Written for The Quidditch League: Round 3: Isn't it Gothic

Prompt: Write about someone whose work or ambition overtakes all other aspects of their life.

Summary: It hurt, knowing that she didn't know her children and her children didn't know her. She could make all the excuses she wanted, but the truth always prevailed: work had somehow become more important than her family.

Word Count: 1166

Hermione remembered vividly when her children were born. She had never felt so happy, maybe except for when she married Ron.

When Rose was born, everything was perfect. Ron had been an Auror for a couple of years and she herself was raising in the Ministry. Rose was a perfect addition to their family.

Then Hugo came two years later and her family felt complete. She had a husband, two wonderful kids, a man she would proudly call her brother, and an extended family who welcomed her with open arms. Her life was perfect.

Looking back, Hermione couldn't pinpoint when things started changing, though if she had a guess, it was when her aspirations changed. It was no longer about the treatment of magical creatures, it was about treatment of everyone. And to do that, she had to do more than become Department Head for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

She had to go straight to the top. And thus, she grew determined to become Minister of Magic.

It was a slow process. She had to gain allies who would support her cause, and that proved difficult in a world run by pure-bloods. She attended dinners with potential allies, attended all Ministry functions, and held campaigns to spread her message.

Elections weren't for another two years, but Hermione knew she had to start early. It was a few months into her campaign that her husband tried to speak with her.

"Hey Hermione, Hugo's birthday is coming up, what should we get him?" he asked, trying to get her attention.

She didn't even glance at him, absorbed in her work. She was looking over statistics about muggle-borns and half-bloods that she wanted to tell the public in order to gain support.

"Whatever you think he would like," she responded absentmindedly.

She heard Ron sigh as he quietly left the room, but she didn't stop. She couldn't stop now when she was so close.

She won the election by a narrow margin. Her family was there at the ceremony, but Hermione didn't pay attention to them, instead talking to her allies who congratulated her.

"Mom," she heard a female voice call out for her.

She ignored it, however, even when the calls continued. Eventually, they stopped. Hermione knew she had a lot of work ahead of her, even though she won, and she couldn't let anything distract her now. Not even her own daughter.

Two years into her term, Harry visited her. She was glad to see him, hugging him in greeting. He hugged her back, but when she pulled back to look at him, his face was sad.

"Is something wrong, Harry?" she asked worriedly.

Harry sighed. His face was the same as when he lost Sirius, which concerned her.

"Is something wrong? Is everyone okay?" she asked.

"Hermione," he started gently, "when was the last time you talked to Ron and the kids?"

Hermione thought for a second. It took her a minute to remember, which was odd since she was sure she talked to them frequently.

"Yesterday. Why do you ask?"

"Hermione."

Harry had a serious look on his face, one she recognized from the war or when they found something dangerous at Hogwarts.

"What? I talked to them yesterday," she said defensively.

"No, you did not," he answered, his voice soft but firm. "The last time you talked to them was about a month ago."

"Really?" she said in surprise, "I guess I was too focused on my duties as Minister."

Her words seemed to cause Harry to snap. He took a step back from her, ready to yell. Instead of yelling, however, he took a deep breath. When he spoke, his voice was full of anger.

"That's the problem, Hermione! You too focused on your work! I thought you would at least spend time with Ron and the kids, but you're not! I thought you would grow out of overworking, but I was wrong! Can't you see what's happening? You're losing them, Hermione. One day, you're going to wake up and find out that you're alone. Don't lose your family over work."

He calmed down slightly after his speech, but Hermione grew angry in return. She thought Harry would understand that she had responsibilities, just like he had responsibilities as the Boy-Who-Lived and as an Auror.

"I'm not losing them, Harry," she huffed, "I spend plenty of time with them. If that's all you have to say, then get out. I have work to do."

Harry stared at for a moment. Then he sighed. His face was full of sadness once more, and Hermione knew she had lost a brother. She wanted to take back her words but stood firm. Harry had no business butting in.

Harry soon after, leaving Hermione to her work once more.

The final straw was soon after Rose came back from Hogwarts for Christmas in her second year. Hermione sent her daughter off to Hogwarts, but left soon after to get back to work.

The Weasleys were having a family dinner with everyone in attendance, even Charlie, who rarely came. Rose was talking about Quidditch when she asked Hermione a question.

"Mom, can you come to my next game?" she asked her mother hopefully.

"Sure. When is it?"

"A week after we get back. Will you really be there?" Rose asked, trying not to get her hopes up.

"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked her daughter had to ask.

After reassuring her daughter, dinner went on as normal and soon the break was over. Rose went back to Hogwarts. Hermione forgot about the entire conversation and when the time came for the match, she didn't go.

That was the last straw for her husband. Hermione was working in her office like she always did when Ron stormed in. He placed some papers on her desk and to her surprise, it was divorce papers.

"Ron?" she asked fearfully.

"Hermione," he said with a sigh, "I can't do this anymore. The kids can't do this anymore."

"What are you talking about?" she replied, her voice shaky.

"Hermione, you are so absorbed in work that you don't have time for anything else! When was the last time we talked? Do you even know what your son and daughter like or their hobbies? The answer is no. I love you, Hermione, even after all this, but for once, I have to do right by someone. And I'll do right by my kids," he declared.

Hermione had never seen Ron so serious. And as she reflected on his words, she knew he was right. She didn't know her kids in any capacity, from friends to hobbies. Ron was right.

She signed the divorce papers without question and soon moved out of the house they shared. Harry was right in the end, she was alone now. In her pursuit to become Minister, she had lost everything. And now, she had nothing except the work that made her lose everything in the first place.