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

Updated 1/21/2021

Chapter Eleven

What Happened Part Two

Ari, Ron and Hermione stayed like that for a while, all of them finding peace in the embrace. However, they had to eventually let go and see how bad thing really are.

"How are you, Arthur?" Hermione asked as she let go of her son, but was still looking at him with concern.

Ari opened his month half expecting (and hoping) that he would be able to speak this time, after all just having his parents in the same room as him was making his head clearer. However, like before, no words came out and the more he struggled to say something the harder it became.

"It's okay, Arthur," Hermione said, noticing his struggle and pulling him into a hug again.

Ari pulled away and looked at his Mum sadly before he shrugged and waved his and in a side motion in a so-so manner. He was trying to say, 'I'm as well as can be expected.'

"You've got to be better than that," Hermione smiled at him; but when she continued the smiled faded and her voice was hollow, "after what you've been through."

Ari sighed, but smiled moving his head to the side as he shrugged 'I guess you have a point there.'

"Don't I usually," Hermione smiled at him again.

Ari looked at her confused; it was like she was reading his mind but he knew she couldn't do that (she never learned Legilimency).

"What's the matter?" Hermione questioned worriedly.

Ari point at her then opened and closed his mouth at few time (not trying to speak but to show what he meant), still looking at her confused. 'How do you know what I'm saying/thinking?'

"I don't know, it's easy, I guess," Hermione said to him and then looked at Ron. "Isn't it easy?"

"What?" Ron asked totally confused as he looked between the two of them shaking his head. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"Don't curse, Ron," Hermione said automatically but looking thoughtful at the same time. "You don't know what he's saying?"

"Not a bl … clue," Ron said still looking confused. "He's just looking at you and you're talking to him … I'm sorry, but I have no clue what he is saying and can't understand how you would know … Er … I mean maybe with some time I will, no offense Arthur," Ron added at the end not wanting his son to get depress about this.

Ari rolled his eyes in a certain way and shrugged his shoulder smiling slightly again. 'Don't worry, it's what I expected.'

"Er … what did he say?" Ron asked looking at Hermione.

"It's what he expected," Hermione said.

"Is that what you said?" Ron question this time looking at Ari, who was nodded his head in affirmation (no need for a translator for that one, Ron smiled to himself). "How are you doing that, Mione?"

"I don't know," Hermione sighed; frowning slightly, she was deep in thought. "When I looked at him I just know?"

Ari grabbed her and stared straight into her eyes smiling, 'You know me well.'

"I suppose you're right," Hermione said; she just knew all his mannerisms and looks so it was natural for her to pick up what he means when he looks at her.

"What?" Ron asked.

"I just know him," Hermione smiled. "I suppose it's from all the time I spent with him, picking …"

"Oh just rub it in," Ron said a little bitterly but smiling at the same time. He was just glad that she was able to understand Ari (and I probably wouldn't have been able to understand him even if I did raise him, Ron thought to himself, I'm not that observant).

For the next half an hour there really wasn't much more talking between them. Ari had returned to the corner he was sitting before and patting the spot next to him, inviting his parents to join him. As soon as Hermione sat down, Ari leaned his head onto her shoulder and she put her arms around him bringing him closer to her. He had always been close to his Mum, and took great comfort in her presents, but if he were in his normal state he wouldn't have allowed her to hold him like this. However, he wasn't in his normal state and he didn't know if he would ever be again, and he felt safe and more like himself the closer he go to his Mum. When his Dad sat down next him too, on his other side, Ari smiled at him and grabbed one of his hands (it just felt like the right thing to do), and then he put his head back on his Mum's shoulders.

They stayed like that for the rest of the time there, but right now Hermione was trying to get up.

Ari was looking at her confused as he held on to her shirt with his free hand. 'Don't go.'

"I want to see the healer," Hermione smiled at him, "I want to know what's going on, but don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Ari still looked at her sadly but let her go nodding his head. 'All right, but come back as quick as you can,' (though he wasn't sure she got the second part).

As Hermione made her way to the door, Ron got up and followed her. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked as soon as they were outside the door.

"I …" Ron said.

"Go back in there … only one of us needs to get a healer," Hermione said. "I don't want him to be alone."

"I think you should go back in there, and I'll talk to the healer," Ron said.

"I really want to speak to the healer in person," Hermione said. "I have lots of questions that need to be addressed, and I think it's best if I'm the one asking them."

