Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 15: Aftermath

                Hermione got up stiffly from her bed in the morning.  It was early, not yet light.  As she stood in the shower, letting the steaming water run soothingly down her skin, she wondered what Harry would be like that day.  She hoped he wouldn't change.  Not that she could blame him if he did, but it was important that he not get depressed.  She herself was determined not to act differently. 

                She stepped out of the prefect's bathroom minutes later, dressed in her uniform, and headed for the common room.  She picked up her schoolbag from where she'd left it on the floor, and took out a fresh piece of parchment.  Homework was sure to get her mind off things. 

                Her quill scratched noisily in the silent room for the next few minutes, but she her work felt pointless. Finally, she gave up and leaned back, sinking deep into the soft couch. 

***

                "Hermione, wake up," a voice whispered softly.  The bushy brunette opened her eyes, slowly, to look into a pair of rich, green ones.

                "You slept through breakfast," he said as he helped her up from her seat, "I brought you some toast."

                Hermione smiled at him and, seeing her other best friend standing a few feet away, at Ron as well. 

                "I can't believe I did that," she grinned sheepishly, "Guess I just didn't sleep well last night."

                Ron nodded, "I don't really think any of us did.  He walked over to them and went on, "It's…still a bit fresh in the mind." 

                Hermione's forehead crinkled.  The atmosphere was too serious.  Ron was never serious, especially in the morning.  He was always the one to wake up smiling.  It made Hermione a bit nervous.

                Ignoring Ron's comment, she ordered, "Class.  Now."

                Harry gave her a grin, realizing her attempt to keep things normal.  He just hoped they could pull it off.

***

                "Ok, everyone," Harry began.  It was cold in the astronomy tower.  An enormous number of students had showed up for Defence Against Dark Arts tutoring.  Ron, Hermione and Harry stood together, waiting for them to stop talking.  Dennis Creevey, his brother and Susan Watson looked at Harry expectantly.  It made him feel a tad claustrophobic.  He smiled nervously at them, and realizing that it was quiet, began to teach.

                "Ok, I want everyone to get a partner, preferably of the same year," he ordered. 

                Before Hermione could even move, Ron had grabbed Harry's arm.  She knew that it was only because he was worried about his best friend, but she still felt a little left out.

                Oh well.  That's the price I pay for being best friends with boys, she thought to herself.  Crossing the room, she tapped Lavender on the shoulder.  The brunette turned around and grinned widely when she saw Hermione.

                "It's amazing how many people came, don't you think?  I was wondering if we could all fit.  It's a good thing the tower is big," Lavender told her.  "Yeah, good thing," Hermione agreed.  She watched as Dean Thomas took a stance a few feet away from Seamus Finnigan, as if ready to duel.

                Always ahead of the game, Hermione thought grudgingly.  Shaking her head slightly she wondered what it was about him that irked her so much.  So what if he was better than her at some things.  She could deal with it.  There were hundreds of wizards much better at magic than her.  Granted, they were probably about fifty years older, but what was the difference?

                "Ok, I thought we'd just review the basics.  I know, you may not want to, but especially for some of the younger students, it'll be helpful," Harry announced. 

                Of the older students, mostly Gryffindor had showed up, but of the younger ones, still not quite worrying about house prejudice, there were some from all of the houses.  Although it was a little odd to be teaching Slytherins Defence Against the Dark Arts, Harry wasn't about to turn anyone away.

                "The most basic exercise is the Disarming Spell.  Expelliarmus, with a short flick of the wrist," Harry demonstrated.  Having grown used to teaching during the week for Professor Artemisia, Harry no longer stuttered or felt unconfident.

                The room echoed with loud shouts of the spell.  People were shoved against walls and telescopes because of the confinements.

                We need a bigger room, Harry sighed to himself.  The astronomy tower was big, but not big enough. 

                Dean walked over to him and rubbed his chin, "I think we need more space, mate."

