Disclaimer: I don't own any of the orginial Harry Potter character because I am not that creative...but I wish i was...I only own the plot and my characters.

Don't Waste Your Time on Me

Everything was happening so fast but in slow motion all at the same time. Before she could shout out to one person, there would danger to another one and Katie felt completely overwhelmed by the death and devastation that was occurring all around her. Cheyan was laying dead in front of her, Tara was a vampire on a feeding frenzy, Harry was running after her and some Deatheater and Ron was frantically trying to protect her while she was just attempting to process everything that was happening. She wanted to call out for help but who was left? Who could save them all?

Then in outermost reaches of her mind, Katie heard a voice of reason guiding her through all that was going on back into action...

You must protect Ron and Dumbledore, guide them back to the castle for shelter and better vantage point to attack from....they will protest but the castle has the one entrance that the enemy will use...go now..

Who are you?

That's irrelevant...just do as I say and you will live to see the morning.

Blinding trusting the voice as it was the only the plan that she seemed to make sense, she maneuvered herself next to Ron and told him to retreat to the castle doors then retreated to Dumbledore to tell him the same thing. As the voice had warned, they looked at her with skepticism but motioned that they would follow almost as if the voice were driving them also. When they reached the doors, the survivors surveyed the situation and quickly realized that they had lost at least half of their group and felt their spirits drop until a series of loud pops in the background announced the arrival of the other Order members to bring reinforcements.

Spells were flying everywhere clear up to the time in which the large doors closed and Dumbledore began wildly chanting for extra protection at the opening. Lupin, Tonks and all the Weasleys were trying to assess the injured and half-heartedly take a body count so far when the absence of Harry, Hermione, Draco and Tara sent chills of despair through them all. No one had any idea where any of them were or if they were even still alive as the last sight of them was running into the Forbidden Forrest to Merlin only knows what fate. Ron, Katie, George and Fred were sent to each of the houses to gather the children and any volunteers to help in the fight but assumed that the number would be small. To their surprise, however, the list of volunteers was high even from Slytherin despite their initial instinct to not trust them. Upon the groups arrival back at the Great Hall it was largely apparent that Voldemort and his forces were appallingly close to breaking through the doors.

The remaining teachers once again formed the half moon protective stance while the students broke into small groups and hid in various sections of the castle for the sneak attack and protective force. The push against the huge doors was so great that everyone could she the wood bending from the weight. Slowly the wood began to splinter and with one last militant push the door blew into a thousand pieces. Flashes of green, red and blue darted in all directions with bodies for both sides littering the ground like forgotten trash. The sight was frightful for the hidden students, paralyzing some with terror and prompting other to run away for shelter. The light side was losing and defeat appeared inevitable when the a small figure appeared in the doorway like an angel of mercy....

--------------------------------------------

Leaning over Harry, Tara was hoping that it wasn't too late and from the look in his eyes he knew what she intended to do but was powerless to stop it. As she leaned in, she could hear someone shouting to her not to do it but there was no other way or so she told herself as sunk herself into the supple skin and drank of the power and sweetness that he was. She could feel the pumping of his heart beginning to slow and she pulled back to open the vein on her neck so he could drink of her blood in order to complete the transformation. Softly she raised his head to her neck and told him to drink or he would die leaving Voldemort to reign uncontested. At the mere mention of that possibility, Harry began to drink before falling back to the sensation of his stomach rejecting the fresh blood.

He could sense the closing of his opened veins as his heart slowed more and more while his lungs exhaled their last clean breath. He was dying, changing into something he didn't understand or really want but he had to stop Voldemort and if this was the only way then so be it. From the corner of his eye, he could see Hermione lying on the ground and Tara was feeding off one of the two remaining Deatheater as the other one tried to run away. With one gaze, she stopped him dead in his tracks and had him next to Harry as an offering once the change was complete. The taste of her blood was still fresh in his mouth but flavor was beginning to fade and he wondered if he would ever be able to enjoy any of his favorite foods again.

Lethargically, his heavy eyelids closed and Harry felt the last of the Boy Who Lived fade away and something new and dark surface from the depths of his belly. Hungarily, Harry snapped up to a sitting position and looked upon the frightened face of the man next to him as a smirk of his own graced his lips. Midnight snack, was the only thought to pop into his head and he sprung forward opening the man's jugular without hesitation not stopping until his victims heart slowed almost to a stop. When he looked up again, he saw Tara standing before with an ominous expression of sorrow filling the night air. What's done is done and can be undone.

