(A/N: SURPRISE!  Well I must say that I'm rather thrilled with life right now. Not only, does my class have off school for two days this week due to testing in other classes, but my all-day practice got canceled as well! This left today completely and utterly free! And of course, what better way to spend my rare extra time, then write for you lovely people! So here you go, a medium sized chapter to help ease those three weeks that technically will only be two weeks now! Amazing how things work out isn't it? Haha…anyways, I was completely BLOWN away by the content of these reviews! Everyone was sooo sweet and supportive and ah I don't know…AMAZING! So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! That's about it I think, see you all in two weeks! Much love, Haystack)

spiritoffire32: Well welcome to fanfiction! Thanks so much for reviewing, you're so sweet! As for this story being taken straight from the hand of JKR, well that is probably the biggest compliment I could ever receive, so Thank you so much! That means a lot since goodness she's my favorite author and without doubt one of the best to have ever lived. Anyways, I'm so glad you're liking the story and hopefully this update was an unexpected treat! Hope to hear from you again!

Princess Storm: haha well I'm glad you liked it. Ah yes, who doesn't love Ron, gosh what a sweetie. You gotta love his character, he tries so hard and so rarely doesn't succeed. What's cuter than that? Lol Well hopefully you liked chapter twenty nine too, and actually chapter thirty to come to think of it! Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing as always!

RainDateChick: Ah how I wish I could update daily! When I started my first fic I was updating regularly (as in almost every day), but then again, my plot was a lot less complicated, and the chapters were at the most, four pages, where as an average chapter in this story runs at about ten. As for writing, well besides the point that I'm an amateur and no where close to where professional authors are, all I can say is practice. If you don't believe me, check out my first fic SORT TORDU for proof. I almost never got A's on papers or stories when I was younger, but once I started writing on this site for fun, suddenly writing became fun even if it was a boring topic. This is why I love this site so much. It gives people a chance to learn and grow and stuff. Anyways, thanks so much for your support and thanks for reviewing!

Sweetdiva: Aw your loyalty means a lot to me! Thanks! Yes, Hermione and Ron are engaged! As for the Weasleys, well I'm sorry, I may be able to kill off Harry, but there's no way I could kill off Mr. Or Mrs. Weasley. I'm not that heartless. Lol Yes, so that's really good news for Ron. Thanks for reviewing!

Smiles28: It took me a while to figure out who I wanted them to contact. I considered making it an imposter but these poor characters need a break. And who better honestly than Lupin? That poor man. He's a werewolf and shunned for part of his life, and then his two best friends die, and now Harry and…goodness Lupin needed to have some hope again. Is it obvious I have a soft spot for him? Lol anyways, Thanks so much for reiviewing!

doublelily: Aw you're so sweet to recommend this story to your friends! And for those three friends who have read it, tell them that I said "Thank you!" and that I'm glad they're liking it so far! Yes, the story is bitter-sweet but I suppose I made it that way to try to make it real. After all, most days of our lives are bittersweet and that's kinda how I see life. You're a songwriter! That's so funny because my friend and I write songs as well! Well I'm glad this gives you inspiration for songs, it's hard to find sometimes so I'm glad I can provide some for you! Thanks for reiviewing!

suckr4romance81789: I know, I never would have been able to tell Lupin either. At least not without breaking up into sobs. Death is always hard to recite to someone and something like this would be soo hard! I'm glad you liked it though, and though emotions were running high, I'm happy to put some hope back into the story! Thanks so much for reviewing like always!

cumbacksirius: Aw I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring anyone down with the whole Lupin thing, but it was pretty important to the plot that they'd talk to him. But yes! They are engaged! Engagement worked better for me because I had kind of stuck that in there last minute and a wedding wouldn't fit into the plot. Also, I've never been to a wedding (though I'll be going to one soon!  ) and would be completely clueless as to how to write it! Thanks so much for reviewing!

