Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

A/N: Okay so I posted this over the chapter that was an author's notes because I really don't want to see that every time I look at my story. For all of you that didn't see the previous note I have a story called outtakes that are scene from this story that I thought you would like to know but wouldn't be in this story. The first one was about when Molly was hospitalized and how Ari dealt with that and the next one (that hopeful should be up in a few days but seeing as I haven't written it yet I'm not sure when) will be about Ron forcing Hermione to take the job in France.

Updated 1/20/2021

Chapter Six

Concero Animus

The first thing she noticed when she Apparated into the room of the quaint cottage was that Harry was on the floor. "I did warn you," Hermione smirked.

"That's all you've got to say," Harry whined as she leaned down and helped him into a chair. As he said this, Ron and Ginny appeared in the room too and were looking at him sympathetically. However, before anyone could say anything else, a very worried Molly Weasley entered the room and quickly gave Ron, Ginny and Hermione back breaking hugs.

"I've been so worried," Molly exclaimed. "We thought you were coming here too!"

"Sorry," Ron said smiling sheepishly at her. "We had to get Harry first."

"Oh dear," Molly exclaimed noticing for the first time the very wounded Harry sitting in the chair … the dried blood on his shirt didn't help matters at all.

"Molly, wait," Hermione said preventing Molly from getting at Harry. "He can't take that right now."

"Right," Molly looked devastated but no longer like she was going to attack Harry with one of her bone crushing hugs.

"You know, I think I've done everything I can for him," Hermione said thoughtfully, knowing that Molly was an accomplished healer (she would have to be having six boisterous boys, and Ginny was no doll either). "But I think it would be best if you could look him over too … you might find something I've missed or don't know about."

"Yes … I really should," Molly said turning on Harry and pulling out her wand. Harry glared at Hermione and she just smirked back at him. "I really think you should tell me what happened," she said still examining him, and as she got to the still quite red and raw looking wound on his chest she gasped. "You need to go to St. Mungo's now …"

"I can't," Harry said perturb. "It's not safe there … you should understand that," he added looking at Ginny causing Molly to sigh.

As they talked, more people filed into the room. All the Weasley were there (except for the ones that were at school), as well as his own kids and Hannah Longbottom. Harry sighed; well since everyone was here he might as well tell them all what happened.

"I was attacked again," Harry said.

"Yeah, we all kind of guessed that funny enough," George said holding up his coin. "What, with you giving us the cryptic warning and all."

"There were five of them," Harry continued ignoring George. "They ambushed me at the Apparation spot as I walked to the Ministry …"

"Harry, you don't Apparate in the same spot all the time," Hermione pointed out.

"I know," Harry said. "They must have been watching me for a while to realize when I would be there." He noticed her nervous look but didn't let her interrupt. "Anyways, I was out numbered and they were going all out … they were really good too … not like the useless lot that attacked us at the Minister two weeks ago."

"Yeah, but they still couldn't take you down," Charlie said slapping him on the head.

"Charlie!" Molly yelled exasperated, but Harry chuckled.

"Yeah, well one of them got me with a darker version of a blasting curse," Harry said pointing to his chest. "And it took all my concentration to get out of there. But I knew that they must have been following me for some time since they figured out my patterns … I figured that you lot would be in danger too …"

"Good thing you did," George said. "There were a lot of black cloaked figures in the Leaky Cauldron."

"Just because they had black cloaks doesn't mean they were Death Eaters," Percy said in a dull voice.

"No, but the fact that there were ten of them sitting together did make me a little suspicious," George said. "Anyways, the coin said you were attacked and that I should warn Bill, Chuck, and Perce about it and to go to Bill's when I was done. However, seeing as there were suspicious characters there, I didn't think I should just leave Hannah alone."

"Yeah, good thinking," Harry said frowning.

"You didn't think they would come for me, did you?" Hannah stated.

"No … I thought the Weasleys made a better target," Harry admitted.

"Well, you did warn me too," Hannah said smiling. "So you must have thought it was a possibility. We think they targeted me because they thought you wouldn't have predicted it like you would with the Weasley but it would still have been a devastating blow if something were to happen."

"That's true," Harry sighed, this enemy, whoever they were, seemed to know him pretty well. Then again, it was public knowledge that he was close with the Longbottoms … he shouldn't be that surprised.

