By amburnikole
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own ideas….alas everything Harry Potter belongs to JKR
When Hermione opened her eyes, she felt the tears immediately flow down her cheeks to the silky sheets beneath her. Her heart ached when she thought of Ron, but she knew the pain would only be temporary. It had been her choice, after all, to leave him. Loving him wasn't the problem. She loved him, she loved their children, but she could not longer pretend that she was happy. He was so wonderful the first few years, but then he started to change. He began to resent her and her talents, her job, even her existence. He tried to keep her home, to run her life, and crush her dreams. She couldn't shut herself away from the world, and she could no longer be suppressed and smothered into the horrible existence that Ron called home.
He hounded her for days afterwards, begging her to reconsider, and refusing to sign the divorce papers. She was stone-faced and refused to give into his apologies and pleadings, and by the end of the month she was Ms. Hermione Granger once more. Surprisingly enough, things at her office in the ministry were relatively back to normal after all the hype. She had not received any ill wishes from her boss, whom she was sure wouldn't hesitate in getting his two cents in with some snide comment. Lucius Malfoy had been blissfully silent through the storm of press and hate mail she received. In fact, he had been almost helpful at times. He helped her burn most of the letters she received, turned away reporters, and even hit one photographer over the head with his cane. After all, they were trying to work and even the smallest distractions could cause something to go wrong when trying to break curses on dark artifacts.
She sighed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. A glance at the clock told her she was due to get up in a half hour for work. Resigned, she pulled herself up to start her routine.
An hour later had her standing behind her desk at the pile of files to be done for the day.
"ah….an early bird today Ms. Granger."
She smiled and looked up.
"Yes. I couldn't sleep. You're here early as well."
The platinum blonde smirked.
"Yes well, I had my own sleep troubles. Shall I order us some breakfast and we can start once we are finished?"
"That would be wonderful' she replied, taking in the almost unnoticeable circles under the wizard's eyes along with his slower gait.
"Mr. Malfoy…maybe it would do us some good to get some air. Would you be agreeable to going out for breakfast?"
He raised his eyebrow at her.
"Very well. Let's get moving so we can get back. There is a particularly nasty looking curse on a ring brought in last month that I want to get started on."
She rolled her eyes at his retreating back, but smiled as she noticed the almost imperceptible spring in his step that wasn't there before.
They had not been to the Scarlet Rose in some time, but they had one of the best English breakfasts in the city as far as Hermione was concerned. It was a small pub, but the atmosphere was warm and the people were warmer.
"Ah Hermione! Lucius! Been a long time hasn't it?"
"Hello Archie. Too long my friend." Replied Lucius.
"Your table is open, I'll place an order for the usual eh?"
"Yes please Archie" Hermione replied.
They moved to sit in the booth by the last window towards the back.
"So tell me about this ring we're going to tackle."
Lucius smiled.
"Is was an estate piece leftover from the Lestranges' possessions. It is a magnificent ruby set in platinum, but the dark magic it gives off is almost tangible."
"Hmm…sounds like it will be a fun one."
He chuckled and Hermione laughed, both remembering the last Lestrange piece they had broken the curses on. It had been a hand mirror and Hermione's hair was pitch black for two days after one of the curses caught her.
Hermione turned her head towards the bar to smile at Archie when she gasped loudly.
Lucius looked over to see what was going on.
"RON!?"
There was her ex-husband walking in with Lavender Brown fawning all over him. At his name, his head whipped around.
"Herms?"
She
scrambled from the booth and over to the pair.
"What is this about?"
"Um, well…you see.."
"We're seeing each other Ms. Granger" Lavender spoke sweetly, emphasizing the Ms more than necessary.
Hermione stammered for a moment, trying to hide the hurt that she felt.
"Already moved on then have you? That didn't take long at all."
"Well it looks like you have too. I mean you're here with some bloke….wait is that Lucius Malfoy? You're here with HIM?"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"He is my boss Ronald, or don't you remember that? Maybe if you had paid attention more…"
"Here now Hermione that's enough…you don't want me anymore so I'm seeing someone who does. I refuse explain myself to you. You aren't my wife anymore. Please excuse us. Catch you later Archie." And they turned and left.
Hermione stood there trying to calm herself and was failing miserably. Her heart was racing, she was fighting off hyperventilation and tears, and her heart ached again. She jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. She looked over into the cool grey eyes of Lucius Malfoy. He looked at her with something in his eyes she couldn't put her finger on. He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. He looked away from her then and Hermione noticed his hand was still warm on her shoulder. He looked at her again for a moment before sliding the hand from her and moving away stopping only a moment to look back.
"Our breakfast is ready Hermione." Was all he said before reclaiming his seat.
Hermione placed her hand over where his had been for a moment before reclaiming her place as well. As she ate she contemplated how those five words had calmed her in an instant. Words of comfort would have opened the floodgates and somehow he knew not to use them. They were ordinary words, spoken from a not so ordinary man and they seemed to bring her back to herself and she was grateful. And he had called her Hermione.