Sent Diligo

(A/N:) I am SO sorry for not updating for like, forever! But there was a storm and the computer where I keep all my story files was struck dead, and we lost internet access, and then i went to a camp... you get the picture. so i'm really sorry and I might have more grammar/spelling mistakes, cuz this computer's microsoft word doesn't work, and there's no spellcheck on wordpad (at least not that i know of). So once again, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but hopefully it wasn't as bad since you could occupy yourselves with the sixth harry potter book... XD

BTW - I'm having one of my stupid moments. Is "eighth" spelled correctly (as it's coming up in the story)! lol...

Disclaimer: I don't own HP.

Thanks to Aquafairy, Antanaqui, Raye Wolfe, Isy Black, guilty until proven innocent, Mistress of the Red Kiwi, the girl trapped in a dream, mysteriouscharm, greenday409, and Kandygurl4 for reviewing!

Aquafairy: sorry, I can't really put any of those three endings together... it's mainly the last paragraph that makes them funny/sad/happy, y'know?

From Chapter Thirteen:

Hermione glared. "Since when did you care about the truce?" Without waiting for a reply, Hermione walked over to the Gryffendor table. She was soon greeted by Harry and Ron, but no matter how hard Hermione tried to smile at seeing her friends, she couldn't.

A single tear fell from her eyes and splashed on the golden plate before her.

Chapter Fouteen: Shoved in Depths

"Hermione?" Harry asked. "Are you okay?"

Hermione stifled a sob and nodded. "Y - yes, I'm great," she said, blinking back tears. She forced out a small smile and a nervous laugh. "It's great to see you guys. I've missed you. I don't know what I'd do without you if I'd been stuck in Pentalis for another week."

Ron nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean," he said mournfully. "I don't know what I'd do without me, either." Hermione rolled her eyes while Harry shook his head pitifully.

"What have we been learning in class?" Hermione choked out. Ron shook his head and Harry sighed.

Groaning, Harry said, "Trust Hermione to bring up schoolwork the moment she's back in the real world." Shaking his head sadly in a joking manner, he continued, "The eighth world wonder. Tsk, tsk."

Hermione scowled. "I've been behind by schoolwork I swear I'll need another time turner in order to catch up!" she protested. Ron arched his eyebrows.

"Really? C'mon, you're the smartest in the whole bloody school!" Ron said. Hermione blushed and scooped a scoop of mashed potatoes onto her plate. Draco watched from the distance, behind the open doors of the Great Hall, not ready to enter, just watching, silently, as he felt his heart break as glass shatters, falling apart into millions of small pieces that could never be put together again. He tore his eyes away from Hermione and sighed. He ran a hand through his hair, reminding himself to gel it back later, slowly walking over to the Slytherin table.

He seated himself down and shut his eyes closed, blocking out the shrill shriek of "Draky-poo!" When he opened them again, he found an owl pecking at his dish. Looking around, he noticed that many people were staring at the letter and the package of sweets curiously, finally deciding it was his mother's gift for staying alive in Pentalis with "Mudblood Granger". It wasn't the normal time for owl post; he looked hopefully over to the Gryffendor table and saw Hermione determinedly looking everywhere but in his direction, trying to distract herself by talking with Harry and Ron. He grabbed the package and walked back to the Slytherin's dormitories, pacing himself to out walk Pansy's hopeless skipping.

The moment he reached his room, he slammed the door shut, throwing the parcel aside onto his bed, not even caring what was in it, only to realize that his bed was gone. He looked around the room - everyone else's beds were there! Why was his gone? Just because he was stuck in Pentalis for a little while didn't mean they had the right to his things! Wait til Father hears about this! Draco thought, then biting it back. He didn't care about Father anymore. He wouldn't grow up to be like him. Instead of hexing everything to oblivion, he forced himself to find the meaning behind it.

When he reached Snape, he couldn't help it anymore. "Where's my bed?" he said, every word dipping with ice. Snape looked up.

