A/N: I don't own Harry Potter
This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Writing Club March
Disney Challenge: Redemption: Write about someone seeking redemption.
Showtime: 10- Big Girls Don't Cry – (situation) a break-up
Amber's Attic: 15 - (genre) hurt/comfort
Lyric Alley: 8 -You say someone left you broken
Warning: Major Ron bashing, and cheating
Word Count: 801
"You cheating rat!" Hermione screamed, throwing a copy of the Prophet at Ron. He picked it up and stared at the headline.
"They've got it all wrong, 'Mione. See, she's kissing me," he tried to argue, his mouth full of bacon.
"You're both stark bloody naked, I don't care who's kissing whom. I... I can't even deal with you right now, Ronald Weasley. I'm going for a walk. When I get back, I want you and everything you've ever touched out of my flat."
"But, 'Mione, we're perfect for each other. I love you?"
"Two hours. I will be back in two hours and if you're not gone by then, I'll have Ginny teach me that new charm of hers."
Ron's face went pale. Hermione stormed out of the flat, the door slamming behind her. She wasn't sure where she was planning to go. Where could she even go at this point? She just started walking, picking a direction at random. It was a nice enough day, the sun was shining. It was warmish.
She found herself nearing Diagon Alley. Why not? She could stop at Flourish and Blotts, grab a new book, that would take her mind off this whole thing. She had just walked past a newspaper stand when she saw the front page again. Ron and some witch, she couldn't even tell who it was, locked in a naked embrace. Tears pricked at her eyes. She had known, well, at least suspected. There were those nights he came home late, nights where he claimed he was working. Maybe she should have realized, maybe she just wanted to hope, that maybe, just maybe she meant something to him?
"Hermione? Oh Merlin, Hermione! I finally found you. I went by your place, you weren't there. Ron's throwing a right fit, but he didn't know where you were either."
Hermione felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She could smell the scent of orange and spice. Suddenly the embraced stopped and Padma's eyes met Hermione's.
"You were looking for me? Why?"
"To make sure you alright," Padma answered, picking up a copy of the Prophet. "Hmm, they did not catch my good side at all."
"That's you."
"Unfortunately, yes. He told me he was single, I never would have... You have to believe me!"
"Wait, slow down!"
Padma paused, taking a deep breath.
"Ron ran into me at a museum opening. We hit it off, had a little too much to drink," she explained slower. Hermione nodded, pulling the other witch over to the coffee shop.
"Let's sit down, discuss this rationally. I'm not mad at you, Padma."
"Good idea," Padma agreed. She ordered a chai tea latte. Hermione got a black coffee.
"How long has this been going on?"
"Three months. He told me he was single. I believed him."
"I believed him too, that he actually cared about me," Hermione muttered. Padma put her hand on Hermione's.
"I just found out about this morning. Your name's listed in the article, if you want to call it that."
"So you came looking for me?"
"Yes, I was worried. I was distraught that he used me, that he used you too, apparently," Padma said, taking a sip of her tea. "I wanted to make sure you were alright. Or to help you kill the cheating bastard, I'm not sure which at this point."
"How much of my flat did you destroy?"
"The front door," Padma admitted, giving Hermione a half smile. Hermione shook her head.
"I probably would have done the same, honestly. So, now what do we do, now that we know the truth?"
"Hex his head?"
"And while that might make us both feel better, I don't think it will help in the long run. Was he actually getting out of my flat?'
"He was mostly just destroying things."
"My things, I'm sure. I'll call the law enforcement agency later, report the destruction. I really don't want to go back there. It was as much my place as his. I'd have to change the locks, and then who knows..."
"Need a new place to stay? I'm looking for a new roommate since my last one turned out to be a cheating little weasel."
"Really? You want me to share a flat with you?"
"Why not? Although, I'm not sure my bookcase is big enough for the both of us. You could also be my plus one for the Ministry Ball!"
"Really? Because I was about to ask you the same question," Hermione laughed. Padma smiled.
"As much as I hate his guts right now, I've got to say, Ron did have good taste in witches," she stated, raising her mug.
"I'll toast to that," Hermione agreed, toasting Padma.
"The excellent tastes," both witches stated, bursting out giggling.
