New light

A light was shining on the sky brighter than any star. It was soon gone and Hermione Granger lost hope again. The light appeared every night since she came back to Hogwarts. Hermione and a few others returned after the war to go back to school. Not enough students for every house they all sticked together and rivalties were gone.

Hermione still felt lonely after months of studying. Harry was dead and Ron was depressed. He had not returned to Hogwarts like Hermione did. Everyone was staring at her and it made her feel uncomfortable. She was often on her own liked to spend time at the Astronomy tower.

Not many came here but she often saw Hannah who looked into the nightsky. Like Hermione she looked out for the brighter star and smiled. "It looks beautiful, doesn't it?"

"Yes, what do you think it is?"

"I know who it is. His name is Basil, he found this thing during the battle. It steals lights and let them shine somewhere else. I got injured during the battle and he saved me. When I had nightmares he let it shine for me and he still does until I'm back. Isn't that sweet?" Hannah was blushing but Hermione was upset. She had thought Ron sent her messages but he forgot her and Hannah was the happy girl.

"Is Basil your boyfriend? Does he know what he found is a Deluminator?"

"No, he, what is that thing you talk about?" Hannah came closer and light a candle for them with her wand. "I like Basil, maybe more, but now I can't tell him. He lives somewhere in London with muggles and I don't want to give away he is a wizard" Hannah didn't often speak of Basil but she loved to and Hermione listened.

"I see. His Deluminator is a small magical object which Ron lost during the battle of Hogwarts. It steals light and gives lights when you need it. And he sends this signal for you?"

"Yes, one time every night. He lets me know he has not forgotten me" Hannah still blushed when she left to go to bed. Hermione followed soon after and was happy for Hannah even she now knew it was not Ron who sent secret light signals.

In London he lived in a house like any other but he knew it better. His house was once home of the Dursley's. Because it had been attacked it was cheap and he rebuild it while taking care of Hannah. He still thought of her and put the deluminator back in a box under his bed. His wand and his Hogwarts uniform were in the box as well. His special memories had no place in his life. Living in London he had to hide his magic from muggles.

Downstairs was the only magical object he show in public. A broken Remembrall had a picture of Hannah inside and muggles who entered his house thought it was some kind of toy.

His case stand by the couch and he was leaving tomorrow for a couple of days. He had not told Hannah they would soon see each other again but wanted to surprise her.

Hermione couldn't sleep all night. She missed her friends but it had been a year since she last saw them. Like Hannah she had to go on with her wand she cut her hair. Next she let her house symbol disappear and was just a Hogwartsstudent like every other.

War was over and all enemies defeated. Wizards were living in peace at their homes and quiet between muggles. She would do the same in a few months and a fresh start would help her be happy again.

After she cleaned up she went to bed again but bumped into Cormac on the way. "I'm sorry"

"No, it's okay. You look pretty. Your new haircut looks good"

"Thank you" Hermione didn't want to talk to Cormac for long. He was no longer arrogant and was actually a nice guy but now was not the moment to have a long conversation. "I'm tired"

"Yes, of course. It's just the other 7th grade students talk about what job they will have and I didn't see anyone asked you. I think it's because everybody expects you to stay here and become a teacher. Is this true?"

"I don't think so" Hermione had not thought much about her future yet but she wanted to start with this soon. She knew Hogwarts was no option. Too much reminded her of what she had lost but many other jobs were a dead end or no longer existing. "Let's talk about this another time, I'm really tired"

"Okay, good night Hermione" Cormac walked away and Hermione went to bed trying to get some sleep. Next week will be terrible for her since it was the day of Harry Potter's death and many wizards and witches would come to celebrate victory.

Thinking about it made Hermione cry herself to sleep.