(A/N: The next chapter is unbelievably unpredictable. I'm debating whether or not to have this be the end with the next chapter as an epilogue...I don't know. So I'm terribly sorry but chapter 35 won't be up for a while. I was very surprised by all the nice reviews! Thank you!! We might even make 200! Thanks for everything and here's chapter 34...hugs, Haystack)

Usual Disclaimer

Taela: I'm glad you liked the explanation! It took a while to write and I was worried it did not come across effectively! So thanks!

SamboTheGreat: Don't worry. I understand. I'm terribly sorry that situation didn't blow over. I can sympathize with Dez since it wasn't long ago I was in a similar position but I know for sure that it's no fun being stuck in the middle. If Dez and Nuna were truly friends, they'll get over it...a boy is not something that can rip apart true friends. I'm glad to hear that you haven't died...hang in there!!

SOBs 4 Sirius 223: Chapter 34 just for you...

Smiles28: I'm so happy you liked the Death Eater's Plan. It took me a good month or two to finalize it...so I'm ecstatic that my efforts were appreciated! Hopefully Harry's reaction is how you want it to be...thanks for reviewin!

dracoisahottie13: Honestly I've been thinking about the "big bang" and I've switched my plans around quite a lot. I'm in the process of writing the next chapter with one idea but if it's not to my liking I'll switch it. I want a good loud bang, but I'm trying to tie up a series and cliffhangers or unanswered questions would not result in happy reviewers lol...so I just want you to know that I'm working on it. Thanks for such an encouraging review!

HogwartsHeadGirl1: So nice to hear from you again! Hope you enjoy chapter 34! Thanks for reviewing!

Courtney Anne: lol glad you liked the little hand holding stuff I made Draco do in last chapter. I always thought it'd be comforting to have a boyfriend in times of such turmoil like our friends here...Thanks for reviewing!

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CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR: FOREVER TOGETHER

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"Ron just broke up with you?"

"In a way, yes"

"Oh" Harry looked at Ron who was busy staring at Hermione with a look of utmost guilt and he felt his throat constrict. "Then what?"

"Then we suffered all summer long. Draco and I got back together and eventually Ron and I did too." Hermione replied, having been nominated the storyteller, she was doing exceptionally well; spitting out the story with no emotion whatsoever, like a robot.

"That's good then" Harry said, desperately trying to find some bright spot in this morbidly depressing story.

"Yes I suppose so."

"So that's it then? You all just--" Harry paused, having difficult spitting out the word "suffered for nine more months?'

"No" Hermione said wearily

"Well what then?"

"Patience Harry" Dumbledore spoke

"Right. Sorry Hermione."

"Well we realized once term started again, just how many other student's had died. I'm sure you've noticed all those empty seats in class."

Harry nodded, urging Hermione to continue "Anyways, um things got a little confusing after that." She said in a rush, looking at Ron

"What do you mean?"

Hermione panicked. For Harry to ask questions about his funeral was perfectly normal. But that night...Ron's words still echoed in her head, the feeling of his fist smacking her jaw, her pain and the confusion that followed with Draco...it was not a memory she was fond of re-visiting.

"Um...time went by really fast and it's kind of confusing which events happened first."

"'Mione I don't care about the order of events. Just tell me what happened" he said softly, staring into her brown eyes.

Sensing her discomfort, Draco spoke up, "I think it's time someone else told the story. Your voice sounds pretty hoarse Hermione."

But Neville and Ginny did not know what events had occurred that night and were just as curious as Harry

"Wait, I never heard this part"

"What happened?"

"Why can't you tell us?"

"It can't be that bad"

"Please?"

"I HIT HERMIONE OKAY?!!" Ron suddenly bellowed. Everyone stopped talking and turned to stare at Ron, freezing in whatever positiong they'd been before his outburst.

"You WHAT?" the three chorused, horrified

"I BLOODY HIT HER ALRIGHT? I GOT DRUNK AND SCREAMED AT HER AND THEN KNOCKED HER TO THE GROUND!"

No one spoke.

Neville and Harry were looking at Ron like they'd never seen him before, Ginny only shook her head and looked tearfully at her brother.

Overcome with emotion, Ron sat down again and tried to distract himself and desperately try not to cry. Hermione, feeling more guilty by the moment, stood up and wrapped her arms around Ron from behind. The action is what finally made Ron's tears fall and Hermione stroked his hair and whispered, "Shh...it's okay Ron. It was one night...it's over now."

Harry cleared his throat, "Did he really hit you Hermione?" He asked in a quiet voice

Hermione only nodded, her chin resting on the top of Ron's head.

"And he really was drunk and screamed horrible things at you?"

Again, she nodded

"Why?" Harry asked softly

"We lost to Slytherin." She said simply

"In Quidditch?"

"Yes"

"It was all over Quidditch?"

"No. It was about you" Hermione said almost inaudibly

"Me?"

"Without you on the team Harry, Draco caught the snitch. It was a huge blow to Ron. So he got some firewhisky and waited to take it all out on me"

Harry sighed and made his way across the room. Ron's eyes lifted and fear flew across them, and he backed away, afraid of what Harry might do.

Slowly Harry lifted up his arm....and embraced Ron, hugging him tight.

"I'm so sorry mate. It's all my fault. I didn't mean to put you through all this." He grunted, voice thick with emotion

"It was just so terrible without you" Ron replied, sniffing

As the boys hugged, Hermione, Draco, Neville, Ginny and Dumbledore smiled. Hermione approached the two boys and they opened up for her. She laughed, holding them tight, and Harry and Ron both broke out into their familiar wide tooth grins.

Draco smiled, and said to Neville, "I suppose the Golden Trio is back huh?

To this, Neville gazed fondly at the threesome and nodded "Yes...they're back!"

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Ron wiped a tear from his tan face, comforted by Harry and Hermione's presences. But when he lifted his head up, he felt not two...but five hands on his shoulders; Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Draco's faces all smiling brightly at him and he suddenly knew then, that he would be alright. They all would be.

The five had paid prices greater than any adults. They'd endured the curses of Death Eaters, the evil of Voldemort, and the pain of Death. Innocence long gone...warriors now instead of children, they found comfort in only each other. A friendship so great, Death Eaters, Voldemort, and Death itself had tried it...but it had never broken. Forever connected, they stood united...finally together again.

It was from this realm they would draw their strength to go on, to live life happily to the best of their abilities.

They'd lost their parents...they'd lost their friends and teachers. But now, with the last remains of evil left, they would never loose each other.

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