(A/N: I'm sure many of you were rather surprised to receive an update from me, and to be honest with you all, I was rather surprised that this never-ending project of a chapter was finally completed! As I'm sitting here typing this I do realize that I probably have lost readers and reviewers due this abnormally long update (Can you believe it's been 3 months!) but I completely understand. One of my biggest pet peeves is when authors don't finish stories. So I can completely understand if many of you simply gave up on me ever updating this story. But for the record I would like to reassure those of you who have asked me before if I'd ever abandon this story: I will NEVER abandon any story! That said, this chapter has probably been not only the hardest to write but also the most complicated. I realized as I began writing this that I had never written out detailed plans of what was to happen! So basically it was back to the drawing board for me again and with the life I have I'm afraid to say there were many, many other things that took priority to my writing. But I'm absolutely thrilled to be back and can't wait to hear from you all again! I estimate probably only three more chapters of this story sadly but I can't wait to write the ending! Anyways, thank you again for being so supportive and understanding and here for you is the longest chapter I've ever written: a smacking 22 pages! Enjoy! Much love, Haystack)

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CHAPTER FOURTY: THE CRIES OF THE DEAD

Gray was the first thought that hit Ron as he looked around himself. Slowly, as if in a trance, Ron got up and brushed the dirt off himself and examined his surroundings, never taking his eyes off the horizon…or what was left of it.

The trees were all bare, their barks stripped off and their leaves gone. The sky was an ugly smog color and the ground mirrored it. Gone was the lush grass he and his friends had laid upon, dirt replaced it all.

Everything was dirty and covered in a thick layer of debris; the air was thick and hard to breathe. The place was unrecognizable and it hurt Ron to know that this was the place he'd called home for most of his life.

The group, led by Mad-Eye began to move; walking into the Forbidden forest. Suddenly remembering the invisibility cloak, Ron looked around him frantically.

"Hermione!" He called out in a harsh whisper. "Hermione, where are you?" The group had moved ahead, he was losing sight of them. He had to find her! "Hermione!" He repeated, his eyes darting everywhere for her.

"Sh…I'm right here," She whispered, taking off the invisibility cloak just enough for him to see her head. "Come on, get under!"

Breathing a sigh of relief, he walked towards her and ducked underneath the cloak. "You scared me," He admitted as they began to catch up with the group.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, taking his hand in hers. Ron looked at her for a moment, then brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

"I want you right here the whole time" He whispered, "Never leave my side,"

Hermione looked at him with sad eyes, "I won't," She agreed.

"Good, Let's go," He said, breaking into a brisk walk.

"Careful!" Hermione said, "We're not supposed to make a sound remember?"

Ron slowed down the pace and looked down at his feet. There were so many twigs; this was going to be impossible!

Yet somehow, they managed to catch up with the group without cracking a twig. They were entering the forest now.

Ron looked up at the former trees and felt his stomach tighten. They were going to have another battle, probably worse than the first. Trying to keep his mind occupied, he looked around him as they walked along the dirt path he and Hermione had traveled more than anyone else they were now following.

But the browns and the grays soon molded together; and Ron found that the scenery could no longer hold his attention as they forged ahead deeper into the forest. Tonks (disguised as Ginny) and the real Ginny were right in front of them and that was the way Ron preferred it. He'd failed at keeping his little sister safe last time around, this time he would die before he left her in a similar position.

But suddenly, the group stopped. Unknowingly, Ron continued to walk, bumping into Ginny. "Oi!" He hissed under his breath, but Ginny didn't respond. Instead, her eyes were glued to the forest floor. Tonks let out a gasp. "What?" Ron whispered, trying to see around them. No one answered.

Thoroughly annoyed and a little scared with the way people were acting, Ron turned to Hermione. Hermione was breathing very fast; her eyes were huge, and she was staring at something on the ground as if it was a Dementor.

Slowly, due to a sudden surge of fear that swept through his body, Ron looked down.

It was so unnoticeable at first that for a moment, Ron panicked; believing everyone was seeing things. But then he saw it, trickling slowly and surely around his feet.

He was standing in blood.

Sudden drums pounded as Ron's breathing increased as he looked up to see where the blood was coming from. He didn't have to look very far.

With a plopping sound, something landed on Tonk's arm. She slowly put her hand to it, the unmistakable red color staining her hands. With a gasp as she realized what it was, she whipped her head above her.

There, hung by the neck, swinging gently in the wind was the corpse of Draco Malfoy.

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Ron's ears buzzed. He'd never been more confused in his life. It couldn't be Malfoy. Not the boy who'd wanted to be a Death Eater since birth! Not Malfoy, the boy who'd worshipped the Dark Arts and loved evil. It didn't make sense…

But there was no denying it. Draco Malfoy was swaying in the trees, dead. His blond hair whipped around his face in the wind, his once aggressive body, now limp, his eyes wide open and his face contorted into one of utmost torture. Ron quickly looked away, his breath picking up speed. He was shaking. He shut his eyes tightly, wishing to forget that image for the rest of his life.

