Chapter 2
The next morning, Harry awoke suddenly. He saw Adrian still asleep beside him and let out the breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding. He looked at the clock and figured out the schedule he'd need to make it to work on time. He carried Adrian to his cot and quickly washed and dressed.
Adrian was happily cooing to his fingers when Harry returned. "Good morning, my Alien," he said with a smile. Harry dressed the boy in jeans and a t-shirt and carried him downstairs into the kitchen. With a few waves of his wand, breakfast was ready. Adrian seemed to want to feed himself his porridge, so Harry allowed it.
Harry laughed as the baby covered himself with the sticky goo. "Your mummy would hex me for this…: he chuckled. With that thought he raised an eyebrow and gave Adrian a bit more cereal. He felt a slight pang of guilt at his vengeful actions, but with a careless shrug, he sipped his tea and watched his son play.
Once breakfast was finished, Harry cast a cleaning charm on his son. "Sorry about that…" he said. "But if you are going to get all dirty, you have to get all clean again."
Katrina hurried in. "Oh, he's had his breakfast, has he?"
"Yes," Harry smiled. "He wore most of it, but I think he's had plenty."
Harry handed Adrian over to Katrina. "Can you stay late tonight?" he asked. "I thought I'd go see if I can talk to my wife…"
"Of course, sir," she answered.
Harry was in a right state when he got home that evening. "She wasn't there…" he told Katrina to explain
his earlier than planned arrival. "Any post from her?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir…" the child minder answered. "I told her you'd be stopping by…"
He whirled to face her. "You talked to her?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes, sir. She came round this afternoon to visit with little Adrian. Made him happy seeing her, it did…"
Harry closed his eyes against the pain that washed over him. "Did she stay long? How did she look?"
"Tired, peaky….she stayed a few hours…"
The realization hit him that the reason she wasn't home when he'd come by was that she was avoiding him. She knew he was coming and made sure she wasn't there. Once Katrina had gone, he quickly gave Adrian his dinner and got him ready for bed. He read him a story and bade him good night.
What he'd give to get pissed right now. He knew it was a bad idea, since Adrian didn't often sleep through the night. Once he was sure Adrian was asleep, Harry went into his bedroom and cast several silencing charms on the room. He collapsed to his knees and hid his face in his hands. As the racking sobs overtook him, he screamed for her.
"Why did you leave me? You promised you wouldn't…I don't want to be alone anymore, Hermione. Please come back…"
A few hours later, Harry was still on the floor. The first whimpers got his attention. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and went into the loo. Splashing cold water on his face revived him. He walked into the nursery just as the whimpers progressed to cries. "Hey there, little man…Why aren't you sleeping?" he crooned to the child. Harry checked his nappy, which was dry. "Are you hungry or lonely? Myself, I think I fit into the lonely category…" He picked up the baby and held him close. Adrian went right back to sleep on his shoulder. Harry rocked him gently for a few minutes before lowering him gently back into the cot. "I'm sorry, little one. I wish I knew what to do to get you your mummy back…"
Every day for the next month, Harry stopped by to talk to Hermione and found no one home. He'd come home to learn that she'd spent the afternoon with her son, but left no note. Although it frightened him, he didn't say a word when he found out Hermione occasionally took Adrian back to her mum's house. He was afraid she wouldn't bring him back. He wrote a letter to her, not sure if he'd send it or not.
My dearest Hermione,
I'll say this once and then I won't say it again, I promise…Please come home. I love you. I miss you. I truly don't know what I did to drive you away. You wanted time and space and I've given you that, but it's been so very long. We haven't spoken in months.
Every day I fear that you are going to take Adrian for the afternoon, decide not to bring him back and leave me with nothing. That's my issue not yours, though. You need to see him and I'll not stand in your way.
I'm just finding this all so very hard to understand. Ron keeps telling me you are coming back; however I feel he's being overly positive. Give me some sort of sign and I'll wait for you forever. That's all I ask. I can't go on this way. It's driving me mad! I can't fix what I don't know is broken. Just one signal…a note… a picture…anything. Give me some hope, please.
I love you,
Harry
Ron came over one night to try to persuade Harry to go out. Since Hermione left, Harry had given him one excuse or another. "I can't, Ron. It just wouldn't be right. He's all I've got…"
"You've got your wife…" Ron reminded him.
"Oh yeah?" Harry said skeptically. He made a show of looking around the room. "Where is she? It's been going on nine months since she left. What am I supposed to think of that? What am I supposed to do?"
"She'll be back. She's just…"
"She's just what? Needing to be away from me? Can't stand the sight of me? I sent her a present for her birthday. She couldn't even send a note to say she'd gotten it. Face facts, Ron. It's over. Story of my life, isn't it?"
"What do you mean, mate?"
"Nothing…forget it…" Harry scrubbed his hands over his face.
