"Hermione!" Ginny shouted when she saw her friend. The yell so loud people were pouring out of the house moments later.
She was passed around and hugged so tight she thought they might crush her. The moment the arms of her two best friends came around her though was the moment it hit her, the feeling of being home. She cried and hugged them kissing their cheeks.
"You're here." Ron hugged her again.
"A month Hermione!" Harry shouted in reprimand before hugging her again and whispering, "I was so worried."
"I know." She sighed, "I'm sorry."
Harry shook his head and just hugged her.
"What made you decide to come back?" Ginny asked quietly as they all moved inside.
Hermione sent a weak smile at Ron, "Didn't think I would ever miss your wedding did you?"
Ron gave a chuckle and shook his head, "Hermione Granger break her promise to stand beside me? Never."
Hermione hugged him again. Molly cried over her and sat her at the table to feed her while everyone else gathered around to hear about where she'd been.
The next morning Hermione did her hair and pulled on her dress. She stood next to Harry who was the best man while their best friend married Amalie Ronet. She smiled for the photos and danced with both boys but none of them, most especially her two best friends missed the lost, sad, broken look of her eyes.
Ron and Amalie left for their honeymoon after Hermione swore to him she'd still be there when he got back and Harry quietly promised to take care of her so he didn't need to worry.
Harry did his best, they all did but the dead look in her eyes persisted and over the days that followed, not once did she correct them, offer a single piece of knowledge for a conversation and never did any of them see her pick up a book.
Hermione Granger was broken.
She'd faced fear and certain death, been tortured for hours by Bellatrix Lestrange and still she'd continued on, she'd buried her friends and her parents but life had finally asked too much, taken too much. The girl they all loved, the most brilliant witch, the hero, the compassionate fighter for the rights of all living beings, the stubborn, strong willed bossy know it all champion of the light was broken.
Sure she'd somehow taped the pieces together over the last month but how long would that hold? How long until the light in her eyes fully faded? It was a fear they all held but didn't know how to prevent. They felt helpless, all they could do was show her how much she was loved and needed so hopefully they wouldn't lose her altogether.
