(A/N: The response for chapter sixteen was fabulous!!!! Thank you all so much! I'm sorry if this update took a while but I've been pretty busy lately with life so I apologize. I've gotten the next chapter written so the next update should be pretty fast. I'm actually surprising myself with the way I've been writing the war, it was a lot different than I planned, but there are a few new things that I added that I'm pretty excited about so hopefully it'll be to your likings! I think that's it so happy reading!! Hugs, Haystack)

Alicia-B: Glad you liked the way I got them together! I'm a big believer in fluff ;) Thanks so much for reviewing!

Ron'n'Hermione: Hahaha well I'm very glad you revoked the pimple curse! As for Hermione not liking Ron killing people in battle, she's just so innocent and a come-on-harry-shake-hands-with-voldemort-so-everyone-can-be-united-and-happy girl that it was crucial that someone (which always must be Ron) explained to her that in war it is okay to defend yourself and stuff and…yea okay I'm rambling. Lol I'm glad you found the snogging in the middle of the battleground funny! Thanks for reviewing!!

RainDateChick: lol your review made me laugh! I'm very glad you liked the way they got together and everything! Also, thanks so much that you reviewed for other chapters as well, even as a new reviewer! That means a lot to me, so thank you very much! Hope to hear from you in the future!!

cumbacksirius: You're very welcome for not making you cry. But I'm very excited because I believe I've found the problem…my chapters aren't long enough! That must be it! So I will do my best to add 8 or 9 pages to next chapter and maybe I'll get some waterworks! Yay!! Lol Thanks so much for reviewing!!

Smiles28: hahaha I'm glad you're so happy! And I'm glad it's done with, no more almost kisses! As for the bad review stuff, I wouldn't worry about them at all. Seriously in my opinion, unless it's nicely put constructive criticism, people shouldn't say anything but positive stuff! It's a waste of their time and it puts down the author! So any flamers obviously don't have better stuff to do and shouldn't be listened to! Lol As always, thanks sooooooooo much for reviewing!!

dancerrdw: Glad you're liking it! Thank you for reviewing!! Hope you like this chapter!

CrazyWomanLovesYou: Aw, I'm glad you thought it was sweet and cute! Yay! Thanks so much for reviewing!!!

Cariel: Hopefully your wish for plot twists will be granted. Predictable plots are no fun! Thanks soo much for reviewing and I'm glad you liked that last line Ron said!

Blake-Tori88: lol I'm glad you liked the omg-ron-is-almost-dead-oh-wait-no-he's-not-I-love-you thing! Hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!!

Princess Storm: Well I'm glad you're not upset that I almost axed Ron. Scares like that keep ppl on their toes! Lol And I am very glad that you love our Ron. Yes, he is a sweetheart isn't he? Thanks sooo much for reviewing!!!!!

Legofiance: hahaha your review made me laugh! I'm so glad you liked last chapter!! Oh, and the fact that it was very high of the fluffometer is very nice to hear! Lol it was sweet of you to re-read it again and thanks for reviewing chapter six as well! Thanks soooo much for your lovely reviews!

RedRose013: Glad your liking the story so much! Yay! Sorry about the update but Thanks for reviewing!!!!

AmyChris: Aw I'm so happy that you thought it was one of the best chapters! And I loved all the wonderful adjectives you used in your review to declare your happiness! Lol it made me laugh! Again I'm terribly sorry about the update but thanks for your faithful reviewing!

ShimmeringEvil: Yes it was a bittersweet chapter but that way the sweet is much more appreciated! Thanks so much for reviewing!! As for the fate of Ron and Hermione….we'll just have to see!

Bhekie: Yup, you caught me! When I read through it to edit it, that was my thing too. It felt like time was suspended or whatever and that's not how life (or especially war) is like. You'll find that I do that in this chapter too and I'm sorry but I get kind of into the dialogue and stuff. :) So hopefully it doesn't bother you too much and it's to your liking! Thank you so much for reviewing!!

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE FIRES OF SEPERATION

As the night drew on, Hermione noted several comparisons to her nightmare she'd had, besides Ron getting buried underneath a collapsing building.

First and foremost was the fire. Hogwarts was burning. Her beloved home, the building that always used to send shivers up and down her spine with excitement when she viewed it for the first time since summer holidays, the place where her precious books all lay, the ultimate memory book, it was slowly burning and shriveling away, the smoke that filled the air carrying away a part of her as well.

