She lay curled up on the bed, a book in her hands, but her eyes were not focusing at all. She leaned back against the wall, her curly hair tangled and framing her face like a wild bush as though she couldn't be bothered to tidy it. Her eyes shone brightly in the light that came from a small lamp on her bedside table and a solitary tear rolled slowly down her cheek. The book fell from her hand, but she hardly seemed to notice.
"Hermione!" A voice from downstairs alarmed her and she hastily wiped the tears from her eyes with a tissue. She took a brush and pulled in quickly through her hair, not wanting anyone to see her in such a state. Everyone knew how she felt and what she was going through, but she didn't want to make it too obvious. She made her way slowly downstairs, and as she neared the kitchen, fixed a bright smiled determinedly on her face.
As she entered, her eyes fell on the unused place setting near the end of the table and she bit her lip to hold back tears. It hadn't been used for a month now and yet it remained untouched. She took her place quickly, not looking anyone in the eye. The table was more crowded than usual that evenings as Bill, Charlie and the twins were at home in addition to Ron, Ginny and their parents.
Hermione was now almost a member of the family as she had been staying with them for over a year. After leaving Hogwarts, the only place she had to go was back to her parents and that would have meant being cut off from the Wizarding World. Harry had been in the same position, except that he had nowhere at all to go. He could never return to the Dursley's. He had lived at the Burrow too...before.
Mrs Weasley set a plate in front of Hermione. It was almost overflowing with delicious food that was giving off an enticing aroma. Hermione did not have much of an appetite, but she started to eat slowly. By the time she had eaten a small portion of the food, she felt that she couldn't possibly eat anymore. She put down her knife and fork, feeling guilty to waste it. The Weasley's didn't have much money and she knew that it was often hard for them to make ends meet. She wanted to eat the food, but she didn't think she could manage it. She hadn't eaten much at all since...since it happened.
When everyone left the table afterwards, Hermione hung back with Mrs Weasley and Ginny. Ginny started to clear away and Hermione caught hold of Mrs Weasley's arm.
"I'm sorry" she said. She felt genuinely guilty. Mrs Weasley hugged her and she broke down. She wept into Mrs Weasley's shoulder and cried until the tears would no longer come. It had been a long time since she had cried so openly and she felt better as soon as she had let it out.