Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor have I ever. This story is
strictly for viewing pleasure, and no copyright infringement is intended. I
am extremely frustrated for obeying the rules, and other authors go ahead,
disobey them, and now Harry Potter fan fiction will leave
www.fanfiction.net forever.
A/N: As you may or may not be able to tell, I am incredibly frustrated over what has happened to this site. I cannot believe we are just standing here and letting it happen. This is completely absurd. At any rate, welcome to the tenth and final chapter of "To Love Someone You Hate". I am extremely proud of myself for putting forth effort and applying commitment to reach the point of ten chapters and eighty some ought reviewers. I'd like to thank all my reviewers, but among those who I feel the special need to recognize are:
Sunshine: You've been with me through the beginning, and I've realized without your support I wouldn't be writing this today. I thank you for all that you've done for me.
Slytherin Girl: My role model - how can I ever thank you? Your talent has graced the world of fan fiction and your mark has been left behind in the hall of fame. You are truly an inspiration, and I am only one of MANY fans. However, I have one thing to say to you - do not waste your talent. It would be a shame to watch the world waste away because it was being deprived of your greatness. I wish you the best of luck in all you do, and thank you for supporting me as well.
Animegirl-mika: Thank you so much for constantly reviewing my chapters and checking for updates. Believe me, your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Vanillastar: I also enjoyed reading reviews from you - thank you ever so much!
Katrina Arlay: Another faithful reviewer, supporting me right from the start.
Dobbie-luvs-sweeties: I adore your writing skills, and I'm incredibly flattered that you've been with me through thick and thin - thank you.
SophieBabe: I'm extremely jealous of your 300 some ought reviews, but I know you deserved them completely. You're a fantastic writer and keep up the wonderful work. Thank you for everything.
Mistress Desdemona: I sincerely appreciate all your flattering compliments.
Draco's one and only: Becka, thank you! You've been a wonderful reviewer, and I always look forward to reading what you have to say.
Chica Bonita: Thank you for all your reviews!
Jessy: For helping me through more things than you'll ever know.
And so this journey ends - a bumpy ride, but always worth a trip down Memory Lane. I'm incredibly sad that this story is over, but alas - the day had to come. Thank you to all who believed in me, and remember - Unleash your imagination and free your soul. (Oh, and I'd like to add that I was in a rather dark mood when I wrote this, and so you may notice the change in writing style - it's minor, but it still exists.)
A Bittersweet Victory
Hermione slowly lifted herself up from her place on the ground realizing she had cried herself to sleep. "This too, shall pass," she fiercely muttered to herself. "This too, shall pass."
Should she apologize? She didn't know, but what she DID know was that his life was in danger and they needed each other. With a small vote of confidence, she walked over to his bedroom door, and knocked politely. "Draco?" she whispered.
No answer.
"Draco, don't do this to me!" she cried.
Still not a sound - and so she waited. And waited. And waited, and waited. Suddenly, realization slapped her across the face - and hard.
The Ides of March had come.
The dreaded day had finally arrived, but where could he be?
"Oh Gods-" With a swift flick of her wand, she gained entrance to his room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, minus his presence, that is.
"I've done it once, I can do it again," she told herself firmly. "Merlin help me."
A shiny silver shimmer told her little. Upon closer inspection, an important discovery was made.
She had found his Pensieve.
Fear flooded through her like water bursting through a dam.
She stared into the bowl and only saw herself. Slowly, she plunged into his thoughts and was blown away into nothingness.
Hermione opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She watched as Draco and his bedroom appeared into view. She walked over to his sleeping form and traced his delicate features knowing he couldn't feel her touch or hear her voice. Curious as to when and where she was in time, Hermione strode out the door and saw herself sleeping on the common room floor.
It was the morning of March 15th.
Hurriedly, she ran back to Draco's room in time to see him awaken to the sound of fluttering wings. A black owl made its 'grand entrance' and dropped a letter bearing the Death Eater seal onto his cherry oak bureau. She read it over his shoulder - short, sweet, and bitter.
