Chapter 1
Hermione waved as her two children walked down the garden path and hopped into the car. She shook her head, wondering how she was going to pass the time without them in the house. She loved them fiercely, like no one else she had ever loved before and hadn’t ever been apart from them.
Logically, Hermione knew that, given that they the twins had just turned 11, that they would be going to Hogwarts in a few short months, but it hurt her all the same that this arrangement had come so soon.
Hermione stood on the front step of her 4 bedroom, 2 story home long after the car that her children rode in, had left the small cul de sac. Life had changed significantly for Hermione in recent months. She strolled over to the swinging seat that hung in all of its cliché glory at the end of the large verandah and sat, letting the toes of her slip-on shoes drag clumsily along the wooden decking. She had been accused of “Americanizing” the house that she had bought, but Hermione didn’t mind. She loved her house. And one thing she loved the most was that the house was devoid of the memories of the last 18 months.
Hermione had been the pillar of strength and maturity during the demise of her marriage to Ron. In the beginning, their relationship was a whirlwind, filled with highs and lows, travel, accomplishments and remarkable events. They got married when they felt like they needed something more and when they felt like they needed something more again, they started a family.
Ron had been adamant about having a large family, just like his own. Hermione would have been happy to have 3, perhaps 4 children, but fate knew that things would be different. Hermione’s pregnancy was horrendous. She was admitted to a muggle hospital early on and placed on bed rest for the last half of her pregnancy. The couple were terrified but elated to discover early on that they were having triplets. They had the support of the whole Weasley family, Harry, Ginny and their family included, and before long, the due date had arrived. The birth resulted in tragedy, with one of the babies not surviving the traumatic birth. Hermione always felt that Ron blamed her, as Hermione opted for a muggle birth and it was her body that let her down when it came time to have the babies.
In fact, there was no way that their son, Colin could have survived, as his tiny body had stopped developing towards the end of the pregnancy, going unnoticed till the birth.
Due to complications, Hermione had suffered extreme scarring and damage to her reproductive organs and it had meant that there was only a very slim chance of her ever conceiving another child. This prevented Ron from having the large family he had always dreamt of.
Hermione thought about this, as she had over the last 18 months and wondered if it was something that contributed to their marriage breakdown. Hermione had tried to find a way to blame herself for what happened but, the more she thought about it, the more she was confident that she had been the perfect wife. That, Hermione thought, might have been the factor which drove Ron into the arms of a 20 something blonde witch.
Hermione had caught Ron cheating on her, purely by chance. Ron had told Hermione that he was going to be travelling for work purposes. He often went away with George to investigate new locations for the joke shop, which they now jointly owned. This one weekend in particular, Ron had left the family home, kissed his wife and children goodbye and disapparated as usual. What Ron didn’t realise, was that George was intending on making a visit to their home to celebrate the news of his and Angelina’s 2nd pregnancy. Upon seeing George on their doorstep and seeing his confused look when Hermione insisted he had gone away for work, Hermione did some investigating and discovered that Ron had used his muggle credit card to pay for a hotel room, which Hermione quickly flooed to. Bursting in on Ron with his hands on another woman, their clothes on the floor and her moaning his name should have made Hermione call it quits on the spot. She almost did, but thinking of her children and hearing Ron’s pleas and cries for her to forgive him, she agreed to make it work.
They arranged for couples counselling and group therapy, and for a while, it appeared to be working. Ron became more affectionate towards Hermione and more engaging in the family dynamics. It was short lived, however, as not 12 months later, Ron was spotted with the blonde witch when he was supposed to be at work, and Hermione swiftly called it quits.
Hermione was known to be a kind forgiving woman, but she lived by the saying ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’. Ron had certainly made a fool of Hermione many many times and she would not allow it to happen once more.
