Disclaimer: Voldemort's dialogue is J.K. Rowling's, not mine. I borrowed it with no infringement intended.


As the Trio followed Neville down the passageway, Hermione didn't listen to a word that was being said. She even ignored it when Ron stumbled and stepped on her foot. Her thoughts were focused on Ginny, as they had been since she left the Burrow so long ago.

She wondered briefly if Ginny would be hiding in the castle with Neville and the rest of his group, dismissing the thought with more than a little disappointment when she remembered that the Weasely family had gone into hiding after the incident at Malfoy Manor.

Bellatrix's laugh echoed in the brunette's mind and she shuddered, trying to quickly divert her thoughts to Ginny once again.

"It's just up ahead," Neville announced as the path angled sharply upward.

By the time the group got to the top of the slope, they were all panting and clutching their sides.

Hermione noticed Harry flinch and rub his scar, nervousness flaring up in the pit of her stomach. She'd managed to get so caught up in her own thoughts that she'd forgotten how quickly the battle with Voldemort seemed to be approaching.

Suddenly, Neville pushed open a portrait and light from the Room of Requirement blinded Hermione momentarily. The new few minutes passed in a blur as they were greeted and cheered on.

She scanned the crowd that had stowed away in the Room, searching for a familiar flash of red hair. Finding none (other than Ron), Hermione swallowed her heartache and told herself it was better that Ginny wasn't there; having Ginny in the midst of the battle would be terrifying.

No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than Neville held up his old DA coin and people were pouring out of the passageway they'd just come through. Hermione turned and stared in awe as old classmates, their families, and other supporters crowded around, all buzzing with nervous excitement.

The sound of Harry arguing with Neville caught the brunette's attention and she watched, along with the rest of the occupants, to see how it would unfold. Harry did a masterful job of avoiding mentioning the word "Horcrux," and Hermione felt a rush of pride when Ron came up with the brilliant idea of letting everyone help them look for it while still keeping its properties a secret.

Harry had just agreed and was looking around at his audience when his voice trailed off and the room was overcome with silence. Hermione followed his gaze to the passage opening, feeling herself go numb at what she saw.

Ginny had just emerged from the tunnel and was standing there looking through the crowd, as beautiful as ever. A flurry of emotions passed over her face when her eyes locked with someone's in the room, all mixed together so quickly it was impossible to decipher them all.

From where she was standing, Hermione couldn't tell if the redhead was looking at her, or through her toward Harry. All sorts of doubts began plaguing her mind almost instantly. Their conversation before everything started could have just been to comfort Hermione before she went off to war. Ginny could have just been playing along to make sure Hermione would be alert enough to keep Harry safe. The thoughts made the brunette's stomach churn.

Behind her, she heard Harry breathe Ginny's name, his voice laced with emotion. While she knew she should be happy for her best friend, she couldn't help but feel her heart sink.

Ginny apparently found who she was looking for, because she leaped down from the tunnel opening and started making her way through the crowd.

Hermione watched mutely as Ginny strode past her toward Harry, turning and watching their reunion as if in a trance.

The couple stared at each other for a few moments before they embraced. Harry leaned in for a kiss, and Hermione tried to look away, already feeling defeated, but her eyes were glued to the scene.

To Hermione's surprise, Ginny ducked her head at the last second, opting for a kiss on the forehead as she gave Harry a warm hug. Harry looked a little thrown, but accepted it anyway. A strange feeling built up in the pit of Hermione's stomach at the sight.

She didn't have much time to dwell on it; in another second, the embrace was over and Harry was stammering a little as he tried to resume his speech. He caught Hermione's eye, and she gave him a reassuring nod. Once he'd caught back on, Hermione tried her best not to look at the redhead, but failed miserably.

As Harry's voice filled the background, Hermione watched Ron and Ginny greet each other, somewhat awkwardly, a mixture of hurt and jealousy forming when Ginny whispered a few words to Ron, then went and stood among the rest of the sixth years.

Forgotten all about me, I suppose, Hermione thought grimly, her gaze dropping to the ground. She allowed herself to be upset for a few moments, feeling almost angry with the redhead. Not like I wasn't expecting it, though. After all, I'm just Hermione sodding Granger. How can I possibly compare to Harry, "The Chosen One"?

A sudden cheer and motion around her snapped the brunette out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw everyone dispersing. Harry and Luna were heading the charge into the castle, with the rest of the group hot on their heels. They only exception was Ron, who was heading toward her.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked, hoping she didn't sound as lost as she suddenly felt.

"Harry's off looking for the last... you know... with Luna. We're going to the Chamber of Secrets."

Hermione allowed him to grasp her wrist and lead her out of the room, thoroughly confused and wishing she'd been paying a little more attention to Harry. "Why?"

Ron shot her an uncertain look as they rushed through the corridors. "I remembered something you said about the basilisk fangs once. It should work to destroy the you-know-what. Yes," he continued sarcastically, interrupting Hermione before she could respond, "I have actually listened to you a couple times."

