So, Hermione stood in the main receiving room, alone and confused. In fact, this whole day had been rather confusing. The aftermath of the battle had caused perhaps the best outcome possible. Bill Weasley had been permanently disfigured...oh, and Dumbledore was dead. The funeral was on the last day of term where McGonagall gave a particularly hopeful speech about no losing hope. Hermione and the other Slytherins had stood at the back, snickering under their breaths. The other confusing part of the day came when Hermione was forced to sit with her "friends" on the train. Potter had come up to her and shyly asked Hermione for her help on his "quest'. Of course, Hermione agreed instantly but was more than surprised at how easily Potter, Weasley and Patil trusted her.