A/N - Very exciting chapter, brain over brawn, pen is mightier than the sword and all that...

Draco gets sorta aggressive and manly here. No worries, he still cares a bit too much about his hair.

Still don't own them.

' - - - - - - - '

"Where did she go?" Draco was frantic. He knew she was going somewhere that more than likely unsafe and he couldn't figure out how to follow her. "How do I follow her?" He ran to Albus and Severus to plead with them. Finally Severus couldn't take any more.

"Boy calm down. Miss Phoenix is a little more powerful than you may be aware. These men are stuck to the walls because she was bloody upset. Right now I would not want to come across her. These three," Severus pointed to Couch and the two aurors "either belonged to Lucius or Mr. Weasley. She has gone to stop this. What I don't know is if this was conscious or a result of her magic protecting her and those she loves."

"I need to be there with her. Where did she go?" Draco's voice dropped from his usual drawl to a deep, dark voice that resounded throughout the Manor. His eyes were blazing silver fires daring anyone to cross him. The silver was edged in black. Severus knew Draco was feeling a very elemental power and was not going to cross the boy.

"How did you find her so easily in the library?"

"Her scent."

"Then use that now." Draco nodded and suddenly he was gone. During the exchange Narcissa had been watching Albus with curious eyes. After Draco's departure Albus responded to the unspoken questions in the room.

"Cissy, I suspect he has finally come into his full power. I'll not doubt Sybil's visions any more. He is more powerful than the average wizard. Did anyone else see his eyes? I've never seen blue flames before." Albus rubbed the back of his neck in a manner that had happened in decades. Even the old wizard was shocked and a little nervous at the power his two recent students had just exuded.

Everyone nodded. Narcissa was slowly piecing together the clues Sybil had spoke decades earlier. The one about Harry was well know. The one about Draco was only shared between Albus, Severus and Narcissa. It was felt his safety would be compromised if it was known. Together their power would be unmatched. Hermione's desire to do right for the world and Draco's desire to keep her safe may just help right all the wrongs. Harry had already done his part and now it was up to her son and his love to bring all the pain to an end. There were questions Narcissa didn't know to ask and Albus watched the older witch's face knowing she was close to figuring it out. He gazed to Percy who too was slowly connecting everything.

While in the room, Albus had told the others everything, including all the prophecies regarding their children. Severus just watched with grim enjoyment. He had figured out what Sybil saw and Albus confirmed. It would be interesting to see how his godson reacted. It had surprised him but made sense. Taking a drink of his firewhiskey, he smiled as the burn made it's way down his throat. He was glad to be able to drink again.

During the entire exchange, Kingsley stood with an amazed expression. He did not know how to pull down the suspects off the wall so sat with everyone else waiting for Hermione and Draco's return. Severus informed Kingsley of the suspicions he and Draco had regarding the one auror. Not that the suspicions were need as the man had a freshly minted dark mark. What worried Kingsley was if there were more traitors currently at the Ministry.

' - - - - - - '

Draco appeared sooner than he expected and quickly realized he was in the dungeon. This was very close to the room the Dark Lord had claimed as his personal domain. Draco never understood why he selected the dungeon but Draco never really wanted to talk about it either. Draco also realized how everyone got past the wards. The wards Lucius had on the property never stopped him before and if this area was still his then nothing any of them did would be able to stop him from entering. At least until they excised him from the property. Well, exercised him from the Earth.

Draco also realized the dungeon still felt dark and oppressive. The light hadn't made it this far. It made sense...these rooms had witnessed so much evil over the millennium. Draco shook his head and moved toward her scent; he came around the corner, to his room and spied Hermione and Ron. They were slowly circling each other. Draco was only slightly shocked to see Ron had also made it past the wards and into the Manor. What shocked Draco more was the wand in Ron's hand. Draco's theory on how everyone was bypassing the wards had been confirmed. Other than worrying about Hermione, Draco was worried on how Ron regained his gotten his wand. Draco hoped it was a lapse in security and that everyone at the school was ok. More than likely the aurors currently affixed to the wall had something to do with it. Draco focused his attention on Hermione and attempted to determine the best way to help her. It was then Draco realized Hermione was getting ready to duel. She silently acknowledged him without Ron realizing and returned to focus to her on opponent again.

