I accidently uploaded the unedited version of this last night, without the author's note or any grammar corrections. Oops. So if you got another update it is not a few chapter.

I really can't believe I left this so long, I am so sorry for the wait. I've just been really busy and honestly don't have much time left for writing. But I will get this finished, it will just take me longer to update. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up by before Christmas.

I spent ages on this and really hope it turned out well, so let me know what you think:)

Also, a huge thanks to my brilliant new beta, PF2724 who was amazing getting this chapter ready.

Unsigned Reviews:

Chavi: Thanks so much, I really appreciate all of the feedback. Especially when it is so nice and amazing! I'm really glad you liked Ron, I always find him the hardest to write and it's great that you think I'm doing a good enough job. I am sorry for how long this had taken though, I feel terrible but I just haven't had the chance to write.

Guest: Thanks so much, I am so sorry for the wait with this though:(

Alice: Thank you so so so much, your review was amazing to read and I am just so thankful that you are enjoying my story. I really adore Nate, I love to write him because he's just so fun and sweet so I am so happy that you like that element of the story. Thanks again.

Guest: I am sorry that I didn't update sooner, things have just been really hectic and I genuinely haven't had the chance. But thank you so much for taking the time to read and review my story.

Jo: Thanks so much! I'm so happy you liked it, although I am super sorry that I didn't update sooner. I know how annoying it is when writers don't but I really am sorry.

A Team: Wow, thanks so much for that review, that was so great to read and I really hope that you like the rest of the story. Thank you.

Chapter 24

Her eyes remained fixed on him. It was impossible to tear her gaze away from her target. She could see him now; see him so openly oppose them. She could see him long for their deaths. She felt an intense fire of hatred growing inside her. Its flames surrounded her, drawing her in until she was completely submerged. But she didn't lose sight of him. She was thinking clearly, many would doubt that, but she was.

The moment her eyes had connected with his it was like reality had come crashing down around her. She knew that it was him, he was the only logical person it could be. But there was something different about actually seeing him. Seeing that he was responsible for all the pain. A part of her didn't believe it before. She had been waiting on some other solution to come, a reason for what he was doing. Something that made it right. But when their eyes had met, she saw that it was him. Completely him. Yet someone she didn't know.

She blasted one of his followers out of her way effortlessly, not pausing to look at him. She rushed on, determined to follow Ryan. She knew that she was playing into his hands. He wanted her to follow him and make a mistake. But he was wrong. She had never felt so focused before. She knew that this was the end.

Battle cries filled the air, sounds she was only too familiar with, but she paid them no heed. She drowned out all the sounds around her. The flashes of light were straining her eyes but she ignored them as best she could.

Something clawed relentlessly at her ankle, looking down she saw a man staring up at her. His wand was raised, about to pounce but she was quicker.

"Stupefy!" She roared.

She bound him quickly, watching in satisfaction as his smirk faded to be replaced with a look of pure anger. Anger at being bested. She was about to take off again, about to rush ahead when she stopped. She looked at him, his face frozen in shock.

She knew him.

The realisation stumped her and she couldn't see why. She knew that it was them. Who else would know the Suffocating spell? But, like with Ryan, there was something so much more piercing about seeing it with her own eyes. This was the man who had killed Suzanne Grimshaw, the first person on her team she had watched die. The first time she had saw the Suffocating spell end a life. She was suddenly taken with the idea of delivering a swift kick to his head, or stomach or anywhere else on his body. For half a second, she almost did. But she controlled herself in time. What would be the point? It may make her feel better but would it help Suzanne? No, it wouldn't.

She sent the man away with a portkey, sending him to the ministry. An odd feeling of empty satisfaction settled in her stomach. That was justice right? Seeing someone who had committed such a crime caught? And it was fitting. After all these years, the first person she had actually caught was him. She had pledged to get him after all, when she watched Suzanne take her last breath.

But why did she feel like it wasn't enough? That it would never be enough. That what they had took was lost forever.

"Hermione!"

She lurched forward at the sound of her name. Sending Nate an appreciate smile for breaking her trance, she looked up in time to see someone rushing towards her and, half a second too late, she realised it was one of them. His wand was pointed in her face, almost touching her nose as he sped to a stop in front of her.

The man smiled in a twisted way, he opened his mouth to speak but she blasted him out of her immediate area. An ominous cracking sound filled the air as the man whimpered in pain.

