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One Step at a Time

Hand in Hand We March to War

Hermione was silent as she set about her task of painting the series of ancient runes required by the spell down Harry's bare arms and over his chest.

The paintbrush she was using tickled, but Harry felt no amusement, glancing at her with concern. It was to be expected she wanted to concentrate on making sure everything was correct, but Hermione normally babbled when she was nervous.

Her silence was concerning.

"Mione?" Harry asked gently.

"Shh!"

He stilled as she made a very detailed looking curl on his right bicep before trying again.

"Mione—"

"Trying to concentrate," she snapped, although the tone lacked her usual bite when she was truly angry.

"We both know you can do that with me talking."

She didn't contradict him, so he continued. "You seem upset."

"Really, Harry? I wonder why on earth that could be." She jabbed the paintbrush a little harder than necessary and Harry winced slightly.

"We all talked about this."

"Yes, we talked," she said. "That's plenty different than putting it into action." She furiously drew the rune for "love" as she spoke across his heart.

Hermione sighed then, stilling the paint brush. "What if I'm wrong?"

"You're never wrong," Harry said with a smile trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm serious," she retorted, finally meeting his eyes where he could see pooling tears forming in hers. "If I'm wrong then you'll die, Harry. You'll actually die."

"Hey," he murmured, reaching out to her, but she hurriedly backed away.

"Wet paint."

"Oh yeah."

"And I know," he said softly. "But I've already accepted it. I can't allow anyone else to be hurt or killed when I had the chance to stop him."

Quiet pervaded the room again and Hermione went back to painting the runes.

"You're something else, Harry," she said after a few moments. "I don't think there's anyone else in this world who would be willing to do something like this."

"I can think of a few," Harry said, Snape immediately coming to mind. The man he had grown to hate but now considered him a friend had already tried to volunteer in Harry's place and had pledged that should it not work, he himself would use it even knowing it for sure meant his death.

"You know what I mean," she chided.

"I have to," he said. "Everyone is counting on me, and even if they weren't and I was capable of this I would do it anyway."

"You've never thought about running away from everything?" she asked. "Just taking off to live in a different country and leave Voldemort and the Death Eaters behind?"

"Once," Harry admitted. "Back when I learned about the first prophecy. But I couldn't."

"Why?"

"Even if I were to bring all of you with me where you'd be safe too, I could never live with myself if I doomed all those other innocent people. They deserve the chance to live without Voldemort terrorizing them."

"And you? Why don't you deserve the same?" Her shoulders shook.

"We all do," Harry said gently. "We should all get to live happily. But that's not the way the world works."

"I know," she sighed. "I know. It's just... Harry, I thought we would have more time! This is too quick. It's... I can't believe it's happening right now."

"Wasn't it you telling me you were going to kick the Etaonaf's Spell's arse with the Granger?" Harry teased. "Where'd that optimism go?"

"Reality," Hermione muttered.

She drew the next symbol, nearly done now, and tried to swallow back her tears. What kind of friend was she? Harry was going to be casting a spell that could cost him his life, showing bravery that not many could attest to, and here she was belittling her friend's heroic and selfless act because she was scared. What a way to send him off to protect them all.

"I'm sorry," she sniffled, rubbing a sleeve across her face. "I'm such a wreck. Don't even think about anything I just said."

"What was it you told me?" Harry said, tipping her chin up and forcing her to look into his eyes. "That it's all right to be both scared and brave? I know you're scared, Mione. It's all right."

"I'm terrified," she corrected. "Of losing you, of losing Draco and Ginny and Ron and everyone else. Of what's going to happen when we go out there and then what happens after."

"And yet you're still going to fight," Harry pointed out. "No matter how scared, you'll go out there and do what needs to be done."

"Yes, but—"

"We're all putting our lives out there for this," Harry interrupted. "Just because your death isn't part of a prophecy doesn't make it any less frightening or mine anymore. Hell, if we're thinking optimistically with our prophecy interpretation, mine means I don't even have the chance to die. But no matter what happens out there, we're doing it to protect our friends and family and that's the only reason I need to fight."

Hermione gave a half laugh mixed with a sob, wiping her eyes again. "I'm supposed to give the pep talks."

"You're a good teacher," Harry smiled. "One of them was bound to rub off on me someday." More seriously he added, "You're one of the strongest, bravest people I know too, Mione. But it's all right to not be strong all the time. I know it's hard with how wimpy Ron and I can get, not to mention Draco—" he got a light swat for that to his head, "—but just know that we're always there for you too."

