(A/N: Hey everyone! Wow it's really been a long time! Gosh life has just been crazy this past month. My activities and teachers leave me exhausted every day so writing has taken a backseat although that doesn't mean I won't continue the story or that I've lost my enthusiasm for it! I'm actually really excited for what's to come! Hopefully you'll all like it as much as I do! Anyways, this chapter was rather hard to write and I expect next chapter to be even more difficult but I'm up for the challenge! I don't really have much to say other than one) I'm starting back up my individual responses to each review, which has been something I've missed a lot! I love talking to you all! And two) Because of the material that this next chapter covers, expect about a month between the updates. I know, it sucks majorly but I simply don't have the time! I'm sorry. Anyways, THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Hope you all like this chapter! Much love, Haystack)

Also note that even though this chapter is titled 'The End' it does not mean that this is the end of the story

Bhekie: haha heck yes! I'm rather looking forward to that part myself! Thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

Ginny-Weasley4: Aw I'm sorry about the update, they just take too bloody long! Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing! It means the world!

Captain Annie: Aw I'm sorry about getting your hopes up but for some reason I felt like that part needed to be included. Neville's return was never a part of any plans for the story so I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing, just kind of going with the flow! Very glad that you though that part, and the Dumbledore part was believable though! Thanks so much for reviewing!

doublelily: I'm sad that the story will end too! I'm not really sure what I'm going to do once it's done…I suppose I'll have to start another story. I can't imagine life without a HP story going on. Thank you for letting me know about the responses, I've rather missed talking with you all! Anyways, Thanks for reviewing as always!

cumbacksirius: Yay! I'm glad you liked the chapter! I've got much more coming for you all! (Can you tell I'm excited? Lol) Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing, it's so nice that some of you continually review; one of the best parts about these kind of stories! So thanks! Enjoy!

Natural-181: Aw you're so sweet! Thank you! It is a rather emotional story isn't it? I suppose that's just part of how I see things, but if you think about it war is really such an emotional thing isn't it? Of course never having experienced war in this sense I have to use my imagination a bit, but hopefully it comes across as believable! Thanks so much for the review! Enjoy!

BexyLou: Another thought-Harry-was-back person? Lol I'm sorry about that, it was a bit cruel now that I think about, but I couldn't resist. It may seem a bit repetitive for me to keep pulling on the Harry heartstrings but I suppose in real life, someone wouldn't get over a death like that that quickly. Ah well, I promise to leave poor Harry out of the next chapter! Thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

merebear77795: Aw, you're so sweet! Thank you! I must say I'm touched, it means a lot to have someone give you a compliment like that! As for your story, I would love to read it! I'll hopefully have time sometime this week to check it out! Thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

LovePadfoot5867: Unfortunately I've decided not to work in any HBP stuff simply because this story was started before HBP came out and if I tried to add it in now, it would throw some things off. I would love to work with the sixth book sometime in the future though, maybe that'll be my next project…hmm…lol anyways, thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

suckr4romance: Aw did you believe Neville was Harry? Beautiful, I was rather self-conscious about that part, I'm glad some people fell for it as awful as that sounds. Thank you for mentioning the punctuation errors, I made sure to double-check this chapter, hopefully there aren't any! Those have no place in a story…take away from the magic! You live near New Orleans? I'm so sorry about Katrina…that must have been so hard although I am very glad your house and family are all right. For thanksgiving, my family and I are heading down to Louisiana (Lake Charles area) to help re-build and stuff so it'll be interesting to see it firsthand compared to the news. I hope everything is starting to return to "normal" for you! And thanks for reviewing! Enjoy!

QuEEnSeRb716: Aw well I'm glad this story update could brighten your week! Oh yes the next war…winks I'm so excited for it I'm like dying trying to keep from telling you all what's to come! I suppose I'll just have to write about it won't I? Lol Thanks so much for reviewing and telling me about the responses thing! I've missed you all! Enjoy!

dancerrdw: Yay! I'm glad you liked this past chapter! Hopefully you'll like this chapter as well! Thanks so much for faithfully reviewing! Sorry about the updates though! Enjoy!

