𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲 (𝑫.𝑴.)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈

Numb

That's what she felt, numb.

Even after witnessing the whole ordeal, fighting in it, she still couldn't process the loss.

Loss; to her, it was no stranger, but that doesn't mean that it hurt any less. Neither the past ones, nor the ones that were caused that day.

Stood a bit far from three other figures, she let herself get lost in thoughts, staring in front of her in a dazed, unfocused gaze.
To an outsider, it'd seem as if, the girl was admiring the scenery that laid in front of her.

The sky was bright, definitely brighter than she or anyone else had seen in a couple of years.

Trying to process the severity of the situation. The aftermath of the war. How so many lives were lost. Even the ones who survived, were left with gaping holes, for the ones they lost. It's like, Dumbledore said, "Do not pity the dead, pity the living..". In their starting years at Hogwarts, Hazel and her brother, they looked up to the man. But it sure changed over the course of years. For her atleast, her brother on the other hand, he still happened to worship the man as some god. And even though she disagreed with most of his decisions, in the later years, this was one of the times she agreed with him. After all, Dumbledore, was the wisest sorcerer, she had come across. Either that, or she didn't meet any other witch or wizard, as old as him.

So much loss, chaos and destruction. The once stood beautiful building, now lay in the ground, debris everywhere.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the footsteps.
Moody must be shouting 'Constant Vigilance' in heaven right now.

She felt a hand on her shoulder,
"Hazel?", Hermione, her best friend asked softly.

"Hmm?" She turned around, facing the Hermione, and noticed that Ron, her other best friend and Harry, her brother, stood a couple of steps behind her. "What?.. Do they need us?-", wondering if the others need their help, to move or locate elsewhere,
"No" Hermione cut her off, "We just, um, we were-"
"Come on, Mione, I'm not gonna bite", Hazel said, smiling weakly.

"I-, I know", she said mirroring her expression.
As if she wasn't worried enough about the girl's reaction, her stomach dropped when she finally noticed her. Her face. Reflecting one, and only expression. Of defeat. They've won the war, sure, but that's what she felt, utter defeat.

Clearing her throat, to avoid the lump that was forming, she said "Teddy", knowing that she won't be able to say what she wanted to, in a full sentence without a crack in her voice.
She wanted to sound strong, strong for Hazel, Ron, Harry, to be the pillar, she had always been. But how was she supposed to do that, when she, was devastated as well. Not as devastated as Hazel, but the person would disagree. If asked, Hazel would strongly say that Hermione had gone through as much as anyone else. And might as well hex the person who believes and insists otherwise.

Hazel's expression faltered.
"I know, I just-"
Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I don't know what to say to her. Andromeda you know. How am I supposed to say that-"
She stopped again, trying not to squeak, and give out the crack in her voice, she steadied herself, continuing, before Ron interrupted, "We know, we can go with you, if you want-"

"No, it's, it's alright. You need to stay here"
Ron knew what she meant, he didn't need her to say it loud, in order for him to understand. Before he could suggest otherwise, Hazel said, "I can go on my own, your family needs you Ron, and Ginny would need Harry too. Not to mention he can stay on my behalf. And Hermione, stay with them, I'll meet you guys at the Burrow then?"
Ron nodded, "ya sure"
"Be safe", Hermione went to hug her, but she stepped a bit back, not wanting to hurt her, she said "We both look like messed up, punctured blood bags 'Mione, not to mention I'm sore as well. Won't be a good idea to hug, not if we want to get stuck together" with a tired smile. Covering up her initial reaction, Hermione replied "Sure" with an equally unconvincing expression.
With that, the brunette left, walked towards the once entrance, to apparate.

Hermione turned back, "What was that? You didn't say a word Harry"
"She doesn't need me to talk, to know what I'm feeling. Had I spoken, a word maybe, or anything, we both would've wanted to dive right in to
the place she was staring at before."
Horrified, Hermione hit Harry on the arm, gaining an "ow" from him. "Don't talk like that", with that she went inside, or whatever was left of the place. Ron, patting him on the back, said, "Let's go, mate".
With that they both followed Hermione, where everyone who fought, were.

Entering, what was the Great Hall once, well lited, and organised, now is dim and destroyed.
There, laid dead bodies of those who fought, surrounded by their families, mourning.

The trio, went to the Weasley's, Remus and Tonks were brought beside Fred.
Mrs. Weasley, who was hugging Ginny, looked up, and hugged the three. She noticed the absence of another brunette. Before she could ask, Harry, who had noticed her searching look, told her, "She went to the Tonk's. She said she'd meet us at the Burrow"
"Ohh" an understandable expression fell on her face. "That's alright"

With that the family along with Harry and Hermione fell into silence.

ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪ ᴀᴍ ʟᴀᴛᴇ

ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ sᴏʀʀʏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇʟᴀʏ, ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀᴅᴀᴄʜᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍʏsᴇʟғ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ ɪᴛ.

ǫᴜɪɴɴ.