Chapter 2

At least he'd had the decency to wait until the actual ceremony was over. The students and their families were feasting in the now redecorated Great Hall. The bleachers and seating area were gone. A dancing table, two large buffet tables, and hundreds of little tables crowded the space now. Ron and Draco had pretended to go to the bathroom several times during the night. They were actually going for quick snogs. They'd have attempted more, but their families were paying too much attention to them that night. The last time Draco held onto Ron just a little tighter.

"What's wrong," Ron asked when he pulled away.

Draco sucked in a breath, fighting back tears. "It's time. He's on the outskirts. Our families are going to be trickling out slowly, but they've done something to keep your families here. Even those that don't have any loyalties one way or the other. It's time Ron. This is it."

"At our graduation?" Ron spat.

"At his graduation," Draco corrected. Ron cursed, and Draco echoed the sentiment. He scratched his hand through Ron's hair. "I'm going to do what you told me to. I'm going to run the moment I get a chance."

"Good," Ron nodded, "I'm glad Hermione convinced us to do this horcrux hunt the way we did."

"Awful way to spend Christmas," Draco murmured. "And Easter."

"No, that was the fun part." Ron dismissed, "It was researching the founders that was the boring part."

"Stay safe tonight," Draco plead, "Please."

"I make no promises, just get out." Ron said before he grabbed Draco back to him.

"I love you," Draco said as he pulled away. He heard a familiar voice calling for him. He cursed. Ron stole one last kiss before pushing Draco out of the tapestry they'd hidden behind. Draco whispered, "Theo's family should be last. I love you."

"I love you," Ron whispered back, "Thank-you."

"Just be safe," Draco finished before he started to walk out of Hogwarts for the final time. Ron waited to a good minute before strolling back into the Great Hall. He had never been more thankful for the family feel of the Order as he did a head count. Most of the D.A. was there as well to support their friends or graduating themselves. He walked to Harry, tapped him on the shoulder. He'd been dancing with Ginny, but seeing the look on Ron's face followed after. McGonagall and Flitwick were talking with Lupin, this made Ron smile.

"Boys," Lupin greeted happily, "congratulations."

"Thanks, Remus," Ron accepted, "But I hate to say this might not be the happy occasion we all were looking for."

"Whatever do you mean, Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall asked. She looked over the rim of her glasses, and Ron's heart clenched at the reminder of the kind, wise, old man that had been taken from them the year before.

"The same source that told me about the attack last year," Harry's brow jumped to his hairline as McGonagall nodded in understanding. "Once the Notts leave, he told me, Voldemort's ready to attack. They're on the outskirts of the grounds right now waiting for the signal."

"You and your source are a good team," McGonagall said as she rose from her seat. Slowly the professors began to make their way through the crowd. The warning was given in hushed tones so as not to alert anyone. Ron watched the Notts cautiously as they took in the sight of families that wished not to participate slowly trickling out of the Great Hall.

While Flitwick was leading the cowards, he meant civilians, to floo out of the headmistress' office, McGonagall was giving out her own orders. Some of the soldiers started to make their way outside and put up wards. Seamus, Dean, and Neville were given a very special task that left them all feeling kind of giddy. Lupin and Arthur were talking to Harry, trying to calm him as he thought of all the people that were their and could potentially get hurt. Everything the soldiers were doing was done in such a way that if the still present Death Eaters took notice, they did not attempt anything. Hermione approached Ron with an odd question, "Why isn't McGonagall trying to detain them?"

"If they catch onto what is going on around them they will start to fight back. If anything so much as blimps Voldemort's radar they will know someone told. Who do you think is the only one out there right now that would do such a thing?" Ron attempted to answer.

"I have no idea," Hermione shrugged. She held out her hands, "How did you know about last year, and how do you know about now?"

Ron answered slowly as he twisted and cracked his hands, "I have a very reliable source."

It took the Malfoys a shorter time than Draco thought before they were lining up with the rest of those that wore Voldemort's mark. He shook when he was handed a silver mask and a black cloak. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath as he pulled on the offered items. He was directed to stand in a spot with his mother and father and wait further instructions. They could see the lit castle, but they were a far enough distance that maybe only Greyback could make out the shapes running about the grounds. To the others it looked like childhood friends and their families were enjoying their party. Draco's stomach flipped as he looked at the congregated figures of Voldemort's followers. It was not a large army, but it would be an equal match for those that were in the Great Hall, and depending on how many left if given the sufficient amount of warning, Voldemort could have the slight advantage. Draco pushed that thought from his mind as he stood in the cold spring air.

