A Post Hogwarts Affair 12
A/N: I'm so sorry for such a long wait! I had final exams and of course the end of the school year is disgustingly busy but I'm free now! So here you go.
The wind whistled gently and I sighed. I hated my life. It was depressing and horrible and I just wanted to start over or something. I glanced at the man beside me, who was quiet and looking at the sky. "Ron," I began slowly, unsure of what to say. What does one say at this point? Um, sorry, you know how it goes… sure, we'll keep in touch? Ridiculous. This man had been one of my best friends since I was eleven years old… I couldn't just do that.
"What?" His voice brought me out of my reverie and I turned to him, astonished at how gruff it sounded.
"Well, you don't have to snap," I protested meekly, not wanting to start an argument but at the same time wanting to know the explanation.
"Look. I'm going home. Are you coming?" He stood up abruptly and walked away from the bench. His body seemed to blend in with the darkness. I estimated it was already seven p.m.
Should I go home? Or should I go spend some time with someone else? Perhaps it wasn't a good idea; who knew what mess we'd get into? "I think we both need some time…to process this. You know, let the effects sink in and stuff," I felt like a measly coward as I said the words, like one big divorced cliché, but I said them anyway.
He nodded. "Yeah. Well I'm going home. You're welcome anytime."
I shook my head slightly. "That's okay. I'll see you in a few days, alright?"
Without a word, I heard a soft crack and the silhouette of a tall man disappeared. I sat in the park for a few moments longer, reflecting on what had just happened, how serious it was. And then I realized that it was chilly outside and I better find a place to go. I debated. Ginny? Harry? Who else was I close to?
Finally I decided on Harry just because he fully understood what was going on. If anyone could help me through this, it was Harry. Nervously I apparated to the front of his large, exquisite home in which we had spent so many interesting moments. Forgetting my inhibitions I rang the doorbell and patiently waited.
Harry opened it up and I noticed immediately how disheveled he looked. Well, not really, but… his hair was all messed up and his shirt wrinkled. He was wearing boxers along with it. Embarrassed I backed away. "Sorry… did I catch you at the wrong time?"
"Oh, no, that's okay, come on in," he said politely. Of course he'd say that. This was Harry, after all. Ridiculously polite and generous and sweet and… even handsome. Actually, quite attractive. Everything a girl wanted in a man. No wonder he had so many "opportunities".
I stepped into his foyer and sighed. "You have a girl over, don't you." It wasn't a question, but a statement.
He nodded sheepishly. "Sorry. I had no idea that you would stop by… but I'd told you I was going to go on a date with Mandy. Well we'd just come home from dinner and… were a bit… busy when you came."
"Look, I'll leave," I began, feeling silly and stupid and somehow insanely jealous of Mandy. I didn't even know why. The divorce had left me feeling raw and somehow I was protective of Harry. Harry shouldn't have Mandy; Mandy wasn't good enough for him… stop this, Hermione, I told myself. I was being so thick!
"No, don't! You've been here countless times, help yourself to whatever food you want… ask Twinky, she'll make something for you… you know where the guest bedrooms are. Just take the one you always take. Settle down. Call a friend. Mi casa es tu casa."
I smiled as Harry attempted Spanish in an atrocious accent. Thanking him profusely, I did exactly what he said. After a pint of break-up ice cream (and yes, there really was such a thing in the wizard world, enhanced by special herbs and charms to make you feel much better) I walked happily over to my guest room and smiled at its familiarity.
Suddenly I remembered that I did have to go to work tomorrow, and there was no way that I was going to do so in my current state. After much debating (and I was still giddy with happiness) I decided to inform my wonderful boss whom I hadn't seen in a long, long time.
That brought back a whole new set of morbid memories. Lavender! Oh, Christ, Lavender! I wondered how many people the little gossip had told by now. I had to… Obliviate her. There was no other way.
Then again, what did it matter if people found out. There would already be tons of bad publicity about me, because of Ron's prominent position in wizard society and because I was best friends with the man who saved the wizard world.
Torn, I just decided to ignore the matter and go ahead and contact Draco Malfoy. I decided to use fire transportation, always useful. Within a few moments I felt the odd sensation of my head being in his fireplace. "Mr. Malfoy!" I called loudly, wondering why I'd just addressed him so formally. Oh, whatever.
