I'm really excited about this chapter, it's the one everything has been leading up to. I want to thank all my reviewers from the last chap: PrincessXXMoonXX, pomme2terre, and asdf. And especially to PrincessXXMoonXX, who has been a fervent reviewer, and someone who kept me posting, when I didn't think I should.
I hope you all enjoy the chap, I own nothing, and…that's it. Happy reading.
Morning came early, too early for Hermione and Draco, who lay naked in a tangle of limbs and sheet. All too soon they were jostled out of their slumber by the obvious sounds of battle. Both of them were up in a flash.
"Shit, I thought you set an alarm," Draco called as he put on his pants.
"Yeah, well I thought you did it," Hermione laughed as she pulled her shirt down over her head. When they had both finished dressing they came together for a hug.
"Draco, will you promise me that you won't do anything crazy. Please tell me you aren't going to get yourself killed." Draco bent down and kissed her worried face.
"You aren't going to lose me that easy after last night. I'm gonna make sure I'm the only one who ever gets to have you like that again." He kissed her again. Down in the common room they head the door open and shut.
"That must be Dumbledore," Hermione sighed as the two parted, "come on let's go." Hermione followed Draco out the door and almost ran into him two steps later. Puzzled she looked around him and froze too.
"You thought getting me locked up would keep me away huh? I'm sorry son, you can't lose me that easily." Lucius Malfoy stood there in the middle of the common room. He looked dirty and haggard, much older than he should have.
"I'm not your son you filthy bastard." Draco was quivering with anger. Hermione could see him inching his hand towards his wand.
"That's right. I almost forgot your new way of life." He turned his gaze towards Hermione. "I hear you've taken a liking to mudbloods and even befriended those ridiculous mudblood lovers. Draco how could you, after everything I taught you, everything you could have had? Instead you went and ruined yourself.
It's not too late. Come with me, come back to our side and the dark lord may still be able to spare you, to take you back."
"Shut up!" Draco yelled. "Don't you get it? I'm finally happy, I'm free. And you know what else father, I'm in love. I'm in love with someone who will love me back, not out of fear either. There is nothing you could say or do to ever make me change my mind." He finally reached his wand, but it was too late. As soon as the words were out of his mouth Lucius blasted him into the wall. Hermione reacted instantly, pulling out her wand, but again Lucius beat her to it.
"Crucio!" He screamed in a crazy voice. The spell hit Hermione like a train. She was on the ground before she knew she even fell. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she felt like a thousand knives were being twisted around inside her. She could hear Lucius cackling like a mad man, telling her to say goodbye to her traitorous lover. After 30 seconds she still refused to scream, even when it felt like her insides were boiling. She knew that any longer and she'd be joining Neville's parents at Mungo's. As the world began to fade into one big blur, the only thing she could think of was how much she wished she could say goodbye to Draco. Around her, amidst the sounds of cackling laughter, there were sounds of yelling. Then as quick as it had all begun, it ended.
In the static of her brain, Hermione could just make out the voice of Draco shouting curse after curse, followed up closely by Lucius. Attempting to move was pure agony, but she couldn't leave Draco to fight alone. What if he wasn't quick enough, what if Lucius threw him into a wall again?
Everything was spinning and disoriented when she tried to open her eyes. She could see the flashes of light as curses ricochet off the walls, again she tried to get up but it was taking all she had to barely open her eyes.
Suddenly, a jet of green light filled the room and her mind went blank as she felt a body fall next to hers. The pain disappeared and her body felt numb, she wanted to look and at the same time to just close her eyes and sleep. It was becoming difficult to even focus as Hermione used her last bit of strength to turn her head. All she could make out in the blurriness was a blond head of hair before she passed out and everything went black.
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When Hermione woke up again she was in the hospital wing. She'd apparently only been out a few hours as it was still light out, and by the sounds of things there was still a battle raging in the castle. She knew she should get out there and fight, but where was Draco? She remembered the blond head, and prayed to whoever was out there for Draco to be alive. If he wasn't, well, she didn't want to think about that just yet.
The screams and yelling brought her back, and she knew what she had to do. Her muscles screamed as she got out of the bed. Madam Pomfrey must have already given her something because she could at least move. The first few steps were the hardest, over to the table for her wand.
"Come on Hermione, pull yourself together," she grunted in pain as she bent to tie her shoes. "I-I have to," she choked back her tears of worry, "I have to find Draco." After finishing her shoes, she glanced up to find a vial of some blue liquid on the table next to the bed. Without a second thought she downed the vial and stood back up. By the time she was to the door her confidence had been restored, and she was ready to kick some ass.
