It is breakfast the next day and I sit at the Slytherin table next to Erica, who is ignoring me. I sigh.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you last night," I say in monotone. She throws herself at me, hugging the breath out of me. She knows she is special. I never apologize, only to her. I think it's a waste of time, breath and energy.

"Malfoy is a touchy subject for you, isn't it? Mostly because I keep pushing it by saying you like him when you don't. I'm sorry, Collette," she says puppy dog pouting.

"It's fine, just quit being all mushy. You're a Slytherin and friend of the meanest non-Slytherin, for God's sake!"

"Hey, I think Malfoy finally got the message. Look!"

There he is. Across the table and about six seats down, he is picking sullenly at his food, occasionally glancing glumly at me.

"Wow, Collette. I think he got the message too strongly."

"I know. I almost feel bad for him."

"Are you ok? Are you sick?"

"I said almost. Besides, it could be an act. Let's find out," I say with a devious smirk on my face worthy of a Malfoy.

When he gets up to leave, we follow silently.

"Hey, Malfoy." I spit venom as I say these two words. "I saw you at dinner. Why the long face?"

"You."

"Well, well, well. Can you believe that, Erica?"

"No," she says. "I thought Pansy-poo broke up with you for cheating on her several times."

"I wish," he mumbles.

"Tell me, Malfoy, are you in it for the love?"

"My sex life is none of your business!" he yells, getting angry.

"So there is sex. Tell me, Malfoy, why did you pick Pansy? She's not pretty in the least." We start advancing on him while he stands there. His eyes are darting every where but on us; beads of sweat dot his face. "We're waiting," I insist.

"To make you jealous," he mumbles.

"What? I didn't catch that." This is fun. Mean, but so fun. I heard him clearly. I just want to hear him say it again.

"I-I love you," he says quietly, but clearly.

"Well, I-" I stop, realizing that he was serious. I see him look at me sadly with love and sincerity in his eyes. "Leave us, Erica."

"What?" she asks, surprised.

"Leave!" I hear Erica scurry away from us. I look to make sure no one else is watching, close my eyes, and take a deep breath, preparing for the worst. By the time I look back around, I see Malfoy sitting on the floor with his hands clasped together and his elbows resting on his knees. "Do you really? I see it in your eyes, but I don't believe it. You screw countless girls and I really don't want to be one of them."

"Yes. I've loved you from the moment I met you, and I would never do anything to hurt you like that - especially if you're not ready."

I let it all sink in. He really means it. I'm scared of this situation and I don't know what to say. I eventually run away and into the Ravenclaw common room.

I don't know what to do. No one's ever loved me. I've hated Malfoy for years and now I feel sympathy?! I'm pathetic! I've never felt this way before, though. It's like my heart is melting. Like I'm becoming...Erica. Ew! I really don't know what it is. There's something there that just gets to me.

What could attract me to him now after all these years? His eyes? Too cold. His sexy smirk? Too annoying. His hair? Way too much hair gel! The only thing about him that's new or different would be his kiss. He's never kissed me before our first day of the seventh year. Ever since the kisses, I feel something for him. I don't know what I feel, but I will find out.

What the bloody hell am I saying?! I hate his guts! I've hated him for years and nothing will change that. Not even a kiss.