Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! I have no pathetic, lame reason for not updating quicker. I just never had the chance to work on it and my brain was wandering off... as usual. Since this was the Epilogue, I was trying to end it properly without leaving the readers disappointed. (My English teacher always said my conclusions sucked. Well, she never said it, but she meant it!) So, I'm trying to write it and couldn't think of what to write. It sucks.

I'm also working on an original story, which is driving me on the edge of insanity. Many times I find myself pulling my hair out and throwing stuff everywhere. I hate my story... yet I love it. Contradicting, right? Yeah... I think I need to check myself into a mental institution soon...

Well, onward with the chapter. Hope you enjoy it.


Epilogue- Part One


I have failed, in more ways than one. It seemed like a relatively simple plan at first, but turned out to be a complete catastrophe. Of course, I did have that dreading fear that it would backfire on me, but I never exactly prepared myself for it. What happened has happened and unless I want to change the course that fate has chosen, I cannot do much about it.

After I ran out of the Great Hall during the Graduation Ball, I headed towards the lake, half wanting to throw myself in it and cursing my terrible luck. I fell down on the edge of the lake, seeing my face reflected of the rippled surface of the lake, the full moonlight giving me a nice reflection of myself. My face was streaked with salty tears, mascara running, blush messed up, lipstick smeared, Merlin, I looked like hell. There was no doubt that I was in it.

I sat at the lake's edge, dangling my feet into the cool water. My dress was crimpled and ruffled, but that did not matter anymore. For me, the Ball was over. I heard footsteps approaching, but I did not bother to turn around to see the intruder of my privacy.

"I thought you might be here."

A female voice, so gentle, soothing, and sympathetic, but does she really understand the emotions I have? For a while, I did not utter anything. There was a thick gorge of silence between us. I heard Ginny sigh and she sat down next to me, crossing her legs together underneath her dress. "Hermione—"

"Ginny, please don't say anything." I quickly cut in, leaning on her shoulder. "Just don't. It's more than I can handle."

I felt her releasing a deep breath, succumbing to my request. We stayed like that for some moments, her, providing me comfort, and me, needing a friend who will understand.

"What happened after I left?" I asked, finally breaking the heavy silence.

"Harry and Ron wanted to go look for you, but I told them that I should do it. They were really pissed, you know."

"I know," I told her softly. "I know."

"And..." She knew whom I really wanted to know about. "Malfoy... he left a couple of seconds after you did. No one bothered to look to for him. Hell, not even Blaise."

"Did he say anything?"

"No... I couldn't tell anything from his expression, it was like stone."

"Figures."

"You surprised us by kissing him. I didn't expect you to really do it."

"I had to stop him from declaring his love for me infront of the entire school." I said half-jokingly.

"Hermione," Ginny gritted sternly. "It's a serious matter."

I took my head off her shoulder. "Serious? What is serious? Puppy-love?" I spat angrily. "That thick-headed bloke doesn't know the first thing about caring for someone and actually liking them!"

Fuming, I stood up and ran to the castle. My bare feet stomped furiously on the cold grass, sending icy chills up my legs.

"Hermione! Hermione, please!"

I could hear Ginny's words echoing behind me, but I did not come back. I dashed up the stairs and to my room. My common room was void of any people, even Malfoy. I slammed the door shut, suppressing my urge to let out another sob session. I was determined not to cry because that bloke did not deserve any drop of my tears. He is the last person to deserve me crying over him. It really sucks when you find out that your worst enemy likes you, worse when you find yourself liking him back. To top it off, it's on the brink of impossible for you two to be together. We were everything that a couple was meant not to have. It's like one of those ridiculous cliché hate-love stories that seemed to have fallen upon my life.

I went to the bathroom, bending my head over the sink to wash my face. It's a shame I can't wash everything that happened tonight away. I sashayed back into my room and fell onto my bed. I submitted to the heaviness upon my eyelids and slept away until morning.

My presence haunted my common room like a forbidding ghost of a corrupted Head-Girl early that morning. I paced back and forth across the common room and my room, half packing my stuff and the other half just throwing stuff everywhere. I should be downstairs, enjoying my last meal at Hogwarts, probably will never taste Hogwarts food ever again, but no, I'm moping around here. The Graduation Ceremony was at noon and already, it was nine o' clock.

I threw my socks into my trunk and sighed exasperatedly. This is my last day at Hogwarts and god dammit, I'm going to enjoy it. I marched down to the Great Hall and entered, plastering on a fake, cheery smile on my face.

"Hermione!" Colin's face popped out of nowhere.

"Colin. Hi!"

"Here," He handed me a leather-bound book and disappeared. I looked down at the book in my hands. On the cover, in bright, shiny gold letters, it said,

Hogwarts

Cherishing our moments.

So this is our yearbook. I flipped the pages; my eyes skimming past the collage of pictures collected the past school year. My eyes stopped at a particularly familiar one. I was running away from Malfoy with two enormous thingies bobbing up and down and Malfoy was right at my heels, or rather, in his high-heeled shoes as he was chasing me wearing his adorable pink dress and matching accessories. I couldn't help but smile at that picture. It was only a couple of months ago, but it seemed so long.