Draco watched the ginger's stance and posture, it was different from how Weasley used to duel and it was not a good change. This was the Dark Lord getting ready to attack his love. It no longer mattered that she wasn't a muggle born witch but a pureblood. All that Ron ever wanted was to be the most powerful. That was what allowed the sociopath his third opportunity to destroy the world. Ron's resentment over the obvious power of Harry and Hermione had led to this final battle. Draco wondered if the Dark Lord had completely destroyed what was Ron Weasley. Hermione would not be able to destroy her friend if there was any good left.

While watching Hermione, Draco realized she was using her new power. This was another worry for Draco, Hermione never did this when she was doing something that required focus. He also knew she had this power and if he figured out what Hermione was doing, she would be in grave danger. In case Ron figured it out, Draco had his wand drawn and was prepared to destroy the weasel without a second thought.

' - - - - - - '

Hermione hadn't intended to send herself out. She wondered if her new power would allow her to slip into someone's mind. It was sort of like legilimency, at least how Harry and Draco described it. She was able to walk through Ron's mind except she wasn't bound to what he was thinking. She could see it all. She was searching for any chance to save him. What she was able to see was the memory of when he turned. She heard the whispered spell and knew the hypothesis she had formulated in the library was correct. With that knowledge she understood the prophecy and her responsibility. She also was able to see into the mind of Tom Riddle. She saw his original plan along with what he was going to do if he had won this time. All his contingency plans were also laid out for her to review. She had already dispatched the plan with Bella, Lucius would fall soon and she had two of the aurors pinned to the walls upstairs. There were a few more believers in the Ministry but they would be rounded up and dealt with by the end of the morning. Or the next day at the latest. His plans may have worked, if he hadn't given her this power. She knew what needed to be done. She was ready. Ron shook momentarily and then Hermione was back. Her eyes were hardened as she focused.

"Ron, I know he has told you things you want to hear, but you do realize everything from his lips is a lie. Everything you've done and everyone you've hurt has been for nothing. You will be known as a traitor and turncoat. Before I destroy you both, know that you will never be as successful or powerful as Harry."

This earned Hermione an angry growl. While Riddle was controlling the body of the person that used to be her friend, there was nothing remaining of the young and honest boy that had been her friend. What Riddle could not completely control were emotional reactions. Knowing Ron for almost a decade had taught her just how to push the ginger to react.

"You will never be as smart as me. You were simply at the right place at the right time to latch onto us. We are the children who were pre-destined to save the world and you were simply their friend."

She could sense his anger slowly building. She needed him to react rashly. There was only way to force Voldemort to react like Ron.

"The youngest male in a family of seven do you know what the sixth son inherits? Nothing Ron, and that is what you were, are and will be remembered as."

Hermione knew this would set him off. There was a sudden roar from Ron as he lunged for Hermione. She was too quick and before he could make a second move Hermione simply turned, looked into the eyes of her first love and said "avada kedavra". As the green flash hit, Ron fell to the ground. Hermione didn't move she kept her wand pointed and sent an additional silent spell to the fallen body. She held her posture until the man started to move again. Before Draco or "Ron" could say anything Hermione started to speak.

"Do you think I didn't realize what happened? Do you think that when I was in his head just now I didn't find out the secret? This is the end and no one will save you this time. If you doubt, you heard the spell. I made sure to allow it to only ring through your ears. You are not able to leave that corpse. Now, do you think I have any issue with destroying you? Enjoy hell."

A silent curse was sent into the body of the red head. Any sort of movement stopped suddenly. Hermione looked at his the limp body and incinerated it. The ashes were burned until they too were nothing. Hermione turned toward Draco. Her eyes were still brown but darker than Draco had ever seen. He reached his hand toward her. She sighed and took a step toward him and away from everything they had fought against. It was over. Almost.

"Please take me to a bed. I need to sleep." With that Draco picked her up and brought her upstairs. He recognized the incinerating spell and knew it was very dark. He assumed the silent spells had to be as dark if not worse; never having thrown spells of that nature Hermione's power must be depleted.

' - - - - - - '

"Mother? " Draco was going to ask for someone to sit with Hermione, but as he looked at the motley crew sitting in the study and he realized he needed to stay in the same room as Hermione. And they all needed to stay together. As he glanced to the corner a bed appeared. He laid Hermione on it and tucked her in. The silence charm was done to simply make sure their conversation would not disturb her.

"Draco who did she go?" There was real fear in Ginny's voice, it was as if she knew Ron was gone. What Draco couldn't tell was what she thought about his loss.

