A/N: Late night for me, early morning for most of you.

So while listening to some Sam Smith while writing this chapter I now feel that you all need to listen to his song ' Lay Me Down '. For Hermione and Draco. All of his songs are amazing but you all really need to listen to that one.

Hermione sat in her office on Thursday afternoon, unable to focus on her work as she kept staring up at the clock, counting down the minutes until her workday was over. She was staying at Draco's tonight and then they were heading out for their miniature holiday first thing in the morning. She couldn't wait.

Cormac walked in, glancing up from the several sheets of parchment he was holding and noticing her looking at the clock.

"I see you're ready for your day off," he said. "I don't understand why you're only taking one. After all of these years you could probably take an entire year off with all of the vacation time you've accumulated."

Hermione smiled. That wasn't an exaggeration.

"Are you going somewhere for it?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Where?"

"I don't know."

Cormac raised his eyebrows, looking unsurely at her for a moment before he was hit dead-on with understanding. "Fuck, you're back together with him. Why , Hermione?"

Her smile faded. "None of your business."

"Humor me."

"Because I like him," she said, her eyes narrowing. "I want to date him so I am. Simple as that."

"And the fact that his son is marrying your daughter doesn't bother you anymore?"

"Of course it does, but I'm not going to let that stop me. Just once in my life I feel I deserve to be selfish. Rose will understand."

"Will she?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione sighed. "Probably not right away but, eventually, yes, she will." She paused. "Is there something you needed?"

"Yeah," he said, finally walking the rest of the way over to her desk. "I know you're off the project, or, I don't know, maybe you're back on it now, but I want to have Malfoy Enterprises work a bit more with the Patrol Office, instead of just the Aurors, and I'm not sure where I should start." He handed her a list the two of them had made together a couple months back. She scanned it.

"Magicproof vests," she answered, dipping her quill in red ink and circling it. "That's something I've always felt was important. You should also speak to the chief about how things are organized over there, see where there are needs for improvement."

"All right, will do," said Cormac, taking the list back. He then looked at her and sighed. "Kingsley spoke to me the other morning. He said you've officially told him you will be running for Minister."

"Yes, I did tell him that," said Hermione, keeping his gaze. "Look, Cormac, I'm sorry -"

"Don't say that," he said, looking away. "Just … Good luck. I've already decided that I won't be running against you."

Hermione frowned. She didn't say anything, since the only words that came to her mind again were 'I'm sorry'.

Cormac gave her a sad smile and exited, heading over to the Patrol Office.

Hermione stared after him, only taken out of her daze by the sound of her phone ringing. She looked. Rose. She answered.

"Hey, sweetie, what's going on?"

"Hi, Mommy! Have I ever told you how pretty you are?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

"It's nothing big," said Rose, "but Scorpius and I have found a venue we want to look at on Saturday. And since we're both so young and naïve we could really use some parental help in sniffing out any scam artists."

"Give yourself some credit, honey. You sniffed out the last one. And so did Scorpius." She paused. "Eventually."

"He knew the whole time, he just really wanted to get married there," said Rose. "So will you come?"

Hermione tensed. "I'm afraid I can't this weekend, sweetie."

"Why not?"

The dreaded question.

"I'm going out of town."

"You are? Why?"

And it continued.

"Holiday."

There was silence on the other line. " You're going on holiday?" Rose eventually asked.

"Just a short one. I planned it before the wedding date changed and I really think I need this break."

"Well, of course you do, it's been a long time coming, but what bloody horrible timing." Rose groaned on the other line. "Do you think Dad would come? I don't want it to be just Scorpius' parents."

Hermione bit her cheek before she could point out that Draco would also be unavailable. She looked across the way and saw Ron standing and talking to Harry in the Auror Office. "It might take some convincing but I'm sure he will. He's at the office right now. Give him a call."

"Okay. Bye, Mom. Have fun on your holiday! I promise to ask more questions about it when I'm not so bloody stressed!"

"Don't worry about it, Rosie. Good luck this weekend. I love you."

"Love you, too!"

The line clicked. Hermione went back to work, glancing up when she saw Ron answer his phone. In a matter of moments, his face was bright red. He was clearly objecting. Hermione put down her work and watched, her brow furrowing when she saw Ron hang up. He had not agreed.

Hermione's phone rang again. She picked it up without looking. "Yeah, sweetie, I saw."

"How could he just flat out say no like that?" Rose cried. "I'm marrying into this family in five weeks!"

"Let me go talk to him. I'll call you back."

Hermione hung up the phone, stood from her chair and marched out of her office. She knew Ron could see her coming out of the corner of his eye. He didn't make a run for it but he gulped.

"Ronald, you're office," she ordered as she reached the Auror Office, her pace not slowing as she walked past him and Harry and headed for his office door.

Ron gave Harry a look.

"I saw that!" she shouted, even though she was no longer in his line of sight.

Ron followed Hermione in. She grabbed the door and shut it.

"What did you say to our daughter just now?"

"Nothing," he answered.

Hermione stared sternly at him.

"Just that I couldn't make it on Saturday."

