Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.

Hermione and Ron didn't really speak for the next few days, they simply lived together. They slept in the same bed but Hermione went to bed earlier and got up earlier so they didn't talk or cuddle. Over the weekend Hermione sat out in the garden, digging up the flower beds and planting bulbs whilst Ron sat at the table smoking. Then on Sunday she mowed the lawn and made a gravel path down the middle of the grass. Monday turned to Tuesday and soon it was Wednesday and they still hadn't really spoken.

Wednesday evening came and Hermione had had enough. She left work, went to pick up some take away and went home. She walked in the kitchen and plated it up, called Ron in from the garden and sat down on the couch. He smiled brightly as he walked in and Hermione was a little confused.

Before Hermione had a chance to say anything Ron picked up a piece of naan bread and began to pick at it. Hermione inwardly groaned as she realised Ron was going to say something. It wasn't that she didn't want to listen, it was that she wanted to explain how she felt before he did. Selfish probably but the way he smiled at her had unnerved her.

"So, I've been thinking. We don't really do anything together anymore. Anything proper I mean. We decorate the house constantly, we watch TV and we talk in bed but we don't do anything else together. We don't make time for each other..."

Hermione breathed a silent sigh of relief that it was something she could help with. She didn't want to leave her husband. They were just having a bit of a glitch. Maybe seeing each other more would help, seeing each other out of the house.

"That's a really good idea Ron, we should see each other more. Outside the house."

"Actually, I was thinking something else. What's the one thing we can do that we have to do together?"

Hermione looked at him, confusion plainly written on her face. Ron's smile had grown and she realised he was going to say what he'd actually wanted to say. He was practically bouncing as he swallowed the bread he'd bitten off.

"Mione, I think we should have a baby"

Hermione felt her mouth drop open. She couldn't believe what he'd just said. Why would he want to have a baby when they were having problems?

"I really think it could bring us together Mione. Imagine! I've seen you with Gin's kids, you're fantastic!"

"I... I actually don't know what to say Ron."

"Say yes Mione!"

Hermione didn't say anything, just stared at Ron with a blank expression on her face.

"No Ron. That wouldn't bring us together, that would tear us apart! Look at Harry and Ginny, they argue constantly and their relationship was pretty much perfect before they had kids! Imagine if we did! This relationship is far from perfect. Do you really think we could survive a screaming baby, midnight feeds and no sleep?"

"I really do Mione. I thought you would too..."

Hermione laughed bitterly and shook her head. She felt bad that Ron was trying but she couldn't believe he actually thought having a baby would help.

"No Ron, I don't. And you know I don't want a baby yet anyway. I'm sorry."

"Look Hermione I've waited a long time to have children, you said we could when we were a bit older."

"Yes Ron, older. Not 23! Having kids this young might be good for Harry and Ginny but it's not for me! You knew this when we got together!"

"I thought you meant like a year after we married or something. Not 5!"

"Look Ron, I don't want children right now. So even if I thought it would make things better between us I wouldn't have one now."

"Even if you thought it could fix us?"

"I refuse to use a child as a remedy to a problem that we should fix. No child should ever be conceived for that. Listen, I need to go out. I'm too hot. I'm going out, I don't know when I'll be back okay?"

"You're not coming back are you?"

"Of course I am Ron, don't be so melodramatic. I just need time to think."

Hermione took off her outer robe and swapped it for a more casual, less work-like robe. She picked up her bag and keys and walked out the door. She turned on the spot and disappeared out of Ron's sight.

Hermione reappeared in Diagon Alley almost instantaneously. At the same time Draco Malfoy painfully collided with the suddenly solid air.

"Shit Draco! Sorry!"

Hermione grabbed at Draco's arms as he fell and managed to keep him upright. She let go of his arms sheepishly and smiled. He smoothed out his robes and smiled back at her.

"Sorry, didn't think of where I was landing. Just thought of Diagon Alley..."

"You look a bit flustered, are you okay?"

Hermione shook her head, she opened her bag and checked her purse. She counted how much money she had and looked back up at Draco.

"Pub?"

"Erm, okay"

Hermione crossed the road and strode into The Leaky Cauldron, leaving Draco standing on the kerb looking after Hermione. By the time he got to the bar in the pub Hermione was downing some Fire Whiskey. Draco watched as she grimaced at the taste and the burn in her throat. She slammed the glass down and licked her lips, before signalling that she wanted another two. She paid and handed one to Draco then walked over to a booth in the corner. He went over and sat opposite her, she sipped her drink this time and smiled at Draco.

