"I don't want a party, Ginny." Hermione firmly stated at Sunday brunch at Grimmauld Place. "I will say goodbye to the people I need to in person and then leave. The last thing I want is a big event. And honestly, I don't think anyone wants that."

"What about just dinner at the Burrow? Just the family?" Ginny tried again.

Hermione shook her head, "I can't Ginny, it's too hard. I know I sound like a coward but I can't face a room of people looking at me with a mixture of pity and guilt. It's hard enough at brunch." She gave them a pointed look which clearly alerted the couple to their current expressions.

"We just feel like you deserve a proper send off." Harry said.

"I appreciate it but I don't want it. I'll visit the people I wish to and that's final." Hermione said with a finality that told her friends the conversation was over.

Silence fell over the table until Ginny offered to refill their Bloody Mary's.

"Have you confirmed your portkey?" Harry asked.

"Yes, it's set for Wednesday at 9am which will get me to Sydney at 6pm. I'll spend some time with my parents, get settled and then report to the Ministry on Monday morning."

"So, you're all set?" Harry asked, sadly.

"Yes, I am." Another hush fell over the table.

"I hate this," said Ginny. "This isn't how it was supposed to be." Tears were running down her face and she ran from the room.

"It's not like her to be that emotional." Hermione said.

"She's upset, Hermione," Harry snapped, "We all are."

"Harry,"

"No, I am going to say how I feel. You are rushing this decision. There is still time."

"Harry, we have been over this. Ron's memory of me is never coming back. He doesn't want to get to know me or build something new. I can't really blame him for that, it's a lot to live up to. He's moving on and so am I."

"But,"

"But nothing!" Hermione's patience was at an end. "Why should I sit here and watch my husband fall in love with another woman? Why should I be subject to that very special form of torture that Alexis had in mind? My heart can only take so much, Harry, I'm not made of steel."

"If you stay here, we can all help you through it. And maybe, one day, you'll start to date or,"

"I don't want to date anyone Harry! I want my husband back; I want the love of my life back! But it's impossible and he doesn't want me. So why should I stay here? Why stay here where everyone will see poor, pathetic Hermione Granger. No thank you! I'll sign whatever divorce paper he wants. I'll go to Australia where people barely know me and I will start over."

A loaded silence filled the room, best friends unsure of what to say to each other.

Harry took her hands and didn't try to hide his tears. "I'm going to miss you, Hermione." She hugged him.

"And I am going to miss you every day, Harry. When I pictured my life, it always included you and Ron. But," her voice hitched as tears fell, "We don't always get what we want." They hugged again and didn't notice Ginny sneak into the lounge and out the floo.

Ron was sitting at his kitchen table with the Daily Prophet and the London Times in front him. He sipped tea and read up on the goings on in the Muggle world so Christine didn't think he was a total dolt. But he was having a hard time concentrating as he had another vivid dream the night before. He was shouting at Hermione about Victor Krum and that she was fraternizing with the enemy instead of supporting Harry. She looked beautiful, even with a tear-stained face and she was yelling back at him.

Every night he spent in the flat he had a vivid dream and though he hadn't confirmed it yet, he's pretty confident they were memories. He knew he should discuss this with Healer Cruz or Harry but he just couldn't. Hermione made up her mind, she was moving to Australia; was it fair for him to throw a wrench in those plans?

Just as he was about to pound his head on the table in frustration, he heard his floo come alive. He went into his lounge, wand drawn to find a distraught Ginny.

"You prat!" She screamed, "Why can't you just talk to Hermione? Why can't you just try? Why couldn't you have taken George's offer to be a partner at the shop, never become an Auror and never get cursed!" She was crying so hard and attempted to hit him but just collapsed in his arms.

Ginny being this emotional was shocking so he just held her and let her cry.

"We were supposed to have families together; take our kids to King's Cross Station; grow old together. We fought and lost so much, just so we could have that life. And now it's all torn away from us."

"Shh, Gin, try to calm down," Ron continued to hug her but he noticed the tears had ceased. "Come on, how about some tea?"

