They'd walked all through the town and hadn't spoken a word. Night had fallen and he had given up his sweater to her for warmth. They were now sitting on the warm grass underneath a large oak tree.
"Hermione," said Harry finally, his voice just above a whisper.
"Yes?" she replied, gently laying her hooded head on his shoulder and curled into his chest.
"Talk to me," he whispered in her ear.
"He-he's…" she began, her voice muffled as her hands gripped tightly onto his thin t-shirt. He felt her hot tears start to seep through. He instantly wrapped his arms tight around her and held her close.
"He what?" he coaxed her on, gently kissing the top of her head, and subconsciously started stroking her hair.
"Ron's got a new secretary," she began, her voice shaking. "Lavender Brown. They've been doing `reports' for awhile now…"
"Oh Hermione…" Harry breathed as she tightened her grip on his tear-soaked t-shirt.
"Am I that ugly and stupid?" she shouted at him. He tensed slightly as she forcefully pushed him against the tree and pounded her fists into his chest.
"HERMIONE," said Harry loudly as he grasped her wrists and forced her to the ground, his body leaning over hers. She looked up at him fearfully as he placed her wrists over her head. His green eyes bore into hers.
"Listen to me," he began, still pinning her down. "You're beautiful, not ugly; you're wonderful, intelligent and a great mother to Sarah and Henry. They fucking adore you. Don't ever think otherwise - do you understand? Ron is being a dick and I swear when I see him at work tomorrow I'm going to punch his lights out."
"Harry no…"
"'Harry no' what?"
"Don't punch him… He can't know…"
"So you'll just let him continue on like this?"
"Sarah and Henry…"
"Hermione," Harry sighed as he let go of her wrists and lay down on the grass beside her.
"They've started to notice why Ron isn't around as much," she continued. "I'm running out of excuses, Harry! Ron doesn't know that I know about him and Lavender- I started putting two and two together. I feel so useless…"
Harry remained quiet for several minutes before simply saying, "Leave him."
"I'm considering it, but I have no where to go. I certainly can't go to The Burrow."
"Stay with me, I have enough room," suggested Harry. "You, Henry, and Sarah can have your own rooms; I can just clear out the boxes."
"I don't want to intrude." she whispered.
"I don't mind," he said flatly. "I've been living alone for a while. Company would be nice."
"I-I don't know… I've been married to him for nearly eleven years, Harry … you don't understand."
"But I do understand that he's cheating on you, and look what it's doing to you," whispered Harry, as he rolled over on his side and stared straight at her. "You're falling apart, Hermione."
"We should head back," she said simply.
Harry nodded and helped her to her feet. She wrapped both of her arms around his right arm and they silently walked back towards the Burrow. When they arrived, they found Molly and Arthur sitting in the kitchen while Henry and Sarah were sleeping peacefully on the couch.
"Where were you two?" questioned Molly suspiciously.
"Catching up," Hermione replied simply as she gathered Sarah into her arms. "Harry would you?" she asked helplessly gesturing to Henry.
"Sure," he said quietly. He gathered the boy into his arms, where he unconsciously wound his arms around his neck. Sighing, Harry held Henry securely as he and Hermione both disapparated.
"His room is up the stairs, first door on the left," Hermione whispered as they silently climbed the stairs together.
"Alright," Harry replied.
Harry crept silently up the stairs. All the doors were wide open, save one. He assumed that it must be the master bedroom. Sighing, he entered Henry's room and gently placed the boy on his bed and covered him with a blanket. His heart ached for a child of his own. It was something he had always dreamed of, ever since he was young. Now, more so than ever as he laid Hermione's son in his bed. Harry ran a hand through his hair and left the room.
Once he was in the corridor, what he heard made his blood run cold. His eyes darted to the side, where he saw Hermione standing alone at the top of the staircase, an unreadable expression on her face. Both of them said nothing as they both approached the master bedroom where a low, guttural moan was coming from.
"He better be wanking off," muttered Harry as he drew out his wand. Hermione grabbed his arm and shook her head silently, but he ignored her.
