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

A/N: Okay so this use to be a separate story but seeing as I have finished this story now I don't see why it can't just be tacked on to the end of this story; even though, like I said, this material will be in the prequel but I'm likely to write it a little differently.

Now for the people that have read Something to Fight for, I have decided to write some filler chapters that I didn't think would have been in the story but people have asked for. This scene is about Ari finding out that his grandma was hospitalized and what happened after that.

There will be another chapter posted next week after the sixth chapter for Something is up. It will be about what happened after Ari was born and why Hermione took the job in France. I was going to write and post this chapter before but within minutes of writing it I realized that you had to know why Ron and Hermione broke up to understand what was going on so I had to wait until then. Anyways, here's the extra chapter, hope you like it.

Updated 1/23/2021

Outtake

Letter

"I can't wait until break," Ari say. It was one week before Christmas and he was really looking forward to the break, not the least because he was in his fifth year and the workload was really starting to pile up (he was only a few days ahead of schedule for crying out loud).

"Yeah, it really will be nice to be out of here for awhile," Ryn said smiling at her best friend. She looked determined about something and Ari knew whatever it was, it was important. However she didn't seem to be in any hurry to say anything, seeing as it had been ten minutes were they haven't spoken a word to each other but just enjoyed a peaceful (though at the same time tense) silence. "Arthur, we've been friends for a while …" she finally said (groaning softly at the way that she started the conversation).

"Yeah, five years," Ari said smiling at her. He had no idea where this was going but it should be interesting (his heart was beating really fast and he didn't really know why).

"Yeah," Ryn smiled, she seemed to be lost in memories for a second. Then she swallowed and looked very nervous. "I don't want anything to change between us …" she said softly turning red.

Ari's heart was really beating now … what was she saying? Was it what he thought she was saying? Maybe she felt the same way he did … but then that would change their friendship, won't it? Maybe she was trying to let him down easy, having seen the way that he looked at her (he tried to guard it but maybe it was more obvious than he thought). He looked at her attentively trying to get a better clue of what she was saying but she wouldn't look into his eyes and he couldn't read her expression.

She was looking at her hands trying to find the words to say but now that the moment had come, they were failing her. She looked up towards him but at that moment, he know that he couldn't look in her eyes; they would have told him the truth but he didn't know if he could really handle that at the moment (he was terrified of what was going to happen for more than one reason). So he looked towards the doors to the Entrance Hall.

That's when Tori, his other best friend (and cousin) walked in looking grief-stricken. As he stared at her he knew that something was wrong; something terrible happened. His heart seemed to sink as he watched her go to his cousins and Teddy telling them what could only have been bad news.

"Ari …" Ryn said with an expecting look on her face. Damn, he didn't hear what she said; it had to be important what the hell was it? But he couldn't considerate on that because his attention was once again drawn to Tori as she left the Great Hall. He had to go after her … he had to know what happened.

"I'm sorry Ryn, I have to go," Ari said chasing after Tori, completely missing the look on Ryn's face. She was heartbroken and as she watched him chase after the beautiful Tori (who seemed to have everything; brains, beauty and boys affections) it just hurt all the more.

"Tori!" Ari shouted as soon as he left the Great Hall, she was just about to disappear around the corner. "Wait up."

Tori stopped dead and looked back at him in shocked. She had completely forgotten about him … he really would want to know this too.

"What happened?" he asked as soon as he had caught up to her.

"It's Grandma," Tori said in a whisper. Ari's face fell, Grandma Weasley was very special to him. True, he hadn't met her (just like he hadn't met all of his other family members) but she had sent him a Weasley sweater every year since he had started school and there was always a nice note that went with it.

"Grandpa found her on the floor at the Burrow," Tori said nearly crying (or crying again as was the case). "They took her to St. Mungo's. McGonagall is letting us use the Floo to get there."

"How bad is it?" Air asked.

"I don't know," Tori said, "Arthur … come with us," she pleaded. "Grandma would want to see you."

"I can't," Ari said tears in his eyes.

"Ari …"

"You need to go," Ari said pushing her slightly to go up the stairs.

