New Beginnings

Imagine

The bus was silent and almost empty. The driver's eyes were haunted. Hermione sat at the back, eyes scanning the other passengers. Her wand was in her pocket, fingers clasped around it.

The other passengers were as jumpy as she was. They collectively held their breath each time someone stepped aboard. Whenever someone reached their stop, they scurried out into the street, barely concealing their relief.

The journey took longer than usual, having to detour around the attack-site. Hermione could see the street cordoned off in the distance. She shuddered involuntarily.

Alighting at Washington Square, Hermione sagged against a wall for a moment. Small groups of pale-faced students walked by, talking in hushed tones.

With an hour to wait until her classes, Hermione wandered through the NYU campus. It was quieter than usual. She drifted, as always, to the library.

Getting in an empty elevator, she waved her wand over the buttons. The elevator dinged and juddered upwards. The doors opened and she stepped out into the Wizarding section, magically hidden from the muggle students.

Hermione settled at an old table by the window and pulled out her books. Letting the hush wash over her, she lost herself in studying.

*****

Blinking in the autumn sunlight, Hermione hurried to the Vanderbilt Building. Students were swarming through the arches and she cursed herself for losing track of the time.

Careful that no-one was watching, Hermione slipped under the left-side archway. Her vision blurred for a moment, as she pushed through the invisible barrier. The Magical Law building swam into view and Hermione rushed inside.

Ducking into her classroom, Hermione slid into her seat as the professor began.

'Welcome,' he droned, 'I'm very relieved to see there are as many of you today as there were yesterday. This morning we're going to study the law and precedent for magically assisting our no-maj counterparts in emergency situations. But first...a moment of silence.'

Everyone bowed their heads. Some witches and wizards were openly weeping.

'Now, can anyone tell me which law is relevant?'

Hermione noted the answer on her parchment, but didn't raise her hand. She felt it was inappropriate to draw attention to herself today, like an outsider intruding on a nation's grief.

*****

The sun was setting when Hermione and Harry joined the masses walking through Central Park. She held a candle in each hand.

The slow, candlelit procession weaved through the park. Flickering lights could be seen through the trees, as people walked along other paths towards the Strawberry Fields memorial.

Harry was looking around nervously, worried by the crowds. He moved closer to Hermione, slipping his wand into his free hand.

The sweet sound of singing floated on the breeze. One by one, people joined in the song until thousands of voices rang out.

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

Tears trickled down Hermione's cheeks as she raised her eyes to the stars above. Her voice was shaky as she sang, the candles trembling in her hand. Harry pocketed his wand and wrapped an arm around her.

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one