Chapter 1: It Begins

The school was eerily quiet. It had been for some time now. Everyone knew that the war was drawing near and near to their doorstep. The light side was loosing ground and the dark side was gaining. The magical world was in chaos. And Harry, much to his consternation, was being kept safely in the school and out of harms way. The time, Dumbledore had explained to him so many times, was not right.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in a secluded corner of the library, stacks of ancient tomes gathered around them. Unlike the boys' usual habit, they were pouring through the pages with gusto and diligence, looking, as Hermione had suggested, for anything that might help Harry in his impending confrontation with Voldemort. Neither of them complained anymore because this time they knew Hermione was right. She had proven last year how one obscure passage in a book could be enough to save the life of someone you loved. With that thought trickling across his brain, Ron reached up and let his hand rest on his pocket. His heart seemed to ease slightly when he felt the paper crinkle under the weight of his fingers. He knew better then anyone that Hermione was right.

They had been at it for hours. The large stack of books they had started with dwindled as they methodically worked there way through. They kept at it though, like they did every night, until Madam Pince came and shooed them from the library and back to their common room. That night however they were disturbed before the sun even set by the sound of McGonagall's magically magnified voice echoing through out the deserted stone passages, "All students immediately report to their common rooms. I repeat, all students immediately report to their common rooms." The silent trio spared enough time to throw each other a questioning glance before quickly closing their books, tucking them and the parchment they had been writing on under their arms and hurriedly exiting the room.

Harry wordlessly led the way, not bothering to look back to see if his two best friends followed and so did not see the way Ron's hand snuck out and grasped Hermione's giving it a comforting squeeze before quickly releasing it.

Hermione looked over at Ron sadly. She knew why he had let go, but a part of her still wished that he hadn't. The two had been officially together for the past eight months. But with everything that was going on right now, and Harry being, well Harry, they had yet to confine the truth to him or anyone else.

At the entrance Ron moved ahead to hold the door open for Hermione to pass through. As she stepped into the portal her eyes caught and clung with Ron's. There was such longing in the dark brown depths that Ron had to fight the urge to reach out and pull her into his arms. But he didn't. Now was not the time. But then, no time seamed to be the right time. It was nearly impossible for the two of them to find time to be alone. But there would be, as soon as this damn war was over. The corner of his lip quirked up in a sad smile as he nodded for Hermione to go on. The same sad smile appeared on her lips as she let her hand rest on his wrist for a moment as she stepped through the gap. Ron missed the loss of her fingers the instant they slipped free of his skin. He sighed heavily as he let the door go, letting it swing close and hurrying his step to catch up with Hermione who was following quickly behind Harry.

As soon as he heard his friends feet behind him, Harry picked up his pace and soon the trio was racing down the silent corridors towards the Gryffindor common room. They were just turning down the passage leading to the portrait of the fat lady when they heard a loud explosion from out on the lawn. Without missing a step they rushed to the nearest window to look outside. Hermione squealed and jumped back with fright bumping into Ron's chest. The moment she felt Ron's arm settle on her back she turned and pressed her face into his shoulder. His arm went around her, hugging her close to him.

Harry stepped closer to the window, his eyes narrowing into tiny slits. Out on the school lawns was a swarming mass of black. His heart instantly sank to the pit of his stomach at the sight. The war had finally come to Hogwarts. Death Eaters were on the grounds. Within seconds Harry's wand was in hand and he had turned to run back down the long corridor toward the stairs. Before he could take two steps, hpwever, he was stopped by two hands, one large, one small, reaching out and taking hold of his cloak, pulling him back to the window.

"Harry, No!" Hermione pleaded as she moved around to his front, pushing against his chest to stop him. "McGonagall said we have to go to the common room."

"No," He struggled against his friends restraining hands. "I have to go down there. Dumbledore can't stop me now. I have to…"

"No." Hermione cut him off. "We've been ordered back to the common room."

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, shaking off her and Ron's hand. "Those bastards are on the grounds. You can't expect me to go back to the common room and do nothing."

