In any other situation, James would have broken down at the serious tone in Penny's voice. At that moment, however, he found himself smiling, ad he didn't know why. His heart was breaking, but he couldn't get his lips to curve downward. Maybe it was the song running through his head. Their wedding song, actually. What irony.
"Smug bastard. You're so happy to be rid of me that you can't help but show it." The venom in her words stung, but that only made his smile brighter for some reason.
"No," James said. "That isn't it at all. I love you, Penny, and I don't want this."
"Then why the hell are you smiling?" she spat out. Penny looked very upset, but still, James's smile would not leave him. It's because I don't want you to see how much this is hurting me.
"I don't know."
Penny looked him straight in the eye. "We're over, then." She turned around and left, slamming the front door behind her.
The divorce papers sate lamely on the kitchen table. That same damn smile refused to leave his face as he reluctantly penned his name. With a puff of smoke, the parchment disappeared, and the deed was done.
James Sirius Potter was single once more.
Dear Penny,
Allen found our divorce papers at the Ministry. It was a complete accident, but he handed them to me as I am the rightful owner of the documents since you passed. He also found your will, thanks to Sarah. You remember Sarah, right? Albus's daughter.
Anyway, needless to say, your brother was more than happy to discover you left me nothing. Not that I thought you would, but it still hurt to not hear my name among your final words to the world. Did I really mean that little to you?
I'd like to think that, had you not come down with the sickness, we could have been friends once again.
Maybe someday we'll meet again in the next life.
I'll be waiting.
Love,
James