Chapter Text
Hermione had never been able to make friends or fit in, with muggle children. She had always felt as though there was something wrong with her, until she found out that she was a witch. She had found everything about the wizarding world fascinating, and had been sure that she would fit in at Hogwarts. It hadn't been until she overheard Ron talking to the other boys that she realized that she did not fit in. Once Harry and Ron befriended her, she no longer cared about the fact that she was different.
Now, her friends were dead. She could not fault Harry or Ron for trying to save Ginny, but she still could not help but be sad.
She was surprised when Hermes showed up at her window. She opened the window and retrieved her letter. It was from Percy.
Shortly after she finished reading the letter, Ingrid showed up. Hermione took the letter off of her, and read it.
Dear Hermione,
Are you alright? We read in the daily prophet that the petrified students had been revived. We also heard about what happened to Harry and Ron, before we left Hogwarts, so we’re worried about you.
Sincerely,
Neville and Jane
P.S. You don’t have to respond if you don’t want to. If you do, both owl or muggle post is fine. If you use muggle post, Jane’s address is…
For the first time, in a long time, Hermione smiled. Maybe she had more friends than she thought.
Dear Neville and Jane,
I am very upset, but it makes me feel somewhat better that you two, and also Percy Weasley, contacted me to make sure I was okay. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Hermione
Jane knocked on the door.
Neville answered. “Hi Jane,” he said, moving out of the way of the door.
Jane walked in, and he closed the door.
“So,” he said, “Dumbledore’s been reinstated as headmaster. We read it in the daily prophet. Apparently, since things got even worse when they changed the headmaster, they decided to just go back to him.”
“Well, good news for him,” Jane said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“I might not be going back to Hogwarts.”
Neville frowned. “Why not?”
“My mum doesn’t want me to go back after the awful stuff that happened last year, and she doesn't even know all of it.” Her mother knew about the attack on Mrs. Norris, and the first threatening message, and she knew that the school closed early because some kids went into the chamber of secrets, and that one got killed and then others went insane.
“Oh.”
“I love magical things, and doing magic, but she does have a point.”
“Jane,” Mrs. Longbottom harshly snapped, “just because your mother worries way too much doesn’t mean you have to.” She then stormed out the door.
Jane and Neville watched, out the window, and saw her go over to Jane’s house.
“Is she going to yell at my mom?” Jane asked, cringing.
“Probably.”
Jane was playing hopscotch, in the backyard, with her little sister.
Tracey was hopping along when Neville walked in.
"Hi Neville," Jane greeted.
“Hi,” Tracey said, immediately afterward.
"Hi. Um… Jane, could I see you in private?"
"Sure. Tracey, we'll be right back," Jane said. She opened the door. Once they were both inside, she closed it. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Yes. I was just reading the daily prophet, and something horrible has happened."
Neville handed Jane the daily prophet article, which explained how Harry had been kidnapped and killed. It also mentioned that some former death eaters had somehow escaped from Azkaban.
“Oh no!” she exclaimed.
Jane soon went back out to join her sister.
“Something bad happen?” she asked.
“Yes,” Jane said, impressed by how easily Tracey could pick up on other people's emotions, “but you shouldn’t worry about it.”
Dear Hermione,
We have some bad news, and we hate to have to tell you this, but we thought you should know. We just read in the daily prophet that Harry was kidnapped from Saint Mungo's, and later found dead.
We hope you're okay.
Sincerely,
Neville and Jane
Dear Neville and Jane,
I've already been informed of that, via Percy and Hermes, but thanks for letting me know anyway. I am sad, but I don't know why. He wasn't himself anymore, anyway.
Sincerely,
Hermione