'We've got to find Hermione!' Ron aggressively demanded. He paused, a look of pain coming across his face. He stood there, dissociating from the world around him and entered the realm of memories. Hermione rushing up to block the spell his mom fired at the evil witch, her eyes holding much panic, the kiss… Ron knelt in frustration.
Harry came up beside him, and rubbed his back.
'Ron…' Harry was at a loss for words. He knew nothing he said would bring Hermione back to her senses. She was in love, like him, but with another person. The wrong person. Ron let out a low grunt and collapsed on his bed. They were back in their rooms, class was delayed as the teachers and elves where fixing the school with their hands and magic. It was early May and school was still in session, and things were needed to be organized after such a vicious battle. Some death eaters and followers of Voldemort were being captured; others were on the most wanted list. Hermione, now, being on the most wanted list as well. Many rumors were being started that Hermione was on Voldemort's side the entire time, that she was a slave to Bellatrix. Other rumors weren't as bad, some people were trying to make sense of what happened and figured that she was under the influence of Imperio. Many people were celebrating the victory by going to the Three Broom Sticks and the great hall was always filled with food. Though everyone else was celebrating, many remained in their sadness, as many people passed away. Ron was a mess. His brother, Fred, died and now his girlfriend, his best friend, betrayed him by kissing a death eater. Harry sat there, indecisive and confused. Hopeless.
Bellatrix let out a cackle, holding her stomach that was in pain from all the laughter. She and Hermione sat on the forest ground, drinking all of the gin, trying to forget about everything that was going on. Though they both knew what they were feeling was a false happiness, they took what they could get. Slowly, the laughter faded into silence and Hermione glanced up at Bellatrix under her eyebrows. She was really quite beautiful, deep brown eyes, defined eyebrows, beautiful cheek bones, luscious lips… Hermione couldn't control herself, not under the influence. She collapsed herself upon Bellatrix and crushed her lips on Bella's. They became one as the kiss continued, hands entwined with each other's hair. The kiss was not as passionate as Hermione would have liked it to be, as the alcohol made things a little sloppy. Their hands found each other, and locked into a deep embrace. Bellatrix slowly slid Hermione to the floor, her now on top of Hermione. Bellatrix wasn't ever able to show Voldemort her passionate side, as he always demanded just sex, not love. Bellatrix felt Voldemort's name slip from her mind, her finally in peace. She didn't know if it was the alcohol, but something clicked inside her. Her heart swelled with every kiss she planted on Hermione's soft, pink lips, growing fonder and fonder of her.
'Bella…' Hermione whispered, as Bellatrix kissed her neck.
Bellatrix ignored the calling of her name, and continued.
'Bella,' Hermione said again, this time with seriousness leaking itself into the name.
Bellatrix stopped immediately, sitting upright, still on top of Hermione. Her hands gently played with her hair, not wanting to stop.
'Yes?'
'Do you love me?' Hermione couldn't believe the words came out of her mouth. She knew the alcohol wasn't a good idea right when anger flashed in Bellatrix's eyes.
'Why does that matter?' Her words became slurred, warning Hermione not to go further with the subject.
'It doesn't.' Her eyes now couldn't meet Bella's. She felt ashamed and embarrassed, now knowing the answer wasn't definitely not a yes. Yet. She pulled Bellatrix closer again, hands finding themselves in her wild black hair. Sadness swarmed her heart, causing Hermione to let out a few tears. Bellatrix didn't notice, all her focus was on Hermione's lips and body.
Harry found himself wandering the halls alone, deep in thought of what he could do for Ron, and suddenly he felt an emptiness inside him. All these years he has spent hunting down Voldemort, finding ways to take him down. Now, that he is gone, he couldn't help but feel that his main purpose for life, was yes, fulfilled, but now gone. He felt as if now it was his duty to be the best of a friend he could be to Ron, yet, he couldn't figure out a way to solve his issues. He couldn't bring Fred back, that was for sure, and he couldn't find Hermione. He couldn't fix what she did. He kicked a stone on the floor and watched it bounce from the wall and gracefully slow itself down, finally coming to a stop.
'Harry?' Ginny's voice came from behind him. He spun around, his thoughts leaving him very rapidly. Harry's heart sank into his stomach when he saw the redness around Ginny's eyes and nose. She had been crying again, about Fred's death. Harry embraced her with a long hug, knowing she well needed it. 'Are you okay?' He wiped the last of her tears away.
'Yeah, just thinking, you know.' She tried to smile, but it of course did not meet her eyes.
'Even after the biggest issue of Hogwarts is officially gone, it seems everyone is still.. or even more so, depressed.' Anger raised inside of Harry, knowing the impact that Voldemort had on the wizards and witches of this time.
Ginny sensed his anger and kissed him gently on the lips, and their hands became tangled with each other's.
'I keep telling myself everything is going to be okay, but I don't know if I believe it. I'm always going to miss Fred. And George… he won't talk to anyone. Everything will be fine with the wizarding world, but with us? Everyone individually? We are all in so much pain and I think we need something to lift the mood.' Ginny sighed, eyes tired.