A/N: I just wanted to make a quick observation. For those reviewers that leave anon reviews, or reviews I cannot respond to, I understand you may not like every chapter, but things aren't always what they seem. I am building up to certain events, and I can't do it all in a single chapter, nor would people continue reading if it was blatantly obvious what was going to happen.

I hope that makes sense, and having said that, I do sincerely appreciate everyone that takes the time to review... good or bad!

Happy reading!

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Chapter 21

Hermione slumped down into the chair, hoping desperately that the warmth of the fire would somehow seep into her cold limbs. The room was dark, but she hadn't bothered turning on any lights as the dark seemed to suit her mood. She was exhausted, mentally as well as physically. She hadn't slept last night, and was still trying to process the events of yesterday and today. What she had thought would happen, and what actually had happened was very, very different.

Hermione had sent an owl to Headmaster Jenkins last Tuesday, informing him that she would be arriving on Saturday afternoon to spend the day with her children. Rose and Hugo were very happy to see her, and the three of them spent a lovely afternoon exploring all her old favorite places around Hogwarts. Hermione felt herself relaxing as she listened to Rose and Hugo argue over their favorite, and least favorite, teacher's and classes.

Hugo especially, spoke excitedly about the Halloween Feast next week, as he had inherited Ron's insatiable appetite. But thankfully, not his table manners. Hermione had thought, as she smiled at her son.

After a wonderful dinner together in the Great Hall, Hermione took her children up to the Astronomy Tower, so she could break the news of the impending divorce in private. Needless to say, they had not taken it well. Rose, after screaming some very hurtful accusations at Hermione, ran from the room in tears, and Hugo, still very much a mommy's boy, just crawled into her lap and cried out his confusion.

After she left, conflicted thoughts kept running through her head. What should she do now? Could she really go through with this knowing how it was affecting her children?

In her heart, she knew ending her marriage was the right decision for her, but it obviously was not for the kids. Now that Hugo was at Hogwarts, the kids were only home for two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter, and two months over the summer, surely she and Ron could reach some sort of agreement for those times.

With those thoughts fresh on her mind, she had Apparated to their house this morning to talk things over with Ron. Without thinking, she had walked into the house unannounced, and found Ron snuggled up on the couch with a very young, very thin, blond. She didn't know who was more surprised, Ron, the blond, whom he introduced as Mandy, or herself.

After quickly excusing herself, she waited on the back porch swing while Ron got dressed. He didn't apologize for Mandy being there, nor would he give her an answer when she asked how long they had been seeing each other. Hermione knew she should be hurt by his infidelity, and by his lies, but other than a small twinge, she realized that she really didn't care. Her heart longed for someone else, and as soon as the divorce was final, she was going to go after what she wanted.

Focusing back on the reason for her visit, she told Ron about her distressing visit to Hogwarts, and Rose and Hugo's reactions to the news of their impending divorce. Hermione stayed silent as Ron processed her words, and she knew they bothered him as well. He asked her to give him a day or two to think things over, and talk to his lawyer.

They agreed to meet in a few days to talk things over, and amend their agreement if necessary. As she was leaving, Hermione marveled that it took her and Ron getting a divorce to actually have a civil conversation with each other. She knew that probably wouldn't last, but it was a welcome change.

She spent the afternoon discussing her options with her lawyer, and she was pretty confident they had come up with a compromise that would work for everyone. After her lawyer left to draw up the new agreement, Hermione filled a bath, and was about to get in when she received an owl from Hogwarts telling her that Rose had gotten into a fight with another student.

Hermione immediately sent an owl to Ron, dressed quickly, and Apparated into Hogsmeade so she could floo from the Three Broomsticks directly into the Headmaster's Office. Once there, she found a recalcitrant Rose sitting beside another student, who was covered in large purple boils.

They had to wait a few minutes for Ron and the boy's parents to arrive; during which time, Rose simply glared at Hermione, refusing to speak. Hermione knew Rose was acting out in hurt and anger over the news from yesterday, and though she understood, that did not mean she condoned Rose's behavior.

After the other three parents had arrived, it was revealed that the boy, Thomas Hilt, had been taunting Rose in the library, as evidently was his custom, and instead of ignoring him, as was her custom, she hexed him. Unfortunately for her, there were witnesses, and as Thomas never even removed his wand from his cloak, she was the one found to be at fault.