Draco -
Your time has come.
She saw him close his eyes as tears streamed down his face. However, she had seen something in his eyes she wished wasn't there.
Determination.
Suddenly, in a quick flash of light, he was gone.
The letter - it was a portkey.
She had to return. She willed herself to go back to the present and soon found herself coming out of the bowl. Hermione ran to the bureau and found the letter.
"Ennervate!" she commanded with her wand. She took in a deep breath and touched the letter. The familiar navel-pulling feeling made her body succumb to the strength, and she landed on the stone with a thud.
She was lying in the middle of a circle of Death Eaters.
"Well, well, well," a voice hissed from beneath a hooded cloak. "It seems the Mudblood has decided to join the festivities, boys."
Hermione winced as the Dark Lord spoke.
"Draco! Step forward," Voldemort demanded.
She watched as her lover appeared. His hair was disheveled and his robes were a mess. She eyed him curiously as he took off his mask. "Yes, my lord?" he mumbled.
"Do you understand that one task remains?"
Draco nodded solemnly. "I do, my Lord."
Voldemort revealed his face and smirked. "The task at hand is to prove your loyalty to me. The original event wasn't near as exciting." He flashed an evil grin at Hermione. "However, we seem to have encountered a change of plans," he said menacingly.
Draco visibly paled.
The Dark Lord chuckled. "Kill the Mudblood."
Hermione faced him with pleading eyes. "Killing love will not be prospered," she whispered.
He scoffed. "I could NEVER love a MUDBLOOD such as your dirty self."
"I know that you love me," she said simply.
Draco only stared at her.
"I see you're not denying," she observed triumphantly.
"KILL HER!" Voldemort roared in rage.
Slowly, Draco raised his wand.
He pointed it at her.
She closed her eyes and said, "I am not afraid to die by my lover's wand. If he chooses to make that decision, then, so be it."
All of the sudden, the Draco she knew and loved seemed to have appeared. "Gods, Hermione-"
"Draco," she shushed him. "Do what you need to do."
'Do what you need to do' - her words rang through his ears. "And so I shall, my love, and so I shall. Do forgive me," he added in a hushed whisper.
"You're forgiven. I love you."
"As I love you. You will understand my choice."
"GET ON WITH IT, BOY!" Voldemort screamed.
Draco continued. "Avada Keda-"
He pointed the wand at himself. "Vra," he said. With a flash of green light, his body went limp.
Draco Malfoy was dead.
Hermione shook and sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly, it all went black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Albus, this is insane."
"It's the truth, Minerva, now hush."
"I strongly suggest we apply the Veritaserum, Headmaster."
"Nonsense, Severus! She's only a child!"
"She's eighteen years old for God's sakes!"
Hermione awoke to the voice of her professors in the hospital wing.
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron screamed simultaneously running to her bedside.
"Misters Potter and Weasley, do restrain yourself!" an exasperated Madame Pomfrey shrieked.
Dumbledore quickly shooed everyone away after Hermione had assured everyone she was all right. "Miss Granger, what happened?"
She absently chewed on her bottom lip. "I'd rather not talk about it, sir."
Behind him, Professor Snape snorted. "As I suspected, Headmaster. Shall I fetch the Veritaserum?"
Dumbledore looked at his Head Girl sadly and nodded.
Hermione took in a deep breath before the Potions Master returned, vial in hand. The Headmaster took it from him, ordered Hermione to stick her tongue out, and dabbed a few drops on her tongue.
"Tell me what has happened, child."
And so she told. She told of how they had called a truce, how they had fell in love, how they started dating, became lovers, how no one knew but Ginny, how she had met Snape and Narcissa at Malfoy Manor (at this Severus flushed), how they had had an argument over the first letter, how she had found his Pensieve, how she found the second letter was a portkey, how she was transported to the Death Eater meeting, and how Draco had died.