"Anyways, I made Hannah get Frank," George said continuing his story, as little Frank Longbottom clung to his mother's legs, "and told her to meet me in the back. We hurried to Gringotts; I thought it would be best if I warned Bill first …"

"Which was lucky," Bill said. "If he had tried to Apparate Hannah here, who knows where she would have ended up?"

"Yeah … I didn't know the Fidelius Charm was still up," George said sheepishly. "Luckily, I'm a lazy git that didn't want to Apparate there just to come back again."

"Anyways, we got to Gringotts without any incident," Hannah said. "Though it did appear that we were being followed … they didn't make a move."

"We think that it was because they didn't want to cause a scene," Bill said. "Anyways, they got to me and I Apparated Hannah and Frank here, and George went to get Charlie and Percy."

"Nothing more interesting happened," George stated. "So what's up now?"

"I warned everyone in the DA to be on guard, there're likely to be watched but I don't think any of them will be targeted," Harry said. "I also told Nev to make sure the kids were safe …"

"Do you think they're in danger?" Angelina asked.

"No, Hogwarts should protect them," Harry said. "But I don't know this enemy … it's likely to attack in unexpected ways … I don't know if anywhere is safe.

"Anywaysm George, what have you found out from those bugs of yours?"

"Not much," George sighed. "Most of them were destroyed while the Death Eaters Disapparated and the rest were smashed quickly after that."

"You don't think they were found out, do you?" Harry asked.

"Nah, they were just slow moving and annoying," George said.

"Bugs?" Hermione asked.

"Well, there called flies," George said impatiently as Harry chuckled. "Basically, they are flies that hang around someone so that you could listen to what the person is saying even if they are miles away … I thought they would be good for any eavesdropper …"

"Oh I see, it just like Muggle bugging," Hermione said. "You know George some of the things you make can be really dangerous in the wrong hands."

"Mione my dear, everything I make can and usually is at least a little dangerous," George said proudly.

"I meant in the bigger picture, George," Hermione huffed. "Like those Extraordinary Ears you made … the ones that can get through the Imperturbable or Muffliato charm, they …"

"They can get through every charm," George said indignantly.

"No, they can't," Hermione smirked at him and he stared at her incredulously, but before he could say anything else she continued. "Do you even realize how much information someone could get out of those things?"

"Well yeah, Harry said they were very useful," George said.

"I would image the other side would say the same thing," Hermione said. "Though at least they have to be within twenty feet to be able to hear … that's probably some help."

"I'm sorry … I didn't think," George sighed. "I just remembered how annoying it was the summer before my seventh year when we couldn't hear because of the Imperturbable charm."

"It's all right," Hermione said. "Though, it's just lucky you had your experimentally license then or …"

"Lucky my arse," George spat bitterly. "They fined me two thousand Galleons and practically forced me to get my license … we had to cancel our vacations because of it … whoever …"

"You should be thanking me for that," Hermione said and George looked incredulously at her.

"You …!" George said still stunned but starting to get angry.

"Yes," Hermione stated. "I thought you would prefer the fine to going to Azkaban."

"What?" George said shocked again as were a few other Weasleys, especially Molly (though Arthur didn't look shocked at all).

"Yes, Williamson wanted to throw you into Azkaban, said you were a danger to society and he had a lot of support too … I had to call in quite a few of my favors to help you," Hermione said. "And like I said, it really was good you had your license this time because just about everyone in my department wanted your head after the ear incident, but didn't have legal grounds to convict you."

"Thanks," George said still looking shocked.

"Well, that was nice and all," Harry smiled. "But I would still like to know any information you got form those bugs."

"Flies," George said shaking his head. "A few names and one place was mentioned before the flies were smashed."

"Let's hear them," Harry said a little disappointed then perked up a little. "I put a few more of your newer models on the Death Eaters today, maybe they'll last longer."

"Great … only problem is, the decoder is at my house along with the notes I took," George said.

"I think we really need them," Harry sighed; he really didn't want to have another mission today but he need the information. "Bill, Charlie, go with George …"

"Okay," Charlie said cheerfully and Bill nodded his head gravely.

"And be careful … any sign of trouble get back here right away," Harry sighed as he noticed the worried looks on Fleur, Angelina and Molly's faces.

