Author's Note: Only three more chapters to go, then a break, and then THE SEQUEL!!!

And Kiri has decided to stay with us…HURRAY!

The list was long:

Romilda Vane: Missing

Ritchie Coote: Deceased

Cho Change: Missing

Natalie McDonald: Deceased

Andrew Kirke: Missing

Demelza Robins: Deceased

Zacharias Smith: Missing

Hannah Abbott: Deceased

Justin Flinch-Fletchley: Missing

Terry Boot: Deceased

Michael Corner: Missing

Mandy Brocklehurst: Deceased

Lisa Turpin: Missing

Millicent Bulstrode: Deceased

Malcolm Baddock: Missing

Theo Nott: Deceased

Pansy Parkinson: Missing

Graham Prichard: Deceased

Luna Lovegoode: Deceased

On and on the list went. Every house had been touched. The list of the wounded was even longer, but at least most of those were cursory physical injuries. The psychological ones would take much longer to manifest.

The morning after the attack found McGonagall blaming herself. She had written up her letter of resignation to send to the school's board of governors before dawn, after touring the damage to the buildings and visiting the hospital wing. It was only quick acting by Remus and Mad-Eyed that prevented her from quitting.

The morning after the attack found the Order, despite arriving late, still there, searching the woods for the students and faculty that remained on the "missing" list. They were starting to give up hope. And what no one wanted to verbalize was that maybe, just maybe, at least some of those listed as missing were alive and well, and now bearing tattoos on their left wrists.

The morning after found Hermione clutching Luna's now-cold hand, staring mutely out into space. She had cried all the tears she had in her, and now merely lay there, doing nothing. When Madame Pomfrey saw them, she was worried that she had lost both of them, as Hermione didn't even blink when Pomfrey began aggressively trying anything she could think of to help Luna.

"It won't work," Hermione finally whispered, "she's dead."

The morning after found Draco face to face with Ginny Weasley in the Great Hall. The students who were able were making a show of carrying on with everyday life, as though they knew it was important to retain some sense of normalcy.

"That doesn't look to bad," he said, pointing to the bandage on her upper arm.

"Nah, it hardly even stings anymore," Ginny smiled, "I'll be right as rain tomorrow. How are you?"

"Fine. Leg's mended. I haven't seen Hermione," he took a deep breath, "do you know where she is?"

"Hospital wing, last I heard," she sighed and messaged her shoulder, "I was just on my way there to see her, want to come with?"

Draco nodded silently and fell into step beside her as Ginny turned toward the doors.

The morning after found Ron blinking unhappily at the bright sunlight streaming through the windows of the 7th year boys' dorm in Gryffindor Tower. How had he gotten here? He groggily got up to see Harry standing at a window, looking out over the damage to the Quidditch pitch and the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

"The damage doesn't look as bad from up here," Ron commented over Harry's shoulder.

"We weren't ready," was Harry's stoic reply.

"Of course we weren't ready. They keep us in a perpetual state of un-readiness at this bloody school," Ron winced and rubbed his hip bone. Getting hexed into a wall hurts. "Have you been down to see Mione or Luna yet?"

"No."

"Well, that's where I'm headed. Wanna come?"

"No breakfast for you?"

Ron just stood there for a moment, staring at the back of Harry's head. Finally, his friend turned around and grinned at him.

"Oh, Christ, I died, didn't I?" Ron asked.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because the morning after finds you cracking jokes! Let's go. Maybe Hermione can riddle out what's wrong with you."

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Surprisingly, Ron entered Hermione's sectioned-off area of the hospital wing to find his sister and Malfoy already enjoying a visit. He immediately went over to hug her. His need matched hers, as Hermione held on for several moments before letting go. He kissed her forehead and hugged her again.

"You were amazing," he whispered, "I can't believe you called me like that…"

"I was useless."

"Don't say that."

"I stayed up in the Tower with Luna when everyone else was fighting."

"Well, if you want to lay guilt on yourself for that, than Ron and I are just as guilty," reasoned Harry, "since we went after you."

"Harry," Hermione breathed into Ron's chest. Her sadness was overpowering now. Ron had to put some distance between them before he could think straight, she was feeling so much.

Harry came forward to hug Hermione. She held him tight and Ron could see tears welling up in her eyes.

"What happened?" he asked suddenly.

Ginny huffed, "that's a stupid question. What didn't happen?"

"Hermione," Ron started again, putting a hand on her arm. She pulled away from Harry and looked him in the eye.

"I'm so sorry," she said to him, a hint of anguish in her tone.

"Sorry about what?" Harry asked, not liking where this was going. He heard Ron inhale sharply and Hermione's eyes darted over to him.

"No," Ron said.

"Someone had better tell me what the hell is going on right now!" Harry hated when they did this, this couple-telepathy thing that they had done even before Ron had real telepathy.

"Luna has died, Harry," Hermione said, not wanting to continue the suspense.

"I'm so sorry," she repeated.

