Chapter 1 – This Is What You Came For?

Hermione had hardly finished zipping her black dress robes when Ginny had bounded in like a twirling tornado of red hair.

"Hermione! Seriously?" Ginny admonished. "What happened to the dress robes we picked out? You can't go in that – it's too humdrum! You're twenty-three for Merlin's sake, show it off!"

Hermione giving up with the bloody zipper, huffed as she reached for her wand and quickly cast a nonverbal spell to zip the dress the rest of the way. Stepping around Ginny, Hermione scrutinized herself in front of the mirror. Trying to tune out Ginny's mutterings, Hermione's fingers trailed up and down the sides; stroking the elaborate rose etchings in her golden floor-length mirror. Her eyes flickered to the top of the mirror where an elaborate and beautiful G was carved with a flourish. In a practice of familiarity, Hermione brought her index finger up to trace its smooth but strong edges.

"Hermione! Did you hear me?" the redhead all but stamped her foot in annoyance at being ignored.

Hermione took one last glance at her reflection, smoothed the front of her dress and nodded. Sighing, she raised her eyes and met the gaze of the annoyed girl. "Yes, Ginny. I heard you. I heard you all day Saturday in Diagon Alley. You, however, did not hear me." Hermione leveled Ginny with her eyes emphasizing she was not in the mood for this conversation.

Ginny took a step back, alarmed. "Wh-what? Of course I heard you on Saturday! We talked all about the engagement and picking the perfect dress robes to match our diamonds! You said you loved the dress I picked out for you! It was gorgeous on you – no one would be able to take their eyes of you! We were going to dazzle together!"

Hermione, not breaking eye contact, chose her words carefully. "No, Ginny. You insisted on those dress robes for me after hours of you rejecting the ones I chose. I do not want to dazzle. We are going to a memorial this morning. I find the idea of wearing anything that glitters to a memorial service extremely distasteful. I only bought that dress so I could go home!"

The color from Ginny's face paled considerably as she looked from Hermione to herself in the reflection of the floor-length mirror. Her eyes trailed the lines of crystals dangling from her shoulders and looked back at Hermione's plain black dress robes. "Well," Ginny said, not meeting Hermione's eyes. "I'm going back to Harry's flat to change. I may have been wrong in my display of distasteful dazzling, but I know I'm right about tonight: Conall's going to propose!" With a small grin and flash of red hair, Ginny was out of Hermione's bedroom.

Another sigh escaped Hermione's lips. Gripping the edge of her vanity, she sat down shakily. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out in silence for a few moments before opening her eyes to see the worried line on her forehead. Hermione touched the wrinkle to soothe it. Grabbing her wand, she pointed to her mass of curls and cast her second nonverbal. Instantaneously her hair smoothed into long, beautiful and tame chestnut ringlets. Reaching in a drawer to her left she pulled out a brush, elastics and bobby pins. Quickly she pulled her hair into a chignon bun. She looked in the vanity mirror and tilted her head side to side. Satisfied, she reached for her wand again on the vanity table. Contemplating for a second, she closed her eyes and tapped her cheek with the tip of her wand and muttered, "exponentia virtutum regina." Hermione opened her eyes to examine her makeup; it was elegant and understated.

Hermione took another deep breath as she felt her body begin to tremble. More than anything, she needed her mother. Her mother would understand. She refused to cry as she felt her eyes swimming with unshed tears. Sitting up perfectly straight, Hermione opened her eyes. Her mother may not be here, but she had two small tokens that would serve as reminders of her mother's strength. Hermione reached across the vanity and picked up her mother's perfume. Uncapping the bottle, Hermione brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. The scent of jasmine, lily of the valley, iris, rose, sandalwood, and vanilla bourbon enveloped her senses. Hermione smiled and allowed herself to bask in the small comfort of the smell of her mother's perfume. It was the closest she could get to her mother's warm embrace. She needed her tonight, even in the capacity of a remembered scent so Hermione sprayed herself with the perfume.

Hermione stood and walked across her room to her mahogany jewelry armoire. Opening the top, she quickly spotted her second and last memento of her mother – the pearl earrings her mother adored and always wore. Fastening them in her ears, she felt stronger. She grabbed her heels by the door and quickly slipped them on. Straightening she turned back to her vanity and appraised her appearance. Taking one last deep, calming breath Hermione opened her bedroom door and walked out.

