Freedom

A/N: This is for desirae, who wanted closure with the Ron issue.

Chapter 10

First Divorce in Wizarding World History

17 October—London

It has been three months since the new divorce law has been signed into effect by the new Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley. Even with the Minister of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Harry Potter, on her side, it still took Hermione Weasley, née Granger, three months to obtain the divorce that she sued her now ex-husband, Ronald Weasley, for.

The trial was one to remember and not only because it contained all three members of the Golden Trio from the Second War. It was especially interesting because Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were the authors of the divorce law. This reporter was there in the action when it all happened. Though it seemed to start out as a normal divorce—boy cheats on girl, girl retaliates—it was soon brought into even darker territory with the mention of Ronald Weasley abusing his wife. Hermione explained that it had been happening since he had slapped her hard two hours after their wedding.

The presiding Chief Warlock being the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, himself was not helpful in persuading the members of the Wizengamot that Hermione was telling the truth. However, when Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and Ginevra Potter, née Weasley, all brought defences against Ronald Weasley, the Minister showed some decline in his position towards his son.

With a few pensieve memories shown from Draco Malfoy and Hermione’s babysitter, Kelly Anderston, there was no doubt left in the minds of the Wizengamot that Ronald Weasley did abuse his wife.

Hermione Granger was granted her divorce and all of her and Ronald’s combined accretions, effectively leaving her ex-husband with nothing. Ronald did not seem to take the news well.

When the second part of the trial came—the hearing on the custody of the children (and I say children and not child because it was found in pre-trial exams that Hermione Granger was indeed pregnant)—the real shocking news came into play. Ronald Weasley demanded for sole custody of the children. Hermione Granger was very upset about this and demanded that she have sole custody. When the Minister demanded to know why the father of her children shouldn’t at least get to see the children, she let the truth loose.

Ronald Weasley was not the father of her children. She had been cheating on her husband for five years, she said, as long as he had been cheating on her, no doubt.

When the Minister demanded to know who the father was then—since the boy, with dark red hair and brown eyes, looked so much a Weasley—she glanced briefly into the crowd. Ronald’s own brother, Charles Weasley, stood up to claim the title, saying that he had fathered Hermione’s son.

There was complete silence in the court room until Ronald stood up and reminded the crowd that his brother was a homosexual, and in a relationship with Draco Malfoy. At this comment, the room burst into conversation until Draco Malfoy also stood, saying: “We’re bisexual, Weasley. We both like women and men, and we like your wife—sorry ex-wife— very much.” More talk exploded in the courtroom. “And in case you wanted to know,” he had added. “She’s pregnant with my child.”

The Wizengamot debated for over an hour before giving the final verdict. They would be repealing their last verdict. Hermione would still be granted her divorce, but only half of their combined accretions. The custody of the children would go to their respective fathers, with their discretion on visiting. Ronald Weasley would be given half of the combined accretions, but only after he had successfully completed five hundred hours of community service. His restraining order would also be continued until Hermione Granger saw fit.

And so, the break-up of what some people would call the perfect couple. The only person who would give any comments was Draco Malfoy, who reiterated many times that he was in a relationship with both Hermione Granger and Charlie Weasley, and that they would be together for a long time.

One may wonder that with the new law in practice how many battered wives and abandoned women will let the truth come out.

Any comments or reactions, please send to The Daily Prophet. Article written by Luna Longbottom.

The reactions to the article were almost completely predictable:

Ron stewed angrily while plotting revenge.

Harry and Ginny had celebratory sex.

Hermione cried out of sheer happiness.

Charlie grinned and suggested celebratory sex.

Draco smirked and preened about being quoted.

Luna and Neville had celebratory sex.

Molly sent a howler to Ron and a nice, apologetic letter to Hermione.

Arthur immersed himself in a book to stay out of Molly’s furious hair.

Bill and Fleur sent them a nice letter, and asked when the baby would be born.

Jamie smiled at his mum and dad and Uncle Draco so happy, and was especially happy when he found out that he was getting a younger brother or sister.

The only reaction that most definitely was not expected was when Lucius Malfoy tossed down the paper, rang for a house elf, and smiled a genuinely happy smile.