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Obliviators
Obliviators
Obliviators in general are sent to modify the memories of Muggles who have witnessed magic. They are essential in maintaining the International Statue of Secrecy. Obliviators in the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad are required to be more skilled with their Memory Modifying Charms. Anyone involved in an accident is in a heightened state of emotions. Emotionally charged memories, especially negative events, are much easier to remember. Obliviators work closely with the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee to come up with explanations Muggles will not question.
Memory Charms should only affect short term memory and long term episodic memory.
Short term memory is also called working memory. Memories are kept in the short term memory for as long as the information is in a person's consciousness. It is limited by the attention of the person. Normal people can hold about seven bits (the length of a typical Muggle phone number) of information for a few seconds. After that, the information is either forgotten or transferred to long term memory.
Long term memory can be divided into declarative memory and nondeclarative memory. Declarative memory is the conscious memory for facts and events. Nondeclarative memory is for unconscious acquired memories such as skills and habits. Declarative memory is further divided into episodic memory and semantic memory. Episodic memory allows for the recollection of personal memories down to the sensory details - sight, sound, taste, smell, etc. Most episodic memories only last a few hours at most, but a select few will last a lifetime. Semantic memory is the collective everyday knowledge of the world, including language, manners, and etiquette. It is harder to test semantic memory, but if someone is unable to identify that a spoon is a spoon, you know something is wrong.
Mnemone Radford (1562-1649) was the first Obliviator to work for the Ministry of Magic. This witch was named after the Greek goddess of memory, Mnemosyne. Her life work was the invention of Memory Modifying Charms, which have since been perfected as the current Memory Charm and False Memory Charm.
The Memory Charm is almost always used after a magical accident. The incantation for the Memory Charm is Obliviate. It erases memories from an individual's mind. After the Memory Charm is cast, the person may be disoriented for a few minutes. Everyone should be watched for at least one hour after the Memory Charm. The Memory Charm can be broken through magical torture. Poor Bertha Jorkins was tortured by Lord Voldemort for information about the Triwizard Tournament. After the ordeal, she was no longer functional. This, however, should not be a huge concern for Muggles. It is not always enough to only erase memories. The False Memory Charm implants false memories in an individual's mind. It is a good idea to test episodic memory after you place a False Memory Charm on a Muggle. You do not want to change any of his or her major life memories. Test episodic memory by asking the Muggle what he or she did on her last vacation, what is going on in the news, or what he or she ate for breakfast (sadly, the majority of people without memory modifications may not even know what they ate for breakfast) and make sure it matches what he or she told you before you cast the charm.
Reversal of a False Memory Charm is possible. Hermione Granger modified her parents' memories to believe that they were Wendell and Monica Wilkins, did not have a daughter, and always wanted to live in Australia. After the war, Hermione went to Australia to find her parents and lift the charm. For the best result, the original person who cast the charm should perform the reversal. That person knows exactly what was removed or modified from the memory. Otherwise, some details may be lost.
In order to create a believable false memory, Obliviators must obtain as much information as the person as possible. Most people are very willing to talk after witnessing a magical accident. However, if they are in shock, they might not be able to string any words together or might get some details confused. Many Obliviators on the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad seek additional training in Legilimency to ensure they get correct information from Muggles. Some choose to carry a vial of Veritaserum on them.
Not every Muggle will require a Memory Charm. In some minor situations, a Confundus Charm may be enough. Some people already have poor memories. Muggles already have several "witnesses" of the Loch Ness Monster, so teams who go searching for the kelpie are simply confunded before they get too close. Why take away their fun?
The Forgetfulness Potion is also a great tool for Obliviators. After gathering all the information they need, Obliviators can offer the Muggle some water and slip in a few drops of Forgetfulness Potion. The witness is refreshed and the Obliviator doesn't need to use a Memory Charm. Most of the time, some Sleep Potion is also included. That way, the person can be transported and wake up away from the scene.
Obliviators must gather as much information as possible from all witnesses, both magical and non-magical, before deciding how to handle the situation. Remember that a Memory Charm is not always the best option! Also, the mind is quite amazing and could actually recover the memory by itself over a period of time if exposed to certain triggers. It is a good idea to check on those you are worried about every few years.
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