Author's note: I think this will be the last chapter. I will probably do an epilogue after this chapter. Unfortunately I don't own anything of the Harry Potter universe. Thank you to everyone that reviewed and is following this story. I decided to post another chapter right away considering how long I made everyone wait for the last one. And here we go…..
Hermione and Ron tiredly made their way over the ruble in the courtyard of Hogwarts. Everyone was regrouping, nerves rattled by the quiet and uncertainty of what to do.
Neville noticed some cloth material sticking out of some of the ruble. Reaching down to make sure it wasn't someone trapped, he pulled out the sorting hat. Dusting it off on his pants, he made his way forward as he noticed a group of death eaters walking towards the courtyard.
Voldemort couldn't keep the evil smile off his face and he envisioned what the reactions would be when they discovered their precious Harry Potter was dead.
"Who is that Hagrid's carrying Ron?" Hermione took a step closer to get a better view.
"Noooooo!" Hermione screamed as she attempted to run towards the limp form of her beloved Harry. Ron grabbed her arms from behind preventing her from getting too far.
"Yes, Harry Potter is dead! Come and join me on the right side." Voldemort looked around waiting for the students and the Order to make the right decision and join him.
Hermione had fallen to her knees, everything a blur through her tears, and only hearing static as she tried to process that her love was now dead.
She didn't notice Draco Malfoy called back to Voldemort's side by his parents, or hear Neville begin to speak to their fellow classmates about still carrying on without Harry to do what was right.
Suddenly Ron was pulling her back to her feet. She had to shake her head to clear it enough to hear what he was yelling at her.
"Harry's alive! Neville killed Nagini. We have to run Hermione!" Ron began pulling her by the hand as he shot spells at death eaters.
Hermione looked around frantically and noticed Harry and Voldemort dueling. With a renewed purpose she began firing spells at any death eater that looked like they were going to try and help their master.
She glanced to her left when she heard the raised voice of Molly Weasley just in time to see the older witch fire a spell at Bellatrix causing her to disintegrate before their eyes.
Her attention was drawn back to Harry and Voldemort by a loud bang as they both cast spells that connected their wands with a stream of red and green light. Hermione couldn't believe it when Harry's spell split Voldemort's wand down the middle and he was blown away. He did it. Harry had won. The war was over.
Death eaters all around had no idea what to do. Slowly they began to disappear. Abandoning their cause. Hermione ran to Harry and threw her arms around him as she sobbed his name.
"Harry! I'm so happy you're alive. I thought you were dead. I can't believe it's over. I love you so much." She grabbed his face and pulled him into an intense kiss. She broke it off then began pummeling his chest with her hands.
"Don't you dare scare me like that again Harry Potter! I thought I'd lost you forever!" She collapsed against him and began sobbing again.
Harry just wrapped his arms around her and held her close to his chest.
"I'm so sorry Hermione. I had to. I was the last horcrux, and it was the only way. I knew you wouldn't let me go if you knew. But, it's over and we're together." He placed a kiss on the top of her head and brushed his hands down her hair.
"And I'm never letting go." Hermione tightened her grip on him and sighed with relief that it was finally over.
Hermione couldn't hold true to that statement for very long. Just because a war was over, didn't mean everything was instantly all better. Harry and Hermione made their way into the great hall where everyone was gathering to mourn their dead, and regroup. They began making their way over to the Weasley clan that was surrounding poor Fred.
As they slowly made their way, they stopped to grieve a moment over Lupin and Tonks. Tears made their way down Hermione's cheeks as she thought of poor Teddy orphaned so young. She entwined her fingers with Harry's knowing he was thinking of the similarities in their situations.
Ron noticed them and waved them over. They both spent time hugging and grieving with the entire Weasley brood before deciding to find somewhere to get some rest.
The decided on giving Gryffindor tower a try. They planned on finding a bed in the girl's dormitory and sleeping for the next 24 hours, or until someone work them. As they made their way hand in hand, Hermione suddenly felt lightheaded. Harry felt the tug on his hand as Hermione slowed. He turned just as Hermione fainted and slumped to the ground.
Harry scrambled to keep her from hitting her head on the ground.
