THE DAILY PROPHET
Granger and Weasley: SEPARATED
Could this be the end?
By: Betty Braithwaite
Yesterday news broke that Minister of Magic, Hermione Granger, and husband, Ronald Weasley, have called it quits after almost two decades of marriage. Issuing this joint statement in the early afternoon, the former couple said:
"Together we have made the difficult decision to separate. Despite taking this step back from our marriage, we still have love and respect for one another, and will always remain close friends no matter what happens. We ask for privacy as we and our families navigate through this challenging time."
Given the recent speculation that Granger has been involved in an on-again off-again affair with Harry Potter, the Minister's split from her husband did not come as a surprise. In fact, Potter's own marriage has been subject to scrutiny, as he and wife, Ginny Weasley, have not been seen publicly together since his disastrous fortieth birthday.
Having only made it a few paragraphs into the article, Ron scowled before crumpling the paper and throwing it across the loft. It landed on the wooden floor, missing the rubbish bin near his bed.
It was early morning, and Ron had been hoping for a relaxing start to the day before heading down to open the shop. He'd planned on enjoying a coffee while skimming articles in the paper, but the Prophet's headline had made his blood boil.
Ron had been in shock when Hermione suggested they announce their separation to the press, and it was mostly his astonishment that had lead him to agree so easily, that, and the fact that he didn't want Hermione to know he was starting to have regrets.
George's word had been haunting Ron for the last week. What if she gives up? What if she thinks there's no hope and starts seeing other men because she thinks you've moved on?
The possibility that Hermione wouldn't wait for him hadn't crossed Ron's mind up until then.
There had been moments where Ron had swore to himself that he and Hermione were done, but deep in his heart he knew he was only lying to himself. As childish as it seemed, Ron had really only considered one outcome to their situation. After a few months of living the bachelor life, perhaps even after a few trysts of his own, Hermione would show up at his loft in tears. She'd tell him she couldn't live without him, and let him know how miserable she'd been while they'd been a part. He'd cut her off mid sentence with a passionate kiss, and after a heartfelt reunion, they'd make love.
However, much to Ron's distress, it was becoming apparent that his vision was getting further and further from reality. Ron could feel her pull away, and that was terrifying to him.
Hermione hadn't shed a single tear when she'd asked him to go public with their separation, and more concerning than that, she'd admitted she'd been considering divorce. The confession had stunned him. She'd always been very vocal about her objection to divorce, emphasizing the importance of couples working it out in the best interest of their kids. It made Ron wonder, what had changed? Could it be possible that his wife was seeing someone? The idea seemed ludicrous. Hermione hardly had time to eat these days. Yet, the thought lingered and made Ron's stomach churn.
As he sipped on his coffee and stared out the window at Diagon Alley, he'd made his decision.
He was going to get her back, and he'd do so before it was too late.
...
Hermione's finger quickly traced each word on the parchment, her chocolate eyes following closely. She was spending the last few hours of her day on the bottom floor of the Ministry, sifting through various archives. With another Dementor sighting occurring in Tutshill just two days prior, she was desperate and grasping at straws.
"Is this where you've been hiding out all afternoon?"
Hermione jumped, and instinctively reached for her wand. She relaxed when she saw a familiar smile.
"Harry," she breathed, her heart pounding against her chest. She'd been so immersed in her research that she hadn't heard his footsteps. "You scared me."
"Sorry," Harry said as he took in her appearance, noticing she was uncharacteristically disheveled. Her wavy hair was pulled up into a messy bun and her blue dress was covered in dust. "What are you doing down here?"
"I'm researching a series of rare protective charms that the Ministry had developed in the early 1900s. I'm hoping we can modified them, maybe make them stronger."
"Don't you have an assistant for this sort of thing?"
"Off sick," Hermione answered with a small frown, her eyes fixed on the parchment. "Mild case of Dragon Pox."
"Mild case of Dragon Pox?" Harry grimaced. "Didn't know there was such a thing."
"Yes, it was rather unexpected, and now I'm behind and all out of sorts." Hermione let out a loud sigh, frustrated with her lack of progress and the mounting pile of memos in her office she needed to read. "Do you need something?" She asked wearily, and then immediately realized how harsh her words sounded. "Sorry, that sounded better in my head. It's just that - "
"It's fine," Harry said with a small laugh, waving his hand dismissively. "There's nothing I need. It's just been so busy and we haven't run into one another for a few days... I thought we could catch up."
"Alright," Hermione said, gesturing for him to sit down in the empty seat across from her.
As Harry made himself comfortable, Hermione cautiously scan over him. He was business casual today, tanned trousers and a short sleeve dark blue shirt. His hair had recently been cut, looking more tame than usual, and short dark stubble covered the bottom half of his face. A determined look in his green eyes told Hermione that he was here with a purpose.