"It's been moved." Snape placed the piece of parchment he was working on into a file on his desk. "While you were gone, we realized that this year, Slytherin had more first years than most, and we ran out of space. Unfortunately, the four founders didn't think to expand the castle when necessary." Snape frowned. "Right before your arrival, we were able to arrange it so that there would be room for your bed, but all the beds were filled. Because of some - certain - spells cast upon Hogwarts, it may take from several days to weeks before we are able to conjure you a new bed."

Draco stared, trying his best to contain his anger. "Then where do I sleep?" he asked coldly.

Snape pointed his wand at the file, murmuring, "Dupliikatio." A file exactly like the original appeared beside it. "Room of Requirement," Snape said simply. "It will be closed from public until both you and Miss Granger are able to receive your own beds."

Draco's heart quickened at the sound of Hermione's name. "Her - Granger?" Draco repeated.

Snape nodded, putting away the original file. "You could say we reached desperate needs for beds when we took a Gryffendor's bed." Snape looked over the extra file. "Any questions?" Draco shook his head. "Good day. Mister Malfoy, please take this to Professor McGonnagal." Draco nodded and took the file from Snape's hand, walking down the corridors.

Draco smiled for a moment as he walked down the halls, but of course, like everything else, all dreams had to end.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione was slightly running down the corridors, just in front of Harry and Ron. She wished for them to hurry up, but of course, they found no reason to. Just as she turned the corner, she looked back to tell them to walk faster, but before she could finish, she bumped into someone. As she fell, she murmured a short "sorry" before getting up. Looking at the person she had just ran into, she felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly regained her composure and glared. "Get out of the way, Malfoy." He just stood there, smirking.

He held a file between his fingers. "Give this to McGonnagal," Draco said, handing her the file before turning around and leaving. Hermione just stared, dumbfounded, at his retreating back. At that precise moment, Harry and Ron rounded the corner, seeing the look on Hermione's face and Malfoy strutting away. Assuming the worst, Ron began to yell after him.

"MALFOY! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?" Ron shouted. Malfoy didn't even react to his catcalls.

"No, no, Ron, it's okay!" Hermione said quickly, grabbing his arm. "He didn't do anything!" Ron shook her arm off.

"Let me at him," Ron snarled, chasing after him. Hermione rounded on Harry.

"Harry!" she pleaded. "Help!" Harry gazed sadly from Hermione's upset face to the back of Ron's fuming head. Harry shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands in surrender, remaining neutral. Hermione sighed despairingly, looking frantically over to Ron's direction. "Please, Harry! I need you to help!"

Harry sighed and shook his head. "When Ron's out, he's out. I can't contain him," he said softly. Hermione sighed again and nodded her head, understanding Harry's reasoning, though her heart was still unsettled.

Hermione looked at the file in her hands. "I should go find Professor McGonnagal," she whispered, turning away. Harry nodded as he gazed helplessly at the duel between Ron and Draco, waiting to bring one of them to the Hospital Wing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Professor," Hermione said, handing McGonnagal the file. "Draco Malfoy told me to give this to you."

McGonnagal took the file, going through it. "Mmhmm, yes. I shall inform Professor Snape about this later, thank you very much, Miss Granger." McGonnagal nodded at Hermione and left as Hermione walked back to the Gryffendor common room and back to her bed for a rest.

In the common room, however, she saw that Ron was back, fuming. She promptly ignored him and headed to the girls' dorm. "Hermione!" Ron called out. Hermione kept on walking. "You can't ignore me forever, y'know!"

Hermione stopped short. Draco had said the same thing. Her heart was torn. Suddenly, her eyes began to blaze as she turned back to Ron. "Why can't I ignore you if you ignored me? Ron, you never think. You never listen. You know what? I'm tired of it. I'm tired of you. Ron, just - just go!" Hermione spun around and stormed up the steps. Ron rounded on Harry, who had just came in from the portrait hole.

"What the hell was that about?" he said angrily.

Harry shrugged. "But y'know, Hermione was right, sometimes you should try and control that temper of yours." Harry, too, began retreating to the boys' dorm.

Ron glared at Harry's back. "That's MALFOY we're talking about!"

Harry turned around. "We're not talking about anything anymore, Ron. We're done for now." Harry continued up the steps as he listened to Ron's voice, fading away as he walked higher and higher up the tower.

