"Rose,"

I gasped in fright as a hand clamped down on my shoulder.

"Rose, i'm...i..."

"Spit it out," i commanded "I won't stand here all day, Malfoy."

"I'm sorry about your nose and...the other night."

"It's bleeding again, isn't it?" I asked. "Hold on-"

"No, here. I'm sorry."

He muttered something and flicked his wand: the blood went away and my nose quit hurting.

"Uh...thanks...Malfoy."

"Malfoy? I thought we used first names, Rose?"

I looked at the ground "Sure. Well, Draco, thanks, but i have to go."

I turned away from the Black Lake and started making my way towards the castle.

"Wait."

He jogged up beside me and matched my pace evenly. "I had a question for you,"

"Fire away," i sighed.

"Did you...erase your memory, Rose?"

I stayed quiet and kept walking.

"Rose, why would you do that?"

"I don't know," i sighed "I just....it's complicated, alright? Don't even worry about it."

"I have to worry about it, Rose." Draco sighed "I can't forget everything."

Now i felt bad.

"I'm so sorr-"

"No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even...bothered with it."

"Did you come to make me feel guilty?" I asked "Or did you have another goal?"

"I didn't come to do either." He shook his head "I came to talk. Would you like to come sit at the Slytherin table?"

I almost laughed. "Uhh...that could have a very bad outcome, Draco."

"Give it a chance, huh? I sat at the Gryffindor table."

For like, five mineuts.

"Alright. But if things go bad...i'm blaming it on you."

He smirked as we walked into the castle, stopping outside the corner of the opened Great Hall doors.

"Come on."

I won't deny it felt weird to walk and sit at the Slytherin table. I even stole a glance at Harry and them, including Seamus, who were staring in shock.

"Here,"

We sat. I recognized a few people, but only one civil person.

"Blaise,"

"Rose." He inclined his head in greeting "What brings you here?"

"I was invited to sit here, i guess." I shrugged.

"I thought she hated you, Draco." Pansy laughed "Apparently not."

"Where are the cronies?"

"Somewhere."

Breakfast wasn't bad at the Slytherin table. I found myself rather enjoying it. Jokes were thrown around, lots of different comments. I found myself laughing along with them a lot. They weren't as bad as they seemed.

"So, he just slid off the back of the broom?" I asked in disbelief. "I mean, what...?"

"I know," Pansy giggled "Who would do that? It's impossible."

"Stop," Draco muttered "It wasn't funny."

I lightly punched his arm. "Yeah, it is."

He made a face and the others cracked up. Heck, i even giggled.

"Alright, Rose. Your coming with us."

"Hey," i complained. "Harry! Let g- bye guys! See you at dinner!"

The others waved and went back to talking.

"What the bloody hell?" I giggled. The trio were in a circle, staring at me in the hall. "I was having fun." I pouted.

"Yeah. A lot of fun. What was so funny?" Harry demanded harshly.

"Pansy was telling us about," i laughed "The time that Draco fell off," i shook my head, unable to tell. "Too funny! Sorry!"

"Hm. Well, come on. Your date is in a few hours." Hermione gushed.

Ah crap. I forgot about that!

"Cool."

I glanced over my shoulder at the Slytherin's again. Draco was looking at me.

I turned away and followed Hermione up the steps. Three flights later, i felt woozy.

"Ohh," i leant against the wall "Hold on, guys,"

"You okay?"

"Just a bit....dizzy...is..all,"

My knees buckled and i hit the ground with a thud. I bit back a scream as a wave of pain hit me.

"Another muggle-born must be killed tonight, Lucius!" The thing growled. That thing that's been killing kids!

"Yes, m'lord."

Ugh. Lucius Malfoy.

"I am slowly regaining my strength. The only thing after that is to have Rose Potter disposed of. Permanently. My plan is working excellently! Only a few more months until-"

"Owww!" I half-screamed on the floor. I felt like i was being hit with the Cruciatus curse five times over. "My head is killing me!"

My head throbbed painfully. What had i just seen?

"Rose? What happened?"

I groaned and opened my eyes. Draco was standing beside Harry.