"I know," she whispered. "You lot are the best friends I could ever ask for." She cast a quick drying spell on him then and pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank you."

He hugged her just as tightly back, praying that this wouldn't be the last time.

The appearance of a cat Patronus broke up anything further. "The Death Eaters are here," came McGonagall's voice. "Hurry to the Great Hall."

"I guess that's that then," Hermione said as Harry tugged on the red tunic stitched with unicorn hair and embroidered with gold thread in the shape of a lion.

"Ready?" Harry asked, picking up the matching bag that held the rest of the equipment necessary to cast the Etaonaf spell and Hermione secured the sword they'd retrieved from the Sorting Hat into his belt.

"As I'll ever be," she said, moving to lock their fingers together. "Let's go."

And leaving the safety of the Room of Requirement, they hurried towards the Great Hall and the impending battle.

xxx

Despite the urgency the situation demanded, Draco found himself unable to walk any faster than normal as he headed down to the Slytherin dormitories.

Besides, he figured according to Neville he was supposed to meet Sprout and Skura there anyway, so he couldn't proceed without them. Although part of him wanted to. He wanted to get there first and enact just punishment on Daphne Greengrass.

His hand tightened around the parchment that Greg had been killed over. He had no proof, yet, but he knew it was Greengrass. He could feel it.

Blaise was quiet next to him, which Draco appreciated. He couldn't make idle chatter right now, nor did he want to discuss what was on his mind. Because Blaise would most definitely try to convince him that killing Greengrass was wrong and Draco really didn't want to hear about the moral high ground right now.

They did in fact beat the professors there, so both waited outside the stone entrance in silence.

After nearly a minute though Blaise couldn't take it anymore. "I wonder what happened," he wondered aloud. All Neville had told them was the Death Eaters were coming and they needed to put their battle plan into action. How Neville knew this none of them knew, because as soon as they were awake enough to comprehend the situation he was gone, yelling over his shoulder he'd meet them in the Great Hall.

"It can't be an outright attack," Blaise continued when Draco remained quiet. "We'd obviously hear something by now. Maybe Snape heard some information."

Still nothing. Blaise frowned, at that. He knew Draco was upset and he knew firsthand what wanting revenge felt like thanks to Nott, but this wasn't good. They were about to possibly head into the final battle and Draco wasn't thinking clearly.

"Hey," he said, poking Draco with his wand. He did it again and again until the blond finally jerked his head up and glared at him.

"What?" he snapped.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, sheesh," Blaise said. "Lighten up."

"Lighten up?" Draco repeated.

"Look, I know what you're feeling, and don't say that I don't. If it hadn't been for Ron I may have done what you wish you could do to Greengrass. So I get it. But you need to let it go right now. She'll face justice soon enough and we need you fully ready for what's to come."

Draco sighed. "I know. It's just..." The paper in his hand crinkled. "This is my fault. If I hadn't gotten him involved he'd still be alive."

"That might be true," Blaise agreed. "But Draco, he would have never had the courage to do something like this if it wasn't for you. And his actions could save a whole lot of people tonight."

Just then the sound of the Slytherin common room entrance sliding open grated harshly in the quiet and both boys tensed, drawing their wands.

And to Draco's absolute dark delight the figure of Daphne Greengrass, clothed in all black, stepped into the hall.

"Well," he drawled, causing the witch to give a start of surprise. "Look what we have here."

Daphne didn't waste time with words. She immediately leaped to launch an attack, but her Stupefy! died on her lips as Draco sent out a wordless silencing charm that he'd been working on. He then followed up with his own stunning spell, knocking the girl flat onto her back.

Draco shared a grin with Blaise. Damn that had felt good!

But she wasn't alone. Hearing the attack, several other court members and also all those on Goyle's list — Bulstrode, Accrington, Flint and Poplawski — poured into the hallway also dressed in all black with wands already drawn and firing.

Blaise yelped in pain as a slicing spell from Flint cut across his arm, which he'd barely gotten up in time to block the spell from hitting him in the chest.

Draco retaliated with another stunner, taking Flint out but leaving him open to Bulstrode's return stunner and he felt himself fall to the ground with a thud.

"Ennverate!" Blaise shouted, reviving Draco and dodging under a swung fist from Poplawski and trying for a disarming spell at Accrington, who gave a shout as his wand flew out of his grip and down the hall.