Hermione felt a little rush of pride, following Ron toward Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"Oh," Ron said after a few moments of quiet. "Ginny told me to tell you that she's glad you kept your promise, whatever that means."

The brunette hesitated, unsure how to take that. A little bit of jealousy and bitterness crept back into her mind. "Did she?"

Ron gave her a distracted nod, counting doorways to find the bathroom. "Yeah, seemed bloody weird, honestly." He shook his head. "I'll never understand girls and your secret codes. You're all mad."

Hermione chose not to respond, dragging Ron across the hall and into the bathroom. They opened the passageway and were soon standing in front of the door to the Chamber.

Ron hissed at it and it slid open, much to Hermione's surprise. The redheaded boy made an excuse about Harry sleep-talking and they moved into the Chamber.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something but came up with nothing, recoiling at the sight of the giant skeleton. "Why do we need this, exactly?"

Ron, who had just snapped a fang off the basilisk's jaw, sent her a strange look. "You're all out of sorts today, aren't you? Odd, being you, and all. It's the venom, or something." He studied her for a second, then shook his head. "Here, give me the cup."

Hermione's hand automatically went to her beaded bag, fishing out the cup as Ron had asked.

Ron traded her for the fang, holding the cup at the ready. "I'm ready when you are," he told her. "But, Hermione, listen. If you see something, anything, ignore it." His face hardened, leaving the brunette to wonder what had happened with the locket all those months ago. "Just... find a happy thought and destroy the damn thing."

Sensing the gravity of the words, Hermione simply nodded, gripping the fang a little tighter. She closed her eyes and imagined a warm summer day at the Burrow with Ginny in her arms, feeling a little empowered and swinging her arm down toward the cup.

There was a sound like a scream, and the air around them filled with black smoke. The screaming grew louder and louder, and Hermione's heart sank. She knew the sound. The smoke before her cleared, and where she should have seen Ron, she saw Ginny being tortured.

Part of her knew she needed to give the cup one final stab, but her hands were suddenly shaking violently and she couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene in front of her. Hermione wanted to scream, to save Ginny, to do something, but couldn't find it in herself to move.

"Hermione!" Ron's voice came from far, far away. "Finish it!"

Hermione tried to answer, to tell Ron Ginny was hurting, but nothing came out.

"Hermione!"

The advice Ron had given her just a few moments ago presented itself in her mind, and Hermione managed to close her eyes, imagining her happy thought once more. Focused on that, she drowned out the sound of screaming emanating from the Horcrux and jammed the fang onto the old relic once again.

The smoke whipped around, taking the form of Voldemort's face before exiting the Horcrux and flinging itself into the water.

Ron looked at Hermione with a proud little grin on his face. "Nice," he said, tossing the cup to the side and getting to his feet. He extended a hand to Hermione, looking surprised when he felt her hand trembling. "Bloody hell, 'Mione! What-"

"Don't," Hermione told him, shaking her head as she got to her feet and caught her balance. "Let's just go find Harry."

Ron nodded, summoned a broomstick and pulled Hermione onto it behind him. She wrapped her arms around him nervously, still not comfortable with flying. Ron kicked off, soaring into the air and out of the Chamber. Once they'd safely landed in the bathroom, Hermione loosened her death grip on him and they slid off broom. Ron tossed it aside and headed for the door, beckoning for Hermione to follow.

"Let's go find Harry and tell him we got it done," he said, opening the door and allowing Hermione to step through first.

Hermione caught his arm as they passed a window and pointed wordlessly to the sky. A shining barrier was being formed around Hogwarts, silver jets from wands all around the castle shooting up to help strengthen it.

They hurried back down the corridor and turned the corner, heading toward the Great Hall, the sight having reminded them both exactly what was about to happen and instilling a sense of urgency in them. Just as the duo could see the doors to the Great Hall, someone stepped out in front of them.

Ron skidded to a halt, nearly toppling over. Hermione, on the other hand, couldn't stop herself in time and ran right into the person, barely managing to keep them both upright.

A flash of terror went through Hermione as she realized she could have just bowled into a Death Eater, but then she realized it was Ginny and the brunette relaxed. Images of what she'd just seen in the Chamber flashed before her, but they more distance they put between themselves and the cup, the easier it was to remember that Ginny was all right.

The girls stepped apart, and Ron made a noise of surprise.

"Gin!" he exclaimed. "Where'd you come from?"

Ginny's eyes lingered on Hermione's, and it seemed to take her a great amount of willpower to glance at her brother. "Great Hall. We're using that as our headquarters." Her gaze returned to Hermione. "Seen Harry lately?"

Hermione felt a pang of hurt go through her at the mention of Harry's name, but the intensity of the redhead's stare was somehow calming.

Ron shifted uncomfortably, able to sense the sudden tension in the air. "No, but... uh... I'll go look for him, shall I?" Without waiting for an answer, he fled the scene.

Once they were alone, Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her to a classroom just down the hall. After finding the door locked, Ginny blew the handle off with a frustrated "Reducto," leading Hermione into the dark room.

Hermione flicked her wand without even thinking about it and the torches flickered to life, bathing the room in a soft, amber glow. Her gaze immediately went to the redhead before her.

