The Longest Time

It was nearing the end of the new war with Voldemort. The entire school had been locked inside the castle, and could see as the Dark Lord and his followers worked tirelessly to break down the protective wards that surrounded the castle. Every day more and more of the Dark Lords followers showed up, and the frightened students had to watch as Death Eaters destroyed the grounds of their school. Finally, a week after showing up outside the grounds of Hogwarts, there was a great sound, like lightning that echoed throughout the halls of the ancient castle. Dumbledore's voice magically echoed through the classrooms moments later. "All students fifth year and below shall leave class and go to their common rooms. All students 6^th year and above shall meet in the entrance hall."

Harry, Hermione and Ron left their charms class, with Professor Flitwick leading the way. "You don't think You-know-who has finally broken through, do you?" Ron asked anxiously. He was paler than usual, and his freckles stood out more on his face.

"I think he may have." Harry replied, obviously as anxious as Ron. "I think that's why Dumbledore needs us. I think we're going to fight."

At these words, Hermione looked up into Harry's eyes. They had started dating at the beginning of seventh year, after the summer where she thought she would lose him. She had not heard from him at all that summer, and upon seeing each other at Kings Cross on September 1^st, all their bottled up feelings had come out. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"It isn't right." She sighed, "We haven't had a childhood, because we've always been fighting the Dark Lord. And now we have to battle with the others. It just isn't fair. I don't want the chance to lose you again, Harry."

Harry looked back at Hermione, grabbed her hand, and a moment later, they were in the entrance hall.

They gathered with the professors who were not looking after younger students and those involved in the Order of the Phoenix, witches and wizards from all walks of life that had volunteered to keep Hogwarts safe. And since the threat at the beginning of the year, their faces had been as common while walking down the halls as those of the professors.

When they were all there, Dumbledore took a deep breath, and began, "Our job is to protect the school, the younger students and the building itself. This building is a symbol to many of our kind throughout Britain. If Hogwarts should fall, then many witches and wizards all over will give up hope. We cannot let this happen. All those who feel prepared to fight should do so. Those who feel that they cannot fight should help those that need help. But everyone here is fighting for Hogwarts and our way of life."

Most who were there felt that the last statement had been aimed at the Slytherin students, who hadn't been too happy with Dumbledore since the return of Voldemort after the Triwizard Tournament, but one thing was able to change their mind. Draco Malfoy stepped forward and said, "I will be fighting for Hogwarts, and all its students." As he did this, the rest of the Slytherin 7^th years murmured among themselves, and then began to step up behind him and intone their agreements. Hermione had suspected that Draco's sudden change of heart was because of an owl he received from his mum only days before. His father, the premier Death Eater, was dead at Voldemort's hand.

Dumbledore nodded, and opened the great oak door that lead out to the grounds. It was raining a slowly and steadily. As they all stepped out, Harry squeezed Hermione's hand. He whispered in her ear, "No matter what happens, I'll always love you, and I'll always come back for you. Remember that."

Hermione had looked up in his eyes, and gave him a quick kiss just before they stepped onto the great field in front of the castle.

Voldemort was there with his Death Eaters, and other creatures that had joined the dark side. He yelled up to Dumbledore, "I see you have your students fighting for you. Pity that they must die also. Pity that your school will not be here this time tomorrow." With that, he laughed a cold, high laugh, and then yelled, "Death Eaters, attack!"

His minions ran forward, and with that the battle began. Students, members of the order, professors, Death Eaters and dark creatures began throwing curses, hexes and all sorts of spells at each other. Wherever Hermione looked, she could see people falling. A few diligent students (mostly Hufflepuffs) stayed behind the front lines and tended to those students who had been hurt. Hermione threw every jinx and hex she knew at the group of Death Eaters rushing towards her, and along with all those fighting for Hogwarts, she was able to slow them down a bit. Using a second of time, she looked around for Harry, and saw him and Voldemort battling their way towards a hill a short ways away. She could no longer hear anything that was going on, only the deafening roar of battle.

But suddenly, there was a blast of green light, and everyone turned to where both Voldemort and Harry had been standing. But there was no longer anyone standing over there. Hermione abandoned her fight and began to run. Every second that passed she heard herself say over and over again in her head, 'He can't be dead, he can't be dead.' After what seemed like years of running, she was the first to reach the hill, and the first to see the sight that was more horrible than anything she could ever have imagined.

To her left was the body of Lord Voldemort, lying prone, eyes glassy, and most certainly dead.

To her right, there was nothing. Harry Potter had vanished from the earth, leaving nothing but the prints of his shoes in the mud.