Last time I checked I still don't own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling has that pleasure. I just get to play here!

Hermione came home early. She walked into the house and immediately felt something was wrong. She walked into the kitchen and was shocked to see her husband home.
"Ron!? What are you doing here?"

"Hermione. There is something I need to tell you."

Hermione sat down and placed her hand on Ron's. "Whatever it is honey, I am sure it will be okay. We can figure it out together."

"That's just it Hermione. We cant figure this out together. I'm in love with someone else. 'Mione, I'm so sorry. I really botched this up. But I couldn't help it. She is really amazing. "

She put her hand forcefully in the air to stop his explanation, then she stood up and turned around to leave the kitchen. "Don't..." Hermione said stoically. She walked out of the kitchen and walked up the stairs to her bedroom.

Something was definitely wrong... with Ron.

She packed a bag of her books, her clothes, her pictures, a few mementos. As she packed, she knew exactly where she needed to go. She needed to get away to her safe haven. As much as she didn't want to drag Ron's family into things, she apparated to the Burrow to find Ginny.

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"Ginny!" she called. She looked around the house for Ginny. Hermione knew Ginny would be home this weekend as the Holyhead Harpies had no matches. "Ginny!" she screamed.

"What!" Ginny yelled back.

"Ginny. It's over." She looked a bit in shock. "Merlin! Why did he have to do it? What's wrong with me? I mean I give him everything he wants and this is how he treats me? I support him. I make the rounds at every ministry event he wants to go to, even when I don't want to go. Why Ginny? He is YOUR brother, can you please explain this to me?"

"What are you talking about?" Ginny held out her hand to touch Hermione's shoulder. "Is it Ron? Is he okay? Was there an accident. Bloody hell. Just tell me what happened?"

"It's over. Ron is in love with someone else.", Hermione stammered. At this, Hermione buried her face with her hands and cried. She was shattered. She had been so happy when they got married. Yes, they were a little mismatched but they were happy weren't they? Yes, they had been married for a few years. They had their share of struggles, sometimes they didn't see eye to eye. They both sort of escaped into their jobs. Hermione spent many hours trying to improve the quality of life for house elves. Ron could never understand why it was so important to Hermione. Even at Hogwarts when she had founded S.P.E.W., he would ridicule her for feeling so passionately about the cause. It was never about the elves mind you, it was about helping someone fight a battle they could not fight for themselves. Helping them find a way to a better life made her feel important. It made her feel valued and needed. Obviously Ron no longer valued or needed her.

"Are you sure it's over? This is your marriage we are talking about. You should at least talk to Ron about this."

"Oh Ginny. He said he was in love with her. I don't even know who SHE is. I couldn't listen to him anymore. What am I going to do now Ginny?" Hermione decided. "Ginny, I just cannot go back there right now. I need to get away. I really need to go to the cottage this weekend. Do you think you can call Neville and Luna, too? Maybe if we all talk I can come up with something".

Neville, Luna, Ginny and Hermione had been getting together for the last couple years several times a year at the Longbottoms' beach cottage. they had made a pact with each other a couple years ago, that whenever they had some kind of discovery in their lives, they would go to the cottage and share it with each other. Then they would celebrate their little victories or help each other through their trials. They had shared so much together... Hermione's arguments with Ron, Ginny's pain with her relationship with Harry, Neville's loneliness when his grandmother passed away, Luna's devastation when she admitted the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks were not real.

"That's a great idea Hermione. Why don't you just rest for a minute and I will arrange everything. I think it would do you a world of good to get away from it all".

"Thanks, Ginny."

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2 hours later Ginny, Hermione, Neville and Luna apparated to the Longbottom beach cottage. A lovely Tudor style cottage with four 1 bedroom suites, a library, a sitting room, and an expansive kitchen. The four friends had spent countless hours restoring the house to its former glory. Neville was particularly proud of his gardens filled with a plethora of herbs & flowers. The cottage had become a comfortable refuge for the craziness of their daily lives. They regularly went to their retreat together, just for fun. Occasionally, each had used the cottage alone when they needed a sanctuary. After this weekend, it would be Hermione's turn for an extended stay.

The four friends sat down in the sitting room on their four respective chairs. Each had a chair that reflected their own personality. Hermione sat on a leather club chair, Luna's was made of willow branches with a soft purple velvet cushion, Neville's was a formal green leaf brocade, Ginny's sported red and white stripes. Each chair reflected its owner well, but somehow they all went together beautifully. As was their custom, they each went around the room discussing what was going on in their lives.

Hermione started, "Neville, its your house, Why don't you go first? I really want to be last".

So Neville began, "I am so excited! I couldn't wait to tell you all. It has been so difficult to keep it a secret. I found a new herb. I haven't decided what to call it BUT it cures warts, pimples AND the common cold!

Everyone shared their enthusiasm with Neville's announcement. They continued to ask questions about how, when & where he found this herb. As the conversation slowed down, Neville turned the floor over to Luna.

"Thanks Neville. Well, I guess it is an evening of discoveries. You know I have been in the Amazon for a while, well I found a new species of animals. Its something that no one has ever seen before. At first I thought I finally found a Crumple-horned Snorkack (everyone groaned at this comment), but I know there is no such thing (they smiled warmly at Luna). Still, we found something new entirely. Now that I told you I can publish my findings to the wizarding community."

Neville, Hermione and Ginny all shared their happiness with Luna. They continued to ask questions about the species. As the conversation slowed down, Luna looked at Ginny and said, "Your turn".

Ginny started, "Well, I had an interesting month last month. As you all know, I have been writing occasionally for the Daily Prophet when we have been on the road. Well, I was recently asked to consider becoming a correspondent. I'm not giving up my day job yet, but I am excited with the prospect."

Neville, Luna and Hermione offered their support for her news. When the floor turned to Hermione, both Ginny and Hermione took a deep breath and then exhaled. Luna and Neville looked at each other, not sure what to expect. They knew it was urgent by Ginny's insistence they get together this weekend and braced themselves for something.

Hermione began. "Ron is in love with someone else."

As Hermione told her story about her morning, her friends were astounded. Neville turned a bright red and coughed. He got up off the couch and walked around the room obviously uncomfortable with the situation. Luna was listening intently calmly absorbing everything. Ginny shaking her head in shame. How her brother could do this to her best friend she just couldn't believe.

"Hermione," Neville hesitantly asked, "are you sure about this? I mean have you had any indication that there was something going on?"

"I don't know Neville. I guess he has been acting a little strange lately. I thought it was just work, but we just haven't been as close as we used to be. We both have been so busy with work, we barely see each other. I guess I never really thought about it before. I thought it was just the way it was supposed to be. Well. I guess that's it. Ron and I are over. you know what? I think I am going to stay here for a little while. Just take some time off and do some reading. My marriage is over. I guess I need to find a new life. You know what... I am going to start by taking back my name."

When Hermione had finished, the room fell silent.

Finally Luna broke the silence. She looked up at Hermione and said, "oh, hello again... Hermione Granger!"

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