"Harry, please, no." She pleaded, now trying to pull him away from the door.
"Hermione-" he began, but she pressed a finger to his lips.
"Go home," she began softly, her brown eyes swimming with tears. "I'll go in there, get my things and I'll wake Henry and Sarah. I'll see you soon," she said with great difficulty.
He simply nodded as he pocketed his wand. He silently walked past her, and headed down the oak staircase. He slipped soundlessly out the door, and disapparated.
x-x-x-x-x
Hermione sighed as she gently closed Henry's bedroom door and placed a silencing charm around the room in case a shouting match ensued. She then proceeded to do the same thing to Sarah's room before hastily wiping the tears away from her eyes as she approached the master bedroom.
And this is how her marriage would end, she thought. Her world she worked so hard for was falling apart, and there was nothing she could do about it. She knew she wasn't really in love with her husband. Hell, he was a Weasley. Weasley's didn't divorce, no matter what. What would Henry and Sarah make of it? Surely they wouldn't fully understand right now- perhaps later in life.
She had always known Ron was cheating on her. She had figured it out quickly. She wasn't called the brightest witch of the age for nothing. She must have softened over the years. She ought to be furious with Harry for leaving, but she wasn't. She ought to curse Ron into oblivion, but she wouldn't. She ought to skin Lavender from ear to ear and she wouldn't. She would go in there with her head held high, pack her things as quickly as she could, minimise it, get the children, and apparate to Harry's. She vowed she wouldn't say a word to either of the two.
Trying to ignore the sound of the mattress squeaking inside, she gracefully drew out her wand, and threw the door open. Hermione stood in the doorway to see Lavender on top of her husband, back arched as she rode him, while Ron suckled her left breast. Ron was the first to notice her standing in the doorway.
"Hermione," Ron began, his eyes wide in fear as his wife stared him down as Lavender covered herself with the duvet.
Hermione, however, simply ignored him. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at her various possessions, and with a few flicks of her wand, everything had been neatly packed in her suitcase. After her work was done, she magically sealed her suitcase, shrunk and pocketed it. She slammed the bedroom door behind her and threw open the door to Henry's bedroom.
"Mum?" he asked groggily.
"Sweetie, pack your clothes. We're going to be staying with Harry for a while," she explained gently, kissing her son's head. "Be quick while I get your sister. Don't bother dressing; you'll be going straight to bed once we get there."
"What's going on?" he asked as Hermione handed him a duffle bag.
"I'll explain in the morning, love," she whispered before exiting the room. She heard movements from inside the bedroom as she walked past it to Sarah's.
She decided she had to stay strong for Henry and Sarah. They were too young to understand that their mummy had just caught Daddy in bed with his mistress. She would think of something to explain to them as she packed Sarah's things. She quickly finished and placed the boxes in the front pocket of her sweater- Harry's sweater. Her head suddenly filled of images of Harry walking around in his nearly see through t-shirt. How could she not have noticed before? Shaking her head, she pulled her daughter out of her bed. Sarah squirmed slightly so she could rest comfortably in her mother's arms. She walked into the hall where Henry was waiting for her. Hermione minimised his bag and placed it in her pocket.
"Grab my arm, Henry, and don't let go," she whispered as Ron opened the bedroom door, looking highly dishevelled.
"Hermione-" he pleaded.
"Goodbye Ronald," said Hermione softly before she disapparated with a crack.
When Hermione opened her eyes, she found herself standing in a dimly lit sitting room. Henry let go of her arm, but stood protectively beside his mother. Harry appeared within seconds looking concerned and holding a mug of tea. She locked eyes with him and he simply nodded. Placing his mug on the glass coffee table, he stepped forward.
"Henry, do you like Quidditch?" he asked softly.
"Yes!" he replied enthusiastically.
"That's great. So do I; I used to play," Harry explained in the same voice. "It just so happens that the room you're sleeping in is full of Quidditch things."
"Really?" said Henry, quickly taking Harry's hand. Hermione smiled weakly.
"Follow me," said Harry leading them towards a narrow oak staircase.
