I stood in the ruins of the most important building in the wizarding world. The smoke all around was illuminated by the glowing embers on the ground, and although the heat was practically unbearable even with my protective charm, it was worth it just to stand here. There's a sense of closure, watching everything I was taught to stand for burn to the ground. It makes me feel powerful, as if I am finally in control of my own story.

If we're being completely honest here, it also made me feel like one of those heroes in the apocalypse stories my father loved to read. The hero would always swoop in right before the world was bout to end and save everything. The story would end there, with the protagonist kissing the love interest. It would be dramatic and happy and leave you feeling accomplished. In this moment, I felt accomplished. But this story was different; in this story, it was too late to save the world, and in this story, there was no hero to save it. I couldn't save the world because its destruction was all my doing.

••one month earlier••

"Granger! Close the goddamn door, will you? And while you're at it, being me the stack of bills on the table right there." I sighed, walking over to the aforementioned door and picking up the stack of papers next to it, then trying very hard to school my features to look respectful as I handed the Minister of Magic his papers. Apparently, I didn't do very well on that front, as his perfectly sculpted eyebrows scrunched together as he glanced towards my face.

"Honestly, woman, be more cheerful. I don't understand how you made it this far in magical law with an obviously inability to charm." I gritted my teeth to resist snapping out something about how actually doing work usually pays off. However, Minister Ikgond wouldn't know much about that; he practically flirted his way into office. And how I ended practically being his assistant was whole other matter.

It didn't matter anymore. I was sick of this.

"I quit." I looked down at my shoes, embarrassed at my own words, then quickly back up. If I was going to do this, I'd better do it right. "I'm quitting, and there's nothing you can do to stop me. I'm sick and tired of you ordering me around like some sort of servant. I know you think I'll forgive you for it all as long as you smile at me. After all, it worked for all the others, right? That's how you got this bloody position in the first place! I can't believe I ever thought I could work for you! You insult minority species, you not-so-subtly ignore the muggleborn protests, and now you think you run the world?! I'm sick of all your bullshit, and if you want to stay this way, then go on! Destroy your own fucking office, see if I care!" It was a mark of how upset I was that I was swearing, I was usually much more reserved. However, I didn't care. He could bloody well manage on his own.

I stormed over to my desk in the most intimidating way I could, granted it was only ten feet away from the minister's. And that was being generous. He'd always liked to keep his most prized possessions close. I snorted. I couldn't believe I'd ever been blind enough to think I would get anything done in this room. I swung my satchel over my shoulder angrily and spun to face Ikgond's desk. He looked slightly stunned, and I thought better of what I had been about to say, deciding it more rewarding to leave him in silence, looking like the idiot he was. I flashed him a smile, then spun on my heel and left the office without looking back. Well, almost. As I reached the door, I realized I had left my eagle quill on the desk. As if I was going to let that wanker touch it.

Once I finally made it out of the room it was easier to breath. I strode down the hallway a bit, then dropped my bag to the floor and slid down the wall next to it. What were people going to think when they saw the senior secretary to the minister sitting on the floor of the ministry? I didn't care at this point. It was former secretary, I reminded myself. I glared at the few people who dared to stare at me as they walked past, then dropped my head into my arms. What had become of my life? All this mess had probably started with Ron and I splitting up, I suppose.

It had been a day like any other, and a fight like any other. We always got into little disagreements: wether or not the windows should be closed, who's turn it was to cook, or if we should floo his aunt first or my parents. I guess one of us should have picked up on the warning signs, but we were both too caught up in our lives. Plus, we always got over them pretty quickly, as well: we might settle on having one window open and one closed, he would point out that he cooked last night, or I would reason that we had fire-called Molly the night before. This one had started out the same as all the others; we couldn't agree on who's turn it was to do the dishes. Soon, it became rather heated, but that was normal, as Ron was often very quick tempered. What really brought me over the top was when he stated that because I had a restaurant job, I would probably be more efficient. The problem was, that was a valid argument. But didn't he realize that because I had a restaurant job, I had had more than my share of dirty dishes? One thing led to another, and sooner we're having a full on screaming match about responsibilities. The only reason that stopped was because we both were exhausted.

Ron slept on the couch that night, and in the morning we had a civil but tight lipped discussion, and then I left. Just like that. The rest of the week went downhill from there. After moving out, I couldn't continue my job because it was too far away from my new flat. Of course, I took advantage of this to do what I had always wanted and get a ministry job. Foolishly, I thought I could help people, but the only thing I was helping was the decoration in the minister's office. Which led me to where I was now.

Sighing, I picked up my bag and made my way down the elevators and down the numerous lifts to the lobby. To find that all the floo spots were shut down. Of course, I mentally berated myself. It was Thursday, and that meant security drills. Which also meant no apparating. I was left with no choice but to wait it out, but there was no chance that I would sit in the lobby, what with all the strange looks I was getting already. I guess no one with the signature maroon secretary robes usually had time to sit around.

Once out the front doors, I made straight for the one place I knew I wouldn't be disturbed: Eastpark Cemetery. Despite being one of the only muggle graveyards in central London, it was always strangely empty. Some might find it rather chilling, but I quite liked it. It was peaceful and fairly well maintained, and no live people meant no strange questions.

Of course, it seemed all the fates were against me that day. As I meandered my way through the winding bushes and tombstones towards my usual area, I found someone already there. They were dressed in all black, hunched over a simple marker on the ground. Suddenly very aware of how out of place my soft blue jumper and faded denims were, I considered turning back. However, it was likely that the person had already noticed me, so I kept my head down and walked towards my favorite bench.

As I sat down, however, I couldn't keep from glancing over at the figure, which now was apparent to be a man. There was something about the way his body was angled towards the grave; it suggested as if the sorrow that had once consumed him was now replaced by exhaustion, and it kept him slumped over in mourning. When the man turned his head, the last thing I expected to see were a set of piercing grey eyes that mirrored my exact conclusions. I noticed the white blonde strands sweeping across his chiseled face and I realized the sharp features were dulled by the lack of expression and shadows under his eyes. I noticed the thin neck and sculpted shoulder line, but they were slumped with no hint of the arrogance that used to keep them pushed back and haughty. The man who looked at me was practically a shell of the person they used to be, but I couldn't keep myself from blurting out when it all hit me-

"Malfoy."