"And why can't you?"

"Why can't you ?" he shouted, looking at her with accusatory eyes.

Hermione narrowed hers and said, "I'm going out of town."

"Yeah, I heard," he said, his voice cold. "Rumor is you're even taking the day off tomorrow. In the twenty-six years we were together I don't remember you even once taking a day off. So you can understand why I'm skeptical to believe that it was your idea."

"What are you -?"

"You're going out of town with your boyfriend, aren't you?"

Hermione crossed her arms and said, "Whether I am going with someone or by myself is none of your business. It's not even the matter at hand. With the wedding date moved up Rose really needs you to cooperate. Your animosity towards the Malfoys ends now. So, please, call your daughter, volunteer your time and apologize."

Ron looked at her, his eyes sad as he searched her face for something. Something that just wasn't there anymore. Finally giving in, he sighed and gave her a shallow nod.

"Thank you," said Hermione. She headed for the door.

"Hermione."

She turned back and looked at him, her face tensing when she saw that there were tears in his eyes.

"Please don't go," he pleaded.

Hermione knew he did not mean in that moment. He meant for the weekend, with the other man he knew she would be with. She sighed and put her hand on the door handle. "You and I need to talk when I get back."

And with that, she opened the door and left, not wanting to see his eyes in that moment. Her intention was not to be cryptic. She wanted him to know what she meant and she knew he did. If she hadn't felt it in her heart, the whimper she heard as she shut his door should have been sign enough. Ron knew she was finally going to push for this divorce.

Hermione smiled gleefully as she and Draco entered the resort they would be staying at hand-in-hand. After a Portkey, Flooing, a train ride and a flying carriage ride they were finally at the secluded wizarding gem in Switzerland's countryside. There were only a handful of rooms, and since the season was over it was doubtful the place would be bustling with activity. Draco had already used his 'resources' to confirm that no English occupants would be staying there that weekend. They were lucky their popularity was limited to their native country, though the occasional Scottish tabloid did like to report news of them.

Hermione was already excited. She had never been to Switzerland before, and even though it was freezing and foggy with traces of snow already on the ground she was eager to explore. The trick would be getting Draco out of the bedroom long enough to see anything.

While Draco checked them in, the concierge at first attempting to speak English until Draco spoke in his native French tongue fluently, Hermione wandered around what she supposed was the lobby. The place had a castle feel to it even though it was small. Maybe more of a tower. Everything was made of beautiful gray stone and a giant fireplace separated the room from a small restaurant. An elderly couple was dining in there now, smiling and nodding to her before continuing their meal.

There was a huge window on the opposite side of the lobby than the restaurant. Hermione walked over to it, catching her breath when she caught sight of the beautiful view in front of her. This side of the resort was right on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the mountains and valleys around them. A lake could be seen in the distance, sparkling sapphire-blue as the purple, snow-topped mountains surrounded it along with the vibrant, green grass. Every color seemed brighter here, every line crisper.

"Hermione."

Hermione turned. Draco motioned her over as a bellhop began wandering off with their luggage. She hurried to catch up, attaching herself to Draco's arm as they walked through the halls. There were no lifts here, just several sets of stairs, and their room just happened to be at the very top. But she supposed it was better than the Quidditch World Cup.

It really didn't take them very long to reach the top floor. There were eight overall, one door on each, meaning only seven rooms were available in this place. She and Draco had wanted someplace secluded and he had certainly delivered.

The bellhop unlocked their door for them, holding it open so they could go in first. They did, Hermione heading straight for the balcony she saw while Draco instructed the bellhop on where to put the luggage.

Hermione opened the glass doors to the balcony, so distracted by the view that she nearly stepped into the hot tub. It was made of stone and slightly elevated, right near the edge so they could enjoy the view she was so mesmerized by. She laughed when she saw chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne were already waiting for them. Looking back at Draco, she caught his eye as he was tipping the bellhop and winked. He smirked.

As intriguing as the hot tub was, Hermione was more interested in the small sofa and hearth placed out here. She was already imagining the nighttime here, the sky overrun was stars and the sound of the wind as she held Draco close, both of them snuggled under a blanket.

"So what do you think?" his smooth voice asked from just behind her.

Hermione smiled and turned, wrapping her arms around his neck. "It's perfect," she said, giving him a kiss.

"The nights here are pretty cold this time of year, but our balcony is charmed to keep us comfortable."

"So if I want it to be a little chilly …?"

"Then chilly it shall be," he said, leaning in and nuzzling her cheek. Then he removed her hands from his neck and held onto them. "Come on. You still haven't seen the best part."

Draco led her back inside, walking over to a small spiral staircase in the back corner she had not noticed before. It was only then that she realized this room had just about everything - two sofas, a coffee table, a desk, a dining room set, a kitchen - but it was lacking one very important detail. A bed.

And then they were up the stairs and she saw it. On the top-top floor, a beautiful canopy bed with beams shaped like the smooth, willowy trees from fairytales and a cover so thin she could see the sky on the bewitched ceiling. In fact, every wall was bewitched, making it feel like their little bedroom was floating high above the rest of the world.