"He's....Voldemort..." I muttered "Only...a few...more..."

"Hey, Rose! Rose!"

"We need to get her to the hospital wing."

"Hermione, can you go tell Seamus?"

"On it."

My vision faded and it turned black. Ugh! Not again! I hate-

***************************************************************************************************************************

"She moved,"

"I know!"

"Rose? Are you awake?"

"Uhhhh," i sighed and opened my eyes. "Hi, guys. What happened?" Of course, it was night.

"You tell us," Harry sighed.

"I'm sorry, Rose." Hermione apoligized "The date was cancelled."

"No big deal," i shrugged. "I'll be fine."

"What happened to you?"

"I saw....i...i think it was Voldemort. He was talking to...someone. He's trying to kill me. Says another- oh crap."

It's night.

"Where are you going?"

"He's gonna murder again."

"No, stop. Don't go. You have to stay here, alright?"

I sighed. "What if-"

"No questions."

"I- did you see that?"

"See what?"

I squinted towards the doorway to the hospital wing. Something was moving...

"Stay here."

"Rosemarie Danie-"

"Stay. Here."

Harry shut his mouth and the three stared after me as i walked towards the entrance, wand ready.

"Rose, what- oh my god. Get Madam Pomfrey."

"I'll be back, i promise."

I walked off, following the trail of blood down the long hallways. So much suspense, i felt as if it would never end.

"Lumos,"

"Rose, you need to come back, okay?"

"Not until i find where this leads."

"Rose, seirously. It's after you, you need to come back."

"What if it's Seamus, or Dean, or Neville, or Luna? Huh?" I demanded. "I'm following it."

Harry's eyes widened. "Rose, come on, i'll handle it."

"Harry, this is my battle. I have to fight it. Now move."

"No. Rose, go get a teacher."

"Harry, i swear to god, if you don't move i'll do it myself."

"I'm trying to protect you."

I sighed and pushed him away, looking down the hall.

"I don't see anything, Harry." I said. "Why-"

I stopped. No.

"Rose, go get a teacher."

"Draco? Draco, talk to me."

I dropped my wand on the ground wand ran forward.

"Rose-"

"I'm staying right here."

Harry turned and walked away quickly.

"Draco, come on, wake up." I shook his arm, and blood soaked my hands. "Draco!"

He still had a pulse, thank god.

"Draco Abraxias Malfoy," i demanded. "Move, do something, please?"

I shuddered at the cuts on him, but stayed where i was.

"Mmm."

"Thank god, Draco, can you hear me?"

"Rose! Rose, get away. We have to help quickly."

"Draco? No, let me go."

"Rose, calm down, he'll be fine."

Memories started flooding back to me in that instant, and i began to slowly cry as Harry kept me from moving.

"Let me go, Harry."

"Calm down, it's fine."

"Here's your wand- oh."

"The blood, i don't wanna touch it." I muttered, slumping to the floor and looking at my hands. Blood. His blood.

⚡⚡(Le flashback)⚡⚡

"Hey," he said, surprised i was here this late, and after hours.

"Hey," i muttered, not looking away from the sky in the astronomy tower. "Why're you here?"

"Just came to think about some things, is all." Draco said, standing beside me.

He looked good in muggle clothes. Snug jeans and a regular t-shirt, with a pair of boots and a few loose bracelets, such as a leather one, or a plastic round one. Where did he even get them? His parents are so....wizardy.

"What things?"

He shrugged. "Some problems."

"Oh...." I muttered. "Yeah. I'll....i'll see you later then, ok?"

"Rose,"

He grabbed my wrist as i turned to leave.

"Don't...don't...."

I looked down. His hand on my wrist made it tingle, and i felt as if fire was there. A soft, warm fire.

"Don't leave yet." He whispered. "Please."

I nodded and went back to where i was. "Do you ever think about what'll happen when this is all over?" I asked softly and quietly, remembering the question that's been haunting me. "How people will move on, but always remember?"

"Yeah," he said. "Look...." he paused for a few long moments. "I don't want to repair that cabinet, alright?"

"You don't have to lie, Draco, it's really okay. I accept whatever decisions my friends decide."

"Friends...."

