Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Jo. I own nothing. Do not sue.
Chapter 21
Hermione Apparated to a secure point outside her flat. Walking in the door, she let out a breath she'd been holding. Luckily, Ron was not in.
She started packing up her bedroom.
It looked as if nothing had been touched since she left the other day.
She quickly got to work, shrinking and putting her clothes in her trunk and all her other belongings in another box.
During this process, she was interrupted several times by hooting owls.
Damn post.
I cannot take much more of this - another week of this and I'll be committed to St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward.
Hermione began flooing her belongings to her new chambers at Hogwarts.
She did not return to London, however.
Hermione decided she would be better off at The Three Broomsticks. Diagon Alley was so crowded and she had no need to return to St. Mungo's.
Hermione had no intention of drawing unwarranted attention to herself for the next few days.
After Apparating to Hogsmead, Hermione's first stop was the Owl Office.
She requested a private, secure post box. She had to pay extra for additional protective wards to be set on the box. In addition, she charmed the box, and requested they destroy any and all anonymous posts and packages. She figured she might get a few signed missives, but hoped none would be foolish enough to send her a jinxed or poisoned letter with their names attached.
Apparently, scanning her mail before opening it was, once again, a practice she would adopt.
After purchasing a rather large box of assorted Honeyduke's Finest Chocolates and a bottle of dessert wine, she met up with Madame Rosmerta a while later.
"If my staying over will be any problem for you and your business, I'm sure I could find lodging at the Hog's Head," Hermione offered.
"Nonsense!" Rosmerta asserted, "I'll gladly put you up for a fortnight, and any other time you need it. I'm right proud to know you, Hermione, and I admire you for doing what you feel is right. You'll always be welcome here. If you ask me, Ron is a dunderhead."
Oh.
Hermione startled.
Dunderhead.
You know, it's the funniest things that set me off.
Why do I think about him, even after all this time? What the hell? Just one word, and I'm transported back ten years, mystified by my old professor.
Hermione, my girl, you are a messed up unit.
"Hermione, are you OK?"
Oh my gods! How weird did I look just now? Good for me no one here is an occlumens. I'd have that bed in St. Mungo's faster than I'd planned.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll take my things up to the room now." She smiled.
The room was clean and nicely furnished. A double bed graced the far wall. A large hearth with two armchairs and a coffee table in front of it comprised a small sitting area. The room also sported a petite bureau, a corner desk, and a private bath. It was perfect.
Trying to erase the thread of her latest thoughts, Hermione sat at the desk. She penned a several letters.
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Dear Minerva,
Change of plans - I'm staying with Rosmerta at The Three Broomsticks. I've left St. Mungo's with quite an acceptable severance. Been busy packing and luckily I haven't run into anyone unpleasant. Could we arrange dinner some evening?
Yours,
Hermione
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Dear Harry and Ginny,
I hope you are at least reading this letter, and that it has not found its way to the nearest rubbish bin or fireplace.
I understand fully if you are upset with me, but hope you give me a chance to at least explain things from my point of view.
I know I have not always confided in you as a sister, Ginny, and that recent events may have come as a surprise. For that, I apologize.
Harry, I know you have encouraged me in the past in my relationship with Ron. I am thankful for your kind support, but found that I could no longer persevere in a relationship that was so one-sided.
Please know that I write these things to you, not to criticize Ron, but I feel as his family you should know the truth.
For the latter half of my marriage, I have become increasingly miserable. I still held a great deal of sentiment towards Ronald and, until very recently, had always tried to get him to see the good in himself.
You see, I believe, that was the stem of our problems. Not all of them, but at the root, I believe this fact is paramount. As you know, after Ron was cut from the Cannons, now seven years past, he was depressed. I believe he has never really recovered that blow to his ego. He became increasingly withdrawn and moody. Nothing I could do could seem to bring him around. He refused to accept any job offered him by Arthur at the ministry, and eventually stopped looking for work altogether. Believe me, nagging him just made it all worse. I was afraid of pushing him. I felt if I just "loved him through it" he would eventually recover, and we could continue on our merry way. I have tried everything I know to convince him that he is worth something. Please believe me that I have given the relationship everything I have to give. I just have nothing left.
As the years passed, I fell into a quiet resignation. I never stopped trying to get Ron to see his merit, but I have come to appreciate that I cannot do that for him. It is up to Ron to want to accept and grow. As time went on, we drifted apart.
At this point, there is such a distance between us, that his absence in my life is barely noticeable. A sad truth, but true nonetheless.
I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Know that, for my part, I still love you and desire relationship between us. Please correspond.
My best,
Hermione
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After she read through the letter at least six times, Hermione knew it was as good as it could be. It was not a pleasant missive, but it was sincere. It was honest enough to suit her principles, yet hopefully self deprecating enough to satisfy the Weasleys. Opening with a preventative self-disclosure was the quickest way to get them to listen; she was hoping, in this instance, it would work.
Hermione had no way of divining how the news of her divorce would be met by her friends. Certainly anyone who knew her well could tell they were ill-suited. Ginny was a bit bossy, and took after too many of Molly's undesirable traits for Hermione's tastes. Harry was one of her oldest friends, and although the demands of his family prevented them from spending much time together, she still valued his friendship.
She had one more letter to write before she could stop for the night.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose her thoughts and began.
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Ronald,
As you know, our paperwork was filed with the ministry yesterday. We need to discuss what to do with our shared possessions.
I have made living arrangements for myself, and do not wish to maintain the flat. You may take over the lease in its entirety if you wish to stay there. If you'd let me know what your intentions are, we can plan accordingly.
I await your owl.
Sincerely,
Hermione
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There.
I hope that is firm enough, yet kind. The last thing I need is an angry Ron. Not while he has the prerogative to contest this divorce. That said, I absolutely will not let him loaf around that flat while I foot the bill!
At least that's done.
Downstairs, the bar area was not yet full of its regular nighttime customers. She placed a dinner order to be sent to her room.
Summoning three owls, she sent her post winging off into the dimming light.
Hermione did not even realize how hungry she was until dinner was sent to her room. She finished the chicken pot pie in its entirety before turning to the mouth-watering cheesecake Rosmerta sent up.
Hermione opened her dessert wine to enjoy with the cheesecake. She took her time, enjoying the warmth of the fire, but was too tired to think much. It felt good to turn off her thoughts for a while.
Lulled by the wine and good food, Hermione fell into a deep sleep.
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A/N:
This chapter is dedicated to Nutters4Potter - my 50th review! Thanks so much. I love reading my reviews. They make such a difference. Thank you all!!!
These chapters keep getting longer and longer. I can't help myself!
So what did you think of the letter to Harry and Ginny?
I think that if Hermione had her way, she'd choose not to alienate Harry completely. I don't think the poor girl is very optimistic. She's holding her own, however. Let's see what happens next. Review Please!
~FS