She nodded and he led her to the kitchen. After the tea was made the siblings sat together at the table.

"I'm sorry Ron, I shouldn't have shouted. I'm struggling to control my emotions; this situation is really upsetting me."

"I know," Ron said, "And I do feel bloody awful. I wish she didn't feel like she had to leave. But if it's what she thinks is best, shouldn't you support that?"

Ginny took a long sip of tea, "Why don't you want to try to get to know her, Ron? You have been so resistant from the beginning to try and I don't get it."

Ron let out a long breath, "Honestly Gin, the way people talked about us, it sounded like something out of a novel. Years of build up, then a war, then love and romance. And bam, we're a perfect couple."

Ginny scoffed, "Ha, far from perfect. No one fights like you two."

"But Gin, everyone said we were soul mates, loves of our lives. She remembers everything, you guys do too but I don't. And what if I can't live up to that Ron? I hate being a disappointment Gin, you know that feeds into every insecurity I have. If we try and we fail, it will be my fault and I'll just be a huge disappointment to her, to the family, to everyone. I think it's safer not to risk it."

"But what if the opposite happens, Ron? What if you fall in love again, different from the first time but still head over heals?" She grabbed her brother's hands, "You always assume you won't measure up but what you don't realize is that you always have! And you usually exceed expectations."

Ron huffed, not really believing her. "I know it's a big risk and its scary but isn't true love worth it?"

"Tell Ginny, I'll be over before I leave, obviously." Hermione said as she hugged Harry goodbye, "I would stay longer but I'm due at Hogwarts to see McGonagall and Hagrid."

"Of course," Harry replied still sad.

"Chin up, Harry." She smiled and jumped in the floo calling for Hogwarts. Harry just stared at the empty floo. He was losing his best friend and his sister and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He couldn't help but feel responsible; he hadn't been able to crack Alexis Dolohov or her fail safe; if he hadn't failed, she wouldn't be moving to another continent.

Just as he was about to head upstairs to talk to Ginny, she appeared in the floo.

"I didn't know you left?"

"I snuck away when you and Hermione were arguing in the kitchen, I wanted to talk to Ron. Well, I wanted to yell at him but ended up crying a lot. He's so afraid of disappointing her and the family that's why he doesn't want to try. Sometimes that insecure teenager takes over his thinking."

Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny, "I wish we could convince him otherwise. But the more we push either of them, it feels like the more we push them away."

Ginny laughed sadly, "Sounds like them, doesn't it."

Meanwhile, Ginny's visit has left Ron reeling. He knew he needed to talk about his dreams before but after what his sister said, it felt even more imperative. Just as he was about to floo to Grimmauld Place to talk to Harry, his Muggle mobile phone rang.

"Hiya Ron," said Christine. "I was wondering if I could persuade you to join me for a film and maybe dinner after? A nice, casual Sunday. What do you think?"

Ron was truly torn; he needed to talk to Harry but he really didn't want to hurt Christine.

"Well, you can twist my arm for the film but unfortunately I can't do dinner tonight, I have a ton of work to do."

"Fair enough," she replied lightly, "I'll take whatever I can get. Why don't you come over to mine at half three?"

"Perfect, see you then." He hung up and told himself he would go straight to Grimmauld Place after his date with Christine.

Ron returned to his flat Sunday evening after this movie date with Christine feeling like an arsehole. He spent the entire time preoccupied with these dreams / memories he'd been having. Not to mention feeling guilty that Hermione was leaving the country to avoid him. Christine could tell he wasn't really there but didn't push him. They kissed outside her flat when he dropped her off but he found himself thinking about that kiss from his dream, the one that appeared to happen during the Battle of Hogwarts. It was a good kiss. And then he felt like a prat. They said good night and Ron went home. He planned to go to Grimmauld Place but he decided it was best to get a good night's sleep and talk to Harry at work in the morning. Maybe he won't have another dream tonight.

The Potters were cuddled in bed, fast asleep when they were awoken by a crash. Harry was on his feet, glasses on, wand drawn in seconds. He went to the door and mouthed to Ginny to stay put. He slowly opened the door and made his way downstairs.