Tara helped him to his feet and lead him to the edge of the forest so could rest before they completed their journey. It would take at least an hour for the body to fully accept it's new state and he needed to be hidden until then as he would not be able to defend himself just yet. Ordering him to stay there, she headed back to the clearing to get see if Hermione was alive or dead. As she approached the clearing, she noticed instantly that the girl was gone but had no idea if it was someone's hand or her own. Only time would tell the answer to that question she assumed and turned to head back towards Harry hoping the others could hold their ground until Harry was strong enough to fight.....

-----------------------------------------------------

Crowded streets all cleared away
One by One
Hollow heroes separate
As they run

You're so cold
Keep your hand in mine
Wise men wonder while
Strong men die

Hermione was making her way to the castle doors fearing what may lie behind them but determined to see this through to the end. Thinking mostly of the love that's been lost and the friends that will be gone, she was almost at the front doors to castle when she heard a comforting voice in the distance and welcomed his intrusion. Why did this have to be her fate? Why couldn't she just be happy for one more day instead of this? Because the prophecy came before all of them and with it their fates were sealed.


Show me how it ends it's alright
Show me how defenseless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
That's alright, let's give this another try

You're not alone, I will stay with you to guide you to where you belong. You only need to listen to me and the music in your heart will show you the way.

Why are they doing this? How can I be the one when I couldn't even save you?

It was never your place to save me. This was my role to play but it is not the end, we will be together again and all will be understood. For now you must do the one thing that will save the others and put your faith in me to do the rest.

I don't want to save the rest if the price is yours and mine to pay. It means nothing if I am alone.

I told you that you are not alone. Do you believe in me? Would I lie to you?

Look around, I am alone. A voice is my head is not the same as a person standing beside me. At this moment with all that I have lost, I choose to trust no one and nothing. Now what do you have to say about that?

A body next to you can fall, the voice in your mind will never leave you and you know it. You will do the right thing no matter what the price is. Look to your left, that's Cheyan and if you don't want to lose the rest of your friends and loved ones then you will embrace your destiny and quickly. There is no more time.

If you find your family, don't you cry
In this land of make-believe, dead and dry

Again with the music, does someone up there in the skies above hate her or something? This isn't the land of make-believe, this is hell, her hell and it was time for them all to pay for what she's lost. With that last thought, she picked up her pace and stormed through the open doors of the castle. Bodies were everywhere but she couldn't really see them as her only concern was the evil in the black cloak just inches from her with a confused expression upon his face. Or was that amusement?

"Hello, little mudblood. Come to join your friendssssss or maybe my foolisssssssh Dragon?" Voldemort hissed coolly to her.

"I've come to collect on a debt." she seethed as she raised her wand and began her chant....
-----------------------

Draco was bouncing from mind to mind trying to organize, encourage and motivate the various personalities into acts of bravery and self sacrifice. The only mind that he couldn't reach right now was Harry's and that worried Draco for feared the worst for his backup option. If Hermione proved too weak to use the spell to its full effect then someone else would have to continue it. It was well known throughout the wizarding community that Voldemort couldn't kill Harry as a baby due to sacrifice of love given to him by his mother and father, so logic would have it that love was the best offence to defeat the Dark Lord but he needed someone with a tremendous amount of love to perform the spell to its maximum impact. Having seen Tara about to transform Harry, Draco feared that some of his love would die with his body and therefore, he attempted to recruit Hermione and her love and bravery as a substitute but after hearing her just moments ago he wondered if her heart hadn't been tainted as well by these events.

Who else was there to turn to if Hermione failed? Then he remember watching the red headed fool's actions to protect his love and wondered if maybe he would be the trump card in this spell. His love for his friends, family and his girlfriend could be channeled to assist Hermione then the same spell performed from opposite directions might be enough to overpower Voldemort. Yes, that was the most logical tactic. But before he sent that plan to motion, Draco decided to pay another short visit to instigator of this attack.