I bit my lip and turned away. "It's past hours. I really should get back."

"Mm-hm."

I took one last look at him and my mind raced with my heart, my stomach fluttered.

I had literally taken two steps, when i was turned around against my will, and pushed against the high railings.

"Rose...."

He put a hand to the side of my face and rubbed my cheek.

More fire.

I bit my lip again. "Don't.....it's..." I gave up.

"It's so much more complicated than you think...." He said. "It's...more than i can handle sometimes. I need a weight to hold me down, to tell me to persevere."

"I don't...." Understand? Comprehend? Of course i do.

"Rose....your my weight."

He pulled me closer, hands on my waist, and kissed me.

I felt fire everywhere, like i was being set alight. I tingled, and my heart raced.

"I need you...." he muttered against my lips.

⚡⚡(End of flashback)⚡⚡

'I need you....'

The words kept replaying in my mind. I wasn't allowed to see how Draco was doing. I wasn't allowed to hear about it, either.

Why was he alone? He shouldn't have been alone, dammit!

Wow, i just cursed. Sorry!!

I poked at my eggs at breakfast, taking a bite every now and then.

"Rose...."

Hermione sighed and the trio looked at me.

"We need to tell her." Hermione said.

Tell me what?

Harry reached in his pocket and pulled out a small, square box.

"Who wants to give it to her?"

"You do it."

Harry turned to me. "Hey, Rose, i've got something for you. Sorry it's a bit dirty, it got a bit of blood on it."

Blood?

He put it in my hand.

"Open it." Hermione pushed.

"Go on." Ron added.

Inside the little black box, was a necklace, shaped like two infinity signs like a cross. It said; 'forever' in the middle, and 'i'll need you' on the top.

'I'll need you forever'.

I put the necklace in the box gingerly. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."

"Why're you crying?" Hermione gasped.

"It brings back alot of memories." I said, "And one more than others...."

"At least classes are out for the week, right?" Ron said happily.

⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

I dropped my quill in frustration, and sighed heavily. I couldn't do this. And it's been three days since the accident.

"Rose, what's wrong?"

"I can't do this." I said. "I can't! It's eating at me, slowly and painfully! I've been worried sick! I can't concentrate, i can't pay attention, i'm always thinking about what could happen!"

"It'll be okay, Rose."

"I hope so."

I picked up the quill again, and began to finish my essay for charms.

No use.

"That's it." I said. "I'm going to see him."

"Rose, your not allowed." Hermione sighed.

"What if you get caught?" Ron said, backing her up.

"Since when has that stopped me?" I said. "I'm going."

"Rose, come on, only a few more weeks left...."

Yeah. Another week until i'm allowed to talk and hear about him.

"And that's another week i can't deal with it." I said. "I'm going."

I walked out of the library and fingered the necklace in my pocket absentmindedly.

I knew i wasn't suppost to go anywhere alone, but i really didn't care right now.

"Hey Rose. Where you heading?"

"The hospital wing."

"Woah there," Seamus walked infront of me. "Your not allowed."

"And i don't care if i'm not allowed, Seamus. I'm going to see him. Now move."

I brushed past him and began to walk to the hospital wing a little quicker. God, it's eating me alive, crumbling beneath my feet.

"Mrs. Potter? You aren't suppost to be here."

"Please Madam Pomfrey?" I begged. "I really need to know. I'm really worried."

"Your not allowed...."

"Who said that, anyways?"

She sighed. "Good point....i guess....very well. Go on."

Thank god.

I walked past her and into the actual wing. When i reached his bed, he looked up, wide eyed.

"Rose? Is that really you?"

"Yeah." I pulled up a chair. "It's me."

"I didn't think you'd come." He winced as he tried to sit up.

"No, don't. It hurts." I said. He sat up anyways. Ugh.

"Your here."

"Sorry i didn't come sooner. I wasn't allowed."

"When has that stopped you?"

"That's what i said. How are you?"

"Better, i guess. It still hurts."

I had a glimpse of a memory from fifth year.

"Ow. That hurts. Alot."

"It's your fault you got bit by the Venomus Tentactula." I chided. He winced again.

