(A/N: Hello all! Well I have to admit I gave into temptation here. I've had these pages written for weeks now but wanted to wait until I wrote more to post them, in order to give you all a complete chapter. However, I know it'll take me a while to get the rest of what would have been chapter thirty-nine done, and I wanted to surprise you all with a little bit of an earlier update (although I know it's been a while anyways). Besides, Christmas is coming and so are my finals and I know it would have been an extra long time before I could have posted. So anyways, I hope you guys like this chapter (This chapter holds a special place in my heart) and thank you again for your continual reviews! They really do mean so much to me! So thank you! And Enjoy! Much love, Haystack)
(A/N: p.s. as I'm sure all of you Harry Potter fans have already seen the new movie can I just say AMAZING! And if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it! ;)
suckr4romance: Isn't that a cool omen! I'm rather fond of it as well. Glad you found it powerful and somewhat freaky. Yes, cliffhangers are very fun. I'm a big fan of them as well, although I try not to make mine too horrible because even though I write, I'm also an avid reader and hate coming to the end of a chapter with a mega cliffhanger! Cliffhangers and I have a love/hate relationship! Lol Thanks so much for reviewing!
KaiserMonkey: Aw thanks, that's very nice of you to say! Yes, unfortunately I had to make the decision earlier on in the story whether I would update frequently but make my chapters short or update rarely and make them long and more complete. With my other two stories, I'd chosen the latter but I find that although I hate the times in-between updates, it seems to draw people into the story more. But I will make it my personal mission to try to get these chapters out there much faster because I can understand how waiting can get quite annoying! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Krissy-Jane: I am very lucky that I have readers that will put up with my lack of updates! I'm going to try updating more frequently but the flip side of that is that the chapters will be shorter, but that seems to be the popular demand. Ah yes, the red sky…lol one of my more favorite cliffhanger. Glad you liked it though and Thanks for reviewing!
dancerrdw: Aw I'm glad you liked it so much! Your review made me smile! Last chapter really was chalk full of emotions wasn't it? As for writing after this fic, that seems very likely—it's hard for me to imagine life without a fic going on as I've always had one for the past two years. I have no ideas at the present moment and am fully concentrating on ending this fic with a bang but I'm sure it will be a Ron/Hermione as I've grown rather fond of them! Lol Thanks for reviewing!
niem: Chills? That's great! Your review also made me smile! Lol Thank you so much for reviewing and enjoy this chapter!
Bhekie: Aw I'm glad you liked last chapter! Hope this chapter lives up to your expectations! Thanks for reviewing and enjoy!
cumbacksirius: Aw I'm glad you like the story so much! It started out going to be a short little drama piece but it really has turned into a big story hasn't it? As for surviving the war, you'll just have to read and find out I'm afraid! Lol Thanks for reviewing!
Captain Annie: Watery eyes? Aw that is a good thing! I was actually a bit worried making the title 'The End' because the end of the chapter could have worked for the end of the story I guess (definitely not my kind of ending) but I was worried people would fall for it! Glad you saw my A/N! And thanks for reviewing!
BexyLou: I'm glad you liked the chapter! As for who will die and who will not, my lips are unfortunately sealed! I'm quite excited for the ending and would hit myself in the head later if I gave even the slightest bit of it away! Sorry! Thanks so much for reviewing!
QuEEnSeRb716: Aw you're so sweet! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I find depressing things actually quite comforting because it makes you think about things you might not have before and a lot of times that's when the truly brilliant thoughts come to mind! Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing and enjoy!
Liz: Ah I felt so bad! No, chapter 38 was NOT the end of the story! Trust me there is more to come, no worries! I would never end a story with a cliffhanger like that. That's just downright cruel! So yes, don't worry, there is much more to come! We've still got a whole war to get through! Thanks so much for reviewing and enjoy!
sweetiepie1019: Well I barely snuck myself in the one month margin so hopefully you'll remember my effort! Lol Ah you have no idea how much I'd like to respond to your review regarding the end of this story but unfortunately I can't. Sorry! Thanks so much for reviewing though and enjoy this chapter!
