Dear readers!
Well wow. That last chapter's reviews have been a whirlwind with quite a lot of hate and some very supportive comments. I understand that you will never be able to please everyone with a story but to take it to the extreme of calling it 'stupid' is a bit uncalled for so I thought I'd give my personal thoughts about Ron and Hermione hooking up (which I suspect is what is causing people to be so 'done' with the story).
Relationships are hard. Marriage is too and ending that is one of the most difficult things someone can go through and there will be residual feelings for a very longtime, and it is so easy falling back into old habits with an ex, even if they are toxic. I'm sure some readers can relate to that.
For those of you who understand that and gave kind reviews - thank you, for those who didn't agree but said it in a constructive manner, thank you too. To those who are rude, please find another story. As always if you enjoy this next chapter please share and leave your reviews on the story, it means so much to me.
All my love, Always
Lumos Nox
Morning arrived and cast a harsh, bright light into Hermione's white room, her shrill alarm went off and she woke up like someone had given her an electric shock. She look around wildly and realised that she was naked and gasped looked next to her. There lay Ron, sprawled out and completely unaware of the world around him.
"Shit" she muttered under her breath and scrambled out of bed, grabbed clothes for work and locked herself in the bathroom. She turned on the shower, turned it up to as hot as she could physically withstand and stepped under it, she felt the warm water cascade down her body and groaned as she felt it envelop her, she felt safe. She scrubbed away and pushed the thought of Ron, passed out on her bed out of her mind, willing him to disappear.
She'd be lying if she said that she hadn't enjoyed last night, but for all the wrong reason, it had been a last good-bye, a sweet vengeance on the man who had always made her feel like she wasn't enough. It was her closure, her breaking free by showing her ex-husband who had made her feel time after time like she was too cold, too prude that she was enough and that he had lost her for good.
But that was wrong, she shouldn't have taken out her petty vengeance on Ron and she should have just continued her life, her new fresh start. She stepped out the shower and got ready for work, taking her time. She told herself if she took her time that maybe would get the hint and head out the door so that she wouldn't have to have the awkward morning after talk, but when she stepped out the door, full dressed and ready she found him still there, sat on the edge of her bed fully dressed and looking down at his feet. As she stepped out, her looked up at her and gave her a weak smile.
"You look nice 'Mione"
"Thanks Ron…" she said "Erm would you like a cup of coffee before work?"
He nodded gratefully and they headed into the kitchen, keeping their distance between them and sitting in silence as the took careful sips of their steaming hot cups of coffee.
Hermione decided to break the silence.
"Listen Ron" she started "about last night
"No please, let me Hermione" he said looking at her his eyes looking pained "last night was incredible, it truly was, but this morning when I woke up, it felt…"
"Wrong" Hermione finished for him "that's how I felt"
Ron nodded and looked at her "It would make my life easier if I didn't feel this, if we could just go back to being married and make it work, but I can't 'Mione, I really can't"
"And that's not what I want either" Hermione said "and I don't want us to go back to that dark place where neither of us are happy"
"I'm sorry for everything 'Mione" he said "I hope we can be civil around each other, I know it would mean a lot to my family and to me as well"
"I'd like that" Hermione smiled and reached for his hand, grasping it tightly "even if we're not married, the Weasley's will always be my family. We've been through too much not to be"
He held her hand back and looked at his watch "I need to head off for work, being Harry's friend may have it's perks but if I'm late again he's going to hex me"
Hermione laughed and grabbed her bag and coat "I'll walk with you"
They headed out into the cold morning at a brisk walk, catching up about work, about Ron being back at his mother's and her driving him up the wall. Hermione was relived to hear that Ron had gotten help and was working towards a more positive life.
"I'm happy for you Ron" she said smiling as they stepped into the ministry "I really am"
"I'm happy too Hermione" he said smiling at her "I think we're both going to be just fine"
They gave each other a brief hug and headed for their separate floors, vowing to meet for coffee soon and to stay in touch.
***
The of the week went by quickly and Hermione busied herself by catching up with her work and avoiding the Daily Prophet. The day after her and Ron's incident the Prophet had taken it upon themselves to take a picture of them walking into work together and put it on the front page with a story about their reconciliation ahead of their baby's arrival. Hermione had laughed it off and binned her copy into the nearest bin. But the looks and whispers followed her wherever she went and she felt unnerved.
