After her fourth night at the Greengrass Cottage, Hermione decided it was time to return home. She was glad she'd allowed Draco to convince her she needed a break from it all, and she'd been surprised how much she enjoyed her time alone. She felt good, well rested even, but admittedly still worried about what the future had in store.
Hermione was elated to have her friendship with Harry repaired, and to finally have everything out in the open between them. After their talk, he had stayed for another drink before heading home. They'd agreed that he needed to be honest with Ginny, no matter the consequences. Surprisingly, Hermione was less anxious about Harry telling her than she'd expected. It would fracture her relationship with Ginny, that much she knew, but at the same time Hermione was relieved Harry hadn't planned on keeping it a secret.
The pair had also talked about their families, and the troubles they'd been experiencing as of late. Hermione shared with Harry that she and Rose were rowing, and that she was worried her daughter was in a hurry to grow up too fast. She alluded to some romantic developments between Rose and Scorpius, but she didn't go into specifics. The last thing she needed was for Harry to go into protective Uncle mode. Harry had been supportive and understanding, and he encouraged Hermione to talk to Rose about her concerns. He also shared he'd had a few uncomfortable conversations about girls with James, and that the best thing to do was to ripped off the bandage and address it head on. Hermione was relieved that Harry's advice supported how she'd been planning to handle the situation. Though she was still anxious to speak with daughter.
In her discussion with Harry, Hermione learned James was still furious with him, and had been spending the majority of the summer at the Burrow with his girlfriend, Mavis. Harry also confided in her that he'd been going back and forth between guilt and anger over Ginny's betrayal. Hermione wasn't surprised to hear that Harry somewhat blamed himself for Ginny's infidelity. It was classic Harry, and she of course had similar feelings. Their secret history together had triggered an explosion, and it seemed that they were still trying to clean up the mess it had made.
They'd also talked about work, which was something Hermione had been craving over the last two weeks. She missed speaking candidly with Harry about the ongoing troubles in the Wizarding World. In meetings, they both had to put up a professional front, but alone, they could share their true thoughts and be blunt. Hermione had apologized to Harry for her coldness and lack of support during the Wizengamot inquiry over linking the dementor sighting to Heista Carrow, Aetes Lestrange, and Euphemia Rowle. She admitted that she had come on a bit too strong in her criticism, and that she had in fact been trying to distance herself from him as he'd suspected. However, she did gently remind Harry that she couldn't be bias towards him. She knew he'd been working tirelessly to solve the case, but people were scared and had questions and worries about the increase in dementor sightings. They deserved to know what went wrong just as much as they deserved to know what went right.
It had been around ten in the evening when Harry left, and Hermione had promised him she'd touch base once she was back home. She spent the remainder of her time engrossed in novels, exploring nature, and bathing in the sun. She was sad to be leaving when she'd finished packing up her things, but she was eager to return to England and see her children.
After stopping briefly at home to drop off her belongings, Hermione apparated on the front steps of a house in Hampstead Garden, a muggle suburb in London. Taking a depth breath to steady herself, she knocked on the front door of her childhood home.
"Hermione, dear," Jean greeted her with a warm smile when the door opened. "Isn't this a lovely surprise."
"Hello, Mum," Hermione said with a small nod.
"Come in, come in," The older woman instructed, stepping aside and opening the door wider. "You needn't knock, you know. This will always be your home."
Hermione stepped silently into the entrance, allowing her eyes to wander. It didn't seem as though anyone else were home.
"So, you've been away on vacation?" Jean asked casually, leaning against the staircase banister.
"I just needed some time to myself," Hermione replied, hoping her mum didn't press to know more.
"Well, it's about time. I worry about how much pressure that fancy job of yours puts on you."
"I'm fine, Mum," Hermione said, her eyes still scanning the empty house. "How's Rose?"
"Ahh… the elephant in the room," Jean gave her daughter a sympathetic look. "She's upstairs, likely still asleep. She's doing alright, I suppose. I can tell she's not herself though. Quite secretive these days, isn't she?"
Hermione shrugged. She didn't know how much Rose had told her mum.
"You were the same way you know," Jean continued. "You kept all sorts of things from me and your dad."
"That was different," Hermione said, her tone slightly defensive.
"Was it?" Jean asked pointedly, her eyebrow raised.
Hermione reflected for a moment. Now that she had children, she couldn't imagine sending them to a strange school and not knowing about any of the danger and prejudice they would face.
"I guess not," she conceded.
