Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to J.K Rowling

A/N: Here's the first chapter. The italicized words is dialogue that comes directly from the book. Reviews and criticism is welcomed :) Thanks to whoever is reading this and I hope you like it!

Chapter One

Stay By My Side

"Harry Potter is dead."

Ron Weasley's body went cold as the words hit him full on. No, no, it couldn't be… He turned his blue eyes—wide, scared, and unblinking—onto Hermione to see the same fear reflected in her brown ones. Their best friend was dead. He immediately pulled her into a hug, digging his face into her bushy hair, ignoring the slime and grit that covered both of them. Hermione gripped him back forcefully, whispering into his ear, "He's not dead… he's not dead."

Commotion filled the Great Hall around them; people rushed out, out to where Voldemort was coming with Harry. Ron sucked in a deep breath, blinking away the tears that burned at his eyes. He wouldn't cry, not now. He had to be strong for Hermione who, he noticed when he pulled away from her, already had tears streaming down her cheeks. Ron caressed her face with his thumb softly and wiped away the fallen tears. She looked up at him and her bottom lip trembled.

"We don't know for sure yet," he said in way he hoped comforted her. They were so close, so close to coming out alive. Harry couldn't abandon them just yet. Not when he already lost Fred; he didn't know how he would be able to move on from losing another brother.

Hermione looked past him, but Ron didn't move his gaze from her eyes. She spoke softly, "Promise me you won't leave me. Promise me you'll stay by my side." A couple more tears leaked out and Ron took the advantage to kiss her gently on the cheek.

"I promise."

He took her by the hand and guided her out of the Great Hall, seeking Ginny as he did so. The young red-haired girl stood with the rest of their family, her face a picture of total devastation. Ron looked away swiftly. He wasn't sure how much destruction he could take before breaking apart. Hermione's hand in his was one of the only things holding him upright. Knowing he still had something to fight for kept him sane. He wondered if Hermione felt the same.

His mom was already crying. His dad had his arms around his mother and Ginny, and as he caught Ron's eye, he motioned for the two teenagers to come over, but Ron continued to walk passed them and headed outside. Hermione gave a small gasp as their feet touched the castle grounds. Up ahead, people stood crying and holding onto one another as they took in the scene in front of them. Death Eaters surrounded them, their smiles cocky and victorious. It was only when he heard the heart-wrenching cry of Professor McGonagall that Ron saw what he had hoped he would never have to see.

Voldemort was walking toward them with Hagrid in tow. The half giant was sobbing and held a limp body in his arms. Ron felt Hermione squeeze his hand harder and he chanced a glance only to see more tears swimming in her eyes and her face deathly pale. Bracing himself he looked back toward the body in Hagrid's arms, thinking quietly to himself, it's not him. It's someone else, anyone but him. But as Ron took a closer look, he saw the unmistakable black hair and glasses. Before he knew it a scream tore out of him.

"No!"

Hermione's and Ginny's cries soon followed, theirs filled with as much pain as Ron himself was feeling. The crowd around them yelled out, fueled by hate and disgust at the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Ron joined in with them, yet the screaming wasn't enough to calm the wave of terror rushing through him.

Voldemort's voice rose above all of them. "Silence!" The crowd quieted at once as a bang and a bright light before the. Voldemort ordered Hagrid to set Harry down and Ron bit his lip, trying to get the ability to scream obscenities at the Dark Lord. Voldemort stepped up beside Harry and a triumphant smile crossed his face. "You see? Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"

Voldemort's words made Ron grit his teeth in anger. Harry Potter was more than just a boy. Harry Potter was his best friend—brother—and sure as hell didn't rely on others sacrifice themselves for him. Harry Potter deserved to have won. "He beat you!" Ron yelled out, surprising even himself. But he wasn't about to let his enemies get the chance to think they won. Ron hid back a smile as a chorus of cries started up around him. The surviving witches and wizards weren't ones to give up easily. Voldemort and his Death Eaters all had a look of annoyance at the outburst.

"He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds," said Voldemort, "killed while trying to save himself—"

Neville stepped forward, and Hermione moaned a small, "No, Neville," too quiet for anyone but Ron to hear. Ron watched his friend get knocked to the ground in an attempt to charge at the dark wizard. Voldemort looked down at Neville like the bold Gryffindor was nothing but dirt on the ends off his robe.

