VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Discontinued and rewrittenas a new story.

I just wanted let anyone know who has this on their alerts/favourites that I have discontinued this story because I felt that it wasn't well executed as a story/plot and because I thought I could improve on my writing.

Therefore, I've started a new story on ff-dot-net called, 'Into Oblivion' -- The plot of this story is similar to Destined except that it takes the events of HBP into consideration and is hopefully a better story :D.

If anyone is really interested in the complete 'Destined', it's archived on harrypotterfanfiction-dot-com but really, I wrote it a long time ago (2003 actually! I just started posting it here much later) and hopefully, 'Into Oblivion' will be better.

So, I'll delete this story off of ff-dot-net soon. I just wanted to let you guys know. But thank you for all your wonderful reviews, comments and help! It really helped me get started on this new version! Thanks guys!

Oh, and here's part of the 9th chapter, just in case posting author's notes alone is against the rules... (the whole, rewritten, but similar 'The Carnival' chapter will appear in Into Oblivion. Weasleygirl-ca

Chapter 9: The Carnival

"I'm sorry, I don't know a Hermione," stated Paige, snapping out of her gaze and recollecting herself.

Ron shook his head and shoved his trembling hands into his pockets. "I…I'm sorry, I just…I mean, you look so much like her," stumbled Ron, trying to get a grip of himself.

Paige and Karen looked at him, with what seemed like apprehension.

He had to stop seeing Hermione everywhere he went. "But….but she's," his voice broke as he tried to get the next word out.

"She's dead," muttered Ron, his heart crumbling inside of him as he said it. Tears ran down his face and he hated it. How could he breakdown like this in front of practical strangers?

"Ron…," began Karen, in her very motherly voice.

Ron shot out of his seat, his shaking hands still hidden in his pockets. "I have to leave." He virtually ran out of the house. He quickened his pace as he entered an alleyway and apparated to his small flat.

His heart beat furiously as he stumbled into his kitchen. He pulled open the cupboard and grabbed a bottle of fire whiskey and a glass. He entered the living room and fell into his sofa, tears still spilling down his face. His he hand curled into an angry fist as he swallowed the burning liquid in one gulp.

The sensation of the whiskey went to his head immediately, making him dizzy. He shouldn't have drunk it so quickly.

Why did that girl create such turmoil just at the sight of her? She reminded him so much of Hermione. Paige's hair, eyes, clothes—they were not Hermione and yet he felt his heart flutter at the sound of her voice. She sounded just like Hermione and she somehow looked like her, too.

"You're just going crazy," accused Ron, out loud, "You want her so badly that you see her anywhere."

He looked at the empty glass, as if it was tempting him to drink some more. He had to restrain himself; but it gave this temporary oblivion that he so needed. He reached over for the bottle to pour another glass.

Pop.

Ron hand retreated as he looked up to see what made the sound—Harry.

"Does anyone knock these days?" muttered Ron, annoyed.

Well, that isn't the whole chapter, or even a revised version (that's saved for my rewritten version, Into Oblivion). But thanks so much for sticking with this story!