"Fucking bitch." He growled, trying to get back on his feet but groaning in anguish.

Hermione took a couple of steps forward, raising her wand to bind him when he ground out.

"Diffindo."

Her side seared in sheer agony as the flesh ripped harshly apart and her hands flew to her stomach to try and stop the bleeding. Exhaling with a grunt, she swallowed down the cry of surprise that almost escaped her throat. She pointed her wand at him, panicking slightly as the ground spun and she couldn't steady her hand. She vision began to swim before her, the mucky ground and murky sky blending before her.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Her attacker fell, his body stiff with shock suspended on his face. World still spinning, but with her wand firmly in place, she pivoted to find out who had cast the spell. Her sore body relaxed as she saw Ron coming towards her, speeding to a stop as his eyes fixated on the dark red patch of her t-shirt.

"What happened?" He demanded.

Hermione closed her eyes briefly as a wave of pain and nausea swept through her. She felt Ron's hand grasp her arms to steady her as she placed her on the crooks of his elbows. She wanted to stop. Her body was begging her to stop. She swayed slightly but pushed her eyes open.

"It's a – a slice, can…can you heal it?" She exhaled.

Ron gave her a helpless look,

"I don't know," He fretted doubtfully, "My healing spells are bad…I might make this worse. Maybe…maybe you should go back to the house. We – we can handle this."

"Ron…try – please"

With her plea ending in a painful intake of breath she could see his resolve strengthen. Stepping back but taking a hold of one of her hands to steady her. He pointed his wand at the crimson stain on her stomach.

She almost wished he had given her a warning when the spell hit her side. Instantly, she felt her skin being jammed together. The pain was excruciating and she knew that she was clenching his hand much too hard but Ron didn't complain. She could actually feel that her side was being stuck back together but the shooting pain told her that maybe it didn't fit as well as it was supposed to anymore. Morbidly, she was reminded of when her mother would sew together a hole in her clothes that never quite looked right again.

"Hermione!"

She opened her eyes, wondering briefly when they had drifted shut, and smiled reassuringly at him. He opened his mouth to speak but her mind couldn't connect the words he was saying. Instead, her eyes fixed on the bright yellow light speeding towards them.

A scream tore from her throat in warning as her body automatically sprung to action. She shoved herself forward, throwing her weight to make up for her lack of strength, and felt herself flop onto the ground. Her spinning head didn't stop her from desperately searching her surroundings. She almost smiled in relief to see that she had successfully shoved Ron over.

The ground dug into her fresh wound but she didn't pay it attention as her eyes watched the beam of yellow disappear into the air. Beside her, Ron too had his eyes fixed on the place where the spell had aimed. Her heart pounded rapidly, adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins. As their eyes met again, the implication of what had almost happened was clear. She took a couple of deep, gasping breaths to regain her composure. It was too close. For a second, she was paralysed with the weight of what could have been.

"We need to get moving." She said determinedly, pushing herself up off the ground and forcing her thoughts to stay on the scene before them.

It was hard to recognise the Burrow. The acres of beautiful land seemed to be ruined forever with the presence such brutal fighting. The sky was painted a bleak grey and spotting droplets of water onto them all. The wet mud was splashing up and down with each thump to the ground. The air was thick was tension. Reality told them all that this was so much more than a battle. This was the War. Today there would be one winner and one loser. People were dropping to the ground everywhere she turned and Hermione could do nothing but pray that it was her team who won.

Ron nodded, reaching out a hand to pull her up,

"Come on." He said, looking around for immediate threats, "I think he went this way."

He gestured forward in the direction she had been running before. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the fighting all around her to find her team. There were dark black cloaks everywhere, flashing her mind back to the war and Death Eaters, but she could see that her team were holding strong. She allowed herself a quick breath of relief when she could locate almost all of her them. It was only Jake she couldn't see but she knew that he was probably just out of sight. That's what she told herself anyway.

She turned back to Ron, following him as he began to run at top speed. She pushed down the familiar feeling of fear when she saw Nate and Harry surrounded by four of Ryan's men. Pointing her wand, she sped towards them and fired the first spell that came to her mind,

"Stupefy!"

"Impedimenta!"

Ron's spell was half a second behind hers as he reached Nate and Harry first. Both spells hit their target to her relief.

