The XanderCordelia Factor

The next morning. Oh bloody fuck, here it comes, thought Draco as he stepped into the Great Hall. All heads turned towards him, and he ducked, trying to avoid detection. It failed miserably. The Hall fell silent, and every single human being was staring at him, some repressing laughter, some gazing at him with remorseful expressions, some just looking hopeful. He gave them his best glare, grabbed a muffin and a bagel with cream cheese on it and left.

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Hermione was always the earliest to class and the first to leave, always finished assignments and kept to herself for most of the day. The only time she showed her face was at night when she patrolled the halls for idiots not in bed. On one of these nights, she found Harry. He was lurking in a dark corner. She sighed and started to walk away, but he caught her by the hand, and didn't let go.

"Hermione, we have to talk."

"No, we don't. You saw what happened, you heard all the gossip, what else could you POSSIBLY want to know?" she shook her hand free. He grabbed her arm.

"Wait, just hear me out. We have to talk. You're avoiding us. What do you think we'll do? Okay, so I'm a bit pissed that you'd date Malfoy, but hey. Life throws us twists, we just gotta untwist them, yeah? Besides, it's not like you've changed into a baddie or anything, so I'm willing to overlook the whole dating-Malfoy thing." he took a deep breath. She looked at him. He stared at her. She smiled, a tiny smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"Look, why don't you and I go talk about it somewhere else. We could get caught by Snape, so you know?" she said, taking his hand and leading him to her dorm. He followed.

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Draco put in an Autumn Rising CD, pressed play, and imagined himself a punch bag. It materialized, and he let rip the sadness and pain and anger at himself at the bag. he finished, and decided to take a shower. The cold spray hit him, and he shook his head to clear it. He'd go talk to Hermione, tell her it was alright, they could still be friends, if she wanted it. That he'd take her back no matter what.

Slipping on a dark red shirt and black jeans, he made his way to the door that led to her dorm. He froze. There she was, hugging Potter, smile on her face. It made him happy that she was happy, but moving on so quickly? He just stood, rage and sorrow threatening to tear him limb from limb. She pulled away from the embrace, and saw him.

"Draco..." the smile faltered. He mustered up the strength to keep his depression in check, to control himself.

"Hey, 'Mione, I-I was just wondering. E-even though we're not t-together anymore, w-w-would you still like to be fr-friends?" he stuttered it out, using all his strength to keep looking her in the eye. He was rewarded with a smile.

"Of course!" she caught herself from throwing her body onto his in a bear hug, and gave him a nice, friendly hug. Harry cleared his throat, and walked towards the blond boy.

"Um, err, since you and 'Mione are now friends, um...would it be possible for us to, y'know, be less than enemies, for her sake? What I mean is, d'you want to forget the past and be...y'know, f-f-f-"

"Friends?" Draco was deeply amused. Here was Potter, all nervous with his knickers in a bunch, asking him if he wanted to be friends. Sure, why the bloody hell not. Now Draco was in a holiday humor, which was brilliant, because spring break was four days away. And he was staying at the castle. With Harry, Hermione and unfortunately Ron.

Life looked up.

Okay loves, sorry it took so long to get this chappie up. Life happened and such.

I wrote another story, called the "Vampire Legends" if you would take occasion to read and review that, I'd be really really sort of eternally grateful. See, now it's looking up.

Autumn Rising: simply a really good band, even if it sometimes does Christian rock stuff. I like them. Guitars and drums are brill, but sorry. Back on track, more chapters to come, and it will get happier and happier. I'm planning something to happen during "graduation day", maybe involving the baddies from previous chapters.

Leavin some heart for those who R&R this and the other story.

Shorty