AN; thanks for all the reviews, guys. They made me happy.

"Granger."

Hermione looked up at Pansy Parkinson as she made her way toward her in the Room of Requirements. The Slytherin wore skinny jeans, black high heel boots, a purple sweater, and a black vest. Her hair was pulled back from her face by clips. Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Parkinson," she said calmly, going back to her decorations. She was currently cutting out paper snow flakes to hang from the ceiling.

Parkinson stood next to the trampoline Hermione was sitting cross legged on, looking a bit unsure of what to do. Finally, she climbed up and sat across from the large pile of colorful paper in front of the Gryffindor. "I heard you needed help with the decorations," Pansy said.

Hermione looked up and said, "Yeah, I could use the help. You're bored enough to cut out snowflakes and make paper chains?"

Parkinson shrugged and started linking some of the paper together to make it look like garlands. Hermione watched her for a moment before going back to her work. Who was she to deny much needed help? Malfoy hadn't shown up since the strip tease routine two days ago. She was silently thankful for that, actually. She didn't need her body to be betraying her while she was trying to create a nice party for the students still at the school for holidays.

"Hey, Granger," Parkinson said.

"Hmm?" Hermione answered, unfolding a snowflake and setting it on the pile next to her of completed others.

"Draco likes you," Parkinson said.

Hermione looked up and saw that the Slytherin was still braiding construction paper. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked.

Parkinson looked up and set the braid in her lap. "Look," she said. "I don't like you, so don't think I'm telling you this because of that. I'm telling you this because he's my friend and I don't want to see him waste his time on a...person like you. Draco's been acting strange since your little kiss on the Quidditch Field a couple days ago."

"Really?" Hermione said, picking up another piece of paper and folding it. "He's the same git he's always been."

"No, he isn't," Parkinson said. "Draco's been ranting and raving about how you anger him. He's done it before, but it's gotten more obsessive lately. He likes you, Granger. I don't know why, but he does. I only came to warn you to not crush his heart."

Hermione laughed at that one. "He doesn't have a heart," she said, looking up and meeting her eyes. "Look, Parkinson. Draco and I will never, ever, be an item. He can taunt me all he wants, and rant about how I make him angry. But we will never work out."

Parkinson finished her paper garlands and flicked her wand so they hung themselves around the room. "Good," she said, sliding off the trampoline. Keep that in mind and I won't have to hurt you." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and left.

Draco looked at Pansy as she closed the door behind her. "Convincing," he said.

Pansy frowned. "I don't like messing with Granger," she said. "I'd never admit it, but she's the one Gryffindor I admire."

Draco nodded. "I get that," he said. "But I'm going to break her." Pansy turned and walked away without looking back. Draco shrugged at his friend's reaction. Pansy was never thrilled about his sexual escapades, but she helped, anyways. When she did, the girls didn't break down so much. It had taken a lot of persuading to get her to help with this one. After hearing the test results from Peeves, Draco had decided to play to Granger's Gryffindor sense, but also playing to the 'intelligent bad boy' image.

He straightened his collar and walked into the room. "Granger," he said as if he were really tired.

Granger looked up and Draco watched as her eyes traveled over his appearance. He felt his body jump and tighten at her gaze. "Malfoy," she said. "You look like hell." His clothes were wrinkled as if he'd slept in them and tossed all night; and his hair wasn't combed. Pansy had added a few make up touches to make him look like he hadn't slept in a while.

He snorted. "Thanks for the observation, Granger," he snapped. He ran a hand through his unbrushed hair. "Sorry," he said. "I'm just tired." He looked up at her and saw the surprise that was in her eyes.

"You must be tired if you're talking to me so civilly," she said. She slid off the trampoline and pressed her wrist to his forehead.

"What are you doing?" he asked, as she touched her own forehead.

"Seeing if you have a temperature," she said. "You don't. But you look like you haven't slept in days." Granger cupped his face and studied his eyes. Draco soaked up the feel of her hands on his skin. The touch was gentle and he bet she wasn't even aware of what she was doing. Her Gryffindor self had kicked in, just as planned. "Well, your eyes aren't glassy," she said. "We should still get you to Madam Pomfrey-"

"Granger," he said, grabbing her wrist as she tried to pull him to the door. She turned back and looked at him. "I just need some sleep. Just sleep. Let's not bother Madam Pomfrey."

She studied him and said, "All right. But if you feel any discomfort or pain-"

Draco gave a tired smirk. "You'll the first to know," he said. He walked over to the couch in the corner and laid down. "Oh," he said as he closed his eyes. "And if Pansy comes by, don't listen anything she says. She's off on some romance thing and thinks I like you." Then, he pretended to sleep while listening to Granger move around.

AN: Sneaky Draco! Who likes? Show of hands. Lol. Hope you liked it.