Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Harry Potter. The only thing that belongs to me would be any new characters that I might add.

Ten years, have passed since Hermione had last stepped foot onto the grounds of Hogwarts. The dark school looked so ghastly against the night sky. Just looking at the school made Hermione shiver with some unknown feeling. But Hermione just pushed it aside because there were bigger problems facing her. The first, going back to a world she so eagerly left. The second, was the memories that had started to resurface. Taking a deep breath Hermione took a step forward then slowly another. Looking around as she slowly glided to the steps of the school she recalled the angry screams, the cries for help, and the shouts of death. Taking another look she noticed a statue in the place where the whomping willow once stood. Staring at it more closely she noticed that it wasn't just any statue but a memorial for all those who fought and lost their life during the final battle. The memorial stood about eight feet off the ground and was in the shape of a lightening bolt.

Looking at the memorial brought back memories of what had happened before the war.

-It was May 29th, the seventh years were in study mode, the Newt's were only days away and everyone was on the brink of insanity. That night was unusually quiet in the great hall where the students were all eating there dinner. Because of this no one missed the sound of the grand doors exploding open and the angry yells that were coming from outside the Great Hall. Without even missing a beat Hermione looked at Harry, who in turn looked at Dumbledore and then back at her.

"Now?" Hermione whispered fearful of the answer, but already knowing what it would be. There he was looking at her with those somber eyes and gave a slow sad nod. She knew this was the moment that Dumbledore and everyone else was preparing him for. That this was the moment she feared. Harry then proceeded to stand and make his way to the doors, wand at ready. Never noticing the throng of students following him to the doors ready to fight till the death. Hermione being one of those students until a strong pair of arms pulled her back.

"Let me go, I need to be out there, I belong out there!" screamed a struggling Hermione.

"No you don't I am not going to let you fight, I am not going to lose you to." said a rough strenous voice as he attempted to turn her around.

"I have done this before you know, I need to help them." a calmer but agitated Hermione said while looking into the depths of those grey orbs that held her there.

"No you don't, Potter can do this on his own he doesn't need your help. You need to go to the safe house you need to survive. Because if anything were to happen to you I would go crazy. Potter and Weasley would want this to."

"Nothing is going to happen I know what..." But before she could say anything else she was stunned and taken to the safe house.-

Thinking back Hermione knew it was a good thing that she went to the safe house it kept her alive. She knew now that she probably would have been killed if she fought. And she was glad that he kept her out of that danger. But remembering the war led to remembering the aftermath which just happened to be the funeral of her best friend, Ron Weasley.

-The day of the funeral was a dreary one everyone was in a horrible mood and didn't feel like talking about it much. Harry who was dating Ginny was worried about her because she seemed to take Ron's death worse that anyone could have imagined. But she wouldn't let that show to anyone else but Harry. But Harry and Ginny were both worried about Hermione because she was starting to shut everyone out. They figured that his death was affecting her because one week before the final battle Hermione and Ron went through a devastating breakup and nobody really knew why. But Ron and her really didn't make up after that they were still fighting the day of the battle. Harry just figured Hermione felt guilty about not being on good terms with him when he passed.

Hermione spent that day telling everyone she was fine. She did feel guilty about not making up with him but there was no way that was possible. What she did to him was one of the worst things she had ever done to anyone and didn't believe she should be forgiven.

The funeral was beautiful the coffin was a beautiful mahogany the cemetery where he was to be buried was about a mile outside of Hogsmeade. The flower's that surrounded his coffin were large and in many colors. The whole wizarding world was probably present minus a few. But he probably wouldn't have wanted them there anyway. During the funeral many things were said about the courage of the man being buried. The service was followed by a wonderful feast that celebrated the life of Ron Weasley with all of his favorite foods.

But Hermione never made it back to the castle, at the funeral she made a decision and that was to leave. Figuring it was best to not say good-bye she departed with out a backward glance. The last thing she thought about was the secret harboring inside her.-

Taking another step and breath Hermione walked up to the door ready to face all that she left behind. But most of all who she left behind.