Chapter 23

A/N: Wow, almost done!! Thanks to everyone so, so, so, so much!!!

creamycreamycreamycheese- Thank you so, so, so much for all the compliments!! It warms the cockles of my heart! LOL Just kidding. I really appreciate your encouragement!

kole17- Hi!!!!!!! I love your reviews. They're so funny. Well, you automatically know, with me, that Draco will never die. I love him too much. LOL His father was terrible, he needed to die so people will feel safer. Thanks for reviewing!

overXposed- I love your reviews; they're so funny! I didn't realize how comical Lucius's death was if you picture it like that, but I laughed when I read your review :) So funny. Thanks for your reviews.

Angelsparkle006- LOL Thanks so much for reviewing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

spikefan- I'm very glad you like this!

Cold-eyes-for-you- Wow, you are sooooooo nice in your reviews. It really helps be write better (I hope). I know it is moving fast, especially with this next chapter being so extremely short and fast. But I think in a war, it either seems like time flies, or it drags by forever. It depends what point of view you have. Like, to Hermione, this battle must seem to go by so slowly, because she is just sitting by, anxiously watching. But for one constantly fighting, it might go by so fast, you know? Thanks for reviewing!!!!!!!!!

KAT- Yes, it does seem faster when you write battles. I want a Draco, too. LOL Thanks for reviewing!!!!!!

Debatingqueen- LOL I love getting your reviews. They're always so nice. Thanks a bunch!

Jubily-Lollipops- That's ok that you've been busy. I'm just glad you haven't lost interest. Thanks!!!

Gryffindor620- As usual, thanks so much for a good review. I'm glad you still like this!!!!!!!!

Voldemort watched through the trees as Lucius Malfoy was killed. He cursed silently. The Malfoys were his most promising supporters and now one was dead and the other had joined with that fool of a man, Dumbledore. That certainly was unexpected. Worst of all, his plan to get Potter alone, away from Albus, had failed. He wasn't taking the bait.

"It looks as though Potter isn't coming after you," he told Hermione. "But you've been a good little girl, so here's what I'll do. I'll let you live a little longer. That way, you can see me kill Potter, then you can join him," he suggested cruelly. Hermione glared at him, and a tear of anger ran down her cheek.

"I promise, neither of you will feel a thing," he said quietly. She watched as he walked quite calmly out into the open field. Please, Harry, be okay, she prayed desperately. Please.

The dueling raged on and on. It was already seven o'clock in the evening, yet there was still chaos on the battlefield. Many Death Eaters had fallen, turning the death ratio in favor of Dumbledore and his army. So far, it seemed that the good people who had died were people Harry didn't know. Unfortunately, a few people from the Order had indeed lost their lives. The sky was now a darker gray. Far off in the distance, the thunder began rumbling, foreshadowing the climax of this exhausting battle.

Ron looked around frantically for signs of his friends. He, too, hadn't seen any of them since the morning. He didn't really like fighting and had avoided it as much as possible. Most of the time, he had been helping anyone who was on his side and struggling. The battlefield seemed to have expanded as he searched for signs of his friends, dead or, hopefully, alive.

Hermione watched through the bushes as the battle continued. It was now midnight, and she couldn't believe it was lasting this long. More Death Eaters came, replacing lost ones, as did more of the other side. She had a feeling this wouldn't end until either Harry or Voldemort were defeated.

Hermione saw Voldemort still lurking in the trees, waiting for Harry to come near him. She wanted to run out and find Harry to warn him; tell him her dream and to be careful. She also wanted to find Ron and Draco to make sure they were alright. But Voldemort was keeping an eye on her. She couldn't go anywhere.

Inside the school, the students were getting restless. Hagrid was fighting the urge to go and help the man who always stood up for him and the three kids who had been, sadly, his best friends since they were eleven years old.

Keeping the large group of students in the Great Hall was impossible. They scattered to windows and towers that overlooked the battlefields. It was actually quite helpful to those down on the grounds. It was as if they had an overhead lookout. But they knew this was no quidditch match that they were cheering along. They were mostly helping to point out when someone was about to be attacked from behind. It was almost 4 A.M., yet no one felt like sleeping.

A/N: This is probably the shortest chapter in fanfiction history, but it was kind of a bridge chapter, leading into something else. I hope you guys still like this!!! R/R!!!!!!!!!