I have responded to everyone's review separately (except Luthien and Beauty- of-Asriel) so please bear with me here......long scroll down before Chapter starts;

BbyChick; Unfortunately I can not comment on how people will be rewarded etc. But all will be revealed soon enough. Thank you for your review.

Sapphire Ice Witch; Thank you for reviewing. Here's an update for you, I hope you enjoy it as you have the rest of the story.

Janine; It took me ages to think how they would reveal what side they were on; I didn't want it to go on too long or they would have been Avada Kedvra'd for sure so thanks for liking the way it turned out. I felt so mean killing off characters like Neville but I couldn't have a battle and not have any casualties. Thanks for reviewing.

lizzy-malfoy87; Thanks for your feedback. I don't think the battle scenes was long enough either but, as you say, it is uber long anyway and my head was beginning to hurt from writing so much :o) Maybe, if I get chance, I will add more too it at some point. I am immensely proud of all the reviews; it's so flattering that people enjoy this story.

Rotae; Thank you very much. No way was I going to kill off Lupin; I love him so much.

sweet-77-thang; Thank you very much.

Keliyon Malfoy; Oh dear, I hope I didn't get you into trouble. Thank your teacher for me please and thank you for reviewing; I'm glad you liked the Chapter.

Samurai Amaya; Thank you very much. It's very nearly done now. Loose ends need to be tied up etc. but it's coming to a close.

padfootedmoony; Thank you VERY much :o)

Luthein and beauty-of-asriel; Lol, thanks for the review. I hope Beauty-of- asriel is doing her own notes now :o) I felt so bad killing off loads of people but I couldn't really not have any casualties so I had to decide who I could kill off without getting mobbed by the reviewers. The battle scene is far too brief but my head was hurting. Voldie was killed with one spell because I figured if it was Harry doing the killing, along with the Gods, one Avada Kedavra would be enough. (beauty-of-asriel; I am glad you find my comments in my reviews useful). Thanks a million times to both of you; I am glad you liked that Chapter.

regina-terrae; Thank you :o)

The Enchantresses; I'm getting some mixed responses to the battle scene, most seem to think it's too short so thank you for your feedback. I'm also getting mixed responses to the changing of sides, but as I mentioned in another response to a review I didn't want it to take too long or they would have been Avada Kedavra'd instantly and, for me, drama means time. Thank you for your review.

juxtaposed; lol, I am glad you approve of your scene., and thank you for my chocolate covered Dracos (yum yum yum) Thank you for liking that chapter and reviewing :o)

Orchid6297; Thank you very much.

Eureka866 Ah the Gods thing. Let me know by e-mail which bit confuses you and I will be happy to sort that out as it is rather complex. Hermione and Draco will have sex again (I promise) but not at the moment as she is unconscious, thus making it slightly wrong. At this time though I am more focused on tying up all the loose ends so the conclusion I reach will make sense. Thank you for your review :o)

RaineMalfoy; the character Jennifer is the reviewer "Juxtaposed" who, about 10 Chapters back, asked if she could take on Pansy as I hadn't resolved what I was to do with her. I didn't want Draco to take on Pansy as I felt he has an odd sense of chivalry and, although I don't mention it, he would have hesitated at killing a woman, no matter how evil she was. And I certainly did not give Draco dark powers because I also thought they were sexy *looks around innocently* lol. Babies eh? I'll see what I can do; Draco's children would be cute. Thank you for reviewing.

Callie; I'm not killing off everyone but I can't have a battle without casualties. I promise to stop my killing spree with at least half of the school still standing. Lol. Thank you for the review.

Miss Rhapsody; Thank you a million times :o)

quiet-mg; Thank you. All will be revealed soon. I hope the conclusion this will eventually reach will please you.

dracohermioneluver; A few after effects for you in this Chapter and I hope this is soon enough for you.

lullaby87; Thank you.

BigRed-2006; I hope this Chapter answers a few questions. Lol. Thank you for reviewing :o)

Lucinda; Wow, thank you so much. I am glad you think so much of my writing.

Silverbutterfly; Thank you very much. It does get slightly annoying when people ask if I am going to finish it but I understand why they do as I have read loads of stories that have got half way through and then just stopped for no apparent reason, but I hope my little rant made the point clear. Lol.

Sheilalein; To be honest I'm not sure where the idea came from I think it was a combination of books that I have read over they years and my imagination, so I take half the credit as I'm sure Tamora Pierce and David Eddings have contributed along the way. Thank you for your review.