Greenpluff: Yay, I'm rather glad some of you believed Harry was back as mean as that sounds. But yes, Neville is back now. As for the prophecy, all I'm allowing myself to say is we'll see! Lol but yes, you are right about that. This war will be the end. The very end! Dramatic eh? Alright well thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

Fidelian: You had tears in your eyes? Aw yay! I'm not sure if I've said this recently but I must confess my ultimate goal in writing is for every reader to cry. Sounds strange but its true. Crying is so vulnerable in that you expose your true emotions so to get a reader to cry means that they're truly touched! Anyways, I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

Orchid6297: I'm glad you liked the last chapter! Ah yes well I can say now that Harry won't be coming back, hopefully maybe that fake Harry coming back moment made it more real despite its cruelties on my part! Lol anyways, Thanks so much for continuing to review! It means so much! Enjoy!

AmyChris: Blew you out of the water? Aw Yay! That's a good sign! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and found it inspirational! I tend to always find any scene involving Dumbledore to be inspirational so hopefully the same relates in this story. I'm glad that you think I grab the reader's attention, it's funny because I'm always so self-conscious about my writing so things like that really make me feel better. Thanks so much for reviewing so faithfully! It really does mean a lot! Thanks and Enjoy!

nattieb: lol your review made me laugh! Yes, it really is Neville and not a Death Eater; I'm not quite that cruel! As for your theory about Harry, I'm so sorry to crush any ideas but Harry is really, truly and utterly dead to put it plainly. Even though I brought Harry back in my other stories I've found it's much more powerful for him to remain dead as it relates more to life, in that people can't come back from the dead in real life. This story unfortunately, was not meant to be a happy one although I get much joy from writing it! Anyways, Thanks so much for updating so faithfully and enjoy!

…And so it continues…

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CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: THE END

"No…" Ginny's soft reply came, her eyes unfocused as she looked past Ron and Hermione who were sitting on her bed. "H-How can we? There's no way we can win"

"Yes there is!" Ron's said in a loud voice. "There has to be! If Dumbledore thinks it--"

"Ron" Ginny interrupted quietly, shaking her head "Dumbledore's been wrong before. Just because he thinks we can win, doesn't mean that--"

"It's not a matter of choosing to fight or not. It's a matter of timing. And the time is right" Ron said, his face alight.

"No Ron…" Ginny whispered. "We don't need to fight anymore. We're done."

"We're not done Ginny! There are still people out there dying!"

"They're going to get Viktor" Hermione said hollowly, speaking for the first time since they'd arrived at Ginny's room. As soon as Dumbledore excused them, giving them a few final directions, she and Ron had immediately headed for Ginny's room; where Ron proceeded to explain to Ginny in full detail this sudden new war that would be fought tomorrow.

Tomorrow…. the thought made Hermione want to be sick. Tomorrow they would be out fighting Death Eaters, something Hermione had never wanted to do again. Tomorrow she would watch as those she loved were killed. Tomorrow she herself might be killed.

It wasn't something she could process right now.

Before the first battle, Hermione had been scared. Scared of the unknown. This time however, she was petrified. Petrified because she knew what was awaiting them, petrified because she knew this was it. They had no savior to save them anymore.

"I know they are" Ginny said sadly, facing Hermione. "But it's not worth risking all of our lives for."

"How can you even say that Gin!" Ron cried, "Of course it is!"

"No, it's not" Ginny said firmly, "Ron, we've all been out there. We know what can and what will happen. If we all put our lives on the line every time someone was in danger, we'd all be dead!"

"But that's what you have to do in war!"

"It's stupid…its not worth it" Ginny said quietly under her breath, looking at her hands.

"Ginny--" Hermione interjected, "You have to understand. I-I don't like it either but we have to fight. We would have had to fight back sometime…we can't just hide out and let evil take over the world."

"But why!" Ginny cried, throwing her arms up in the air, "Why must we? We don't always have to save the world! You two are just as bad as Harry!"

Neither Ron nor Hermione said anything. Then finally Ron said softly, "Good." Hermione smiled.

Ginny looked at them with wide eyes.

"Look Ginny, I'm scared too." Hermione said softly, taking the girl's hand in her own. "This is the last thing I thought I'd being doing again. I don't like the idea of going through it all another time. I don't know if I'm strong enough yet, but you see…it doesn't matter. Because if we ever want a shot at a normal life again, we have to fight tomorrow, despite everything."

Ginny's brown eyes watered up, and she looked away. Ron scooted closer and said, "She's right Gin. We can't let Harry's death be one in vain. We have to fix this mess up."