A soft hand was placed on his shoulder. Ron opened his eyes weakly to look at Hermione but she wasn't looking at him. A look of repulsion was clearly written on her face and something else that was hard to place. After a few moments, she looked away, meeting Ron's glance. Her brown eyes were dull and it was then that Ron understood what he was feeling. He could see it mirrored in her eyes; it was guilt.

"What does it say?" Ron heard Ginny whisper

They both heard Ginny's words and they both internally grimaced. No more, Ron thought desperately. Hermione took a deep breath and it was plain to see his thoughts were echoed in her mind.

But the mere thought of what was to come, gave Ron enough courage to break eye contact with Hermione. He'd have to look if he had any shot at facing the next few hours. Hermione appeared to take his hint and turned her head around as well to see where Ginny was pointing.

The word traitor was written in blood.

Traitor…traitor…the word echoed in Ron's brain. Malfoy was a traitor? How could that be? Nothing was making sense anymore.

Ron looked around him. Everyone else looked confused as well. Ginny looked saddened, "All this time and he really had some good in him" She whispered, "Doesn't seem possible."

"What a way to die…" An Order member whispered sympathetically

"If only he'd given some kind of indication that he wasn't on their side…" Another member said

"He couldn't have done that," Molly Weasley said, "Not with the father he had."

"Why did he wait until the last moment?" Mad Eye Moody asked gruffly. "He was so far in, there was no use in turning back for moral reasons. He should have just played it out to the end."

"Because," Hermione said, in that simple voice she had. "It's obvious he was asked to do something he couldn't. I bet he figured it was better to be praised as a martyr than as a villain for all of eternity."

Ron tried to swallow but there was a lump in his throat. A lump in his throat? Why was getting so upset about Malfoy's death? He himself had wished for death to claim the arrogant Slytherin many times during school! Shouldn't he be happy? Shouldn't he be pleased that his wish had come true?

But he was never really on their side

He felt sick to his stomach; guilt penetrating through it. Standing up proved difficult and he grabbed desperately onto Hermione's arm. She turned around at the contact.

"Ron are you alright?" She asked concerned, her statement gathering everyone's attention.

Ron paled at the sudden attention. He couldn't be honest with an audience like this. "Y-yea" he stammered, "I'm fine."

His words were enough to convince the group as most turned around. Hermione, Ron knew, didn't believe a word of it.

"I feel bad too," She whispered, as she placed both hands on top of his arms. "All that time spent--"

"You were better than Harry and me!" Ron suddenly snapped. "I was the worst! You have to admit it! Think of all the times you had to hold me back from pounding the creep!"

Hermione looked taken aback by this sudden outburst. Yet for some reason unknown to him, she stepped closer to him and laid her hand on his chest. "You were loyal to me and Harry." She said softly, "He threatened both of us at times and you loyally stepped in front of us. I threatened him before, but I never physically attacked him because I knew I could count on you to protect me. You always had Harry's best interests and mine at heart, and that's why I've always loved you. But you shouldn't beat yourself up about it--especially going into this—because we didn't know. If we had, we'd have acted differently I promise. I know the kind of man you are Ron Weasley and no matter what you might think, you are not a killer or a monster at heart." She smiled up at him and Ron couldn't help but feel better at her words.

He took her hand into both of his, "Have I ever told you how brilliant you are?"

Hermione smiled, "Once or twice."

Ron chuckled slightly "Let's go," he said, as they turned around to face the disapproving face of Kingsley.

"I hope that's the last display of affection we'll see from you two." He said sternly. "There can be no more of that. I thought that was clear when we left."

Ron blushed and nodded, the mood shifting from humor to one of utmost seriousness. "We're sorry," Hermione said "And we understand."

Kingsley nodded curtly and walked away, motioning for the group to follow him yet again. Ron stole a glance at Hermione as they began to trudge along the dirt path of the forest. She was biting her lip; the lighthearted comment of a few moments ago now just a memory as the reality of what they were about to do suddenly came crashing down.

They'd meet Voldemort tonight.

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Ron was reviewing spells in his head. There hadn't many times in his life Ron had actually done this, but as his brain counted off four more charms, he found the exercise as calming as it was stimulating. It gave him confidence in his magical abilities, yet at the same time provided reason for panic. What if he couldn't remember spells needed to save Hermione if she got hurt?

After all this time, Ron was becoming accustomed to that feeling of dread and fear building up in his stomach, yet as they kept walking deeper into the forest new feelings suddenly arose. For the first time, he was struck by a sense of bitter irony.