Malfoy in a toga, in unicorn drawers.

Me kissing Malfoy.

Malfoy poking McGonagall's hair.

Malfoy looking up Snape's nostrils.

Me kissing Malfoy again.

My, my, Malfoy seems to have quite a busy year, didn't he? The seventh years went around, asking their friends to sign their yearbooks, like the Muggle tradition. I sighed, well, might was well join in. I spotted Harry and Ron easily enough. After all, a crowd of people was surrounding them asking for their signatures and little quotes. They were two of the most popular boys in Hogwarts.

"Hermione!" They both greeted with me with such enthusiasm. They broke through the crowd of students and rushed to me, enveloping me in hugs.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked with much concern.

"Did that idiot Malfoy hurt you?" Ron demanded.

I shook my head. "I'm fine and no, Malfoy didn't hurt me." Physically... he didn't... I smiled at them. "Sign of my yearbook."

"Of course." They both said in unison as they flipped to the last pages of my yearbook and wrote their comments. "Sign ours."

I sighed, viewing the faces in the Great Hall. Malfoy was over at the Slytherin table, practically the whole seventh year female population (minus me) was crowded around him. Honestly, what do they see in that bloody git?

The same thing you do...

Oh hush conscience, I didn't ask for your opinion.

I opened Harry's yearbook and wondered what I should write. Finally, after a few, long pondering moments, I wrote:

Harry,

Through thick and thin, you've always been there for me, like the bestfriend that you are and like a comforting brother you can be. I appreciate everything you have done for me and I regret that it has only been seven years. It seems like such a short time, but I know we will forever be in touch and best of friends no matter what. Remember to keep your work up and hold your head high. I wish you the best in life.

With much love,

Hermione Granger

I switched to Ron's yearbook.

Ron,

You have been a wonderful friend and I love your caring nature, although it was somewhat overprotective. You're one of my bestfriends and I couldn't ask for a better one. You were there me through all the good and bad times we had and I loved you for it. We will see each other again and we will keep in touch. Try to mind your temper. I wish you the best luck.

With much love,

Hermione Granger.


I headed back to my room, my yearbook still tightly clutched in my hands. I haven't read what Harry or Ron wrote in my yearbook yet, I couldn't. It felt too soon for me, or maybe I'm just too emotional. Reading their comments made it feel like it was time to leave, leave it all behind and I supposed I was not ready for it. But most of all, there is one particular person that I really wanted to sign my yearbook spite of the amount of repugnance I know he will reveal for me in my yearbook. Guessed him already? You should.

I found Malfoy in the common room, rummaging around for his things. I walked in, leaning awkwardly on the side of the entrance, my eyes soaking in his every movement. He did not notice me at first, or rather, if he did, he surely did disregard me well.

"Malfoy," I said, summoning up the courage to speak. My throat and tongue felt awfully dry, like sand paper. "Would you like to sign my yearbook?"

It was moments before he replied. I had that frightful fear that he would say no, but he didn't.

"Sure."

My hands shook as I handed the book to him. He flipped to the last pages and took a magic quill out of his pocket.

I rocked nervously back and forth on the heels of my foot, wondering what he wrote. Knowing him, he probably used the entire page to curse me and say what a bitchy witch I have been. The room was awfully silent, except for the fast scratching of the quill on paper. He scribbled something very fast and closed the book, handing it back to me. I did not read it right there. I wanted to wait until I was alone.

I expected him to ask me to sign his yearbook—I guess I wanted him to ask. To my hidden disappointment, he didn't.

So instead, I asked. "What are you looking for?"

"A black book. You haven't seen it, have you?"

Of course I have seen it. I read through it! "Have you checked the shelves above you?"

"Oh." It was all he said while he looked for it. It was an awkward moment. VERY awkward. I suspected him to throw things at me, like he would do in any particular case when I would embarrass the crap out of him, but surprisingly, he did not. That just made me feel all the more horrible.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry," I said louder. "For what I did to you last night. Damn you Malfoy, you're not letting me gloat in my vengeance."

He looked at me, face suddenly shrouded with a mask of anger. "I thought you had enough."

"Enough of what?" I exasperated.

"Enough of the vengeance shit! I thought you had let go! But no, instead you and Zabini's ass went ahead and publicly humiliated me!"

So he has finally exploded. I knew he couldn't hold in his anger for that long.

"You deserved it! Of all the things you've done to me!" I cried. "Malfoy, I'm apologizing, for Merlin's sake!"

"Well, you know what bitch?" He sneered as he tossed me the black book that he has finally found. "I don't forgive and forget that easily. And the things I wrote in that book about you are true, whether you believe them or not. I know you read them."

"Of course you did." I said scathingly. "You planted the book. Tried to make me fall in your devious plans, did you?"

His eyes leered menacingly at me. "Yes I did." He hissed. "But my feelings about you changed. Dammit, woman! I do care about you! For such a smart witch, you sure know shit about love!"

I winced and almost dropped the book. "Bullcock. You don't know what love is."

"Neither do you!" He retorted.

I was speechless. "I-I...."

