Former Animosity

23. Jealousy

Harry's POV:

We walked in and was greeted by the Weasley family. I can feel Malfoy feeling uncomfortable by the minute as they huddled around us. They made sure not to touch us. I smiled brightly. I saw Ginny in the back, waiting patiently for me. My breath hitched. It's been long since I've seen her.

Malfoy stood idle next to me as they asked me my abouts. Molly, especially, was very worried about everything that's been happening. I assure her everything is fine, and she didn't look convinced. But she nodded and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. As did Ron and Hermione. She insisted they both help Molly.

The other siblings went to their rooms, Arthur went outside to pick up a couple things and Ginny got to me, with a bittersweet smile. Knowing that she's happy to see me, but upset she couldn't touch me. I look over to Malfoy, who was still standing straight, waiting for me to move.

He didn't say anything of any sort, and kept silent. He looked at me and Ginny curiously.

"I've missed you Harry."

I feel Malfoy's breath slowing. I acknowledge her.

"I missed you too. How have you been, Gin?"

I walk closer to her as she went to sit on the couch. Malfoy hesistantly, but forced, followed behind me. Three of us sat, Ginny looking over to Malfoy feeling a bit uncomfortable to talk to him in his presence. Malfoy made himself comfortable, despite knowing her uneasiness.

"I've been better. It's upsetting I don't have my meals in the Great Hall anymore. It's the only place I ever see you now."

She looks at me sadly.

"I know. Me too. I missed having someone scolding me for not combing my hair daily."

Ginny cracked a smile and then eventually gives out a soft laugh. Malfoy softly huffs that only I can hear. We continued catching up. She asked about where I'd go next, Teddy's health and more.

"Harry... I haven't been talking to you. With your situation and mine. I love you, Harry. I really do. And I want you to know I'm here for you always, alright?"

"I... I love you too, Gin."

I said simply. I felt Malfoy stiffen.

"I know I can talk to you. But this is just something I have to work alone."

I said again. Ginny gave me a smile, stood up and excused herself to go upstairs, her bedroom. Ron comes out from the kitchen and sits next to me where Ginny was.

"Where's Mione?"

I ask him.

"Still helping mum. Anyway, Harry. Did you talk to Ginny?"

"Yeah."

"Thank Merlin. She was rambling a lot about you ever since I got here. It's never ending with your name. Mum was worried, the twins was joking about you and Malfoy. Mental really around here today."

If I was to look over to Malfoy, I know he was rolling his eyes, waiting to spit out a rude remark. But he didn't, so I thank him mentally. I laugh at Ron.

"Quite popular here, aren't I?"

Ron smiles.

"Yeah. I'm not sure how you're going to get through the evening like this. You're bound to get touched accidentally one way or another during dinner. You know how cramped it is."

I think to myself. I really don't want to go through this the 3rd time today.

"I guess I have the solution."

I sigh. I look to Malfoy, and he eyed me curiously with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Really? How so? I was willing to bet you'd die tonight. Well, both of you anyway."

"Shut it, Weasel. I'm surprised you've lived this far with a punchable face."

Well, I certainly can't blame him for that. I kept quiet.

"Pissy mood as always."

Ron says, getting up to Molly's call.

Everyone was on the dining table now, I've casted the spell after thinking for sometime, and dinner was served. Ginny was sat beside me, and was really hesistant on touching my hand again, in fear of hurting me. She touched it slowly, and relieved to see I was okay. She grips it, like she'd miss this for years.

I felt my heart lurch in a bad way, and I'm not sure why. Because I feel happy, but something tells me otherwise. It was uneasy, feeling two different emotions at once. It's hard to stay cheerful that way. We had dinner and had some conversations.

It was really late at night so most of them said their goodbyes and retired to bed. The others were down, wanting to see me before I go. Then it was just me and Ginny. And Malfoy. We were at her door now. We were outside. Barely.

She comes closer and kissed my lips.

Strangely, it didn't feel like before. Like the last time we kissed. She pulled away, whispering good night before we were fully apart. She closed the door. I look at Malfoy. His eyes were avoiding me, his lips pursed. It almost looks like he's trying not to cry.

"Malfoy?"

"What?"

He says, awkwardly. His voice barely steady, trying to avoid looking at me.

"Are you... okay?"

He brings up his sleeves of my sweater to his nose. I bring my hand up to his shoulder and he flinches away. It seemed like he was shaking. Deja vu hit.

"Mafloy, what is it?"

"Nothing. I- I just..."

"Are you crying?"

He looks at me finally. With both fury and sadness. His eyes are red.

"Fine, yes! Fuck. I don't know why I'm feeling like this. It's all your fault!"

He screams at my face and it got me more confused than ever. He continues, while sobbing, loudly each second.

"What are you talking about? How is it my fault?"

"It feels like... you're cheating on me. And I know that- that it's the bond acting up whatever. But it hurts, so bad. Looking at you putting her hands in yours... kissing your lips."

He pull up his arm and cries into the creek of his inner elbow. He sobs in it.

"Malfoy..."

The words tumble out of me heart-wretchingly. It occured to me, that the feeling I'd felt was his feelings. He was jealous.

"We're not actually married, Merlin forbid. But I was waiting... for someone to at least say something about it and nobody did. They all acted like it was normal. I kept my silence all day and it hurts! It's so fucked up, everything is, but I just..."

His hands covers his face, his back shaking from crying. We're talking about this in Molly's front door. Without thinking, I hug him. Tightly. He tries to push me away, several times, but he eventually stopped trying to escape.

He sobs into my shoulder, slowly hugging me back, his arms around my back. He cries again, on my neck. And I let him.