Title: Withering Rose

Chapter 2

Author: night-skies

Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling. Not me. Menot Ms. Rowling

Ginny could tell that there was something different in his manner tonight. Usually there was a hunger, and a pointed disregard at the recklessness of what he was doing. Bringing Ginny into his father's house without his father's knowledge, without his permission. Ginny suspected that this thought actually gave Draco more of a rush.

It was uncharacteristic of Ginny to get into any sort of relationship with a person that was commonly known as cruel, and if the Malfoy family was not known for their cruelty, then they weren't known for their wealth and good looks. However something had drawn her in about Draco, and she had to admit that he'd never been cruel to her. Perhaps he hadn't been particularly friendly or open, but the fact that he let no one in, confided in no one…it drew her in deeper than she knew how to escape.

Now he looked at her, seemingly deep in thought. His expression was guarded as ever, his eyes showing no hint of his intentions or emotions. He raised his hand gently to her face and brushed a stray curl of her red hair behind her ear. She met his eyes and he looked at her for a long moment, then walked away and sat down on the corner of his large bed.

If she didn't know better, Ginny would think that he was having some sort of inner battle. But she did know better, right?

As Draco sat down on his bed, he made a decision. He did love her. Loved that she did not judge him as he once thought she would. Loved that even as he didn't tell her his feelings, she had always been patient and giving, loving even. He loved that she did love him.

Draco also knew that he could have no future with her. His family would forbid it, society would forbid it, and hell, now he was going to forbid it. He would not let this go on, and he would not let her get hurt the way he knew that she would if he didn't end this.

That thought hurt more than he had realized it would. As she approached him she tilted his chin up, forcing him to meet her eyes. They were wet with tears that he was too stubborn to let spill. This caught Ginny off guard, and she sat down next to him.

"Draco…what...what's wrong? Please tell me," she said gently. Draco turned his head the other way saying nothing. "Draco. It's okay whatever it is." She gently placed her hand on his. "I…I…" Draco turned to look at her so quickly that at first Ginny feared he heard his door opening or something.

"You what?" he asked. "If you're about to say what I think you are, then don't do it."

"I love you Draco," she said so quietly she could barely hear herself, her eyes falling to her hand resting on his.

"That's unfortunate for us both then," said Draco decisively. "If you're waiting for me to say it back, you can stop. You know I won't." A tear slid down Ginny's cheek. She didn't want it to, but she did not have Draco's self-control, his icy resolve to show no emotion.

I wont hurt her any more than I have to, thought Draco. I can't let this go on. If she thinks I don't care, then she can blame me. I have to stop this before I can't.

"Is that what you thought this was? Love?" his voice had changed, his whole manner had changed. He had never acted this way before her, except at school. At school he carried on with his façade for his emotional protection though, so he wouldn't have to deal with things. While he didn't confide in her, she knew better than to think that he would outright lie about his emotions. "You were wrong if you did. Perhaps you'll be wanting to leave now, since you've come to realize that your fantasies are fallacies," he said bitterly, the composure he never felt so necessary to keep when she was around regained.

Ginny had regained her composure as well. She stood up and walked toward the spot on the floor where she had slipped off her invisibility cloak. She picked it up with her back turned toward him, then suddenly turned around to face him. She walked over to him quickly and stopped when she reached the bed. He looked up at her just as she leaned down and kissed him hard. He met her kiss for a moment, and then he remembered his decision and pulled away violently.

"This ring will serve as a portkey back to the garden by your house," he said, pulling the intricate silver ring off of his finger and handing it to her, refusing to acknowledge anything he had felt in that kiss. Ginny looked at the two serpents on it then back up to Draco.

"You know how to find me Draco. If you ever need me, or even if you don't," she said. Then she pulled on the invisibility cloak, and slipped the ring onto her finger, returning to the gardens outside of The Burrow.