"Right," Ron sighed. "Then I can go and get the healer and bring him here."

Hermione confused looked vanished in a second and she was now smiling, almost laughing, at him. "You're afraid of being alone with Arthur aren't you?"

"Terrified," Ron confessed, there really was no point in lying to Hermione, she knew him too well too. "I can't speak to him … I won't be able to understand …"

"We weren't speaking a minute ago," Hermione smiled encouraging at him. "And if you do talk … I'm sure you'll be fine."

"I guess," Ron sighed. "But you were there before …"

"Don't worry love," Hermione said leaning up to kiss him. "He wants you there, and you'll be fine … I know it."

"Right," Ron said nervously but taking comfort from Hermione's reassurance all the same. He then turned to walk back into the room more confidently than he was before, which quickly evaporated when he looked at Ari. He was still in the same corner that they left him in, but he was now standing, with his arms crossed glaring at his father. Ron gave an audible gulp as he looked at his son; there was no doubt that Ari had heard him.

O

The first thing Hermione saw when she walked out of the hallway that Ari's room was in as she looked for the healer was that the visiting room had three people in it. Harry was sitting in one of the chairs, looking at the floor with a lost expression. In his arms was Ginny, who had her head resting on his shoulder with a somber expression. Molly was sitting next to the two, looking a little more hopeful and together than the others, so it wasn't surprising that she was the one that noticed Hermione.

"How is he?" she asked, standing up from her seat.

"Better than I expected," Hermione said smiling and the two women looked relieved by the news.

Harry looked up at Hermione, noticing the hopeful and light tone she was using. "Really," Harry said.

"Yes," Hermione sighed when she looked at her friends, she could see that all too familiar guilt in his eyes but she didn't have time to deal with that now. "I'm looking for the healer in charge of Arthur's case … do you know who that is?"

"Healer Moon," Molly said, they had spoken to him earlier, but haven't learn much about Ari's condition. "But he said that you would need to speak to healer Strout too … He's a specialist …"

"Right," Hermione sighed at the word specialist. It hit her like a ton of bricks that her son might never be the same again and now that she was away from him it was easier to feel the full force of what happened and the despaired that went with it.

Harry immediately got up to hug her as soon as he saw the look in her eyes; it was his natural reaction to seeing her this way. Hermione closed her eyes and hugged her friend back, taking comfort in his arms (which were so different then Ron's but reassuring at the same time).

Ginny smiled at the two on how easy it was for them to comfort each other, especially when she thought about how difficult it was for her to get him there in the first place:

"We're going to the St. Mungo's, too," Ginny said to Harry as soon as Ron and Hermione had left.

"We can't go," Harry said not looking at her and giving his ready-made excuses. "I told you they are likely watching the place … it wouldn't be safe if I made such a public appearance there."

"That's rubbish and you know it," Ginny said sternly.

"It's true," Harry said firmly but he wouldn't look her in the eyes; she would know everything he was feeling as soon as he did that.

"It probably is, Harry," Teddy said. "But I don't think they would attack you if you do go there … not this time at least."

"What does that mean?" Bill asked. He had been giving his daughter and Teddy a critical look since he had gotten home and noticed how close the two were (no one had told him of how his daughter greeted the boy when he first got there, yet). It wasn't like he was surprised by their sudden closeness (they had usually shied away from contact with one another if they could help it), he knew this was going to happen sooner or later; he was just hoping for a little later (he wasn't ready to give up his daughter so soon).

"They told us we were distractions," Teddy said bitterly. "It's unlikely they would attack you if you do decide to go the hospital, Harry."

"But then I'd be doing what they want me to," Harry tried a different route knowing this argument would be futile.

"Oh, no you don't, Harry James Potter!" Ginny said fiercely. "You are going to that hospital … You're going to support your nephew … and your friends whether you want to or not. It doesn't matter if you are going to give the Bloody Death Eaters what they want … you have to go …"

"Gin," Harry said in a pleading voice looking at her for the first time in the eyes. He was giving her the full force of what he was feeling; all the guilt he was feeling, his desire to run away and curl in a ball in self-pity or his need to go out there and crush any Death Eaters he could find.

