A/N: Hello all. Here is the next part...Hermione's take on her 7th year and the Final Battle. We are getting close to the end...I'm still struggling with the epilogue but after this chapter is one from Severus. Again, thanks for all the favs, follows and reviews. :).

For those of you that got up early this morning (in the US) or have been camping in Windsor (in the UK) to watch the royal wedding, hope it was what you wanted to see.

Disclaimer, I don't own them. They belong to JKR (and probably a couple of corporations related to the books and movies), any identities you recognize are hers. Any similarities to persons living or dead is a coincidence. I own a house (with a mortgage), an old pair tennis shoes and some apple products.

Have a great rest of your day!

*R&R**R&R*

'Amor Vincit' Chapter 7 - How to End a War

By Hermione Malfoy

After sneaking into Hogwarts just before the start of what should be my seventh year, Draco and I set up our living space. We were in a relatively spacious room deep in the dungeons. The room was beyond the potions classroom and Severus's private chamber. There was really no reason for any student or professor to venture this far, this deep, into the castle. Regardless, we still were able to set warning wards to let us know if anyone other than Severus approached.

As far as the school was concerned, Draco was off with the Death Eaters. Voldemort; however, believed he was at the school. Severus had informed us, prior to returning to school there had been a meeting and the Carrow siblings ended up on the floor after questioning where someone was. Voldemort reminded them who was in charge and to not question things beyond their station. Severus believed this would keep the pair quiet about Draco's absence. It was a great relief, we weren't exactly sure how Draco's absence would be explained.

Harry and Ron were in a room that was deeper and in the bowels of the castle. According to the house elves, no one knew the room existed except for them. It was decided the boys would be protected there for as long as it took to remove the horcurx. I would have preferred to have excluded Ron in this plan but in the end we all knew Ron would go where Harry was. Ron would also question things at the wrong moment and probably end up getting us all killed. Elf magic allowed for the two Gryffindor boys to sleep through their seventh year while believing they were hunting horcruxes. That had been the plan and on the day of Bill and Fleur's ruined wedding, we were able to slip away. The elves shadowed us for days before finding the right moment. As soon as we were away from the Burrow, they acted and boys were brought directly to the castle. I ran a few last minute errands before appearing at Spinner's End.

Draco had spent the summer there preparing for what was to come. He had collected all the books and other bits we would need for the schooling year and anything else that might be required to survive the upcoming war. Kitmu had been running between the Manor and Spinner's End in order to keep us up to date on Voldemort's plans. After hearing his plans for the school, we made some changes to what we were planning. In addition to getting the normal supplies, Draco bought as many of the ingredients for healing potions as he could. Based on what he had heard about those now stationed in the school, our classmates were going to need help.

I called Neville while Draco got Kitmu to bring Terry Boot and Michael Corner from Ravenclaw and Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. The seven of us sat in Spinner's End as Draco informed them of everything. Terry made a comment about there being no Slytherin students and Draco proceeded to inform him that Slytherin was in with us and they were working their own angles. As Slytherin students they would be safe from what the Carrows were planning. The five incoming seventh years quickly realized that Severus would not be able to help but by us meeting in his home it was obvious where his allegiance truly lay.

After receiving oaths from the five (and my promising a reaction worse than 'snitch' if we were betrayed), we explained what each would have to do for their houses. My five friends agreed without hesitation. Since they all had their enchanted coins still, it was decided that would be how Draco would communicate with the group. I, as far as the majority of people were concerned, was on the run with Harry and Ron. Neville promised to provide whatever ingredients he could from the school greenhouses. Professor Sprout had given him permission, signed by the Minister of Magic, in order for Neville to provide for the potions classes and reduce the cost of the course to the school. Pomona may have also mentioned it would be a good idea to have extra plants used by Madam Pomfrey.

We heard the students arriving on that cold September first day. Draco and I dreaded what we knew was going to happen. It took all of our strength to stay in the shadows and stage our battles behind the scenes. Neville certainly came into his own over those months. He was the only other person to know exactly where our room was. He swore only in a direr emergency would he venture into the dungeons. He actually said "I finally got to drop potions and it will take Voldemort showing up for me to go down there without a damn good reason."

