Harry knocked on Hermione's door at lunchtime on Monday and when she called come in, he entered cautiously.
"Oh, hi Harry," she said with no enthusiasm.
"Lunch?"
"Not today, I'm up to my eye balls in work."
"Hermione, I'm so sorry about Saturday night,"
She put her hand up to silence him, "I don't want to talk about that. Please Harry."
"I know, it must have been awful for you to see,"
"Harry, I've been trying to get that image out of my head since it happened, so please, don't remind me. I know Ginny is worried about me but I really don't want to talk about this."
Harry didn't know what to say, he didn't want to push her but he felt awful for what happened.
"Come over for dinner tonight? There's a great Indian place we found in the neighborhood and you love Indian food. Just come over and we don't even need to talk about it. Please?"
Hermione couldn't deny that it was hard to say no to Harry, he is like her brother. "Fine."
A huge smile crossed Harry's face, "Yes!"
Hermione even cracked a smile at his reaction. "Now, go so I can get my work done and actually make it dinner."
After work, Hermione popped to the flat to unlock the floo to go to Grimmauld Place. When she arrived, Ginny was waiting for her with a broad smile. "I'm so glad you came! I know you needed space but I am Molly Weasley's daughter, I find that concept challenging." Hermione hugged Ginny and laughed.
"I appreciate you respecting me though. I really did need it."
"Well, tonight we are eating and talking and laughing. No mention of memory curses, pubs or that brother of mine." She took Hermione's hand and they went to the kitchen to join Harry. And it was a great evening and Hermione almost forgot about her problems.
Tuesday morning Ron looked at the clothes in his room at the Burrow and realized he didn't have a date appropriate outfit. Especially not for a date with a Muggle like Christine. He knew he had options at home though. Ron was sure his flat was safe for a quick visit but the wards were still up for the mite fumigation and he couldn't apparate. He tried to floo from the Burrow but it was blocked. So, he thought he'd try Grimmauld Place; he flooed over and called out for his sister and brother-in-law but no answer. Not that he was shocked, it was a work day. So, he tried to floo to Cheshire Court and was thrilled when he landed in his lounge. He noticed it was cleaner than he normally left it but maybe mum came in at some point. For a brief moment he thought there were more books on the shelves but didn't pay it too much mind. He had a reason for being here so he headed to the hall the led to his bedroom. He glanced at the wall where he noticed the picture of his family in Egypt all those years ago and couldn't help but smile. But as he continued down the hall another picture caught his eye: it was him at Bill and Fleur's wedding as he recognized the dress robes but he was dancing with a brunette in a red dress. Not only did he not remember that girl he knew he'd never seen that picture. Then another picture, him and the same girl with Harry being presented the Order of Merlin medals. And then another picture of him, the same girl but this time she's in a wedding dress. He banged open his bedroom door and everything looked different. The made bed with a nice comforter, the paint is different and he jumped over to the wardrobe to find it half full of women's clothes. He sat on the bed, stunned and confused. When he noticed another picture on the bedside table. Harry, him and a bushy haired brunette on the Hogwarts Express after first year. He jumped off the bed and ran for the hall, on the way to the door he found his old quidditch jersey on the bed and he grabbed it. He also took a few of those pictures off the wall. And headed for the floo, all thoughts of clothes for a date forgotten. What is going on?
Ginny arrived in her lounge from training, she was sweaty and irritated. Her coach rode them hard today and was concerned that they weren't ready for this weekend's match against Edinburg. What she knew was she needed a shower and a nap. But first, as always, a cup of tea. She headed to the kitchen and just as the water came to a boil she heard the bellowing voice of her brother, Ron, calling for her.
"I'm in the kitchen," she bellowed back.
She grabbed a second mug and poured tea for both of them. He walked in, looking out of breath and angry. "Merlin," she said, "What's got your wand in a knot?"
He slammed down some objects on the kitchen table and threw what looked like an old shirt on the bench. He was still huffing like a bull ready to strike.
Ginny hadn't looked at the items before Ron asked, "Who is this woman?" And he pointed at a picture on the table. She gasped when she looked down and saw Ron and Hermione's wedding photo. She knew that picture well, it hung at her parent's house as well as his brother and sister-in-law's Cheshire Court flat.
"Ron," she started but she glanced at the other photos. Ron and Hermione at Bill and Fleur's wedding, them at the Order of Merlin ceremony and the trio as first years. "Ron, I"
"Ginny, answer me." His fists and his jaw were clenched. He was really trying to control his anger.
