Well, we're getting closer, so here we are! Getting close to the end! JKR owns all, but I hope you enjoy! Xx

Chapter 24

Hermione had tears pouring down her face, unbelieving what had just happened. "It can't be.."

The voice spoke out again. "The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived it finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman, or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."

Hermione turned towards Ron, who had tears pouring down his face. "What now?" he murmured.

Charlie moved towards Hermione, putting his hand on her shoulder. "We should move towards the Great Hall and find the others. Harry wouldn't have wanted us to stop fighting."

"So we won't," Hermione said, firmness in her voice that wasn't there a few moments ago. She turned to Charlie and Ron. "Let's go." Her eyes were aflame with passion and fury, as she moved quickly through the halls.

Abruptly, she stopped. Hemera, come get me, now.

"On my way little one."

"I'm going with Hemera, and will meet you both in the courtyard."

"Hermione, I don't think we should split up," Ron said, staring at his feet.

"It'll be okay Ron," she said, pulling him in for a quick hug. "Go on now, find Ginny and the others."

Hermione turned to Charlie. She pulled him in for a deep kiss. Her body hummed with pleasure and strength, the nature of their bond being explored. Pulling back, she closed her eyes. "Please be careful Charlie."

He smiled, kissing her forehead. "You be careful." Cupping her cheeks, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," she replied, giving him one last kiss. "Now go on, I'll meet you there."

The two boys nodded, running off in that direction. Hermione walked over to the window. Peering out, she saw Hemera flying towards her. She climbed up so she was now crouching on the sill, and after waiting a few moments, she jumped.

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to free fall, before landing with a small thump on Hemera's back. She gave her dragon a quick pat. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, their spells aren't strong enough to hurt me."

Hermione nodded. "Good, now let's go towards the others."

They flew off in that direction. Hermione kept her head high, not wanting to see all the damage that lay below.

"I'm sorry about Harry," Hemera said, breaking the silence.

Hermione remained quiet. With a sigh, she spoke. "His death will not be in vain."

Hemera landed in the middle of the courtyard, a growl escaping her lips. Looking around, Hermione saw the elves, along with all the others who had stayed to fight, were behind her.

A sound caught her attention. Turning, she saw the group of Death Eaters approaching, Hagrid in the front. Narrowing her eyes, she saw a small broken body in his arms.

"No!"

Turning, Hermione saw McGonagall crying. Ginny went to run forward, but her father and George grabbed her, holding her back.

Hermione moved forward, placing her hand on Hemera's thigh. Be careful.

"He should be the one to be careful," Hemera replied angrily.

The group moved forward. Hermione could see Hagrid sobbing.

Every inch of her wanted to break down in tears, but she couldn't. She wouldn't let herself. She needed to stay strong for the others.

The fate of the wizarding world now rested on her shoulders.

It wasn't time to lose herself in grief and misery; there would be plenty of time for that later. Right now, it was the time to ready her arms for battle. Ethriel had moved up behind her, standing near Charlie, Ron, and her.

People were shouting around her, all angry, some sad. It was heartbreaking.

"Silence!" Voldemort cried out.

Hermione felt the magic wash over them, subjecting them to the silencing charm.

She watched as Harry's body was dropped to the floor.

"Harry Potter is dead! He's not the one you all thought he was… he's a coward, one who was trying to run from me." Voldemort sneered, looking at them all. "The War is over, you have lost."

"No!" Hermione cried, taking a step forward. The magic rippled around her, but she was able to break through. "The War will never be over so long as there are people who still fight."

A ripple of cheers broke out behind her.

Voldemort narrowed his eyes at her. "Ah, Princess Astrea, yes, I've heard the legends, don't look so surprised. I have been wondering when our paths would cross."

Hemera let out a growl.

Voldemort simply chuckled, but it came out as a hiss. "Don't waste your time fighting me, you cannot win."

"I will," Hermione said loudly, the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Hemera growled once more.

"If you fight me, you will die," Voldemort warned her.

"So be it. I will fight, and my people will fight as well," she said, climbing up on Hemera's back. The dragon shifted, her large feet stomping on the ground.

Many things happened at once.

Hemera let out a roar, pushing up off the ground. Within a second, Hermione had screamed pointing her sword forward. Hemera let out a burst of fire towards the Death Eaters.

Hundreds of people behind her poured out of the castle, each crying out loudly.

Charlie grasped Ron's hand, dragging him forward. "Where's his body?" he shouted. "Harry's body is gone!" Ron looked around the rubble, surprised to find Charlie was right. The two of them started looking.

Voldemort had let out a shout and was now flying through the air, shooting spells at Hermione. She and Hemera dodged them all, weaving in and out of sight.

It seemed the battle wasn't over yet.

The centaurs stampeded through the halls, the Death Eaters swarming in every which direction, trying to get away from the giants.

Growling, Hemera landed in the Great Hall. People were fighting everywhere. Voldemort faced opposite her. "You filthy Mudblood, you cannot defeat me!"

"I can, and I will," she said with a hiss. Voldemort sent a curse at her, which she dodged at the very last moment. Hermione whipped around, reaching to strike at him, freezing when she saw Harry appear out of thin air in front of her.

"Harry?" she cried, momentarily stunned that he was standing before her.

"No more Tom, just me and you," he shouted, raising his wand towards Voldemort.

Hermione slipped out of Voldemort's eyesight. Hemera was off fighting some Death Eaters, along with everyone else. All the horcruxes have been defeated, meaning this was it. Someone just had to kill him.

Harry and Voldemort began to duel, flashes of red and green going every which way.

Gripping the handle to her sword tightly, Hermione crept around the edge of the room.

"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort cried, the green light moving towards Harry.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry cried in return.

The two met and a loud bang erupted. Voldemort's wand flew from his hand into Harry's, his cry of anger breaking out.

And before anyone could register what had happened, Hermione swung her sword, cutting off Voldemort's head.