Disclaimer: A few characters are mine & the plot of course, but the rest belongs to J.K. Rowling

Author's Note: Writing this chap took me a whole day and a half (yesterday up to this morning) to conceive the concept, so if it turns out to be a crappy chap I'm sorry for that. Writer's block is a real pain in the you-know-what! I don't have a pre-conceived plot for this one so bear with me, thanks!

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: Draco & Hermione

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XXI. a Silent Truce

A complete change in Draco and Hermione's relationship was noticeable after their last encounter. They hardly spoke to one another, but on those rare time they spoke to each other they were civil to one another. They were more civil, actually, that it was hard for Hermione's friends to decipher if they have indeed kissed and made up or if they were just being mature and let bygones be bygones.

"Are you and Malfoy friends again?" Ron asked when he could no longer keep his curiosity to himself. He sat to Hermione's left inside Potions while waiting for Snape.

"No." was Hermione's quick, non-committal response.

"Are you sure?" Harry insisted, sitting on her other side.

"Yes." she nodded.

Ron and Harry exchanged befuddled looks over Hermione's head. She was way too calm about this whole thing, and it was making them expect the worst-case scenario if ever Hermione and Draco butt heads once more.

~*~

Draco sat at the very back of the room, his chair tilted backwards and balancing on its two hind legs. The backrest was propped against the wall which gave him some leverage. He walked in to Potions shortly after Hermione walked in with her knights in shining armor.

Lately Draco found himself watching out for Hermione or even looking for her when she was no where to be found. Since that night by the lake nearly a week and a half ago his relationship with Hermione progressed from enemies (not really enemies, but enemies in a way nevertheless) to cordial acquaintances (although they were far from being mere acquaintances!). He stopped picking a fight with her and just let her be. But wherever Hermione went, Draco was sure to follow and kept a close eye on her. They may never have a chance in hell to get together, but he'd be damned if he forget all about her.

It was somewhat hard to forget your first love. And Hermione Granger was indeed his first, his last, his only love as far as he was concerned.

Snape was running late. A tad bit unusual for their Potions teacher to do, but Draco wasn't complaining. He took advantage of the situation and closed his eyes, resting his head against the wall and was transported back to that night a week and a half ago when he had Hermione Granger in his arms, maybe for the last time...

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to be continued...

A/N: I told you I'm suffering from writer's block! This chapter goes up there with the few I rated as "sucky" chapters I've written. This isn't my most productive one to date, but as I was typing this up another thought came to mind for the next chapter so I think I'm getting over my writer's block! *lol*

Draco's one and only: I don't know how I think up of chapters so fast as soon as I finished writing/typing one. All I know is that while typing/writing one chapter, another idea would pop into my head right in the middle of what I am doing and I'll go on from there...it's really hard to explain, but that's the reason why I upload chapter after chapter in a day.

Angela: the second book is like the scariest one as far as I'm concerned. I mean not scary-scary, it just has more suspense packed into it, but I love all books nevertheless...can't really pick one to call my ultimate fave HP book to read! *lol*

Queen Li: what happens next is that I am suffering from writer's block and produced a crappy chapter, that's what happened next! *lol* Hopefully next chapter is less crappy than this one :D

CrystallineLily: so the previous one was a "kewl" chapter, I dunno about this one if you'll still say it's cool *lol*

Rebecca: I'm glad this fic ain't ending yet too, but then I can't really drag this fic for way too long--it might just get boring and boring until finally nobody wants to read it coz its the same thing happening over and over again! *lol*

ju: I know that separating Draco & Hermione is harsh, but I have a flair for the dramatics hence why I just prolong their getting together, hehehe

SXYDNCRGRLIE2005: thanks for leaving your mark and Draco's still being an ass??? hehehe, well, in the last few chapters he was kinda being his old self again

DarkAngel: Draco & Hermione fight too much because...well, because they're both silly in love with one another and don't know how to act around each other! *lol*

nessa-girl: yeah, that was very noble of Ron not to tattle about what he found out about Hermione and Draco. and thanks for constantly reviewing! hehehe

Rach: why thank you very much for thinking my fic is insanely good! *lol*

maxzoid: of course I will continue! *lol* this is my futile attempt at a follow-up to chapter 20 :D