She sighed as she contemplated life and where she would go from here. Some thought her really clever. Some pondered the reasons she was placed in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw. She just wondered where she would be without Ron and Harry.

The war against Voldemort was over, but the work had just begun. There was so much destruction left in his wake. It reminded Hermione of Picket’s charge during the American Civil War. So much death and destruction left behind the advancing army! Many would look to Harry to lead the reconstruction, others would point out his youth, while yet others would compare Harry to Alexander the Great. Some hoped he would become a new Solomon and wisely council the world into order. Rome was not built in a day, and neither would the new world forming around them all. Peace had come at a hefty price, many lives the cost.

Hermione knew that Harry did not want that power and would step back. He had done his part in defeating the darkness that encompassed the land and would gladly fade into the night, but fame would not allow that luxury. Harry would forever be the boy that lived…twice. None would fully understand the suffering and sorrow the filled Harry’s heart at all the losses caused by that fame. The most recent being the loss of so many friends, perhaps the hardest being the loss of Remus and Tonks and having the responsibility of being Godfather to young Teddy. Harry had already vowed to be there through thick and thin for the young infant, a promise Hermione knew he would keep.

There were a few solid truths that Hermione was sure of, that they were all going to be ok, that she was in love with Ron and was going to marry him, and that somehow Harry was going to work things out with Ginny. Each couple’s love for each other rivaled that of Romeo and Juliet, but Hermione prayed they did not end in such tragedy. Hermione hoped that the tragedy in each of their lives was over.

Hermione laid her tired head down on Ron’s shoulder. In the center of the room young Teddy toddled from person to person, his smile brightened the entire room. Even George had to give a slight grin to the young boy. Yes, they all would heal. It would just take time.

Older in spirit then in body, the laughter of innocence needs to remind; remind of the pure, the loyal, and true.