Disclaimer-I do not own Harry Potter. In other words, Harry Potter is not in my posession; I have no part in the ownership of Harry Potter.

Feel free to review, and yes, I do accept flames and C&C (comments and critisism).

A/N-Yes, I know it's been a while between chapters, but between CRTs and a huge writer's block it's been hard to get online and write! Well, now that it is here, enjoy Chapter Three!

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Chapter Three-Aftermath

Hermione ran blindly through the dark halls of Hogwarts, trying to escape the dark reality of what had happened. Her parents....dead....how could this happen? She began to slow as she grew more and more weary from running. The halls were silent, besides her echoing footsteps and ragged breathing. Dead...dead...was all she could think while she wandered through the dark corridors of Hogwarts.

"Ms. Granger," someone placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to the person.

"Professor McGonagall," Hermione managed to choke out. The Professor's eyes were nothing but hard.

"What, may I ask, are you doing out of your Common Room?" she asked. Hermione pulled out the crumpled message from Dumbledore. The Professor's eyes softened. "Oh. So he told you then?" Hermione nodded tearfully. "Alright. Off you go then, straight to your Common Room." She took her hand off Hermione's shoulder and turned towards her office. Hermione sighed and made towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

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"Castle to C-3," Ron ordered. He looked up at his friend, whose forehead was furrowed with worry, but not for the game. "Harry, you really need to let her know." Harry raised his head and rested his gaze on Ron.

"I..I can't, Ron," he said.

"Why not?!" the red-head cried.

"I...I'm scared." Harry admitted.

"Of what, mate?" Ron asked.

"Of her not liking me...of her not wanting to be friends after I tell her...of the reality of-" Ron cut him off.

"Okay, okay. So you're afraid, that's alright," he told Harry. "But you'll never know what she feels until you let her know." Harry looked away from Ron.

"I guess...you're right..." Harry said reluctantly, avoiding his friend's steady gaze. Ron's right...I love her. he thought, looking into the flickering fireplace. I need to tell her...but my fear of rejection is so strong...he looked up and saw Hermione walk into the Common Room. In tears. Harry rose from the couch and slowly walked over to her. "Hermione...what's wrong?" he asked, tenderly holding her shoulders and looking into her eyes. She looked up at him.

"Harry..." she choked. "My parents..."

"What about your parents, Hermione?" Harry asked gentley.

"They're dead, Harry. Murdered," Hermione said, bursting into tears again. Harry pulled her into a gentle embrace.

"Hermione..." he whispered, letting her cry into his shoulder. "It's gonna be alright...I'm here." Hermione replied with sobs into Harry's shoulder. After about an hour of crying, she finally calmed down enough to tell them what had happened.

"Dumbledore says that it was a hate crime towards me, a 'mudblood'," Hermione told them shakily. She looked into the fireplace, away from their concerned faces. "I don't know what to do now...my parents are gone."

"Maybe you should get some sleep," Ron suggested. Hermione nodded and got up from the couch.

"Goodnight," she said as she walked away towards the stairs. Harry watched her climb the stairs and his gaze lingered there long after she had gone. He looked back at Ron.

"I suppose now wouldn't be a good time to tell her," he mumbled. Ron nodded reluctantly. He had finally gotten Harry to get up the courage to tell her too...."G'night, Ron."

"G'night, Harry,"

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"Hermione. Hermione, wake up," a voice called. Hermione slowly opened her eyes.

"Mom?" she whispered.

"Yeah," her mother replied softly.

"But...you're dead," Hermione stuttered.

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Aiite then, I FINALLY got this chappie up, so R&R if ya want.