"FINE! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU TWO ANYMORE! TRAITORS! IT'S STINKING SLYTHERIN FERRET-FACE MALFOY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND YOU'RE JUST SITTING BACK AND RELAXING? I DON'T THINK SO! YOU KNOW IT, SOMEDAY YOU'RE GOING TO COME BACK BEGGING FOR ME TO FORGIVE YOU, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL! YOU - " The rest of Ron's yells were drained as Harry slammed the door shut, collapsing upon his bed, closing his eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Malfoy had been walking to the Slytherin common room back from the Hospital Wing when Snape informed Draco that he would not be sharing a room with Hermione.

FLASHBACK

"We have been able to acquire a single bed, unfortunately it came in Gryffendor colors, nasty red and gold, so you will be able to have the entire of the Room of Requirement to yourself. Miss Granger will be staying in the Gryffendor Tower," Snape said.

Malfoy stopped short. "What?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"We have been able to - "

"No, before that."

Snape stopped. "There's nothing before that."

Draco blinked. "I mean after that."

"It came in Gryffendor colors?"

"After that."

"Nasty red and gold?"

"After that, too."

Snape thought. "You get the entire of the Room of Requirement to yourself?" Draco nodded, satisfied, staring in shock as Snape left. Hermione. The voice inside his head echoed her name out, sweet and softly. He had been looking forwards to the night all day, just to see her, maybe talk to her and get things better. He couldn't live without her. If only she gave him another try, another shout...

But she had already given him more chances than he needed. He screwed up big time, and he could only hope in his heart that everything would be all right in the end, like happily ever after's in fairy tales. What he wouldn't give to be living in a fairy tale with Hermione right now, but his life was far from it. Growing up with Lucius, pleasant endings seemed so distant and unreal.

Draco started back to the Room of Requirement, shaking his head.

It was his life that was unreal. He needed to wake up before it was too late, but it was impossible to wake up when you're already wide awake in all ways possible. He already knew his feelings. He needed to tell her. He needed to spell it out for her. He needed to... but he couldn't. Some things were just too late.

Whoever said 'it's never too late' would just have to be proven wrong. This was the real world. Chances come, and chances go.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione was in the library, books laid in front of her. She was rereading the same sentence over and over again. She couldn't concentrate - she had too many things on her mind. Ginny entered the library, scanning the tables, finally walking over to Hermione.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked softly. Hermione looked up. Ginny sighed and started rambling. "Look, I'm really sorry about Ron and all, he's just got a huge temper and he's overprotective, but he'll get over it, I know it. Just don't put yourself down because of him, he really - well, that's just his attitude. It's really tiring, but he'll understand sooner or later! I tried talking to him, but he - "

"Ginny," Hermione cut in, "it's not really Ron. It's more about Draco."

Ginny looked up, surprised. "What?"

"It's just that - " Hermione began, flustered. She broke off and tried again. "You know the play? It's about how two mortal enemies become lovers, right? So Draco and I started out as mortal enemies, but we were actually sent into the play. Thus - "

"You really fell in love," Ginny mused, realization dawning upon her. She thought about it, a smile playing at her lips. (A/N: I would make Ginny mad too, but with Ron already separating himself from Hermione and with Draco hurting Hermione, I thought it would be a huge disappointment if that happened, so I decided just to make her a bit more OOC, like most everyone else. Lol.) Hermione nodded. "Then why are you sad? Are you worried about Harry's reaction, or - "

FLASHBACK

The two were walking back to the common room, an awkward silence in between them. Hermione glanced nervously at Harry, wondering how to shape her words.

"Err, Harry?" Harry looked up at her. "Err, you know how I was sent into the play with Draco, and the play's a romance?" Harry nodded, smiling wryly.

"You fell in love?" Hermione nodded hesitantly. "It's okay," he said. "I expected it. I told Ron about it, too, but he stopped talking to me. He's taking it pretty harsh."

Hermione laughed dryly. "That's putting it lightly." She thought for a moment. "So you're okay with it?"

Harry sighed. "I'm not pleased with it myself, but I can handle. It's best for you, anyways."

