AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 7

Hermione slowly walked towards her seat at the Gryffindor table. On the way, she saw numerous faces look at her as her peers started to whisper and murmur at each other. Surely they had heard of what happened to her parents. Some of their faces were sad and solemn as the glanced at her. There were few faces that were grinning as the snickered, no doubt finding the situation funny. Of course, these heartless people who were joking about her sat at the Slytherin table.

It was the last meal and the leaving ceremony. She didn't want to go and was in no mood to. Still, she forced herself to attend, and thought it would be nice to see her friends once last time before everyone had separated for the summer.

"Hi Hermione," Harry greeted her sadly as she sat across from him and Ron.

"Hey Hermione," Ron muffled as he chewed with his mouthful.

Ginny didn't say anything at first and just hugged Hermione. "Headmaster told us what had happened the other night. We are so sorry," Ginny said.

"Where were you these past two days and nights by the way?" Ron asked with his brow frowning. "You haven't been going to classes, or at the Gryffindor tower."

Hermione shrugged. "Dumbledore allowed me to stay elsewhere and not attend the last few classes."

"Lucky you!" Ron stated. He then was kicked by Harry in the shin, and received a glare from the boy. It was always like him to become so insensitive at certain points and not care for others but himself.

Hermione ignored his comment and started to place some food in her plate. Suddenly she felt like she shouldn't have attended at all. Lucky her?! How could one say such a thing after everything that's happened? Merlin, sometimes she really hated Ron, and wanted to smack his face.

"So what are you planning to do this summer Hermione?" Ginny asked, trying to strike a conversation.

"What now Hermione after…" Harry asked unable to continue.

"I'll be staying with my grandfather," Hermione replied as she pushed her food around her plate.

"Grandfather?" Ron asked in surprise. "You never mentioned that you had one."

"You never asked," Hermione stated as her eyes narrowed at the red-headed boy. He was getting all the more annoying.

"Well I just thought-"

"Thought what Ron?!" Hermione snapped at him.

"Well I thought that my parents would take you in or something," Ron mumbled.

"Why Ron? Want me to stay and live with your family, so that I can live with you?" Hermione asked in anger. "I said it's over between us Ron for the millionth time. Don't push your luck!"

Ron in turn looked at her in anger as well. His face turned a shade of red. There was no denying that he was still into Hermione. The boy still thought that they were meant to be together, and that she was in love with him, like he was with her. "I'll let that one slide for now, since you are in mourning," he said, even though he wanted to answer back at her.

"Or you'll what?" Hermione seethed at him. She already had enough anger boiling in her for her parents, and here was Ron, pushing her buttons yet again.

Before Ron could answer, Harry had covered his mouth with his hand. "That's enough, the both of you shut it." He then removed his hand from Ron's mouth.

"She started it," Ron said as he lowered his head, trying to look pitiful.

"Shut up!" Ginny commanded her brother. She then turned to Hermione and smiled at her. "Sorry, he's just a little hard headed at times," she whispered, only loud enough for Hermione to hear.

Hermione broke up with Ron just before Christmas. After a month of dating, she knew things wouldn't work out. She actually knew since the beginning of time that it wouldn't work out between them. She just gave him a chance. Ron obviously didn't take their break up to well, and some part of him still thought that they were still an item. There was no denying that he could be stupid. They weren't meant to be together. Fate and destiny had other plans for her.

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Severus pushed the food around his plate, and every so often, he looked at Hermione at the Gryffindor table. He then scratched his cheek with his fingers, feeling the stubble that had grown out. With all the drama that had happened, he forgot to shave in the morning.

"Looks like you haven't slept well my boy," Albus commented. He was seated next to Severus, and was closely watching his actions since the leaving ceremony started.

"I've had better nights Albus," Severus stated in a neutral tone. It wasn't partly true though. He slept on the chair only for a short moment.

When Hermione started having nightmares and thrashing in his bed, he moved next to her and held her close. Words of comfort were then whispered into her ear.

There was a second or two in which she had opened her eyes and saw him. However, he wasn't all too sure if she was fully awake. Again she had closed them. She had her arms wrapped around him for dear life as her face was buried against his chest. He felt something for Hermione deep within himself, not knowing what it was when he felt her hot tears against his skin. He knew well though that it wasn't pity. He could never pity her.

Severus couldn't sleep the rest of the night. His mind was too awake to allow himself to sleep. At least the witch he held against him was able to get some slumber. The poor witch needed it. He reminded himself to give her a dreamless sleep potion in the future. All he could do at that moment was hold her, and wonder.

"We will find out what our answers soon enough Severus," Albus said. His eyes twinkled when he had caught Severus glancing over at Gryffindor witch.

Severus sighed and nodded. Couldn't the answers come soon enough?

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AN – Sorry for the delay in the update. Not to worry, your answers will come soon enough. Please review. Thanks again.