I Am Serpent

Chapter 31

The next morning Hermione woke up tired and emotionally refreshed all at the same time. Even though she had a sore feeling of loss in her heart, it also felt like her heart was free and so much lighter. She dressed quickly in some black trousers and a long fitted grey sweater and went to the kitchen for breakfast.

Ron was already there, eating a sandwich and reading the Daily Prophet from the previous day. She got her yoghurt, granola and a steaming mug of her favourite mint tea before she sat down across from him. All this time he didn't even look up, nor did he acknowledge her presence.

"I'm going to the ministry", she told him when she finished her breakfast. "Do you want to go with me?"

"Go with you?", he said, finally looking up. "What on earth for?"

"File for divorce?", she frowned, "Make it consensual?"

"I don't want a divorce", he scoffed, "I don't see why you do."

"Alright Ron", she sighed, shaking her head. "I'll do it on my own. The Hogwarts Express arrives at 3 p.m. on the Platform, I'll see you there."

He just grunted as she got up. She didn't need this much time to fill out the paperwork for her divorce, but when she was there, she might as well get some work done. She didn't need the speculations, especially before she told her kids, the rest of the family and preferably, before it was finalised. Even if Ron had gone with her and they split up without any problems, it would still take at least a month. Damn bureaucracy...

"Princess!", she heard when she nearly reached the elevators. "I didn't know you were coming to the office today, aren't the kids coming home?"

"Hi Blaise", she said, stepping into the elevator with him. "Yes, they arrive in the afternoon."

She pressed the button to go to her floor and watched the elevator doors close.

"And you couldn't go another day without me", he grinned and she rolled her eyes.

"Sure Blaise", she jested, "And I just filed for divorce, because of you."

He turned to her rather abruptly, all humour gone.

"Did you seriously file for divorce?", he asked her, holding her shoulders to make her look up at him.

"Yes I did", she said, finding his sudden seriousness rather amusing.

"And you're sure?", he asked, "You're going to see this through despite the possible impact on your position as Minister of Magic?"

"I've thought about that", she nodded, "And yes, I'm sure. I can't keep living like this."

"Okay", he nodded, "I'm your guy."

"You're my guy?", she giggled. "I'm not even divorced yet Blaise!"

"As if that would stop me", he grinned, "I'm the best solicitor around for your case, I'll make sure it's all done as quickly as possible."

"Oh", she said surprised, "I'm not sure I'll need a..."

"Trust me Princess", he interrupted her, "You'll need me before the end."

"In that case, thank you so much", she smiled and hugged him close.

Usually, she knew better than to hug Blaise, especially when alone in a confined space like an elevator, but this divorce thing seemed to make her a teensy bit more emotional than usual. To his credit, Blaise didn't take advantage of it for once and just held her gently when the elevator doors opened.

"Group hug!", Theo suddenly cheered in her ear, and she was squashed between his hard body and Blaise's.

"Theo!", she huffed, "What are you doing?"

"Hush", he shushed her, "Just savour the moment."

"Theo", Blaise gritted out, sounding a tad bit strange, "Please let go of my bum."

"If you insist", he said letting them go, his eyes still twinkling with mirth.

Hermione swatted his shoulder as she exited the elevator, taking the tea Greg offered her gratefully.

"So, why are we hugging?", he asked her, watching Theo and Blaise banter.

"I filed for divorce a few minutes ago", she told him, sipping her tea. "Blaise offered his help as a solicitor and Theo... Just seized the moment I guess."

"It seems like that wasn't all he seized", Greg chuckled, still watching Theo and Blaise who were doing a weird playful wrestling thing now.

"Well, for what it's worth, we're all here for you", he said.

"Thanks Greg", she said giving him a hug too, "That means the world to me."

"Does Draco know yet?", he asked her tentatively.

"I told him yesterday night", she nodded.

He hummed noncommittally and turned back to the other two men in the hallway.

"Theo", he called, "Weren't you going to take care of lunch?"

Theo stopped trying to bite Blaise whilst the latter held him in a headlock and turned to Greg.

"Right right", he said, "I'm going to order pasta. What do you want?"

"Broccoli and pesto for me", Blaise said, releasing him.

"Tomato and mozzarella cheese please", Hermione ordered. "I'm going to my office to get some work done, let me know when the food arrives."

Greg nodded and she walked into her office, closing the door behind her.

With a sigh she leaned back into her office chair. This was it. The wheels were set in motion. There was no turning back now. She was closing this chapter in her life.

She fingered the mirror in her pocket absentmindedly as she felt in heat up.

Heard you filed for divorce on your own.
Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I'm there.
See you on the platform.
DM

She smiled, shook herself out of her existential thoughts and started writing on her speech for the Ministry New Year Brunch.

She couldn't concentrate that well though. Her mind kept going back to the dream she had last night. She couldn't quite remember it, but it had something to do with Draco, melted chocolate and ice-cream...

***********

A few hours later, Theo knocked on her door and the four of them had a nice quiet lunch. After that, she continued working until Greg came in to escort her to the Platform.

"Almost ready", she told him, "Just give me a minute to gather my stuff."

She quickly shrunk a few books and files and stuffed them in the closet behind her. When her desk was cleared, she grabbed the silver danglers from her top drawer and checked her mirror. With her head held high and a determined professional smile on her face, she followed Greg out.

It was time for her only free days she allowed herself in a year. Time to pick up her kids and tell them that their parents were splitting up. It was time to start working on her future.