They were traveling their way through the Forbidden forest, once forbidden, now a haven and hiding place. Draco Malfoy who had once been rumored to be the heir of Slytherin himself, the next obvious Death Eater, and a man as cold and heartless as his father, had turned to the very side he'd loudly described many times before as foolish and unwise and the predictable losers. Harry had once subjected to the name The-boy-who-lived, yet now was The-boy-who-died. In the end the Ministry officials had come crawling on their knees to Dumbledore--the very man they had helped to ruin. Ron and Hermione had danced around their feelings for years, partly to avoid losing Harry; yet in the end it hadn't mattered, they lost Harry anyways.

Ron shook his head, the realizations too much to comprehend. It was bitter irony all right; in the end no one had been right, and everything was turned upside down.

So caught up in his thoughts, Ron hardly noticed that the group had stopped and an eerie silence had fallen upon the whole forest.

They were there.

Just a few precious feet away, Death Eaters sat around a campfire eating, talking, and just sitting around. Some were fighting, others were sleeping, but overall it was clear that they were all gathered there for a purpose. And Ron knew only one thing that could be.

Ron looked around, as he watched with a sickening feeling as the Order and other members made eye contact with each other. It was a silent goodbye and an even more silent good luck wish. His eyes fell on his Mum. I love you, they said, please be careful and come back to me alive. Ron nodded, ignoring the pounding of his heart. I'm proud of you, his father's eyes said, Watch out for yourself. We love you even if we didn't say it, Fred and George's eyes said, Good luck. You're ready for this, Lupin's eyes said. Ron nodded his head once to show he appreciated the encouragement despite the squirming in his stomach.

He scanned the crowd trying to catch certain people's attentions but everyone was busy looking at other people. But one pair of eyes distinctly caught his, as if they were waiting for them. T-Thanks for everything, Ginny's eyes said, I love you. A lump rose in Ron's throat, he wanted to hug his sister one last time, wanted to say a million things he hadn't ever thought of before but all he could manage to communicate was a simple, I love you too. But Ginny seemed appreciate that more than anything as she blew a kiss to him and then quickly turned away in order to prevent herself from breaking down in tears.

Ron took a breath, steadying himself before he turned around to face the hardest pair of eyes yet. Hermione was waiting for him patiently, her eyes brimming with simple love. The intensity of her gaze caught him off guard and made his heart ache. He searched for words to communicate to her, but nothing summed up what he was feeling right now. I have no regrets, Hermione's chocolate eyes said, and I'm not afraid to die. If we stay together, we'll be fine and we'll…be together, either in life or death. Ron wanted to shake her for saying such things, but instead he said, Nothing will keep us apart, I love you more than anything in the world and will give my life for you in a second. You're never leaving my side until this thing is over. Hermione nodded and after one last longing look, looked toward the Death Eater encampment.

Kingsley motioned with his finger and Tonks (disguised as Ginny) began walking around the camp so that she was caught somewhere far away from where the Order was. At the sight, Ron was struck by her bravery. She walked with her head held high despite the fact that everyone knew she was marching to her death. Her knees shook a little but she never faltered.

He felt something cool brush his skin and realized that Hermione had thrown the invisibility cloak around them. He scooted closer to her so that the cloak covered himself completely, his heart beginning to pound as he heard Hermione's shaky breaths….it was really beginning. This was it.

Ron's eyes were glued to Kingsley who would give them the signal. He tried to slow his breathing but it didn't seem to be working. He was clenching his fists together as tightly as he could, his knuckles white with anticipation. Finally, Kingsley turned to them and gave the signal, also putting a finger to his lips to remind them they couldn't make a sound.

Ron had forgotten about that part of it.

Standing up slowly, his knees weak, Ron and Hermione began walking—going the opposite direction Tonks had gone.

Not a sound, not a sound, Ron reminded himself in his head. How were they going to do this? There were twigs and rocks and branches everywhere! Go slowly, his mind said, very, very slowly. They'll wait till you're in position.

With that settled, Ron looked down at his feet, determined not to look up until they were there. Things were going relatively well; they hadn't snapped a branch or anything although the shifting of dirt was heard a couple of times. They'd made quite a bit of progress—the walk hadn't been that far to begin with—and were nearing the Death Eater encampment.

Slowly, he reminded himself. Don't panic, don't rush, just go slowly.

But no matter how slowly Ron's feet were moving; his heart just seemed to be picking up speed. He could see the Death Eaters now. They would have to cross over into the camp for a few feet before going back into the woods. This would be the most dangerous part.

He paused and spared a look at Hermione. Ron couldn't place the look she gave him before they took a deep breath and began the walk into the camp. They were invisible, but that didn't mean someone couldn't run into them. They had to watch the sounds they made, as well as other Death Eaters.

Ron devised a system that seemed to be working. He'd look down for three seconds and look up for one to quickly scan where the Death Eaters all were.

Just a little more, Ron thought eagerly, anxious to get this part over with. Just a little more and we should be home free.

But the sound of commotion in the camp made Ron quickly snap his head up.

"Who is that?"