She just sat there staring back at him taking all the pain that he was throwing at her and whispered so only Harry could hear, "they need you … all three of them need you." She knew it was a low blow; Harry could never refuse his friends anything and she was counting on that to get him there. However, it was more than that, she knew if she let him have the space he wanted he was just going to implode and they didn't have time for that now.

"Fine," Harry finally said.

"I want to go, too," Teddy said immediately.

"No," Harry said.

"I need to know if he's okay," Teddy explained. "I need to know what happened."

"No", Harry repeated. "You have to stay here."

"But it's safe …" Teddy exclaimed.

"You're staying," Harry said firmly, there was no way he was going to let Teddy out of safety again.

"Fine," Teddy said sadly, holding Tori closer to him in his disappoint of not being able to go, but at the same time knowing that Harry had a point.

"Well, I'm going," Molly said. It wasn't a request and she wasn't going to let anyone stop her from going to that hospital (which Harry smiled at, having no intention to stop her from getting what she wanted).

After that other people voiced their want to go, but Harry said no, "They did all this to make a distraction, I'll be damn if I let them get want the wanted. Bill you're in charged. We got the supplies you asked for, they are in the kitchen, do what you can with them."

"I will," Bill said nodding his head and seconds later the three of them Apparated to St. Mungo's.

Ginny was snapped out of her reverie when she heard Harry say, "Do you want me to go with you?"

"That probably would be best," Hermione smiled at him. Harry looked at Ginny, making sure she was okay with this, which she was and then the two of them walk away.

"That's why it was hard for me to see that Ron and Hermione could have Concero Animus," Molly said, she was watching the two friends as they left.

"What?" Ginny asked looking confused.

"They seem bonded as well," Molly sighed.

"Harry and Hermione?" Ginny questioned, raising one of her eyebrows.

"Hm … no, I would have to say all three of them," Molly said smiling slightly this time.

"Well, I know Harry trust them explicitly," Ginny said. "And I think they trust him as much as they trust each other … in the same way they trust each other too."

"I see," Molly said thoughtfully.

"Well, after everything they went through when they were younger it can't be a shock that they would all be so close," Ginny said defensively. "And after … when they broke up … I don't know, Harry just seemed like the only thing that either of them could really count on …"

"Right," Molly said suddenly smiling, it was odd to say the least, to be that closely connect to someone else after Concero Animus had been established, but in this situation is wasn't that hard to believe. Ginny was right, the three of them formed an unbreakable bond when they were younger and fighting together to save the world, and when the two broke up, Harry was there to keep them both going. Maybe the reason that this was never heard of before was because there was never been a couple with Concero Animus that loved someone outside their bond in such extremes and in such equal measures before.

O

Back in the padded white room Ari was still glaring at his father, who was looking just as uncomfortable as he was when he came back into the room three minutes ago.

"You heard me, didn't you?" Ron said and Ari nodded his head. "Great," Ron sighed he really didn't want that. He then muttered Muffliato; he didn't want anyone over hearing what he had to say (not that they would say anything important but he didn't want people to hear them anyways). "Sorry, but I'm still nervous about being around you," he though honesty was the best way to handle the situation now.

Ari raised his eyebrows and loosen his stances a little. 'I'm still nervous too.'

"Er …" Ron said having no idea what that meant.

Ari laughed at that, he couldn't help it; his Dad's confused look was just too funny not to laugh at. He started to relax after that, which in returned made Ron relaxed too. Ari made a wavy sign moment with his hand and then pointed at the floor. 'I wish Mum were here.'

"Er …" Ron said still confused and Ari sighed and rolled his eyes exasperated. Ron chuckled at that and then said, "Try it again … er … one word at a time."

Ari moved his hand in the wavy motion again, making a semi circle and then moved his hand into two smaller and quicker semi circles. Ron shook his head still confused, so Ari repeated the hand motion and pointed at the door.

Ron stood there for another moment until he suddenly smiled and said laughing, "is that supposed to mean Mione?"

Ari nodded his head smiling that his Dad got it.

"I don't think she's going to like that one," Ron said still laughing; Hermione never liked her wavy hair after all (but Ron thought that hand motion suited her nicely). "You wish she was here," he continued and Ari nodded his head smiling. "You and me both kid. So what's my hand motion?"

Ari put his hand to his month as he thought when the idea hit him. He looked at his Dad and then raised his hand and dragged it down one side of his face, then smiled at him.

"Why is slapping yourself in the face your symbol for me?" Ron laughed.

