Drinny FF

Chapter 5

I sat in my usual spot by the window of the Hogwarts Express. The train rumbled beneath me, though I barely noticed. I wasn't paying attention to the chatter of students walking past the compartment, or the faint sound of laughter from the other side of the door. Instead, I was lost in thought.

That was, until the compartment door, suddenly, slid open. I glanced up, ready to tell whoever it was I didn't want company. My words, however, caught in my throat.

It was Weasley. But not the Weasley I remembered.

Ginny Weasley stood in the doorway, sideways to me, her fiery, dark red hair catching the light, framing a face that had changed in ways I couldn't quite place.

I realized she wasn't yet aware of my presence. For a moment, I caught myself staring, completely forgetting what I was supposed to say. After a second though I realized I should probably make my presence known.

Draco: Weaslette?

The youngest Weasley almost jumped out of her socks, turning around, eyes wide open.

Ginny: Jezus, fuck.

I was surprised, to say the least, at those words coming out of the innocent, small girl in front of me. So, I stared. At her beauty, at her words. The Weaslette, clearly uncomfortable under my gaze, bit her lip, turned around and got ready to open the door back up.

Draco: You can stay.

I didn't know where the courage had come from for me to say my thoughts out loud, but managed to make it sound casual. Maybe a bit too casual. I quickly cover it up with my usual tone of indifference.

Draco: Unless you'd rather go back to being stared at.

Ginny looked at me with shock again, but even in a moment like this I could not stop admiring her.

Ginny: Um, no. I mean- I'm sorry, are you feeling okay?

I couldn't help but laugh at this.

Draco: I'm fine.

Ginny then took a seat, reluctant at first, but as the minutes went on she started getting comfortable. I could tell by the way she moved, the way her face relaxed, how she was getting a dreamy look in her eyes as she watched the landscapes pass from out the window and the way her face leaned on the palm of her hand and- Oh shit, she caught me staring. When I laid my eyes on her again, she was back to staring out the window, but now, a small smile was playing on her face. Then she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, but mostly to herself.

Ginny: Crazy fucking shit today.

Again, I was astonished at her use of language, but didn't mind.

Draco: Well, they're not wrong, you know. You've grown up quite well.

I tried to say it as nonchalant as possible, pretending to read my book as I said it.

Ginny: Is this really happening? Did Draco Malfoy just give me an actual complement?

I didn't answer, just kept looking at my book, but I couldn't hide the smile on my face.

And so, we sat together in a comfortable silence for the rest of the train ride, me, occasionally, stealing glances at her.