Thursday rolled around and Hermione bustled out of work, looking forward to meeting up with Harry and Ginny. She walked into the restaurant and saw them already seated at a table. They waved at her and she walked over.
"Hello there" she said brightly "how are you two?"
"Never better" smiled Harry "but I can't say the same for Ginny"
"Why what's wrong?" Said Hermione looking at Ginny who grimaced back
"Turn's out morning sickness is no joke" she said weakly "plus you try having your mum force-feed you every moment of the day"
"Morning sickness?" Said Hermione in mock disbelief "does this mean"
"Oh cut it out" laughed Harry "Ginny told me everything and I just want to say thank you, putting up with the press can't have been easy"
"Oh you know" Hermione said flicking her hair "everyday I read a different story about myself, turns out I have a more exciting life than I thought" and they all laughed
"Talking about the Prophet" said Ginny after they'd ordered their meals "what's this story about you and my dear brother's reconciliation?"
Hermione laughed "Well the good news is that me and Ron are on good terms, but no, we are never getting back together"
"Good" said Ginny "because I am not ready to be pregnant and put up with both of your problems again"
"I'm not ready for relationship problems either trust me" said Hermione "I just want a simple life"
"Cheers to that" chimed in Harry lifting his glass of water and they joined in with him "cheers!"
" I am glad to see that Ron is doing so much better though" said Harry "he's really pulled himself together and is putting in the time and work, it's good having him back"
"I'm relieved to hear that" said Hermione genuinely "I'm glad to have him back as a friend as well"
"Next time we can invite him along" suggested Harry "that'll give the Prophet a good story"
"Wait until Ginny's bump starts showing and they realise they got the wrong person" laughed Hermione "speaking of your bump, how did Ron take it"
"Really well" said Harry and Ginny nodded " he said he was relieved to know it was me and not you and that he was really happy for both of us"
"I bet" laughed Hermione "I can't believe he ever thought it might be true"
And with that they spent the rest of the evening enjoying good food with even better company. And for the first time in a very long time, Hermione felt happy.
***
Weeks past and Hermione's life went on as usual, she met with Harry, Ron and Ginny for meals, concentrated on herself and her work and found a comfortable routine that she was happy with. And just when she thought nothing could possibly burst her happy bubble she was brought back down to earth with a sharp knock on her door one evening. She headed over to her door, expecting to maybe find Ginny at the door but to her surprise, and dismay, it was Pansy Parkinson.
"Evening" she said curtly
"Well this is unexpected" Hermione replied coldly, wrapping her robe around her and crossing her arms across her chest "how may I help you Pansy?"
"I need to talk to you" she replied still in that same curt voice
"Then talk" she Hermione replied losing patience
"Can I come in then?" Said Pansy
"I'd rather you didn't but if you insist" said Hermione said and led them into a living room and took a seat waiting for Pansy to start talking but she just stared at her.
"You said you needed to talk to me" Hermione prompted her, taping her foot impatiently.
"Why?" Said Pansy coldly "why did you take him back now? When you knew he was with me and that I love him?"
"I beg your pardon?" Hermione laughed in disbelief
"I know" said Pansy angrily "I saw you two going into your apartment and I saw the picture the next day so don't deny it"
"Not that I owe you an explanation after everything you've done" said Hermione coldly "but Ron and I aren't back together and don't plan on ever getting back together"
"Bullshit" Pansy hissed "then why was he over?"
"He was over to talk" Hermione said calmly "about his family and about us being on the same page, which we both agreed was that he and I are better off as friends"
"What about the baby then?" She said crossing her arms "you just going to be a single mother?"
"What baby?" Said Hermione
"I saw the pictures and the article!" She shrieked "I know what's going on"
"Obviously not" retorted Hermione " or else you'd know it was another one of the Daily Prophet's wild stories"
"Oh that's exactly what Ron said" Pansy said "but then when I asked him why you were caught buying those tests he had no answer to give me"
"Maybe" said Hermione in mock thoughtfulness "it's because it's none of your damn business"
"When there's something going on between you and my man then it becomes my damn business" Pansy shot back
"Well if he's your man maybe you should stand by him, talk to him and believe what he says"
"Bit hard to when his ex-wife keeps forcing herself into the picture" Pansy laughed, finally taking a seat and looking at Hermione
"Funny" said Hermione "that's what I thought when I was trying to make my marriage work with my husband and you were sleeping with him behind my back"
"So that's what this is" laughed Pansy "Revenge?! Well well done Hermione; you won!"