An hour after he'd arrived the Nott family was climbing up the hill and pulling on their uniform. They took their positions. Draco tried to stand as still as his father, but he found himself looking around. All wearing the same black robes. All wearing the same silver mask. Their was not one distinct individual in the whole lot. It made Draco's stomach flip, and the more he thought about Voldemort's philosophy the more he realized how wrong the fucking half-blood was. There were not many true pure-blood families anymore, and two that Draco could think of, well three actually, were fighting on the other side. The Longbottoms, the Weasleys, and technically the Prewitts were all represented on the inside.

A shiver ran down Draco's back and he knew that the time had come. He did not need the snake to stand their in front of them and hiss words of pure-blood supremacy. It took every bit of strength for Draco not to point out that he was a half-blood, a muggle-born. Harry was a half-blood too, but at least both of his parents were magical. Not that, that mattered anyways. Hermione was a pure muggle-born, and she was brilliant. He had told Ron that he would run in the opposite direction, but everything in him said to run to Ron.

Harry Potter stood in the threshold of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Beside him were his best friends in the world. Out on the grounds sprawled before him were people, now full wizards, that he had grown up with. Some weren't full wizards and witches yet, but they were willing. He hated this. Of all the things they were about to do, fighting a battle that would hopefully be the last was not one of them. He watched as they ran by him and thought about what they should be doing instead.

There went Seamus Finnigan. He should have been getting drunk as a skunk and trying to convince Lavender Brown to sleep with him. Instead he was assuring Neville that he did know how to blow up a bridge.

Then there was Neville. He should have been having a conversation with Luna Lovegood about fictitious magical plants. Luna Lovegood should be pretending to be too whimiscal that what Neville was actually trying to do was seduce her into being his graduation present.

Dean Thomas was right behind the two arguing boys, willing to go along for the ride. Harry must have had something very different on the mind than what should have been, since he thought Dean and Parvarti should be trying to find their own secluded corner. Terry Boot and Padma could be following in her twin's shoes, and celebrating their graduation together.

Even the two beside him should not have been there. Hermione and Fred had been dancing around each other for years. Hermione should be celebrating that she was a full grown witch, had the age and the credentials to prove it. Fred should be discovering just which buttons made the conservative, calm, collected young witch lose that and turn wild. Ron should be doing whatever it was he'd been doing for the past three years. Harry had been too busy with his own business to care much, but now seemed as good a time as any to figure it out.

"Ron," Harry asked as he turned to face his best friend. Ron hummed as he was pulled from his own thoughts. Harry exhaled sharply, "Who is your source? Where have you been disappearing to for the past three years?"

Ron smiled, he shook his head. "I've been disappearing with the man I love, that's my source."

"Man?" Hermione gasped in shock. Ron nodded. Hermione threw her arms around him, "I always wanted a gay best friend."

Ron laughed, "I still can't help you with shopping, Hermione."

"No, that's why I have Ginny," Hermione brushed him off, "but you're still awesome."

"Of course I am," Ron agreed.

"So who is it then?" Hermione pressed, poking him in the stomach as she did so.

Ron gave her a quick laugh, but his expression turned hard as he looked outside. "Think about it, Mione. Think about the things I know. What kind of person could tell me about these attacks?"

Hermione thought for a moment. Her face went wide with shock then crunched in disgust. Her hand flew up to her mouth for a moment before she pulled it away. "You...you're...ew."

"Hey," Ron defended, "A lot more people could have died last year and tonight if it wasn't for him."

"Think about where he is standing, Ron." Hermione snapped. "That's the man you've fallen in love with."

"That's the kind of man I have done everything I can to protect. That is the man that I have had to listen degrade you and Harry because if he didn't he would be shipped away. I know what kind of man he is. My man is scared." Ron argued.

"I bet he's shaking right now," Hermione said sarcastically.

"I bet he is," Ron agreed. "You have no idea how many nights I have held him over these past three years while he's cried about what his life is meant to become. You have no idea the pressure he is under. Think about it Hermione. Are you only standing here with Harry because he's our best mate, or are you doing so because you're certain you're going to die if Harry loses?"