"Fine," she turned to face the stairs. "We'll be in McGonagall's office for a while so if you change your mind …"

"Right …" Ari said swallowing hard. He didn't know what to do. As he watched her walk away part of him really did want to go with her, but he couldn't bring himself to go to the hospital and face his family that he never knew. But she was right; Grandma would want him there (his whole family would likely want him there). How could he just let her down like this? How could he be so cold?

By the time he reached the next door he already knew what he had to do. He would write her a letter; it wasn't as good as really being there but it was better than nothing. So he sat and wrote. Wrote about how he remember the last time he saw her. He wrote about how he had felt the first time he had gotten a Weasley sweater from her. He wrote down everything he was feeling at the moment and half an hour later he left the room and headed for McGonagall's office.

When he got there the gargles had jumped aside for him (he assumed that McGonagall had warned them that he might be coming) and climbed up the stairs two at a time. When he went into the office he was surprised to see Tori and Teddy still there (and that she was crying in his arms, all their normal awkwardness forgotten in this moment of grief).

"I knew you would come," Tori said giving him a watery smile.

"I'm not going …" Ari said awkwardly.

"Yeah, I told her that," Teddy said, he was just as grief-stricken as Tori was (after all Grandma Weasley was practically his grandma too, even if it wasn't by birth).

"I want you to give Grandma this," Ari said handing Teddy the letter.

"Ari," Tori said breaking away from Teddy so she could hug him instead. "I'm sorry I forgot to tell you …"

"It's not your fault really," Ari said. "It's the way I want it …"

"No you don't," Tori said, she was looking at him strangely, like she could suddenly see everything clearly now.

"We better go," Teddy said and Tori let go of him and within the minute they were gone and Ari left the room looking completely lost.

It was hours later and everyone was in the waiting room doing just that … waiting. Everyone was there from Bill to Lily and each of them looked worried. Finally after what seemed like forever a healer came into the room and said, "She'll be fine. She'll need to stay here for a few weeks and after that plenty of bed rest for another month or so but other than that she will be fine."

"What happened to her?" Arthur asked.

"A heart attack," the healer said simply. Ron and Harry looked at each other but no one noticed. "She is awake now and has been asking to see her family. I think we will let some visitors come in, but not all of you at once. I'd say four at the most."

The healer then walked away and the Weasley quickly decided who would see her first (which was her husband, Bill, George (who had become increasingly sensitive whenever someone was hurt since his twin's death) and his wife Angelina). And everyone else waited their turn. Another hour had pasted before Teddy had gotten to see Grandma Weasley and as he was leaving the room he stopped, so that he was the only one in the room with her.

"Grandma," Teddy said, he had always called her that.

"Yes Teddy," she smiled at him.

"Ari wanted me to give this to you," Teddy said handing her the letter. "He wanted to come too … but he couldn't …"

He had trailed off as he noticed her tear up and stare at the letter that was now in her hands. Knowing that she wanted to be left alone so she could read it he left after he wished her to get better and that he loved her.

Molly opened the letter immediately after her turquoise haired grandson (because he really was that to her) left the room. She had always been someone that cried a lot; she couldn't help it she had always worn her emotions on her sleeve and right now she was crying (and she hadn't even open the letter yet). Her hand trembled a little as she open the letter (after all this was from the one grandson that she never got to really know and always wanted to) as she read:

Dear Grandma,

I hope this finds you well and that everything is all right with you. I can't say how worried I felt when I heard that you were sick and I really wish that I could be there for you. I know, hollow words, but it's the best I can do right now, so please forgive me.

