Draco stared at the flames dancing before his eyes, their feeble light desperately clinging to the burning life. He could relate to these flames, they tried so hard to keep burning, but eventually they would die out. His life was much the same. A struggle to keep burning, to keep that light, but eventually…all would fade to darkness.

Draco turned his face and stared at the witch lying on his bed, her body propped up on her elbow as she watched him, her long flaming red hair surrounding her like a fiery cloak. Her deep chestnut eyes pierced his own, the silent demand for him to come to her gazing at him through her eyes. He looked away and stared at the lightening clashing in the sky, an ominous sign for the future, one he was sure would mean his demise. He could feel her eyes still upon him and slowly stood up off the stool. Casually, he pulled off his robe and lay down next to her on the soft bed. He could feel the silk sheets under his hands and sighed. All this luxury and wealth could was useless to him now. All that he wanted to have was lying beside him, but she was the only thing he could not keep.

“Ginny.” Draco said, his voice sounding croaky to his ears. He hoped she wouldn’t see his sadness, that she wouldn’t see him breaking. He wanted this night to be special for her, so that she would always have something to remember him by. He knew that he would never be coming back. The path he was taking was a dead end, but it was the only path he could take. It was his choice now to share his last moments with her, to make something of what she had given him.

“Yes?” Ginny said softly, her dark eyes falling on him, enchanting him all over again with their spell. Yes he had no doubt that he loved her. She was his breath, his blood, everything that kept him alive. But even she could not save him.

“I love you.”

Ginny placed her soft hands against his face, her lips planting a soft kiss against his forehead. She gently pulled his head against her chest and closed her eyes. He could smell her scent, the mysterious smell that had always attracted him. Her heart pounded steadily against him, letting him feel the life that burned within her.

“I love you too.” Ginny whispered to him. Her breath brushed against his hair, sending warm chills down his spine. Draco lifted his head and met her gaze. Her lips curled into a small smile, one of understanding. He wondered if she knew that tomorrow he would be leaving.

“Ginny, tomorrow I have to-”

“Shhh.” Ginny said firmly, her dark eyes staring into his. “Don’t speak to me of tomorrow, Draco. This night is for us…let’s just spend it together, with no worries about what the future may hold.”

Draco nodded his head, glad that she understood. Perhaps that was why they were so perfect for each other. She had always understood him like no other woman could. There was no reason to express the pain they both knew they were going to feel. It was enough just knowing that tonight they had each other…and they would always have this night.

Ginny leaned forward and claimed his lips in a passionate kiss. He could sense her desperation and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him, his hands twining in her long silky hair. He slipped off her robe, revealing her creamy skin that was lightly sprinkled with freckles. Her hands moved over his skin, every touch like liquid fire, burning his body with the touch of her love. He responded to her touch eagerly, trailing kisses along her collarbone, as she pressed herself against him.

Draco pulled Ginny down against him as the candle finally died, the light vanishing into a puff of smoke that spiralled and twisted into the air like the snake that was tearing them apart. Darkness surrounded them, but Draco didn’t care. Tonight was their night, and tonight they would be as one.