Chapter Text
Ron held Hermione’s hand as they ran through the castle, stumbling and slipping, grabbing each other for balance. For the last 48 hours, they survived solemnly on adrenaline and their Gryffindor courage, but they were running low on both. Harry was alive. Many Death Eaters ran for their lives when Harry jumped to his feet from Hagrid’s grasp, including the Malfoys. Ron noticed Draco’s silver hair amidst the commotion as he hurried towards his parents and away from the battle. However, the remaining Death Eaters, Voldemort’s most loyal entourage, roared with anger and swiftly commenced attacking the brave few defending the castle. Ron entered the great hall, but then quickly retrieved, pulling Hermione to his side as a curse flew by where he just stood. Hermione squeezed his hand and he nodded in agreement. She jumped to the other side of the entrance and glanced inside.
“Your mom and Ginny are at the professors’ table battling Bellatrix. Kingsley is on the far right dueling with two Death Eaters and - ”
“I saw.” Ron interrupted her. “R-Rookwood and Aberforth…” He could not finish his thought as a cloud of immense sadness and anger settled on his shoulders and he lost his footing, sliding down alongside the wall.
“Ron!” he didn’t notice when she jumped back to his side. “Ron! You got this, you can do this, we can do this… Together.” She set all her effort into pulling him up again, her voice rising above the noise of the battle like a much-needed wake-up call. He shook his head with determination as he rose back to his feet holding her by the elbows. Without a second thought, he pulled her close and kissed her on the lips and she responded instantly.
“In case you had any doubt I didn’t feel the same in the Room of Requirement.” He said as he pulled away a few seconds later. He gently shoved her to stand next to him, backs against the wall. The noises inside the great hall grew in volume as the remaining defenders seemingly grouped and cornered the Death Eaters. He gazed towards the entrance, not willing to lock eyes with her as the words he needed to say to her lay heavy on his lips.
“Hermione, you need to know something in case I don’t get out.” Fred’s lifeless face flickered in front of his eyes for a mere second before he continued, “Hell, I hope this is not the last thing I ever say to you, but if it is, well, I am glad to finally say it so you know…” She pulled his hand and forced him to turn.
“No. You do not get to say it. We are going in now; tell me after we have won, yes?” She said determined. He nodded and they were about to enter the hall when a deafening blast shot them back against the wall.
“What in the bloody hell -” Ron grabbed the back of his head and looked bewildered at his blood-stained hand. Hermione pulled him from the wall towards the castle’s main entrance.
“Look! There!” She pointed towards the green and red lights emitting from outside. The commotion in the Great hall came to a stand as they felt a rush of people push past them towards the entrance. As he glanced back to better understand the situation unfolding around him, he saw Bellatrix pull Rookwood from the rubble and disappear behind the back door. A jolt of anger fueled his body with energy he didn’t think he had as he tried to push and run after them, but Hermione and the river of fellow students, teachers, and Order members dragged him outside. Ron turned his head and blinked to adjust his eyes to the strong red and green light. There stood Voldermort and his best mate, wands locked. Slowly but steadily the red was overpowering the green and pushing back. Nobody moved, but everybody held the hand of the person standing next to him or her in an eerie and expectant silence.
“You got him, Harry.” They said in unison, their gaze never leaving their best friend. The knuckles on their entwined hands turned white as they watched the Dark Lord take his last breath.