I awoke the next morning feeling surprisingly well rested, considering what I had to go through later on in the day. I sat up in bed and wiped the sleep from my eyes before opening the bed curtains.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, not expecting to see anyone.
"Sorry," Ginny laughed softly. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay," I smiled as I got out of bed. "I'm just not fully awake yet."
Ginny nodded. "How did you sleep?"
"Surprisingly well," I said, as I opened my dresser drawer.
"No need to pick what to wear."
"Why?" I asked, turning to face her. "I can't exactly go to the memorial in my bra and underwear, it's not exactly respectable."
Ginny laughed. "No," she said through her laughter. "Cho, Luna and I made you something."
"You did?"
Ginny grinned brightly as she moved over to the wardrobe and pulled a beautiful dress. It was a short-sleeved, full-body, aquamarine dress with the same Celtic symbol from my T-shirt on the front. The symbol also lined along the sleeves and hem.
"I can't believe you guys did this!" I said, looking at the dress in awe.
"The design is from the shirt we found in your laundry," Ginny explained still smiling.
"It's beautiful," I said running my fingers over the material. "But aren't we supposed to wear black?"
"Well, yeah, but I don't think you should," Ginny insisted
"I don't know."
"Oh, come on, Hermione. We worked really hard on it," Ginny whined. I laughed as she gave me the puppy dog pout.
I groaned "All right!"
"That a girl," said Ginny, patting me on the back as I went to go change.
I came out some time later, wearing the dress and my hair up in the same style I had during the Yule Ball.
"Well?" I asked.
"You look really beautiful," Ginny said, as she walked up to me and began to play with my hair.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," I groaned as I walked back over to my bed and began to make it. As I fluffed my pillow, a piece of paper fell out of the pillowcase. After I placed the pillow back on the bed, I bent down and picked up the paper and read it. It was the song I wrote the night of Cedric's death. I didn't even remember putting it there.
"What's that?" Ginny asked.
"Nothing," I said, trying to hide it.
"No, come on, I want to see," said Ginny.
I sighed as I handed her the paper. "It's a song I wrote on the night of Cedric's death," I said as watched Ginny's eyes scan the paper.
Ginny's mouth was slightly open as she continued to read. "Hermione," she breathed at last. "This is amazing, beautiful!"
"Thanks," I said, taking it back.
"Why didn't you tell me you were writing songs?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know," I said. "I never thought I was good enough for it to be mentioned. I wanted to keep it to myself."
Ginny stared at me like she couldn't believe what she just heard. "I ought to smack you for thinking that!"
"Ginny-"
"This is a beautiful song. You should sing it!"
"I'd love to," I said. "But, I don't have a soundtrack for it."
"Oh, is that all?" Ginny asked, taking my hand and dragging me from the dormitory. "I know the perfect person to help you with that."
"Really? Who?"
"Neville!" Ginny called once we were in the Common Room.
Neville was sitting by the fire reading a Herbology book. He looked up when Ginny called his name.
"Hey, Gin," he said, setting his book down in his chair. "Hey, Hermione. Wow! You look nice."
"Thanks," I mumbled.
"What can do for you?" Neville asked.
Ginny nudged me with her elbow. "Show him."
I sighed as I handed the song to Neville. He, like Ginny was at a loss for words with his mouth slightly open as he read.
"Wow," he said again when he was finished. "Hermione, this is…"
"Amazing?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah."
"You think she should sing it, right?"
"Yeah," Neville said again.
"Great!" said Ginny jumping on the balls of her feet. "I think so, too. Do you think you could make her a soundtrack?"
"Ginny!" I whined.
"Shut up Hermione," Ginny muttered, her eyes never leaving Neville's face.
"Absolutely," he said. "Just give me fifteen to twenty minutes to finish it."
"Great!" said Ginny again.
"Yeah," I agreed. "I'll see you guys later. I'm hungry."
Before either one of them could say anything, I left through the portrait hole. I silently made my way down the Grand Staircase. When I reached the last flight of steps I found Harry waiting for me in the middle of Entrance Hall, looking just as handsome as he did the night of the Yule Ball. I silently descended the stairs and headed over to him.
"Hi," he said softly when we were close enough
I tried to talk but at that moment my eyes and throat began to burn. Before I could stop myself I was crying softly.
"Hey, hey," said Harry as he pulled me into his arms, allowing me to rest my head on his shoulder, as I covered my eyes with one hand. "It's okay, Hermione," he soothed as he stroked my hair while gently swaying me. "I'm here."
I wanted to answer, but my sobs wouldn't let me. Harry held me tighter and closer. I suddenly felt a pair of hands rub my shoulders. I turned to see Cho smiling at me.
"Hey, sweetie," she said, stilling rubbing one shoulder.
I sniffed as I wrapped my arms around her in a hug.
"It'll be okay, Hermione," she told me, her voice breaking. "I promise."
"We need to go sit down," Harry said from behind me.
I sniffed as let go of Cho who pulled out a handkerchief to wipe my eyes. We both laughed as she did. She then kissed my forehead. I turned to Harry, who offered me his hand, which I took after some slight hesitation.
As we headed for the Great Hall, Dumbledore passed us, giving me an encouraging smile, which I returned. My breath caught in my throat as I stepped into the Great Hall. Instead of the four House tables, there were rows of church pews on either side of the hall, creating an aisle in the center. Hanging from the white cloud filled ceiling were black drapes.
"You okay?" Harry whispered in my ear.
I nodded silently.
Harry continued to walk down the aisle carefully pulling me along with him.
"Hermione."
I turned to see Viktor rising from his seat.
"Viktor," I greeted.
"Could I have a word?"
I looked to Harry. He nodded, released my hand and went to sit down.
"I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Derek."
"Cedric," I corrected with a weak smile. "And thank you."
Viktor cleared his throat. "Um, if you ever need any help with the baby, I would be willing-"
"That's sweet," I interrupted as kindly as I could. "But, I already have a lot of people helping me. And…" I paused. I knew what I was going to say next was going to sound harsh. "I don't think it would be appropriate, considering you're not her father."
"Oh," he said, sounding disappointed. "I understand."
"Hermione?"
I looked behind me. Harry was waiting. I looked back at Viktor, walked up to him, stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry," I whispered before taking Harry's hand and continuing down the aisle.
Ron was waiting in the third pew from the front. He gave the same encouraging smile that Dumbledore gave me which I again returned as I took my seat between him and Harry. Cho sat on Harry's other side. Luna, Ginny and Neville sat in front us.
Dumbledore stood at his podium and the hall fell silent.
