Author's note: This is my first story on Fanfiction. I hope you enjoy it! Next chapter will be posted as soon as I get some idea as to whether people are interested or not! Constructive criticism always helpful and welcome!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places etc. in this story. I do, however, 'own' the plot:) This is a blanket disclaimer for the whole story.

Chapter I - Aftermath

Harry opened his eyes sleepily. He gazed up at the scarlet hangings of the fourposter bed above him. For a moment, he didn't know where he was. But it wasn't long before the events of the previous day took over his mind once again. With great effort, he heaved himself up and looked with blurred eyes around the dormitory. Rubbing his eyes, and groaning as he stood up, Harry realised how weak he was-the battle had left him sore and weary. A loud, rumbling snore came from behind the hangings of the bed next to him. Chuckling slightly, Harry dressed slowly and made his way down the spiral staircase to the Gryffindor common room.

The common room was empty. Glancing out the window at the sun low in the sky, Harry realised it must have been extremely early in the morning.
He climbed out the portrait hole and trekked the familiar path down to the Great Hall. Harry was so preoccupied thinking of the events that had happened, it wasn't until he arrived at his destination that he saw that any evidence there had been a battle the previous night had been removed.

To Harry's astonishment the Great Hall looked exactly as it would in the morning, with breakfast set and laid. Still gazing in wonder around him (in particular, the ceiling, which was bright blue with a rainbow streaked across it), he sat down at the Gryffindor table and was just reaching towards a slice of hot toast when a loud noise behind him caused his hand to jerk and a jug of milk spilt all over the floor.

"What the-" Harry stopped in mid sentence as he turned around and saw who had made the racket. "Kreacher?"

Kreacher bowed so low (as he always did) that his nose nearly reached his feet.
"Good morning Master, would Master like Kreacher to fetch him anything?" Before Harry could reply, a pair of arms engulfed him in a hug.

"Harry!"

"are-hul er-my-nee,ur tran-gling ee!" Harry gasped for breath.

The grip loosened.

"Sorry!"

Hermione seated herself next to him. As she reached for a steaming bowl of porridge, Harry looked round to find Kreacher had disappeared, and so asked,
"Where's Ron?" Hermione looked at him and her expression became grave.
" All the Weasleys are with Fred, in the classroom next to the hospital wing, it's being used for all those that didn't make -" Hermione's voice faltered and she turned away. Harry stared glumly down at his empty plate, sorry he had asked.

After a less than cheerful breakfast, Hermione and Harry made their way towards the disused classroom next to the hospital wing. Despite all the people in the room, it was almost silent. The entire Weasley family had gathered around a bed at the far end of the mortuary. As Harry made his way towards them, he passed many people silently weeping over corpses that had been laid on camp beds. He tried to ignore them as best he could, but once he saw Tonks and Lupin lying next to each other and further on the Creevey brothers, he had to fight back his tears.

Mrs. Weasley turned around as Harry and Hermione approached.

"Harry!" She smiled and hugged him and the repeated the action with Hermione. Harry could tell she had been crying from her eyes, which were red and swollen. She sniffed slightly and quickly stowed a black handkerchief in her pocket. Her hands shook slightly as she did so.

"Have you had breakfast? Yes? well I wonder if you would mind helping Minerva with some sorting with the students?" She continued, trying to keep the smile on her face.

"Of course," said Hermione.

"Good, she's in Dumbledore's office, Ron! You can go with Harry and Hermione."

Before any of them could say another word, Harry Ron and Hermione were ushered out of the room.

"Is- is she ok?" Hermione asked tentatively once they were out of earshot. Ron looked at her, an expression of false puzzlement on his face. "Your mum, is she ok?" Hermione repeated.

"No." Came the reply after a few moments. Harry shared a glance with Hermione, his concern was mirrored in her face.

"Well, I'm sure she'll get better with time and we can all help and-"

"Help? Why? There's nothing we can do. There's nothing anyone can do! We can't bring him back. He's gone. Forever." Ron shouted, his ears turning scarlet and his voice rising in volume with each word. Hermione's eyes welled with tears that threatened dangerously to spill.

"Hermione, I-I'm so sorry," Ron whispered as the reality of what he had just done dawned on him. He embraced her and she let her breath out in ragged sobs.

"No, it's not your fault, you have a right to be angry, I am too; it's just...I don't know," Hermione said as soon as she regained her composure. She wiped away her tears and made to march on. "Come on, we don't want to keep McGonagall waiting!"