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

Draco's P.O.V.

Anyways, I've gotten ahead of myself. Because I didn't realize where I was, this chapter only sort of explains it... but not much. Okay okay, it explains nothing. I made a huge mistake sorry. Anyways, it's not a waste of a chapter - I can guarantee that. Well, I guess it's more of an opinion... so I can't. Okay maybe it's not that great, but it's still a chapter. Onto the topic, the next chapter will be kind of slow, and then the chapter after that Chapter Ten will explain most about Rosie and chapter nine will be rather short. So I am sorry for saying that in the previous chapter, and I hope you enjoy this one.

The Black Rose

Chapter Eight: Cold Days

I rushed back into town after practice. I needed to apologize and I was getting more frustrated the longer I waited. I walked calmly out of the store; I couldn't show her I was upset. She was still sitting on the bench, but she looked... well... terrible. I walked up in front of her. "Hey," Rosie said, very cautiously.
I couldn't believe how stupid I was. "Hey," I said.
She smiled as I tried to get my thoughts together. "Your hair is almost back to normal," she said.
I looked at the pale green strands in front of my face. I smiled. "Yeah," I said. Does that sound like I don't really care? "Listen, I'm really sorry for acting so stupid."
She nodded and lowered her head a bit. "I'm not interested in having a relationship with Percy Weasley," she said.
"I know, I know. I just... I just haven't had a great day," I sighed lightly.
"What happened?" she looked up at me.
"I'm not going to vent on you," I said. "I was a jerk already. Asshole really."
"No, I think jerk is the correct term," she smiled.
Well at least I got a smile. "Fine, but I still am trying to apologize," I said. "Here."
I held out my hand. After she left I picked up a gold locket that was meant for Christmas. She picked up the locket by the chain and smiled softly. Did she like it? "Thanks," she said, watching the heart spin.
She didn't like it. "I can exchange it," I said.
"No, I like it," she said.
She seemed memorized by the damned thing. "Are you sure?" I asked.
Why hadn't she opened it? "Yeah," she said. I saw her put it in her pocket. Or you could wear it. "What happened today?" she asked.
At least she was determined. "Do you really want to know?" I sighed.
She took her bag off the bench and patted the spot beside her. "Of course," she smiled.
I sat down beside her and looked down at the bag. "Where're the roses?" I asked.
"Don't try to change the topic," she said.
"No, I'm serious," I said.
"Later. Tell your damned story."
I sighed. "Fine! I woke up this morning with my teacher searching my room for flu powder. Which is what helps me get here, and is NOT allowed for students to have. Next, I had a pop-quiz in first, not so bad right?" I made sure not to let her speak. "WRONG, because it wasn't a pop-quiz. It was a unit test, which I treated as a pop-quiz because I didn't study because I was thinking of you. I thought that things started to get better when I heard we got to go out, where you are. So, after having a fight with my best friends, over you, I went to see you. So, speaking to you was awesome, but Percy gives you a gift. I'm a very jealous person. I'm sorry, but I am. So, I'm a jerk, you leave. I get left alone. It really blows... so I hang out with Potter, whom hates me. But he actually tolerates me because no one else will. Anyways, so we're walking back to school and my friends speak to me again. Too bad the reason they're speaking to me is because after you left, you just went to a different bench. Thanks, a lot..."
I waited for her to respond. I didn't even look like she was listening. "Is there more?" she asked, looking up a little, but still not looking at me.
"Of course," I said, kind of frustrated. "So, when I get back to the school Crabbe and Goyle... my friends... stop talking again. During Quidditch I cut the other side of my cheek, not that you mentioned it or anything. So I skipped dinner again to see you, and my teacher was looking for me before I even left. I'm going to be in a lot of shit when I get back. Anyways, I don't blame you. It's my fault for letting things get out of hand," I sighed, hanging my head low.
"Well," she smiled. "I'm glad you don't blame me, but I'm sorry about the shit I've caused you," she said.
"It's fine," I smiled back.
She moved her hand against mine, but didn't hold it. "Do you think maybe you should stay in school from now on?" she asked.
"What?"
She looked over, like actually looked at me. Her black eyes stared blankly. Who the fuck was she? "I mean... maybe we should just stop seeing each other. It hasn't been that long... and... well... I don't want to see you upset," she said.
She quickly looked away. It was easy to tell that isn't what she wanted. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close to me. "I don't care," I said. "There's something about you I adore."
She smiled. Was she crying? I don't think so. She kissed me lightly on the cheek. "Study for your tests next time, and I'm sorry you cut you cheek during... Quidditch?"
Shit, did I say that? I said flu powder too. Dammit. Where were the flowers? "Can I ask where the flowers are now?" I asked.
I didn't want to bring up Quidditch, or the flu powder. I'm sure she heard it. "Inside," she smiled lightly. "They're wilted."
They're not supposed to wilt. "Really?" I asked.
"When they're red," she smirked.
She obviously is quicker than I originally thought. "Mr. Malfoy... you should probably go now," Hagrid said.
How exactly did he find me? "What exactly are you doing here?" I asked Hagrid.
"The entire school is in an uproar," he looked at Rosie. "Something happened at the school and everyone is in their rooms, but you were no place to be found. Potter told me, no one else, that you'd probably be here."
"Okay," I said. "I'll leave."
I let go of Rosie and stood up. She stood up and hugged me. "I'll wait tomorrow until 11pm," she whispered.
I smiled at her and then followed behind Hagrid. I turned around to see her walk into the record store. "So who's the love interest?" Hagrid asked.
I felt small walking beside him, but I guess I'd tell him. "Rosie," I paused. "I don't know her last name I guess. She's really sweet. We have a lot in common, and fight a bit. It's pretty great."
"Muggle then?" he asked.
I looked down. "Yeah..." I said.
He nudged me softly. "Don't worry Draco. I won't tell anyone," he winked.
"Thanks," I smiled up at him. "What happened to the school?" I asked.
He sighed. "To be honest, I don't know. I was out... and Harry used his cloak to find me, to get you," he said.
Saved by Potter again. Damn him. "So then what's going to happen to me?"
He chuckled softly. "I also don't know, since you were out with me," he smiled.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
He sighed. "Do you know what your father would do if you were expelled?"
I shook my head. "No," I responded.
"Neither do I, that's the problem. He'd be very upset with the school," he said.
"So... you're doing this for the school, not for me?" I asked.
"Right," he said.
"Okay," I said.
I looked up at the sky as pure white flakes started to fall. She wanted to see me tomorrow. I felt myself smile.