Ari pointed between their faces rolling his eyes.

"Right … we look alike," Ron said chuckling. "Well at least I'll get you to slap yourself a lot."

Ari glared at him thinking 'I'd like to see you come up with something better.'

"No off the top of my head, I can't," Ron laughed and then the two of them looked shocked at what Ron just said. "I guess it's easier for me to read you when you give me one of your mother's looks," Ron said fondly, Ari had indeed reminded him so much of Hermione in that moment it had been easy to know what he was thinking.

"So do you have …" Ron started to say, but Ari had suddenly gasped and hit himself on the head. What was he doing playing this name game when he has important things to discuss? How could he have forgotten? "What is it," Ron asked nervously, noticing his son's suddenly agitation.

Ari looked at his Dad, now wishing more than ever that his Mum was there because she would understand so much faster, but he didn't have time to waste. He had no idea how to even begin to sign what he needed to know, but he guessed he would start with a name … Teddy.

He grabby the top of his head, pushing his hair back, then he screwed his face up like he was concentrating and slowly moved his hands forward making his hair puff up (he hoped that he was portraying Teddy's Metamorphosing ability properly).

"Are you okay?" Ron asked holding his son. "Do you need some help?"

Ari shook his head fiercely.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Ron asked.

Ari nodded and found that his concentration was slipping, so he took a deep breath hoping that it would help him to regain his cool.

"Where's your mother when we need her?" Ron muttered before he asked, "Are you still signing for a person or is it something else?"

Ari was able to roll his eyes at that question even in his panic state.

"Right," Ron said sheepishly; a yes and no question would work best in this situation. "Is it a person?"

Ari nodded and Ron waved him on to make the sign again. So Ari repeated his previous sign and then looked hopefully at his Dad, who looked thoughtful but didn't say anything. Ari sighed and tried repeating the motion again.

"Oh," Ron gasped this time. "Teddy?"

Ari nodded excitedly, then pointed at himself and made the hand motion for his Mum … 'Yes, he's at mine and my mum's …'

"It's okay Arthur," Ron said not bothering to look at the signs because he knew what his son was going to ask. "Mione and I found Teddy at your flat."

Ari sighed in relief, smiling as he walked to the bed sitting on it and resting against the wall, his moment of panic had excused him. He looked back at his Dad and motioned him to continue, he needed to know if Teddy was really okay.

"Harry wanted us to get supplies from Mione's flat," Ron continued seeming to have the generally idea of what his son wanted. "And Ted was there, which I'm sure you know; it was rather clever plan you had there. He's perfectly find except he's really worried about you."

Ari smiled in relief again. Then there was a silence in the room; neither one knew what to talk about now. The only thing Ari could come up with was asking about was how his parents first date was, though trying to sign that would be difficult (however, it wasn't like they didn't have all the time they needed, and it might be fun playing charades with his Dad). So Ari pointed at his Dad and then made the hand sign for his Mum but then paused not sure how to continue.

"What about Mione and me?" Ron asked after a moment.

Ari sighed and he held up on finger.

"You need a moment," Ron asked.

Ari shook his head.

"Okay, one word …" Ron asked hopefully.

But Ari shook his head again.

"One?" Ron asked confused, like he was grasping at straws.

Ari laughed but still shook his head.

"Er … first …" Ron said still confused and when Ari nodded he said. "Mione and my first … our first date," Ron said smiling as Ari nodded his head again. "It was amazing. You know it was the day before the attack on Harry so we didn't have much time to revile in it. All I can said is that it was wonderful," Ron whole face light up as he spoke, and he continued to speak in a daze like state. "Bloody hell it was wonderful seeing her again and weird … I mean I saw her the week before but it was different seeing that day … but hell it was incredible being that way with her again … completely …"

Ari looked horrified at his Dad as images he really didn't want to think about came to him. He really shouldn't have asked his Dad about this. He wasn't sure that his Dad was actually saying what he was now forced to think about, but now that it had entered his mind he couldn't get rid of it. Ari grabbed his head and started to fidget at that, something that Ron noticed immediately and caused him to come out of his reverie.

"What's the matter Arthur?" Ron asked. "Are you all right?"

Ari looked at him with a disgusted, horrified glare and shook his head.

"What … Oh …" Ron said; the things he was saying suddenly dawning on him. "That's not what I was saying."