"Hermione! Hermione! Wake up!" Her head just lolled against his chest. Unable to revive her, he took out his wand and levitated her towards the hospital wing.
Rushing in he could immediately see that Madam Pomfrey was extremely busy treating the wounded from the battle. He laid Hermione gently on the nearest cot and rushed to get Madam Pomfrey's attention.
"Madam Pomfrey, I know you're busy, but it's Hermione! She just collapsed as were headed to get some sleep. She won't wake up."
"Oh Mr. Potter! I'm so happy to see you. We are so busy helping the wounded. She just collapsed you say? No injuries? Not hit by any spells?"
"No, everything was fine until she collapsed."
"I'll send a healer in training over to assess her, and will come myself as soon as I have Ms. Brown stabilized." Madam Pomfrey grabbed a young healer in training and instructed her to follow Harry and assess Hermione before making her way back to a severely injured Lavender Brown.
Hermione awoke as a young woman in healer's robes was scanning her with her wand.
"What happened?" She tried to sit up and was gently restrained by the young healer.
"Ms. Granger, I'll need you to lay still please until I've finished my initial scan." She continued to pass her wand over Hermione as she chanted some diagnostic scans.
Hermione looked around for Harry and noticed he had nodded off in the chair next to her cot.
"All done. I'm going to update Madam Pomfrey on my findings, and will be back shortly." She walked away without another word.
Hermione reached over and gently touched Harry's hand.
"Hermione! You're awake. You scared me to death. Are you feeling ok?" He leaned closer to her and grasped her hand between both of his.
"I feel exhausted, but fine otherwise. What happened?"
"You collapsed as we were walking towards Gryffindor tower. I levitated you here right away."
Madam Pomfrey made her way over as Harry placed a gentle kiss on the back of Hermione's hand.
"Well hello love birds. I have your results Ms. Granger. How have you been feeling lately? Have you been taking care of yourself? Eating right?"
Confused Hermione answered, "Well, I've felt fine. We've been on the run for nearly a year, so I haven't really been eating or sleeping well. Is that why I fainted? Malnutrition and lack of sleep?"
"Well, in a way. You're body reacted the way it did to lack of sleep and no proper nutrition because you're pregnant."
"I'm what?!" Hermione looked over at Harry in shock. Harry's face went a little pale.
"You're about 8 weeks along. You need to start eating regular healthy meals, get atleast 8 hours of sleep each night, you may need a nap here and there as your body begins needing energy for two. Also, I'm going to give you some prenatal potions to help get your strength up for the sake of your baby's health."
Madam Pomfrey continued to talk and sort potions as Hermione tried to wrap her head around what she just heard. How did she not notice? How was Harry going to take this? They were so young. What were they going to do?
Hermione looked over at Harry again and noticed a faraway look in his eyes. She could see the wheels in his head spinning. He was thinking hard.
"Do you have any questions for me dear?"
"No, Madam Pomfrey. Thank you."
"Not a problem dear. You take care of yourself. I don't want to see you back in here again. Can I take a personal moment to thank you and Mr. Potter for all you've done to save us from that madman? I wish you both all the happiness that this child will bring you. You deserve it."
Harry stood up and took one of Madam Pomfrey's hands in his.
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey for all you have done for us. I'll make sure Hermione is taken care of."
Madam Pomfrey slipped away to leave the shocked duo alone to process their news.
Harry and Hermione made their way towards Gryffindor tower hand in hand for a second time. Hermione kept sneaking sideways glances at Harry to see if she tell what he was thinking.
"Hermione, I'm fine. Let's get up to bed and lay down and we can talk. I'm so exhausted I can barely stand."
They found an empty bed in the girl's dormitory and made themselves ready for bed. They had no clean clothes to change into, so they merely stripped down to their underclothes and snuggled up under the covers.
Harry noticed a tear drop on his arm and leaned over Hermione to see she was silently crying.
"Hermione?" he asked as he brushed her tears away.
"I just can't believe this is happening. Today should be such a happy day. You defeated Voldemort today! And now I've ruined your life. We're too young to have a baby!"
Harry gently rolled her over to face him. He couldn't stand to see her cry.