"What the hell?"

"She's just walking through the forest?"

"No you idiot, she's running. She's trying to escape!"

"Let's get her!"

Within moments, most of the camp had emptied as Ron watched, horrified, as the Death Eaters charged after Tonks. They swooped down upon her and grabbed her, despite all her struggles.

"Let me go!" She screamed in a voice so like Ginny's it made Ron wonder if it really was his sister.

"Bring her over there boys, we'll have some fun with her!"

"NO! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME! HELP! HELP!" Tonks voice echoed throughout the forest.

The Death Eaters easily brought Tonks back to camp and sat her down in a chair in the middle, four Death Eaters holding her down.

"Who is it?" One Death Eater asked

"Ask Lucius, he'll know!" Another asked excitedly as he scanned the crowd of Death Eaters that hadn't run after Tonks. "Lucius! Over here!"

Lucius Malfoy took his time, relishing in the fact that he held superior knowledge over the majority of the Death Eaters. When he arrived, the Death Eaters split for him and he approached Tonks with a wicked smile on his face. "My, my, what do you boys have here?" He said in a lazy tone

"Who is she?" The first Death Eater asked,

Lucius chucked, "You don't know! Isn't it obvious? Red hair, freckles, reckless determination and stubbornness…boys meet Ginny Weasley"

An audible gasp was heard from most of the group. "Potter's girl?" One asked

Lucius nodded and leaned in towards Tonks so that he was eye level with her. "Miss Weasley I'm afraid you've landed yourself in quite a spot of trouble." Tonks only replied with a look of anger in her eyes. Lucius laughed to himself, "Do you know who I am?"

Tonks paused for a moment before spitting in Lucius' face. It took a moment for the action to register with the group as they let out a loud yell. Lucius slowly wiped the spit off his face, his anger now plainly evident. "I know who you are you sick bastard!" Tonks said quietly, but loud enough for Lucius to hear.

Lucius spun around, his face close to purple. "CALL THE DARK LORD!" He shouted

"What? Why can't we just kill her now?" A Death Eater asked

"Because you fool," Lucius hissed, "She obviously has been hiding somewhere, probably with others. She can lead us to her brother and the Mudblood."

As Hermione lost her balance, Ron quickly held her in place, both breathing hard. Thank Merlin for Quidditch, Ron thought to himself. They were frozen in place, the senior Malfoy's words echoing in their minds. So they really are looking for us, Ron thought as his heart sped up even more, they're hunting us like they Voldemort hunted Harry all those years.

If only they knew how close we were now.

That thought suddenly grounded Ron as the sound of hurried footsteps was heard. Voldemort was coming, they were going to torture Tonks, and the war would break out soon. They needed to get out of here now!

"Look my Lord! Evanston found her!"

"Shut up!" Voldemort snapped. Silence descended upon them. He was thinking. Finally deciding on the easiest method first, he approached Tonks.

Ron nudged Hermione, cocking his head in the direction of the forest. "Let's go!" he mouthed.

But Hermione didn't respond, instead she put up a finger telling him to wait, and stepped a little closer.

Ron kept trying to catch her attention, but she wouldn't budge.

Tonks raised her chin (although not as defiantly) and wiped her face of emotion. She'd prepared for this moment and had studied Ginny enough to know how she would respond to things. She obviously had done her homework. If Ron hadn't known any better, he would have thought she'd met Voldemort before. But no matter what Tonks did, there was no hiding the terror in her eyes. Voldemort saw that…and he began to feast.

"Well well…we meet again Miss Weasley." Voldemort said in a low lazy voice, "Perhaps you don't remember the last time we met. You were quite smaller then, a mere child. Yet look at you, you're a woman now! A woman with curves as well I see…" He said as he reached out a hand to touch "Ginny's" breast.

Ron stepped forward, anger boiling in his veins and steam coming out of his ears. This thing was responsible for the death of his best mate, his classmates, his professors…and countless others. He'd destroyed lives forever, torn families apart, and evoked fear in the hearts of people everywhere. And now he was touching his sister's breast! Well, technically it wasn't his sister, but Voldemort didn't know that.

But Tonks wasted no time in slapping his hand away…hard.

Voldemort withdrew his hand but he was smiling, amused by her retaliation. "Yes well, I have changed too haven't I? You witnessed me in a form that few can remember existed. Most people forget I was once Tom Riddle, student of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry."

If Ron wasn't intrigued before, he was now. Hermione and he moved even closer, needing to hear every word.

"You haven't changed, you're still just a man." She gritted through her teeth

Voldemort chuckled, "That is where you are mistaken. You see, after I killed Harry Potter, I claimed eternal life. No one can harm me, only Potter had the chance and he blew it."

Ron's hands were clenching.

Tonks was breathing heavily, getting worked up at the mention of Harry.

