My heart felt as though it had dropped to the floor, as I physically entered a state of shock. A shock I could not comprehend. Did I hear him right? I thought to myself. Flooded with so many emotions, that I was at a loss of words.

I jolted back around to face him.

"I-"

"You don't have to say anything." he immediately cut me off, placing his index finger on my lip."It's not necessary for you to feel the same way, as I do." he continued.

I found my eyes locked with his.

"We could stay friends inside this marriage until your part of the deal is over..." he finished. My eyes were quick to glue to the floor. "I just felt a spark none like other, and didn't realize how when, and why I fell in love." he finished confessing and walked away.

I was so lost, that my stomach felt jittery. There were too many emotions whirling around in me.

I remembered those words of that one lady I met.

"You have vengeance, anger, and love all mixed up in one cloud.  Be careful of the next steps you take, don't make a mistake even by accident because it can destruct everything."

Was it true?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I had told the Riddle's about Draco's confession intending to look for some insight but ended up more perplexed than ever, I brushed it aside yet again, avoiding these thoughts as much I could but the more I avoided the tenser I became. The more irritated I became at myself.

I was going to act delusional.

Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me. Draco never confessed to me.

But in the end, I could not deny reality. I found myself even in a darker place of affliction letting out a small scream of utter frustration causing me to bang my hand on the desk, and I replayed that moment again and again and again like there was no tomorrow.

"Because I do love you."

I knew the more time I spent with myself, the more I fall into a dilemma to avoid it; I met up with Tom to discuss my next target.

Barty Crouch Junior.

From inspecting the last target I knew little bits of information about him, but not enough to create a plan. All I really knew was he was careless when it came to spending money, most of the time he'd be found partying or somewhere around London.

However, since he had lost his father almost two months ago; he was rarely seen outside. He was seen, but not as often.

"You may have to use the same technique you used on Senior before you killed him, watching him and his activities," Tom suggested.

"No, things have drifted a bit now. Recently, Draco has begun to question me where I go, or if I'm about to go how long it will be and who it is with!" I blurted.

"So?" Tom carelessly answered.

"So..if he figures out, I'm out watching people, he's going to question me!" I bellowed. "Besides, he's in charge of the case, I'm the murderer off!"

"Then, I'll watch Barty for you."

"No, I want to witness it myself."

"We can take Draco with us," Tom explained his plan.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2 WEEKS LATER.

  It was time to place the plan into action.

While my hair was being rubbed against a green towel, I viewed Draco through the vanity mirror in front of me.

He was searching through a closet.

"Draco" I spoke.

"Mm?"

"I wanted to ask something" I knew I needed his full attention for this.

"What is it?"

"I was wondering.." I hesitantly spoke. "Since it's the weekend, do you want to go somewhere?"

"Sure, I'll bring my friends too-"

"No, just the two of us," I remarked before he could continue.

He was dead silent for a moment before surprise filled his face.

"Oh." He responded and brought himself closer, to the point where I took a few steps back.

"Look, I just want to enjoy the chilly weather with you, of course" I reminded him but he wasn't buying it.

This wasn't the truth, I didn't want to enjoy the chilly weather.

Nor did I want to spend time with Draco.

The intention was much darker.

"Alright, alright where should we go?" He questioned. 

˚Knockturn alley" I replied confidently.

His expression immediately dropped. "Out of all places, you want to enjoy the 'chilly' weather there?"

"Yes, I do."

                   - - - - - - - -

Knockturn alley was a place for many sketchy people. Most of them were there for questionable materials.

I walked through the alley, the dry multicolored leaves falling gracefully on the ground. The soft breeze flowing elegantly through our hair and the dark shops met our gaze.

The advantage was that since I and Draco were well-known and high positioned Aurors in the public eye; no one bated an eye or dared speak against us, knowing their consequences.

"Alright, the cafe to the right is the one." Tom guided me, through the earrings and the ring.

He was somewhere afar but in -sight and watching.

I entered the dull, dark-looking cafe with Draco following me.

"Listen" He whispered in my ear. "Don't tell me, we are going to be spending our time here?" He looked at the cafe in pure disgust.

"Yes we are"

We took a seat.

          - - - - - - - - - -

I desperately needed to talk to Tom, but if I spoke a word; Draco would probably think I mentally needed help.

Let's be honest, I probably do.

I was definitely taken aback to know they served butterbeer here, as a trip to Knockturn alley weren't my most often ones. However, I took the chance and ordered my favorite drink.

I took a sip, and I shivered from the unusually cold weather, but that was the least of my concerns as my eyes were searching for someone else.

"He should be here by now," spoke Tom.

"Hello?" Draco snapped his fingers, bringing me back to reality. "Why do I think you don't want to be here?"

"No, what are you talking about?" I placed my hand on top of Draco's without a second doubt. "Of course,  I do."

I had to admit, there was a massive amount of guilt stirred up inside me; I envied the horrible feeling of lying to Draco.

Then again, I really didn't have a choice.

I and Draco chatted a bit, sipping away our warm butterbeers.

"There's something on your cheek," I informed Draco.

"It's not the most suitable time for romance, is it Emerlyn?" Tom spoke again with a lifeless chuckle.

Shit, I forgot he could hear me.

Draco wiped his cheek, but the cream from the drink was still there.

"Is it gone?"

"No"

"Now?"

"Nope" I stood up a bit, leaning closer to him, and wiped it off myself.  His eyes fixed on me.

I could feel my heart beat a lot faster, and my cheeks flushed a bit.

"There," I sat in my original position.

A few more minutes had gone by, and Draco was slowly starting to request to leave.

However, the reason I was here was not here yet.

"Wait, I have to go to the bathroom" I made an excuse and rushed myself in front of the bathroom.

"Tom, you've been telling me the past fifteen minutes Barry is about to come, he's about to come; why isn't he here yet!" I bellowed.

"Well, you can't blame me!" He argued back, just as irritated as I had become.  "He comes here every Friday around this time, so I suppose he should arrive any minute!"

"Well that's the thing, you keep repeating the same words!"

I argued non-stop with Tom, as no one was around me- until my heart skipped a beat and dropped to the ground. 

"Emerlyn, who are you talking to?" questioned a familiar voice.

Draco.