Instantly, Nate began to tie them up. Harry clamped both their shoulders in thanks as he successfully took down his own opponent with the ease only a trained auror had.

Harry turned to her, "Is everyone doing ok?"

"I think so," Hermione told him honestly, "We haven't found Ryan yet though. I lost him back there and I don't know where he's gone now."

Hermione watched as the portkey transferred the men to the ministry. She smiled over at Ron and Harry, feeling more hopeful now than ever. She felt that they would win this. For so long, she had been telling her team that in their battles the goal was to survive. But not today.

Ryan was slipping. They had predicted his attack. His men were falling around him and the trio had the advantage of territory.

Ron gestured for them to start moving again, "We'll get him. There's no way he's going to run off now, he knows he's not going to have another chance like this."

Harry nodded, "Let's stay close together, right? We know who he's going to be targeting."

Harry was looking at her when he said this, making sure she understood his meaning. She nodded softly, her eyes traveling to Ron and thinking about the note that seemed so long ago now. She wouldn't let anything happen. They had made it this far. She would not allow everything to be for nothing. Ryan wouldn't get near Ron.

"Listen, Hermione," Nate said, walking towards them, "I'm going to go out further back, Ally and Neville look like they're struggling. You guys ok?"

Hermione nodded her consent immediately, her eyes scanning the grounds worriedly for Ally and Neville. They must have moved away from the house because she couldn't see them.

"Good idea, mate." Ron agreed as he and Harry began to move away in the opposite direction to Nate.

Hermione hesitated slightly, "Be careful, right?"

"Of course. Always am." Nate grinned.

Hermione rolled her eyes slightly before walking back to Ron and Harry who had stopped to wait for her. She found herself running forward, with one of them on either side of her. Effortlessly, they fell back into their old habits. Harry disarmed, Ron protected and Hermione attacked. Their familiar presence, on either side of her, left Hermione feeling a chilling sense of Déjà vu. She only prayed that this battle would have the same outcome as all the others. That they could defeat this opponent, too. As long as neither boy was hurt.

oo00OO00oo

Jake grunted as he bent down, resting his hands on his knees for support as he tried to regain his breath. He barely registered the string of curse words that spewed from his mouth. His attacker seemed persistent, recovering quickly. Jake's eyes watched the man's feet come into his line of vision. Careful not to show any signs of awareness, Jake kept his head low.

Thump!

The sound of his fist meeting its mark caused even Jake to flinch in empathy but not quite sympathy. He grinned in vindictive satisfaction as the man doubled over in pain. Spitting blood from his mouth, Jake cast a quick body bind on the man but not before delivering a kick to the man's stomach for good measure.

He was sure that it was impossible, but Jake liked to think that he saw the man's eyes fill with pain as he did so.

"Azkaban for you now." He told his attacker smugly.

He had already moved on by the time that his opponent was transported. Jake ran through the vast field he was in, aiming spells and punches at anyone he could reach. Screeching voices filled his ears which contrasted with the low groans of pain that seemed to come from all directions. He was moving so fast that the ground beneath seemed to bounce with each slap of his foot to the ground.

He watched in fury as one of their cloaked opponents tried to slink away into the darkness of the trees unnoticed. Changing direction swiftly, he followed the cowardly excuse for a human being into the thick forest. He took a moment to process the surprise that the Weasley's had a forest on their grounds before continuing his pursuit of the person.

He moved as swiftly as he could, his eagerness to catch up outweighed by his desire to keep the element of surprise. Fleetingly, Jake wondered why he was bothering to follow this guy. He could be wasting time and strategically it was the wrong move. He couldn't explain why but his instinct was telling him to keep going.

Coming out onto a clearing of sort, Jake could see his target clearly. The back was turned but he was clearly male. He could only watch in confusion as the man began twirling his wand in a circular motion and calling out a chant of sorts.

Jake's eyes widened, in surprise, as he realised what the man was trying to do. The bastard was removing the anti-apparation wards. He was trying to make them escape. In his fury, Jake almost overlooked what method he was using. Theirs. He himself had been there the day Jonathan and Martin altered the common method. This was Ryan. Only Ryan would know how to perform the exact wand movements.

