(A/N: Well I didn't exactly make my goal of Saturday to update but this weekend has been just as busy as the week that preceded it. Right now it is currently 5:30 a.m. and I've been up for an hour writing this, just because it's been almost a week since I've last updated, and that's terrible! I can't let myself sink to an update-once-a-week author, I want conclusion of this series and you all probably want to know what's next. This chapter isn't a favorite but that's probably because I haven't really edited it, and because I want it posted since my first class starts at seven and some breakfast would be nice before it. I'm sorry for not replying to your reviews this chapter but I hope you all will understand why. THANK YOU for them though! We've got 55 reviews to go to reach 200.... think we can make it?! Lol I'll try to update sometime during the week but I've got a write-to-pass paper due this week and a million other activities going on so I hope you all will understand. THANK YOU so much for everything and enjoy this chapter. Hugs, haystack)

Usual Disclaimer

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: NIGHT TO DAY

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Everyone was frozen in place. Not a soul moved, no one dared breathe. For once they were all united; Death Eaters and the students alike. All wondering—though some in fear and some in wonder—what Albus Dumbledore's first move would be.

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Gingerly, Dumbledore took a single step forward into the light. The Death Eaters retreated in fear, and Harry grinned widely at their faces, excitement and joy dancing in his eyes. And then, there it was, Dumbledore raised his pinkie.

"What's he doing?" Neville asked Harry confused

"Just watch,"

Motioning with the smallest wave of his finger, Aurors and members of the Order suddenly rushed inside the dampened cave.

They entered as a mob, in an impressive number, crying the same battle cry and holding their wands up, almost like a sword.

Despite the situation, Harry laughed, receiving curious glances from Ginny and Neville. Leave it to Dumbledore to come; right when they'd all lost their hope, right when they needed him most, with a mob of Aurors and Order members that overpowered the Death Eaters with no question. It was just so like him!

They all watched intently as the Death Eaters bravely put up a last stand...but it was no use. Wormtail had tried to sneak off, but Kingsley had rounded him up into the center of the room, where the others Death Eaters were, Order members surrounding them like cats slowly advancing on it's prey.

"One...Two...THREE" Mad-Eye-Moody shouted and just like that, spells were shot at the unfortunate group in the center of the circle. The more sympathetic kindhearted adults such as Tonks, uttered stunning spells where as the battle-hardened ones like Moody, showed no mercy and used a killing curse.

All the Death Eaters fell to the floor. Whether they fell to the cold stone dead or simply stunned varied, but either way, the battle was over just as night turned to day and the sky came alive with colors.

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Hermione sighed and realized that she'd been holding her breath in ever since Dumbledore had first made his presence known. A smile crept up the side of her face and she turned to Draco.

"It's over isn't it?" She asked

He laughed jovially and lifted her face, planting a passionate kiss on her lips. "Yes love, it is" He whispered

Pulling away, Hermione looked over at Harry and Ginny, who were smiling with Neville and suddenly felt her stomach plunge. Ron!

Before she could say anything to Draco, she began to run towards the overhanging rock she'd last seen him disappear into.

"Hermione? What are you doing?" He heard her call after her but her mind was focused on her best friend.

He'd saved her...Ron had gathered her up in his arms, risking himself, to save her from the killing curse. And what had she done? Shoved him under a rock and gone off and snogged Draco!

Slowing down, she approached the overhang where Ron laid, only half of his body protected from the rocks above him, the other side...Hermione gasped.

His clothes were burned, and practically fell off of his body; which had a series of bruises, cuts, and small burn marks on it. He was sporting a black eye, and seemed to soak in his own blood.

Tears were already gathering in her eyes at the sight of him. Shaking, she slowly kneeled beside him and shook him, hoping to wake him up. But nothing happened. Panicking now, Hermione lifted his wrist in search of a pulse.

Wiping his hair away from his eyes, Hermione gently whispered, "Ron, wake up"

No response

Hermione scooted herself until she was sitting behind his head, which she laid in her lap, and slapped him across the face. When he didn't move, Hermione's tears began to fall.

'Not Ron...Please not Ron. Not after we're all together again...not after Harry and that scare with Draco, I can't handle another death. Please Merlin No...' she thought to herself

"You know, for a girl, you slap incredibly hard!" A rough voice suddenly spoke

"Ron?!!" She snapped her head up and threw her arms around him.

"Oof! Easy there Mione, I'm pretty beat up"

"I'm sorry" she said sincerely

He threw her his famous lopsided grin, "You really do slap amazingly for a girl...bloody thing hurt like hell"

"Prat" she muttered, wiping her tears away

"Where is everyone?" he asked

"They're all fine...we won. Dumbledore and the Order are here"

Ron's eyes bulged out a bit "Your kidding..." he said

"No. Why?"

"Well I would have appreciated them being here a good four hours or so earlier but I suppose that'll have to do" He smirked

"You better be thankful they're here at all. Another ten minutes and we would have all been dead"

Neither could think of anything to say to that.

"I'm really glad you're okay" Ron finally said

"Me? I was worried about you!"

"I was under a rock Hermione...I was fine. Well until some Death Eater pulled me out. But I had no idea what happened to you."

"Draco got me after you saved my life"

"Saved your life?" He asked curiously, earning a confused look from Hermione. "Oh yea that."

"Thank you for saving me" she said, the words sounding stupid in her mind.

"It's nothing 'Mione. I care about you so much I could never let anything hurt you. Besides, I did promise Harry that...HARRY! Is he all right? Where is he? Have you talked to him yet?" Ron asked suddenly

"No, I wanted to see if you were alright first"

"You wanted to see me instead of Harry?" Ron asked incredulously

"Of course Ron. As much I want to see Harry, knowing if you're alive or not is more important."

Touched by her words Ron opened his arms, "Come here" he said. Hermione eagerly hugged him, he kissing the top of her head, and she, smiling at the gesture.

"Hermione?" Draco's voice asked, as he made his way towards the friends.

"Yes?"

Draco suddenly laughed, "Don't you look pretty Weasley!"

"Bugger off" Ron said, smiling though as he looked over himself.

"Hermione, I think there are a few people who want to see you"

"Well, help me get Ron up first."

"Okay" he replied, reaching down and lifting Ron up from the ground, throwing an arm across his shoulder, while Hermione came and grabbed the other side of him.

They moved at a slow pace, Draco truly carrying most of Ron's weight. But when the threesome saw Harry, Dumbledore, and the others waiting for them, Hermione looked at Ron, who nodded his understanding.

And without a glance back, Hermione ran full speed into Harry who was waiting for her with open arms.

(A/N: Well??? REVIEW! Hugs, Haystack)