"Your flat's beautiful," commented Hermione.
"Thanks," replied Harry as he swung open the first door on the left. "Like it?" he questioned Henry, whose eyes were as wide as saucers.
"Yeah," the boy managed to get out as he clambered on the bed to get a better look at Harry's Firebolt, which was encased and mounted on the wall, along with a collection of other broomsticks and signed Quidditch jerseys.
"Henry," said Hermione gently as she shifted Sarah carefully in her arms, "you can admire Harry's unhealthy collection of Quidditch memorabilia in the morning."
"Mum-" Henry wined, but his mother cut him off.
"Henry. Bed."
Henry exhaled furiously and plopped down on the bed and reluctantly kissed his mother on the cheek before climbing under the covers of the bed. Hermione ruffled her son's hair before Harry led her across the hall to another room. Hermione placed Sarah on the over sized bed and pulled her teddy bear out from her pocket and gently placed it beside her daughter. Kissing her head lightly, she allowed Harry to gently lead her out of the room.
Harry led her down the hall and up a small flight of stairs where there were three doors. He opened the first one and flicked on the light. "Is it alright?" he asked her as she walked in slowly.
"It's beautiful," she said quietly as she sat down on the bed and stared at her hands.
"I made tea," began Harry cautiously, "would you like some?"
"Do you have anything stronger?" Hermione inquired dully.
"Wine, Firewhisky, beer-"
"A glass of wine would be lovely."
"I'll be right back."
He hesitated leaving her there alone. He took one last glance at her before turning on his heel and walked silently out of the room. Running a hand through his unruly hair, he sighed as he walked past Henry and Sarah's bedrooms. They didn't deserve what was going to be ahead of them, he thought. He was sure that Hermione wouldn't forgive Ron for this. She had known, yet, she hadn't said a word. She wanted to keep their family together as long as possible. A divorce in the Weasley clan was practically unheard of. But Harry had an itch this was going to be the first one the family had seen in a very, very long time.
Harry flicked the light on as he entered his kitchen. He silently took two wine glasses off the hanging rack and removed a bottle of red wine from the refrigerator and closed the door with his hip. He used his wandless magic to turn off the lights before silently padding down the hall and up the small staircase.
He found Hermione leaning back against the pillows, shoes and socks removed, staring moodily at the wall facing her.
"This bed is comfortable," she grumbled.
"Here's your wine," responded Harry as he handed her a glass.
"Thank you."
"Harry," whispered Hermione.
"Yes?"
"How many bedrooms are there in here?"
"Supposed to be seven, but two of them are acting as storage and as my office," he explained.
"Why so many?"
"I guess I figured I'd get here, find a woman and have a family."
"A big one, by the looks of this place."
"I'd love to have a big one," he responded truthfully.
"Any ideas of your future wife?"
"I did, but it's too late now."
"It's never too late."
"I think her husband would get suspicious if their new child came out with black hair and green eyes."
"Ah," said Hermione as she set her glass down on the floor. "I'm sure she'd leave him for you, to be honest, Harry."
"I doubt it." He chuckled.
Hermione laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Hermione?"
"Mmm."
"I have to go to bed. I've got work in the morning, and it's nearly two," he explained softly.
"Stay with me," she whispered as she snuggled in closer to his chest.
"I don't think that's a good idea," He argued.
"Why not?"
"What if Sarah and Henry come in?"
"I understand now," she whispered as he eased her off of him and gently laid her under the blankets.
"I'll see you in the morning," whispered Harry as he gave her a look of longing as he left the room. Even though they'd only been around each other again for a few hours, it felt as if little time had passed
x-x-x-x-x
Ron had been everywhere trying to find Hermione. He finally ruled out that she must have gone straight to Harry. Of course, Harry hadn't mentioned to him where he was living, all he knew was from what Hermione had vaguely said about him living in a flat somewhere on the other side of town. And knowing Harry, he was living amongst the Muggle millionaires in the flats in the Kensington area, he thought bitterly.