Deep within the Slytherin dungeons, Blaise was poised in the common waiting out the attack as he did not want it to be confused as to which side he was on and harmed in the crossfire. He really didn't have a chosen side, he only wanted to be alive when all was said and done. At his family's insistance, he had corrupted the little Gryffindor into slipping out details about the true nature of Draco pursuit of the Gryffindor girl and quite to his suprise, his so called friend was playing traitor to his blood and house. He did the only thing that seemed right at the time and informed the Dark Lord of this but, after seeing the reality of his own betrayal, he questioned what was right and wrong.

Cheyan had was young and trusting but she was also the only one to touch the tenderest part of his heart that he hadn't even known existed. When the battle began he had horrified to learn that she had joined in the fight. She had been so adamant that she didn't want any part of that group anymore but obviously guilt had kicked in when she realized that it was her information that set in all into motion. As Professor Snape asked for volunteers to join the Light side in the fight against Voldemort, Blaise had went to try to find her and protect her only to see her lifeless body on the grounds outside and relented in his flash of chivalry. He couldn't save her or himself now. Death would be too kind for him as the only person to ever show him genuine affection had been betrayed by him and then paid the extreme price to try to gain back her honor.

Lost in regret and grief, Blaise heard the haunting voice of his tormentor in his mind and knew the piper had come for his dues. But what could Draco possibly want from him now and how would he be able to trust in him after all that had transpired? The answer to that was not far behind but a huge leap of faith for them both.

Never thought it would you to do this to me only to regret it because of a girl. You're losing your touch old friend.

I feared that you would come for me but I had no choice. I did what we were raised to do, I didnt' have a choice.

We all have choices, you just chose poorly.

Why are you here, is it just to torture me until I die. Too late, I can't get the sight of the bodies out of my mind.

No, I came to give you the opportunity to redeem yourself. At least to some small degree. It might just keep you out of Azkaban. Are you ready to listen?

I can't they will kill me. It doesn't matter which side wins, I'll be dead either way.

So you have nothing to lose....but your soul if you chose poorly again. There's no way around it, Blaise. It's time to pay the piper and your my last option.

Fine but promise me that I can that you will leave me in peace when it's over.

Agreed, as long as you don't die too.

Draco then set the final portion of his plan into action and set Blaise on his way. If this didn't work then at least he would be able to resign himself that he had exhausted all possible resources to save them and himself in the process. Finally, he set off to spark Weasley into motion and then sit back to watch the scenario unfold. Once again, Draco was struck by the irony that the fate of everyone was placed at the feet of mere children despite all the efforts of the wise.

----------------------------------------------------

Ron, can you hear me? It's Malfoy and I need you to help Hermione.

Where are you? I can't see you. Where's Harry, Hermione and Tara? Cheyan is dead and we need you to get here as soon as possible. Malfoy????

I'm in your head but I can't physically get to you guys. Please just listen, Harry is with Tara but they can't help right now either. The defeat of Voldemort rests with Hermione and you, it's a love spell and I need you to channel all your love of your family, friends and Katie into it while chanting "Adamo Nemo-Inis". Do you understand?

No, why can't Harry come? Why can't you come? Did you know this was going to happen? Did you betray us?

If I knew about this and had betrayed you, then why would I be helping you now? Just do it...Hermione's almost here. Don't fail or all will be lost....

But...but....Malfoy?????

Ron looked at the entrance and saw Hermione coming in with her wand pointed directly at you know who sporting a look that could kill. But that was the idea, no wasn't it? To kill Voldemort and end this for good. Harry was suppose to do this though, not Hermione and him. What is happening and where is Harry???

-------------------------------------------------

"Stupify" came from Hermione.

"Protego" Voldemort retaliated.

"Mobilarbus" shouted Hermione.

"Petrificus Totalus" Ron jumped in.

"Expelliarmus" Volemort tried to hit Ron but couldn't block both spells at once and fell to ground. Hermione and Ron looked at each other knowing it was time to start the chant....

"ADAMO NEMO-INIS" they shouted at the same time and repeated over and over until they heard sharp yells of pain and anguish coming from him. The two stood back and just watched as the room fell silent and even the Deatheaters attention was drawn to horrific yelps of pain. Rays of green, red and gold shone all around him until it seemed as though his head would splinter into two. Blood began to flow from all points of his face, the eyes, nose, mouth and ears until at last he fell silent. A silvery mist rose from the limp body and began to circle the two friends looking ready to attack when a misty figure appeared from the floor and stood before Hermione and Ron. A loud gasp escaped from Hermione's mouth as the truth of who was standing before caused her to face the one thing she had been refusing to believe all night....

