Hermione stared at the food in front of her. She hadn't ate in... who knows how long but she didn't want to eat. She had lost her appetite. She looked up to see George, doing the same as her: not eating and just staring at his food.

Harry, Ginny, George, Percy and Mr and Mrs Weasley sat at the table with Hermione. Mr Weasley made conversation with his wife but, other than that, no one talked and the silence dragged on like a boring History of Magic lesson.

"Ginny, can I talk to you?" Harry, who sat beside Hermione, gestured to the door, looking at Ginny, "Outside?"

"Sure," Ginny said, hoarsely because of all the crying she had done.

Hermione took no notice. She didn't care. She just pushed her vegetables around the plate, glancing at George every so often.

----

Harry's POV

"Where are we going?" asked Ginny, her voice sounded as though she had been gargling nails.

Harry didn't know if he could so this. She had lost so much and he was about to break her heart? But if he didn't do this then he would break Hermione's heart. Everywhere they went, people were standing around. Harry wanted a quiet place and Ginny realised as she spoke.

"Here. Follow me." Ginny said.

She took his hand and led him up the stairs, down some corridors, till she reached an empty room. She pulled him in and shut the door. Turning around, she waited. Harry stared at her, mentally preparing himself. They waited in silence but Ginny didn't push Harry to speak, she just gazed out of the broken window. Harry sighed.

"Ginny... I can't be with you." He blurted out as quick as he could.

"Harry-" she said, holding up her hands to stop him but he didn't stop.

"I know you've been through way too much and I'm so sorry for eveything I did to you. I left you and I hurt you and now... I'm doing it all over again. This will be the last time I ever hurt you. I will always love you. You have your family but Hermione doesn't have anyone. She needs me."

Ginny's eyes widened, tears pricked on them and she blinked fast trying not to cry as Harry looked down, unable to look at her.

"I have to take care of Hermione and to be honest I really like her." Harry explained as best as he could, "I'm so sorry."

Harry peeked up to look at her staring at the floor. She looked like she was thinking. Harry waited, staring at her. He wanted to give her some time and space and not to annoy her or pressurise her. He walked forward when he noticed a tear fall out of her eyes. Placing a hand on her chin, she made him look at up at him.

"I know you-"

Ginny gritted her teeth and slapped him as hard as she could. Harry closed his eyes, his cheek stinging. He opened his eyes and looked at her, silently. Ginny burst into tears and ran out of the room, banging it shut behind her. Harry stood at the same spot for a long time. Finally, he sighed and left the room. Going downstairs and into the Great Hall he saw that it was empty. He made his way to the Gryffindor common room.

-----

Hermione's POV

Hermione ran her hands over the books. The one and only thing that would never change. They would remain the same every day, just lying here for everyone to read. Very much like and unlike her life.

She was an open book. Everyone knew what she was doing, if she was hurting. Although, she was not like a book because a book doesn't change but her life had changed so much in the past few days. She looked around at the deserted library. She was alone in more than one way.

She paced the length of the library, checking the books out. Some were burnt, others were as good as new. The fiction section was untouched whereas the horror books were burnt into the ground. A rustling near her made her wary. Maybe she wasn't alone.

"Who's there?" whispered Hermione, cautiously looking around the bookshelf.

It was George. He had dropped a book to the ground. Bending to pick it up, he placed it on the shelf and turned to Hermione. She could see clearly in his eyes how much he hurt from within. Hermione wished she could help him but of course, she was hurting too. She attempted a smile but it must've looked too forced as George sat at the table and gestured her too sit. Hermione sat and looked down at her hands, folded on the table, she waited for him to speak. The silence carried on for a long time and Hermione couldn't help but think that this was the first time she had heard George silent for so long. He finally spoke.

"He liked you." whispered George, looking at Hermione, a tear fell down his cheek.

"Ron? I know. Ron loved me." said Hermione, watching as the tear splashed the table.

"No, not Ron..." George sighed, "Fred."

Hermione frowned. Fred had liked her? She would never had known if George hadn't told her. She wouldn't have guessed. George nodded.

"He liked you for so long. Said you were pretty and smart and funny... when you wanted to be... But he never told you." said George, shrugging, he gulped to stop himself from crying.

"Why?" Hermione didn't realise she was leaning over the table, "Why didn't he tell me?"

George leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes and rubbed them. He looked exhausted. Sitting up straight he looked straight at Hermione.

"He knew Ron liked you. That's why he didn't say anything." said George.

Hermione didn't say anything. What could she say to that? She couldn't believe that Fred had ever liked her or that he would give up a girl for his brother. The thought seemed so sweet to her. Tears fell out of her eyes as she thought of them.

"If you need to talk... I'm... um... I'm here for you." George patted Hermione's arm, awkwardly and left the room. He wasn't so great at emotions.

"Ron..." she whispered, as the tears flowed heavily, "Ron I miss you so much and I love you. I wish... I wish you never died... I wish you hadn't helped me! Then you would be alive!"

Hermione screamed and chucked a nearby book to the wall. She screamed again and let the tears fall free. Laying her head on the desk, she cried for Ron, Fred, Tonks, Lupin and everyone else who had died because of the war.

An owl hooted nearby and Hermione looked up, quickly. She looked to the window and saw an owl flying straight for her. She wiped her tears away and waited for the owl to land.

"Draco..." she muttered as the owl landed.

It was a small and fast owl. Bright blue, with red eyes. Really pretty but Hermione didnt notice as she tore the parchment from the owls leg, muttering "Draco" again and again. She opened the letter as the owl hooted angrily and flew off. Hermione's concentration was on the parchment in her hands. It read:

"Miss Granger,

Please meet me in my office. Thank you.

Professor McGonagall."

Hermione fell back in her chair, disappointed. She hoped with all her heart that it was from Draco but of course it wasn't. She sighed heavily and dragged herself up to her feet.

Exiting the library she made her way to McGonagall's office, which she thought must be Dumbledore's old office. She stopped outside to see the statue. It was missing a few pieces probably because of the war. It didn't ask for a password, just let her go up. Hermione walked up the spiral steps and knocked on the door.

"Come in, Miss Granger." said McGonagall patiently.

She opened the door to see Harry, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus and another bunch of people all sitting on chairs, leaning on desks. McGonagall looked up.

"Come in, we were waiting for you." McGonagall waved her hand and Hermione entered.

Hermione's gaze averted to Harry, who stood with his arms crossed and jaw gritted, his eyes looked red as he stared into the distance. Hermione looked to where he was staring and her eyes met with a portrait of Dumbledore, fast asleep in his chair. Hermione looked back to Harry. She noticed Ginny staring at her and giving her filthy looks. Before Hermione could say anything, McGonagall fidgeted.

McGonagall stood up and walked around the desk, "Now that we are all here, I have an important message. We won this war, but we lost so much. Relatives, friends. I know many of you are in mourning but I want you to think in a reasonable manner."

She looked at all of them before speaking.

"I have arranged for another year of studying. If you wish, you can come and study. In Semptember a train will leave as usual and whoever wants, can come to Hogwarts. You may not want to but just think about it okay?"

A chorus of 'okay' sounded and McGonagall dismissed them. Hermione waited for Ginny and Harry, patiently. However, Ginny nudged her shoulder and carried on walking. Harry came up behind her and snaked a hand across Hermione's waist, causing her to shiver.

"Forget her." whispered Harry, leading Hermione out of the room.