Ari looked at him hopefully for a second, but then looked skeptically at him before he pointed at his Dad, shook his head … paused …. Then brought his hands together like a slap and rubbed them followed by the gesture for his Mum. 'So you didn't … er … connect (it was the most descriptive word he was willing to think of) with Mum?'

"Er …" Ron said not really understanding the hand gestures but the question couldn't have been clearer. He really didn't need to say anything after that though; it was obvious to Ari by the look on his face what happened.

Ari groaned and looked away from his father again disgusted.

"It was … it was beautiful …" Ron said not really sure what was compelling him to keep talking about his.

Ari groaned again, shaking his head and banging it on the padded wall, how he wished, in this one moment, it wasn't padded so he could do something to drive what his Dad was saying out of his mind. How the hell his Dad could think he wanted to hear more about this was beyond him.

"… Like when you were conceived," Ron continued to talk mindlessly, he didn't know why, but he wanted his son to understand that it was something special that happened between Hermione and him.

Ari did stop his pondering of how he could tune his father out after that piece of information, now looking thoughtful. Hadn't his Mum always told him how special it was, that she knew that his father and her where completely and totally in love when he was made? He knew he wasn't plan (his Mum would have waited until they were marry if he had been). He had asked Harry once if his Mum would have been better without him (he was ten at the time and very aware of what a family should be like). Harry, of course, assured him nothing could be farther from the truth and that was when Hermione walked into the room having heard the question and explained to him that she thought he was a miracle. How it literally felt like their (his Mum and Dad's) magic had combined so that they could both have the one thing that they truly wanted (the one thing that could get them through their separation).

Ari put his hand up to stop his father from saying anything more (it would only cause him to lose his train of thought), as he thought over what his Dad had just said. What he was thinking wasn't possible was it? But what else could explain that unexplainable good feeling he felt when he woke up the day Harry was attacked? And now that that he thought about it, wasn't it that same feeling (just magnified a hundred times) that he was feeling when he was at that strange place in his head while he was being tortured? Didn't he feel more connected to his parents now than ever before? Most noticeable his Mum, they were always close, but now it just felt more. Could all these things possible be connected together?

Ari sighed, he could feel that he was right, that his gut was telling him that this was true, but he was still skeptical as to how this was possible. As far as he knew, he never heard of a connection that could possible save him from the torture he went through hours ago.

He turned to his Dad, he was going to have to ask him something that he would prefer never to know about, but he needed to know if he was right (damn, why did I have to be so much like my mum, he thought to himself). He pointed at his Dad, then made the gesture for his Mum, slapped his hands together then rubbed them slowly, and then paused for a second (it was difficult for him to concentrate on this many hand signals and he was losing track of what he wanted to say). 'Did you and Mum connect …?'

"Er …" Ron said. "Did Mione and me sh …" Ari closed his eyes and pinched his nose, he really didn't want to hear it put that way. "Er … connect?" Ron said turning slightly red, he didn't like talking about his anymore then Ari did.

Ari nodded his head, signing in relief that his Dad used a milder word (the same one that he used). Then he pointed to himself … rocked his arms like he was holding a baby and then put all ten of his fingers up for a second before flashing them this time only holding up seven fingers. ' …Like you did when I was a baby/conceived, seventeen years ago'

"Er …" Ron said.

"What are you two talking about?" Hermione asked, not liking what she had heard one bit. The matching blushes and the fact that neither one would look at her didn't make her feel any better.

O

It was an hour ago, and Hermione and Harry were going to find the Healer. "Do you have any idea where this Healer Strout is?" Hermione asked her friend.

"He said his offices was down the hall in room 453," Harry said as they walked in the direction that would take them there.

"He said?" Hermione questioned, stopping so she could look at Harry. "You talked to him."

"About a second after we got here he showed up looking kind of grave, but he wouldn't tell us anything," Harry explained. "He said he should talk to you (and Ron) first. About ten minutes later he walked back out of the hall looking flabbergasted but almost excited. So I asked him if he could tell us about Ari now, but he said that he still had test to run before he was sure and that he still needed to talk to you first …"

"Didn't you find that odd?" Hermione asked.

"Of course I found that odd, I mean he was supposed to be talking to you then, but before I could ask him what he meant he shouted where his room was and then left," Harry said.

