The Art of The Affair

17

He had really meant it when he'd said we weren't having sex.  He hadn't even kissed me, much to my chagrin.  But he'd draped his arms over my legs and we'd talked for a couple more hours.  It was nearly two in the morning when he'd dropped me off down the street.  He promised he would watch from a distance until I got inside.  I heard his bike drive past as I closed the door and locked it.

Ron hadn't gotten home until almost four.  I'd showered and climbed into bed, too wound up to sleep, and had heard him come in.  He'd gone straight for the shower as well, but I hadn't been awake when he'd finally climbed into bed.  

The following day, Ron asked if I'd caught any further activity on camera.  I reminded him that Jason had been off yesterday and that the pub had been closed the day before. 

"Right," he shook his head.  "Sometimes I forget what day it is."

"Maybe you shouldn't stay so late after close all the time," I said lightly.

"Not everybody can run a ship like you can, Hermione."

The truth was, he'd been doing this for a long time now.  I didn't want him to suddenly start wanting to be home more.  It wasn't that it was too late to make amends.  There was simply nothing to make amends for.  I just needed to figure out how to tell Ron that we'd grown apart, and that I didn't love him.  There would be no need to tell him the truth, that I'd never loved him that way.  I needed to do it very soon, so that I could be fair to him.  The thought of him finding out the wrong way wasn't an option.  

Ron Weasley was a shit husband but a good person, and I was at least going to end things as peacefully as possible.  As for our families and our friends, that would be a very different challenge.  But life was too short to live for other people.  I deserved to be happy, and Ron deserved to be with someone who wanted a large family as he did.

Before I left for work, and after a call to George, Ron decided he was ready to move forward with firing Jason.  I was flabbergasted, and upset.  I didn't want there to no longer be any reason for me to be there, but as it turned out, there had been nothing to worry about.  He'd asked if I would be willing to stick around for a while to help out, and I'd done my best to not show my relief.  I also asked who was going to fill Jason's shoes.

"I think it's a no-brainer.  I know how you feel about Malfoy but he really does know his stuff."

"You're right," I agreed casually.  "I've seen enough to know that he would do a good job."

"Wow."  He shot me a half-frown, half-smile.  "He's finally won you over?  Didn't see that coming."

"Surprised me too."

The biggest surprise was that he left me to tell Draco about the promotion.  I'd expected that Ron would want to do it, but he was too busy.  So when Malfoy arrived first, I was waiting with a big smile - one that had nothing to do with last night.  I did not expect the reaction the news evoked.

"I can't accept that," he states flatly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.  

"Why not?"

He shoots me an exasperated look and closes the office door.  Instead of blowing up at me like he used to, he softens his tone and grips my arms like he's about to explain something to a child.  

"Have you thought about what's going to happen when you ask for a divorce?  Eventually, people will find out about us, babe.  We can't shove a helmet over your head everywhere we go for the indefinite future."

Being called "babe" was like getting a shot of endorphins to the arm.  I smiled like a lovesick git and felt myself immediately disarm.  I was going to have to get better at not being so affected by his sweet weapons during battle.