And here's the Chapter (see, I told you it was somewhere)......

Chapter 25-When Love is not Enough

Draco opened his eyes slowly, groaning as he felt the severe pounding in his head. He was back in his rooms; someone must have brought him back after the battle. His mind flashed back to the fighting; they had won! It was over. No doubt any of the Death Eaters who had survived would be on their way to Azkaban, but the Gods knew how the officials had coped with the trolls, Dementors, giants and dragons. His mind flashed again and he saw Hermione, lying unconscious on the floor, the scarlet flames licking at the soft skin of her stomach.

He leapt out of bed quickly, promptly collapsing to his knees as his ankle gave way and his head nearly exploded with pain.

"Ah Mr Malfoy, I see you are awake." Dumbledore's voice came from the fire, "I was hoping to catch you. I have been popping in regularly but did not wish to disturb you."

"Where's Hermione?" Draco demanded, kneeling in front of the fire, his face inches from Dumbledore's "Is she alright?"

"Miss Granger is in a critical condition in the hospital wing. She is alive but only just."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes. Myself and Madam Pomfrey have no qualms about letting you into the infirmary, but you must remember, Mr Malfoy, that you and Miss Granger have been very mucky indeed; other couples, other families, have not been so lucky."

Draco nodded and Dumbledore disappeared from the firs. Draco was in and out of the shower, dressed in black and on his way to the hospital wing within minutes, avoiding the odd looks he was receiving from the students who milled around aimlessly. It took him a few minutes to realise why there were so many peculiar looks coming his way; he was the only Slytherin left in the school, the rest having fled, been killed in battle, or been arrested.

"It must be ironic for them." Draco mused, "The only Slytherin left in the whole school is the King."

So to make himself feel better he growled at a first year Hufflepuff.

"It would probably be best appreciated Draco if you did not scare our remaining students to death." Snape's voice drifted through a nearby door.

"Sorry." Draco muttered.

"Are you one your way to see Hermione?"

"Yes. Have you been to see her yet?"

"Not as yet. My commitments to The Order unfortunately imposed vastly into the time I would have normally spent preparing the Seventh year N.E.W.T. exams."

"Shit." Draco blurted out, not thinking.

"Draco, don't tell me you had forgotten your education in the recent events?"

"To be honest Severus I have been preoccupied and until I know Hermione is definitely going to be OK I won't be able to focus."

"Then I shall pray that she recovers before your potions exams." Snape smirked, "I do not wish to mark a lame, half arsed attempt from my star student."

"Your star student is lying in the hospital wing and you know damn well that I'll walk that exam; revision or not."

"As your teacher I advise you to revise if you want to pass. Off the record though, you have nothing to worry about. Your mind is built for potions; just like your mothers."

Snape's eyes clouded over slightly and Draco felt a pang behind his eyes at the mention of his mother.

"You should go to Hermione." Snape said sharply, his cold exterior back in place, "I may visit later."

Draco nodded and made his way once more to Hermione's side.

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The hospital wing was full of people but almost silent except for the occasional whisper and sob. Draco's eyes wandered the room, taking in the faces and tears. By a bed, half way down the wing, on the right hand side, sat Harry. He was next to Ginny, clutching her hand as she lay in the soft, white sheets. Her eyes were closed and her pale skin was white and had a transparency to it that reminded Draco of paper. Harry looked up and Draco saw his eyes were red rimmed and tears flowed freely down his face. He said nothing but Draco sensed he should go over.

"She's fading Draco." Harry sobbed. "Soon there'll be nothing left. Her fire will go out, her essence will be gone and there'll be no Ginny left for me to love."

"I don't understand." Draco admitted. "Wasn't she saved?"

"No. I failed. Only half the killing curse hit her but it only takes half. It still hit and will still kill her, it's just taking longer. I didn't save her."

"You did all you could." Draco said, "And you saved millions of people in the process."

"But I've lost the only one that matters." Harry wept, his chest heaving as he sobbed, watching Ginny sweat, flail and struggle to breath as the curse filled her being.

Only half aware of his actions, Draco laid a comforting shoulder on Harry's shoulder and was slightly shocked to find himself embracing the Gryffindor as he wept onto his shoulder.

"I love you Ginny, please don't die. Please." Harry muttered over and over again.

Draco felt a tap on his own shoulder and, upon seeing Molly Weasley, he gently moved aside and pushed Harry towards her motherly embrace. The rest of the family were gathered around and Draco saw Ron stood next to the bed, looking over Ginny.