"I wonder what that was about," Hermione pondered but then shrugged, she was walking to meet him; she didn't really need to think about that now. They continued to walk in silence until they got to the door that said Healer Strout's Office and Hermione knocked.

"Come in," Healer Strout said, he was an elder man.

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger and my son A …" Hermione said.

"Yes Arthur," Healer Strout said looking excited (making him look younger than he was); though upon seeing the other two's faces tried to somber his expression. "He's a very interesting case."

"Can you tell me what happened?" Hermione asked coldly; she didn't like how the healer said her son was an 'interesting case.'

"I've got to start by saying who I am," Healer Strout said. "I realize that you likely have a good idea about that but to alleviate any question you might have I must start there."

"Go on," Hermione said she still didn't know how she felt about this healer but she appreciated his professionalism.

"It would also make things run smoother if you tried not to interrupt me," Healer Strout said. "I'm a magical neural specialist, which means I deal with any problems that are caused by a spell that has affected the brain in some way. No two cases are alike because no two brains are the same. The closest cases that are both alike and related to your son's case are the Longbottoms, which I know you are familiar with (everyone knew how close Neville was to the golden trio). My first diagnostic of Arthur was really similar to theirs." At this point Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but the healer wouldn't let her get it out. "Let me finish, I said that was my first diagnostic of Arthur.

"I took all the test I could think of to try and reach his mind, but to no success … as far as I could tell he was no longer there. Yes, when Neville was here it was obvious the boy had the ability to recognize him; but I only thought that it was to the extent that he realized the safety he felt there. I thought he was able to retain some of his feeling towards people, which is an improvement to the Longbottoms I would say, but still not the news you want to give anyone," Healer Strout said. "When I was walking to Arthur room, it was to tell you the sad conclusion that I had come up with, as Mr. Potter could attested to I'm sure, I was dreading doing it; after all the best thing I had to tell you was that your son would recognized when you were there and took comfort from it.

"Then I saw you," He said now positively beaming. "You were talking to him and what was more was he didn't only understand you but he was able to communicate back to you … I watched you for a while, forgive me, and it was obvious my first diagnostic had to be wrong, so I ran the few test I could without disturbing you, but my results where the same …"

"But he is able to talk … er … communicate," Hermione did interrupt this time.

"Yes," the healer said trying to control his excitement again. "Here let me show you," he added putting up a map of Arthur's brain. "This is a MDMB, Magical Damage Map of the Brain, see this line here," he said indicating a yellow line that traveled across the brain at two different points until they collided into a bulge. "That represents the Cruciatus Curse being used on him and destroying his body's natural ability to speak and form thoughts," he said really gravely with a disgusted tone about what had happened to Ari. "I came back here to see what I missed, a fracture in the line, a fault somewhere but there wasn't any. It was five minutes before you came in here when it hit me what was different about Arthur."

The Healer then added another person's picture of a brain and there was a noticeable difference between them; Arthur's had a bluish glow to it and the other one was just white. "As you can tell the two look very different; the thing is that everyone's brain is supposed to be white …"

"Are you saying that Ari's whole brain is being affected by some kind of magic?" Harry gasped.

"Precisely, Mr. Potter!" Healer Strout said excited once again. "In all my years I've never seen anything like this. Somehow, Arthur's brain has been shielded and protected, though not completely, by this energy."

"What does this mean for Arthur?" Hermione asked.

"I'm sorry but I don't have any answers yet," the healer sighed. "His normal way of communicating has been damaged permanently. However, I believe that his mind is trying to rebuild that, or I should say reroute that so he could communicate in another way."

"It's going to be a long recovery," Hermione said depress; Harry wrapped his arms around her to comfort her, though he looked just as depress as she did.

"Yes … I don't know how long it will take or if it's even possible but the evidence that he is trying is encouraging," Healer Strout said kindly to her, and noticing his change in tone she looked at him. "But, you have to remember, in all reality your son should be gone … that curse should have made him a sort of shell or what he once was … but he's not that. His mind, his thought patterns were all unaffected by the curse."

"That is good," Hermione said smiling slightly; she has to be grateful that she hadn't lost her son altogether. "How did that happened anyways?" she added pointing at the picture of Ari's brain.

