A/N: The end is coming… heh, I don't own Harry Potter. Once again, so sorry for the long wait! Ugh, I feel terrible. But here goes. Enjoy!
Hermione was still standing, staring at the place where Ginny and Harry had disappeared and lost in her own thought when she noticed Draco standing by the door of the Great Hall. Vaguely, Hermione wondered how long she had been standing there. Hermione and Draco left the Great Hall and walked up to their dorms. Hermione was still silent, immersed with the long-gone euphoric feelings that left her with sad feelings about herself and an iota of jealousy. Draco was wise to remain quiet, knowing she needed her time without knowing the reason why.
When they got to the portrait of themselves, Hermione murmured, "Love Fest," smiling slightly as she recalled two of her best friends.
Not able to take the silence any longer, Draco asked, "What are you thinking of, Hermione?"
After a moment, she decided to answer with the truth, "Harry and Ginny. I'm quite happy that they're together now."
"What else are you feeling?" Draco asked, looking deep into her eyes.
Hermione sighed, "You don't miss a thing," then sat on the couch.
Draco sat next to her cautiously, waiting for her to elaborate. When she didn't, he prodded, "Jealousy? Sadness? Anger?"
Hermione remained silent, staring at the carpet, so Draco continued, "Sleepy..? Feel free to interrupt me." Hermione then met his gaze.
"Murderous?" Draco was getting further away from what she felt. Hermione made a noise in the back of her throat; she couldn't believe he just guessed that.
"Ahh, the ultimate crime of passion." Then did Hermione realize that he was joking. It showed on her face because Draco commented, "Wow. And here I was thinking that you were smart. Please forgive my mistake." Done joking, the Head Boy said, "Really, Hermione. What's wrong? Please tell me?"
The innocent, truthful look in Draco's eyes persuaded Hermione to voice the thoughts that she didn't wish to speak aloud. "I…I suppose I feel…left out. They're so happy. And, mind you, it's taken bloody long enough for Harry to express his feelings for Ginny, so this is good. But…I'm not sure. And I feel so bad for feeling so crabby about their relationship, so it just helps if I remain silent around them, else my real feelings show," Hermione winced at the thought. Her words were now coming out faster, as if Hermione couldn't wait to be rid of them all. "Ginny and Harry are obviously meant for each other, and of course Ron's still single." Draco failed to see how Ron tied into Harry and Ginny's relationship, but didn't interrupt. "But I'm not sure how I will be able to cope with their couple-ness!"
Draco smiled slightly at Hermione's made up word. "To see them hugging and kissing and holding hands, what will I do?! Well, it doesn't matter, because I will hold my peace. Not that I object to them. Merlin, no. I'm completely pro- Ginny-Harry. But…" Hermione trailed off and stayed silent for less than ten seconds, "Maybe I'm jealous. Maybe I wish that… No." Hermione shook her head, then took a deep breath. "I barely know what I'm saying."
"Good. Because I was exceptionally confused. I mean, don't get me wrong. I got the gist of your speech. But damn. You changed your mind about 60 times."
Hermione looked down with embarrassment. Just then, a knock echoed through the quiet room. Hermione opened the portrait to reveal Cho. Hermione looked confused and Cho looked to be in pain. "Can we walk, Hermione?"
"Er, sure." Hermione threw a quick glance over her shoulder to see Malfoy looking just as confused as she felt.
Hermione and Cho were almost down the corridor, when the latter abruptly stopped. She turned to Hermione with concern in her eyes, and began speaking. "Hermione. I care about you. More than Pansy and Lavender care for you combined. I-I don't want you getting hurt because of them." The honest look in Cho's eyes couldn't make Hermione doubt that the popular Ravenclaw was telling the truth. "Lavender, Pansy, and I were planning. Scheming, really. Ugh, and now I feel like, terrible!" To Hermione's utter surprise, Cho started crying, then clung to Hermione. "I'm so sorry!" Cho sniffled when she could talk again.