At the same time that they Disapparated someone else Apparated in the yard. The man had a thick beard and a kind face, though right now it looked very worried. Neville Longbottom was now making his way to the house (he had been invited to the cottage when Harry had his stag party there years ago).

"Hey," Neville said when he walked into the room where everyone was and immediately hugged his wife and son (who he had been worried about all day) and was greeted warmly by all the Weasleys.

"I take it, this means everything is fine at Hogwarts," Audrey said.

"Yes," Neville said but gave Harry a look that said there was more to this.

"Good," Fleur said and with that everyone started to disperse again.

"Just give me a second," Neville whispered to Hannah so that only Neville, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Molly were left in the room.

"It looks like you did a good job, dear," Molly said, her examination of Harry was over. "I'll just give him something for the pain …. Morsus …" she finished questioningly.

"No that will off sit the potion I used," Hermione said.

"Hm … Consisto," Molly muttered.

"Yes that should work," Hermione smiled and Molly cast the charm and walked away.

"So, what's up, Nev?" Harry asked trying to sound cheerful but not quite managing it.

Neville sat down on the couch across from Harry; he wasn't sure how to begin what he had to say. "Did everyone make it okay?" Hermione asked, interrupting his thought. He must have looked sad to make her sound so worried.

"Yeah, everyone is fine," Neville smiled at her. "And I didn't notice anything wrong when I was gathering the students."

"Then what's got you so nervous?" Ron asked bluntly.

"It's Ari," Neville said and quickly added (seeing as everyone looked worried about that). "He thought he sensed someone watching us. Is that possible … has he done that kind of thing before?"

"No," Hermione said shocked and worried.

"He does have good intuition, though," Harry said.

"Yeah, I know," Neville said. "Ari is very observant and normally I wouldn't question him … but I didn't see anyone … and I'm not saying that doesn't mean that they're not there … but if they were there they must have been well hidden. That's more than observant."

"So, you don't think they were there," Harry said looking intently at his friend.

"I don't know," Neville sighed. "The way he said it I know that he believes that someone was there …"

"Right," Harry sighed, and everyone else paled, this didn't sound good.

"If he is right … they now know that the kids will be informed quickly and that I'll be the one that gets the message first," Neville stated.

"Which means it safe to say that you would be targeted if they do attack Hogwarts," Harry said. "They must have realized that you could contact us too."

"Yes, that's what I thought too," Neville said. "And they would likely attack when none of the kids are in my class, so I couldn't protect them."

"This really isn't looking good," Harry sighed. "You need to tell the other teachers to be on guard …"

"Should we send some extra people there?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not sure we can," Harry said, looking torn. "We might make it a bigger target if we do and …" he sighed, hating to say this part. "We really don't have enough people right now to do that."

"It will be okay, Harry," Hermione said noticing the self-loathing Harry was feeling in that sentence.

"Right," Harry smiled at her. "Okay Nev, just be extra careful and if an attack comes … warn us first and then fight."

"I'll try to remember that," Neville said, which will be hard since he was more use to trying to help out in situations like that.

About half an hour later, Bill, Charlie and George returned with the decoder and George's notes. It appeared that the new prototypes were working better than the last ones and were still active. However, important information didn't seem to be coming up too often so it was hard to work out.

After dinner, the Longbottoms left to go to Hogwarts, seeing as shell cottage couldn't possible fit all of the people there. It was still past its breaking point even without the Longbottoms but luckily Bill still had a spear tent that was used to house all five of the Potters and Charlie. The three spare rooms that where left (Bill had added an extra room to the house when Dominique was born) where split up, one each going to Arthur and Molly, Percy and Audrey, and George, Angelina and Roxanne (who was the same age as James). Ron and Hermione had to share the couch in the living room, not at all the place that they thought they would spend their second night together in years.

"Well, at least we're together," Hermione smiled at him as he lied down on the couch at about midnight, she could have easily have expanded the couch but she really wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her.

"I would have really liked a shag, though," Ron smirked at her affronted face.

"And what makes you think that would have happened, Ronald," Hermione said sternly but knew that he was right, they would have likely have shagged loads of times by now if Harry hadn't interrupted them.

"It's a simple fact," Ron said still smirking and before she could reply he kissed her. The spent a while like this, knowing it couldn't go any farther and just enjoying the kiss.