"You want to know my thoughts on this situation? First off, WE defeated Voldemort today. Second, it is a happy day. Nothing could ruin how happy I am right now. Finally, you have not ruined my life. I already planned on spending the rest of my life with you, and having a family with you. So, we're getting started a little earlier than I thought. Oh well. You make me the happiest I could ever be, and so will this baby."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Her fears and insecurities were put to rest with one declaration from him. She placed her palm on the side of his face and leaned in for a tender kiss.
"Now, get some rest and we'll start laying out a plan tomorrow. I know how much you like planning and organizing." He kissed her one more time and snuggled down for some much needed sleep.
Tomorrow they would tackle how to begin the next chapter in their lives.
After a long conversation in the morning, they decided to make their way down to the great hall to see if they could find Ron and let him in on the plans.
They found him eating a small breakfast with his remaining family members. They looked so sullen they hated to bother him. But he was their best friend. He deserved to know their plans.
"Hey Ron. Do you have a minute to take a walk with us?" Hermione asked him with a hand on his shoulder.
They made their way out to the courtyard and eventually to what was left of the bridge.
"How is your family coping mate?" Harry hoped to get a feel for how his friend was doing before dropping the bomb on him.
"Mum and Dad are barely holding it together. Percy feels so guilty as Fred as trying to protect him. George is so lost. He's refusing to leave Fred's side. I think it's going to take everyone in the family to get us through. It'll be a long road." Ron hung his head as he spoke as silent tears made their way down his cheeks.
"I'm so sorry Ron. I hate that you have to go through this." Hermione gave him a brief hug.
"Thanks guys. I think Ginny and I are going to move back to the Burrow to try and do what we can. We have a lot of healing to do. What about you two? What are your plans now that we can begin living normal lives?"
"That's actually what we came to talk to you about. We've decided to head down to Australia and try to find Hermione's parents."
"Really? Wow. That's great…I'll really miss you guys. When are you leaving?"
"As soon as possible. You know how Wizarding Britain is? The reporters will be all over Harry. We won't get a moment of peace if we stay here." Hermione looked down at the look of disappointment on Ron's face.
"I understand. They haven't left you alone since fourth year. Well, I'll really miss you. Make sure to keep in touch. I want to know how you are doing." He reached out to hug both of them. He gave Hermione an extra squeeze for the hell of it.
"Well, I better make my way back inside. My folks will probably be looking for me. Remember to owl every once in a while." Ron turned around and headed back inside.
"That went better than I thought." Harry walked over to Hermione and took her hand.
"Yeah, except we didn't tell him about the baby." They began walking to the edge of Hogwarts in order to apparate away.
"He has a lot on his mind. We'll let him know by owl once we get settled. Come on. We have a lot to get ready for our trip." Harry was beginning to get excited about starting the next chapter in his life without the threat of Voldemort killing him or those he loved.
"Would you be upset if I said that after everything, I really feel like going the muggle way?" Hermione loved magic, but she felt they might need a little break.
"That's fine with me. Let's get going. We need to get some of my wizarding money from my vault and convert it to muggle money. Then we need some new clothes, some luggage, get our plane tickets….."
"Whoa Harry! Aren't I usually the organized one that makes lists and overthinks things? This is a whole new side to you." Hermione tugged gently on his hand to stop him.
"What can I say? You bring out the organizer in me." He laughed as he pulled her into him for a passionate kiss.
"Well Mr. Potter, let's get a move on." She started to walk away but he paused as he was lost in a thought.
"Speaking of Mr. Potter, this may not be the right time or right way, and I definitely don't have a ring….."
"Harry, are you doing what I think you're doing?" Hermione gasped as Harry dropped to one knee.
"Yes, Hermione. I love you. You are carrying my child, not that that is the only reason. We are going off to another country to begin a new life together. I would really like to do that with you as my wife. You are it for me. Whether we're 18 or 25, I plan on marrying you. So, Hermione Granger, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Marry me?"
Hermione pulled Harry up and jumped into his arms. "Yes, of course I'll marry you!" They shared a passionate kiss before heading out on the journey that would begin their new lives together as a family.
