Okay, so I actually kind of go by the "Snape doesn't really like Draco" idea. Because, to me, the way that Snape behaves towards Draco in class isn't the way that a teacher would treat a student that they personally liked. I've been there, as I'm an utter teacher's pet. Snape's over-the-top and quite possibly unwarranted praise of Draco seems like it would be counterproductive if the aim is to help Draco out. It's not going to encourage him to be a good student, and it's not going to do much to advance his knowledge. If Snape cared about Draco and wanted to really teach him the art of Potions, one would think that there'd be some constructive crit involved. One would also think that Snape would curb some of Draco's disruptive tendencies during class. Snape isn't the type to be okay with students goofing off during his lessons, especially not in any sort of disruptive fashion. But he lets Draco get away with it, somthing that I always fancied would have him silently gritting his teeth. That's favoritism and sucking up, not a personal liking.

Of course, Snape could like Draco AND be forced to favor him. Just because Lucius is watching doesn't exclude the possibility of him genuinely liking the little brat. So I'm not entirely sure aas to where that leaves me on the issue. I spose that I'm rather straddling the fence on this one.