"Ron, I think maybe we should call Healer Cruz,"
"Ginny, for the love of Merlin," he shouted, "Just answer the damn question. I know you know the answer."
Before she could answer, she heard Harry calling from the lounge and she remembered he planned to come home for lunch. "We're in the kitchen." She called.
Now Ron was pacing, knowing his sister wasn't going to answer his questions.
"Who's we?" Harry asked as he entered the kitchen, "Oh, hey Ron." He quickly took in the room; Ron pacing, Ginny looked panicked and she glanced at the table where Harry saw the pictures. Uh oh.
"Ron," Harry started.
"Harry, unless you are you going to tell me who that woman is, I don't want to hear a word you have to say."
"I suggested we contact Healer Cruz," Ginny said.
"No," said Harry, "Ron deserves to know. Ron, sit and try to keep your temper in check."
Reluctantly, Ron sat down but his intensity was not lessened.
"This woman is Hermione Granger. And she is your wife." Dead silence filled the room; Ron stared blankly at him and Ginny was holding her breath.
Harry continued. "We met her on that first train to Hogwarts and she was at our side during every adventure for those 6 years. She was on the hunt with his, she fought in the Battle with us. And I think it's safe to say, you've been in love with her since you were 15."
Ron continued to gape at Harry. How could this be true? This woman is a total stranger to him.
"Alexis Dolohov's spell certainly worked. The spell was meant to remove 1 person completely from your memory. In this case, the most important person in your life, Hermione."
After a brief silence, Ron asked, "Are you putting me on? Is this some prank George came up with? Some new fake photo product he's testing out?"
Harry shook his head, "I'm telling you the truth." Ron looked to his sister, in need of confirmation. She nodded and he knew it was true.
"Why wasn't I told?"
Ginny took her brother's hand, "Healer Cruz was concerned about telling you before that fortnight passed. She was concerned about what we didn't know about the spell and what effect it could have on your mind. The plan was to reveal everything on Sunday once she determined it was safe."
"No one felt good about keeping this from you, Ron," Harry added, "But we wanted to do what was best for you."
Another silence descended on the kitchen. Ginny and Harry sent each other questioning glances. Then Ron stood up, "I'm going to see Healer Cruz. And then I want to see the family at the Burrow at 5pm. Can you send that message, Gin?"
"Of course. Ron, do you feel alright?"
"I guess but I have a lot process."
Then, suddenly, a Patronus Ron didn't recognize arrived in the kitchen and an unfamiliar voice spoke, "Harry, I think someone's been in the flat. Pictures are missing and so is Ron quidditch jersey. Can you come?"
Harry looked at Ron and Ron asked, "Was that her? Hermione?"
"Yes, it was. I should go," Harry got up and patted his best friend's arm. "I'll be at the Burrow tonight. We'll work this all out mate."
With that Harry left the kitchen and Ron stood, ready to head to the floo as well. Ginny crossed to her brother and hugged him.
"I know this is a lot to process Ron but your family will be there to support you, always."
Before releasing her from the hug he asked, "Why does she have my quidditch jersey?"
Ginny couldn't look at her brother because she didn't want him to see the tears in her eyes, "She sleeps in it. She says it still smells like you."
With that Ron released Ginny, "I'm going to St. Mungo's." He headed for the lounge with Ginny following him.
"I'll reach out to everyone and we'll meet at the Burrow."
He nodded and grabbed floo powder, "Ron," Ginny called, "I know it's not my business but are you still planning to go out with that Muggle girl tonight? You know Harry has one of those Muggle mobile phones if you want to call and cancel."
Ron looked at Ginny as he climbed into the fireplace, "Why would I cancel?"
"Ron," Ginny asked, astounded.
"See you later Gin." And he called St. Mungo's and left, leaving Ginny stunned.
Hermione was pacing her lounge when Harry flooed in. "I checked and no dark magic was used." She said as soon as he appeared. "Do you think it could be Alexis Dolohov messing with us?"
"Hermione," Harry tried.
"I mean, it makes sense because who else would come in the flat and only take sentimental things and nothing of value."
"Hermione," he tried again.
"She could just be trying to unnerve us. Prove that she's always a step ahead."
"Hermione!" He shouted as he grabbed her shoulders, "It wasn't Dolohov."
"It wasn't? How do you know?"
"Because it was Ron." She stared him, at a lack for words.
Harry ushered his friend to the couch and took her hands. "He used our floo to come to the flat,"
"I forgot to close it after I came home last night."
