Rosies and Posies: Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

AN: Hey Gilmore of course Draco needs Ginny, where would the world be without girls. Thank you for pointing that out to me though- I never noticed that before but all the stories I've read- besides The Depths of Winter- (recomending if you like slash)- have really always been about Draco being the protector. Well off to eat my pizza rolls- Enjoy and please continue to be faithful reviewers!

Chapter 4

-She knew that the potion was supposed to make him sick. But this- this was scaring her. She felt that if he reached for that garbage can again there would be nothing left to throw out. It was later that day, not to long after the potion. He was lying down and she was sitting at his femur, talking to him quietly- nothing important. He wasn't really listening either, but he hadn't let her stop when she tried to. She mostly just explained what was going on in her life- who her friends were, how she was doing in school. Having promise that once he got better then he would have to do the same.

She continued to tell him about her and Myrtle. "I tell her everything, because she doesn't talk to anyone and because she listens so well. I wish there was someone alive like her- besides Nev- because I need that sometimes you know?" he didn't answer but nodded a little, finally beginning to fall asleep. She got quieter as she said. "Any way I met her in my first year, when I was apologizing to her about… something- I ended up breaking down and crying in front of her. She took pity on me- and she's been my female confident ever since." She smiled even though he couldn't see her.

"I'm sorry- about that."

"About what?"

His eyes stayed closed with every word, "Well, I thought it was a regular diary. So- when I told dad to give it to you, I didn't know." He yawned, "He seemed surprised, like it wa' the best idea in the world, I didn't know wha' he knew about it. That it was 'his' I mean."

She blushed, she wasn't expecting this. Why was he trying to give her the diary anyway? He hadn't even known her when it had been slipped into the cauldron. "But you didn't even know who I was." She said deciding to say her thought out loud.

"I saw you, every year when you came down to go shopping with your family. Father had a shop down there, that he had me help out at- so I was almos' always there when you and your family came." He stopped for so long that she thought he had fallen asleep. Pompey and Adams had left her to sit with him while they went somewhere. What was up with adults trusting her with everything, especially the big things? The last time Pince had left her to the library she had found Draco laying on the floor. He started up again, "I guess you could say I had a crush on you the first time I saw you walking behind your Weasley haired mom."

She giggled, 'Was not expecting anything like this.'

He opened his eyes just a little to squint at her, "I'm sorry." He said again, she nodded with a smile. "And if you don't feel the same way- I understand, especially since you have Longbottom." He said raising one eye brow. As if that had cost all his strength he closed his eyes again.

She smiled again and bent down to kiss him on the forehead, she felt like she burnt her lips on his forehead and remembered that he had a headache, but because of the kind of chemo he was using, he wasn't aloud to take anything for it. She put her cool hands to each side of his face and he closed his eyes tighter. She slowly massaged his temples and before she knew it he was sleeping.

She sat at his side staring out the window for about twenty minuets- before she decided she better go get her homework. She had about and hour before Quiddich practice and she had a feeling she was going to fall asleep out on the pitch. She found Pompey in her office and told her her schedule, walking in on what had to be the most intense notes comparing ever, and then set off.

Harry wasn't happy when she walked onto the pitch three minuets late. Apparently her being late was worse then everyone sucking so much, he was such a poopy head sometimes. He shouldn't be worrying about her- but about that new third year beater who could aim and hit really hard but didn't know which way or which ball to hit.

She couldn't help it, she missed flying so much that she seemed to forget anyone was there while she flew with the ball, dodging anyone who had the nerve to stop her. There was no way in the world she would be able to fall a sleep on her broom, but there was always the shower to worry about.

Harry stopped yelling at her after the first five minuets because she was doing so good and set his attentions to the new third year. She was bummed when it was time to go in. But there was another practice the day after tomorrow and then the first match this weekend. Another thing about flying was it was the perfect time to think, which could also be very distracting. She couldn't help but wonder if she was ever gonna get the nerve to kiss Draco, on the lips. Was he a good kisser? She sure hoped so. 'Woah, that was close,' she thought as she dodged a ball she hadn't seen coming at her. She would have to practice clearing her mind when she played or she was going to get herself killed.

She showered and changed quickly, not drowning herself, thank gawd. Now being only one of two girls on the team making it twice as easy to get done. She ran up to the hospital wing and into the door closing it behind her and throwing it at the bed closest to the door. She twirled around and noticed that Draco was up staring out the window. She thought for sure he'd still be sleeping. If she's have been as sick as he was earlier she would never wake up, hoping that if she continued to sleep she wouldn't have to go through that again. But then again he still looked like he could fall onto the bed any second. She smiled and walked over next to him. He looked at her frowning and whispered, "Did you have fun?"