I heard footsteps and soon he'd entered what I presumed was his study. It was lovely, with mahogany bookcases that reached the high enchanted ceiling and a wonderful, sturdy, cherry wood desk that looked just so inviting. How could he not want to do work all day long?
"Hermione?" he asked in surprise, staring at me.
"Hello," I grinned sheepishly. "I just wanted to tell you… well, ask you really, if I could take the next few days off. I'm miserable."
"You don't look miserable," he stated suspiciously, giving me an odd look.
"Oh, sorry, break-up ice cream. Does that to you, you know?" I explained merrily.
"No, I didn't know, having never had the stuff…but I've heard. Break-up ice cream, eh? Whose the lucky man?"
"Shut up," I growled. He knew perfectly well who the "lucky" man was. "You know who."
"No, I don't. Please tell me, Hermione, or I shan't be able to give you what you ask for," he said smoothly, ever the fast talker.
Exasperated I exclaimed, "Ron! Of course Ron! If you must know, I'm getting a divorce."
He seemed stunned. For a few seconds, he didn't say anything. The air in his study made his hair flap a bit in the air conditioning, and it was completely silent except for the whirr of the wind.
"Divorce," he finally managed to get out. His voice didn't seem steady. I wondered what was wrong with him. Had Lavender already told him? I really hoped not. "How is that possible?" he said sharply. "I thought Weasley was a pureblood."
Not this again… "It's Ron. His family is anything but the normal pureblooded family," I explained awkwardly. "I guess we'll get it done the muggle way."
His features creased. "Well, did you get married the muggle way? If you didn't, then you're stuck."
I breathed in relief as I remembered that we had indeed gotten married "the muggle way", or in other words, muggle papers and the like. My mother had insisted on it and of course, Arthur Weasley was more than ready to agree, and Molly could be brought about. "Yes we did," I replied piercingly. "What's it to you anyhow?"
"Just checking out your excuse. You know, a 'few days off' isn't something I give very often. Need to make sure it's real." His voice was odd; I couldn't place the emotion behind it.
"Real?" I exclaimed in anger. "Of course it's real! How dare you make light of my situation! Gods! You're absolutely awf—"
He held his hand up to quiet me. "Look, it came out wrong. I'm pleased you're cleaning up your social life. Now go. I'm a bit busy. I'll give you three days and on Wednesday I expect you to be back at work. In fact I have plenty to discuss with you."
His cold demeanor left me aghast but I hurriedly left his fireplace and came to Harry's guest room so I could think about it.
I'm pleased you're cleaning up your social life… the bastard! So condescending… but it meant something, I was sure. I'm pleased… I'm pleased… why was he pleased? Why did it affect him at all, except for the fact that I wasn't going to be at work for a few days?
Damn it. My obsession, which had temporarily faded as more important things took control of my life, was back. I had to ignore it, had to talk to Lavender, had to heal from this divorce, had to figure out why I felt weirdly about Harry… and I had to do this all very soon. I didn't even know how to get started.
I sighed. First things first… what was the easiest to do off of that list? Lavender, I supposed. I dreaded speaking with her but then finally decided to go pay her a visit. Slipping out of the room and leaving a magical note for Harry (the thing would fly up to him whenever he was ready to be disturbed), I set out of the house and made my way over to Lavender's flat.
She opened the door and greeted me with a huge hug when she saw me. "Hermione, darling! Do come in!" she cried happily. The little hypocrite, I thought angrily. She only wanted more gossip, I was sure of that.
"Hello, Lavender," I said, as brightly as I could muster. The effects of break-up ice cream were definitely beginning to fade.
"Can I get you anything? A drink, perhaps? A nibble?" She bustled through her flat, straightening out already straightened pillows on the perfect couch and picking up imaginary lint from a glossy marble floor.
She was definitely showing off. Still, I admired how pretty her nice, clean flat looked. "Oh, no, that's okay," I replied sympathetically. "I do want to have a bit of a chat, though."