"Rose didn't say much, but I pieced together that you two had a nasty row," the older woman said, and then hesitantly added, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Hermione considered this for a brief moment. She really hadn't talked to anyone in detail about what she'd seen, besides Draco, and he certainly hadn't been much help. Getting a rational perspective on how to talk to Rose was tempting, but she knew her daughter would be mortified if she shared what she'd seen with her grandmother.
"Thank you, but I'm fine," Hermione said, her tone warming slightly. "I'd like to go upstairs and see her... if that's alright?"
"Hermione… dear," Jean shook her head slowly at how ridiculous she was being. "She's your daughter. Of course it's alright."
...
Hermione knocked gently on the door to the guest bedroom, recalling the last time she'd entered Rose's room without making herself known. She wouldn't repeat that mistake again.
"Come in," she heard her daughter say from the other side.
Hermione slowly entered, seeing Rose tucked into bed with a book propped up in her lap. Her red hair was pulled up into a messy bun and she had a few dollops of acne cream scattered on her face. Roses eyes widened when saw her mum standing in the door, and Hermione saw a quick flash of what she'd been reading. It was a best selling biography by Rita Skeeter, one that Hermione was all too familiar with.
"Mum… hi," Rose squeaked, sitting up straighter against the bed frame, and fumbling to hide the book.
"Hi Rosie," Hermione said with a faint smile. "Enjoying some reading?"
"Oh…" Her daughter panicked, trying to think quickly for an excuse. "I'm just getting ahead on a few assignments that were given over the summer."
"Really? About me?"
"I… I didn't know you saw the cover," Rose flushed and avoided her mother's curious eyes. "I… I just - "
Hermione raised her hand to silence her.
"You can read whatever you want. You don't have to explain."
Neither spoke for a moment, and Hermione moved closer before sitting on the edge of her bed and resting her hand on Rose's ankle.
"I wanted to let you know that I'm back home," she said softly. "And that I'm sorry. I sort of took off on you without any notice."
Rose grimaced. "I did it first."
"Yes, but I'm the adult, and I know better than to do that," Hermione said soothingly. "I want you back home for what's left of the summer, that is, if you want to come home."
Rose opened her mouth to speak, but Hermione was faster.
"Take some time to think about it, but regardless of what you decide, the four of us need to talk, and I'd like us to have supper together this evening."
"The four of us?" Rose asked, quirking her head to the side.
"Me, you, dad, and Hugo," Hermione confirmed. "Does 6 o'clock work alright?"
"Uh, sure," Rose replied. "I'll be there."
...
It was a sight Hermione hadn't been sure she'd ever witness again. She was seated at the table with Rose and Hugo on either side, and Ron directly across from her. The four of them were eating pizza and talking about the upcoming school year and when they'd need to head to Diagon Alley for supplies. Hugo was arguing a case with Ron that he needed a new Broom even though he'd just gotten one two years year before. After much back and forth, they compromised that Hugo would use his current broom for the coming school year and that Ron would take him shopping for an upgrade next summer. When a lull in conversation occurred, Hermione took her chance to bring up what she'd been wanting to discuss with her estranged husband and their children.
"I want to apologize to all of you for disappearing over the last few days," Hermione said, looking between Rose, Hugo, and Ron. "I've been a bit overwhelmed lately, and I'll admit I haven't been handling stress well. A colleague of mine offered me his family vacation house to unwind and I took him up on it. I should have talked to you all before going, and I'm sorry if I caused any panic."
"It's alright, M'ione," Ron managed to say through a mouthful of pizza. "I'll admit I was a bit worried when I'd read in the Prophet you'd taken some time off, but when Mum told me you'd arranged for Hugo to stay at the Burrow for a quick getaway, I knew you were okay."
"Don't be sorry, Mum. You deserve to have fun too, Hugo chimed in innocently.
"Thank you," Hermione smiled at her youngest.
Her eyes drifted between Rose and Hugo, and when Ron's gaze met hers, she gave him a brief nod before reaching for her wine and a taking a long sip. He cleared his throat, remembering what Hermione has asked him earlier that day when she'd invited him for supper.
"Say, you two," Ron said to his children. "Your mum and I have something to tell you."
"Uh oh..." Rose sighed, putting down her pizza and crossing her arms.
"No, it's not an 'Uh oh' sort of thing," Hermione interjected quickly. The last thing they needed was a repeat of last time. "We just want to make sure you both understand what's going on."
"Alright," Rose said cautiously, looking between her parents. "Let's hear it then. What is going on?"