"Yes Harry, I do." She pointed one delicate finger toward the window. "There making camp, Harry. Look at them!" She took his arm and towed him toward the window. "Look!" She pointed down at the hundreds of Death Eaters milling about the grounds clustering in groups and firing spells against the ancient stone walls. "Do you see them, Harry? They are here on his orders to kill you. You can't just run out there without a plan. It's suicide."

Harry growled with frustration as he leaned against the window sill, tipping forward so that his brow was pressed against the cold pain of glass. "He's out there, Hermione. I can feel him." He pounded his fist against the stone sill. "This has to end."

"Harry, mate. If you go out there, you're dead." The raven haired boy turned with surprise to his tall friend Ron. "Listen," the redhead set his large hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know you have to do this. We all know you have to do this. But I'm sure Dumbledore has a plan. Just wait a while and here what he has to say. After that…we won't try and stop you."

"Ron, how can you…"

"Hermione," Ron shook his head, cutting her off. "It's time. We can't live like this anymore. It's too hard on all of us. This has to end."

Tears swelled behind Hermione's chocolate brown eyes. Her breath hitched in her throat and her fists tightened to fists at her side in fury. "I hate him." She turned toward the window, taking several deep breaths as she tried to compose herself, but loosing the battle. "I hate him!" She screamed slamming her hands against the window pane with such force that it shattered.

"Hermione!" Ron jumped forward to pull her hands away from the broken glass before she could cut herself.

"It's not fair!" She screamed, pulling her hands free of Ron's strong grip. "It's not fair." She cried, the tears sliding heavily down her cheeks. "You shouldn't have to do this, Harry. We shouldn't have to do this. I hate him." Her voice cracked with strain. "I hate him for everything he's done to you. For what he did to my parents. And I hate him for what he did to Ron. I hate him. Do you hear me? I hate him. I want to kill him."

"Hermione." Ron reached out a hand to comfort her but she wrenched away from him, not allowing him to touch her. "When you face him Harry, I'm going to be there right beside you."

"Hermione, I can't let you do that."

"You can't stop me. I have just as much of a right to face him as you do. He tried to kill my parents. They won't talk to me because I choose you, Ron and magic over them. I'm going with you, Harry. And you can't stop me."

Lost on what to do, Harry turned pleading eyes to Ron. The red haired boy shook his head. "Sorry mate. She's right. I'm coming to."

"No." Harry shouted, making a slashing movement with his hand. "You're not coming with, neither of you."

"Shove it, Harry." Ron said angrily. "We've been there with you since first year. Did you really think that we were going to let you go off and face him alone now? Not bloody likely. You need all the help you can get."

"And what if you die?"

"What if you die?" Hermione shot back. "Do you think it would be any easier on us? I couldn't spend the rest of my life knowing that you died and I did nothing to try and save you. This isn't just your fight, Harry. It belongs to all of us."

"Potter, Granger, Weasley. Why aren't you in your common room?" The trio turned to see McGonagall barreling down the hall toward at them. "When you three didn't return to the common room I thought…" She stopped, taking a moment to compose herself. "It doesn't matter what I thought." She took a composing breath and pointed her finger down the long corridor. "Common room! Now!"

Under the Head of House's infuriated glare the three moved wordlessly down the hall. At the end of the short walk Harry muttered the password and the portrait swung open to reveal an almost empty common room. The sixth and seventh years were scattered about the room their eyes wide with fright and anxiety.

As soon as the old witch stepped into the room the door closed snuggly behind her. She waited patiently for Harry, Ron and Hermione to take a seat before she broke the tense silence that hung like a heavy blanket over the room.

"I'm afraid there's no easy way to say this. Some of you may be aware that there are Death Eaters on the grounds. They are trying to break their way into the castle as we speak." Several gasps were heard from the different corners of the room. McGonagall took a steadying breath before she continued. "We have already sent the younger students to a secure location off school grounds. Any of you who wish to follow will do so in a few minutes. Those of you who wish to stay and fight…will join the rest of us in the main fall in an hour to discuss battle tactics." Much to the surprise of the remaining Gryffindors, a silent tear slid down the strict woman's face. It was disheartening to see. No one could ever remember seeing McGonagall in any state less then stern. It hit a little to close to home to see her crying like this. "I'm so sorry to be asking this of you. Any of you." Her eyes lighted on Harry. "You're just children. You deserve to be children. And…I'm just so sorry that it's being taken away from you." Her old eyes wondered over the room, filled with sadness. "The Great Hall in one hour." Shocking her students further, she turned on her heal and fled the room, afraid that she would loose all vestiges of control and resort to a less then dignified manner in front of them.