"What exactly have I won?" She said raising an eyebrow
"You turned my ex-husband against me, his family as well as mine, you took my boyfriend away from me and you sit here and still pretend that you're a victim in all this"
"So you cheat on your husband with mine and someone I'm to blame when you run away from him because the newspapers published a false story?" Asked Hermione
"Does it ever get boring?" Said Pansy
"What?"
"Acting so superior" said Pansy "it's like you're still that know-it-all that I went to school with and you think that just because you were named the brightest witch of you age that that gives you the right to talk down to the rest of us"
"I don't think I'm superior, what I do think is that I'm a better person than you because I'm not a home-wrecker. I don't go around sleeping with people's husbands"
"Yeah I get it" said Pansy "I'm the slut and you're the saint"
"Your words not mine" said Hermione getting up to pour herself a glass of wine and sit back down "now if you don't mind, I think you've said all you've had to say"
"Fine, I'll go" Pansy sighed and got up. She got up, walked after to Hermione and put hands on either side of her armchair and leaned in, getting at eye-level with her.
"Before I go, you listen to me" she whispered, venom in her voice "you can act superior all you want, in fact do whatever you want. But stay away from me, my man and my life"
She straightened up and headed up to the door
"Oh and one last thing" she called, her hand on the door " you need to let your hair down and live a little because life is short, and you don't want to end up old and full of regrets because you had a broom too far up your ass to live a little"
And on that note she wrenched the door open and slammed it behind her. Hermione leaned forward and grabbed her wand from the table and flicked it, the door locked and she sunk back into her seat and breathed deeply. She knew that she had done nothing wrong and was in the right, but the those last words resonated in her mind. She knew she was uptight and she knew she had to live, but she didn't want to turn into Pansy Parkinson.
She decided to take her mind of it and head into her bedroom, grabbed her book from her bedside table and ran herself a bath that she added lavender oil, bath bubbles and sunk into it. She spent the rest of her evening reading her book in the bath, got out, put on her most comfortable pyjamas and sunk into her bed, ready for an early night's sleep.
***
The end of summer turned into autumn which in a blink of an eye rolled into winter. Despite Hermione's new proposal to turn her life around, she had sunk into her usual routine and her life had become quite mundane. Her days began to merge into one another, work, sleep repeat. She had decided to join the muggle gym near the apartment which she enjoyed but her daily workout was probably the most exciting part of her day.
The press had thankfully given up on her as they realised they'd gotten the wrong person. Ginny and Harry had come out and made a public announcement about their pregnancy to the wizarding world and they became the new centre of the press' attention. Ginny had become quite big and had her baby shower at the end of the week which was set to be a big event with both men and women at The Burrow where they would be announcing the gender of the baby.
Hermione was thrilled for them but she felt like she was having a mid-twenties life crisis where she was wondering what was her purpose in life. She couldn't help but think that there must be more than this to her life. She had desperately wanted with all her heart to be happily married and start a family but it seemed like it wasn't in the cards for her and apart from her dinners with Harry and Ginny twice a month (which Ron no longer attended as he was back with Pansy Parkinson) her life was quite lonely. She had considered getting in contact with Neville but had stopped herself, telling herself that she was better off alone and that she needed to be alone.
The day of the baby-shower she felt slightly nervous. She would be going to a big party where there would be a lot of people who she knew and who she knew had read all sorts of stories about her in the prophet. She didn't really want to answer any questions about her personal life but she knew that she had to go and support her best friend so she forced herself to get up early, shower, change into a black dress and spent a bit more time applying her makeup. After an hour of getting ready, she stood in front of the mirror and looked at her work. She looked nice she remarked and was proud of the first signs of results from her work at the gym, her body looked more toned and she just looked healthier. She zipped up her brown boots, grabbed her coat and bag and headed out the door.
Winter had truly hit and there was a thin layer of snow upon the ground and the wind was crisp and cold. She bowed her head and headed into the usual street she used to disaparate. She turned on her heel and seconds later neatly appeared in front of the gates of The Burrow. She looked up and saw a colossal tent pitched in the yard, much like the tent that had been pitched when Ron and her had gotten married and she felt a flood of memories sweep over her. She took a deep breath and pushed the gate open and made her way towards the entrance, bracing herself for the day ahead.