Princess Storm: lol your review made me smile! Ah well first things first. Firstly, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Secondly, unfortunately I can't speak regarding the potential death of any characters! Sorry! Thirdly…lol this is getting ridiculous. Making boys—especially someone so strong like Ron—cry is a very powerful tool I've come to find. It's the same in real life as well. The scene outside Ginny's door…lol I'm glad you liked it! With all the drama going on, I think we all needed a little fluff! As for you having no clue where the story is going, to that I say brilliant! So many people have theories of what's going to happen but a clean slate is much easier to work with! Makes me feel less bad when I prove theories wrong and less stupid when they figure me out! Lol Thanks so much for reviewing and enjoy!
…And so it continues…
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CHAPTER THRITY-NINE: LEAVING REFUGE BEHIND
Ron was awake, but he refused to open his eyes.
Feeling around, his hands almost at once came in contact with soft silky hair and despite himself, he smiled, running his fingers through it. Hermione stirred and he stopped immediately. He didn't want her waking up just yet.
He hadn't wanted to open his eyes; to face this new day that would bring such loss and devastation to everyone he cared about. The last coherent thought he'd had before drifting off into sleep was to remain asleep for as long as possible, in order to savor the last threads of his old life. And that was what this truly was. Today marked the beginning of a new life, whether that meant the end of his, or the start of a new one with Hermione.
Yet as the sound of hurried footsteps in the hall reached his ears, it all sank in. They were leaving this place—this refuge—and heading back out into the war, for one last time. There was no point in hanging onto old threads now. He had face this. And so slowly, Ron opened his eyes.
Hermione was what he thought as he took in his surroundings. Nothing about the room had changed but it all felt different. Hermione was the only thing that didn't.
She lay there peacefully, ironic given the circumstances, with her chocolate curls spread out above her like a halo. She was lying on her side facing Ron, her legs intertwined with his, but Ron felt like she wasn't close enough. His heart constricted looking at her like that, and it was all he could do to restrain himself from kissing her and waking her up.
Scooting ever so closer to her, he slowly—as to not wake her—wrapped his arms around her, bringer her to his chest. When it appeared she was still asleep, he took the liberty to bury himself in her hair, breathing in her scent until his lungs felt ready to burst. He wanted to remember everything about this moment, not sure if he'd have any more. This one had to be great…it had to last forever.
He ran his hand gingerly along her back, craving more. But a tiny sound stopped him. "D-Don't" It said.
Ron froze, realizing he'd been caught. He wasn't quite sure what to say so instead he said nothing. "I-It'll only make it that much harder to leave" Hermione whispered
In his heart, Ron knew she was right. Why bring emotions back up again when they'd spent the better half of the night crying them all out? Why ruin moments with words? Why whisper, "I love you" when the simple words were his undoing?
Legend portrayed warriors as heartless; but Ron knew better. Warriors were focused, so utterly focused that everything else disappeared. Warriors isolated themselves, so focused on the task at hand that relationships were of no importance. No friendship epics or romance classics had been written about war. Warriors had no friends, they had no family, and they had no soul mate. Love was their undoing.
The war had been going fine up until he and Hermione confessed their love. As Ron looked back upon it, really everything terrible sprung from that moment of magical bliss. That moment transformed them both from Harry's best friends, and capable warriors; the war suddenly wasn't the most important thing, each other were.
Silently, Ron wondered if Hermione had stayed with Aragog as he had intended, and they had never confessed to each other, would they have won the war? Would they be celebrating with Dumbledore and the others back at Hogwarts, with Harry's picture on the front page of paper? If they had just stayed by Harry's side, would Voldemort and evil be gone?
Slowly, Ron nodded his understanding. This time had to be different. He loved Hermione with every fiber of his being but he and Hermione were the leaders this time around. They both had to fill Harry's shoes as heroes. They couldn't let personal feelings get in the way of their focus. They just couldn't. Too much was at stake.