The students watched the portrait hole close ominously. The group sat in silence for a few minutes, no one willing to break the awkward stillness that had settled over them. Unable to stand the tension a moment longer, Harry rose to his feet and strode towards the entrance.

"Harry," Hermione stood after him. "Where are you going?"

Harry turned his head and looked over his shoulder at her. "The Great Hall."

The portrait hole swung open once again and Harry disappeared. Ron and Hermione shared a short look before they two rose to their feet and chased after, catching him in the hall just outside the room. The others in the room sat there for a moment not knowing what to do. That was until Ginny Weasley pushed out of her seat.

"Neville," she turned to look at he boy who had been sitting next to her. "Are you coming?"

Two hours latter the entirety of the Gryffindor sixth and seven year returned to the common room with instructions to get a full nights sleep. Tomorrow was going to be one of the longest, most important days of their lives. Weary and mentally drained Harry, Ron and Hermione collapsed into their favorite chairs in front of the fire.

Harry leaned forward so that his chin rested on his folded hands as he stared into the bright orange flames. Over his shoulders he could feel his two best friends staring at each other and he had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. After all there months it never got old. He knew his friends thought him completely oblivious to what was going on between them, but he wasn't. He had known since the first day.

Harry looked from the depth of the flames to his two best friends who were trying, without success, to not look at each other. He knew what was going through their heads. It was the same thing that was going through his head. They could die tomorrow and what they all wanted was to spend one last night in the arms of the person they loved. The tension between his friends was so heavy he swore he could have cut it with a knife. Finally, after a heavy sigh his calm voice broke the silence. "Go."

Ron and Hermione's heads snapped towards him in surprise. "What are you talking about, Harry?" Hermione's voice shook with uncertainty.

Harry smiled sadly at his two friends. "I know."

"What are you talking about, Harry?" Ron asked, sharing a questioning look with Hermione who shook her head.

Harry sighed as he leaned back in his seat. "I've known all along. Ginny and I walked in on you two in the hospital wing last year. After Ron had been found. We've both known since the beginning." Harry looked up at them and smiled sadly. "You could have just told me you were together. It would have saved you the effort of sneaking off."

A laugh burst out of Harry's mouth when he saw the incredulous look on both Ron's and Hermione's face. "Why didn't you tell us you knew?" Without thinking Ron reached out and twined his fingers with Hermione's. The sight brought a sense of ease to Harry's soul. This is what they were fighting for. So people like Ron and Hermione would have a chance at a full life without fear of someone coming and trying to take it all away.

Harry shrugged a haphazard shoulder. "I know you did it for me. You thought I couldn't handle you two being together, that I would feel abandoned." Harry looked his two best friends in the eyes and saw the guilt manifested there.

"You two were meant for each other. I've always known that. You're stronger together than you are apart." He looked down at his hands, folded in his lap. "And I know it probably sounds selfish, but I needed that. I need you two strong. Besides," his eyes twinkled, "it was quiet fun watching you two squirm. Ginny and I made it our own personal mission to give you both as hard a time as we could until you cracked and told us." He chuckled lightly. "You two are harder to break then we thought. I should have known better."

Hermione released Ron's hand so that she could slip off her seat and kneel on the floor at Harry's side. "You really don't mind?"

Harry gave them the first real smile they had seen in a long time. "Of course not. How could I?" He rustled Hermione's hair playfully. "Just promise me something," he cast an embarrassed glance at the floor. "If I die tomorrow…" Hermione gasped in protest cutting him off, "If I die tomorrow," he repeated, "and you two make it and have tons of little Weasleys," both Ron and Hermione flushed red as they turned their heads away in embarrassment, "will you name one of them after me?"

Tears clung to Hermione's thick lashes as she reached up and cupped Harry's face tenderly. "We wouldn't dream of anything else."

