Fined

At Last...

Silence fell over them, but not for lack of something to say.

There was the fact of her presence to converse about, or perhaps her mouth which had just spilled out all known facts of her friends' romantic relationship.

The silence was their security. Alone in that compartment was a very unlikely pair, but neither wanted to disrupt it.

Ginny sat there rather comfortably, at least more so than her previous time in this same compartment. Her red hair suddenly seemed to fall down such as satin ribbons along the shape of her face. Her fair skin was without the familiar redness but still spotted with many a freckle. Her brown eyes reached into the grey ones staring back at her, and swarmed over the blonde hair and impeccably perfect robes.

Their inspections of each other were brought to an abrupt stop as the wheels of the train, with a sudden lurch, came to a halt. They were at King Cross' Station. And Ginny was in Draco's lap. After being thrown from her own seat, that is.

It was quite the position to be in, and one that had been brought forth by their untimely arrival home. Ginny looked up, and found her face painfully close to Draco's.

Their heartbeats seemed to intertwine and fill each other's ears. They were no longer thinking, no longer in control of their movements.

Draco's face moved closer. It was a moment of baited anticipation.

His hands rose from their position so firmly at his sides, and tangled themselves in her hair. Ginny's own hands reached for his, and slid along his arms, massaging his shoulders and caressing the back of his neck with her fingers.

It was indefinite that their lips were brought together, and once the action had been completed, they pressed firmly against each other, moving restlessly.

It was a kiss that lasted only seconds, but for both of them, seemed like a lifetime.

When they did pull apart, they both felt it was a lifetime of a too short duration.

Their eyes searched each other's, and Draco's hands now stroked her face as the realization of what had just happened struck them.

Ginny was speechless, but unable to keep a smile off her face, still tasting Draco's own lips.

Draco too seemed speechless, but when he opened his mouth, Ginny wished he could have stayed in his before state forever.

In an uncharacteristic soft tone, he spoke gently, "Why'd you have to tell them about my mum?"

Ginny stared.

"I know you have a thing for that rotter, Potter. But honestly, Weasley; must you announce my business to the entire world?"

Her eyes widened, and her smile left her lips.

"Really now, fire top, don't be upset. You were quite enjoyable." He smirked at her.

Struggling, she pushed herself off his lap and stood.

"Y- you.." Tears were filling her eyes. Draco was trying hard to plaster a smug expression on his face. He couldn't let her get to him. He wouldn't.

"That's twice today, Malfoy. You've been fined twice. First, with a punch and now.. with the loss of... me."

Without a second glance, or attempt to wipe away her blurring tears, Ginny swung back the compartment door and stormed out.

Draco sat there, in the same position he'd been in when she'd fallen into his lap by chance. He watched the open door slowly swing shut and nodded.

That was a perfect summary of his day.

He'd been fined. But, he supposed the crime had been worth the penalty. He could never let the truth pass from his lips. That simply would never happen.