I often wondered what kind of emotions lingered longer in one's heart. Whatever the type might be, it must come with a strong notion, the kind of notion that the person who in possession of it could never be truly rid of it.
For me, it was my feelings towards Draco Malfoy. It was not black and white, I couldn't call it love, nor can I call it hatred. It was a mix of both, the perfect mixture that carelessly allowed him to leave a mark inside my soul and could never be erased.
Sometimes it felt like a blessing, sometimes it felt like a curse, and the other times, it felt like a shame.
When I woke up next to Malfoy the next morning, this sort of emotion flooded all over me.
Did I feel guilty? No, not until I looked over my shoulder and my eyes met those grey ones, filled not only with a tease, but also caring, the kind of caring I had always longed for, yet never received from Ron.
"How much did I drink last night?" I asked as I was rubbing my eyes.
"Good morning to you too," He smirked and shook his head, "But to answer your question, I think you had too much to drink."
"Did I do anything stupid?" I squinted and asked carefully.
"Define stupid," He tilted his head a little.
"I mean, something like running around and screaming at the top of my lungs?" I curled my lips and made a suggestion.
"No, unfortunately," He sounded like he was in his deepest regret, "That would be lovely to see. Although, you did start laughing nonstop. No matter what I said, you just kept on smiling."
"I've been told," I stretched and sat up, "What can I say, I guess alcohol makes me happy and forget about all my stress."
"I like how you don't sound a bit alarm to find yourself waking up next to me," Malfoy rose his eyebrow. He also sat up straight and crossed his arms, "I didn't expect that from you."
"Well, why would I?" I jumped out of the bed and started putting on my clothes, "We are both adults, and why would things like this alarm us?"
He smiled and threw his hands.
"Now, where can I get some food?" It was my turn to cross my arms, "I'm starving."
"Since you are such an advocate for house elves, we no longer have them around to help," Malfoy slowly got out of the bed, "I'm afraid we have to make breakfast ourselves."
"Still better than abusing those poor guys and use them as slaves," I walked up to him and grabbed his arm, "Come on, let's go, I'd really like to have a toast."
It was strange to say at the least to be sitting across the table from Malfoy. Not in a bad way, but more like in an odd serenity that I never thought I'd reach to with my nemesis of the longest time. I never even dared to think about that we'd reach to this point, but we did, miraculously yet steadily.
Somethings just grew on you without you knowing it.
"So," He cleared his throat and looked up from his plate, "When are you planning to go to Weasley's house?"
"I don't know, maybe tomorrow?" I said lightly while blowing air on my coffee, "We never had a set date for me to come over."
"Then how about you just don't go?" He tilted his head a bit with a grin.
"What?"
"Just don't go," He shrugged and put his fork down, "You know you are welcomed to stay here. Why would you even bother to go to that house of the Weasley's?"
"Listen, I know you still don't like my friends, for whatever the reason, even after all this time," I was half laughing, "And you probably have an opinion about Ginny's home. But I have to go, I promised."
"If you really want to go, then why don't you have a time set?" He leaned forward and squinted.
"I just told you," I sighed and put my coffee cup down, "Ginny and I just agreed on me coming over, but not on what exact date."
"Are you sure?" He rose his eyebrow and leaned even closer before sat back straight with his arms crossed, "You know, I found it interesting how it doesn't sound like you not to have a thorough and firm plan."
"Well, I," I wanted to keep up with the spiel I had been giving him, but ultimately decided to simply face the truth, "I don't know how to face Ron. I guess I'm just buying some time for myself before inevitably have to confront him again."
Malfoy put his hands on the table and leaned forward again. With a frown on his pale face, he said in a flat tone:
"I knew it."