(A/N: I'm being over worked on little sleep today so cut me some slack if I seem kind of out of it. I know, if you can see the scroll bar, you'll realize that today's update is really short. I'm sorry about that but I have the next update written, so it'll be up before you know it. Um…I think that's about all for now, hope you all are enjoying it! Again, I can't re-iterate how thankful I am for every review I get! So always know that your review is taken to heart, I treasure each one! There is a character who's name I'm pretty sure I mis-spelled every time I used it but I just want you all to know that I'm aware of it and that the next time I need to make a reference to the character, it will be spelled the correct way! Thanks again for everything and here's Chapter Thirteen! Hugs, Haystack)

Smiles28: I was close? YAY!!!!! Next time a really sad part comes, I'll drag it out you can have time to cry! Lol Thanks for reviewing so faithfully!

Bhekie: Isn't that sad? As much as I would have loved to have the trio together during the war, it's not very realistic. Harry's a loner on this one. Thanks for reviewing!!

dancerrdw: Another almost cry-er?! WOO HOO! I'm scoring today! Lol u let me know when it happens! Haha…thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked last chapter!

AmyChris: Glad my last update was the highlight of your day and that you liked it so much, and in all fairness getting your reviews are the highlights of my days as well! Thanks for reviewing!!

SlytherinRoyalty: First off, you got the spelling of McGonagall, I was very impressed lol(something I didn't get down until the other day) Second, I'm very very happy you liked my take on her. I'm always nervous writing new or rarely used characters like that. The prospect of Hagrid always scares me with his cockney accent! Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing!!!

SoloLobo: Let me tell you, your review had me smiling for a long time! Thank you so much, it really meant a lot to me, the nice things you said. It's so nice to get some re-assurance from time to time like that! So thank you, and hopefully I'll hear from you again!

Blake-Tori88: I'm sorry but my lips are sealed. I don't want to ruin it for you do I? Lol I'll try to update quickly to make it easier for ya. Thanks for reviewing!!!

wildmage58: I realize you only reviewed for chapter one, but I just wanted to publicly thank you here for even bothering to review when you didn't get to finish! That was very nice of you and I appreciate it! Take your time with it, I'll still be here, lol. Hope to hear from you again!!

ShimmeringEvil: Glad you liked last chapter so much! Hopefully, you'll like this one as well! Thanks for reviewing as always!

cumbacksirius: Your review left me smiling for quite a while. Even being compared to the amazing JK Rowling is a big honor for me! So thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE BEGINNING

It was unlike anything Hermione had seen. As she looked around, Ron yanking on her hand to pull her along, she barely recognized the school she loved so much…the school that was her home.

The war had started; both Ron and Hermione could hear the moment it began. Screams of all sorts filled the air, sending shivers up and down her spine. As the door had opened, Ron immediately started sprinting, dragging her along, never for a split second letting go.

Hermione knew that Hagrid had been unsuccessful in bringing the Giants to their side, and she was prepared to battle them, but Hermione wasn't expecting all the other creatures that filled out the grounds; there were creatures she'd never seen before, only read about in books. There were some elves, some house elves that were forced by their masters to fight, a few dwarfs, and wild creatures of all sorts. And then of course, there were the Death Eaters. Hermione had battled them many times in her young life, but never in the past seven years had she seen so many of them conjugated in one spot. It boggled her mind…how could they have not known?

"Come on. Over here" Ron whispered as they ran into the Forbidden Forest. Hermione's stomach twisted, it was so dark; the full moon was providing the only light, Voldemort's followers having blown out their torches.

They ran a long ways into the forest, Hermione wondering the whole time why Ron was leading her into here. She looked behind her, witches and wizards were already dying. Come on Harry! She thought

Ron stopped and Hermione bent at her waist, trying to catch her breath. Ron too, was breathing just as heavily. "Where are we?" she managed to say in between gasps for air

He shuddered at the thought. "Aragog" was all he could say

"Aragog?" She asked confused "Wasn't that the spider that you and Harry faced in second year?"

He nodded, finally catching his breath. "Come on" He said, grabbing her small hand in his large one, holding onto it firmly.

"Ron…" Hermione said fearfully as they made their way underneath a mound of dirt and hundreds of little spiders crawled over their head. "You hate spiders."

