I have been reading fanfiction for a long time and have always wanted to write one myself. This is my attempt. Please note that many characters may be portrayed out of character. I've drawn inspiration from various fics that I have read and loved, so some elements may feel similar to other works out there. This story is not intended for those who are particularly fond of Dumbledore, Molly, Ron, or Ginny.

7th September 1998, Grimmauld Place, London

Harry let out a soft groan as he mindlessly turned the page of the daily prophet he was reading. Ever since the final battle, he had felt hollow, like a zombie just going through the motions. The memories of the battle filled his heart with sorrow. Hogwarts had been significantly destroyed, and many people had died on both sides: Lupin, Tonks, Snape, Colin, Lavender, Fred, and Luna. Oh, sweet Luna! He couldn't understand why her death affected him more than anyone else's. She had been a true friend, seeing him for who he was rather than just the Boy Who Lived. She spoke to him when no one else would and allowed him to confide in her about anything and everything. Losing her felt like a devastating blow as if a part of him had died along with her. He simply couldn't understand why he felt this way.

He looked at his best friend, Hermione Granger, who was sitting opposite him with a book on ancient bonds resting in her lap but not reading it. She seemed just like him—lost and filled with sorrow. Over the past year, after Ron had abandoned them, he and Hermione had grown close. She was like a sister to him. Even after Ron returned, Harry found himself asking Hermione's opinion more often and trusting her the most. This fact grated on both Ron and Ginny.

After the war, Ron and Hermione started dating, and Harry rekindled his relationship with Ginny. At least, that was how Ginny viewed it; for Harry, being with Ginny felt more like a curse. Every time she touched or kissed him, he felt as if he were burning alive. He simply couldn't stand being with her.

After the war, Harry invited Hermione to stay with him at Grimmauld Place, and she accepted. They had both discussed living here only temporarily, as they planned to return to Hogwarts to finish their seventh year. With Kreacher's help, they spruced up the house until it felt livable. They cohabited peacefully; most days were spent in the black library—Hermione researching while Harry helped Kreacher clean the house. Kreacher loved Harry and even Hermione. He even started calling her Mistress Hermione. Taking orders from her but in contrast, had refused to take any orders from Ron and Ginny.

When Ron and Ginny learned of their living arrangement, they began packing their things to move in as well, but Harry rejected their offer. He explained that they were needed more at The Burrow, especially after Fred's passing, as George was struggling to cope. Mrs. Weasley insisted they stay with her, but both Harry and Hermione refused. Sometimes, he sensed that Molly was more concerned about him than about poor George. He occasionally felt that Ron, Ginny, and Molly weren't as devastated by Fred's death as they should be. Whenever this thought crossed his mind, a voice inside him silenced it, reminding him that they were lovely people—Molly was like a mother to him, Ron was like a brother, and Ginny was the love of his life. That voice urged him to propose to Ginny and marry her as soon as possible. Believe in Ron and Molly more than anyone. Day by day, the voice grew quieter, but it was still there.

Sighing, he started reading the paper in front of him, when he saw the photos of Malfoys. Yet another article on the Malfoys and the smear campaign the press now had on them. He understood they stood on Voldemort's side, but it was forced. Besides, couldn't they leave the dead alone?

After the war, the death eater punishments began. Harry and Hermione discussed the situation and agreed to testify for both Draco and Narcissa Malfoy. They believed Narcissa should be defended for her lie to Voldemort, and Draco should be supported because he was forced to become a death eater and had lied about not recognizing them at Malfoy Manor, thereby giving them time to escape.

As they awaited the trial dates, the news they received shocked them. The Malfoys, along with the Notts, Zabinis, Parkinson's, and many others, were all given the Dementor's Kiss without any trial. The Ministry confiscated their accounts, citing war damages. People were prosecuted and imprisoned in Azkaban simply for being Slytherins, even though they did not bear the Dark Mark. The announcement was made by the newly appointed Minister of Magic, Mr. Arthur Weasley. The Wizengamot unanimously decided that Arthur was the best choice.

When Harry and Hermione approached Mr. Weasley, he declared that they were guilty and deserved the Kiss. He reasoned that all Slytherins were Death Eaters, whether they had the Mark or not. Molly, Ron, and Ginny all felt the same way, but the other Weasley siblings didn't agree with such a decision.

"Harry… Harry… Harry… HARRY!" Startled, he looked up to see Hermione staring at him. "Sorry, I must have zoned out," he said. "What is it?"

"Can we go for a walk?" Hermione asked. "I know we're supposed to avoid the press and everyone, but do you think we could go outside and get some fresh air?"

