Chapter 18: Saturday
It looked like rain. Then again, it always looked like it was about to rain in England. The limo was driving through the streets slowly followed by a short procession of friends and very distant relatives. Hermione's black dress would have been elegant under different circumstances, today it simply blended in with the rest of the black attire worn around her.
Everyone had approached her to shake her hand and give their condolences but were all met with a blank expression and sad smile. Work colleagues tried to tell Hermione stories of how great her mother had been, always welcoming patients into the family dentistry office with a bright smile. The smile Hermione would never see again.
Bill had only briefly left Hermione's side when his parents arrived at the funeral home. Molly Weasley had instantly wanted to grab her adopted daughter and coddle until her heart was content, but Bill stopped her.
"She's in a really bad place right now mum," the trio looked at the sad brunette sitting in the front of the funeral home room. "But we all know that even though she needs to be comforted and held she's not going to let us. And especially not by you."
Molly looked at her oldest son with a hurt expression. "What does that mean Bill?"
"It means that she would feel badly about losing her mother and seeking comfort in her best friend's mum. She needs us, all of us and of course she needs you to over-feed her and tell her that her hair is terribly frizzy for the weather just as you've done for the past few years. It's just that now things have changed and she's going to feel like more of a burden on us because she doesn't want to take your motherly love for granted anymore and doesn't want to seem like she's taking away any time from your own children."
Arthur Weasley had to agree with his son, Bill had always been the most level headed of the Weasley children, but he was showing his maturity more and more. Molly eventually nodded and slowly walked over towards the young girl.
"Bill?"
Turning around the tall red-head was met with an equally tall brunette man. "Mr. Granger, I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Please, if there's anything my family can do for you let us know."
"Your parents have taken care of Hermione just like one of their own; she always looks forward to staying with them. I know that right now she's going to try and figure everything out on her own but please keep an eye on her for me. She's talked about you a lot in her letters, she's very fond of you Bill and from what I've heard she's finally met someone on the same level as my daughter. And, because you're a Weasley I can be sure that she's in good hands."
Accepting the outstretched hand from Mr. Granger, Bill gave the man a half smile. "I will definitely take care of her for you sir."
Sitting in front of a room with people you hardly know telling you how great your mother was just made Hermione tired. She hadn't slept well to begin with and poor Bill had suffered with her, she had told everyone they left for London last night but the pair stayed in Bill's room giving Hermione proper room to grieve and prepare herself.
"You know my parents are going to want to be there."
Sighing, Hermione combed her hair. "There's no way I can talk them out of it?"
"Nope, mum has already made it clear that she and my dad will be in London tomorrow morning. You know how she protective she gets when someone she loves is hurting." All Hermione could do was nod, that was a quality she loved about Molly Weasley."Are Ron, Harry, and Ginny coming too?"
"No." That was one thing she had made very clear to her friends. She did not want them to miss their classes just to come watch her cry in front of a bunch of old people who hadn't seen her since she was in diapers.
"Hermione dear, how are you?" Molly Weasley enveloped the girl into a warm hug followed by an equally warm hug from her husband.
"Well, it's been a tiring day. I'm not sure my emotions can really catch up with everything I'm feeling right now." Chin quivering but head held high, the young girl suddenly looked so much older.
"Hermione you know that no matter what, you will always have a place in our home and our family. You are always welcome at the Burrow." Arthur Weasley had never seen the girl so upset.
Hugging both of the older red-heads tightly Hermione dried her eyes. "Thank you both so much for everything."
The pair left and Hermione father replaced where they had stood. "The ceremony is about to begin. Do you want Bill to sit up here with you?"
"You know what's odd?" Lavender Brown's high-pitched voice carried quite easily through the Great Hall. "Have you noticed that both Hermione and Professor Weasley are both missing today?"
Harry and Ron sat silently only a few seats down from the girls listening to their conspiracy theories.
"I wonder how Mione's doing right now." Ron pushed his mashed potatoes around the plate mixing them with his shepard's pie. "It's a shame she wouldn't let us come with her.
The Boy-Who-Lived shrugged pushing his food around just as much as his best friend. "She made it clear that she didn't want us to see her like that. Plus, muggle funerals are very depressing."
"You mean you don't set the casket on fire in front of everyone like wizards do?" Sometimes Ron's questions worried Harry.
Suddenly, Lavender and Parvati appeared next to the boys. "Do either of you know where Hermione and Professor Weasley are today?"
The evil glint in Parvati's eye made Harry uneasy. "Her mum passed away and Professor Dumbledore asked that Professor Weasley escort her to the funeral since their families are very close." Well, it wasn't exactly a lie.
"But then why aren't you two there with her?" The evil glint was growing.
"She asked us not to come, Hermione's actually a very private person and didn't want to be seen upset." Now Ron was getting defensive.
"Better yet, why don't you two bints stay out of other people's business?" Ginny stood behind the girls her ears almost the same shade as her hair. "And if you play some mean trick on Hermione I will know and I will make it publicly known that you're both blubbering idiots."
The three sighed, Ginny filled up a plate and ate most of it before beginning to push her leftovers together as well.
"When does Hermione get back?"
Bill and Hermione got back to Hogwarts around 9 pm through the floo in Bill's room only to discover a note on the coffee table.
"Professor Dumbledore wants to see us." Bill led Hermione out of the portrait to towards the headmaster's office.
"Hermione how good to see you again. I assume that today was not terribly strenuous on you?" The old wizard had always made sure his students felt comfortable, a trait that made him an excellent headmaster.
"It was very sad, for now I'll be glad to rest."
Nodding, Dumbledore rose from his high backed chair. "Understandably so, and a good thing that tomorrow is Sunday. It is important to note that your friends seemed very worried about you all day Miss Granger, it seems as though they did not know what to do with themselves in your absence. It might do some good to see them."
With a smile the pair left the office.
"I'll walk you up to the tower." Bill offered quietly then allowing himself to fall into a companionable silence with Hermione.
Bidding Bill goodnight and giving the Fat Lady the password, Hermione entered into the Gryffindor Common Room. There were a few students studying in the corners of the room, but camped out in front of the fire were her three best friends. Soundlessly walking over and sitting down her friends stopped their work.
"I'm sorry I made you all stay behind. I just didn't want you all to sit there awkwardly just like I was, wondering when it would end. It was really quite boring."
Ginny started laughing quietly followed by Harry. Then the laughter grew. Eventually Ron and Hermione joined in and the four sat there laughing for what seemed like forever.
"You know we would have gladly gone and just been there with you Mione. You're our best friend, we wouldn't abandon you because we think something's boring." Harry leaned over in the couch and wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"Yeah, we're a package deal!" Ron chimed in from the chair. "So if you ever need to just talk to us, we will always be there for you."
Hermione smiled for the first time in days. A genuine smile. Her friends had always been there for her, and always would be. She couldn't forget that.
A/N: I know that this has taken a long time. My semester is officially over so now I can get back into writing!