Ever since Harry had returned, there was something about him he didn't quite trust. He seemed much calmer than the Harry he remembered, more soft spoken. But it wasn't that that bothered him. It was what Harry was capable of. He had heard stories from his fellow co-workers who had actually seen Harry in action in Australia. He was unbeatable. From what he had heard, the Australian government was practically on their knees begging for their top Auror to stay on the force. He had taken out some of the Death Eaters that the Aurors in England couldn't even see. He was full of knowledge on any subject that dealt with dark magic, wizard hunting, or anything of the kind. Harry Potter had become a Ministry of Magic's wet dream. Ron knew fully well that if Harry didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be. This meant where ever Harry was, Hermione was too.
He had even apparated to Kensington Gardens, to the area where he had lived before, and checked with the landlords to see if they had any tenants by the name of Harry Potter. He checked three places and received the same answer from all of them: They weren't allowed to reveal their tenants' identities, for the sake of privacy. And since they were all Muggles, he was unable to flash his Department of Magical Law Enforcement badge.
Defeated, he had returned back to the house to find Lavender waiting for him with a sad expression and a mug of tea. After draining his mug, he had fallen into an uneasy sleep. The next morning, breakfast between him and Lavender was a silent affair. She left for her flat to get ready for work. Ron dressed silently and disapparated to Diagon Alley. Hermione's shop was closed. He then disapparated to his mother's, to find Henry and Sarah there, but no Hermione. His mum had explained that Hermione had dropped them off before heading `home'. She apparently was coming down with something, and didn't want it around the children. He was thankful for her clever lie; he wasn't ready to explain the whole situation to a fuming Molly Weasley. He had to add on to the lie by saying that Hermione must have gone to Diagon Alley to get something for her headache, and left before any more questions were asked.
He was presently standing in a crowded lift that was full of Aurors. He had every intention of going into Harry's office and demanding to see his wife. Finally, the lift clambered to a stop, and its occupants filed out. Ron pushed his way though a crowd of trainees and stormed down the hallway towards Harry's private office at the end. He threw open the door to see Harry rummaging through a filing cabinet, looking slightly frustrated.
"Potter," Ron began heatedly.
"Ron," acknowledged Harry without looking up.
"Where's Hermione?" he demanded, closing the door and stepped forward.
"Sleeping," he responded simply.
"Where?"
"In a bed, on the couch, across the billiards table, I don't know."
"Quit being a smart ass and let me see my wife!"
Harry sighed as he sat down at his desk and gently massaged his temples. "Ron, sit."
Reluctantly, Ron sank into the straight-backed chair in front of Harry's desk.
"Hermione showed up at my flat last night in tears," he began. "She told me about the- how did she phrase it? - Reports? She found you heavily involved in a `report' last night, I understand?"
"That's none of your business," said Ron rudely.
"That's where you're wrong," stated Harry. "What upsets Hermione concerns me. You have no idea how unbelievably hard it is for me to sit here now without snapping your neck."
"I want to see her!" he shouted.
"She doesn't want to see you," said Harry through gritted teeth, "and I respect her wishes."
"You should have just stayed in Australia," whispered Ron, his face inches from Harry's. "You haven't been back two weeks and everything's already gone to shit."
x-x-x-x-x
When Harry returned home that night, he was met by the smell of something cooking in his oven. Frowning slightly, he followed the sounds of movement coming from the kitchen. He rounded the corner to find Hermione chopping vegetables on the small island in the centre of the kitchen, while Henry and Sarah sat on stools, Henry reading a book to Sarah.
"Hey," said Harry as he leaned against the doorframe.
"Do you always get home this late?" questioned Hermione.
"No, I got held up." he said plainly as he twisted the plastic cap off a bottle of water.
"Talk later?" she whispered as he walked by her.
"Please," he responded, "what're you cooking?"
"I made a roast; I'm just chopping up some vegetables."
"You shouldn't have. You're guests here."
"The children were getting hungry."
"Good excuse," grinned Harry, "want me to do anything?"
"Dispose of these vegetable peelings."
Harry took out his wand and magically rid of the compost before sliding onto a bar stool. He pressed the tips of his fingers into his eyes while exhaling slowly.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"Tired. I'll be fine later."
