Prologue
July 2019
"I finally managed to get Hugo asleep. He's been talking about basically nothing else but Hogwarts since he received his letter yesterday," Hermione announced… but Ron wasn't even listening, and his non-responsiveness didn't particularly alleviate Hermione's mood. "Ronald Weasley!" she hissed, wary of their children asleep right upstairs. It had taken half an hour of reading until Hugo's exhaustion had gotten stronger than his great enthusiasm, and as such she didn't really feel like waking him or Rose if it wasn't necessary again. Ron faced her at last, disinterest obvious. "Do you ever listen?" she questioned, exasperated. "You don't even seem to be remotely interested in your own children since our divorce anymore."
Ron shrugged, carelessly so. "I never wanted to get divorced."
"Well, why don't you go blame me… again."
"You wanted a divorce to begin with," Ron replied angrily, his ears turning scarlet. "We were happy together!" he shouted.
"You thought we were all happy together, but I hadn't been for a great many years…"
"Why didn't you just… tell me?!" He sounded rather annoyed.
"I often tried, Ronald, but you wouldn't listen to anything that I said, and I couldn't take it any longer. You just behaved like I was exaggerating," Hermione returned, "and would you be quieter? The children are asleep, right upstairs." She pointed her forefinger to emphasize what she was saying.
He stepped near her, taking hold of her left arm gently. Hermione swallowed audibly, Ron's blue eyes boring into hers, his voice strangely soft when he spoke her, like she hadn't heard since their marriage possibly. "Please, 'Mione..." he began, letting his warm hand slowly trail her arm. "We could try again. I'm sure our children would…"
Hermione's tear-filled hazel eyes connected with his blue ones. She really hated when he used that and took advantage of her motherly emotions. "Would our children be happier watching us fight again every day? Please, Ronald, don't tell me that it won't be the exact same this time, because it undoubtedly will…"
Ron suddenly leaned in then, his lips upon hers. Hermione initially fought his touch, but very soon she couldn't do anything but give in. If the rumors were true, Ron hadn't been missing any intimacy, but she hadn't really been touched in months, and like everyone else, Hermione Granger sometimes needed just that. The need for air only caused the end of their kiss, and when it did, they eyed one another half-shocked, and yet quite unsurprised, too. "If you tell me that really didn't do anything to you, I'll––"
"Ronald, you aren't being fair!" Hermione interrupted him. "I love you, but––"
"Then… what's the issue?" Ron questioned, already leaning down to capture her delicious mouth with his again with an unmatched fierceness –– one Hermione hadn't ever experienced. She couldn't fight it as with ease, Ron lifted her on the kitchen counter and began to tug at her clothes.