"I never knew shagging in the sky was a fantasy of yours," she said with a smirk.

"Just one of many."

Hermione chuckled. She took off her scarf and coat, tossing them to the side before tearing off her top. "We have time for a quick shag before we go out there," she said, pointing in the direction of the lake.

"Fine by me," said Draco, following suit. He stripped down quickly, Hermione already ahead of him and crawling onto the bed. She turned and beckoned him with her finger. He smiled and followed her slowly, his cock already growing hard as she spread her legs for him. When he reached her, he kissed her, relishing in the sweet taste of her lips as she stroked his cock, lining it up with her wet entrance and guiding him in.

Draco moved slowly, planning to savor every sensual moment he got with Hermione this weekend.

"This is so weird," she said with a laugh, her eyes darting all around the room at what appeared to be open air.

Draco grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him, holding her gaze as he gripped her hip, holding her still so he could be in control for once. He dangled his lips above hers, teasing her for a moment before finally kissing her. She kissed back with incredible vigor, already forgetting about her plans for a quick shag and taking the time they finally had. It was already shaping up to be a pretty great weekend.

Hermione could not help but smile as she sat on the sofa on their room's balcony several hours later, the hearth on full blast and her in her sweats, snuggled up to Draco with a book in hand and a blanket wrapped around both of them. He kissed the top of her head for no other reason than he wanted to kiss it, all while continuing to read his own book.

It had been an eventful day. After their shag in the sky, they had gone outside and just explored. No plan, no structure, just the two of them running around and having fun. It was already dusk by the time they returned to the resort, their cheeks flushed and noses running from the cold, but neither of them cared. They had a quick dinner in the dining room right near that giant fireplace, headed back to their room and immediately stripped, climbing into their hot tub and drinking champagne while shagging for a good couple of hours.

But this … this relaxing calm they were in now … this was Hermione's favorite. Where they both just got to sit there and be with each other in a way they never had time for at home. Their schedules were ridiculous, and their nights together rarely left them with time for anything but eating and shagging. Sometimes they even had to skip the eating. Priorities.

It had been a good year since Hermione had even picked up a book to read leisurely and Merlin did it feel good, especially when she was so perfectly wrapped in Draco's warm arms. But then the hand that was holding her so perfectly suddenly crept into her jumper and began fondling her breast. She laughed.

" Really , Draco? Again?"

"I told you this weekend was going to be full of shagging," he said, pulling her closer and kissing her cheek.

"Yes," said Hermione. "Which I am prepared for. But I like just this." She turned her head and kissed his lips.

"Fine," said Draco with a pout. "We can keep doing just this , but my hands still get some boob action." He gave the one he was holding a honk.

Hermione rolled her eyes but let him carry on. Only a few minutes passed before Draco stopped. "I'm going to get some hot cider," he said, removing his hand from her jumper and using it to cradle her head while he kissed the top of it again. "Do you want any?"

"No thank you," she answered with a yawn.

Hermione puckered her lips and waited for a kiss. Draco gave it to her, then stood carefully, putting down his book and heading inside to the kitchen. Cider was already on the stove for them, charmed to stay warm and ready whenever they wanted it. Draco grabbed a mug and poured the cider, blowing on it before taking a sip. His insides were colder than he wanted to admit, but if Hermione wanted to be outside then that's where they would stay.

His drink in hand, Draco headed back to the balcony. When he got there, he was not surprised that his seat had been hijacked. Hermione was now lying down on the sofa, the blanket pulled up to her neck and her book falling from her hand. Draco caught it and marked the page. He crouched down and brushed the hair out of her eyes, smiling when he saw they were closed. He kissed one of her eyelids. No matter. It was tomorrow that he was planning to sweep her off her feet. Today was just meant to be relaxing.

Seeing Hermione in this environment was nothing short of incredible. While she was always so uptight and thinking every little thing through in real life, out here she was free, skipping through the fields and even climbing a tree she claimed had the perfect branches for such a task. It was not what he was expecting; it was better.

Admittedly, he and Astoria had only ever been on a handful of holidays during their marriage, and Draco never remembered much about them other than constant boredom. When Scorpius came it was different, he liked to have fun and play around with his son and Astoria liked to watch them enjoy themselves, but when it was just the two of them all she ever wanted to do was go to the spa, have couples massages, that sort of boring shit. Climbing a tree was never in the cards.

Draco stroked Hermione's hair as he watched her sleeping, unable to hold back his smile as he thought of how beautiful she looked. Only one other time in his life had he ever felt like this before, just wanting to look at someone for as long as he could, and that was when Scorpius had been born.

But the chill eventually got to him. Draco chugged his cider before putting down the mug. He scooped Hermione up, causing her to stir but not to wake, and carried her towards the stairs, using wandless magic to shut the doors behind him.

He took her up to the bedroom, placing her carefully onto the bed and untangling her from the blanket she was still clinging to. He pulled back the comforter and climbed in next to her, tucking them both in and wrapping his arms around her. She nuzzled in naturally, still not waking as she held him just as tightly as he held her.

