Chapter 11

A very morose Hermione slowly walked from the infirmary the next day. She was headed towards Dumbledore's office, to see her parents and make arrangements to attend Victor's funeral.

How am I going to get through it? I should have died then we would be together.

Arriving at the gargoyles, she muttered "Bubblegum" and the stairs appeared. She trudged up the stairs and entered Dumbledore's office to find her parents, Tonks and the headmaster there.

"Ah Miss Granger, happy to see you up and about. How are you? Are you feeling better?"

Hmmm, just peachy Headmaster. My heart has broken into a thousand pieces and I want to take flying leap off the astronomy tower. Anything else? she thought sullenly. However, she said nothing.

"Hermione, we've had a talk with the Headmaster here and it was agreed that you can have a 3 day absence to attend Victor's service. We liked the young man very much and will be attending also, to give his parents and you as much support as possible through this difficult time," her mother said.

"Thank you." Hermione replied.

"Additionally Miss Granger, it is ministry policy that until the death eater situation is under control, all students must be accompanied by an auror when leaving school grounds for an extended period of time. That auror will be Miss Tonks," the headmaster said. Hermione nodded.

"You won't even know I'm there," Tonks said quietly.

"You may leave as soon as you are ready, Miss Granger. Just let us know and the port key to Bulgaria will be made ready," Dumbledore said.

An hour later they were standing at the gates to Hogwarts, grabbing the port key, feeling the familiar pull at their navel area. Hermione had reminded her parents beforehand that port-keying would be an unusual feeling. Seconds later the group arrived at the Bulgarian Magical Ministry. Hermione couldn't help but grin at the bewildered looks on her parents faces as they had landed ungraciously on the ground, having never ported before. They went to the apparation point and departed to the Krum's residence. Hermione didn't know quite what to expect upon arrival. The mansion was silent until a house elf appeared.

"Could you please let" Hermione started until Mrs. Krum appeared in the doorway.

"OOH, Hermione, my dear. We didn't know if you would come or not."

She enveloped Hermione in a crushing hug.

"Although not a happy occasion, we are glad to see you nonetheless. Mr. and Mrs. Granger? Pleased to see you as well. Let me show you where you will be staying," Mrs. Krum said.

"Wait. Mrs. Krum, we liked your son very much. We are more sorry that we can say upon hearing of his passing. He made our Hermione so happy. He was a fine young man and his loss saddens us as well," Mr. Granger said.

Mrs. Granger dabbed her eyes with a kerchief. Hermione wiped a tear as well. She looked around for Tonks. She was nowhere to be seen.

Well, she did say we wouldn't know she's here.

"I don't know if you are hungry or not, but when you have settled, I can have a lunch prepared if you so desire," Mrs. Krum offered.

"No thank you." Hermione replied.

"We aren't that hungry either. Our stomachs are still upset from that 'port' experience," her parents said.

"Very well. I will leave you until it's time to depart for the service. My husband and I will meet you here in the lobby at noon," she squeezed Hermione's hand then left.

The gloominess in the mansion was palpable. Being in the mansion flooded Hermione with dozens of bittersweet memories. The had walked the hallways of the mansion hand-in-hand many times and explored the many rooms. In the ultimate irony of ironies, Hermione was staying in the very room she and Victor had made love in the very first time with each other. It seemed to be that Victor's presence was everywhere, even the scent of his cologne. Sitting on the bed, looking around the room, sighing sadly, she thought,

This is going to be the longest day of my pathetic life.

The service would be held at the Krum family burial plot. It was located about an acre behind the mansion in a clearing among a small patch of tall trees. People were approaching the site on foot, as it was considered bad manners to apparate to a funeral. The Krums, Grangers and Hermione approached the crowd of about 100 magical folk and muggles already there. People respectfully nodded their heads to the Krum's arrival. Upon arrival, Hermione's legs began shaking as she approached the casket bearing Victor.

I don't know if I can do this.

As if her parents could hear what she was thinking, they rubbed her back encouragingly and held her hands as they made their way to the main group. As the wizard officiating the service made his remarks, Hermione remained silent as her tears were falling.

Victor, how could you leave me? she silently pleaded, as if he would answer her.

She heard the quiet sobbing of Mrs. Krum and the sniffling of Mr. Krum. As hard as this was for her, she couldn't fathom how hard this must be for the Krums. They had lost Victor's older brother some years before, and had now lost Victor. Their last child.

She couldn't recall hearing what much of the wizard by the casket was saying.

Does it matter? He's dead, he can't hear. she thought bitterly as she stood staring blankly ahead.

She felt numb. Mr. Krum's cry broke Hermione out of her musing. The service was over. The crowd was dispersing, leaving only family. The Krums went to Hermione and embraced her, unable to talk anymore.

"At least he's with Eric now," Mr. Krum said, openly crying now.

Mrs. Krum said, "Let's say our last goodbyes now, Hermione. "

She went to the casket, took off the ring Victor gave her, put it on the casket, and said softly,

"Goodbye, love." She couldn't take it anymore. Face to the sky she started crying in earnest.

At dinner that night, no one ate, but merely pushed the food around their plates. Mr. Krum had retired to his room, not wanting to face anymore people today. Sadness hung around the table like a fog. Hermione wasn't paying attention as she reached for her cup of juice, spilling it.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I'm so clumsy…..I'm…" jumping up, she tried to wipe up the mess with her napkin but her parents noticed how her hands were shaking.

"Hermione?" they asked.

"Yes?" she said with tears in her eyes, again.

Will I ever stop crying?

"Yes, Hermione, time will stop the tears. That much I know," Mrs. Krum answered.

"Hermione, maybe you should go to bed. You need your rest dear," Mrs. Granger said putting her arms around her daughter. She was worried about Hermione's shaking.

"Yes mum. Mrs. Krum, thank you for dinner," Hermione stoically left the room.