A/N: Every chapter shows little glimpses of their past that is well, tragic.
To be honest, I am not certain yet if this story is going to have a happy ending or not.
I did want to highlight though that when you're young, it's so easy to make mistakes because you don't pause and analyze the potential consequences of your actions. Also trust is like glass. Especially if the one you trusted most breaks it, all the more is it hard to accept. This is actually not a Harry or Hermione bashing story. I just wanted to show two sides of the coin. Usually when a couple breaks up, we only see one side of the story and make conclusions. In this case, we get to see both sides of the equation. Not for us to put blame on either one, but to see that for a relationship to work, the pair must work together. For this story's Harry and Hermione, it is very clear that they both failed to make the relationship work due to many reasons.
Anyway, I'll be posting two or three chapters more, and then, the updates will be taking longer moving forward.
I've been focusing on this story for a few days since it's been calling out to me.
Once I get two or three chapters out, I'll pause for a while. I have to think on how I will continue with the story.
Besides, due to focusing on this, I am now able to imagine more details of The Potter Bride and Seven Years of Loving and Loathing.
Your feedback is appreciated although I really do not agree with those people who actually make rude comments about me as a person.
You can bash the story, the characters, but an attack on my person is really several forms of low.
I would like to reiterate, if you don't like it, don't read it.
My Cheating Heart
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Six: Confrontations at Dinner
It was one of Harry's most awkward moments when he had to visit Draco Malfoy's office at St. Mungo's just to secure the blonde man's address. The bloody ferret had this amused and smug look on his face as he explained that Hermione told him to meet her at the Malfoy residence. Now here is...
He was standing in front a simple yet elegant two-story home which looked peaceful and happy. The ferret sure did get lucky in life! The house is very small compared to the opulent Malfoy manor but he could clearly see that this house was indeed a home. He knocked on the door and Astoria Malfoy opened it.
"Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy. I am here to meet Hermione for dinner", he said politely.
"Who said you were welcome here for dinner, Potter?", Draco Malfoy drawled.
"Draco! Be nice", Astoria warned.
"I'm taking her out, Malfoy", he replied calmly but deep inside he was screaming. This albino ferret is still so bloody annoying!
"Tori? Can I borrow your red sandals, please?", Hermione's voice echoed from the stairs.
"Sure, 'Mione. Oh, and you better hurry up, your, er, Lord Potter's here", Astoria yelled back.
"I'll be down in a few minutes", Hermione replied.
"Listen here, Potter. We don't want any funny business. Have Hermione back here by midnight", Draco scowled.
"She's not your daughter, Malfoy", he glared at his childhood nemesis.
"You hurt her any more than you did, Potter, and I'm coming after you. Hermione is a very dear friend of ours. Besides, we can't have our son's favorite aunt get hurt", Draco told him fiercely.
"Mummy? Where's Auntie 'Mione going?", a little boy who was almost the exact replica of the young ferret he went to Hogwarts with came down the stairs and immediately hugged his mother.
"Scorpius, say hi to Lord Harry Potter", Astoria told the little boy.
"Hello, Lord Potter!", the little boy smiled politely.
"Hi Scorpius! Nice to meet you", he greeted with a smile.
"Hi everyone!", Hermione had a big smile on her face as her eyes were trained on the youngest Malfoy. She wore tight-fitted denim jeans and a plain white sleeveless blouse. Her hair was let loose and she had no make-up on.
"Auntie 'Mione you look pretty!", Scorpius hugged his honorary aunt's waist.
"Awww! Thank you, Scorp!", she kissed the little boy's cheeks.
"I'm gonna marry you when I grow up Auntie 'Mione!", the boy had a big grin on his face and the older Malfoys chuckled.
"If only I was your age, Scorp, I'd be happy to. But you're too young for me buddy. When you get older, you will meet a beautiful and intelligent girl who will capture your heart, I promise", she then hugged the little boy.
"I love you Auntie 'Mione!", the boy smiled before returning to his mother.
"I love you too, Scorp", Hermione smiled.
"You be careful around, Potter, Hermione", Draco said sternly and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'll see you guys later. If you're still awake when I get back, maybe we can briefly discuss the latest updates on the epidemic, okay?"
"Aren't you bringing a jacket, Mione?", Astoria asked.
