Chapter #11 –Absence of Paradise

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, any of the characters in the book, or anything else related to the book.

A/N; I am so sorry for the extremely long wait! But I have absolutely no idea where to go with the story from here. I'm thinking either Harry and Hermione continue the affair or Hermione breaks if off with Ron. But this chapter is kind of a filler, though it has more stuff about different characters. I'm leaning towards Hermione leaving Ron (or the other way around), but I really do love writing drama so I may choose the affair in the end. Who knows? Surely not me! (As the author I really should know) Hope you enjoy it!

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Ron sat on his couch, his arms wrapped around Luna. Though the moment was joyful and a taste of bliss, he couldn't help but consider the absence of his wife and child. Though he cared for Luna, he knew what his responsibilities were, though he was unsure of their location. It had been around two weeks since Hermione had disappeared. Ron had begun to miss Jack immensely, as any father would. But the thing that hit him hard was Harry's sudden disinterest in him. They had been talking quite regularly, trying hard to work things out. They were both aware that friendship was something hard to come by in life. But it seemed that the only person who had bothered to talk to him lately was Luna. And he was truly grateful. Ginny, on the other hand, had been in and out. She only returned to sleep. Ron was disappointed that his life had fallen apart in such a short time, but yet he did not find himself trying to change it. He was ashamed that he was enjoying himself. But after he realized how long Hermione had been gone for, he stopped feeling guilty and started being himself.

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Ginny stood stationary outside a looming wooden door, her eyes ready to tear. She had decided to make a life altering decision without thinking about it before hand. She now stood outside her old home, the place she resided with her old boyfriend. Surely she could run away before he heard the knock. It must be possible. But somehow her feet offered no movement and she was ultimately stuck. When she heard the increase of footsteps and the creaking of a door her heart murmured. Perhaps she was hallucinating; perhaps she had time to bolt. But the door opened and a lean man appeared in her presence, his face dressed in bewilderment.

"Draco,"

"Ginny,"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure." She slowly entered, recognizing the dreary scenery instantly.

"Have a seat,"

She hesitantly complied, looking around at the living room. It looked exactly the same at it had when she left. "Draco, we need to talk,"

"Ginny, I don't know if right now is the right time." He said abruptly and walked over to her. She stood up and looked him in the eyes.

"What, I, but—" she tried to tell him what she had planned on announcing but he had gestured towards the door.

"I'm expecting company. They would get the wrong idea if…if you were here when they arrived."

Instead of letting him triumph, she shook her head. "Pansy?" she questioned. His reply was a solemn nod. "I can't do this!" She suddenly exclaimed. He was taken aback and arched his eyebrows.

"Are you okay?"

"No! I'm not, Draco. I'll never be okay. And now I can't even tell you why because—"

"Draky-poo! I'm here!" A sour voice squealed from the other room.

"Forget it," she turned around, bracing herself for the apparition. "I'll do it by myself." She left with a crack. And as Pansy entered the room Draco was left to fumble with Ginny's last words.

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Hermione sat on Harry's couch. Her face was dressed in worry. Jack sat on the floor playing with a book. She couldn't help but replay the recent events. Her own father had suggested that there be an affair between her and Harry. She knew that if she dared confront him about it, she would surely tell him about what was going on.

"Hermione, do you want to go out to eat? It's almost lunch time."

"Um, sure Harry. But, please, in muggle London." She feared a run in with Ron, or any of the Weasleys.

"Okay," With Harry's reply, she began to cloth Jack in his coat.

"Where are we going, Mom?"

"Out for lunch!" Her voice was a sorry attempt for enthusiasm.

Harry entered the room and grabbed Jack by the waist. He let out a squeal as Harry lifted him into his arms. "Ready, love?" He asked Hermione.

She turned to him and smiled, "Love?"

He gave her a stern look before heading out the door. She eagerly followed.

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"Ron?" Ron's face whipped around hastily. When the he realized his mother was in his presence he threw his arms away from Luna and tried to prevent his eyes from growing any wider.

"Yeah, Mum?"

"I had stopped in to talk to you about Ginny, but never mind that. Now I want to know why exactly you are sitting in that position with a woman other than your wife."

"Well, you see, Hermione has been gone for a decent amount of time and—"

"A decent amount of time? Ronald, she is still your wife!"

"About that…" He stood up and walked over to his mother and took her hands in his. "I need to know how you divorce in the magic world. Please, I know it's the right thing to do."

"It's not my place to say, it's not very difficult though. Almost instant." She frowned. She needn't encourage her son. This was none of her business. "Just go to the ministry. Or ask your father, or something. He'll know the details."

"Thanks Mom. You said you wanted to talk about Ginny,"

"Well, I see this isn't a decent time," She replied before glancing over at Luna.

"No, it's perfectly fine." He said rather sternly.

"I haven't seen her in a bit. I just wanted to see if she was here. As much as I loved talking with her and getting to know her better, I can't help but feel that something is going on. She's not telling me everything."

"But you can't expect her to, she just reconciled. Give her time. She'll come around. Hopefully."

"Yes, hopefully." She nodded in agreement, "Well I'll be off," She smiled and apparated away, not supplying Ron with ample time to say goodbye.

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A/N: I know. It's (really) short. It's (really) bad. I'll update (really) soon. :)