Harry had never known time to pass more slowly, as it did in the week following Parvati’s death. It was hell. He couldn’t bear the pain that rushed through him every time Naina cried for her mother. He woke up every morning by feeling the other half of the bed to his side before opening his eyes. He did not know why he was doing this. She wasn’t going to come back, and he knew it very well. Yet, a small part of him hoped that this would all turn out to be some bizarre dream; that he wouldn’t touch empty space the next morning.
Harry was very relieved when he had to go back to work. He dropped Naina off at the Burrow, where Mrs. Weasley was only too pleased to have her. He reached office and started the boring paperwork again with Ron. He could feel the pain build up again, as they began to work on the evidence gathered at Parvati’s murder site” this time too, a chit with the words, ‘I want Harry Potter’ on it. Then they noted down everything about the search at Daisy’s place. Only her confession was remaining now, which they were sure would be taken down in due time.
The serial killing file wasn’t closed yet, but Walanger put Harry and Ron on a Death Eater trail, nonetheless. For a month, they were finding out information and whereabouts. They also had to go through intense training once a week, and Harry was secretly glad about this, as it helped reduce the agony ripping his senses apart.
Ron and Hermione’s relationship was at a very delicate phase. They were still staying together, but that was just for the kids. In the meantime, Naina caught a horrible cold and being unable to find any other way to tackle it, Harry took her to St. Mungo’s. That day, though, he was fatefully asked to go and get her checked up with Healer Tudor.
As he walked into the ward, Harry felt guilt swirl into his conscience. He laid Naina on the bed and waited for the Healer, wondering how he’d face Chris, who’d definitely come along, too. After five minutes, Chris himself entered the ward. There was silence for a minute, but Healer Tudor came along, anyway. Then Harry cleared his throat.
“She’s been having a bad cold for several days, now. The Pepperup Potion is too hot for her, so I got her here.”
“Hmm,” said the woman, “Chris, I’d like you to go and palpate the child’s chest. Take her pulse and temperature, and tell me what you find.”
Chris didn’t say anything. He just checked Naina’s pulse, temperature and breathing. Then he told the healer, “Her airways are slightly blocked by the build up of phlegm. The temperature and pulse are normal.”
“Good,” said Healer Tudor, when she had checked Naina once herself. She then looked at Harry. “I’ll give her a Sleeping Draught now. Let her stay here for around two or three hours, so we can see if the blockage in her chest is progressing. I have set up a three-day dosage of medicines for her. If it’s still not okay after that, you can come for another check up. Chris, give them the potions prescribed and explain the dosage. I’ve got to go.” She turned around and wrote a prescription, as Chris poured out a goblet of Sleeping Draught for Naina. The child drank it and fell asleep at once.
As Healer Tudor left, Chris pulled out two vials of blue and clear potion. “Give her two spoons of the blue one every afternoon, half-an-hour after lunch. The clear one is to be given just before she falls asleep at night.”
“Thanks,” said Harry, but Chris had turned away. Harry, though, walked to him and caught his arm. “Listen, Chris, she killed my wife.”
“That’s what you think.”
“We’ve got proof!”
Chris took a deep breath. “Daisy is not a murderer. I know her much more than you do.”
Harry sighed. “Go and ask Daisy yourself, if you will. Ask her what made us arrest her. We don’t put people in Azkaban for no reason!”
“But you can’t be entirely sure that she murdered””
“Yes we are! She is hiding information about the murders in a drawer at her place. She refused to drink the Veritaserum! She tried to run away! Isn’t that enough?”
Chris opened his mouth to say something, but then he seemed to give up. “Just… forget it, Harry. I don’t want to talk about this. I can’t even tell you what pain she’s probably in. She was already having the worst time of her life, and…” he took a deep breath, and sat down on a stool. “You’ll never understand.”
Harry looked at the boy for a while, and was struck with a thought. He kept a hand on Chris’s shoulder. “Chris, look, I can’t get her out of prison. But… you can go meet her if you like.”