If possible, Lavender began to sparkle even more brightly. "Let me get some tea and biscuits. One can't have a chat without those essentials," she smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. I found myself reminiscing about how different this girl had been in Hogwarts. Couldn't lift a finger to help a soul, and here she was, the perfect little hostess, skinny and slim and beautiful and lucky and unmarried…and still a gossip, I reminded myself. In my depressed mood it was easy for me to envy anyone and everyone.
Lavender returned with a plate of cookies and tea for the two of us. I sat down on the sofa and she settled in next to me. "So, Hermione, what's on your mind? It was just recently we met!"
I nodded. "Yes, that's true. Did you enjoy Parvati's party?" I awkwardly began some small talk. What was I supposed to do? Whip out the wand, obliviate the girl, and tell her I had to go care for my sick grandmother?
"Oh, it was lovely. I had a marvelous time meeting everyone again. Everyone's become so accomplished! My gosh, Harry Potter has become absolutely stunning. And so successful. We all knew he would be, but he has surpassed our expectations! Rich and handsome, not to mention absolutely a sweetheart! I'm surprised he's still a bachelor. Might have to pay him a visit," she laughed good-naturedly.
My heart flip-flopped as she mentioned all of Harry's amazing traits. "Yes, he's… quite… the, er, successful one," I finished up lamely, sure that my face was brilliantly red.
Was it simply the divorce getting to my head or was I unearthing some real feelings for my other best friend? I had an example in front of me; sometimes, marrying your best friend didn't always work.
Then again, this was Harry. Harry was pretty close to perfect.
Then what about Draco? Just as well-off, if not more so, than Harry, and… dangerously exciting. Someone different in my boring life. Like a seasoning, no, more of a spice. I liked him, too. He was brilliant and daring and sexy and…
Oh, man. I fancied them both. Safe, reliable, wonderful Harry, and dangerous, deceiving, yet undeniably sexy Draco. Merlin.
"Hermione? Hermione?" I tuned into Lavender, was looking at me with a puzzled expression on her face. "You just seemed to daze off there. Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, fine. Look, Lavender, I might as well start talking about why I'm really here," I said, anxious to change the subject.
"Hmm?" she asked, perking a perfectly shaped eyebrow up in interest.
"At, um, Parvati's party, I had a little too much to drink, as I'm sure you know," I began. She didn't say anything, but I knew she was waiting with bated breath for me to continue. So I did. "I believe that I told you some things that I really shouldn't have told anyone."
She smiled demurely. "Ah, Hermione. I suppose you're referring to your infatuation with your boss," she asked inquiringly, although she knew perfectly well that that was exactly what I was talking about.
But I played it all refined anyway, just like she did. Two can play at this game, Lavender. "Yes, indeed it is… it was so silly of me, but honestly, I've been rather in the dumps lately, and he gave me a little trinket. This set off a whole lot of silly notions in my head," I explained in my politest yet sharpest manner.
"Really? A trinket? What was this trinket that set off a whole lot of silly notions in your head?" she asked.
"Oh, it was merely a gift that he gives to all employees who have worked particularly well in the last month. Just… just, uh… just a lovely little… er, necklace. Yes. A tiny little thing, probably didn't even cost him two knuts!"
"And that was what made you deliriously obsessed with him?" she asked, abandoning the act. She was too interested to keep it up.
"Yes," I replied, hoping she bought my lies and forgot about the whole thing. "I've come to my senses now, actually."
"Really? That's wonderful, because, Hermione, you're married," she pointed out. As if I didn't already know.
"Actually, dear Lavender, I'm getting a divorce. It should be final very soon, I think," I snobbishly shut her up. She looked amazed. She could spread it around, I didn't care, it would be in the papers sooner or later anyway.
"Goodness! You're breaking up with Ron? Because of Draco?! I didn't know it was that serious! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! This is huge news!" Lavender had completely abandoned any act of sophistication and maturity. The news was too much for her to handle…wait a minute. Wait a minute!
"No, of course not!" I screeched, embarrassed to even hear it. "I am not leaving Ron because of Draco! I told you that was just a temporary infatuation! A bout of lunacy on my part! Okay! We're splitting because we… feel that we are better off as friends!"
Lavender grinned. "Sure, okay. But you don't care for Draco anymore?"