The tears continued to course down Hermione's face as she leaned forward and wrapped her small arms around his shoulders, tucking her face into the crook of his neck. Her tears soaked the fabric of his robes as she sobbed out her terror and anguish. Knowing this could very well be the last time he ever hugged his best friend, he wrapped his arms securely around her and held her until her tears lessened and she pulled away.

When Hermione was back on her feet Harry stood up and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "You two go on." He nodded his head to the side. "I'll be fine."

Rising to his feet Ron stepped in front of him. "Harry…" began but stopped, his mouth gapping open not knowing what to say.

Harry stuck his hand out to grasp Ron's. "I'll see you in the morning."

Ron took his hand, but instead of shaking it he used it to pull Harry close and wrap him in a brotherly hug. "I know I'm not suppose to say this Harry," he said in a voice to low for even Hermione to hear, "but I love you, mate. I love you."

Harry hugged Ron close. "I love you, too." He held on a moment longer before playfully pushing Ron towards Hermione. "Now go shag you're girlfriend while you still have the chance."

Hermione blushed crimson, matching Ron and his hair to perfection. "Harry!" she gasped.

"Go." He plopped back in his seat laughing, "Before I change my mind and make you stay by my side all night."

Ron grinned his famous lop sided grin as he reached out to once again grasp Hermione's small hand. "Thanks, mate."

Harry watched Hermione and Ron's retreating backs until they disappeared through the portrait hole leading to the Head's Common Room. How cliché, he thought as he turned back to the fire with a chuckle. Harry couldn't remember a time when the Head Boy and Girl weren't a couple, and this year was no exception.

Ron and Hermione were two of the best Head Boys and Girls to ever come out of Hogwarts. With the war going it more responsibility had been put on their shoulders then anyone should ever have to shoulder. But they did. And they did it with strength and grace. Harry couldn't have been more proud of them.

"Why didn't you tell them about us?" A soft voice came from the shadows near the girl's stairwell.

Harry turned with a smile on his lips to the girl he knew was waiting on the bottom most step. He knew her voice anywhere. Ginny Weasley stood there, her arms crossed in front of her luscious breasts, her shoulder leaning against the stone wall.

"Because, I wouldn't need to worry about Voldemort killing me tomorrow if I had." Harry held his hand out toward her, cowing her to come and join him. "Ron would have taken care of that for him."

Ginny laughed knowingly as she glided into the room, taking his hand and sliding into his lap. She pressed a kiss to his lips as she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. Instinctually Harry's arms went around her waste and pulled her tightly against him, tucking her head into the crook of his neck. They sat like that fore a while, just holding onto each other, savoring the feel of each others touch.

Finally when she couldn't stand the silence anymore Ginny pulled away so that she could look into Harry's eyes. "Are you scared, Harry?" She ran her fingers lovingly through his jet black, untidy hair.

"Of what?" his hands came to rest securely on her waist.

A pause before, "Dying?"

Harry's brow scrunched a moment in thought. Reaching up he ran his fingers through the silk of Ginny's hair. "No. I'm not scared of dying. Dumbledore always said death was like going to sleep after a really long day."

"What are you scared of then?"

Harry ran his thumb lightly along her cheek. "I'm scared of loosing Ron and Hermione. I'm scared of loosing you." He twined his fingers in between hers and squeezed her hands tight. "I'm scared that I'll survive and you won't. I'm scared that I'm never going to see you walk down the isle towards me. And I'm scared that I'll never get a chance to see our children."

Ginny closed her eyes and tucked her head into Harry's shoulder. Silent tears slid from her eyes, wetting the front of Harry's cloak like Hermione's had done. "If you die Harry…I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't think I can go on living without you."

"Then I guess I just can't die tomorrow." His arms tightened around her. "Which means neither can you. Because I know I can't go on living without you." He tilted her chin up and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I love you, Ginny."

Ginny returned his kiss with slightly more urgency. "I love you too, Harry." Their lips met in a hungry kiss that grew with intensity each passing moment. With a groan Ginny finally pulled away. "Let's find somewhere private."

"What?" He looked at her with wide confused eyes.

Ginny ran a slim finger from his temple, along his jaw, down his throat and to his chest. "I love you, Harry," She said again. "I love you, and I want to be with you tonight."