Daphne had been revived as well and she bit out the Cruciatus Curse with glee, catching Draco in the back as he dueled against Flint. He was unable to contain a scream and fell once more to the ground, limbs not obeying him and writhing with pain.

"What's the matter, Draco?" she taunted, casting the curse again on top of the other one. "Can't handle a little pain?"

Blaise tried to disarm Daphne to cut off the curse, but a blocking charm from Bulstrode stopped him and he was forced to duck down to avoid Poplawski's meaty fist again.

Draco continued to suffer under the curse, telling himself this was nothing compared to what he'd already undergone. But he couldn't shake the spell off and despite his attempts the pain was becoming even worse.

Blaise went down with a stunner and only then did Daphne lift the Unforgiveable as Bulstrode stupefied him as well.

"Well, well," she smirked. "What do we have here?"

Draco glared at her. If looks could kill she would be dead.

"Oh tut tut, don't give me that," she said, waving her wand and allowing Draco use of his voice again. "If you have something to say you should speak up."

"You killed Greg," Draco snarled.

"Did I? I don't quite recall."

"I'll kill you," Draco promised, struggling to free himself from the paralysis with no luck.

She laughed then, a sound that could have been pleasant if it hadn't been filled with such dark intent. "Oh, really? From your current position?"

"As soon as I get out of this I'm coming for you," Draco threatened. "We'll see who's laughing then."

"Oh, Draco. You honestly believe I'd let you live? I know from Lestrange that daddy dearest has a target on your head for himself, but I never really liked following the rules. Besides, loose lips are the one thing I truly despise. Well that and traitors."

"You're the one spilling everything," Draco said. "Lestrange? My crazy aunt? You're listening to her? No wonder you've gone a bit mad yourself."

Daphne's eyes flashed. "Say whatever you like, Draco. The truth is thanks to some lovely information imparted to me, the Death Eaters know about your little idea about a battle here and they'll emerge victorious."

"You did kill Greg," Draco said, her words confirming it.

She shrugged. "I suppose I did give him a little push." Her grin darkened. "He took care of the rest."

"You—"

Daphne replaced the silencing charm, cutting Draco off. "I'd love to stay and chat, but there's a party happening upstairs and I'd hate to be late. Sadly, I didn't RSVP with a plus one, so you can't come. Marcus?"

She pointed her wand directly at Draco while Flint pulled his on Blaise at Daphne's command. "I hate to part so soon, but we really must be going. So, farewell Draco. Avada—"

"EXPELERIAMUS!" bellowed the normally rather meek voice of Defense Against Dark Arts professor Skura as he and Sprout came upon the scene.

No one was a match for the DADA professor, who was a Merlin-class dueling champion, and every single wand flew towards him and into his outstretched hand.

"All of you to sleep!" shouted Sprout, throwing a handful of white poppy petals at the standing Slytherins. The enchanted flower had them all unconscious within seconds as they breathed in the scent.

Sprout rushed forward, immune to the poppies after working with them for so long, and dragged Draco and Blaise from the cloud and awoke them from the sleeping plant.

"You have excellent timing," Blaise told them as he shakily climbed to his feet. Draco nodded from his spot on the floor, still trying to get the shudders from the Cruciatus under control after the brief spark of adrenaline wore off. He decided he needed at least a few more seconds and released his death grip on the list, pushing it towards Blaise who handed it to Sprout.

"Malfoy wait here until you can stand and then join us," the Herbology professor said, scanning the parchment. "Timothy, secure these ones. Zabini with me to rouse your housemates."

Blaise rushed quickly through the rooms, waking up the few Slytherins on Goyle's list that might choose to fight with them. In the end, only Tracey Davis, William Dilg and surprisingly Crabbe (who was not on the list but had awoken from the commotion) said they would take a stand, but that was three more than they'd had then before Blaise figured. He'd sent Crabbe and Davis towards the Great Hall — Ron knew to expect Davis and would likely figure out that Crabbe had checked out — but kept Dilg behind to assist with any problems that broke out.

In under five minutes all of the Slytherin students had been awoken and were gathered in the common room in their pajamas, looking warily around as Sprout herded up a group of first years and Blaise leaned against the wall by the entrance to prevent anyone from leaving.

"Where's my sister?" Astoria Greengrass demanded as many of the older students did not make an appearance.

