Chapter Three: Already Gone
Disclaimer: I don't own anything aside from the plot. Characters are created by the brilliant J.K Rowling. Harry Potter A/U Fanfiction. Enjoy! :)
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Hermione apparated outside her house with a loud crack. She briskly walked towards her door, but halted her steps when she felt her wards shift. She closed her eyes for a couple of seconds before she let out a relieved breath, "I know you're there Harry," she said.
Harry stepped out into plain view and smiled, "How did you know it was me?" he asked.
Hermione threw him an incredulous look, "Wards, I have plenty of them."
"You left the hospital without waiting for us, we've been looking all over for you," Harry said.
"You were there?" Hermione asked as she scratched the back of her neck, one of her nervous gestures.
Harry folded his arms on top of his chest, "Of course I was there. Ginny sent me a patronus after she took you to St. Mungos."
"Oh Merlin! Ginny! I forgot about her!" she stammered.
"You forgot about her alright," Harry drawled. "You almost scared her to death when you keeled over, the poor woman was in hysterics."
Hermione lowered her gaze, "I - I was just feeling under the weather Harry, if you see Gin, please tell her not to worry about me," she said.
Harry studied her sullen face and sighed, "What really happened Mione? We just had lunch and you were fine, so please, don't lie to me."
Hermione felt her tearducts heating up again, so she opted to turn around and walked towards the door to hide her face. "Do you want to come in?" she asked as she unlocked the door.
"Yes, we need to talk."
Hermione entered her house and made bee line towards the couch. She flicked her wand again to turn the lights on before she sat down unceremoniously, "Please sit down," she said.
Harry followed and slumped beside her.
Hermione leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
Harry waited for Hermione to speak, but was only met with silence. He turned his head towards her and saw that her eyes were closed. He let out an audible and sat straight, he was about to stand up to leave when he heard her mumble. "Did you say something?"
"He's having an affair," Hermione blurted out, her eyes still shut.
Harry's body stiffened.
Hermione opened her eyes and let her face fall to the side to stare at Harry, "I came to your office this afternoon to surprise him, but I guess I was the one who got a surprise," she said bitterly.
Harry's demeanor instantly changed, his anger more palpable in the air. "Did you see them?" he asked.
Hermione averted her teary gaze, "No, but I heard him talking with her."
"What exactly did you hear?" Harry asked with clenched fists.
Tears started falling down Hermione's cheeks, humiliation and anger swirling inside her chest. "He - he went to see her the night he told me that he had to go back to your office," she choked out. She then wiped her cheeks angrily and stood up from her perch, "They've been at it for Merlin knows how long and I'm so stupid not to see it. He made a fool out of me Harry - for the second time!" she said hysterically while pacing back and forth.
"You're not stupid, Ron is just---"
"NO!" Hermione shouted, cutting him off. "You don't get to defend him Harry! He cheated on me for the second time! For the second fucking time!"
Harry shot up from his seat and grabbed Hermione's arm, "No Mione, I'm not siding with him. I've already made that mistake once and I won't do it again. That son of a bitch doesn't deserve you and I swear to Merlin, he won't get off that easily."
Hermione hung her head as gut wrenching sobs shook her form.
Harry pulled his best friend to his chest and wrapped his arms around her, "I'm here..."
Hermione buried her face into the crook of his neck and cried harder. She moved her hands around his waist and clutched his shirt tightly.
"Ssshhhh....I'm here," Harry said, trying his best to comfort the distraught woman in his arms.
After a couple of minutes of relentless crying, Hermione started to calm down. "I'm sorry Harry. I didn't mean to lash out on you like that," she croaked as she pulled a fraction.
Harry lifted his hand and started drying her tears, "You don't have anything to be sorry for. That git doesn't deserve your tears, so please stop crying - it hurts me seeing you this way," he pleaded.
"I know Harry," Hermione mumbled. She then moved back to the couch and sat down, "I went to his house just before I came home," she paused and cracked a small vindictive smile. "I left him a remembrance that he'll never forget."
Harry sat back down, "What do you mean?" he asked with a curious look.
"Let's just say that he won't be using his car for a couple of months."
Harry's mouth turned agape, his eyes wide as saucers.
Hermione can't help but chuckle at his dumbfounded reaction, "Close your mouth Harry, it's not charming."