My once shy and quiet friend had blossomed into a fierce warrior and protector. That was the reason I knew he would be the one to destroy the final horcrux. We had to wait until the day of the battle before it could be done, but Kitmu swore if the snake was not brought to the battle he would make sure Neville would be able to destroy it. Severus had removed the real sword of Godric Gryffindor and delivered it to our room. With the Basilisk venom coating the edge it would be the fastest way to slay the snake and destroy the final piece of Voldemort's soul. Neville practiced with the sword until he was confident in his motions.

The Slytherin students provided copies of their notes and assignments to Draco. All knew if I spent nine months focused solely on what could go wrong I would make myself insane. Having a respite from the potential outcomes was appreciated. I had never given them a chance, but then again they didn't really like me either.

As the days and weeks became months and the months changed to seasons, we neared the end of the final term. Kitmu confirmed Voldemort's decision was to do nothing until Harry returned. That actually made me happy, we could stage the battle in a manner that best suited us. Voldemort, of course, didn't realize he had handed us the key to victory. With that knowledge I started a rough draft of events. Severus provided some insight on what the Death Eaters would do when Harry was identified and Draco provided a few, yet unknown, dark Malfoy spells that would protect us all from harm.

While Draco and I were working to protect our classmates, the elves had been working on removing the horcrux from Harry's head. It had been decided, once they figured it out, to keep it there until the day of the battle. Voldemort had been keeping tabs on Harry (or what he thought Harry was doing) through their link. If we removed that link we would lose our chance to guide Voldemort into doing our bidding.

Apparently Voldemort had been bitterly disappointment when the snatchers had failed to capture us multiple times. That told us he truly believed what Harry was dreaming and that we were on the run. At this point, Voldemort knew that we knew about the horcruxes. Severus confirmed Voldemort was confident we hadn't identified all of them and was unconcerned as the visions showed us destroying Slytherin's necklace.

The sleeping spell the elves used on Harry allowed for his dreams to be manipulated and directed. Most of what Voldemort saw was what Harry thought would happen. Harry's actions during sixth year seemed only be a precursor to the wild expectations he had when it was determined we would 'hunt' the horcruxes. It was when Harry's visions showed the loneliness, fear, lack of food, unsanitary living conditions, and betrayal of those he held the closest that we were truly shown Harry's outlook on life. I knew at that point Harry's mind had been destroyed by how he was raised. I lamented the fact that I would be unable to help him. Harry was broken and no one would take up his cause. Those closest to him would still use him. Kitmu was able to broadcast the dreams and when they showed Ron's anger and misguided theories followed by his departure, I was stunned. I never thought Harry realized just how much Ron and his family used him. Maybe there was a chance for Harry to gain some control on his life.

As the end of the school year neared we decided it was time to trigger what would be considered the last stand of Voldemort. I sent the message to Neville, Terry, Michael, Susan and Hannah. Draco slipped into the Slytherin common room and told everyone to stay put. Gathering his fellow seventh years, he gave them the signal and they jumped into action. Before Draco had left the room, Daphne and Pansy were rounding up the younger years and ushering them to the secret room beyond the common room. No one but a Slytherin student could access it. The younglings would be safe regardless of what else might happen to the school. Theo and Blaise called the fifth and sixths years over to explain what was going to happen. Greg and Vince had taken to positioning the furniture as a barricade. As Draco and those who would fight exited, he sealed the common room door shut and placed a tapestries over it. He hoped the blank wall (where the tapestry was) would fool someone who was rushing down to harm those in the house. He knew his house was safe and he just hoped the other three had initiated their emergency plans.

Draco shouldn't have worried, I had spent a good couple of months planning a way to secure each of the houses. At my message, the houses were locked tight. Those that wished to fight slipped out and, like Draco, sealed their house entrances shut. Once the students were safe we converged. Knowing we only had a short time before the sleep spell would fully wear off, those standing with us ran through the last minute battle plans. Looking to Neville, I saw the man he had become, he stood with a straight back holding the sword that would end Nagini. He looked to me and smiled. "You know I'm only sure I can do this because of you Hermione. I always wanted to do right by my parents, but I never was given the confidence I could. You've given me that and I will always side with you." Neville gave me a tight hug before releasing and leaving with a few others into their preordained positions.

