"Hermione. Wake up, Love." A tender voice murmured.

She felt trapped, she couldn't move. She struggled against her minds restraints, trying to break free. Her eyes refused to open as a warm hand touched her clammy forehead.
"Harry, get her a glass of water, please. Now!" The voice called urgently.

She didn't want to wake up. The reality of what had happened was too horrible for her to face.
A glass clinked against her teeth as her lips unconsciously parted, and Remus held the glass steady as water trickled down her throat.
"Come on, 'Mione. You need to tell us what happened." Harry's voice urged.

She swallowed and tried to clear her dry throat. Her eyes, sticky from crying all night, fluttered open and she took in the scene before her. A bedraggled looking Remus was staring at her, his eyes filled with worry, as he set down the cup of the water. Harry stood behind him attempting to soothe the agitated child he held in his arms. Hermione averted her gaze, still mute. Remus' gentle voice coaxed her to tell him why she was acting so strangely and it took all of Hermione's strength to move her arm and point to the piece of parchment, that was lying in front of her.
Harry gave Remus a glance as if to ask if he could read it. Remus nodded slightly and held his breath as Harry skimmed the letter. There was a slight pause. Then an inhuman sound escaped Harry's lips as his eyes widened in understanding.
"Oh, Merlin! Please, no." He breathed, his eyes wet with unshed tears as he let the parchment fall to the floor.

Remus rushed forward to take his son from Harry's shellshocked body. A roar ripped from Harry's chest as He whirled around and punched the wall. Over, and over again. His hands bloodied and face ablaze with rage. Hermione found herself moving towards Harry and wrapping her arms around his shivering body. Her head dropped onto his shoulder and his fury left his being with a resigned exhale. Then the crying started, and the heartbreaking sounds that Harry made as he mourned his best friends death, ripped Hermione apart even further. She found herself noticing the similar way Harry and Sirius handled grief. Fury then resignation.
Remus confused and afraid snatched the now infamous letter from the tiled floor and read:

Dear Miss Granger and Master Potter,
It is with our deepest regrets, that we inform you of Ronald Weasley's untimely death. His body was found on the 8th of August in his dwellings in Romania. It is presumed that he was murdered, for dark magic was detected at the scene. An inquiry is pending, but I'm afraid that we are not at liberty to tell you anymore.
Justice will be served, and the good, will always prevail.
Hoping that you are well
Sincerely, Percy Weasley

Remus didn't know how to react. Where was Sirius? Did he know? Teddy started howling in his arms as if he understood the pain that was burrowing into the hearts of every person residing in Grimmauld Place.
"It can't be..." He began, then felt himself fall to his knees, his child crushed protectively against his chest.
"I thought it was over. I thought we had won." He breathed.
"It's never over." Sirius' voice rasped as he entered the room.

In three quick strides, he was at Remus' side, comforting the werewolf as the world they had thought existed shattered around them.

It was Malfoy. There had been no trace of the pureblood family after the war. They were weak and untrustworthy and didn't hold even an ounce of the influence they had had before. But something in Hermione's gut told her that they were to blame. They were one of the only infamous death eaters that had survived. And Hermione herself had witnessed Lucius Malfoy's insatiable need for power. Lucius had built a life long reserve of bitterness and fury and that was enough to fuel anyone's bloodlust, to kill all the people that had humiliated him.

Harry Potter had been the nut that no-one could crack, not even the 'Dark Lord' and Lucius didn't like being trumped by a wizard so much younger than him. Maybe, she mused over a glass of fire whisky that night, maybe, Lucius Malfoy was finally avenging the pain that had been inflicted upon him by Voldemort, by hurting all of the people that had fueled Voldemorts anger towards him. Or maybe he had finally fully succumbed to his dark side. He had always despised the Weasleys. Or maybe this was directed solely at Harry, to hurt him? Maybe, she was next?
She downed her drink and felt it's warmth tingling in her chest. She would have to face the grief-stricken Weasleys soon. They had already lost so much. Now Ron. A sob threatened to choke her and she quickly poured herself another tumbler full. Harry had left for work, as usual, obviously trying to forget the tragedy by burying himself in his job. Remus was upstairs in the library, probably also drinking away his sorrow. Whilst, Sirius was in Teddy's nursery trying to soothe the poor child. Sirius outburst aside, he was being the strongest at the moment, trying to help his housemates navigate their grief, whilst he clenched his teeth and tried to carry on as usual.

Ron had been a big part of all of their lives. He had never been the centre of attention. But he was always waiting at the sidelines. Always read to comfort, to help, to love. It was getting dark and she had been crying and drinking all day. She was pathetic, but she didn't care. She reeked of whisky and found that its effects were starting to take their toll. The only coherent thought she managed to formulate, was a promise to avenge Ron's death. No matter the cost.
And then the whiskey really started to hit her petite body. She found herself getting up from the table and walking towards the door. Swaying and giggling as she made her way to the library. As she had suspected, Remus was sitting in an armchair a flask in his hand and his gaze distant.
She staggered towards him and fell into his lap, laughing hysterically.
"Hermione, ow! What are you-" He exclaimed waking from his drunken stupor.

She ignored his words and instead captured his lips with hers. She kissed him hotly and desperately as her hands clawed at his shirt. He struggled slightly then relented, kissing her back with a similar passion. Finally, they broke apart, both of them gasping for air.
"We can't. It's late and we're...quite intoxicated." Remus said, his words slurred.
"Yeah, I-" She began but her eyes drifted shut and exhaustion hit her like a tidal wave.
"Night, Tonks." He breathed into her hair.

She didn't even notice his mistake as she drifted off to sleep.
"Love you, Remus." She managed to mumble, and then she was gone.

Fast asleep in the arms of a man she deeply adored.

Author's note:

Hope you guys enjoyed this! Please leave a review and tell me what you think.