Hermione sat on the very end of a row of chairs, the chair to her right was empty. The next seat however was taken by George Weasley. Sitting to his right was his twin brother Fred, and to his right were Bill, Charlie, Percy, and in the last two seats closest to the aisle were Arthur and Molly Weasley.

All the seats to their right were filled. All the seats behind them were filled. There was only one empty spot, saved for Ron next to Hermione.

Hermione stared blankly at Harry and Ginny who were standing under the magically lit alter, saying their vows to one another. She was lost somewhere on a cloud that looked like the Gryffindor common room, sitting next to Ron.

She was startled back to reality when a loud applause rang through the Burrow and Harry and Ginny walked down the aisle towards the reception area. Everyone was standing, clapping, whistling, and otherwise cheering.

Hermione was still sitting next to the empty white chair.

"Come on," Fred said, holding out his hand. "You look like you need some water."

Hermione scoffed a laugh and rubbed her left eye of an already dried tear.

"Honestly some fire whiskey sounds a lot better."

"I never come unprepared." George said, now standing next to his twin brother.

George pulled out an odd looking flask and shoved it at Hermione. Everyone else was walking to the tented area setup for the reception, leaving only the three of them where the ceremony had just taken place.

"I swear, it's fire whiskey." George reassured her.

"I wonder why she doesn't trust you." Fred said, trying to lighten her mood.

Hermione didn't hesitate a second longer. She grabbed the flask and drank a small sip. A second later she was taking a rather large second helping.

"That stuff isn't butterbeer you know." The twins said simultaneously.

"It's good." Hermione said, handing the flask back.

George shook it, it was completely empty.

"Well the only way you are getting anymore is if you bet up off your bum and come over to the reception. There's plenty more there." Fred explained.

"Yeah, we aren't going to wait on you hand and foot, bringing you drinks over here all night. Now, come on." George said.

Begrudgingly, Hermione stood up and followed them over to where everyone else had gathered and was dancing and making toasts. She walked the entire way, head held down, looking at her feet as she walked in the dark.

At first, no one attempted to talk to her. She helped herself to four more drinks of fire whisky before she finally started to feel the effects. She staggered over to the one empty table and plopped down in a chair.

"Hermione," a female voice startled her.

Hermione looked up and it was Molly. She was smiling but it might have been the most dreadful smile Hermione had ever seen anyone wear.

"Won't you come join us at the family table?" Molly asked.

Hermione simply shook her head and turned her attention back to the white table cloth.

"That's fine." Molly said, reassuringly.

Hermione's eyes closed when she felt Molly's hand grip her shoulder before leaving her be. A new song started playing; it was rather fast and fun sounding. Hermione dared a quick look up and saw Harry and Ginny dancing happily. Soon there were more and more people joining in, seemingly having the times of their lives.

"How could everyone be having so much fun?" Hermione asked herself. "How can they find it in themselves to even act happy?"

A few minutes passed. Then an hour, some people had started to leave the party as it was getting late into the evening. Song after song was played. Some were slow and romantic, others were fast paced. As one of the slow songs began to play, Hermione could feel the presence of another visitor.

"Dance with me?" Harry asked.

Hermione looked up at him, her eyes tired and full of misery. She glanced past Harry and saw Ginny in her white gown talking to extended relatives and laughing.

Harry held out his hand. Hermione couldn't say no.

"Easy," Harry remarked. "I figure that fire whiskey is still hitting you pretty hard."

Hermione didn't smile. She didn't even acknowledge the comment but she did give Harry her hand. He walked her to the dance floor and they stood close enough so that they could whisper to one another as they slowly swayed to the rhythm of the music.

"I miss him." Hermione whimpered.

"I do too, I'm so sorry."

"Stop." Hermione said. "I can't take another person saying they are sorry. I'm just as sorry as anyone could possibly be."

"I know."

"I know too… No one knows what to say. I know it's hard on everyone." Hermione admitted. "I had just thought about the future so many times and he was always a part of that."

Harry nodded and Hermione buried her crying eyes into his shoulder.

"Look at me, I'm a mess. I couldn't even be Ginny's bridesmaid after she asked me."

"Everyone understands. Ginny understands." Harry reassured her.

"I should still be there for the people I care about… I just don't have the motivation to do it, Harry. A large part of me just doesn't care."

There was nothing left to say. They finished their dance and Hermione excused herself and aparated from the Burrow a short time thereafter.

Hermione found herself in a small flat she had started renting in London, just a week prior. She wasn't totally alone, as Crookshanks purred at her reappearance.

"Not now Crookshanks." Hermione groaned.

She didn't want to show affection towards her cat but she did check her water and food before she turned on the tele. She didn't pay attention to what was on, she just needed background noise.

Hermione paced around the apartment, trying to figure out something, anything that might distract her for a split second. Perhaps she would read a book? No, that seemed like too much of a chore at the moment. Perhaps she could eat? No, that seemed nauseating.

Instead she walked over to the couch where there was a blanket and pillow and laid down on it, nearly in the fetal position and cried. Her sobs turned to screams of fear and grief. She didn't even bother using a silencing charm so that she wouldn't disturb the neighbors. She truly didn't care what they thought.

Early the next morning an owl was at Hermione's window, trying to peck its way inside. Hermione covered her head with the pillow, feeling the sting of the previous night's fire whiskey.

"SHUT IT!" Hermione growled as she stomped over to the window. She roughly separated the letter from the owls beak, who looked most affronted by this and flew away.

Miss Granger, this is the third time we have attempted to contact you about interviewing with the Ministry of Magic. We currently have a position open that we think you would be perfectly qualified for. Please respond within the next three working days or we will have to look elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Linda McClane

Hermione threw the letter next to the other two on a small table and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed some ice and threw it in a glass before filling it up with water from the tap. She drank the entire thing in earnest and threw the glass in the sink next to a few other dishes.

Only then did Hermione notice that she was still wearing the dress she wore to the wedding. Not caring about making a mess, she slid the straps down her arms and let the dress fall to the floor and she kicked it over to the carpeted living area. She then tossed her undergarments on top of it and forced herself to shower.

As the shower began to run, Crookshanks stuck his head in and meowed.

"You have food, I just saw your bowl."

Crookshanks jolted, ran across the flat to safer grounds…