"Oh sorry," Molly said as she came down stairs to get something to drink … she couldn't seem to be able to fall asleep right now.

"Oh … er …" Ron said red in the face (as was Hermione) but Molly was gone before he even looked up. "That was embarrassing," he sighed; it has been a long time since his Mum caught him snogging a girl (this girl in fact). "Reminds me of the good old times."

"Yeah," Hermione sighed softly; it was close … but it wasn't like the old times. "We should go to sleep now."

"But I wasn't finished," Ron pouted.

"Too bad," she said kissing his nose, then turned away from him. "I'm tired and tomorrow is sure to be another long day."

"Yeah it is," he sighed and then wrapped his arms tightly around her, bringing her as close as possible to him.

Within minutes Ron was sound asleep (as Hermione know he would be) untroubled by what happened minutes ago, but Hermione was mulling it over. Molly Weasley had been accepting and nice to her these last few weeks and she could tell the older woman still cared a great deal about her, but it was also evident that there was a difference in the way it was before and that was hard to bear. She had known, all those years ago, that this would happen; she had broken Molly's son's heart and kept Arthur (unknowingly) away from the Weasley, of course things wouldn't be the same. But right now, lying in Ron's tight embrace all she could think of was that she had to do something about this.

So she got up (Ron muttered something but otherwise let her go) and joined the Weasley matriarch in the kitchen.

"Did you what a cup of tea too, dear?" Molly asked.

"Sure," Hermione said unsure of what else to say; how was she going to start this conversation?

"So it seems that Ron and you have become quite close again," Molly said after they sat in silence a moment drinking their tea.

"Yes," Hermione said almost smiling; I guess I didn't have to be the one to bring this up, she thought wryly.

"He's been waiting for this day for awhile now," Molly said closely watching the woman in front of her. "We all have."

"So have I," Hermione sighed, knowing what was coming next.

"I still don't get what happened," Molly said. "Why you two broke up when you were so obviously still in love with each other? Why you couldn't make things work when you found out about Arthur? Why you haven't come to the Burrow in the last seventeen years … you know that we love you like a daughter too …" it was the last question (statement) that was foremost in Hermione's mind, so it was that one that she answered first.

"I couldn't stand to face you all, mostly you, without Ron," Hermione said in a soft voice that nonetheless carried to Molly. "Because no matter what you say, I know there would have been a difference there. A difference in the way you looked at me …"

"We …" Molly started.

"I can see it now," Hermione said looking Molly in the eyes. "That you care and love me but it's not the same because I hurt your son. Which I understand …"

"But we wanted you around. You were family and you just cut us off," Molly said sharply.

Hermione flinched at these words, years ago she had realized her mistake in letting this fear rule her life (letting Arthur be exposed to these feeling and having him start to mirror them), so that she had lost the family she had grown to love so much. "I was coward," she said in a hollow voice (that pulled at Molly's heart). "I couldn't take that from you lot without Ron by my side," she stated her only defense.

Molly reached out her hand and put it on Hermione's, she could see why the younger woman would feel that way and her heart went out for her, but it still wasn't enough to change things.

Hermione looked up at Molly's eyes and saw that the gap had closed a little but there was still so much to be done before things got better. She will have to explain their break-up to help that; after all, she understood it so much better now.

"About the break up," Hermione said boldly heading into the new category (Molly was shocked by the change in subject but highly interested). Before Hermione continued she heard the snores in the living room stop for a second and then become a little too perfect to be real (so Ron was awake; good he should hear this too).

"Things started to fall apart about a month before we broke up," Hermione said in her businesslike voice she always adopted for moments like this … when she was describing the worst part of her life. "We were fighting all the time (at this Molly snorted) okay, we were fighting more viciously. We were really trying to hurt each other …"

"Why?"

"I didn't know at the time," Hermione sighed; if she had just realized where the fear was coming from they could have stopped this from ever happening. "All I knew was that I was afraid it would all fall apart so I did what I always do … I buried myself in my work and closed myself off to Ron …"

"But what were you afraid of?"

