She didn't know when it was that she'd begun feeling this affinity for Kirk, or why it had even started, but Hermione was beyond questioning that sort of thing now. He was here, he was willing to listen, and though no one could ever really be a substitute for Harry or especially Ron, he was the closest thing she had to either of them right now. Pushing him away or otherwise not acknowledging that, especially while she was at her most fragile, would be stupid. Hermione wasn't stupid.

So though it hurt, that hug felt like permission to let the dam burst, and she threw her arms around Kirk as she folded in against him, letting the tears come. She couldn't say thank you, not right now, not when anything that would come out of her open mouth would sound like a sob, but hopefully he would know that her gratitude was there and overwhelming as she hid her face against his shoulder and let herself cry.