Ron sat opposite his ex-wife enjoying sharing lunch with her for the first time since their divorce. He'd decided enough time had passed that they could at least attempt to maintain a friendship and so had gone down to her office and invited her out. He was very pleased when she'd accepted.
"How is the shop doing by the way?" Hermione asked him.
"Fred's got a few things in the works but we need some funding to make it happen" Ron divulged.
"Have you applied to Gringotts?"
"They have a few problems with Fred, nothing major but apparently the goblins don't like his attitude" Ron chuckled, knowing she'd understand perfectly.
"Goblins are a stickler for professionalism. So where will you get the funding?" She asked truly interested.
"Well Fred wants to approach Malfoy Industries, apparently they do some funding projects "
Ron did not miss the way she'd shifted in her seat at the mention of Malfoy Industries but took it for something else.
"I know I'm not very happy about it either"
"Well if you can get the money from them, you might as well try" She shrugged, averting her eyes.
Ron sensed there was something more going on but chose not to dig his nose in her business as much as he wanted to.
"So where were you Christmas Eve?" He asked instead.
"Just at home, wasn't really up to company" She answered impassively.
Ron once again felt he was missing something, their lunch had started out so cheerfully and had quickly disintegrated, he decided to change the subject.
"Are you coming to new years at the burrow?" He asked.
"Yes, I don't want to risk Molly's wrath, she's been hounding me about it all week" She laughed, a smile returning to her lips.
"Yeah she was asking me if I'd done something again" He grinned.
"I'm glad I'll be able to blame you for everything now" She joked.
"You know I'm still so sorry about what happened between us" He sighed, not being able to help himself.
"I know but I'm sort of glad it happened. If it hadn't who knows how miserable we would have made each other" She stated.
"I guess, so how's your love life going?" He grinned and immediately regretted having asked when he saw her face fall.
"Well it's complete shite but you get that" She cleared her throat.
"I seem to be saying all the wrong things aren't I?" he asked softly.
"It's alright Ron I'll get over it" She attempted a smile. "So tell me all about Victoria"
Ron took his cue and began telling her all about his girlfriend and their plans, whilst she listened intently. He was glad they had moved passed the awkwardness.
#########################################
Ginny walked out of Havishams carrying her latest shopping when she saw Draco Malfoy walking along the side walk towards her. Normally she wouldn't have given it a second thought or even acknowledged him, but after receiving the news about what had happened, she didn't feel the need to hold back.
Knowing Hermione was going to hex her once she found out; she nonetheless waited until he had seen her before speaking.
"Malfoy"
"Weasely" He nodded, visibly uneasy.
"Shopping for the wedding?" She asked casually.
Even though Hermione had told her she bared no ill feelings towards him, it didn't make him any less of a coward in Ginny's eyes.
"No, anything else you have to say to me?" He sneered.
"Plenty" She smirked.
"Look I don't know what Hermione told you" He started.
"She didn't tell me anything, she didn't have to" Ginny shot back.
"I can see you're concerned for her" He tried before she cut him off again.
"Look I'm only going to say what I have to say, then we can both go our separate ways" She huffed.
"Go on" He sighed, crossing his arms against his chest.
"Firstly I think you are a huge coward to go along with something as stupid as marrying a complete stranger all for money" She commenced.
"It has nothing to do with money Weasely, something you would have no idea about" He shot back, his eyes blazing in anger.
"Please do tell, what is it about then?" She yelled, not caring about the curious glances being thrown their way by passers-by.
"It's about holding up traditions that have been in my family for generations, you were raised in the Wizarding world so you of all people should understand that. It has nothing to do with the way I feel about her" He shouted.
"What I understand Malfoy is that you are still the spineless little snake you've always been. As for traditional, stuff tradition!" She spat at him before turning on her heels and walking away. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to get her breathing under control. The nerve of him, making out as though her best friend was too beneath him. As she made her way along Diagon Alley she didn't once look back to see if he was still there not wanting to ever have anything to do with him. If she had turned back, she would have seen a very curious Rita Skeeter sitting at the Café across from Havishams.