"Yes it hurts doesn't it? It hurts to know that I killed off your precious boyfriend slowly and painfully. That the coward backed off, didn't give me the fight I'd prepared all these years for, and gave up. It hurts to know you weren't enough to keep him alive doesn't it? You weren't worth surviving for. That--"

"DON'T YOU SAY THAT YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" 'Ginny' screamed, trying to stand up but the Death Eaters holding her back. She flung her arms out as if they were claws and she was trying to scratch him.

"Smack him!" Hermione whispered under her breath.

Ron's rage hurt to keep under control.

"Ha, ha, ha" Voldemort laughed, as he continued to watch his Death Eaters struggle to hold 'Ginny' back. Then, uncharacteristically he stopped. He leaned forwards to the livid Tonks and said quietly. "Do you know what I'm going to do with you Miss Weasley?"

Tonk's eyes grew wide. Ron stiffened.

"I'm going to ask you one time where you've been hiding all this time." Lucius nodded approvingly. "Then I'm going to ask you where your brother and the Mudblood are. That's all you get, two tries to answer me. Are you ready?"

Hermione's grip on the cloak was making her knuckles turn white.

"Where have you been hiding Miss Weasley? I want a place, and I want names."

Tonk's eyes darted around. It appeared that she was trying to come up with a lie. Don't do it, Ron's mind screamed. She looked down and bit the insides of her cheeks.

"No?" Voldemort drawled, "Alright then. Tell me Ginny, where are Granger and Weasley?"

At this, Tonks distinctively met Voldemort's eyes, a somber expression on her face. "They're dead," she whispered.

Damn! Ron thought internally. Voldemort could see through lies…there was no way he'd believe it. She'd be worse off than before if she…

Voldemort searched her face for a moment, as if the correct answer was written upon it. Tonk's was spectacular; Ron could see no giveaways on her face, even in her—

"YOU LIE!" Voldemort suddenly screamed as he struck Ginny across the face and she fell onto the floor. Voldemort seized upon her like a hawk on prey, grabbing her by the neck and pulling her onto her feet. Tonks couldn't breathe, her face turning a deep shade of red.

"No!" Ron heard Hermione whisper.

"CRUCIO!" Voldemort screamed as he suddenly let go of Tonk's neck, letting her fall the ground as the curse hit her body.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" She cried in agony as the insides of her body were set on fire.

Hermione cringed and covered her ears. Ron's grip on her was tight, trying desperately to block out the sounds of her screaming. This was it; they had to get out of here, to a safer place. He began to move, holding onto Hermione's arm as he did so.

"No Ron, no!" She whispered fiercely, fighting him back, tears welling up in her eyes.

"AHH!" Tonk's screams were in the background

"Hermione come on! We need to get out of here!"

"Please Ron…" she said weakly, fighting him as he dragged her along. "S-She's--"

"--dying, I know!" He snapped, pulling her still, "We need to be far away from here when she does!"

"Stop! Ron stop!"

"No! Hermione come on!" He said as he stepped over some smaller twigs. They were making too much noise!

"Please don't---"

"Ahhh!" Ron cried out as his foot caught on the root of a tree and he fell down onto the ground, dragging Hermione with him.

And as Ron felt the slippery material slowly slide off him, the world and everything going on stopped.

Voldemort and his Death Eaters stopped what they were doing, staring at the couple in shock. Tonk's screams stopped and sudden fear exploded in her eyes. Yet no one moved, everyone stayed exactly where they were.

Ron winced and froze, praying maybe they don't see. Maybe they could just slowly get up and yank the cloak back on. Maybe if they were careful…

"WHAT THE HELL!"

"IT'S WEASLEY AND GRANGER!"

Ron's eyes snapped open and as quickly as he could, jumped up onto the ground. The two looked back as the group of Death Eaters began charging after them. Whipping their wands out, Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and began sprinting into the woods; not caring if he was going the right direction or not.

Hermione was right behind him, her breathing urging him on despite his spinning mind. The only going through his head right now was "SHIT!"

"GET 'EM!"

Ron pushed harder. Leaping over a tree log, Ron turned a sharp right making Hermione shout with surprise. What had they done! The whole plan was ruined…what were the others going to do?

"STUPEFY!" A familiar voice sudden screamed.

Ron whipped his head to see his mum running towards them, a few others following her.

The confused Death Eaters stopped running for a moment, watching as suddenly the war erupted into a madhouse of confusion and fear. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" One Death Eater shouted as an Order member quickly dodged the curse.

"STUPEFY!" Mad Eye shouted, jumping into the air to avoid a curse aimed at his lower body.

"RON! RUN!" Kingsley yelled, throwing a curse over his shoulder.

Grabbing Hermione's hand Ron began sprinting as Kingsley and the others battled the Death Eaters who (after Kingsley's comment) suddenly remembered who they were trying to kill.

"AHHH!"

"WATCH OUT!"

"GET THEM!"

"HELP!"

"NOOOO!"

