Fire and Ice

Burdens and Sacrifices

Salazar Slytherin's magic runs through Draco's veins.

And he never knew it until now.

The love of Draco's life has Godric Gryffindor's blood running through her veins.

And he was forbidden to tell her.

Whilst crawling through the underground tunnel, Draco decided that he didn't want to tell her anyway. The knowledge of knowing the power he holds was causing him distress, and he's rather carry the burden alone than share it with Ginny.

As he breathed fresh air when he climbed out of the Whomping Willow, Draco realised that he was completely alone. He took one step towards the castle when a ginormous branch swung under his feet, causing him to fall onto his shoulder. He squeezed his eyes shut when he heard the splinter of his bones breaking.

Deftly sliding under the moving wooden arms, Draco stumbled onto his feet and ran the rest of the way to the Hospital Wing.

As the wind rushed through his platinum strands, Snape's harsh words haunted his mind.

"Stay away from her... you're causing danger... Stay away from her..."

But Draco was selfish. He couldn't stay away from the Gryffindor chaser even if he wanted to. Shaking his head to clear his mind, Draco burst through the Hospital Wing, clutching his arm.

"Draco!" Ginny cried, as she rose from her bed. She ran out to him before convulsing on the floor, clutching her stomach and grunting in agony.

"Miss Weasley!" Madame Pomphrey admonished, levitating her back onto her bed. "You mustn't move, I've told you! Your stomach needs to heal!" She turned and saw Draco. Her trained eyes drifted to his shoulder. "Oh, dear, let me fix that," she said, waving her wand. Draco bit his lip as his bones re-attached. Breathing deeply, Madame Pomphrey walked slowly to her cupboard and drank a potion. Instantly looking energised, she sighed and said, "it's a day worth writing about when I don't feel exausted after healing a bone, and I've been doing this for thirty-eight years!"

Turning away, she drifted off down the corridor, leaving Draco and Ginny alone.

Draco closed his eye as he remembered Ginny sitting on her knees opposite him, healing his shattered elbow and stitching up his wounds from the broken glass, without so much as a bead of sweat. She truly is the owner of Godric Gryffindor's healing powers.

"Ginny!" He said suddenly, as he remembered that she was still in pain. Lifting her carefully, he tucked her back into her hospital bed and kissed the top of her head. Home.

"Oh Draco, you...you..."

"Shhhh," he soothed. "Valence is dealt with. Everythings over."

"No..." she breathed, "you.. You saved my life! You caught me! Draco I..."

"Shush. Don't you dare say th-"

"Thank you."

Looking down, Draco stared at Ginny's limp fingers wrapped around his own.

"You know I'd do it again," he murmured, suddenly feeling awkward and on the spot.

"I love you, I love you," she whispered into his ear. "I love you, I love you, I love-"

"Ginny!" Granger suddenly yelled, flying into the Hospital Wing. "I went to the bathroom for five minutes- I'm so sorry- Lucius Malfoy is here- he's-"

"Stupefy!" Draco's father yelled at Granger, leaving her a crumpled heap on the ground.

"Draco!" He roared as he caught sight of him. Draco froze, as his life flashed before him. "You dare.. Your own father! You are no son of mine!" Flourishing his wand, Lucius Malfoy uttured the words his son never thought he'd hear. "Avada Kedavra!" his father yelled, pointing his wand at his only child. The world stopped spinning for Draco.

He barely heard his father scream the Killing Curse at him.

He barely heard Potter, Weasley, Dumbledore and Snape burst into the room.

He barely heard Ginny scream "NO!"

He barely saw her pull herself on top of him.

He barely saw the jet of green lightning hit her body.

He barely saw her fall to the floor.

He barely heard Dumbledore cast a spell on Lucius, rendering him unconcious.

All he saw, all he heard, all he felt, was darkness.