Hermione thought, "A bit of both I guess."

"Right," Ron nodded, "If you don't stand here, you could die. If he doesn't stand out there, his own father will kill him. If he doesn't do what he's supposed to, then he won't be fighting with them. He'll be searching the battle for me, and praying every second that I'm fine." Ron turned away and whispered, "He better do what he's supposed to."

"What is he supposed to do," Hermione wondered.

"Run," Ron growled.

"The time has come," the snake cheered, and his followers joined him. Draco lifted his fist above his head, his wand clenched in it. The one he had carried since he was eleven. Seeing the wand that the snake was lifting, Draco smiled behind his mask. He had pissed off Harry just last week and gotten in a duel he'd quickly lost. The year before he'd disarmed Dumbledore, but his aunt had been breathing down his neck. Ron had been outside the door, and Dumbledore was not supposed to be there. He'd not succeeded in the task though. Snape had killed Dumbledore, but that had all been worked out. The white wand in the snake's hand would not attack its proper owner. It took a lot of strength not to do a happy dance. It renewed his vigor, his determination. He was going to go in, but in the madness he would lose his cloak and mask. He would fight as one of those dressed in muggle clothes, and as such he would be a member of Potter's Army.

The Death Eaters stormed down the hill, rushing towards the castle. Draco kept stride amongst the youngest, leading the pack. They all looked the same though, and he could not tell where Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabbe, or Gregory Goyle were. Daphne Greengrass and her family were probably safely at home, depending on what Ron did with the information he'd been given. The year before he'd proven invaluable, but then he was a master chess player. While they ran they moved towards the bridge. When they got close to it, it blew up. A huge explosion. Fire and bright lights. Stones flew everywhere. The force of it threw the younger and more in shape Death Eaters flying through the air. They all landed hard on the ground yards back.

Draco lifted his head and saw that the older Death Eaters had stopped their decent when they saw the explosion. The twenty Death Eaters that had been in the lead slowly picked themselves up. He found Marcus Flint. The troll was the tall, bulky Death Eater shouting, "They knew. Someone told. They were prepared. Traitor. We have a traitor."

The other young Death Eaters started shouting the same accusation. Voldemort appeared in their midst. They all knelled quickly. Draco thought of Ron and his heart stilled to a calm beat that would not alert the snake. He kept his head down until they were ordered, "Look at me."

They all raised their heads, and with a snap of his wrist, Voldemort had vanished away their masks. Draco thought of nothing. He did not think of the nights he spent with Ron. He did not think of the vow to run. He did not think of the idea to head into the battle and switch sides. He did not think of Ron. Draco thought of nothing. Voldemort looked into each other their faces. Draco kept thinking of nothing, keeping his expression blank even when Voldemort looked at him the longest.

"Twice now my plans to kill Potter have been foiled when the only logical explanation is that one of my followers told of our plans." Voldemort explained. "Now, not all of you here were privy to the happenings of last year, but two of you were. Draco, Blaise, please rise and come here."

Right, he was running, now. Voldemort smirked when he heard the pop and saw that Blaise had risen to obey his orders. He shook his head and looked into the crowd still standing on the hill. He wondered, "Lucius, have I done something to offend your family?"

"Of course not, my lord," Lucius dismissed the idea. "May I ask why my lord would wonder such a thing?"

"It seems you have raised a traitor," Lucius tilted his head in question. Voldemort sighed, "Your son, Lucius, has told my plans to Potter's side and taken our surprise advantage."

The explosion surprised them all. Seamus and Neville shared a look. Seamus smug and proud, Neville surprised as all get out for it having worked. They waited. McGonagall used a spell that turned all of the suits of armor to battle ready mode, and they made a front line of protection around the castle. Now came the waiting. It took longer for that crowd to begin moving. Hermione voiced Ron's sinking suspicion, "They know they have a traitor."

She shot him a concerned look and McGonagall matched it. The members of the D.A. and the Order that were standing around looked at the scene in confusion. Ron let out a steady exhale as he tried to steel his nerves. He said more for his own benefit, "He'd have gotten out as fast as he could."

"He really is afraid, isn't he," Hermione scoffed.

Ron growled, "Shut up, Hermione."

"Hey," A voice from behind called, "don't tell her to shut up."

"You shut up too, Fred," Ron snapped. "Everybody just shut up, and wait. We have more important things going on then your two's silly not-love affair."