################################################## #######
Hermione had been having a good day. Apart from the initial self-pity she had allowed herself to feel for exactly two days, she had surprised herself by sweeping it all under the rug. Yes she had once again lost a man she felt very strongly about, but that was life and she was only twenty five years old. So she had thrown herself into her work, even managing to see her friends. Although the pain was still there she refused to be ruled by it. Having arrived home on Christmas Eve, she'd placed the Arcana Musicale in her bedroom drawer, deciding to leave it there until she was ready. Today she had arrived at work with a slight spring in her step, looking forward to bringing in the New Year with close friends who she considered her family. Once she had seen all of her clients she'd made her way to the common lounge for lunch, grabbing a copy of The Prophet as she did so. In the past few months Rita Skeeter had lost interest in Hermione, so she had no problems with reading the newspaper. That was of course until she saw the photo on the front page and realised it was of Ginny and Draco seemingly having an argument. Her mouth went dry as she read the headline, speculating whether it would be impolite to hex Ginny on New Year's Eve.
Trouble in paradise? The inside story of another Weasely marriage headed for the skids.
Hermione did not know if she wanted to continue reading, it was only going to be more lies from that woman anyway. However curiosity got the better of her.
Those who know Ginny Weasely know she is married to our proud saviour, Harry Potter. During the second wizarding War Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord, making it a safer place for all of us. Shortly after, he married his Hogwarts sweet heart Ginny Weasely, who it seems, has done the dirty on him and is carrying on an affair with none other than Draco Malfoy. Draco is heir to a vast fortune and to Malfoy Industries, so it is no wonder the red head has taken a fancy to him. However as I personally witnessed from where I sat at my favourite café, it seems that the affair is no longer in progress. Ginny Weasely called the handsome Malfoy a coward multiple times which one can only deduce was because he had ended the affair. After such a blatant attack on his man hood will Harry Potter stay with his scarlet woman? Stay tuned as I chronicle the rise and fall of the Potters.
Hermione didn't know whether to laugh out loud or cry. Rita Skeeter had succeeded in once again turning the facts into some kind of sordid scandal missing the truth completely. She knew exactly what they had been arguing about and was irked that Ginny would go against her word and actually confront him, in public. Rubbing her eyes against the mental strain she was feeling, a sudden thought entered her mind. If she had seen the story that would mean so had Harry and Ron. It wasn't that they would actually believe the rubbish printed, it was more the fact that Ginny HAD spoken to Draco, and HAD argued with him which could be seen plainly in the moving photo. Her appetite lost, she ran out of the common lounge heading to her office so she could lock up for the day and apparate to Ginny's house. Giving instructions to her administration team, she took a deep breath to try to get rid of her nerves, before apparating to the house.
Arriving outside she made her way slowly up the garden path towards the front door, her face a mask in case anyone was looking.
Before she could even knock Harry swung the door opened, his hair a mess.
"Afternoon Harry" She greeted brightly.
"Hey Hermione, did you read the article?" He sighed.
"Yes I did. Is Ginny home?" She asked in a neutral tone.
"Come in Hermione" Ginny called from inside.
Ignoring Harry she made her way to the lounge room where Ginny sat on the couch, no evidence of distress anywhere.
"I read the article" Hermione said, shooting her a dark look.
"Yes, a total misunderstanding obviously" Ginny smiled.
Hermione felt a strong need to pull out her wand on her friend; her attitude was really grinding on her nerves.
"Malfoy issued a statement earlier" Harry explained, sitting down next to his wife.
"Oh really?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Yes, he explained that we were arguing over past issues. It's no secret there's no love lost between us" Ginny enlightened her.
Hermione wasn't sure how she felt about it now. On one hand her friend had defied her by attacking her ex-lover in the street, but on the other nothing had really happened.
"I was relieved Malfoy came forward with his explanation before I talked to Ginny. All kinds of ideas were swimming in my head" Harry chuckled.
"Mine too" Hermione laughed haughtily, still shooting daggers at Ginny.
"He sued The Prophet for a total retraction too" Ginny revealed.
Hermione nodded, her emotions in a jumble, not really having anything to say. It seemed Draco moved quickly.
"Did you want a cuppa, Mione?" Harry asked.
"Yes thanks" She replied.
Hermione waited until she could hear him in the kitchen before rounding on Ginny.
"How could you?!" She whispered furiously.
"I'm really sorry Hermione but some things had to be said" Ginny whispered back.
"Nothing needed to be said Ginny. This whole incident has just created even more lies!" Hermione argued.
"He's made his choice Hermione, there won't be a need to lie any further" Ginny hissed.
"There was never a question of choice Ginny"
"You sound exactly like him Hermione" Ginny sighed.
Hermione didn't reply because she had no response to that. She really didn't want to argue with her friend anymore and not over something that was done and dusted.
"What time are you arriving at the burrow tonight?" Harry questioned her as he re-entered the room and gave her a mug.
"I'll be there for dinner" She smiled warmly.
