It wasn't an easy conversation. When they got down there, everyone could tell they had been crying. Hermione had to use a strong spell on the doors to stop people from going after Harry. Eventually, though, they managed to get everyone to stay still so they could explain everything. The horcruxes, what they had been doing all year, the truth about Snape and why Harry had to go.

The reactions were mixed, but none of them were good. Some were just shocked into silence. Others sobbed and wailed. It wasn't a lovely experience. What was interesting, though, was when Ron noticed Malfoy in the room. He was lurking at the back, clearly hoping to avoid attention, but he looked terrified at the mention of Harry's demise. He hadn't looked well at all since the beginning of the previous year, but this was the worst he had ever looked. His skin was clinging to his bones and his skin was white as a sheet. Ron could tell that he had switched sides. He was sure that Malfoy, himself, probably didn't realise it, but he wasn't going back to Voldemort's tanks if he could help it.

After a while, they came up with a plan. They knew Voldemort would come back after the deed was done and encourage any and all purebloods and half bloods to join his ranks. So, they needed to prepare. The first thing Ron did was return, once more, to the Chamber of Secrets and extract every single tooth from the Basilisk's jaw, stuff them inside Hermione's beaded bag and return. He handed them all out so a good number of people had the wherewithal to kill the snake if they got the opportunity. Malfoy remained in the corner the whole time, silent.

Ron stole a few moments with Luna, where he could. They embraced, tried to encourage each other and commiserated with one another. He had lost his brother and she had lost a couple of friends. He found immense comfort and relief in her presence but, when he recognised that, he remembered Hermione. She had lost that. That had walked out the door with Harry and he knew she needed him more than anyone else did at that moment. Therefore, he apologised to Luna and went over to Hermione.

She wasn't in good shape. She was channeling her grief into her fighting attitude and she was almost murderous by the time Ron got back to her. She was legitimately terrifying him.

Then, the voice of Lord Voldemort rang out once again. He announced Harry's death and invited everyone in the castle to come out and meet him. They all stood and prepared themselves to return to the frey of battle.

"Listen up everyone! We can't let this fight come back inside. We keep them out at all costs. Hopefully, we can cause enough chaos so one of us can kill the snake without him seeing. It's going to take a lot more than just one person to take him down. So, once that snake is dead, if you're available, converge on him. Together, we can put him down. But, we don't want this to travel or we could lose him, or the snake, so keep the fighting in the grounds where we meet them. Most importantly, have each other's backs. Good luck everyone."

Everyone nodded and began to make their way out towards the grounds.

"Ron!" he heard from behind him. It was a voice he knew all too well. He turned to see Luna approaching him at a jog. She engulfed him in a hug. "Be careful out there." she instructed. "I don't feel like losing you today." He couldn't resist any longer.

He pulled back from the hug, placed his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. It felt so right. This was exactly the feeling he had been waiting for. It felt so loving and comforting to connect with her on this level when she kissed him back. He would definitely be careful, because this was definitely something he wanted to do again... And again and again.

They pulled back and smiled at each other. "You'd better get back to Hermione. She needs you right now."

"Alright, but you need to be careful too. I'm not ready to lose you today either." he insisted as he began to back away. She smiled and nodded at him. He dragged his gaze away from her and accelerated to catch up with Hermione.

When he arrived beside her, she let go of Ginny, who then went over to Charlie, and held onto Ron around the waist. He reciprocated, putting his right arm around her, planting his hand on her right arm and rubbing gently. They walked like that the rest of the way until Voldemort and the Death Eaters came into view.

What Ron hadn't been prepared for was the sight of a miserable, physically, and probably emotionally, scarred Hagrid carrying Harry's lifeless body. In the same moment that he registered the sight, he felt Hermione buckling beside him, sobbing helplessly at the body of her would-be boyfriend. Ron's own eyes started tearing up once again. He heard shouts of grief from all around him, including his parents, one or two of his siblings and even from Professor McGonagall.

As he stared in shock at his best friend, he was vaguely aware of Hagrid yelling at the Centaurs who had appeared at the edge of the forest. It seemed he was unhappy with the fact that they hadn't fought. Then, he saw the thing. The snake slithered along next to his lord, staring all of the Hogwarts residents down. Ron's determination returned.

Soon, though, Voldemort's army was a mere 100 yards from them as they came to a halt.