"Dragon...."

"Filth"

"You can't stop me now."

"Perhaps, but I know who can..."

"Really?"

There was no verbal answer from Draco, he only pointed to the top of the stairwell where Blaise was standing and holding the Ancient Book of Spells to Banish the Spirts. The young man looked terrified but ready to do his task.

"Now Blaise."

Blaise withdrew his wand from his cloak pointed it directly at the Dark Lord and yelled with all the force and meaning that was within him "Tandum sodes anima inremeabilis cinis meton".

There was a mind numbing boom followed by a forceful swirling wind sucking everything towards the center of the apex. As objects and persons passed throught the vortex they came out the other side in ashes which were immediately blow away into the night. Voldemort was the fighting the current with all his might but as he began to lose his footing he lunged forward with the last of his strength and grabbed hold of Draco pulling his throught the vortex with him. Hermione reached out in vain but held back by Ron knowing good and well she would be turned to ash if she was sucked into it. Just before he passed through the center and into oblivion, Draco turned back to her and quoted the last of the song she had in her mind earlier in the evening....

You're so cold, but you feel alive
Lay your hands on me one last time

I will wait for you on the other side..........

And then he was gone, the wind stopped blowing and everyone was left standing there trying to process what they had just witnessed and who had saved them. Not in a million years did anyone have believed that this is how the war would end but in was and it did. Hermione was the only one to fall to the ground where he had been and cried, in the end he had made the ultimate sacrifice for her and the others but it was her that had doubted the path only because it meant she would venture on alone. Now there was just one more journey she needed to make and only one person who could help her but where was he?

--------------------------------------------

Hermione was desperately looking around for Dumbledore but couldn't find him and a sickening fear surfaced within her that maybe he too had been sucked into the vortex and if that had happened then who would help her get to Draco? The distraught look upon her face prompted Blaise to come up to her and offer his condolences but as soon as Hermione understood who he was the wheels of her mind began to churn again.

"I'm so sorry Granger, he was one of my best friends and I'm going to miss him." Blaise stated sympathetically.

"Do you know how to get to the Manor?" she asked ignoring his opening remark.

"Well yeah but why would anyone want to go there?" he replied skeptically.

"We have to get his body." she answered flatly.

"The Ministry will take care of that. What's really going through her mind, Granger? What are you really up to?" he pressed.

"I won't be able to really believe it unless I can see it for myself." she pleaded.

"What makes you think he's actually there. He could have been taken anywhere for all we know." Blaise countered apprehensively. There a touch of fear hiding behind his eyes.

"I know you were behind this in some way, shape or form. He's gone because of you and now you owe this to me. Will you take me there?" she scolded him.

"You don't want to go there. There is nothing there that will provide you comfort or understanding, only pain and death. Think rationally for a second and you may feel differently." he warned her.

"Fine if you don't want to take me then I will go by myself just tell me how to get there." she fumed at him in challenging way.

"Alright you foolish Gryffindor but don't say that I never tried to warn you." Blaise gave in and lead her towards the Slytherin dungeons. After walking through the portrait, he lead her to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder. He threw it down, called out for "Malfoy Manor" and was gone into the green flames. Hermione followed suit after he was gone. As she walked out of the fireplace, the first thing that she noticed was how dark and desolate the large house felt. There was never any love here and that explained alot about why Draco had been the way he was.

--------------------------------------------

Dumbledore finally found his way towards Ron and needed to find Hermione along with the others to try to assess the damage. The Ministry officials would be there soon and he needed all the information he could get to be able to determine if the threat of Voldemort and the Deatheaters was really gone for good. Despite the fact that he'd seen what Ron and Hermione had done, he didn't quite understand what had happened after Voldemort had lost his body. The silvery mists facing off against each other and then Blaise, of all people, performing the final spell to end it all. A spell that Dumbledore hadn't heard in years and didn't believe could have been so successful when performed by an underage wizard. Nothing was as it should be or as it appeared.