You might not know this, but you are very special to me and if anything serious was to ever happen to you, I would be devastated. As I sit here writing, all I can think about is the last time I was at the Burrow for Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny's wedding. It was the last time that I saw you, more than eleven years ago (which I'm sure you know). I was nervous. I didn't really know anyone, I was told about you all but that didn't make me any less nervous. But you, in your infinite wisdom, were able to lure me over to you with the promise of cookies and pumpkin juice. They were the best dam … er … cookies I have ever tasted and I really think you won my heart with that one. I must admit that I did take another cookie when you weren't looking and you thought that you had given it to Teddy so he didn't get any. Now before you yell at me (or at least write any angry letter), I did give Ted my cookie at the wedding so he really did get his share (I really did feel bad about it at the time). Anyways, after you won my heart with the cookies, I remember just talking to you and Grandpa, don't ask me what it was we were talking about I have no idea, but I remember that I liked it. I remember feeling comfortable with you just sitting there talking. Of course then Teddy came in and I had to hide my whole cookie-stealing incident so I quickly pulled him outside and played with him.

It was a while before I heard from you again; it wasn't until the Christmas on my first year at Hogwarts when I was eleven. I had decided to stay at the castle because my best friend Ryn didn't have anywhere to go and no one else was staying … well that's not important. What was important, was you gave be a Weasley sweater. I know what you're going to say, that you made me a sweater every year and that was just the first time I got it (Mum really did feel bad about that by the way … she didn't know that she didn't allow post to get through from the Weasley and she has become obsess with security). I'm kind of rambling here but I'm nervous and worried and that's just what I do when I'm like that. Anyways I got my first Weasley sweater (there was also the delicious fudge (that was gone before I even made it down stairs) too but it was the sweater that really got to me). For the first time, I felt like I was really part of your family, at least in a little way. And the notes that you sent with the sweaters that came after that one, the ones with caring words and your love; I can't tell you how much that meant to me. I know I wrote you thank you notes, but I don't think that I really stated what I truly felt getting them. And I don't really think I can write it now either; just know that it means a lot to me.

I really don't know what else to say Grandma, except I hope that you get well soon and that I love you.

Love,

Arthur

P.S: I would really like to visit you during Christmas break if that's all right with you. I don't think that I'm ready to face the whole family, but I would like to see how you are doing with my own eyes.

Molly really was crying by the end of this letter, but there was also a smile on her face. About that time Arthur (senior) walked in the door looking worried at the state that she was in. "Molly dear, are you all right?"

"Yes," Molly said sobbing. "Here, read this."

It took Arthur a few minutes to read the letter and he too was smiling (and a few tears were in his eyes) by the time he finished. "He really is a caring boy."

"Yes he is," Molly said sobbing.

O

It was two hours after Ari had given Teddy the letter to his grandma and he was alone in his room. He was lying on his bed, trying not to think what could be happening … how bad things could be …

There was a knocking at the door, but he ignored it; he didn't what to talk to anyone right now. However, whoever it was on the other side of the door wasn't going to just be ignored. He really should have known who it was; there is only one person that would knock on the door like that.

"Ari open the door," Ryn said; he had forgot that he had put a spell on the door so that no one could come in useless he wanted them to (he just needed a minute of peace to gather himself and forgot to lower the charm after he obtained it).

"Sorry," Ari said, he had gotten up and opened the door. He didn't want to talk to anyone but right now he really did want Ryn to stay with him.

"You know you were a really bas …!" Ryn started yelling, she was obviously upset about something (and he vaguely remembered her trying to tell he something at breakfast) but once she noticed the look on his face the anger evaporated in a second. "Ari, what happened?"

"My … I …" Ari stammered but was unable to say anything. Before he could even attempt to say anything more she pulled him into a hug. And it wasn't the quick friend hug they normally gave each other either. No this hug lasted minutes and Ari was reveling in the feeling of it. Holding her in his arms like this just made everything seem better.

However, too soon for Ari's liking, she pulled away and said, "tell me what's wrong … it will make you feel better."

"Right," he said looking into her eyes. He lost his words again as he looked into her eyes. It was peace; he didn't have to think when he looked into them. He just felt like everything was going to be okay as long as he kept looking into her eyes. So he didn't say anything, because right in this moment he felt safe and comfortable.

But moments later (or at least it seemed like moments to him) she closed her eyes. He looked at her confused. At first as to why she closed her eyes (didn't she know what comfort she was giving him) and then because he saw tears there. What did he do now? How did he screw this up?

"I get it now … I was so stupid …" she said backing away from him.