"You know, you don't need to be down here doing research. You must have better things to do, and you do have an entire department dedicated to fighting the Dark Arts," Harry said, and then added with a cheeky smile, "did you know I'm the head of it?"
Hermione gave him a cross look. "You're hilarious."
"How are you doing?"
"Did you really come all the way down here to ask me that?"
Harry shot her a soft smile. "No. I wanted to share some, uh... news with you."
"Okay," Hermione breathed, her full attention on Harry.
"The other night Ginny and I talked..." He began, and then with a low voice added, "I told her what happened in Switzerland."
Hermione's heart beat quickened. She knew he was going to talk to her, but she didn't think it would happen so soon.
"How did she take it?"
Harry face twisted slightly. He clasped his hands together and rested them on the table.
"She threw a few things, cast some mild curses, broke my nose," he said, and then seeing the horror on Hermione's face, quickly continued. "Once she calmed down we had a good talk. It was hard, but I think we both said what we needed to say and, well... I think we really heard each other for once. It seems like everything will be okay."
Hermione hoped Harry couldn't tell how much his words gutted her. Of course he and Ginny would hash things out, they were made for one another. She couldn't believe she was so deluded to think they'd fall apart just as easily as she and Ron had.
"That's great," Hermione said shakily, doing her best to smile and unable to meet his eyes.
"We're filing for divorce once the kids are back at school."
His words left her shocked and without words for a brief moment.
"Oh... Harry... I'm so sorry."
It wasn't a lie, she really was sorry, but a small wave of relief washed over her.
"Don't be," Harry said, rising from his chair and giving her a hesitant smile. "We both agreed it's for the best."
Hermione nodded, still trying to wrap her head around the idea that Harry and Ginny were no more.
"Did she say anything about me?"
"Erm... not really," Harry said unconvincingly and he pushed his glasses further up his nose.
"Liar," Hermione scoffed as guilt washed over her. It wasn't his job to protect her, and she could only imagine the intense hate Ginny must be feeling towards her.
"She's going to need some time," He relented with a small frown and a shrug. "She was surprised... and hurt."
Hermione tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
"Adultery will do that."
"Don't." Harry shook his head fiercely, taking a step towards her. "Don't make it seem like it was something cheap and shameful."
"Harry..."
"My marriage was over," Harry continued, his voice louder. "She and I both knew it. We both felt it."
Hermione shook her head remorsefully. "It doesn't change the fact that she's my best friend and I completely betrayed her. Twice."
"You didn't cause this," Harry said firmly, inching closer to her in an attempt to comfort. "You're just sort of... caught in the cross fire."
"You say that now," Hermione said quietly.
"And I'll continue to say it. I don't feel guilty anymore and neither should you."
"It's not that simple."
"It could be."
Harry gently reached out and touched Hermione's shoulder, and she suddenly became aware of just how alone they were.
"Harry..." she said warningly, recoiling from him. "We're at work."
She slowly stood and took a few steps back to distance herself from him. She knew where this was heading, and she wouldn't allow herself to be so reckless again. Not when there was still so much pain and uncertainty.
"I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. You have no idea what you do to me, and now that I know you feel the same... merlin..."
He stood and placed his hands in his pocket, as though he was trying to restrain himself.
"I know," she gulped. "But we agreed... it's better right now for us to be friends."
"I want more than that," he said softly. "Can you really say that you don't?"
"Harry..." she breathed. "You're not thinking straight. We have our families to consider. Even if we are ready for this, they certainly aren't."
Harry frowned. He couldn't ignore the fact that she had a good point. James wasn't even talking to him, Al seemed more recluse than ever, and Lily was still shattered from the birthday party incident. He sighed, hoping he could reason with her.
"Maybe they don't have to know... at least not right away."
"Because that's worked out so well for us in the past?"
"We aren't doing anything wrong... I'm single, you're single."
"I know," Hermione whispered, biting her lower lip as she mulled over Harry's idea. It was tempting.
"If I wasn't in the picture would you really get Rose's and Hugo's permission for every block you dated?" Harry asked in a challenging tone.
Hermione considered this for a moment before answering. "... I supposed not."
"Tell me you don't want this," Harry said, taking a step towards her, determination glimmering in his eyes. "If you can honestly say you don't want any of this, I'll stop."
"I... " As Hermione faltered, Harry took his opportunity and moved towards her.
Slowly he captured her small face with his hands and gently pulled her into him. Their lips met and she melted into him.
"Not here, not now," Hermione managed to whisper against his lips after several moments. She lightly pushing him back.
Harry rested his forehead on hers. "What do you think?"
"I need some time," Hermione said with a half-hearted smile. "To sort all of this out in my head."
"That's not a 'no'," Harry said with a small grin.
"No," Hermione agreed, pulling away from him. "But it's not a 'yes' either. Give me a week."
"Okay," Harry nodded. "One week."
