The Unexpected Guest

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you."

"But we're not supposed to be talking."

Ginny smiled. "Don't tell me you've never done anything you weren't supposed to."

Harry grinned back. "Aren't you in detention too?"

"I'm in a detention. Doesn't that count?"

"I don't think Snape will see it that way," said Harry, setting down his wand, which he was using to disembowel a toad.

"I don't understand why we got detention. Half the common room threw dungbombs too."

"Snape hates me. And I think he threw you in there for good measure."

"I'm glad he did."

Ginny had moved closer. Harry could feel her arm pressed against his. She turned to look at him. "Harry?"

"Yeah?" Harry's throat was dry. He could feel her breath on his cheek.

"Hold still."

Harry didn't think that would be an issue, seeing as he couldn't move his legs. Or any other part of him, for that matter. Just as he thought she couldn't get any closer, her lips met his cheek. They seemed to burn his skin with their touch, and when he didn't stop her, she leaned over and kissed him on the mouth.

He could feel the dryness of her lips, and he didn't care. He pulled her closer, and their cheeks brushed. She laughed as he kissed her, and he tentatively moved her so that he was kissing her neck. She had stopped laughing now. She was running her fingers through his hair, and when he looked up at her, she smiled, her freckled face shining. She bent down and kissed him again as he ran his hand up her back. His fingertips met her neck and he pulled her closer, if possible, to him as their kiss deepened.

Every part of Harry's brain was on fire. He knew someone was going to come in, but he couldn't pull away from her.

Just as he realized that eventually, he would have to stop kissing her, Ginny gently pulled away from him.

"I have to go," she whispered, with no small amount of regret in her voice. "Snape will wonder-"

"Alright, go," he whispered back. But just as she stood up to leave, he pulled her around into one last kiss. She giggled.

"You're not making this any easier," she mock scolded.

"Snape's a git, he can wait."

She laughed again. "Goodbye, Harry."

"Goodbye." He dropped her hand, and, never breaking their gaze, she walked to the door.

"Harry?" She smiled at him, and her face seemed to shine with joy again, her red hair falling into her eyes.

He smiled back. "What?"

"See you tomorrow?"

He smiled more widely. "Count on it."

She seemed about to go out the door, but once more she turned. "Harry?"

"What?"

"Nothing." She looked sheepish.

Harry opened his mouth. "I-"

"You what?"

"Nothing."

She looked at him once more, then turned and walked out the door.

He smiled at the place where she had been.

And, missing her already, he went back to work.

The End