The 6 months that followed saw Ron spiral into a deep depression. He was hospitalized for self-harm and attempts to end his life, but with weeks of psychotherapy and a combination of wizarding and muggle methods to assist his deep seeded self-hatred, he was able to become a functioning adult again. Hermione knew that she would always love him. He would first and foremost be the best friend she had for 7 years before they were linked romantically, and he would always be the father of her children. Despite how much he had made a fool of her, embarrassed her, made her the topic of wizarding conversation everywhere, Hermione made a conscious effort to be on friendly terms with Ron, for the sake of their children.
Now that Ron had maintained a stable life for a few weeks and found himself a decent place to live, Hermione had agreed to let the children spend each second weekend with him. Hermione had no reason to doubt Ron’s ability to care for their children, afterall, it was 2 nights a fortnight. She just hoped that he didn’t bring his blonde witch over while they were there. That would kill them.
So Hermione entered her home and stood in the middle of the living room of the house she bought after the divorce settlement. Everything was new. She didn’t keep anything. All the furniture, the house, even the towels and blankets reminded her of a life that was a lie.
What Ron didn’t want, she gave to a charity that helped the homeless. It cost her every cent of the settlement she had received from the divorce, but she was secure in what she had. The house was a beautiful 4 bedroom house on a large block of land. It was clutter free but still homely. The children both had a room of their own and there was a room spare for guests. Downstairs, the family room had been transformed into Hermione’s library, something she had always wanted. Ron had never agreed to have a library in their marrital house, and now that Hermione was free to make all the choices for her own life, she lined the walls of the unused family room with shelves, placed a desk in the middle and a comfy arm chair to one side.
As she sat down on the most comfortable sofa she could afford, she closed her eyes and absorbed the silence. It was eerie. She contemplated calling Rose and asking if they were ok, but she knew that would make her seem obsessive.
She looked at her phone, one of the modern muggle contraptions that Rose and Hugo insisted they have so friends could have play dates, and pressed the button for her contacts. Scrolling through, she passed a work colleague, an old Hogwarts friend and stopped at Ginny. Surely Ginny would be tied up with their three children, James, Albus and Lily, but she sent a quick text anyway, and continued scrolling through the list. Before she could reach Luna, Ginny had sent a message back in response.
G – Harry is watching the children, we’re going out.
H – What are you thinking? Dinner?
G – No way. Cocktails!
H – We are too old for a night on the town Gin.
G – speak for yourself. Be ready at 7.
Hermione giggled to herself at Ginny’s last message. She was always so bossy. Hermione was glad when Ginny didn’t disown Hermione, following the divorce. She would be well within her right to, but Ginevra Potter was a woman with amazing morals and kindness that showed no bounds.
Hermione took time getting herself ready that evening. She hadn’t been out in such a long time. In fact, Hermione struggled to remember the last time she went out for a night on the town. She took her curls and styled them into long waves and applied some make up that, ordinarily may have been over the top, but for a night out, it was just what she needed. Ginny apparated to Hermione’s house at 6:30 with a large bag in tow. Ginny was one of the very few people who was able to apparate directly into the house. Not even Harry could breach the charms that Hermione had expertly set up. Ginny’s and Hermione’s DNA were linked with the spell, which is why she could pass through the wards.
“Hey sis, I knew you would have all your boring clothes out for the night, so I’ve bought you some slutty dresses… here” she said, entering Hermione’s bedroom.
Ginny threw the bag down on Hermione’s king size 4 poster bed. The contents spilled out and Hermione immediately recognised some of Ginny’s dresses from the days when she would go out with the Holyhead Harpies for group events. Ginny was ranked number 3 quidditch player in the world, however had been on hiatus for several years to have a family. The life of a quidditch star, who happened to be married to the most famous wizard of all time, was all glitz and glamor and Ginny had the dresses to prove it.
Hermione looked through the assortment of clothing items and picked out what she thought to be a suitable outfit for the night. It was modest and covered her bust and her legs.
Ginny shook her head but went along with her choice.
“Its fine. Not something I would wear to find a rebound guy after ending a 15-year relationship, but it’ll do. Your fantastic makeup well and truly makes up for it” Ginny said, leaving the room so Hermione could get dressed.
