Chapter 2

Hermione Weasley sat at her desk in Hogwarts staring at what must have been the hundredth bit of parchment that day. Essays on the pros and cons of being an animagi were usually quite interesting but since lunch time her mind just wasn't on her job. She had met her husband at lunchtime and he told her the usual goings on at auror headquarters. She was glad that Ron and Harry had brought to justice the feared werewolf Fenrir Greyback but what worried her most was what Ron told her was Harry's reaction to him. He explained that it was just like Malfoy. This did not go down well with her. Ron had also told her that when they had arrived back at headquarters, Harry had taken the entire paperwork home with him. Hermione was one of the many that was worried about Harry Potter.

A knock at the door to her office surprised her into reality again and she beckoned the person at the door to enter. Professor McGonagall entered in and stood at the end of the desk.

"So how goes the grading of the essays then?"

"Could be better!" Hermione gave a smile but McGonagall wasn't fooled by it.

"Hermione, how many times have I told you that when your mind is on other things not to grade papers. Essays from 7th years must have your full attention. Now what's wrong? Or do I know the answer to that already?"

"They got Greyback."

"They did? Excellent news. What punishment is being given to the insane creature?"

"Ron says that Harry is pushing for execution."

The words slowly sunk in and McGonagall looked at her. "Harry is? He has never pushed for anything like that before has he?"

"Only the once. Malfoy!"

McGonagall sat down on the chair opposite Hermione and let Hermione continue.

"He wanted that for Malfoy for Susan, he wants it for Greyback for Moony and when they catch Bellatrix Lestrange he'll want it for Sirius."

"Maybe then, he can finally start to live again."

Hermione stood up sharply, tears forming in her eyes. "Can't you see Minerva, he will never start to live again. He lost everything he ever wanted when Susan died. He was in love, he was happy Not even the war could stop him smiling. The only time I saw him really happy before that was when he was with Ginny in 6th year. When he fell in love with Susan, he glowed. Nothing could've stopped him. But when Malfoy killed her, all that was left was a shell. Yes it is Harry but it's not really him."

She sat back down on the chair, tears slowly falling from her eyes. Minerva went over to her and engulfed her in a hug. The two women were like that for some time.

If they had've looked up at the portrait on the wall, they would've saw Professor Dumbledore looking down on them with a twinkle in his eye.

And if they had've really listened they would've heard a mumble coming from the esteemed headmaster.

"Harry will love again. Maybe not the way you intend at the start, but he will love again."

And with that the grandfatherly headmaster slowly drifted off to snooze. Still a twinkle and a smile on his face.