"The dungeons. She found him, the Dark...Ron. She destroyed him. I don't think his spirit can ever come back again." Draco refused to look at Ginny or Harry. He stared at the fire until his tears started. Narcissa was there holding him. What he didn't expect was Ginny Weasley to be on his other side.

"Draco, I don't know why my brother did this but if Hermione felt that was her only recourse, than I will not question her." Ginny pushed back a sob and continued "If you are sure he is gone, I will believe you." Draco looked at the red head and smiled.

"Yes Weaslette, I believe that he is finally gone and all that is left is to round up the remaining death eaters and send them away."

"Severus and Percy, I would like to talk to you about a few things." The three wizards sat by Hermione's bed. Draco refused to be farther than a few feet from her.

"Severus, I don't know what spell she used to destroy his spirit because it was silent. She told him she had seen the plans in Ron's head and that she knew the secret. She then destroyed him and used an aedebit spell to burn the body but it was one I had never heard. Her eyes were flint black then. They started to shift slightly back to brown but only barely before she fell asleep. I know the spells were extremely dark and I'm very worried."

Draco shifted slightly and debated how to ask his question. He figured honesty was the best way.

"After removing Ron's wand, Harry had stored it in our common room."

Both Severus and Percy were confused on the sudden change in topic and before they could ask Draco continued. "When Harry went to show us, he was nervous for a reason he didn't understand. I protected Harry and the wand before realizing Ron had sent a protection spell which would destroy the wand and whoever was near it. To protect us all, I had to cancel the protection spell Ron had cast. I used some spells I had learned as a child. Needless to say they were dark and I reacted to the power I felt." Glancing at his sleeping witch, Draco let out a sigh before he continued. "Hermione was the only thing that brought me back. She has never experienced that rush of power. I'm worried." Draco looked at both wizards.

"Draco, how did she bring you back?"

"She talked and held me. It was the first time she admitted that she needed me. I think it scared her, she fell so quickly. If you won't kill me Percy I'd like to try and wake her. I know she needs sleep but I need to know that she isn't battling that inner-demon."

Percy nodded knowing that if Draco was right the longer she lay there the more difficult it would be. Draco quickly moved to the bed and wrapped his arms around her.

"Hermione, baby, I need to you listen to my voice. I know it has to be very quiet but move toward it love. You have to fight these feelings. They aren't real they are dark." Draco was absentmindedly rubbing her stomach hoping that he could save her in the same way she saved him.

"I can't live without you. I need you to keep coming back to me. Please open your eyes love." Draco gently kissed Hermione while his tears dripped onto her cheeks. Hermione's eyes started to flutter. Draco had never been so scared to look into her eyes.

Chocolate brown eyes met silver. Draco released his breath and gave Hermione a crushing kiss.

"Don't ever use those spells without warning me again. If this is something you feel you'll need then we will have to practice. The power can be very addictive and I won't lose you. Understand?"

Hermione was still exhausted but knowing that she had Draco was all she needed. The feeling was a rush was nothing compared to what she felt when with Draco.

"Don't worry love nothing compares to what I feel when I'm with you." Hermione mumbled before wrapping herself around Draco and falling into a restful sleep. Draco lay with her for a bit until the glares of Percy made him get up.

' - - - - - - '

Hermione had slept for the better part of a day. When it was time for everyone to sleep, beds were brought into the study and everyone stayed together. Draco was concerned that multiple individuals had accessed the wards and did not want the group to be separated. The men took turns standing guard.

Hermione awoke with a little headache and a big appreciation for what a punching bag must feel like. Apparently entering someone's mind was very stressful and tiring. Not to mention whatever those spells were. She felt like her power had been drained to nothing when Draco carried her to the bed. She also was battling the desire for power. Draco was right it was strong but she remembered thinking her relationship with Draco was better than power. She needed to remember to tell him that. Well, she would tell him at some point, but right now she was sure it would increase an ego that didn't need any help. She heard the rest of the individuals discussing what had happened in the dungeons. Kingsley, Harry and Draco were discussing how they were able to get passed all the protections on the grounds. Hermione realized Ron and Couch weren't the only evil forces who would want in the Manor. Silently she slipped out of the room and headed toward the nursery. There was only one place in the Manor Lucius would be curious to see. As she reached the landing her clear and powerful voice echoed in the Manor.

"Lucius Malfoy, Where are you? You low life, undeserving, half-blood follower." Hermione knew exactly from which direction he would appear and she was ready for him. The rest of house ran to see what in the hell was happening.

