Chapter 20 - Old friends
That evening at bedtime, Harry contemplated the day's events. He thought of his oldest friends and how his relationship with them had changed so drastically in the past few weeks.
If someone had told him twenty years ago that he would have kissed Hermione and that he wasn't on speaking terms with Ron, he would've thought they were insane. They were always the two constants in his life and the people he loved most in addition to his own family. He always thought that given everything they had been through, even with all the ups and downs, that nothing could alter their bond.
But now he had distressed them both and needed to take steps for reparations. First he decided to focus on Hermione. He fished her letter out of his bathrobe pocket and re-read it to himself. He decided to owl to her that evening- he hoped Hedwig II was up to a transatlantic flight. He picked up his quill and a piece of parchment and started to write a reply.
A half hour later, Harry re-read what he had written and blew on the ink to dry. He hadn't meant for it to be that long but he needed to get everything off his chest. He also hoped he had gotten his point across about his feelings but restrained from writing her a full on love letter.
He sealed the letter in an envelope and addressed it to Hermione's hotel in New York City. She was staying at the Waldorf-Astoria, which was a muggle establishment. Apparently many of the countries she was visiting did not have their own wizarding hotels so Hermione was traveling like a muggle. She had even taken a plane from London to New York. He hoped that she had landed safely.
He went to Hedwig II's cage and gave her a treat to nibble on. When she saw the address was so far away, she ruffled her feathers but allowed him to attach it to her leg.
"That's a good girl." Harry said, stroking her white feathers as he let her out of the cage. "This is a very important letter for a very important person."
Hedwig II seemed to understand what Harry had said, and she flew with purpose out of his bedroom window.
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Hermione flopped onto her bed in her hotel room at the Waldorf Astoria. She was still suffering from jet lag, due to the five hour time difference. It was only 8PM and she had been in town for one day. She had just had a productive dinner with representatives from the Wizarding Nations, which was sort of the Wizarding equivalent of the UN. They even had their headquarters in a secret magical part of the UN building on the banks of the East River.
Hermione was surprised that her American colleagues did not look like witches and wizards at first glance. They did not wear robes or went around waving their wands. She had been told of this beforehand from her new colleagues in the IWR but it was odd experiencing it. She had been told to pack plenty of Muggle suits and clothing and to keep the robes to a minimum. She was beginning to understand one of the reasons why they chose her for this role. Being a muggleborn witch she could adapt easily to both worlds.
There was a knock on her hotel room door. Hermione looked through her peephole and saw a bellman on the other side. She opened the door.
"Ms. Granger?"
"Yes?" It was strange to hear someone call her that, even though her reservation was made under her maiden name.
"This letter arrived for you earlier today."
Hermione took the letter from the bellman. "Thank you." She went to her purse to get him a tip, but she realized that she didn't have any US currency on her.
"I'm sorry - I don't have anything to give you."
"It's quite all right, ma'am. Have a good evening."
Hermione closed the door and looked at the handwriting on the envelope. Her heart sped up, it was from Harry.
She sat on the edge of her bed and opened the letter in anticipation. With trembling hands, she began to read.
2-10-2017
Hermione -
Thank you for your letter and I hope you got to New York safely.
I was very relieved to see that you aren't angry with me after what happened Sunday night. You say you were confused by my apology. I have to admit that I was too. I want to assure you that it wasn't because I didn't like kissing you, it was quite the opposite! I think it was like you said, I felt scared.
Ginny and I separated just a few weeks ago, and my head is telling me that it's too soon to enter into a relationship. It's also telling me that you are my best friend and I don't want to ruin what we have. But my heart is telling me something else - that I'm beginning to have feelings for you that run deeper than friendship. So I suppose I am apologizing for having bad timing, but I'm not sorry that I kissed you.
But I also understand that you need time to figure out what you want. I don't want you to feel pressured into doing anything you aren't ready for. As much as I miss you already, I think this time apart will be good for us. It will help me focus on the court hearing and you can focus on your new job.
Speaking of the hearing, there have been some interesting developments. Ginny gave an interview to the Prophet, and she's playing up the wronged wife angle, twisting everything to make me look bad. I spoke with Anthony today and he wants me to gather some character references for the judge.
I wanted to ask you but under the circumstances, he advised against it. He does want me to ask Ron, though. But since we aren't the best of friends right now and he's Ginny's brother, I doubt he'll help. But Anthony wants me to try.
