At noon the next day, Sunday, an owl arrived at Hermione's window while she and Ginny ate lunch.

"Looks like that's from Mum," Ginny said while she finished her soup noticing Hermione had barely eaten a bite just as she had with breakfast. Hermione took the note from the owl and it was in fact from her mother-in-law.

"It says the family's attendance is required at tonight's Sunday dinner. As we'll be explaining Ron's situation to everyone tonight."

"It will be easier to tell everyone at once. You are used to overwhelming Weasley dinners by now." Ginny smiled. But she got no response from Hermione beyond a nod.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes and then Ginny got up to clean her plate.

"Hermione, without sounding too much like my mother, you really do need to eat."

Hermione sighed, "I'm sorry to be so melancholy, I just can't stop thinking about what happens if they can't find Alexis. What if he never remembers me?"

"We simply can't think that way, Hermione. It's easy to give in to these feelings, trust me I know. But one thing the war taught me was to try to focus on the things we know and we can control. Right now, let's focus on what we can learn from Healer Cruz and what Harry and the Aurors have found. Stay focused on these things and try not to let the what ifs overtake you."

"Easier said than done," Hermione replied but at least she said it with a smile. "Thanks Gin for staying with me but why don't you head home and I'll see you at the Burrow."

"I don't mind staying," Ginny said.

"I know and I really appreciate it, Gin but I'm going to go to the Ministry library and start researching this curse. I need to do something." Ginny smiled, this definitely sounded like her friend. "Plus, Ron will probably need you at hospital so Molly doesn't drive him crazy."

"Well, I did promise him I'd help on that front."

"Go, Ginny, Ron needs you and I need to do what I need to do."

"Ok," Ginny agreed, "But don't be late to the Burrow. Mum isn't opposed sending a Howler to the Ministry library."

Ginny hugged Hermione, "See you soon."

After Ginny left, Hermione set the breakfast dishes to wash magically and headed to the bedroom to shower and change. As she walked down the short hallway, she glimpsed the pictures on the wall in the hallway; her eyes fell upon she and Ron dancing at Bill and Fleur's wedding. They were smiling though still slightly nervous but they looked so happy to have a valid reason to be in each other's arms. Hermione smiled at the picture and the memory but the smile quickly faltered. Ron doesn't remember this moment; he doesn't remember any of their moments. Would he ever? She felt tears start to form in her eyes but she pushed them down and continued to their room. She'll go to the Ministry and research; that will make her feel better.

Hours later and felling terribly dejected, Hermione apparated just outside the protective wards of the Burrow. She, as family, is able to apparate within the wards but she needed a few moments alone before encountering the entire Weasley clan. Every mention of the curse she found in the Ministry library was quickly followed by the fact that no counter curse ever worked except if done by the spell caster. She read multiple stories from the first war of outspoken opponents of Voldemort losing memories of spouses and children; and those Death Eaters would die before being able to cast the counter curse. And unfortunately, the curse doesn't dissipate when the spell caster perished. Usually, research made her feel better but this only made her feel worse. She hoped the warmth and familiarity of the Burrow would ease her feelings.

She entered into the house and it was already packed with all the Weasley's but one. Even Charlie was in from Romania. When she walked in, Molly welcomed her.

"How was Ron today?" She asked.

"Oh fine," Molly responded, "irritable that he needs to stay until Healer Cruz arrives."

Hermione smiled, "that sounds like Ron."

Molly hugged her, "Arthur will explain everything at dinner, dear, you won't have to." Hermione nodded, grateful once again for this family and their support.

"Come on, everyone to the table!" Molly called and everyone started shuffling to the table.

After a few minutes of plates being passed, the table settled and an uncharacteristic quiet fell over the table.

"So, come on, what's the bad news?" George asked. Angelina elbowed him for his bluntness. "What? Something is up with Ron, clearly."

Arthur stood up, "Yes, George is right. Ron is physically fine; he's almost completely healed. However, there is something more complicated." Arthur went on to explain the memory curse and the complications and when he was done the table fell into a stunned silence.

"Bill," Arthur said, "Kingsley is hoping you would join a team of curse breakers to work on finding an alternative solution."

"Of course," the eldest Weasley answered.

"When is Ron coming home?" George asked.

"We aren't sure yet," Arthur replied, "This mind healer, Healer Cruz, needs to examine him."

"So, to Ron, he's totally fine and probably irritated that he's stuck in St Mungo's?" George asked again.

"Irritated for sure," Ginny said, "Hopefully we'll be able to tell him soon what's really going on."

"What about you, Hermione," Fleur asked, "Have you seen him?"

Hermione had been silent throughout Arthur's explanation, "Only when he didn't recognize me yesterday. The healers want me to keep my distance until we figure out the next step." Fleur grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. The two women grew close after Fleur helped Hermione in the aftermath of her torture and now as sister-in-laws, they enjoy a close friendship.

"If you need anything, Bill and I are here."

"Thank you and I know you're all here for me." Hermione said to the entire table.