"Maybe we could try to transfigure ourselves a little," Hermione suggested, noticing Harry's uncertain expression. Seeing the forlorn expression on her face, he agreed. They transfigured themselves so that no one could recognize them and stepped outside.

7th September 1998, Diagon Alley, London

As they walked through Diagon Alley, they noticed that many shops had started to open and were slowly returning to normal. When they passed Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, a wave of sadness washed over them. Fred and George were one of a kind, and the memory of Fred's broken body would always haunt them. George still couldn't get over the pain of losing Fred; he was a shell of his former self.

"Harry, can I tell you something?" Hermione asked.

"Sure, Hermione."

"For the past few months, I feel like a part of me is gone. It's like there's no point in living anymore like I died when the war ended. I know Ron is your best friend, but being with him feels wrong, like I've committed a great sin! I don't know what's happening to me. Do you think it's PTSD?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. I've been feeling that way too. Being with Ginny feels wrong sometimes; it's like I'm being forced to be with her. I feel like a part of me died during the final battle."

"Even if it is PTSD, we can't get any help. You know that, right? The wizarding world doesn't understand these things; they prefer to sweep them under the rug. We wouldn't be able to see a Muggle therapist."

"I know, but I just don't understand what to do. I hate not knowing…" Hermione said. Just as he was about to console her, he spotted two familiar faces. Ron and Ginny were walking down Diagon Alley, basking in the admiration of the crowd.

Another thing that bothered him was how Ron revelled in the glory of being a war hero. While Harry and Hermione refused to give interviews to the press, Ron loved it. His interviews often focused on how he helped Harry during the Horcrux hunt, making it seem like Harry was entirely dependent on him, while Hermione was portrayed as merely cooking and cleaning. It was as if Ron singlehandedly conducted all the research to find the Horcruxes. Ginny was no better; her interviews were filled with their supposed happiness, discussing their plans to get married after finishing school and live happily ever after.

The moment these thoughts surfaced, the voice in his head insisted that his feelings were wrong and that he needed to remain loyal to them. Harry pointed Ron and Ginny out to Hermione just as they entered Knockturn Alley.

Intrigued about why they would enter there, both looked at each other, disillusioned themselves and started following them discreetly. Ron and Ginny entered into an Apothecary run by a ragged-down old lady and Ron started listing off the items, they needed. Hermione hissed a few times, when hearing to the ingredients but didn't say something. Once the lady went off to collect the items, Ginny silenced the door and turned angrily towards Ron, "You idiot! Why did you have to list the ingredients like that? It's just like announcing that we were about to brew liberam oboedientiam potion. You do realise it's a dark potion and highly illegal."

"Relax, Gin", Ron said. "No one would dare to question us, we are the Heros remember are also now the Minister of Magic's children. I just don't see why Mum would want to change her potion on Harry and Hermione. It's working fine till now". Potion, what potion, they thought. "Ron, it's not working like we need", Ginny said. "The love potion that we used to give them is not working. Granted, it worked for the last 2 years but now, it's not. If it was working, Hermione would have slept with you by now. Harry would have slept with me, and we both would be living with them in Grimmauld Palace. Ever since he came back from being dead, the love potion has not been working." Ginny exasperated.

"Hermione is the same, ever since Malfoy manor, she has been fighting off the potion. She should have just died at Malfoy's house just like Dumbledore had said she would die in the war. So should have Harry!", Ron said angrily. "We should just poison them and be done with it. Dumbledore said that Harry would die in the battle. He must have done some dark ritual, it's the only way, he survived."

"We can't just poison him! I need to marry him and become Lady Potter, Ron. Once that is done, we can kill him, and I will then inherit all his money and properties. We can then share all the money between ourselves. Mum is planning to invite them to lunch this Sunday and inject the potion. Once Harry and Hermione have it, they will be in our total control. Think, Harry will marry me, and Hermione will marry you and do our bidding. It would look so good to us. Marrying the Muggleborn and the Saviour. The biggest light family. Dumbledore told Mum, that Hermione was loaded as well. Once, she has had her use, we can kill her off as well and then you will inherit all her money and properties. Once they are dead, we can act for some time like we are mourning and heartbroken and then start living the life we dreamed. We deserve this, Ron. After everything, we've been through, acting like we like Hermione and Harry.", Ginny ranted.

"Ok, but I just hate them! I hate being their friend and lover. They're so naive to think we love them" Ron grumbled.

"I know, but soon it will be over, and we will get everything, Dumbledore promised us," Ginny said.

"Just think, we will be so rich!" Ron said, with glee evident in his smile.

Just then, the lady returned with the items. They purchased it and left the shop leaving a shell-shocked Harry and Hermione unable to comprehend what they had just heard.