"Ryn," he said looking confused, but knowing that something had gone wrong and he couldn't let her go.

"I'm sorry …" Ryn said and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Ryn," he shouted, attempting to open the door but it wouldn't budge (she had sealed the door shut). He quickly retrieved his wand and opened the door but he knew that it was too late, that she was gone and he wouldn't find her (at least not for a while). He rushed down stairs and asked the first person he saw if they had seen Ryn (well actually he said Cathy seeing as that's what everyone else except Teddy, Tori and himself call her) go up the girls' dormitory, which she hadn't. He made his way to the portrait hole but before he got there his cousins and Teddy all walked in. His pursuit of Ryn would have to wait a moment … he had to know how his grandma was doing.

"How is she?" he asked.

"She's awake and feeling better," Teddy said. "But she had a heart attack and has to stay at the hospital for a few weeks."

"But she's going to be all right!" Ari said hopefully.

"Yeah, the healer said she'll be fine," Tori said.

"Good," Ari smiled; that was one worry down, now all he had to do was find Ryn and everything will be okay again.

However, Ari didn't find Ryn that night and he didn't see her all the next day either. It wasn't until Monday during breakfast that he was able to find her at last; she was hurrying eating her food and he was under the impression that she didn't really want to see him right now. However, he wasn't going to let that stop him from talking to her.

"Hey," he said sitting down across from her. She shifted when she heard him and didn't look at him at first. "Look I'm sorry … I didn't …" he tried to talk but he didn't have any idea what to say.

"It's all right," she said coldly, still not looking at him.

"Would you look at me," he said in his most pleading voice. "Please."

"Fine," she said looking at him. He didn't know why but something was different about her stare and he didn't like it.

"I'm sorry about the other day," he said, willing her eyes to change back into the ones he was use to seeing. "It was a bad day … and I know that I acted like a prat but …"

"It really is okay, Ari," she said, a moment of the old look in her eyes before it was squashed by the indifference that she was trying to portray. "We all have bad days … I can't blame you for that."

"You're still angry," he said.

"I wouldn't say angry," she said softly. And she was right, it wasn't anger in her eyes that she was trying to keep from him … it was something else … something worse.

"You were trying to tell me something," he said and she flinched a little. "But I didn't listen."

"It's not important," she said in voice that told him that it was anything but the truth, the indifferent tone she was using was a little too cold.

He couldn't take this; he wouldn't let this happen. He then reached out and grabbed her hand in his own. She looked at their hands for a second and then back into his eyes and the look was back, the comforting hopeful look that he loved so much, and for a moment he thought that everything would be okay.

"I know …" he started.

"There you are, Cathy," Peter Erickson said sitting next to Ryn.

"Oh, hey Pete," Ryn said nervously, giving Ari a futile look.

Ari looked at the two of them, his heart pounding. Why the hell was Peter Erickson sitting next to Ryn? He's a bloody Ravenclaw; he should be sitting at his own damn table. He should not be sitting next to Ryn; he should not be looking at her like that.

Ari hadn't notice that he had dropped Ryn's hand; he didn't notice that his hands were now clutched in fist or that his eyes were bulging out. All he knew is that his heart was pounding in his chest and he was dreading what was coming next.

"So, are we still on for tonight," Peter said. "Studying for charms?"

"Yeah," Ryn said still nervous.

"Good," Peter smiled then leaned in and kisses her. It was only a second (less really) but the meaning was clear and Ari couldn't stand it.

Ari glared at his plate, a range of emotions were taking over him at that moment and he didn't know which one was the strongest. He was shocked, angry, stricken, and confused to name a few.

"So, you were saying," Ryn said (Peter was walking back to his own table now).

He continued to stare at his plate, he couldn't look at her; he wouldn't let her see the heartbreak he was going through. He had to get out of there. He was about to explode and he couldn't do that around her. "It's not important," he said in the calmest voice he could muster and got up not even looking at her.

"Ari …" she called after him (and if he was in a better state of mind he might have heard the hint of worry there but as it was he didn't hear anything). He kept walking, because he couldn't stay there.