Harry's eyes widened wider with understanding. He grinned at her awkwardly. Pulling his wand from his pocket he muttered, "Accio map" An old, weathered piece of paper sailed down from the boy's dormitory and into Harry's hands. With a wicked grin on his lips he tapped the map with his wand and said in an ironic lilt "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

---

With a final shout, the two Gryffindors collapsed with exhaustion against each other. Ron rolled onto his side, taking Hermione with him, and settled her securely into his arms. Hermione's arms went around him and pulled herself tight to his naked chest, tucking her head under his chin. A sigh of contentment slipped from her lips as the sweet warmth of Ron's body wrapped around her. No matter how many nights they spent in each others arms, the joy and novelty never seemed to dwindle, but seemed to only grow in intensity.

"That was amazing." His lips spread into his enchanting lopsided grin.

Hermione closed her eyes with a humm of content. "That was rather pleasant, wasn't it?"

"I don't think pleasant is the right word to describe it." Ron chuckled. "Bloody fantastic seems more fitting."

Hermione hid her flushed face against his chest. Ron reached down and gently grasped her chin, tilting her face up until she was forced to look in his eyes. "I love you, Mione." He grinned happily to himself. Even now he couldn't believe those three little words had been so hard at one time for him to say.

Hermione pressed a kiss against his chin. "I love you too, Ron."

She laid her bushy head on his chest and closed her eyes, willing herself to try and find as much sleep as her troubled mind could allow. She shifted her body to find a more comfortable position and suddenly her eyes snapped open with realization. "Oh my God, Ron." She used her hands to push against his chest as she bolted into a sitting position. Her right hand flew to her mouth in horror. "We forgot the contraceptive charm."

Ron's mouth o'ed for a moment before his features softened into a comforting smile. Gently he put his hands on her slim waist and pulled her back down into his arms. "I think we have bigger things to worry about right now." He said soothingly, running his large, callused hand through her frizzy hair. "For all we know, Mione, we might not make it past tomorrow." His hand settled on her flat stomach and a contented smile flashed across his face for a moment at the thought of Hermione carrying his child. He would be lying if he said he hadn't thought about it before. He wanted nothing more for the war to be over so that he and Hermione could settle down and start a family of their own.

"Don't say that." Hermione's voice cracked as she clutched painfully to his chest, his words provoking a primal fear inside her. The thought of loosing Ron was unbearable. She had only really had his love for such a short time, and couldn't bear the thought of being without it. Without him. Not again. It was too horrible.

Tears welled in her eyes as they clung tightly to one another. She wanted to marry him someday, have children with him, grow old with him. She wanted to live a full life with him and she couldn't do any of those things if either of them died tomorrow.

"Hermione?" Ron's gentle, deep voice broke the silence hanging heavily in the room. "I love you."

"I know." Her eyes slid closed, spilling salty tears on his chest.

"And if we make it through this…" Ron stopped to take a calming breath. "If we make it though this I want to marry you."

Slowly Hermione lifted her brown, tear filled eyes to meet his blue ones, surprised to find them glittering with tears as well. She took a shaky breath, passing her tongue over her dry lips before speaking. "Really? You want to marry me?"

Ron sat up, taking Hermione with him. Gently his hands lifted to cup her delicate face, brushing her tangled hair back out of her eyes. He stared deep into the chocolate brown depths. "There is nothing else in this world I want more than to make you my wife. I want to have kids Hermione." His hand once again made its way to her stomach and rested there. "Lots of kids. Little girls, with your bushy hair and eyes. And little boys with your bravery. I want all of them to be as smart as you. And as kind and loyal. Let's just hope they get my skills for Chess and Quidditch." Hermione chuckled through her tears, lowering her eyes slightly from his. "I want to watch along side you as they grow up. I want to send them here where they can have just as much fun as we had. But mostly," he forced her to look up into his eyes and see the wealth of emotion brimming there. Hermione's heart wrenched as a single tear slid down Ron's cheek. "I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you make me."

Hermione's eyes slid closed and silent tears ran down her cheeks. "Mione," he pressed a gentle kiss to her brow before tilting her face up with his thumbs to meet his gaze. "Say something." Ron coxed when her eyes remained closed and she had yet to speak.

