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Okay...it's late at night again. Late at night as in 1:13 at night. Or would you say morning...? Whatever. Notes for you reviewers at the end of the chapter.

Last Chapter...

Remus said naught but three words of 'it's alright Hermione' before pulling her into a hug of comfort for him and her. But when the students began to enter he released her and she did not say a word to anyone the rest of evening. Nor did she eat.

This Chapter...

Hermione stood from the Teacher's Table and excused herself a bit before dinner ended. Seconds later, Remus followed her silently. As she walked down the halls, Hermione began muttering to herself. Remus could only catch a few words: "bloody War...tears...wish...died." Remus began to try to reach her a bit quicker after he heard this. Hermione began walking up the long, tiresome stairs to the astronomy tower with Remus closely following her.

She finally reached the top and stopped when she reached the railing. "There it is. The Dog Star. The brightest star in the sky...Sirius. Dead like all the others. I wonder if there is a star in the sky for each of those who died..." Hermione talked out loud to herself, unconscious that Remus was standing in the shadows and listening to every word she said. "I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry. Crying won't help anything at all. It won't help a-"Hermione was interrupted by Remus.

"It will make you feel better," he walked over to her and lifted her chin toward him. "No. I've done enough crying." Hermione turned her body towards him. "Wait," she muttered. "Why are you here? Did you think I was going to commit suicide? Hmmm? 'Oh poor little Hermione dropped into depression after the death of her two best and practically only friends so she's not going to use her brain and she's going to commit suicide'. Is that what you think?" Hermione, who had been pacing, turned towards Remus.

Remus looked down at the ground. "Well, Hermione, I just wanted to see if you were okay. You know it's not easy los-" "Of course it's not bloody easy! I know that! I just lost my two best friends! What do you think? You probably have no idea what I'm going through! You just have your damned chocolate and –" Hermione stopped when she realized what she said and saw Remus' expression. "I'm terribly sorry Remus. I-I had no right to say that. You probably know exactly what I'm going through ten times over."

Remus said nothing. He just sat down on the ground and put his head in his hands. Hermione stood and looked down on him until his shoulders began to shake. "Remus, it's okay. Shh." She wrapped her arms around him and stroked his head lovingly. Eventually, Remus' shoulders stopped shaking and after mouthing a thank you to Hermione, they sat in solemn but comfortable silence on the dark astronomy tower and watched the night pass into a beautiful promising sunrise.

The Next Morning...

Hermione walked into the Great Hall the next morning to see everyone already half-way through breakfast. Taking her seat next to Albus, she pulled the mug of coffee towards her and poured herself a cup. "Good morning, my dear. Do you feel better?" Albus turned toward Hermione with that same damned twinkle in his eye. Hermione looked at him, saw the twinkle, scowled a scowl that could rival Severus Snape's, and grunted in reply.

She then looked up and around at the Great Hall. Many young faces stood out in the crowd. They were innocent faces that belonged to the small first years; the ones who had only heard about the Great War that occurred at Hogwarts. The ones who now made up nearly half of Hogwart's population of students and eighty percent of Slytherins. After the War, many Slytherins were dead or in an orphanage. The only few Slytherins that were not first years in Hogwarts were one seventh, sixth, and fifth year, and no fourth, third, and second years. The other thirteen were first years. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff table had forty and thirty students, respectively, to add to that number. The Gryffindor table had only twenty to add to the Slytherin's head-count of students. Hermione suspected that Ravenclaw had the most students left as they were of the studious nature and therefore knew more curses and hexes to defend themselves with.

Hermione was jolted out of her thoughts of the students by the soft grandfatherly voice of Dumbledore. "Ah, Hermione, before I forget, which I do a lot, and with everything...you know once I forget-" Hermione gave him the "teenager" look (as parents are oft to call it) and raised an eyebrow. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Another time perhaps. In any case, I would like to introduce you to our new Potions Master as Severus had requested the need for retirement. I believe you know Draco."

Hermione jumped as a hand was laid on the head of her chair. She turned and saw none other than Draco Malfoy. "Hm. Speak of the devil. Yes Albus. I do know him. Quite well, in fact." Hermione turned to glare at said 'devil'. "Why did you hire him?" "Well, Hermione, everyone deserves a second chance-"Dumbledore was cut off by Hermione. "Second chances! Hah! Like this-this-thing deserves such. I'm afraid I have just remembered some unfinished business, Headmaster."

Hermione stood and turned to glare at Dumbledore. "If you'll excuse me." Hermione marched off, bumping into Remus who had just arrived. "Hermione, what-?" Remus turned to her as their shoulders collided. "Be seeing you, Remus." Hermione continued to storm out as Remus watched her. He made his way up to the Teacher's Table and saw Dumbledore talking to Draco Malfoy. 'I see why she stormed out...they have to resolve it sometime, however. I shall go talk to her.' Breakfast forgotten, Remus turned and began to walk to Hermione's room.

Well, there we go. A little more angst and a suspicious conflict between Malferret and Hermione. I would like to thank my beta, Paul, for correcting this and the last chapter. Now for the reviews.

Rane2920072- Thanks! She won't try and kill herself. I'll try not to make her cry to much either, because it just pisses me off how
Hermione is displayed in some stories as weak. Hope you enjoy this chapter! Ruby Malfoy- I tried to emphasis her depression just a little more. It'll get stronger though, as the conflict between Malferret and Hermione
continues. But if you have any suggestions...I'm open.

Thank you all for reading my story and for some of you reviewing. Review please!