Outside the infirmary was pretty bad. Rubble and the occasional body adorned the once welcoming hallways. What made it worse was that most of the faces were people she knew. Momentarily forgetting her mission she ran over to the nearest body and checked for a pulse. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, Seamus was alive, thank Merlin. A few feet from him lay a bloody Ginny; Hermione ran over to her and did the same thing. She was alive too. The debate in Hermione's head was raging something terrible, she couldn't abandon her friends, and she couldn't stop thinking of Draco. In the end she levitated as many bodies as she could find into the infirmary. Out of the fifteen she rescued only one auror was dead, someone she didn't know. After her task was finished she placed a quick kiss on Ginny's forehead before sweeping back into the hall.
Following the sounds of fighting led her to the great hall were she got yet another shock. Hogwarts had been turned into a battlefield. Bodies, whether bound and struggling, dead, or injured lay everywhere. Down below she could make out Tonks dueling with a masked death eater, and very poorly by the looks of things. Coming down the stairs like an avenging angel Hermione yelled stupefy, causing Tonks to gaze up, surprised.
"Thanks Hermione, that one was givin' me a bit of trouble." Tonks smiled at her, then seemed to realize who she was talking to. "Hermione! What are you doin' up? When Draco brought you in we thought you were dead, damn near too after Poppy checked you out." Hermione almost collapsed again, she said Draco. "Hermione, are you alright?" Tonks gave her a worried look.
"Yes, I'm fine. You said Draco's ok, where did he go?"
"Don't let the castle fool you. It looks like the battle's over, but it's far from it. Most of the fighting has moved outside," Hermione turned and started to run in that direction, Tonks still calling after her. "Hermione be careful!" Hermione flew out the front doors into the chaos that waited outside.
As soon as she stepped out the doors she had to duck a curse from a death eater. Without missing a beat she stunned him and continued on. Tonks was right, it was awful out here. Glancing around at the destruction around her was almost surreal, like a dream. The fact that the second war had started hadn't sunk in until now, as she surveyed the scene around her. It was actually here, actually happening. The second war used to be one of those days everyone knows will come, but can't believe it really came when it does. Immersed in her thoughts, Hermione was caught off guard by another, more powerful bloke. The spell missed her, although it was strong enough to knock her down anyway. For a moment Hermione was sure she was toast, and she most likely would have been had George and Fred not shown up at the last minute to take him out.
"Boy am I glad to see you two, where's Ron?" she laughed as they grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet.
"You look like hell Hermione, but he and Harry were over by the lake last we saw them." George pointed in the general direction.
"Thanks, be careful you two." She was off on her quest again.
"Same here," they spoke in unison, before turning in search of more action.
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Approaching the lake was an out of this world experience. Underneath her she could feel the ground trembling, the sky seemed darker, even the air was rancid and difficult to breathe. Out of nowhere Hermione was tackled to the ground. Her aching muscles cried out as she looked at her attacker.
"Not so brave now mudblood, with out your bodyguards." Pansy sneered down at her. Hermione recoiled from the malicious glint in her eye. Not knowing Pansy as anything but the stuck up prep she was in school, there was no telling what she would do. Fortunately for Hermione though, she would never need to know, as Pansy was pulled off by non other than Draco.
"Get off her you stupid bitch." She was bound a second later still screaming about mudbloods and traitors. "Hermione, what in the bloody hell are you doin' out here?" He pulled her into a deep embrace, letting all her unshed tears fall onto his shirt.
"To find you, you git and make sure you weren't getting yourself killed." No words could have expressed her happiness, but it was short lived as a big explosion sounded over the hill. "Come on, we better get over there." She took his hand and they were off. Halfway up the hillside she paused, "By the way, what happened-," Draco didn't let her finish.
"I killed him," that was all he said, and all she needed to hear as he pulled her along.
Hermione almost screamed when she reached the top. There right below her was Voldemort himself, along with Harry and Ron on either side. Draco and Hermione could hear Voldemort laughing.
"So you two think you can defeat me, this is all Dumbledore can send," he said, staring at the two as a person might stare at a toilet bowl full of vomit. Hermione dropped Draco's hand letting her Gryffindor bravery take over.
"Three," Hermione called racing down the hill to join Harry and Ron. Both of them wore an expression that looked as if they didn't know whether to be more angry or shocked.
"Four." Draco was right behind her, brandishing his wand and pointing it at his father's master. Voldemort only looked around at them with a sick twisted smile.
"Seven," everyone turned to find Dumbledore walking calmly down the hill flanked by McGonagall and Snape. That wiped the smile off Voldemort's face, if you could call it a face. He was surrounded now and there was no escape this time, although if he was nervous he would never show it.