"Oh, right! Accio leather jacket", she pointed her wand towards the stairs and a black leather jacket floated.
"Er, are you ready to go?", he asked.
"Of course. So how do we get there?", she turned to him after waving goodbye to the Malfoys.
"Apparition", he held her arm firmly and they disappeared. They arrived in a dark empty corner a few blocks away from his flat.
"Where are we going?"
"I reckon you don't want this talk to take place in the Wizarding World to avoid someone overhearing it", he explained as he led her towards the direction of his flat. As they entered the twenty-story building, he was greeted by the bellman and he nodded politely. He led Hermione to the elevators and a few seconds later, they arrived at the top floor. He tapped his access card and together they entered the penthouse suite.
"Where are we?", she asked with curiosity as her eyes took in the sight of the large apartment.
"I live here", he answered simply.
"What happened to your large manor?", she inquired.
"I sold it years ago."
"I see."
"So, you hungry?", he pointed towards the dinner table.
"Just a bit. It was a free day for us today but I did some readings on the progress of the research for the epidemic", she answered as she followed him to the dinner table.
"How's that going by the way?"
"Irie finally managed to map how the origin of the epidemic spread. Patient A is Freddie Weasley. Apparently, he found a toy that when touched, it activated the virus. Ever since the first contact to his skin, he immediately became a carrier of the virus. The next pureblood kid he touched, caught the virus as well and so on and so on. We investigated with the non-pureblood kids who had tactile contact with Patient A and those who were infected, but they were all fine. We will be submitting a report to the aurors tomorrow so that you can investigate as to how the toy ever came into the hands of Freddie. We have a theory that it was planted there so he can access it and have the virus spread. Maybe someone is angry at the Weasleys? Or maybe they are just easier to reach assuming George still owns a joke shop? Also, it is interesting to note that only pureblood kids are victims. Maybe there is an anti-pureblood faction in Britain that we don't know of? We're not certain of anything but that's our speculation on the motive. That type of investigation already falls on your lot anyway; we just thought that maybe these initial leads can be helpful to you. My team and the rest of the healers will now be focusing on the cure and moving forward, creating a vaccine formula", she explained as they sat down.
"Thank you for telling me this. I'll prepare the aurors tomorrow. The leads you have found out will give us a head start on the case", he replied.
"No need to thank me. I'm just doing my job. The sooner we can find a cure for the children and hopefully derive the vaccination formula, then my team and I can return to Switzerland", she said with formality.
"Do you want to talk first and eat or -"
"Let's eat while we talk. That way we can get on with it faster", Hermione interrupted as she cut a slice of pizza and placed it on her plate. He followed her lead as he helped himself to a slice of pizza and some chicken. He also opened the bottle of red wine and poured it to each of their glasses.
"Do you want to know anything? Have any questions?", he broke the silence after he had a few bites of the pizza and chicken he bought from a local bistro.
"Just one. Why did the divorce papers I drafted fail? Is there a stipulation not valid due to pureblood law?"
"No. The divorce papers you prepared were iron clad. It's amazing how detailed the papers were and you clearly knew what coincides with pureblood law", he replied and he saw her frown.
"Then what the bloody hell went wrong?", he could tell that she just reining in her anger.
"I did not sign it. Therefore, I did not pass it to be notarized. I had a lawyer check it and he was impressed. He even told me for someone with no legal education, your work was spot on", he said with nonchalance.
"What the hell is wrong with you? All you had to do was sign it and then have it notarized!", she snapped.
"I'm not signing anything until we talk about the ramifications to our relationship", he said calmly.
"What relationship? Harry, our marriage was a lie from the start! I tricked you, it worked! I got pregnant, we married! I admitted the truth, you got angry! You made me suffer, the baby suffered. Viola died and that's the end. What's there to talk about?", she said with melancholy.
"I want to know why you didn't tell me about Ginny's plan to marry me for my money before she lives happily ever after with Zabini", he demanded.
"How did you know about that?", she was surprised.
"Luna and Fleur came to me three days after you left. They showed me their memories. They showed me Ginny meeting Zabini and talking about their plan to legally steal from me. They also showed me that the whole trickery was their idea. Now tell me, Hermione. Why didn't you come to me about Ginny's plan in the first place? You could have just told me you know", his tone was non-accusatory but he understood she was aware of the hurt he tried to conceal.