This only seemed to make Ginny sadder, as tears began to fall from her eyes. Without a word, Ron put his arm around her and she clung to him tightly. "Sh…" He whispered, rubbing her back. "It's going to be okay"

"I-I'm just so s-scared" She choked, her words coming in sobs. "I don't want to face it all again. I don't want to hurt anymore. I don't want to lose anyone else. I couldn't handle it."

Ron shot Hermione a look that made her heart ache. His blue eyes were piercing her skin, aimed right at her soul, and in one glance she knew what he was thinking. She was feeling it too. Ginny was right about one thing…how much more could they take? Would Hermione be able to handle it if she lost Neville? Ginny? Lupin? Dumbledore? Ron?

She shook her head feverishly at the thought. She wouldn't start thinking like that. She'd been living with the fear of losing Ron for about a year now, she wouldn't go back to that…she just couldn't. But yet, the fear had returned. She looked desperately over to Ron who was now cradling Ginny in his arms, and a surge of panic accompanied the love she felt while looking at him.

"We'll all be fine…don't worry" Was what Ron was whispering to Ginny, but Hermione could tell his whole heart wasn't in it. He knows it too, She thought to herself, He knows we're back to worrying about each other. We're back to living with that fear.

After a few minutes, Ginny seemed to quiet down and all that was heard was Ron's continual reassurances. "What time tomorrow?" She asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

Hermione looked at her hands. "Early. At daybreak."

Ginny nodded her understanding and said no more. No one spoke; they just looked at each other. Ron's excited and brave demeanor was rapidly falling; Hermione could almost watch the doubt flood into him. Suddenly, with Ginny's outburst, he seemed less sure that they were in the right…that they had to do this at all.

But of course we have to do this! Hermione thought to herself. We have to save Viktor! Yet, even as she thought the words, she knew she was lying to herself.

It had been foolish of her to get her hopes up —to believe that the worst was over and that from now on she would be safe at Headquarters. That being engaged to Ron somehow made things right again.

Viktor was the primary objective but the world was at stake here. She had been a best friend of Harry Potter for most of her life—great things had always been expected of her. But this…. this pressure she felt to win the war from people she hadn't even met yet—who possibly hadn't even been born…it was enough to make her want to hide away forever.

I don't envy Harry in the least, She thought bitterly, if this is what it felt like.

"What if one of you dies?" Ginny whispered, as if to no one. Hermione slowly pulled out of her thoughts.

Ron sighed, weary with all this talk, "What do you mean Gin?"

"You know what I mean," Ginny whispered, eyes clouding over again. Her brown eyes begging him to give her an answer she wanted to hear.

He sighed again, "I don't know. I don't know what you want me to say." His response screamed at Hermione to help him and without really wanting to head off in this direction she obediently stepped in.

"We won't die," She said, trying to make herself believe what she was saying.

Ginny just looked off into the distance and shook her head. "Yes we will. Some of us have to. I-I don't know what I'll do if you die…."

There was a stretched silence, and Hermione knew Ron—like herself—was desperately trying to think of something comforting to say to the trembling red headed girl in front of them. Just watching her, apprehension in her eyes and grief displayed on her face, made Hermione want to take her friend into a hug and never let go.

Sighing, tears springing in her eyes, Hermione took a shuddering breath. "I-I suppose if Ron and I both die, then it'll be up to you to help restore the world." She whispered

Ginny closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself. The answer seemed to hurt her. "I won't want to go on without you" She whispered, emotion clogging her throat.

"You'll have to Gin" Ron whispered, "Just like we'll have to if you die. Someone's going to have to take lead, someone who remembers Hogwarts before everything. Someone who knew Harry…. we can't let it all die with us."

Ginny was looking at her hands now, crying again. Since when had Ginny cried so much? Just remembering the old Ginny…. the feisty hot tempered red head who had had such a handle on everything…and watching this new Ginny crawl into herself, spent, as if an old woman, was shocking. It made Hermione want to cry herself.

And before she knew it, she was. Ron looked at her with soft, watery eyes and without a word he was able to communicate with her. I know, his eyes said, I know.

Pulling her self up, obviously wanting to be alone Ginny said quietly, "You better go."