"Harry?" questioned Henry.
"Yes?"
"What's this word?"
Harry leaned over the younger boy's shoulder and said "quintessential."
"What's that mean?"
"The best example of something."
"That's a silly word," said Sarah.
Harry chuckled. "Indeed."
"Dinner's ready," came Hermione's soft voice.
The two children rushed immediately across the room and sat down at Harry's small dinner table.
"I'll eat in my office," explained Harry. "I have some files to go through."
"I'll join you in a moment after these two are settled?" she suggested.
"If you wish," replied Harry as he disappeared up the staircase.
Once inside the safety of his office, he set down the plate and collapsed in his chair. Ron was right. Everything changed as soon as he came back. Ron's wife had left him, and was now staying with him, and he found himself looking at Hermione in ways he had forbid himself to think about. After returning to England, he swore he wouldn't think of her in any more ways than his best friend. Anything else would bring him back to square one, which made him leave England in the first place. He was treating her children like they were his own… He knew Ron would be furious. Yet, Harry was strangely content. He desperately wanted children of his own. He dared himself to think how everyone would react if he went back to Australia. He was sure Hermione and Molly couldn't stand it, Ron would think he had won… But he was sure Hermione would chase him down there and either drag him back by his ear or she would stay there with him. She had said the previous night she was going to divorce Ron whether he liked it or not. He could be with Lavender and Hermione could move on with her life.
Sighing, Harry propped his head up on his hand and lazily wove his fork through the smooth mashed potatoes on his plate. He didn't bother to look up when Hermione entered his office. She silently sat down in the leather chair across from his desk and removed the fork from between his fingers.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly.
"Fine. Contemplating."
"Contemplating what?"
Harry remained silent as he picked up his fork and took a bite of roast beef.
"Contemplating what?" Hermione repeated.
He didn't respond.
"What did Ron say to you?" she demanded furiously as she rose to her feet.
"It doesn't matter-"
"It matters to me," she continued as she started pacing the room, with her arms folded.
Harry leaned back in the leather executive chair and mumbled "he said everything went to shit after I came back."
Hermione stared. "I can't believe him!" she shouted.
"Hermione calm down-"
"I will not calm down-"
"Hermione Jane Granger!" said Harry loudly. At the use of her full name, she slumped down into her chair.
"He had no right-"
"I know that," he said softly.
"You don't deserve it."
"Maybe I do," he said flatly.
"No you don't," argued Hermione.
Harry rolled his eyes as he stood up and walked over to the large window and stared out over the city.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked softly as she stood beside him.
"You wouldn't understand," he said simply.
"Try me."
"No."
"Harry-"
"Henry and Sarah are probably finished." He stated. It sounded harsher than he intended.
Slightly taken aback, Hermione stepped away from him and exited his office quickly. She quickly entered the kitchen and found that indeed, Henry and Sarah were finished with their dinner.
"Go get ready for bed," she said softly.
Sensing some discomfort with their mother, they obeyed silently as Hermione cleared their plates and headed to the sink. She proceeded to fill it with warm water and soap. Apparently, old habits died hard.
"Need some help?" Harry asked.
She simply nodded as he picked up a towel and silently started to dry their dishes.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier," he apologized.
"It's alright. But why won't you tell me what's bothering you?"
Harry was silent for several minutes. "I'm not ready."
"I see."
"I promise I'll tell you eventually."
"I'll be waiting," she said, smiling faintly. "Watch Henry and Sarah for me tonight?"
"Where are you going?"
"I'm serving Ron with the papers. I picked them up today."
"Wasted no time."
"He'll be free to be with her."
x-x-x-x-x
When Ron entered his house that night, he found a trail of candles floating in the air signalling for him to follow them. Smiling faintly, he hung his coat up in the closet and kicked off his shoes and loosened his tie. He was surprised to find that the candle trail did not head up the stairs towards the bedroom, but down the hallway towards the back of the house, where the kitchen was. Frowning slightly he pushed open the door and instantaneously, all the candles were extinguished and he was plunged into total darkness. He quickly drew out his wand.