Looking down, Ron's eyes met hers, blue on brown. Both pairs of eyes were vulnerable; this was a measure of connection. She understands, He thought to himself, She knows what we have to do.
And in that instant, they understood each other perfectly.
Without another word, they broke apart, and grudgingly got out of bed. In silence, they both began to get dressed.
Ron pushed up the baggy sleeves of his shirt and got out his wand. He had to think. Taking a deep breath and reeling in his concentration, Ron closed his eyes.
The next moment when he looked down, he was dressed in the same outfits Lupin had advised he and Harry wear before the first war. Personally, Ron had laughed at the pictures Lupin had showed him. He rather thought he looked like a medieval pompous knight in the getup. Harry had grinned at him and teased, forever afterwards calling him Knightly.
As Ron surveyed himself in the mirror, he still agreed with his previous thoughts; but for some reason he didn't mind the costume anymore. Maybe it was the memory attached to the outfit that made the difference. Because when Ron looked in the mirror he saw Harry, as if Harry was sewn right into every stitch.
And suddenly his heart swelled and emotion threatened the silence. Harry was still with him. Harry was inside of him. And it was Harry he needed today most of all. Stay with me mate, He thought, you have to help me. I'll need every ounce of that bloody courage you had.
And almost as if he had no control over his muscles, Ron watched with wonder and amazement as his face twitched into a smile only capable of a Potter.
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As Ron opened the door and stepped into the hallway, the smell of his mother's cooking immediately overtook his senses. Taking a deep waft in just like he always had, he made his way to the kitchen, with Hermione following right behind him.
"Ron" Molly Weasley said softly as all conversation died in the kitchen. Everyone looked up at them and there was a moment of silence, a moment in which everyone looked at each other. No one needed to say anything; everyone felt it.
Clearing his throat, Lupin stepped forward with a fake smile pasted on his face. "Why don't you two eat up and then we can talk." He said
Ron nodded thankfully and led Hermione over to the small stove his mother had prepared breakfast on. Conversations started up again but much more quietly than they'd been carried before.
Ron and Hermione didn't eat much, their minds more concerned on the conversations or lack of occurring around them. Mr. Weasley was talking in a low voice with Fred and George about charms; Ginny was engaged in a debate with Bill that—given different circumstances—would have been a lively one. Mrs. Weasley talked with Tonks and Lupin about breakfast, not wanting to think much further into the future. Neville was there, conversing with Mad Eye Moody and another Order member who was demonstrating for Neville how to properly dismantle a Death Eater.
It was a strange sight to see, Ron thought, to watch people prepare themselves for death. They could talk about last minute charms or spells, but no one dared to talk about the war; no one dared to make last minute promises, or share a few last minute confessions. It seemed as if everyone had left their personal baggage with them last night…acting as if this was a one-day mission that would soon be over with. Ron found it both unsettling and admirable.
Finished with breakfast now, Ron turned to Lupin on his right and said under his breath. "So what's the plan exactly?"
"Dumbledore should be here any moment." He said, his face solemn. "He'll give last minute instructions. Do you have everything you need?"
Ron nodded yes. He had his wand.
"N-Now Ron, I'll have to warn you, the Order talked it over last night and we've all come a decision that I'm not too sure you'll be fond of."
Ron stared at the man. "What is it?" He asked,
"You have to promise not to try to resist it. The Order voted unanimously."
Ron's heartbeat started to pick up…what was he getting at? "Just tell me what it is," He snapped. Lupin looked taken aback and Ron regretted being so short with him. "Sorry" He said quickly.
Lupin didn't appear fazed; "The Order has decided that you and Hermione will be covered with invisibility cloaks until the time is right."
At first, the words didn't register in his head. Invisibility cloaks…what was the big deal? He'd been under an invisibility cloak since before his voice had changed. Why did Lupin think he'd be u—then it hit him. "What about the rest of you?" He asked suddenly, looking at Lupin intensely.