"AHHHHH!"

The sounds of war…the sounds of the dead suddenly exploded into the dusk. Flashes of light lit up the forest, the screams that had haunted Ron were back…his nightmare had returned.

Ron could faintly hear the fighting in the background as he and Hermione continued to run, and as the screams of the dying met his ears, Ron suddenly felt weak. He looked at Hermione who had tears already streaming down her face. They both knew what was happening.

Looking at where he was going, Ron realized he had no idea where they were. Trees met their sight in every direction. The camp was no longer visible, and even Kingsley and the others had escaped his sight. Realizing that for the moment they were safe, Ron slowed down his pace, Hermione mimicking him. Quickly, Ron scanned the area and without much thought, pushed Hermione onto the forest floor.

"Ah!" She shouted as she fell to the ground. Ron threw himself onto the ground next to her. For a moment the two just laid there, desperately trying to slow their breathing. Finally Hermione hissed, "What the bloody hell was that for?"

"Shh…" Ron just said, as he waited several moments to make sure no one was coming. "Follow me"

They needed to find cover, at least for now. They needed to stay low, avoid the Death Eaters, and then somehow find Voldemort.

With the coming of footsteps, Ron's heart, which had just slowed down, began to race again. Quickly looking around him, his eyes locked on a particularly thorny bush. Without much thought, Ron pushed through the thick brush to the clearing by the tree it was in front of. Inhaling sharply at the pain, Ron silently cursed himself for this idea. The thorns ripped his clothing and scratched at his skin, piercing it until he emerged on the other side a bloody mess. Hermione wasn't in much better shape.

"Where are they!" A raspy voice shouted, his words echoing throughout the forest, catching Ron and Hermione off guard. The Death Eaters were here.

"I think they must of turned left!"

Ron held a firm grip on his wand. The most important thing was cover right now…he knew as much, resolving not to fight unless needed.

"Don't be stupid!"

"They can't be too far off!"

"Which way?"

"Over here!"

It was hard to hear over the pounding of Ron's heart but after a few moments the voices, and their owners slowly faded away, the footsteps no longer audible.

Hermione let out a long whimper as Ron turned to look at her. Her brown eyes met his and in that moment, Ron had never known such a low. Her eyes were putting his thoughts in bright blazing lights for the entire world to see: It's all our fault. Slowly crawling over to her, Ron put his hand underneath her head as she clung to his ripped shirt with desperation.

"It's all our fault," He whispered hoarsely

"I-I know" She trembled against him before letting her tears flow

For a moment, Ron just held her, clinging to her for support. In his mind he was desperately trying to sort through what to do, but his damned guilt kept interfering.

"What are we going to do?" He whispered, his lips hovering above her ear

Hermione finally lifted her head up, "I don't know." She whispered back, "We need to end this as soon as possible."

"I know" Ron said sadly, simply staring at her.

"Which means we need to--" Hermione

"—find Voldemort" Ron finished with a sigh.

Slowly crawling off and offering her his hand, he stood up, making sure he looked around for Death Eaters. Hermione took it and got up onto her feet shaking her head to get some of the dirt out of her hair. "If people are dying now, this whole thing needs to happen very quickly." She said softly, ignoring the snapping of a twig nearby

"We're skipping ahead to phase three, you do realize that" Ron whispered

Hermione sighed, "I know, but we have to. We screwed this whole thing up, we can fix it." Hermione's hairs stood up on the back of her neck…something wasn't right.

"Alright," Ron said, "let's go" When Hermione didn't follow him, Ron looked back, Hermione's expression one he'd seen before. "What's wrong?" He asked quickly

Hermione's eyes darted around them, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She looked like a cat trying to follow a bird around. Ron took a step closer to her. "Hermione…."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"DOWN!"

Ron just barely had enough time to narrowly miss the green jet of light that whizzed over his head. Snapping his neck up, he saw a group of Death Eaters suddenly charging after them. Where the bloody hell had they come from! Ron thought to himself before beginning to run.

"Hermione!"

"Just run!" Hermione shouted to him, jumping over a rock as she said it. The Death Eaters were dangerously close

"Where did they come from!"

"I don't know!"

Weaving in between two trees, Ron looked over his shoulder. Seven Death Eaters….Ron's mind spun, calculating what that meant. Together they could take at most about five Death Eaters which, up until now he'd thought to be an impressive number. But suddenly it seemed incredibly small. There was no way they could handle seven. They needed backup.

Following Hermione, Ron took a sharp right deeper into the woods. Good, Ron thought, she's trying to confuse them.

Looking behind him, the Death Eaters didn't appear to look confused. In fact, they looked amused, small glance towards each other completed with secret smirks. But why would they like the fact that they were headed deeper into the forest? Their camp was miles behind them, unless….and then Ron understood.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted, trying to get her attention. She wouldn't look back, "Hermione! Stop!"