"Put him at my feet... Where he belongs." the cold, snide voice of Lord Voldemort ordered. Hagrid, sniffling, leant down and gently placed Harry as instructed. The Dark Lord raised his voice so everyone could hear him clearly. "At last! Your hero is dead. I struck him down as he attempted to escape his fate, cowardly running away into the shadows to hide! In the end, your 'Chosen One' was nothing but a fool. A weak coward who found himself out of his depth." Ron's fist clenched and his teeth gritted at hearing this evil monster bismirching his best friend's name; the name of the hero that just sacrificed himself for the lives of thousands. Maybe even millions.

"But, you no longer need him anyway. For, now, you have Lord Voldemort to protect you. To save you. To root out the parasites that infect the ways of the wizarding world. From this day forth, you put your faith in me. Please. Come forth and join us!" Nobody moved an inch closer to the maniac. Ron was crouching, his grip on Hermione's shoulders firm as she shook with rage and grief, knelt on the ground.

"Draco!" came a desperate voice from the crowd of Death Eaters. Ron looked up and saw Lucius Malfoy looking as desperate as he sounded, gesturing for his son to come and join them. Everyone looked at Draco.

"Draco." came another, smoother voice, but just as desperate. This one was his mother, Narcissa. She was clearly working hard to hide her true fear and desperation, but Ron recognised it easily. He turned to look at Draco again, wondering what the boy might do next. After seeing him only minutes ago, he'd have though Malfoy would never consider going back, but he starting walking.

However, he didn't take the straight route. He walked forward, but a little to the side, his path seemingly leading him towards Ron. Then, unbelievably, Malfoy's eyes met Ron's. He very subtly, almost imperceptibly, gestured to something near Ron with his hand. Ron looked down and saw his fang laid on the floor. His eyes widened in realisation as to what Draco wanted to do. He held out hope that this wasn't a trick. He decided to make the leap of faith.

He, gently, picked up the fang, hoping none of the opposition noticed, and stood in Draco's path. He put on a stoic demeanour but examined Malfoy as he approached. He still looked awful, but Ron's confidence that he was on their side doubled down when he saw the look of determination on Malfoy's face. An expression he had never seen on the man's face before.

He allowed Malfoy to walk straight into him, promptly passing the fang into his hand, out of view of Voldemort and his minions.

"Out of the way, filthy blood traitor." Malfoy said, just loud enough for Riddle to hear, but Ron could see the insincerity in his eyes as he let him pass. He kept his fingers crossed as he watched his childhood nemesis march forward, the fate of the wizarding world gripped in his right hand.

"Ah, well done Draco." Voldemort drawled, gripping Draco and embracing him in the most awkward, uncomfortable looking hug he had ever seen. It was menacing. Draco didn't even attempt to hug back. But, when he was released, he sidestepped towards the snake, subtly.

Although, it seemed the snake knew something was amiss. It hissed, its eyes following Draco as he made to pass by. Then, suddenly, they both struck at the same time.

Draco swivelled on his foot as the great snake began to pounce. Luckily for him, Draco's years training as a seeker seemed to improve his reflexes, as be was able to swerve out of the way and bring the Baslisk fang down onto the middle of the snakes body, slamming it into the ground. Nagini writhed and hissed, almost as if it was screaming, before it flopped down, lifeless, and burst into a cloud of black smoke.

A deafening scream filled the air and everyone bolted into action. Voldemort aimed his wand at Draco but Ron was one step ahead of him. He was already running towards Malfoy and was able to cast a shield charm around his new ally, while Professor McGonagall sent a stinging hex at the Dark Lord, dragging his attention away from her student. She, Kingsley and Lupin engaged Voldemort in a fierce duel as Ron arrived by Draco's side.

Neither of them spoke, but Ron grabbed Malfoy's arm and began pulling him back. Curses had already begun flying through the air, and Ron returned as many as he could. He managed to knock down several Death Eaters within the first 30 seconds of the renewed conflict as he and Malfoy backed up. Malfoy, himself, only got off a few strong spells. Ron was briefly worried for him, but then remembered that Harry had taken charge of the wand that Draco had for years so he must, now, have a borrowed one that wouldn't be working as well for him.

Ron then began to look around and felt a great sense of pride. The defenders of Hogwarts, made up of the students that were of age, the DA and the Order of the Phoenix, were all standing their ground. They weren't being pushed back towards the castle so the fighting stayed on this section of the grounds.