"Right. He saw the pictures and was understandably confused. He came to ours's and Ginny and I explained as best we could. He was heading to St Mungo's to see that healer and then wants to see the family at the Burrow later."
Tears swam in her eyes; he knew the truth. Was this good or bad, she wondered.
"How did he take it?"
"At first, he was angry. But by the end he was calmer but no less confused. I'm not really sure how he'll be tonight, only time will tell I suppose."
"But no negative effects? Like the healer feared?"
"Not that I could tell."
They were quiet for a bit and then Harry stood up, "We should probably both be getting back to work."
"Yeah," she said but her mind was elsewhere and her best friend knew it.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Your cloak." She answered.
"What? Why?"
"I want to go to the Burrow tonight but I can't just arrive, that wouldn't be fair. But don't you think I have a right to know what happens?"
"Hermione," Harry groaned, "that is a bad idea."
"Harry."
"Hermione, the last time you did something similar, you saw Ron snogging a Muggle. Please, just let Ginny and I go and we'll report back."
"Harry, never in our friendship have I asked to borrow the cloak. And I know the glamour charm at the pub was a mistake but I don't know, I need to be there tonight. Please."
Harry roughly ran his fingers through his hair, "Ginny is gonna kill me."
Hermione knew she'd convinced him and hugged him.
"Thank you, Harry!" He frowned; he knew he'd regret this.
"Healer Cruz," an assistant knocked on her door, "I am sorry to disturb but Ronald Weasley is here. He doesn't have an appointment for today but is demanding to see you."
"Alright," she said, "bring him in."
As soon as Ron entered the office, Sofia Cruz knew something was amiss, he seemed anxious.
"Ron, are you quite alright? You seem a bit agitated. Why don't you sit?" He took a seat across for her but remained silent. The healer didn't say anything, allowing her patient to run this meeting. Ron jumped to his feet and began to pace.
"I'm married. That curse did, in fact, work. And this woman, Hermione, was erased from my memory. And you told my family to keep me in the dark."
It wasn't a question but she affirmed it, "Yes I did."
"Why? Why not tell me from the start?"
"I was and still am concerned about the curse you were hit with and not knowing all the details. When I told you we needed a fortnight to determine if there was anything lying dormant, that was the truth. I was concerned that if you were exposed to the person removed from your memory it could do lasting damage to your mind. As I told Mrs. Granger-Weasley, a fortnight of inconvenience is better than a lifetime of suffering."
Ron didn't respond but did finally take a seat.
"Please tell me, Ron, how did you find out about Hermione?"
Ron explained visiting the flat and the following conversation with Ginny and Harry.
"And I assume you felt angry and confused?" He nodded in agreement. "Anything else? Any physical reactions?"
"No."
"Ron, I need to run some tests, please sit still." He did as he was told as she used her wand to run tests. This lasted about 10 minutes.
"It looks like it should, I don't think the spell caster placed anything dormant in you. If they had it should have appeared upon seeing the photos and hearing about Hermione. So that is good news."
Ron remained silent; he knew he should be glad to know all was well in the deep recesses of his mind. But he couldn't be.
"Healer Cruz, do you know what a fail safe is?"
The question took the healer by surprise. She explained what she knew of the silent spell to end one's life but wasn't sure how it connected here.
"The woman who cursed me, she is a Death Eater. An extreme one at that. Though I don't know for sure, I would expect her to have a fail safe in place in case of arrest."
Healer Cruz understood now and her heart sank.
"Without the spell caster to recover the curse, what are the chances of regaining my memory?"
"Ron," she couldn't hide the sadness on her face and Ron already knew the answer. "Unfortunately, there is nothing, that I am aware of, that can reverse that particular curse outside of the spell caster. So, sadly, without this woman, there is no chance of regaining your memories of your wife."
Ron nodded, not shocked by the answer. "Thank you, Healer Cruz, I appreciate the honesty."
"I am sorry, Ron. I can just hope you are wrong and this Death Eater has no fail safe. You deserve this part of your life back."
Ron didn't respond because he didn't know if he agreed with the Healer. He wasn't sure he wanted those memories back. If he was honest, he was a bit scared of those memories.
"Ron, I want to check your brain function on a daily basis until the original fortnight deadline, all right? 10am daily please."
"Understood." And with that he left her office.
At 4:45pm, Ron returned to the Burrow with a shopping bag. His mother was waiting for him. "Ronnie, Ginny told us what happened. I'm sorry you had to find out this way but I'm glad you know now. I hated keeping it from you."
