The next morning, Hermione found the world to be dull and grey. The rain fell like silent tears from the mourning clouds that hid the sun and her once bright personality felt tired and drained. The scene found the numb girl in front of her vanity table, Minerva brushing out the tangles of her unruly hair. She stared into her reflection; letting memories of the days of old carry her away to a safer place. Minerva finished brushing the girl's hair, taking small chunks to coil around her finger. Muttering a spell, the curl set and little by little, Hermione's head held soft curls that did not frizz or wave. She placed a lace headband to bring the bangs back and helped fasten a pair of studs and necklace to the girl's person.

A soft knock came and the door opened, but Hermione did not break from her daze. Severus entered wearing his normal teaching robes, a neutral look playing across his face. He nodded towards Minerva, who looked up from her finishing touches, indicating that it was time to go. That morning that awoke in a mute daze. They couldn't stomach more than a cup of tea and coffee before Hermione was shooed off to soak in the bath. The Weasley's had arrived after she had finished and she went down to greet them in her sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt. It didn't take long before Minerva whisked her away to prepare her for the day. Mrs. Weasley had offered her help, but Severus felt it best if she only had one handler for the moment. He meant it in a nonchalant way, but ended up sounding cold and indifferent. Albus took it from there when he noticed the woman was put off by the comment and felt much better after Albus explained what Severus really meant.

Minerva leaned forward, her face reflecting next to Hermione's blank one. She squeezed the girls shoulder reassuringly as her eyes finally focused. "Thank you." She said looking at her reflection with a muddle expression. Minerva moved away and let Hermione stand from her stool. She held the grace of a queen when she rose. Stepping away, the hem of her dress sway and brushed her bare toes. It was a simple black floor length gown made of silk and tulle and it swayed and moved with every step. The A-line shape gave her the freedom of movement and the high neckline and long sleeves a sophisticated look. The back hung low in a modest way and she truly was a version of some dark goddess.

"You look stunning my dear."

"Like a porcelain doll, my father used to say."

"Miss. Granger, the limos have arrived. They had sent two just in case you needed to accommodate more guests."

"Thank you, the caskets-"

"Are already there." Minerva interrupted. "It is all taken care of." Hermione nodded and Severus stepped out of the way.

"Thank you, sir, ma'am, for all of your help."

"We will exchange pleasantries later. You are not expected to answer any questions or to talk at all. If you would like to leave early I will take you home and allow Minerva to handle the masses, I'm sure she would agree to the terms." Severus offered.

"Yes. Hermione, just tell one of us. We are here to help you through this and to help you stay strong. We all understand if you want to breakdown, to get mad, you are owed at least that. But please, please do not bottle it up."

"Anyone can give up; it's the easiest thing to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that is true strength. My father told me that once." She seemed to look right through Severus when his gaze snapped at hearing her words. He was quite startled at her reply and at the same time felt something swell inside of him.

Pride?

Acknowledgment?

He was unsure, but he could see the bravery the girl had and was slightly pleased that in some way she clung to something that helped propel her forward. He was reminded of himself when he was a small boy and stood dressing one morning for his own parents wake. He wished that someone had told him the very same thing; maybe his life would have turned out differently. Maybe he would have learned true happiness and learned to love again.

Hermione walked out of her bedroom, the other two in tow as she descended the stairs to the house full of people. It all seemed to wash away like a blur, everything passing by in short fragments and clips. She recalled the reassuring hugs, Harry and Ron holding each of her hands, she remember having both of them sit and stand on either side of her and could recall wanting to hid away from the world. She remembered seeing faces, so many faces and words being said, but she couldn't recall what they looked like or even what they said. She remembered that the boys had been shooed away for a break of guarding her and Severus and Minerva took up their posts, she remembered feeling at peace until she walked over to the bodies later that evening to say her final goodbyes to an open coffin.

Hermione had managed the trying day with unshed tears and no further words spoken until she arrived home with only the two she had been living with recently. She had excused herself to the library, HER library and shut the door behind her. It was as if something snapped inside of her and she grabbed the closest thing next to her. Taking it she hurled it as hard and as far she could manage against the hard wood floor. The glass object made a satisfying smash and she savored it for a few seconds before the feeling had disappeared and she threw another object. She threw and screamed and sobbed for hours before she slumped to the floor with nothing left to break.

Minerva felt something break within her as the sobs from behind the door, tore at her heart strings. She was about to enter after the fourth smash when Severus threw his hand in front of the knob to halt the older woman's movements. "Let her get it out. She has been strong all day." Came his silken tone, Minerva nodded and excused herself to retire for the evening.

Severus had stayed outside of the library door until silence finally settled within the room. He could hear her muffled sobs and he finally gave in and opened the door. There was broken glass and porcelain everywhere and he muttered a 'repro'. He watched for a moment, as everything stitched and glued itself together, before he walked over to scoop up the crumbled girl. He lifted her with great ease and whisked her to her room. Her sobs had subsided to non-existent and was confident that she had fallen asleep by her deep even breathing and light snores. He tried his best not to step or slip on the hem of her long gown as he placed her almost tenderly down on her bed. He summoned the house-elf giving directions to take the gown off and replace it with sleep attire before tucking her in. He bid a silent goodnight to both of them before closing the door behind him.

Sleep with difficulty for Severus as he lay in bed. His mind swimming with memories and promises he made to himself. He was going to get his revenge and when he took it he was going to make sure they knew it was for her too. And with those thoughts the sands of sleep poured over his pale lids, finally drifting into the world of familiar dreams and nightmares.

Tomorrow had come too soon and was too similar to the previous day. The service was outside, the priests words drowned out by the humming of her blood and the hole in her heart finally began to set in. Two single roses were held loosely in her gloved hands. Her black outer robes held no warmth or security that they once did for her. As people made way to place their flowers and gift atop the two coffins, Hermione turned her face to the crying sky, letting the tears mingle with the rain. She was the last to leave, taking her time until she could prolong it no more.

"Take care of each other. I will take care of down here." It was more of an oath than a promise and many new that a wizard's oath was the greatest promise of them all. She could feel the slight breeze, this time holding a bit of warmth and felt reassured in a weird sense. She joined the others as they walked back to the lines of cars, people waiting for the 'host' to get back in the limo. The train of cars fallowed the two black limos to Hermione's mansion where food and beverages awaited her guest's.

As guest trickled out later that evening, Harry, Ron and Albus were the last to leave. Hermione had disappeared into the library some time ago and the group of five stood outside waiting with batted breaths. Suddenly screams erupted and crashing and they could hear muffled chokes from trying not to sob. Harry and Ron rushed to open the door when Severus grabbed them both by the collars.

"Let us go!" Came Ron's distrusting tone.

"She needs to grieve, this is her way." Severus said his tone sad and defeated. Harry nodded, understanding completely and gave a respectful bow to Severus. It was in that moment that the two had created a truce between each other. They said their goodbye and left. Minerva went to bed and Severus waited much like before and did exactly the same thing as the previous night. Except this time, he placed a light kiss on her forehead in a tender way, before summoning a house-elf and biding it to do the same task of changing her clothes and tucking her into bed.

A/N: I would like to point out that the 'Anyone can give up…' quote is not mine and I'm sure you have picked up on that part since that quote is rather famous and I thought that it was a good quote to add in. It is sad and yet endearing to watch as Hermione progresses through a very hard time and is trying to at least cling onto something and keep moving forward. I am no psychologist, but I've found that it is always important to hold on to something to get you through the most difficult parts of your life. Please leave a review everyone, it really helps me feel like this story is worth continuing and is somehow meaningful to you.