"Remember third year? The firebolt fiasco? I reckon it was the same thing. You were so in love with Ginny that you would not believe the truth even if we showed you the memories. Worst case if we told you, you would accuse us of tarnishing your dear Ginny's reputation and throw us out. I know how much you love the Weasleys, Harry. You're even more or less blind to their faults", she defended herself.
"While I would like to deny your claim, I would have to admit that you have a very good point", he sighed.
"Look, it's been ten years. I can only say that I am very sorry for deliberately tricking you into marrying me. I did not agree with Fleur and Luna's plan but if it was the only way to save you, then I just went along with it", she sighed.
"Hermione, their plan was to have you sacrifice yourself in marriage. What ever possessed you into agreeing? How could you give up your own happiness like that!", he insisted.
"I was in love with you, okay? At that point, after the war, I only wanted you to be safe and happy. I know that it's just money Ginny wanted to steal from you, but that money is all you have from your parents and Sirius. I can't let her do that to you. So, if the consequence of my trickery is all the hate and scorn, then I deserved that. Besides, I was young and naïve then. I loved you so much that I even volunteered to come with you and die at Voldemort's hand", she admitted.
"If you loved me, then why did you leave?", he asked.
"I started falling out of love with you the day you said you hated my baby", she replied as a tear fell down.
"And when she died, you hated me", he said sadly.
"Yes", she sighed.
"I understand. I even hate myself for what I did", he admitted.
"The whole thing was my fault anyway", she shrugged.
"We're both at fault! I was young and stupid. And you were crazy in love with me", he conceded.
"See? We were doomed from the start?", she smiled sadly.
"I am so sorry for all the pain I've caused you Hermione", he looked into her eyes so that she could see his sincerity.
"What can your sorry do if the damage is already done, Harry?", she retorted as another tear fell down.
"I'll do anything, Hermione. Please! I'm begging you! Just, just, forgive me", his voice cracked as he too now had tears in his eyes.
"It's been ten years, Harry. I don't feel any hate for you anymore. I just feel empty. I am over you. But I have not moved on from Viola Lily's death. You made mistakes. I made a lot too. I could have defended myself, confronted you for all the hurt you caused me during my pregnancy but I did not. I just accepted everything because I thought I deserved it. Maybe I did. Maybe I did not. But I do realize now that we're both to blame for the entire thing. You did your part. And by being not strong enough to defend myself, I also did mine. We're both to blame for Viola's death. We could blame it on our youth. Or stupidity. But at the end of the day, we could not change anything", she sighed.
"I am truly very sorry, Hermione. I did not mean to hurt you so badly. I let my blind loyalty to the Weasleys and my stupid pride control me", his tears were now free falling now.
"Then let's set things right, Harry. Just let me go", her tear-streaked face looked so sad.
"I can't Hermione", he replied.
"But why? We both need to move forward", she insisted.
"I can't let you go. I need you", he said in a defeated voice.
"We're just not meant to be together, Harry. So, please, just set me free", she pleaded.
"I'm sorry. But I can't, Hermione. Ask me anything but that", he cried.
"But why?"
"I can't let you go. Not now. When I finally realized how much I'm in love with you", his voice was so sad.
"I'm sorry, Harry. But I am over you", she sniffed as more tears fell.
"I know", he whispered.
"Please, Harry. Set me free. We both deserve to move on from this", she begged.
"Give me one last chance, Hermione. Please just one", he implored as tears continued to fall down. His emerald green eyes were so void of life.
"I am sorry, Harry. But I just don't love you anymore", she painfully admitted.
"Please, Hermione. Give me nine months. I'll prove to you that I've changed. But if it's still not enough, then I'll give you the divorce you want. Please, Hermione. Just give me this one last chance", his voice and his eyes were pleading.
"Nine months and then you'll let me go", she conceded after a few minutes of contemplating his request.
"Nine months. That's all I ask", he sighed.
"For the sake of the friendship that we lost, Harry, I'll give you nine months. But if it does not work out, you have to give me your word that you will let me go", she acquiesced.
"I promise", his voice was laced with seriousness and sorrow.
"Alright", she sighed.