"Hello?" he called sharply.
A single candle burned on the kitchen table, illuminating none other than Hermione.
"Lower your wand," she said plainly. "We need to talk."
"Where are Henry and Sarah?" he demanded.
"Sit," said Hermione simply, gesturing to the seat across from her.
Ron flicked on the light switch before slowly sitting down across from his estranged wife. He noticed the official looking file folder underneath her neatly folded hands.
"I went into the Ministry today," she began quietly, "and had these papers drawn up. They already contain my signature. They just require yours."
"You were dreadfully quick with them," he began suspiciously.
"I don't want something that's going to put our children through hell. I want it quick and clean."
"When do I see Henry and Sarah?"
"Whenever you wish."
"But they'll be living with you?"
"For the time being."
"Are they okay?"
"I explained the situation to them today. They're understandably upset."
"Why are you being so curt with me?"
Hermione exhaled and uncrossed her legs and leaned on her elbows. "You had no right bursting into Harry's office today like you did. He has nothing to do with this. He's kind enough to let me, and our children, occupy his home
Ron's face turned the infamous Weasley red straight up to the tips of his ears and furiously said "what goes on between Harry and I doesn't concern you!"
"In fact, it does."
"Of course it does. Harry's always come first-"
"We were in the middle of a war, Ron. Of course I was concerned about him!" Hermione shouted shrilly. "You never understood that! Whether we were involved in a war or not, you believed that my priorities should have been to make you happy!"
"That's not true!"
"Yes it is!" She screamed as she stood up and slammed the papers down in front of him.
Somewhat startled by her fury, Ron immediately produced a quill and an inkbottle. With a shaky hand, he placed his name thrice on separate pieces of official looking parchment.
"So this is how it ends" said Hermione softly.
"This is how it ends," he agreed.
"We'll announce it at Sunday dinner?" she offered as the parchment glowed a bright white, and disintegrated, along with the wedding bands on their fingers.
"Sounds like a plan," sighed Ron. "But I'd like to wait a while."
"How long?"
"Is a month alright?"
Hermione sighed and nodded. "See you Sunday," whispered Hermione, "I'll be by later in the week to retrieve the rest of my things."
x-x-x-x-x
When Hermione arrived back at the flat, she found its owner asleep on the couch. Smiling faintly, she approached the couch and sat down beside him. "Harry?"
"Home so soon?" he croaked.
"We had a little shouting match," she said simply as she held her left hand up to his face.
"I didn't imagine he would have given in so easily," he whispered as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"He wants to be with Lavender… I just knew it..."
"I guess. She has grown up a lot… I hope they've moved on from their Won-Won stage," chuckled Harry.
"Me too," she agreed.
"How do you plan on telling Henry and Sarah?" questioned Harry.
"I already told them," she explained.
"That's why they were quiet when I arrived home from work?"
"Yes."
x-x-x-x-x
The weeks went by agonisingly slow. Harry appeared to have fallen into a routine. He had started getting up earlier, helping Hermione with breakfast and getting Henry and Sarah ready for them to go to Molly's. The Weasley's had no idea about the divorce of Ron and Hermione, but at as Sunday drew nearer, they were as close as ever to finding out.
Ron and Hermione had lunch together on Friday to discuss what exactly they were going to say. They decided that they would leave the part about Ron having an affair out, as they felt it was their business only, not the entire Weasley clan's. Ron still hadn't said a word to Harry since the incident in his office, and both men seemed to be fine with their arrangement for the time being.
When Sunday morning finally dawned on them, the Potter-Granger-Weasley home was in chaos. Sarah and Henry had discovered the joys of Sunday morning cartoons and Hermione was having trouble prying them away from the television in the sitting room. Harry seemed to have chosen to have a bit of a lie-in, which somewhat irked Hermione, as she had grown used to him up with her every morning. Once she had Sarah and Henry settled with a feast for breakfast, she decided to wake Harry.