Dumbledore nodded solemnly when she had finished. "I am terribly sorry for your loss," he said, his eyes brimming with tears. "I shall miss the young man - he was brilliant." Then he offered her a sad smile. "Although I'm sure you'd like to know, Miss Granger, that we have one the war against Lord Voldemort - despite it being a bittersweet victory."
A bittersweet victory indeed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Epilogue
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood on both sides of their best friend Hermione Granger with protective arms around her slender waist. To a Muggle, the site of so many people gathered dressed in all black in one area would have given them the impression of a funeral - and they would have been right.
"Dear friends, we are gathered here today to acknowledge the departing of a fellow human being from this world-" Hermione heard their Headmaster begin.
Life had not been the same without Draco. A few days had passed, and Hermione had never managed to pull herself back together. Narcissa was on the verge of killing Voldemort, until she had realized he was already dead. Ginny was the most sympathetic out of all her friends, but Harry and Ron had heard the whole story and were very sympathetic as well.
"I didn't like him much, 'Mione, but anyone who had meant a great deal to you must then mean a great deal to me," Harry had told her.
"Ditto," Ron had absently agreed still clutching her tightly.
Hermione wiped another tear from her face. Draco was to be buried on Hogwarts grounds. She had requested that a plot be dug next to his grave, and she would be buried there when her time had come. Hermione was determined to meet her lover in the afterlife.
The funeral had passed by in a blur, and not a single dry eye was present. She absently acknowledged all of those who had offered their condolences. 'I'm not strong enough for this,' she thought.
She simply wasn't strong enough.
She watched as everyone departed the grave and asked Harry and Ron for a few moments alone at Draco's grave. "Draco," she whispered towards the ground, and then faced skyward. "I know you've gone to Heaven. There's absolutely no other place you belong. I don't deserve my place up there, but I know my place is with you."
"With you," her voice echoed over the clear blue sky.
She timidly drew out her wand and got on the grassy ground on all fours. Hermione crawled onto the front of his plot, pointed the wand at herself and muttered the very last words that had come out of her lover's mouth.
Avada Kedavra.
A/N: Please review - it will make me happy in this time of depression. Thank you once again.
A/N: As you may or may not be able to tell, I am incredibly frustrated over what has happened to this site. I cannot believe we are just standing here and letting it happen. This is completely absurd. At any rate, welcome to the tenth and final chapter of "To Love Someone You Hate". I am extremely proud of myself for putting forth effort and applying commitment to reach the point of ten chapters and eighty some ought reviewers. I'd like to thank all my reviewers, but among those who I feel the special need to recognize are:
Sunshine: You've been with me through the beginning, and I've realized without your support I wouldn't be writing this today. I thank you for all that you've done for me.
Slytherin Girl: My role model - how can I ever thank you? Your talent has graced the world of fan fiction and your mark has been left behind in the hall of fame. You are truly an inspiration, and I am only one of MANY fans. However, I have one thing to say to you - do not waste your talent. It would be a shame to watch the world waste away because it was being deprived of your greatness. I wish you the best of luck in all you do, and thank you for supporting me as well.
Animegirl-mika: Thank you so much for constantly reviewing my chapters and checking for updates. Believe me, your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Vanillastar: I also enjoyed reading reviews from you - thank you ever so much!
Katrina Arlay: Another faithful reviewer, supporting me right from the start.
Dobbie-luvs-sweeties: I adore your writing skills, and I'm incredibly flattered that you've been with me through thick and thin - thank you.
SophieBabe: I'm extremely jealous of your 300 some ought reviews, but I know you deserved them completely. You're a fantastic writer and keep up the wonderful work. Thank you for everything.
Mistress Desdemona: I sincerely appreciate all your flattering compliments.
Draco's one and only: Becka, thank you! You've been a wonderful reviewer, and I always look forward to reading what you have to say.
Chica Bonita: Thank you for all your reviews!
Jessy: For helping me through more things than you'll ever know.