"Hermione," Ginny said softly, as thought testing the name for the first time. A half-smile flickered onto her face. "I missed you."

"It certainly didn't seem like it in the Room of Requirement," Hermione retorted before she could stop herself.

Ginny looked a little hurt, but shook it off. "Harry's going to have to battle Voldemort before the night is out. The whole world knows it. I can't make myself be responsible for hurting him and causing him to do something stupid."

The brunette was quiet for a moment, pursing her lips and trying to find a flaw in the redhead's logic so she could selfishly let her jealousy continue to grow. A small part of her was still glad to see that Ginny was okay after the apparition in the Chamber, and any hurt or anger she was still harboring had melted away at the sight of the girl she loved. She sighed, offering Ginny an understanding little nod. "I know. I just..."

"Just what?" Ginny pressed, stepping closer to the older girl. She reached up and cupped Hermione's cheek in her hand, her thumb tracing over a small scar.

"I had the thought that you had just put me on... lied to me... all those months ago, to give me some sort of comfort for the journey." Hermione's head sank ashamedly.

The redhead scoffed quietly, smiling again. She waited until Hermione met her gaze, her eyes burning into Hermione's. "I missed you so much." Her voice was a whisper, almost shaky. "I was so worried, especially when you three got captured and we all went into hiding. I heard Dad whispering something to Mum about the Malfoys, and I was terrified for you, 'Mione. I thought that because of... well, I thought you'd end up breaking your promise," she teased weakly.

Hermione tried not to let herself cringe at the mention of Malfoy Manor, suddenly very grateful for the dim lighting in the room that would hopefully help hide her reaction from Ginny. Instead, she forced a grin onto her face, trying to distract Ginny from memories of her worry. "How could I break that promise?" she asked softly. "If I had, then I couldn't fulfill the second one."

Confusion flashed in Ginny's eyes, but was replaced moments later with a strange anxiety and a blush darkening her cheeks.

The brunette was surprised at her own forwardness, but chalked it up to wanting to seize the moment before the looming battle. She cupped Ginny's face in her hands and hesitated for a moment, asking permission silently. Ginny seemed to respond without realizing it, and Hermione took the chance and captured the redhead's lips in a soft kiss.

They lingered together for a moment, breaking apart and smiling giddily at each other. For a few brief moments, the impending battle seemed nonexistent. Then the sound of a high, cold voice filled the air, so loud it felt as though it was penetrating through their bodies, embedding itself in every cell.

"I know that you are preparing to fight." The girls sprung apart, clapping their hands to their ears to try to drown the sound out.

"Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you." Voldemort paused, the absence of his voice sending violent shudders down the girls spines. "Give me Harry Potter and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I will leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter... and you will be rewarded."

Ginny let out a sort of sobbing gasp, the terror on her face mirroring Hermione's own inner screams of fear. The voice was so smooth it grated at the inside of their skulls, almost in an attempt to drive them insane so they'd cooperate.

"You have until midnight," Voldemort's voice warned coolly.

His voice faded and the two young women looked at each other, silently begging each other for assurance that the strange torture was over. The terrible voice had infiltrated their minds, effectively obliterating the warm emotions flowing between them. Hermione saw that Ginny's cheeks were ashen and knew her own face probably looked ghostly as well.

"W-What time...?" Hermione managed, her voice shaking almost as badly as the rest of her.

Ginny looked at her watch and swallowed. "Half eleven."

Driven by a sudden sense of urgency, they moved toward the door.

Hermione repaired the door handle and they stepped out, heading toward the Great Hall. They were nearly bowled over by Ron and Harry, who both looked singed and sooty.

"What happened to you two?" Ginny asked, looking at them both incredulously.

"Long story," Harry said, waving away the question and shooting Ginny a grin.

"Crabbe set the Room of Requirement on fire!" Ron exclaimed at the same time, looking like he still couldn't believe it had happened.

A group of scared looking students hurried past them and into the Great Hall, a few teachers right behind them.

"Harry, we don't have much time," Hermione said, reminded of Voldemort's message by the terror-stricken faces of the students.

His face darkened. "I know. The snake is all that's left, but Voldemort's got it and keeping it close. We'll have to find a way to get rid of it." He cast a worried glance at Ginny that didn't go unnoticed by either of the girls. "The three of us, I mean. Ginny... I just... It's not safe."

A frown started to appear on Ginny's face, but Hermione made a soft noise of pleading. The redhead faltered, looking at Hermione for a moment before sighing defeatedly. "Fine. I'll wait in the Great Hall with everyone else." With a last look at the Trio, she turned and made her way toward the Great Hall.

Hermione saw Harry's look of utter relief, sure her face was mirroring the expression.

Then Harry frowned, grabbed at his scar, and paled considerably after a moment of looking like he was far away. "Voldemort's in the Shrieking Shack."

The Trio looked amongst themselves, wordlessly agreeing on what they needed to do. Within moments, Harry'd flung the Invisibility Cloak over them and they were off toward the Whomping Willow.