I'm going to pay Ron a visit at the joke shop tomorrow after work. I'm nervous because I really don't know what to say to him. I never told you this, but Ron accused us of having an affair when I went to see him after your split.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you but he was drunk at the time and I suppose I wanted to protect you from the ugliness. I haven't spoken with him since and the only contact I've had with him is his letter of resignation.
So, I don't know if he really believes you were unfaithful or not, but if he takes Ginny's side in the matter, I'm afraid I might lose the kids. Anthony seems to think that Ron's support would be the ace in the hole in me getting custody.
After considering what you said, I've decided not to file for sole custody, but I want to petition for the kids to live with me, similar to what you are doing with Rose and Hugo. Anthony is supporting me on this, but after all that's what I'm paying him for!
Anyway, that's the latest and I will let you know how things turn out with Ron. Wish me luck because I'm going to need it.
Love,
Harry
p.s. I look forward to your return on Halloween. It will be twenty six years since we first became friends.
Hermione smiled to herself after reading Harry's letter, had it really been twenty-six years? It seemed like yesterday that he and Ron were rescuing her from the troll.
She was relieved that he had enjoyed their kiss as much as she did and things were okay between them. She was also glad that he had listened to her custody advice but was a little disappointed that he hadn't confided in her about Ron's accusation, but she understood why he didn't.
Hermione was very concerned about what Ginny had done and she wished that she could talk to Ron and perhaps convince him to help Harry. But she had no real way to reach him. She was in a muggle hotel, albeit a luxurious one with many amenities, but even they couldn't provide her with an owl. At times like these, Hermione wished that the wizarding world in the UK had telephones or email.
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Tuesday afternoon, Harry left his office at 5:30PM and disapparated to 93 Diagon Alley. He was standing in front of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Nervously he approached the shop and took a deep breath as he entered. He was hoping to enter inconspicuously, but there was a bell over the door that jingled loudly.
George Weasley was standing behind the sales counter and he looked up when Harry entered.
He hurried over to his brother-in-law and clapped him on the back.
"Hey George." Harry said, somewhat sheepishly.
"Harry! You're a brave soul showing your face around these parts. What can I do for you?"
"Um, I was looking for Ron, is he here?"
"Like I said, you're a brave soul. How are you doing? Did you read the interview Ginny gave to the Prophet?"
"Yeah, unfortunately." Harry paused and whispered. "You don't believe that stuff she's saying, do you?"
George rolled his eyes. "Harry, I've known Ginny her entire life and I know she enjoys playing the drama queen. Whatever happened or didn't happen, she shouldn't be splashing your dirty laundry across the papers."
"Well, I can assure you that Hermione and I were not having an affair behind her back. She's twisting everything to make me look bad."
"It's none of my business, mate." George said. "Anyway, you were looking for Ronniekins?"
"Yes, I need to speak to him."
"Well, he's in the back taking a break. But I don't think you should go in there."
"Why not? Is he going to hex me on sight?"
"No, he's back there with Luna."
"Luna Lovegood?" Harry said in surprise. "I haven't seen her in years. What is she doing with Ron?"
"That's what everyone wants to know. Ron says they are just friends, but you know how that is." George said, giving Harry a knowing look.
Just then Ron and Luna appeared from behind the curtain, they were both laughing.
"Oh, Ronald, you are hilarious." Luna said, squeezing his arm.
Ron's ears were tinged with pink, a surefire sign that he was pleased with himself. His smile disappeared when he saw Harry standing next to George.
"Harry Potter!" Luna exclaimed, as her blue eyes grew even wider. She rushed over to give him a hug. "How are you?"
Harry returned the hug. "I'm okay, considering everything."
"Oh yes, I read the article that Ginny gave to the Prophet. I was shocked! I can't believe she would give them the exclusive instead of me."
"What do you mean - are you running The Quibbler now?"
"Yes, I took it over after Daddy died."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Harry said. When he saw Luna's confused expression he amended,
"I mean about your father, not The Quibbler."
"Thanks." Luna said. "He was very sick, so I'm glad he's not suffering anymore. Well, speaking of the paper, I have to go put it to bed now. It was good to see you Harry. And I'll see you soon, Ronald. Bye George."
And the dreamy blond sauntered out of the shop.
"She hasn't changed much has she?" Harry smirked, shaking his head.
"Well actually she has." Ron asserted. "She's been through a lot the last few years and she's not Loony Lovegood anymore."
"Ron, I didn't mean to imply that she's loony. I just think her personality is the same."
Harry sighed as he didn't mean to offend Ron right off the bat. However, if he was coming to Luna's defense, perhaps George was right to think that something might be going on between them.