He stumbled backwards at the revelation. Leaves beneath his feet crunched and he hit his fist hard against his thigh in frustration. So much for the element of surprise. Ryan slowly turned but Jake was ready. He had his wand level with the man's face, despite their distance. Jake wasn't worried about that though, they both knew who had the best aim.

Face to face, looking into the eyes of someone he had known and trusted, it felt like a punch to the gut. It was so much worse. At work, he could pretend that it didn't matter what Hermione said – it wasn't Ryan. He could pretend that, in reality, Ryan wasn't really capable of hurting them.

But now, that was gone. Jake could see it in Ryan's eyes. He hadn't just lost control, he had lost everything. He was crazed.

"Jake."

Ryan began to move forward, as if to embrace him. As if they were still comrades. Jake shook his head in warning,

"Don't come near me." He growled, "You disgust me."

Ryan laughed, "What? You're going to kill me?"

His wand twitched in his hand and he watched Ryan smirk at the sight. His jaw clenched in anger but he refused to answer Ryan. He didn't know if it was because he wouldn't be able to kill the man or if he was scared that he would. Surreptitiously, he scanned his immediate surroundings again. He could hear the thumping sounds of the nearby battle, the ground felt like it was actually vibrating with the spells that were no doubt being cast. He wouldn't be able to send a message to anyone; it would distract them from the fighting.

His vain side wanted to outright attack Ryan. He wouldn't lie, Jake fancied his own chances against the freak. But he knew that it wouldn't be worth it if he screwed up and Ryan got away again. He couldn't bear the ear lashing he would get from everyone else. Strategically, it wasn't the best move for anyone. But looking at this guy who had practically been his brother, Jake knew he would be capable of killing him.

Jake ignored his question,

"We mourned for you."

Under normal circumstances, Jake would scoff at saying that to another guy but now, he couldn't turn his glare away from Ryan. He was begging him, begging him to give him a reason. But he wasn't an idiot. The Ryan they mourned was an act. This person was a monster. A damaged freak who killed his own mother and was determined to drag everyone else down with him.

"Let's not lie, Jake." Ryan sneered, "We always got over deaths pretty quickly didn't we? No one grieved long in that hole."

Jake snapped, he threw his arm forward and it emitted complete power, no spell even used – only sheer rage. Ryan stumbled backwards in shock at the force of the spell. His expression quickly changed, scrunching up in deadly fury.

"Don't you dare! Don't you fucking dare!" Jake growled.

His voice broke as he advanced threateningly on his former friend. Ryan pointed his wand back at Jake, his expression serious for the first time. Jake couldn't stop the anger radiating from him. Because, God knew, he grieved. He watched as the grief destroyed all of them. For all of the mistakes they had made, for everything he knew they had messed up, Jake was certain that no one had mourned like his team.

"Don't you dare pretend that you are anything like us! That you know what we felt. Because you don't. You – you are a monster!" He bellowed, "You don't feel. You don't know anything about what it's like to grieve for someone! You selfish bastard! You are nothing but a bloody traitor!"

Moving slowly and keeping his eye fixed only on Ryan, Jake continued his advance. To his bewilderment, Ryan's unsure expression faded as serenity took its place on Ryan's feature. He began to retreat.

Jake narrowed his eyes, unsure of his plan.

"So do it." Ryan taunted cockily, "Kill me."

Before Jake could react, Ryan shouted out again,

"Protego!"

The shield was up half a second before Jake's stunning spell bounced off it. Jake swore loudly, wondering if Ryan topped the list of the many people he hated.

"Go on," Ryan said snidely, "You always suggested that if we have a clear shot, we should take it. Of course, no one ever seemed to listen to you, right Jake? You and me? We were ignored. She decided everything. Just think, we wouldn't even be in this mess if we had just aimed to kill. Like you always wanted."

"I didn't want to kill anyone, Ryan. That was you." Jake said strongly.

He wouldn't let this asshole get under his skin. Not now. They were nothing alike. But he couldn't help the nagging voice at the back of his mind that told him something else. He and Ryan had always been close. For a long time, Ryan was the only person he even talked to in the group. What kind of person did that make Jake?

As if reading his mind, Ryan smiled, "Well, you weren't opposed."

Jake clenched his jaw in anger but his wand didn't shake. Ryan stopped in his retreat to meet his eyes steadily,

"Don't worry, Jake. I got a few of them for you."