The man hesitated and Ron knew what he was about to say. "Don't! Lupin we don't need to be covered up and protected anymore! You lot have tried to protect us since we were eleven-years-old! I would have thought we'd proved ourselves by now!"
"You have," Lupin said firmly "But this isn't one of your twelve-year-old schemes Ron. This is war. You and Hermione are our hope; we can't take any chances. You both need this protection!"
"We don't need anything Lupin! I mean bloody hell just look at us! We're not kids anymore!"
"Would you stop acting like one and listen like an adult then!" Lupin cried, banging his fist on the table.
Lupin's words hurt, but Ron wasn't backing out of this. He couldn't let this happen. He had to change tactics.
"We're going to be out there fighting with the rest of you." He said with intensity, although his volume had decreased considerably which was a start. "Of all people you should put someone like Ginny under that cloak!"
"No Ron" Lupin hissed, his eyes glowing. Ron stopped; he'd never seen Lupin like this. "I told you, this isn't up for discussion. You and Hermione will be under the cloak and the rest of us will not."
Ron was getting desperate now. "Lupin I'm begging you. This is craziness. What good will this do? What purpose will it serve?"
"Are you not thinking Ron?" Lupin cried, "Voldemort wants you dead! He wants you both dead! Does that mean nothing to you!"
"IT DOES MEAN NOTHING!" Ron cried, his voice much louder than he had intended. All conversations stopped immediately and Hermione looked at him with concern. Shit. "Voldemort wanted Harry dead for years." He whispered to Lupin, avoiding all of the pairs of eyes that were now on him and his old Professor.
"And Harry is now dead." Lupin said gravely, looking Ron square in the face. "You of all people should now understand what Voldemort is all about. No matter how long it takes, he makes it his personal mission to follow through with his threats."
Ron felt trapped. He couldn't let this happen! He couldn't stand on the battlefield, wrapped in an invisibility cloak and watch his friends and family die and do nothing! He just couldn't!
Ron looked up. All conversations had died away, and everyone was now looking onto this exchange with interest or sadness in their eyes. Ron's eyes found Hermione's and he looked away quickly. She was reading his mind again and he couldn't let her do that.
Facing Lupin again, he tried to reel his emotions in; he had to act like a man. "So maybe the cloaks would buy us a few minutes. What good will those do? Hermione's one hell of a fighter, with our numbers we need someone like that out there! What good will it do if she's wrapped up in an invisibility cloak!"
In the corner of his eye, Ron saw Hermione smile faintly at his words.
Lupin sighed, and stood up, placing two hands on Ron's shoulders. "Because" He said honestly, lowering his voice. "If anyone can destroy Voldemort it's you two. None of us have a clue what the 'power the Dark Lord knows not' is but our guess is that it has something to do with you. I don't think I need to tell you that this is our only shot. We need to keep you both alive until the very last moment when you can find Voldemort. Ron, I know you don't like the idea but it's our only hope." Ron looked up at the man's face. He'd lost so much to be so young, and yet…he was still able to be so strong. How was that possible? Noting that he held Ron's undivided attention, Lupin repeated himself. "It's our only hope."
At his words of closure, Ron lowered his head. This was it; he had no choice. He couldn't refuse words like that. But as Ron raised his head to look around the room at the faces of those he loved, he felt tears prick his eyes. He blinked furiously, he couldn't cry. He'd left his emotional baggage behind him hadn't he? He and Hermione had agreed to not think thoughts like the ones racing through his head. He couldn't show weakness like this, not right before…
"Shh…" Ron heard a familiar voice soothe him as he felt a pair of timid arms hug him. "It's okay. We're all going to be fine."
Ron almost laughed at that; that such simple words and such a small gesture could make his reserve break down. Hugging Ginny tightly, Ron put his head on her shoulder and breathed deeply. He wasn't going to cry…he wasn't going to cry.
As he pulled away from his little sister, Ginny gave him a small smile that Ron returned. He looked up at their audience. All of the women had tears in their eyes, and some of the men as well. Yet no one was crying.