All one could see in Voldemort's direction were flashes of green light jetting from his wand, but, miraculously, no one on their side was dead. A couple were groaning on the floor but got up quite promptly. As Ron and Malfoy got back to the group, Ron saw Hermione get hit by a flash of green, directly in the stomach, and he froze in shock.

No, no, no! Not Hermione! Surely, she cannot be dead! Ron couldn't lose his other best friend today. He ran to her side, and was met with a sight that made him relieved but also completely baffled.

She was alive. She groaned, and held her stomach because of the pain, but she hadn't died. The Killing Curse hadn't killed her. How on earth was that possible? He helped her up and she lifted up the hem of her jacket and top to look at the wound. There was a jagged scar on her stomach, that vaguely reminded Ron of...

"Holy Godric!" he exclaimed.

"What?" Hermione and Draco demanded.

"Harry sacrificed himself. Just like his mother did. He let himself die so we could live. Hermione, look at that scar!" he explained. She looked down and realisation hit her.

"Oh my god. We're shielded by Harry's love! That's why no one has died yet."

"Well," Draco interrupted, sounding very confused still. "whatever has happened, exactly, let's not waste this chance. Let's end this, please?" They all turned back to the fight.

As the fighting continued, the tide turned in their favour. The centaurs appeared from the depths of the forest and joined the fight. Arrows soared through the air, each one hitting its mark and none even coming close to any of the good guys.

Then, an army of house elves appeared from the Hogwarts Halls, led by Kreacher. Ron felt awful that he hadn't even noticed the elf disappear from his side but felt a great gratitude to him for spurring his fellows into action.

However, Ron heard a laugh that never failed to fill him with dread. He turned back and saw Bellatrix Lestrange, poised and combat ready, staring down Neville Longbottom. While Ron did despair for the danger his friends was in, he didn't dare intervene. He had utter faith in his friend to avenge his parents.

Ron refocused in his own fight. He defeated several Death Eaters, and even saw his mum defeat Dolohov one-on-one. But, soon the chaos slowed as a familiar voice made a very unfamiliar sound. Almost every head turned to see Bellatrix Lestrange losing the upper hand to Neville. She was stepping back as he sent a torrent of offensive spells at her. Finally, he disarmed her, with much greater ease than he had been capable of at the beginning of fifth year, and sent her flying backwards. She soared until she collided with Hagrid's hut. It was too far away for anyone to hear the impact, but everyone knew she couldn't have survived.

Voldemort screamed again, nearly as heartbroken about his top Lieutenant as he was about his last horcrux. He turned to Neville, a rage on his face that could freeze anyone out of fear. But, before he could send his revenge at the young Gryffindor, a powerful, booming, heart-wrenchingly familiar voice yelled "PROTEGO!" and a strong shield appeared between Voldemort and Neville.

Suddenly, a collective gasp filled the early morning air as everyone's gaze landed on the impossible.

Harry. Alive. Facing Voldemort with confidence and determination.

Ron's knees nearly buckled, and he heard Hermione let out a sob of relief and exhaustion at the miracle. Ron was completely baffled, but he had never thought he could be so happy or relieved at anything.

"Not possible." Voldemort muttered. Nevertheless, Harry advanced on him and began his offensive. Everyone backed up as Lord Voldemort and the Boy-Who-Lived engaged in a duel to define an age. Harry proved that Expelliarmus was not the only weapon he had in his arsenal. He sent very strong stunners and many other strong offensive spells. Voldemort sent a massive ball of flames towards Harry, but he simply waved his wand and it was transfigured into a tidal wave that engulfed Voldemort and flattened his remaining followers.

Harry now had the upper hand. With Riddle distracted, Harry was able to overwhelm him with attacks. Voldemort had no time to raise his wand because he was receiving consistent, direct hits with little-to-no pause between them. Eventually, he was able to position himself but, instead of launching a counter attack, he simply yelled "ENOUGH!" Harry, for some reason, stopped at that. Apparently, he wanted to hear what Voldemort had to say.

"Let's not pretend here, Potter." he began. "Who are you going to have me kill this time? Hmm? You've never been able to go against me without letting someone else take your place as the victim. How many people have you allowed to die for you so far? So, rather than go about this redundant battle, why don't you just fling someone into harm's way or, kneel before me and accept your fate! What will it be, boy?!" The grounds were silent. Harry simply looked on. After several moments, he finally spoke.

