There was an unexpected lightning flash so bright it blinded everyone there. An unholy scream was cut short. The electrical boxes began to pop and fizz, showering sparks. Smoke was everywhere. The lights of the muggles for miles around went out. They all knew what was supposed to happen, but when it did, it didn't seem real. When their sight returned there wasn't much left. The remains of the Dark Lord still burning in pieces everywhere. He literally exploded from the inside out due to the tremendous heat of the electrical discharge. The silver crown that was on his head had fallen to the ground, partially melted and misshapen.

The muggles would be here soon to investigate and repair the damage. They had to act fast. There wasn't much left of the chair either, but the aurors cleaned up as best they could. Nothing should be left for the to suspect foul play. It didn't take long. Kingsley had everything put into a chest and sent to Grimmauld Place for safe keeping. The crown he kept. When they were done, they gathered into a circle prepared for a fight and activated the port key, arriving at Hogwarts.

"Well? Did it work?"

Kingsley Shacklebolt looked at the woman without any expression. After what seemed to be an eternity he laughed deep and long. The big man picked her up and twirled her in the air, setting her back down gently. "Better than you had hoped Hermione. He never knew what hit him, and now there's nothing left that could be remotely called human." He handed her the crown. Hermione threw herself into Kingsley's arms strangely unable to say anything. She only cried as if her heart were broken. Her hysteria becoming almost manic. Kingsley knew there was something wrong and pulled her away. "Easy Hermione. It's all over now. We are all free because of you." Hermione tried to calm herself, but couldn't.

Snape was beside himself with concern for her. He wanted desperately to hold her close and comfort her, but couldn't. "Come Hermione. You need to go to the other women and let them know what's happened. Kings, you and the others start getting this scum secured down in the dungeons until we know the status of Azkaban. Oh, and Kings, Lucius and the others helped me organize this. I made a bargain with them. They are not to be detained, understand?" Kingsley was not happy with it, but whatever it took to bring the big man down was alright with him. He crossed the room and stood by Lucius who had a pile of wands in a box.

Hermione looked up at Snape, still trembling with emotion, but spoke quietly giving him the crown. "We did it Severus. It worked. He's dead and he's not coming back. Do you think we got them all? Is it really over?"

Snape looked down at her cupping her cheek. "Not all, but most. The rest will think twice about causing trouble." He wanted to kiss her senseless, but dared not. Turning his attention to the artifact in his hands instead.

Suddenly Ginny was next to them. Her dress, so beautifully embroidered, was now ruined with Bella's blood. Hermione hugged Ginny and noticed she still clutched the bloody dagger. There was a wild look in her eye as if she was looking for more victims. "Ginny? Ginny, It's over. You did it. But it's time to let go. Give Snape the knife Ginny. It's going to be okay. We need to go to the other women now and help them."

Ginny seemed to emerge from her destructive fever and focus on Hermione. "I got her Hermione. She's dead! I told her it was for my family and then I… I…"

Hermione held her tight. "I know Ginny. I saw you. You were so brave. Your mother would be so proud of you. Come on, let's go tell Poppy and the others."

Ginny took a deep breath and looked up at Snape. "Here, keep this safe for me just as it is. It will become an heirloom for my family," She smiled. "When I finally have a family."

Snape took it from her gingerly. "An honor Ginevra."

Hermione took Ginny's hand and they left the great hall together. The walk to the classroom where the women were, was more difficult than expected. Neither one had thought about what would happen after. It seemed like such an impossible task that success was not even considered, as if it would jinx it. But the elephant in the room was, now what? Hermione stopped. She couldn't look Ginny in the eye. "Ginny, Can I ask you something personal?"

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Hermione. With all we've been through together, now your shy about asking me something. For a smart girl you can be awful stupid. You can ask me anything, anytime, anyplace. What is it?"

Hermione still couldn't look at her. "Ginny… Do you … have any feelings for Snape? We've both shared his bed. Do you still want to be with him?"

Ginny grinned, she knew where this was going. She grabbed Hermione's hand and led her to a bench to have a frank discussion. "Well I'm not in love with him like you are."

Hermione's eyes went wide. "In love with him? No, no, no. We, well, we work well together. He's brilliant and witty, and gentle and… but that doesn't mean I'm in love with him."

Ginny shook her head. "Denial, denial, denial thy name is Hermione Granger. I've seen the way you look at him when he's not watching. Nice ass, I'll grant you. Look, don't get me wrong. He's great in the sack, but, he's all about being gentle and 'may I' and 'are you okay'. He takes forever to get anywhere! It's not for me. I want someone with more passion, fire! Someone who'll sweep me off my feet and ravish me under an oak tree at noon. And I'm not going to settle down for a while. I've almost been dead too many times. I'm 17, I want to live. I want to see what's out there, and maybe several whos out there. I guess the short answer is, no. You're not taking anything from me, he's all yours. And when you see him again, tell him I said, Thanks for the good time, Okay?"

Hermione blushed to a simple, "Thanks Ginny." It was an irony that Ginny, who was the younger of the two was so much more comfortable with sex. You grow up fast as the only girl in a family of boys. Sex to her is just recreation, not a lifetime commitment. Hermione is just the opposite and needed someone who felt deeply for her before she could enjoy it.

Hermione knocked on the door with a coded rhythm and Poppy opened the door. "You're alive! I guess that means we won." Poppy pulled them into the room and hugged the stuffing out of them. Ginny looked to Hermione as Poppy disintegrated into tears. "You tell them Hermione. It was your plan. You tell them."

Hermione stood on a table. A brief flashback of Minerva on the table of the great hall made her stop and swallow her own tears. "Gather around everyone." The women were certain they were to be led to the great hall to be gang raped. They were crying. Some were hysterical, some catatonic. The noise level rose and Hermione had to shout. "LISTEN TO ME!" The din died away and she was now the focus. "There has been a second Battle of Hogwarts. We have been victorious, and you are free!" The shouts of joy and disbelief mingled with tears as Hermione tried to calm them down and answer the obvious questions. "Voldemort is dead. The blood on Ginny's dress is from Bellatrix Lestrange. The Death Eaters who tormented you are your masters no more. They are in the dungeons waiting to be taken to Azkaban. For now, go to your houses and try to rest. Your things should still be there. Summon the elves for anything you need. Your parents will be notified and should be here by morning."

One woman with a healing black eye shouted from the back. "How? How was this done?"

Hermione looked tired and worn, but had a ready answer. "Headmaster Snape organized it all. Remember that, for the rest of your lives. He risked everything to save us."

Ginny was angry at her and spoke her mind to the others. "It's true, Snape created the potion and portkey, but it was Hermione's plan from the beginning. She figured it out to the last detail. Hermione saved the wizarding world and all our lives, and that I will never forget."

The women in the hall cheered and there were more tears and hugs. Poppy transfigured the blankets into simple dresses and they helped each other to their dorm rooms. By the time the last one was gone, Hermione felt black and blue from the hugs. She looked at Ginny and sighed. "That's done. I'm so tired Ginny, I'm going to go back up to the tower and rest for a while after I talk to Kings about getting notice to the girl's parents. Are you coming with me?"

Ginny frowned. "No. I'm sorry, but I've waited long enough. Poppy will you take me to my father, please?"

Hermione smiled. "Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I forgot in the heat of the moment. Take your time and I'll see you whenever."

Poppy looked at Hermione with some concern. "Remember what I told you. Go. Rest. And try to eat something, Doctors orders!"