"At least your okay." I looked down and brushed a tear away.

"What's wrong?"

I opened my hand infront of him, and revealed the smooth necklace.

"I remembered that night." I sniffed. "On the astronomy tower. I remember everything."

"I thought i lost that..." He muttered. "Who gave it to you?"

"Harry and the others. The teachers gave it to them for me incase you....incase something happened."

"Turn around,"

He took the necklace from my hand as i turned around awkwardly in my seat.

He set the necklace on me, his hands brushing me neck.

Fire.

"Thank you." I said.

"No, thank you,"

"What for? I'm the reason your here, anyways."

"For being my weight, Rose."

I noticed the bandages across his arms, and his bare chest.

"It's my fault your in pain." I said. "I've made a decision, and i wanted you to hear it first, Draco."

"What's up?"

"I....i have to go. Leave. I have to leave Hogwarts. That thing, it's....it's after me! I'm what it wants! As long as i'm around, everyone else is in danger. First those muggle-borns, then Seamus, and now you." I said. "I thought you had died. When i found you....it hurt. I can't stay."

"You can't leave, Rose. No way." He grabbed my arm and winced. "I won't let you."

"Every time i look at...i can't handle it. This is my battle, and i need to fight it or die trying. That's what he wants. He want's me dead."

"Who? And i won't let you leave. No."

"Voldemort." I anwsered. "And you couldn't stop me from leaving, Draco."

"I could tell the Order." He said cockily. "And i wouldn't hesitate to send them after you."

"Who told you about that?"

He frowned. "Don't change the subject. And your not leaving."

"Draco-"

"No. Your not leaving."

I sighed. I knew this would happen. Why did i even tell him? Maybe because i knew it would be less painful for him this way.

"Your not leaving me again, Rose. I just got you back."

"It's complicated...."

⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

Here i am, once again. The astronomy tower.

I ran my hand along the slightly rusted metal railing. It was cold.

I had decided that this is were i would leave tonight. Here. Nobody would ever know when i left. They can't stop me this way.

"You are not leaving me." He said, a slight pause between each word.

"Go away, Draco." I said. "Now. I made my decision, you need to respect it."

"Not if it's a bad one i won't!"

He grabbed my wrist and pushed me against the railing again.

"It's not a bad decision." I said. "By leaving, i only put myself in danger rather than the whole school!"

"Think how it would affect the school. What if he doesn't follow you, and just wants to get you out of the way, huh? Then what would you do?"

"He wants me, that's why he's going through all this trouble."

I put my hands on his chest and gently pushed. "I'll come back, i promise."

"You don't know that." He grabbed my wrist and held them. "What if you don't?"

"Then he acheives his goal, and leaves you all be."

"What about Harry?"

Did not think of that one.

"He'll be fine."

"No he won't, and you know it. You hesitated."

"How am i suppost to know, i'm not Harry."

"You don't know, exactly!" He bit his lip and flicked some hair from his eye. "Stay?"

"You know i've made a decision."

"And you haven't fufilled it, meaning you can change it."

"It's final-"

"No it's not. We need you to stay, Rose. I need you to stay."

"I can't put everyone else in danger for five other people's wishes."

"But what if they helped? You beat him one time, you can do it again!"

"It's not that simple...."

"Your looking into it too far."

"Well-"

"Quit thinking like that." Draco demanded.

"What am i suppost-"

He cut me off, and pressed his lips against mine. I could feel my back against the railing, and his hands on my waist.

"Stay."

"Draco, really...."

"Draco, stop...."

I don't think he heard me, because it was below a whisper. My voice was....gone. Away.

"Rose....."

"No!" I pushed him away, and he stumbled. "Leave me alone."

*********************************************************

"So your leaving? You can't. We need you here."

"Herry, it's not that simple." I said. "I need to leave."

"What if he doesn't follow you?"

"He will."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't."

"Exactly."

"I can't put everyone in danger! I have to go."

"Ugh!"

Harry walked up the boys dormitory steps, leaving Hermione and i.

"You really should stay." She said. "We could work this out without you leaving."

I shook my head and went to bed as well. No point in arguing. I just wouldn't tell them next time.