Hermione nodded weakly and leaned over to give Ginny a hug. Ginny hugged her back tightly. Wiping at her eyes, Hermione sniffed and then stood up to go. Ron kissed his sister on the cheek and squeezed her hand. "Love you," He said

Ginny looked at him and whispered, "Love you too"

Standing up, Ron placed his hand on the back of Hermione's back, guiding her out of the room. "Come on" He said as they crossed the threshold of the doorway.

"Wait!" Ginny suddenly cried from inside the room. Ron stuck his head back inside.

"What?" He asked

Ginny bit her lip nervously and said, "You'll come for me tomorrow won't you? Make sure I'm up alright and everything?"

Ron nodded solemnly, "'Course we will."

Twisting her hands, Ginny nodded. "Okay…thanks. Goodnight."

"Night" Ron said quietly, as the door shut behind him with a soft click.

Ron didn't move as they stood in the dark hallway and neither of them spoke. Once the door was shut, he leaned against it and closed his eyes. He was tired, that much was evident. But there was something else…something greater and far more important that was bearing on his soul now.

Hermione wasn't sure what she was waiting for, but she stepped closer to him. Far enough away to give him his space yet close enough that she could feel his hot breath on her face. When he made no protests, she inched her way closer to him, still hesitant to kiss him as she wanted to. And for several moments, she just stood there; she was so close now that their bodies were just barely touching, the sensation making her go mad with desire.

Ron chuckled softly to himself and with a smile, finally looked up, staring straight into her eyes the way she always loved. "What are you waiting for?" He teased, raising his eyebrows at her.

And with that, Hermione rushed into his arms and buried herself in him.

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"Ron" She breathed, attempting to scold him as they stumbled into their room, Ron nearly breaking the door in the process.

"Mm?" He grunted, pressing his lips more firmly against hers and he walked her backwards the room.

Hermione could no longer remember what she'd meant to say. Instead, she buried her hands into Ron's hair as they fell onto their bed, not able to stop the sigh of contentment that escaped from her lips. It had been so long since they'd been like this!

Shifting positions, Ron pinned her underneath him, concentrating on planting kisses all over her. As Ron began to fumble with the buttons on her shirt, Hermione giggled. He looked up and blushed. "Sorry" he mumbled, and then paused "Am I going too fast?"

Hermione smiled lovingly. "Maybe a little"

Ron nodded and re-buttoned her shirt. Hermione only loved him more for it. He planted a kiss soundly on her lips but just as Hermione leaned up for another one, he pulled away, a look on his face.

"What?" She asked quietly

Ron simply shook his head, staring at her. "I love you," He whispered, leaning forwards as if to bury himself in her hair.

Touched, she reached up a hand to the back of his head, slowly running her fingers through his hair. Ron took a deep shuddering breath and Hermione felt concern spread through her. "I love you too." She whispered back

Ron leaned back and softly, slowly, lovingly kissed her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as Ron's hands snaked around her waist. It was a long kiss…. but without a doubt in Hermione's mind one of the best they'd shared.

When they pulled away, Ron had a strange look on his face. The concern she'd felt for him earlier reappeared, and while tracing her finger down his cheek she whispered, "You know, you don't always have to be so strong."

Ron's eyes flickered. "I'll never let anything happen to you," He whispered back, kissing her hand. "I promise"

Hermione frowned. "I don't need protecting Ron. I'm worried about you."

Confusion spread across his face. "Me? Why are you worried about me?"

"Because," she said, "We're headed into a war and for the past two days all you've done is listen to Ginny and I."

"That's not true," He said

"Tell me what's wrong Ron," She said, leaning her forehead against his and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I want to help you."

Ron breathed in her scent and looked at her wearily. "I-I'm just scared." He said honestly, his ears turning red. "About the war. I'm scared of losing you."

Hermione was quiet, re-playing his words again in her head. Finally she said, "I'm scared of losing you too."

"Makes me wish we'd gotten married earlier," He said softly, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.

Hermione smiled at the gesture, "Being married wouldn't change anything though; at least not now. We'd still be as in love as we are now."

Ron sighed, "I guess you're right. I-I just wish we'd had more time together. Every day I kick myself for not confessing to you earlier."

Hermione's eyes welled up, "Me too Ron"

"Just think," He whispered, "How different things would be. We would have had at least two years of going to Hogsmeade together, sitting by the fire in the common room, going to Quidditch matches, and spending time kissing in the library."

Hermione's heart ached. It sounded so good….

