Chapter Text
Hermione woke up after falling asleep dead on her feet. She realised she was in the Great Hall and something was pinning her in place.
Bollocks! It was Ron’s arm. He’d kissed her yesterday right in the middle of the battle, but she’d quickly pulled away knowing it was a huge mistake. It just felt wrong and weird.
Later on, after Fred’s body had been discovered she’d comforted him as a friend. She didn’t know how they'd ended up falling asleep next to each other. Harry was the other side of her next to Ginny and the other Weasleys were close by.
She managed to free herself without waking him and went off to find a bathroom. She stood looking at her reflection in the mirror and barely recognised the person staring back. The last time she’d looked into a mirror Bellatrix Lestrange had been glaring at her.
Today the girl in the mirror looked even more terrifying. Despite a few weeks at Shell Cottage, she was still so lean from months of not knowing where her next meal was coming from.
Her features were sunken with black circles under her eyes. She had multiple visible cuts and bruises. Her hair was dirty, lank and matted, looking darker and longer than she remembered. The extra weight had caused the curls to relax slightly.
She moved so that she was in front of a full-length mirror. She was filthy and covered with dust, dried blood and Godric knows what else. She had lost so much weight that her torn clothes hung loosely on her body despite being the clothes her parents purchased for her at the end of the fifth year.
She sighed, kicked off her shoes and started to strip off examining the cuts and bruises on her body whilst trying to ignore the outline of her ribs. She looked like a walking skeleton.
Fortunately, the shower was still functioning and she managed to summon some bits of soap and shampoo from the depths of her beaded bag. She succeeded in finding a towel and some marginally more acceptable clothes as well as a toothbrush.
She cast an Incendio at the pile of ragged and bloody clothes on the floor, wanting no mementos of the battle and would never wear those clothes again. The only items remaining were her shoes as she had no replacements.
By the time she returned to the Great Hall volunteers were bringing round breakfasts. These were people who had been arriving into Hogsmeade with supplies of food, clothing and potions. They’d answered the distress call on the wizarding radio following Voldemort’s defeat and worked through the night to assist the battle-weary survivors with healing and comfort as well as undertaking the search for survivors and bodies.
Like Hermione anyone who had fought was filthy and exhausted but were starting to stir as the smell of cooked food and coffee wafted through the hall. The repaired and slightly battered house tables were starting to be replaced and people were filing in from all over the castle to sit at them.
A rather dishevelled looking Professor McGonagall stood up and addressed the shattered people in the room. “Can I have your attention please”. The room went silent. “There has been an emergency Wizengamot session during the night and I have been appointed as Headmistress of Hogwarts. A new temporary Minister for Magic has been nominated to lead us in the immediate aftermath of the battle until elections can be organised for the autumn. Please may I introduce the new Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt."
There was a weak round of applause from the tired assembly as Kingsley stood up to address them. “Thank you, Headmistress. As Professor McGonagall outlined there was an emergency session of the Wizengamot who decided some top priorities for my temporary administration to address, so that we can get the country back up and running as quickly as possible.
Firstly, we want to account for all registered magical people in the country. We need to establish whether they are alive, missing or dead. This includes rounding up all of Voldemort’s remaining supporters. All of the deceased will be given respectful burials, regardless of which side they fought on.
Secondly, the Ministry is to be secured and cleansed of negative laws and practices, particularly those introduced during the Thicknesse administration such as the Muggleborn Registration Act.
Thirdly, Hogwarts will be rebuilt and reopened in time for the new school year. Arrangements will be made to sit OWLs and NEWTs during the summer and, if necessary, repeat any missed schooling from September.
Fourthly, we will commence hearings and trials for all participants of the war, including myself. My hearing will be the first. All actions must be accounted for and all deaths investigated. Priority will be given to Hogwarts students and Ministry workers.
Lastly, a full financial audit will be undertaken. It is anticipated that the war reparations will be extensive and compensation will be sought from those convicted of war crimes.
