Fire and Ice

The Awakening

"Draco!" Ginny cried, blood rushing to her deathly pale face. Giddy with relief at the opening of his silvery eyes, Ginny finally allowed herself to feel the joy of the arena. Biting her lip to keep from crying, Ginny was overcome with the love she felt for the man in her arms. "Oh Dray, you did it, you- Draco?!"

Draco's suddenly bloodshot eyes rolled back into his head. White froth foamed around his shaking mouth as soon as it opened. Prominent veins pressed against his skin, they were sapphire rivers across the Atlantic. The blood beneath his translucent skin seemed to be fading to a pale blue, or fading altogether. His body writhed under Ginny's gaze.

"Gin-" he spluttered, unable to continue.

"The spell," Ginny breathed fearfully, holding his hands tight in hers. She watched, petrified, as Draco seemed to be aging in front of her very eyes, almost as if his life was leaking out of him. Her pale lips vibrated with words she feared she had no time to say. "It's taken your magic, hasn't it? But what's happening, why are you... Draco?"

"Not... The spell... The powers..." Draco choked, his lips drying and flaking with every word. Slurring over some phrases, he continued quickly, as if he was watching his time with Ginny run out. "I in- inherited- Slytherin's duelling powers... You have- Gryffindoor's- healing powers... Dark Lord, gone, so I'm- going to die, you.."

"Draco, I don't..." Ginny whispered, terrified at the sight of Draco draining physique. "Just tell me what to do, tell me how to help! I'll heal-"

"Don't!" Draco suddenly hissed, clutching her arm with every once of strength his now-frail body possessed, "Listen!" This is why you fought to come back, Draco thought to himself determinedly, you need to tell her how to live, after you can't.  "Don't heal me, it won't work, you'll... Ginny, stay with Potter- Godri- Gryffindoor's heir, keep him alive... Pr- promise me, Ginny..."

Draco's grip slackened. The shining light in his silver eyes vanished, as if a flame was suddenly blown out. Blinking twice and breathing heavily, Ginny stared at his emaciated body for three seconds before screaming louder than she had ever screamed before.

"DRACO!"