The Death Eaters found it a stroke of brilliance and for a few moments, most fighting commenced as everyone gazed with horror or with excitement as the indestructible castle burst into flames. Hermione had caught Ron's eye from a distance and he had nodded; he understood what she had been trying to communicate with her eyes, and he felt it too.

Screams filled the air as the majority of the students, locked in their own common rooms, respectively, realized that they would burn to death if they did not come out. They were trapped!

Hermione's stomach had fallen out of her stomach with that realization and suddenly she felt deathly sick. All her classmates and friends…all of the younger students she'd watched grow up…everyone would be dead soon if someone didn't help.

Acting spontaneously, something Hermione Granger didn't rarely ever do, she threw a punch at the elf she'd been fighting, and throwing a guilty look at Ron, began to run into the flaming castle.

She could hear his screams as she ran but she refused to turn around, even for Ron. He'd just have to understand.

Running up the stairs that led to the entrance, Hermione huffed and puffed, trying to catch her breath between each stair. Finally reaching the large oak door and yanking it open, she passed under the burning archway and entered the castle.

It was straight out of a horror movie. The flames were everywhere, licking up anything and everything. The dense smoke made Hermione's eyes water and her lungs ache painfully. People were screaming, parts of the castle were crumbling, and everywhere Hermione could see, chaos was evident. Heading immediately for Gryffindor Tower, she ran as fast as she could, her brown curls flying in every direction as she whipped around corners and dodged falling items.

Flying up the different staircases needed to reach her destination, Hermione shouted out warnings to all who passed. They shouted their thanks over their shoulders as groups of people held hands and ran into the open arms of death. Finally reaching the portrait hole, Hermione pressed her ear to it.

"EVERYONE REMAIN CALM! I'M SURE EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!!" A fifth year prefect shouted

"HOGWARTS IS BURNING! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!" A terrified voice asked

"WE CAN'T DO THAT UNTIL WE HAVE PERMISSION!" The poor prefect rationed

"HELLO?!" Hermione called

"Who's that?"

"I don't know"

"It sounds like a student"

"Let them in!"

"We can't!"

"Hello?" The fifth year called

"This is Hermione Granger. Open this right now!" She urged

"Hermione?!" The prefect breathed sounding immensely relieved

"Yes! Hurry now please! The castle is burning! I need to get you all out of here!!"

"I—we can't! Professor McGonagall can only open it. She told us so when she sealed it up"

Hermione groaned. Of course! It made perfect sense…but how was she supposed to get them out of here?! Think Hermione She told herself When you can't do things magically you do them the muggle way. What would be the muggle way to get into here?

"MOVE AWAY FROM THE PORTRAIT HOLE!" Hermione screamed through the tapestry

"What are you going to do?"

"I'M COMING IN! WATCH OUT!" She called, running away, over to the portrait of the pear. Tickling it, and entering the kitchens, Hermione grabbed the largest knife she saw and ran back towards the Fat Lady. "You might want to move to another portrait," She told the woman as she raised the knife and brought it down on the wood. Though it made a mark, it didn't go through the door, instead, slipping and gracing Hermione's hand just so. She gasped with pain and held her hand, letting the knife fall to the ground with a clank. Blood gushed through the wound but trying to ignore it, Hermione again raised the knife and continued her efforts, kicking at the painting every now and then.

It was a slow process. Though Hermione couldn't tell the time, she could tell by the amount of smoke in the hallways that time was running out. Desperately, she pierced the wood wholeheartedly…and she broke through! It wasn't a very big hole, but it was a hole nonetheless. Eyes suddenly appeared at the door.

"Can we do anything?" The eyes asked

"No just back away" Hermione replied as she continued to hack away at the portrait. Eventually, with the cheers of the Gryffindors, the managed to make a small opening big enough for one person to crawl through if they squeezed through it. "Alright! Come on! Hurry! One at a time!"

Slowly, the students crawled out; the younger students looking absolutely petrified while the older ones helped them through. Hermione smiled at the fact that it was such a small number of students; more than she thought had obviously gone off to fight. Once everyone was out, Hermione was bombarded with questions. Who was alive and if she'd seen their family members or friends. Ignoring all the protests, she grabbed the hands of a little first year with wispy blonde hair, and started running. Before long, all the students filled in behind her, falling silently into her pace.

They ran at an incredible rate, moving as quickly as they could, Hermione shouting out orders to duck when she saw bits of the building heading their way. They made good time, arriving at a door that led to the grounds.

Now Hermione suddenly panicked. What was she supposed to do with all these people? There was a war waging, where were they supposed to go if Hogwarts was really burning to the ground?! She considered the Forbidden Forest, the lake, Hagrid's hut, but it wouldn't take long for them to be found there. She racked her brain…Nothing.