…

Stepping out of her bedroom and into the hallway, Hermione could hear three male voices muttering crossly to each other. Hermione's heels clicked loudly against the grey hardwood floors, alerting the three men to Hermione's presence. Ron cleared his throat and forced a tiny smile on his face. His eyes quickly met Hermione's before darting away to Harry. Harry stood up and walked to Hermione's side. His face, wrinkled with stress lines, was quickly transformed into one of relief.

"Good morning, Hermione. You look beautiful," Harry stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. He leaned in to mutter furiously in her ear: "He's driving me mad! Thank Godric you are finished." Hermione smirked. She of all people understood.

Hermione leaned away from Harry and appraised the third man in the room. He was staring at her with a frown marring his handsome face. His eyes flicked from her face down to her body to her shoes, and back up. "That's what you're wearing?"

Feeling her face bloom with her ire, Hermione took a deep breath and walked into her kitchen, throwing the man a nonchalant look as she passed. "Yes, Conall. Anything wrong?"

Hermione had been dating Conall Carriger since her amicable breakup with Ron – nearly six months ago. She had met Conall at one of Ron's quidditch functions for the Chudley Cannons that she was begrudgingly dragged to. Feeling guilty for their separation, Ron introduced Hermione to every single quidditch player in the room. Conall, who played for Ireland, was the only man in the room that Hermione could hold a somewhat intelligent conversation with, and it didn't hurt that he was quite handsome. He asked her to dinner the next night, and Hermione quickly accepted. Within weeks the attraction quickly fizzled when Conall's true snarky, selfish and narcissistic tendencies surfaced, but Hermione afraid of being alone kept up the pretenses that she was happy in her relationship – at least, she thought she did.

Hermione heard Ron and Harry scamper after her into the kitchen as she filled her teapot with water, placed it on the stove and turned on the burner. Not turning around, Hermione opened her cupboard and pulled out five mugs. Placing them on the counter, she turned around and faced her best friends. "Cuppa?" she asked them both.

Harry shook his head. "I don't think I need any more caffeine, I'm already jittery and on edge as it is." Hermione nodded, and turned around to place a mug back in the cupboard.

Ron leaned against the side of the counter and sighed. "Do you still have the coffee I used to keep here?" He looked down awkwardly at his feet as an apology tumbled out. Hermione stilled.

In the six months since Ron and Hermione finally called off their farce of an on and off relationship, it was hardly mentioned – hardly remembered. Nearly forgotten. Hermione reached up to tilt Ron's chin up to face her. "Ron…" she trailed off, grappling to find the correct words to reinforce her feelings. She cleared her throat and forced herself to look straight into his eyes. "Ron, we've had this conversation before. It's okay. Our relationship just didn't work out. We love each other, just not in the way we needed to. We only even truly attempted our relationship at first because we thought it was expected. It just didn't work out." Hermione paused as Ron nodded along in agreement. Harry was looking out the window in an attempt to give Ron and Hermione the appearance of a private conversation. Hermione smirked before she went on: "And quite frankly I find the idea of kissing you again just as disgusting as the idea of kissing Harry!"

Hermione's smirk grew as Harry yelled out an indignation, "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Ron's eyes widened until a hearty guffaw escaped his mouth. There was silence for a moment, until Hermione threw her head back and laughed. She grabbed onto the counter to keep herself upright as Harry and Ron joined in. Minutes later, Hermione wiped at tears of mirth off her cheeks as Ron stepped away from the counter no longer needing its support, and Harry took deep gulping breaths as he clutched his stomach. "Ahhh…" he muttered. "What even started this?" as he regained composure.

"Ron," Hermione offered rolling her eyes. "Your coffee is in the cabinet, right next to Harry's Calming Chamomile. Grab him one, yeah?" Ron smiled warmly and ran to the cabinet. He returned quickly with the pod of coffee and Harry's bag of tea, and tried to hand both to her. "Oh, no! I gave you that lesson on the coffee machine for a reason. Surely you remember?" Ron muttered under his breath as he walked to the machine and started pushing buttons. Sounds of frustrations joined the sound of the kettle boiling. Hermione walked over and took it off the burner, as Harry grabbed the mug Hermione had put back in the cabinet. After adding the bags of tea and pouring the boiling water in the mugs, Hermione finally took mercy on Ron and walked over to him and smiled. As he threw up his hands as if to say the machine was broken, she took the plug and put it into the outlet. The light went on immediately.

"Oh," said Ron looked slightly abashed. "I knew that."

Hermione laughed. He was as hopeless as his father with muggle artifacts and technology. They both needed diagrams to get their way around a coffee pot apparently, as well as a litany of answers to their questions of whys that would rival any three-year-old.

