There are supposedly five stages of grief.

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

As I look around the Great Hall I see bloodied faces at various phases.

George Weasley is sitting at what was once the Gryffindor table silently, staring in front of him without really seeing anything.

The hole in the side of his face is more prominent with his hair being askew with sweat and blood.

I move forward into his view and he snaps out of the daze focusing on me instead. I offer a small smile, which he returns, before turning to the empty seat next to him, his mouth open and about to form words.

I see him do a double-take as he realises that there's no-one sitting there.

His shadow has disappeared forever.

He's alone.

ooo

Denial

ooo

I can't bear to look at him any longer and selfishly turn away as he looks back at me to draw strength.

My gaze lands on Ron. Sweet Ron. Ron who is currently dragging the half unconscious body of Gregory Goyle across the Great Hall to where the Aurors have aggregated.

Goyle's body leaves a trail of blood behind him. More blood in a Hall where every surface is caked in it. Who cares about a little more staining the floor? Especially if it's that of the enemy.

I'm unsure of what to make about our kiss. In the moment before going into battle I needed to remind myself of what I was fighting for. Ron was one such thing.

I see him dump Goyle's body against the wall and with a swift blow he punches his face causing Goyle to finally give into the deep abyss.

People see but no-one says anything.

Like I said- Who cares?

The next time Goyle re-awakens he'll be seeing the inside of an Azkaban cell. I feel slight resentment at Ron for taking away his last chance to see the dawn sun shining.

Yes that kiss was most definitely a mistake.

ooo

Anger

ooo

Dennis Creevy is sitting a few chairs down from George and is most surprisingly, being comforted by Lavender Brown. His head lies on her chest while her arms are rubbing against his back in a soothing motion.

She looks up at me and catches my eye. I move towards them but stop when I hear Dennis pleading with her.

"Possessions and your own life won't change anything little Creevy" I think cruelly. Words that won't be appreciated at present.

I walk away from them and out of the hall.

ooo

Bargaining

ooo

The fresh air smells different to the stink I've become accustomed to over the last few hours.

It smells almost strange.

I panic and gulp it in.

I hear a soft weeping sound coming from nearby.

Professor Sinistra, her hair falling around her face, softly weeps into her hands.

I step forward to move away when her head shoots up wildly upon hearing the crunch of a twig beneath my feet. I stare at her and she stares at me. A name comes forth from her lips before she resumes crying even harder. I reel in shock unable to comprehend the new information she has given me and hurriedly move way.

ooo

Depression

ooo

The stone bench facing out to the Great Lake, my haven, is currently being occupied by a blond-haired boy.

I stop walking and stand there staring at the sun shining of his head. It blinds my eyes but I welcome it.

His body stiffens as if he senses someone is staring at him and his head swivels around.

Silver eyes pierce mine.

He looks at me for ten seconds but says nothing, eventually turning back to face the lake.

I move forward accepting his invitation.

Invitation or Indifference? It doesn't matter. There's enough space for the two of us.

I sit down next to him and we both silently watch the sun glistening on the water's surface. Hours are what it feels like but 17 minutes is the reality.

Harry walks up to me, stiffening when he sees who I'm sitting next too. He says nothing for which I'm grateful, simply informing me of the gathering that is about to take place in the Hall before walking away.

I take one last look at the scene in front of me before standing. I wait for him to stand too. He looks up at me, his eyes painfully confused and vulnerable. My heart clenches in a way it should not.

I embrace the feeling.

My hand moves forward and I wrap it around his wrist before moving down to twist my fingers with his.

He stares at our clasped hands for a single moment before tightening his hold.

We hold onto each other as we walk back across the grounds.

ooo

Acceptance

ooo

Author's Note: This is my first ever Draco/Hermione fic. It's going to be five chapters long and I've already written them all. By chapters, I mean they could be considered individual one-shots but they are all loosely linked to each other. Please review and let me know what you thought. Until next time, Curiositykils