"That's the real mystery," the healer said. "It wasn't your sons own defenses, he is quite a powerful boy but he couldn't have produces anywhere enough energy for this. And yet it still seems like it came out of him … Then again it has a unique signature that is so different than Arthur's …" the healer was now speaking to himself as he puzzled over the problem before him. "It has to be someone or I should say some other people's energy but I don't see how that can be possible."

"Healer Strout," Hermione said as an idea suddenly came to her. "Have you ever heard of Concero Animus?"

"Er … I don't believe so," the healer said confused. "Do you know what happened?"

"I'm not sure," Hermione sighed, it would have been easier if he had heard about it but she supposed it made sense that he didn't; it was an obscure legend after all. "I have to talk to someone about it …"

"Well don't let me stop you," the healer said excitedly. "And do tell me what you find out … and please forgive my excitement; it's not every day you are presented with a medical miracle."

"I can understand that," Hermione smiled and shook his hand. "And thank you for everything you are doing for my son." Minutes later Harry and Hermione were out of the office and were walking quickly to find Molly.

"What's Concero Animus?" Harry asked barely able to keep up with the pace Hermione was going. Harry caught Hermione look and chuckle; he knew her better than that, she would never explain anything like this to him until she knew all the answers herself. "Right, I'll just see if Gin knows then."

"So what did the healer say?" Ginny asked as soon as the two came into view. She was sitting next to her Mum and they had been joined my Katie Jordan (formally known as Katie Bell). She was a healer at St. Mungo's and had been the one that had contacted Neville by Flooing to Hogwarts. She was asked, as soon as Teddy and Ari disappeared, to watch out for the boys and to use the Floo network to tell either McGonagall or Neville (it was the quickest way to get something there).

"He's still Arthur but he was serious affected by the curses, however we don't know to what extent, yet," Hermione said a little distracted. "Can I speak with you Molly … alone?" she continued and the three other woman stared at each other confused for a second before Ginny shrugged and walked away (Harry following her), and Katie said she had to get back to work anyways. "Katie …"

"Yeah," Katie said turning to face Hermione.

"Thank you … you really helped," Hermione said gratefully.

"Think nothing of it," Katie said. "I only wish I could have done more." And with that she left and Molly and Hermione were alone.

"So what's this about?" Molly said kindly after they sat in silence for a while; Hermione was trying to think about how she was going to ask this.

"You mentioned that you thought that Arthur would be affected by Ron and mine's Concero Animus," Hermione said. "What did you mean by that?"

"Well," Molly said caught off guard by that question but the girl sitting before her was looking at her so hopefully and determinedly that she could tell this was important. "They say that a child that is born by, not only to people that has Concero Animus but because of it as well, they are always bound by that connection. So, if you had severed that connection with Ron … then Ari would have also felt the disconnect … probably to both of you."

"Can that bond have helped Arthur in some way, could it have been used to protect him from …" Hermione started to ask.

"I imagine that is possible," Molly smiled now understanding why Hermione had brought this up. "I haven't read the book in a while …"

"There's a book?" Hermione asked; she would really like to get her hands on that.

"Yes … I have a copy at the Burrow, but we can't get it now," Molly smiled at Hermione's reaction. "As I was saying, it's said that children born to them would get the good qualities of their parents, usually are very powerful, and strongly connected to their family; the full force of the power of love."

"Last night, I had, no Ron and I had this horrible feeling that something was happening to Arthur," Hermione said.

"Yes, you would be hyper-aware of anyone that is in you bond," Molly said. "In this case that would mean Ron and Arthur …"

"We were drawn together … and we … Concero Animus," Hermione muttered in a small voice, starting to turn red, but didn't let that stop her. "When it was over it felt like our magic left us … went somewhere else …"

"I don't know about that dear," Molly said getting what Hermione was asking. "I've never heard of anything like this happening, but that doesn't mean it didn't. I would imagine that you are right … it would make sense that something in you both understood that your son needed you and you helped him the only way you could …"

"But it might all be a pipe dream," Hermione sighed starting to get emotional. "So I wouldn't have to feel guilty that I was … when Arthur was …"

"It's okay dear," Molly said putting her arms around the girl. Hermione leaned into Molly's embrace, at the moment she really needed to be mothered and Molly was always a good choice for that (she couldn't go to her own Mum because she didn't and couldn't know anything about the warlike situation they were in). "I really think you should get back to Ari … maybe you could find out what happened that way …" Molly said after a few minutes.

