Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, only the plot is so ;op
Hermione lay, still fully clothes, in the dark confines of her bed, unseen tear streaks stained her face, her blood shot eyes still producing large drops that rolled silently. Her head lay at the foot of the bed, resting on her arms. The clock in the common room once again chimed the hour, telling her that it was one in the morning.
The soft breathing of the other Griffindor's in the room could be heard through the curtains of their beds, all sleeping soundly. Wide-awake she decided to go and sit in the common room; at least there she could be on her own. Slipping silently from her bed, she walked out of the room and made her way to the common room.
As she entered the room, Hermione suddenly felt very claustrophobic so she kept walking, straight out of the hole covered by the painting of the fat lady, along the corridor, down the stairs, and out the old front door. If she was caught she would be in a lot of trouble but she didn't care, she needed some fresh air. The castle was too closed in for her, even though it was full of empty rooms and large spaces, she felt unable to escape, and she desperately needed to escape. Walking in the grounds made her feel free from the burdens of her heart. For the first time that day she felt free, as free as the stars in the sky.
"I did what I had to." She told herself aloud. "I know I did."
"Hermione?" Spinning around, Hermione came face to face with Hagrid. "What you doin' out at this time oh night?"
"I, uh, I wasn't feeling to good. I needed some fresh air."
"Come on, I'll take you back up before you get into trouble."
"No!" Hermione lowered her head, the tears starting all over again. "Not yet, please?"
"It's late, you ain't even supposed to be out here."
Pushing her tears away, Hermione looked at him. "I know but I can't go back inside not yet, just a few more minutes."
"What's the matter? You can tell me, you know you can."
"I can't speak about it just yet Hagrid. You wouldn't understand."
"Just know that I'm here if you need a friend."
"Thanks Hagrid." He squeezed her shoulder as he walked away. "That's all I need, another friend."
"Hermione? Go on inside, before you get into trouble."
She just nodded, turning towards the castle. She stood looking at it, not moving forward or back. She could just keep walking, straight out the gates; just keep going and not look back, but why should she? Give up everything else that she loved, she had already given up on so much could she bear to loose anything else?