"Mr. Weasley, do you know where Miss Granger has gone?" Dumbledore inquired soothingly.

"No, I mean the last time I saw her, she was looking for you and stopped to talk to Blaise. The next time I looked up, she was gone." he explained.

"Do you know what business she would have with Mr. Zambini?" the Headmaster continued.

"After today, I don't know anything or anyone. Where are Harry, Tara and Katie? How many students were killed? Is Malfoy really dead? Is Voldemort really gone for good?" Ron began to ramble.

"All will be answered in due time but for right now it is imperative that I find Miss Granger. I fear she has gone off to do something unwise." he stated absently while continuing to look around hoping to catch sight of the elusive Head Girl.

"Like what? Hermione's never done anything without a good reason. Well except maybe going out with Malfoy but....." Dumbledore began to walk away from Ron's excessive mumbling but it was good to see Ron back to his old self so quickly.

For now all that mattered to him was to find Hermione and make sure that grief didn't lead her to do something that could endanger the entire magical community. He was also concerned for the Harry and Tara as neither had been seen since midway through the battle on the grounds. He had a feeling that he knew what had happened but he had to confess that nothing in the final battle had went the way he'd anticipated which only served to heighten his worry. Thinking back upon the last six years, Dumbledore quickly came to deduce that anything was possible with this group of children and their remarkable talents. Just as he thought he may never find any of the answers he was so desperately seeking, he spotted two figures in the distance slowing making their way out of the Forbidden Forest to a scene that they neither expected nor understood.....

---------------------------------------------------

Tara waited until Harry's lust seemed to subside before suggesting that they start towards the castle. She knew that if he was still hungry that she wouldn't be able to control or stop him from attacking. Both her parents were careful to explain the hunger to her in detail so that she would understand that anyone she changed would be different from her. There was no impulse for her, no need or thirst to be quenched, she alone chose when to let it out and when to put it back in. But for someone that was turned, they had to feed regularly and the thirst was stronger than any love or bond so she would have to be careful and make him understand.

Once she saw him transform back into the Harry of old, she took his hand and lead him out of the forest. There were people walking around checking out the bodies that littered the ground. Harry looked at Tara with a puzzled expression as they came to see that the final battle was over and with the absence of cloaked figures, they believed that the light side had won. But how, Harry wondered. He was supposed to be the one to stop Voldemort according to the prophecy but the only defeat that he was a part of was his own. Tara saw a familiar expression on his face, he looked like a condemned man and she was the judge who had sentenced him. How was she going to make him understand that she had no choice?

"What are you thinking about, Harry?" she asked.

"I was wondering if you had any idea what you've done? This isn't the way that things were supposed to be and this isn't how I was suppose to turn out to be. How am I going to explain this to everyone? How will I ever be able to live with myself this way?" he yelled at her.

"I'm sorry but I couldn't let you die. Don't you see, I just wanted to keep you here...on this earth...with me. It's not as bad as it seems, my father found ways to survive without hurting others. I could help you with that. Please don't hate me." she pleaded with him for understanding but only received a cold hard expression in return.

"I'd be better off dead than to be like this. Why can't you see, I'm already a murderer or did you miss that part? You know the part where I drained a man of all his blood."

"But he was a deatheater, if you would have killed him in battle it wouldn't have phased you. You had to feed off someone to complete the transformation and he was all that was accessible other than me or Hermione." she reasoned.

"I don't want to be this, do you hear me? I need to know how to stop this." he ranted.

"There is no way to stop it. What's done is done and it can't be undone. I mean would you rather be Malfoy right now?" she cried back at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he questioned.

"Draco's dead and Hermione has to live with that for the rest of her life, if she survived. Or maybe you'd rather be like Cheyan, she's right there waiting for you." Tara screamed and pointed to the lifeless body of his former girlfriend. As Harry turned to look an expression of disbelief and pain crossed his pale face with an overwelming sense of loathing filled his heart. Suddenly, he didn't know what good and evil was anymore. All he knew was that he wanted away from here now but what good would it do and where would he go? Tara was right about one thing, this couldn't be undone and now she was the only person who could help him but he couldn't even look at her right now. He needed to find out what happened to his friends and find someway out of this mess.....