Shock hit him like ice down his back, he stumbled back a little in revulsion. Unwillingly, images began to form in his mind of Ryan killing those people. For him. And maybe they deserved it, but was it Ryan's call? Or his?

Jake shook his head, "You're sick. You are a sick bastard."

"You're not going to take the shot then?" Ryan sneered, "Maybe I was wrong about you after all. Come on, Jake. One spell will get past this, only one. Take it and be the hero. Or just stay the coward you are."

"I'm not like you!" Jake shouted with certainty.

Ryan turned his head to the side, surveying him before his lips curled slightly in a manner that told Jake he was confident. Ryan thought he had the winning ticket.

"That was what Francesca always thought, right?" Ryan ridiculed remorselessly.

Jake froze; he clenched his fists in outrage but managed to stop himself from flinching. That hurt. That was low, even for what Ryan was obviously capable of. For a second too long, Jake remained silent. His shock at hearing that name, from him, had stopped his brain from functioning. Fleetingly, he thought she might be pleased with that reaction.

Jake took a deep breath, "Don't go there, Ryan. I'm fucking warning you!"

Knowing he had him, Ryan merely smiled and resumed his retreat. Cocking his head to the side, he smiled mercilessly at Ryan.

"Always ready to talk the talk…but you could never take the shot."

Without thinking, without pausing, Jake flung his arm outwards. His wrath erupted against his will, leaving Jake to feel nothing but panicked fury as his mouth unleashed ferocious words that Jake didn't think he would be capable of. He felt the unforgivable green spell that flew from his lips take a part of him with it as it sped across the forest floor towards its equally surprised target.

Oo00OO00oo

Ginny cradled her stomach a little too tightly as she watched from the crooked window of her childhood bedroom. She knew she should probably turn away, as her mother had begged her to many times, but she could only watch in morbid fascination as the dance outside continued. She could see no clear winner, no one overpowering the other. In a way, she supposed that told her who was winning. But it was close.

Someone thudding up the stairs pulled her eyes away from the scene below her. Instinctively, she drew her wand and aimed it at the door of the room. She nodded at her mother and Fleur who shuffled the children behind them in the corner. The poor things looked terrified but what could be done?

She saw she wasn't the only one to have drawn her wand. Her father, Bill, Luna, George and Angelina were matching her defensive stance effortlessly with Percy and Audrey standing behind the door, waiting to pounce. The sight would have been funny to her if she wasn't so worried about who could be coming in the door.

The hinges rocked as the door was thrown open unceremoniously, with her spell on her lips only Luna stopped the onslaught,

"NO! It's Neville!" She called.

Ginny's body sagged with relief, not even bothering to question how Luna had said that a couple of seconds before she could have actually known. It was Luna's provocative to know things like that. Sure enough, Neville had bounded clumsily into the room.

His face was smeared with blood and dirt, sweat drenching his clothes and giving the overall impression that he had been walking in the rain. His face was covered in some small cuts but nothing severe.

"We…we - need help…" Neville gasped out.

Ginny almost scoffed at how all of her brothers seemed to square their shoulders at the announcement.

"We can help." George nodded, "Me, Dad and Bill. Right guys?"

Angelina rolled her eyes, "And, you know, other people who aren't male. I don't see the difference between having a man down there than a woman, dear husband."

George was about to retort, likely to point out exactly what the difference was between men and women, but Neville began shaking his head as he tried to catch his breath to speak,

"No – no…we need healing – someone to heal." He exhaled, "Someone's hurt."

Ginny's heart clenched painfully in her chest, her mind automatically going to her husband and brother. And Hermione. Surely they would be fine, right? She had been watching. She had just seen them.

"Who?" Her mother demanded in a tone that required an answer.

Neville shook his head, "No, no…it's one of Hermione's team."

Ginny tried to stop the relief she was feeling as the guilt in her heart made her squirm. She should not feel relieved.

"It's pretty bad, we need help now. Luna, we need you to help." He seemed to have finally regained his breath but it didn't make up for his lack of composure.

Ginny spoke up, "What happened?"

Neville ran his hands through his hair, "It just came out of nowhere – I've never seen anything like it before…it was yellow – Luna, we really need you."

Luna nodded almost absentmindedly. Without saying a word, she began to step towards the door and gestured for Neville to follow.

"Wait!" Ginny called, "I'm coming!"