ShimmeringEvil: Glad you liked the chapter! Yea it was a little sad there at the end, but it's refreshing to bring in a new character. Ron and Hermione are great characters…really complex so that you don't get tired of them, but new characters that can foil their characteristics are always exciting. Well at least for me, but then again, I'm an English nut. Lol Anyways, Thanks so much for reviewing as always! Hope you like this chapter!

Krissy-Jane: Oh good. I'm glad someone commented about Hermione's reaction. I was worried at first that people would be upset cause it wasn't romantic or anything. But I thought that Hermione would be the sort to think things through before rushing into them. Glad you liked it! lol Thanks so much for reviewing!

vacant xpressi0ns: haha your review made me laugh! Yes, Lupin is alive! He's always been a favorite of mine. Hehee…I'm glad your happy about him. Thanks so much for reviewing and reading so consistently!

EvelyneJ: oh wow! Best yet! YAY! I must say I was surprised, I hadn't thought that this chapter was one of my better ones, but I'm so happy you did! Thanks so much for reviewing, I swear they all just make me smile!

dancerrdw: Aw! Your loyalty is so sweet! THANKS! You've got no idea what that means to me! You guys are all so nice to me, I don't deserve it after what I put you through with updates and cliffhangers and stuff. Lol, glad you liked it! As for my show, I'm excited, it's turning out great and can't wait to put it all together. I really hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

nattieb: Hehee…I'm evil you say! innocent face lol…Phew! I'm glad you didn't think that it lagged. Maybe that was me being over-analytical. As for Ginny, well all I can say is patience. It's coming soon I promise. Good news though is that my biggest project is out of the way, and by the end of next week, the others will be too! Gosh I don't know what I'm possibly going to do with all that spare time? Hmmm… ;) lol Thanks for reviewing!

starsmiles: Yea this chapter kind of had a roller coaster thing goin on with the ecstatic happiness in the beginning and the sadness at the end. Oh well, I wanted to keep it moving quickly so we can get to the good stuff! I'll tell you though I sincerely considered making Lupin an imposter but these characters needed some good news and hope and stuff. As of course, did you all. As a writer I'm glad that you found his wracking sobs heartbreaking. That may sound weird or inconsiderate but my job is to make my audience feel what they are. Are you an actor as well? It sounded like you'd been in shows and stuff before. Thanks so much for reviewing!

CHAPTER THIRTY: THE NEWS

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Lupin's face twitched; as though it were responding to a slap in the face. He didn't move, but his eyes blinked a lot. He hadn't reacted at all to the news Lavender had just shared with him and Ron secretly wondered if he were alright. Maybe he had some kind of brain thing that prevented him from hearing certain things. Could he possibly have not heard anything of what Lavender had told him about Harry?

As Ron continued to stare at his old Defense teacher, worry filled his mind. How on earth could Remus handle Harry's death? He still hadn't gotten over Sirius…

But then, Lupin closed his eyes, and exhaled painfully. Lavender's statement must have registered by now and here Ron stood, watching slowly as the effects took hold of poor Lupin.

"H-He's gone?" Lupin whispered, looking at Lavender with such intensity, it was obvious to tell he was praying and hoping she wouldn't respond with a yes.

"Yes" Lavender said slowly

Tears shot to Lupin's eyes so fast, Ron wondered if maybe he hadn't imagined it. Lupin sighed and put his face in his hands and remained there for a few moments.

"How?" Came the timid voice of Lupin, sounding nothing like his old confident self.

Lavender looked at Ron and Hermione desperately, she didn't want to have to recite it all again. Hermione thankfully, nodded her head to Lavender and began to speak in a soft tone.

"H-He asked for us to leave him Professor. We didn't want to leave. Ron especially. But we did. Later on, we got word that he needed us so we rushed towards him, but then Hogwarts collapsed and we got caught up in the dust. By the time we reached him, his glasses were shattered and…" Hermione stopped, her shoulders shaking and her eyes far off, remembering every detail in excruciating pain. Ron reached out to touch her…he needed to touch her. To let her know he understood, to let her know he saw the same images in his mind right now but she was too far away. "and…" she continued "the glass had pierced one of his eyes. He was bleeding everywhere Professor. I screamed out to him but Ron and I got captured and taken to that prison. Once we were in our cell we looked out of the window and saw Harry up in the air. Voldemort made a speech, said the spell and…h-he disappeared."