"Excuse me," Hermione quipped.

"You know," Ron started, "the love affair you two aren't in because of your stick and his fear of rejection."

"My stick?" Hermione inquired.

"Yeah, the stick up your ass he's supposed to remove but can't since he's got something stuck up his own, mainly his head." Ron explained.

"Ron," Fred growled. Ron turned to look at his brother. With a fiery glare Fred vowed, "When this is over, I'm kicking your ass."

"Kay," Ron shrugged, "but I think they want to kick it first."

They all turned to where he was looking and saw the Death Eaters finally approaching. The suits of armor moved to meet them. Spells were casts that blasted the things apart. It held them back for a little while, and may have zapped some energy, but they were really no match for the Death Eaters trained in the dark magics. As a unit they all stood together, ready to put an end to this thing once and for all. Harry stood in the front of the group, his eyes dancing around the Death Eaters with their faces revealed. The mess outside was brutal as the suits flew apart. Flashes of so many different colored lights danced under the black sky. Harry stepped forward first, but Hermione and Ron were at his side with Lupin and McGonagall. Someone cast a spell towards Harry that he deflected quickly. Another shouted, "No, he's the Dark Lords."

The spells were directed in every direction beside Harry. The order to leave him for the Dark Lord had been followed through. He tried to get into the battles, but it was no use. Ron was taking on three at a time. Something in him had snapped when he'd looked over the faces of the Death Eaters. Now he had Lucius on one side, Narcissa on the other, and Blaise bringing up the rear. Harry watched as Ron shot protection spell after deflection spell followed by a disarming spell. His face was almost as red as his hair as he glared into the eyes of his attackers. The thing that had shocked Harry was that Ron had actively sought out Lucius. The conversation earlier that night had made sense to Hermione, but Harry was still left in the dust about who Ron was in love with. He was positively refusing to believe that it was the Death Eater that was so conveniently missing from the battle.

Hermione and Fred were battling as a unit. Everybody knew they had been dancing around each other for years, but it had seemed to pay off. He was sure that Fred would be fighting beside George if George wasn't already flanked by Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell. Alicia Spinnet and Lee Jordan were another unit, and they were taking on Yaxley and Avery. Arthur and Molly were close to Lupin and Tonks who had the Lestranges, three. Macnair and Rookwood were taking on Charlie and Percy. Harry had to fight himself from letting out a snort of laughter when he caught Oliver Wood and Marcus Flint going at it. Neville and Luna were also fighting together, with Seamus and Lavender and Dean and Parvarti close by. It was a strange sight. The dozens of Death Eaters and the handful of Order and D.A. members shooting curses. A thunderous boom stopped the fights for a moment.

"Harry Potter," a silky voice shouted over the crowd. Harry looked for the source and saw him standing on the edge of the lake. The half moon shining down on him gave him an eerie glow, not that it was needed to make him look even more terrifying. In the grass by his feet slithered the last horcrux. Harry did not allow himself to focus on that as he gave the very face of evil his attention. "You allow your friends to fight your battle while you stand there watching."

"Sonorus," Harry uttered before he shouted back. Hands raised out to his side in a challenging stance. "Tom Riddle, you allow your minions to fight your battle while you stand there watching."

"Come fight me, boy." Voldemort ordered.

Harry shrugged, "It's not like I've got something better to do."

"Harry," The most familiar of all voices shouted when he started to walk towards his challenger. He stopped and the supple form tightened itself around him. He kept one eye on Tom, his hand at the ready as he pulled her around and kissed her for all he was worth. Pulling away slightly dazed, she muttered, "I love you."

"I love you too, Gin," He pressed a kiss against her forehead and pushed her out of his path. He heard her utter a spell, and then her special curse before a protection charm. He took long easy strides. Seeing the snake slithering away from Voldemort's feet he shouted, "Someone kill that snake."

"On it," he heard Neville shout. A Fiendfyre cut across the grass chasing the snake through the grounds. Neville then started shouting spells that directed it only towards the snake and quelled the flames that licked in any other direction. Voldemort was torn between watching Harry's careful steps towards him and the scene playing out between Harry's third and Voldemort's pet.

