Disclaimer: the usual

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Hermione found Harry sitting alone in the common room staring into the flames of the crackling fire before him.

"Harry?"

Harry knew who it was before he turned round. His pain filled eyes fixed on Hermione as she took a seat next to him. He glanced towards the doorway to see if Ron was following.

"Ron isn't coming don't worry." Hermione said, seeing his eyes flicker towards the doorway. Harry nodded meekly.

Looking at Harry now Hermione felt guilty. She had known that something wasn't right as soon as she'd seen Harry and she'd ignored it and now in the space of 2 days, things had gone from bad to worse, while she'd spent most of the time with Ron, neglecting Harry who obviously needed a friend. Ron wasn't helping matters by being a stubborn idiot and causing more problems. She could see Ron's point about his making up with Malfoy and she thought he had a right to make it, but the way he went about it wasn't exactly right, not to mention the way he'd been treating Harry the last few days. Malfoy, however, as much as she hated him for everything, seemed to have changed and had even stuck up for Harry when she had just sat there next to Ron and said nothing.

"I'm sorry I haven't been much of a friend lately Harry. I'm really sorry." Hermione said her eyes beginning to fill with tears. She couldn't help it, she always got emotional about the stupidest things, but she felt so bad about this she couldn't help it. Wiping her eyes, Hermione looked at Harry wondering if he was going to say anything. After a few minutes Harry broke his gaze from the fire and turned to his friend.

"Its ok 'Mione. I understand."

She sighed sadly, still feeling guilty despite Harry's understanding. She also felt guilty for bothering him with her stupid problem in the holidays when he'd obviously been struggling with problems far worse.

"What's troubling you Harry?" She asked quietly, not sure whether she wanted him to hear or not.

Harry, however, did hear her question and wondered whether to tell her. There was so much to tell though from the death of Cedric, to Voldemort's rising, to the jealousy of others, not to mention Ron's childish behaviour and his lack of family. Hermione would probably think he was mad as well as overreacting. She probably wouldn't understand, nobody would unless they'd seen what had happened that night last year. To see Voldemort rising by using Harry's blood as one of the ingredients, Wormtail and his other servants, having the Cruciatus curse cast on him and also the duel and the encounter with crazy Barty Crouch Jr. As much as he wanted to forget it all he couldn't. His dreams were plagued with flashbacks and images of that one night, forever imprinted on his memory. He was haunted by his mother's cries, green light and Voldemort's cruel words. Battling with his own thoughts Harry sat there in silence and decided that he wouldn't tell Hermione; he thought that was for the best.

"If you ever want to talk though Harry, you can always talk to me." Hermione said touching his arm reassuringly and giving him a small smile.

"Thanks Hermione." Harry replied.

With a small cry she flung her arms around him and pulled him into an awkward hug seen as they were both sitting on different chairs. Harry was touched by her concern though and managed a slight smile. Hermione pulled back then and proceeded to wipe her eyes again, with her robes.

"Well we'd better get going then, we have Transfiguration next." Hermione said standing up and moving towards the doorway, flashing Harry a smile in the process. It was at that moment Ron decided to enter the room.

"There you are!" He said when he seen Hermione. "I've been looking for you everywhere." Strolling over Ron seen that someone was sitting in the chair by the fire. He had an idea who it was before he looked. The untidy black hair was a dead give away.

"I see." Ron said bitterly, glancing from Hermione to the back of Harry, who hadn't bothered to turn round. "Been trying to get Hermione to see your point of view have you, Harry? Trying to get her to become a Slytherin supporter too?"

At that moment Harry wished he was in Slytherin, at least then he wouldn't have to suffer this. He'd thought Malfoy was bad, going out of his way to insult him and his friends about anything and everything, but Ron was proving to be just as bad. At least this year Malfoy had finally grown up and dropped the whole thing, but things couldn't just be peaceful. No! Ron now seemed to have taken Malfoy's place on the insults and was going out of his way to insult Harry like he was now. Harry gritted his teeth and his whole body tensed with anger.

"Come on Ron, Drop it! We're going to be late for Transfiguration if we don't hurry." Hermione said grabbing Ron's arm as she seen Harry's fists clench on the arms of the chair.

Pulling his arm out of Hermione's grip Ron walked over the chair and peered down so he could look Harry in the eye and proceeded to wave his arm in front of his eyes.

"Hello? Can you hear me? Or can't you talk to us Gryffindors now that you're friends with the Slytherins? Not good enough for you now are we?" Ron asked his voice full of spite.