As Draco began to drift off to sleep, he realized Hermione had been right before. He also liked just this .

"Dad … Dad!"

Ron was torn out of his daze, his eyes leaving the gardens he had been scanning and focusing on his daughter.

"What do you think?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.

Ron wrinkled his nose. "Well …"

"It's terrible," interrupted Astoria, looking around the place in disgust. "It looks cheap, half the roses are dead and I have a hard time believing it ever snows here. That lady who showed us around couldn't provide one photo of this place in the winter for us. Don't risk it."

Rose frowned and looked back at her dad.

"She's right," he said. "Your grandparents' backyard is better than this, and it's free."

Astoria grunted. "Why does it always come back to that place? My son is not getting married in a backyard ."

Scorpius blushed. "Mum!"

"What? It's not like you want to get married there either," she said with a shrug. "I still don't understand why we're not looking at the Chateau de Fleurs Magiques? Not only was it my first suggestion for you, but it has everything you want."

"We can't afford it," said Scorpius. "If it cost a million Galleons twenty years ago with a wedding planned in advance, imagine what it would cost now when booked at the last minute?"

"All of this ' we can't afford it '. Have you forgotten who your father is?" she asked. "Speaking of which, how come only the ' other ' parents are here today?" Astoria looked from Scorpius to Rose.

"My mother is on holiday this weekend," Rose answered. "She actually took a day off and went out of town, can you believe it, Dad?"

Ron looked at his daughter, his jaw tense as he shook his head. "No."

When Rose looked at Scorpius, he was staring at her strangely, his mouth slightly open. "What?" she asked.

He blinked. "Nothing," he said. "Your mum took yesterday off?"

"Yeah," said Rose with a small smile. "And where's your dad?"

"Oh, you know," said Scorpius, smiling awkwardly. "Business stuff." Or a business trip, as he had called it, even taking Friday off …

Astoria shrugged. "Here or not, you know he would spend whatever money -"

"He is not paying for this," Ron interrupted, his voice sharp.

Astoria turned to him, pursing her lips as she crossed her arms and looked him over. "Why not?" she asked. "He was already paying for half of the other venue."

Rose went white while Scorpius winced.

Astoria looked at them and raised her eyebrows. "What? Was that a secret?"

Ron's head snapped towards Rose, his eyes cold as she purposely avoided his gaze. "Is that true?" he asked.

Her cheeks flushed, she met his eyes for a split second and gave a nod, then looked away again.

His ears reddening, Ron turned and began storming out of the cheap garden they were trapped in the center of.

"Daddy!"

Astoria held her hand out, stopping Rose before scurrying after Ron herself. "Excuse me!" she called, taking many quick, little steps in her high heels to keep up with his long strides. "You're not seriously going to make a woman run, are you?"

Ron stopped. He crossed his arms and turned. " What ?" he snapped.

Astoria mirrored his stance and narrowed her eyes. "I don't appreciate your tone, Mr. Weasley. I simply want to ask you a question."

"Go on," he said, tapping his foot impatiently.

"From what I understand, you don't care much for my ex-husband, so why wouldn't you want to take advantage of him in any way you can? Like spending his money?"

"I don't need that git making me feel like I can't provide for my daughter," said Ron, the red on his ears spreading to his cheeks.

"All right, I'm going to try and say this as nicely as I can," said Astoria, rubbing at the bridge of her nose. She looked up at him. "These feelings of inferiority you are having, they're all in your head. Draco couldn't give two shits about how you feel. In fact, he doesn't spend any time thinking about you at all. Not unless you directly affect him, which you don't. Maybe he enjoyed tormenting you when he was twelve, and he more than likely loved rubbing his wealth in your face, but he has grown. Don't get me wrong, he's still a selfish, narcissistic, opinionated prick, but he's less likely to rub that in someone's face unless provoked, and he only wants what all of us want. A nice wedding for our children and a beautiful send-off for his mother. While Narcissa and I have not always seen eye-to-eye she loves her family and she deserves to have the last celebration she will ever be part of somewhere special. I deserve to have this celebration somewhere special. My own parents disowned me when I chose to support my son and this marriage, and I will be damned before I let them mock me for him getting married at some backyard Weasley … hootenanny !"

Ron stared at her, his jaw slacken while his eyes were wide and a little frightened looking. "Is that what we have?" he eventually said. " Hootenannies ." He laughed, albeit a little awkwardly.

"I don't know!" Astoria snapped, her nose turning bright-red. She took a deep breath. "Will you at least consider spreading some of his Galleons around? Why bother spending yours when this one piece of the wedding will barely make a dent in his vault?"

Ron blew his cheeks out as he thought. She did have a point. "I want to see this place you're so dead-set on before I make any decisions about that."

Astoria smiled. "Of course." She turned to head back towards their children.

"Hold on."

She turned back.

"Was it true what you said before?" Ron asked, his eyes as sad-looking as his drooping mouth. "Did everyone really lie to me about the cost of the last venue?"

Astoria frowned. "I shouldn't have said that."

"But you did. Intentionally." It was not a question.