"Soon to be arrested," Draco said, strolling into the common room like he owned the place. He glared at the younger sibling. "Tread lightly, Astoria, unless you want to be charged with murder too."

"Murder?" gasped a second year half-blood.

"I have an announcement to make," Draco said, striding to the front of the room and draping himself in the court's highest chair, earning several intakes of breath and murmurs to race around the room. He knew they did not have much time, but he also needed his fellow Slytherins to listen to him and understand. They could not afford any bloodshed from within.

"Death Eaters are about to attack Hogwarts," Draco said bluntly. "Some of your housemates were just apprehended as they attempted to join them. I trust you can figure out what their intentions were once they rendezvoused. Anyone who got in their way would have met the same fate as Gregory Goyle."

More whispers ran amok around the room. There were rumors, of course, but so far there was nothing to prove that Goyle had been murdered.

Draco ignored the murmuring and continued. "So now the question remains what is to be done with the rest of you. After tonight, this battle between Voldemort—" students winced around the room at the name — "and Harry will be over and you need to decide what side of history you want to be on when it does.

"Goyle," he continued, "wanted only what was best for your safety. He and I met to devise a list and determine what Slytherins posed a threat to that safety and who among you might stand and fight in the name of good.

"Anyone not on the list is considered a neutral party. We are asking all those who do not wish to fight, but will not support Voldemort, to retreat to the kitchens where you will be safe. Anyone who has been marked as suspicious will be detained here until the fight is over."

"That's not fair," Astoria snarled.

"More fair than getting shoved down a staircase," Draco spat back, eyes flashing.

"You're not even a Slytherin anymore," Astoria retorted, even though she had blanched slightly at Draco's words. "You can't tell us what to do."

"Oh?" Draco asked, leaning forward in the chair. "Is that right?"

"You're a traitor. You don't belong here and you can't make us obey."

"A traitor?" Draco repeated. "Interesting. A traitor to what, exactly? Our pureblood lineage? Please, half of the old families don't even believe in that superiority anymore. And Slytherin is comprised as a majority of half-bloods now, so that makes your argument there invalid.

"Maybe a traitor to Voldemort?" He smirked as Astoria flinched at the name. "I never pledged any loyalty to him, so I cannot claim to have betrayed him so I'm at a loss. How can you call me such a thing when I've never done any of those things? If anything, you and the rest of the court are the traitors."

"What? How dare you—"

"You've betrayed Slytherin," Draco said. "You abused the court system, murdered your own housemate in cold blood and made it so over half of Slytherin members feared for their own safety while you plotted ways to kill muggleborns and half-bloods that didn't agree with you. Tell me, how is that not the ultimate betrayal? We're supposed to be cunning and clever; not murderers and liars."

Astoria fell silent, still glaring but no longer meeting Draco's eyes.

"Slytherin has been ruled by a king or queen and a court since Salazar Slytherin founded this house," Draco said. "That system was designed to keep order, not abuse it. And I will be the first to admit, that I was once a part of that abuse. But I've come around to realize how such a system hurts our house and its members. So, starting now, until further discussion amongst all Slytherin house members, the court is disbanded. This order is from our head of house, Severus Snape, and will not be contested."

Draco was pleased to note that most of the Slytherins were nodding and accepting the idea. He wasn't surprised. With the way Nott had been running the court last year and even more so this year many Slytherin students had felt excluded in their own house and likely uncomfortable between the blood battles and power trips the court embarked on.

"Now that that is official, we need to move," Draco said. "When I call your name you will join Zabini and head to the kitchens where you will be safe during the fight. Anyone whose name is not called and was not earlier spoken with will remain here with Professor Skura and Professor Sprout."

He hurried quickly through the list that Goyle had given his life for, naming neutral students and those that actually did side with Harry, but did not want to fight. Soon it was just Astoria Greengrass, two other fifth years, three seventh years, two fourth years and one third year left.

"You will not be bound in any way," Draco told the remaining students, who eyed each other warily. "You are not in trouble. But because of either actions you have made or your family, you are a concern. Dilg will stay here with you too and will be in charge. Should you need to evacuate for your safety he along with the professors will assist you. Any questions?"

"Why?" called one of the seventh years, confusion in her voice. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I got tired of forcing myself to be someone I'm not," Draco said quietly. "I'm tired of being told who to hate for no reason other than blood. And I'm done with following the status quo because it's how we were raised. We can be better than what our families stood for and we can do the right thing. I was given that chance thanks to the Parenting Class. This is yours. Prove that you don't mean anyone harm, despite what your family has done," he glanced at Astoria as he said this, "and we can all walk away from this with a whole new world of opportunities."

