Of Spilt Milk and Cheerios
Summary: Ron and Hermione Weasley have been married for nearly ten years. But, when the happy couple realizes they are not so happy anymore, how will their family cope with divorce?
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I claim any rights to, Harry Potter or any associated themes, characters, places, or plots. This is for entertainment purposes only. No profit is being made from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes:As promised, I am updating this story, as it is the only one finished. Those of you who are anxiously awaiting updates for I Never Knew You and Lights. Bright. White. I am sorry I do not have completed chapters for you. My life is extremely hectic right now, and it saddens me I do not have a lot of time to write, as it is a great stress reliever and Merlin knows I'm stressed right now. I barely had time to edited this, so if you find any grammar/spelling/other mistakes, I apologize.
Thank you as always to all who reviewed and alerted this story. Thank you for giving something out of the ordinary a chance and I hope I do not disappoint.
*I would also like to point out I have zero experience with divorce, thankfully, except for my parents who are going through one now, but obviously since I am an adult I am not as directly as affected as I would be if I were a child. Divorce is a very rocky subject, one that should not be taken lightly, and I hope no one thinks I am mocking it. I am simply experimenting with the idea that Ron and Hermione did not have an easy happily-ever-after and how they handle it.
Chapter Two
It had been three days since Ron had left, and Hermione was still in a constant state of depression. She had shut everyone but her children out. Ginny had tried to call on her several times since Ron's arrival at Grimmauld place, but Hermione had changed the protected wards. Only she and Ron were allowed in, and she knew Ron would not be coming until this evening at six. She had told no one else of her failing marriage. The ministry thought something had happened to her parents, and that she was with them. However, Hermione had not talked to her parents since the previous weekend, when she had been by their home to bid them farewell. They were currently in the middle of the Caribbean, on a two week luxury cruise, unaware of their only child's problems.
She was also uncertain if any of the Weasleys knew. Harry and Ginny were not known to gossip, and while they did know the marriage was coming to an end, they were not likely to tell anyone else. Hermione had not noticed anyone else trying to come in from the Floo, and therefore, she felt confident in the fact that her mother-in-law was none the wiser. She surely would not go down without a fight, and if she wanted to talk to Hermione, she would find a way to do so.
While Ron continued to go to work and keep up appearances, Hermione was content to stay at home with Rose and Hugo. While she played with them, she forgot about the divorce, forgot the fact her husband would not be coming home, and forgot about the fact that she had finally failed at something. While she was the 'brightest witch of her age,' she had made a rubbish wife. The first night Ron was gone she made a list of all of her mistakes and realized none of this was Ron's fault, but all hers. If only she had paid him a bit more attention, made his dinner more often, insisted they talk about their days… None of it mattered now though. After twenty years of friendship and romance, it was plain to see they did not really know each other at all.
Hermione watched as her daughter scribbled across the pages of the muggle coloring book her grandparents had given her for her third birthday. Hugo was crawling around her, attempting to take the crayons from his older sister. Rose would squeal loudly, causing Hugo to stop for a moment, contemplating his next move. Hermione, who was sitting on the floor next to them, pulled Hugo into her arms and began to tickle him. Rose dropped her crayon and waddled over to them, leaning onto Hermione's legs.
"Mummy?" she asked.
"Yes, Rosie?"
"When is Daddy coming home?"
Hermione looked to her daughter sadly. Both of her children had asked after their dad several times a day since he had left. He had been gone before, certainly, for various assignments. Yet, this time, it was much different. Somehow, it seemed as if her children knew, despite their age, that this time, Daddy was not simply away for work. Hermione had thought about explaining the situation to Rose, who although only a toddler, understood much more than other children her age. Each time she stopped herself, unable to break her daughter's heart. At least not so soon.
"Daddy is coming to see you tonight," Hermione explained. "You and Hugo are going to see Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny this weekend."
"Da, da," Hugo mumbled happily. Rose, however, was not satisfied with her mother's answer.
"Why?" she questioned simply. When Hermione did not answer immediately, Rose added, "You are staying too?"