Hermione and Harry sipped the tea from their mugs as they watched Ron push various buttons until he finally found success and the coffee poured into the mug below. "Oh, thank Merlin!" Ron exclaimed. As soon as the mug was filled, he brought the steaming mug of coffee to his face and inhaled deeply. Groaning, Ron took a sip and relaxed. "Oh, thank Merlin." He repeated. Hermione laughed and brought Ron back to reality. He blushed and muttered something to the effect of being up all night.

Hermione put her mug back on the counter, and reached both her hands to each of the men on each side of her. Instantly the warmth the kitchen had provided evaporated as their minds were brought back to the reality of the day. Today was the fifth-year anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. A day where an unfathomable amount of magical blood was spilled. The finale of a culmination of an incredibly deadly and bloody war where so many loved ones were lost forever. So much pain and suffering surrounded a day that also signified hope – the day Harry Potter had defeated Lord Voldemort once and for all. It was bittersweet as the day was filled with mourning and celebrating.

Hermione squeezed Harry and Ron's hands to reassure them. Ron nodded and squeezed her hand back as he reached out to place a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. They stood there, silently comforting each other until Conall's needy voiced breeched their ears. "Babe, did you make me tea?"

Hermione sighed and broke away from Harry and Ron. Grabbing her cup of tea and Conall's, she headed back into the living room. She thrust the mug into his hand, and quickly finished her own. "Oi, why is it cold?" he whined. Hermione grit her teeth together, refusing to be goaded. Harry and Ron emerged from the kitchen throwing disparaging looks in Conall's direction.

Harry stepped forward with Ron flanking him, and started toward Conall. Hermione immediately tensed, but was quickly distracted by the loud crack of apparition. Ginny's materialization out of thin air quickly displaced what would have soon been the outcome of months of Harry and Ron biting their tongues.

Ginny rushed forward to Hermione and twirled around in order for Hermione to take in her appearance. "Is this better, Hermione?" the redheaded girl asked Hermione anxiously. While still a tad opulent, the result was much more understated and appropriate for a memorial. She smiled at her friend's childish charm begrudgingly.

"Yes, Ginny," she nodded in the girl's direction and checked the time on her watch. Sighing, she turned to the three men and murmured, "It's time." And with that, Hermione turned on her heel in a whirl of black dress robes and disapparated with a crack.

…

Hermione's feet hit the solid green earth. Refusing to look around, she closed her eyes and breathed in the familiar scents of the Scottish Highlands that had been her home for many years. Memories of happier moments of her childhood filled her with warmth as she finally opened her eyes.

It had been nearly three years since she was last at Hogwarts. She had stayed after the battle to help with the clean-up and rebuilding plans, but all too soon she felt she was being stifled. She, Ron, and Harry had fled for some well-deserved peace and reflection.

Hermione's heart rate sped up as she looked at the familiar enchanted caste. Familiar, but different. Looking closely, she could see the alterations to Hogwarts castle that had been necessary after the death and destruction its walls had seen. So much death and destruction. Hermione took another deep breath so she would not succumb to the light-headed feeling she was quickly filled with.

Almost four instantaneous cracks brought her back to reality. Harry and Ron walked up to Hermione and entwined their hands within hers. They stood in silence for a few minutes, each deep in their own private reflection. Ginny's eyes flickered between the castle and the three friends, a look of concern marrying her face.

The moment of reflection was quickly brought to an abrupt halt with the clearing of a throat. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione whipped their heads to look at the annoyed Conall. "Are you three quite done? I'd like to find a good seat."

Ron and Harry's expression quickly turned thunderous. Harry clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, while Ron opened his mouth as if to tell Conall off but was quickly interrupted by Ginny, who met his eyes and shook her head and looking pointedly with her eyes at Hermione.

Hermione didn't move; didn't react. After a moment, she turned on her heel and marched to the growing crowd of people. As she neared the crowd, her eyes immediately began scanning those around her as if to assess an enemy all the while looking for a safe exit strategy. Hermione quickly shook away the dark and unwelcome thoughts that threatened to send her into a fit of anxiety.

She spotted the familiar silhouette of Minerva McGonagall, and quickly went over to greet her favorite professor and respected role model. When she spotted Hermione, a large smile graced her face, chasing away all strictness and severity. "Hello Professor McGonagall," said Hermione, beaming.

The elderly witch laughed. "Oh, Miss Granger I think it's more than time for you to call me Minerva!"

