Unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter or else I would be rich, famous, and Sirius, Lupin, Severous, Fred, Moody, Hedwig, James, Lilly, Tonks, Michael, and many other would never have died... except in this... Just read please, I swear it gets better.
Hermione sat staring into space in her normal seat by the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room late at night, simply staring without a word. To any looking on she seemed lost in memory or in some delusion of some sort as she smiled in a strangely sad way that jerked the heart and made you want to cry even without knowing why.
She held a letter in her hand and her wand had a slight glow as it was pointed to the fire that was shaped in such a way to show Hogwarts in its full glory even down to the students in the courtyard and the Quidditch field with flying sparks shaped as the players. It looked so peaceful and quiet, just as it was that night.
She was lost in thought, without a care or a doubt and no one, if indeed there was anyone in the room, knew what it was she was thinking of that would put Hermione of all girls into such a state.
In her thoughts she was laughing, something no one had seen her do since the war, and she was running with her friends outside the Burrow. She was laughing so hard in fact that tears were streaming down her face and she felt that she would die from lack of oxygen.
She missed that feeling…
She ran frantically to the house and slapped its wall panting heavily and laughing triumphantly, "I did it!"
"Oh we let you off easy!" She looked up at the two twins who looked not even the least bit winded from the frantic run.
"Did not!" She frowned at them unwilling to admit defeat but knowing already that she had lost before the fight had started.
"Says the girl who was given a head start." She glared at the twin who had spoken and George wisely took a step precautionary step back.
Finally after a staring match with the two (Which was honestly making her a little dizzy and giving her a headache) she laughed and shrugged, admitting defeat at last.
The boys grinned triumphantly and joyously fist bumped and gave great whoops to let everyone know that they had finally won an argument against Granger, the girl who never lost.
When Mrs. Weasley called out that supper was ready the two draped their arms over her shoulders and paraded her to the table, crowing out and singing off tune about how they should get a medal to show that they had been two of few of the Weasley's to win as of yet.
Everyone laughed and joked around and she found herself happy to see them all, each and every one of them.
She found herself being shaken awake and taken from the peaceful dream by one of the second years who had woken early to find her staring into the fire and thought it was best to try to get her to wake up.
She thanked the girl and let the fire die back down, standing as she did so. She gave a little yawn and began to gather her scattered books and parchment and ink wells.
When she finished she went up to the girls dormitory and dropped them all on her bed, flopping beside them and gingerly picking up the only picture that remained that had the entire group still together that she had managed to take in her earlier Hogwarts years. She had never seen the importance to taking the pictures until then when she was left without them.
In the picture that showed all the Weasleys and the trio and all their friends they were all laughing. The twins had set off an invention of theirs; you could see the explosion in the corner. Percy was trying to be serious but even he couldn't help but laugh a little. Harry was struggling with Ron who had him in a headlock and she was laughing so intensely she doubled over.
She sighed as she touched their faces and wondered why they were all gone.
Arthur had died in the snake attack back in fifth year .Bill had died in the first attack when Dumbledore died and Fred in the next when Percy had been just barely too late to save him. Percy later died from an injury his failed attempt had caused.
Harry had woken just long enough to kill Voldemort and Ron had left for somewhere in Rome to avoid the memories that attacked each and every one of them everywhere they went.
George had tried to cope with his brother's death for so long until one day he just packed up his bags and left. No one knew where.
Hermione had gone back to school, being one of perhaps twenty to choose to do so but found it all very heart breaking and nostalgic. She sighed again as she place the picture face down on her dresser and stood again and walked to the door.
It was still early but she was hungry nonetheless. She went to the kitchens and found the elves all working happily, running about and preparing food for her. Yilla, a house elf who had taken a strange liking to her, jumped to her feet in excitement, "Mizz Granger! You camed back Mizz Granger!"
Hermione just nodded and patted Yilla on the head quietly and watched as they all ran about and thanked Yilla when she brought her a plate of pancakes with a cup of milk and sat down.
She ate slowly and then stopped completely when an image of Ron shoving food down his throat came into mind and shoved her plate away.
Yilla came up to Hermione and tugged on her sleeve, "Yilla could not help but notice that Mizz Granger lookies sad Mizz Granger."
Hermione merely patted her head again and gave little Yilla a little hug, "Yilla was wondering if Mizz Granger woulds like to go back Mizz Granger."
Hermione frowned at Yilla, "No thank you Yilla, I'm happy in the kitchens with you all here. The common room is just a bit much right now."
"No Mizz Granger. That's not what Yilla was asking Mizz Granger. Yilla was wondering is Mizz Granger wanted to go back to her friends."
Again, Hermione frowned and tears filled her eyes, "I can't Yilla, they are dead, remember?"
Yilla stamped her foot, "That is not what Yilla was wondering! Yilla is asking Mizz Granger, if Mizz Granger woulds like to fix what has happens!"
Hermione blinked at the frustrated house elf even as all the rest looked at them in shock, some turning and shaking their heads in shame. Even they knew there was a limit to their magic.
"That is impossible Yilla. You can't change time, not really. Not that much. Besides, I already did everything I could, every time I could, what else could I do? All the time turners were destroyed remember? I can't go back to save them!"
She stood to leave but Yilla screeched out in frustration, "Mizz Granger you must!"
Hermione just let the tears fall and left the kitchen, ignoring the small feet chasing her when suddenly, little Yilla gave out such a magical and loud shout of frustration that everything went white.
Ok so there's the first chapter. I know its weird and kinda maybe a little confusing but please just keep reading haha. Feel free to ask me questions and review!