Hermione Granger was still, at the moment, probably the smartest witch at Hogwarts. With Dumbledoore helping the ministry re-organize one of the teachers had to step up and as headmaster. Everyone assumed McGonagal would take the reigns as headmaster setting Hermione up for temporary Transfiguration professor. However Dumbledoore had put an excellent word for Snape in before his departure and McGonagal was heavily reluctant to leave her transfiguration classes if she didn't need to. Hence the current, if only temporary, Hogwarts headmaster was none other than ex-death eater, ex-potions master, ex-head of Slytherin house Severus Snape.

This was the main reason Potions Mistress Hermione Granger sat with a class of inept first years trying to master complicated tasks like, 'boil water.' Hermione walked around the room smiling as she helped students at each station. "Now, Trevor, you'll need to actually have heat under the cauldron, preferably in the form of a blue fire for the liquid in the cauldron to increase in temperature, correct?"

The frightened first year nodded and took out his wand before Hermione gently placed her hand over his wrist, "Now since blue flames might be just a bit above your charming ability these cauldrons have been enchanted by me to automatically give off blue flames you simple need to get a fire started, go ahead and try that," she turned to the smart blonde at the table behind her, "Debbie, if he needs a hand please assist him."

How did Snape put up with this mess, oh yes, he turned into a bitter house favoring slimy teacher. She shivered as she reminded herself she could get through this, it was her last day at Hogwarts and then she could return to her flat. The room's walls turned green, red, blue, and yellow signaling the end of class. "Excellent job everyone have a safe weekend and Professor Snape should return Monday."

As the class quickly filed out Hermione wondered if she had ever been so grateful to leave Hogwarts. She loved the castle and the teachers and would be more than happy to lend a helping hand in the future, but it seemed she had finally outgrown her school.

She felt a small sting on her wrist and glanced at her watch. Sighing she jotted down a quick note apologizing for the abrupt departure but her wristwatch signaled Ron and Harry needed assistance immediately. She then hurried off Hogwarts grounds and apparated to the small flat she shared with her two best friends in London.

Before she opened her eyes she felt two strong arms wrap around her embracing her in a quick, yet powerful hug. By the time she had opened her eyes she was being dragged by her right arm to the small bedroom that belonged to Harry, "He's in there and he's not coming out." Hermione set her eyes downcast as she nodded and flicked her wrist indicating Ron should leave.

Knocking gently on the door Hermione spoke, "Harry James Potter," she said in a melodic voice, "I do hope your decent because I am coming in," she jiggled the doorknob and felt the deadbolt preventing her from entering. Not bothering the unlocking spell knowing Harry would have enchanted something stronger she sighed and walked to the kitchen where she knew Ron would be.

"What happened...Susie, because I know she seems a bit overwhelming but she's a very good match for him."

Ron swallowed part of his heavily layered sandwich and spoke, "Nah, she was nice, he liked her plenty, I think they have something set up for this weekend," he smiled as he reached for his glass, "You pick out good ones Herm, they just never work out."

Hermione nodded knowingly, her friends were both equally as complex and anyone she recommended went through strict filters before she introduced them to the famous Chudley Cannon's keeper and the wondrous Boy who lived. Despite the Hermione filter however many of them ended up being utterly unsuited for her odd friends.

They tried to repay the favor setting her up with aurors, quidditch players, even a few professors, but none of them were ever her type. She wasn't sure the boys knew her type. She wasn't sue she knew her type. She knew she needed someone who could match her in conversation, she needed someone who would tell her when they disagreed with her and then explain it, someone, other than Ron, who could actually get further than three moves in chess with her. Mainly however she needed someone who could look further than her books, someone she could have fun with.

Having swallowed his pumpkin juice Ron continued his thought, "He got a letter today,"

Hermione was plummeted out of her thoughts and back to earth, "Shit!"

Ron nodded, "Pettigrew still isn't found they're calling off the search, say its useless to search for a man who could be a rat."

Hermione closed her eyes briefly processing this information and finally responded with the phrase she found best fitting the situation, "Well...Fuck, the man is a rat!"

Ron nodded, "I tried to talk to him, but its not working, I figured I dunno...maybe you could," he extended his plate offering her some of his sandwich.

Hermione leaned over and grabbed Ron's sandwich taking a quick bite out of it before returning it to Ron's plate, "OK..." standing up she swallowed and turned to Ron smiling slightly, "Good sandwich."

Returning to the Harry's door she knocked loudly, "Harry, I am going to end up in that room; I've made up my mind, so it will happen. The only question here is whether you're going to let me in or if I'll need to blast my way in."

Hermione heard an audible groan and possible something being thrown across the room but when she tried the doorknob it opened.

Hermione walked to the bed where Harry was hiding his face beneath his pillow, "Harry, it's me, would you like to talk."

She saw the pillow move and assumed it was Harry shaking his head no.

She smiled slightly, it was a difficult situation, but Harry was acting like a five year old. "No, you don't want to talk..." she paused a moment and then continued, "Tough luck...I do, so we're going to," she gently tugged on his pillow and felt him let go.

"Well there my best friend is," Harry looked awful, she could see it in his eyes. More than just bloodshot his emerald eyes were dull and screamed of agony. She herself was on the verge of tears just because of his sadness. Not many people would notice of course, his cheeks were flushed red from hiding under the pillow, but his skin was still a vibrant tan, his hair was a mess as always. Hermione could think of many people who would kill to be sitting where she was.

He rolled his eyes, "You're treating me like I am five." he whined.

"You're right, I am...so lets have an adult conversation about this...it's not fair!" She ran her fingers through his hair trying to keep him calm, "It's incontrovertibly erroneous...but you sitting in here will not help the situation."

She took her sleeve and wiped the drying tears off his cheeks, "So...lets get you out of bed, and start using your connections, make a few floos and get your own search you don't need the stinkin' minister of magic."

Harry shook his head, "Hermione its not that easy and you know it, you can't come in here give me a quidditch pep talk and expect me to cheer up. I've let that bastard out of my grasp one time to many, and now the search has been called off. He fucking killed my parents, I want him dead." No sooner than the words were out of his mouth then he regretted them.

"Yes, he did, and I understand how much it hurts to lose those closest to you." she closed her eyes as she often did when she needed to phrase her sentences correctly, "Having the one who killed them dead will not bring them back," she bit the bottom of her lip and continued, "If you would like to try and find him, to have justice served I will help you, but I cannot go along with a foolish man's task for revenge...I won't do it."

Harry interrupted Hermione as soon as he got a chance, "Herm...I am sorry....I didn't mean...I am just..."

Hermione smiled and stood up ignoring his comments, "I am going to library, I've been gone too long I am not sure if they'll remember me," she stood up and walked out, "Ron's in the kitchen, he's made you a sandwich by now I am sure...a good one too."

Harry reached up to Hermione grasping her hand, "Herm...I wasn't thinking...I am sorry."

She turned to Harry plastered a fake smile onto her face, "It's fine Harry you did nothing wrong, but I can't be supportive right now, so I am going to leave and when I am come back I'll be back to good old Hermione," with those words she was gone.