Hermione was sitting on the frozen ground by the grave. She couldn't feel her limbs, but she didn't care. Sounds of merriment drifted from within the castle, but she didn't want to hear them. Her entire attention was focused on the grave in front of her. It read:

Harry Potter

It still couldn't have happened. It couldn't happen, but it did. Hermione knew that sitting here wouldn't bring him back, she knew nothing resurrected the dead. She might as well be sitting in the dining hall, stuffing her face.

There was a soft cantering behind her, and a centaur appeared beside her. Without turning her head, she knew it was Firenze. This was a simple enough fact to be familiar with. No other centaur would step foot into the grounds.

"The others are feasting."

Hermione remained silent.

"You should eat."

"No."

Firenze did not push the matter.

Professor Dumbledore never bothered her when she was out here. She supposed it was because he thought this was her way of coping. The truth was, she wasn't coping. The logical part of her mind was telling her that this all just happened, there was nothing she could do. The logical part of her mind seemed to function less and less as time went on.

The centaur did not leave, but stood beside her, staring expressionlessly at the monument. Moments passed in silence, and Hermione shifted her gaze to the sky. Mars was bright tonight.

"Did you know that this would happen?"

"Know that what would happen?" Firenze asked, following her gaze to the skies.

Hermione knew that Firenze knew precisely what. She didn't reply, but stared again at the grave. She expected the type of cryptic, rubbish mystical answer that centaurs typically gave, so his answer surprised her.

"No. I'll wager you were more knowledgeable than me in this particular prophecy. Sometimes the heart knows more than star-gazers could ever hope to guess."

The centaur sighed. He was still looking up at the stars. A few more minutes of silence passed, then Firenze held out a hand to Hermione.

After a moment, Hermione gradually extended her hand to Firenze for him to grasp. He helped pull her upright, and the unusual twosome slowly trudged up to the castle.