Loving the Lonely

Chapter 1

  As they walk into the castle, Hermione watches with an ache in her chest as Ron and Ginny fall toward each other. Ginny, who normally walks with shoulders high and chin raised, all but collapses in her brother's arms. Ron holds her close, barely standing himself, and stares off in the distance. Neither speak.

 Hermione can't allow her thoughts to stray towards the reason behind their actions, because that memory will do what all others have failed to do so far and send her over the edge. Instead, she steels her nerves and doesn't dare glance anywhere but at her own friends. 

With deft movements, Harry tugs Ron away and into the Great Hall. Ginny latches onto Hermione and allows the older girl to lead her after the boys. The group of four settle down at the Gryffindor table, and no one sits close enough to be a bother. 

A few cast worried looks their way, catching the blank look on Ginny's face that is eerily similar to the one of her first year at Hogwarts, and the way Ron hasn't once mentioned the food, and how Hermione isn't chattering with excitement, and Harry hasn't so much as spoke about the quidditch season. None of them come any closer, though, and the group is secretly thankful for it. 

Most of the Feast is like this, in every house and every professor. Silent consoling whispers and even quieter grievers. Then, slowly, around the time the main course is being taken away and dessert is replacing it, chatter begins to fill the room. 

By the time dessert is little more than crumbles on the plates, the solemn feeling that they had all come in with has dissipated to near nothingness. Students from different houses are taking comfort in the familiar faces of those they have fought beside and known for so long. Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws and Slytherins alike, seeking comfort in those who understand what the war has done. 

Despite no one having yet bothered her small group, Hermione can't help but pause in the slow chewing of her food to imagine Dumbledore smiling at the wonderful mixing of the houses. The unity he had so long desired, and he isn't here to see it. 

She pushes away her barely touched plate, and starts a quiet conversation with Ginny. 

When the Feast ends and everyone is drifting towards their respective common rooms, the shadows returning to their faces with the prospect of the first night in an old war battle ground, Headmistress McGonagall calls for Hermione to stay. 

"I'll see you later," she murmurs to Ginny. 

"Try not to get into trouble so early on," Ginny jests, pulling on a smile. It wavers and falls before it can even attempt to look convincing, but Hermione nods and ushers Ginny off. 

Waving to Harry and Ron, she stands and follows the Headmistress. "What's the matter?" Hermione asks, "is there an issue you need me for?" 

McGonagall shakes her head and the corner of her lips turn up. "No, Ms. Granger. No problems. I was just going to introduce you to the head boy, given that you two will be sharing a dorm for the year." She gestures towards a lanky boy with a pouf of brown hair and soft features that stands nearby. 

Hermione had nearly forgotten about her position as Head Girl, what with all the hubbub of the return. 

Stepping up to the boy, Hermione gives him a cursory glance. Slytherin robes, a firm set to his jaw, and sharp eyes that could spell arrogance, but she prays it won't. She holds out a hand. "Hermione Granger. Pleasure to meet you," she says. 

His face lights up, and he grasps her hand. "I'd have to live in a cave to not know who you are," he laughs, easy and light. "My name is Theodore Nott, and it's a pleasure to meet you as well." With a name to connect to a face, the memory clicks into place.