I walked in and tripped over Draco's books. Really? Merlin, why me? Everyone except Ron and Harry bursted into laughter. I blinked tears back and walked to my seat.

"Quiet," Snape demanded. "Miss Granger, don't make a scene."

I sat down and Ron patted my hand.

"S'okay," he assured.

I nodded.

"It's just Malfoy. He — "

Ron was cut off by a loud thump as Snape's book hit Ron's head. Ron rubbed his head and scowled. That caused another wave of laughter. At that, Harry and I smiled, fighting off laughs.

"Silence!"

I sat in the common room in my dorm with a book. I was curled up by the fire, relaxing, not dealing with Malfoy. He wasn't here. No doubt off snogging Pansy. They fought way too much to appear to be a couple. Malfoy walked in moments later, muttering to himself. He sat on the couch beside me, but as far from me as he could get.

"What's wrong," I asked, not really caring what he said.

"Pansy a bloody stalker. She won't leave me alone. Thinks I've got some thing with you."

"That's insane." I didn't care anymore, so I dropped my eyes back to the book.

"She's outside the door."

I looked up. "Wow, she really is a stalker."

He nodded. "I broke up with her, but she just says I'm mad."

I closed the book and set it down. "You need to be firm with her."

"I am."

"Then give her a reason to absolutely hate you."

He thought for a minute and then shuddered. A banging on the door started just as Malfoy spoke. "I have an idea... but it's completely repulsive."

"That I should kiss you and she should see?" He looked surprised. "Yeah, I had the same idea. But it's... just like acting... isn't it?"

He nodded. "Definitely." The door knob twisted and Malfoy's lips were on mine suddenly.

His lips were sweet and warm. The kiss was genuinely good, but I refused to let myself think that way. I was kissing Malfoy. The weasel. Gross.

"Malfoy! How dare you!"

Pansy stood in the door, hands on her hips, gaping at us.

"Get out of here, Pansy."

"You're snogging that Mudblood? You lying cheater! We're over!" She stared to walked out, but glanced over her shoulder, so Malfoy kissed me again.

When she shut the door, the kiss still went on for a few more seconds. Malfoy pulled away hard. "Get off of me, Mudblood."

"S-sorry. I deserve that."

Malfoy had a strange expression. "Well...Thanks, I suppose."

He went to his room and shut the door.

"You did what!"

"Shut up, Ronald! It was only, like, ten seconds. Pansy was pretty much stalking him."

Two boys that I didn't know stopped in front of me. "Heard you kissed, Malfoy, Granger. You making up stories?" They walked away laughing.

I ran down the hall. Ron and Harry ran after me. I stopped in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, tears pouring down my face.

"Hermione," said Harry, grabbing my shoulder. "It's only a few boys. So what?"

I turned on him and leaned into him, crying. "The whole school knows, no doubt. In case you haven't noticed, things spread quickly at Hogwarts."

"Don't deny her that," Ron said. "You never realized this would happen?"

I shook my head and rested it back on Harry's shoulder.

"Ron, she was helping. She didn't think of the consequences."

"Granger, you alright?"

I looked over Harry's shoulder and saw Malfoy standing in the door. "Get the hell out, Malfoy."

He only came closed. Harry spun around and backed up. I pulled away from Harry, but his arm remained around my waste. Ron stood, blocking Malfoy.

"Get outta here you git," Ron spat.

Malfoy pulled out his wand. "Step aside Weaselbee."

Ron didn't move.

"What do you want," I asked before Malfoy could cast a spell.

"I want to know if you're alright."

I shook my head, fresh tears springing to my eyes. "No. You've obviously heard what they say about me."

"I'm stopping it the best I can. I tell everyone who comes to me that I broke up with Pansy, so she started that crazy rumor." He stepped around Ron, and Ron stayed ready to attack, but let him by. "I don't want you to get hurt 'cause of a stupid thing I told you to do."