"Bloody hell," he heard a familiar voice, loosened his stance and headed to the lounge. There he saw Ron putting a coffee table back on its legs and fixing the vase he'd knocked over.

"Ron," Harry said which made Ron jump. "What are you doing here? It's," he glances at the clock on the mantle, "3:15 in the morning."

Ron crossed to Harry, his eyes wide and grabbed his friend's shoulders, "We could hear her screaming, right?"

Harry, utterly confused, asked, "What? Who?"

"Hermione! She was screaming and I was screaming, is that right?" Ginny entered at that moment which gave Harry a moment to catch up on Ron's rambling.

"Ron, what the hell," Ginny started.

"Tell me Harry! She was screaming and I was calling for her and punching the walls. These scars on my knuckles, it's from that night?" Harry's eyes widened and a smile grew on his face.

"Malfoy Manor! Yes, Ron. We heard her being tortured, you called to her and pounded on the walls. You were like a mad man but," Harry's voice hitched at the terrible memory so Ginny continued since she'd heard the story before.

"But Hermione said you calling her name kept her alive, it kept her from giving in to the pain. It saved her."

Ron crumpled on the couch, tears streaming down his face. Ginny kneeled in front of her brother, "What happened Ron?"

It took a few minutes but he calmed down and asked. "Tell me if these are real, ok?" Harry and Ginny nodded as they took a seat on the couch across from Ron.

"Did I try to curse Malfoy for calling Hermione a Mudblood but it was when I had my broken wand and threw up slugs instead?" Harry nodded.

"Did she have an ugly ginger cat that I thought killed Scabbers before we knew who that rat really was?" Harry simply smiled that time.

"Did I get jealous and start a fight with her at the Yule Ball?"

"You sure did." Ginny said.

"Was she jealous of me and Lavender and set birds after me?" Ginny and Harry both laughed and nodded.

"Did she kiss me in the midst of the Battle of Hogwarts?"

"Holy shit, Ron," Harry said and tears were forming in Ginny's eyes.

"And did she try to leave me when she found out she couldn't have children?"

"Yes, to all of that, Ron. When," Harry started.

"I've been having dreams since I returned to the flat. I didn't know if they were real or not. Plus a few moments I chalked up to déjà vu but maybe it was more than that. But tonight, hearing her screaming, I swear I could hear it in my bones. It was terrifying." Ginny jumped to her brother and hugged him.

"It was horrible, mate. But you saved her, you took care of her. You saved each other." Soon all three were crying.

"What now?" Ginny asked, "She leaves for Australia in 2 days."

Ron looked at Harry, "I have to talk to her." Harry let out a relieved breath. "I'm scared though."

"Ron," Ginny said, "These memories are coming back not because of a spell or counter curse but because of the bond you two share. Love, Ron, the most powerful magic of all."

Ron smiled, "When did you go all soft on me?"

"Blame it on pregnancy hormones." She smiled.

"WHAT?" Harry and Ron said at the same time. Harry ran to Ginny and she nodded. He spun her around and kissed her.

"Congrats Gin," Ron said as he hugged his sister.

"Now, this baby needs their Auntie Hermione." Ginny said. He nodded.

"Come by in the morning, mate, I can side along you to her house." Harry said, the smile on his face growing by the second.

Ron nodded and floo'ed home. Harry kissed Ginny again, "Pregnant?"

"Yes. Are you happy?"

"Happy does not describe what I am, Gin."

"A child and your sister back, not bad."

"Let's hope, he still has to talk to her and knowing those two it won't be simple and smooth."

"Maybe not but I have a good feeling."

"Right, love, the most powerful magic of all." He kissed his wife, scooped her up in his arms and returned them to their room.

Hermione was drinking her Monday morning tea in her parent's kitchen, knowing it would be one of the final times she did. The new tenants move in Wednesday morning just after she takes her portkey to Sydney. She owled Molly and Arthur that morning asking to come over that evening to say goodbye. She hadn't heard back but she doubted they would deny her request. She expected that goodbye to be hard but it had to be done. She sighed, none of these goodbyes are easy.