###########################################
The party at the burrow was in full swing by the time Hermione arrived, carrying a bottle of wine she'd picked up earlier.
"Hello Hermione" Fred greeted her warmly, bringing her in for a tight hug.
"How much have you had to drink Fred?" She laughed.
"Not nearly enough, is that for me?" He pointed to the bottle.
"I brought it for everyone" She shook her head.
"Pity, well come on let's not keep everyone waiting" He threw an arm around her shoulders and directed her out the back into the garden.
Hermione was impressed by the giant marquee which had been set up for the party, white candles lighting up the entire area. She was suddenly thrust back to Bill and Fluer's wedding, remembering how beautifully the Weasely's had adorned the area then.
"Glad you could make it Hermione" Molly gushed, giving her a hug.
"You didn't give me a choice" Hermione joked.
"Well I couldn't have you miss another family gathering. Come on let's find you somewhere to sit" Molly gestured for her to follow as she made her way into the Marquee.
It seemed Molly's interpretation of family was very generous, as Hermione realised that almost everyone she knew was in attendance. Making her way around the guests she greeted each one before noticing Ron and Harry sitting at one of the many tables. Excusing herself from Dean Thomas, she made her way over to them.
"Happy new year guys" She beamed.
"It's not midnight yet" Ron pointed out.
"Come off it Ron," Harry laughed, gesturing to Hermione to take a seat.
"Where are the girls?" She asked.
"Ginny wanted to show Victoria her Quidittich collection" Harry said.
"Yes because we all now Victoria loves Quidittich" Ron mocked.
"At least they're bonding" She pointed out, a sliver of jealously in the pit of her stomach.
"So let's open that bottle shall we?" Harry offered, materialising three wine glasses.
"I warn you, it's not top shelf" She smiled, pouring them all a glass.
"You have to know by now Mione none of us are what you would consider top shelf" Ron chuckled.
"Speak for yourself Ron, I happen to think I'm the best of the best" She threw back in mock offence.
"Yeah Ron, what are you talking about?" Harry joined in.
"Come off it you two" Ron rolled his eyes.
Hermione thoroughly enjoyed bantering with her two best friends like in the old days, when they had been all they had. She remembered thinking all those years ago while on the run, how she could never imagine a life without either of them in it. Through all the fights they had had, (like in third year when Ron and Harry had stopped speaking to each other during the Triwizard Cup) or the dangerous situations they found themselves in (too many to mention), it had always been the three of them. As the war ended, their perspectives had obviously changed; marriage and work had all slowly drifted them apart. Hermione was suddenly very glad the divorce had not shattered the trio's friendship; it could have easily turned ugly.
"Deep in thought again?" Harry smirked, interrupting her reminiscence.
"I was just thinking how great it is to get together" She answered truthfully.
"I kind of miss the action and excitement though" Ron shook his head.
"What excitement, do you mean having to look over our back constantly in case there's someone there wanting to kill us?" Hermione asked.
"Well yeah, remember the rush we used to get?" Ron laughed.
"I couldn't disagree more Ron. It's nice to be able to walk around without some curse or prophesy hanging over my head" Harry disagreed.
"I do miss Hogwarts though" Hermione sighed.
"Remember when…"
Ron began to regale them with stories from their childhood, each reliving the tumultuous years at Hogwarts.
Two bottles of wine later they were finally joined by Ginny and Victoria putting an end to the nostalgia.
"You look nice Hermione" Ginny smiled.
"Thanks, you're not bad yourself" Hermione replied with a cheeky grin.
"Did you enjoy your education in Quidittich?" Ron asked Victoria.
"It was very illuminating" She lied, giving him a playful elbow in the ribs.
"What's Malfoy doing here?" Harry abruptly asked, looking straight past Hermione.
She tensed immediately, her mind racing as she tried to remain calm. Perhaps she'd misheard him, plenty of wizarding names sounded alike; one look at the others however dispelled that notion.
Ginny shot her an excited look as the others simply stared at Draco who clearly was somewhere behind Hermione. Refusing to turn around she gulped down the contents of her wine glass, her hands shaking as she prayed to every deity she knew that he would not see her.
"He's coming over" Ron muttered, wide eyed.
"Yes Hermione, Malfoy's coming over" Ginny repeated unnecessarily.
Harry shot Hermione a confused look, while she tried her best to avert her eyes.
She knew the moment he had arrived behind her; everyone had slowly started to look straight at her, all with confused expressions. Except Ron who she noted was staring at her in shock, clearly he had put two and two together.
"Granger, Can we talk?"