"We'll have lost three when she dies." He said to Draco.

Draco said nothing, it was not the kind of statement that one could easily respond to, but Ron continued anyway.

"Well, Ginny and Charlie I know you heard about, but it turns out Percy showed up part way through the battle but was killed practically instantly. We only just found out. Mum and Dad are devastated; they never got to make amends with Percy and now they never will, and to loose Charlie and Ginny as well, all in one day, is tearing their hearts up."

"I'm sorry." Draco said, his voice full of sincerity and he was shocked once more when Ron embraced him.

"Thanks." Ron muttered, hastily pulling away and wiping his eyes, "I mean it, it's been an honour and...well, y'know."

"Yeah, I know." Draco nodded, offering his hand. Ron shook it and Draco excused himself, nodding his condolences to the family as he went.

"Last bed on the left, with the drapes up." Madam Pomfrey muttered in his ear, and Draco nodded mutely, walking slowly to the bed.

He pulled back the thick drapes that concealed her and stepped inside where Dumbledore was waiting for him.

"Ah, Mr Malfoy. I shall give you a moment." Dumbledore stated before rising and moving beyond the drapes.

Draco nodded but said nothing. His eyes were fixed on his Sleeping Beauty that lay on the bed. Her face was serene and as beautiful as always, her dark hair fanned around her in a halo of shadows and her hands lay crossed on her chest. If he hadn't have known better he could have bet that she was no longer with them. But he knew she was, and it was this knowledge that made him step closer and take one of her slender hands. She was cold and her pulse was faint but she was still as beautiful as the day he had fallen in love with her.

"I love you 'Mi." He whispered, "And I'll be here until you wake up. I know you will. Hell, you can't leave me. What would I do then? I need you. I know you can pull through, you're strong. We won by the way, I don't know if you can remember or if you can hear me but we won. I'll fill you in fully when you wake up but..." he trailed off, not sure of what else to say.

Dumbledore appeared through the drapes silently and sat beside Draco as he stared at Hermione in her unconscious state. She looked so peaceful but her appearance troubled him even more because of that; she was too peaceful, as though an otherworldly presence hung around her and the air hummed and vibrated with magic.

"What's wrong with her?" Draco asked softly, barely breaking the unnatural silence.

"We have our guesses." Dumbledore said, equally softly, his great beard trembling as he spoke and Draco could see his eyes were glistening upon seeing the young witch in such a helpless state. "The closest that myself and Professor Snape have come is that there is a conflict within Herminie. The Gods are vying to own her. Neither wants to return her to the world in which she belongs, however we do not know why."

"Is there nothing we can do?"

"Again we are not sure. Every teacher in this school is, at this moment, working on a way to get our Head Girl back to us but as of yet everything that has been suggested is either impossible or far too dangerous."

Draco nodded, his eyes filling with tears; he had to help. He had to save her and he would not allow anyone to give up.

"Will you let me know if anyone thinks of anything?" He asked, turning his eyes to the Headmaster.

"Of course I will." Dumbledore assured.

"And if I can help anyway."

"I will let you know immediately. But for now I must return to my studying of the magic of the past twelve centuries in order to see what I can come up with." And with that Dumbledore rose from the chair and slowly made his way out of the infirmary. Draco heard him mutter to Madam Pomfrey on the way out; "Let him stay as long as he needs to. Him and Harry."

The large door slid shut and Draco sat in the cool hospital wing, staring at Hermione and listening to Harry's sobs that occasionally broke the surreal tranquillity.

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He had no idea how long he had sat there, but it must have been many hours for the rosy dusk was falling outside and the night owls were beginning their calls. A creak and soft footsteps sounded through the long room, and Draco heard the drapes rustle behind him as someone entered the cubicle. He didn't look round; he knew who it was before they even sat down.

"Hello Severus." He muttered, his eyes never leaving Hermione and his praying never letting up for a single moment that she might awaken suddenly.

"I would ask how you are, but I can see that is relatively obvious." Severus' cool voice answered, as he pulled up a large, squishy armchair next to Draco.

"Stop itching it." Snape said, and it took Draco a few moments to realise that he had been subconsciously rubbing at the spot on his forearm where the Dark Mark was.

"Has your been bothering you?" He asked Snape, rolling back his sleeve to stare at the angry looking mark on his skin.

"Ever since the battle, but it's not fading as Albus said it would and I am not sure why?"