“I’m not looking for a rebound” Hermione called through the door.
Ginny simply laughed from the stairs.
Looking at the dress she had picked out and considering Ginny’s comment, Hermione tossed it aside and chose a different dress for the evening. It wasn’t that she was in agreement with Ginny. She definitely was not in the market for a rebound guy, but she also wanted to feel good about herself as well. She was absolutely not in her 20s anymore, even though she had the body of a 20-year-old, thanks to 12 months working out her anger at the gym.
Hermione slipped into a tight blue dress and stepped into the heels which were almost too high and headed downstairs.
“Woah girl, you look amazing. That dress... Merlin” Ginny said as Hermione entered the room.
“I can change. I feel ridiculous” Hermione said.
“Don’t. You. Dare!” Ginny commanded, before pouring 4 shots of a steaming alcoholic liquid.
“I’m not drinking that. What is it?” Hermione questioned.
“Just something George gave me. It will loosen you up a bit”
“I’m not wound up”
“Not saying you are” Ginny smirked, as she handed Hermione a glass and chinked it with her own. “Cheers” she added.
“To being unwound” Hermione said, as she drank the shot in one. It was surprisingly delicious. Only a slight burn but it was sweet and had a flavour that Hermione couldn’t place.
“Strawberry” Ginny said.
“Really?”
“Yeah, A concoction of Georges. He is thinking of branching off into liquor. So far so good yes?” Ginny said as the girls chinked a second glass with each other.
“I can’t believe I’m actually drinking something George made in his garage” Hermione said, as she downed the second drink.
“What would 6th year Hermione say?” Ginny laughed.
“Something incredibly horrid and obnoxious, probably” she said, feeling a warm buzz descend throughout her body.
“Well, its now seven thirty, shall we go then?” Ginny asked.
“Definitely” Hermione said, smoothing her dress in the hall mirror and adjusting her cleavage.
“Girl, you’re so lucky to have those” Ginny said.
“What? Boobs?” she asked with a laugh.
“Yes! Harry won’t let me have mine done. He says they ‘fine the way they are’” She said, mocking Harry’s voice.
“Well, they are. But why should it matter what Harry thinks? That’s probably the only thing I did without Ron’s approval while we were together. I breastfed those twins for 2 years, I was damn well going to get decent boobs afterwards” Hermione said.
The two women laughed as they held hands and disapparated.
When she stopped spinning, Hermione looked around and realised they had arrived out the front of a wizarding night club.
“Really?” is all she could say, as Ginny dragged her to the front of the queue.
“You two know you have to get in line, don’t cha’s?” said a big burly wizard at the doors.
“We know that, but you need to check the list, I’m certain we’re on it” Ginny said, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder.
“You got wands?” he asked.
Hermione and Ginny tapped their wands on the parchment that the security guard held, and their names and ages displayed immediately.
“Right, well, Mrs Potter is it? You ain’t on our list” he said.
“I’m absolutely certain you’ll find that we are. If we have to call the owner, you’ll find yourself in a lot of trouble” she said.
At this point, the patrons in the line began getting annoyed. They were shouting about Hermione and Ginny cutting in, angry about waiting, annoyed at this sudden interruption to their process.
The security guard tapped a small box on the side of the doorway and instantly, a face appeared. Hermione recognised him immediately and grinned to herself. How could she have forgotten?
“Bevil! Let them in, will you? They are special guests. And show them to the VIP lounge” came the voice of Neville Longbottom.
Neville had ventured into clubs some time ago in the muggle community and had now opened the first ever wizarding night club, complete with electricity that was not disturbed by the patron’s magic. It was a first and quite frankly, something that Hermione assumed should have been a thing years ago.
The club was incredible. It was quite dark but lit enough so you could see where you were going. The walls were dark and affixed with art that suited the venue. There were framed and autographed photos all around the walls and in them, the subjects waved as the women walked past.