Chris looked up. “Really?”
“If you want to…”
“Of course I do!” replied Chris, a smile beginning to form on his face. “When can I meet her?”
Harry thought for a while. “I’ll arrange your visit for tomorrow itself.”
***
The Ravenclaw Common Room was up for a late night party after their victory in a Quidditch match against the Slytherins. They had won the match with a very good margin, directly placing themselves for the final match against Hufflepuff. If they’d win that match too, the Quidditch Cup would be theirs.
Daisy had just refused two bottles of Butterbeer and turned to a huge slab of chocolate which had been offered to her by Andrew. This had to count as one of the best days of her life. She had done really well in the match today, and some of her Bludgers had even hit the Slytherins at the right places. There was nothing else for it to be a perfect match.
“Firewhiskey?”
Daisy looked up to see Max holding a bottle of Ogden’s Firewhiskey and a goblet. “No,” she said, “I don’t drink.”
“Hey come on!”
“No, Max, I’m sorry.”
Max made a face, and turned to Chris, who was sitting just beside Daisy. “Will you have some, Chris?”
“Sure,” he replied, and reached for the bottle.
Daisy glared at her boyfriend. “Chris!”
He looked at her pleadingly. “Just one?”
She frowned. “All right, but nothing more than that, okay?”
“Promise.”
Chris put the bottle to his lips and took a long swig. Daisy smiled at him, expecting him to put it down, but he did not do it.
“Hey! No cheating!” she said, pulling the bottle away.
He put the bottle down, and showed her big eyes. “Just one more. Please?”
“No.”
He frowned. “Fine. I’m not talking to you.”
“Hey!” said Daisy. “That’s not fair! I’m only saying this for your good!”
“Then just let me have one more.”
Daisy thought for a while and nodded. He grinned at her. “Thanks!” Then he put the bottle to his lips, again.
Half an hour and many puppy dog faces later, Chris had managed to have three bottles of Firewhiskey. Daisy was frustrated. He wasn’t keeping his promise at all. She looked at his bloodshot eyes with anger, and decided to put her foot down. “Enough,” she said, grabbing hold of his arm and snatching his bottle away. “I can’t let you drink more.”
“But I””
“Go to your room and sleep, Chris.”
“Daisy…”
“You are bloody drunk! Come with me, now!” Daisy pulled him by his arm, as he made futile attempts to loosen her grip. She dragged him all the way up the stairs and he staggered through, trying to get out. Finally, he gave up. When they were in his dormitory, she let him sit on the bed and sat next to him. His eyes were glazed and distant. He looked as though he could fall asleep any moment. “Why did pull me?” he asked.
“Look,” she replied. “I don’t want you to get into this. This is wrong, okay? Drinking is not good.”
He nodded. “Okay. If you don’t like it, I won’t drink again.”
She smiled. “That’s nice of you. Thanks.” She then kissed his forehead and stood up. “Okay, you must get some sleep now. You’re probably gonna puke the first thing tomorrow.” She began to walk away, but he grabbed her hand. She turned around. “What?”
“Don’t go,” he said, pulling her to himself.
“Look, I’ve really gotta go, Chris,” she said, trying to tug her hand away.
“No…”
“I’m sleepy.”
“Sleep here.”
Daisy’s heart missed a beat. “What?” she whispered.
“Sleep here… with me.” Chris didn’t look drunk anymore. His face looked serious. He sounded serious, too.
“Okay,” said Daisy, trying to smile. “You’re drunk, Chris. You just need””
“I need you. I want you.”
Daisy sat back on the bed and took his hand in hers. “Look, our relationship has not reached”” but she couldn’t go on, for Chris had already placed his lips on hers.
It was something that she’d never felt before. There was a kind of new desperateness and passion in him, that she’d never thought he had. She felt him hold on to her possessively, as he kissed her. He moved his hands down her back fiercely and she shivered at his passion. Finally, she pushed him away. “Chris! What that”?” He grinned and pulled the curtains around them. She couldn’t help but give in, after that.
