Chapter 1: Despair And Heartache

'Noooo!'

At that moment she was aware of nothing else but the bodies lying in front of her. She knew they should have gone into hiding, if only she'd pleaded with them more she wouldn't be staring at their lifeless bodies. It was all her fault, if only she was stronger, if only she'd fought back harder. As this whirlwind of thoughts went through her mind she focused on the figure in front of her knowing this memory would be engrained in her mind forever. Then it all became too much and blackness engulfed her.

When Hermione Granger awoke all she could see was a mass of red hair. She wondered for a moment where she was and who it could be, beginning to panic. Hermione then saw familiar freckles and brown eyes.

'Ron?' She murmured her voice hoarse from lack of use.

'She's awake!' Screamed Ron and suddenly a whole crowd of faces appeared in her line of vision. Most of them were red-haired however if she looked carefully she could just make out a familiar dark head and pair of glasses.

'Are you feeling ok?' Harry asked his green eyes full of concern.

'Just a bit fuzzy.' She replied trying to sit up, ignoring the wave of nausea that was trying to engulf her. Several pairs of hands appeared to prevent her attempt.

'You need to rest.' Ron said.

Hermione flinched away from the touch looking confused. Everyone lessened their hold on her unsure if touching her was causing further distress and Hermione didn't try to sit up again. As much as she didn't want to agree with Ron, Hermione was feeling tired and before she had chance to argue she was in no need of rest, Hermione began to drift back to sleep.

Hermione was constantly in pain, whether it be in her dreams or the wounds left by the Death Eaters. She had both physical and mental scars to deal with and was finding it hard to cope. After she had woken up screaming for the 4th time in one day and had managed to re-open a deep wound yet again the healers decided Hermione should deal with her physical wounds first. It wasn't doing Hermione good to have repetitive healing spells cast as everyone put extra pressure on her already weak body. The Healers administered a dreamless sleep draught that would last a few days hoping when she awoke her wounds would be better healed and then Hermione could begin the long task of accepting what had happened to her.

After about a week it was decided the potion would no longer be safe and Hermione was woken up. It took her a few seconds to register what was going on, her entire body tingled from all the familiar healing spells and her head felt very groggy, as she took note of all this she asked the first question that came into her mind.

'Where am I?'

Glancing around the room she saw most of the Weasley's and Harry standing nervously in the background. She could tell by his expression he was blaming himself for this, but there were more important things to deal with.

'There was an attack.' Molly supplied, reaching out for Hermione's hand.

'Where are my Mum and Dad?' Hermione asked looking round for them even though she already knew the answer.

'They're dead I'm afraid.' Molly replied, tears filling her eyes at the blank expression on Hermione's face. She already knew, poor girl.

'I'm going to kill him.' Hermione stated, beginning to regain some colour. Ignoring the woozy feeling she sat up and attempted to get out of bed. Molly gently moved her back into the bed hoping Hermione would calm down.

'I know it must be difficult but don't worry we will sort out the person who did this to you.' Said Harry, his face no longer filled with self-doubt.

As Hermione sat there surrounded by the people she loved she felt safe for the first time in weeks and as the trauma of the past few weeks finally caught up with her and she fell into Molly's arms and began to cry.