Summary: Hermione is dealing with the repercussions of war. She doesn't think she will be able to survive. Then she is offered a job at the one happy place in her life, and slowly begins to deal with the losses.
Disclaimer: Yes, I own it all. Every little bit of it. Seriously, I don't own any of it. That is why I need to get a summer job
Chapter 1: Losses and Gains
She walked down the dark street to her flat. She lived in a quiet muggle village. She liked it that way. There were few things to remind her of the past. She had lost her two best friends in the Great War.
Harry Potter, the boy who lived, had won the war for the whole wizard world. Unfortunately, the only way to defeat the Dark Lord, Voldemort, was to sacrifice his own life in exchange. She remembered it well:
Her and Harry being the strongest wizards of their time led from the front. Harry wasn't really leading; he was just in search of one man . . .well thing, Voldemort. She stunned every Death Eater in her way. Others followed in her suit. They also had to avoid Dementors; Voldemort turned them to his side easily. He was able to promise them things the light side could not. Harry then saw him, cackling like a maniac, standing over the dead body of none other than Minerva McGonagall. She had to hold back tears for her former favorite professor. That was not the time to mourn, she had to stay strong. Voldemort, then, saw them. He began to seemingly float over. He shot a curse at her; Harry blocked it. He fell to the ground clutching his stomach. He slowly began to rise. Harry had known for a while, what he'd have to sacrifice for the good of everyone else. He and Dumbledore discovered a new spell, the only spell that would be able to kill Voldemort. Harry quickly went to her, kissed her cheek, and said, "You've always been there for me. I will always be right next to you, Hermione. You will always be my only loving sister, I love you. Help Ginny with our son." Hermione nodded with tears coming down her face. She pushed away his hair, and ran her finger along his scar, her show of comfort since Hogwarts. He smiled then turned to Voldemort. "Morre du." Hermione watched as her best friend and enemy fell to the ground lifeless.
The thoughts of Harry still brought tears to her eyes. So many lives were lost. Hermione knew she was lucky to survive herself. Her other best friend died at the start of the war, and quite differently:
Hermione was at home waiting for Dumbledore's next orders. She sat filling out applications for jobs when the war was over. Even though she finished first in her class, it was still tough to find a good job. Suddenly a very small owl flew through the window. "Hello, Pig." She naturally assumed it was from Ginny because Ron had been MIA in the war for a few months already. She opened the letter and silent tears began to flow as she recognized the chicken scratch handwriting:
'Dearest Hermione,
Voldemort has been holding me in Azkaban Jail for two months now. I must tell you what I wanted to tell you for years now. Hermione, I love you. I have realized this for a very long time, I should have told you long ago. I'm sorry. But even more important I need you to understand something. I can't live in these conditions any longer, and they are threatening to kill me if I don't give them information. They are growing impatient. I will not let them have the honor of killing me, Hermione. Evil will not defeat me. However, you will not see me again. Good-bye, Hermione. Do not hold my death against me. I love you. Always, Ron.'
Hermione then realized she loved him too. She didn't eat or sleep for days.
Now the war is over and she is left all alone. She is returning to her home away from home, going back to the on place that reminds her of her friend the most, Hogwarts. She is taking the place of a teacher she loved dearly. She is to be the Transfiguration teacher as a favor to Dumbledore. He stopped her from making the biggest mistake she could have made.
After Harry died everyone was celebrating their victory, but she was still mourning. Immediately after Harry's funeral, she turned her wand on herself, "Avada Ked . . ." Someone she respected greatly cut her off.
"Do you really wish to do that?" said Dumbledore's calm voice sounding anxious.
"I have lost the people closest to me. I have no one to live for."
"You will deprive the world of your great gift. And many still care for you. Please don't do this." She gave in.
"Fine I'll live my life. But I don't want to go home. I don't trust myself. I don't want to be alone."
"There is nobody you can stay with?"
"I could go to the Weasley's, but it would feel weird without Ron and Harry."
"I'm sure they'll be happy to have you. They lost people too. Everyone did. You and the just happened to have lost the same ones."
"You're right, like always. I guess I'll write them. Where is there and Owl post office? Pig is at home."
They already know you're coming. I have talked to them already." Hermione gave her old friend a hug and thanked him dearly. "It's no problem. The wizard world would not be the same with out your talent.
A/N- So? What do you think? . . . Please review. Good day.
Babe Ruth