"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood. Give me Harry Potter, and they shall not be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."

Voldemort's cold voice echoed throughout the castle and across the grounds. Hermione was comforting Ron. She was patting his back and letting him cry against her chest at the foot of the stairs. He had just found out that Fred got killed by a group of Death Eaters. Hermione looked over her shoulder, Harry had gone up to Dumbledore's office and she wanted to see if he was coming. She let out a shuttering breath. Her thoughts were racing, I just saw Snape die… I cannot handle this right now… Ron's inconsolable about Fred, and I'm pretty upset myself… I hope Draco's okay… even if Crabbe is horrible, he must feel bad about his death. I haven't seen him since we destroyed the horcrux… I want to know if he's doing alright… I've never been so emotionally strained in my life, but I have to stay strong for Ron and Harry. But if Harry doesn't go to Voldemort we'll all be dead. I know he'll go. I'm on the verge of a breakdown… But I know I have to stay strong.

"It'll be okay… Everything will be okay…" She mumbled to Ron. Hearing footsteps on the stairs and turned. Harry was walking towards them, a look of grim determination plastered on his face. "Ron… it's Harry."

He wiped his eyes and stood on shaky legs. Hermione rose to her feet as well and took a few steps towards Harry. "Harry… a-are you going?"

"I have to, don't I? I'm the only one who can stop him…"

"He'll kill you… You know he will." She whispered.

"But I have to do something… or at least try… I have to."

Hermione pulled him into a tight hug, "Please… we can't lose you right now."

Harry just smiled sadly. "Are you doing okay, Ron?"

"Y-yeah… As okay as I can be… I- I guess." He blinked back more tears and wrapped his arms around Harry and Hermione. They stood there until Harry pulled away and nodded to himself.

"I've got to go. I have to do this." And with that, he left. Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. I hope he comes back alive…

"…You have until midnight."

Draco pushed past a group of scared looking first years as he descended the stairs. A chill rippled down his spine upon hearing the Dark Lords warning. He slipped down an abandoned corridor and caught his breath. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He muttered to himself between deep breaths, "Oh god… I can't believe this is happening… This war needs to be over…" He shivered, reliving the moment of Crabbe's death. "I don't want to lose anyone else tonight…"

Once he calmed himself down enough he nodded slowly to himself, "I've got to find Hermione…"

As he quickly made his way back to the Grand Staircase he saw Neville Longbottom sitting next to a blonde girl. "Longbottom!" Neville looked up and scowled. "Look, I'm not going to do anything to you… I just have to find Hermione… Do you know where she is?"

"Why do you care, Malfoy?" He said sounding uncharacteristically brave.

"I just have to find her… please tell me where she is." He pleaded softly.

"Well… I don't know where she is, sorry." Neville's tone softened slightly.

The blonde girl, who Draco realized was Luna Lovegood, spoke in a dreamy voice, "I believe she's with Ronald Weasley. His brother just died and I think he needs a friend right now."

"Where is she?" Draco asked again.

"I can't be sure…" She slowly stood and tapped her finger against her chin. "I think I saw her in the Great Hall last…"

"That's good enough for me... Thanks." He turned and started to run down to the Great Hall. He pushed by groups of upset looking students, an anxious tension written on their faces. As Draco approached the Entrance Hall, the crowds thinned. He slowed his pace, trying to calm his nerves.

The Entrance Hall was deserted, except for two figures seated at the foot of the stairs. It was Hermione, her arms were wrapped around Ron Weasley's shoulders. A twinge of jealously shot through Draco's chest. Calm down Draco. She's just comforting her friend. Loony Lovegood said his brother died. I just wish I could be in his place right now… Maybe I'm being selfish…

Draco bit his lip and walked down the stairs. Hermione heard his footsteps and turned to see who they belonged to. A smile played at the corners of her lips and she whispered something to Ron. He nodded slowly and stood. Hermione said something else that Draco couldn't make out and Ron smiled slightly. He pulled Hermione up and tightly hugged her before walking in the direction of the Great Hall.

Hermione ran up the stairs and flung her arms around Draco's neck. He pulled her closer and placed a kiss on the top of her head. She looked up at him with tears slowly running down her cheeks. He cupped her chin and caressed her lip with his thumb. "Oh, Hermione… What's wrong?"

"I'm just afraid I'll lose you… Too many people have died and…" She shook her head. "I'm sorry…."

"No… Don't be. I don't know what I'd do if you… if you died…" He shivered and held her tighter. "After this war is over... No matter which side wins…"

"Yeah?" She bit her lip.

He looked away, "I know we're young… I mean we're only seventeen, right? I'm probably too young to even consider this…" He laughed nervously.

"Draco? A-are you saying…?" Her eyes widened.

"Yeah…" He sunk down to his knee, an awkward feat because of the stairs. Taking her hand and smiling, he said, "Hermione, I love you so much… And after this war is over… I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, will you, Hermione Jean Granger, marry me?"

She nodded and smiled widely. "Of course I will, Draco."

He stood at kissed her passionately. "I'll get you a ring when all this is over… That way, it'll feel more official."

"I still have the ring you gave me last year… we can use that." She pulled the chain it resided on over her head and undid the clasp. She slipped the ring off of the chain and placed onto Draco's palm. "I suppose you'll want to do this part."

He laughed and slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her hand. "I love you."

"And I love you." She hugged him tightly.

Voldemort's voice boomed across the castle again, "Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as well every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before him, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."

Hermione let out a small sob and cried against Draco's chest. He muttered soothing words, trying to calm her down. People were coming down the stairs and out of the Great Hall, buzzing with confusion. However, nobody came outside into the courtyard.

The doors to the Entrance Hall opened. Voldemort strode in followed by a group of Death Eaters and Hagrid. In his arms was the lifeless body of Harry Potter.

Authors Note: Hey there! Sorry this chapter took so long… But here it is! First off I want to note that the italicized Voldemort quotes are from the book. I didn't write those. I'm not trying to steal or have some kind of copyright infringement… I just wanted to make it accurate. Anyways, I've got a few more things to tie up in this particular fic… and then afterwards I have decided to continue with this story line and write a shorter "after the war" follow up type thing. So yeah….
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! :) Thanks for reading!