Once he got himself to a secluded area he let his emotions out, first my hitting the wall with his fist and then a few tears sliding down his face.

O

It was a week and a half later, Christmas was two days ago and he was at St. Mungo's to visit his grandma. The last week of school was torture for him as he tried to hide from his best friend because every time that he looked at her, his heart would give an uncomfortable lurch and he'd feel sick. However, now he was excited and a little nervous to see his grandma again after eleven years.

"Don't worry Arthur, you'll be fine," Hermione said as she sat down at the waiting room.

"Right," Ari said. "Well, here I go." And he walked determinedly to the room that he knew that his grandma was in and knocked on the door. They had decided (via owl) that today would be a good time for Ari to come (and Molly made sure that none of her children visited her today).

"Come in," Molly said sitting up in her bed looking at the door. Arthur was also in the room sitting on a chair next to his wife.

"Hello, Grandma," he said nervously.

"Don't just stand there," Molly said impatiently. "Get over here and hug me … don't make me get up …"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Ari laughed and quickly hugged his grandma.

"You've grown so much," Molly said after she had released him.

"I know; that's really shocking isn't it?" Ari said sarcastically.

"Such a mouth you have," Molly said sternly.

"Sorry," Ari smiled. "It has a mind of its own sometimes."

"So how have you been?" Molly said.

"In general, I've been good," Ari said. "Ho …"

"You look a little sad," Molly said.

"Do I?" Ari smirked; she was really perceptive. "Well, my grandma is in a hospital …"

"That's not it," Molly smiled.

"No … seeing as you are doing fine, I'm not that upset about that now," Ari smiled. "I'm having a little fight with my friend … it's not that much."

"Right," Molly said with a knowing look.

"How are you doing?" Ari asked trying to change the subject.

"A lot better," Molly smiled. "The healer said I could leave tomorrow."

"I'm glad to hear it," Ari smiled too.

"What are you doing?" Molly asked sharply which startled Ari but she wasn't talking to him. It appeared that Arthur was playing with something in the corner (trying to give the other two space to talk).

"Nothing, Molly dear," Arthur said in a nervous voice with his hands behind his back (if he wasn't guilty about something, Ari thought, I didn't know who was).

"What is that?" Molly said. "Show me it."

Arthur swallowed hard and paused only a moment before he showed his wife the remote control he had.

"Arthur!" Molly said exasperated. "You brought that thing in here …"

"Now, Molly dear, don't get upset," Arthur said and she glared at him. "Just the other day weren't you complaining that I wasn't treating you like normal."

"Yes," Molly sighed. "But that didn't mean I wanted you to bring one of your remodel converters in here. Especially with Arthur visiting us …"

"I know, I'm sorry," Arthur said. "I just can't seem to figure out how this works …"

"Can I see it," Ari said laughing; he was finding the interaction between the two quite endearing.

"You don't want to see that," Molly said impatiently.

"Actually, I've always been fascinated about how Muggles got thing to work," Ari said. "I took apart the toy car that my other grandpa gave me for by eighth birthday and it took grandpa and me nearly four hours to get the thing running again."

"Really," Arthur said excitedly, no doubt happy that he finally had someone to share his passion with.

"Yeah," Ari laughed and looked at the controller in Arthur's hand while Molly smiled at the two of them. She was still exasperated about the whole thing but it really was a nice picture watching the two of them talk excitedly over the stupid square box thingy that was in her husband's hands.

It was about half an hour after that and Ari was about to leave. "Thanks for coming Arthur," Molly said sadly hugging her grandson.

"Thanks for having me," Ari smiled at her.

"When will we see you again?" Molly asked.

"I don't know," Ari said, "Maybe over Easter break or something."

"That would be nice," Molly smiled wider … she didn't want to go years without seeing her grandson again. "And Harry, Ginny and the kids could come over too."

"Yeah," Ari smiled. "I think I'd like that."

"Good, see you then," Molly smiled and he left.