"Ah my little mudblood, I see that you have figured me out finally." Lucius laughed evilly. "Did you really think that you could win? I gave up Couch as a pawn the rest of us are still here!" Lucius eyes showed eager anticipation for what was to come.

"Oh, Lucius do you mean Ron? Yes I found him in the dungeon. I destroyed them both. Ron was just simply a vehicle for the half-blood that you foolishly followed. Once I figured out how the spell worked neither Ron nor Tom were difficult to beat. I have to admit I would not have been able to do if not for the library here. These last couple weeks have been very enlightening. Without your pointless attacks, Draco and I would still be at Hogwarts no farther along than we were at the beginning of the term. Maybe I should thank you for providing me the time to figure what your plan, Tom's plan and how to find, capture and destroy the few remaining Death Eaters."

Hermione giggled as Lucius attempted to send hexes her way. Hermione spun, blocked and froze him. "Lucius I'm not done telling you everything I've learned. As you remember, I'm the smartest witch of my age. So let's continue." Hermione danced around the landing her eyes and wand never leaving Lucius.

"Or were you talking about your sister-in-law and how she created a horcrux. Yes we figured that out also. This one was much easier; she really wasn't very bright. Why did you insist on being with those whose plans could be figured out so easily? I think it took me less than an hour to work out where it was hidden. Did you ever figure that out? No, I would guess not since it was still there. Mrs. Black certainly protected that knife well. Too bad Draco was easily able to remove her portrait. I wondered how you planned to get it since you attempted to kill the last two remaining Blacks. Those people you aligned yourself with were not very good at planning. By the way, Mrs. Black is still face down on the floor. Maybe we will pick her up sometime soon. Or just leave there before banishing her to the attic or something equally as dreadful."

Lucius was stunned he really didn't care about getting that psycho back and hadn't even tried. Realizing only a Black could get her back was ironic considering she killed a few of them too.

"Oh and apparently you all use the same curses and it was quite easy for Draco to remove and for us to take the dagger. Did you remember that Draco saw the light and joined us well before the final battle? Every dirty little plan you had we knew. But back to the dagger, do you know that it was a family heirloom from my family? Before we destroyed it, we removed those scars Bella put on me. Oh and yes we destroyed the dagger too. She was sent to Hades before Tom. I wonder what she said when he appeared yesterday. You are the only one left. When I send you to there make sure you tell Bella that she failed in her reminder of that night. I am more powerful now because of it and that the scars are gone."

Lucius was shocked as Hermione continued.

"Oh, did you actually think that I could not figure it out? That you and your deranged band could outsmart me? Tom was a moron and you know it. The obvious was lost on him and he rushed into things he never understood. He was very Gryffindor in his thoughtless reactions. I wonder why hat sorted him into Slytherin. Maybe he begged. It always seemed to give in when children beg. I'll ask it when I'm back at Hogwarts. Now back to Tom, do you remember his grades? He was almost kicked out of Hogwarts and yet you still followed him. Does that make you an idiot who followed a moron?"

Hermione's mocking laugh filled the Manor. Lucius tried to regain his composure, but he realized his end was playing out. "And to pick Ron Weasley as his savior. That is rich. Ron was a hothead and not very bright either."

"Mudblood who are you?" Before Hermione destroyed him physically, she broke his mind.

"I am the daughter of the Phoenix and I rose up to help destroy the evil in the world. You are the next evil I will destroy." Hermione gave him a moment to realize who she actually was. "Yes Lucius, I'm Percy's daughter. Avada kedavra."

Lucius dropped to the floor.

There was silence in the Manor as Draco ran up the stairs. He grabbed Hermione and whispered in her ear. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and answered his question. He turned slowly to the quickly cooling body of his father and mumbled the curse Hermione had just told him. Lucius' body burned until even his ashes were gone.

Hermione turned to those still stuck on the wall. They began to beg for their lives. Hermione could not have cared less.

"Kingsley think where to send them and they will appear in the cells. You can do whatever to them. If they appear in my life again I will destroy them without a second thought. Is that clear?"

Hermione did not stop for a response and continued to walk until she was curled back into the bed that Draco created for her. Draco crawled next to her. The witch and wizard were asleep in a heartbeat. This time Percy didn't have the heart to pull them apart.

' - - - - - - - '

A/N Yeah they are both really gone this time. Promise. No fingers crossed or anything. But that doesn't mean all the danger has been cleared.

Still seven-ish chapters until the end. They need to graduate (yeah they are still in school), get married and have their honeymoon. tee hee. HEA is coming tho, really promise.