Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter or anything relating to Harry Potter...

Rosie's P.O.V.

Wow, Percy is being explained! Well, explained as much as he can, for now anyway. Two chapters in one day! Plus, I put up two other stories... if anyone is interested. Anyways, thanks a lot for reading and I hope you enjoy it!

The Black Rose

Chapter Seven: Wilted Rose

"Get the hell out of here," the storeowner yelled at me.
Where the hell was Dennis? I walked out of the store. Obviously I wasn't allowed in there anymore either. I sat down on the bench and stretched out. What the hell was I doing here? I pulled my bag up beside me and leaned against it lightly. Where did all of these people come from? I noticed most of them wearing the same uniforms. They looked like Draco's. I smiled. I looked around eagerly, but there was no sign of him. However, there was a sign of Percy. He noticed me and smiled. "Hey Rosie, cutting school?" he asked.
"Of course," I said moving my bag. "What are you doing here?"
He sat down beside me. "School trip I guess," he rubbed his hands together. "It's getting cold, eh?"
"It's freezing," I said. "I was just out in the rain yesterday! Today it'll probably snow."
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah. I won't be out here for long," I smiled.
"I hope not. Wouldn't want you to catch a cold," he said.
"That's sweet," I smiled softly. "Do you know if Draco is here too?"
Percy awkwardly scratched his neck. "Yeah, probably. Hey, I'll be back!" he said.
He winked and got off the bench. I noticed him walk off with a girl. "Meh," I muttered and moved my bag back onto the bench.
"Don't you think someone will want to sit with you?"
I looked up to see Draco looking at me. "Maybe I don't want anyone to sit with me?" I smiled and moved my bag onto the ground.
I made sure I could feel it on my feet. "Well, I guess I can go," he sighed.
"No," I latched onto his arm. "Stay with me."
I pulled on him and smiled sweetly. "Okay, okay. You talked me into it," he said.
He sat down and held my hand for a moment. "What're you doing here?" I asked, trying to make conversation.
"School trip or something. I just know I get to see you early," he joked, tugging on my arm lightly. "Do I still get to come later too?"
"If you want," I said and poked him lightly in the stomach.
Draco rubbed his nose against my face. "So, I'm going shopping for Christmas," he started. "That's why we're here. Is there anything you want?"
I could think of a lot of things. "Mittens?" Percy said.
"That WOULD me nice," I said and looked up to him.
Draco let go of my hand and put his arm around me tightly. "I picked up something I figured you'd like," Percy smiled lightly.
He handed me a pair of bright green oven mitts. "That's awesome!" I said. I eagerly took the mitts from him. "Thanks so much," I put them on.
"No problem," he said and tapped my head. "At least you won't be cold."
"She won't be cold with me here, Weasley," Draco said.
Percy smiled kindly. "Of course not. I'll see you around Rosie," he said and waved.
"Thanks for the mitts," I said as he walked away.
Draco loosened his grip on me. "Back to my question," he said, looking at me.
"Well, I got the mitts," I smiled.
He scoffed. I don't think his arm was around me anymore. "How did you meet Percy Weasley anyway?" he asked.
"Jealous much? We met in a museum. His dad was like nuts in there. It was just he and his father of course. I kind of became their tour guide. To be honest, I spent a lot of time in there and knew a lot. He kept asking me a lot of weird questions, but eventually he found a REAL tour guide. Pfft. So Percy and I talked. We had a lot in common. I looked a lot different then I guess. I have pictures somewhere... but he came a lot, so we became really close for a while," I said. "Do you want to see the pictures?"
He muttered something and then said, "Not really."
I looked at him, but his eyes were watching the ground. It's not my fault that Percy gave me mittens. "What do you want?" I asked.
His gray eyes looked up at me. "Pardon?" he asked, calm.
I smiled. "For Christmas, what would you like?"
He smiled shyly. "I don't know," he said. He shook his head. "You don't have to get me anything," he said.
Sweet deal. "Then don't get me anything," I said.
He looked down again and didn't say anything. I leaned back knowing that his arm was not behind me. "It looks like it's going to snow," he said.
Not that you'd know. You're head's down. "Your cold enough for it to snow," I said.
Shit, did I say your? I meant it's. No I didn't, I meant to think your, but say it. "Not that I can control the weather," he smiled.
Pathetic fallacy. I stood up, looking at my non-existent watch. "Hey, I have to run. Am I still going to see you later?" I asked.
Draco rubbed his arm; he didn't look at me. "Yeah," he said, looking around frantically. "Yeah," he repeated.
It sounded like he was trying to convince himself. Look at me asshole. I didn't cheat on you. I leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I'll see you later then," I said.
He looked up at me. "Yeah," he said once again.
I walked away. Don't turn around. Don't turn around. "Excuse me Miss," I deep voice from behind me started.
I turned around to see a very, very tall man standing before me. He had a long brown beard and, of course, hair to match. "Yes?" I asked.
I had no idea who he was. "I'm sorry to interrupt your thoughts," he seemed to chuckle lightly. "But is this yours?"
He held out a wilted red rose. "I... I don't think so," I raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I saw the black ones in your bag. They're really nice," he said.
I looked at him carefully. "Do you know how they're black?" I said. "I mean... I don't know how they are, and I thought maybe you would."
He smiled sweetly. "It's a charm on the vase," he said. I put down my bag. "See you just slide it in there and it's black again."
I watched the rose turn healthy and dark black. It matched the rest. "Thanks," I said.
"It's no problem Miss," he said and walked off.
I still couldn't get over how intimidating he was, and how kind he was. I shook my head and continued walking. I'd wait until they left, and then I'd come back to the bench. I'd figure out the roses when Dennis returned.