It didn't matter how many years Hermione spent in the wizarding world, magic still had a way of taking her breath away in unexpected ways. When she stepped into the tent she gasped and smiled. The tent was toasty warm and had several roaring fires throughout, the roof of the tent was covered in clouds and pink and blue snowflakes were falling from the sky and evaporating midair. The tables were decorated with an array of sweets and pastel coloured flowers. An enchanted champagne fountain was in the corner of the tent and Hermione headed in and grabbed a glass, taking a sip and looking around smiling at the decorations.
"Well hello! Long time no see" said a voice behind her and she turned around and saw Neville
"Neville!" She cried and gave him a hug "I'm sorry it's been so long, I've been caught up with work and you know how hectic it can get. But it's so good to see you again, how have you been?"
"I've been good" he said "remember I told you about not being sure about being an auror for much longer? Well I talked with Professor Sprout and next year I will be taking over the Herbology position at Hogwarts"
"Oh that's fantastic Neville! I'm sorry happy for you!" And she hugged him again
"Yeah it is. Anyway what's new in your life?"
"Not much, you know me, I like to keep to myself and out of the Daily Prophet as much as I can" she smiled taking another sip of champagne
"Well I'm not going to lie, when I first read the articles I was a bit worried" laughed Neville
"Why?" Said Hermione frowning
"Because of what happened that one night" he said "I thought maybe… You know… You might be"
"Well" said Hermione blushing "I'm sure you're relieved the hear that it was Ginny all along"
Neville gave her a sad smile "Hermione there's going to be a day where you'll realise that many men would take a hex to be your other half, let alone the father of your children"
"That's very sweet of you Neville" said Hermione trying to bring the conversation to a natural end before it became too awkward or someone overheard them "but right now I think I need to learn to be happy alone"
"Well if you ever need anything I'm an owl away" said Neville and he gave her another tight hug.
"I better find Ginny" said Hermione composing herself "I'll catch up you later?"
They bid good-byes and Hermione refilled her drink and started making her away around the busy venue. She greeted various witches and wizards that she hadn't seen since Hogwarts, made polite conversation with work colleagues from the ministry, smiled and dodged questions regarding her divorce and laughed off the questions about the articles that had been published about her. It felt like she was on a press conference, answering questions that people thought they were entitled to ask simply due to the fact that she was in the press.
Finally Harry and Ginny made their appearance and the attention was focused on them. Ginny's bump was draped in a beautiful pale pink dress and the was glowing, whilst Harry was beaming. Hermione couldn't remember the last time she had seen her best friend look so happy, full and content.
"This is what life is about, love and family" Hermione thought to herself wistfully and dabbed at the tears that were threatening her eyes.
"Wonder who's going to be more famous, the boy who lived or the baby of the boy who lived?" Said a voice behind her jokingly. She whirled around and saw Ron standing behind her. He was wearing a crisp white shirt with a dark blue blazer and matching trousers, he looked very smart indeed.
"Ron" she said taking him in "you look very sharp!"
"Well I think mum would have hexed me into an early grave if I didn't clean up for today" he laughed "plus to be honest, this whole baby thing has put a lot of things into perspective, I'm going to be an uncle"
"And I haven't had the chance to congratulate you" said Hermione beaming "I'm really happy for you, and I'm glad to see you so well"
"Yeah…" said Ron looking at his sister "there's still dark days Hermione, there's days where I wonder whether I messed it all up, whether that'll be me with a wife who's carrying my child, but I need to keep fighting, for my family"
"Yes" said Hermione and she gave him a hug "and I'm your family too no matter if we're married or not"
"Thanks Mione" he said and gave her a kiss on the top of her head "it means a lot"
"Now, now" she said jokingly "I've just answered over a thousand questions over our broken marriage, let's not give people more rumours to spread and talk about"
Ron laughed "we're at the Potter's baby shower, trust me it won't be about any one else that people are caring about today"
They continued to talk and catch up about Ron's family, how Mrs Weasley was now pouring all her time and energy into the arrival of her first grandchild, how Ginny was sick of her mollycoddling and how Ron was slowly getting back into the swing of work and head been travelling around Europe.