"Ready to end this thing the way we started it, Tom?" Harry asked as he rolled his wand in his hand. He had it pointed squarely at Voldemort, who also had his wand pointed towards Harry. Voldermort's red eyes widened a bit before squinting. Harry was sure if the man-like-creature had eyebrows he would have raised them. Harry shrugged, "Together."

"Yes," Voldemort hissed, "I got that. This time will end differently."

"Yes," Harry agreed, "This time you'll be dead."

They had a proper duel, and though Harry didn't take his eyes off of Voldemort for a second, they both bowed to each other. Wands at the ready, they shot their signature spells. Each deflected off of the other quickly. Voldemort tried to disarm Harry or kill him. Harry tried to disarm Voldemort or render him incapable of movement. They both were quick to deflect and shoot up protection spells. They kept their mouths busy with their spells, which made Harry as happy as he could possibly be in that moment. He did not have to listen to Voldemort's usual spew about pure-blood supremacy and Harry's mother.

While they were at it, Neville continued to chase the snake through the grass with his fire. An interesting design was being drawn through the grass. Neville hoped Hagrid wouldn't be too mad at the damage that was being done. He directed the fire to split into a fork that raced beside the snake. It was slithering quickly, but his fire kept a steady pace. He had the fork split again, causing there to be four lines. Two chased after the snake's tail, the other tried to box it in. The snake ran into a boulder and as it slithered up, Neville made his outer paths collide together. The snake was stuck and the inner paths were closing in on it. A piercing scream ripped through the air as the snake burned. Neville put out his fire and moved to look at the bones. Nothing was left but ashes.

"Do you want to know how we knew," Ron asked, "It's a really great story Lucius."

"Oh," Lucius growled, "Avada Kevadra"

"Protego," Ron shot, "Yeah, it involves me and your son."

"You and my son," Lucius asked. Ron nodded, "How does any story involve you and my son?"

"Well that's the thing," Ron started, "We're involved." Lucius shot a curse that Ron deflected even as the older blond looked at Ron in confusion. Ron sighed as he shot a disarming spell, "I mean we're together." Lucius was shaking his head as he shot another curse. Ron knew that Lucius understood him, but he kept pressing it, "We're crazy in love and we have mad, passionate sex every day, sometime multiple times a day. We've been together for three years, and he doesn't like you or your ways. He agrees with me that Hermione is a fucking awesome witch, and that she had as much right to this education as he did. He was even glad to work with her, even if he never told anyone but me that."

"You touched me son," Lucius growled.

Ron smirked, "Oh, well, let me be absolutely clear. He wanted me to touch him. He begged me to touch him. He longed for me to fuck him. He used to whisper in my ear how he needed me right then and right there. So yeah, but I was just continuing that whole, making sure Draco gets everything he ever wanted thing going. Oh, wait, that's actually a new concept. I have this thing about making sure he has everything he wants. But then, that's the difference between you and me. I love your son, you're a bastard."

While the fights continued Voldemort gained the upper hand in his. Harry shot an expelliramus seconds after Voldemort cast a shielding charm. Harry was starting his next spell when Voldemort cast his own disarming spell. Harry lost his wand, and Voldemort shot a killing curse. Harry moved to dive out of the way, but it hit him in the side. He fell to the ground, in agony. Harry withered on the ground, screaming and clutching at his head. Voldemort stood still and watched the scene play out. That shouldn't have happened. He should have died immediately. Harry fell silent, his chest falling still. Voldemort shouted, "I've killed Harry Potter."

Everyone closer to the castle stopped. They turned to look at the scene of the boy at the feet of the snake-like man. Lucius stepped to Ron's side. Narcissa and Blaise lay petrified at their feet. Lucius held his wand against Ron's jugular, "You're next."

Ron spun on his heel, moving away from the point of Lucius' wand. He started casting spells that Lucius deflected. Seeing that Harry Potter's second was not about to be defeated the others were quick to pick up their fight. This surprised the Death Eaters that were drawn back into battle. Voldemort was even more surprised though. His voice cracked through the air, causing the battles to pause as they all turned to give him their attention. "I killed Harry Potter. It's over."

"Neville," Ron shouted. Neville looked towards the red-head. "You kill that snake?"

"Yes," Neville assured.

Ron turned to Voldemort. "Diary, Ring, Locket, Cup, Diadem, Snake. Am I missing something?" Voldemort did not reply. The Death Eaters stood speechless. Confused. Ron picked up, "No? Good, then guess what Tommy? You're as mortal as I am. Feels good, doesn't it, to know you can die. How about this, you are going to. Give us a second to deal with your bastards and we'll handle you next."