"I never cared for Draco," I lied. "Not at all. I have told you, it was simply a minor infatuation because Ron and I were going through tough times. I don't care for him in the least, the cocky bastard!"
She nodded. "This is like a soap opera, Hermione. So, you don't care for Draco Malfoy. Zilch. Nil. Nada?"
"Yes, Lavender, you've got it. I don't care for him at all. I mean I'd care more for Harry than I would for Draco Malfoy!" I exclaimed.
This turned out to be a horrible and insanely stupid thing for me to have said. "Harry!" Lavender's ears perked up again. "Harry! My god! You care for him? You fancy Harry then? You broke up with Ron because you fancied Harry and Malfoy? Merlin, Merlin, Merlin!"
"Lavender!" I barked unhappily. "You're wrong, I don't care for Draco Malfoy at all. Just Harr—no, I mean, neither of them." My slip-up was once again stupid. I hadn't meant to say it, and I didn't even fancy Harry (well I don't think I did) but the words slipped out in my haste to explain to her that she was completely off.
But it cost me. "Oh really," her eyes glinted with glee. "Well, Hermione, I must be off, really. I have a lot of shopping to do, have to meet someone at Hogsmeade in, oh dear, twenty minutes! You're welcome to stay if you want, but I've got to go."
"No, that's okay," I said, hurriedly getting up. "I'll just be leaving, Lavender," I sighed hopelessly. There was nothing I could do. Nothing but sit and watch the drama unfold. Unhappily I let myself out of Lavender's flat and made my way quite dolefully back to Harry's house. He flung open the door before I could even knock.
"Where did you go?" he demanded.
"Lavender's house. I left you a note," I said, looking at the ground because I'd only just noticed that Harry was wearing a button-down shirt with all the buttons opened, so his very toned chest (and I do mean very!) was quite exposed. Lucky Mandy. Horrid Mandy. Silly me! What was wrong with me?
"Yes, but you didn't specify where you were. I was so worried you'd go and jump off a cliff or something," he said seriously. "You looked utterly depressed and I didn't even get a chance to ask you what was wrong. I sent Mandy home as soon as you came but you'd left so quickly. Jesus! Don't worry me like that!"
Merlin. The man could not get any sweeter. I hated him for doing this to me. Giving up sex so he could talk to his best friend? "Harry," my voice cracked as I spoke his name. "Harry. Ron and me…"
I couldn't say it. The whole time I could say it but somehow I couldn't say it to Harry.
"Shh," he enveloped me in his arms. I could feel that chest. I was miserable but at the same time comforted.
"Ron and I…" I tried again.
"Another brawl?" he asked gently. "Did he go out drinking again?"
I shook my head into his chest. "No," my voice was muffled. "No. It's finished. It's over."
I felt him stiffen. For a moment he didn't say anything, but finally the word escaped his lips. "Divorce?"
I didn't say anything, but years of friendship provided for non-verbal communication. For a few moments we simply rocked, both overcome at this unexpected turn of events. We'd never have imagined this as children. Never.
I pulled away and sighed sadly and he lifted my chin with his hands. "Don't cry," he scolded. "Be strong, Hermione. It's for the best."
"Do you remember… remember when you warned me… on my wedding day?" I asked quietly, wondering if he was thinking the same thing right now.
"Shh, it's okay. Just forget about it. I don't want this to take the life out of you, Hermione. It will be okay. You know what? Go sleep. I'll take care of everything."
My heart pounding, I gave him a watery smile and turned for his guest suite, not without thinking about romantic possibilities with my other best friend.
There was something seriously wrong with me…and only time could tell. Harry, Draco, Ron, Lavender, Ginny… these people and more were like sand and I felt myself sifting through them, searching for something, searching for something that I didn't even know existed.
A/N: Well, there you have it. Hermione's confused and alone, except she's not really alone. In the next chapter I hope to bring in more Draco because he hasn't really been important lately. Ginny will also make an appearance sooner or later. Oh, and someone pointed out that it isn't really an affair if Hermione divorces Ron, so why's it called A Post Hogwarts Affair? Affair also refers to events and such, not just an extramarital relationship. I meant it in both ways.
Thanks for sticking with me, everyone. Please review!