Hermione nodded, her thoughts in the distance. But he never loved me back. The words ran through her head, almost coming to her mouth, but she managed to hold them back.

END FLASHBACK

"No, it's not Harry," Hermione said. "He handled it well. It's not anything, like how the school would accept it, though it may be a problem, but... not anymore." Hermione looked down at the book she had attempted to read earlier.

"What do you - "

"It's just that - you see - " Hermione stopped again, taking in a deep breath. "Well, I asked him... and he said no." If there was someone else in the picture...

That was all Ginny needed. Her side of redheaded fury surfaced as her eyes bubbled with anger. "WHAT?" she yelled. Madame Pince glared in their direction.

"If you can't keep quiet in the library, then shoo!" she said, pointing them towards the door. They hastily left, gathering their things up. On their way out, Hermione was certain she heard Ginny murmur, "And look who's the one yelling now."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next morning during breakfast, Hermione stabbed her food with her fork. Harry and Ginny looked at her nervously.

"Eat something, Hermione," Harry urged, putting some bacon onto her plate.

"I'm not hungry," Hermione repeated dully, continuously stabbing her pancakes. Harry and Ginny exchanged glances. Ginny shrugged and laid a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"You need to eat, Hermione. Look. Things will get better with Draco sooner or later - "

Harry gave Ginny a sharp glance. "What?" Hermione didn't notice; she was too consumed in her new food-murdering hobby. Ginny mouthed, "I'll tell you later" as the owl post arrived. They returned to their food, giving one last glance at Hermione.

Plop. Hermione finally looked up from her pancakes. A school owl had dropped her letter in pumpkin juice. Hermione took the letter out of her goblet, scanning to the bottom, which was signed 'Draco L. Malfoy." Suddenly nervous, Hermione dropped the letter from her hands, her heart pounding. "Oh no..." she whispered. Ginny looked over, picking the letter up.

"Oh," Ginny murmured as she saw the problem. She began to read the actual letter, smiling slightly as she came to the bottom. She glanced over to the Slytherin table, but Draco was missing. Frowning, she handed it over to Hermione. "It's okay," she assured her. Giving one last look at the Slytherin table, she continued, "I'll be back later. I - I have a test in Charms today and I need to double-check... err, I'll see you at lunch..." Ginny awkwardly left the table, leaving Hermione with the letter in her hand.

She sighed. She really didn't want to read the letter Draco had sent to her. Hermione closed her eyes shut. "Harry, I'll be going too." She opened her eyes and left the Great Hall as Harry looked at the bacon on Hermione's plate.

"Well, I guess it's just you and me now, bacon. A famous living wizard and a piece of... fried dead pork. Tell me, what do you think of Quidditch?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Giving one small frustrated scream, Hermione threw out her luggage and crammed the letter in the corner of the suitcase below her books that wouldn't fit on the bookshelf. She pushed the suitcase back below her bed, sitting beneath the canopy. She closed her eyes, her head resting against the wooden peg. Her voice quivering, she whispered into the morning air, "You don't know how much you hurt me." She blinked back the tears that threatened to come out, getting up off the bed and walking to Transfiguration, meeting up with Harry on the way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Draco watched from behind a column as Hermione walked down the corridors smiling, in a deep conversation with Harry. He sighed and looked away, feeling a pang of guilt and jealousy. Did Potter take his place? He wanted to be the one talking and smiling with Hermione. He wanted to walk down the halls with her and avoid getting stairs. He needed her. From the back of his head, a voice said, She's over you, mate. She's moved on. You're out of her life - you're a goner. You're back to the cold-hearted Slytherin she knew you as since her first year.

His heart broke, but he still protested. Hermione wasn't over him. She still loved him. She couldn't stop thinking about him... but that was his selfish side speaking. He knew that he should move on, too, but he just couldn't live without her. I can try. He gave a final glance at Hermione. She hadn't gone and searched for him, or even attempted to talk to him, for that matter, after he sent the letter. Gazing sadly at her smiling face, he whispered out to her, "Good bye."

He turned around abruptly and headed down to Ancient Runes, his wandering gaze looking for Pansy. He never liked her; he hated her, but he just needed to get his mind off of things. Smirking inwardly, he thought, Poor girl. Doesn't even know I'm using her.