                Harry nodded and ran a finger across his scar.  It had been hurting a lot as of late.  He wondered if whoever was working for Voldemort could be in this room.  It wasn't something he particularly wanted to know, his new motto being, "Ignorance is bliss," but it was still a bit scary to think that anyone could be watching him at any time.  Harry shuddered at the thought.  It wasn't the time to get scared.  If anything, these extra lessons should help him.  By teaching other students his own magic could strengthen, and he needed everything when it came down to it. 

                "Yeah, maybe I'll ask Dumbledore tomorrow," Harry said and turning to the rest of the kids, "Alright, that was good, but since we don't have a lot of space, I think we're gonna have to do it a few pairs at a time."

                The rest of the night was horror for Hermione.  Dean, Dean, Dean.  She couldn't get him out of her mind.  It seemed that every spell Harry told them to try, Dean was better.  Hermione lost her wand and her stance to Lavender numerous times while she was watching her fellow prefect out of the corner of her eye.  It annoyed her beyond definition, that he could make her lose her concentration so.

                She stumbled into her bed later that night, finally having all of her homework finished.  She couldn't say she was happy with how the day gone.  She'd noticed too many times, when Harry's eyes had become downcast and his pace slowed to a drag.  She could tell exactly what he was thinking, and it was almost too much to bear.  His usual, perhaps not pep or vivacity, but certainly the casual happiness seemed to have drained out of him. 

                Ron was even worse.  While not sad like Harry, he went around the halls, stomping so loudly it seemed to echo throughout the entire school.  Hermione knew he was upset.  Beyond upset and she couldn't blame him.  After all he'd been through.  It was hard on the both of them.  Knowing they needed to protect Harry, but not knowing from who, or how to even go about it.  Helpless didn't even begin to describe it. 

                But Hermione supposed it wasn't all that bad.  At least the two boys hadn't done anything foolish.  And they had a whole weekend in front of them.  A Hogsmeade weekend at that.  If anything could bring back the easy contentment, it was that. 

                She fell asleep easier that night, knowing how her friends were dealing.  But still, it was a restless sleep.  She tossed and turned with bad dreams so much, her roommates woke her up more than once to assure her everything was ok. 

***

                "Nothing like a warm Butterbeer," Ron said with a half smile.  Hermione grinned.  At least Ron was happier that day.  Harry, she was still working on. 

                "Harry, I thought we could go into Quality Quidditch after this.  I hear they've got new…oh what was it called?  The things that go round here," she said pointing to her leg.

                Harry burst out laughing, much to his friends' surprise. 

                "You mean, shin guards?" he asked after quieting down.

                "Uh…right.  Shin guards."

                "You're hopeless, Hermione.  Absolutely hopeless.  And I never thought I'd hear the day when you would voluntarily go in that store, but as you're up for it, let's go."

                Hermione, proud and somewhat stunned at her efforts to cheer her friend up, grabbed her bottle and followed Harry out, with Ron tailing behind. 

                "Are you ok, Harry?" Hermione said, not wanting to push her luck, but needing to know.  

                "I'm fine.  Really," he said at her sceptical look, "I know I was really, down yesterday, and well until now, but I've just kind of realized that there's no point in worrying.  Well, actually there is, but what I mean is, that if I let Voldemort bring me down when he isn't even here, then he's practically won.  You're not letting that bother you.  Hermione, you have to be one of the bravest people I know.  Even when Ron and I were completely out of it, you tried to keep it up.  I'm not going to let it get to me.  I can't let it get to me.  You kinda made me realize that back there."

                Hermione grinned, "He can never beat you, you know, Harry.  I'm glad you realize that."

                "Having a heartfelt talk with your girlfriend, Potter?" a mockingly sweet voice asked from behind the trio.

Von: Thanks for being my beta, without warning I might add.  I just thought it would be a good idea from now on.  I mean if I'm going to take so long, you might as well get something decent.  But yeah, those were helpful, thanks!  And… about last chapter, I'm glad you laughed.  You always think of such crazy things!

Princess55: Thanks!  Hope this makes up for my bad updating lately.  I know it wasn't that fast this time, but I'm trying!!!