"You don't understand Tom. None of those people died for me. They died trying to take you on. They died for our cause. They died so you would too, eventually." Harry countered. "But, no one else is going to die today. None of us. You see, after all these years, you still haven't learnt the lesson, have you?"

"Oh! So, Dumbledore convinced you did he?! Are you really going to repeat Dumbledore's lecture on love to me? Do you really think that's what's going to save your friends?!"

"Look around you. It already has. How many of your people are dead? How many of ours? How many people did you hit with the Killing Curse in the last few minutes? None of us have died. You made the same mistake again. My love for these people drove me to give myself up to you, and you killed me. So, now, the same protection my mother laid on me when she sacrificed herself is laid upon all of these people. Although, I'm still here. Interesting, isn't it?

"There is so much you don't understand. You thought using my blood to resurrect yourself was your greatest advantage, but it only became a larger liability. You weren't able to kill me because we were too connected. But, now, you have obliterated your only hope. Every horcrux is gone now. The connection you had to my mind is gone, because, if you weren't aware, the piece of you that was attached to me is gone because you killed it. Its only you now. Only you in that frail little body.

"And what makes it worse is that your trying to kill me with a wand that doesn't belong to you."

"Fool! The wand answers to Lord Voldemort and Lord Voldemort alone." the man himself proclaimed. There was something so pathetic about how he referred to himself in the third person. This only fuelled Ron's engagement and excitement in the conversation. Harry had the upper hand. This was really it. It was nearly over. "I killed its former master. Its obeys me now!"

"No, you killed Snape. Yes, he killed Dumbledore, but the wand had already switched it's allegiance before that. It's not about death. Wands change masters when they are won from their previous one. Malfoy disarmed Dumbledore and took ownership of the wand then. Since, I have taken ownership of Draco's wand. So, how much do you want to bet that the wand in your hand recognises me as it's new master?" Ron's eyes widened as he felt the excited tension rise up in him further.

"It does not matter!" Riddle growled. "I am Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Sorcerer in history!"

"No, you're Tom Riddle. You are just an angry little boy who had a crappy childhood. A bit like me. The difference is you never let that go. You let your anger lead you down a path of oppression. You pretend that you're this powerful pure-blood and you and your people have the right to rule over all. But, your a half blood and you just never grew up. All this has ever been is a tantrum about how unfair life has been to you. If you think you have any right to hold authority over any of us you're sorely mistaken, Tom. Give it up. You're just stalling because you know you can't win anymore. Your forces are depleted, your followers are losing faith and you were losing the duel against me so badly you decided to try and undermine me. You're not special, Tom. You're not greater than any of us. Tom, you're no different to any other wizard with delusions of grandeur." And that is what set him off.

Riddle, once again, screamed in rage as he sent a jet of green light at Harry. Harry counters it with his iconic Expelliarmus and the two spells collided. They battle for dominance for a few moments until Riddle loses his strength, his own spell colliding with him, and jets backwards, landing lifeless on the ground. The Elder wand was catapulted into the air. Using his world-class seeker reflexes, Harry snatches wand from the air and stood for a few moments, looking like a mythological hero.

It was only a few moments, however, before realisation hit everyone. He was dead. Lord Voldemort, Tom Riddle himself, was dead. It was only a second more before Ron bolted to Harry's side, Hermione arriving at the same time, and they both embraced the miracle, the hero that was Harry Potter.

There was cheering, screaming and relieved crying. It was all over and everyone knew it. The majority of the people who fought with them ran over to the trio and joined in the embrace. Many of the remaining Death Eaters were attempting to escape, so members of the Order of the Phoenix set about apprehending them.

Ron could feel his tears streaming down his face as he kept his grip tight on his best friend. He couldn't believe it. Harry had survived. But he had, also, told Riddle that he had killed him. Ron needed answers! For the moment, though, he was happy to simply have a hold of Harry, knowing that he wasn't going to lose him any time soon.

Eventually, the crowd began to make it's way back inside. Families arrived to find their children and friends. Some mourned for the losses they faced, many cried from relief at seeing there loved ones alive and most people fought to shake Harry's hand. Ron and Hermione hadn't even had an opportunity to speak to him properly yet. Ron had noticed Harry and Hermione muttering a little to each other during the massive group hug, but they hadn't been able to for long.

