A/N: So Here I am again with yet another little oneshot. This time it's Helga Hufflepuff/Hermione Granger. It was cowritten with the lovely Lamia of the Dark, so I hope you enjoy.
The Unexpected Walking Companion
Everything was different when you were dead, at least, that was what Hermione thought as she stared at the world around her.
She hadn't chosen to stay behind as a ghost, no. Instead she had chosen to move on into the afterlife, where she wouldn't have to see her friends crying over her unfortunate death in the Battle of Hogwarts.
So here she was, walking along a stone path in a different, quieter place, and wondering what exactly she was going to do now that she was no longer one of the living.
It seemed like ages, but really was probably only a few minutes, when she finally saw someone else up ahead on the path.
She was an older women, much older than Hermione herself, and her eyes were full of kindness as she turned to look at Hermione.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said, coming to a stop in front of the woman. "I'm sort of lost. I don't really know what I'm supposed to do now that I'm-you know," she ended feebly.
"Let me show you the way, dear," the woman smiled at her before turning around and slowly walking down the path.
Without another word, Hermione quickly followed after her, glad to have a companion now. She hadn't considered how lonely it might be in the afterlife.
"So, have you been here for a long time?" Hermione asked, before realizing how rude she might have come across. "I-I mean, you don't have to ans-"
"It's alright dear. Yes, I've been here for as long as I can remember."
"Oh," Hermione replied quietly. There was a gentle silence for a while, before Hermione decided to ask for her companion's name.
"May I have your name, or at least something I can call you?" She asked.
"Helga. Helga Hufflepuff," her companion responded.
"You're one of the Founders of Hogwarts!" Hermione gasped in awe, receiving a gentle laugh from Helga.
"Yes dear, I am. And you're Hermione Granger," Helga said knowingly.
"Yes, I am. But how did you-?"
"We're here," Helga interrupted, gesturing to a beautiful clearing at the end of the long road.
"It's so beautiful," Hermione whispered, staring in awe at the clearing.
"And it's all yours. That is, if you're willing to share it with me?" Helga asked, turning to her with questioning eyes.
Hermione would never be able to explain exactly what it was that possessed her to do it, but when she threw her arms around Helga and pressed her lips against the other's, she somehow knew that it was the right decision to make.
"Of course, always," she said breathlessly as she pulled away for air.
"You beautiful, amazing, brave girl. I love you so much," Helga gave her another one of those adoring, gentle smiles.
"I love you too Helga. I'll always love you," Hermione replied, and she meant it.