Betrayed

17

"An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind." Buddha

Betrayed

By: Deans Darling aka Aandune

Chapter 1 - Betrayed

Harry smiled as he walked the four blocks to his flat. "It will be good to be home," he thought. He had been gone for six months on a mission for the Ministry and had decided that he had had enough of saving the world. Upon completion of his assignment, he had handed Davis Millson his resignation and no amount of cajoling, begging, pleading or inducements swayed Harry from his decision.

The aurors were charged with keeping an eye on Death Eater activity. Since Voldemort's death, at Harry's hands, most had been captured. Unfortunately, the ministry had been forced to let some of them go because there wasn't enough evidence to warrant keeping them locked up.

Some had actually been under the Imperious Curse, but far fewer than the actual claims to that affliction. The Death Eaters that had actually been cursed were allowed to go free, and return to their homes to try to live out their lives in quiet obscurity.

On the other hand, those that had escaped justice by subterfuge and trickery were closely watched. Teams of aurors kept close tabs on these Death Eaters. Some aurors even infiltrated their ranks.

Slowly the Death Eaters began to mass. This in and of itself was enough for the Ministry to take notice.

The Death Eater's plans were to take over the wizarding world, one country at a time; gather followers with each attack, and absorb them into an ever growing circle of loyalist, thus creating a single, international cell lead by a pure blood wizard by the name of François DeBonier.

DeBonier was the French equivalent of Lucius Malfoy. When Harry killed Voldemort, and Lucius Malfoy was imprisoned, DeBonier took it upon himself to take control.

Eventually, Harry was called in because the problems that DeBonier was creating could not be ignored any longer.

Just before the attack at the German Ministry, Harry was able to capture DeBonier, quietly arrest him, and spirit him away. His followers were none the wiser. Without a leader, the Death Eaters floundered. The attack was launched, but with the uncertainty of DeBonier's disappearance, the Death Eaters botched the plan. DeBonier's followers were summarily re-captured, re-arrested and quietly brought back to trial.

Harry testified at DeBonier's trial and was present at his execution; thus insuring this time, there would be no escape.

Now he was home! A full week earlier than expected. He had decided to walk and enjoy one of the all too few beautiful days in London. For once the sun shone brightly.

He chuckled at the extent that Davis went to; to keep him from quitting, but Harry would hear none of his protestations.

Harry had plans. He had a beautiful wife waiting for him and if he had anything to say about it, they would soon have a child on the way. He knew that during their four year marriage he had been away more than he had been home. Now was the time to make it up to her.

He stopped at the confectioner's shop to buy chocolate strawberries that Hermione loved so much. He stopped at the winery, picked out the finest bottle of Dom Perignon.

He continued to walk, and he chuckled at the surprise he knew would be on her face. She would scold him for not letting her know that he was coming, then she would throw herself in his arms and kiss him. Just the thought, made him quicken his pace.

He didn't dare apparate in the middle of Muggle London, so he hurried along.

He climbed the stairs to their third floor flat and keyed the pass code to the front door.

When he walked into the living room, it was dark because the curtains were pulled tight. He shrugged out of his jacket and laid it across a chair.

His heart was beating fast as he approached their bedroom door. As he did so, he heard Hermione giggle. He smiled and thought that she must be talking on the phone. But in the next moment he also heard a man chuckle.

Harry's brows knitted together and pushed open the door. In an instant, his world came crashing down.

"HARRY!"

"Bloody Hell!" Ron muttered as he scrambled from the sheets to untangle himself.

Harry was barely aware of the bottle of wine hitting the stone hearth and shattering; or the bag of strawberries that lay scattered where he dropped them. He turned and ran from the room. He heard Hermione yell "Harry! Wait! Please!"

In a moment, Harry was back down on the street running. He didn't care about the spectacle he made of himself. He didn't care where he was going. He just ran until his lungs gave out. He bent over and put his hands on his knees. His breath came in short gasps, but he wasn't sure if it was from the run or the shock.

He looked around and saw a bench and he threw himself into it.

He didn't know how to feel, he didn't know what to do, and he definitely didn't how to deal with his life that was suddenly over. He wouldn't cry! He wouldn't give them that satisfaction.

Then she was there. "Harry?"

He growled at her. "How did you find me?"

"You always come here when you are upset. Harry, I…."

"Don't Hermione! I don't want explanations or lame excuses. I don't want you here! Just leave!"

"Harry, please – talk to me."

Harry put his elbows on his knees and looked at the ground. "You've already said all that needed to be said." He stood and began walking away toward the Ministry of Magic.

Hermione hurried to catch up with him. "Harry, I'm sorry! You never should have found out like this."

Harry walked in silence, so Hermione followed trying to get him to stop and talk to her. She was answered only with stony silence.

He entered the phone booth, pulled Hermione in after him and punched the required numbers and announced to the disembodied voice "Harry Potter and Hermione Granger-Potter to talk to Vincent MacDuff in the legal department."

"Thank you and have a pleasant day," The magically enhanced voice intoned.

As the floor began to drop, Hermione looked at her husband in shock. "Harry, you can't be serious!" She grabbed his face and turned him toward her. "Harry…?" But as she looked in his eyes, his stare was dead and dull.

He pulled out of her grasp and exited the lift and made his way down the corridor to the door that read Vincent MacDuff, legal affairs. He pushed the door open and held it for Hermione. When she showed no sign of stepping in, he grabbed her wrist and forced her into the room.