It's very much amusing when I think about it now, but when the situation was occurring, I've never wanted the earth to just open up and swallow me, taking me out of my misery. They say you'll laugh about it later, and it's true. I'm hysterical now.

You cannot say that we've fell in love, its preposterous. Malfoy and I were only seventeen, what did we know about love? There was lust, I'll admit, but I don't think love ever existed between us. There were chemical reactions of raging hormones that made us desire for each other, although I do doubt if those feelings came from the heart.

After my few seconds of silence, Malfoy stomped to his room and slammed the door forcefully. I still stood outside, gaping like the idiot that I am. For two people who supposedly liked each other so much, Malfoy and I could not stand the mere presence of each other. And shit, I have to give my Valedictorian speech with him.


I closed the top of my trunk with a heavy sigh, having packed the last of my belongings. My eyes surveyed the remains of my room, empty as everything was neatly packed away. I stopped on my bed where my yearbook laid isolated on the bare mattress. Slowly, I reached for the book and opened it.

Hermione,

You were a brilliant witch and will always be. I still remember the time when Ron and me rescued you from the troll and we all became bestfriends ever since. I want to thank you for helping me in my times of trouble. I love you and best wishes.

Harry

Hermione smiled. That was just like Harry, simple and sweet.

Hey Hermione!

I really don't know what to write... except thanks for being there for me and the countless times you helped me with, or rather, let me copy the homework. We had fun times.... and uh... I don't know what else to say... Keep your head up and strive for what you believe in. (Although Harry and I think you should just give up with the S.P.E.W thing.)

Ron

I let out light chuckle. At last, I reached the comment I had been dying to read. I held my breath.

Miss Hermione Granger,

Seven bloody years that I have spent with you, the seventh year being the most time I have ever spent with a muggle witch. I cannot say they were the highlight of my life but I would not say they were horrible. You were most difficult to be around sometimes and I often wished I could strangle you.

Oh Merlin. I knew it, he was flaming me. I wanted to stop reading, but a part of me urged me to continue.

However, there are times... (Damn, this is what I call some sappy-ass shit.) that I wish I could kiss you senseless. You bring a smile to my face and its sad that whatever I write or say, you would not believe me regardless. I wish you the best and may your damn stubbornness bring some hope into your life.

Mr. Draco Malfoy.

I had not noticed the salty teardrops that have been trickling down my cheeks. Some splashed on the page, causing the ink to leak. I hastily wiped the tears from my face and closed my yearbook. I wanted to believe him—in all honesty, I really did, but should I? I feared of getting my heartbroken, something that Malfoy was likely to do—use girls and then toss them away like they were no more than rubbish. How can I know he would not do that if I have a hard time trusting his words? I would have to settle this later. My graduation ceremony is approaching quickly.

I stuffed my yearbook into my bag and closed it. Taking a folded piece of paper out of my robes pocket, I flattened it out against the table as best as I could. My speech.

I went to the bath to freshen up before I went downstairs and look like a complete mess infront of the student body.

After the graduation ceremony, all my belongings would be hauled onto the train and we would soon depart. If I were to patch things up with Malfoy, I would have to do it right after the ceremony or onboard the train. As of right now, my farewell speech was much more important.


"Please give a nice round of applause for your two Valedictorians! Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy!" Loud clapped followed Dumbledore's announcement.

Straightening out my robes, nose haughtily in the air, and stride filled with confidence, I marched up to the podium along with Malfoy. We barely looked at each other. Once the applause had died down, I cleared my throat, beginning my speech.

"Fellow classmates, teachers, and staff. This has been one of the most memorable years ever at Hogwarts. As you have all known, last year was a tragic year for us all, with the fighting with You-Know-Who and all, but we all made it through in one peace."

Now Malfoy held the stage. "But why must we dwell on the past when there is future looking forward to us all? Yes, there were pleasant memories in our seven years in Hogwarts and some, very unpleasant... However, we must all hold our heads high and continue on with dignity. So as the class of the new millennium, we are finally graduates!"

The entire Great Hall erupted into explosions of cheers and clapping.

My mouth hung wide open. "Hey—what! I wasn't done! I still have to talk about—"

"Oh hush up Granger." Malfoy said annoyingly.

I glared at him, placing my hands on my hips. "A proper Valedictorian speech should be filled with theright amount of encouragement for the students to succeed in life and memories of our years, and how we should always approach education with open arms, and—"

"Granger!"

He ceased my talking when he pressed his soft lips on top of mine. The cheering in the Great Hall got louder and completely exploded. Yet as loud as it had gotten, it was nothing compared to the tremendous beating of my heart. And there was something about that moment that made my graduation all the more special...


Author's Note: Have no fear! Part Two will be here!

Yea... really corny...

But seriously, there will be a part two in the Epilogue since I thought one chapter for it will be too long. Trust me, part two will not take as long as this one. Once my Midterms are done, I am free! Well, until Finals come, that is, but that isn't until June. )

P.S The reason that all my chapters have terrible editing is because I do not catch my mistakes until months later. Forgive me?

Well ta-ta for now... Please rate and review! Luvs to you all wonderful people.