The End

The blackness started to fade; she could barely make out a room. It was a dark color, familiar though. She groaned as she tried to sit up. How had she gotten here? Where was Tom? She looked down and touched her silk dress.

"Tom?" she mumbled as she reached out for something to hold on to. That's when she realized she was in the old house. She gasped.

Her mind started reeling; she must be back at the present time, for she looked at a paper near her, it was dated 1999. She felt sick, utterly alone, and ridiculous in the green dress.

She looked at the small locket on the floor. It was unbroken, unhurt. She must not have destroyed it yet, that meant that Tom had not yet attacked. She was running out of time.

She grabbed the locket and ran down the stairs, "Harry!" she whispered frantically wondering where he had gone. "Harry, where are you?"

"Hermione?" he replied emerging from the next bedroom wand in hand. "What's wrong? What are you wearing?" It was so good to see him again, she realized how much she missed and loved him. She ran to him, hugging him exasperatedly and a tear fell down her cheek. This would all be worth it if her friends could survive. She knew she needed to get him out so she could deal with Tom – Voldemort.

"I don't have enough time to explain, but you have to trust me." She took a deep breath handing him the locket. "Take this and leave, destroy it, it's the last one out there. Destroy it and then destroy him, Harry." Her voice broke with those last words and he stared at her in shock. That necklace was Tom, he was there inside of it, in whatever cruel way, but she loved it and wanted to wear it the rest of her life.

"Okay, sure lets go." He said reaching towards her.

"No, you have to go alone, Harry trust me." Tears emerged in her eyes, "It's the only way to end it, Harry. Just go!"

"No," he was confused, "What are you planning?" And then a spark went off in his mind, "No Hermione! No, I won't let you sacrifice yourself!" he started pulling on her arm.

"You have to Harry, it's either that or we both die. You have to believe me, they're coming, don't ask me how I know, but I do. You have to leave now or we'll both die. This is the only way we can even hope to win, Harry, the only way."

"I won't let you die."

"I know how to deal with him, Harry, I know him better than you could ever imagine. Don't ask me how, I'll tell you when … when I get out. I'll meet you back at the burrow tomorrow, just go!"

"Never!"

"Now, Harry!" She could feel them coming, it was like the earth was shattering, and it gave her a strong sense of despair. She could feel him, coming closer as if he was still a part of her life.

So, knowing he wouldn't go without her, she hexed him and sent his body to the burrow, kissing his forehead before he left. She would miss him so much after this all happened.

She heard the front door blast open. She was trembling all over, she would see him again. It was disgusting but she still loved him, she understood, now why he had turned evil. And she found it in her, somehow, to forgive him, no matter the cruelness of his soul.

"Up here, my Lord," came a deep and frightening voice. Malfoy's she guessed. She reached for her wand, knowing it was a useless attempt at defense. She did a quick spell to change her outfit.

Then the door suddenly opened and the death eaters came in. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see him, knowing he would be different, changed. His face would bear no resemblance to his former glory, his eyes would be the most terrifying red.

She heard a hiss, slow like a snake's, and opened her eyes. He was just as horrendous as she knew he would be, just as cold, just as angry. Hideous, even, but she still loved him.

"Granger." He growled, striding up to her in a flash of black, white, and red. He violently took her chin in his hand. "Where have you been?" His voice sounded so much rougher than it used to be. It was no longer deep and soothing; it had lost its seductiveness. She didn't answer him, couldn't really. He was so different.

"Why are you not changed?" He yelled, his control slipping. "Why are you still young, why are you alive? Answer me!"

Still she couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, couldn't even look up at him. The death eaters were circling closer, they had heard of her; they wanted her dead.

"Dammit, Hermione! Why did you leave?" his voice pierced her eardrums. "I waited for you for ten years, you bloody whore!"

She looked up at him, his eyes displayed a sadness that she had never seen or felt before. She whimpered and the death eaters laughed.

"I'm sorry," she cried, he tightened his grip, "I didn't know I was leaving. I didn't want to."

"Don't lie to me!"

"I will never again lie to you, Tom." He faltered at his name and his followers gasped.

"You won't have the chance." He whispered only loud enough for her to hear.

"I know." She said and tears rolled down her face, the pain unbearable. And she did know, she wouldn't make it out alive.

She reached up to touch his cheek. His skin was nearly freezing and he tensed immediately. She guessed he hadn't been touched since she left. Then she felt a large, magical light form around the two of them. She gasped as it started to hurt.

Then, all at once she saw three utterly life changing things.

First, Harry and Ron ran into the room, killing Cygnus with a curse.

Second, Lucius shot a killing curse at her.

Third, Tom jumped in front of her to save her life.

It was as if he had done it out of reflex, defense against the pain that would come with her death. It was as if she was that vital to his happiness and he couldn't lose her again.

And then there were screams from every person in the room, hers the loudest. As she watched Tom fall majestically to the ground, her heart split immediately in half. His beautifully hideous form fell with an unreal grace and sadness and yet he looked at her, in his last dying moments …

and his eyes flashed green.