Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 3

May 19th, 1998

The following days were a blur to Hermione. After some help from the Ministry, Hermione was able to have her parents' bodies back to their home town. There was a small ceremony before the burial with only the Weasley family, Harry, and herself there. She had Harry and Mrs. Weasley make the arrangements, while she remained numb.

Hermione had decided to spend a few days at the Burrow. The last thing she wanted was to be alone. She was laying on Ginny's old bed, crying silently. The door opened and Harry walked in slowly.

"'Mione," he crouched down next to the bed, "You should come downstairs with us. Everyone's here."

"Who's everyone?" she whispered back.

"Um... Well it's all the Weasleys, Andromeda, Teddy, Neville, and someone you wouldn't believe.."

"Who?"

"Narcissa Malfoy."

"What?! Really?"

"Yes, apparently since Lucius was sent to Azkaban, she got in touch with 'Dromeda. They've been catching up the past few days." He smiled. "I hate to admit this, but she's actually a pretty nice person. I don't think she ever believed in all the blood purity ideas."

Hermione sat up. She looked over to her best friend and sighed. "Harry, I don't think I can go out there. Everyone will give me their stupid pity and I don't want it. I don't want anybody feeling sorry for me."

"Hermione Granger, you're stronger than that. If they all think your a weak little child, then prove them wrong." He sat with her on the bed and put his arm around her. "You've been through enough shit in this lifetime, 'Mione, I get that. And I know it's only been a few days, but you have to try to move on. You have to try to be happy."

"I should have been there to protect them, Harry. And now- Now I don't even know if i'll be able to avenge them. I don't think I have the strength in me to do so."

"That's something I don't want you to worry about. Ron and I start training tomorrow. I've already spoken to Kingsley. I want to be the one working the investigation. I will find whoever did this, d'you understand? I won't let this monster hurt you anymore. I promise."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while before Hermione reluctantly agreed to join the party downstairs. Despite the gathering that day, life at the Burrow had been different. Fred's death had sent Mrs. Weasley into depression. She put a smile on for everybody else as the family grieved. Ron had become more angrier as the days had gone by. George had cried for days on end. He and Angelina Johnson grieved together and had formed a special bond. He was finally beginning to light up on that day. The only ones who seemed to be okay were Harry and Ginny. Ginny was obviously saddened by losing one of her older brothers, but Harry managed to make her smile most of the time.

Everyone was gathered around the tables outside eating, talking, laughing, and having a good time. Harry walked out pulling Hermione behind him. They all went quiet at the sight of Hermione.

"Oh, don't you all stop and stare now. I'm fine," said Hermione. "Truly." She gave a small smile and took a deep breath. Mrs. Weasley smiled at her and led her over to a chair next to Harry and Ginny. Ginny grabbed her hand and smiled at her. Everyone else went back to their conversations.

"Miss Granger." Narcissa Malfoy was sitting next to Andromeda, across from Hermione. She was surprised to see her there. Hermione noticed that the woman looked completely different from the last time she had seen her. There was a new light in her eyes. She looked content, even.

"Mrs. Malfoy, it's nice to see you."

"Please, call me Narcissa. I'm sorry to hear about your parents, Miss Granger. You have my condolences."

"Thank you, Narcissa." Hermione felt uncomfortable.

"As I'm sure your parents loved you very much, you must remember something. It is perfectly ok to feel sad. You have proven that you are an extraordinarily talented witch. Now, I'm not trying to make light of the situation, but just know that no parent wants their child to feel hurt. They would want you to be happy. When the time comes, you'll be able to move on with your life."

Hermione was in shock. She couldn't believe that the most comforting words she'd heard since her parents' deaths were coming from someone who she would have considered an enemy not long ago. "Thank you, Narcissa. I... just thank you." The woman smiled at her. Hermione looked around. "Where's Malfoy? I mean your son, Draco."

Narcissa's smile faltered. "He is in Azkaban, like his father."

"What? But I thought-" Hermione stopped when Narcissa held up her hand.

"He turned himself in last week, the same day that Lucius was taken in."

Harry, who had been listening to their conversation interrupted. "Why would he do that? I mean, no one was really looking for him. The Ministry didn't know he had let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, did they?"

"Well, no. However, my son feels terrible for what he's done. He went to the Department of Mysteries and confessed to it as well as to some other things he feels responsible for."

"When is his trial, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"At the end of July, Mr. Potter."

"It's Harry, please. Would you mind if I testified for Malfoy?"

Narcissa smiled weakly. "I would like that very much, Harry. Thank you. I'm sure Draco would appreciate it very much. But why, may I ask, would you want to?

"When Malfoy had Dumbledore cornered up on the Astronomy tower, he was lowering his wand. He didn't want to kill him." He paused and smiled at her. "Back at your Manor when we had been captured, he knew it was me. We've known each other since First year, how could he not recognize me? And yet, he didn't want to say anything. He tried protecting us. I would like to try to protect him, to pay him back."

Narcissa was now teary-eyed. "Thank you, Harry. If you testify, I'm sure Draco will be out sooner."

"What was that, Harry, you're going to testify for the ferret?" Ron, who had been in deep conversation with George about quidditch, was furious.

"Yea I am, Ron." Harry wasn't even bothered enough to look at his friend. He knew Ron's temper well enough really care about what he was saying.

"Bloody hell, you've gone mad! That git deserves to be in Azkaban with his fuckin father."

"Ronald, where are your manners?" asked Hermione, trying to get him to stop for Narcissa's sake.

"I don't understand how you could even consider doing this, Harry. After all he's done to us, you're going to be a fuckin' traitor!" He stood up and Harry did as well.

"Ron, will you shut up! Can't you at least respect the fact that his mother is sitting across from us?!" Harry yelled at him. Their faces were inches apart.

"Never. I don't fuckin' respect scum."

Then he was gone, leaving everyone in silence. Mrs. Weasley rushed over to Narcissa, who was in tears.

"I'm so sorry, Narcissa. He's been a bit down and out of sorts. We all have. We grieve differently though. I'm sorry."

"Molly, it's fine. The Malfoy name deserves it. We've done nothing to deserve your kindness. And I'm grateful to be in your company. So please, Molly, sit and have a drink with us."

The rest of the night was full of laughter and happiness. Everyone, minus Ron, had a toast to celebrate Harry and Ron's acceptance into the Auror training program. They were to start the following day. When the evening came to an end, the guests said their goodbyes. The home was once again quiet again.

Hermione was left alone with her thoughts. She sank back down into her quiet mourning.

'Will I ever stop feeling this way? Will I ever be happy again' she thought to herself. 'I'm sorry, mum. I'm sorry, dad. I would give anything to be there with you. I should have been there. I'm so sorry.'

Alone in the sitting room, she opened a bottle of firewhiskey and poured herself a drink. Later that night, she'd drunk enough to put her to sleep. But not even in her drunken slumber was she able to escape the horrible nightmares that caused her so much pain. Even in her sleep, all she could do was remember her parents. Not in a happy way, but in the way she saw them dead in their home. Her pain continued.

A/N:

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