October 23rd

One night turned into a day and then into another night. Hermione found herself in no hurry to rush off. The moment she was back outside she would have to return to the uncertainty of their world. Even just the thought made her physically exhausted. Antonin didn't push her out the door either. Indeed, every time she even hinted she wanted to get out of bed he would wrap his arms around her and hold her tightly until she laughed and begged him to release her with promises she would return. It was what she assumed newly married couples in love did on their honeymoon. For the briefest of moments, she almost felt normal.

But they weren't normal and they likely never would be. What sort of woman kept so many secrets from her husband? If she wanted them to move forward as partners again, she couldn't keep the truth from him. Every moment that she laid next to him in the companionable silence she once cherished, she could feel the weight of her secrets crushing down on her chest. Without the numbness she used to enjoy from her potions or the annoyed detachment she once felt for her husband, she struggled to keep silent.

Fear was a powerful motivator. That was a lesson she'd used to her benefit time and time again as a brutal interrogator for the regime. It made people act irrationally, stupidly. Often it brought out the very worst in people. She'd had countless victims over the years betray their entire families just for the chance to live another few days in their miserable world. Was she willing to allow her own fear to dictate her choices?

"Antonin, I need to tell you something."

She needed to see his face as she spoke. Sitting up, she stared down at the wizard still lounging comfortably on the bed. He furrowed his brow, concern evident on his face. Rarely had their conversations that began with that simple statement gone well. Her stomach churned. How much could she tell him? Could she be completely honest and tell him everything?

"Days after Ollie was attacked, I tracked you."

The subtle shift in his bearing might have been easily missed by someone who didn't know him, but she saw it. She knew he was nervous about what she was about to tell him even if he was trying so hard to hide it. Her suspicion that her husband had been up to more in those days than just bedding an infuriating redhead was triggered. What sort of secrets was he keeping? Deciding that was an issue they could worry about at a later date, she pressed on.

"I knew about you and Ginny because I saw you together at her house."

He relaxed almost imperceptibly at her confession. If Hermione had been anyone other than his wife they might've missed the change. Evidently they both had secrets they needed to reveal before they could hope to move forward in any sort of positive way.

"When you say 'saw'…"

"I watched her pale, naked arse climb into your naked lap where I then had the pleasure of watching you stick your cock inside her."

Hermione was annoyed enough by his question that she briefly considered going in to even more crass detail, but stopped herself when she saw how embarrassed Antonin was. Being cruel for no other reason than just to be cruel was unkind. Surely she was better than that after all they'd gone through together. He also could've been cruel to her about finding her naked and tied up in Fenrir's bedroom floor and he wasn't. Those sorts of petty games were exhausting for all players.

"I'm surprised you didn't confront us about it when you saw it."

"Oh, I considered it, believe me, but I thought it was best if I walked away to calm down first."

Hermione had never considered herself an overly emotional person. She had had her moments in the past to be sure, but for the most part she'd learned how to be cold and calculating, detached from the rest of the world. Years as an interrogator only taught her how to be calmer and even more rational. Too much emotion in an interrogation puts lives and duties in jeopardy. When she'd witnessed other women attack their husband in a fit of rage after finding him in bed with another woman, usually Hermione, she was always embarrassed for them. Emotions were weaknesses. She vowed she would never allow herself to stoop to such an embarrassing level. The world had enough shrews. She didn't need to be another.

"Besides, what right do I have to be angry at you for something I've done repeatedly myself?"

She had no patience for hypocrites with double standards. They were both guilty of committing adultery in thirteen years of marriage more times than either of them could really count. Neither one of them had the right to be indignant with the other for what they themselves were also doing. Hermione refused to even entertain the idea of a marriage where it was no big deal for one spouse to stray while the end of the world if the other did. Lots of Pureblood marriages were set up that way with the wizard free to do as he pleased while the witch had to remain entirely virtuous and turn her head from her husband's infidelities. That was an existence Hermione never wanted. Not for the first time or the hundredth time she was envious of the Rowles' marriage. Up until the very day Hannah died, they'd only had eyes for each other. How much happier would the Dolohovs have been if they'd felt the same way?

"Still, I'm very sorry that you had to see that. I can't imagine it was easy."

"No, but I'm sure neither was seeing me at Fenrir Greyback's house. Let's just agree that we're even now."

He clenched his jaw at mention of the werewolf, but still nodded in agreement. She considered going further in her confession by telling him what she discovered when she went back days later looking for him. The words were on the tip of her tongue and yet, she couldn't go through with it. What would happen next if Antonin found out he had a daughter? Would he kick her out and go start a new family with that horrible woman just because she was able to offer him more than his wife? He might have loved her since she was still the frightened girl in the broom cupboard. That didn't mean he was content. She couldn't agree to his suggestion that she never had to be alone until all of their secrets were revealed. And she was a bloody coward.

"Why were you meeting with Aberforth Dumbledore?"