"Disappeared? How do you know he didn't just get transported somewhere? Maybe he's still alive!"

"There's no way Professor. There was an explosion…a big flash of gold light. This was the moment Voldemort had waited for for 17 years. He wouldn't have blown that." Hermione explained through her tears.

"And we know because…because we saw his corpse." Ron said suddenly, surprising himself with how even his voice sounded as he continued to sob internally.

It was here that Lupin's eyes came into focus. Focusing on Ron's own blue ones as if nothing in the world were more important Lupin asked him, "You what?"

"Voldemort thought it'd be funny if he placed Harry's corpse in our cell." Ron replied somberly, a trace of tears in his eyes

"And…how--?

"Ron wouldn't go near him" Hermione shot angrily, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand

Ron's eyes narrowed. "And Hermione turned into a mental nutcase." He retorted

This only made Hermione cry harder, and made Ron immediately regret saying it. Lavender averted her eyes elsewhere in an attempt to stay out of it, but Lupin still looked at him intently. "What do you mean?"

"Well um she" Ron stole a glance at his crying fiancé "She started talking to him, fixing him up, stuff like that. Acting like he was alive."

"He wasn't was he?"

"No way in hell. I could smell him from across the cell." Ron replied painfully. He sighed. "Look Professor, that's it. He's gone. It wasn't exactly the message I wanted to give anyone over the Floo Network but whatever. We shouldn't be on here too long or else it'll be suspicious, so I need to ask a few more questions."

Lupin nodded miserably "Go ahead"

"Who else from the Order is alive?"

"Tonks is still here, she was out on the battlefield but is okay. Hagird's here as well."

"Hagird!" The three chorused breathlessly

Lupin managed a small smile, "Yea, he made it through the war too. He was in the castle when the whole thing started, and a good thing too because his hut was the first place they struck. Fang unbelievably, was spared as well. Hagrid cried for an hour he was so happy."

This comment not only turned Hermione's tears into sniffles, but managed to bring the tiniest of smiles out onto her face. Ron beamed.

"And the others?"

"Madam Pomfrey was killed, as was Snape"

"Snape!" Ron and Hermione shot out in horror

Lupin nodded gravely, "Voldemort figured out where his loyalty stood and had him tortured to death."

Hermione tried to say something but couldn't get it out, and so she simply sat there, her mouth open in dismay. Ron's stomach twisted with guilt. All those years spent of cursing him, of never trusting him…all to find out he'd been wrong all along.

"We haven't heard from McGonagall, but we know she was with students last. We can only hope."

Everyone nodded numbly.

"But perhaps the best news yet is that Dumbledore managed to survive."

"DUMBLEDORE'S ALIVE!" Seamus asked, his face contorted into sheer joy.

Lupin smiled and nodded. "Who's that I hear?"

Lavender laughed, "It's Seamus"

Lupin returned her laugh with a small chuckle. "Well hello there Seamus. You always were a boisterous one in class."

All turned to Seamus who'd gone a slight pink. "He's really alive Professor?" Ron asked, trying to keep a cap on his glee. He didn't want to be disappointed later.

Lupin again, nodded. "Believe it Ron. I've talked to him myself."

Ron shook his head. "It's hard to believe. How'd he survive?"

Lupin looked at him and for a split second Ron thought he saw a sparkle in Lupin's eyes. But a second later, it was gone. "I don't think the question is how, for we all know that Dumbeldore is probably the most powerful wizard in the world. I think the question is why."

"What do you mean? Why wouldn't he want to survive?" Lavender asked

"Dumbledore had been caught in a corner, he'd done everything he possibly could to help Harry and everyone else, but he knew that he had to step back and let the prophecy fulfill itself. I think it was his intention to remain inside Hogwarts until he was captured, to let Harry finally take his role. Dumbledore is extremely old, you all must know that. Life becomes simply exhausting after that many years."

