Things Fall Apart, But Then You Build Again

Chapter 18: Divorces

Harry was a bit sad to leave Rome on Sunday morning, but was also glad to see his kids again. He had sent them an owl with some of the pictures, also talked through the Floo, but it just wasn’t the same. Therefore, when he was bombarded by three bodies upon entering the Manor, he was beyond happy.

They all settled down in one of the parlors. The older Malfoys and Hermione joined them, and the house-elves brought refreshments. It turned into quite the little party as with Draco’s help, Harry told them almost everything about the trip. He did leave out the kissing parts.

"Didn't you visit Wizard sites?" asked Hermione.

"Do you think we wanted to be discovered so desperately?" Draco retorted a bit sarcastically.

"I see your point." Hermione blushed at missing the obvious.

"Next time." Harry grinned.

"Though don't expect a lot," the blond explained. "Because of their distaste for the Vatican, and the restrictive Roman wizarding government, most Italian wizards just have a house there, and not actually live there. Their version of wizarding Rome is tiny."

"You didn't say anything about restrictions," Harry said, hoping he hadn't broken any laws.

"That's because you hardly use any magic as it is. There are rules like no Apparition, no Legilimency, no appearance altering magics.  Also, Rome is so ancient, the site has natural magic dampeners. Though some say it may be a curse. Anyway, spells seem to falter or just not work in most areas of the city.  House-elves are forbidden, but they refuse to stay long anyway. They are hurt by the dampeners."

"I’ve never heard of this," noted Hermione.

"Oh, it's sort of common knowledge. There had been some studies on it centuries ago, but no one bothers with it anymore. You probably want to read up on it now. I'll point you to the relevant volumes in the library."

"Thank you!" Hermione's eyes lit up at the thought of research.

When Harry was done with the rest of the story of their stay, had passed the printed out pictures around, he took a deep breath, and plunged ahead with telling them what he had decided.

“Everyone, I’m getting divorced,” he announced.

The children looked at him quizzically.

“The same as Aunt Hermione,” he tried to explain.

“Why?” James asked.

“Your mother and I haven’t been getting along as we should. She had been going away a lot, and it just doesn’t feel like we’re really married anymore.” Harry tried to explain without including what he had seen in Thailand.

“Can’t she like, I don’t know, stay more?” James was clearly getting more upset.

“James, Dad’s with Draco now,” Al spoke up, rolling his eyes at his brother.

Everyone looked at the boy in astonishment, who looked back at them with a raised eyebrow.

“I guess it was obvious just to me then,” the boy said.

“Naw, I knew it too,” Scorpius said, giggling, and the boys shared a smile.

Harry frowned at them, but shook his head. He was probably just seeing things.

“Is this true then?” James demanded, his tone accusatory.

“Yes.” Harry could only admit it.

“So that is why you’re divorcing Mum?” He stood up, and glared at his father.

“No, James. It’s not because of Draco. It’s because it doesn’t work anymore. If it did, then I wouldn’t have looked Draco’s way." Harry wanted the boy to see his reasons. "Please understand, I’m not that kind of a man. I’ve been faithful to your mother for all these years, but I realised that even when she’s here, it’s like being with a stranger. We don’t make each other happy. Therefore, I’ve decided to get a divorce. That I found my happiness with Draco is not connected. Maybe, the two are connected just in that when I closed that chapter of my life, I realised that there was a new chapter waiting for me.” Harry smiled at the blond. “I will never stop loving the three of you. I also want us all to be happy here. I think you have been this past week, and I would like to continue this way.”