Fire and Ice

The Prince's Queue

And so it began.

After finding out about Ginny's slumber, male students queued up to be the Prince who awakened the Princess. Many people had already forgotten about Draco catching Ginny in the Quidditch pitch, for which Draco was very thankful. Those who had remembered, however, resorted to giving him small smiles or funny looks when in passing. Having fellow students smile at him itstead of cower away in fear made Draco feel very strange, and out of place.

Seething slightly at the sight of eight male Ravenclaw students waiting outside of the Hospital Wing, Draco left the Great Hall after dinner and turned towards the dungeons, passing Snape as he did so. Snape's words echoed through Draco's head.

"You're putting her in danger...leave her alone."

Snape was right all along. If Draco had listened to his Potions Master instead of following his heart and rushing to Ginny, his father would never have fired a Killing Curse at Draco, missing him and hitting Ginny.

But Draco had already known that their love was dangerous. He had known the consequences of mixing two opposite coponents, he knew the result of fire and ice. But their love was stronger. They could make it through. They had to.

Tugging the hair on his head, Draco began sprinting towards his dormitory. None of the Slytherins looked up as he raced past them in their common room.

Bursting through his chambers, he was momentarily shocked to find Blaise sitting on the floor, staring into space.

"Blaise?" Draco asked uncertaintly. Zabini was NEVER emotional, ever. Yet here he was, sighing as he stood up.

"My father is dead." Blaise said flatly.

Draco's jaw dropped open. It wasn't uncommon for Death Eater's to die, given the amount of Aurors, but it was still a shock.

"Why?" Draco breathed, his heart racing. Roberat Zabini was a loyal and powerful Death Eater.

"The Dark Lord decided that his skills were no longer needed." Shrugging, Blaise stood. "Thankfully, I've always hated my father, so it's not like I'm missing anything. Frankly, I'm glad he's dead. Now he won't be causing any... hassle with my family anymore. You know how it is."

Draco nodded silently. He did know. He distinctly remembered on his eighth birthday, ten Death Eaters Apparating into his house, taking his father, and Apparating out again. One Death Eater even Vanished Draco's cake, simply for his own entertainment. Draco didn't cry. His mother did.

"Your mother?" Draco suddenly asked, remembering Roze Zabini and Narcissa Malfoy being friends.

"She's fine." Blaise replied. "After a day of crocodile tears, she's as indifferent as I am. I know she's relieved as I am. She never liked my father being so close to the Dark Lord, though she'd never admit to it." Draco nodded again as he sat down on his bed, drumming his fingers on his knee.

"Enough about me," Blaise said suddenly. "Have you kissed the girl yet?"

"What?" Draco stuttered, shocked.

"It's obvious you're going to wake her, Draco. You saved her life. She probably gave you her heart as soon as she looked into your eyes."

Draco cringed inwardly, uncomfortable how close Blaise was to the truth. If only he knew.

"I can't. No Slytherins."

"So?" Blaise said incredulously. "You're going to leave her sleeping forever?!"

Truth was, Draco was planning on waking Ginny that night, but didn't know how on Earth he was going to sneak into the Hospital Wing, unseen.

"No..."

"Merlin's arse, Malfoy. Cast an Invisi Curse on you, and just GO."

"No," Draco murmured, shaking his head. "I'm not casting a Dark spell."

"Whatever," Blais replied. "Just wake her up, will you? The buzz is getting boring." Rolling over on his bed, he stood and closed the curtains around his bed. Taking the hint that he wanted privacy, Draco left.