After much discussion, most of it heated, it was decided that Rose would receive a week's worth of Detention with Mr. Filch, who was even crankier now than when Ron and Hermione attended Hogwarts. She would also lose her Hogsmeade privileges the following weekend.

After the meeting broke up, Ron decided it was time for he and Rose to have a talk. When it became obvious Hermione intended to stay for the discussion, Ron gave her a very pointed look, indicating she should leave. Hermione kissed the top of Rose's head, despite her daughter's obvious attempt to avoid her, and reluctantly floo'd back to the Three Broomsticks.

Hermione decided to have a drink on the off chance that Ron would floo here instead of going directly home. She sincerely hoped he would stop by and let her know how things had gone with Rose, even though, she acknowledged to herself, he was no longer under any obligation to do so.

Hermione was distressed by Rose's behavior; she had never acted out like this before, and Hermione hoped this was a onetime occurrence. She had always considered herself lucky that she and Rose had such a close relationship, despite her full-time career. Now she wondered if that would change.

Hermione ordered a glass of wine and took a booth in the back, away from the main bustle of the bar. It was pretty full for a Sunday evening, which surprised her, and as she sipped her wine, she looked around at the other patrons.

Suddenly her heart stopped; a few tables over, partially hidden by a large potted plant, was the man who had been filled her thoughts almost exclusively for the last month… Lucius Malfoy... and he wasn't alone.

Hermione's initial reaction was to storm over to the table and demand to know who the thin brunette was, as she could only see the back of her head from where she was sitting.

How dare he start dating again, he was supposed to be in mourning for Narcissa, he was supposed to be strengthening his relationship with his son, and dammit... he was supposed to be pining for her. Hermione's thoughts raced.

So, this explains why he hasn't been in touch or made any attempt to see me in the last month and a half, she thought bitterly, as hurt and jealousy burned through her.

Hermione watched surreptitiously as Lucius laughed over something the brunette said, and the realization that Lucius had never laughed like that with her, slammed into her solar plexus like a ton of bricks. His laugh was a totally unrestrained explosion of mirth, and she closed her eyes, as the sound vibrated through her

Maybe she was overreacting, maybe this was just an innocent drink to discuss business or... or... a family member he was catching up with... or... maybe, maybe..., Hermione ran out of possible explanations as she looked over at Lucius once more, and her eyes saw what her brain refused to accept.

Lucius reached forward to brush his finger gently across the woman's cheek, and Hermione felt her insides twist, as she struggled not to cry out at the unfairness of it.

She had waited because they were both still tied to other people, she had denied herself what she was convinced would have been the most sexually fulfilling night of her life, she had denied herself... him... but he obviously hadn't felt the same way.

As if I need further proof that he fancies thin women, no wonder he's not interested in me, her self confidence taking another blow, as she looked down at her full figure disdainfully.

Hermione felt hot tear's spilling down her cheeks, and knew she had to get away from here, away from the sight of Lucius with another woman, away from the pain seeing them together caused, and away from what the sight of them together was doing to her dreams for the future.

She quietly left money on the table, covertly disillusioned herself, and headed towards the door. As she passed their table, she heard Lucius say softly, "... know we are going to have to stop hiding and come out in the open about us...," the rest of his words were cut off as Hermione sped towards the door, blinded by tears, and not caring who she ran into.

So… she thought bitterly, this has obviously been going on for a while; she knew she had no right to be angry or hurt or jealous, but she couldn't help it, she was all of those things.

She made it outside, and took a few cleansing breaths, before Apparating back home and collapsing into the chair by the fireplace. Thankfully, Poppy had lit it for her before heading to bed, even though Sundays were Poppy's day off, and Hermione was extremely grateful.

That had been four hours ago, and she still hadn't been able to get rid of the coldness that filled her.

Why is it, that when I find out my husband of sixteen years is having an affair, it barely affects me, but when I see a man I have no ties or attachments too, and have only really known less than two months, it completely destroys me? Hermione felt like a complete and total idiot.

Lucius had never made any promises to her, hell, they had barely even talked about what had happened between them, and here she was, being a typical needy female. Hell, she had even imagined how incredible he would look in a tuxedo.

Hermione sighed. She was such a fool!