She shrugged slightly. "What can I say? Draco used to tell me I was a compulsive reaction seeker. Whatever that means."

"If it isn't your ex-husband's intention to make me feel inferior then he's doing a bloody horrible -"

"It wasn't his idea," she said quickly.

"Who else's?" Ron asked. "Certainly not Rose …" And then it hit him. He sighed. "Hermione."

"I didn't say that," said Astoria. "Your wife did something for a friend of mine recently so I won't speak ill of her. And it's not like it matters, anyway. The transaction didn't even happen and Scorpius got your deposit back." She looked at her watch. "If we are going to get to Provence we'll have to get a move on."

She turned and hurried back to their children as best she could in her high heels, her hips swaying in a way no man could ever ignore. Ron followed her a little ways back, noticing the way she wiggled but his mind too clouded to enjoy it.

"It looks like we're heading to the chateau!" Astoria said excitedly.

Scorpius blinked. "What?"

"Mr. Weasley has agreed to look at it. But no decision has been made about the purchaser. We are simply looking," she added, looking at Ron for approval.

He nodded shallowly.

"But we can't just show up there," said Scorpius. "Won't we have to make a reservation?"

"Yes, and I made one days ago," she said, taking her son's hand and guiding him out of the gardens. "I already have a Portkey waiting for us at the gate."

Scorpius laughed. "Of course you do."

Rose hung back and walked next to Ron. "Dad …" she said.

He didn't answer.

She took his hand and squeezed. "Dad, I'm sorry."

He squeezed back, unsure of how he was supposed to feel in that moment. He had just found out his daughter had lied to him, something planned out by his wife, who was off with some other man at that very moment doing Merlin knows what. And when she came back it would all be over. That last flicker of hope had finally burnt out, leaving Ron alone in the dark. It was over, and he was numb. Never in his life had he ever felt so empty before.

Hermione and Draco walked down the stairs from their room hand-in-hand. They were getting a late start on their day since … well, shagging. Draco had woken up to Hermione sucking his cock and he wasn't about to tell her 'we have a schedule'.

"So you really planned an early morning carriage ride?" she asked.

"Yes, to the sunflower field," he answered.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Sunflowers? In November?"

Draco nodded. "Magic, doll. This entire area is invisible to Muggles. There are even dragons in the mountains, but they won't come all the way down here."

"Dragons," Hermione repeated, her eyes widening. "Well, now I'm sad. Your morning seemed so romantic."

"And so will our afternoon," he said, stopping to give her a kiss.

They walked the rest of the way down to the lobby. Draco kissed Hermione's cheek and told her to wait there while he wandered off somewhere. So she did, wandering towards the desk and her ears immediately perking up when she heard a man speaking in French, but with a terrible accent. From what she could make out, he was telling the concierge to please not speak in English so his girlfriend wouldn't understand them. She was a few feet away, staring out of the same window Hermione had been so fascinated with just yesterday.

"Hermione."

She acknowledged Draco was there by grabbing his arm but she was still listening to the man speak.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It seems they've mixed up his reservation. He says it was for this weekend but they're saying they have him scheduled to arrive next Saturday.

"Bummer," said Draco, taking her hand. "Let's go."

"Eddie, I'm running outside for a minute!" said the girl, smiling and completely oblivious as she ran for the door.

The man waved, then turned back to the concierge, pleading in English this time. "Please. You don't understand, I work on the weekends. My boss didn't even want to give me this one off."

"I am sorry, sir, but zere ees nothing I can -"

"Please," he begged. "There has to be something. A bloody broom closet for all I care. It's our anniversary and we can't just head home."

Draco tugged on Hermione's hand but she stayed in place. He grunted. "Hermione, no."

"No, what?" she asked.

"I saw the same bloody gleam in your eye when we gave up our table at the restaurant that day, only this time their lost reservation has nothing to do with us. This isn't your problem."

Hermione bit her lip and stared back at the man. Twenty-something, handsome in a nonconventional sort of way, and so completely distraught.

"Please," he said yet again. "She saw this place in a magazine and she just had to come here. I've spent my last Galleons on this reservation and this!" He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and popped it open.

Hermione's mouth fell open. She looked at Draco.

"No," he said firmly.

Her mouth closed and she gave him sad eyes.

Draco winced and grunted. "Fuck, Hermione. It's not our problem if he didn't get the bloody date right."

"I know, but …" She looked at the man again. "He won't be able to come back next weekend. And he tried so hard to make his proposal romantic."

"Yes, and I'm trying hard to make our weekend romantic, but you're making it very difficult."

She frowned.

Draco tensed and looked away from her. "Is this really what you want?"

"No," she said, facing him and grabbing his other hand. "I want to spend an entire weekend away with you. But if we don't do this I know I won't be able to get this off my mind."

Draco said nothing. Hermione sighed, leaned up and kissed him. She slowly pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"I don't want you to be upset. We can stay."

Draco gazed back at her. He groaned. Still holding onto one of her hands, he guided them over to the concierge. "Excuse me," he said. Both people stopped and looked at him. "We couldn't help but overhear, and we were actually thinking we would head back early, so if he wants our room …"

The young man's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I am only ever serious," said Draco.

