A/N: So here's the next chapter. We're really close to being done…like this might be the second to last chapter not counting an epilogue. I don't know yet, we'll see how writing goes. I want you to know that while writing this chapter, I still had no clue if Severus was going to live or die. I didn't decide until I wrote it. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy. And I thank you all very much for reading and sticking with this story. It means a lot to me, and I certainly feel like I have grown as a writer, which should help me with my desire to be a writer. Thank you very much.

Chapter 46

Hermione was in a state of shock. She was having trouble breathing and felt completely numb. She never cared for the boy, and though horrible, it seemed like karma that Crabbe has been killed by his own fiendfyre. He cast out stupidly and didn't know how to undo it. But still, along a classmate fall into the flames below put her in a state of semi-shock. And it most certainly did not help to think about the fact that just a few short minutes earlier, her own daughters had been in that room.

But even so, that did not cause her numbness. Ron was dead. Completely dead. Gone. She didn't know how she felt about that. At one point, she was sure she loved him. But she had grown to fear him. One moment he was there standing behind her, and the next he had disappeared. He had seen that Fred was about to die and rushed to push his older brother out of the way, taking the killing blow himself. And just like that, her first love was gone forever.

She, Harry and Luna walked through the halls, silent. Harry tried not to cry, and Hermione noticed how tense he was. She also noticed when Luna reached out her hand to comfort him. She wondered when that had happened, but couldn't process anything. She didn't know how or when, but at some point she stopped walking and sat down in a corner. She felt lost and alone and confused.

Just a year ago she wandered through these halls, enjoying school and spending time with her friends. She couldn't stand Severus, and didn't trust him in the slightest. She was never alone, and never happier. Now, as she wandered through the once familiar halls, she saw destruction and death. Her classmates fought and fell. Death eaters fought and fell. She was in love with Severus, married to him, and they had a family. One year and so much had changed.

She missed Ron. More specifically, she missed the Ron who was her best friend. The Ron that she fell in love with. She missed him, and now she would never see him together again. And she felt terrible that somewhere inside she was a little relieved. She had grown to fear him. The image of the day she told him that she couldn't wait for him, that she was already pregnant, was so engraved in her brain. Even now, she could still see him clench his fist and aim straight for her abdomen as she dropped, curling up to protect herself and her unborn child. Children, she thought to herself, knowing now that there were two growing within her at the time. Severus had reacted so violently, that he scared her to that moment, but in that time she was already afraid of him, even if just a little. And now looked upon him in that memory with redirect, that despite everything going on, he was doing what he could to protect his family, even though at that moment he hasn't wanted it.

Hermione! The voice called out in her head. She was lost and confused, and realized that Luna had been trying to get her attention for a little bit. Hermione, you need you come to the shrieking shack, I think Severus might be in trouble.

Her heart clenched in that moment. He was still there, and Luna was worried. That could only mean one thing, he was with Him. Suddenly, she was no longer in control of her body, as she was running through the bake, barely dodging spells and curses that flew around. All she could think of was to save Severus. And her legs carried her, running faster than she thought she could. She stumbled and tripped down the stairs of the path and she collapsed on the ground next to Harry and Luna, breathing heavily, but staying as silent as she could. Luna embraced Hermione in a hug, right as they heard Voldemort command Nagini, the snake hissed, and Severus was knocked against the wall.

Hermione held back a violent sob, causing her entire body to shake. Luna only held her friend tighter and Harry moved to comfort her too. They waited in agonizing silence for Voldemort to leave. Then Harry got up and walked in. Luna stood, waiting for Hermione to stabilize herself, and then helped her stand on shaky legs.

"Take them, take them," they heard Severus struggle to say, gesturing to the glowing tears.

Hermione felt her body buckle, and struggled to stay standing. Tears were streaming down her face and she broke free of Luna's caring hold, and rushed to Severus' side, handing Harry a vital from the bag she always kept on her. He looked at her with sympathy as he collected what he knew were memories.

Severus looked at Harry for a moment, writhing in pain, and seeing his old friend in her son's eyes, "You have your mother's eyes," he spoke gently, struggling to breath, his eyes closing.

Hermione couldn't handle it, she started crying uncontrollably, taking Severus' hand and grasping it tight. She didn't even notice when Voldemort spoke into everyone's mind, telling them to gather their dead. She also didn't notice the conversation between her friends.

"Luna, I need to-"

"I know, Harry, go. I'll stay and take care of her. Just please, be careful, and don't listen to him."

"Luna-"

"Do not sacrifice yourself, it won't end anything. With his death, he'll kill her and her daughters. He'll kill the muggles, he'll kill the muggle-borns. And he'll kill everyone you ever cared about."

