Lie to Me

Ginny laid hidden in the tall grass clutching her side, her fingers coated with her newly shed blood. Tears silently poured down her face and sweat rested on her skin. The grass scratched her back viciously, but she took no heed. Physical pain took a second seat to her extreme emotional anguish. She could do nothing but mutely watch curses fly through the night sky like fireworks. These lights may have been considered beautiful if not for the hate burning behind them.

Ginny watched jets of purple, red and green stream through the air. She watched as people fell; from her point of view she could not tell what side they were on, only that they were people. She supposed in the grand scheme of things, that's all anyone was-, a person. The terms "good" and "evil" were relative. After all look at Draco Malfoy, in many ways he had been a horrible person yet he had not joined Voldemort... Ginny's musings had to end when her head began spin.

Ginny closed her eyes in a desperate attempt to help the pain subside but it was to no avail. She knew she was about to die and she was ready for it. However, that did not stop the tears from flooding her eyes or the moan from escaping her lips. There was only one options left to her, prayer.

Ginny had never been a very spiritual person. Still, that day she prayed for herself, for her family, and for the world. When she finished, she squeezed her eyes shut and waited for death to take her away. She felt strong hands on her arms and a deep voice say her name.

"Ginny,"

"Ginny,"

"Ginny!"

Ginny opened one eye, then the other. What she saw was certainly not what she expected. The face of Draco Malfoy loomed above her head.

"Ginny!" he said fiercely as he attempted fruitlessly to heal her. "Try to stay awake."

"Draco," she whispered. "I'm dying."

Draco hesitated before speaking.

"I know," he said quietly.

Draco lay on the floor next to Ginny and helplessly watched as she winced in pain. It was unfair that now that he actually had someone he could call a friend she was taken away. When Draco had first joined the Order of the Phoenix, many were hesitant. But Ginny never doubted him, not for a minute. Ginny understood that he was no longer the same "Malfoy" he was at school. He was a grown man who had seen too much, therefore had matured beyond his years too quickly. Ginny trusted him and befriended him when no one else would. And for that he would be eternally grateful.

"Draco?" she asked.

"Yes?" he replied awkwardly.

"Can you do something for me?" she requested turning her head slightly revealing red curls matted with grime and blood.

"Anything," Draco said sincerely.

"Lie to me," Ginny pleaded. "Tell me you love me. Tell me I'm beautiful. Tell me I'm special. Please, I'm begging you, Draco, lie to me."

Draco looked Ginny in the eyes and slowly shook his head.

"I can't," he said without breaking eye contact. "I can't lie to you."

Ginny looked up at him with pleading eyes

"Please," she murmured, her strength failing.

Draco put his arms gently around Ginny, letting her blood, her tears and her sweat mix with his own. He placed his mouth next to her ear.

"I can't lie to you," he said calmly. "But I can tell you the truth. Ginny, when I escaped from the hell I was living in, you welcomed me with open arms. You had faith in me when I needed it most. You taught me how to care about another person. You taught me how to be a friend. Not only do I love you but to me, love is you. You are love, you are strength and you are home."

Draco's voice broke and he held Ginny tighter.

"Please," he whispered desperately. "Please don't leave me."

Though she was weak, Ginny found the strength to bring her mouth to Draco's and they shared a delicate kiss. Draco caressed her softly, hoping to help her forget about her pain. Ginny broke the kiss and looked Draco in the eyes.

"I love you too," Ginny said smiling feebly.

Draco smiled back at her before he pulled her into a tight embrace once more.

"Draco?" Ginny asked faintly after a while.

Draco didn't bother answering; rather he looked searchingly into her eyes.

Ginny laid her head on Draco's chest before whispering.

"Thank you for the truth..."