Author's Note: OMG!!! I just saw CoS Monday (Nov. 18) afternoon and let me tell you all, it was brilliantly done! And Tom Felton as Draco rocked! hehehehe, he's such a hottie in that movie *drools, swoons & sighs dreamily* OK, OK, I think I better slow my hormones down and take a deep breath...now while I'm still basking in the glow of picturing Tom Felton as Draco, might as well continue on with this fic...hehehehe, thank you all soooo much for your never-ending reviews! I like the ideas hurtled my way and I'll try my damnedest to work 'em into this fic!

Disclaimer: Ya'll already know what this stands for

Summary: Draco & Hermione were suppose to start their 7th year at Hogwarts as a couple, but due to a misunderstanding the previous year that dream soon crumbled and now they are to start their 7th year picking up the pieces of their tattered lives...

Setting: 7th Year

~*~*~*~*~

VII. Harry & Draco...FRIENDS?!

After their two days stint in the hospital wing, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter came out from the infirmary like two old friends enjoying a good conversation together. Everyone they passed by the hallway could only gape at them in stunned disbelief.

Since when did a Gryffindor and a Slytherin--or Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy for that matter--got along so well?

"Please tell me that I'm only dreaming or else I'll go hang myself now." Ron gulped when he saw Harry and Draco enjoying what seemed to be an earnest conversation that could only be shared by two good friends. And good friends they aren't!

Hermione and Ginny could only blink in astonishment at the improvement they saw in Harry and Draco's relationship.

"Gosh, I think locking them up in the hospital wing together for two days was not a very good idea." Ginny pointed out, her eyes remained transfixed on the two Quidditch team captains crossing the hallway.

Hermione couldn't even offer a single word out of her mouth. She just gaped at the sight her best friend and her former lover represented. Furrowing her eyebrows together, she crossed her arms and watched them closely.

~*~

"Alright, out with it." Hermione stepped out of nowhere, blocking Harry and Draco on their way towards one of their numerous classes together the next day.

Harry and Draco looked at each other, shrugged then turned back to Hermione and stared at her blankly.

"Out with what, Mione?" Draco asked innocently, letting the nickname he used to call her that long-ago night slip.

Hermione's dark eyes turned to tiny slits and she sent Draco a warning. "Never address me with that gawdawful name ever again." then turning her attention to her best friend, she raised an eyebrow and waited for an explanation.

Draco raised an eyebrow but didn't say a word. Harry, on the other hand, appeared oblivious to what was going on and frowned at her. "What's wrong, Herm?" he asked.

"What's wrong?" she echoed in disbelief, "You're asking me what's wrong, Harry Potter?!" she nearly shrieked. "In case you haven't noticed, you are--you are...arrrg! You're buddy-buddy with Draco Malfoy here--you're worse enemy." she pointed out, jabbing her index finger at Draco's direction.

Harry glanced at the direction Hermione was pointing at, his eyebrow raised. He met Draco's gaze and they both gave a careless shrug. Looking back at his incensed friend, Harry decided to come clean with everything--well, not entirely clean about everything, but he will tell her enough to satisfy her raging curiosity at the moment.

"Draco and I realized that it was pointless to constantly snap at each other so after spending two whole days in the infirmary, we came to a truce--at least until the end the of the school year." he shrugged.

"Uh-huh..." Hermione's eyebrow remained raised as she carefully eyed Harry and Draco, she still doesn't believe him. And why would she? Who knows what potion these two sniffed and addled their minds. "Whatever." she shook her head and walked away from them.

~*~

"Okay, I know you and Draco used each other's faces as punching bags, Harry Potter, but seriously, what the hell is going on?!" Hermioned demanded when she and Harry were alone in the Gryffindor common room later that evening, "I mean, you don't expect me to buy that crap that you two suddenly became bosom-buddies after spending two whole days in the infirmary!"

"Why is it hard for you to believe?" Harry asked, looking up at her meekly from the chair he was occupying.

"Because, Harry, since our first year you and Draco did nothing but snipe at each other! Then just a few days back you two were beating the shit out of each other for whatever reason and now you're best friends! Don't you think that's a tad bit too far-fetched, hm?" she questioned.

"Too far-fetched, yes. But Hermione, Malfoy's not really at all that bad. We did some talking while we were stuck together in the hospital wing and got to know each other. Besides, whether we hate each other's guts or not, if you're stuck in the infirmary doing nothing you'll get bored easily and will be forced to have a conversation with the devil himself!" he exaggerated.

"Uh-huh, and the devil happened to be Draco Malfoy?" she gave him a funny look and shook her head. God, talking to Harry was like talking to a brick wall! She was itching to find out exactly what Harry and Draco were up to. Seems like there was only one way for her to find out what was really going on...

~*~*~*~*~

to be continued...

A/N: I am so, so, SOOOO sorry for not updating sooner! Like in my previous story, lately I came across a writer's block hence why it took me so long to write this chapter. Hmm...I'm stuck and I need help. Ideas anyone??? I'll be more than glad to hear your ideas about where & how I should steer this fic...hehehehe

Draco's one and only: I am doing my best to get them back together. Can't you see that Draco even forged an "alliance" with Harry just so he could get back to Hermione's good graces??? hehehehe

Angela: you're right, Harry is helping Draco get back together with Hermione because...well, Harry knows how crazy in love Hermione is over Draco & how Draco really cares for Hermione...now the only problem I'm facing is how they're gonna get together! Oh wait, I think I have an idea...but then I dunno when I can slip that in to the story *lol*

cp5ive: I want Hermione and Draco to have more contact soon as well *lol* But how they're gonna get some more I dunno yet...and fear not for Harry & Hermione will remain just best friends...

Queen Li: thanks for loving it--but I'm suffering from writer's block again *waaaa*

Sabrina: Did this chapter answer your question??? hehehehe

Demon Wolf: thanks for leaving your mark and I'm doing my best albeit some writer's block to update as much as I can...

CindyLea: *lol* Seems like you're the second one who mentioned to me to get Hermione preggy...well that idea has been playing inside my head since I started writing this fic...

Slytherin's Angel: it's okay to be in another world, and yeah, Harry listened to Draco--I think *lol* and here's the beginning of the next chapter in Harry & Draco's 7th year at Hogwarts...a big turn-around *lol*

Quistis88: hehehe, well I think there's only going to be one Draco-Harry fight in this fic...or maybe there's gonna be another one...but we'll just have to wait and see because I myself don't know! *lol*

Loki: I really would like to see where this story of mine is going too! *lol* Mind helping me steer it to some sort of direction? hehehe

Hermione18: well so far for this fic I am having troubles (which I already mentioned one too many times) so we'll see what happens next after this chappie! hehehe

Hannah4Daniel: "sentimental hot sexy god of love"??? hmm...hey, that's a nice way of calling him! *lol*\

mattpenn: thanks for the advice...and yeah, I want this fic to move a whole lot faster...it's moving so fast that I can't even catch up with it! *lol*

kristatwen: hmm...I think Harry believed Draco or else...why would they be buddies after their stint in the hospital wing? hehehehe