"Albus you old fool, you cannot defeat me." He was looking around, stalling, trying to find a weak spot. It sickened Draco immensely that his father could follow, and expect him to follow, someone as loathsome as the creature in front of him.
"I'm sorry Tom, but this time it's over," Dumbledore was wearing a solemn face as he raised his wand. At once everyone screamed Avada Kedavra, which was followed by an explosion that knocked everyone back from the circle. The smoke was so thick it was hard to see three feet in front of you.
"Hermione!" Draco called out desperately, searching the ground for her. He heard moans close by and crawled over to find Hermione lying there. "Hermione are you ok?" He questioned placing her head in his lap.
"I think I broke my leg when I landed, it hurts. Pomfrey will fix it in no time though, did we do it? Did we kill him?" She held his hand as they heard the others moving around.
When the smoke cleared all that remained of the former dark lord was a pile of ash.
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The aftermath of that day left the wizarding world stunned. The most evil, and powerful wizard had been defeated. The war that everyone feared was coming lasted merely one day. Not to mention the light side had emerged very much intact. The mess that remained of Hogwarts was cleared up in seconds by Dumbledore, and students were on the train back to school the next day.
A memorial to remember the day and those that lost their lives was erected in the exact spot Voldemort met his doom. It consisted of a pillar of marble about five feet high, topped with a bronze statue of a dove carrying a rose in its beak. On the four sides of the pillar, plaques were secured with the names of those who perished inscribed on them. As well as a magical flame at the base to represent the fire that burns in everyone to fight the evils of the world.
The seven who actually cast the final killing curse were all awarded order of Merlin 1st class, as well as honorary medals for ridding the world of Voldemort. It was suggested by the minister that they make a trip around the world, mostly for his publicity of course. It was an offer they all denied. By the time the press was starting to settle down Draco, Hermione, and the rest of Hogwarts were ready for graduation.
It was several weeks until the day of graduation finally came. The skies were clear, and the weather promised to be perfect. Hermione and Draco lay awake in their bed, enjoying the peace and quiet.
"I can't believe we're really graduating today, it all seems too unreal." Hermione breathed deeply and sighed happily resting her head next to Draco's. Draco kissed her cheek, and smiled too.
"I know what you mean, but I could care less cause I have all I need right here." Hermione turned to face him, and propped herself up on her elbow. She dropped her smile and gave him a serious face.
"Draco I have something I need to tell you, I've been wanting to for days but I didn't know how." Draco rolled onto his side to get a better view of her.
"What is it Maya," he used his new nickname now, which made her smile.
"Well, I, um, how do I say this," she was clearly nervous which bothered Draco immensely.
"Maya, calm down. Whatever it is, it can't be that bad, and if it is I promise not to get upset." He paused then added, "Unless you're breaking up, then I'd have to put you under the imperious." Hermione laughed.
"Don't be ridiculous, I could never do that," she looked at him with a grin, "to someone who's going to be a daddy." Draco's eyes went wide for a moment, he made eye contact with Hermione, and she in turn nodded as if to say she had really said it. Then he hopped out of bed and proceeded to jump about yelling woohoo. Hermione sat up laughing at him. "I take it this means you're happy." He stopped jumping around and came back to kneel in front of her sitting form on the bed.
"Hell yes I'm happy. But now I have a surprise for you." He put his finger up to say one moment, as he reached into the drawer by the bed and pulled out a small box. "I too have been waiting to ask you something for a while." He opened to box and showed her a beautiful diamond ring with a silver band inside. "Hermione, will you marry me?" Hermione pulled his face up to hers and kissed him deeply.
"Yes, of course. You didn't even need to ask, but when?"
"Now! Dumbledore can marry us in a heartbeat, unless you want a big wedding, then I can wait." He was shaking with excitement, Hermione was too.
"No forget the big wedding, yes let's go now." Draco started to get up to put on some nice clothes. "Wait," he looked patiently at Hermione, "I'll meet you up there, but first I want to talk to Harry and Ron. You know, see if maybe they want to come." Draco took a seat next to her on the bed and took her hands in his.
"Will they still not speak to you?" Hermione tried to look away, but Draco wouldn't let her.
"No, they won't, I'm afraid this might ruin it forever, but I have to ask."
"I understand, I'll get Snape and McGonagall, I assume you'll want them there, and meet you in Dumbledore's office." He gave her one last kiss and left to the bathroom. Hermione just smiled, I'm too lucky to have him.
Wow! Ok, now that that's done, I can breathe easy. This is my longest chapter, hopefully it is worthy. I tried to pack it with details and action, without going too over the top. So, what did you all think? I'm grateful for any review, short or long, your voice helps.