"Uh, yea." She said wondering what he was thinking about and if she should be saying how awful it had been instead. He looked horrible, really pale- more then usual- and tired, even more now that she got closer. But she couldn't help but think he looked just as hot as ever. His hair was kind of moved by the wind, and he was still sitting there like nothing was wrong. The moon was sparkling off his grey eyes.

He nodded though and said, "I don't think I made the team this year." He joked halfheartedly.

She sat down next to him and he looked at her, as usual, right in the eyes. She shivered again, "Well when you get better I bet we could go flying."

"Yea, well by then I'll have forgotten the thrill."

"Then maybe we'll do it earlier, I'm sure there's a way." She said flopping onto the bed next to him and closing her eyes. She laid with her legs hanging off one side and her head hanging off the other. She yawned, "Even if we have to… get seat belts." She said.

"Tired?" he asked laying back on his bed and finally relaxing a little. He had been mad that she was able to do stuff and he wasn't. But it wasn't her fault, and it wasn't like she was shoving it in his face. "Yea, Late to bed early to rise, makes me always yawning but wise. And a little bit dizzy." She said sitting up, all the blood rushing back to her head- laying in the bed the right way, and closing her eyes again. She closed her eyes even tighter making her forehead wrinkle, "So how are you feeling?" she asked worriedly mad at herself for not asking earlier.

"Like I wanna go sit on those stairs again." He said smirking.

She fumbled to sitting resting her body weight in her arms. "Do you think Pompey will mind?" her eyes wide now.

"Not if we don't tell her." He said quietly looking at her door.

"If I get in trouble, I'msaying you made me." she said, her smile brightening. She stood up and putting her hand out to him to pull him up.

He took it still smirking, "I won't get in trouble, I'm sick."

"I don't think those rules apply to you…Dray." She laughed.

He put his figures to his lips curved into the smile, shushing her, and grabbed his wand following her as she pretended to tip toe out the door. Not that it mattered, they were both beginning to think they really were doing something else in there.

-They walked really slowly, because both were really tired. But they stopped at the same case they'd stopped yesterday. They sat half way up, for some reason people just didn't walk past them. And the two who did were little first year Hufflepuffs that saw them and decided they needed to be left alone, completely avoiding 'their' staircase.

"-And then Myrtle was like, "You are not seriously considering going out with him, because she think Mike is like the ugliest and snobbiest guy in my year, she would know. She sneaks into the boys bathrooms more often then you threw up today." He laughed watching her every move. She was one of those people who talked with their whole body. Her hands flew around in the air and her mouth got wider whenever she thought of something he might find interesting. They had about a half hour until curfew, and he knew that Pompey had to be out looking for them by now. But he couldn't stop her even if he did feel like he was about to pass out sleeping.

"But she didn't really know that much about him, he really was nice, but a horrible kisser. Actually I don't really know if he was because I've only had two other boyfriends before to compare- and they were not any better." She stopped and threw her head back laughing. "I'm sorry, you don't care do you? I know, why don't you tell me about your friends? I'm sure they're more interesting then mine."

"Probably." He joked leaning back onto his elbows.

She gasped punching his shoulder. He winced and she almost hit herself. "I'm sorry." she said biting her nails.

"What for, No biggy." He said. He smiled at her to reassure her and then pulled her into a sideways hug. But he didn't let her go. She sat there for a while tense, but after a few minuets she relaxed and went on talking about Myrtle. "You know what?" he asked after they had gone back into a short silence again. "Next time we sneak out, I think we should go see her."

"Eh, maybe we can just get her to meet us here. Two reasons, the bathroom is about two more flights up and I really would rather sit on the stairs then the floor of a bathroom." She sighed. "But I don't think she would like you."

"Why not, is she to good for me?" he smiled.

"Oh. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure she's seen you before and all. But she has this thing against Malfoy's." she said hoping he didn't make her explain.

But he understood, "Oh right that, forgot." Myrtle was still a little iffy about the whole diary thing, though she completely forgave Ginny she was still a little poed at the Malfoy's.

They sat there together, Ginny in his arms, not talking for about ten minuets before Draco couldn't stand it anymore. "So what's your passion?" she looked at him confused and he laughed saying, "Like dancing, writing, drawing, fencing?"