Her mother balked, "You most certainly are not."

Ginny ignored her, stepping towards the door. Bill and George stepped in front of her, attempting to block her from leaving. "You are wasting time!" She shouted angrily, "There is someone dying down there. My husband is out there! Luna needs help anyway."

"Your mother's right, Gin." Her dad said firmly, yet sympathetic, "Think about your baby. Someone else can go."

She filched at the accusation that she didn't care about her child. But she wouldn't back down. For Merlin's sake, she wasn't suggesting that she join the battle. She just felt it was her duty to help the injured person. Maybe it would make up for her selfish relief that it wasn't one of her family hurt.

"Who? One of you, with your terrified children in this room?" She snapped, daring her brothers to contradict her.

"She can stay inside the wards." Neville told them, obviously losing patience, "She knows more about healing than everyone except Luna anyway."

George rolled his eyes, "That's not exactly a lot anyway."

"She's dying, George." Neville said evenly, meeting her brother's eyes with a hard look. "Do you want that on your conscience? Luna and Ginny can help…you know I'll look after them."

Reluctantly, as she could tell, her brothers stood away from the door. George grabbed her hand as she passed, squeezing it for comfort. She smiled sadly at him, silently promising that she would be fine. She wished that her family would be able to put this kind of thing in the past. She hated this feeling. Battles brought death.

As they raced down the stairs, even Ginny began to doubt what she was doing. Did she really want to get involved in any of this? Could she even help? She had learned a lot in healing during her final year when she thought she would pursue it as a back-up to Quidditch but would that help? She supposed that didn't really matter. If there was a chance she could help, how could she not? What kind of person would she be?

Still, she was unsure.

"We aren't exactly qualified for this, Luna." She reminded her friend as they passed through the kitchen.

"You'd be surprised what you can learn in a battle." Luna told her ominously.

Ginny had begun to smile at her friend's serene comment but it quickly vanished when she arrived outside. The sounds of battle were so much more piercing outside, un-muffled by the glass of her window. Chaos. It really was the only thing to describe what she could see. The screams and yells around her told her that this fighting was vicious.

"Come on," Neville shouted, so they could hear, "They haven't got inside the wards yet so we're safe here."

He began running forwards and it didn't take Ginny long to see why. She stopped, unable to move but unable to stop looking either. There, in the middle of her back garden, was the ghastly sight of a body on the ground. She recognised her instantly. Long blond hair shining in the wind, it was easy to tell who she was. Beth was her name, Harry had told Ginny about her. She was lying on her back, her back arching in agony as a man beside her clutched her hand.

Dropping to her knees beside the girl, Ginny pulled her hair away from her woman's face as she convulsed on the ground. The constant thuds of her body against the ground were harrowing. Ginny felt tears prick her eyes as Beth struggled to gasp in breath. The poor woman couldn't breathe.

"What happened?" She asked.

The man shook his head, "I don't know. She was hit by their spell – it suffocates you. But…but I don't see how she's…how she's still alive."

His final words came out in a whisper and Ginny didn't have the heart to point out that Beth was barely conscious and wouldn't know what he was saying anyway. She squeezed his hand, vaguely recognising him as Martin – an auror who was there when Ron and Harry were training. In normal circumstances, she might have been shocked to see him in Hermione's team.

She turned to Luna, "What can we do?"

Luna shook her head, Ginny watched as she cast her wand over Beth and cast a couple of basic spells. They appeared to have no effect; it really was like there was a blanket over Beth's face preventing her from breathing.

"Nothing." Luna practically whispered, "I have never seen anything like this."

"There must be something we can do!"

Martin shook his head, tears in his eyes, "No…no – there isn't. We…we tried everything before."

Ginny closed her eyes, unable to watch the girl writhe in pain. Why was the world so cruel sometimes? If death was inevitable why was it taking so long?

As if readying her mind, Luna suggested softly,

"Perhaps it would be kinder to stun her."

"N-o! No…no," Beth choked, "Please."

Ginny's heart broke at the tears streaming down her face. Even though she was looking at Martin, Ginny nodded anyway. How could she deny this? Luna looked doubtful, always opposed to seeing someone in pain but Ginny understood. If she was going to die, Beth wanted to really be here for her last few minutes.

"Beth!"