O

It was about two months after that, Ari was back in school and he had hardly talked to Ryn during that whole time. He wasn't avoiding her like he was before; he could stand being in the same room as her again as long as Peter wasn't anywhere near them (and seeing as he wasn't allowed in the common room that was often enough). But he still didn't know how to talk to her like he did before, because every time that they were alone he felt this pain in his chest and he couldn't take it. So, the only time that he really saw her was when they were hanging out with their group of friends and somehow that arrangement just made it even worse for him.

At this moment Ari was heading to the Gryffindor common room, he had just finished studying for his Transfigurations test and he was really looking forward to taking a break … maybe pulling a prank on Fred if he had the time.

"Ari …" he heard his name being called by the one person that he didn't really want to hear form at the moment (and yet he was really glad she was talking to him).

"Yeah," he turned around and faced her.

"What happened?" Ryn asked sadly.

"What do you mean?" he tried to play innocent but he knew what she meant (and that she wouldn't buy his act).

"Why haven't we talked in months?" she asked boldly. He smiled sadly at that … she never beat around the bush.

"I'm sorry," he sighed. "I just can't now."

"I miss you," she stated.

"I miss you, too," he said.

"Then talk to me," she implored.

He sighed again; that's all she really wanted wasn't it? She wanted him to talk to her. He realized that now. Why she was so angry in the dorm that day months ago? It wasn't only because he didn't listen to her but he also didn't tell her what was bothering him (not that she really gave him time to, he barley had a minute before she left him).

"What is it?" she implored again.

"Just something that I have to work out on my own," he said; he had to work out how to be in the same room with her; talk to her without having his heartbreak.

"Okay," she sighed, and she turned to walk away.

"You're still my best friend," he called after her. He wasn't going to let her leave again without her knowing that he cared. "I just need time."

She turned around and smiled at him and though it wasn't happy … it wasn't the sad smile she had been giving him (there was a little hope there). "Just don't take too long."

"I'll try not to," he smiled back and he noted that things were getting better already.

O

It was a week later, the day before Easter break and Ryn came into the room looking a little flustered but otherwise her normal self. Ari smiled at her, she was just so cute when she was like that and for the first time in months he didn't feel pain when he thought that. It was time.

"Ryn, are you okay," Ari said.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said a little tensely but otherwise truthfully.

"So what did you get for you last charms exam?" he asked cheerfully.

"What?" she said sounding confused.

"It's not that hard of a question," he smiled at her. "Do I have to say it slower for you to understand?"

"Shut up Ari," she laughed slapping him. "So you're talking to me again."

"Yeah, I guess I am," he laughed too.

"Are you ever going to tell me what that was about?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Nope, not likely," he grinned.

"You're so frustrating," she said, but she was smiling.

"But isn't that what you like about me," he said. "I always keep you guessing. That you know me the best one minute and the next you don't know me at all."

"Yeah, I guess that's true," she sighed, and looked down at her hands, contemplating something.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"I just broke up with Pete," she said still looking down and didn't see the smile broaden on his face. "I shouldn't have ever gone out with him."

"No, you shouldn't have," he laughed, his heart really soaring now, what a good day to get back on her good side. "He wasn't good enough for you."

"And who is?" she looked at him searchingly.

"I don't know," he said, "Teddy maybe."

"Oh come on," she laughed making a face, "He totally in love with Tori."

"I know, the perfect bloke for you to like then," he laughed. "But seriously, you should go out with someone that knows something about you."

"Pete knew things about me," she said defensively.

"Yeah, but he didn't really know you," he smiled at her. "And there's no point in arguing with me because I know that you don't really care about him either."

"You do, do you?" she smiled at him. "And what makes you said that?"

"Well, right now of course. You don't even look that upset about it," he said; of course the whole time they were dating he thought that she was really happy (he couldn't get close enough to her to know that she wasn't).

"You're right as usually," she said. "Ari …" she said after a pause.

"Yeah," he said.

"Don't do that again," she said. "Don't stop talking to me."

"I'll try not to," he said softly.

They sat there talking the rest of the night until they went to bed. It wasn't perhaps as comfortable as it use to be in the past but they were able to talk and he knew that things would be back to normal soon.