"Zat ees very nice of you, Mr. Malfoy," said the concierge, "but zis man only paid for a basic room while you 'ave ze deluxe suite."

"Why does that matter? It's already paid for," said Draco with a shrug. He looked at the man. "Consider it a gift for you and your future bride-to-be."

"You're really not messing with me?" the man asked again.

"I'm really not."

Tears leaked out of the man's eyes as he lunged forward and embraced Draco.

"Whoa!" said Draco, taking a step back. "Boundaries, mate!"

"Sorry," said the man, releasing him and wiping his eyes. Then he really looked at him. And Hermione. "Don't I know you two from somewhere?"

"You want our room?" Draco asked.

He nodded.

"Then no. You have never seen us before."

"Right," he said, locking his lips and throwing away the key. "Got it."

"We still have to go to our room and pack," said Draco. He looked at the concierge. "Perhaps you could send them off on the excursion we had planned while we get that done."

Hermione felt a little sad that someone else was getting her romance filled afternoon, but she supposed this was her fault for being a hopeless romantic. For other people, this is. She had officially ruined her chance at romance.

"Good luck," she said to the young man, giving him a thumbs up as Draco pulled her away.

They headed back up the stairs and immediately started packing. Neither of them spoke as they moved through the room. When Hermione came out of the washroom with her toiletries, she noticed Draco sitting on the indoor sofa, looking sullen with his packed bag at his feet. She sighed, put her things in her suitcase and zipped it up. Then she walked over to him, sitting down beside him and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I'm sorry," she said, kissing his neck. "I love being here with you."

"Do you?" he asked without looking at her.

Hermione grabbed his chin and forced him to face her. "Yes. We'll plan another trip. One where we won't have to hide in the shadows."

Draco nodded.

She kissed him softly, then pulled back and gazed into his eyes. "I have an idea," she said, reaching up and stroking his hair. "How about for the rest of the weekend you come and stay at my place."

Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Your place?"

She nodded.

"But just last weekend you said -"

"I know what I said," Hermione interrupted. "But that was stupid of me. You're my future, Draco, and Ron … he's my past. It's not 'our home' anymore, it's mine and I want you there. We can light some candles, order some Chinese … I can show you Muggle television!" Her eyes lit up with excitement.

Draco smiled. He reached up and cupped her cheek. "Sounds perfect."

He kissed her then, his heart aflutter as he realized this was still going to be the night he told her he loved her, only now it would be even better, because she was letting him in just a little bit more.

Ron sat on the sofa in Harry and Ginny's living room, his head in his hands as his sister sat on one side of him, rubbing his back comfortingly, and his best friend sat on the other.

"She's going to demand I sign the divorce papers on Monday. I know she is," he cried.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other over his head.

"I thought that since she hasn't been pushing it that meant there was hope," he continued. "But then she's just been so distant from everyone lately. She came up with that stupid plan about the venue and made our daughter lie to me, she had my own bloody father come up and tell me I needed to give her what she wanted, and now she's taking days off work to go on bloody holiday with some … some git! I mean, who the fuck is she? The Hermione I was with for twenty-six bloody years would never take a day off just for the hell of it."

Ginny opened her mouth to say something, but was quickly cut off by Ron again.

"And who the fuck is this guy who suddenly has so much power over her? How long have they even been dating that she's all of a sudden like, 'hey, Ron, it's divorce time'! Just a bloody month ago she was telling me it wasn't serious. Has she told you anything?" He looked at Ginny.

"No," she answered. "You know she would never talk to me about something like that."

"Then who does she talk to?"

The siblings both thought. Then they each slowly began to turn their heads and look at Harry.

His cheeks turned scarlet. "I …"

"Do you know something?" Ron asked, suddenly perking up in his seat.

Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "June," he said. "She's been dating him since June. But you know I can't say anything else."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not my place," said Harry, his eyes snapping back open. "I told you, I won't be picking sides with you two."

"Then just tell me," said Ron, his eyes wet and pleading, "is it serious?"

Harry sighed. "It wasn't. They broke up for a little while, but she just told me this last week they were back together and, yes, I think something definitely shifted."

Ron gulped. "Does she love him?"

"I won't answer that," said Harry. "Look, Ron, I know you don't want to hear this, but maybe it's time you started thinking about … you know. Divorce."

"Not you too," said Ron, his brow furrowing as he looked completely betrayed. "I want my life back, Harry. All of it."

Harry glanced over at Ginny, who looked just as defeated as he felt. They both knew it was time, but it didn't seem like Ron was ever going to be on the same page.

"I just want to forget about this whole bloody mess." Ron buried his face back in his hands.

"Well …" said Ginny, pursing her lips and thinking. "Let's do something fun to forget about it then." Her eyes lit up. "Let's call everyone and play a Quidditch game in Mum and Dad's backyard!"

Ron peeked at her through his fingers.

"Yeah, come on!" she said, smacking his back. "It'll be fun! We'll call George and Angelina, and maybe even Percy and Grandpa Bill will come out for a bit. It will be just like the good ol' days."