"Only if you call me Hermione," the younger witch teased.

The elderly witch threw her arms around Hermione in an uncharacteristic display of affection, and while Hermione was surprised, she didn't show it as she hugged the witch back. "Oh, how I've missed you! Back up, let me see you," Minerva said warmly as she held Hermione at an arm's length away. "You've become a beautiful woman. I was reading about your latest accomplishments in the Daily Prophet just last week. I wanted to owl you to congratulate you, but I didn't want to bother you. I am so proud of you, Hermione!"

"Oh, Professor - I mean, Minerva - you are always welcome to owl me. I am so sorry I haven't been back, but I just couldn't. Quite honestly, even today, I find myself not quite sure." said Hermione in a quiet voice.

"I understand, my dear. Truly. I am here for you, always," the elderly witch reassured as she squeezed Hermione's hand.

"Thank you, Minerva. I appreciate that immensely - more than you'll ever know. I've been needing some guidance as of late, and I would be delighted if you would meet me for lunch soon and discuss some things."

"Of course, my dear. Owl me when you are free this week, and I will do everything I can to clear the afternoon."

"Thank you, Professor." Upon the glance the elderly witch gave her, Hermione quickly added: "It'll take some time getting used to calling you Minerva, it just feels so disrespectful!"

The elderly witch laughed and gave her another hug in parting, one that Hermione heartedly returned. Hermione walked off to look for Andromeda when she heard the happy squeal of a child. She turned around just in time to be barreled into by little Teddy Tonks. "Auntie Hermione! Auntie Hermione! Nana said you'd be here today! I was just so happy when she told me! I've missed you lately! You haven't been to visit in weeks!"

Hermione knelt down on the ground, not caring about the impropriety of it. She threw her arms around Teddy and hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Teddy! Work has been really busy this past month. I promise I haven't forgotten you! I've missed you every day. The project I've been working on is wrapping up in a few days. What do you say we spend the day in Diagon Alley, just the two of us? I read in the Dailey Prophet that your favorite author is releasing a new book next Thursday and will be in Flourish and Blotts signing the book. Does that sound fun to you?"

"Oh, yes Auntie Hermione! Thank you! Here Nana comes now, I'll go ask her!" He gave her one last tight hug before running towards his grandmother. Hermione stiffened when she saw the profile of Andromeda Black Tonks a few feet away. Hermione stood up quickly and brushed the grass off her dress robes, taking the moment to collect herself and calm her racing heart. Hermione could hear the voice of Teddy coming closer as he talked animatedly to his grandmother. Hermione panicked, irrationally she knew as Andromeda quickly walked up to Hermione and pulled her into a hug! When Andromeda pulled away, her beautiful smile that was such a stark contrast against her sister, Bellatrix, quickly fell off her face and took a few steps backwards.

"Oh Hermione, darling. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking. Please forgive me?"

"No, Andromeda. It's not you. I thought I was doing so much better. I guess it's because I haven't been round for tea in a few weeks. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Hermione, do not apologize. I do not know why you keep declining my offer to change the color of my hair. I do feel like I deserve a new look, after all." The woman's kind smile was back on her face as she laughed.

"You know, I always thought you'd make a beautiful blonde dear sister." Came a cool and refined voice. Hermione froze again, not expecting to see Narcissa Malfoy at the memorial. Narcissa's gaze landed on Hermione, and she was shocked to see her extend her hand as she said, "Oh, Miss Granger. It's so nice to see you. You look lovely."

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. It's nice to see you as well. I hope you and your family are well." Hermione replied politely, hoping against all hope that there were no more Malfoys in attendance today.

"Draco and I are just fine, thank you for asking." She replied quietly. Hermione's thoughts soon went to the most intimidating Malfoy, Lucius. She was curious as to why he was excluded from Narcissa's response but would not ask. "Oh, my! Teddy! Look how handsome you are becoming! And how tall you grew!" Narcissa bent down and placed a kiss on the child's cheek.

"Oh, Auntie Cissa! You saw me two days ago! I haven't changed that much. Is Draco here? Nana said she wasn't sure if he'd come today."

Hermione quickly looked up perplexed at both Andromeda and Mrs. Malfoy.

Mrs. Malfoy gave Teddy a small smile, "Draco's not here yet, but he will be here soon. Oh, wait. Here he comes now!"