As she charmed the dishes to wash, she heard the front door bell ring. Odd. She looked out the peep hole and saw Harry and Ron. She was immediately suspicious because normally they would floo in. She pulled out her wand and called through door, "If you really are Harry Potter tell me where we spent Christmas Eve 1997?"

Harry smiled, "Godric's Hollow. Worst Christmas Eve ever." She opened the door and glanced at both of them.

"Why are you coming this way? Why not the floo?"

"We thought it was more polite than just popping into your lounge on a Monday morning." Ron answered. She was still wary but she gestured them in.

"No, I won't be staying," Harry said, "I'll leave you to it, mate." He waved and headed back down the walk.

Hermione was completely confused but closed the door. "Ron, what are you doing here?"

"Can we sit?" he asked, clearly quite nervous. She nodded and gestured towards the couch.

"Look, Ron, if Harry and Ginny sent you here to talk me out of leaving, I'm afraid it's a waste of time. My mind is made up." But Ron didn't respond, he was looking around the room with a determined look on his face. After a few minutes of this and Ron not speaking, Hermione was starting to get annoyed.

"Ron, I have a lot to do today, so,"

"Can we go up to your room?" He asked.

"What? Why?" She responded, taken aback. But he was already on his feet heading for the stairs. She lets out a sigh, "Fine, top floor."

He headed up the stairs but noticed that she wasn't following him, "Can you come along please?" She looked at him suspiciously and he laughed, "Hermione, I swear, I'm not,"

"Fine," she said and joined him on the stairs. They walked up to the top floor and opened the only door on the level; he saw 2 large windows, a double sized bed, bed side table and a desk. But the bed was stripped, the large book cases were empty.

"There used to be a picture on that table," he pointed to the table next to the bed, "You and Harry visiting me in the hospital wing 3rd year, after we freed Sirius and Buckbeak."

Hermione, who had not moved from the doorway, gasped. "How,"

"We made love for the first time in this room." It was a statement not a question. "It was New Year's Eve 1998; we had been in Australia visiting your parents and before we left for the party at the Burrow, we finally gave in to each other."

Tears were streaming down her face as she walked further into the room and whispered "Ron,"

"Since I moved back into the flat, I have been having dreams. They felt too real to not be memories but I wasn't sure. And then last night I had a dream about Malfoy Manor; I woke up and looked at my knuckles and noticed old scars. When I talked to Harry and Ginny, they confirmed that what I dreamt was real."

They were mere inches from each other now, physically closer than they had been since he was cursed. "And when I walked into this house, it was like I was assaulted with memories. Kissing you on the stairs, lifting you into my arms on the landing and carrying you to the bed."

She threw herself into Ron's arms, sobbing, "I thought I lost you forever."

When he hugged her back, he was overwhelmed by how complete he felt; like a piece he didn't know was missing had been returned.

"Hermione," he said, "I don't remember everything but" his voice hitched, "I think I'm remembering our love."

"I can't ask for more than that," she said while wrapped in his arms.

He pulled away and looked at her, a bit apprehensive and before she could panic, he asked, "Can I kiss you, Hermione?"

She smiled and giggled slightly, "I'm your wife Ron, of course you can." He wrapped his left arm around her waist and, like he so often had in the past, sunk his right hand into her bushy hair and brought his lips to hers. She was ecstatic, she feared she would never feel his glorious lips on hers again. And Ron felt like he was kissing the most amazing lips in the world. They broke apart for a moment and when Hermione looked into his blue eyes, she finally saw that spark of recognition she had been missing. And she immediately brought her lips back to his. He pulled her tighter to him and moved his left hand lower on her back. The kiss was growing deeper and without saying a word they each started moving toward the bed. He lowered Hermione to the bed but as he moved to join her, he suddenly wailed in pain, grabbed his head and dropped to his knees.

"Ron!" she shouted and jumped to the ground next to him.

He wailed again, "It feels like my head is splitting open."

