Disclaimer: JKR owns.
Lost Daughter
Chapter 12: An Unwelcome Visitor
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Harry walked in his front door late on Monday night exhausted and ready for immediate sleep. Even though he had made it home last night at a decent time, he had been up and ready for work at five this morning. His day with Ginny had been okay yesterday, but throughout the day and the night, he came to realize that the more time he spent with his wife, the more he couldn't stop thinking about his best friend's wife. This was part of his excuse to head straight for bed. Avoiding Ginny tonight would certainly be a relief for him.
However, as he set his briefcase down and threw his cloak over the coat tree, he heard two very distinct voices coming from further in the house. He didn't even get the chance to think of an escape before Ginny called out to him.
"Harry? Is that you?"
Harry sighed as he started for the kitchen, hoping for his own sake that he'd be able to keep his attitude in check.
"Hey sweetheart," Ginny grinned as he came in through the dining room entrance.
"Hi," Harry replied quietly before giving a hard nod to the other ginger in the room, "Ron."
Ron jumped up from his seat at the table and with a big smile, he came over to clap Harry on the back, "How ya been best mate of all mates? It's been a while. Haven't found a replacement for me, have ya?"
"I've been busy," Harry shrugged, his tone rough.
Ginny raised her eyebrows insightfully, "He's always busy."
"Come off it, Harry," Ron said, carelessly slapping him on the back again. Harry's jaw locked and he became even more rigid as Ron continued. If only the red head knew how much Harry was trying not to curl his fists right now then he wouldn't be hitting him so casually. "You can't let the auror department take your life from you. You should dedicate more time to what's important in life."
"And what's that Ron?" Harry snapped, his blood now officially starting to simmer.
Both Ron and Ginny looked taken aback, "What?"
"What's that? I mean, what do you take time off work for? I thought you've been pretty busy lately as well?"
"Harry-" Ginny tried, but Ron quieted her.
"Yeah well, I've been trying to keep busy. It'd be different if Hermione were still at home."
"Would it?" Harry bit out with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Harry! What's wrong with you?" Ginny chided, full of shock.
Harry shook his head, "Absolutely nothing. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing-"
"So we're all just fine then. What's for dinner?" Harry asked suddenly, walking around the table and dropping into the seat opposite of the one Ron was sitting at. He knew that if he was sitting he'd be less likely to jump at Ron for any other senseless comments he wanted to make.
"Shepherd's pie. I'll make you a plate."
Harry thanked her as Ginny walked out with a confused look on her face. He was sure that she'd be wanting some explanations later, but Harry wasn't sure yet if he'd be willing to give them to her. Right now, at least, he had more pressing matters at hand. Literally.
Ron cautiously sat back down in his seat, his eyes searching Harry's face for any reason for his brusque behaviour.
"Have I done something?" he finally asked.
Harry eyes frosted over, "You're asking me?"
"You've been distant lately. There has to be a reason…"
"Do you have anything you need to tell me, Ron?"
Ron looked up, suddenly very anxious looking. Harry, on the other hand, was looking at Ron like he'd never looked at him before. His hard, stiff glare was the same glare he used when interrogating criminals. Right now Ron wasn't much better than a criminal in Harry's mind. To him, he deserved no better treatment.
"Sorry? I'm not following you, mate."
"Like you said, we're best mates," Harry continued, "And it's been a while- surely there's some catching up we should do."
Ron shifted around in his seat before shrugging, "Just trying to adjust. It's weird not having Hermione and Hugo around the house anymore."
"It's weird not having them around, or not having to hide from them?"
"Harry, I don't know what you're talking about-"
"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about," Harry cut him off dangerously. Ron's head jerked back in offence; Harry had never been so threatening to him before…
"I'm not the one that's been distant. You're the one who hasn't been considering your best mates. And actions always have consequences, Ron," he finished in a more quiet and deadly voice.
"Here you go," Ginny announced, coming into the room carrying a plate of food. She came over and set it in front of Harry, "With extra mash- just the way you like it."
"You shouldn't have, Gin," Harry said, not breaking his eye contact with Ron.
Ginny smiled, "It was no trouble. What about you Ron? Want another plate? What, I think you're on your
fifth- or is it the sixth serving?"
"No. I-I have to go," Ron stumbled, getting up from his chair rather suddenly.
His sister frowned, "But Harry only just got here. You've spent the past half hour moaning about how you never have any quality bloke time anymore…"
"Yeah Ron," Harry agreed, "Why don't you stay? Give us a chance to talk more."
Ron's eyes flickered as he stared into Harry's. The traditional Weasley trait of embarrassment flushed red on his cheeks and around his ears as he shook his head, "Maybe another time. Thanks for the food Ginny."
"The Burrow next Sunday. Make sure you're there, alright brother?" Ginny said as she came around the table and kissed him on the cheek.
Harry watched as he kissed her back and agreed reluctantly, "Yeah."
He shot Harry one last turmoiled look before turning and walking out of the Potter's dining room.