Hermione turned around instantly and fought to keep her jaw attached. Draco Malfoy was strolling toward them. Hermione had not seen him in five years, but she couldn't help herself from thinking that time had been more than kind to Draco Malfoy. He had grown into his pointy facial features. No longer did he keep his pale blonde locks gelled back, but loosely tamed in an attractive classic look. No longer did he strut, but walked with elegant purpose and composure. He was dressed impeccably, of course that was nothing new. His dress robes screamed sophistication, while his black dragon shoes shined from the mornings sunlight. Had he always been this tall? Hermione's eyes went to examine his face again when she saw that he was watching her check him out.

Hermione's eyes widened as a blush spread over her cheeks. Had she really been checking Draco Malfoy out? And was mortified to learn that she had found him attractive. She took a step back and bumped into Andromeda. Turning around quickly, she stammered an apology. Andromeda looked at her facial expression and must have been concerned as she asked if Hermione was alright just as Malfoy had reached them.

"Mother," he nodded in her direction as he walked to his aunt and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Hello, Aunt Andromeda." He then bent down to whisper in Teddy's ear and pulled out two chocolate frogs from his pocket as Teddy smiled and threw his arms around Malfoy. Hermione's jaw finally dropped as she watched Malfoy hug Teddy back tightly. He soon stood up and walked back over to Andromeda where he muttered quietly, "I heard they were adding some of the Fallen Fifty to a special edition of collectible cards to the Chocolate Frogs to honor the fifth-year anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. I managed to convince the owner to give me the first printed Nymphadora Tonks Lupin and Remus Lupin."

Andromeda began crying as she threw her arms around Malfoy, hugging him with all her worth. He hugged her back and whispered to her words that Hermione was unable to hear this time. Hermione closed her jaw and stood with a loss of words for a few moments. When Andromeda finally let go of him, Malfoy turned to Hermione and nodded. "Granger, you look lovely. Time has been good to you." He reached for her hand and placed a kiss to the top of her knuckles. If Hermione was in shock before, she was floored now. Slowly her senses came back; she quickly pulled her hand out of Malfoy's and stepped back.

As she moved she heard the whispering around them all. She could hear the anger and displeasure of the two Malfoys attending the memorial. Hermione turned around and faced those muttering way too loudly. "Excuse me, did I hear you correctly?"

A group of witches and wizards looked up startled at Hermione. An elderly wizard finally cleared his throat and spoke up, "why yes, Miss. The Malfoy family is not welcome at this memorial. They should be rotting for their crimes in Azkaban. It is a disgrace to the fallen that these two Death Eaters are able to walk around free."

Hermione dug her heel in the earth and counted to three. "My apologies, sir. I am so sorry to have been so rude to a hero such as you who fought at the Battle of Hogwarts." The elderly man stammered as he told Hermione, he in fact did not partake in the Battle, or any battle for that matter. "Oh, sir. I am well aware. For it you had in fact been there, you would have known that Narcissa Malfoy was instrumental in the fall of Tom Riddle, or as many refer to him - Lord Voldemort." A hush fell over the crowd as everyone leaned in closer to hear Hermione. "Secondly, Draco Malfoy was tried by the Wizamgot and found not guilty due to extenuating circumstances of coercion as well as age. Both Narcissa and Draco Malfoy are both here to support Andromeda and Teddy in remembrance of Andromeda's husband, daughter and son-in-law. You are aware of the fact that Narcissa is Andromeda's sister? You should all be ashamed of yourselves. If you carry along these draconian notions, you are no better than what the madman we all fought so hardly to end. Now, if everyone could take their seats, we should be starting the memorial to honor the fallen very soon."

Without looking back, Hermione walked purposely towards Harry and Ron, as well as Conall and Ginny. If she had looked back, she would have seen the incredulous, yet grateful, looks of Narcissa and Draco Malfoy.

She had to temper down her emotions, as she was enraged for a second time of watching Conall eat up all the attention that came from standing next to the great Harry Potter, as well as the boyfriend of the war heroine and best friend of the savior to the wizarding world. She stood next to Conall, as she politely interrupted his bragging to another wizard to ask them to take their seats. Conall looked at Hermione with a great grievance, but held it together to not make a scene. He lent down to whisper in Hermione's ear under the guise of giving her a kiss, but she moved and gave him an icy look and backed up to Harry and Ron. He took the hint and stalked toward the crowd gathering to their seats. Ginny kissed each of the three, and walked to her seat in the front next to Conall and the rest of the Weasley Clan.