George cleared his throat. "Well, I'll leave you two to catch up. Ron, you are still on break if you want to talk to Harry in the back."
"That all depends if I want to talk to him." Ron said, crossing his arms. "Why are you here, Harry?"
"I need to talk to you Ron, in private. It's important." He implored.
Ron saw how serious Harry's face was, so he relented.
"Okay, but I only have five minutes."
"Ten." George interjected.
Ron gave his brother a look and walked towards the back room. Harry mouthed thanks to George as he followed Ron into the back.
Ron closed the curtain and sat on a stool. "So, what is so important?"
Harry took a deep breath. "Well, it's about my custody battle with Ginny. I can tell she's trying to wage a war with me in the press, making false allegations about Hermione and me."
He looked at Ron's reaction, but his face remained impassive, so he continued.
"My lawyer says that I need to get some character references to convince the judge that I am not what Ginny paints me to be."
"Which is what, an adulterous liar?" Ron asked dryly.
"Ron, I need to know if you still believe what you accused me of when I last saw you."
"Oh, you mean the part when I thought you were sleeping with my wife?" Ron said sarcastically.
Harry inwardly cringed but nodded.
Ron sighed. "No, I don't. I asked Hermione about it and she swore to me that she was faithful all through our marriage. At least physically, anyway."
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"Oh don't play dumb, Harry, not now." Ron rolled his eyes. "Hermione was always in love with you, even if she won't admit it to herself. You always came first in her heart. And now that you and my sister have split, it seems that she is first in yours."
After their kiss the other night he couldn't deny this anymore, even to Ron.
"Yes, I suppose that's true." Harry conceded.
Ron threw up his hands. "Finally! You admit the truth."
"I'm so sorry, Ron. I'm sorry that our marriages turned out this way."
"Yeah, me too." Ron sighed. "So what do you need from me?"
"Well, I wanted to see you but I also need a favor."
Ron raised his eyebrow. "What kind of favor?"
"A huge one." Harry walked a little closer towards Ron. "I mentioned that I need character references and….I was hoping you might write one for me."
"What?" Ron looked incredulous.
"I'm hoping that you will write a reference letter for me." He put up his hand. "Ron, I know it sounds like I'm asking a lot, which I am. But you are my oldest friend, and you know me best. We've been through everything together and a recommendation from you would mean a lot to me and help the judge see that I need to be with my kids."
"Ginny's planning to file for sole custody, you know." Ron said. "She's hired Gloria Redall and she's vicious."
"I know." Harry nodded. "Listen Ron, you know how important my kids are to me, don't you? All I ever wanted was a family of my own and it would crush me if Ginny took them away permanently. It's bad enough she's keeping them from me now."
Ron sighed. "I know and I don't really like what she's doing. I even told her not to go through with the interview, but she's so stubborn. She wants to make you pay for not loving her anymore."
"I know, and I hate the way she's using the kids as a bargaining tool. It's not fair." Harry shook his head despairingly.
They were silent for a few moments.
"Okay, I'll do it." Ron said.
"You will?" Harry asked, elated.
"Yes, I'm doing it because I don't want my nieces and nephews to grow up without their dad. I know Ginny is going to dig up her bat bogey hex just for me, but like I said, I really don't like what she's doing." Ron paused. "But if you think that just because I'm going to write this letter for you that we're best mates again, you're mistaken."
Harry's elated mood deflated a bit.
"The truth is I need some time away. All of my life I have been Harry Potter's best friend or the youngest Weasley brother and I need to carve out my own niche. I'm working here at the shop for a little while to figure out my next move."
A ghost of a smile appeared on Ron's lips. "And Luna's been a great encouragement."
"So you and Luna, eh?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrow.
Ron turned pink. "We're friends."
Harry nodded, he would say no more.
"Well, I guess I should be going. Please send the letter to Anthony Goldstein at Goldstein Associates, if you could write it in the next week or so that would be great. My hearing is on October 16th so we'd like to get it beforehand."
"What do you want me to say?" Ron asked.
"Um, just talk about how long you've known me and what you think makes me a good person.
I would also appreciate it if you wrote about how I am around my kids, show I'm a good father, that kind of thing."
Ron nodded. "I can do that. I can also talk about how you are with my kids and Teddy."
Harry smiled. "That would be great, thanks." He turned to leave but Ron's voice stopped him.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"It was good to see you."
"You too, Ron."
On his way out, Harry waved good-bye to George and left the shop, feeling much better than he did when he walked in.
TBC
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