He had given up on drinks when it caused him to get the Cruciatus Curse from his father for ending up in some Mudblood's room. Draco scolded himself - he wouldn't use the word again. He lost Hermione once with a single word. God, I'm turning soft now. My world revolves around her. He promptly ignored his thoughts and tried to think of useless things like what a lovely shade of blue the sky was today, or what the color of the grass was. It's a lush deep forest green with a smooth, glossy look, but where the sun hits it it's the color the shirt Hermione was wearing Tuesday... He sighed, shaking his head, deciding to skip Ancient Runes. It was useless, anyways.

He went into the closets to look for Pansy. He could show Hermione that he could move on, too. He could show Hermione that he wasn't helpless. He could show Hermione that he could at least pretend that she was nothing in his life.

What he didn't know was that he was going to show Hermione the deepest circle of hurt and pain that the world could offer.

The next day, it was news to the whole school that Draco was getting on with Pansy. It came to a real shock to most everyone - practically the entire school (save Pansy and a few others) expected him and Hermione to be together, due to the long "vacation" in Pentalis. As word traveled fast in Hogwarts, by the time Draco entered the Great Hall for breakfast, he saw Hermione in a deep conversation with Ginny. He glimpsed something in her eyes – were they tears? Draco shrugged the thought off, smirking to himself, noticing that Potter wasn't anywhere nearby.

"Come on, Draky-poo, why are you staring at that treacherous Mudblood?" Pansy scolded, dragging him over to the Slytherin table by his elbow. Draco clenched his fists, using all self control not to punch Pansy in for calling Hermione 'Mudblood.' Well, calling him 'Draky-poo' deserved a fist, too.

They sat down at the Slytherin table, Pansy drooling all over him. Carrying on his act with an ache in his heart, he smirked. He didn't acknowledge the pair of chocolate brown eyes that were staring at him from the Gryffendor table, tears trickling down her face.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione ran out of the Great Hall towards the Gryffendor Tower. Ginny glanced at the Slytherin table, murmuring an "oh, no." She raced out of the Great Hall, following Hermione, murmuring all the way.

"Hermione!" Hermione didn't stop running. Ginny sighed, taking out her wand. "Petrificus Totalus." Hermione froze and collapsed to the ground, where Ginny quickly ran over to the place where Hermione laid, grabbing her by the wrist. With a flick of her wand, Hermione was back to normal.

"Let go of me, Ginny!" Hermione shouted, getting up and trying to pry Ginny's fingers from her wrist.

Ginny shook her head. "Sorry, Hermione, but no." Hermione glared. "Look," Ginny began, sighing. "I'm guessing it's all a misunderstanding. He probably gave up on you, like I gave up Harry, but… Hermione, I'm sure he still loves you. He admitted it in the letter… in the letter that he sent you."

Hermione shook her head. "I don't believe in lies."

Struck in surprise, Ginny's grip loosened. Taking the advantage, Hermione began to race down the corridor. A tear fell from Ginny's eyes as she breathed, "Hermione…"

From behind a column, a pair of emerald green eyes watched, hardly believing what he was seeing.

Author's Note: I'm expecting only one or two more chapters to complete the story, or else zero and have very long endings, and then the two alternate endings. I feel so happy to be able to be so close to finishing this story! Thanks to everyone for reading/reviewing so far, as you're all great support and encouragement, even though this wasn't the best chapter. Thanks!

And this is the last chapter where you can vote on seeing first the sad, happy, or humorous ending. The runner-up will be the first alternate ending, and the losing choice will be the second alternate ending -- jsyk!

Poll Results:

happy ending: 3 votes

sad ending: 1 vote

humorous ending: 1 vote

this is one of the last chapters to vote so vote if you haven't yet! and we need a tie-breaker for the 2nd place one. review and say which one you'd prefer to read earlier. if you voted for the sad/humorous ending, you can vote again! (default will be sad ending. hehe!)

and for my earliest poll, almost everyone voted for hermione and draco to stay together, so i don't really need any more votes for that. the poll result will apply for the happy and humorous ending, but the sad one will, well, be sad. lol.