Disclaimer: The wonderful world of Harry Potter and the canon characters belong to J .K. Rowling, I am only borrowing them to write for my and other people's enjoyment without any intention of profiting from it. I thank this creative lady for blessing us with such a rich ground to build up our creativity on!

The brunette witch felt like someone dumped a couple dozen buckets of ice cold water on her, and left her outside in a snow storm to fend for herself without the slightest sliver of assistance or care for her well-being and safety. Her face went completely blank, and she felt like her mind was teetering on the brink of shutting down. She was unable to process what was happening, and that was simply unthinkable, as she was usually on the top of the thinking and processing game.

"'Mione, are you listening?" Ron huffed and rolled his eyes, impatient to get this discussion over with, so he and his best friend could finally start living their lives.

Hermione gave him a strained nod, unable to do much of anything else in her disturbed state.

Harry could not look her in the eyes. "I am grateful for everything you have done, Hermione, but you don't have to worry about me anymore. The war is over, and you have your own life to live. You don't need to take care of us anymore. I am going away, and I am taking Ron with me. We need some time to deal with everything, and we cannot do that here in England."

"Tell Mum that we will write to her, but we cannot stay here for a minute longer," the tall redhead added, and slung his travel bag over his shoulder.

Harry glanced at Hermione from the corner of his eyes, and he was flooded with guilt, which he instantly pushed away. "We better go, our Portkey is leaving soon," he said, and gave the girl an awkward hug, that was nothing like they shared for the past seven years. "Take care, Hermione."

Hermione was rooted to the ground, numbly watching her best friends go on another adventure, leaving her behind to deal with the aftermath on her own.

A/N: This is the prologue to what promises to be a journey of rebuilding a life so shattered, that Hermione feels hopeless. But she won't be on her own like she thinks. What happens when a couple of mischief-makers and some unlikely friends take her under their wings?

I am open to pairing suggestions.

I am torn between some Slytherins, or the Weasley twins. Mayhap even Luna, and/or Fleur. I love me some Luna and Fleur, especially when they pick Hermione up from her ashes.