Harry Dies And Hermione Gets Depressed

It was two months after It happened. Hogwarts was back to normal. Students were worried about the exams, which were coming up in the next few weeks. Fifth years would be taking their O.W.L. tests. The teachers were all back to normal as well. Madam Pomfrey was still fussy, and Professor Snape was still a jerk who loved taking points from every House but his. Quidditch was still being played, yet it was under very close watch. Ron was making other friends, and even though they were nothing like his best friend Harry had been, they would do.

Hermione seemed to be the only one not adjusting to her best friend dying. She became closed and quiet. She was spending more time in the library by herself than ever before. Ron was a little worried about her, but figured that since she was Harry's best girl friend she would take longer to recover. 

Time flew by. One day in mid-February, Hermione was sitting by herself on the edge of her bed in the Gryffindor girls' dorms. Ron and his friends were down in the Great Hall, enjoying the regular dinner feast. Hermione's face was listless and pale as she stared out the window at the falling snow. "I can't take this anymore," she said in a flat voice out loud. "I can't.  No."

Hermione still couldn't believe that Harry had died. Before the Quidditch match was the last time she'd ever talked to him. She'd never gotten to tell him the truth about her feelings...that she loved him. And now she never would. That was her most regret. 

I should've told him when I had the chance, she thought angrily to herself. I'm so stupid and worthless.  I don't deserve to be in Gryffindor. I should be in Slytherin. Heck, I don't even deserve to go to Hogwarts, the best wizarding school there is.

Other thoughts filled her head. He wouldn't have liked me anyways. I'm so ugly. I hate my hair. I hate my face. I hate my voice. How could anyone ever love me, the Ugly Girl.

And Ron. Sure, Ron had stuck with her for a few days. Harry had been his best friend too. But really, what fun was she; a depressed, crying, teenaged girl? Of course he would go off and make some new friends, leaving her behind.

Hermione had never felt so alone in her life.

She was out of tears. Making up her mind, she stood and walked to her bed, pausing at the side before she got in. Her books were stacked there. The one on top caught her eye. Spells and Hexes to Perform if You Have an Enemy. 

Hermione's straight face turned upward, as a small smile found its way there. "I know exactly what I'm going to do," she said slowly. 

Hermione got in bed, picked up the book, and began to read. 

* * * * *

Down in the Great Hall, Ron was sitting with his twin brothers Fred and George at the Gryffindor table. They were the last, but only becuase Fred and George insisted on eating every single dessert at the table.  

"I'm kind of worried about Hermione," Ron remarked. "She's been so quiet lately. And she doesn't raise her hand in class anymore."

"Thash cush shes a girl," Fred replied with pie in his mouth. "They're so emotional, that species. Takes 'em forever to get over shtuff."

"Yeah, well.." Ron said. "I don't know. It seems she's getting worse, not better. I mean....I dunno."
He could see that his brothers weren't too interested, so he stood up and headed for his dorm.

Once he'd entered the Gryffindor common room, ("fish rumba," he'd told the Fat Lady), he flumped down onto a comfy chair. There were only two other people in the room, being that it was approaching one in the morning. "Hey Angelina; hey Katie," Ron said tiredly. "Whatcha up to?"

"Ah, just hangin'," said Angelina. "We're getting ready to turn in though. How 'bout you? You look troubled."

Ron searched her and Katie's concerned faces. Girls always have the best advice, he thought. But trying not to show that he was really worried, Ron shrugged and said "Hermione."

Realization dawned on their faces, and they nodded. "We've been kind of worried too," said Katie. "She's been acting so different."

"Who said anything about being worried?!" said Ron defensivly.

Angelina rolled her eyes. "Duh," she said. "It's obvious you like her and want to help her. Why else would you admit your worries to a couple of girls like us?"

Ron's face turned redder than his hair.

The girls giggled.

"Have you talked to her at all?" Ron asked.

"Well, yeah," said Katie. "But she won't really talk to us. It's just small talk. Sometimes we hear her sobbing in the middle of the night..."

Ron felt a pang. Hermione? Crying in the middle of the night? Poor girl...

"She's holding too much inside," said Angelina knowingly. "One day, she is going to crack. You have to help her, and bring out her bottled up feelings. She needs to have a good cry with a friend, and she'll feel a lot better."

Ron looked terrified at the prospect of dealing with a crying girl. Then he sighed. "I'm that friend, I s'pose..."

"You're the only one whoes close to her.  Ron, all I can say now is be her friend. Be nice to her and don't get frustrated with her if she doesn't open up right away. Be there for her," Angelina advised. "Make sure that she feels wanted and loved."

Ron replied slowly, "Yeah....I guess I haven't really...been sensitive to her feelings. I was so afraid I'd break out and tell her my, er...feelings, and that's the last thing she needs now. She'd probly freak if she knew that I...well."

Katie nodded sympathetically. "Ron, I trust you'll do the right thing," she said. "It'll work out." She yawned. "Well, we'd better get to sleep, and so should you. Night, Ron." She and Angelina headed up to the girls' dorms, leaving Ron by himself in the common room, lost in his thoughts. 

Ron, I trust you'll do the right thing...

trust....right thing....

right....thing....

Ron rubbed his eyes. How long had he been sitting here in the common room? Katie and Angelina had been long gone. 

Oh well, thought Ron. I guess I should get some sleep....

He drifted off in the chair, thinking no more.

* * * * *

Review please. Reviews keep me going. The last part ought to be good, but it can only be with your reviews so I know your opinions on this thing. If you hate it, I'll flush it down the toilet. The next/final chapter ought to be the longest and most emotional.
This is my first try at a serious HP story, so bear with me.  thanks.