The room was graced with floor to ceiling bookshelves; stocked with books and parchment rolls stating wizarding law.

The secretary, a pretty blonde haired, blue eyed witch of about thirty, sat at a desk situated in the middle of the room. When they came in she looked up and smiled at Harry.

"Hi Peggy, is Vince in?"

Peggy smiled, but then looked at Hermione who had tears pouring down her face. Peggy's smile faded as she looked from one to the other. "Ahh, yes, Harry, go on in."

Hermione looked pleadingly at her husband. "Harry, please don't do this. We need to at least talk about it."

Harry ignored her and knocked on Vince's door. Peggy had warned him that Harry was on his way because he opened the door with a look of concern.

"Harry, Hermione, please come in." Vince indicated two chairs in front of his desk.

Harry took the proffered seat, not waiting for Hermione. "Vince, I want a divorce."

Vince glanced at Hermione and noted the tears. "I take it the feelings are not mutual?"

Hermione shook her head and continued to wipe the tears falling of their own volition.

Vince turned back to Harry. "Maybe we should talk about this Harry –" Vince sighed "– you don't want to be too hasty."

Harry bolted out of his chair. "Hasty? I've been away for six months, keeping the world safe from Voldemort's Death Eater's. Every moment I wondered how Hermione was. I thought about her; worried about her; prayed for her. Finally, finally, it was done. I come home…and find her in bed with Ron! With RON, Vince!"

Vince barely avoided letting out an amazed whistle, only because he was too professional to do so. He looked at Hermione's back, and shook his head in disbelief.

Harry continued to pace. "I came to you because I knew that you could get this through quickly and quietly. I don't want a media circus."

"Harry, are you sure that you want to do this? Maybe counseling…?"

"No Vince! At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I've been treated badly all my life! I've been abused, threatened, publicly ridiculed and humiliated. But through all of it I had my friends and loved one's behind me! But now I find that I am not even allowed that little bit of solace."

"When the people that I love start doing the same thing, I draw the line." Harry put his hands on Vince's desk and leaned forward and looked directly at him. "Either you do this for me Vince or I find someone who will!"

"Harry, please…." Hermione started, but was silenced by his glare.

Harry looked at his colleague, completely ignoring his wife. "Well?"

With a sigh Vince began to pull papers out of the desk. "You'll have to divide your assets you know."

"The only thing I want is the vault in Gringotts, that came from my parents, my broom and my clothes. She can have everything else. I will pay the rent on the flat until she remarries. Merlin knows that Weasley wouldn't be able to afford it."

Hermione gasped. "That was uncalled for, Harry!"

Harry spun on Hermione. "Did you ever love me Hermione? Or was it just convenient to have me pay the bills: so Weasley could fill – other needs! Is this why you encouraged me to become an Auror?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed and she swung her hand to slap him but he caught her wrist preventing the contact.

Vince cleared his throat. "Hermione, are the terms that Harry has set acceptable to you?"

She jerked her wrist out of Harry's grasp and dropped down into the seat and nodded "Yes. Give him what ever he wants. Let's just get this over with."

"Well then, since this is uncontested, it will only take a couple of days to…."

"No! Vince I want it done now. Do what ever you have to. I'll walk the papers to where ever they need to go myself."

Hermione was angry now, and she glared at her husband. "Oh, no, Harry! The wizarding world's Golden Boy shouldn't have to take care of his own divorce papers. Give them to me, Vince. I'll take them myself."

Vince shook his head. "No, we usually ask petitioners to wait a few days to cool off…."

"I won't be here in a couple of days. Give me the papers to sign now. Then owl me when it's done!"

Vince shoved papers toward him with a sigh and showed him where to sign. "Are you sure, Harry?"

He looked up at Vince with the first show of emotion since this started. His eyes were bright with unshed tears, but his voice was hard and cold, "I've never been so sure about anything in my life! Thank you, Vince."

He stood and held his hand out to Vince and the two men shook hands. "Where are you going, Harry?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, Hawaii maybe; somewhere far away." Then without a backward glance, he left the room – and Hermione.

Harry used the floo network to return to his flat and collect his belongings. When he arrived, Ron was pacing. When Harry saw him, his eyes hardened. "Oh, you're still here. Don't worry, Weasley; I'll just gather up a few of my things; the rest is yours; including my wife!"

"Harry, where is Hermione?"

"Don't know, don't care!"

"Harry, I don't blame you for being angry…."

"Well isn't that just peachy, Weasel. Isn't that just benevolent of you! You and Hermione play house together while I'm gone, and you give me permission to be angry. If I were you, Weasel, I would step aside and let me get my things before I hex you to the hell you deserve!"

Ron winced at the rancor in Harry's voice, ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Harry, listen to me, please."

NO! There is nothing – do you hear me – nothing you can possibly say to me to make this better. You were shagging my wife. I am stepping aside with as much dignity as I can muster; which at this point isn't much. I've already signed the divorce papers. The two of you deserve each other."

Harry walked to the bedroom and avoided looking at the bed as he gathered his belongings. "Accio suitcase!"

The things he had gathered flew to the case and when it finished, closed with a snap. He grabbed his broom, shrunk it down and headed out the bedroom door. There he met Hermione.

Her eyes narrowed. "It pays to have friends in the Ministry!"

In the most sarcastic voice he could manage he sneered. "I suppose I have to have friends – somewhere: There certainly aren't any here! Have a great life!" He stepped into the fireplace and with a bit of floo powder said, "Diagon Alley!" and he was gone.