The stone wall that served as the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room opened, and all the conversation ceased as the towel-clad Draco Malfoy entered. Heads turned as he passed, and whispering resumed. The young Malfoy ignored it all, although his ears got redder as the voices grew in volume. His step quickened and he was soon opening the door to the seventh year dormitory.

"Draco, you're wearing only a towel!" Goyle exclaimed.

"Goyle, you are smarter than I thought," Blaise said dryly. "You know what a towel is."

Goyle scowled at his fellow Slytherin, but, before he could say anything, Draco said:

"I'd like to be alone."

Crabbe and Goyle moved promptly to comply, leaving the dormitory. Draco sat down. He really needed time alone to think about bloody Granger and what happened. What was he doing with her, anyway? Flirting? With Granger? He smirked a bit, remembering the conversation they just had. 'Or slightly more than only a conversation,' he added smirking to himself.

"I'd like to hear this one."

Draco looked up, noticing that Zabini made no move to leave the room. Blaise just sat there, looking at him amusedly.

"Blaise, I asked to be alone," Draco informed. He hated repeating himself.

"I heard. So, what's the story?"

Draco sighed. Blaise was not always like that. He became this annoying as he grew up. Bloody git. Why couldn't he be stupid like Crabbe and keep obeying even after he got older?

"What story?" asked Draco.

"Of why you're wearing only a towel," Blaise stated. "Especially in a room full of men," he added. He thought for a moment. "Say, are you gay?"

"No, Blaise. Your loss. Now leave," ordered Draco, while rummaging his trunk for a suitable pair of trousers. He was in no mood for the usual teasing. He threw his towel away, and started to put his underwear.

"You say that, but you are naked with a boy in a room."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Zabini. I just couldn't find my things in the changing room. Someone must have thought it was funny to steal my things," he said, starting to get really irritated.

"Oooh. Last names. Now you're getting nasty," Blaise laughed. "How can you be so sure you're not gay? I haven't seen you around many birds lately."

Draco put his pants on, and turned to Blaise:

"I've been around plenty of girls."

"Without any noticeable interest."

"I wish," Draco sighed.

"A-ha! So, there is a girl!" Blaise crowed. "Who is it? Do I know her? Is she why you were walking around wearing only a towel?"

Draco blushed. "Don't be stupid."

"She is!" Blaise exclaimed, grinning widely. "So, who is it? Is it Pansy again? Putting Potter in his proper place?"

"No."

"Not Pansy? Hmm. Millie, then? Or, perhaps, the sixth year cutie, Bridget?"

"No."

"Tough. I wanted to know how experienced she is. Is it Madeline, then? Or, perhaps, Lucy?" Blaise tried.

"Shut up, Blaise," Draco sighed.

"No sixth years, then. Cradle robbing, are we? Fifth? Lironi? The cute brown haired? Michelle? Or perhaps that goth, what's her name... Marsomething."

"Marjorie. No, none of them," Draco answered, rubbing his temples. He sat on his bed.

Blaise was smiling widely, almost jumping with excitement.

"Fourth? My, my. Is it..."

"No fourth years, Zabini. I'm no pedophile. Now, quit it."

"Hmmm. From another house, then. Ravenclaw?"

"No."

"Please, tell me it's not a Hufflepuff. I mean, we're supposed to get along with them, but--"

"Of course not!" Draco snapped, offended. "Now that's enough. Stop it!"

"A Gryffindor! You! Who'd have thought... Now, who..." Blaise trailed off. "Of course, how could I be so blind! It's Granger!"

"WHAT?! NO!!" Draco stared, mouth gaping open. "I would NEVER--"

"It is! Merlin's beard, Goyle owes me almost all his inheritance! Hermione Granger, the bookworm Gryffindor!"

"Shut up!" Draco yelled. "Look at you, dating a bloody Weasley!"

"At least she's full-blooded," Blaise answered easily, amusement showing on his face. "Now, mudblood Granger..."

"I don't fancy bloody Granger!" Draco yelled.

"Good for you! I mean, she is a filthy mudblood, and I heard she passed by both Potter and--"

"Shut up!"

"Aha," said Blaise, satisfied. "You do fancy bloody Granger."

"I am supposed to be the annoying asshole, you know?" Draco snarled.

"Feels good to be you, then," Blaise laughed. "But, Granger! Haha, how did that happen?"

Draco stood very still, arms crossed. He walked towards the window, looked out for a moment. Turned towards the door, and walked towards it, seething. He then walked towards his bed, sat down abruptly and laid his head on his arms with a sigh.

"I don't bloody know, okay?"

"How long has this been going on, anyway? Last year?"

Draco grumbled something.

"What was that? Fifth? Fourth?"

"Third, okay?"

"Third?! Third year? You mean, when she slapped you? You masochist! I knew it!" Blaise laughed.

"No! It was only... attraction. I mean, it IS only attraction," he emended.

"Right," said Blaise.

"Oh, sod off," Draco spat back.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Blaise asked amusedly.

Draco just glared at him.

"You already did, didn't you? You did something about it."

"Shut up."

"Whatever. You should know that Granger's gonna be a tough nut to crack, Malfoy," Blaise advised. "And you're probably biting more than you can chew. She's not your typical no-brained girl. You could even end up in love with her!"

"How cheerful of you," Draco spat. "Should I kill myself now?"

"I think I'll just leave you alone with your thoughts, lover boy," Blaise grinned. He got up and started walking towards the door. "Got some money to collect from your goons."

Draco glared at Blaise's back, then at the closed door.

"Should've done that sooner," he growled at the empty room. He then laid down on his bed, a frown on his face and a bushy hair on his mind.

"So, what if she is a muggle-born?" He asked to the empty room. "She is a hot piece of ass."

Satisfied with his conclusion, Draco Malfoy laid back down to take a nap.

***