"Then why didn't he go along with his plan?" Ron asked

"I don't know. I'm not sure how, but somehow I think he knew that things weren't going to go our way. He knew that he'd be needed. And all I can do thank Merlin over and over again that he's alive right now. Without him, I don't know what we would have done."

"So what is his plan?" Hermione asked, tears gone

"What do you mean, his plan?" Ron asked her, confused

She rolled her eyes at him. "Honestly Ron, we have to find some way to beat Voldemort and the Death Eaters. We can't let evil take over the world. Dumbledore surely has a plan. Aren't I right Lupin?"

Lupin nodded and smiled faintly at Hermione. "There are plans being made. I couldn't and wouldn't tell you what they are now. But Dumbledore's been working non-stop. I'm sure news that you all are alive will do more good than anything right now. All of you were presumed dead."

"Even Harry?" Ron asked quietly

Lupin turned his gaze on him, "Yes, even Harry"

"Then how did they create a plan without Harry. Surely it would have resulted in more deaths."

Lupin sighed, "I can't tell you anything right now Ron. But one thing I do need to know is this, are you lot completely safe where you are?"

Everyone exchanged glances. "For now, until they can figure it out." Hermione replied slowly

"You sure you're okay? You're not living off the land are you?"

"Don't worry Lupin, we're fine." Ron assured him

"Alright. Now listen to me carefully. You all are to stay exactly where you are, you here me? For safety measures, alter your appearances and try to destroy any evidences of yourselves. Please, just make sure you stay hidden. Especially the two of you, Ron and Hermione. Voldemort's going to be after you both more than anyone else right now. Once we can figure everything out, we'll come for you. Until then, stay put. And if you hear of any resistance fighting going on, don't worry. Things'll be okay. I promise. Ron, I'll make sure to let your mum know how you are immediately after I'm done talking with you okay?"

"Thanks Lupin, for everything." Ron said emotionally

Lupin shook his head at them. "You lot continue to amaze me. I'm just so thankful you're alright. I-I was so worried. I really had thought you were dead."

"We had no idea if everyone else was gone besides us. Thanks for filling us in, I'll be able to sleep better." Hermione said softly

"Take care of yourselves. See you whenever we can."

"Bye Lupin. Take care." Ron said

"Bye Lupin. Send our love to everyone." Hermione said, blowing a kiss

"Will do. Bye!"

"Bye!" They chorused

"Oh and you three?" Lupin looked at Lavender, Ron, and Hermione, with a wink, "Get yourselves new wands."

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"Hermione! For the last time, we can't!" Ron shouted, his face a fiery red. Hermione rose in vain attempt to tower over Ron. Seamus was eating as he laughed…thoroughly enjoying the show. Lavender and Viktor simply looked scared as they sat on the couch, their eyes darting back and forth between the two.

"Ron we have to!"

"No! You were the one who was so petrified of us keeping cover, of not making a scene! How in bloody hell does this count as not blowing our cover!"

"Ron, this is different. It--"

"HOW IS IT DIFFERENT! WE'D STILL BE EXPOSING OURSELVES EITHER WAY!"

"RON JUST CALM DOWN AND LISTEN TO ME!"

"NO! YOU'RE STILL HEALING! NO WAY I'M LETTING YOU OUT OF THIS HOUSE WHILE YOU'RE STILL HURT!"

"IT'S BEEN FIVE DAYS RON! WE HAVEN'T BEEN OUTSIDE IN FIVE DAYS! I FELL FINE!"

"Yea but you also said you were fine before, and then you fainted!" Ron mumbled quietly to himself as he crossed his arms.