"I'll get you to St. Mungo's." She pulled out her wand and apparated them to the lobby of the magical hospital.

"Help! Please!" Healers came running to their side.

"What's wrong?"

"It's his head, he said it feels like its splitting open." The healers levitated Ron's body and he grabbed her hand.

"Please," he stuttered out.

"I won't leave you Ron. I promise." She squeezed his hand and he smiled.

The healers settled Ron in a room when Hermione remembered, "Healer Cruz! We need her, she's been working with Ron." The healers raced out to find her. "I'm going to send word to Harry and your parents, ok?" Ron simply nodded as he was still in a lot of pain.

Hermione conjured her patronus and sent word to Harry and the elder Weasleys to come to St. Mungo's and then Healer Cruz walked in.

"What's happened?" Hermione filler her in from Ron's memories, to her parent's house to the kiss.

"Ron," Cruz said, "I am going to give you a potion to put you to sleep. I need to see what is going on in your brain."

"I'll be here when you wake up." Hermione smiled and she kissed his cheek. He nodded and the healer administered the potion and asked for Healer Tate to be fetched.

Minutes ticked by as Healers Cruz and Tate, weaved their wands in complex formations over Ron. Hermione watched in silence, gripping Ron's hand. After 10 minutes, the door swung open to reveal the Potters and Weasleys.

"Hermione, what's happened?" Mrs. Weasley asked immediately as she crossed to stand next to her at her son's side.

"I must ask for silence," the Healer Cruz insisted and the room fell silent. Another 10 minutes passed and Hermione's patience was wearing thin.

"Mrs. Granger-Weasley," the Healer Cruz finally spoke, "Do you remember me explaining about dormant side effects?"

"Yes. They were the main reason for originally waited to tell Ron about me."

"In the few cases of dormant side effects, they always come to light within 10-14 days. But curses can be manipulated, as I am sure you know, and we already know this Alexis Dolohov is a powerful witch. I believe she planned a side effect to come out if you two had any intimate physical contact."

"Don't ask us to explain how Dolohov did it," Tate continued, "As that will take extensive research but we believe that is what is happening to Ron."

"Ok, so we know what triggered it. How do we help him?" Hermione asked.

"We keep him sedated for the time being," Healer Cruz answered, "And we monitor his brain activity for any changes." The healer looked around the room until she found Harry.

"You are Harry Potter, yes? You work with Ron in the Auror Department?" He nodded.

"Ron mentioned in his latest session with me that the department had been unsuccessful in tracking down Dolohov." Harry, sadly nodded again. "I would alert your superiors, Auror Potter, she will have been notified that the side effect was triggered. She may come out of hiding now. The best solution was always to get the spell caster to reverse it."

"She may come out of hiding but don't you think she'll activate the fail safe?" Ginny asked.

The room fell silent again as the Healers returned their attention to Ron. Just before Harry left the room to head to the Auror department, Hermione appeared to have a revelation.

"I don't think Alexis will use her fail safe." Harry stopped in tracks and looked at her.

"Why?"

"Healer Tate said, at the beginning of all this, that the curse was meant to cause emotional pain not just the victim but to the person removed the victim's memory. I think Alexis wants to watch me suffer. She removes me from his memory but on the off chance we come back together she places that dormant side effect. She's doing whatever she can to ensure I suffer and I think she'll want to see it."

"It's a risky theory, Hermione." Harry said.

"I know but my gut is telling me it's her plan. She's probably been loving all the press coverage lately; I don't think she would miss the chance to watch me suffer if I lose him again."

"Ok," Harry said reluctantly, "I have to get to the Auror department and start figuring this out."

Just before Harry grabbed the door to leave a knock was heard and a young Auror popped their head in.

"Forgive me but I have an urgent message for you Potter, from Monroe." Harry grabbed the parchment and all color drained from his face.

"What is it, Harry?" Arthur asked.

"Alexis Dolohov just apparated to the Cheshire Court flat," Ginny gasped, "And she has a hostage with her."

"Who?" Molly asked.

"Christine."