Written for the a quizz and a challenge challenge by daysandweeks. I was assigned Ernie/Hannah/Zacharias but I don't think I've succeeded. Here is it anyway. Not beta-read, please excuse any possible mistake.
Zacharias really doesn't know why he came nor why they invited him in the first place. He had run away like a coward the day of the battle, but still they invite him to all the DA gathering and parties, or like today: the welcoming of Emma Finnigan, daughter of Lavender and Seamus.
Everyone's here and he doesn't really feel at ease. Small groups have appeared and he doesn't suit in any one. And really how could he? Everyone had had a role in the winning of the battle, everyone but him. And he knows he's the one to blame.
They are polite and salute him but no one really engages a conversation with him. They think he chose the 'easy' escape by then, but it's not true. It was hard to wait and see and worry and do nothing. How many times has he regretted that he had run away? Millions, today is one of those.
He's probably showing his distress involuntary because Hannah comes with Ernie and propose to him a drink. He accepts and tries to smile, the two of them are fooled apparently.
They talk and talk and recall good old time together, but only until their sixth year, the seventh was too painful. He learns that they become a couple and the end of the war, one year and a half ago.
He can see that the one who fought together are still together. Ginny and Harry; Lavender and Seamus; Ron and Hermione; Padma and Terry and so on... Somehow he expected it, they fought and live the worst together, a bond was created. And even though he's not sure it will last, it pains him to be alone in the middle of so many groups. He envies all of them.
He excuses himself and goes to the garden. He doesn't notice when Hannah follows him with a worried look.
"Were you not at ease?" It's more like a statement than a question. Hannah always been good at reading him and everyone, really. He remembers it from Hogwarts' days. He always admired her for that.
"No." He doesn't bother with white lies. "I don't fit in here," he adds.
"It's not true." Hannah tries to comfort him, but they both know it isn't. He doesn't fit here, with the heroes, with all those people who fought and found peace. He doesn't fit here because he hasn't found his peace yet.
"We're still your friends," Hannah says truthfully. She reaches his hand and squeezes it to give him courage to re-enter the party. He understands it otherwise and slowly he leans to kiss her. But when he sees her confused look, he reaches for her cheek and mutters a thank-you.
They enter the party again, and just like before he doesn't fit in. Hannah walks away and he's alone again. Zacharias watches his classmate laugh and be carefree, but he can't. The small flash of hope when Hannah came to him is gone, and only the despair stays. But it's his fault, and he accepts it.