Hermione shook her head in response, which only prompted Rose to ask why again. "I have things to do," Hermione lied. "And Daddy thought you would like to see your cousins." Rose still did not seem to accept her mother's answer, but she did not question further. Instead, she stuck her small hands out and attempted to tickle her brother. As Hugo laughed, Rose smiled at Hermione, conveying much more meaning than a three year old should be able to comprehend.
Ron stepped out of the fireplace at precisely six o'clock. Hermione sat at the kitchen table, waiting for him. She was shocked that he was on time. Ron was always notoriously early or impeccably late, but never on time. He frowned at the sight of her and looked around for his children. He sighed when he realized they were not with her, which could only mean she wanted to talk.
"Where are they?" he grunted.
"In the sitting room." Ron made to leave, clearly in an effort to get away from Hermione as quickly as possible. "Ron, wait." He stopped and turned, staring not at her, but right through her. "We need to talk."
"About what?" he mumbled.
"Rose knows."
"Knows what? About us?" His frown deepened, the lines in his face stretching. He took a few steps closer and Hermione examined his face. The wrinkles in his forehead were defined and she noticed dark circles under his eyes that had not been there the last time she had seen him. He appeared drained, but she knew he would never admit that this separation was affecting him as much as it was her. "You're being ridiculous," he said then, interrupting her thoughts. "She's only a baby."
"Don't patronize me," Hermione snapped. "I'm telling you. She knows something isn't right. We need to tell her before someone else does."
He sighed heavily and took the last few steps towards the table. He pulled out a second chair and sat across from his wife. "I suppose you are right," he sighed. "Despite our best efforts to keep it from them, James knows. He's very nosey, that one, and he overheard me talking with Harry. We already had to explain it to him, and although Albus and Lily don't understand, I'm sure James has told them. Quite the busy body, that one."
Hermione nodded. Harry and Ginny's oldest son, having both Potter and Weasley genes, was incredibly mischievous, and therefore, he was in everyone's business at all times. Like Rose, he was also very smart, and refused to take no for an answer.
Five minutes later found them sitting again at their dining room table, but this time, Rose was propped in a chair between her parents, Hugo playing obliviously on the floor beneath them. Rose placed her hands in her lap formally and looked first at Ron and then to Hermione.
"Daddy," she addressed, and then, "Mummy."
The way in which she spoke was highly amusing, and if it was not for the current circumstances, Hermione would have laughed aloud.
"Sweetheart," Ron began, but he stopped, words caught in his throat. He too, did not like the idea of shattering his only daughter's world. She was too young to be told her family was broken.
"Rosie," Hermione took over, "what your Daddy is trying to tell you—" and then she stopped too. Rose frowned, and Hermione was almost sure she rolled her eyes.
"What your mother is trying to say is," Ron said, glaring at Hermione, "is that we are getting a divorce." He studied his daughter's face, preparing for a reaction, and when none came, he asked, "Do you know what a divorce is?"
"'Course I do," she stated matter-of-factly.
"You do?" he choked and Hermione raised her eyebrows. She was sure they had never spoken of divorce in their house before this past week, and certainly never in front of Rose.
"Grandma was talking to Granddad one time," she explained. "She said Mrs. Johns was having a 'fair and that Mr. Johns wanted a 'vorce."
"Trust your parents to gossip in front of our children," Ron hissed and Hermione resisted the urge to retaliate.
"But, dear," Hermione started, "do you understand what it means?"
Rose, who had looked so certain before, scrunched up her face in concentration. "I 'pose not."
Hermione closed her eyes, willing for strength. How do you tell a child her parents are no longer in love? Hermione did not have time to contemplate an answer.
Ron had moved his chair closer to Rose's and he bent down until he was face to face with his daughter. "Rose, there's something you have to understand, okay?" Rose nodded keenly, waiting for her father to continue. "When two people love each other very much, they get married, okay?" Rose nodded. She had seen her parents' wedding pictures, had heard the stories of her aunt and uncles' own weddings. "But, sweetheart, sometimes, marriage doesn't always last. Sometimes, two people who were once in love grow apart." He briefly looked at Hermione, and she caught the sad look in his eyes. "Your Mummy and I, well, we have decided that while we love you and Hugo very much, we no longer love each other."
