A Shadow From the Past

Hermione Granger age seventeen walked silently away from Hogwarts. From the look on her face you could tell there was something serious on her mind. For her gaze seemed very far away and as she reached her destination she involuntarily squeezed the permission slip that Dumbledore had signed that allowed her to apparate to her destination that would give her temporary time to use it. In her other hand a small bundle of various flowers. She sighed heavily and stuffed the slip into her robe pocket. She exchanged the small bit of parchment for her long and sleek wand and muttering several words almost silently she disappeared from her spot at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Hermione had her eyes closed as she apparated and the whole experience was surreal and made her kinda ill but at least it was over in the blink of an eye. Opening her eyes she saw the place she had been putting off going to for three weeks. The neat rows of many stones reminded her of Arlington National Cemetery that she had once seen on vacation with her parents.

Clutching tightly at the small arrangement of flowers she had brought for a friends grave. She pushed the gate open with a loud squeal of protest and slowly walked toward the back of the cemetery where more of the recent graves were put. She fought back tears at the thought of just how many recent graves there were. Over the past three weeks she had experienced so much emotion she had no idea how to feel anymore. She supposed she should be happy, after all the Dark Lord Voldemort was dead and gone, and the Wizarding Community would never have to live in his evil shadow again. True, he was gone for good but at what price, so many had died bravely in that final battle which had proclaimed them the winners. Hermione herself had survived the battle and missed the funeral for several people she had cared about, due to the fact that she was in the Hospital Wing still recovering when they were laid to rest.

Hermione walked along, it was a rather long walk to the back of the cemetery and considering Hermione was moving at the speed of a turtle it was taking her longer than she first thought it would. A stray breeze from the east whipped past her ruffling her hair and making her look to the sky where she saw just how dark and gloomy it had become. Perhaps, she thought looking back down at the path she was following, the strongest feeling she felt was regret. Regret for so many things but most of all the fact that she would never be able to tell these people how deeply she had cared for them and that thought angered her. She wanted them there to celebrate with these were the people that should be clinking wine glasses and making insightful toasts to everyone's health.

Snapping out of her thoughts she realized she had reached her destination and took a deep breath as if preparing herself. She had not wanted to come but she found it was necessary cause if she didn't see the grave itself she would never believe them dead and would fool herself with the hope of seeing them smile and laugh again. Shaking her head glumly she squatted in front of grave she had come to visit and the tears had been holding back for three weeks finally broke free of their confines and made their way to the surface. She silently tears slid down her cheeks as she stared at the words on the stone. Letting the flowers fall from her grip they landed on their side in front of the stone, just where she had wanted to put them.

Hermione simply stayed in that position for what seemed like hours just staring not believing that her close friend Severus Snape was dead.