That was the last straw for Harry who had had enough of Ron's taunting and cruel remarks. Blinded by rage and with the speed of the seeker he was, Harry stood up and threw a punch at Ron before the red haired boy had a chance to realise what was happening. Harry's fist collided with Ron's jaw, twisting the boy's head to the side. Ron turned back to face Harry in shock, ignoring the aching pain spreading through his face. Harry's emerald green eyes shone brightly with rage against his pale face. Breathing deeply, the anger draining from his body, Harry ran a hand through his hair and muttering vaguely to himself, he ran from the common room leaving Ron who was clutching his jaw in pain and Hermione who stood there unmoving not sure what to do.

After Harry had left, Hermione turned to Ron exasperated.

"Happy now? Got what you wanted did you? Well you pushed him to it! I hope it really hurts then maybe you'll understand how he feels!" She screamed at him before turning on her heel and exiting through the portrait of the fat lady. He dashed out after her.

"What? You expect me to agree that he's made friends with Malfoy! Malfoy of all people, that arrogant sod who goes out of his way to annoy us and insult my family!"

"No Ron, I don't expect you to agree. It's up to you what you do, whether you speak to him or not, but do you have to go out of your way to insult him all the time? Your beginning to act like Malfoy used to!" Hermione said to him still angry as they walked quickly to Transfiguration.

Ron spluttered in fury.

"I am not like Malfoy!" He protested heatedly. "Used to? I'm telling you, he's still the same, it's all an act! Gits like him don't change. He's probably up to something!"

"I think he might have actually changed Ron…Now hurry up!" Hermione said, dragging Ron into Transfiguration to their seats, just before McGonnagol entered. Harry's seat, however, remained empty all lesson.

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When Harry was sure third lesson was over, he exited the common room and headed for the library to prepare his potions homework. He'd been in the dormitories all the way through third lesson, thinking over things. He'd hid around a corner while Hermione came storming out, Ron following after her shouting. Once he was sure they'd gone, he'd dashed back up to the dormitory and lay on his bed staring at the ceiling unable to believe he'd punched his best friend in the face, but him and Ron weren't friends right now so what did it matter? It did matter to Harry though, he couldn't believe he'd hit Ron even though he knew he'd deserved it, there was no doubt about that. He didn't know what he felt about it, guilt possibly? Even though he knew he had no reason to feel guilty. Ron had practically asked for it, taunting Harry with his heartless remarks that Harry thought only Malfoy was capable of. Even though Malfoy had drove Harry to unlimited lengths of anger he'd never punched him in the face, that said a lot and now Malfoy appeared to be the one who was being civil and not causing problems. Harry sighed loudly, what a mess! He hoped Ron had a nice bruise on his jaw though; maybe then he would grow up and stop being such an idiot. If Ron didn't want to speak to him that was fine, but he could at least keep his mouth shut and leave Harry alone.

Without dwelling on the incident any further, Harry opened the door to the library and made his way over to the study area. A familiar light blonde head of hair was leant over a book on a table in the corner. It seemed that Malfoy was already here. Strolling over, Harry took a seat next to him and placed his things on the table quietly. Malfoy looked up from the book he was reading.

"Potter." He greeted Harry with a nod of his head.

"Malfoy," Harry said mimicking him, causing Malfoy to smirk at him in an amused kind of way.

"Don't get smart now, Potter." Malfoy said good-naturedly.

"So, have you found anything?" Harry asked, getting a piece of parchment and his quill ready to write out the ingredients and instructions.

"Well, I think this page might have some good information." Malfoy said placing the book in between them both. Harry looked over the page and read what the book had to say on emotion switching spells. His eyes widened when he seen that the partner you conducted the experiment with would be able to feel all your emotions, he didn't want that to happen!

Draco was having the same thoughts; he didn't want Potter intruding on his feelings, thank you very much! He was sure that Potter shared his opinion on this matter, they'd only been friends for just over 24 hours they weren't exactly ready to get up close and personal. He bet Snape deliberately paired them for this exercise the sadistic pig! Draco muttered other curses to himself under his breath, now he understood why Potter hated Snape. Seen as potter had found the required ingredients for five minutes Draco began to copy it down all the while thinking. There was no way he could let this experiment go to plan, an extra ingredient would have to be added or something. Draco continued to think about this as he wrote plotting and scheming. He didn't want to cause problems and get Potter another detention with Snape it was just if he wanted to share his emotions he would. It never occurred to him that there could be consequences of him messing up their potion, that was the least of his worries. The only thing Draco was worried about was that someone, Potter, would be invading his privacy.

"Do you think there's anything else we need?" Harry asked him.

"Other then how to make it, No." Draco replied, turning the page of the book hoping to find a plan of action. Luck was obviously in his favour because there on the other page were the instructions. They both began to copy the new information down, their quills scribbling furiously on their parchment.