"What did you do?" Harry asked.
Hermione flicked her wand to summon the tea she brewed before she completed the deed. She leaned forward and began fixing them a drink, "Do you want some whiskey in your tea?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you," Harry replied, still eyeing her curiously.
"Accio Fire Whiskey!" she called out and waited for the bottle to zoom towards her open hand. She then uncapped it and started dousing their drink with liberal amounts of alcohol. She placed the tea cup on a saucer before handing it to Harry, "Here."
"Thanks," Harry said before taking a small sip. After a few beats, he scrunched his nose and turned his face towards Hermione, "Is this tea with whiskey or whiskey with tea?" he asked with a grimace.
Hermione ignored his statement, "It's good," she replied before taking a huge gulp.
Harry shook his head and placed his drink back on the table, "So, what did you do?" he asked again.
"I love fire whiskey, it relaxes my nerves."
"Hermione, stop stalling and just tell me," Harry whined.
Hermione rolled her eyes and placed her cup on the table. She then leaned back and crossed her arms on top of her chest, "Ishatteredhiscarswindshieldwithacrowbar," she mumbled incoherently.
Harry furrowed his brows, obviosly not understanding what she just said, "Can you repeat that?"
"I shattered the windshield with a crowbar," Hermione repeated with a petulant voice.
Harry blinked a few times, his mouth opening and closing like a puffer fish.
"I also scratched my initials on the hood and glued my cheap engagement ring on top of it."
Harry stared at her for a couple of seconds before bursting into fits of laughter.
Hermione bit her bottom lip to hide her smile, "What? He deserved it."
Tears started forming on Harry's eyes as he doubled over in laughter. He took his glasses off and wiped at his eyes, "Oh dear," breathed out between heavy pants.
Harry! Stop laughing," Hermione whined as she nudged her best friend's shoulder.
"That was - that's bloody brilliant Hermione!"
"I know, right?" she replied as she took another sip of her tea.
Harry perched his glasses on top of his nose, his eyes shining with pride, "You're BRILLIANT, Hermione Granger, hands-up," he said. He then grabbed his own tea and took a large sip, "You're right, this tastes lovely," he said gingerly.
"
Told you," Hermione replied. "Do you think he already saw it?"
"I doubt it, because if he did, I'm sure he'll be banging at your door by now."
"You're right," Hermione nodded. Her face then turned sour when she thought about what he might be doing at the moment, "I bet he's still with that slag that he took to The Savoy last week," she said bitterly.
"What do you mean he took to The Savoy?" Harry asked, all traces of humor now gone.
"That arsehole think he's sneaky but he's not as smart as he'd like to think. I found a receipt of his indiscretion inside his glove compartment," Hermione spat.
Harry fisted his hands, his face unreadable, "I think it's time that I pay that arsehole a visit," he said as he shot up from his seat.
Hermione's eyes widen in shock as her hand made a desperate grab for his arm, "Harry---"
"No! I will not keep quiet Hermione! He's an arse and he deserves to know it!" Harry hissed as he yanked his arm from her grasp.
Hermione let her hand drop and braced her elbows on top of her knees, "I just don't want to complicate things between you and him. This is our issue Harry and as much as it pains me, you cannot hate him in behalf of me. He's still your best friend."
"He lost that title the moment he opened his fly for another woman," Harry said coldly.
"Oh Harry, don't say that."
"It's my decision, I'll be friends with whomever I want to be friends with and he's not on my list any longer."
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by a loud crack coming from her doorstep. She felt her heart drop to her stomach, her eyes wide with panic.
"I guess I don't have to look for the arsehole, he found me," Harry said darkly.
Knock...Knock...Knock
"Hermione love, are you in there?"
"Love? He has the audacity to call you, love? I'm going to wring his fucking freckled neck!" Harry said snidely. He then side stepped the coffee table and stomped his way towards the door.
Knock...Knock...Knock
Hermione sprung into action upon seeing the murderous look on Harry's face. She ran towards her best friend and grabbed his arm, "Harry, please don't do this. Let me deal with it first - you can talk to him later, please?" she pleaded.
Harry stopped in his tracks, his chest heaving with repressed fury. "You don't have to deal with him, he can talk with my fist."
Hermione shook her head adamantly, "No, I'll talk to him first - you deal with him later. I'll be alright, I can handle him."
