Characters: Blaise Zabini/Ginny Weasley
Prompt: caveat (noun, warning or caution) and fluorescent light

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His face was hidden by shadows as he looked at her, except for his eyes, which were full of pain. "Stay away from me," he hissed, running one hand through his hair. He took a step away from her, just as she moved closer to him.

"You know I can't, Blaise," Ginny whispered, almost apologetically. "Y-You know I c-can't-" her voice began to fail her as a lone tear ran down her face, which Blaise quickly reached out to wipe away.

"Yes, you can, Ginny, and you will," Blaise said firmly, hating what he was doing. "You can't stay with me."

"Why not?" The always-defiant Gryffindor asked, her red hair looking almost black in the darkness of the room. "We've been through this before, Blaise- you know I don't care-"

"I care," Blaise whispered, almost inaudibly, as he turned around and faced the wall behind him. He could feel Ginny's small arms wrap around his shoulders, and he sighed deeply.

Turning to face her, he finally relented and allowed her to settle familiarly into his arms. "The Dark Lord is coming for me," he whispered into her hair, stroking the red locks he loved so much. "He can't know about us. He can't know about... you."

Ginny was silent for a long minute, before she looked up into his face again. "What if he does?"

Blaise shook his head frantically. "H-he c-can't, Ginny. Please. Stay away from m-me… or e-else."

"Is that a warning, Blaise?" Ginny's voice was soft and low, but it was slightly shaky. The very sound of it broke Blaise's heart. He hated to see her this way...

It took all the strength he had to nod slowly, looking at her carefully. Would she be angry? Would she cry even more?

Ginny, as always, surprised Blaise with her reaction. Reaching up, she hugged him gently, settling her head against his broad shoulder. "Thank you for caring about me," She whispered slowly, stroking his hair. "I care about you too. But..."

The inevitable but had to come, Blaise thought to himself, weaving his hands around her waist once again. He waited for her to continue.

"But..." Ginny repeated. "I don't think me being away from you will keep the Dark Lord away."

With that, she turned, and was gone.

--

The days seemed so much longer, to both of them, without one another in their lives. Their relationship had been secret, of course, except only to a few people; but all the same, everything seemed wrong. Classes were attended and gossip was spread, but Ginny and Blaise felt alone all the same.

Ginny kept true to what Blaise had made her promise. She stayed away from him, except for a few letters they exchanged which were promptly burned after they were read. She hated being away from him; but his reasons had made sense to her, despite her doubts.

It was easy to see the change in Blaise, at least to her. His face became one of fear; she had no doubt that the day he would be called by the Dark Lord would come soon.

It was easy for Ginny Weasley to make her decision. If Blaise was going to die, then so was she.

--

Blaise had immediately known it was a mistake to tell Ginny the date he had received from the Dark Lord himself. But he hadn't been able to stop himself- because he was scared, so scared.

He was being incredibly selfish, but he wanted her with him, no matter what.

--

Ginny woke up, apparently, but she didn't quite remember what had happened. All she felt was an immense pain, stemming from everywhere around her, flowing into her… and she knew she was going to die, she just knew it.

Blaise. The name comforted her, and she idly wondered where he was. It amazed her how calm she was, even at a time like this.

She was startled by a gentle squeeze on her hand, and with difficulty she opened her eyes to see Blaise above her, blood dripping from what was surely a fatal wound.

"Ginny," he whispered frantically, his words failing, his voice weak. "I'm so sorry-"

She only smiled weakly. "We're together again."

Blaise stared at her for a long minute, before collapsing himself. It took a long moment, but he finally whispered back, "Yes."

Holding hands, they faded into the fluorescent light of death.

--

This definitely isn't my best piece. It doesn't flow right, but I decided to post it all the same. Please review?

For writingxonxwalls, over on HPFC.