No…no, this wasn't possible. They wouldn't go for her. He didn't love her! She wouldn't be a tool for them to use against him. She would be safe.

"No!"

"He's gonna pop!" Draco shouted, leaping out of his chair as Harry threw up all over where Draco's shoes had just been, feel to his knees, and fainted.

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When he opened his eyes again, there was a blurry brown mass in front of him. Without his moving, his eyesight cleared and he blinked when he realized that Hermione was laying on her side facing him.

"Hey," she said.

"Where am I?"

"You're lying on a bed in the hospital wing."

"What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you to wake up."

"Where is everyone else?"

"They're down by the lake. Ginny's put together a little memorial service for Luna, and the others…and don't even think about telling me you won't go," Hermione rushed to continue when she saw Harry start to make his "stubborn" face.

"I don't want to go."

"I don't care. You need to. We all need to," she closed her eyes for a moment, "there were many who were lost yesterday. Those of us who were spared need to grieve."

"You aren't going to let me out of this, are you?"

"No…I don't really even know why I am so adamant about this, I can't figure out why it's important. I just know it is."

"That doesn't sound at all like you."

"What are we going to do?" Hermione closed her eyes as the tears began to fall again. Amazingly, Harry wasn't completely terrified by her crying this time. He merely leaned forward and patted her shoulder soothingly.

"We're going to go on," he said in a voice and with words that he wasn't exactly sure were his own, "we're going to fight. And we're going to win."

"I hope so," Hermione sniffled, "I can't take much more of this."

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The group was rather diverse, although they were mostly Gryffindors. That house seemed to have come through with the most students intact. However, it was a drastically reduced group. They stood in small clumps with their housemates, those classifications seemingly more important today. Just as they were about to begin, everyone heard a noise off to the left.

Draco Malfoy approached with a scowl on his face. A small bouquet of flowers was clutched tightly in his right fist.

"What are you doing here?" Ron challenged, arms crossed in front of his chest in the position he thought was the most intimidating.

"I came to pay my respects," he replied sullenly, as though the wind had been taken out of him.

"Everyone is welcome here today," answered Hermione, giving Ron a quelling look. He dropped his arms.

The late May sun was shining brightly, in disrespect to the battle that had just taken place and the reason for the small student gathering. It was very warm with a gentle breeze. Despite the melancholy reason for being there, everyone was calm. Hermione looked around the group.

"Would anyone like to speak?"

"I kinda wish we hadn't called her 'loony,'" said Ginny, "I mean, she was strange. But it was mean."

"No," Harry spoke up suddenly, "Don't regret that. She liked it, even though she knew it was meant to be embarrassing. She said it made her feel almost famous, since she had an alias." He made a wan smile. Ginny grinned back at him reassuringly and squeezed his hand.

"I'll miss Mandy, she had a wicked sense of humor," added a Ravenclaw.

Gradually most of the people in the circle said something about someone that they had known, had lost, and would miss. Some told stories that got everyone, even Harry, laughing. The only ones who had not spoken were Draco, Ron, Hermione, and Harry.

"Luna was a great ally," said Ron finally, "she's probably the bravest person I know." He looked at Hermione.

"Draco, would you like to say something?" Hermione asked cautiously. He took a deep breath.

"This is a really shitty thing that has happened," he spat out. He paused for a moment. "And it has got to stop."

"Yes, it does," said Ron simply.

"Yes. I was with Luna when she died," Hermione said with difficulty. Harry grimaced at the sentence. "She gave me a message for Harry," she continued, looking at her friend across from her, "but I think we all need to hear it. Not everyone knows what happened to Luna and how she died; that's not important. I was with her in the hospital wing yesterday. She knew what was coming and what she said is very important. She said that the greatest weapon in Harry's arsenal is us, his friends" Hermione stopped and looked at all of them, "Harry is unbeatable because of us. Because we love him. They can harm us, they can even kill us, but that won't destroy us. But she also said that using that resource goes against Harry's nature," she turned to look at the man she had come to love as a brother, "We know the risks, Harry. We accept them. Don't shoot yourself in the foot because you want to be 'noble.' We've all seen where that leads. If we remember this day, if we work together, we'll win." Hermione closed her eyes and a few tears spilled down her cheeks. Ron hugged her to him. He looked down at her face.

"Yes, we will," he said.

People began to disperse after putting flowers on the rock. Soon the only ones who remained were Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Draco.

"Look, I know that you all don't like me," Draco said resolutely, "But there are some things that I want to get this off my chest. I know why I was chosen to go and a lot of it has to do with my father. He is a bad man, and he does bad things. He does things like this, like killing children. And as much as I may disagree with you all on a lot of things, this isn't one of them. I don't want anymore people I know getting killed just because of a disagreement. I'm sorry for your loss, Potter." He stopped at this and looked at the other boy, "it was a stupid waste and it has to stop."

He looked at the other three, turned on his heel and walked away.

"He has certainly changed," remarked Ginny.

"He's growing up," said Ron, "we all are."