Hermione glared at him. "Ron, how can you honestly not want to do this! It was your idea anyways"

Ron's eyes widened and his face grew if possible, a deeper shade of red, close to purple. "IT WAS NOT MY IDEA! I MADE ONE INNOCENT COMMENT AND YOU JUMPED ONTO IT AND CREATED THIS WHOLE INSANE PLAN THAT I REFUSE TO LET YOU CARRY THROUGH!"

"RONALD WEASLEY YOU'RE BEING UNREASONABLE!"

"NO I'M NOT! WE'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT LUPIN SAID!" Ron shouted, then added more quietly "We've been extremely lucky so far, but we can't afford any more close calls. You know that. Voldemort's angry. He won't play games this time and draw torture and death out. He'll be quick and ruthless. He'll kill us all."

"Ron" Hermione said calmly, "I see all of that. I understand. But you need to take a deep breath and just hear me out."

Ron looked at Lavender who shrugged her shoulders, Viktor who gave him a deer-in-the-headlights look, and at Seamus who winked and nodded enthusiastically. Sighing and running a hand through his hair, he nodded. "Fine, go ahead."

Hermione smiled, "Thank you" She said, rubbing it in a bit.

Ron looked as if he was about to retort but finally he chose to keep his mouth shut. He really hadn't been in the fighting mood tonight. Now that Hermione was his, fighting had lost its wonder and excitement. It was simply exhausting. He used to marvel at the rosy color it put in her face, at how her frizzy curls seemed to fly by themselves, at how bright and alive her eyes looked. And though none of that had changed, now that he was over how beautiful Hermione was, he had time to actually focus on the issue at hand; and it was one that Ron refused to let her win. Not this time. This time, he knew he was right.

"I know how worried you've been about your family Ron." Hermione said sympathetically, "And Seamus and Lavender, I'm sure you're just as worried as I am about everyone else." She said, addressing the two on the couch before her. They nodded silently, solemn looks on their faces. "And you have to admit that now that there's an Order, and people alive, that there's a safe spot for us now. There's a place where we can be surrounded by friends and family and involved in whatever these plans are. And we'll be safe, for the time being, at least until we fight again."

"Stop it right there 'Mione." Ron cut in, "I understand why you want to go. Believe me, I would give anything to be there right now. But think about this. Even if miraculously somehow, we made it there alive, it'd only be a matter of time before one of us dies in whatever fighting you're talking about or Voldemort finds this huge hiding hole and kills everyone within it. We're safer here, there's no doubt or question about that. Voldemort is busy, he doesn't have enough time on his hands to think and research and try to crack the mystery about where we are. But since he's there, he does have the time to look around Hogwarts and England for us, and anyone else he can find."

"I want to help Ron!"

"Hermione," Ron said gently, putting his hands on both her shoulders and turning her to face him, "I get that. But you and I have paid our dues. We don't need to do anything anymore. All I'm thinking about is staying alive and keeping you alive with me as well. We've fought against Voldemort for seven years, been tortured in more ways than anyone else in the world (especially with Harry dying), and right now, are the most wanted people in the world. To abandon logic and rush off to fight already after I've barely comprehended what happened a few days ago, is insane. You need to take a deep breath and look at the facts."

"I know I don't do anything rash or unreasonable Ron," She began, "But I have a feeling on this one. You say Voldemort won't have time to sit down and think about where we are, well I think you're wrong. If he wants to find us, he will. It's only a matter of time. And I think we'd be safer where other people can protect us, then if we're here in a foreign country all by ourselves, and still without wands."

"'Mione…" Ron moaned, "Did you have to go and complicated things like this? Why did you have to do this tonight! Can't we just go to bed and talk about it in the morning?"

"No Ron"

"Why not?"

"Because." She said plainly, "We have to discuss it with Lavender and Seamus"

"Can't we talk about it in the morning at breakfast? I promise I'll be more open to ideas with food in my stomach and a good night's rest behind me"

"What do you two think?" Hermione asked Lavender and Seamus, ignoring Ron.

Seamus grinned. "I want to go back"

"FINNEGAN!"

