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It was surprising, the effect death had on some people.
Molly Weasley had always thought Hermione Granger a cool, calm and collected woman, but in the lead up to Minerva McGonagall's funeral (albeit, a woman she had worked closely with for the past six months at Hogwarts), she saw her in pieces.
The first time was when, everyone having slowly descended upon 12 Grimmauld Place for the first time in over ten years since the war ended, her son-in-law kindly opening the place, Molly decided she needed to escape to the kitchen for some peace and quiet.
Collecting herself in the still room – she loved people, but despite popular opinion, still needed time to herself occasionally – she thought she heard something that sounded suspiciously like tears. The mothering nature within her immediately alert, she slipped from the kitchen and followed the path of the noise to its source.
She stopped in the entrance off to a side, not often used room. Peering around the door frame, she found Hermione, her small arms wrapped around her thin form. Her body shook as she sobbed.
Molly felt only sorrow for this young woman, the one she viewed as a second daughter, though it appeared she would never be so. No one should be alone in grief.
Preparing to enter the room, she paused when there was movement in the shadows and a man stepped forward. Her mouth shaped into an "o" as she saw just who it was. She had known he was most likely coming, but not expected him until tomorrow.
She found herself unable to leave as she watched Severus Snape silently cross the floor.
Perhaps Hermione didn't sense him, but when Snape reached out his hand and placed it on her back, her tears halted and she stilled. She seemed to be collecting herself, her arms tightening around her.
Snape's comforting hand remained there.
When she turned to face him, Molly saw the tear tracks that ran down her cheeks. Oh, the poor dear. Her comfort would most definitely be needed now. She held off though, for Snape's hands cupped Hermione's shoulders and she had to strain to hear his voice, surprisingly gentle, but firm. "It is not your fault."
Her eyes remained averted still, tucked into herself as he continued. "There was nothing that could be done."
There was a moment when silence ruled, as Severus waited and Hermione stood still.
Feeling like she was waiting for something, Molly was rewarded shortly after. For Severus Snape, notorious dungeon bat and double agent, reached forward and pressed a kiss to a war hero's forehead. Hermione didn't object, and Molly could have sworn that she leant into it, her eyes shuttering closed.
When he eased back, Molly saw the first signs of his uncertainty. They didn't last very long, for Hermione's head raised, a sob escaped and she launched herself into his arms. Shock aside, at her choice of comfort, she thought Snape recovered well, his arms enveloping Hermione's small form as he held her tight to his chest.
Molly felt for the girl all over again when she saw her eyes turned in her direction. They were almost lifeless, drowning in sorrow. Taking a step back, she slipped away.
The next time she saw Hermione accept comfort, having stood staunchly alone during the funeral proceedings, was when, a bunch of Minerva's favourite flowers in hand, Molly went to visit the grave shortly after the service, most guests already heading back to Grimmauld Place for the wake.
The dull grey gravestone needed a splash of tartan.
She halted when she saw that a figure already stood there. She almost didn't recognise Snape, his cloak billowing dark green, rather than his typical black. Something held her back though, and as she narrowed her vision, she understood why.
He wasn't alone.
Standing in the protective embrace of his arms, his cloak part wrapped around her too, was Hermione.
Molly mentally congratulated him on getting her warm – Hermione not seeming to care about her attire or health – and her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw him press a kiss to her crown.
Minerva's flowers could wait.
Back at the wake, she kept her beady eyes open for when this duo returned.
It was a shock to discover that if she hadn't seen evidence of it herself – twice – she wouldn't have known anything at all was amiss, for Hermione entered alone, and moved solo around the room, talking sporadically with those she knew.
Molly sought out Severus and she wasn't surprised to find the man seated in the corner, a cup of tea in hand, his eyes constantly trained on Hermione. He was covertly watching her every move.
As she turned back to cooking, Molly agreed with her earlier statement: it was strange what death did to people.
Next chapter: A year later.