A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the Harry Potter universe, just the plot of this fanfiction; everything belongs to J. K. Rowling.

Hope

Chapter One

Everything was quiet; like someone had suddenly muted the sound of the chaos that was the ending of the final battle. Hermione looked around her. Everything she saw seemed distant and moving in slow motion, as if it all were a nightmare she'd wake up from at any moment.

But it wasn't a nightmare.

It was very real. Hermione's vision was filled with the rubble, blood, and bodies that surrounded her. She could see families, desperately clinging to one another, their shoulders shaking as they mourned the unjust death of their loved ones. She saw Hogwarts castle, the one place where she had ever felt safe and at home, blown to ruins. Everywhere she looked, Hermione could only see the death and destruction Voldemort had brought to the world.

Suddenly, Hermione felt someone's hand intertwine with hers. The way the big and calloused hand fit perfectly with her small slender one told her that it was Ron.

As if someone had suddenly flicked a switch on, a wave of sound crashed around Hermione. Screams, cheers, and sobs filled her ears as the world snapped back into focus. Overwhelmed with the sights and sounds that were assaulting her, she tried to remember what had brought her back to reality.

Ron.

Ron was there. Hermione turned her head to look at her best friend. His hair was matted with a mixture of blood and dirt; he had several cuts and bruises wherever his skin was exposed; and the dark shadows that were under his red-rimmed eyes seemed more prominent than ever. He gave her hand the faintest of squeezes and attempted to give her a reassuring smile. It was over. All of the running, the hiding, the fear of death or torture, the worrying over the safety of their loved ones and the fate of the world, the war was over.

As Hermione's thoughts were catching up to her, she felt Ron begin to lead her in the direction of the Great Hall. Hermione didn't know how long she must have just been standing there, taking in the sight of her world crumbled right before her, but now she could feel her mind returning slowly into a functional state. Several thoughts soon flooded her mind. The first one that came was Harry. Where was he? She quickened her pace to match Ron's long strides as he continued to lead her into the Great Hall.

Near the end of the Gryffindor table, Hermione spotted a group of people with ginger hair. She walked with Ron towards the Weasleys. As they got nearer, Hermione's heart jolted as she saw Harry, who was holding a weeping Ginny. Was it really only an hour ago that Hermione had seen him leave to meet his certain death in the Forbidden Forest? Harry looked up from Ginny to see Ron and Hermione approaching. He gave a Ginny a questioning look, his eyes darting between her and his two best friends. She sat up straight, giving him a half-hearted smile as she wiped her eyes, and nodded. Harry gently got up from the bench where he had been sitting with Ginny and walked toward Ron and Hermione.

Harry looked into the faces of his two best friends with his tired green eyes. Before Hermione could register what was happening, she found herself in a bone-crushing group hug.

"Thank you." Harry murmured to the other two. Hermione felt the tears stinging in her eyes as she squeezed Ron and Harry tighter. They had made it. Against all odds, the three of them were somehow still alive—and together. Voldemort was dead and gone forever; and for the first time in years, Hermione could feel just a small sliver of hope for the future rise up in her chest.

The trio ended their embrace and turned together face the Weasleys and the rest of the world.