Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The genius, Jo Rowling does! You're an amazing woman, you are, Mrs. Rowling! Thought I'd share!

So, I hope everyone had a lovely New Years! I certainly did! I also got a lovely review, which made my day! So, thank you! Also, sorry if this either short and/or boring. I wasn't sure how to do this, but I hope I got it right!

Thanks!

-LovelyAlice831-

This song inspired this chapter (and most of the ones at the end, seeing as I keep listening to it while I write these final chapters):

"And I've lost who I am, and I can't understand Why my heart is so broken, rejecting your love, without, love gone wrong; lifeless words carry on But I know, all I know's that the end's beginning who I am from the start, take me home to my heart Let me go and I will run, I will not be silent, all this time spent in vain; wasted years wasted gain All is lost but hope remains and this war's not over There's a light, there's a sun taking all these shattered ones To the place we belong and his love will conquer all
Yesterday I died; tomorrow's bleeding Fall into your sunlight" - Shattered by Trading Yesterday-

No one moved after Snape's hand dropped to the floor with a ringing thud of finality.

I wanted to look away from the sight of the black eyes that were now blank and unseeing. I shuddered and sniffled quietly. Ron squeezed my hand gently and I turned a small, quivering smile to him.

I turned my attention back to Harry who was still staring down at the fallen man. He didn't move. I began to wonder if he ever would. Would he forgive the man lying dead on the floor for all the years of torment because of who Harry's parents were? Would it ever go away?

I lifted a hand to tell Harry we should leave when a cold, harsh voice spoke, sounding as if he were back in the room.

Harry jumped to his feet, causing me to scramble away from him.

His hands were shaking as he held a firm grip on the flask full of memories.

"You have fought bravely," came the cold voice of Lord Voldemort. "I know how to value bravery.

"You have sustained heavy losses and if you continue to resist me, you will all die," he continued simply. "I do not wish for this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a waste. However, Lord Voldemort is merciful. I now command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead and see to your wounded."

I quivered, terrified that Voldemort might walk back into the room and kill us all. But he kept talking from his unknown place.

"I speak to you now, Harry Potter. You have let your friends die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait an hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, when the hour is up, you have not come, then I shall have the battle continue and everyone will die. You have one hour."

After a quick look at Ron, I scrambled to my feet, clutching Harry's arm, shaking my head.

"Harry, no! You can't go!" I cried.

"Mate, don't listen to him," Ron said.

"It'll – it'll be alright," I said, scared, not for myself, but for Harry. I could see the wheels turning in his head and I knew he was going to go see Voldemort. "Let's get back to the castle and if he has gone to the forest, we'll have to think of a new plan, that's all."

After looking quickly at Snape's body, I hurried to the tunnel entrance and dropped into the tunnel.

I was still in shock that Snape was dead. He was really dead. And why? Because he had killed Dumbledore, making him the owner of the Elder Wand.

But no…that's not right, I suddenly remember as I crawled over the dirt of the tunnel. Draco killed…oh, no. Never mind. He was supposed to kill Dumbledore. Right. Draco had disarmed him and Snape killed him. Right.

Keep your head straight, Hermione, I told myself sternly.

When we finally got safely out of the tunnel, we ran back to the castle. And the sight that awaited us had tears in my eyes.

Bodies littered the castle grounds and great chunks of wall were completely blasted off of the school. The great clock was shattered, its glass lay glittering in the courtyard. Sobs and screams of agony pierced the air as students discovered their dead friends.

We hurried up the crumbling stone steps into the entrance hall. I realized, then, that the great oak doors were missing.

As we walked into the Great Hall, we heard nothing. Everyone was silent.

Bodies lined the floor with the house tables move away to make room for the dead and injured. Many people stood in groups, tears on their faces and clung to one another. Madam Pomfrey and a group of what appeared to be healers were helping the injured.

I looked at the bodies and only saw a group of red headed people around what I assumed was Fred.

A choked sob sounded from my left and I turned and saw Ron had spotted his family at the same time that I did.

Ginny looked up at me, her brown eyes red and swollen, her face blotchy. She gave me a desperate look and, without thinking, I pulled her into a tight embrace. I hugged her with all the strength that I had in me. She broke into sobs once more and this time, I did as well.

We clung to one another, tears cascading down our faces.

When we pulled away, I wiped at the tears hopelessly, letting Ginny scoot closer to Mrs. Weasley, who was thrown over Fred's body. George was at Fred's head, staring blankly at his twin. Mr. Weasley and Bill had their arms around each others shoulders and Fleur held Bill's hand as tears poured out of her eyes. Percy stood beside Ron, who then sank to the floor, tears staining his face.

Not wanting to intrude on their time of grief, I looked around at the bodies. And immediately regretted it.

Tonks and Lupin lay among them, their faces peaceful, almost as if they were asleep under the enchanted ceiling of the school.

But they weren't asleep. They were gone. Forever. And leaving a newborn son behind in their wake.

Poor Teddy, I thought as I stared at the two. He would never know how brave his parents were. He would never know how clumsy Tonks was and how great of a man Remus was. He would only hear stories.

Much like Harry, I realized.

I looked around for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

Where could he have gone?

Turning back to Ron, I saw him slid away from his family and walked with a slouch over to me.

"Ron, I'm so sorry," I whispered to him when he reached me.

He turned his brown to me and I wanted to cry again.

His usual bright, brown eyes were now dead. They were red and he let out a dry sob.

He took one step towards me before collapsing into my arms.

"Shh, Ron," I murmured. "Shh. It'll be okay. It'll be alright. This will all be over soon. I promise. Shh…."

I let him cry on my shoulder. I rubbed his back in rhythmic circles while I continued to whisper, "Shh, it'll be alright. Shh…."

After what seemed like hours later, he pulled away, wiping at his eyes.

Without thinking, I leaned forward and kissed his tearstained cheek. His eyes closed and he hugged me close.

I could hear his heart pounding, telling me he was alive.

We stood, hugging, for several minutes before he whispered something I thought I would never hear in my life.

"I love you, Hermione."

My breath froze and my heart stopped. My knees started to give out, but at that moment, Ron pulled my face up and kissed me full on the mouth. He lifted me off the ground and it felt as if the world was spinning.

When he pulled away, there was hope and love in his eyes, a gentle smile caressing his mouth.

I laughed quietly and kissed him once more.

Pulling away, Ron rested his chin on my head, swaying us side to side as he held me.

"I love you too, Ron," I whispered back. I felt his arms tighten around me and smiled.

Taking my hand, Ron said, "C'mon, we need to find Harry."

"You noticed he was missing too?" I asked as he laced his fingers through mine. He nodded, his face serious again.

"He can't do it, Hermione," Ron said. "He can't. Voldemort will kill him! I know he will!"

I stared at Ron, amazed and impressed. He saw my expression and said carefully, "What?"

"You said Voldemort, Ron!" I gasped.

He looked stumped, as if he were trying to think about it. His face broke into a grin when he said, "Yeah. I guess I did."

I smiled and said, "Let's go. We can't let Harry die."

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