Daisy’s eyes opened suddenly. She rubbed them, trying to brush away the moment that she didn’t want to recollect. Yet, that day played again and again in her mind. She covered her face with her hands, wishing that the fiasco which had followed that particular day had never happened. It took her a while to sort out her thought and fall asleep again. But even as she drifted off, she felt something move. Groaning, she tried to change her side, and then she realised that a pair of arms were lifting her. She opened her eyes with a start, but she couldn’t believe them.
And then again, before she could think, she was kissing Chris with the same raw desire that he had displayed a year ago. He kissed her back with similar enthusiasm, and they did not break apart for very long.
***
Ron was looking around the house for his wand. He had been searching for it since the past half of an hour, but it didn’t seem to be in any of the places that he usually kept it in. Normally, he would have taken Hermione’s help; even if they really weren’t on talking terms, but he didn’t want to look at her face today. He was sick and tired of her. Just last night, they’d had a screaming match and it was all because Hermione was being so unfair. She too, had taken up a Healer’s position at St. Mungo’s and the children had to be sent to a crèche for the same reason. So, both Ron and Hermione took turns keeping the kids in their own rooms each night.
This time, Hermione had got to keep Jake and Jessica for two nights in a row, and last night had been her third. But Ron had put his foot down and refused to allow her to keep the kids. This had angered her, and the screaming that followed had naturally made the children cry with fright. Then Ron had to let her take care of them, being unable to calm them by himself.
Ron huffed at the incident and continued to search for his wand. He went into his room and opened the wardrobe. Just as he was about to pull open a drawer, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around to see Hermione, holding his wand for him. “You left it in the cot,” she said, as she took he took it.
"Thanks," replied Ron, taking it from her hand. He turned his back to her, but she cleared her throat, clearly indicating that she needed to speak to him. He turned again. "What?"
"You don't need to be so rude," she snapped. "I need to discuss something important with you."
Ron folded his arms. "Tell me quickly, then. I don't have all the time in the world, you know."
"For your kind information, Ron, my professional life isn't easy, either. So I would appreciate it very much if you stopped being such a show off."
"Oh, is that it, then?" asked Ron. "I accept that you're greater than me. Is that enough or do you need a written document on it?" He shut his wardrobe, picked up his bag from a chair and began to head out of the room. He had just reached the door when Hermione spoke.
"I'm shifting to my parents' place with the kids."
Ron turned around, shocked. "What?!"
Hermione looked down. "I'm” I'm going home. And I'll be taking the kids, too." She looked up at Ron, who was just staring at her with blatant surprise on his face. "Look," she explained, "You can't take care of the kids, Ron, you can never handle them when they cry. And me... Well, do note down a day when we haven't fought."
"I'll try, I'll adjust...!"
"No," said Hermione. "This is not the right time for trial and error."
"I” I love you!" said Ron. "Please, please don't do this."
"You say this to me about five times a day, Ron. I don't think you ever mean it."
"Please," said Ron, taking her hand. "I'll do anything. You can keep the kids in your room for as many days as you want. I won't ever tell you anything."
"This isn't working out. And... And after the divorce, they will be in my custody, anyway..."
"Divorce?!"
Hermione sighed. "This can't wait anymore. We are done. It's over."
Ron was at a loss for words. "B” But, you said you'd wait."
"Yes, I did say that I'd wait for your case to be closed. And now that it's a month since the case has been wrapped up, I think we should begin with the divorce procedures. It's gonna take at least three months for us to be legally divorced, you know."
Ron opened his mouth, but no protest could escape it. An odd emotion enshrouded him. He wanted to hold on to Hermione and beg of her to stay on. He wanted to kiss her in such a way that she'd never think of leaving him.
In the meantime, Hermione inserted her hand into her pocket and produced a stack of papers. "This is the Acknowledgement of Service. Just reply to this within seven days."
