THE AFTERMATH Author's Note: That' s my first story ever and I can say that I feel kinda nervous. I wanted to write this for so long. It's post DH from Hermione's point of view and I hope you like it. Forgive my poor English but I'm not an English speaker thank you all!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own Harry Potter… Everything belongs to the marvelous J.K. Rowling…

Constantine X

Chapter 1: the first day of the new world

The war was over. Voldemort was dead. They were all safe. Why all this pain had to replace all the relief that they were supposed to feel? Hermione was searching deep down in her heart trying to find the joy… She caught herself unable to do that…

Wherever she was looking she was seeing sorrow and grief. The Great Hall was full of people who were mourning for their beloved ones who lost their lives trying to build a better world. Looking around, Hermione was spotting more and more familiar faces lying on the floor still, lifeless, dead.

And then the anger hit her. That was unfair. Life is unfair. How were they supposed to handle all this loss? How can life be so cruel? They went through so much. The last year was like hell; feeling nowhere safe, being always in danger, waiting for your death every single day, wondering if it is your turn to die. All they were looking forward was the end of this madness. And now they were just there and it didn't feel right.

Trying to escape of her own thoughts, Hermione started running and running with no destination… The Great Hall was taking her breath away… She couldn't face all this pain… She couldn't see the sorrow painted on the faces of her beloved ones… On his face… She knew that she had to comfort him, try and take the pain away but she couldn't get herself to do that. Just not yet. She knew that she was childish but she couldn't help it. But she also knew that she had to get out of there and hope that when she comes back she will be strong enough to stand by his side…

After wandering for hours in the surroundings and clearing up her thoughts Hermione decided to return to the castle. The castle was empty and a comforting silence was all over the place… She walked slowly without meeting anyone in the corridors and after ten minutes she reached the Griffyndor tower and the portrait of the Fat Lady… It was opened since yesterday so she entered expecting to see an empty Common Room. Looking around she realized how much she missed the sense of this place where she had spent so many hours in it. Her eyes wandered in the room and suddenly spotted a certain redhead sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace looking emotionlessly towards the fire. Immediately she felt nervousness travel in every cell of her body and she tried to fight the urge to run to her dormitory. But being a real Griffyndor Hermione decided to stop playing coward and talk to him. That was the time to be strong for him and help him recollect his pieces.

He didn't seem to realize her presence so she got closer. When she was close enough she decided to let him know that she was there. So while her heartbeat was rising dangerously she opened her mouth to talk hoping that her voice won't let her down.

"Ron" her voice came out very soft and not louder than a whisper. He shook his head slightly and Hermione waited for some kind of an answer. But no response. Maybe it was a bad idea but she didn't back off. She felt the Griffyndor courage boiling in her blood as she tried not to stutter, needless to say, unsuccessfully.

"R-Ron" Hermione said this time with a smaller voice if it was possible. She waited some painful moments for him to respond but as the time was passing and he wasn't moving or talking she decided to give up trying and leave him alone for the time being.

"Stay", while Hermione was turning to go, she heard his voice, small and hoarse like he hadn't talked for hours.

Then again she turned slowly and saw him looking straight at her. And then her brown eyes met his beautiful blue sea eyes that Hermione was in love with since she was a little girl. A love that not only didn't fade but also grew bigger and deeper as the years passed. These eyes that they were so warm and they could see straight through her heart, this exact time these same eyes were hiding so much pain that she had to fight the urge to gasp.

Hermione walked slowly towards the couch and sat next to him without breaking eye contact. They were staring towards each other like it was the first time they met. She felt unable to take her eyes away. The comforting silence, the flames in the fireplace and them. It seemed so right.

And then out of the blue he grabbed her small hands and put her in his arms. As her head was lying on his chest she could feel his steady breathing. She could hear his heart pounding and she smiled at the thought that their heartbeats matched. And as he was holding her in his warm arms Hermione knew. This is where she felt safe; this is where she wanted to be.

After a couple of minutes Hermione turned to look at him. She caught sight of his eyes looking at her so lovingly. And all the untold words about their kiss seemed unnecessary. Every single doubt about his feelings towards her disappeared. And then she was sure. Everything will be okay. After she explored his handsome face for some moments she rested again her head against his chest thinking that her heart might burst from love and relief.

"Don't leave", he whispered in her hair; the sound of his soft voice filling her heart with warmth. "Don't ever leave".

"I won't", she whispered back; her voice small but steady.

And just like that the two of them closed their eyes and fell asleep holding each other tightly.

That's all…I know it's short but hopefully there's more to come… I hope there are no errors… I hope you liked it…Unfortunately I won't be able to update soon because I am leaving on vacation… Please leave a REVIEW…

Thank you all!