If he was aware that she was desperate to change the subject, he didn't draw any attention to it. They could always circle their conversation back to what they'd been discussing later. Though she'd been very curious about why her husband was meeting with Dumbledore late at night in secret, she hadn't had a chance to ask him about it. Not before he kissed her and she forgot about everything outside the door of his holiday cottage. Afraid of blurting out Ginny's secret, she thought a change in topic would help.

"War makes for strange bedfellows. Isn't that how the saying goes?"

"You're working with Dumbledore? For how long?"

"We've been friendly for months now. Ever since my wife helped him escape from the Ministry of Magic."

It was the first time Aberforth's escape was ever mentioned between the two of them. Hermione wasn't even aware that he knew anything about it. Of course, once she was aware that he'd been friendly with certain leaders of the Resistance, she should've assumed that he knew it all. If she'd known what a powerful ally and partner he would turn out to be, she might have been inclined to ask her husband for assistance months earlier when she really needed it. With his help, there might have been no need for Augustus to call in his favors to keep her arse out of the fire. But, she had to remind herself, one could only make a decision based on the information that they had at any given time. Looking back at the past with new knowledge and regretting the choices that were made would only drive a person crazy.

"When did you find out about that?"

Antonin smirked, proving that he was at least somewhat impressed with his wife's antics. Often he found her amusing, even when perhaps he should've been discouraging what she was doing. Maybe it had something to do with the time he spent as her teacher. There was still a source of pride that she was utilizing the skills he taught her.

"The day he escaped. I knew what you were going to try to attempt that day thanks to Kingsley, so I waited. When he made it to the Resistance, my contact…"

"Ginny."

"…my contact sent me an owl. She confessed that we'd been working together. Took a few meetings with him to get him to come around, but I think he almost trusts me."

Hermione had so many questions about how her husband fit in with the Resistance, especially once he made the decision to not seek the power of the Dark Lord. Everything changed when he chose to be a simple husband and father. Many of his allies turned their backs on him when he could no longer offer them the same power and influence he could've if he'd ascended to the head of the regime. Knowing that he was willing to work so closely with those who once tried to undermine the regime made her even more curious. If he wasn't seeking power, why were they working together? She feared she would never have the answers to all of the complicated questions. Forced to endure much more of the power struggle and the violence that came with it, she would care even less. Sitting on a beach in Brazil an entire ocean away from all of this rubbish sounded like heaven to her. Was that still possible? She was afraid to even dream.

"I would like to speak to Aberforth… privately. Do you think you could arrange that?"

She didn't miss how his eyes narrowed. Only for a second, it was just long enough that she could tell he was suspicious. No doubt he wanted nothing more than to ask her why she wanted to meet privately with the wizard. She wasn't ready to tell him yet about her suspicions that Ginny was the real spy for Rodolphus. What if he was more emotionally invested in her than Hermione was aware? There were too many potential complications.

"I'll see what I can do. He's going to be unavailable for the next few days, but I'll get a message to him."

A loud buzzing on the table next to his side of the bed startled them both. Antonin laughed when he realized what was causing the noise. He leaned over to pick up what looked like a silver lady's compact. When he flipped it open, it was clear that was exactly what it was. She was confused, unable to remember ever seeing it in her husband's possession before. What was it for?

"Antonin, mate, I've got some bad news."

Hermione jumped when she heard the faint sound of Thorfinn's voice coming out of the mirror. Realizing at once that it was an enchanted two-way mirror just like Harry used to have with Sirius, she was even more interested. What was happening? She didn't think that Thorfinn would be interested in ever speaking to Antonin again. Not since it was his involvement with the Dolohovs that put his family in jeopardy.

"What's going on?"

"She hasn't been seen in over a day. Left last night after dark and hasn't been back yet. Rosie's mad. Thinks she ran out on her bill for the room."

"Thanks, Finn, but tell Rosmerta not to worry. She'll be back in the morning to settle the bill."

"Is she with you?"

"Yes."

"Good, I'm going home. I'll tell Rosie."

Antonin snapped the mirror closed. Hermione was still in a bit of shock after hearing what she did. Was Thorfinn screaming that he wouldn't stay in the same building as her just an act? It sounded like he'd been asked to keep an eye on her, but that didn't make any sense. He was still furious.

"What was that about, Antonin?"

"Handy, isn't it? Teddy found them for me. When you showed up at the Three Broomsticks the other night, Finn contacted me through his. He's been making sure you were all right."

"But he hates me?"

"No, he doesn't. He's just playing a part. Trying to get Rodolphus to approach him again and see if he can get inside. We've been working on getting a few of our own people inside Rodolphus' little group. His plan's actually pretty good."

Hermione was so confused and he wasn't making any sense.

"You knew before I told you?"

"I knew a lot, but not everything. We're getting our own people inside. When there's enough, we'll be able to take over the Ministry and the Wizengamot. Once we have the power, we can get rid of Rodolphus and the rest of them."