"Him leaving," Hermione said simply. "You see, he left during one of our normal fights … well it was a bad fight but it wasn't anything like the fights we had the last month. Anyways, he left and I cried …. It reminded me so much of the tent …" Molly flinched at that, having heard how Ron had left Harry and Hermione during their dangerous year fighting Voldemort. She could understand that the young woman would have issue with that. "Of course, I yelled at him fiercely when he came back and I thought it was done after that … but it wasn't.

"You see, I never knew why he left in the first place … I mean in the forest … so I didn't know if he was just going to up and leave me again when things got too rough …"

"So you closed some of yourself off to him," Molly nodded; yes, she could understand that.

"Yes," Hermione said. "And that's why Ron was fighting so hard. He noticed the difference right away but didn't know what to do about it anymore than I did. So we fought. Of course, not all the time, there were still many days were we were happy." Hermione paused there thinking about one particular happy moment; the happiest moment in her life up to that point (now Arthur's birth followed closely by the previous night had beaten it out). "But about a week before we broke up … it happened."

"A big fight."

"No, not a fight," Hermione said turning red, she didn't want to talk about this with Molly, but she had to now (and it's not like Molly didn't know they did this for crying out loud … she did have Arthur after all).

"Oh," Molly said comprehension dawning on her and then she looked confused. "How would that break you up?"

Hermione bit her lip, relieved that Molly understood without telling her but not sure how she was going to say this. "It was empty … soulless … dark," she said and her face and voice were devoid of emotion of any kind. "I felt so alone … completely alone …"

"That sometimes happens … but you don't throw away a relationship because of that," Molly said suddenly sharp, "Especially not one like Ron and yours."

"You don't understand," Hermione said fiercely. "I was gutted of everything … I was miserable and completely alone … he was right there next to me … he was feeling the same …" here Hermione broke down and tears were in her eyes but she kept going … she needed Molly to understand. "He was feeling the same damn thing, but I couldn't reach for him … couldn't comfort him … I couldn't even look at him."

"But …" Molly said gently; that did sound more painful than anything she felt. "But you love each other so much … you could have work through that …"

"We tried … the last week," Hermione said her voice devoid of emotion again. "But it hurt to even look at him … to be in the same room as him."

"I see," Molly said sadly, she could see the other woman's point but she still believed there was another way … something else that could have been done.

"That's not even the worst part," Hermione pushed on, this was the heartbreaking part but at the same time the part that made everything more bearable. "It might not have happened at all … we were so close to being happy forever.

"We had a perfect day," Hermione smiled. "One day that we didn't fight but we talked about everything and nothing … we were us again. I knew it wouldn't solve all our problems but I thought we were going to be okay …"

Molly had to smile at the way that Hermione was talking; the other woman's whole body seemed to brighten up when she started describing that day.

"Then something completely wonderful happened," Hermione smiled, she couldn't help it, this was just too good of a thing not to be happy about. "It was … I don't really know how to describe it … it was like we were our own universe … there was nothing between us … I knew everything about him and he knew everything about me … and it was beautiful and wonderful … it felt like even our magic's were combining …"

"It can't possibly be …" Molly gasped with a completely shocked look … and yet it would explain everything and nothing at the same time. No, she needed more information before she said this … it was so unbelievable.

"What?" Hermione said puzzled at Molly's outburst.

"Er … what happened after that?" Molly pressed on.

"We didn't see each other for almost a week," Hermione said, her dead voice back with avenges. "He went on an undercover mission and I buried myself in my work as usually and enough time passed that I was able to doubt everything again … I was afraid I was imagining things … that I was there alone."

"It's okay dear," Molly said moving so she could sit next to Hermione's and pulling her into a hug, the younger woman stayed there a moment, taking comfort, then broke away to finish her story.

"Then that night happened," Hermione said. "And I let my loneliness and fear lead and … and that was it … you know the rest."

"I see," Molly said more understandingly; her mind trying to connect everything to see if what she was thinking was even possible. "So Arthur … when do you think he was conceived?"

Hermione looked shocked (and had turned red) at the question but she had her answer even though she never had a doctor or healer tell her. "The night that we were completely connected … completely in love."

"And you know this, it's not just a feeling," Molly said and Hermione looked fiercely at her but nodded all the same. She smiled both sadly and happily at Hermione and said, "I think I know what happened."

"What?" Hermione asked shocked; there was something about Molly's expression that told her that everything between them will be okay after this.