Harry looked like he won't give into her pleas, but he did. "Make sure he gets it. Don't fall for his stupid excuses again Mione, please use your head this time."
"I won't, I promise - I'll owl you later," Hermione promised.
Harry pulled her into a tight hug, "Owl me, send me a patronus - hell, go to my house after. I don't want you to be alone after you talk to him," he whispered.
Hermione nodded, "I'll do that."
Harry let his arms drop to his side and hurriedly spun on his heels. He marched towards the fire place and scooped a heaping amount of floo from the mantel.
He turned his face towards her, "Are you sure you will be okay?" he asked.
"I'll be alright Harry, go. Please say Hi to Torry and kiss Candice for me?"
Harry threw the powder on the grate and nodded stiffly; "I'll see you then," he said before disappearing into the green flames.
"HERMIONE!!!"
Hermione closed her eyes tightly and began rolling her shoulders, "You can do this, you can't cry in front of that bastard, he's not worth the tears," she said to herself.
"I heard the floo! Come on, open this door!"
Hermione's eyes snapped open with irritation, "I'm here! Can you bloody wait!" she shouted. She then stomped towards the door and yanked it open, "What the hell is wrong with you that you can't fucking wait?" she snapped.
Ron looked shocked at her words, "I - I was worried."
Hermione glared and folded her arms on top of her chest, "What do you want Ronald?" she asked tersely.
"Aren't you letting me in?"
"Why should I?"
Ron furrowed his brows, "Are you alright?" he asked as he tried placing it on top of her forehead.
Hermione slapped his hand away, "Don't you dare touch me with your dirty hands," she sneered.
"What the hell is wrong you?" Ron demanded, his face turning a tad red.
Hermione ignored his question, "How long?" she asked coldly.
"What do you mean how long?"
Hermione threw her head back as she let out a bitter laugh, "Come on, Weasley. Are you that dumb? Do you want me to spell it out for you?" she asked snidely.
Ron leaned forward and grabbed her arms, "What is wrong with you? I don't know what you're saying!"
Hermione forcefully shrugged his hands off her and took a step back, "I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH ME WITH YOUR FILTHY HANDS!" she yelled.
Ron was taken aback with her anger, his eyes wide with shock.
Tears ran down Hermione's cheeks as she clenched her fists at her side, "Did you think that I won't find out that your fucking someone else? Do you think I'm that stupid?"
Blood drained from Ron's face as he struggled with his words,"Hermione...love" he started lamely.
Hermione snatched her wand from her back pocket and pointed it directly at Ron's chest, "Don't call me love, I HATE YOU! I never want to see your face near me nor my house ever again! You are a bastard and meeting you is the most unfortunate day of my life!" she screamed, her voice filled with anger.
"Hermione --- let me explain, please," Ron begged.
"THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO EXPLAIN! YOU DON'T GET TO HAVE THAT PRIVELEGE AFTER YOU CHEATED ON ME TWICE!"
Ron felt his knees wobble so he grabbed the nearest chair for support.
"WHAT? YOU DIDN'T EXPECT ME TO FIND OUT?" Hermione said harshly.
Ron sat down and braced his elbows on his knees. He hung his head and kept his mouth shut, clearly out of words.
Hermione eyed his slumped form as her heart struggled with so much pain. She took a deep calming breath and wiped her cheeks, "Just tell me one thing," she said.
Ron met her gaze before he let out a reluctant nod.
Hermione hugged herself tightly, "Was I not good enough for you?" she asked.
Ron clenched his fists, "You were always enough for me Hermione, I was just stupid," he admitted with misty eyes.
Hermione nodded and moved her eyes towards the starless night sky, "I guess --- I guess it never would have worked out right if we stayed together, yes? Perhaps, we we're always meant to say goodbye," she mumbled sadly.
"What --- what are you saying?" Ron asked, his heart beating furiously inside his chest.
Hermione turned his gaze back to Ron, "I can't do this anymore, you can be with whomever you want to be with."
"Please don't do this...We can still fix this...Please Hermione..." Ron pleaded.
"No," Hermione replied.
Ron fell down on his knees and bowed his head in complete supplication, "Please love, don't do this...I LOVE YOU...I LOVE YOU SO MUCH...I'm so stupid, all of them don't mean anything to me. You are the one I want, please Mione," he said desperately.