"But only Potter can kill me," Voldemort defended.

Hermione piped in, "I've been thinking about that." Ron shot her a look, she shrugged. "I think you just finished off your very last horcrux. I think Harry's scar was the seventh. So, thanks for turning yourself mortal. Again, we'll be right with you." With that she shot a binding spell at the Death Eater she'd been fighting. Ron turned and shot his own at Lucius. Lucius was so surprised as to the way they'd so casually addressed the Dark Lord that he'd not been prepared for it. Lucius and Avery down, Hermione and Ron moved as one down to the man standing on the lake's bank.

He shot curses at them, but they moved as one deflecting and shooting off their own hexes and jinxes. He was still just one man, with the ability to only shoot off one curse at a time. They were two. A very powerful and bright witch. A wizard that did not know where the man he loved was and had his best friend lying at his feet, possibly dead. Deflecting a spell Hermione told him, "You're evil Voldemort, but you're forgetting something. Protego."

"Expelliarmus," Ron tried, but Voldemort deflected it, "You're just a man, and you're missing the most powerful of all magics."

"Harry's tried to tell you," Hermione picked up as Ron cast a deflecting charm while she tried to petrify their opponent. "But you don't listen. The reason you can't win, is because you aren't strong enough."

"We just graduated, we probably have a lot more to learn about magic," Ron pointed out, "But we are still stronger than you."

"Because we aren't missing that magic." Hermione clarified. "Actually, fighting together, that magic is even stronger with us."

"We're really good mates," Ron explained, "She's practically my sister, and I'm as good as her brother."

"Do you know what that means," Hermione asked as though she was talking to a small child.

"It means we love each other," Ron offered.

"Quite a concept," Hermione sighed. "And that's why you won't win."

Harry laid still, unable to move. His head was pounding and he'd just had the weirdest dream. Dumbledore and King's Cross and his parents, and when did Lupin die? Now he was lying on the ground, hard, outside ground. There were voices, three and he recognized them. One was a voice he often heard in nightmares. The other was his conscience and the third was his friend. No, no, that wasn't right. They were all real voices having a conversation. No, they were battling. They were shooting curses and jinxes and hexes at each other. There was a conversation piece though, something important. The two good voices were trying to make a point. It was something he agreed with. They were going to win because of it. They were going to win.

Lifting himself onto his hands he groaned as he tried to stand up. Bolts of light flew over his head and he wondered if standing still would be a better idea. "Quite a concept, and that's why you won't win."

"Because you don't have love," Harry voiced rubbing his head as he sat on his knees. The spells stopped being shot about the space, above his head. He looked up to see that the three were looking down at him in surprise. One was much less pleasantly thrilled than the other two. He grabbed his wand and shot, "Expelliarmus."

"Avada Kavada," Voldemort shouted at the same time. He'd noticed Potter go for his wand, and responded quickly. Hermione and Ron backed up before shooting their own disarming spells. The bolts of light coming from Voldemort and Harry's wands were connected. Harry's wand was shaking as he tried to fight Voldemort's spell off. Hermione and Ron's spells connected with Harry's. They both pushed forward together, joining their spells as one. All of their wands shook, but they fought back. Together they locked their sights on Voldemort whose wand was shaking even more than theirs were combined. The green jets of light pushed farther and farther across the banks. The red light got smaller and smaller until it was sucked back inside the black wand.

The black wand shook even harder, sending tremors through Voldemort's body. The wand seemed to grow larger, rounder. Voldemort's hands stretched as the wand expanded. The green from their combined spell had not broken away yet. They watched in interest even as they kept their concentration. The wand exploded, white light glowing around it until it turned to sand. Wind whipped up around them. Ron and Harry's hair waved in the wind, Hermione's curls flew crazily. Sand whirled around Voldemort smacking into him as he crumbled into it. Hermione watched in disgust as he began to peel away.

The dust settled and where there had once stood the embodiment of evil was just a pile of white sand. Hermione cast a fast charm that bagged up the sand. She sealed it and tossed it into the lake. Ron and Harry smirked at her quick thinking. She shrugged, "I don't ever want to see that son of a bitch again."

Their brows raised as Ron pointed out unnecessarily, "You just cursed."