"Hey Weasley, relax. I'm ready to go back and help. Being locked inside for five days has been killing me. Though I will admit this was royalty compared to what we'd been living off of earlier." He said, nodding to Viktor "But seriously, its time to go back. People need us there and I-I need to find out if certain people are okay." Seamus said honestly, looking at Ron calmly

Lavender sighed. "I guess me too. I really don't like the idea of going back to fight but being near other people and helping in some way would do me a lot of good."

"Fine" Ron spat, throwing his arms into the air, "You all want to go back. Fine. But Seamus and Lavender do you want to go back badly enough to risk our safety?"

The two looked at each other and shrugged. Lavender sighed, "I don't know. I mean I want to go back, I really do. I mean, I'd give anything--"

"Would you give your life?" Ron shot

"Ron!" Hermione cried, shooting Ron a looked that he instantly recognized as his Ronald-I-cannot-believe-you-just-said-that look.

Lavender luckily, chose to ignore his comment. "I'm worried about how we'd do it though. I think if we do go through with it there are a few things we'd need to do first."

"What?" Hermione asked patiently

"Well first off, the rest of us need to get wands. I'm not sure how that's going to work. Surely there has to be some kind of place like Diagon Alley where we could go. Where did you get your wand Viktor?"

"Vell there is a tiny place near here, just a few blocks East, but it doesn't make very high quality wands. At least not compared to what you all are used to."

"What do you mean by high quality wands?" Seamus asked

"Oh don't worry. The wands aren't bad or anything. They're vonderfully made and very dependable. But the vands here are more general. Back in England the vand chooses the Witch or Wizard, correct?"

"Yes" Hermione said

"Vell here the vands are just like the ones you used to have, except that when the vand chooses the owner, the magic that emits the vand is more powerful. Mr. Ollivander is probably one of the only vandmakers that does this. But anyways, these vands should do for now. At least until you can go to him and get a better one."

"I'm sure they're fine Viktor. We won't be picky." Hermione smiled

Lavender nodded, "And once we have the wands, then we'll be able to alter our appearances."

"Well it sounds like this is all sorted out!" Seamus said cheerfully, stretching out on the couch, "So when are we leaving?"

Ron narrowed his eyes, but said nothing as everyone looked to Hermione. "Well we need to get there as soon as possible before anything changes." The group, except Ron, all nodded in agreement. "Viktor how fast do you think we can get those wands?"

"Tomorrow"

"Alright then. Tomorrow night, we'll leave."

"How are we going to get there?" Seamus asked

Hermione bit her lip thinking hard. "Seamus do they know your name? Would they recognize it if they saw it?"

"I don't think so. But I bet they'd look it up and see I was in seventh year with you lot. Why?"

"Well I figured that if we registered our new wands under false names, if we apparated, then Voldemort wouldn't be able to tell. But that wouldn't work if there was any chance Voldemort and his followers would recognize your name. Four young kids apparating a long ways to England would look very suspicious."

"If we can't apparate then, how'll we get back?" Lavender asked concerned

"Similar to the way we came, I guess." Hermione sighed. "Train, and a lot of walking."

"You shouldn't valk." Viktor exclaimed, "I can pay to have someone drive you."

"That's sweet Viktor and I appreciate it, but I wouldn't trust anyone else." Hermione said

"Fine then, I vill drive you."

"No Viktor, please don't. I just don't trust cars. They're undependable and you're enclosed in a tight space. With the train, if something goes wrong, we could always jump off. I'd feel better taking the train."

"It's settled then," Lavender said, "Tomorrow night we'll catch the next train to England under new identities."

"Sounds brilliant" Seamus grinned.

"I'm excited." Lavender smiled

"Ron?" Hermione asked gently, addressing him for the first time in a while.

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "I can't believe we're going to do this but now that we are, at least we're doing it right. But I swear, Hermione, if anything goes wrong…"

"It won't" She said quickly, "It can't"

"Why can't it?"

"Because," She said, smiling, "We're going home"

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(A/N: Well! Let me know!

p.s. Talk to you all in two weeks!)