"Dumbledore said it will fade?"

"In theory as there is not master to call anyone using it."

"So why hasn't it?"

"As I just said, we are not sure. But according to Madam Pomfrey Hermione has still got hers and that has shown no signs of fading yet either."

Draco nodded and went back to staring at Hermione. A silence fell between the old friends as they watched their comrade in her unnatural sleep.

"Why won't she wake up?" Draco demanded suddenly, punching the fat chair arm. He didn't expect Snape to have to answer but it made him feel better being able to almost raise his voice to someone in authority. He knew Snape wouldn't really appreciate the outburst, but he would tolerate it.

"I think I may have stumbled across something." Snape admitted, and Draco noticed a scrap of paper clutched in his mentor's hand.

"Tell me Severus. What have you found? What's keeping her away from me?"

"It's complicated Draco, and dangerous to amend."

"I don't care. If it means that Hermione can be saved then I'll do it."

"You're a fool." Snape snapped.

"I'm in love with her."

"That's what I said; you're a fool."

"Haven't you ever been in love Severus?"

For one split second Draco thought he had taken the banter one step too far and feared that Severus would erupt in the usual fashion he did when anyone tried to gain information about his past. But for once Severus Snape's expression softened and his eyes glazed over as he began to remember his youth. He did not meet Draco's own stare but instead looked at Hermione.

"I was in love once. Many years ago, before you were born. She was sight to behold. I would watch her during school but was always afraid to take it any further."

"Were you friends?"

"We knew each other, but the looks I gave her were more than ones of friendship and she would not have approved of them. This was in our seventh year, by which time it made no difference as she had promised herself to another; a man I hated."

Draco raked through his thoughts of people Snape had openly hated when he was at school and who they had been dating at the time.

"Lily Evans?" He suddenly gasped, "You were in love with Harry's mum."

To his surprise Snape laughed;

"Lily? Honestly Draco, you are a child at times. Lily was a relative of mine; my cousin."

"How?" Draco said, stunned, "You're a pureblood and she was muggleborn."

"Actually she was half. Her father was a squib and her mother was a muggle." Snape sighed, "It gets slight confusing but here's the brief version. The Evans family is almost as old as that of the Malfoys; it dates back to the book of silver and has been continued through male heirs. You see Lily's father was a squib, however he had a brother; my father, who was not. Naturally the whole family was thrilled when the magical son gave birth to another magical son who could continue the name; me. However, angry at the way that my father and the rest of the family were towards pureblood and hereditary Lily's father and mother all but divorced us and the only contact Lily and I had was at school; where we became good friends to each other. Of course no one else knew that; inter-house relations with Slytherin being what they always have been."

"So why don't you share the same last name? Surely if your fathers were brothers your last name would have been the same."

"It was."

"So what were you called?"

Severus sighed;

"You're going to make me tell you anyway aren't you? Even though I may die of shame."

Draco nodded.

"Peruses S. Evans."

He couldn't help it; a snigger escaped his throat, which he hastily tried to conceal with a cough.

"I can see why you changed it." He giggled.

"Actually I changed it for another reason. Lily and I had a large argument in our seventh year. She was adamant on marrying James Potter and I insisted he wasn't good enough for her. After I left school I joined with Voldemort. Lily and I were still not speaking and changing my name provided me with a new identity under a new master and severed me from my old life."

"An appropriate name you chose." Draco remarked, "And interesting as you did nothing other than rearrange the letters in your original name."

"Everybody needs memories." Snape muttered.

"Isn't Harry's aunt a muggle?"

"No. She's a squib; hence her knowledge of aspects of the wizarding world and her bitterness against her sister. Of course Petunia would never admit to possessing the rogue gene so she denies all knowledge."

"We've strayed from the subject." Draco pointed out, "tell me more about the girl you loved."

"She was the most beautiful and lively witch I had ever met aside from Lily but she rejected me for another; the man I did not approve of. He was dark, evil and she followed his lead. But I thought I could save her. They were two of the first to join up with Voldemort the first time round and she was the reason I also joined up; I was sure I could make her see the error of her ways, renounce her love for...him, and take me instead. I was a fool. She had fallen too deeply into the dark arts. When I was initiated I saw her; the love for life had gone from her eyes and she had a dark soul; a soul that I hoped she would not pass onto the child she was bearing at the time. I tolerated her husband and we became acquaintances. Only a few months later I heard that Lily and James had been killed, and in that same month that you were born. It was then that I made up my mind that I could not stand by and watch an innocent child be corrupted or watch as the world was slain; that night I went to Dumbledore and he helped me guide you. Luckily you turned out OK." Snape half smiled, "not bad at all."

