Hermione looked down at the face's of Fred, Tonks, and Lupin while holding Ginny and felt their friendship grow stronger through their remorse for their loved ones, now laying still with blank eyes, unaware of those around them feeling the pain received from loss. Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Harry turn around and exit the Great Hall, alone, feeling guilty, she assumed, for not being able to save them and, possibly, for all the deaths during the battle over him. Understanding this, she let him leave the room without a word, he would return soon enough, when he was ready.
She turned to Ron, whose face showed so much pain and remorse for the loss of his older brother that something inside of Hermione broke as she took his hand and tried to be there for him as they mourned together.
After awhile, Hermione became nervous about Harry not returning, but surely he would be back soon. Half an hour passed, then 45 minutes. Then it became an hour since she had last seen him and Hermione began to panic. Where could he be? He hadn't gone to the forest to give himself up, had he? Almost as soon as the possibility entered her mind, Voldemort's magnified voice swept over the grounds once more.
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring his body as proof that your hero is gone."
Hermione felt her body become encased in so much sadness, so much remorse, that all she could do was stand there and listen, mute, tears running down her face for the loss of her best friend, her hope, as her worst fears were confirmed. Everything she had left suddenly was drained from her, leaving her as an empty, broken shell of the woman she once was.
Ron, who was standing next to her, suddenly grabbed her limp hand, needing someone else to be there, someone alive, and someone who was feeling the same pain as him, as he struggled with acceptance of what seemed impossible.
"The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war."
Hermione could feel Ron shaking, though with sadness, rage, or both she couldn't be sure.
"Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman, or child, will be slaughtered, as well as every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, and kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
Seemingly as one, the current residents of the Great Hall began to walk toward the front doors. Professor McGonagall was practically running to the front of the crowd, her usually neat bun falling to shambles with pieces of hair flying behind her as she made her way to the front steps. Ginny wasn't far behind her and Ron and Hermione followed, as did the rest of the Weasley family.
"NO!" Hermione heard McGonagall shriek from the front steps in front of the castle as Hermione went through the front doors behind her. She looked toward the crowd of Death Eaters and, in the front held by Hagrid, was a brave man she knew well with untidy dark hair and glasses.