She didn't know how she'd ended up separated from Harry and Ron.
One moment the three of them had been racing through the heart of the battle, after only nearly escaping the Room of Requirement.
The next she was locked in duel, fighting alongside Fred Weasley, her comrades nowhere in sight.
They'd had the upper hand, right up until the very moment the wall behind them had come tumbling down.
She'd been quick to throw up a shielding charm, only just managing to protect the two of them long enough for the rubble to be banished.
The moment they'd been freed, the two had parted ways.
He taking off in a mad dash after his twin.
She charging back into battle, no regard for her own life.
She bested the Death Eaters in duel after duel, not allowing one of them the slightest opportunity to gain the upper hand against her.
No matter how hard they looked, they could find no weakness in the witch.
She'd given up hours ago on sparing the lives of those stupid enough to raise their wands to her.
This was war.
Kill or be killed.
She'd rounded into a remote corridor, hoping to catch her breath, when she'd stumbled upon a duel she was positive ran much deeper than this battle.
A boy, a Slytherin, with his wand held up threateningly.
Across from him stood a Death Eater, a father, pleading with his son to join him.
"Stop this nonsense, Theodore, it's time to come home."
The death eater pleaded, and she watched from her hiding place as the boys wand faltered slightly.
"You don't get it, Father... Hogwarts is my home."
Father snarls at son, his wand coming into view for the first time since her arrival.
"Do you understand what you're doing? If you don't join us, join me, you'll be nothing more than a blood traitor in my eyes... just like your Mother."
The mention of his mother sends a shockwave through the boy, his wand now firmly aimed at his father.
"Blood never mattered to Mum, it doesn't matter to me either... I'll not be your pawn."
Snarling, the man prepares for battle.
"Have it your way."
She can't tear her eyes away as she watches father and son duel.
She's frozen to her spot, desperately trying to avoid being noticed by the pair...
...that is until Father starts to gain the upper hand, and it becomes clear son will be amongst the fallen if not assisted.
Rounding the corner, she stops a few steps behind the Slytherin and raises her wand.
His father, unprepared for her intrusion, has no time to prepare when the first of her hexes make way into the duel.
The Slytherin pauses, only for a moment, to glance behind him and see who was foolish enough to try and assist him.
His father was of the original followers of the Dark Lord, serving loyally since the first war.
Momentary shock registers on his face, but it's gone as soon as it appears.
Now is not the time to be shocked by Granger, he'd stopped being supersized by her bravery his first year.
The pair fall in sync quickly, and just as fast as the duel started it is over.
His father now motionless on the stone floor, never to rise again.
He'd expected her to turn her wand on him next, or to leave him to fend for himself.
Not to offer a hand in his direction and tell him to come on.
She wasn't daft.
Theodore Nott was only points behind her from being top of their year, and he was only third in dueling behind she and Harry.
The two had raced into battle, shocking all those who saw the unlikely alliance fighting back to back.
Always blocking the others blind spot.
They never left the others side, not even when the ceasefire was finally called.
The two returned to the great hall together, her hand clasped tightly around his to show he was with them.
With the light.
He'll never forget the scream that'd escaped her upon finding Ronald Weasley's body amongst the fallen.
He'd grabbed her tightly into his arms so she wouldn't collapse into a heap upon the floor.
This battle was far from over, she'd have to hold it together just a while longer.
"The snake. We've got to kill the snake."
She'd told him after collecting herself, dragging him over to Weasley's body and bending to collect a basilisk tooth from Weasley's pocket.
When Voldemort had returned to the castle, Harry Potters seemingly lifeless body in tow, he'd remained firmly at her side.
Even when Voldemort had called to him, pleading for him to join his ranks.
He'd simply clutched Grangers hand and shaken his head no.
He'd rather die than join something he didn't stand for.
It was Theodores refusal that had sparked courage within his housemates.
One by one those who thought they had no choice slowly began making theirs.
They'd merged with their professors and classmates, ready to fight to the death.
Hogwarts was their home too.
They knew they'd be fighting family and friends alike, but they'd have time to mourn the losses later.
This was war, every man for themself.
Longbottom had made a speech.
Potter had rolled out of the half giants arms.
And suddenly the battle had recommenced.
The two of them never strayed from each other, not even when they found themselves dueling classmates.
Faces they'd know since age eleven.
It was Theodore who had brought down Crabbe.
His dorm mate.
His friend.
His brother in all but blood.
Crabbe had raised his wand and fired a Crucio at Granger...
...and Theo had seen red.
He'd slain the boy without question.
Granger would survive this, it was the least he could offer.
After all, he owed her a life debt now.
The two had been dueling alongside Oliver Wood and a newly defected Adrian Pucey when Potter had finally brought down Voldemort.
The four of them had stopped, their opponents fleeing at the realization they'd lost.
It had been Granger who'd spoken up when the Ministry Officials had tried to arrest he and Pucey when the four of them had returned to the great hall.
She'd placed herself between the two of them and the Aurors, Wood quickly following her lead.
It was because of her that others began to speak up.
The Slytherins who'd defected at the last moment, who'd helped bring down Voldemort, earned their freedom thanks to Granger.
Pansy Parkinson had been shielded behind the Weasley Twins, the two of them stating she'd saved their lives against Bellatrix Lestrange.
Blaise Zabini found his saving grace in Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom, he'd turned his wand on the death eaters he'd been assigned with mid duel and joined the pair.
Marcus Flint couldn't even get a word out as Ginny Weasley pushed her way into the Aurors face, he'd taken a Crucio for her and given her he chance to take down Greyback.
Draco Malfoy was speechless when Harry Potter had stepped up for him, stating that without Draco throwing him a wand when he did then they'd all be dead.
Had Granger not found him when his father had him cornered, the others would've never switched sides.
It was because of her that he and his friends earned their redemption.
The two of them remained close throughout the trials following the battle, meeting for lunch daily for the remainder of the year.
The moment the last trial, Narcissa Malfoys trial, was over he'd asked her on a date.
She'd readily agreed.
Nearly five years after the final battle, after his redemption, the two were wed in a small ceremony outside the burrow.
Molly Weasley welcomed he and his friends with open arms.
It was because of them that three of her children had even survived the war.
As they stand before each other, reciting their vows to remain together for the rest of their time, they both can't help but think one thing.
Thank Merlin she'd gotten lost in battle.