Harry let out a shaky breath, sitting heavily on the cracked steps just outside of the school. All around him, he could hear the screams of the wounded and the grieved sobs of the families of the dead. Exhausted, Harry dropped his head between his knees, covered his ears, trying to block it all out.
"Harry?" Hermione's cautious, worried voice caused his head to snap up. As soon as he caught her eyes, he felt his breath catch in his throat and his chest heave as he fought back sobs.
Hermione immediately grabbed his arm and led him quickly through the ruined castle, towards Gryffindor Tower. At the portrait, the Fat Lady, surprisingly, let them in without a word. They had hardly made it into the Common Room when Harry's legs buckled. As he sank to the ground, bringing Hermione with him, Harry finally gave in to his emotions, allowing everything from the past year—the past sixteen years, really—to catch up with him. Hermione stayed absolutely silent as Harry sobbed, holding him tight as he grieved.
They sat like that for more than an hour before Harry calmed down enough to choke out an apology.
Hermione put her hand to his cheek, forcing Harry to meet her gaze. "Don't you dare apologize, Harry James Potter. This is not your fault. None of this is." Harry's eyes slid closed, and he leaned into her touch. Hermione's gaze softened. This was the most relaxed she'd seen her best friend in more than a year. "Get some rest, Harry," she whispered.
Immediately, Harry's eyes snapped open, terrified. "Stay," he pleaded.
She hesitated for the barest of moments before transfiguring a blanket from one of the couch cushions. Without another word, she laid down beside him on the floor. As she drifted off to sleep, Hermione snuggled close to her best friend, lying her head on his chest, right over his heart.
The door to the common room burst open, slamming against the stone wall behind it. They were so conditioned for war that Harry didn't even think—he immediately rolled he and Hermione away from the perceived threat, covering her with his body and keeping low to the ground. His head snapped up to identify the threat, his wand raised, even as he stayed in a crouch over his best friend. Underneath him, Hermione was taut as a bowstring, ready for anything.
Standing in the entrance to Gryffindor Tower were Ron and Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood. Ron was angry, his face red. Ginny looked torn between rage and heartbreak. Luna stood there with her normal dreamy expression. Neville looked shocked and startled at first, but a grin quickly found its way onto his face.
"What do you think you're doing with my girlfriend, Harry!" Ron exploded.
"Harry?" Ginny demanded coolly.
Neville just grinned. "It's about bloody time."
