Hermione Granger's POV

(The Initial Aftermath of the War.)

crying into Ron's shoulder in the back corner of the infirmary at Hogwarts. I felt both grief from losing loved ones and relief that I had survived. When I finally lifted my head, it felt ten times heavier than normal I was in a state of shock was it really all over? I just couldn't believe that after being on the run for a year we could actually be sitting there in the aftermath of the war alive and well. Where is Harry I asked Ron when my tears had subsided I had already lost my friend once today I didn't need to be losing him again. "He's fine" Ron assured me "I think this whole ordeal took even more of a toll on him then the rest of us he probably just went on a walk to clear his head." I nodded knowing Ron was probably right.

Then Ron turned to me and almost lightheartedly said so we're a couple, now right? I was shocked he would say such a thing at a time like this for goodness sakes his brother just died. I then exclaimed rather forcefully Ronald Weasley this is certainly not the time to be discussing such matters! Then Ron looked away from me dejectedly before turning back and saying you know as well as I do Hermione that wasn't an answer.

Oh, just come here you dumb bloke and before he could come up with a witty remark I kissed him, and not a childish kiss like the one we'd had during the battle but one of passion our warm soft lips colliding together. It felt like being paired with a wand for the first time where you just knew that this was it. Of course, we're a couple Ron I thought you already knew that, but I suppose I know everything before you, now don't I?

"Never hurts to make sure" he said his face clearly blushing as they noticed George walking up to them. George gave them a knowing look and said it looks like your handling your brother's death well and stormed off before Ron or I could say anything. "Well he seemed upset" Ron noted and I gave him a look he knew all too well; he was about to be reprimanded for something then I said see this is why I told you this was not the time. Ron just gave me a nod of understanding and said "I better go find George and ran off after him."

Then I was left sitting there alone in the cold sterile room of the Hospital wing watching the sad families around the hundreds of people either wounded or dead, and thought back to my first year at Hogwarts when I had said to Ron and Harry that I was going to bed before they came up with another bright idea to get them all killed or worse expelled oh how my priorities had changed since then. Part of me wondered how I could have changed so drastically over the years, and then again I wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Hermione" I heard a comforting voice say, and I looked up it was McGonagall my favorite professor at Hogwarts. When McGonagall reached, me she exclaimed Oh Hermione I'm so glad I found you I've been searching the castle for you, and flung her arms around me in a hug. McGonagall was not known for being a very affectionate woman so I looked perplexed as to why on earth McGonagall would care where I was after all I was just a former student. I then looked up at the old woman I had grown to respect and said Hello McGonagall to what do I owe the honor.

McGonagall then took a step back and looked at me sadly and said "Oh Hermione I'm not your Teacher right now there is no need to be so formal." I looked at her apologetically Sorry Minerva I am just accustomed to addressing you that way what did you want to talk to me about? McGonagall then looked at me and said "now's not the time to talk I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

I found McGonagall's sudden interest in my wellbeing odd, but chalked it up to my being her favorite student. I was quickly drawn out of my thoughts by Luna who had snuck up behind me. "Hello Hermione I thought you would be with Ron or Harry it's odd seeing you alone." Nice to see you too Luna I muttered though slightly uncomfortable. Luna had the same odd way about her professor Trelawney did, and although she's my friend I have never quite gotten used to Luna's more eccentric personality. "I just wanted to say thank you for everything."

I was a little surprised by this sudden admission of gratitude. I hadn't done anything more than everyone else had. There's no need to thank me Luna I didn't do anything more than everyone else did.

"You know what's funny Hermione? It's that as smart as you are you truly believe that. You know as well as I do without you Harry and Ron would have died ages ago, but for some reason you still pretend you were no more than Harry Potter's sidekick why is that?"

I hated how Luna always had a way of asking the most insightful questions it did nothing to ease my comfort. I may be as smart as they come, but Luna has a kind of intelligence I could only dream of one that would intimidate anyone. She seemed to always just know how you were feeling, and see the truth no matter what anyone said. I then replied I don't pretend to be anything Luna, but thank you for the compliment. So, what brings you to the infirmary?

"Nevil needed his head stitched up after the fight. I was just going to go check on him. I wonder if his Gran's arrived yet? I'm sure she'll be worried about him. I do hope someone has remembered to contact her. If not I'm sure she'd be worried sick about him."

I'm sure someone has contacted her Luna, and I'm glad you and Nevil are alive, and well too many good people died last night. So are you and Nevil a couple now?

"Oh yes we've been dating since just before I was kidnapped. You couldn't even imagine how brave Nevil's been this past year leading Dumbledore's Army I just wish I had been there for more of it instead of being trapped in Malfoy's basement for months, but we are doing our best to make up for lost time."

I was moved by Luna's insightful words and looked longingly over to where Ron was sitting with his family. Luna was right. I had been so caught up in the war and death that it never occurred to me how much time we'd lost trying to be heroes. Had things gone differently Ron and I might have already been dating for a year but instead spells horcruxes and dark wizards always seemed to get in the way. Part of me longed for the days when I lived in a world devoid of magic, but alas that was not my destiny, but I knew what was. Luna if you'll excuse me I need to go be with my family now, and I went to sit down next to Ron because at the end of the day weather we worked out or not the Weasley's had become my family.