Those remaining were primarily the Slytherins who had spent the last year perfecting their shield and protections charms. Additionally, they had all mastered the most advanced and difficult disillusionment charm known. Draco gave me a hug and kiss before nodding to his friends. They all shimmered away and ran to their positions. I heard Draco whisper for me to stay safe and he would protect Severus.

Kitmu stood next to me and took me to my friends. The elves had identified the only way to destroy the horcrux was to kill it. I couldn't believe Harry had to die for the war to end. Had Dumbledore been right all along? Kitmu had quickly corrected me and explained the elves had a spell that was similar to the killing curse but it would only target the horcrux. We hadn't tested it yet, but it was the only option. Kitmu slowly advanced on Harry and cast the spell. Harry's chest rose and fell. It faltered for just a moment before it rose again. The elf standing by Harry confirmed the horcrux was gone. The group of us left the room and headed to our destiny.

When Harry and Ron had been brought out of their rest, they believed we had just snuck into the school from the secret tunnel at the Hog's Head. Harry ran off as he was apt to do, to locate the diadem. I caught up to Harry and 'reminded' we had already found it in the Room of Requirement. Kitmu created a story about Draco and his friends chasing us but in the end the diadem had been destroyed. Now it was just down to fighting.

Draco stalked Severus (as he had promised) and kept closer than he should have, in my opinion. When Voldemort realized Severus had betrayed him, the snake was sent to attack. Draco actually had to jump out of its way. He was forcing the bezoar stone down Severus's throat well before the snake had let go of its quarry. In the shocked silence of that event, Neville quietly stepped forward. In a move he rehearsed for months, the snake was in multiple pieces before anyone acknowledged his attack. Luckily Harry realized what the dead snake represented and sent the killing curse to Riddle. The dark wizard was in shock when the curse hit him. Being a bit more vindictive than my friends, I sent fiendfyre at the body. I wanted nothing to remain of the cursed man.

I shot a number of spells over those that stood with Voldemort. It was then I noticed the prone and still body of Bellatrix LeStrange. I knew she was Draco's aunt by blood but he had never known her as a child and she was one of the beasts that had been present the day his mother was killed and he was tortured. Severus informed us that SHE had actually participated in Draco's torture. We suspected that she was involved with what Narcissa had been subject to as well. I knew there was no love lost between Draco and Bella. After seeing her dead body I suspected Draco had killed her before taking Severus away. As an aside, I didn't find out for sure on this until just recently. It seemed she had raised her wand toward me and Draco didn't allow her any additional time. She was dead before her beloved leader.

Draco, after sending Bella to her final resting place, had continued in his effort to save Severus. Based on Arthur's attack in fifth year, we had determined the potion that would negate the venom and close the wound. That was poured down his throat and to be safe, a few tears from a Phoenix were dripped onto the wounds before the pair apparated away. I heard the crack of Draco's apparition and knew he was safely away. They had actually gotten away prior to Neville completely dispatching the snake. That was the reason I had no concern about sending the blasted fire over the dead body.

Stories had already started to circulate about what had transpired before we made it back to the Great Hall. The wounded were being tended to while the dead were mourned. The battle went much faster than I thought. I think it was because after splitting himself so many times and being 'non-corporal' for so long his ability to fight and think quickly had decreased. It was easy to torture someone when everyone was afraid but he didn't have the advantage that day.

Harry was circled with people slapping him on the back and congratulating him. Everyone was his friend now. Harry didn't seem to mind that those same people had said and done nasty things to him over the years. I was looking for Draco and concerned he hadn't returned yet. When he entered into the Hall, I immediately ran to him and jumped into his arms. We had done it. He kissed me as if he hadn't seen me in a year. We laughed until three aurors appeared and attempted to arrest him. I told them to go find Kingsley unless they wanted their careers over. Two of them didn't wanted to believe me but I wasn't about to let them near Draco. This was what he had been worried would happen. He would be tried because of his name. I stood glaring at the pair who began to question why the Golden Girl of Gryffindor would be protecting a Death Eater. The third auror, the one who looked the most unsure, spun and left the Hall. He, as it turned out had a lick of sense, went to find Kingsley. Kingsley entered and quickly defused the situation, I was a moment away from hexing them both.

Draco and I left and celebrated the victory as only teenagers in love could.