And so this journey ends - a bumpy ride, but always worth a trip down Memory Lane. I'm incredibly sad that this story is over, but alas - the day had to come. Thank you to all who believed in me, and remember - Unleash your imagination and free your soul. (Oh, and I'd like to add that I was in a rather dark mood when I wrote this, and so you may notice the change in writing style - it's minor, but it still exists.)
A Bittersweet Victory
Hermione slowly lifted herself up from her place on the ground realizing she had cried herself to sleep. "This too, shall pass," she fiercely muttered to herself. "This too, shall pass."
Should she apologize? She didn't know, but what she DID know was that his life was in danger and they needed each other. With a small vote of confidence, she walked over to his bedroom door, and knocked politely. "Draco?" she whispered.
No answer.
"Draco, don't do this to me!" she cried.
Still not a sound - and so she waited. And waited. And waited, and waited. Suddenly, realization slapped her across the face - and hard.
The Ides of March had come.
The dreaded day had finally arrived, but where could he be?
"Oh Gods-" With a swift flick of her wand, she gained entrance to his room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, minus his presence, that is.
"I've done it once, I can do it again," she told herself firmly. "Merlin help me."
A shiny silver shimmer told her little. Upon closer inspection, an important discovery was made.
She had found his Pensieve.
Fear flooded through her like water bursting through a dam.
She stared into the bowl and only saw herself. Slowly, she plunged into his thoughts and was blown away into nothingness.
Hermione opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She watched as Draco and his bedroom appeared into view. She walked over to his sleeping form and traced his delicate features knowing he couldn't feel her touch or hear her voice. Curious as to when and where she was in time, Hermione strode out the door and saw herself sleeping on the common room floor.
It was the morning of March 15th.
Hurriedly, she ran back to Draco's room in time to see him awaken to the sound of fluttering wings. A black owl made its 'grand entrance' and dropped a letter bearing the Death Eater seal onto his cherry oak bureau. She read it over his shoulder - short, sweet, and bitter.
Draco -
Your time has come.
She saw him close his eyes as tears streamed down his face. However, she had seen something in his eyes she wished wasn't there.
Determination.
Suddenly, in a quick flash of light, he was gone.
The letter - it was a portkey.
She had to return. She willed herself to go back to the present and soon found herself coming out of the bowl. Hermione ran to the bureau and found the letter.
"Ennervate!" she commanded with her wand. She took in a deep breath and touched the letter. The familiar navel-pulling feeling made her body succumb to the strength, and she landed on the stone with a thud.
She was lying in the middle of a circle of Death Eaters.
"Well, well, well," a voice hissed from beneath a hooded cloak. "It seems the Mudblood has decided to join the festivities, boys."
Hermione winced as the Dark Lord spoke.
"Draco! Step forward," Voldemort demanded.
She watched as her lover appeared. His hair was disheveled and his robes were a mess. She eyed him curiously as he took off his mask. "Yes, my lord?" he mumbled.
"Do you understand that one task remains?"
Draco nodded solemnly. "I do, my Lord."
Voldemort revealed his face and smirked. "The task at hand is to prove your loyalty to me. The original event wasn't near as exciting." He flashed an evil grin at Hermione. "However, we seem to have encountered a change of plans," he said menacingly.
Draco visibly paled.
The Dark Lord chuckled. "Kill the Mudblood."
Hermione faced him with pleading eyes. "Killing love will not be prospered," she whispered.
He scoffed. "I could NEVER love a MUDBLOOD such as your dirty self."
"I know that you love me," she said simply.
Draco only stared at her.
"I see you're not denying," she observed triumphantly.
"KILL HER!" Voldemort roared in rage.
Slowly, Draco raised his wand.
He pointed it at her.
She closed her eyes and said, "I am not afraid to die by my lover's wand. If he chooses to make that decision, then, so be it."
All of the sudden, the Draco she knew and loved seemed to have appeared. "Gods, Hermione-"
"Draco," she shushed him. "Do what you need to do."