"Oh, well let's see, I really like Quiddich- it's about the only thing I actually succeed in, but what I like even more is gardening." She said stretching her arms out in front of them and examining her hands. "These hands were made to be green. Last year I planted these climbing pink flowers, and the entire side of the house where my room is, is covered in pink." He smiled. "You?"

"Uh… well I like Quiddich to- and flying. But I'm not as good at those as playing the guitar." He said squeezing her tighter saying, "Don't tell anyone but don't laugh either because I really would like you to hear me some day. I'm rather good, been playing since I was five. My father taught me to be the best, better then him. So that my son can be better then me."

"I hope you wouldn't do that to your son."

"Do what? Make him play guitar?"

"No, make him think he has to be perfect. The pressure would be unbearable." She shivered. "I should know, I'm-"

"-Perfect." He said smiling. And then he leaned in and kissed her temple. Eep! Was he ever gonna kiss her- like actually on the lips? She would never want to be the first one to, but if he didn't soon she was going to break and do it herself. Curfew was unbearably close and both of them were far to tired to make excuses. "We better get back." He said standing up next to her and grabbing her hand to help her up this time.

She wouldn't grab it and she was shaking her head. "Nope."

"No. what Weas?" he asked frowning. He was starting to get tired now that he had decided he was going back.

She was starting to become rather fond of the nick name he had given her. "I want to ask a question since you got to." She said crossing her arms in front of her smug but smiling look on her face.

"Can't we do it tomorrow?" he asked and then yawned.

She stood up quickly, worriedly she asked, "Are you getting tired?"

"Well yea, I've only been sleeping all day." He joked and then yawned again.

"I'm sorry."

"Fer what?" he said stepping down a stair and looking up at her.

"We shouldn't have come up here, we should have stayed in the room," she said jumping down to his step. "I know I'll ask you on the way there."

"I don't need to be walked back Weasley." He said annoyed. She had already sat with him almost all day, while he was sick, while he was sleeping, while he complained about how he was feeling.

"Well I wanna ask you a question and I don't think it's fair that I don't get to ask it now." She said making up the best excuse she could to be able to make sure he made it to the hospital wing safely.

"Whatever, Weas." He said, and she could tell he was mad. He swirled around and began walking fast down the stairs. She had to run down them to keep up with him. But she didn't even have a question to ask, so this was at least giving her time.

But after a minuet of silence and running after him she screeched, "Malfoy, Jesus wait a second." He turned around to see her panting and holding her side. "Slow down."

He walked up to her wincing, "Sorry, got a stitch?"

She took a big breath and looked up at him hand on her knees, "Just a little. Short legged people misery." She let the rest of the breath out at the end.

"Right." He said looking guiltily around. She began walking again and he followed slower then before. "So what's your question?"

Dang, she still hadn't thought of anything. "Uh, what's one thing- one thing you, um…" dang, she regretted walking with him now, "Okay, one thing you regret most in your life?"

He stopped in his tracks and it took her a few more steps to notice, she turned, "What." Then she saw his face. "Okay never mind Bad question, mine would be regretting I ever asked that." She said her face draining of color. She started walking again thinking he would follow. She was about to go around the corner to the door before she realized he still wasn't following. She squinted down the hallway to see him still standing there. Freaking she ran to him, holding her side from the stitch she was still fighting.

He looked up when she got there. Seeing her worried face he said, "I don't think I can tell you yet."

"I know that, I already said you didn't have to."

"Oh." He said quietly. "I don't know how to explain it."

"Draco, are you listening, I said you don't have to tell me."

He looked up nodding. "Well I will, I promise, but not right now."

"Okay." She said looking at his face. He was starting to look worse and she couldn't help but push him forward. "It's not that important to me, don't worry about it so much." She grabbed his hand and began to walk faster, "Come on."

They didn't talk the rest of the way back until he was about to shut the door behind him. "Tomorrow?" he nodded.

"Yea, see you tomorrow." She smiled.

"No I mean I'll tell you tomorrow, if I can." He said kissing her forehead. "I don't have chemo tomorrow so I should be well enough to finish a sentence unlike today. If I don't sleep all day."

"Uh, okay. You don't have to, remember?" She reminded him wishing she hadn't even asked anymore. It seemed to be draining all his energy just thinking about it.

He smiled and closed the door as she heard Pompey shrieking behind the door.

She heard him make up some excuse about needing to take a walk and about her having left a little while ago and not being there. Heard Pompey breath a little fire at him and then shoo him into his bed. Now she just had to make it through the common room and to bed without getting stopped. That would be simple enough.

She was so tired.

Remember to review, Winks; )

Ciao Cee