A/N Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story. I think it will be winding down soon, I have 30 chapters written, so it won't be much more than that. Im also working on finishing 'How to survive.' but the ending of that is undecided as of yet. Please take the time to review and let me know that you are reading and enjoying. Happy reading and don't forget to review!!!

Veritaserum

That same evening Ginny and Lily were at her mother's house. Molly was becoming overly suspicious of her daughter's behavior.

"I haven't been able to get a hold of Hermione or Ron recently." Molly said sipping her tea.

"Yeah." Ginny said. "So have you gotten rid of all the garden gnomes yet?"

"Quit changing the subject Ginny." her mother scolded. "I want to see my grandson."

"So go over there." Ginny said irritably.

"I don't want to intrude…" Molly said.

"That's never stopped you before." Ginny grinned. She hoped her mother would rip into her brother for what he had done. Ron was a terrible liar.

"I think I will go over there." Molly said standing up. "Something doesn't feel right. I have a mother's intuition you know."

Ginny said nothing as her mother entered the floo and called out Ron's address. As the green flames swirled she wished she would be there to see Ron's face pale when their mother showed up.

Ron was reading Hugo a bedtime story when he heard the swish of the floo.

"Be right back buddy." he said standing up and heading for the living room. Hermione had changed her mind and was going to come home.

"Honey, I'm so glad you came back." he said rounding the corner and coming face to face with his mother.

"MUM!" he shouted before stumbling backwards and falling on his bum.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley. I have been trying to get a hold of you for days now. What is going on?"

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

"Well I was just chatting with Ginny…"

"God she has such a big mouth!" Ron shouted before his mum could finish. "I told her that I would handle everything with Hermione. She didn't have to go running to you." he said standing up and stomping around the room.

Molly decided to go with it.

"Well she felt she couldn't hide it anymore."

"It's not like I meant for it to happen!" Ron shouted. "I don't even remember the entire night. How can everyone crucify me for something I'm not even sure happened?"

"What do you remember?" Molly baited.

"Hermione and I had a fight and I went to a muggle bar and got drunk. A woman was flirting with me…I came home smelling of her perfume but I don't remember anything else."

Molly's face turned a shade of red Ron could only imagine pulling off.

"Your sister didn't tell me anything." she said through tightly pursed lips.

Ron turned green.

"I came over to see Hugo and ask why you were avoiding me."

"Mum, look…"

"Where is Hermione?"

"At her parents." he admitted guiltily. "Hugo has been there for a few days as well. She's pretty upset."

"Oh and WHY do you think that is RONALD?" she said, her voice rising slightly.

"I told her that I didn't think anything happened. Look mum it's really none of your business…"

Molly's hand connected with her son's cheek leaving a deep red mark.

"None of my business?" she said furiously. "None of my business?"

"Mum…"

"My family is my business. You destroying 17 years of marriage is my business. You destroying your children's sense of security is my business. How could you do this to Hermione?"

"She's been working a lot and all I wanted was some attention." he admitted.

"So," Molly said calmly. "THIS IS HER FAULT?" she shouted.

"I didn't say that."

"That's how it sounded."

"All I'm saying is I wouldn't even had gone to the bar if she had just…"

"So all Hermione is to you is a sexual outlet?" she asked.

"MUM!" Ron shouted. His face turned even redder if that was possible.

"Answer me!"

"No, of course not."

"Ronald…I am so disappointed in you. I thought I raised you better. I guess I'm a failure as a mother."

"No…mum no, this isn't your fault."

"It must be. I don't know how else to explain your behavior. I'm going to go visit with Hugo for a moment."

"Mum…wait."

"I really can't talk to you right now Ronald. I pray that Hermione can find it in her heart to forgive you. But I wouldn't blame her if she didn't." She said standing up and heading for Hugo's bedroom. Ron buried his hands in his face and knew what he had to do.

An hour or so later Ron left Hugo with Molly watching him and headed for his best friends house. Harry and Ginny were sitting on the sofa watching the telly. He apparated to the front porch so as not to disturb them.

Ginny got up to answer the door and her face blanched when she saw her brother's face.

"Ron!" she said startled.

"Hello Ginevra…" he said in a dark voice. "Just got a visit from mum…"

"Oh yeah, heh heh…" she giggled uncomfortably. "Sorry bout that. She just had an inkling something was wrong. I didn't tell her anything."

"You might have warned me that she was coming."

"And how would I have done that? She flooed directly to your house."

"You could have…called on the phone." he said angrily.

"I was at her house…no phone." she snapped back.

"Are you going to let me in?"

"I don't know." she smirked.

"Is Harry here?"

"Yeah, come on. Harry!" she called.

Harry strolled in.