"Where are we going?" The little girl she was holding asked her in an innocent voice.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know"

"What do you mean you don't know?" A third year boy piped up

"I mean, I don't know!" Hermione snapped, "Where you do you suggest we go?"

The boy shrugged and Hermione diverted her attention elsewhere. Out of all her years here, there had to be some secret places that might work. Immediately crossing off the Trapdoor that was guarded by Fluffy, the Department of Mysteries, and anywhere in fourth year, that left her with…The Shrieking Shack and the Chamber of Secrets. The Chamber of Secrets would be a safe place, after all it was underground and wouldn't be affected by the fire but Hermione had no idea if fire blocked the entrance to the girl's bathroom. The Shrieking Shack would be all right but it was getting there that would be the problem. Could they really get to Hogsmeade with Voldemort and his followers all around the grounds? It didn't seem likely.

"Does anyone here know how to apparate?" She asked. The group shook their heads no. No one was old enough. "Could anyone get home from Hogwarts if they needed to?" She asked. She really didn't want to simply let them all go; after all, they weren't fighting for a reason. But if there was nowhere else to go then she really had no choice. Many shook their heads.

"Our parents are Muggles" They said simply. Hermione cursed in her head. What was she supposed to do?!

"Look." Hermione said quietly "I'm really sorry. I don't know what to do. The best I can do is to send you off in pairs of two or three into the forest. If you can manage it, have a younger student crawl underneath the Whomping Willow and press that big knob. It'll freeze the tree. Then, follow the path inside it and you'll end up in the Shrieking Shack."

The group goggled at Hermione like she was crazy. "It's not haunted," She added for good measure "I promise you. I've been there before."

"So it's true then?" A first year boy with cute brown hair asked, staring at Hermione like she had just descended from Heaven.

"What?" She asked

"Well that you and Ron Weasley and Harry Potter have really gone on all these adventures. I thought they were just rumors, or at least exaggerated stories."

Hermione smiled at the boy. "Well I don't know what people say, but yes, Harry, Ron and I have had some rather wild adventures."

"Could you tell us sometime?"

Hermione opened her mouth to say no but as she looked at the hopeful expression on the little boy's face she suddenly realized what was happening. He saw her as a role model, as a sort of hero. And if she promised him something, he'd fight just that much harder to survive. Finally, she smiled softly. "Some things are better left for the imagination. But if you come back to me sometime and ask again, I'll tell you."

The boy's brown eyes shone. "Really?" He asked

"Me too?" The little blonde girl asked

Hermione nodded and addressed the excitedly buzzing group. "You all survive, I'll tell you. Now come on, divide into two's or three's."

The group hurriedly did as she told, and as Hermione watched them go out into the war, she quickly said a silent prayer. For though some of her best-kept secrets would be revealed, it would be worth it if just one of them survived.

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Ron watched Hermione throw him a guilty glance and his heart sped up. He knew that look…she was about to do something! He made his way over towards her, pushing and shoving people out of his way. He had to stop her! Why wouldn't she ever just stay put?!

"Hermione!" He called out to her. She didn't answer. Instead, she started running towards the castle that was burning like wildfire now. "HERMIONE!!!!" He screamed as he watched her pull the door open and run inside. The moment after the door slammed shut, it collapsed, becoming just a pile of burning wood. The fire spread, heating up Ron's panicked face.

He had to get to her! Taking a step back, he examined his ways in. There…the window. He'd have to break it but if it would lead him to Hermione then…here it went. Taking a deep breath, Ron backed up, preparing for his sprint.

Crossing his fingers and praying that it wouldn't hurt too much, Ron started running. The window was coming closer and closer. Suddenly Ron pushed and he flew into the air, his arms outstretched and his eyes squeezed shut.

He went sailing through the window, the glass shattering upon impact. It cut at Ron at such intensity, that Ron honestly thought for a moment he was dead. On the other side of the window, he lay moaning in pain. He seemed to be bleeding from everywhere and no matter what he did the blood simply wouldn't stop. Gasping with pain, he pulled himself up slowly. He had to find her. "Hermione!!" He called. Again, he received no answer.

Stumbling about, Ron wandered throughout his 'house' completely lost and confused. He called her name over and over again, but people just brushed past him.

"Mr. Weasley??!" A voice suddenly cried. Ron turned around to see the pale face of his Transfiguration teacher.

"Professor!" He called weakly "Have you seen Hermione?"