There were tables and chairs placed sporadically and an area ahead with comfortable lounges and velvet rope, partitioning it off. Hermione and Ginny were led to this section and given a complimentary bottle of the club’s finest mead as an apology.
The women poured themselves a glass and settled in for a fantastic night.
Hermione was tapping her foot to the House music, as she sipped her drink. She watched people flood in from the street and take up their space within the club. There were a few people she recognised and many she didn’t. She thought at some point that she had seen Ron’s blonde whore, but it wasn’t so. She wouldn’t let that put a dampener on this night, and quickly shook herself out of those thoughts.
Before long, the venue was packed to capacity and Hermione and Ginny’s bottle of mead was almost empty. Hermione felt an incredible buzz throughout her body which was a clear sign to her that she was well on her way to being drunk.
When the music really kicked it up a notice, Ginny took Hermione onto the dance floor and, despite initial self-conscious fears, Hermione began to move. Really move, as though it were a release. As her body moved, swayed, shook and bounced to the music, she found her mind free of worry, free of concern and fear.
This was her moment. This was Hermione’s chance to completely be herself. When the song ended the women returned to their table and found their bottle to be full once again.
“Refilling bottles. Clever” Hermione called to Ginny over the sound of a new song.
“Water?” Ginny asked.
“Definitely” Hermione answered.
After downing a glass of water each, the women returned to the dancefloor, owning it as their own, dancing Hermione’s cares away. The more she drank the less inhibited she was. As the women moved around the dance floor, Hermione found herself being led by different men. She didn’t mind, as the men were all chivalrous. She found herself backing into a tall man, whose face she couldn’t see. He had his back to her, but soon turned and placed his hands on her hips as she swayed. She still had not seen his face, nor did she care to. At this moment, each person on the dancefloor was a nameless, faceless entity. She danced with this unknown man for almost 2 songs before a drunk Ginny dragged her away.
“Do you know who you’re dancing with?” Ginny asked, laughing out loud as they reached their VIP area.
“No. Nor do I care to” Hermione replied, with a grin. “I’m enjoying myself”.
“So… You don’t want me to tell you that you were dancing with M…”
“No, I don’t. Now I think I ought to get you home before Harry kicks my ass” Hermione said. “Its 2 in the morning”.
Ginny smiled as Hermione led her towards the disapparation point of the club. She had had loads of fun and could see herself coming back again and perhaps staying until the sun came up, but for now, this was enough. As they reached the departure point and waited in line, Hermione turned looked into the crowd of people still on the dancefloor. Ginny was still giggling away, as if she knew something Hermione didn’t.
“What?” Hermione asked with a grin.
“You don’t want to know so I’m not telling you” Ginny responded.
“Well, clearly I do”
“uhh, fine. Look over at the crowd” Ginny said, as they approached the front of the line. “Who do you see?”
Hermione focused her blurry vision and scanned the crowd, looking for a hint of whatever Ginny might be carrying on about. She saw some very handsome men and was quite pleased with herself that she had managed to dance with at least some of them.
“You’ll get it, I’m sure” Ginny teased.
“I seriously don’t see what you’re talking about Ginny”
“Look over at the bar. Just a little to the left… there… see?” Ginny said as the women stood on the disapparation point.
At that moment, holding onto Ginny, ready to disapparate, Hermione’s eyes fell on the person she was sure Ginny was talking about. Just as Ginny turned on the spot, Hermione locked eyes with the man she had once known and loathed and as she was pulled into the spin of disapparation, she saw him raise a glass to her.
Stumbling into her own living room, Hermione was seething with confusion.
“What… Why? I mean… What?” she was lost for words. A first.
“I tried to tell you” Ginny giggled.
“Merlin Ginny, you’re giggling like a schoolgirl” Hermione said with half a smile.
“I know, because its so funny. Who would have thought… Hermione Granger, divorced mum of two dancing with none other than...”
“Draco Malfoy” Hermione said, kicking her shoes off with a sigh.