Everyone wanted a piece of him that day. He was no longer just the Boy-Who-Lived or the Chosen One. He was the hero. He genuinely had saved everyone. He had defeated Voldemort once and for all. Ron couldn't be prouder of his best friend.

However, something happened then that Ron had not expected. He was approached by a woman he didn't recognise.

"Mr Weasley, I just want to thank you so much for what you've done! You saved my girls! Thank you so much for keeping them safe!" she said to him, gripping his hand in both of hers and shaking it enthusiastically.

"Oh, well ummm..." but before he could respond properly and say that Harry was the one she should be thanking, she lifted up onto her toes, kissed him in the cheek and walked away back to her family. Then, a man who seemed to be in his mid-twenties approached him as well.

"Mate, my sister just told me what you did. You were brilliant! I don't think half of these people would be alive if it weren't for you. Thank you so much!" he said, bringing him in for hug. Ron was too shocked to say anything.

More and more people started coming up to him. They were thanking him for saving them. But, he didn't do anything, did he?

"You look confused, Ron." said a blissfully familiar voice behind him. He turned and smiled at the sight of Luna Lovegood. He immediately grasped her hand and got closer to her.

"Well, Harry just saved the wizarding world but people keep coming up to me and thanking me for saving them or their families. I didn't even do anything worthy of that, did I?" Luna looked genuinely perplexed by that.

"What? Of course you did. You led them in the battle. It was your strategy, your planning that got everyone in the best position to survive the fight. Without you organising everyone, there would probably have been a lot more casualties. You are a hero!" Ron stared at her, disbelieving.

"Really?"

"Of course! I mean, people have been thanking Hermione too. Everyone knows that it's the three of you that are responsible for defeating him. Sure, Harry won the duel, but he wouldn't have survived without Hermione, nor would you. Nor would you have succeeded in your mission without her. And, now, dozens more people in this room right now would have died if you hadn't been the leader you became. You're just as much of a hero as either of them." He stared into her eyes, searching for any signs of insincerity. There weren't any. There never were with her. Luna never lied if she didn't need to. He trusted her completely, so this understanding that she now laid on him finally settled.

He had done something great. He had helped many people. He had led the great Battle of Hogwarts that ended up in the most powerful dark wizards in history's downfall. He and his best friends, Harry and Hermione, had spearheaded the end of the Second Great Wizarding War.

He turned back to look at Luna again, beaming. He found he was so proud of himself for this. But, also, so grateful for everyone, let alone Luna. She beamed right back at him, her own pride in him so clear. He couldn't resist, and didn't even try, so pulled her in for a searing kiss.

The second one ever and it was just as blissful as the first, maybe even more so. There was no threat anymore. No fear that this might be the last chance. Just adoration and love. That's what he felt about her. But, he made sure to wait a while before actually telling her that.

"I love you, Ronald." Luna said as they pulled back. Of course she hadn't even hesitated. He grinned in amusement and joy. Apparently, there was no need to wait.

"I love you too, Luna."

"I thought you probably did. I'm glad I was right." He chuckled lightly at her. "But, I think there are other people who need you right now." She gestured behind him with her head so he turned and saw Harry and Hermione starting to walk towards the double doors together, but continually getting stopped and talked to.

"They probably want some time alone, Luna." he said, doing his best to not let himself feel left out anymore. They loved him, he knew that, but they needed time together now. They may have loved him, but the two of them were in love.

"Yes, I imagine so. But, I also think Harry will probably want to talk to both of you about what happened in the Forest, right? Tell you everything you don't already know." He looked at her again, questioningly. "Don't worry. I'm fine. Go, they need you right now a bit more than I do. But, I'll be here when you come back."

He smiled widely again, placing a quick kiss on her lips before going to talk to his friends, out of the spotlight in the room they were currently stranded in. It then occurred to him that he didn't know how the three of them could escape. Then, Luna's voice carried across the hall.

"Ooh, look! A Blibbering Humdinger!" The whole hall looked to where she was pointing. Ron smiled and crouched, speeding over to his friends and was able to escort them out without anyone noticing.

He loved Luna and he loved his friends. Life was looking like it was only going to get better.

A/N - And there you have it. I hope you guys enjoyed that. As I said, it's my first time writing conflict of this scale so comments and critiques would be ever so helpful!For anyone wondering, CAALL will now be taking up all of the writing in my down-time. Lots of love and well-wishes to you all x