"Just get a minder for Adrian and let's get pissed. It'll be good for you…"
"I can't ask Katrina…she'd already gone…"
"I bet Mum would love to watch him!" Ron offered. "You know how she loves babies…"
"You're planning to come back here with me then, are you? …stumbling drunk? …to face your mum?"
Ron's ears turned red in embarrassment. "No…I…err…Let Adrian stay the night….just take a potion before you fetch him…"
"Hermione might want him overnight…I mean she only sees him when I'm gone…" It took all of Harry's Gryffindor courage to suggest it. "Floo-call her. She won't answer if she knows it's me…"
Ron looked confused, but did as Harry asked. Harry stayed out of sight, just in case. "Are you sure Harry doesn't mind?" she asked, "…I mean, you didn't force him into it…" Harry's heart ached at the sound of her voice.
"No, it was his suggestion…Harry needs this, Hermione. He hasn't so much as gone out to dinner since you've been gone…"
"Honestly, Ron," she scolded. "Of course I'll take my son…just…could you bring him over? I don't want…"
"Sure, no problem," Ron said cutting her off. He was sure that whatever she was going to say next would hurt Harry and didn't want to take that chance.
Harry didn't need to hear the rest. He knew what she was going to say. He turned and walked heavily up the stairs. Ron watched him go before he turned back to the fire, his face red with anger. "What'd you have to go and say that for? You'll need to pluck up the courage to come and get him. Haven't you hurt Harry enough?"
Hermione sighed. "I'm not trying to…I'm not...it's just...I'm failing so badly…I can't bear to see it reflected in his eyes…"
"Sounds like something you should talk to him about, doesn't it?"
"I will, Ron…I just need more time…When can I pick up my son…when you know…"
Ron sighed with exasperation. "Harry's upstairs licking his wounds, I expect. Come on through now."
"Are you sure he won't come down?" she asked.
"No, actually, I'm hoping he does."
"Couldn't you just…"
"No, Hermione. Come through now or I will call my mum to watch Adrian…"
Harry was finishing getting dressed when he heard her voice. It took all of his willpower to restrain himself from
going to her. Instead, he pressed himself tightly against the door, his hand flat against it as if trying to feel her.
Once she'd gone, he walked back down the stairs. He felt as if the weight of the world was again settled square on
his shoulders. He couldn't look Ron in the eye. He hated the fact that Ron knew he was such a lousy husband that
his wife would abandon her own child to get away from him. He pasted a fake smile on his face and faced his friend.
"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks instead of that Muggle pub," Ron suggested. "I've got a new joke to try out on Madam Rosmerta…"
Harry's smile became genuine as he replied, "You seriously need to get a life, Ron…"
Ron raised an eyebrow at him. "And you don't?" he responded as he readied himself for Apparition.
"Touché…" Harry said as he followed.
The bar grew silent as Harry entered. Every eye was upon him. He and Ron found a table in the back. Madam Rosmerta came over straightaway. "What can I get for our resident hero and his friend?" she purred.
"Firewhiskey," Ron ordered, "and keep 'em coming…" A few people, both men and women, approached only to be turned away with a glare from Ron. "Ah, you're adoring fans…."
"Shut it," Harry replied grumpily. He drained the glass in one swallow and closed his eyes to take pleasure in the burn coursing down his throat.
Madam Rosmerta brought the large bottle over. "It's on the house," she said.
Ron poured Harry another one. "Take it easy, mate, or the night will be over before it gets started…"
Harry felt the alcohol lift his spirits almost immediately. "I can handle it," he replied.
"It's been awhile…just slow down…a bit…"
"Just try to keep up, will you?" Harry laughed.
Ron noticed a few girls at the bar trying to catch Harry's eye. "I'll be right back," he said and made his way over.
Harry watched as Ron spoke to the women. He wondered what he was up to. Surely he wouldn't be trying to set him up. He was a married man…not that his marriage was worth a flobberworm at the moment. Still he took his vows very seriously. Ron returned alone to the table. "Didn't catch anything? I know you were trolling…." Harry teased.
"I'm meeting Vanessa after we're done here…" Ron answered.
"Ron," Harry objected. "You don't have to stay with me. If you want to hook up with her, go ahead…."
Ron smiled. "She'll wait for me…" He took a sip of his firewhiskey. "She knows I'm consoling a friend who's having a rough go of it…They like that stuff…shows we're sensitive…"
Harry rolled his eyes and replied sarcastically, "I'm glad my problems get you dates…You can show your appreciation by buying the next round…"
"I still can't get a laugh out of Rosmerta, though…"
A few hours later, Harry was having trouble keeping both his eyes open and his thoughts focused. "Did'ja know I haven't had sex in over a year? S'true…not even a wank…nothing…"
"Thanks for sharing that tidbit from the 'too much information column'," Ron laughed. "I've always wanted to know that I have more sex than the great Harry Potter…"
"He's not s'great…" Harry replied sadly. "'e's jus' some bloke that nobody wants…."
