"Are you sure?" Harry asked as they stepped from Fortescues.
Hermione nodded, "I wanted to stop back by the grave sight and then go home and inspect the house. It's been almost a year…"
He adjusted his glasses, "Do you want company?"
She shook her head as she laid her hand on his forearm, "Go help Ginny, I'm sure she would welcome the company."
"Ron does too…" He started, but let his voice trail off knowing that now was not the time to broach reconciliation between his two friends. Not after what Ron had said the night before last. His voice softened, "Whether he can say it now or not, Hermione; he really does love you."
Hermione fought back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she bit the edge of her lip while shaking her head, "No, he…" She cleared her throat, "Loves the idea of me."
Harry placed a hand upon her forearm, "Hey, just give yourselves a bit of time."
Watery brown eyes blinked as they met olive ones, "I meant what I said Harry, I'm not waiting; I've been doing that for three years and…if he doesn't feel as though I'm part of his family after everything we have gone through." She shook her head, "I'll be there for you, Ginny, George, their parents and Ron, but as a friend; Harry. And after this week I'm going to find my family and fix my life; and we'll see where everything else stands."
Harry nodded, "Alright." He knew better than to push any farther, "But you are stopping by the Burrow tonight?"
She gave a half-hearted smile. "I'll be there before dinner."
He reached out and wrapped her into a one armed hug, "See you soon."
"You too." She breathed back before they both pulled away and he vanished with a slight pop and a moment later, she did too. Unlike earlier, the cemetery was starkly barren; with only headstones as patrons greeting her eyes as she scanned the chilling vista of monuments…until her eyes landed upon a solitary figure that looked as though it hadn't moved since she was here over an hour ago.
The silhouette was one she would know anywhere; from the crisp cut of her robes, the brilliant shade of emerald, the proud rigidity in her back…she was statuesque. And as if sensing another had arrived, she lifted her head; the intensity of her gaze lost upon the distance between them, but Hermione knew it to be there. Intense was as innate a characteristic to McGonagall as daft was to Ronald. And before Hermione could utter a word or even move one step closer, McGonagall had vanished to leave her alone.
Sighing, she walked forward wondering why the Headmistress had chosen to stay for so long. Had everyone finally left? She stayed out of duty? She stepped around the tombstone before Colin's, eyes falling to the still unearthed casket; the petals of roses, and then the trodden ground around the grave…noting the slightly sunken area.
Taking a handful of steps, she kneeled to where there were boot prints left. Left from someone standing in one spot for a lengthy period of time. How long was she here? She stretched out her hand, feeling the blades of grass tickle across her palm. And why stay so long? She stood closing her hand and paused at the light dampness across her fingertips and head turning back to the grave to make sure it hadn't rained.
Before she realized what the dampness had stemmed from; her heart seizing at the notion.
She had been crying.
For whatever reason, McGonagall had stayed after and cried. Alone. Without anyone here. And Hermione suddenly felt, torn. To go and see if McGonogall had returned to Hogwarts upon her arrival or returned to the Burrow. If she wasn't at Hogwarts; it's not as though she knew where the Headmistress lived. As far as she knew, no one from the Order did. Though, Dumbledore probably did…but that wouldn't help now. Unless she could access the Head of Hogwarts office, without McGonagall in it.
And returning to the Burrow…images of Ron flashed through her head and the decision was easily made. With the image of Hogwarts firmly planted in her mind, she apparated.
A/N: Another tease ;)