I don't own the Harry Potter. JK Rowling does. I wish I did.

Getting rid of the strange thoughts bubbling in her head, Hermione finally dragged herself out of bed and headed over to her wardrobe to begin getting ready. She didn't have much choice to choose from as most of her clothes were bought by her mother-in-law and Molly's taste in clothing wasn't very varied. Hermione looked through the robes of pinks and purples, colours she had always loathed until she found the least hideous one. Even so wearing it made her feel sickly and she had a nagging feeling that lead her to retrieve her wand and redesigning the awful garment, something she had never before considered doing.

When her eyes looked back into the mirror she saw an emerald green dress spotted with red flowers and a clip in her hair resembling a phoenix. 'Much better' she thought and headed down to the kitchen.

She however never made it to the kitchen as she heard a thud in the living room and rushed in to see what had happened. A large old owl was lying on the floor; Hermione went over to help it noticing a parcel with a note attached to the horned owl's foot. As soon as she detached the package, the owl sprang up and flew out of the open window. Hermione looked at the note and wasn't at all shocked to see it was addressed to Ron. She never received mail – or if she did Ron took it first and she always let him. Why did she do that? She was questioning more and more her choice in lifestyle – was her love for him really a valid excuse? Her love seemed to feel more like an obsession. Today her curiosity got the better of her and Hermione opened the letter.

To my little Ronnie,

I can't wait to see you again. You've spent so long away; we need to be together again. I can't bear this separation. When are you going to ditch the mud-blood? You already told me you love me and not her. If that's true then you need to prove it. I always hated her so I don't care how you get rid of her. Just do it! Then you and I can be together, can't we?

I don't see why you've kept her for so long. I get that it was part of your plan but really? It's worked now. She can keep the brats and we can start our own family – just you and me.

Just in case you need more time though, I have left another bottle of Dominus Autemea however it's only enough for one month. I'm sure Ginny and your mother are well stocked if you need some more.

Yours forever and ever

Lavender x

Hermione's vision began to blur as tears pricked her eyes. What had she just read? A love letter? From Lavender? Lavender. Hermione remembered her of course. Ron's first proper love interest. Apparently his current love interest. Dominus Autemea. Hermione recognised the name, but couldn't place where she had heard it. Slowly she opened the package and found a large bottle filled with a magenta liquid with milk blue swirls. What was this drink she had been consuming for the past 20 years? Why had Ron been feeding it to her? Why would Ginny and Molly have a supply of it themselves?

And slowly something dawned on her. Hermione could no longer trust anyone she knew. She would run, but first she needed to know what Ron had been feeding her.


She headed upstairs and looked through her extensive book collection. It was her escape from her numb, forgetful self that had developed over the course of her married life. Ron had allowed her to have books, it kept her busy when she had nothing else to do, she fingered through the "P" section finding only a 6th year book on potions. Of course she wouldn't be allowed to keep books on potions, she probably could have figured Ron out a lot sooner.

Hermione headed back upstairs to the bedroom. She remembered when they first came to this small house, it was a much better time in her life, she was alive and aware and not completely obsessed with the man she married. She was pregnant with Rose though and she was pretty sure she loved Ronald but he could get angry. Really angry and have uncontrollable fits of rage. She had been ready to run then so she stole some of his money and hid it under a floorboard. It was just a case of remembering which one. She was feeling dizzy now, she never normally remembered things, the world began to spin and she fell to the floor.


"Hermy. Hermy! HERMS" Ron was screaming at her. "What are you doing on the floor?" Hermione tried to sit up, groaning as she did so, she looked outside and saw that the sun was just starting to set, she must have been out cold for hours.

"Hellooo?" he said, waving his hands in her face, "I asked you a question, how ditzy are you?"

Hermione barely heard his insults, she had just woken up. Properly. Her head was clear, she could remember so much, all of the past few years of her life that she was constantly wandering around in, barely alive were playing like a movie inside of her head. Suddenly she felt Ron slap her hard. Her face began to sting and her eyes began to water.

"I asked you a question. Never mind, just take your medicine and get ready to go, we are going to the Burrow for dinner."


Hermione was ignoring the idle chatter that was had around the table while she prodded at her bland potatoes and peas. She had noticed that Harry wasn't at the table, then she remembered he hadn't come to these dinners for a while. Was he ill? Was he working? Where was he? Why didn't she know?

"Where's Harry?" the words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them. She had to be more careful, if they noticed she hadn't been taking her "medicine"she didn't know what they'd do.

"Ron did you not tell her?" Ginny asked glaring at Hermione.

"He's dead. It was an attack from some were-wolves, we tried to save him..." Hermione didn't hear the rest of Ron's speech. Her heart like a drum bashing her ribs over and over, tears started streaming down her face and she could feel her hands shaking. Her best friend was dead, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly she rose from the table.

"What are you doing?" Molly said, sizing Hermione up.

"I think I want to head home, it's a short walk, I'll be fine." She headed towards the door, wiping the tears off her face.

"Where did you get the dress?" Ginny said abruptly. For a moment Hermione considered ignoring her and just bolting out the door, but she was sure that she probably would have normally answered. She was acting suspicious enough already. "It was on the floor of my wardrobe, I thought it was pretty."

"I thought she looked better than normal," Ron said startling Hermione. Normally that sort of comment would have sent a hint of pink rushing to her cheeks, instead she simply walked out of the house, ignoring the glares of Molly and Ginny who had clearly taken offence to Ron's attack on their choice of clothing.

The moment she was out of view of the Burrow she rushed home, went to the 6th panel on the floor of her bedroom and tore it open. Inside was a small sack of Sickles and Knuts and a photo of herself, Ronald and Harry soon after the Battle of Hogwarts. She picked up both of her belongings and stood up letting the tears fall freely down her face. She wasn't sure if she was ready but she knew she had to do it. Closing her eyes Hermione attempted to apparate for the first time in years.

With a bang she found her self in what appeared to be a rather lavish room, but she didn't have much time to take in her surroundings as stood opposite her was a man aiming his wand directly at her.


Update: I think this chapter is much better than I had made it before and is definitely different, I really hope you guys think its better and enjoy!