"I don't believe this!" Someone shouted piercing Draco's thoughts. He thought this was a library, people were not supposed to shout. He wondered what idiot had dared to disturb him when he had come in here for some piece and quiet away from people, even if it was to do potions. His housemates drove him up the wall enough he didn't need any one else to join in. Draco looked up his pale grey eyes fixing on the offending person.

"Ah, I thought it would be someone like you, Weasley. Not many other people I know who lack brainpower. Honestly though, this is a library, you know where people go to study where its quiet." Draco drawled smirking to the red haired boy about to sit down at the opposite table with Granger. Potter looked up at the mention of Weasley, his gaze flickered from Ron to Hermione and gave her a small smile before he looked down and continued copying from the book. Draco, however, continued to study Ron who was going increasingly redder as he sat down and began talking heatedly to Hermione while shooting glares at him and Potter. Draco was pleased to note the bruise forming on Weasley's jaw, it looked like someone had had the sense to give him what he deserved. Draco smirked; he hadn't wanted to argue this year but seen as Weasley had started it then it didn't matter so much, he thought to himself. There was still some of the old Malfoy in him; he still had sharp cutting comebacks when needed.

"Potter." Draco whispered leaning over to the black haired boy next to him.

"Yes?" Harry replied just as quietly, not looking up from his parchment until he'd finished writing. "What is it?"

"Do you know where Weasley got that bruise on his jaw?"  Draco asked nodding his head discreetly in Ron's direction.

Harry looked over at Ron, where he was sitting with Hermione and could instantly see the dark bruise on his jaw line; he felt a pang of guilt but remembered Ron's comments and also noted the glare Ron was now shooting at him.

"Yes, I do." Harry replied to Draco who looked eager to know. Turning back to his work, Harry smiled to himself knowing Malfoy was probably getting very frustrated over Harry's vague answer.

"Well?" Draco impatiently.

"Well what?" Harry asked him, a smile beginning to form on his face as he threatened to laugh after seeing Draco's expression, which was one of pure irritation.

"Don't wind me up now, Potter." Draco growled, before jabbing Harry in the ribs with his elbow, messing about causing Harry to laugh. Laughing was something very rare for Harry lately. Just to add to the very rare things Draco followed Harry's laughter by smiling, a full smile. Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco's smile.

"Yes, unbelievably Potter, I do smile." Draco drawled amused at Harry's surprise. It was probably making headlines in Potter's mind, 'Draco Malfoy the heartless git smiles'. He almost laughed himself.

"Anyway, Potter. Don't lead me off the subject. Where did the weasel get that bruise? Who hit him so I can go and congratulate them?"  Draco said fervently.

"I hit him." Harry answered quite seriously, not smiling.

Draco laughed sarcastically, his face a picture of disbelief. "You didn't?"

"I did." Harry said as serious as he was the first time.

"Bloody hell!" Draco exclaimed, earning him a stern glance from the librarian and some annoyed stares from surrounding students. "Of all the people…." Draco muttered to himself, glancing at Weasley again.

"I must admit though Potter. You must have thrown a pretty good punch."

Harry chuckled. "You had a lucky escape, Malfoy."

"I would have deserved what I got." Draco replied solemnly, picking up his potions books, ready to leave.

"Yeah, you would have, but your not so bad now." Harry told him, collecting his own things as the walked out, Malfoy stopping once to pat Ron on the shoulder and telling him 'nice bruise' earning him a 'I'll get you for that Malfoy' which made him laugh.

Once they were outside Harry turned to Malfoy.

"Thanks for the help."

"No problem, Potter. Anything to help the person who punched Weasley." Malfoy said jokingly, making Harry smile.

Harry studied Malfoy curiously, wondering what had made him change so much.

"Why the dramatic change, Malfoy? I don't understand."

"I had a rude awakening this summer, Potter, which made me realise what a git I'd been." Malfoy answered calmly, his eyes focusing on something Harry couldn't see.

Harry nodded. He understood that. He'd had one of them himself though not quite to the same effect, it hadn't done him any good at all.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Harry said before turning to head for his common room.

Malfoy nodded. "See you, Potter."

When he halfway down the corridor, Malfoy stopped and turned around.

"Potter!" He called; Harry turned around and raised his head slightly in question.

"Sorry for the last four years." Draco said to him before turning away quickly heading towards the Slytherin common room.

After a few moments of standing there in silence, Harry turned and made his way towards his own common room feeling slightly better then he had all day.

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A/N – Hope everyone enjoys this chapter! Thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews, I really appreciate them they encourage me to write more. And to anyone who cares this is not going to be slash sorry to disappoint some people its just that I think it would spoil the story, and I don't usually write that kind of stuff. Hope you still decide to read it though. Another reason is because there's lots of slash stories out there who befriend Draco and Harry because they apparently love each other but I want this to be different.

If you find any mistake please tell me, enjoy! Please review and tell me what you think!