Padding up the staircase, she realised she hadn't set foot in Harry's room since she arrived a week ago. In fact, she had never even seen the inside. Curiosity growing, she slowly eased Harry's bedroom door open. She was slightly surprised.
She had sort of expected a bachelor's bedroom, clothes strewn everywhere, with a mattress on the floor, but she was proved wrong. Harry had a knack for decorating and his room was impossibly clean (from the years of living with the Dursleys?) The room was modern. All of his bedroom furniture was made of a fine oak which, she was sure, the sun's rays would reflect off when the curtains were open through the four floor-to-ceiling panel windows the windows opened up onto a balcony and Hermione now understood why Harry retreated into his bedroom every evening just before sunset. Sighing, she knocked on his door.
"Harry?" she called.
Her reply was a strangled groan from the bed's lone occupant.
"Harry!"
"It's Sunday," he groaned. "Let me sleep-"
"Harry get up," Hermione said, grinning as she strode into his room and threw open the curtains.
"What the fuck Hermione…" Harry whispered as he buried his eyes in the pillow.
"Get up," she repeated.
"I'm up! I'm up!" he said loudly as he struggled to sit up.
"Come on then," said Hermione brightly as she pulled on his arm and dragged him out of bed.
"What's the rush?" he questioned, "we aren't due to be at Molly's for another three hours."
"I made breakfast."
"That's an understatement," replied Harry as they walked into the kitchen and Harry laid eyes on the feast before him. "How are we supposed to eat at Molly's?"
"We'll find a way," said Hermione.
Almost an hour later, Hermione had sent Henry and Sarah over to see Ron before Sunday dinner. Harry had retreated into his bedroom to shower and get ready leaving Hermione to have some alone time.
She couldn't help but think about Harry. She knew something was bothering him and she couldn't figure it out for the life of her. She thought he might have been annoyed with Sarah and Henry running around, but he seemed to enjoy their presence in his home. She had returned the previous night from getting milk to find Harry sitting with them on the floor in the sitting room, teaching them how to play Gobstones. It appeared that having her children around obviously wasn't the problem. He seemed a bit tense about the row he and Ron had at work, but Harry had been acting strange long before that incident had even occurred and for once in her life, Hermione Granger didn't know the answer to a question. She was going to pry it out of Harry whether he wanted her to know or not.
x-x-x-x-x
Harry stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist as he entered the empty bedroom. He put on a pair of boxer shorts and loose fitting jeans before he turned to the closet. He threw on a loose black button down shirt before emerging into the hallway. Hermione's door was closed. He stepped forward and knocked lightly.
"Come in," she called.
Harry slowly pushed open the door to reveal Hermione slipping into a pair of shoes. "Ready?" she asked.
"My trainers are by the door," he explained as he followed her down the hallway.
Five minutes later, they were both standing in the Weasley's sitting room.
"Aunt Hermione!" cried George's eldest son, Jacob.
"Jacob, you've gotten taller!" exclaimed Hermione as she kissed her nephew on the top of his head.
"Hello Harry," welcomed Molly as she embraced him and kissed him on the cheek.
"How are you Molly?" asked Harry politely.
"Oh as well as can be expected, dearie."
"Wonderful."
"It really is a coincidence that you and Hermione arrived at the same time."
"Hermione was at my flat," he explained, chuckling, "she wanted to make sure I was up on time this week."
"Smart girl," said Molly before she disappeared back into the kitchen.
"Yeah she is…"
"Hey mate," came Ron's voice from behind him.
"Hey," replied Harry.
"I'm sorry about earlier this week," he said quietly.
Harry exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "You're forgiven. It still doesn't mean I'm still waiting for the chance to have a go at you."
"It still stands for you as well, Potter," grinned Ron.
"Hermione's the only thing keeping us in line."
"It's a shame."
"Are you two making your `announcement' during or after?"
"After," he explained. "It's better when everyone's seated in the sitting room instead of at the table where my chances of disapparating are delayed."
"I see."
Ron was silent for several minutes as they sat outside in the sun watching the children run around.
"How is she?" he asked finally.
"She's coping well," replied Harry.
