A/N: Do I know what happened here? No, I have no idea, and I have no idea what the title even is… But I still hope you enjoy it!

Title: old times' sake

Summary: Hermione had no idea what she was doing. Or rather, she knew exactly what she was doing, she just didn't know why. Or rather, she knew exactly why she was doing it, but she also knew how terribly, terribly wrong it was.

Characters: Hermione G., Ron W., Seamus F.

Genres: Angst, Romance

WC: 1,169

Warnings: cheating on spouses

Hermione had no idea what she was doing.

Or rather, she knew exactly what she was doing, she just didn't know why.

Or rather, she knew exactly why she was doing it, but she also knew how terribly, terribly wrong it was. Truth be told, she knew exactly every detail of this situation and yet, the same questions kept going through her head over and over again.

The click of the lock fitting back into its place resonated inside her head. That was it. She was outside now. It would be positively ridiculous to go back inside now. But she was considering it; it was pouring out there. It was as if the sky wanted to empty itself upon her head. Maybe it was supposed to be deterrent, supposed to convince her that she should just go back inside, and if she paid too much attention to the sound of rain hitting the pavement, that was probably what she was going to end up doing.

But, no. Hermione desperately wanted to go, it was pointless lying to herself. And if it was only the rain, her somewhat muddled conscience, her extreme guilt and her fear of being caught then nothing was stopping her.

Thinking it over, it didn't sound very convincing. So many things were stopping her. But, she was slightly comforted by the tiny vial of Felix Felicis on a chain around her neck. Harry had given it to her on her wedding day. She had been surprised to see he still had it and was thoroughly confused by the gift. But still, Harry always seemed to know her best, and though it was empty, had been since their Sixth Year, she still felt like it brought her luck from time to time. After all, maybe there was still a drop or two at the bottom.

She hadn't been caught all those previous times, why would this one be different? The rain didn't change anything, did it? No, of course it didn't. She was being ridiculous.

Hermione finally made her way out from underneath the porch and out into the rain. She tightened her coat around her and opened her umbrella. But it was raining so hard, she could feel the water soaking her shoes and her tights.

She wished she could simply Floo there, be there already. But, no. She was paranoid. It was not like Seamus checked where she Flooed; he was not like that at all. But still, she didn't want want to be taking any risks. Sometimes, she thought about taking those risks, she thought about being caught. How lovely it would be, maybe.

Instead, she headed out, under the rain, to the nearest underground station. For the same reasons as the Floo, she didn't let herself Apparate at home. At least the small walk to the station allowed her to clear her mind, or rather, let herself worry some more.

What the bloody kerfuffle is she doing?

Hermione knew that once upon a time, she thought she loved Seamus Finnigan. She'd just lived through the most terrible year in her life, and now that she was back alone alone at Hogwarts, desperately needed someone. There had been no Harry, no Ron, only Seamus in that lonely Gryffindor tower. And so, she'd let herself fall in love, even if it felt slightly fake. It had been just so easy to fall into the arms of the only person there, and things had just evolved from there. And now, she was stuck in a marriage that didn't mean anything to her. Seamus was a good friend, she knew that now, and she also knew it was completely unfair of her. But she didn't love him, she wasn't sure she ever had.

Things with Harry and Ron were still the same after that year. Well, there was obviously the fact that she was now engaged to some other guy than the one she had spent her life planning her future, but Ron never seemed to comment upon it. Given his jealous nature, Hermione thought he was okay with it, and didn't think much more of it.

The three still saw each other regularly, but now that they were adults something had changed. Or at least, she thought it was because they were adults. Harry had suggested a few drinks just the three of them, on the second of May. For old times' sake, he'd said.

However, it hadn't exactly happened like that. They were adults, and Harry had to go back home quickly to Ginny who was eight months pregnant. There had been only Ron and Hermione left. She'd been completely drunk on firewhisky, grief and nostalgia that night.

That was why she'd allowed herself to pick a fight with Ron. They hadn't done that in a terribly long time, something she attributed to adulthood, but it turned out it was just because they hadn't truly spoken in a long time.

She couldn't even remember why they'd argued, but she could clearly recall how he'd gotten just as angry as her, and that for some reason, it had felt ridiculously good to do that, again. And then they'd kissed. She liked to tell herself he'd been the one to kiss her, but some part of her knew it was the other way.

And then, suddenly, she'd realised all that was wrong in her life. She had realised that despite the fact that she was married, she wasn't in love anymore. Or rather, she'd always been in love with someone else. And apparently, Ron had known that for a long time, because it had ended in his apartment.

So here she was now, heading back to his place for, what, the third time this week? Hermione had never thought of herself as the person who would have an affair. But now, it made a whole lot of sense. She'd built her life with Seamus, and she didn't want to break his heart, and end something she'd committed herself to. And yet, she knew that Ron was meant for her.

Maybe it wasn't the brave thing to do, and maybe one day she'd have the guts to tell Seamus, but she didn't think that day was today.

Instead, she headed into one of the dark tunnels of the Underground and Apparated away. When she opened her eyes, she was just in front of Ron's door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked at the door.

Almost immediately, Ron opened it. "I've been waiting for you," he breathed out, a smile lighting up his face.

Hermione was lighting up on the inside. "I can tell," she replied, smiling, too.

"Do you… do you want to come in?"

There was always this awkward politeness. She smiled even more brightly and ignored to pinch of guilt inside her. This was terrible, it was morally wrong, and yet she couldn't be happier in this moment.

Yes, someday she'd do the right thing, but not today.

"I'd love to," Hermione said and stepped in.

For Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)

House: Ravenclaw

Assignment #7: Mythology: Task #6: Write about an affair