"What about me?" Astoria asked as Draco made for the door. "Shouldn't I be tied up too?" She nodded her head towards her sister and the other court Slytherins, who were bound and still sound asleep, set up on the north wall of the common room with Skura standing guard after he and Sprout had levitated them in.

"Goyle trusted you," Draco said simply. "He said you were kind to him and we both know not many are. His judgment is good enough for me. And if I didn't have that, there's the fact that your sister didn't invite you to go along on her little spree tonight."

Astoria bowed her head.

"Good luck," called out the only third year, who unfortunately shared a family name of McNair. "I hope you and Potter win."

Draco smiled the first real smile of the night. "You and me both, kid."

And then he hurried towards the Great Hall and the fight of his life.

xxx

Upstairs Ron gulped nervously as the Great Hall continued to swell with students, staff and Order members alike as the floo network had been opened at Grimwauld and the Weasley household.

Students were giving him questioning looks where he was standing in front of the head table, Dumbledore flanking him. Harry and Hermione still weren't there yet, and he was loathe to make any sort of announcement without them, but as McGonagall hurried up to them he knew he couldn't wait any longer.

"Attention, everyone," he called and was ignored, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the crowd.

"Sonorus," Dumbledore cast helpfully.

"Attention," Ron called again, this time his voice easily carrying and immediately silencing the crowd. "Thank you." Words failed him then as near a hundred faces looked up at him. He spotted his mum scanning the crowd looking for Fred and George, who would have received an Order summons, and his stomach tightened.

"Deep breath, Weasley," McGonall said quietly behind him.

Ron took her advice and tried again. "There is no time to be anything but blunt. Death Eaters are about to attack Hogwarts. Several have already arrived."

Gasps started around the chamber and Ron held up a hand, impressed when silence reigned again. "The Death Eaters and Voldemort tried to kill Harry tonight Their plan failed. Now, they're at our gates to finish what they started."

A deafening boom sounded as if to emphasize the point and the students glanced around nervously.

"All of you are here because you've chosen to join in the fight against Voldemort and darkness," Ron continued. "And we have a plan to stop it once and for all. But we need your help. We need time to set up the spell that will defeat Voldemort and we have to stop the Death Eaters from getting to Harry first before we're ready."

"Where is Potter?" called a Ravenclaw chaser, Chadwick Kipper. "Why isn't he here?"

"I'm right here," Harry said, his voice not charmed but carrying over the murmurs. Heads turned as Harry entered from behind the head table, and then mouths dropped at his ensemble. He looked like a royal dressed for war, with the belted tunic and matching pants and the Sword of Gryffindor attached at his hip.

"Ron will be leading you into battle," Harry said, coming to stand next to his best friend. "And I will be preparing to kill Voldemort and put an end to all of this fighting."

"Our ranks will be as follows," Ron said, drawing the attention back to him and ceasing the murmurs following Harry's announcement. "All Order of the Phoenix members will be taking the front. We have traps laid out over the grounds as well as defenses that will aid us and prevent an all out assault.

"Hogwarts staff members will provide secondary support to Order members and Ministry members once they begin to arrive.

"Students will stay back and lend support to their assigned staff member. All sixth and seventh year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws are with McGonagall. Sixth and seventh year Hufflepuffs and sixth and fifth year Slytherins are with Snape."

The room seemed to give a murmur at that. Slytherins, helping them?

Ron seemed to sense the unease too and gave a sharp 'Hey!' to get their attention. "Your house does not matter right now. What matters is your will to fight and your desire to make the world a better place. We all know evil is capable of coming from any house, just as good can. If it weren't for a few select Slytherin individuals this plan would not even be possible, and that's as much as I'm going to say on the matter."

Once the murmurs had died back down, he continued to assign the groups down to fourth year to various staff members, with a select group of students who had an interest in medicine joining Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing where they'd be taking casualties to.

"That's all I have," Ron said, the sound of blasts and yelling getting louder and more frequent. "Everyone report to your assigned areas. We're heading out in a few minutes."

"Wait," Harry said, every eye turning right back towards him.

He looked over the faces of his classmates and friends, surrogate parents and protectors, noticing the same look of fear but also determination that was etched into every expression.