Suddenly her eyes sprung open and she flung her arms around Ron's neck, tipping him back as her lips clung to his passionately. Instantly, Ron's arms went around her, tucking her tight to his body as they ravaged each others mouths hungrily.

When Hermione finally pulled back Ron stared up at her with his lopsided grin that was a sure way to make Hermione go weak in the knees. "So can I take that as a yes?"

Her lips spread into an even wider smile as she leaned down, cupping his face, and kissed him tenderly, putting into the kiss all the love she felt for him.

"I'm still not quiet sure if that was a yes or a no." Ron smiled impishly at her.

"Oh, shut up, Ron." She wrapped her arms around his neck, tucking her face into his shoulder. She nipped his ear playfully with his teeth. "Yes, Ron. There is nothing I want more in this world then to marry you."

Underneath her, she felt Ron's chest deflate as he sighed with relief, his arms unconsciously tightening around her. "Thank God." He pressed kisses to every inch of flesh he could reach. "I was so scared you were going to say no."

Hermione pulled back. "Why would I say no?"

Ron's eyes softened as he reached up to wind an arrant lock around his finger. "Because I don't deserve you. I'm not nearly good enough for you. I can't give you what you deserve in life. And a part of me fears every night that when I wake up in the morning I'll realize that this has all been just a wonderful dream." He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "You are the most perfect creature on this planet, and I feel truly humbled that you choose me above every one else. You could have done so much better."

Hermione broke into wrenching sobs, burying her face against his now cool chest. "Don't you say that, Ron. Don't belittle yourself like that. If anything I don't deserve you. You're so good and kind and brave. You almost died trying to save me and my parents." She shook her head against his chest. "I thank God every day for letting me find you. I don't know where I would be without you."

"Shh shh shh." Ron soothed, running his hand up and down the soft plane of her back. "Please don't cry Mione. I can't stand it when you cry."

Hermione took a shuddering breath. She knew how much her tears hurt Ron and would do almost anything to save him from that kind of pain. "Ron, I'm so sorry."

"Shh." He quieted her again by pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Let's not talk anymore tonight and just try to get some sleep. We're going to need it if we're to help Harry tomorrow." Hermione nodded and snuggled close to the warmth of Ron's body as he reached to the end of the bed and pulled the covers up so that it securely guarded both of their bodies from the cold.

"Oh shite." Ron sat up quickly, jolting Hermione out of her state if sleepiness. "I almost forgot." He reached over the side of his bed and rummaged on the floor for his trousers. Finding the familiar fabric Ron rolled over, taking the garment with him. Thrusting his fingers into the pockets, he extracted two glowing crystals suspended from delicate silver chains. Hermione's eyes locked on the crystals that both radiated an intense pink glow. Hermione reached out and grazed the smooth stone with her finger. The stone was warm to the touch.

"What is it?" Hermione gazed at the stone with wonder.

Smirking smugly. "For once I know something Miss Hermione Granger does not. Wish there was someone else here to witness it. No one is ever going to believe me."

"Ron, stop it." Hermione rolled her eyes affectionately at him. "Please tell me what is it?"

Ron flashed her his most devastating grin as he slipped one of the delicate chins over her neck and the other over his. He looked down at his twiddling fingers slightly embarrassed. "It's just something that I've been working on. You see," he reached out and lifted the crystal that hung in the hollow between her breasts, "These crystals work the same way as the clock back in the Burrow, except that they are honed on just you and me. Your crystal will tell you what I'm feeling. If I'm hurt, wounded, or …" he left the last word hanging in the air between them. He shook his head forcibly, "In the same way, my crystal will tell me the same about you. That way," his fingers slid between hers, "no matter what happens tomorrow, we will always know what is happening to the other."

Hermione nodded then lifted the stone to eye level. "What does pink mean?" Her eyes moved past the crystal to Ron's face that was know coloring slightly pink.

"I think that it means that we are happy, sedated and in love."

Hermione smiled before pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Ron."

The redhead said nothing, only wrapped his arms around his fiancé and snuggled back into the pillows, lying there awake until he was certain she had slipped peacefully into slumber before following her there.