'Do what you need to do' - her words rang through his ears. "And so I shall, my love, and so I shall. Do forgive me," he added in a hushed whisper.
"You're forgiven. I love you."
"As I love you. You will understand my choice."
"GET ON WITH IT, BOY!" Voldemort screamed.
Draco continued. "Avada Keda-"
He pointed the wand at himself. "Vra," he said. With a flash of green light, his body went limp.
Draco Malfoy was dead.
Hermione shook and sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly, it all went black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Albus, this is insane."
"It's the truth, Minerva, now hush."
"I strongly suggest we apply the Veritaserum, Headmaster."
"Nonsense, Severus! She's only a child!"
"She's eighteen years old for God's sakes!"
Hermione awoke to the voice of her professors in the hospital wing.
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron screamed simultaneously running to her bedside.
"Misters Potter and Weasley, do restrain yourself!" an exasperated Madame Pomfrey shrieked.
Dumbledore quickly shooed everyone away after Hermione had assured everyone she was all right. "Miss Granger, what happened?"
She absently chewed on her bottom lip. "I'd rather not talk about it, sir."
Behind him, Professor Snape snorted. "As I suspected, Headmaster. Shall I fetch the Veritaserum?"
Dumbledore looked at his Head Girl sadly and nodded.
Hermione took in a deep breath before the Potions Master returned, vial in hand. The Headmaster took it from him, ordered Hermione to stick her tongue out, and dabbed a few drops on her tongue.
"Tell me what has happened, child."
And so she told. She told of how they had called a truce, how they had fell in love, how they started dating, became lovers, how no one knew but Ginny, how she had met Snape and Narcissa at Malfoy Manor (at this Severus flushed), how they had had an argument over the first letter, how she had found his Pensieve, how she found the second letter was a portkey, how she was transported to the Death Eater meeting, and how Draco had died.
Dumbledore nodded solemnly when she had finished. "I am terribly sorry for your loss," he said, his eyes brimming with tears. "I shall miss the young man - he was brilliant." Then he offered her a sad smile. "Although I'm sure you'd like to know, Miss Granger, that we have one the war against Lord Voldemort - despite it being a bittersweet victory."
A bittersweet victory indeed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Epilogue
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood on both sides of their best friend Hermione Granger with protective arms around her slender waist. To a Muggle, the site of so many people gathered dressed in all black in one area would have given them the impression of a funeral - and they would have been right.
"Dear friends, we are gathered here today to acknowledge the departing of a fellow human being from this world-" Hermione heard their Headmaster begin.
Life had not been the same without Draco. A few days had passed, and Hermione had never managed to pull herself back together. Narcissa was on the verge of killing Voldemort, until she had realized he was already dead. Ginny was the most sympathetic out of all her friends, but Harry and Ron had heard the whole story and were very sympathetic as well.
"I didn't like him much, 'Mione, but anyone who had meant a great deal to you must then mean a great deal to me," Harry had told her.
"Ditto," Ron had absently agreed still clutching her tightly.
Hermione wiped another tear from her face. Draco was to be buried on Hogwarts grounds. She had requested that a plot be dug next to his grave, and she would be buried there when her time had come. Hermione was determined to meet her lover in the afterlife.
The funeral had passed by in a blur, and not a single dry eye was present. She absently acknowledged all of those who had offered their condolences. 'I'm not strong enough for this,' she thought.
She simply wasn't strong enough.
She watched as everyone departed the grave and asked Harry and Ron for a few moments alone at Draco's grave. "Draco," she whispered towards the ground, and then faced skyward. "I know you've gone to Heaven. There's absolutely no other place you belong. I don't deserve my place up there, but I know my place is with you."
"With you," her voice echoed over the clear blue sky.
She timidly drew out her wand and got on the grassy ground on all fours. Hermione crawled onto the front of his plot, pointed the wand at herself and muttered the very last words that had come out of her lover's mouth.
Avada Kedavra.
A/N: Please review - it will make me happy in this time of depression. Thank you once again.