A/N: This is just a little side-dish. It takes place before the actual one-shot. I just thought I'd give a little glimpse at what happened leading up to Lucius and Hermione's goodbye.

"Miss Granger, I did not wish to leave my husband, but I fear he is being unfaithful to me." The tall blonde witch sat primly across from Hermione.

If you only knew…

"I understand completely, Miss Malfoy. I can guarantee you at least fifty percent of his net worth, considering the major emotional blow you have suffered."

Most of which is my fault…

"Thank you, Miss Granger. Shall I arrange another appointment with yourself or your partner?"

"I will be handling your case, Miss Malfoy. My partner more often than not deals with the male aspect of divorce, as he is better inclined to understand their emotions." Hermione smiled.

"Which is of course why you handle the female aspect?" Narcissa Malfoy lips thinned as she tried to hide her amusement.

"Miss Malfoy, my partner, though strong and brave as any other, is gay. Very gay."

"I see. Well, they do say the good ones are either gay or taken."


Or cheating on their wives with her divorce attorney.

"That they do, Miss Malfoy." Hermione rose and led the taller woman to the door. She arranged a meeting for the following Thursday and sank in to her comfortable leather armchair, beaten.

Evan Carter burst through the door of Hermione's office. He glanced around and took in the warmly glowing fire, dark upholstery, and welcoming furnishing. He then looked at the desk. Papers were filed and in pristine order, pencils and pens were stacked in a cup at the corner, and Hermione Granger was banging her head rather forcefully against the smooth, hard surface.

"'Mione…. Now we can't have that!" Evan scolded, slumping into the seat Narcissa Malfoy had vacated moments before.

"Evan, this is terrible!"

"Another case with a rich woman? Terrible?" Evan asked incredulously.

"You don't know the half of it, Love." Hermione moaned.

"Oh, it's not so bad You're the divorce attorney to a woman who fears her husband has been unfaithful when in reality you are the one he was unfaithful with making you unfaithful to your client though she has no idea and therefore you are feeling guilt because of said unfaithfulness." Evan stated matter-of-factly.

A pause followed Evan's words, and then his partner broke into peals o hysterical laughter.

"Oh, my, she's gone batty."

Evan smiled softly to himself and shook his head laughingly. He rose from his chair and knelt next to Hermione, placing a finger under her chin and forcing her to look in his eyes.

"Love, it's over. It was a mistake. You admit that…you have nothing to feel guilty for. Malfoy is the one who will suffer.," he said seriously.

"I know…but-"

"-no buts! It's after hours. Go home. Sleep. And maybe I'll let you work tomorrow." Evan grinned.

"What would I do without you?" Hermione smiled as she got her coat fro the rack by the door.

"Live a very hectic, yet straight life."

Evan is amazing…I suppose the next barrier in Narcissa Malfoy's life will be finding out that her son is gay, and that he is dating her divorce attorney's partner. Oh, dear.