"They don't know that I'm here right now. They think I'm giving myself a mani-pedi, because I'm desperately in need of one," Cho held up her perfectly manicured fingers, and Hermione didn't see her need. "Well, anyway, Lav and Pans are using you." Cho paused to let this sink in. However, Hermione didn't see how they could possibly be using her, so she continued, "Draco Malfoy is not your friend, Hermione. Pans and Lav put him up to being like, your friend so you would trust him. Then, they're going to use that to crush you. Draco has all ready told you that he is one of us, right? Well, he was telling the truth. Really, he would do anything Lavender, Pansy, and I guess me too, say. It's actually annoying, but Lav sees him as arm candy, though she has a boyfriend or two. He doesn't honestly like you Hermione. It's an act. Total rubbish. Please don't believe it any longer. I don't want to see you get hurt."
The situation finally sunk into Hermione. Her thoughts screamed at her stupidity and flashes of past friendships wreaked havoc in her mind. Hermione barely noticed the tears streaming down her face, barely noticed as her hand clutched her heart, begging the pain that raged inside of her to dim. This was the second time Malfoy had broken her heart; she couldn't stand it. If, and there was no chance of this whatsoever, Malfoy ever decided to apologize, Hermione swore to herself that she wouldn't hear of it. She would call to mind this intense pain that threatened to tear her apart, and just say no. There were no more chances for Hermione to give Draco Malfoy.
After speaking consoling words that Hermione didn't register, Cho saw Hermione slump down onto the floor, not able to control herself. Cho turned her back and walked down the corridor, a grim smile spreading across her face at a job done perfectly.
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It had been approximately one minute after Hermione left with Cho when there was another knock at the door. Malfoy opened the portrait, wondering why Hermione was back so soon, but instead found Pansy. She was a wreck. Her cheeks were red from embarrassment, her cheeks were tear-stained, and her eyes were puffy. She sobbed as she pushed her way into the room and landed face down on the couch Draco had occupied moments ago.
Malfoy was quick to follow her, concerned. They used to be the best of friends, before Pansy turned into a snob, so of course Malfoy still had feelings for her. He put a comforting hand on her back and she sat up. "Draco! Oh, Draco!" New tears sprang to Pansy's eyes and she threw herself over him. Draco stiffened but didn't push her off; he didn't want to hurt her in this fragile state. "What's wrong, Pans?" he asked, desperately wanting her to stop crying.
Hearing his invitation, Pansy launched into her story, using the right theatrics at the right time. As her story went on, Draco's face grew more tragic. He wasn't aware that tearing Hermione and himself apart was only a plan devised by Lavender, Cho, and Pansy. In fact, Pansy was so convincing, the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Draco's emotions ranged over being mad to heartbrokenly sad, to accepting- after all, he knew he had broke her heart the first time he said goodbye, and this was fair pay back, then back to sad.
The last thing he heard Pansy say was, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, we all thought she was a friend."
That was all Draco could bear. He didn't see Pansy retreat from the room, sadness evident in her eyes. He didn't see the smile forming on her lips as her back turned, not an ounce guilty. He didn't recall ever falling to the floor in a pain he never imagined he would have to endure. He didn't feel the silent tears streaming down his face. He paid no mind to the fact that he wasn't supposed to be this weak. All Draco was aware of in this moment was that she was gone. She wouldn't be allowed in his life again. And he wouldn't allow himself to be in hers. His heart hurt for the first time in his life, and it was the worst feeling Draco had ever felt. The darkness was pulling him in and Draco felt as if he couldn't breathe. He knew he should fight it, but he could not think of a single reason why he should. Struggling, and failing, to find one small ray of light, Draco let the darkness overcome him.
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The end. Draco dies, Hermione's dazed. The Populars won.
A/N- How'd you like it? Oh, heh, and by the way, I was joking. Not quite the end yet. Though I am debating with myself how I want to end this for real. Well, this chapter- Love it? Hate it? Neither? Leave me a review and tell me what you think. Peace! J