Special Thanks: to Ruffin (blankpage on for being my beta on the first four installments. You're my hero, yet… not. Lol.

Disclaimer: Characters and original scenes belong to JK Rowling, but that doesn't mean I can't play in my free time for free.

A/N: Takes place while the Trio is on the hunt for the Horcruxes, post-Grimmauld Place. This is a ten one-shot series for LJ's 10themes community.

Gritty

The stone was rough and bumping under her calloused fingers. Couldn't they at least have smoothed the stone before laying it down? Anger surged through her. Hermione fell to her knees before the headstone and raked her nails down, the pain never registering in her mind. She couldn't feel anything but pain. She thought she'd be happy once the war was over, but all she felt was hurt and anger and heartache.

The sky cackled above her and made her hate life just that much more.

"It's not fair, is it?" The voice made her tense, but she never changed position. "They're just gonna give up on him. They can't stand to see him only just alive so they're going to have them— I can't even look at them right now."

Through her fringe she read the words on the headstone.

Fredrick Weasley

April 1, 1978 – January 15, 1999

Beloved Son, Twin, Friend, & Jokester

Battle of Hogwarts War Veteran

January 15. Today's date. They were going to end Fred's life today.

"'Mione, you've got to do something. Out of everyone, you're the one that can stop them!"

Ron's voice came closer as he talked. Surprised, Hermione slowly stood up and turned to face them. Standing in the beginnings of a rain storm stood George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, Neville, and Luna. Each wore a solemn look on their faces and desperation was laced in their eyes. Her throat felt dry and her lips were cracked. Her voice came out harsh and scratchy.

"What do you want me to do? We weren't married. I'm not bearing his child. I'm not related to him in any way. I have no say in anything. It's not my place."

Hermione felt defeated, had been since she first saw the wall explode around them. She tried to save it, but it wasn't enough. She had to accept her love's new fate because nothing she did could change it. This was just further proof of it. Neville strode over to Hermione and stood before her, nearly knocking Ron over. She had watched this boy grow into a man and a soldier. He had been a close friend, but right now he had the look of murder on his face as he stared down at her that made her fear him.

"So that's it. You're just going to give up on him after all you've done to save him. The Hermione Granger I knew never would have backed down like this. The Hermione I knew stood by those she loved no matter what. The Hermione I knew spoke despite whether or not people thought it was her place because she believed she could change things. I don't know who you are, but you are not Hermione Granger."

The sprinkles of water turned into a steady-paced rain. It soaked through everything around them, but no one paid any attention. Luna walked up behind Neville and lightly touched his arm. He turned slightly to glance at her, but refocused his glare at Hermione. Harry put his arm around Ginny as her tears started to become more violent, while Ron grabbed the hand that wasn't fisting Harry's cloak.

"Please, Hermione! You have to try! We can't lose him," Ginny sobbed.

The seven teens ran down one hallway into the next, their feet slipping and sliding despite the drying charm they placed on themselves before entering. Hermione saw Ron and George glancing behind them at her from the head of the group. She was weak from lack of sleep and her unhealthy eating habits as of late. The men grabbed her hands and started pulling her along and Hermione felt just slightly less strained.

They were coming close to the hallway door that led them to Fred. Hermione felt a whole new wave of energy build within her and powered through to the front of the group, only to have to come to nearly a complete stop at the sight of Percy, Charlie, Bill and Fleur sitting just outside his room in tears.

"No," she heard George breathe from beside her.

"They're already in there with the healers. The healers have already started lifting the charms. We tried, George, but they wouldn't listen. You're too late," Charlie whispered.

His head was buried in his hands. Beside him Percy wept, repeating "It's all my fault" over and over again hushed tones.

"No. "

Fleur shot up and looked at Hermione.

"What do jou mean, 'non'? Jou are too late. He iz already dead!"

Fleur sat back down and held her husband, who looked in like he had gone into shock.

"No. He wouldn't dare leave me. He promised me we would have a real relationship once that bloody war was over and he wouldn't dare break a promise to me. I'm saving his life whether he fucking wants me to or not!"

Hermione squared her shoulders and lifted her chin as she stomped to the door and entered. Behind her, she heard someone say, "There's the Hermione I know."