Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own anything with the exception of the plot & and about 3 characters so far...

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for your reviews! Really it's your reviews that making me want to continue writing this fic. Kinda struggling to continue on with the next succeeding chapters, but I seem to find myself to be able to pull through with it and that's great, right? Alrighty then, well just sit back and enjoy the chapters...

Summary: Hermione & Draco received a nasty blow to the head when an out of control bludger careened towards where they stood bickering during a Quidditch practice. They woke up in the hospital wing not knowing each other--but they know everyone else--and an instant attraction towards each other soon formed.

Setting: 6th year

Pairings: that smirking Slytherin Boy & that brainy Gryffindor Girl

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XIV. a New Day; a New Look

Audible gasps from mostly the male population of Hogwarts echoed over the suddenly quiet corridors and hallways of the great school, leaving a large group of guys with their eyes bugging out of their sockets and ogling after a certain dark haired girl whose long, unruly curly hair was suddenly chopped short and hung, styled and polished to perfect shininess just a few inches above her shoulders. Even a group of Slytherin boys--Draco included--watched in awe as Hermione Granger (if that pretty little thing strutting about towards the Great Hall was indeed her) made her way to the Great Hall with escorts Harry and Ron at her side and a giggling Ginny beside Harry.

Hermione had some major transformation over the weekend and it has caused quite a disturbance amongst the many students at Hogwarts--mostly from the male students of Hogwarts anyway.

Draco nearly tripped on his own foot as he watched Hermione disappear inside the big hall with her three friends. He couldn't believe what he just saw. He was sure she saw him as she walked down the corridor with her friends, hell, he even smiled and inclined his head at her but she merely smiled but didn't acknowledge him. She more like looked past him and smiled at somebody standing behind him. That only infuriated him even more.

She ignored him for two whole days and came Monday morning she treated him as though Friday night didn't happen.

What the hell kinda game does she think she's playing? he asked himself irately, stalking into the Great Hall after Hermione Granger and company's grand entrance.

~*~

"Success." Ginny whispered to Hermione as soon as they were seated side-by-side at the Gryffindor table.

Hermione nervously checked the table across from theirs and saw Draco glaring at her. Like what Ginny told her, she pretended not to notice him and smiled at her friend, "What was his reaction when I just looked past him?"

Ginny suppressed a giggle started putting cereal into her bowl.

"Ginny..." Hermione hissed through gritted teeth. The other girl was keeping her in suspense and she wasn't liking it, not even one bit. "Virginia Weasley, are you going to let me sit here and wait for you to finish your damn breakfast or what?!"

"My, my Ms. Granger, aren't we a bit too antsy to find out how our dear old Mr. Malfoy reacted to your indifference towards him." Ginny teased, scooping a spoonful of cereal and stuffing it in her mouth.

"You're hopeless." Hermione shook her newly chopped hair and did what Ginny was doing. She ate her breakfast in as much leisure speed as possible all the while that she kept on glancing over the the Slytherin table and watching out for Draco's reaction.

~*~

"Don't you think you're being too drastic here, Herm?" Harry asked after they settled side-by-side in Transfiguration.

Hermione told Harry about her and Ginny's plan to forget about Draco Malfoy and concentrate on reinventing herself. She knew part of the reason for her 'new me' was Draco. Harry mentioned to her that since she woke up in the hospital wing with Draco that she has changed quite a lot, but since she was erasing Draco from her life--albeit not permanently since she still have to go through the rest of this school year and next year with him--she didn't want to go back to her old, geeky self and be boring. Ginny inspired her to become 'wild,' 'sexy,' and 'utterly provocative' until every male eye in school ogled at her and wanted to have a piece of her.

"Harry, you worry too much!" Hermione smiled and out of habit she put her arm over his shoulders and gave him a light squeeze against her, "That's why I love you so much!" she exclaimed, making sure that whomever was in the room with them at that moment--it was still too early and she saw Draco slither into the room along with Crabbe and Goyle right after her and Harry--heard her. And to add more fuel to the fire, she planted a surprise kiss on her dear, good friend's cheek.

"Jesus, Hermione!" Harry exclaimed after she planted a kiss on his cheek. He quickly pulled away from her and wiped his cheek with the back of her hand, "Do you have to be so touchy-feely, woman?" he hissed under his breath, understanding dawning on him as to why Hermione did what she just did.

She grinned seductively, something she practiced with Ginny last night and passed a discreet glance towards where Draco was seated. If looks could kill Harry would've keeled over and died by now.

~*~

Draco snapped good quill into two after witnessing the coziness between Harry and Hermione. Did she just kiss him? And why does she have to have her arm around that low-life's shoulders? Do they have to sit that close to one another? Dammit, he wished Potter would move away from her. And would Hermione kindaly take her arm off Potter's shoulders and stop giving him that googly-eyed stare and her engaging, bedazzling smile?

"Draco, is everything alright?" nudged Pansy when she noticed that he has broken his second quill since they sat down and waited for McGonagall to start class.

"Yes, I'm fine." he snapped, his eyes never breaking contact with Potter and Hermione.

Pansy knew better than to prod Draco some more. She remembered last Friday's incident when she asked him if he was alright. He nearly chopped her head off for even suggesting that he go to the hospital wing if he was having a headache! So Pansy let Draco be, left him alone to seethe in anger all by himself. She didn't know to ask who was responsible for Draco's sour mood. It was quite evident who brought it upon himself.

Granger. Pansy couldn't stop herself from snapping her own quill into two at the thought of the Mudblood weaving her own little spell on Draco--and probably on the rest of the male students at Hogwarts.

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to be continued...

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I knew I just have to do something to kinda "spice" things up a bit. Oooh, a jealous Draco & a flirty Hermione??? Yep, a totally different them alright! *lol* As always don't forget to leave your mark and let me know what you think--toodles for now!

nessa-girl: yeah, I am trying to show Draco's old side in every other chapter at least. I mean, you guys might get sick and tired of him if he's the same sweet Draco in every chapter! And as for the last part of ch11 might sound familiar, but I think it has been done numerous times in movies, TVs and probably books. I just thought that's a good exit for Hermione, don't you think?

Hermione18: thanks for liking the fic & thanks for leaving your mark

Queen Li: I just thought that after the Halloween party and what happened I should stir something up, so I sorta did. Hermione hiding from Draco kinda puts a bit of suspense for this chapter, don't you think? hehehe, she was out of people's sight for 2 whole days and when she emerged Monday morning she was totally a complete and different person!

Happy little Rin-chan: yeah, when I have a moment I update as much chapters as I can. Just because it takes me a while sometimes to update doesn't mean I am not working on the chapters, hehehehe, and besides, yesterday I was inspired to write chapter after chapter.