He clasped a hand on her mouth. "Don't say that here," He warned

"Who's There?" A loud voice boomed

"Let me talk" Ron whispered to Hermione "Aragog? My name is Ron Weasley. I came to see you with my friend Harry Potter five years ago. This-"

"I remember who you are!!" He bellowed

Ron jumped a little and squeezed Hermione's hand tighter; it was obvious he was frightened to death. "Yes well this is our friend Hermione Granger. We're all friends of Hagrid"

"Hagrid?"

"Yes. I came to ask you a favor."

"A favor?!!"

"Yes Sir. There's a war going on right now and--"

"I'm well aware of that!!" The spider screamed, "I had to gather all my children here so that they would not be hurt."

"I-I'm sorry." Ron squeaked "But my friend Harry Potter is trying to defeat He-who-must-not-be-named and my friend and I are in danger."

"I see. Go on"

"I was wondering if I could leave my friend here and you could protect her."

"Ron!" Hermione hissed, "What are you doing?"

Ron ignored her.

"Hmm…well what is in it for me?" The old spider said

"I'm afraid I can't offer you anything. But it would mean the world to me and you would have the satisfaction of knowing you saved a life" Ron said persuasively

"Ron! Stop this! I'm not staying here!" Hermione said, pulling on his hand

Ron turned around to face her, his eyes boring into hers. "Yes you will" Ron said with finality.

"Alright Weasley, I will accept your offer. I will take the girl, no harm will be done to her, by Death Eaters or us spiders. You have my word."

"Thank you!" Ron said, his face showing great relief, "Thank you very much. When the battle is over you can let her go."

Aragog nodded "I will do so"

"Ron!" Hermione snapped, yanking his arm towards her. For a second time he turned around to face her. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Language" He said calmly

"I don't give a shit. What are you doing? You can't just drop me off like some child at daycare! I'm a grown woman! I need to fight!"

"You're seventeen," He stated. Hermione sent him a death glare. "Hermione" Ron begged "Please do this for me!"

"NO!" She cried, "Harry told you to stay with me!"

"I know" Ron said sadly "But I can't have you get hurt" He said softly, cupping her chin in his hands.

"Well what about me? I don't want you hurt either! It's like you told Harry, we can watch each others backs."

"No 'Mione. I'm going and you're staying here."

"YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!" She yelled "IF I WANT TO GO WITH YOU THEN I CAN! I WILL NOT HIDE IN A CAVE FULL OF SPIDERS LIKE A COWARD WHILE YOU AND HARRY AND EVERYONE ELSE FIGHT"

"Don't make this more difficult than it should be."

"Ron…" She said softly her eyes filling up with tears. "Don't leave me please"

"Hermione…don't" Ron warned when he saw what she was about to do. She threw her arms around his neck, holding on tight.

"If you go, I go" She whispered

"This isn't open for debate." He said firmly

"I'm not letting go"

"You have to"

"Ron…" She said quietly, her voice choked up by tears. "You didn't have a choice to leave Ginny. You have a choice to leave me"

Ron inhaled his breath sharply. That one had hurt. "And I'm making that choice 'Mione because I care about you and don't want you to hurt, raped, or dead" He said as he stoked her hair lovingly.

"Why are you trying to get rid of me? Do you think I'll be a nuisance? What is it?" She cried into his shoulder.

Ron shook his head. "You don't understand."

"No Ron, I think I do. Harry didn't want us with him because he thought we'd distract him, now you don't want me with you because you think I'll be a distraction. But what you two don't see is that alone, we're all just like everyone else out there. Together we're better…stronger than your average witch or wizard. You know that, I know you have to."

"I know that Hermione but this time everything is different."

"Ron you were the one who was so adamant on us going with Harry. You were the one who fought him over it."

"I know. But I gave in, see? And now you have to do the same."

"I-I can't" she whispered "Ron. I told you before and I'll tell you again. If Harry dies, and there's a pretty good chance that might happen, I need you with me" She said, holding him even closer.

"Hermione, this is for your own good." He said as he took her hands off his neck "I don't want to do it anymore than you, but I am. I'll come to get you after the battle."

"What if your dead?"

"Then Aragog will let you go"

"No Ron" She moaned as tears fell down her face

He placed her down on the ground. "Take care of her please." He said to the spider, desperately trying to control his feelings. "She means too much to me," He whispered so softly that no one heard.

"I promise" Aragog said.

"Thank you. Good-Bye 'Mione." He said as he kissed her head and began to walk away.

Hermione watched him walk away unsure if she had just lost both of her best friends. As Ron took out his wand and started running away, Hermione followed the light his wand was giving off. And when the little dot of light finally extinguished, Hermione felt her heart break.

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(A/N: What did you think?! Let me know!)