"You and Ron have created a bond called Concero Animus," Molly smiled and was unsurprised to see that Hermione had no idea what she was talking about. She knew that the younger woman would have known of this bond if it were in any of the books out there but no, this was a branch of magic that was passed down through generation and known only by a few people now.

"What?" Hermione said confused; quickly translating want the words meant and coming up with connected souls. This was intriguing and not just because she had never heard of this (she still loved learning about new things) but because she might get answers to the question that has been bothering her for the last seventeen years.

"Concero Animus," Molly repeated smiling kindly at her and then turned her head unexpectedly towards the living room and yelled. "Ron Bilius Weasley, get in this kitchen now." They waited a moment, which nothing seemed to change in the living room except the snore paused a half second too long before continuing its normal pace (which cause Hermione to try and hide her smile as she took a sip of her now very cold tea). "Ron I know you weren't sleeping … if you don't get in here within a minute I'm going in there to drag you here."

"All right, all right, I'm coming," Ron said grumbling. "You know you're going to wake everyone else up if you yell like that."

"Don't give me that mister," Molly said sharply.

"Besides I cast a charm so no one could hear us," Hermione said smugly.

"Whatever," Ron said sitting next to Hermione. "What?"

"How come you never told me about this?" Molly asked sternly. "I know you know about Concero Animus."

"Mum!" Ron groaned exasperated. "That's just an old witches' tail … it's not real."

"Oh, I beg to differ on that," Molly glared at him.

"What is Concero Animus?" Hermione asked and to her consternation (and Molly's too) and amusement it was Ron that answered.

"It's a magical connection that happens when you're with your soul mate and you bonded beyond that or something," he said rolling his eyes.

"And you can sit here and say that's not true between you and Hermione?" Molly said.

"I know Mione's my soul mate and we are meant to be together," Ron said fiercely. "But Concero Animus is just a legend … a myth … it's not real."

Molly glared at her son for a minute before she turned to Hermione to explain more completely. "Concero Animus is, like Ron said (shooting him another glare) the bonding of two souls. And like Ron said, most people believe it to be a myth since it's something that is really rare … it only happens about once every hundred year, once on the planet."

"See …" Ron scoffed.

"Sh …" Hermione said, listening to Molly intently.

"You see, it's beyond true love or soul mates … it's beyond the normal constructs of love. They say that if forms when the souls go through something extraordinary together and they learn to rely on each other without even thinking about it. No matter what happens they know that they would always be there for each other."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other; that was exactly how they felt about each other.

Molly smiled at them; more proof she was right. "Of course they would have to be soul mates at first, but there's no problem with that one, even Ron can see that. Then they would feel this bond, and if they were lucky they would find a way to connect," she smiled at her very red and uncomfortable looking son. "And after that their souls would forever belong to the other … no matter what they did.

"When I was younger I was sure that I was going to find my soul mate and that we would have Concero Animus," Molly exampled to Hermione's questioning expression. "It was all I could think about and when I met Arthur … I knew we were soul mates. So I foolishly tried to force the connections on him … as if that would work," Molly smiled. "It had to come naturally if it were ever going to happen. It nearly destroyed our relationship but Arthur, in his infinite wisdom and caring, showed me that it was enough to be simply soul mates … that if I stopped to enjoy what I had I'd find I have everything I wanted.

"Anyways, back to you two," Molly said sternly, again looking at Ron. "Of course I told all my children about this, but evidently they all thought I was just making it up."

"Mum, it's can't be this," Ron said less convinced then before but still sternly.

"Fact one," Molly pressed on. "You and Hermione are soul mates." Both nodded their heads. "Two, you obvious formed a bond when you were at school and fighting the war. A bond where you could depend on the other without thinking about it." They nodded their heads again. "Three, you had a soul merging experience." Hermione nodded (smirking) as Ron stared at the floor blushing. "That Hermione believes is the reason why Arthur exists."

"I know," Hermione corrected.

"That you just know in your heart is true?" Molly asked.

"Yes," Hermione said.

"You do?" Ron said looking at Hermione. "I thought the Healer told you …"

"No, I just know," Hermione said.

"And that's proof in itself," Molly said smugly.

"And what makes you say that?" Ron asked.

"Because Concero Animus breaks all magically barriers," Molly said.

"What?" Hermione exclaimed.