"Oh shut up Ronald," she waved him off. They had no idea how long they had stayed there trying to press Voldemort's spell backwards, but when they turned around the sun was beginning to rise on a new day. Death Eaters were either running away or laying motionless on the ground at the feet of the Order and the D.A. Hermione and Ron helped Harry stand up. He still was in a lot of pain, and they helped him walk up the hill that would lead to where the battle took place.

There were many with dark cloaks that were lying on the ground motionless. Most had lights still in their eyes, but knew that they only had a Kiss to look forward to. There were others, dressed in muggle clothes and nice wizarding robes that were not so lucky. Those that were standing, or sitting, and alive looked up when the Trio climbed to the top of the hill. They smiled weakly, some tired, some thankful, some sadly. Hermione and Ron lead Harry to the steps of the castle so he could sit down. As they walked past the bloody grounds they noticed the faces of those that had given their lives for either side.

A still moving, bright blue, magical eye looked up at them from the blank, choppy-face of Alastor Moody. Ron held Harry up as both he and Hermione shook with silent tears. Harry's jaw tightened against anything he would have said when he passed the broken body of Peter Pettigrew. They did not recognize the third body, but it was a Death Eater. Neville was standing beside it rocking Luna in his arms as he cried for the blood on his hands. They all stopped and stared at the fourth body, blinking and uncertain how to feel. Hermione allowed herself tears for Vincent Crabbe. Ron scuffed his shoe against the dirt. Hermione dropped to her knees and closed the eyes of the fifth body. Ron and Harry allowed themselves to cry for the life taken at the very least just one year too early. Harry sighed, "Thank-you Colin, for everything."

The last Death Eater body that they cared to see, the one that made them the most thankful was the broken body of Bellatrix Lestrange. Molly Weasley was glaring at it every few seconds. Ron shook his head and let Harry go when he saw the body in his mother's arms. Hermione followed him and rushed to wrap her arms around Fred as he cried for the loss of the second eldest, Charlie. Harry steadied himself and looked around the field for the body he knew had to be there. Instead he saw two small bodies that should not have been there. He moved with quick speed for someone that had probably been dead a certain amount of hours ago. He laid down and shook his head as he cradled them both to himself, the brave elf and the beautiful bird. He choked out their names, "Dobby, Hedwig."

Closing the large yellow eyes and folding the wings against the body, Harry turned to find the body of his father's last remaining friend. Some of the survivors had started to move the bodies onto stretchers so they could start cleaning the field. Harry closed his eyes as the impacts of the last two deaths he recognized slammed into him. His godson was now an orphan, and as such he had just become a parent. He moved to the sides of those bodies and vowed, "I'll take care of him. I'll raise him to be a man you could be proud of, Remus. I'll make sure he's as awesome as you were, Tonks.

He felt an arm wrap around his shoulders, the same arm that had kept him stable last year when only one had fallen. He turned into the lithe body that he knew so well. She kissed his temple as she combed her hand through his hair, "We'll make sure he's a good man, Remus. We'll take good care of him, Tonks."

Ron looked up to see where his sister had gone to. He looked around the field. Ginny was holding onto Harry, who was in turn holding onto her. Angelina and Katie were holding onto George, and Alicia and Lee were hugging. Oliver was rubbing soothing circles on Percy's back, and Fred was crying into Hermione's shoulder. Fleur was running her hands through Bill's hair as he shook with tears for his brother and his best friend. Arthur was holding onto Molly who was not letting her baby boy go any time soon. Luna and Neville, Seamus and Lavender, Dean and Parvarti, Terry and Padma, Hannah and Justin. Everyone had someone to turn to. Even little Dennis, who was clutching his own brother, had Jimmy Peakes hovering over him.

Ron kissed his mother's forehead and moved away from the group. He walked to the edge of the field, he could turn and see the castle that would be safe to open its doors in the coming months without having to worry about security protocols. He could look out and see the tops on the buildings of the nearby town that would be filled with students the next year, especially since it would be the first time Fourth Years and Third Years were allowed to go, and Fifth Years had only been there once. There were Aurors that would be busy since some of the Death Eaters had been able to run. Today would not be a good day, but he figured the day after a battle probably never was. Tomorrow though, or maybe next week, when the bodies were buried they could celebrate the victory. Voldemort was gone, and that was cause to party.