Fate's Road and Destiny's Path

Chapter One

Life. A small, four lettered word associated with something so big, so important. Life is something to be treasured, but not everyone has treasures in life, as a real treasure is something that lasts for eternity--love. Money comes and goes with life and death, but love is something we keep forever.

Love comes with a blessing for some, a curse for others.

But life should always be lived to the fullest, no matter what Fate condemns you to, no matter what Destiny has proclaimed.

This is the story of Hermione Marie Granger, her life, her fate, her destiny. And her love.

~~~

November 7^th started out like any other Saturday morning, with the Gryffindor Quidditch Team heading out for practise. Ron and Harry, as usual, walked Hermione to the Library first, escaping only by promising to do their homework immediately after practise.

But, even though none of them knew, this Saturday would be like no other. This Saturday, the Fates were going to decide which path humanity would take, and Destiny would start paving the road.

Two hours later, after a gruelling practise under Harry's (as he, now seventeen, was team captain) sharp eye, Ron and Harry stepped out of the change room, hair still damp, shirts only buttoned halfway up to their necks, both totally aware of the looks Padma Patil and her sister were giving them, the twins winking before sauntering away, leaving the two alone in the hallway, their footsteps echoing faintly as they continued towards their destination, unfazzled by Padma and Parvati's show of affection.

Over the past few years, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley had become two of the three school "heart-throbs", as termed by Hannah Abbot. Both had fans around every corner, though neither Harry nor Ron had been in a very serious relationship (truth be told, neither of them wanted to be in one), resulting in quite a number of heartbroken girlfriends.

About to turn the corner leading to the library, as they planned to meet up with Hermione, Harry and Ron collided with Draco Malfoy, Pureblood Slytherin, sworn enemy, and the third of Hogwart's "heart-breakers". Thus, the three of them ended up an ungraceful heap on the floor, attracting giggles from first year Hufflepuffs that instantly subsided when Draco glared The Glare ^TM.

Swearing all over the place, Draco Malfoy picked himself off the ground, making sure to innocently elbow Ron in the ribs and dig his heel into Harry's skull first, of course. "You should go get your eyes checked again, Potter. Those glasses don't seem to be working so well. Seems like you need more then four eyes even to see properly. How many legs does it take to get you to walk straight?"

"Sod off, Malfoy. It was you who bumped into us." Ron bit back, giving Harry a hand up.

He was rubbing his head gingerly, Draco noted with a smirk. But, pretending not to hear Ron, Draco went on. "And where's your Mudblood whore, Potter? You two oafs never go anywhere without her--heaven forbid! But," Draco sighed dramatically, for effect, "it seems like even the Mudblood doesn't want Saint Potter." Draco mock bowed, and wiped away a pretend tear as Harry's eyes started to blaze.

"You would shag anything with its legs open, Malfoy," Harry said in a low voice, "so don't you dare insult Hermione."

"It looks like you're tense, Potter. Mudblood not satisfying you enough?" Draco smirked, knowing full well Harry always had a soft spot for matters where Hermione was concerned.

It was Ron who had to hold Harry back this time, instead of vice-versa (as it usually was); to stop him from making sure Draco would never have any offspring. "Let's go, Harry--he's not worth getting a detention over."

Harry shrugged out of Ron's grip and turned back to Malfoy. Ron, knowing Harry's temper and loyalty, knew Harry would not just walk away when someone insulted Hermione, least of all Malfoy, but it was worth a shot, he reasoned.

Facing Malfoy, the words tumbled out of Harry's mouth before he could think. "Not like you could ever get Hermione into bed, Malfoy, O Great One." Harry imitated Draco's bow.

"Not surprising. It's like the bitch always has a stick up her ass," Draco mulled, pretending not to see nor hear Harry's sarcasm. "But I know a challenge when I hear one. How about we test your theory? First one to get Granger in bed willingly, and not under a potion, wins. Loser--"

Harry interrupted. "No. Seduction is easy, Malfoy--feelings aren't. First to get Hermione to fall in love wins. Winner gets Hermione, The Title, if you wish. Loser walks away with nothing."

"Love, Potter? Love is like lust, it's not hard. Sure...first to get Hermione to fall in love wins."

Ron looked at Harry in horror, but before he could say anything to stop Harry, Draco had already shook hands with him. Ron, after a few moments of gaping, finally asked Harry, "What the hell are you doing? You're betting on who can seduce Hermione?!" Ron stressed their best friend's name, hoping that Harry would see some sense. "And what's "The Title"?"

But the last answer needn't be answered, as Ron knew exactly what Harry had been referring to. Hermione Granger. Top student, O's on all her OWL's, studying for the NEWT's since OWL's were over, was named Head Girl this year, the counterpart to Malfoy's Head Boy. She was easily the most beautiful (not to mention pure) seventh year in the school. Totally unaware of her looks, Hermione's affection towards the male population of the school was totally platonic. A friendly hug here and there, always willing to help, Hermione Granger had yet to have a steady boyfriend, and the whole straight male population of Hogwarts was hoping for that "position", while girlfriends glared at Hermione in envy, but not being able to hate Hermione, eventually, they all became friends. Needless to say, Hermione was quite popular with both sexes in Hogwarts, yet she still preferred to spend much of her time in the library, as opposed to being the social butterfly.

Harry pulled Ron down the hallway, towards the library. "Look, Ron. I know I shouldn't be playing with Hermione's feelings like this, but you can't tell Hermione what I've done. Please, Ron." Seeing as Ron was about to protest, Harry quickly added, "if Hermione knows what I've done, she could very well just jump into Malfoy's arms, just to spite me. Malfoy doesn't deserve Hermione, Ron."

"Harry, you can't do this, playing with Hermione's heart! You've changed...how could you even think of doing such a thing, and to Hermione no less! She'll never talk to you again!"

"I don't know, Ron. The whole thing just popped out of my mouth. But Malfoy isn't going to win," Harry's face hardened, then relaxed as he turned pleading emerald eyes to Ron. "Which is why you can't tell Hermione; she'll jump into Malfoy's arms and pronounce her love--"

"So you want me not to tell so she can jump into yours?" Ron scoffed.

"No, you know it's not like that. Please, Ron. I need your help on this..."

Ron gave in, but not without giving final words of warning. "I won't tell Hermione. But Harry, you don't love her like that. Hermione knows...we're all best friends, remember? You'll break her heart if she falls in love, and finds out the whole thing was just a scam to see who could get her into bed first."

"She won't. And besides," Harry smiled, not sure whether he was trying to convince himself or Ron, "isn't it better to fall in love with a friend then an enemy?" Harry didn't comment on the rest of Ron's rare moment of reasoning, and the two made their way to the Library, silent, both mulling over the bet that would change lives, futures, and soul mates.

There were two paths to choose from. No in between. And soon, it would be Hermione's time to choose which path she would take, and the way she would lead the Wizarding world. One path led to happiness, full of life and joy for many, but the other? The other led to destruction and loneliness, ending with the saying, "to loved and lost is better then to not have loved at all."

~C Lily~