--------------------------------

After walking through the fireplace, Hermione and Blaise saw that it was dark and felt the cold of the room but that wasn't the reason for the chills running up and down their spines. Although neither one of them said so, each felt as though someone or something was watching them. Blaise was desperate to get out of there and was urging Hermione to do what she need to do so that they could leave. Fortunately, the same sense of urgency was working its way through her also.

"Do you know where an office or a study is?" she asked Blaise knowing that his desire to leave would force him to help her.

"His father's study is this way." he directed her down a long marble hallway to their left. The sound of their footsteps echoed as they walked, reminding Hermione of the horror movies she had watched with her Dad at home. With each step, she wondered if she wasn't edging closer and closer to her doom. How could that be though, weren't they all dead? Wrong, there was someone in the shadows but was is friend or foe?

As they approached the end of the hallway, Blaise turned into a large room with a rich mahogany and wrought iron decor. There were two plush black leather love seats set at a right angle, a beautiful granite fireplace to the right and up on a platform was a huge desk. She began walking towards the desk but was stopped as she crossed in front of the first love seat and noticed a body on the floor surrounded by a green field of light. Hermione, in all her research and reading, had never seen or heard of anything like this before. As she converged on the body, a voice called out from the doorway instructing her to stop where she was. Despite the fact that she'd never met the person, she knew it was Narcissa, Draco's mother.

"Don't touch my son, he cannot be disturbed until his soul returns or he will lost forever." she scolded.

"I'm afraid that we have a real problem then." Hermione began to tell her.

"What are you talking about? I sent him to deal with his father and the Dark Lord but once he's done then I can resurrect him to a better life." she explained.

"Something happened at Hogwarts and his soul was sucked through a vortex of some sort along with Voldemort's. We don't know where it went or if it can come back." Hermione revealed as Narcissa leapt from the shadows and grabbed a hold of her frantically.

"Tell me what spell you did, now girl, I have to know to find him." she ranted.

"She didn't do it." Blaise jumped in. "I did at Draco's insistence. It was a dark spell from this book." He handed her the book and opened it to the correct page. As she read, large tears formed in her eyes and her chest heaved up and down rapidly.

"What does it mean?" Hermione prodded.

"Tandem sodes anima, may your soul; inremeabilis cinis meton, return ash to the depths below...whatever was sent through the portal was turned to ash and sent to Hades. His soul is gone forever." she sobbed uncontrollably.

"No!!!! His soul was pure and doesn't belong there. There has to be some way to reverse it." Hermione screamed.

"The ministry will be here soon Mrs. Malfoy. I'll take Granger back to Hogwarts and we'll leave you to your preparations." Blaise stated as he took hold of Hermione and started to pull her out of the room but Narcissa stopped him.

"Did you say Granger?" she asked Blaise sharply.

"Yes." he replied as he let go of Hermione and allowed her to fall towards Narcissa. She grabbed her and set Hermione down on the love seat above her son and gazed deep into her eyes.

"It was all for you. Did you know that?" she whispered. "He told me that he would do anything to give you a future without fear or death. I warned him that it was suicide but he didn't care. Nothing was more important than you happiness to him. Please tell me that you felt the same. Would you die to bring my son back?"

Without the slightest bit of hesitation, Hermione looked deep into her eyes and stated, "Yes, what do I do?"

------------------------------------------

"Harry, I am so glad to see that you're alright. Where have you guys been?" Ron exclaimed while he was dragging him over towards the others. "Do you know what happened to Hermione or Draco or Blaise. I'm sorry about Cheyan but we're going to take of her..."

"Ron calm down, what's this about Hermione and Blaise? Why would we know about Draco? Tara told me he is dead, is he or isn't he? How is everyone else?" Harry answered with a bunch of his own questions.

"Well, the last that anyone saw Hermione was following Blaise somewhere but we don't know anything else. We assume that Malfoy is dead as we saw his spirit or soul sucked into a vortex that killed Voldemort too. There are several dead or injured but we don't know exactly who right now other than Cheyan, Seamus, Colin, Prof. Flitwick and some Slytherins are dead too like Crabbe and Pansy but we're not sure how or why. Cho, Pravati, Dennis, Luna, Prof McGonogall and Snape are injured along with some Order members. You don't look to good, are you sure that you're ok?" Ron replied.