"I know Dad told you he'd be moving out for a little while," Hermione began as calmly, just as she'd rehearsed in her head. "As it turns out, we both need more time apart than we originally thought." She looked between her children, disappointment appearing on both of their faces. She hated this, but she knew she had to press on. "Do either of you know what it means when a married couple separates?"
Rose glowered and shook her head in disbelief, clearing understanding what her mum was getting at, while Hugo stared at her blankly. Hermione took this as her queue to continue.
"It means that even though a married couple is still legally married on paper, they aren't together as a couple anymore."
"Like a break up?" Hugo asked guardedly.
"Yes," Ron answered, with a nod. "It's like a trial break up so the couple can determine if they are better of just as friends."
"So that's what you're doing then?" Rose interjected scornfully. "You're breaking up?"
"We're separating," Hermione clarified forcefully.
A heavy silence overtook the room, and Hermione could see both her children deep in thought, likely reeling from the news they'd just received.
"We want to be honest with you both," Ron said, looking between Rose and Hugo. "And going forward, if either of you ever have any questions you can always ask us."
"And we want you both to know that this decision is no one's fault. It has nothing to with Uncle Harry or Aunt Ginny and article in the Prophet. Dad and I have been struggling in our marriage for awhile now, and this is the decision we believe is best for all of us."
Rose rolled her eyes, clearing not believing a word her mother had said, while Hugo turned to his dad.
"So you're never moving back home?" He inquired, his voice quiet and unsteady.
Ron faltered, but Hermione was quick to back him.
"We don't know the answer to that just yet, but your dad won't be back home any time soon."
Both Rose and Hugo looked displeased, though not surprised.
"So it's sort of permanent?" Hugo pressed.
Hermione frowned. It was clear he wasn't going to let up without an answer.
"It's permanent for the foreseeable future," she finally answered.
"If it's permanent then why don't you two just get it over with and file for divorce?" Rose asked, feigning annoyance to mask her hurt. "Do you two even like each other anymore?"
Hermione winced, and thankfully, Ron spoke up quickly.
"I don't like your mum, Rosie. I love your mum," He said, reaching out to gently grasp her arm. He lightly squeezed it, hoping to offer some comfort. "But relationships are about more than that, and we're trying to sort out whether or not we're still a good match."
His answer didn't seem to satisfy either of the children, and it was becoming clear that nothing but time likely would.
"I can't promise that this separation won't lead to us breaking up for good. That would be a lie, and I don't want to lie to either of you," Hermione reasoned softly. "But I can promise that your dad and I will always be there for you. Regardless of what is going on between us, we are a family. Does everyone understand this?"
Hugo nodded in agreement while Rose offered an inaudible grumble. They conversation ended and they went back to eating, though the pizza was a lot less enjoyable after the conversation they'd just had.
"Would you two mind popping upstairs so your dad and I can talk privately for a moment?" Hermione asked once the pizza was gone and the dishes were cleared.
"Alright... " Rose replied, eyeing her parents suspiciously before making her way up to the stairs.
"Night, Mum," Hugo said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and then following his sister.
"Should I be worried?" Ron asked jokingly, though Hermione guessed there was some seriousness to his question.
"Not at all," she said quickly. "I just thought now would be a good time to discuss... well, us."
"Oh," he replied flatly. "Yeah, sure."
"I think it's time, Ron."
"Time for what?"
"Time to call this what it is," Hermione said sadly. "We're separated, and reconciliation doesn't seem to be on the horizon. With my career being in the spotlight, I think the sensible thing to do is make an official announcement before word gets out another way."
"You want to go public?" Ron balked.
"I don't see another option," she continued. "It going to come out sooner or later, and better with us controlling the narrative. It would also allow us to get you a proper place to live where the kids could come visit you."
Ron studied his wife carefully, his eyes narrowing.
"You want a divorce."
It was more of a question than a statement, and Hermione was not going to be the first to answer.
"Do you?" She posed gently.
"I dunno..."
Hermione knew he hated this as much as she did. Despite their differences, it really was difficult deciding whether or not to call it quits after twenty years. Once it was done, there was no going back.
"I'll be honest," she began, fidgeting slightly under his intense stare. "It's crossed my mind a few times over the last week, and as much as it breaks my heart, it may be the right thing for us. I know our family would get through it."
Ron looked pain stricken at her confession, and Hermione felt a jab in her heart.
"Let's just... take this one step at a time," she said softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We've been privately separated for a few weeks and I think now is the time to make it official."
"Alright, yes," Ron quietly agreed. "How do you want to go about it?"