"What's happened to you Mr. Weasley?" She asked motherly

"I jumped through the window"

"Why in Heaven's name would you do something so stupid?! I thought we'd taught you better. You know perfectly well not to do something like that!"

"I know, I know" Ron brushed her off "I came in here to find Hermione"

The Professor paled. "Miss Granger came in here?"

"Yes."

"Why would she do that?"

"I don't know"

"Surely you must have some idea. Mr. Weasley you don't understand. Hogwarts is collapsing. In about an hour I predict that it will be all to the ground. She cannot be in here when that happens."

"I know that! Why do you think I jumped through a bloody window!" Ron cried slightly annoyed. Professor McGonagall frowned.

"Come with me. We'll have you see Madam Pomfrey while I have someone sent to look for her."

"No! I can look for her!" Ron protested

"Not in this condition you can't. I will not have you wandering aimlessly, getting blood all over the castle in such a dangerous time."

"Professor Please…you wouldn't understand. I need to find her. I need to bring her back to the battlefield with me. I need to make sure she's okay."

McGonagall's lip twitched as though she were suppressing a smile. "Well you may do that once you are healed. Mr. Weasley please, we don't have much time and you can't go back out there like this." The old woman said sternly, pulling Ron along. He had no choice but to oblige.

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"Mr. Weasley calm yourself!" Madam Pomfrey shrieked with horror as Ron knocked over a series of bottles, sending them to their doom on the floor.

"I CAN'T MADAM! SHE'S OUT THERE AND BLOODY MCGONAGALL LOCKED ME IN HERE! SHE CAN'T DO THAT! I NEED TO FIND HER!"

"I know you want to find Miss Granger."

"She could be dead! I-I need to hold her…make sure she's okay"

"I'm sure Miss Granger is fine. She's always been capable of taking care of herself."

"THERE ARE BLOODY DEATH EATERS IN THE CASTLE NOW! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY COULD DO TO HER??!"

"Yes Mr. Weasley I have a pretty good idea but--"

"I need to be there to make sure that doesn't happen!" Ron cried "How the hell can I do that if I'm in here?!"

"Mr. Weasley, Professor McGonagall was right locking you in here with the rest of us" The Mediwitch said passively, waving her hand to make reference to all the students who were currently huddled together. These were the students unable to fight. They were all here, except the ones from Gryffindor. And Ron had a pretty good idea why…

"I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!" He roared

The witch snorted. "Voluntarily diving though a glass window wasn't a very smart thing to do"

"I DID THAT FOR HER! THE WHOLE REASON I STOPPED FIGHTING WAS BECAUSE OF HER! I WOULDN'T EVEN BE IN THIS BLOODY CASTLE IF IT WEREN'T FOR HER! Everything I've ever done, I've done for her" He added much softer. Madam Pomfrey smiled.

"Well I'm glad you've finally realized your feelings. Merlin knows the whole school was simply waiting on you two"

"What do you mean?"

"Well it was obvious from first year the way the two of you cared for each other. It was different than your relationships with Mr. Potter."

"Yea. It's more of a brother relationship we both have for him. Harry really loves Hermione in that sense. He wanted so badly to help be the one to protect her but that's my job. AND I CAN'T DO THAT WHEN I'M IN HERE!" Ron returned to his pacing, and Madam Pomfrey couldn't help but smile.

But when a loud bang came from outside and everyone and everything inside the infirmary lurched to the left, the children screaming and sound of glass shattering blocking out all other noise, Madam Pomfrey suddenly felt bad for the young Mr. Weasley. As he was brushing himself off, he jumped up to the door, and pressed his ear to it and finally gave up, slumping to the ground, his head buried in his arms.

The nurse let him be and focused her attention on the younger students and the mess she now had to clean up.

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Ron tried not to cry. He really did. But that bang had done it. Hermione was outside in a burning castle with randy angry Death Eaters walking around the place and he was stuck behind some charmed door in some hospital. How had things gone so wrong? They'd been fighting; he'd been making sure she was nearby at all times. Why had she run off? Why had she left him? She knew they needed to be together, she knew what it did to him when she put herself in danger. She was the one who hated to be left behind, yet without more than a glance, she randomly ran off, leaving a hopeless, terrified Ron behind.

Ron had had enough scares involving Hermione recently than he cared for. This was the last straw. If something happened to her while he was sitting here feeling sorry for himself…Ron was positive he'd never ever forgive himself. She meant too much to him. She meant the world to him. She was his world. Cold tears slowly found their way down his freckly face and for once he didn't care who saw them.

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