Harry was silent for a moment, "Just take cafe of her, I'll be back."

"Promise me?"

He only embraced her and kissed her cheek softly before leaving, knowing he couldn't make that promise. Luna walked over to Hermione, kneeling down and planning a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Hermione, let's take him to the great hall."

Her friend didn't hear or listen, she just muttered to Severus, "You promised. You promised you would try, and you just let him hurt you. Please don't be gone, they need you. We need you. I need you," she said through sobs, shaking him violently in an attempt to wake him up.

She laid her head on his chest, crying when he did not respond. She wrapped her arms around him tight, squeezing herself as close to him as possible.

"Hermione, he's gone, we need to go back to the castle, please."

And then Hermione heard it, ever so faintly, a heart beat. She sat up, and placed her pointer and middle fingers again his neck. She pressed tightly and held her breathe, her own heart pounding in her chest. Ever so faintly, she felt his veins pulse beneath her fingers and she lit up. It wasn't too late to save him. She dumped her bag and it's comments on to the ground around them.

"Hermione, what are you doing?"

"Luna, he's alive. I can save him. Please help me."

Luna thought she had lost it and cast a silent spell to prove he was gone, but his heart registered, beating dangerously low, but there. She nodded at Hermione, and began to remove her professor's robes and shirt, having been only bitten on his chest, and began to wrap him with bandages while Hermione sorted through various potions. She jumped for joy when she found the one she was looking for and pulled out the stopper. She opened his mouth, and lifted his chin up, opening his throat. And she poured the potion in.

After she tossed the bottle, not caring where it landed, she pulled him close to her, laying his head down in her lap, as Luna helped adjust so he was laying straight and flat. Hermione had reached forward and grabbed his hands, lacing her fingers through his limp unresponsive ones. And she waited. Her tears falling on his face. Luna watched, feeling useless. Wishing she could do more to help her friend. She didn't know what potion Hermione had given him, but she knew that Nagini's poison in that amount was strong.

Luna, could you grab the vital of blood replenishing potion next to you? It's the pink one.

Luna wasn't sure if Hermione meant to say that in her mind or not, but grabbed the potion laying next to her and handed it to Hermione.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered almost inaudibly as she unstoppered the potion and poured it slowly into Severus' mouth, saying a silent prayer for him, "Please, wake up, Severus. Wake up, my love. Please wake up."

She caressed his face gently with her hand and leaned over, kissing his lips softly. Then his forehead, and then grabbed his hands again and kissed each one.

The minutes dragged by, as the two witches waited in silence. Luna cast an occasional tempus to keep track of time, wondering where Harry was. She found it hard to listen to her friend sob silently, and being unable to help. She saw the extra bandages, and grabbed them.

"Hermione, let's change his bandages, and then we should move him, Madame Pomfrey should have more supplies to help heal him with."

Hermione didn't speak, but began to undo his bandages, gently, as if he might crumble in her arms. She took off her robes and wadded them up, to make a pillow, and gently placed his head down. She held her hand out, and Luna handed her friend the bandages. Luna was shocked to see that Nagini's poison had done little damage, and it was like he'd never been bitten. His wounds had stopped bleeding. And Hermione bandaged him slowly and carefully. When she was done, she took her place by his side, once again holding his hand in hers.

Harry still had 5 minutes before he had to turn himself over. Luna was worried that someone might come find them, but Hermione was all but responsive. And then she gasped. Hermione lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it again.

"Severus, I'm here, please wake up."

And his eyes opened slowly, unfocused on his surroundings. Hermione started crying again, but this time, it was years of relief. She moved herself closer to his head and lifted him slowly back into her lap. She placed one hand gently on his cheek and rubbed her thumb there.

"Severus," she queried, as he opened his eyes fully and made eye contact.

His voice was weak and raspy but he managed to speak, "What are you doing here? Where are-"

Hermione shushed him, "They're safe. I took them to my parents'. I'm here because I was told you were in trouble. And I almost lost you. You didn't even try. You promised me you would try. But we can deal with that later, right now we need to get you somewhere safe to rest. Do you think you can sit up?"

He nodded slowly and tried to sit up, her arms behind his back for support. He leaned towards her and she held him in her arms, not wanting to let go for a second. He spent so much time worrying about her, it was her turn to worry about him. Luna stood and offered her hands for support and together they helped him to his feet. Hermione wrapped her arms around his middle to help hold him up. Luna went to the other side.

"Severus, are you ready?"

He nodded and they slowly made they're way out and towards the castle.