Chapter One

There was something in the late evening air that reminded Hermione of the days before the battle; out by the lake with Harry & Ron. Ron pestering her about his potions essay for the tenth time that day.

"RONALD WEASLY! If you spent less time thinking about stuffing your belly with chocolate frogs and actually listened to Snape in his class, then you would know how to do your essay! Now don't ask me again! Ron turned away pink in the face muttering under his breath, causing Harry to look up from his Quidditch preparation. "Do you two ever stop arguing" he said with an amused look on his face. "We would if HE paid attention in class! "Well you know that's never going to happen Hermione, lets face it the day he pays attention in class" pointed Harry towards Ron's scowling face "is the day that Malfoy will ask you out! "Harry!' cried Hermione as all three of them laughed at the idea….now thinking back to those carefree days at the edge of the lake seemed like eons ago.

When they could talk and laugh without the dread and despair of death that filled their minds. It had been almost three months after the battle of Hogwarts. The most epic battle between good and evil that wizard kind had seen as so far, Harry Potter the boy who lived had been the one to win in the long war against Lord Voldemort.

Now that it was over, the wizarding world was still celebrating, but too many scars of the battle had not yet been healed. Many lives were lost to the forces of evil including those of Remus and his wife Tonks Lupin and beloved Fred Weasley. Hermione had still to overcome the large void in her life of losing the ones she had loved. To go to the burrow and not see them there was truly agonizing. She couldn't imagine the pain of the Weasley family losing Fred, or that of Teddy Lupin, the boy who was now an orphan in the care of Tonks mother.

"Hermione! Come inside dear it is far to cold to be out here so late, and with nothing but a thin shirt on, come along dear go to bed you have a early start tomorrow" called Molly Weasley "Yes Mrs. Weasley sorry just lost track of time"

"Quite understandable dear we have all had a lot to think about since…" she trailed off as she ushered Hermione into the room. "Well goodnight Mrs. Weasley I'll see you in the morning" as Hermione left the kitchen, she thought she heard a sniffle from Mrs. Weasley.

It had been a long day at Diagon Alley. That day everyone was at the Burrow; they had all gotten their supplies for Hogwarts which they would leave for the next day. By the time she got into bed and her head hit the pillow Hermione Granger was a million miles away in a dream about Neville biting Luna's foot to get rid of Marigalups poison (a pimple inducing butterfly bit her)