When she was young, she always envisioned everything "post-wedding" as being "happily ever after." Sighing, she knew it just didn't ring true for her anymore. It was just a fantasy from when she was five, and it certainly didn't apply to reality. She knew the rates of divorce and infidelity. And she knew that her marriage was breaking apart by the seams. Every day, the rift deepened. And she felt the repercussions of every argument they had.
She stepped outside and her eyes automatically readjusted to match the bright light outside. She gazed at her home, the memories of children having grown in its comforting walls. She was getting older by the day, as the silver streaks in her hair constantly reminded her. And the greatest thing she'd ever be known for was being best friends with The-Boy-Who-Lived.
She sat on the verandah as magical neighbors waved. Her life was generally undisturbed. She usually received no visitors, and the main section of her day was caring for her husband. Now that she thought about it, he too had changed. His carefree nature had changed somehow, and their relationship had mutated. He went out for alcohol too often nowadays, enjoying a bit more firewhisky than was expected. And the nights when he didn't come home? She knew where he was. She knew who he was with.
She wasn't stupid. No, throughout her life, she could hardly have been called stupid. She was the first in her class, and she did exceptionally well at the Ministry of Magic. He knew that he wasn't fooling anyone. Especially her. But he didn't care. They were hardly on genial speaking terms anymore. They were caught in the same routine for nearly a decade. And there was no sign of change.
When she was alone, she entertained no one. She opted to reread her Hogwarts: A History once more. Even her "close" friends were a bit concerned with her anti-social behavior. But she revealed nothing to no one. Even her children believed that she was happy in her marriage.
He apparated before her, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. He quickly dashed into the house before she had time to react. She headed into the house to see what he was doing, to see where he was going. He quickly changed. He pecked her lips quickly. "Where are you going?" she called after him.
"Leaky Cauldron." And with a loud bang, she knew he'd already left. She followed suit, and apparated to the place she frequented recently. She knelt in the soft earth, and bowed her head. It was silent here, and she appreciated it. There was no other company than her own thoughts, and she reveled in them. Her ivory fingertips lightly traced over the marble-engraved name. Soft tears still fell on her cheeks, despite the passed time. It didn't hurt any less.
I miss you, Harry.
And at that moment, she wept over the threads of what her life was, and what her life could have been.