"And who is this?" he asked.

Ron tuned him out as a shadow in the darkness to the left of him caught his eye. In the midst of the ruckus before him, what looked like the figure of a girl leaned against the dusty wall of the castle. She—or it, for Ron couldn't be certain by the way the figure hid itself—seemed to be staring right at him. Ron stretched his neck out a little more to get a better look but the shape was gone, leaving him to wonder if the hysteria of all that had happened was finally getting to him.

Hermione tugged on his hand suddenly and Ron turned his attention back toward the scene in front and he gasped at what he saw. Neville was covered in flames, not moving, yet not screaming. Hermione had her wand in her free hand and Ron couldn't help the pride that flowed through him at the sight of her fierce face. She was ready to fight, ready to defend their fallen friends. Ron gripped his own wand tighter. He was more than ready.

Chaos erupted around them; spells colliding with each other, some hit the already broken rumble of the castle. The giants fumbled toward them all, causing the people to scramble, afraid of being squashed by their huge feet. Ron looked fearfully at Hermione, gave her a quick peck on the lips, and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered back.

Everyone was soon being ushered back inside of the castle, still fighting one another. Ron made sure to keep Hermione insight while flinging spell after spell to the approaching Death Eaters. Hermione's hand had been ripped out of his in the chaos, and Ron now felt the emptiness of it. When he looked over at her—she had just taken down an unknown Death Eater with the help of a Ravenclaw girl Ron knew to be a year older than them—she sent him a glance that clearly said they'll be okay. That they'll make it out alive.

"Just because I didn't get to taste your pretty little girl," a voice said from behind him, "doesn't mean I won't soon."

Ron spun around, wand aloft, and came face to face with Fenrir Greyback. The werewolf grinned mockingly at him. "She looks like a good one," he continued. "I will get her."

Ron shook with fury. Just the thought of Greyback's hands touching Hermione's body, of Greyback being the fully disgusting werewolf he was, made Ron want to strangle him, curse him, kill him. He spit out, "Like hell you will," and threw all the spells that came to mind at Greyback. He was soon joined by Neville and together the two of them had the werewolf down.

"Thanks," said Ron, looking Neville up and down to make sure the poor wizard was okay.

"No problem," Neville replied. "I heard what he said about Hermione."

Ron just swallowed, not at all keen on reliving those words coming out of Greyback's mouth. He went back to fighting, hating the way more green lights than red shot in the air. How many of his friends and family had fallen because of that hellish spell? He tried looking for as many redheads as he could find but it was all blurring together. There were too many people running around, trying to stay alive and fight that it was impossible to seek out someone.

Hermione.

His heart leapt as he flung his head every which way to search for her but she was nowhere in sight. Greyback's dead, he can't get to her. He tried reminding himself of that has he pushed passed people. Dodging spells that were sent his way, he hurried through the castle yet there was still no sign of the bushy haired girl. Ron took a breath, trying to calm his racing heart but nothing worked. His hand tightened even harder on his wand, his knuckles probably turning white. He couldn't lose Hermione. She was the only thing he had…

A hand clamped over his mouth while an arm wrapped around his body, pulling him out of the jumble of people. He squirmed and fought back but to no avail. The person who had him was obviously strong and didn't let go until they were in a darkened part of the castle that was free of any fighting. He screamed, but the sound was muffled from behind the hand and in the quietness a girl's voice spoke in his ear.

"I'm going to let go, but please don't scream or run away."

The girl had some faith in him, faith that he would never have. Did she really expect him to come without a fight? Then again, who was she? As the girl let go of his body, he instantly had his wand out, spinning around and pressing it straight at her throat.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "What do you want?"

The girl eyed the wand. She had pretty grey eyes, Ron noticed; round and bright. Her hair was hidden by the hood of her cloak. "I'm Anya Lewis," she said while holding her hands, a gesture probably meant to show that she held no harm. Anya glanced up at Ron. "I didn't mean to scare you but it was the only way to get to you." She hungrily took in Ron's face. "We've been searching for you everywhere," she breathed.