As they were discussing yet another wizarding strike in France there was a loud cough behind them making them glance there stood Pansy Parkinson. She was wearing a two piece pale lavender suit that hugged her body, her hair was smooth, cascading down her shoulders and back and her makeup made her face look like a perfect sculpture, Hermione hated to admit it but she looked beautiful.
"Granger" she said curtly.
"Pansy" said Hermione nodding "looking lovely"
"Thank you" she replied curtly "I see you found my man?"
"Just catching up with my ex-husband" smiled Hermione "I was pleased to hear you two have made up again"
"Well it certainly wasn't easy with you" she said "every time I turn my back I seem to see you two glued together"
"Pansy" said Ron warningly "this is my sister's baby shower, you will not make a scene here."
"Oh I don't want to draw attention to myself" she retorted "although I don't think it possible for your mother to hate me anymore than she already does"
"She doesn't know you yet" said Ron soothingly and stroked her back
"Well I'll let you two be" said Hermione smiling "maybe I'll catch up with you later"
She gracefully darted away from them. However fine she was about her divorce from Ron she was not in the mood to see her former husband all over Pansy Parkinson. Not sure what to do she made her way to get another refreshment and saw the last person she expected to see at the Potter's baby shower helping himself to a glass of red wine.
Draco Malfoy.
"Draco" she said surprised "I wouldn't have ever thought to find you here"
"Ms Granger" nodded Draco "yes indeed, I was invited by the Potters, I'm sure it was more of a formality than anything else but I would have been in poor taste to decline, we should be building bridges and celebrating after all"
"Very wise and mature of you" she smiled "well I'm glad you're here, I don't think I can take anymore of Ron and Pansy"
"Oh is my dear ex-wife here? She must be avoiding me" said Draco drily "see the day after the divorce was finalised I came home to an empty house, woman never cleaned a thing for years but she quickly cleared up all her belongings and left rather than face me"
"Sometimes it's easier not looking back" said Hermione
"Sometimes you owe people the respect they showed you and give them a final explanation" said Draco curtly
"Don't tell me you're heartbroken?" Said Hermione "you're the most eligible bachelor in the wizard world now"
"I married her and envisioned a future with her" said Draco "whether we viewed it more as a deal than an act of love and passion, we made vows and she has broken every single one of them"
"You're speaking lawyer again" said Hermione feigning a yawn "think you need a few more glasses of wine"
"Very witty Ms Granger" he smirked "I see you seem to be doing just fine?"
"Well fine is a strong word" she laughed "some days I drown myself in work to not think, but the days I do think I feel alone and very unaccomplished, I feel like my life doesn't have much reason. But I don't let myself dwell on that"
"Been on any dates?" Asked Draco
"Looking to sell a story to the Prophet?" Smiled Hermione
"I could buy the Prophet, I see no sense in selling them anything" laughed Draco "so stop avoiding the question, have you been on any dates"
"No" said Hermione "remember the night you told me you thought you were cursed to never be loved?"
"Vaguely?"
"Well I feel like that too" she said honestly "I don't know whether people like me for me or my accolades or whether they're looking to sell a story about me, and the perfectly respectable men who do approach me I seem to scare away"
"Like Mr Longbottom?" Asked Draco
"How did you know about that" she said her mouth hanging open
"Because he's across the room engaged in conversation with Parvati Patil and still glances over at you every two minutes" he smiled
Hermione held her head in her hands "Why do I do this?!" She moaned
"You know I'm not a respectable man"
"What?"
"You said you scare away respectable men, I'm simply pointing out I am not one of them"
"Where are you going with this?"
"Why don't we try?" He asked
"Try what" she asked going red and looking at her feet
"A date Ms Granger" sighed Draco exasperated "we are no longer lawyer and client and we are both in the throws of a broken marriage, why not go for a date, worst comes to worst, it'll be a nice meal I paid for"
"I don't need you to pay for anything" she said angrily
"That's what you got from my proposition?" He said rolling his eyes "very well, I can see you are not interested"
And he walked away into the crowed, pausing to congratulate Ginny and Harry on their baby and bidding them goodbye.
And that is it for another chapter! As always please leave your comments and reviews below and I will get back to you as quickly as I can! If you are still following this story I thank you for your patience and support. I will do better in the new year when the christmas craze is over and my schedule goes back to normal!
All my love, always
Lumos Nox