"Whatever happens today I am so very, very thankful to know people such as yourselves," Harry said softly. "Thank you for choosing to join me in this fight. Thank you for your sacrifice," he said, breath catching on the word. "Just... thank you."

"No, thank you Harry!" Dean yelled. He didn't know everything that had happened this year or even years prior, but he knew that Harry was putting himself directly in the line of fire for all of them. He was the one who deserved true thanks.

It started a wave. All around the room students that had been looking afraid gained courage from others and began to call out their own thanks and well wishes to Harry, who had turned beet red.

"You've got this," Hermione said, coming up to stand beside him. She'd had to pause and retrieve the birch staff from Dumbledore before she joined him at the front.

Draco pulled himself away from the crowd and not caring of any eyes watching pulled Harry into a tight hug. He had so much he wanted to say in that moment; how much he owed Harry for the second chance and his friendship, how he made him want to be a better person, how much he cared for him, but the words would not come.

Harry seemed to understand and hugged him back just as tightly. "Be careful out there," Harry finally said to him.

"The same goes to you," Draco said. "You're not allowed to die either."

"I'll try."

"No," Draco said fiercely. "Gryffindors don't try; they succeed."

Harry managed a tiny grin. "I'll do my best."

"That's a little better."

Draco stepped back then, knowing time was short and there were many others who needed to speak to Harry.

The castle shook. The Death Eaters were getting closer.

The boy-who-lived pulled his other two best friends into a small group hug, all of their heads resting against one another. Hermione was unsuccessfully attempting to blink away tears and Ron's eyes were glassy.

"Harry," Hermione whispered, unable to say anything else. There wasn't much left to say after all.

"You've got this, mate," Ron said, voice tight.

"You two are the best friends I could have ever asked for," Harry murmured. "I love you guys. And no matter what happens today, knowing you has been one of the best parts of my life."

"We love you too," Ron said, choking on tears. Another blast, this one actually shaking the floor broke up anything else they were going to say.

Ron wiped at his eyes and rose to his full height, eyes burning fiercely. "Time to go be a knight," he whispered. With one last hug to each of them, he jumped off the dais and headed for the main doors, his army falling into line behind him.

Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek with her own whispered "I love you," and then stepped back as Ginny approached, tears running unbidden down the redhead's cheeks.

No words were spoken between the two as the rushed into each other's arms. Hermione backed away to give them this moment — she refused to think of it as final — and into the waiting arms of Draco, who had remained on the platform with them.

"I'm so scared," she whispered, the truth doing nothing to alleviate the churning in her stomach.

"Me too," Draco murmured back, breathing in the scent of her hair and committing it to memory. He was too scared for his friends to be afraid for himself, but he knew his father was out there and he would stop at nothing until he was dead. This could very well end up being a personal battle between the two and Draco did not have high hopes that he would be the Malfoy walking away. But he couldn't burden them with such thoughts; not when Harry's life was in the balance.

Despite the chaos that was beginning to happen all around them, Hermione felt herself relaxing in Draco's embrace. He had such a calming effect on her. It was as if his very presence made her feel safe.

Hermione offered the same balm to Draco. He drew strength from hers, courage from her courage and even a little dose of optimism against the more likely reality.

She pulled back out of the embrace, only to lean forward and capture his lips in a gentle kiss. "I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too," he said, kissing her again and praying it wasn't the last time.

"I'll see you soon," she promised, having to forcefully pull herself away.

"Soon," Draco echoed, missing her warmth the minute she stepped back towards Harry. He gave her one last smile before he squared his shoulders and pressed his lips into a firm line.

He clambered down and joined with Pansy and Blaise, who looked at him with equal looks of determination. Pansy held out her hand to him and he took it, Blaise on his other side.

Neville made his way over and firmly clasped Pansy's other hand and Ginny took Neville's free one. They all glanced at each other down the row, nodding at one another and silently promising that they would get through this.

And then hand in hand they marched to war.

Author's Note:

All the feels. I was getting a very Black is Our World-esque feeling with all of the "good-bye" talk. But hey, at least a certain someone was still alive in this one to have the feel good moment, right?

I realize I often write Hermione as being this constant source of comfort for everyone around her. She is the rock after all and able to offer advice and remain level headed when everything is going to pieces around her. I felt it was about time Harry got to return the favor and show her that she doesn't always have to hold everything in. Love these two so much.

The battle is about to begin. Everyone ready? Drop a comment down below if you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you so much to all who do. You guys make my day!