Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 3

Comfort

I held her. I held her and just let her cry. Hermione was my best friend and she had always been there for me when I needed her the most and so when she needed a shoulder to cry on, I offered mine. Tucker sat on the floor beside us, his head resting on her knee. Her marriage was over and I think it just finally hit her. They had gone to a few secession of marriage counseling, she had really wanted to make it work. Ginny said she thought she did it more for the kids sake then anything else, I think she was right. In the end they didn't seem to do any good. Ron stopped showing for the appointments and Hermione, not being able to take it anymore gave up and officially filed for divorce. She would be taking the kids and moving in with her parents over the weekend.

"H-how can he do this to us?" She sobbed. "I love him, our babies... He didn't even try for them."

I understood what she meant but sometimes kids are better off when their parents aren't together. Right now, Ron's priorities are pretty screwed up.

"It'll be okay, Hermione." I rubbed soft circles in her back, much like Ginny does for me when I'm having a panic attack. "Ginny and I are there for you if you need us."

As much as I would have loved to have offered to let her and Rosey stay with us, I think it would be too much for me to handle. Sometimes, just dealing with James gets overwhelming. There have been days when Ginny's on the road that I have had to take him to Molly's just so I don't go over the edge. The older he gets the easier he is to deal with, but unless fate decides otherwise James will be our only child.

"I can't believe he did this to us...to all of us." Taking a deep breath she sat herself up. Her watery cinnamon eyes drifted down to Tucker; he had moved his head from her knee but only to give her hand a loving lick. She smiled at the sweet K-9 and scratched his head between his ears.

"Maybe I should get a dog."

I laughed, petting the back of my loyal companion. "I would highly recommend it."

Wiping the tears that had fallen to her cheeks, her gaze moved down to her round belly. "I never imagined this, Harry. Being 25, divorced with three small children."

"Sometimes things don't always go as planned, all we can do is carry on and make the best of it."

"Hey you too." I smiled at the voice of my love as she and little James walked in through the front door. She had taken him to the local community pool for lessons. I would make sure my son was given all the opportunities I never was, even simple things like learning how to ride a bike and swim."

"Sorry, Gin." Hermione apologized standing. "I just needed a shoulder to cry on."

My wife gave her a sad smile of pity but opened her arms and pulled our best friend into a tight hug. "You can come here anytime, Hermione. I'm off season now so I'll be home most days, you can bring Rosey by anytime you need, okay."

"Thank you. My parents have agreed to watch her during the day for me, at least until I can get us a place of our own, but if I need the help I promise I'll ask."

Hermione didn't stay long after that. I felt unbelievably bad for her. Ron was such a dick. Fucking asshole. The only one who even tried to defend his actions was Molly, but I think she only did because she felt obligated to do so. Ron always had a tendency to do stupid shit without thinking but in the end he'd always come around. This time, even if he does, it'll be too little too late.

"Did you have fun swimming?" I asked my son picking him up and plopping him on my hip. I didn't even care he was still a bit damp. "I did. I learned how to float, daddy!"

"That's amazing! I'm so proud of you."

I was proud of him and I would make sure he would always know that.

I just hoped Hermione's kids grew up knowing their dad was proud of them too. With Ron... I just didn't even know how I felt about him anymore.

After James changed into some dry clothes we sat down and played a game of Exploding Snap before dinner. It was a wonderful evening with my family, I just wished Hermione and Rosey could have said the same.