Hermione sat miserably in Hagrid's over-sized chair. Her ankles were crossed and her hands were folded politely in her lap, as her parents had brought her up to do, but she slouched, ever so slightly, and had her chin lowered, as Dumbledore told her never to do. The great man once told her that she should always keep her head held high, because she deserved it and she had reason too... but at the moment she felt that she didn't deserve to, that she didn't deserve to at all.

For some reason, she felt guilty, as if it was her fault that Dumbledore wasn't still walking the earth.

Since Hagrid still wasn't at Hogwarts, for one reason or another, Hermione invited herself in and made tea. She was later discovered by Professor McGonagal, who explained that she had stopped by Hagrid's hut to do the same.

Professor McGonagal, whom was sitting across from her, in a similar fashion to Hermione, stirred her tea silently. The two hadn't spoken since they both sat at the table. Hermione finally broke the silence.

Looking down at her hands, she whispered, "How did it happen?" Professor McGonagal was silent.

Hermione thought she hadn't heard her or simply didn't want to answer the question, and was about to forget about it and go back to her tea, when her former Transfiguration teacher answered, "He was walking around the lake, having a talk with Mr. Malfoy. As Mr. Malfoy explained it, out of the blue, he took off his shoes and sat with his feet in the water. 'Quite refreshing,' Dumbledore told him. Then he was silent for a moment before saying, 'I think it's time for me to go now, Mr. Malfoy. Send everyone my love and remember always, you miss one-hundred percent of the chances you never take.' And it happened then and there. Dumbledore smiled and closed his eyes, laying on the grass and lacing his fingers over his stomach.

"He remained like that. Smiling with his hands folded. As if he was only going to bed and was to wake up the next day. But he wasn't and never will have a chance to wake up the next day again. But if there is such thing as a beautiful death, that would be it. It's the way people die only in history books.

"It's only people in history books who die with a quote and a smile. In reality, death usually comes most unkindly, and when we least expect it. It's the lucky ones, such as Albus Dumbledore, who realize that it's coming and are brave enough to stand up to it."

Hermione had had enough. She was going to break down any minute now. And Professor McGonagal wasn't helping, either. She was being uncharacteristically emotional and looked like she herself was going to break down any minute now, as well.

"Thanks for the tea, Professor," Hermione muttered (almost angrily) before abruptly getting up and leaving the hut.

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Hermione took quick steps as tears began to form in her eyes. She furiously blinked them away as she passed teachers and students who pretended not to notice.

All the teachers and students pretended not to notice, that is, except two.

"Ummm... Excuse me, Professor...?"

"Granger. Professor Granger," Hermione said in a slightly watery voice.

The child rocked on her heels, not knowing what to say next. Hermione looked down and noticed that it was Krystine, Harry's daughter.

"Er... Professor Granger, I'm, umm... sorry about what happened."

"It's okay," Hermione said, trying to smile, "No need to say sorry." The blonde rocked on her heels again, it seemed that she had a tendency to do so.

"Professor, I found this in front of the teacher's dormitories," Krystine handed Hermione an envelope, "If I'm not mistaken, it was my dad's owl who delivered it. So... yeah."

"Thank you," said Hermione. The girl nodded by way of a "you're welcome" and left in the direction of the Gryffindor common room. Hermione stuck the letter in her pocket and headed to the teacher's dormitories.

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A/N: Sorry, people, I just can't squeeze out a long chapter! After a few more chapters I'll get this a little more lighter hearted. I know this chapter really sucks. When I wrote it I wasn't quite in a "writing mood".

I forgot I had written this chapter and thought I didn't have a chapter five yet... I am SO stupid.

Special thanks and lotsa love go out to:

Professor Drusilla W.L.Silvers: My most consistent reviewer!!! Thanks a bunch! And you deleted your story! Why?! Well, anyways, thanks!!!

cameo0891: Thanks for reviewing chapter four!!!

Irishdancer61790: Thanks for reviewing and glad you liked it! Oh, yeah, I checked out your story, nice job there!

My reviewers all deserve a chocolate chip cookie and a jar of pickles!!!!!