"Sorry, I just dragged you in here! You're not busy?"

"No, I was just on my way home. What's wrong?"

Hermione didn't say anything for a while, Draco watched her as she stared at her drink. He got the feeling she was going to say something so he kept quiet. When she looked up he was startled to see tears in her eyes.

"I think... I think my marriage is over."

Neither of them said anything, Hermione looked back to her drink and Draco watched her face. He frowned as he saw tears fall down her cheeks. He reached over and poured his drink into hers and called to Tom for a double Fire Whiskey.

"The Weasel doesn't deserve you anyway. What's he done?"

Hermione wiped her face and frowned at Draco.

"Nothing. He's done nothing. He's lovely and attentive, he's everything a girl could want. But for some reason I don't want that... I want someone who... OH I don't know what I want. But I know what I don't want. I don't want children now, I want them in like ten years time when I feel ready. He thinks children will solve our problems, but doesn't realise that kids will tear us apart! I just don't know what to do Draco, it's not fair on either of us if I stay. He wants children now, I don't. That's not fair on him. I'm not happy, I want a life were my only responsibility is work! I want to have time to do stuff I couldn't when I was a teenager, I want to go to muggle fair grounds, to the theatre. I want to go dancing and on holidays and snorkelling! Oh God, I'm rambling."

Draco was smiling as she finished, he saw things in black and white now. After so long of doing things he didn't want to do he now only did things he wanted to do. Except work, he didn't want to work per se but he couldn't spend all day every day at the manor. So to him, if Hermione was unhappy she should leave.

"Granger, if you're not happy then leave. It's as simple as that."

"No it's not Draco. It's a marriage, til death do us part and all that!"

"Fuck off Granger, start thinking of yourself! If you leave this relationship you'll be happy, or happier at least, if you stay in this relationship then you're not going to be happy, Weasley will notice you're not happy and therefore won't be happy either. If you leave he can get over you, meet a baby making machine and settle down. If you stay you're both going to be unhappy for longer. Trust me, I married Astoria. Then I found letters between her and my father before he went to Azkaban, he was promising her things to marry me. Even after everything he was still caught up on bloodline. I divorced her."

"I didn't even know you married her!"

"It's not something I spread around to be honest, but my point is I could have stayed with her just because she was happy. I don't know if it was me who was making her happy, or my money, either way she was gone."

"Yes, but I don't want to lose him altogether. I do love him, I just don't think I'm in love with him anymore."

Hermione looked shocked at what she said, as though she only realised that she felt that way as she said it. She picked up the glass that she'd been playing with and downed the second drink. She didn't grimace as much this time, just slammed the glass back down.

"I'm not surprised you couldn't keep it up Granger. You don't seem like the marrying type. Too much of a feminist."

"Hmm, I suppose so. I wouldn't say I'm a feminist to be honest, I'm glad that women fought to vote and make their own decisions and such but I don't have many feminist ideals."

"You're a hypocrite Granger. If you weren't a feminist you wouldn't be leaving your husband for a job."

"You bastard, I'm not leaving my husband for a job. Though I suppose you're right. I'd be having children, or I'd have children right now..."

The evening went on much as it started, Draco insulting Hermione. Hermione insulting Draco, eventually both were too drunk to care and just laughed. Anyone watching would surely have thought they had took leave of their senses as they traded insults like they were chocolate frogs cards.

Eventually when the pub was closing Draco and Hermione stumbled out into Diagon Alley. Hermione took out her wand and staggered as she stepped out of the doorway. Draco grabbed her as he realised she was about to try and apparate.

"Oh no you don't! You're not apparating anywhere!"

"I need to get home Drrraco!" Hermione slurred, elongating the r.

"I know that dung brains, but you're not apparating!"

Hermione and Draco melted into giggles at the insult. Draco held up Hermione as he walked them to the curb. He stook out his wand hand and moved back slightly as they heard a bang and bright lights appeared. Stan Shunpike, who was reinstated his job when he was released from Azkaban, stepped off the bus and motioned for them to get on the bus. Draco told him Hermione's address, and his own. He paid and they lay down on opposite beds. Draco sat up to talk to Hermione and laughed as he saw her; eyes closed, mouth open and snoring lightly.

"Stan, wake us up will you mate!"

Stan grunted as Draco's eyes flickered closed and he too started snoring.

A/N - Stan is visibly affected by his time in Azkaban, not speaking and grunting. I figure that's what might happen.