The heartbroken cry somehow managed to reach her ears over the horrific noise of the fighting. Looking away from Beth, Ginny could see Hermione's partner devastated expression. He was running forwards, not even looking around him, trying to get to the wards. Ginny flinched as she noticed the cloaked figures taking advantage of his distraction – circling him.

Hermione and her brother appeared beside him, running out from behind some trees. Ginny breathed a tiny sigh of relief as they managed to surround him. They flanked him, fighting off opponents, as he continued to run to Beth.

Finally at the wards, Hermione and Ron easily slid into the Burrow's protection. All the sounds of battle, all of the fighting, all of the battle seemed to fade away as Nate reached the wards. Somehow, Ginny felt like a pin could be heard dropping as she watched Nate's face crumble in sheer agony at the realisation that he couldn't get in.

Only Weasleys, or family, were able to pass into the wards so easily. Like Nate and Beth found out earlier, it was more complicated for other people. Vaguely, she wondered how Beth and Martin were inside the wards

Tears pooled in Ginny's eyes as Beth began to whimper. She could see him. She was calling for him. Nate's eyes were fixed on her as he came to a standstill. Even from so far away, Ginny could see the devastation and grief in his eyes.

"Is it that spell?" He roared, his voice thick and hoarse.

Martin stood up, "Nate…I'm so sorry-"

His scream of heart-breaking pain seemed to shatter the air, she wondered how the fighting had not ceased. Surely the devastation reeling off the poor man was enough to attract the attention of everyone outside? She had never seen so many heart-wrenching emotions cross a person's face before but she could see the emotion it stopped on. Rage. Even with tears rolling down his cheeks, the man looked terrifying in that second.

"I'm going to kill him!" He swore. "I'm going to fucking kill him!"

Hermione shouted, "No! Nate, come on! Stay here…you have to stay here!"

Nate shook his head and his meaning was clear, he couldn't stay and watch her die. Not when he couldn't even hold her hand, talk to her or sit beside her. Ginny wanted to shout to him that they would get him inside the wards eventually. That she shouldn't rush off and do anything stupid. But he had lost it, he wasn't in control anymore and Ginny found herself frozen.

"Stay with her." Nate pleaded, looking only at Hermione.

She shook her head, "Nate-"

"Stay with her, Hermione!"

Ginny saw Hermione take a step forward to Nate, she screamed for him, desperately pleading or him to come back as he ran away. For a second, Ginny thought Hermione would follow him. But at that moment, Beth started to whimper again,

"N-Nate…"

Ginny moved back slightly, allowing Hermione to take her place beside Beth. Hermione grasped her hand tightly and the tears were evident on her face.

"Beth…Beth – I'm so sorry."

With both her hands surrounding one of Beth's, Hermione began to rock backwards and forwards,

"Come on Beth…come on – you'll be fine."

Her broken ramblings seemed to upset Beth more, the woman's choking sounds were becoming louder and louder and Ginny tried not to notice the blood that had rushed rapidly to Beth's head. She had never seen such a horrid, cruel spell before and, for the second time; she prayed that death would be given quickly to the woman.

Beth used all the strength she had to pull Hermione closer, tears streamed down the faces of both women as Beth struggled to find her voice. Hermione let out a small, almost inaudible sob as she brushed the hair away from Beth's soaking face.

"P-please…don't die, Beth." Hermione whispered, her voice vulnerable, "Not you too…please, Beth."

Ginny shared a helpless look with Ron. He looked so unsure of himself and Ginny could understand. With Hermione and Martin crowded around their dying friend, they felt like intruders in some ways. Ron was rubbing Hermione's back in an obvious attempt to sooth her but it was a fruitless attempt. Still, he persisted.

"I-I love…you – all." Beth stammered hoarsely, her frantic eyes traveling between Martin and Hermione.

Martin grabbed her free hand, "We love you too honey. It's…it's going to be fine – just stay with us, yeah?"

"Beth," Luna said gently, "was there something blocking the spell you were hit with? I have to ask because it's been my experience that, rather unfortunately, it does not usually take this long for someone to suffocate."

Ginny looked at Luna incredulously, trying to warn her that this wasn't the time to ask questions. Beth looked confused but she was in too much pain to really take in what she was saying. Hermione, to Ginny's surprise, looked up immediately with renewed focus on her face,

"You think there was something blocking it?"

Luna nodded simply, her eyes watching Beth for an answer.

