Never again shall I experience heartache. Never again shall I wonder when my husband is coming home. Never again shall I fear tomorrow. Never again shall I mourn alone.
Chapter 1
Hermione sat alone at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee between her palms. Her fingers strummed away at some unknown beat as she stared at the front door. Would he arrive today? Would he be home tomorrow?
It had been three long years since Ron had exited their home the final time. Hermione remembered the day well. She had gotten out of bed that morning in a particularly foul mood, but managed somehow to have a smile on her face as she sent the children and her husband out the door headed toward the train station. It was back to school day.
She'd kissed him softly on the cheek; too softly. If she'd know it was the last time she'd see him she wouldn't have let him go. Off they went, leaving Hermione in the doorframe in her fuzzy pink robe and cup of coffee in her hand, not unlike today.
Hermione wiped her cheek with the back of her hand as she heard her youngest thundering down the stairs.
"Mummy! I cannot find my cat," Hugo grumbled, "I think he got out in the garden."
"Perhaps you should stop leaving the backdoor open every time you go out to play?" Hermione suggested, rolling her eyes. That cat had been the most insufferable creature since they'd purchased him the year before; always hiding, eating things he shouldn't, dragging mice in…
"I'm twelve years old, Mum! I don't play any longer. I'm not a child," Hugo screwed up his face in disgust, looking exactly like his father.
"Then why did you just call me Mummy only a few seconds ago?" Hermione smirked, turning and crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Hugo sighed dramatically and turned, stomping back up the stairs, mumbling something about mothers and how they don't understand anything. Hermione chuckled quietly, pouring herself another cup of coffee. Eustis the cat would certainly show up sometime soon. Hermione wasn't about to break her neck searching for the gray ball of fluff.
"Mum!" Rose shouted from the top of the stairs, irritation evident in her voice.
"What is it, Rose?" Hermione called in return, aggravated already. She peered at the clock. It was only nine. Great start to the day.
"Where is my pink sweater? The one that fits tight in the middle?" Rose yelled.
"In the hamper where you left it," Hermione called back.
"Ugh!" Rose stomped down the corridor toward the laundry room.
Hermione shook her head and took her seat at the kitchen table once again, "Ronald Weasley, I miss you…"
(Thanks for reading the first chapter! Going to keep them short and sweet. Will post more soon. Please review!)