Change of heart – part four
It was even worse than ever now. Her will to live was ay its all time low. How could Ron hurt her so? He knew how she felt, and she was free to love whom ever she wished. It had been a week since the encounter and Ron hadn't spoken to her since. He didn't even acknowledge her presence in a room. Hermione was like the invisible girl, and she felt like one too. Draco, Harry and Lavender tried to cheer her up, but she already slipped deep into her shell. The shell of her loneliness, unhappiness. This shell was the way she showed her depression. After a while, she stopped worrying about Ron and buried herself in her studies. Always in the library or in the common room, her nose glued to her books. Hermione altogether stopped doing activities with her friends and started to neglect Draco.
One Sunday evening while Hermione was headed to the Gryffindor tower.
"Hermione, wait up, we need to talk." She didn't stop. Draco ran up to her and grabbed her arm before she could get away.
"What's going on? You seem like you forgot what to do with yourself." Draco said in a soft but worried voice. She just stared at him as if he was foreign to her.
"I don't know what I did that was so wrong?" she said in a dazed so of state.
"What did you do that was so wrong? Hermione you have to talk to me or I can't help you." Draco had a concerned look on his face.
Hermione just stared into space as if no one had spoken to her. Getting a little pissed off Draco said….
"Well when you've decided to speak to me, tell me." And he walked off without a second glance.
**-**
Life was getting unbearable for Hermione. No one was talking to her and neither was she. Spending all of her time in the library or in the common room just staring into space. Falling asleep with a tear stained face was a now normal and familiar occurrence for her. But this also gave her the time to think and clear her head. To sort things out. To striated her emotions. Hermione hardly thought of Draco, but of Ron. Ron obscured all of her senses. It was almost painful to think about him. Want him. But not being able to have him. He treated her like scum. Giving her dirty looks whenever they passed in the hallways.
"Ron, don't you think this has gone far enough?" Harry pleaded with him. Hermione look their way, but quickly turned her head towards the floor. Knowing Ron, he wouldn't let it slip that easily. He was bull headed.
"I don't think so." And he walked of.
"Hermione? Are you listening to me?" she jerked her head to the person speaking to her.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry Draco, I was a little preoccupied. What were you talking about."?
"So know your speaking to me!" he said a little nastily. Hermione just looked at him with a puzzled expression. She had been to wrapped up with Harry and Ron to notice he was even there.
"I was saying that we should take a break. You know let you figure out what you want because you haven't been yourself lately. When you know what you want and you can put your whole heart into this relationship, tell me." He walked off. She smiled weakly.
"Just what I need. For everyone to abandon me." Hermione thought with a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
**-**
In professor McGonagall's office….
"Hemione, how have you been feeling lately?" She asked with concern.
"Fine I guess. Why do you ask?" she said trying to look happy but with no success.
"Because you seem preoccupied and your grades have gone down a great deal. Would you care to explain why?"
"I can't. I'm sorry, I'll try to stay more focused on my work"
**-**
About a week later….
"Hey Ron, have you seen Hermione?" it was diner and Harry hadn't see her since the previous night. To be more accurate no one in the school had see her that day. Harry had spent the day asking around. The first person had been Draco and he had no idea. It was really frustrating because you never knew when it came to Harry and his friends.
"Nope, sorry. It's not like her to skip classes and not show up for the whole day."
"I know. She did even leave and explanation or a note or anything for that matter."
All of a sudden the great Hall went quiet. Harry and Ron looked up at the professors table and saw Dumbledore rise from his seat. He only did this in times of great sadness.
"I come before you today to deliver a devastating reality." He turned then to the Gryffindor table. Harry though he saw something in his eyes but wasn't sure.
"She was one of the best students Hogwarts has ever seen. But I'm sadden to say that she other problems that she was unable to cope with alone. But now her suffering has ended. We found Miss Hermione Granger in her room this morning." At this information Harry, Ron and Draco rose from their seats, opened mouths and walk to the middle of the Great Hall. Draco spoke up first.
"What are you getting at? That she's dead?"
"Yes Mr. Malfoy"
"But headmaster, their must be some mistake, we just saw her yesterday and…" Ron dropped his head not knowing what to say next.
"And she was fine yesterday." Harry finished.
"I'm sorry to say but I am not mistaken. I couldn't believe it at first but I am surely not mistaken. She also left a letter for me to read to the school. It goes as such:
To the
Hogwarts student body and staff,
I'm forever sorry to bring on the burden of my death
during a difficult time. But to ease
the pain, I have a few last words to explain my decision. I guess the first
thing you would like to know is WHY? Well I was under a lot of pressure and
stress, but that still doesn't give a good enough answer. It started over last summer; I became very
depressed for unknown reasons. My
parents sought out the best doctors to help treat my condition, but with no
avail. They thought that maybe if I
returned to Hogwarts my condition would improve. At first it was going good, I had great friends, Harry, Ron, and
Draco. Draco, you were the greatest
thing to ever happen to me. You gave me
extra confidence, and not to mention you were an awesome kisser. (This brought a little smile to his face,
which quickly subsided as the Headmaster continued to read.) Then there was Harry. Harry, you were always there for me no
matter what. I hope you enjoy life to
it's fullest. You deserve everything,
and maybe you should pay a little more attention to a little red headed girl
who loves you. (Harry turned his
head and motioned for Ginny to join him in the middle of the Great hall. She did and he wrapped his arms around
her.) Ron, I'm sorry if I've caused
you pain. My only regret was that we weren't friends till the end. You have no idea the torment you caused me
to go through. You drove me insane. I
know you were in love with me but the truth remains that I wasn't. I was in love with your nemesis Draco
Malfoy, but in return he also broke my heart. To know that he was so near but that I couldn't touch him or hold him
was more than I could bear. I'm sorry
if I've cause all of you pain, but it still remains that it was my
decision. And in that instant it seemed
the best. To the Hogwarts staff, I know
you're probably disappointed in me to do such a foolish thing. I had a great time, I learned so much and
your library was like heaven for me. I just wish that I could have read its
entity. I have one final wish; please
tell my parents that I was happy. Tell them I love them and that it's all for
the best. And if it wouldn't be too
much trouble, I would like my body to be buried on the Hogwarts grounds. Just please don't blame yourselves.
I love you all and best of luck in the future. Till we
meet again
Hermione Granger
Dumbledore seated himself, whipping the tears from his face. Harry, Ron, Draco and Ginny were still standing in the middle of the Great Hall.
"So what's next?" Draco asked, his voice wavering the slightest bit.
"Well Mr. Malfoy, we will have a burial ceremony for Miss Granger. I would also like it if you four would take tomorrow to walk around the grounds to find the perfect resting place for her."
"One more thing professor…"
"Yes Miss Weasley?"
"Would we be able to see her one last time?"
"Sure, if it will ease the pain. She's up in the hospital wing." The four of them left.
**-**
the is the end of my story, but in the next chapter will be the thoughts of various characters.