What She's Been Missing

Hermione's day had been utter shite, everything had seemed to go wrong at work today. She had spent the entire day anxiously waiting until she could go home and let her worries melt away in a relaxing bath.

When she Flooed into her flat a faint noise had her immediately on edge, her wand instinctually raised in defence. Hermione moved stealthily towards the noise, her ears perked to try and pick up on the threat. As she got closer to her and Ron's bedroom, rage had overtaken her body. Gone was the cautious witch with a plan, and her place was a witch ready for destruction.

Her hand was trembling as she pushed open the door, fear and fury driving her on.

The room was dark, but there was no mistaking the scene before her. Another witch was in their bed, her body moving above Ron's. The flaming red hair gave him away.

"Ron?" Hermione's voice came out strangled, brittle around the edges.

The couple stopped.

"Hermione?" If the hair didn't give him away, his voice did.

The witch on top of Ron had the audacity to remain seated on top of him, offering only a sly smirk over her shoulder.

The world fell away, replaced by an all consuming rage. Distantly Hermione felt herself stumble back. Ron was cheating on her. He was fucking some other witch in their bed.

"How dare you." Her words were scathing, dipped in the venom that was running through her veins.

The couple remained silent, adding insult to injury.

"Not only are you cheating on me, but you brought some– some slag into our bed. I cannot believe you!" Hermione shouted.

This spurred the other witch into action. Before Hermione could even comprehend what was happening, she felt the sharp sting of palm flash across her cheekbone.

A vicious cry flew from Hermione's throat as she raised her wand in retribution. Before she could fire off a hex, Ron's arms wrapped around her, dragging her away and knocking her wand out of her hand.

"What the fuck?" Hermione spat, blind with rage.

Ron backed away, moving until he was using his body as a barrier to protect the homewrecker behind him. His face was pinched, eyebrows pulled together. Hermione had seen this face on him a few times in their relationship. She knew that nothing good followed this look. Hysteria bubbled in Hermione's stomach and she miserably wondered how things could possibly get worse.

"Hermione, it's not her fault, it's yours! You work all the time. Always going to the Potter's and work events. I'm fucking tired of it. You leave me sitting here, alone. No wonder I am turning out more and more like Black. A godsdamned alcoholic, and it's your fault."

"You are making me cheat on you. We don't have good sex, I have to think of other girls to be able to come. That is your fault. You don't even try with your appearance. You don't wear makeup or heels. I don't even think I've seen you in a pretty dress in years. Let's face it, even your underwear is boring. You are boring. And suddenly here you are ready to fight a girl, that is the first real emotion I have seen from you."

Each accusation hit Hermione like a bludger. And it hurts. It hurts in a way that only words can.

The rage finally cracked, and out seeped the sadness that flows like black tar. Hermione did everything she could to not let it show, to not give Ron the satisfaction of her pain. So she offered only the fury.

"You want an emotion, Ronald? Go fuck yourself. This is my flat, get out, leave! Get out!"

"Fuck you too, Hermione. I never want anything to do with you ever again!" Ron's face was red and twisted with rage as spittle flew from his mouth. The sight was revolting and Hermione was overcome by the thought that she had never hated anyone more than Ron in this moment.