It was a lazy Sunday afternoon when I was walking aimlessly along the halls, thinking of something to do. I was walking along the Charms corridor when I saw Peeves, who was holding a sack of Dungbombs. Oh no.

"Hey bushy!" he yelled at me, before pelting me with a Dungbomb.

I was smart enough to dodge it before telling him off.

"Peeves, you stop it this instant!"

"Ooh, or what? You're going to tell McGonagall?" he taunted before tossing another one at me. I sighed and decided to just ignore him and walk away, but he kept following. I was pissed, so I decided to run away from him. He of course kept following, cackling things like "I'm gonna get you bushy!" and "Little Miss Head Girl's getting a treat of a liiifetiiime!"

I was running and looking behind me at the same time, so I fell down a staircase.

So much for being Head Girl- wasn't I supposed to be sensible and look in front of me?

I could feel bruises starting to form all over me, and my vision was alternating between black and white. I felt faint, like I wanted to just sleep there on the floor.

"Love?" came a hesitant voice.

"Why is everyone calling me love?" I grumbled.

"Let's get you to the infirmary- what in Merlin's name happened to you?" Malfoy asked, helping me stand.

"Oh sod off Malfoy, I know you're secretly delighted at the thought of Hermione Granger falling down a staircase because she wasn't looking where she was going," I snapped.

He looked at me in concern, which made me even more pissed.

"Let go of me, I can go there on my own," I said angrily, pulling my arm out of his grasp but swaying.

He caught me before I fell. "You're still a bit dazed, I need to take you to Madame Pomfrey," he said worriedly.

"Tell me Malfoy, since when did you care?" I asked tartly as we were walking the way to the infirmary.

He paused, then said "Since this year."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him. "I've been no one but Mudblood Long-Molar Granger to you, why do you care now?"

He looked at me and said, "I just do.. I don't understand why, but you suddenly caught my eye- I've been attracted to you since."

Well, that was an adequate explanation.

Sarcastic much?

"Well Malfoy, if that's the case, then what did catch your eye?"

"I dunno.. it's hard to explain Hermione- but please believe me when I say that I like you.. a lot," he stammered.

Malfoy stammering! This is unbelievable- are we in the Twilight Zone?

My thoughts exactly.

I didn't know what to say, so I just kept quiet until we got there. As Madame Pomfrey fussed over me, I saw him standing near her desk, watching us. I felt a bit nervous- why would he still be here?

Once Madame Pomfrey left to get potions, he walked over.

"Why are you still here?" I asked. "You can go back to the common room or elsewhere you know- you don't need to stick around if you don't want to."

"That's the thing," he said, looking at me with a small smile. "I want to stay, to make sure you're okay and to take you back to the common room."

"Um, okay?"

He grinned at that.

"I know this is a bit too much to ask, but would a truce between us be possible?" he asked, looking at the floor.

Sweet Merlin, is he nervous!

Well, I guess it would beneficial regarding Head duties..

"I guess a truce would be fine," I said, and he looked up quickly.

"Are you sure? I don't want to force you to a truce just because I helped you out," he said.

"Don't worry, it's fine with me," I said, nodding.

"Thanks Hermione," he said.

After half an hour, he walked me back to the common room, telling me to rest for the rest of the day. Jeez, it was just a fall down a staircase!

As I was closing my door, I saw Blaise walk in, and Malfoy- er, Draco greeting him. Curious again, I peeked through my still-but-just-a-bit open door, I saw Draco tell him something happily. Blaise's face darkened for a bit before smiling and congratulating him. Then they moved to some part of the common room I couldn't see, so I just sighed and closed my door on them.

--

"Hermione, can I talk to you?" asked Padma Patil while I was washing my hands in the loo.

"Okay," I said, a bit surprised. Padma and I only had small talk. What did she need to talk about with me?

We went outside, under the beech tree beside the lake.

She took a deep breath and said, "Hermione, girl to girl, I'm worried for you."

"Why, Padma?" I asked as I sat down on the grass.

She also sat down and said sadly, "Blaise Zabini's following you around.."

"Did you date him?" I asked her.

"No! Thank goodness," she said, laughing. "But I know a few others who did, and I want you to be careful. You do know he's a pervert right? He wasn't even going out with those girls yet, and he was already feeling them up!"

"Well, maybe it was because they also wanted him to?" I asked calmly. "Because they did eventually go out with him, right?"

"Yes, well," Padma said, flustered, "I saw him our Arithmancy class- he kept putting his arm around your waist while we were waiting for Professor Vector. I'm afraid that if you don't fight him off- not that you weren't- he might do something awful to you."

I sighed and said, "Padma, I'm going to be okay. If he thinks he can feel me up or anything, I'll hex him into the next century. And besides, my best friends are Harry and Ron- one word to them and they'll beat him up for me. I suppose he knows that as well, which is why he isn't doing anything, thank goodness."

Or is it respect for you which is why he isn't feeling you up?

"Okay Hermione- if you say so," she said in a motherly way. "Just take care, okay?" she said, standing up and brushing the dirt off her skirt.

"Okay.. and thanks Padma," I smiled.

She smiled back and walked away.

Who gave her the right to worry about me! I'm perfectly fine!

She is right, you know.. why? Do you feel safe with him now?

Well, he protected me from the other Slytherins..

I think you ARE falling for him..

Oh bollocks!

--

Hi everyone:) Just got back from a tiiiring Sunday.. Whew. Glad that's over. There's work tomorrow, but I guess it won't be that bad- won't it? HahaXD

Anyways, my reviewers:D

Padfoot's Sidekick: Yeah I know, git with a capital G, wahaha!XD

IsInGcAuZeIlUv2: Updating:D Every other day:P Heh:P I'm happy you like it:)

Un Petit Diable: You'll see.. I think next chapter? Let me check.. Ah no, but something good's gonna happen next..:D And no, I won't keep them with the reserves- I wouldn't subject them to such torture. Hahahahaha!XD

Please remember to review after reading:) Thanks:P