"Hey Ron. Did you talk to Hermione?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And nothing. She's still mad and I still can't remember."

"Sorry mate."

"I need that Veritaserum. I have to make this right."

"What if you remember something that will not help?" Ginny asked.
"I'll just have to hope that Hermione will forgive me. I'll beg on my hands and knees if necessary. I can't let this go on any longer."

"I don't have any here Ron." Harry told him. "You'll have to wait until after work tomorrow."

"Fine. I'll leave Hermione a note at her desk in the morning. She doesn't want to talk to me right now."

"She'll come around. Especially when you remember that nothing happened."

"Yeah." he laughed. "See you tomorrow." He apparated in an instant leaving Harry and Ginny looking at each other uncomfortably.

The next day Hermione ran into the office to pick up paperwork before retreating to the comfort of the French villa. She still didn't want to talk to Ron and she wanted to get some work done that day. She didn't see his note mixed into the pile of papers she had scooped up. Hermione had no idea that Ron was about to take Veritaserum to prove or disprove his faithfulness.

Ron was in Harry's spacious office, sitting across from his best friend and staring at the small vial on Harry's desk.

"Just drink it Ron." Harry prodded. "It will be fine."

"What if it's not?" Ron wondered. "What if I screwed up and she divorces me?"

"It will be alright. Trust me." Harry said pushing the small bottle towards his best friend. He didn't want to think of his best friend committing such a heinous act.

Ron picked it up, held it for a second and opened the stopper. Harry had prepared tea and Ron placed four drops of it into his beverage. He replaced the stopper clumsily and held up his tea cup.

"Here goes nothing." he said gulping the drink. He finished the entire thing and sat there for a moment.

"Well?" Harry asked. He had questioned many subjects under the influence of Veritaserum and he knew it took a few minutes to fully take effect.

"Wait." Ron said.

Harry looked at Ron who looked as if he was having trouble concentrating.

"So what happened the other night Ron?" Harry questioned. "The night of Hermione's birthday, at the muggle bar."

"I drove to a pub in London. It was crowded. I sat at the counter alone and drank whiskey. Lots of people were dancing."

"Do you remember the woman talking to you?"

"She was sitting at the far right end of the bar, alone. She was tall and thin with bright red hair. I remember thinking that she looked like she could be related to me. She kept looking at me and smiling. I smiled back and the bartender brought me a drink. He said it was from her. I accepted it and held it up to thank her. She did the same. A few minutes later she came over and sat down next to me. Her name was Linda; I don't think she said her last name. She shook my hand. We started talking. She asked me what I did for a living. I told her I was in law enforcement. She giggled. She was very drunk."

Harry stared at his friend taking in everything he was saying.

"She worked as a secretary in an office near downtown London. I asked her if she was married. She said no. She asked me the same. I told her I was divorced."

Harry sighed. He didn't know how much more he wanted to hear.

"We talked a bit more. About nothing much really. She began touching my arm; I laughed at everything she said and vice versa."

"Ron…" Harry said.

"We drank a bit more. A lot more actually. She suggested we go somewhere less crowded. I paid the tab. We walked out the pub and down the road to an inn. She rented a room."

"Crap…"

"We went upstairs. I kissed her. She liked it. She took off her shirt…"

"Ron!" Harry shouted.

"I did it. I slept with her Harry."

"Do you know what this means? What you have done?" Harry yelled.

"Yeah, I'm screwed."

"Exactly."

"I have a solution though." Ron said. The idea had just come to him. "Hermione trusts you. You could tell her that you gave me the Veritaserum and questioned me. You could tell her that nothing happened. It would save my marriage Harry."

"Have you gone barking mad Ron? You want me to lie to her?"

"She would believe you Harry. It would save me from a divorce, my kids from coming from a broken home. Please Harry." he begged.

"You know I can't."

"You are the only one who can help."

"Why not tell her the truth? She might be more apt to forgive you if you are forthcoming."

"Not a chance. Hermione believes in our vows. This is the first and last screw up of my life. Please Harry…"

"I don't think it's a good idea for me to lie. If she ever found out…"

"She won't!" Ron shouted. "I'll take it to my grave. She'll never know. Ever!"

"How can you ask me this?" Harry said adjusting his glasses. "How can you ask me to betray one of my best friends? Hermione is like family."

"We are family…that's why you should do it. Keep our family together. Please Harry."

"I'll think about it Ron. But you are asking me to lie not only to Hermione, but my wife, my mother-in-law, my kids, your kids. This is a serious thing that you want me to do."

"I know that Harry."

"I can't promise anything." Harry said.

"Just think about it." Ron said standing up to leave. "I'm going to go talk to Hermione."

"Good luck."