I walked up to the front steps of the school with Hagrid. "Draco Malfoy, where have you been?" Professor McGonnigal said to me.
Hagrid quickly answered for me. "Detention," he beamed proudly. "I've had him huntin' with me an' Fang the entire time."
"Hunting?" Professor McGonnigal raised an eyebrow.
"Fine fine," Dumbledore said. "Just get him inside and in his quarters. We have a search to do."
I was shoved inside and was quickly escorted into my room. Crabbe and Goyle were sitting in their beds. I guess they weren't waiting for me by the chimney. They looked at me, but quickly went back to their card game. "What happened?" I asked.
Crabbed looked up at me. "Sumfin's in the school," he said.
He then looked back down at the cards. "Like what?" I asked.
Goyle looked up at me. "Damned if I know. You're buddy Potter does," he said. He looked over to Crabbe. "Got any three's?"
"Are you guys playing 'go fish'?" I laughed.
"Yeah, so?" Crabbe said.
I looked down. Don't piss them off more. "It's cool," I said and smiled.
I climbed up onto my bunk. They talked to themselves for a bit, while I stared at the ceiling. "Hey... Draco?" Goyle asked.
"Yeah?" I responded.
I notice his eyes lower. "How's Rosie?"
I sighed lightly. "She's okay... I fucked up bad," I said.
"Well," Crabbed stood up to look at me. "We finished this game. Want to join in on the next one?" he handed me some cards.
"Sure," I smiled.