Ron looked at her and then at the papers. He could feel a lump form in his throat. He took several futile inhalations, only to feel tears fall down his cheeks. He could see her blurred figure look at him helplessly as he sobbed bitterly. Then suddenly, he couldn't stand anymore. A stab of breathlessness attacked him. He fell to his knees, clutching on to Hermione's robes for support. He desperately wanted to talk to her, but words refused to escape him at all.
She stepped back, freeing her robes from his grip. "Do you even have any dignity in you?" she asked, disgusted at him.
He tried to breathe, but his chest muscles seemed to be paralysed. "P”Please," he managed to sputter. "One m”more chance...."
She folded her hands. "Stop being so overtly dramatic. I told you that it's over, didn't I? Well, it's not about to change. Don't even expect that."
He couldn't go on. As she left the room, he kept trying to relax, but he just couldn't. His body didn't seem to be able to cooperate. Finally, after a while, he could breath again. He stood up and seated himself on his bed, feeling deadly shivers pass down his body. This time, it took long to get himself back to normal. He looked at the papers that she had kept on the table. They contained the arrangements for the children, too. He read through the petition and clauses. Then another sudden stab of emotion attacked him. This time, it was anger.
***
Hermione covered her face as she sat on her bed. She couldn't believe Ron's reaction to the petition. The expression on his face was the most horrible thing she had seen all her life. She hated to see him cry.
Jess made a noise from her cot. "Yes, sweetheart..." she got up to check on the child, just as the door banged open. She looked behind. "What?!"
Ron entered the room, looking red with anger. He was clutching the papers in his hand. He strode right up to her and shook the papers in front of her. "I want you to change the arrangements."
"But Ron..."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SAYING THAT YOU GET TO KEEP THE KIDS AND I GET TO VISIT THEM JUST ONCE A MONTH?"
"You can't take care”"
"To hell with your notions. Change this. I don't care how you do it or what you do! Just change it NOW, okay?"
Jess woke up and Hermione looked at her helplessly. "Okay, Ron, calm”"
"No. You have no right to do this!"
"Okay, at least tell me what you want”"
"I want to keep them."
"No."
Ron was ready to explode with anger. "No?"
"No."
He raised an eyebrow and shook the papers in front of her face. Then he raised another hand and tore them in half. "Go file for another one. And until you are fair with me, you'll have to keep filing for more."
Hermione got angry at this. "Well then, if you think it's that easy, why don't you go file it this time?"
Ron didn't answer her question. He walked out of the room and began to shut the door until he could see only a sliver of her face from outside. Then he sighed. "You're the one who wants divorce, Hermione. I never wanted one in the first place."
Killer Instincts by Ginny Weasley Potter
Chapter Notes: Hello, everyone! So... here's chapter 21! I can't believe that this baby of mine has come this far. :) I got this plot bunny before my tenth boards. Now, I've finished my twelfth boards too, and am doing MBBS. Hehe... this story's been around for long, hasn't it? And in fact, when I formed the plot first, there was no Daisy or Chris or Rebecca or Pari. These characters have actually been moulded into the plot. ;)
Okay, so this is an unbetaed chapter again... so I hope it will be good enough. I'll be back with the next chapter in a couple of weeks, after which I might take a long break due to mid-terms. But we're getting closer to the answers in this story. I'll explain Daisy and Chris's break up in the next few chapters. Actually, you might be able to guess a part of the reason in this chapter itself. :D
And that reminds me of one more thing: there's mild sexual innuendo in this chapter. I didn't find a need to use the 'sexual situations' warning because it's really, really mild. There is absolutely no graphic description or anything.
So... this chapter is for my very dear Honey Bear. Okay. Frankly, he's just a good friend of mine, but a lot of people in my class think we're dating. If you could actually believe them, I'm currently dating two guys. The other one is my Sugar Muffin ;). Hehe. Funny people.
See ya guys!