Until all citizens are accounted for there is to be a ban on Portkeys and International travel, unless prior consent is granted by either the Minister or the Chief Warlock. There will be no exceptions.”
“Fuck,” thought Hermione. Her immediate plans were to go to Australia and locate her parents. She chased after Kingsley who had left the hall to a much warmer applause than at his introduction. “Kingsley, I mean Minister,” she panted.
“Hermione,” he gave her a warm smile “What can I do for you?”
“Please, I sent my parents to Australia. I need to find them and bring them back. I was hoping to go as soon as possible.”
“Hmm, it will take a week or so before you are needed. I’ll grant you one week, after that I imagine you’ll be required to attend funerals and assist the Aurors with their investigations. That’s the best I can do, come to the Ministry in the morning and I’ll authorise it.”
“Thank you so much and, er, congratulations, you’ll be a brilliant Minister."
She returned to Harry and Ron in the Hall. Ron tried to put his arm around her which she shrugged off. “Ron, we need to talk. That kiss yesterday should never have happened, it was a mistake. I don’t want a relationship right now, not with you or anyone else. I don’t feel that way towards you. I’m really sorry but I can’t help how I feel.”
“Right.” Ron scowled at her and walked away.
“That was blunt and to the point,” Harry muttered.
“I know. I had to make it clear now. The thought of it just makes me feel a bit icky just as bad as if it would be you. You’re both like brothers to me. I didn’t want it to drag on, I’ll never feel like that about him. I just need a bit of time to sort my head out without any emotional attachments. My main priority is to find my parents. Kingsley has just said I can go tomorrow for one week only.”
“I understand that, but the trouble is everyone, Ron included, thought you had feelings for him, that you were jealous of Lavender.”
“That was over a year ago and you know I was just jealous of anyone who was in a happy relationship. I was resentful of Ron and Lavender, it felt like they were rubbing my nose in it when I had lost the love of my life. I know they weren’t to know and right now I’d do anything for Lavender to be snogging Ron right in front of me. The poor girl didn’t deserve what happened to her. Nobody deserved to die yesterday.”
They sat quietly for a moment before Harry cleared his throat. “For what it’s worth, you and Ron would have been a total disaster and I would have been stuck in the middle not wanting to take sides.”
“Thank you,” she hugged him. “What are you going to do when you get back from Australia?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re more than welcome to move into Grimmauld Place with me, that’s if it won’t have too many memories.”
“Oh, Harry, thank you so much. That would be amazing and I think I would be able to cope with the memories. My only other option was to ask the Weasleys, which wouldn’t be ideal with Ron.” “Ginny wanted me to go to the Burrow, but I don’t think I could cope with all the people, especially in mourning. It’s just been you, me and Ron for over a year now.” “I don’t think I could either. I really need some quiet and thinking space.” “Kreacher,” Harry called. Kreacher appeared by his side “Master and the Mudblood survived then.” “Kreacher, please do not use that word in the future. Yes we did survive and we managed to carry out Regulus’ order and destroy the locket.” “Kreacher thanks Master.” “Kreacher, we’ll be returning to Grimmauld later, do you know if the house is safe?”
“It is Master, is Kreacher wanted?”
“Of course, Kreacher it will be your home too. I will live in the master bedroom and what room would you like Hermione?”
“Can I have Regulus’ room please, it’s where I stayed that last Easter break?” He nodded. “Kreacher will go ahead and make the house ready.”
“Thank you.” They registered themselves with the Ministry official and were cleared to go home. They were a bit dazed so ordered a Muggle takeaway and grabbed a couple of bottles of wine.
Hermione spent the evening trying to salvage some clothes to take to Australia. She was grateful it would be winter there. She was going to have to do something about getting a job and some money when she got back. She would be wild camping in Australia as it was. The portkey cost would probably clear her out of her remaining money.