Hermione looked at Harry. "You may cry now, Harry. We're all family here."

That did it. He could no longer take it. Harry dropped to the ground and began to sob. Ginny knelt down to embrace him. All the pain that he had been holding in since Sirius' death came pouring out now and there was nothing but the dirt there to catch it. Luna was right, though. They were his arsenal, and that put them in danger. And that made Harry Potter terrified.

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Hermione trudged up the stairs to the head suite. Everything seemed to take so much more energy these days. She opened the door to see Draco sitting on the couch before the fire. He didn't turn to look at her when she entered.

"Isn't it a little warm for a fire?" she asked, exhausted, by what she couldn't tell. All she seemed to do lately was sleep.

"I'm not cold," he replied dully, not making any sense.

"I'm watching it," he clarified.

"Watching it?"

"Yes."

"How's that coming?" she threw herself into the chair to Draco's right.

He finally turned to look at her, "it's really boring."

"Then why do it?"

"I've been sitting here thinking that. I was thinking that, well, I don't want to read a book, and watching the fire is really boring, so maybe I should pop in a movie and watch that, or play a video game. Hell, even listening to something on the stereo would be more entertaining."

"So why don't you?"

"Because they are all Muggle devices. Has my life changed so much that I am completely dependent on Muggle technology to entertain myself?" he shifted and produced an orange ball, which he threw at Hermione. She caught it easily.

"What is this?" she asked him.

"It's supposed to be a basketball."

"A basketball?"

"Yes, I transfigured one of your slippers," Hermione shot him a dirty look at that, "not that it did any good. It's broken."

"What's the matter with it?"

"It won't bounce."

"Oh," for some reason, Hermione found herself cradling the ball in her arms, "so I take it you are interested in basketball…"

He turned intense eyes on her, "I am utterly obsessed with it."

"So?"

"I am utterly obsessed with a sport that I have never played, that uses objects that I have never come into contact with, following rules that I have never heard. And when I tried to adapt it for myself, I failed. I couldn't even create a simple Muggle toy."

"And this upset you?"

"Yes. Living with you for eight months has changed my life to such an extent that I can hardly recognize myself some days."

"It's understandable that you would be upset by that."

"I wouldn't be surprised if this is the very reason why that crazy old maniac made me Head Boy to your Head Girl."

"Oh?"

"What better way to show me 'the error of my ways' then by showing me all that a life spiced with Muggle-ness could provide," Draco crossed his arms over his chest, "he knew that you would condition me with nudges and caresses. I would change before I even realized what was happening."

"Despite the fact that I am nauseous with you using the word 'caress' to describe something happening between us, I think you are giving me too much credit. We are all at the point in our lives where we are supposed to become the people we are going to be as adults."

"What?"

"Well, typically, after school, the later years of our teens and early years of our '20s are used to solidify the adults that we will be. I always assumed that we would all go on to university, but a pesky megalomaniac has other ideas and instead we are marching off to war. Or, at least some of us are…"

"The adults that we will be…did Malcolm talk to you?"

"He talked to all of us; you know this, Draco."

"No, I mean, did he talk to you about me?"

"There really wasn't time, between the gushing and then the telling me I wasn't wanted," Hermione made a face and then thought better of her grousing, "just out of curiosity, why do you ask?"

"Because that's what he offered me."

"Pardon?"

"The chance to become a Draco Malfoy of my own making."

"Well, who made the Draco Malfoy that you are now?"

"I have no idea who that person is, how should I know?"

"Well, who made the Draco Malfoy that you were a year ago?"

This stopped him cold. He knew, he just didn't want to say. But it wasn't a huge secret, he was pretty sure she knew anyway.

"Lucius," he finally reluctantly said.

"That's too bad," she replied pitilessly, "I wonder what a Draco Malfoy made by Draco Malfoy would be like."

"What do you think he would be like?"

"Well, I can't answer that. Only you can. I'd tell you to listen to your heart, but I'm not entirely sure you have one, so…"

"Thanks. What is this, 'beat a wounded dog' day?"

"Don't be so melodramatic. Is there any reason why I should be all sweet and sunny to you?"

"Well, you are one of the good guys, they are supposed to be stalwart and true at all times."

"Have you been reading my Fairy Tales?"

"No," he looked offended, but slightly guilty at the same time.

She smirked, "Good guys and bad guys aren't as black and white as that. Use your brain, Draco. Listen to what your intellect and logic tell you. Then you'll know what a Draco Malfoy of his own making would look like."

She got up to go into her room for yet another nap. Before she was completely through the door, she turned to face him once again.

"He might turn out to be a pretty incredible guy. If that Draco Malfoy showed up at the party, imagine what we could do…" she left him with that, closing the door quietly behind her.

Leaving Draco to just sit and resume staring at the fire.

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Malcolm-

I don't really know if this will reach you, and I don't particularly care. If I don't hear from you beforehand, I can get all the pertinent information from Potter and Weasley.

I'm in.

-DM