Ron raised his eyebrows in confusion. "I don't understand…" he said. Then a surge of anger rolled through him. "But if this is some diversion you Death Eaters decided to play on my girlfriend and me, then you'll be sorry." He poked the wand further into her neck. Anya didn't even jerk away.

"I know you don't trust me," she tried to reason.

"Of course I don't trust you!" Ron yelled. "Why should I? When you have murderers breathing down your neck for months and everyone to the moon and back looking for you, you learn not to trust anyone," he snarled. "Especially people who sneak up on you and drag you to a dark room." He missed the pitying expression that crossed Anya's face. He was too busy trying to move his body. His felt glued to his spot on the floor, and every muscle seemed frozen in place.

"I'm sorry, Ron," Anya said. "Like I told you, we've been searching for you for months now and not that we finally have found you, we need you to come with us."

The tip of a wand prodded at the back of his head and he heard someone whisper a spell. His vision blurred and he felt himself falling to the ground, while the rest of the world went black around him.

Hermione had her wand trained on Bellatrix. Ginny and Luna were helping her, but the Death Eater still had the upper hand. Where was Ron? Hermione figured he was off fighting somewhere, but she hoped he was nearby; though when she spared a second to look she couldn't find him anywhere. She prayed that he was okay. He had to be. Just like she would be.

But the defenders of Hogwarts were losing. It was evident in the numbers of bodies lying on the floor, the way people were fleeing after realizing they would die if they didn't. Hermione tried to keep her eyes from drifting, scared of what familiar faces she would see staring unblinkingly up at her.

Bellatrix was soon defeated by Molly Weasley, who quickly ushered the three teenagers toward Arthur and Bill. "We have to go now," Molly hissed in theirs ears. Hermione noted the fear evident in the older witch's voice though Moly was a pro at keeping it from visibly showing.

"But Ron—" Hermione began.

"We'll find him," Bill said.

Hermione saw Molly glance at her husband. "Some have already made it there," Arthur informed her and Molly, though her jaw was set in a determined way Hermione knew was meant to keep her from crying out, had relaxed slightly. Hermione barely had time to register anything else before feeling herself being side-apparated. Shell Cottage was suddenly standing before her, and Molly and Arthur forced the three girls into the house where some other witches and wizards managed to take shelter in in.

Arthur kissed Molly on the cheek and announced that he was going back to round up others. Ginny walked numbly to where Percy was leaning against the wall. He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Hermione stayed rooted to her spot by the door. Ron would come walking through there any minute, she was sure of it. He always came back. He had promised her he wouldn't leave her side.

"Come on, Hermione," Molly said, stirring her into the kitchen. The more Hermione adjusted to her surroundings the more people she recognized. There weren't quite as many people as she thought there was at first, just Order people and some Hermione knew from Hogwarts. Molly led her over to a chair. The older witch's hands were shaking slightly and Hermione remembered about Fred and how much Molly must be hurting. "Drink some water," commanded Molly in gentle voice.

Hermione did want she was told and let Molly mothered her because she knew that as what was keeping Molly from breaking down. They waited for what seemed like hours but she knew it couldn't have been that long. Finally, Bill and Arthur both appeared together, entering the house looking tired and worn out. Molly was instantly at their side, and Hermione perked up as they came into the kitchen.

Bill sat down beside her, heaving out a tired sigh. Fleur was there in a flash, rubbing her hands through his red hair, the tears already swimming in her eyes.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione managed to ask.

Arthur sighed and glanced down at his feet. Hermione's heart plummeted. Oh God, Oh God… She almost couldn't breathe. Her hands shook in her lap.

"We couldn't find him," Arthur said quietly. "We looked everywhere but…" he trailed off and Hermione stood up quickly and dashed outside. The tears stung at her eyes but she managed to keep them at bay.

He had promised her, promised her that he wouldn't leave and now he was gone. They couldn't find him. She lost the ability to stay upright and fell to her knees. She looked up to the sky and whispered over and over again, "Please be okay, please come back." Harry, Fred, Remus, Tonks, and so many others were gone and never coming back. She prayed to God that Ron wouldn't be among them. He had to be alive, alive and okay.

Hermione would go to hell and back to make sure he was okay.