Although Hermione had come to this conclusion earlier in the week, Ron's words still stung. Hermione's eyes began to water and her breath hitched. She realized the last few days spent with her children had been the easiest part of the long road ahead. She focused her gaze on Hugo, who had become fascinated, once again, with his toes and was currently attempting to put his foot in his mouth. She had been trying to correct this behavior since it had started, but at this moment, it was comforting to watch Hugo in his attempt.
"But you are gonna come home, right?" Rose was asking now.
Ron shook his head. "No, Rosie. I'm not going to live here with Mummy anymore."
"You're leaving me too?" she whispered sadly, and her voice cracked slightly. Hermione chanced a look at Ron, who did not seem to be holding up much better than her.
"No, no," he denied. "I will see you all the time. You'll keep your room here, but you're going to have another room too. At my house."
"Two rooms?" She seemed to have composed herself, and the prospect of two rooms excited her.
Ron gave a small smile. "Yes, Rosie, two rooms."
This signaled the end of the conversation for Rose, who had jumped down from the chair and approached her brother. "You hear that, Hugo? I'm gonna have two rooms!" she shrieked. The volume of her voice did nothing to excite her brother, and Hugo promptly stopped his actions and proceeded to cry. Hermione immediately reached down to console him, but Ron had the same idea, their heads colliding with a loud 'thunk.' They both froze, hands on either side of their son, conveying that neither was willing to waver. This exchange did not go unnoticed by Rose, whose smile had faded, suddenly remembering why she would have two rooms.
"Mummy?" she whispered, and Hermione relented, allowing Ron to take Hugo onto his lap.
"What is it, dear?" Hermione said, taking her daughter's small hands into her own.
"Why don't you love Daddy anymore?"
Hermione only stared at her daughter and she resisted the urge to look at Ron. Rose stared intently at her mother, her blue eyes lacking their usual sparkle. Hermione wondered how she had never noticed just how similar to Ron her daughter was, in both looks and personality. Her hair, although the same texture and curl as Hermione's, was the exact shade of Weasley red that was prominent among many generations. If Hermione did not know any different, she would insist that she was looking at Ron's eyes, not Rose's. And the row of freckles that ran down the bridge of Rose's noses matched perfectly to Ron's. Looking at Rose was like looking at a miniature version of Ron.
Hermione did not answer her daughter immediately, instead reaching out for her. Hermione closed her eyes and pulled Rose into her arms, squeezing her tightly. Rose relaxed into her mother's chest, and Hermione focused on the rise and fall of Rose's breath.
"Rose," Hermione said softly into Rose's ear, "it's hard to explain." She paused, knowing that not only was the explanation was far beyond her daughter's years, but she did not know how to explain to anyone why she did not love her husband anymore. "What I want you to always remember though," Hermione continued, "is that no matter what happens between me and your Daddy is that I will always love you with all my heart."
Rose clung to her mother tightly, and Hermione gave a small smile, finally chancing a look at Ron. Hugo had calmed down, content on Ron's lap, and had begun his mission of eating his toes once more. Ron was bouncing Hugo slightly on his knees, and Hermione instantly recognized it not as something for Hugo's benefit, but as a nervous habit he had developed after the war. It had always driven her crazy, the constant motion of his legs when something was wrong or he was anxious.
Ron's eyes met hers and he simply nodded, acknowledging that it was time for them to leave. Hermione stood quietly, Rose still in her arms.
"You're going to have fun at Uncle Harry's this weekend, okay, Rose?" Hermione said, as she followed Ron towards the fireplace.
"I miss you, Mummy," Rose replied as she was passed from Hermione's arms into Ron's free one.
Hermione kissed Rose and then Hugo and told them both she loved them. She waved sadly as she threw Floo powder into the fireplace and Ron stepped in, shouting 'Grimmauld Place' as he went. It would be the first night Hermione spent alone in nearly ten years.