…
Hermione looked up over her desk and smiled as she watched Amia make another humph of content as she read over the chapter Hermione had assigned for tonight. "You're making some good noises over there," Hermione said, momentarily forgetting the 2nd year papers she was grading.
"This stuff's actually pretty interesting," Mia replied before shooting her a look over the big text, "But don't tell anyone I said that."
Hermione smirked, "Coming from the girl who fell asleep trying to read this only a few hours earlier? Well, your secret's safe with me."
"Hey!" Amia scoffed light-heartedly, "It wasn't so much this as it was the discussion about Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. That's like a lullaby to anyone who knows it. I'm surprised you weren't getting sleepy just talking about it. And in my further defence, it was 9 in the morning."
"A normal hour to the rest of us humans," Hermione responded, still grinning.
Amia again looked over her book at her, this time with a much more wild look. "I never claimed to be human," she whispered, her beautiful green eyes going crazy in joke of the situation.
Hermione laughed, "I'm claiming it for you right now. Keep reading."
"With pleasure," Mia mumbled, turning back to the text book. Hermione couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself as she watched Mia reading. With her bag thrown on the floor, her robes hung uncaringly over the side of her chair, and her feet propped up on the desk, it all reminded her of Harry's old studying techniques.
She couldn't help but take a couple extra moments of admiring her before turning back to her essays that needed grading.
She didn't get very far though. Not even thirty seconds had passed before the door to the classroom abruptly shot open. Hermione jumped up immediately, her hand reaching for her wand while Amia spun around in her seat.
Ron Weasley paid no attention to the student sitting at the front desk and instead stalked straight towards Hermione.
"Ron!" Hermione said, her voice appalled but her face already contorting into an angry glare.
Also glaring, he pointed a finger at her, "We need to talk."
Hermione let out furious breath through her nose as she did her best not to look into the confused face of Amia. She didn't want to draw any attention towards her with Ron standing so close…
"I'll be right back. Keep reading," she muttered at Amia while walking down the isle towards Ron. She could feel her eyes on her back as she walked to him and pointed at the door.
"Outside."
Ron said nothing and followed her out of the double oak doors. Hermione made sure they were completely closed before spinning on him.
"Do you want to tell me what you're doing here and what the hell that was all about? I was with a student, Ronald!"
"I don't give a rat's ass," Ron screamed at her, a lot more angry than she had any explanation for. However, what he said next made his fury all make sense, "You fucking told him, didn't you!"
"Told who what?" Hermione asked despite herself.
"Told Harry about what happened! I was just over at their house and he was looking at me like he wanted to beat me to a bloody pulp! Why else would he look at me like that if you haven't told him?"
"Well there's several possibilities, but I'm not Harry so I couldn't explain them to you," Hermione replied, folding her arms defiantly.
Ron scoffed, "Oh, stop fucking with my head and just admit it! You told him!"
"Have you ever thought that maybe Harry's caught you as well?" Hermione asked, suddenly outraged that she was being put on the spot like this. What right did he have? She wasn't the one to cheat! She had done nothing wrong, yet here he was acting like she'd committed the worst of sins!
Her comment seemed to make him think though, because he was suddenly quieter as he glared, "What are you talking about?"
"You've been in a closer proximity with him than you have with me," Hermione bit out, "Who knows for sure how long you've been sneaking around or how many times he's caught you. Maybe you should think about that instead of coming here and accusing me!"
"That's shite Hermione and you know it!" he spat, now shouting again, "You probably ran off to him first thing. You probably thought that since you couldn't have me anymore, that he was your best bet!"
"I would never think about destroying someone's marriage like you've destroyed ours! I would never want Ginny to experience the humiliation or stress over having to tell their kids, like I have! I am not the villain here, Ronald!"
"Oh, here we go again! I'm the bad guy, this is all my fault right?!"
"I didn't ask you to cheat on me," Hermione said through clenched teeth. She hadn't felt her blood boil like this for quite some time. The mount of effort she had to put in to simply have a conversation with Ron frustrated her to no end. And to think she had been married to an asshole like this for nearly fifteen years!
"Well if you didn't tell him then who did?"
"It's quite obvious that you're not as stealthy as you think you are. I don't have to stand here and go over theories concerning your infidelity with you. This is your mess Ron. Take some fucking responsibility for it."
Ron scoffed again and took a couple steps back. Hermione didn't know what he was about to do, but did take note that his face was burning a bright shade of scarlet, and his hands were clenched into fists. Subtly, she reached her hand into her pocket and grabbed her wand, just in case Ron's rage made him spiral out of control.
Thankfully it wasn't necessary, and after a couple moments of stewing he turned to point at her again, "This isn't over."
Hermione snorted confidently, "Famous last words. Now leave before I get security."
She was relieved to watch him turn and storm off down the hall. She didn't know what exactly compelled him to come here and confront her like this, but she could only assume that he and Harry must've came in contact at some point. And unlike she, Harry was truly angry for what Ron had done. Her only hope was that he didn't fly off the handle. Even though she appreciated Harry's protectiveness (something of which's extent also confused her), she didn't want Ron and Harry fighting over her. That would only lead to others getting involved, and then people finding out of whom she wasn't ready to tell. She had enough on her plate as it was with Amia; she didn't want to add a family feud to it as well.