Draco started.

"Me? You loved my mother?"

Snape ignored Draco's outburst and, knowing he had gained more insight into the potion masters life than anyone except Dumbledore, Draco knew not to pursue the matter any further.

"So if you've been in love you know how important it is for me to save Hermione." He said delicately.

"I do, but I also have to ask myself if I am willing to allow you to make such a dangerous rescue attempt. I am your guardian now and so must think rationally."

"Severus that girl in that bed means more to me than the entire world. I love her and I need her so if you can help me save her please do so."

Snape said nothing but appeared to be mulling the thought over, considering all the options.

"I will tell you but the final decision rests with myself and Dumbledore, understand?"

Draco nodded meekly under the menacing glare of the most feared teacher.

"It's a complex travelling process of the mind. It involves mentally placing yourself in the celestial plane where Hermione is trapped. There the Greatest of the Gods will meet with you; in this case it will be Asriel and Meroviel the God and Goddess of dark and Megorian and Lilqueth the Goddess' of light. You will be tested by these Deities and, if they need to do so, they may call upon others in order to prove your intentions."

"It sounds a bit simple, and why is there two Goddess' of light but one of each for dark?"

"Do you not pay attention? Lilqueth and Megorian rule equally over the plane of light, Algora, and are physically and mentally equal in every way because when Megorian came into being she wished to have someone who was her partner and her equal who she rule alongside. However, when Asriel came into being he wanted to rule over everything and everyone so he made Meroviel in a different form; he did not wish her to be physically the same as him in case she challenged him so he created her as his submissive. He rules Bogelt, the plane of darkness with her at his side. The wants of the Gods should not be fooled with lightly and if they want Hermione to stay with them you must find out the reason and try to prove them wrong; a difficult task in itself."

"How do I get to the celestial plane?" Draco asked, his confidence building as he saw his task ahead.

"It's an ancient art; World-Walking."

"But World-Walking is a myth. It's nothing more than a child's story. A witch on her travels in order to restore the balance of good and light, and her fellow companion."

"Amberal and Fen." Snape said simply. "Amberal was the witch who created the art of World-Walking. Only one set of stones exist and, unsurprisingly, they reside in Dumbledore's office. Fen was indeed her companion but little is known about him."

Draco stared at Snape as if he had gone mad until the potions master spoke;

"Surely you, a wizard, of all people should understand that child's fairytales can be real? In the muggle world you would be mocked as being eccentric if you told people you had magical powers and yet you doubt this?"

"Fine, what do I do? I haven't heard the story in ten years so my World- Walking is a little rusty."

"Well..."

"Have you ever done it?" Draco interrupted.

"I have never had the need. The powers of Amberal's stones should not be called upon lightly. Now don't interrupt. The traveller must place themselves in peace where they will not be disturbed and then they select the stones they wish to use. The stones are called the Celestial Runes and allow the person who can control them to enter the worlds of the Gods; Algora and Bogelt. In this case the stones you would choose would be Goreth, as you wish to travel mentally, Asarel, as you wish to contact Lilqueth and Megorian, Korget, as you also need to speak with Asriel and Meroviel and Tiltoi as you must meet them in a neutral place, one that is not their own kingdom but which you also know; the Chamber of the Gods. The stones are selected and placed around the traveller who then makes the signs of the Gods and is transported mentally to his location.

Draco's head swam as he listened to all that Snape had just said.

"I'll do it." He said, "I need to understand it some more but I'll do it."

"I thought you would. We shall speak with Dumbledore as soon as possible."

He inclined his head in silent goodbye and Draco was soon left alone again.

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In the middle of the night Draco started from his sleep at the harsh sounds of sobbing through the darkness. Slowly he peered around the curtain and saw the flickering of candles around Ginny Weasley's bed. The entire family as well a Harry, Dumbledore and McGonagall were stood around the bed that held the frail girl, and Draco knew that the secret which the Gods had told Hermione on Harry and Ginny's wedding day had come true and that the Great War had just claimed another life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Author's Note; I know this was may have been confusing so if anyone doesn't understand anything please let me know and leave an e-mail address and I will get back to you. P.S. For those of you who suggested I write original fic; if I do I may use this idea of World-Walking so what do you think?