Hermione shook her head, "You should go home," she replied. She then moved towards her door and stepped inside, "Go home Ron, there's nothing left for you here," she said with finality before closing the door shut.
Ron shot up from his perch and started banging on the door, "OPEN THIS DOOR HERMIONE AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS, PLEASE!"
Hermione let out a sob as she braced her back on the door. Shakily, she whispered Silencio before she moved away from her perch. She walked towards the couch and sat down. She grabbed the fire whiskey from the table and took a large gulp, hoping against all hope that alcohol would numb the piercing pain inside her chest.
Ron heard her mutter the silencing spell so he let his hands fall to his side. He felt his whole world crumble at his feet as realization started sinking in. He hit his head on the door repeatedly and only stopped when he felt dizzy. He staggered a bit but he was able to find his bearing. He took his wand out of his robe pocket and disapparated on the spot.
oOo
"Hey guys!" Draco greeted jovially.
Theo, Gregory and Blaise's head all snapped out towards the cheery voice, "Hey," they chorused together.
Draco sat down, "What are you guys looking at?" he asked curiously when he noticed that their eyes are locked on something.
Blaise took a swig of his beer, "You'll never guess what Theo saw this afternoon," he replied with an amused smirk.
Draco grabbed himself a beer and leaned back on his seat, "What did you see Theo?" he asked.
Theo grabbed his phone from Gregory's meaty hand and offered it to Draco, "Take a look," he said.
Draco accepted the phone and stared at picture,"That's nasty! Whose car is that?" he asked with a wince.
"You'll never guess," Gregory replied with a snicker.
Draco rolled his eyes, "That's the purpose of me asking mate."
Blaise laughed loudly.
Gregory shrugged his shoulders, his face red with embarrassment.
"So? Who murdered the car? And whose car is it?" Draco asked.
"It's the Weasel's car and the murderer would be his fiancé," Theo replied.
"It's ex-fiancé mate, she left his cheap engagement ring on top of the hood," Blaise pipped in. "Granger is HOT!" he added.
Draco's mouth turned agape, his eyes wide with shock.
"Close your mouth Drake, it doesn't look good on you," Gregory said.
Draco shook his head to clear his thoughts, "Err, so you mean to say, Granger murdered Weasley's car? When was this?" he asked.
Theo started playing with his beer bottle, "It was just today, around noon, I think."
Draco leaned back on his seat, "Oh, really? It's curious because Granger was just my patient this afternoon, she recovers fast," he said absentmindedly.
"What did you expect? She's a mud---"
Draco glared at Gregory, "Don't you dare finish that sentence, I don't want to hear that word," he snapped.
Gregory raised his hand in defeat, "I'm sorry man, bad habbit," he said sheepishly.
Theo pinned Gregory with a warning look before moving his eyes back to Draco, "Granger was in the hospital?" he asked.
"Yes, she was. Based from the nurse who tended to her before they paged me, she collapsed in the middle of the Ministry," Draco replied. He then took another sip of his drink, "Let's talk about something else, shall we? How's Daphne?" he asked while eyeing Blaise.
Blaise smiled, "She's fine, she's always around kids lately. Torry, brought Candice this morning and Daphne is overjoyed because she gets to play dress up with her," he replied fondly.
"Why don't you give her a daughter mate, I'm sure Daph is dying to have a daughter," Theo pipped in.
"We're planning to, but knowing Daphne, she thinks she'll never get her figure back," Blaise rolled his eyes.
"Women," The men chorused.
oOo
Ron was still in a daze when he got home, so when he walked past his car, he didn't really see wreckage. He was about to head towards his door, when he stepped on something that crunched under his weight. He lifted his boot to check what it was. He blinked a few times, trying to make sense what he's looking at. After a few seconds, his head snapped towards his car, "What the fuck?" he gasped, obviously mortified with the destruction standing right in front of him. He found himself moving towards his mangled car, his whole body shaking with shock. Slowly, he ran his fingers along the jagged initial engraved on the once shiny hood. He felt his knees buckle when his eyes caught the familiar sight of her engagement ring stuck on top of the paper. Tears sprung from his eyes so he slumped down the hood, he hung his head in shame and guilt as loud gut wrenching sobs started rumbling from the back of his throat. "What have I done?"
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