They talked about how they'd have to let their families know first. The decided that they'd each take care of their own. Hermione would tell her parents and the kids while Ron would take care of the Weasley clan. Though Hermione suspected he'd tell his mum and then let Molly handle informing the rest.
Hermione would draft the announcement, and then she and Ron would both sign it before releasing it to the media. With any luck, there'd be only a few days of gossip before news of the separation became stale. Of course, there was always the possibility that news of the separation would dominate the media and cause an everlasting flurry of speculation and rumors. Whatever happened, Hermione knew she'd need to be strong for her children. After everything that had happened, she at least owed them that.
...
In the morning Rose woke in her own bed to the sound of a soft knock, followed by her mum's head poking into her room.
"I wasn't sure if you'd be awake," Hermione said.
"I wasn't until a few seconds ago, Rose grumbled, rubbing her eyes and then sitting up against the bed frame.
"Sorry," her mum said sheepishly. She enter the room and slowly sat down next to her daughter on the bed. "I guess this means you decided to stay?"
"At least until our next row," Rose joked, though her mum's frown told her she hadn't appreciated the comment. "How was your holiday?"
"Oh, it was alright. I went for a few walks and did a lot of reading. Mostly I just needed some time to myself. These last few weeks have been hard."
"Oh," Rose replied flatly.
She wasn't sure what to say. Even though she had known all summer that her mum had been struggling, it was still strange hearing her admit it.
Hermione gave her a gentle smile, sensing her daughter's unease.
"So listen..." She began tentatively. "I was thinking It's probably about time we talk."
Rose's heart began to race and she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
"About what?" She asked stupidly.
Her mum looked at her with exasperation.
"You can't be serious."
Rose look down at her hands as she played with draw string on her pajama shorts.
"Can't we just pretend it never happened like a normal family?" She mumbled as heat reached her cheeks.
"Rose... come on," Hermione said, a slight pleading in her voice.
"Okay," Rose breathed.
She willed herself to look up at her mum, and was surprised to see she looked just as uncomfortable as she did.
"I... uh... when I - ummm... well you and Scorpius... and then - uh - I saw... uh - " Hermione nervously fumbled. She exhaled loudly and ran her hand through her wavy hair in frustration. "This is harder to do than I thought."
"Then let's just not," Rose suggested quickly.
Hermione ignored her and pushed forward, doing her best to remain composed and logical. She was the adult. She needed to be calm and collected, even if talking to her daughter about sex was painstakingly awful.
"When I walked in... on you... in your room," Hermione began again, fidgeting furiously with her hands and forcing herself to maintain eye contact with Rose. "I was shocked... and then angry and hurt, and because of that I didn't react in the best way."
Rose was in disbelief. Did she just say what she thought she said?
"I'm sorry," Hermione continued, her voice laced with regret. "Even though I was emotional and upset it didn't excuse the way I handle things."
Rose couldn't believe it. She was the one who had been caught half naked in bed with a boy and her mum was apologizing to her? This had to be a dream.
"It's okay," Rose said softly.
"No it's not," Hermione said firmly as she shook her head fiercely. "I want you to be able to talk to me without having to worry I'll go mental. I do wish you'd told me about what was going on though. I know it can feel weird and awkward, but we have to be honest with each other."
Rose gave her mum a knowing look.
"You would have tried to stop me from seeing him."
"No, I would have set boundaries," Hermione clarified sternly. "I'd never forbid you from being friends with Scorpius. He's a good kid."
"Alright..." Rose nodded tentatively. "Are you mad at me?"
Hermione sighed heavily. Her forehead crinkled and her lips turned downward. Her eyes swam with worry.
"I'm scared for you," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I knew you were hiding something from me. But what I walked in on the other week... well that wasn't even on my radar."
Rose felt her stomach sink. She hated that she'd caused her mum so much extra stress and worry. As if she didn't have enough going in already.
"I'm sorry," Rose said sincerely.
"Are you?" Hermione asked, her brow raised questioningly.
Rose felt a twinge of guilt. She was more so sorry that she'd allowed her mum to catch her than she was that she'd done it. If only she'd been more careful, then they wouldn't be having this uncomfortable conversation in the first place.
"i don't like disappointing you," Rose said, and that really was the truth. "How long did you know something was going on?"
"Since the start of summer," Hermione replied, and then asked a question that had been gnawing at her. "How long have you and Scorpius... been physical?"
Rose's felt heat reach her ears, and she was certain they must be beat red. She cast her gaze down, no longer able to meet her mum's scrutinizing eyes.