"And I bet you that if we'd gotten together, Harry and Ginny would have realized their feelings much sooner. Just picture it! The four of us could have taken walks down to the lake together of Sundays, eaten all our meals together, gone everywhere together!"

Hermione bit her lip, fighting back the tears she wanted to cry. He needed to stop this….

"The whole Lavender scenario wouldn't have happened and you would have never gone out with that McLaggend prat."

Hermione didn't correct him.

"I bet the Department of Mysteries would have turned out differently too, had we all been more united. Maybe if that were true, then Sirius wouldn't have died. And then--"

"Ron, stop" She said suddenly, sitting up. Couldn't he see how this was making her feel? Ron was describing a world that didn't exist, a world that she would give anything for right now. The guilt that accompanied his scenario was too much to bear.

"What?" He asked, confused

"D-Don't talk like that," She replied shaking, "It's just too…too much"

Ron stared at her for a while and Hermione avoided his eyes, looking down at her hands. Finally, he cleared his throat and said, "I wish it could be true."

Hermione nodded and he leaned closer but said nothing. Finally, he whispered, "I'm scared that this is my last night with you."

Hermione looked up at that and saw the raw emotion that his eyes held. He was truly scared and she shivered at that. "R-Ron," She choked, "I love you." She leaned forwards into him, "I love you, I love you, I love you" She said, unable to stop the tears that began to fall.

Moved, Ron brought her closer to him, holding her petite body as tight as he could against his own. "I k-know" He said passionately, "I love you too."

They just sat there for a few moments, desperate to get closer to each other, wanting nothing but to remain in this position forever.

The war was frightening on many levels. But this…losing Ron was something that had the power to destroy her. It had been hard to imagine losing him before the first war, but back then…they'd only been friends. Now, they were engaged.

Ron symbolized the future, to Hermione; the family that would be possible to have after the war, the home she might have, and the friend she would have…. Ron was the only other person in the world that understood what Harry's absence in her life would mean. Ron was the only other person now, who understood everything. Ron was everything Hermione had of her old life. With Ron there was hope, with Ron there was purpose and a future. And the prospect of surviving the war and heading into a new life without him or Harry by her side was unfathomable.

Hermione hated thinking so negatively. She wished she could will her brain to think of all the reasons why she and Ron would make it. After all, they'd survived the first one, what was so different? We don't have Harry, her brain said, and we're targets this time. More so than we've ever been.

Hermione wished she could believe in such fantasies as "Our love can work miracles" but when it came to life, she couldn't see how they fit in. She didn't believe in miracles anymore…she believed in luck. But luck was unpredictable…a fickle thing of its own. She couldn't depend upon it. She was heading into a war without miracles or luck on her side.

"But that won't save us will it?" Hermione soft voice finally came

Ron leaned down and wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs. He took a shuddering breath. "No 'Mione. I don't think it will"

Hermione moaned and lowered her head; acting like the answer physically hurt her. Ron's eyes watered up. He brought her to him again and kissed her head, fighting back his own tears. "It can't be the end!" Hermione cried out, "We fought so hard to get here!"

"We're Harry's best friends" Ron said hollowly, "We escaped from Voldemort. No one's ever done that before. He wants us dead 'Mione."

"No!" She flung out; her mass of curls flying everywhere. She began to cry furiously now. "No! It can't be the end! It can't be!"

"Shh…shhh" Ron said, pulling her towards him despite the fact that she was fighting against him. "This is war 'Mione! It was stupid to expect us to survive it!"

"But we did survive it!" Hermione cried, still fighting Ron "I don't want to die Ron! I want to live!"

And for the first time in a long time, a tear escaped Ron's startling blue eyes. He sniffed and wiped it away. "Me too" He said hoarsely. Hermione stopped and stared at him.

And almost as if the past few moments hadn't happened, Hermione lifted her hand to Ron's face.

The gesture sent off a wave of tears in Ron he hadn't known were possible. At the outburst, Hermione simply wrapped her arms around him and held him close, her own tears falling and mingling with his.

And no more was said. They just sat like that, holding each other and mourning the loss of their futures. Words were beyond the moment, after all, how could you describe the emotions that came with meeting death?

Before long, Ron dozed off, Hermione still in his embrace and she soon followed suit. But as they slept, drifting off into worlds without war, neither of them noticed the sun rising a deep, and painfully bloody red.

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