"Yeah, maybe," said Ron, coming a bit more out of his hands. "I haven't flown in … Merlin, it has to have been over a year ago. My broom's still at the house."

"You can borrow one of ours," said Ginny.

Ron shook his head. "No. I want mine. Hermione's not there, I can just go get it."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other again. "I don't know if that's such a good idea, mate," said Harry.

"Why not?" asked Ron, his eyes blazing into Harry's. "I'm not going to do anything, just get my bloody broom. What, you don't trust me or something?"

"No one said that," said Ginny. "Go get your broom, Ron. We'll call everyone and meet you at Mum and Dad's."

"Alright. Good to know one of you trusts me."

Ron stood and headed for the fireplace. As soon as Ron was gone, Harry gave Ginny a sharp look. She just shrugged. "What's he gonna do?"

Ron stepped out of the fireplace and into the house he had not entered in months. Their house. He stood frozen in the living room for a moment. Nothing had changed. Same furniture, everything was dusted and in its proper place, except for the one book Hermione always kept on the coffee table by the off chance that she might actually have time to read. This was one written by that Kendall Sheehy, and he found himself wondering if he was the one. They had been photographed kissing recently, but maybe he was just the one to push her back into that other git's arms.

After sneering at the book for a good, long moment, Ron headed back towards the bedroom. He cringed a little as he entered it, the door always closed even when no one was home. Hermione always felt that open doors looked cluttered. He never got it.

Ron looked around. Even the bedroom was the same, bedspread and all, only there had been photos all around the room before. Now, the only one that remained was of Rose and Hugo on the dresser. He walked over to the bed and stroked a wrinkle out of the bedspread. Then he sighed and headed for the closet.

Opening the door just enough to accommodate him, Ron reached in and felt around. Huh. No broom. He took a step in and felt all the way to the wall in the back. Maybe it had fallen over. He got on his hands and knees, his foot hooking the door and accidentally pulling it a little more shut.

" Lumos !" he shouted, the tip of his wand lighting up.

Ron was so distracted that he did not hear the ' swoosh ' of the fireplace in the living room, or the voices that followed.

"Let's put our stuff down and then I can show you the menus for the Chinese restaurants around here," said Hermione, taking Draco's hand and leading him back towards the bedroom. "They won't deliver since this is a wizarding street but there are three in walking distance."

"Whichever is your favorite is fine with me," said Draco as they approached the bedroom.

Ron heard the voices now, turning to see he was pretty much shut in the closet besides a small crack of light. He cursed to himself as he put out his wand. Well, this looked bloody fantastic.

"That's weird. The bedroom door's open," said Hermione.

He cursed again, silently this time. Why was she here? She was supposed to be off on her bloody -

"I'm sorry we had to leave early. I know you had today all planned out."

"Yeah," said a man's voice he was sue he recognized. "Oh bloody well."

There was a kerplunk as the man must have put his stuff down. Then it hit Ron. This bloody prick had just put his stuff down. Was he staying here ?

"Don't be mad." He could actually hear the pout in Hermione's voice. "You should be happy knowing that whatever you had planned is going to end in a proposal for that couple."

"Yeah," the man said again, sounding unconvinced.

Ron swore he knew that fucking voice. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. He turned around in his small space and tried to peek out the crack. Maybe if he got lucky, they would leave the room and he could Disapparate without them hearing. But first … he had to see.

His eyes stared out of the small sliver, just making out a man's silhouette, but before his eyes could focus someone else stepped into his view. Hermione.

"Hey," she said, wrapping her arms around the man's shoulders. "You know I don't need the fancy holiday, right? Just having you here with me is enough."

She leaned in and Ron could hear the slurp of their lips colliding. His eyes clenched shut. Fuck ! He needed to get out of here. If he just Disapparated they wouldn't know who had been here … Bloody hell, why hadn't he ever learned to do it silently?

The sound of kissing suddenly became louder. His eyes opened again, just in time to see his wife pull off her jumper and push her mystery guest towards the bed. His heart stopped in that moment, feeling heavy as it weighed him down to that spot. He couldn't move. His entire body felt like led. He gulped to relieve his dry throat. As he did, tears fell from his eyes. He needed to leave. Now. But how could -?"

Ron's mobile went off in his pocket. Shit !

"What the fuck was that?" shouted the man, shielding Hermione as she grabbed her jumper off of the floor.

Ron stumbled with his phone, trying to shut it off as he focused on Disapparating. But nothing happened. His mind was still frozen and he was unsuccessful with both attempts.

The door burst open and he shot to his feet, taking a moment for his eyes to focus on the man in front of him. And then he saw him. White-blond hair, gray eyes, and that same sneer that had haunted him all throughout school.

What little bit of his heart Ron still had shattered in that moment. This was the man who had taken his wife from him, who was trying to take his daughter. The very same one who had tormented him for so many years. Draco Malfoy.

"Weasel?"

Ron said nothing, still frozen in place. Then his eyes glanced over Draco's shoulder, stopping on Hermione as she pulled her jumper over her head. When it was halfway on she looked at him. She gulped. "Ron. What are you doing here?"

