AFTERWARDS

Hermione sat with James Potter cradled in the crook of her arm and absently stroked his dark hair. Ginny looked over to her, concern etched on her face.



‘Are you going to the Yule Ball?’ She asked her quietly.



Hermione looked up at her and shrugged. ‘I don’t know that I want to, but I doubt Minerva will let me get out of it. I’ll see how I feel on the day, I think. There are still two days before the ball. He may be back by then.’



Ginny looked at her sadly. She looked so pale and thin, she had definitely lost weight and it was obvious she hadn’t slept properly in the four weeks since Severus went away. Hermione hadn’t heard from him and was so scared he was hurt; she was going through each day in a daze. It was made worse because she knew Minerva knew where he was, but she couldn’t ask her in case she gave away her feelings for him.



‘I’m sure he’s fine, Hermione. He’s been in more serious situations before; nothing can be as bad as being in Voldermort’s company.’ Ginny tried to reassure her.



‘I hope you’re right. He would have been in touch if he had been able to, I know that. I just miss him. I hate being alone.’ Hermione sighed deeply and passed James back to Ginny.



‘Come to us for Christmas, if Severus is still away. I wont take no for an answer, Hermione.’ She stood to hug her friend and kissed her on the cheek. ‘If you’re not at the ball, I will call by your room to say hello anyway.’



Hermione smiled at her and floo’ed back to Hogwarts.



She wandered through the hospital ward. There were only two patients in at the moment and they were due for discharge that day. Hermione made sure they were totally fit and well and let them return to their common rooms. She looked around the empty ward. It was so quiet, even Crookshanks was spending more time with Hagrid than he did with her. Hermione looked out of the window and saw Minerva walking over to the greenhouses for her daily cup of tea with Professor Sprout. An idea formed quickly in Hermione’s head and before she could talk herself out of it, she ran into her room and flooed into the Headmistresses office.



Hermione didn’t bother standing on ceremony but walked straight up to Professor Dumbledore’s portrait. He was looking down at her, his face serious.



‘I am surprised you didn’t come before today, Miss Granger.’ He looked at her, his lips pursed together in a line.



‘To be honest, I haven’t been thinking clearly, Professor. I only just thought of it.’ She chewed her lip, berating herself for being so stupid.



‘And are you alright?’ He asked her, his brow furrowed in concern.



Hermione laughed out loud and looked at him incredulously. ‘Pardon me, Sir? No. I am not alright!’ She spat out and began pacing the floor.



‘I apologise, Hermione.‘ Albus had stood up and was looking down at her ‘it was a silly question.’



Hermione ran her fingers through her hair. ‘Is he still alive?’ She was blunt but she needed to know.



‘He was last week.’ Albus answered her plainly. ‘I have heard nothing for a few days, but it may reassure you to know I do expect him back before the end of the year.’



Hermione looked up into his face and sighed. ‘Thank you, Professor. For everything.’ She smiled sadly at him and floo’ed back to her rooms.



********



Hermione attended the staff meeting the following day, trying hard not to gaze at Severus’s empty chair. Minerva had finished discussing Christmas schedules and moved on to the next item on her agenda.



‘Now, everyone…’ She glanced around to ensure she had everyone’s’ attention. ‘The Yule Ball.’ Hermione’s heart sank and she sighed a little too loudly, receiving a stare that could turn someone to stone. She blushed and looked away.



‘Now… I expect all hands on deck tomorrow…particularly with the decoration of the hall and of course…’ Minerva glanced at Hermione ‘ the dancing.’



Most of the Professors smiled and nodded. Hermione bit her lip and closed her eyes, recalling last years’ ball and Severus turning her around the dance floor. There was no way she was going to get away with not going to the ball.



If Hermione was feeling low before, she felt even worse now.