"You said it yourself, Hermione," Molly smiled at her. "It was like your magics combined. Well, when that happens it breaks all other magic that are on you or near you at the time. I expect that's why the potion and contraceptive charm didn't work when they were supposed to."

"Er …" Ron said nervously looking at Hermione; if this was true then was Hermione pregnant again after what happened the previous night? Ron looked thoughtfully and then asked the question that Molly was waiting for. "If this is true, then why did we break up?"

"Though it's sad, your breakup is farther proof that his is true," Molly sighed. "It is said that after the merger you are more atone with the others feeling, whatever you are feeling and as long as they mirror each other … they are strengthen."

"Er … what?" Ron said totally confused.

"I think she is saying that because we felt so lonely and afraid at that time that … it's just became worse … filled us with those negative emotions completely … to where that's all we could feel," Hermione sighed.

"Precisely," Molly said sadly. "They warn against being too close to each other when you feel like that … because the feeling is so complete afterwards. If I had known I could have warned you," Molly sighed. She had failed in her adopted mother role; she should have explained this to the girl knowing that she wouldn't have learned this on her own (and that her son wouldn't really pay too much attention to this).

"Molly, it's not your fault," Hermione said kindly.

"You're too kind, dear," Molly smiled weakly at her. "Anyways, I could understand why you would need to … separate after that, thought I don't know why it had to be so long …"

"I was afraid," Ron and Hermione said at the same time, and then smiled sheepishly.

"Afraid that he wouldn't want me anymore," Hermione continued (figuring that Molly already knew how Ron felt). "Afraid that it could never be like before … afraid to feel the emptiness with him again …" she said the last one in barely a whisper but they all heard.

"Yes … I can see that," Molly said thoughtfully. "Anyways, the last thing that proves this is that you couldn't find anyone else to be happy with … or be within any other way …" Molly finished smirking as Ron and Hermione looked at her incredulously; proof of her statement evident on their faces.

"How did you know?" Hermione asked blushing.

"Well, I didn't before now," Molly smiled. "But I believe that you both would have felt it if something would have happened with someone else."

"Felt it?" Hermione said confused.

"Yeah," Molly said. "You would feel that you no longer had the connection between you."

"You mean we would never have been able to get back together?" Ron asked.

"No, of course not," Molly said. "You still would be soul mates; you would just not longer be Concero Animus, no longer bonded together. And there's a possibility that it would have affected Ari, too."

"What?" they both exclaimed.

"Nothing serious," Molly said. "He's just bound to be affected too."

"Right," Ron sighed; he had enough of this conversation. "I'm still not convinced."

"Ron …!" Molly said exasperated, but Hermione just laughed.

"You know he's too stubborn to admitted defeat this early," Hermione said and Molly sighed.

"True," Molly laughed. "Fine, don't believe me, but I know I'm right."

"Well, good for you," Ron said stubbornly but got up and hugged his Mum; if nothing else this at least seemed to help Molly and Hermione's relationship and that was good. "Love you, Mum. I'm going back to sleep, coming Mione?"

"In a minute," Hermione smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Molly said when Ron left. "You were right before … I would have been different with you if you came back …"

"Molly, you really don't have to say anything," Hermione said. "I think we understand each other now."

"You're as smart as ever," Molly smiled at her and embraced her like the daughter she always had been to her; completely letting Hermione in her heart again.

"And you're as caring as ever," Hermione hugged her back.

It was five minutes later that Hermione was back in Ron's comforting arms again smiling at him.

"Better?" Ron smiled.

"Much," Hermione said.

"We need to talk about why I left, don't we?" Ron said gravely.

"Yes we do," Hermione sighed. "I really want to know what happened; but don't worry love, I'm not worried about you leaving anymore or anything like that … I just want to know."

"Yeah," he said then smirked at her. "You just have to know everything."

She made a face at him and he chuckled softly before he kissed her shortly. She turned on her side and he held her as closely as possible again and that was how they were found in the morning.

A/N: I hope this chapter was all right and it explained everything I wanted it to. And if not, sorry but this was the first chapter that I hadn't written in advance and I only started on it on Wednesday night and I sort of rushed through it (not to mention I thought the next chapter was going to go first then realized it had to be this way so …). Anyways the next chapter will have a lot more action in it …