(a/n: if you're looking for a long chapter, go away. Fair warning. This is short.).

Chapter 22 of Unexpected Losses

"Are you insane?" Charlie asked, narrowing his eyes, clutching the precious burden he held closer to himself, as if stopping someone from physically taking it from him.

With a world of affection in his eyes, Ron smiled. "Charlie. I'm dead." The elder winced at the bluntness. "I know it's bloody awful. But I am. And if that thing gets much bigger, you all might join me." He glanced around the room at the sheer number of people within for emphasis. "I have a feeling it's not going to close on its own. You guys can't go in. You just can't…" Ron broke off, and stole a long glance at Hermione, who was staring at the growing portal in horror. He couldn't suppress a second fond grin when she glanced around, her brain obviously churning to find a way to solve this riddle.

"But…Ron…" Charlie answered, unsure of what to say to express the thoughts that wouldn't leave his tortured mind alone.

"Hey, man. I get it." Ron offered one of his lopsided grins, and winked. "Love you, too."

"Are you sure?"

"Charlie. Do it." The smile left Ron's face, expressing that he was, indeed, serious. Frowning deeply. Charlie walked closer to the portal, still clinging to Ron's body. After a few minutes, the suction was starting to pull him in, despite his strength. "Now." Ron snapped, and with that Charlie dredged up courage from where he didn't think any lingered. And he let his burden go. Without even dipping down (the strength of the vortex's pull outweighed gravity), Ron's peaceful form was sucked within.

Immediately, the portal contracted, and almost closed. Voldemort screamed in rage, in the same language. Though the voice might've been attractive before, the illusion was lost in his angered tone. The portal paused in its closing and Charlie looked on in horror as it started to grow again, despite the sacrifice he'd just made.

Ron closed his eyes, as if his eyelids would be barrier against the pain that suddenly clutched his heart. He knew how much it had cost his brother to do what he'd done. And now he was going to do something infinitely worse, because it was the only thing that he could think to do. He pulled back again, and circled the room again. He ended up next to Hermione, who tore her mind away from thoughts of a solution to him. She blinked slowly, and tears began coursing down her cheeks.

Ron wasn't particularly surprised that she understood without him having to say a word. Over six years, she, Harry, and he had all managed some form of silent communication, if only from their nightly wanderings. She shook her head in protest, but knew as well as she knew most things that it was pointless. "Hermione," his voice was deceptively quiet, and he could tell that it hurt her. "I love you. Tell everyone, 'kay? Harry and Mum and Dad and the lot. Tell Percy and Gin. 'Kay?"

"I will. I love you, too, Ron." Hermione answered softly, understanding. As much as Ron and Percy fought, she knew that they loved each other. Ron needed this closure before his next action. Which he immediately took, pulling away from her. He ended up close to the portal again. He grinned at Harry, who offered a merely befuddled look in response. Once more, Ron wasn't surprised. Harry was far from stupid, but had a tendency to be blinded in situations like the one they currently suffered. After a moment, it clicked. But it was too late.

It felt a lot like slick, sickening oil. Part of him wanted to pull away and flee, but Ron knew the importance of this action. And he slowly stepped into the braced form of Lord Voldemort. Ron felt dirtied to the core, and wished that he had a readily available bath for his insides. Of course, Ron's actions affected Voldemort the same way they affected Lucius, and the wizard froze. Without the concentration on his stance, he slipped forwards a few inches, and then regained his footing for only a moment longer.

But it was too much for him to entirely throw off, and he was too close to the portal, and it was too large. And his own weapon consumed Voldemort, with Ron's ghost still within him. It snapped shut almost immediately after they passed through. And utter silence filled the huge room.

(a/n: what can I say? I'm a hellbitch. I figured the last chapter and this are so short…meh. Again, the next one should be up soon! Only one or two left, actually. Whee!)