"Just a little more boys!" One Death Eater cried out "Almost got em!"

Ron's eyes grew and his heart began pounding furiously. They were headed for a trap!

"HERMIONE!" Ron shouted, desperate now. Instead, she took another sharp right turn, running down between two large rocks and disappearing from Ron's sight.

Ron began sprinting; determined to get to her before the Death Eaters did. Running as fast as he could possibly go, he took the same sharp right turn, almost losing his balance as he did so. And then he heard the scream.

"AHHHHH!"

Ron came to halt as he looked down at the scene in front of him. At least ten other Death Eaters surrounded Hermione who was furiously throwing curses at them. They were grabbing at her and trying to drag her away. "NO! STOP IT! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

It was as if something had gone off in Ron. Running full speed, wand at the ready, Ron took his aim at the Death Eater whose hands were holding Hermione's left arm. "AVADA KEVARA!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, watching to make sure the bastard fell to the ground. Hermione managed in that second to rip her arm away from the surprised Death Eater on her right and run towards Ron who continued to scream the killing curse at the advancing Death Eaters.

But the Death Eaters who had been chasing them had arrived now. They began to run to join their fellow comrades, slowly isolating Ron and Hermione in a circle of black. Out of ideas, Hermione pushed her back to Ron's, using the technique that Harry had taught them all the way back in sixth year. They'd be able to fight more this way but as the fifteen Death Eaters continued to advance Ron knew it'd be a lost cause. They'd been caught. They'd finally been caught.

"Good work" One Death Eater said, apparently the ringleader of this little group. "These two have cause almost as much grief for the Dark Lord as Potter did. He will be very happy to have them in his grasp."

"On three?" Hermione breathed, ignoring what this Death Eater was saying.

"Yea" Ron whispered

"One"

"Two"

"Three"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" They screamed in unison, both of their targets falling to the ground. "AVADA KEDARVRA! AVADA KEDAVRA! AVADA KEDAVRA!" Slowly moving around the circle they were making progress.

The Death Eaters, understanding now, whipped out their wands and just as the words "AVADA--" were raised on the lips of one, the ringleader shouted above the curses, "THE DARK LORD WANTS THEM ALIVE!"

He was killed by one of Hermione's curses but the others had understood. "STUPEFY! STUPEFY!" they chorused

Hermione's reflexes had been built over a long time of intensive training…voluntarily submitting herself to a harder schedule than the boys, who had both gotten their reflexes from Quidditch. These had saved both Ron and Hermione's lives more than once, and they did so again as Ron dodged a curse that Hermione jumped over.

Soon, only six Death Eaters were left, Ron feeling quite impressed with this number especially since they'd been so reckless and been so against the odds. They just needed to finish the job and make a run for it. If only they could—Ron doubled over in pain, the now familiar feeling of a Crucio spell hitting his back and knocking him to the forest floor. His body spastic and on fire, Ron curled up, the pain too much. It felt like a million knives ripping at his skin, like lying in a bed of coals, or walking through a fire…and then he heard the sound of screaming…

Snapping his eyes open despite the pain, Ron frantically looked around him, watching with a horrified expression as he was slowly being dragged away from a screaming Hermione who had been thrown over the shoulder of a Death Eater.

"STOP IT! PUT ME DOWN! RONNN!"

Ron wanted to call out to her but found he couldn't as sudden panic seized him. Hermione was being taken somewhere by Death Eaters, they were being separated; Ron's worst nightmare had come true.

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As Ron's unconscious body slowly disappeared from her sight, tears burned at Hermione's cheeks. How had they gotten there? Hermione didn't bother wiping them away, kicking her capturer again. He grunted and slammed her body against a nearby tree in response. The pain made Hermione's head spin and the whole world go blurry. If only she could lose consciousness too…

She was alone with a Death Eater in the middle of the Forbidden forest heading for Voldemort. But the only thing she could think of was getting back to Ron, who for all she knew could be dead by now.

Stomach churning, Hermione kicked again, this time with every once of energy she had left in her. Just enough to get her feet on the ground…the Death Eater yelped in pain as Hermione fell unceremoniously to the ground. Whipping her wand out of his pocket, she stumbled to her feet shouting, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" without the slightest hesitation.

He fell without a sound.

Breathing heavily, Hermione stood frozen for a moment. Killing is becoming too easy, she thought, I need to be more careful.

Looking all around her for Death Eaters, Hermione slowly approached the body of her capturer. The man had been big…his mere size indicated that. The Death Eater robes he wore didn't hide this. Kneeling down beside him, Hermione was surprised at the remorse she felt. Hadn't he only seconds ago been slamming me into trees? She wondered

Tempted to whip the hood off, she knelt at his side, silently debating with herself. Finally deciding, she shook her head and slowly got up. His face would haunt me for the rest of my life, she thought sadly.