Harry took in Hermione's thunderous expression and reached for her hand. Hermione startled out of her thoughts at his touch, looked up at Harry. His green eyes sparkled in understanding and leaned down to whisper into her ear: "It's going to be alright. Don't think about him right now." Hermione nodded, and squeezed Harry's hand.

Kingsley Shacklebolt cleared his throat and magically enhanced his voice with the sonorous charm: "Ladies and gentlemen, if you could please take your seats we will begin the commencement of the five-year anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and the end of the second wizarding war."

As the crowd moved to find seats, Hermione, Ron and Harry followed Kingsley to stand beside a magnificent display of shimmering navy velvet. Soon silence filled the air, and Kingsley nodded to Hermione. Clasping her hands, she glanced over at Harry who gave her a grateful smile. Originally, he had been asked to give a speech before Kingsley unveiled the memorial to the final battle and all who had been lost throughout both wizarding wars. Harry had begged Hermione to take his place and speak. Hermione knew how uncomfortable Harry was with the spotlight and agreed to take his place. Hermione cleared her throat and began:

"Today we are gathered here to remember those who perished due to a perverse, dangerous ideology. We are here to remember our loved ones and friends. We are here to honor the lives that were given to ensure that all wizards, witches and magical beings deserve to have the opportunity to flourish in their own without fear of repression, discrimination and violence. We, as magical beings, are given an extraordinary gift. An extraordinary gift that should not be taken for granted; a gift that can be used for good, for kindness, for love, for equality. No matter our parentage, we bleed the same color. We all have the same cores. It is our choices and actions that define us, not our parentage. It saddens me to contemplate just how very different our world may have been if the people who were killed for their differences or beliefs were still here today. We must honor them today and every day. We lost mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, scientists, healers, thinkers, brilliant minds, warriors and innocents from both sides. What impact would they have had if not for these draconian beliefs? I believe in second chances. Forgiveness. Friendship. Love. We must honor the ones we have loved and lost. We will honor them by not letting hatred into our hearts. For if we let hatred in, darkness wins. I believe firmly that if we believe in love and second chances, those we have lost will never truly have left us."

Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron, and smiled before continuing on. "Those we love do not go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed, and always dear. Our greatest magic is the ability to love and forgive. There is no greater way to honor our fallen loved ones. Thank you. Harry will now unveil the memorial that was created to memorialize the final battle as well the brave beings you who paid the ultimate sacrifice."

Hermione shaking with emotion stepped back to stand beside Ron as Harry walked toward the hidden statue. Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand on the fabric and pulled. Waves of iridescent velvet fell to the damp earth of the Scottish Highlands in what felt like slow motion and Hermione heard herself gasp.

Shining in the sunlight stood a seventeen-foot-tall black marble Phoenix rising from flames and ashes. The marble Phoenix's wings prepared for takeoff. Etched throughout the statue were the names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ron and Hermione noticed as Harry began to tremble, and walked to his side.

Tears began to fall freely from Hermione's eyes as she took Harry and Ron's hands. Kingsley's deep voice shook with emotion as he read off the names of those who were lost. Harry lighted his wand and pointed it to the sky. Everyone followed the savior of the Wizarding World's lead. Hermione turned her head and took in the beautiful sea of grieving spots of light. Soon Kingsley stopped reciting names and eventually wands were lowered.

The silence was deafening. Hermione began to shake, lightheaded and delirious from the sheer magnitude of the outpouring display of grief. Hermione thoughts were consumed of Harry's parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Remus, Tonks, Fred, Mad-Eye ... and her parents. Her parents may still be breathing, but they were completely lost to her forever. Pain erupted at Hermione's core and she clutched her arms to her chest in a desperate attempt to keep the panic attack that was threatening to overcome her at bay. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and was forced to turn around. Her eyes widened in dread and fear as Conall's smiling face met hers. Quickly, he knelt to the ground and spoke to her. She couldn't understand what he was saying. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. Hermione's heart beat erratically in her chest and the panic attack finally won. Conall opened the box and nestled inside was the very thing she was terrified of. A buzzing filled her head, as Hermione's vision began to fill with static. Conall pulled the gaudy diamond ring out of the box and held it to her, trying to grab her hand. Her body felt electrified. The last thing Hermione remembered before she collapsed were concerned, opalescent grey eyes. Then the whole world was swallowed by darkness.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling.

Author's Note: Hello! Thank you for reading the first chapter of my story "Reputation." This is my first attempt at fanfiction and am very excited! Reviews and constructive criticism please!

exponentia virtutum regina: spell of elegance