Hermione stood outside the class for a couple quiet minutes, hoping that Amia hadn't heard too much of the screaming match that had just taken place.
When she finally thought she had enough composure to go back in, she opened the doors and found Mia staring straight at her. Nervous of how much she'd heard, she put on a smile, "Finished yet?"
"I couldn't concentrate over the noise."
Hermione sighed, "I'm sorry you had to see and hear that."
Amia gave Hermione a once-over before shrugging, "It's fine. Are you alright?"
"Fine," Hermione replied resolutely, heading up the isle towards her desk.
"You don't look very fine," Amia replied as she walked past.
Hermione stopped and sighed again before turning to look at her, "It's a long story, Mia."
"We got time. Was that your husband?"
Hermione bit her lip before nodding, "Yeah. Ron."
"How long have you been together?"
"About 15 years. But we've known each other since we were eleven. We were best friends growing up," Hermione said, her tone not giving away any depth or emotion.
Mia nodded before gesturing towards Hermione, "You don't wear a ring."
Hermione too looked down to her left hand, bare of any semblance of marriage or commitment before looking back up to her, "No. I don't."
Amia nodded again before asking, "Is he the only guy you've ever been with?"
Hermione froze, "Uh…"
"Sorry," Mia mumbled sheepishly, "Just curious."
"It's complicated," Hermione finally said with a light shrug of her own.
Amia nodded and sat quietly pondering for a couple minutes. Hermione was just about to tell her to get back to reading when she spoke up.
"You know, when my mom found out that my dad had lost all of his money, she accused him of ruining our family. But despite everything, I've never blamed my dad. He was just too considerate to all of our wants- that's why he ran out of money."
"I'm sorry," Hermione whispered, that being the only thing she could think of to say. Well, she knew what she'd like to call Kirsten Cooper, but it wouldn't have been appropriate to do so in front of Mia. Actually Amia probably would've loved it, but it would confuse her nonetheless.
"I've always figured if my dad just spoke for himself that none of it would have ever happened. The only reason that he didn't is because he thought it would hurt us- but in the end that's all that happened."
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, finally realizing what she was getting at. When she opened her eyes, she looked at Amia in a much more vulnerable light, "He thinks if we separate that Rose and Hugo will hate me."
Amia shook her head immediately, "They won't. Not if you just talk to them and tell them the truth. The hatred happens when they find the truth piece by piece from someone who isn't their mom or dad."
"I want to be straightforward with them," Hermione whispered, now looking down at the ground, "but I don't want them to think less of Ron."
Mia nodded in sympathy, "I'm sorry…"
"It's okay," Hermione shrugged, still not meeting her eyes, "We never really fell in love… just got pregnant and figured it was best for the baby if we got married."
"It's not too late…" Amia offered gently, "if you think that's something you want. I mean, your still pretty young…"
At that, Hermione cracked a smile, "I don't know. It's definitely really complicated."
"Well, I'm sure your kids and the rest of your family will understand. I'm sure they just want you to be happy."
"Happy…" she muttered, playing the word over in her head. Unconsciously her eyes turned back up towards Mia's. They stayed staring at each other for a few seconds before Hermione finally sighed, "That is something that is so close, yet so far away."
"You should go for it- whatever it is you're talking about."
Hermione again smiled at her encouragement. It made her happy to hear that from her, even though she had no idea what her happiness really entailed of…
"You're only sixteen. How are you so wise?"
Amia let out a long winded sigh as she sat back in her chair. Finally, she simply pointed upward, "It's just God-given, Hermione."
She grinned, "Of course. One of your many talents."
Now also smiling, she shrugged, "You were willing to listen to my issues, it's only nice to return the favour."
"Thank you," Hermione muttered sincerely, but also with an edge of longing. Never in a million years did she think she'd be taking love advice from her estranged daughter, especially given the people involved…
"Can I finish this tomorrow?" Amia asked, breaking Hermione from her thoughts. Hermione's eyes shot to hers and she realized she was referring to the reading. She quickly nodded.
"Yeah. It's late, you should be getting to bed."
Mia nodded and moved to start gathering up her belongings. She was just finishing putting on her cloak and about to grab her bag when Hermione thought of something.
"Hey, wait…"
Mia turned to her, "Yeah?"
"C-Can you just…"
Mia seemed to understand instantly, "I won't tell them. Anyone."
Hermione bit her lip, "Thanks."
Amia waved it off as she slung her book bag over her shoulder. She was just about to turn to walk down the isle, but stopped short.
Unexpectedly, she looked back at Hermione with a curious look, "But when are you?"
Hermione blew out a long awaited breath, "I'm trying to figure that one out."
Mia spent an extra second looking at her befriended professor before nodding, "Night Hermione."
"Good night Amia."
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Next chapter: Hermione makes a big decision, Harry has to deal with some new cases at work, and Amia becomes determined to make Rose have a little fun.
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