"You don't mean that…" Ron answered.
"S'true…my wife sure as hell doesn't. She lef' me, Ron. I couldn' make 'er happy…"
"I don't think anything makes her happy right now, mate."
"Sh'won't talk to me…I dunno wha' I did….I'd 'pola…'pola…I'd say I was sorry…"
"She'll be back, Harry…"
"Nope…sh'won't….Been there b'fore… My parents lef' me… Sirius… Dumbledore… Hagrid moved ta France…"
"Those are entirely different situations…They don't apply here…"
"Same r'sult, though…"
Ron would never say so out loud, but he thought Harry had a valid point. He swore to himself to make Hermione see
reason this time.
The next morning Harry awoke to a raging hangover and an empty house. If he thought about it, he couldn't decide
which was worse. He crawled to the loo and found the potion. He made a face as he drank it down. Once he was feeling
better physically, the emptiness of the house hit him full force. He washed up and got ready for work as quickly as he
could. He left a note for Katrina where Adrian was and Apparated to the Academy.
He hadn't eaten breakfast at work for as long as he'd been married. He grabbed a tray and selected bacon, eggs and toast for himself. He found one of the few empty tables and sat down. He grabbed the Daily Prophet and scanned the headlines. As he expected, there was a story about his night out with Ron. It was full of speculation and rumor that his marriage was on the rocks. "Will wonders ever cease," he said aloud. "They got something right…"
"May I sit with you?" Harry looked up and saw a very pretty woman standing over him. "The tables…they're all full…"
"Sorry…be my guest…" he answered waving a hand in invitation.
"Thanks. I'm Corinna Andrews, by the way…"
"Nice to meet you, Corinna. I'm…"
She laughed. "Do you really think you need to tell me who you are?" She glanced at his forehead, still laughing. "That scar is quite notorious, but even without that…everyone here is aware of 'Evil Captain Potter…"
It was Harry's turn to laugh. "They don't still call me that, do they?"
"I'm afraid so…"
"Do you go to the Academy?" he asked politely.
"Oh, dear heavens, no," she answered. "That stuff is too hardcore for me…I'm just a lowly assistant."
"Which department?"
"Charms," she answered. "Captain McVie needs someone to fetch his coffee, typing, scoring essays and tests, filing, avoiding his wife…Do you have an assistant?"
"No, I mean no offense, but I didn't see the need. I can fetch my own coffee, type, and file. If I don't score the tests myself, how would I know what needs to be covered in more detail? And I try not to avoid my wife…that's generally her territory…"
"I'm sorry…"
Harry shrugged as he finished his tea. "C'est la vie, I expect." Harry stood up with his tray. "Well, Corinna Andrews, it's been a pleasure meeting you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Captain…"
Harry strolled to his office to check his schedule. He would have to give some serious thought to having an assistant.
Harry brought some exams home to grade rather than staying late. He forewent his usual trip to Hermione's
parent's house. He dropped the exams on the roll top and went to find his son. "Your home early, sir,"
observed Katrina.
"I just brought it home with me is all…" he replied. Adrian was crawling toward him as fast as his little legs would go. He chortled as Harry swung him up into his arms.
"Da!" he squealed. Harry looked at him in amazement.
"He's only just gotten home from his mum's. He's been watching for you…"
"I missed you, too, my Alien…" He blew raspberries on his neck and gave him a big hug before setting him back on the floor.
Just then a large barn owl flew in. Harry untied the parchment from its leg and opened it. He was lucky to be near the couch. The words he read hit him like a tidal wave. It was an 'Acknowledgement of Service'. His wife wanted a divorce.
"Is everything alright, sir?" Katrina sounded like she'd been trying to get his attention for quite some time.
"Yeah, sure…" he answered vaguely. He barely registered anything but the words before his face.
"Shall I get that?" Katrina asked. Harry didn't answer. He just continued to stare at the parchment in front of him. He vaguely heard Ron's voice asking if someone was alright. He didn't know who and, truth be told, he didn't much care.
"Harry?" said Ron frantically. "Are you alright?"
"It's over, Ron… officially… undeniably …unequivocally …clearly over…"
"She's making a mistake…"
"Is she?" Harry asked, "Are you sure about that?"
"Of course, I'm sure. You two are meant to be together."
"She obviously doesn't share our view…"
"Let me take Adrian to mum's. You're in no fit state…."
"No fit state…." Harry repeated never taking his eyes off the document in front of him. "I'm just kidding myself. I can't be both mother and father to him. He'll be as screwed up as I am…."
"You're an excellent parent, Harry," Ron challenged. "He's lucky to have you!"
"No, he needs a mother…as soon as possible…"
"What are you planning in that head of yours?" Ron asked warily.