Obvious

Everything about her was obvious, from her vibrant red hair to her loud, carefree laugh. Even her poverty was obvious, as no one seeing that patched and frayed robe, which he knew was two sizes too big for her, could be anything but second-hand – and the cheapest at that.

But when Ginny Weasley smiled at him, there was nothing obvious about the expression. He had seen her smile with obvious adoration at Potter; he had seen her glare with obvious annoyance at her brother; and he had seen her grin with obvious mischief when she was up to no good.

Never, however, had he seen her smile with such secret amusement at him.

Draco had to admit that he felt just a little unnerved. He was used to being able to read her every expression, so this sudden mysteriousness was not at all conducive to his comfort. She had broken that fine line which kept balance in the world – the line that insisted Malfoys were the ones who were allowed to be unreadable, while Weasleys (particularly the female kind) were supposed to be, well, obvious.

So the next time Draco saw her smile that horrid, secretive smile of hers, he decided it was time to set the world right.

He strode towards her with all his usual confidence. "Why do you keep smiling at me?" Draco demanded by way of greeting.

To his annoyance, her smile only grew.

"Because I can," she said simply.

Draco blinked. This was not how he had imagined the conversation to go. He should be in control of the situation by now; instead, he was simply left feeling more puzzled than ever. And he still had no idea why she was smiling at him all the time.

"Well, don't," he snapped.

It was a pathetic come-back, and he knew it, but it was all he could think of at the current time.

Ginny laughed. "Why? Does it bother you?"

"Yes," he said, irritated.

"And does this bother you?"

Draco let out a breath as he realised she was suddenly very close – so close, in fact, that he could count the tiny freckles that sprinkled her nose. Her eyes met his, and then she pressed her lips lightly against his.

That was when he realised that Ginny Weasley was far from obvious – and that he rather liked her cinnamon flavoured kisses.

Prompt 36: Obvious

Words: 395

I realised that I was still one behind. Oops.