"Harry," Bill said attempting to take the attention off Hermione, "Any updates on finding Alexis Dolohov?"

Harry, who looked exhausted, sighed, "Not really. We tracked her to the Cornwall coast and then lost her. She'll be deep underground." Ginny eyed him sharply, "But we're working around the clock to find her."

Hermione knew Harry was trying to make her feel better but nothing could warm the chill inside her that said Alexis Dolohov won't be found until she wants to be.

As the table fell silent again, eating dessert, an owl arrived at the window. Arthur retrieved the note and handed it to Hermione, "For you dear."

She took the note and read it quickly; it was from St Mungo's. "Healer Cruz has arrived from Madrid and is going to meet with Ron tomorrow morning. She wants to see me at 10am to discuss."

"Well, that's a step in the right direction." Ginny offered, trying to sound upbeat.

"Molly, Arthur, could you join me?" She asked.

"Of course, dear."

The evening came to an end not long after Hermione received her owl; everyone hugged Hermione and told her to hang in there.

"I think I'll be on my way," Hermione announced.

"Do you want to stay here?" Molly asked.

"Thank you but I think home is better. And Ginny, no need to stay with me. I'm fine."

Ginny looked skeptical but didn't argue. The remaining family members hugged her goodbye and she floo'ed home.

Again, the quiet and emptiness overwhelmed her. She changed into Ron's Quidditch jersey and cried herself to sleep, repeating her precious mantra, "Come back to me Ron." But now it holds a new meaning.

Hermione arrived at St Mungo's the next morning 15 minutes early for her appointment with Healer Cruz. She paced anxiously in the waiting room when her in-laws arrived.

They exchanged hugs and questions about how they slept and then fell into silence until Healer Tate arrived in the waiting room.

"Good morning. Come with me, we'll be using the same private room as before." They followed the healer to the room where a woman was waiting for them.

"Good morning," she said in accented English as she reached out to shake each one's hands, "My name is Sofia Cruz, I am a mind healer specializing in memory."

"Pleasure to meet you, Healer Cruz." Molly said as everyone took their seats.

"I've reviewed Healer Tate's findings and I just spent the last 90 minutes with Ron. We talked at length about his childhood, schooling, the war and these last few years. I can confirm that he was struck with the Memoria Impedimentum Sempiterne curse and the spell caster removed all memories of you, Mrs. Granger-Weasley. This is not the first time I have encountered this curse, though to be honest, it's uncommon. It's incredibly complex and only a truly determined witch or wizard would be capable to do it.

Now, you know all this already. I believe Ron's mind is strong, which is not always the situation in cases of this curse so I am very pleased with that. Because of this I am confident in releasing him from the hospital today."

This made Mrs. Weasley let out a breath and sigh happily.

"However, this curse has been known to have side effects that are dormant and attack the mind later, usually within 10-14 days of the initial attack. So, he must stay on leave from the Auror department for the next fortnight which I have already told him. Given Ron's public image and all of the Wizarding World knowing he is married to his wife, we suggest he stay close to home and not venture into public where people may question him about you, Mrs. Granger-Weasley."

Hermione nodded but had a question, "But we are going to tell him, right? We'll explain the situation?"

Healer Cruz shook her head, "No, Mrs. Granger-Weasley,"

"Call me Hermione, please." Healer Cruz nodded.

"No, Hermione, we are not telling Ron about the curse or you. If this curse has a dormant effect, it could be triggered by introducing the removed person into their life too soon. And that could have disastrous effects on his mind. If the spell caster is not found within 14 days then we will explain everything to Ron, in a safe environment, in my presence to monitor his response."

"So," Hermione's stuttered, "What do I do? Sit around and wait?"

Healer Cruz smiled sadly, "I know it's difficult but yes."

Hermione jumped from her seat, "I can't do that! I can't do nothing." Arthur stood up and placed his hand on his daughter-in-law's shoulder. And despite her best-efforts tears started to fall from her eyes.

"I know this is difficult, almost impossible not to be there to help your husband. But 2 weeks of inconvenience will do so much good."

The room fell silent and then Hermione asked, "And if they never find the spell caster? Or she dies before she can performer the counter curse? How do we get Ron's memory back?"

Healers Cruz and Tate looked at each other and Tate took over, "We know the Minister is gathering curse breakers to work on an alternative."

"But has a successful alternative has never been found?" Hermione interrupted. "Healer Cruz, you've worked with this curse before, has their memory ever been restored without the spell caster?"

The Weasley's and Hermione's eyes stared pleadingly at Cruz but the frown on her face said it all.

"Never," she started, "I've never seen nor heard of a case of the memory being restored without the spell caster."

Hermione's shoulders slumped and she felt like all the breath had been knocked out of her body. She couldn't catch her breath.

"Hermione, dear, are you alright?" Molly asked, alarmed.

"Hermione," Healer Tate asked and walked to her, "We need to get a handle on your breathing, Hermione."

"I can't," she said, "I can't breathe. I can't…without Ron. I can't." And then darkness overtook her.