"I …" He fought back a whimper. "My broom."

Hermione put her arms through the jumper and pulled it down. "I moved it to the closet in the front hall."

Ron supposed he had been wrong before when he thought nothing had changed. "Good. I'll just be on my way then."

He pushed past Draco and darted for the door, a little surprised when the other wizard didn't grab him.

Hermione fidgeted, looking at Draco for a moment before sighing and running after Ron.

"Ron! Ron, wait!"

Ron really did grab his broom out of the front hall closet, but when he heard Hermione coming he headed out the front door instead of for the fireplace.

"Ron!" she shouted, running out after him.

Ron stopped at the bottom of the stoop thrashing around for a bit before turning towards her and yelling, "What?"

"What are you doing here?" she asked again, her words much harsher this time.

"I fucking told you!" he shouted. "I came to get my broom!"

Hermione marched down the stairs after him. "Then why were you hiding in the closet like that?"

"I wasn't hiding, I was looking!" he said, his voice becoming shrill. "I didn't know you would bloody be here with … with …" Just then, Ron saw something move out of the corner of his eye. He glanced up, seeing that smug bastard standing in his doorway.

Hermione followed his gaze up to Draco. "Yes, Ron. With him ," she said. "You wanted to know who I was seeing and now you do. Congratu-fucking-lations!"

"I didn't come here for that, Hermione! I-CAME-FOR-MY-BROOM!"

"Fine," she said, looking back at him and crossing her arms. "You came for your broom."

"Is this really it?" said Ron, laughing slightly through his hysteria. " This is the reason you've been distancing yourself from everyone. So you can fuck your daughter's bloody father-in-law."

Hermione went white. "How dare you -"

"How dare I, what? Speak the truth?" he asked.

"I've distanced myself from you , Ron! No one else! I'm tired of always coming second to you, and being underappreciated, and feeling like I'm a bloody failure to you because I couldn't give you the family you wanted! And I want a divorce! I want a fucking DIVORCE!"

Hermione's body was shaking now, her fists clenched as she stared at him with flaming eyes. Her chest was heaving, she was so angry. But then she caught sight of his stunned expression, his sad eyes, and his tears. His tears were the worst. She softened her stance.

"Is this because of him?" asked Ron, sniffling as he used his head to motion towards Draco. Still standing there. Watching them like he was her bloody protector or something.

Hermione sighed. "No," she said, the word feeling heavy on her lips. "I've wanted this since we first separated. My heart … it's just not in this anymore." She gazed into his wet eyes and gulped. "I'm sorry."

Ron's face distorted as he cried out in pain, breaking their eye contact and staring towards the ground. He turned away from her, walking a few steps before mounting his broom and flying into the night.

"Ron!" Hermione called, but it was no use. He was never going to turn around.

She wrapped her arms around herself and stared after him, beginning to sob as she stood there, unsure of what to do. It was only a few seconds before she felt a pair of arms wrap around her.

Hermione looked up at Draco, bursting into a new set of tears as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Arms still wrapped around her, Draco guided her inside, eventually having to pick her up when her legs gave out.

This was not how she wanted to end things. Not like this. This day had started out so special. And the only person she could blame for its demise was herself.

Hermione arrived at work on Monday morning a little early, her body moving robotically through her daily routine to get her here. Since her encounter with Ron she had not been functioning well. As much as she had wanted it to be over, the way they did it was all wrong. So many cruel things had been said, things that could not easily be taken back, and all within a matter of minutes.

Hermione walked into her office and around her desk, her heart jumping a little when she noticed someone was sitting in a chair on the wall of her office by the door. Ron was leaning forward on his knees, his eyes cast towards the floor.

"Was I really such a terrible husband?" he asked.

Hermione sighed and put her things down. "No, of course not."

"But I made you feel underappreciated."

"Towards the end … yes," she admitted.

"I never wanted you to feel like a failure," said Ron, finally looking up at her. "I didn't need any more children. I felt like a failure. Because you almost died giving birth to Hugo. To make me happy. It was never you."

Hermione looked at him, his eyes pink and swollen from a weekend of crying. And wet. Still wet.

Ron stood and walked towards her. "I love you, Hermione. I always will," he said. "Which is why I am going to give you what you want." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a wad of parchment and unrolling it in front of her.

The divorce papers.

And they were opened to the page where she could see his messy, chicken scratch signature, just below hers. Hermione gasped, reaching up and covering her mouth.

"So there you go. It's done."

Ron wiped his eyes and headed for the door, looking back at her one last time before opening it and leaving.

Hermione sank down in her chair, her eyes never leaving those papers. It really was done. She had often wondered how she would feel in this moment, but what she felt now … it didn't seem right. With this signature she had not only lost a husband, but also her best friend. Things would never be the same. Her life would never be the same.

Her body numb, Hermione could not look away. She finally knew. The real reason she had not been pushing for this divorce as hard as she should have. It was because she was afraid to let it all go. To let him go. But she had to. It was time, and she was ready. For the next chapter. But then why did she feel so empty?