"Has she mentioned why she showed up at your flat in the middle of the night?"
Harry exhaled. "I was there right before she went in and uh ... found you. She and I were talking, and lost track of time. By the time we returned, Henry and Sarah had fallen asleep on the couch," he explained quietly, "I helped her get them home… That's when we heard noises. She told me to go home, and started getting frantic where she was going to go… I offered to take her in…"
"I see."
"What're you two talking about?" came Hermione's voice.
"Not much, love," said Ron loudly as Arthur looked toward them. "Harry's a firm believer that the Cannons will win this year."
"Oh?" she leaned in.
"I was explaining how you showed up at my flat last week," whispered Harry.
"Oh. Are you alright, Ron?"
"I'm coping. You?"
"It's a little hard," she confessed.
"I'll leave you two," said Harry. He stood up and quickly made his way over to Arthur.
"I always knew you loved him," began Ron.
"Ron-"
"Let me finish," he said quietly as he closed his eyes. "I hated him for it. I think a part of me always will. Harry loved you. You loved Harry, and why you stayed with me, I'll always wonder … did you love him way back then, too, Hermione?"
"Ron…"
"Answer it, Hermione."
"I tried to tell myself it was you I wanted to be with for so long… I was so worried about Harry… I kept telling myself it was just worry I felt for him…"
"I know."
"He doesn't love me that way."
"How do you know?" challenged Ron.
"I don't," she confessed.
"I know he does…"
"How?" she replied harshly.
Ron sighed and stared at his ex-wife. "Right after he sent that letter to Mum saying he wasn't coming back from Australia. I figured it out then. I had always suspected it, but that confirmed it.
"Think about it, Hermione. Right after we announced our engagement, he left and hasn't shown his face in England for ten years… I see it in the way he looks at you… Longing. Desire."
"I think that's the most intelligent thing I've ever heard you say," said Hermione.
"I'm finally able to be with the love of my life, Hermione. It's time you got to be with yours." Ron breathed in her ear as he stood up and went to go keep an eye on Henry as he played on his toy broomstick.
"Is everything okay, Hermione?" came Harry's voice.
Hermione looked up into his piercing emerald green gaze and smiled, "Everything's fine, Harry."
"Did you and Ron have a pleasant chat?" he asked as they walked towards the long table in the heart of the garden that was virtually groaning under the weight of Mrs. Weasley's fine cuisine.
"We sorted a lot of things out," she said as she took her seat beside him. "He's taking the children until Wednesday. So you can enjoy some quiet around the flat. I'll be as quiet as a mouse."
"Hardly," he laughed. "I love having you around."
At this, she flushed as she busied herself with scooping peas onto her plate.
x-x-x-x-x
Hermione was growing nervous by the minute. Ron was sitting to her left, while Harry was on her right. She had both of her support systems on either side of her. She should have felt fine, instead, she felt very much afraid.
Ron cleared his throat and stood up, then helped Hermione to her feet. She risked a glance over her shoulder at Harry, who gave her an encouraging smile.
"Everyone?" Ron began quietly. "Hermione and I have given this a lot of thought- separately- but only recently we decided to put our thoughts into actions. Hermione and I have been best friends since we were eleven, and we both love each other dearly, just not in the way we both deserve to be loved… A week ago, we finalised our divorce."
The room remained silent for several minutes.
"Are you serious?" Molly asked quietly.
"Yes mum," said Ron gently.
"If it's for the best… And you both are happier this way… We accept that," Arthur said finally.
"Thank you, Arthur, it means a lot to us, really it does," said Hermione as she sat back down.
"Where have you been staying, dear?"
"With Harry, he's been so kind to let Sarah, Henry, and I stay with him for the time being."
x-x-x-x-x
Harry flicked on the lights in the sitting room as Hermione apparated beside him. He had been unusually quiet for the whole evening.
"Harry?"
"Yes?" he replied quickly, spinning around to face her.
"Please tell me what's wrong," she whispered, gently reaching up and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Hermione…" he whispered. "I can't."
"You can't, or you won't?"
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