Ron just nodded, "Is there tea?"
"Of course," and Molly rushed to the kitchen to fix it. She was a bit shocked at her son's calmmdemeanor. "What's in the bag?"
"Some new clothes. That's why I went to the flat in first place but I decided it was best not to go back."
Molly nodded though she thought it was peculiar. Ron hated shopping.
"Well, the family should start arriving soon as you asked. We can all have dinner after we chat."
"I probably won't stay for dinner, Mum, I have plans tonight."
"Plans?" She asked, shocked, "What sort of plans."
He explained about Christine and his date tonight. For maybe the first time in history, Molly Weasley was shocked into silence. Ron sat quietly, drinking his tea. The floo sounded and Bill and Fleur arrived. And soon everyone, except Harry, had arrived. While everyone was mulling about, Molly grabbed her daughter and pulled her aside.
"What is this about Ron having a date with a Muggle he met at a pub? He's a married man!"
"Mum, I know. I don't know what to say."
"Your brother is committing adultery!" Molly shrieked.
"Mum, please calm down. Let's just let Ron explain, ok?"
They heard the sound of apparation and then Harry arrived in the kitchen. "Sorry if I'm late."
"No worries mate," Ron said, "you're right on time."
Harry went to Ginny and gave her a kiss in greeting. But she noticed he seemed nervous, "What's wrong?"
Damn, Harry knew Ginny could read him like a book! Near the front door, keeping her distance from anyone else, stood Hermione under the invisibility cloak, anxiously waiting to hear what Ron had to say.
"Ok, so I'll make this quick. I know now the true extent of the curse I was hit with and that 1 person was wiped from my memory, Hermione Granger. I was angry and confused when I found out but I'm fine now, I understand why it was done. Healer Cruz and you all were just looking out for my best interest."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief; she was worried he'd be livid.
"I also know the chances of regaining my lost memories are very slim. We need the spell caster and we know that not only is Dolohov going to be difficult to find but as we discussed the other night, chances are she'll have a fail safe in place. And Healer Cruz confirmed that there is no other way to retrieve them."
"But Harry and the Aurors are working on ways to detect fail safes and maybe dismantle them. Hope is not lost." Arthur said.
"And I appreciate that, believe me," Ron said. "But if Harry is honest, that's a very difficult thing to accomplish. So, this is what I want and I hope you all will follow my wishes."
Hermione had a sick feeling in her stomach, she was dreading what he was going to say.
"I'll get back to work soon, hopefully Monday and I want to get on with my life. George, is the flat above the shop in Hogsmeade still vacant?"
"Yes, it is."
"Can I move in this weekend?"
George looked at Angelina who nodded, "Of course, mate."
"Great. Now, I know this part might be hard for all of you but I don't remember this woman, Hermione and I'm not interested in being married to a stranger. So, to that end, I plan to live my life as a single man. Starting tonight by taking the Muggle I met at the pub, Christine, out to dinner."
Molly was in tears, "Ron, you can't mean this!"
"I do Mum. I can't jump back into a life I don't recognize or understand. That's not fair to me or to that woman."
"That woman?!" George exclaimed, "She's your wife. Your best friend and our sister-in-law. You're just going to throw her away?"
"I don't have the history with her that you all do. Not anymore. And it's not fair to ask me to pretend."
Ron could see the looks of shock and hurt on his family's faces. Clearly Hermione meant a lot to them but the truth remained, she meant nothing to him.
"Ron," said Arthur, "what if we invited Hermione to join the family for dinner Sunday? She's used to attending and you can meet her. Maybe some memories will come back if you actually spend time her?"
"Please consider it, Ron," Ginny added, "you two are such an amazing couple. You overcame so much just to be together. Don't throw it away without at least trying."
"But I don't know what we had to overcome. I don't know how amazing we are. And what if we never get that back? Is that fair?"
"I think it's worth trying, Ron," Bill said, "I think we would all agree that Hermione and you are soul mates and that doesn't come along every day."
"I'm not the same person. How can I be soul mates with a stranger?"
No one said anything.
"Please, just think about dinner, son?" Arthur pleaded.
Ron looked at Harry whose heart felt like it was breaking, "Fine, I'll think about it. But I make no promises."
That's all they could hope for.
"Now, I have a date. See you all later." And he exited through the back door and apparated away.
The Weasley house was silent but everyone was in shock. Clearly this was not what they expected Ron to say. The silence was then broken by another sound of apparition.
"Is someone here?" Molly asked.
"No," Harry answered sadly, "Someone just left."