"W-wards," Beth whispered softly, her heaving becoming more panicked now.

Martin nodded, "We were inside the wards…I didn't think – I didn't think it would be able to get through them."

Using what appeared to be the last of her strength; Beth took her other hand away from Martin and grasped Hermione's hand with both of hers. With tears of agony pooling in her eyes, and her desperate panting, Beth struggled to form words but she was determined.

"F-find…N-nate…"

Hermione wiped a lone tear that slipped from her eyes and Ginny had to turn her head away to mask her own tears. She hated the injustice of the whole situation. This woman had survived years of these battles, only to fall in this one. The final one. Because it would have to be the final one, how could they actually fight again after this? How did they before? She didn't even know this woman, but seeing her at death's door like this left Ginny feeling hopeless. Like the world had been sucked of life. How was it fair?

Hermione shook her head, her voice thick with emotion, "He'll…he'll be fine – you know that. Let's just…let's just focus on you for now…ok?"

Beth's chest bounced up and down erratically, each frantic attempt of getting air too her lungs sounding as a painful cry but still, she managed to shake her head with firmness. Her eyes were filled with resolution as she looked up at her friend,

"F-for me…"

Hermione turned her head away, closing her eyes tightly as the tears began to pound down her face and her hands shook uncontrollably. She shook her head at Beth, silently begging her not to make her leave. Ginny could see how torn she was. Her need to give Beth her dying wish and her heartfelt need to be there with Beth when she passed were in direct conflict.

"Please." Beth begged.

Perhaps it was the clarity in that one word that made up her mind. The desperation. Hermione bent forwards, her head beside Beth's ear as she whispered something to her in a hushed tone. Ginny watched as Beth's eyes closed in pain at having to say goodbye but when Hermione began to stand up, she smiled.

"Me too. Like sisters." She told her with unmistakable warmth in her tone.

Hermione closed her eyes as her body shook with the strain of repressing sobs. She looked like she couldn't physically leave. Ginny couldn't blame her.

"We will look after her." Luna said softly while Ginny nodded vigorously in agreement.

For the first time, Ginny met Hermione's eyes. Despite all the unresolved matters between them, Ginny made a silent and honest promise to look after her friend. To stay with her. Nodding painfully, Hermione began to slowly back away.

"I'm going with her," Ron said to Ginny.

Perhaps he was expecting her to argue bit she couldn't. She nodded at him. She hoped they would find Nate before he got himself in bother. She hoped they would be able to provide this poor girl peace of mind. Surprisingly, Ron leant over to speak to Beth. He grasped her hand as she smiled wetly up at him,

"Look after them." She implored softly.

Ron squeezed her hand slightly as he told her earnestly, "I promise."

He squeezed Martin on the shoulder as he went to join Hermione, nodding at Ginny. She didn't have to ask who they were talking about. Ron and Hermione left the safety of the wards, Hermione looking back tearfully at her friend, desperately clutching at the hope that she would pull through. Ginny lost them almost instantly in the midst of all of the fighters. The moment was gone. The conquering sounds of battle were back and Ginny was still helpless to the dying woman beside her,

"I'll take her to St Mungos." She said resolutely.

She had asked Hermione to look after someone for her once too. Hermione had. She had done everything she could to keep that promise. No matter what was going on, Ginny would always be in her debt for that. For looking after Harry. Ginny would do everything she could to save Beth.

Trouble is her only friend and he's back again.

Makes her body older than it really is.

She says it's high time she went away,

No one's got much to say in this town.

Trouble is the only way is down.

Down, down.

As strong as you were, tender you go.

I'm watching you breathing for the last time.

A song for your heart, but when it is quiet,

I know what it means and I'll carry you home.

I'll carry you home.

If she had wings she would fly away,

And another day God will give her some.

Trouble is the only way is down.

Down, down.

As strong as you were, tender you go.

I'm watching you breathing for the last time.

A song for your heart, but when it is quiet,

I know what it means and I'll carry you home.

I'll carry you home.

And they were all born pretty in New York City tonight,

And someone's little girl was taken from the world tonight,

Under the Stars and Stripes.

As strong as you were, tender you go.

I'm watching you breathing for the last time.

A song for your heart, but when it is quiet,

I know what it means and I'll carry you home.

James Blunt, Carry You Home