Brushing her hair out of her face, Hermione looked around her, trying to remember the way they'd just come. Walking in a small circle, Hermione suddenly realized that she was lost. With no clue as to the right direction, she began to panic. How was she supposed to get to Ron!

Breathe in; breathe out, she reminded herself. Don't panic, use your head…think!

Finally deciding on the direction to her right, she began to run. Tall, brown trees towered over her and as Hermione felt the day start to slip away, fear at spending the night alone in the forest began to consume her.

No sign of life was around her. Only distant screams reached her ears. The silence was beginning to make her worry. Keeping a steady pace, she tried to keep her mind occupied. Think of Ron, she repeated over and over, think of Ron.

But even Ron's face couldn't drive away the fears that were calling for her attention. Images of being surrounded by Death Eaters, meeting Voldemort alone, and stumbling across Ron's body ate at her soul. She shivered. The night air was getting cold.

Pushing farther and farther ahead, Hermione began to question whether or not she was going the right way. She hadn't covered this much difference with her capturer…she should have come across Ron by now, or at least seen some kind of sign as to where he was.

The branches of a bush to her left began to shake.

Calm down, Don't overreact, She told herself, you're hearing things. Subconsciously though, her pace quickened.

The definite snapping of twigs met her ears next.

It's alright, just stay calm and use your head. Keep running

Heart thumping, head spinning, at the sound of footsteps behind her, Hermione paused and stopped.

Silence. Neither person moved.

The seconds drawing out, Hermione squeezed her eyes shut. This isn't happening! She screamed at herself.

And without warning, Hermione began to run.

Feet pounding the dirt, the obvious sound of a second contradicting pair of feet reached her ears and Hermione began to think.

Suddenly turning left, Hermione began weaving between the trees. The person was having difficulty keeping up. Inspired, she began to weave even further, pushing herself further and further away from the path she'd so deliberately chosen.

She was ducking limbs, branches were scratching at her arms and legs, but she never stopped. She was reaching a clearing, the sunset spreading light throughout the forest. I hope it's not another Death Eater camp, she thought. But Hermione was suddenly frozen where she was.

There a man sat. Tranquil and peaceful in his posture, looking out at the sunset. He didn't move. Not a single bit.

Something familiar called out to Hermione and she slowly began to inch closer. She knew him…she knew she did! Gaining more confidence as soon as she noticed his normal clothing apparel, Hermione went up to him. "Hello, I--"

The words were stuck in her throat.

The eyes of Argus Filch met hers, eyes turned bloody red and yellow.

His face was the most distorted Hermione had ever seen; chunks of flesh missing where they shouldn't be, burn marks all over his body, and the most horrific of all; hands chopped off and placed artistically in his lap. As Hermione, transfixed with horror, looked down, she saw that this was a trend. The hands held his toes, his lips where his heart should be, and the gap in his chest leaking.

Backing away, hand covering her mouth, she began screaming in gasps. Eyes never leaving the unrecognizable face of Hogwarts' caretaker, Hermione began to run like she never had before.

Falling over a log, she fell to the forest floor. Shaking uncontrollably she sunk to her knees. But as she began rocking back and forth, she had the eerie sense of someone…

She let out a scream as the corpse of Angelina Johnson met her eyes.

Getting up and running again, tears splashing down her face, she turned left, then turned right, falling, and tripping over herself. This isn't happening! She screamed

But suddenly they were everywhere.

Penelope Clearwater's eyes stared her down as she tripped over Michael Corner's body. The two were covered in blood, their eyes pleading, their faces haunting. Hermione began to scream. She couldn't stop.

She was in the land of the dead.

She kept on running, she had to keep running. Spinning around, Blaise Zabini's corpse lay on the forest floor.

Air coming in gaps, body shaking, Hermione leapt over it, her foot coming in contact with a rock. She fell hard onto a branch, sending pain shooting up her shoulder. Sobs racking her body, she squeezed her eyes shut, only to realize that she was lying on something squishy…

Zacharias Smith's arm was bent backwards, his organs visible through his skeletal body. Teeth protruding, ribs poking out, sunken eyes, he'd starved to death. He was someone she didn't know. He was a monster. He was out to get her.

But they all were. They'd come back from the dead. She was walking among the dead.

She couldn't breathe. Even as she began running as fast as she could she couldn't breathe. Clay in her hair, sobs escaping her fragile body, she hobbled along, utterly unaware of where she was.

And then like a slap in the face the footsteps were back. The footsteps that had sent her spiraling into this personal hell, this place where innocent people died, where her friends and classmates were tortured, starved, killed. A place where she now belonged.

They got louder; they were coming closer. Using every bit of strength left, she tried to run faster; tried to ignore the fire in her lungs.

She was going to die now. She knew it as her body collapsed around her. Knew it as she felt herself trip over the body of Cho Chang, whose sharp eyes were the only things Hermione saw as she felt herself slip into obscurity.

The dead were peaceful now.

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