memory Loss
There are hexes or jinxes that can cause short term memory loss.
Modifying Memories
- See Fallax Memoria
Modifying memories is regulated by the Ministry. It should only be performed by trained Obliviators or additionally qualified healers. The potential for misuse of this difficult spell is great.
- In canon, Hermione Granger used memory modification on her Muggle parents to protect them
- Horace Slughorn modified his memory of Voldemort before he handed it over to Albus Dumbledore
- Ignan Storm is an unwitting victim of a false memory that Azorma Hyskos died. It was planted by corrupt aurors in the Italian Ministry after his arrest.
- Theo Whitman and Madeline Whitman both have memories replaced of a sibling's kidnap
- Aberdeen Spencer had her memories altered in The Abduction of Robin Adani plot
'Removing' Memories (Obliviation, 'Memory Charm')
- See Obliviate
Obliviate is the most recognisable memory charm used by Obliviators from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.
It is commonly used on Muggles when they witness magic or encounter magical creatures. It is used to uphold the Statue of Secrecy. Obliviated muggles will experience uncomfortable symptoms. They feel like they've dreamt something, but they can't quite put their finger on it. They may feel spaced out. Obliviators may provide false memories to cover the gap. They will work with the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee or even the Office of Misinformation for large-scale breaches.
Obliviators were used in AO canon for:
- 2009 Halloween Muggle Baiting
- Dementor Attack Nottinghamshire Funeral
- Lillian Honeysuckle's former fiancé
- Picnicing muggles
- Edwin Glass (a trained obliviator) self-obliviated after a secret conversation with Solomon Carstairs while Minster [1]
Trained healers may offer or provide obliviation to assist distressed patients, though also see Memory Extraction below for an alternative.
Healers were used in AO canon for:
- Theo Whitman and Madeline Whitman both have memories removed of a sibling's kidnap
- Xavier Tawse was obliviated by his Grandfather to help with his depression and self destruction. He's aware that He's missing two weeks of his life.
Other obliviations in AO canon, not performed by the Ministry/Healers:
- Heinz Werner was obliviated by Jebediah Layton and associates, the memories not yet recovered
- Lyra Gamp, a former unspeakable and wife of Mortimer Gamp voluntarily permitted her obliviation after entertaining Ministry guests
- One of the Gamps' victims who did not survive the Mischief Unmanaged plot [2]
- Niobe Thursby believed she had been obliviated [3]
- Miranda Storm is obliviated by Lawrence Musgrave [4]
Obliviation does not 'remove' the memory, but rather suppresses it so the holder cannot access it. A weakly cast obliviation can be overcome.
- In canon, Muggle Laura Thorn had to be obliviated twice
A heavy or inexpertly cast obliviation can cause permanent damage.
- In canon, Gilderoy Lockhart accidentally self-obliviated and spent the rest of his life in a secure ward
- In canon, Barty Crouch Snr placed too strong a charm on Bertha Jorkins resulting in persistent short term memory loss
- Claire Pepper was dangerously obliviated by her son and never left the hospital before her death
- Alvis Norling was subject to a botched memory charm at a very young age. It left Alvis with legilimens-like tendency and no mental defences
- Faye Ruggles has a family member who was accidentally obliviated by a child and could live independently but was impaired
Identifying Obliviation
Niobe Thursby helpfully remembered the advice for if you believe you have been obliviated [5]:
1. Are you disoriented? 2. Unable to remember how you got to your current location? 3. Trouble remembering your last meal?
These three steps are less obvious in muggles, and can be hidden by particularly good practitioners.
A legilimens will perceive emptiness and blankness. This was seen by Ignan Storm in Miranda Storm's mind [6] after a missing night.
Dementor Exposure can result in similar symptoms to obliviation, but this is related to the happy memories.
Restoring Memories
As memories are not 'deleted' from the owners memory, it can sometimes be possible to restore them, but it takes great effort.
One method to do so is to use torture.
- In canon, Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew broke the charm on Bertha Jorkins but permanently damaged her physically and mentally
- Conversely, Dolohov and Rowle were tortured with Cruciatus but the obliviation performed by Hermione Granger held.
For weak obliviation, smell is enough to overcome it. It is unknown if memories may naturally recover.
- In canon, Muggle Laura Thorn had to be obliviated twice when smell brought back her memory.
Obliviated memories for some may be glimpsed in dreams - dream magic could assist in the recovery.
If the person who performed the obliviation dies, it may be possible the memories would return. (In canon some spells end when the originator dies. Read more of the discussion here.)
Healers who are also legilimens have experimented with different methods to try and unlock memories such as:
- inducing different smells or sensations in a patient over a course of several sessions
They monitor their mind for reactions.
External Memories
External memories relates to any memories stored outside of a living creature's mind. Such as held in a pensieve.
Extracting Memories
Memories can be extracted using charms or by collecting the tears. They appear as silver, hair-like wisps. If the extracting party is not able to fully commit to pulling the memory to the front of their mind, it will 'bleed'.
- In canon Severus Snape allowed Harry Potter to collect his memories this way as he died
- Tapendra Trishna sought Ignan Storm's advice when he found his extracted memories 'bled' [7]
- Lawrence Musgrave extracted pertinent memories before he was obliviated [8]
Healers may offer memory extraction for temporary respite to distressed patients. See also healer use of obliviation above.
- Joy Torret offered it to Johann Storm [9]
It is quite possible that a shadow of the extracted memory is left behind, otherwise how would the owner of the extracted memory know what had been extracted the moment the memory departed.