"R-Ron. You're doing the right thing." Tonks said softly.
"We want you two to survive." Neville agreed quietly.
"If there's any question that you can be the ones to defeat Voldemort, then we're going to do everything in our power to help you." Kingsley said honestly.
The other Order members nodded.
"We couldn't save Harry, but we're going to do our best to save you both." Bill spoke tenderly, "We have to let the Golden Trio survive."
The Weasley family nodded enthusiastically at this.
Ron found himself choked up. "I-It's just that--"
"We're willing to die for you!" Fred cried out suddenly.
"This isn't just about you Ronnekins" George smiled faintly, "This is about the cause. We're all fighting for the same thing here. It's just that some of us might be more useful as corpses."
That statement sent a chill through Ron that even Ginny's warm hand on his shoulder couldn't chase away.
Hermione, who hadn't said anything, rose slowly and walked over to Ron; facing these people they loved. "We're willing to die too," She said without a waver in her voice.
There was silence, broken only by the quiet sobs of Mrs. Weasley. Ron looked around the room, most everyone was on the brink of tears themselves, but not another tear was shed. If this was any indication to their strength, then Ron felt reassured.
Everyone in this room had lost somebody. Many people still didn't know exactly what they'd lost or how many loved ones were now lying dead. They'd faced war in all its ugliness and brutality. But they'd survived. And as if that weren't enough, they were all willing to go back and do it all over again.
And it was in this moment that Ron Weasley realized what kinds of people he had in his life.
They were all heroes.
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Dumbledore provided no words of wisdom, no food for thought, no last minute pep talks. What he had to say was brief and to the point.
"This portkey will transport you back up to the surface." He produced a small toothbrush from his cloak pocket. "From there on, you are to follow the person in front of you as quietly as you can. Based on inside information, the Death Eaters have set up camp in the most secluded part of the Forbidden forest. We will go there and attack."
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Dumbledore continued. "Tonks had selflessly volunteered to act as a distraction to the Death Eaters right before we attack. She'll be under the influence of a polyjuice potion previously prepared to appear like Ginny Weasley."
At this, Ron whipped his head around to face Tonks and Ginny who were smiling slightly to themselves. Ron's heartbeat had quickened. How could Tonks do such a thing? And why of all people did she have to appear as Ginny?
Ginny caught his eye and must have read the expression on his face because she whispered to him, "Anything I can do to help," before focusing her attention back on Dumbledore.
Too numb now to respond to anything, Ron simply turned his attention back to Dumbledore as well, amid the thoughts zipping through his mind.
"I'm afraid that's all I have for you. Lupin, if you don't mind, the invisibility cloak please." Dumbledore said politely as Lupin brought back the shining cloak. "There we are. Now Ron and Hermione you two are under orders to stay under this cloak until you come face to face with Voldemort, do you understand?"
All attention turned to them and Ron felt himself go red with the sudden attention. "Yea" He mumbled,
Dumbledore's gaze seemed to linger on his a moment longer, but then he nodded and turned his attention back to the toothbrush. "Alright then, one by one, grab the portkey. Alastor, I believe we discussed that you would go first."
"That's right" Moody said gruffly, pushing himself to the center of the room, where the sacred toothbrush lay on a levitated stone. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the toothbrush, and with a sound, disappeared.
Silence was all that was left. For a moment, no one moved, each examining the others to see who would go next. Without a word, Fred and George stepped up to the plate.
"See you all up top!" George said enthusiastically, although Ron noted a tremor in his voice.
"Good luck all!" Fred said with a soft smile, and with that the twins disappeared.
One by one the room slowly emptied until finally Hermione's eyes found his, and with a nod they stepped up. Heart pounding, Ron looked at Hermione, her nervous brown eyes darting back and forth. "You ready?" He asked,
She bit her lip and nodded. And with that, they both gripped the toothbrush and felt a familiar tug as they left their refuge and landed with a hard thump onto the very floor of hell.
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(A/N: What'd you think? Let me know!)