"Well, you see Tara and Hermione tried to save me after I ran after Tara but then....maybe we can talk about this later. We need to find Hermione now. How was Voldemort killed and why was Malfoy with him?" Harry tried to explain but couldn't seem to form the words as he looked at Tara and could see that he had hurt her deeply with words before. He would have to deal with her later, right now, Hermione and Blaise were top priority.

"They're at Malfoy Manor." Tara stated flatly.

"What?" Harry and Ron yelled at the same time.

"I can feel her. She went there to get the body but someone else was there too. We need to get Dumbledore there and quick." she followed.

"But..." Harry started but was cut off.

"I said now.....something really bad is about to happen but for a good reason." she informed sternly. Then she took off up the hill to get to Dumbledore as quickly as she could.

"Headmaster, we need to get to Hermione now. They're at Malfoy Manor and Narcissa's there trying to convince Hermione to take Draco's place. A soul for a soul. Please can we hurry." she told him in between gasps for breath.

"This was my dear." Dumbledore answered as he grabbed her arm to follow him and motioned for Harry and Ron to follow him. Katie, having seen this out of the corner of her eye, got up and followed them to wondering what was going on but she could tell in was important by the urgency of their steps. As the group reached the fireplace in Dumbledore's office, he directed them one by one through the fire with Tara in the lead. She literally hit the ground running as soon she stepped from the fire.

----------------------------------------------------

Time seemed to stand still for Hermione as looked to Narcissa for any indication of what was going to happen but all she did was stand to go get some things. It was Blaise who broke the silence at last with some not so good news.

"You shouldn't have done that Granger. She's in mourning and what she wants to do will not go over well with Draco." he began to explain.

"But if it brings him back than what do you care?" she snapped back.

"This wasn't what he wanted. He wanted you to be safe and have a future not him. Sure he wanted to be with you and to defeat the Dark Lord but he never wanted you to sacrifice yourself for him. It was supposed to be the other way around, that's why he did what he did." Blaise finished.

"What is it that she wants me to do?" she recoiled.

"The exchange of a soul for a soul. You will give up your soul to Hades and Draco's will come back here to live out his days alone. See the problem yet?" he scoffed at her.

"No, I don't. If it makes up for his selflessness then I'm alright with it." she exclaimed.

"But it will be without you...what is it with you Gryffindor's? Do you always have to be the heroes? Can't you ever just let someone else pay the price and take the glory, just for once let him show you the depth of his without overshadowing it with your own?" he criticized.

"Yes but I don't want him to make that decision. He's been through so much already, why can't I be the one to give him peace this time?" she cried.

"Because you had already given him the last six months reprieve from his father and his destiny. He was willing to die to give you the joy of a lifetime without fear in exchange for the six months of pure joy that you'd already given him. Don't you see that this was his plan all along? It may have went down differently than he pictured but he never expected to live through the final battle." he revealed.

As Narcissa was coming back into the room, Hermione came to the conclusion that although she wanted to give her everything to save Draco, that wasn't he plan or his dream. If he was brought back to live without her, knowing of her sacrifice, it would kill him just the same and she couldn't bear that possibility either. What could she do to make his mother understand? That's when it came to her, she would have to summon his so that his mother could speak to him and see the logic of his undertaking. Fortunately, Blaise was a step ahead of her this time and was already chanting the summoning spell for a lost wizard. From the floor rose a florescent green haze with a figure inside that looked just like Draco, Narcissa jumped at the sound of his voice calling her to listen to him.

Mother, stop this insanity. This is what I wanted, this is what I dreamed

The threat is gone and so am I but that doesn't mean that fell behind

My love for the muggleborn was trite and true

Only tempered by my love for you

Please, don't be anger but instead be free

And please, don't waste your time on me......

Goodbye, I love you all and will see you each in your own time..........

Author's note:  thank you for the reviews...we only have one more chapter left and the epilogue and I hope that you have all enjoyed this as much as I have had writing....I hope that you will all leave reviews with this chapter..especially if you haven't left one before and please try reading my other fic too as I really like the new direction I took with it....also at the end of the next chapter I will be asking for input as to whether or not to start a sequel to this, so please do take that into consideration when reading the last chapter and give me your input....thanks again for your time.