"You're right, I do need to get back to Arthur, I promised him I wouldn't be too long," Hermione smiled thinking that she wasn't going to ever bring this up to her son; what she didn't realize was that Ron and Ari would be talking about this on their own.

When she walked back into the padded room her boys were so enthralled in their 'conversation' that they didn't notice she was there; and she was just so amused by them that she didn't want to interrupt.

She saw Ari point at Ron then made this wavy movement with his hands, slapped his hand together and rubbed them slowly then he paused … All she got out of that one was it had something to do with Ron.

"Er …" Ron said. "Did Mione and me sh …"

Hermione's eyes grow as wide as saucers but she couldn't say anything. In her mind however, the same question repeated, why the bloody hell are they talking about this?

"Er … connect?" Ron said turning red.

Ari nodded, and then pointed at himself, cradling his arms like he was holding a baby then held up his hands to indicate the number seventeen. She thought she understood that question better but she was still too shock about their choice of conversation that she couldn't say anything yet.

"Er …" Ron said and somehow that snapped her out of it; she was going to have to move if she was going to curse Ron to oblivion.

"What are you two talking about?" Hermione said glaring at Ron for a while before she walked over to him. "Please tell me it's not what I think …"

"Er …" Ron said looking very uncomfortable indeed. "I didn't mean to."

"Ronald, you were alone with him for an hour and that's the conversation you choice to have," Hermione said placing her hands on her hips … it was a lot less embarrassing when she was yelling at Ron.

"It was an accident and we were mostly talking about other things," Ron huffed; he was never one to back down to her. "Besides, I think that Arthur had something important he was asking … what were you saying, Arthur?"

But Ari was now staring in the corner, looking quite embarrassed.

"Oh great, now we won't …" Ron started to say angrily.

"I believe he asked if we connected seventeen hours ago like we did when he was … er … you know," Hermione said stumbling over the end but still caused both her boys to stare at her incredulously.

"That's right, isn't it?" Ron asked and Ari nodded his head. "How the bloody hell do you do that?" He asked again; still flabbergasted by her.

"Yes," Hermione said ignoring Ron's question (except for the glare she gave him for cursing), as she walked towards her son, who was still finding it hard to look at her in the eye. "We felt you were in trouble … Did you feel something?"

Ari nodded his head as Hermione reached him and put her hands on his shoulders. The feeling immediately filled him as she touched him and he couldn't help but smile at her (the awkwardness leaving). He was still smiling when he looked in her eyes as he pointed to his heart. 'Yes … I felt like I do now …'

"But more," Hermione smiled at him.

Ari nodded his head again, and then moved his head all around making eye connect with his Mum the whole time. 'Yes … and I was somewhere indescribable … and I felt so safe … and I feel it now too … just being here with you …'

"That's sounds like the connection that Ron and I have," Hermione said; Ron was completely lost but just let it go.

Ari pointed between his parents and then to his head all the time smiling. 'Then you and Dad saved me (my thoughts).'

"I guess we did," Hermione said hugging her son again and he quickly hugged her back.

"Right … so what happened?" Ron asked.

"I'll tell you later," Hermione said. "After I get done yelling at you that is." Ron gulped at that but Hermione didn't let him answer because she was now looking sternly at Ari. "And just what is this supposed to mean," she added making the wavy hand gesture. "It better not mean me …"

Ari tried to hold back his smile as he shrugged his shoulders.

"You could have come up with something better," Hermione said making a face. "What's Ron's?" Ari made the gesture. "I get that … because he looks like you."

"Yeah, show her the other one," Ron said, so Ari did the gesture for Teddy.

"That's Teddy right," Hermione said immediately. "Very clever how you captured his Metamorphosing ability. Do you have any more?"

Ari sat there thoughtful for a moment before he brought both his hand in circles over his eyes.

"Harry," Ron and Hermione both laughed.

"I don't think he's going to like that one," Ron laughed.

"Well I can't be the only one that didn't," Hermione laughed too.

They spent the rest of their time there enjoying each other company soon being joined by Harry, Ginny and Molly.

A/N: So I hope it's clear what happen to Ari and about the whole Concero Animus thing (which I'll probably go into more detail in later chapters). I would also like to note that the way Ari will talk now will change depending on who he talking to, and how will they understand him. Anyways, the next chapter will have Harry and the other back on their Death Eater hunt, and figuring out more about who's running the show for them.