Maybe Dreams Don't Come True

    Hermione gazed out the window at the surrounding countryside. It was her last day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had imagined this day many times but she had never dreamed that it would end like this. Voldemort had been defeated but the Final Conflict had taken many that would be sorely missed. Hermione thought of the Seventh Years that would never get to graduate.

    Neville had been killed by Lucius while he was torturing Bellatrix Lestrange. Neville had decided to take the law into his own hands and punish her for the condition of his parents . Hermione shivered as she remembered the grim look of satisfaction on his face. Malfoy had crept up behind him; poor Neville never saw it coming. His grandmother was holding up as well as could be expected. No one saw her outside much anymore, although she still visited her son and his wife regularly.

    Hermione swallowed hard as she picked up the last picture that had been taken of the Gryffindor Trio. It had been taken on the summer holidays before their seventh year. They were outside the Burrow, Harry and Ron both had their arms around her and were waving madly. Ron kept sneaking glances at her picture self and Harry kept giving him knowing looks. She reached out and laid a finger beside Ron's smiling and waving form. A tear trickled down her cheek as she remembered his death. Voldemort had hit Harry with a curse that knocked him off his feet. As he advanced for the kill, Ron, every inch the noble and brave Gryffindor, and rushed headlong into him. Both of their wands flew out of their hands and landed several feet away. Ron punched Voldemort and kicked him hard in the kneecaps, shattering his patella. Harry had recovered by this time and stood up, wand out, ready to help his friend. Hermione also rushed over with her wand drawn but before she could utter a single spell, the pair stood up. Voldemort caught sight of Harry and quickly swung Ron around in front of him, Harry tried to stop but it was too late. The Killing Curse meant for Voldemort hit Ron instead. She remembered how he had crumpled and hit the pavement. She had rushed to his side, but....

    Hermione jerked herself out of the memories before tears could overtake her. It was over and crying about it wasn't going to solve anything. She put the picture in her trunk and moved over to the wardrobe. She was the only one left in the dorm, all the other girls had packed last night and were celebrating in the Common Room before the Graduation Feast. The actual ceremony and presentation of their diplomas had taken place two nights ago. As she pulled clothes down from the shelves and lifted the hanging items from the bar, she dislodged something sitting on a high shelf. It crashed near her feet and she bent down to retrieve it. It was her diary from 6th year. The scarlet cover was covered in a fine layer of dust and the gold around the edges was almost bronze because of it. She put the clothes she was holding down and opened the cover.

May 3rd 1995

Must remind Harry and Ron to do their Potions essays; Snape is being particularly mean about homework lately. Ron asked me on a date today; I had to turn the poor boy down. He looked so upset. I told him that we were better off as friends and that all we would do is fight. He did not seem pleased by this and he will probably sulk for a few days. Maybe Harry can take him to the Three Broomsticks tomorrow, it might cheer him up. Anyway, I know that he will find someone....

    Hermione put the book down as the tears welled in her eyes once again. Ron would not find someone, she was his one chance for happiness and she had turned him down. He died without ever having someone who loves him back. The pain in her chest intensified as she sat on the floor crying. She thought of all the people who had found someone to love and realized that maybe dreams don't come true for everyone.