"May," she mumbled.
Hermione nodded slowly, soaking in the new piece of information. It was as she'd suspected, and she was relieved to know it hadn't been going on all year without her knowledge.
"I don't approve of what you're doing," Hermione stated firmly, catching her daughter's gaze and holding eye contact. She wanted her to really hear the seriousness of what she was saying. "You're too young to have a boyfriend, and certainly too young for a casual relationship or whatever it is going on between you and Scorpius... but since I know I can't stop you, things are going to have to change."
Rose said nothing, staring at her mum. Hermione sighed heavily before continuing.
"Scorpius is not allowed over unless dad or I are home. You cannot go to the Malfoy residence unless you've cleared it with me. You and Scorpius are not to be anywhere together unsupervised."
Rose nodded. She wasn't surprised by any of the new rules her mum had set in the slightest.
"Does Dad know?" She asked meekly.
Hermione cast Rose a sympathetic glance.
"No, he doesn't," she answered. "I'll have to tell him something."
"You won't tell him what you saw, though, right?"
"I don't know what I'm going to say, but I'll spare him the details."
"He's going to hate me."
"He could never hate you. He might be angry for a few days but it won't be anything he can't get over."
A momentary silence fell over the two of them before Hermione blurted out another question she'd been dying to ask.
"Are you taking a potion?"
Rose had expected her Mum to ask this, but it still made her heart race. Admitting this to her mum was horribly embarrassing. It implied something, something that wasn't true but she knew her mum would make a big deal about it nonetheless.
"Yes," she answered.
Hermione tried to mask her discomfort, but Rose immediately noticed an uneasiness take hold of her. Her mum looked lost for words, and it was several beats before she spoke again.
"You said that you two... that you're not..."
Rose knew full well what her mum was struggling to ask, and she quickly put her out of her misery.
"No. We aren't."
Hermione closed her eyes for a brief moment, a sense a relief washing over her. She steadied herself before asking her next question.
"How close?"
Rose frozen, having been caught off guard. She was definitely not expecting her mum to ask her that.
"Mum... please," she begged, though she knew it would be pointless. "Do we really have to talk about that?"
"Believe me, I don't need or want to know details, but I do need to know if it's going to happen," Hermione reasoned. "If you're taking a potion, it must be at the very least a thought."
"I'm not ready," Rose admitted honestly.
"But it's crossed your mind?"
Rose uncomfortably shrugs, once again not willing or able to look her mother in the eyes.
"If my opinion is worth anything, I don't think you are ready either."
Rose scoffed. "You'd probably have me wait until I'm thirty."
Hermione gave a small laugh.
"Try forty," she replied teasingly.
Rose smiled back, but it wasn't long until a awkward silence once again filled the room.
"Can you talk to me before you take that next step?" Hermione asked seriously.
Rose covered her face with her hands.
"That's going to be so weird," she groaned.
"No," Hermione disagreed gently. "It will be a tad uncomfortable, but I promise not to go mental when you do."
Rose contemplated it for a few moment. She knew her only option was to agree if she didn't want her mum to go completely nuts every time she went near Scorpius. However, she didn't know if she'd actually keep her word, but she'd sort that out when the time came.
"Fine," Rose resigned.
Her mum seemed somewhat pleased, but her lips once again turned downward into a small frown.
"I need you to be careful, alright?"
Rose could sense the strain in her voice, and it tugged at her heart.
"Yes, mum," she said. "I will."
"Well... I guess that's it," Hermione said, though she didn't appear any less concerned. "Unless there's anything else you want to talk about?"
"God, no," Rose said hastily.
She rose to her feet and gave Rose's arm a gently squeeze.
"I'll head downstairs and start on breakfast then."
As Hermione made her way to leave, the sound of Rose's voice stopped her before she reached the door.
"Mum?"
"Yes, sweets?" Hermione said, turning to look at her daughter.
"Please don't give up," Rose said quietly. When she saw her mum's questioning expression she clarified. "On dad."
"Rose... "
"Please, Mum? I'm not asking for you to pretending that everything's okay. Just don't write him off just yet. He even said tonight that he still loves you."
Hermione looked at her daughter sadly, feeling her words tug at her heart.
"Dad and I both really need this separation. I'm sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth," she said, watching hope vanish from Rose's face. "I know things seem messy right now, but I promise they are going to work out alright."
Before leaving the room, she smiled sweetly at the young teen, wishing she could feel just how much she loved her. "I'm glad you're home, Rosie."