Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Twelve

"You're very happy." Draco said.

She was walking around the edge of the fountain, using his head to balance herself as she  teetered around him. While she did this she hummed a little song.

"So?" She smiled at him.

"What has made you so happy?"

"It's just been a good past couple of days." She shrugged.

"Really?"

"Oh really, Draco. Why? Do you want me to be sad?"

"Of course not." Draco frowned at her over his shoulder.

"Well just be happy for me." She laughed as she came around again. She put her hand on his head and ruffled his smooth white hair.

"Why not tell me? Then I'll know how long it will last." He caught her hand.

She used her other hand on his shoulder to balance herself. He leaned his head against her knees and stared up at her.

"Mr Christiansen has come back."

"Who's this?"

"Harri's father."

"I see."

"We've been celebrating his return. It's the longest he's been away. He was visiting Information Units in the south about a new material." She sat down next to him.

"So you've been having parties in The Labyrinth."

"Yes. That's why I'm so tired." She smiled at him. And then kissed him on the cheek. "Don't be jealous."

"I'm not jealous.  I've seen one of those parties before, it looked like a lot of gambling."

"Gambling isn't allowed at the Christiansens'."

"Ah."

"Mr Christiansen wants us all to enjoy ourselves but hates to see people squander what they have." She told him sternly.

"Sounds like a good man." Draco sighed.

"He is, he's there for the whole community." Francis ran her thumb over his knuckles.

There was a little silence in which they listened to the birdsong. A breeze rustled the hedges of the maze and murmured to them.

"We should go back soon. Or we'll be late." She said.

"Let's not."

"Not? You mean bunk?" Francis laughed.

"Yes, bunk." Draco smiled at her, "Why ruin your good mood with Geography."

"Geography is quite depressing... but they'll know we're together and that could give them a weird impression." She blushed.

"What impression?" He murmured, touching his nose to hers, "What could we be doing?"

"Draco." She laughed, drawing away from him and jumping to her feet. "Come on." She pulled him to his.

The Geography lesson was depressing.  They looked at how the rejuvenation of the planet was still going painfully slow. They watched old videos of deforestation. The images of burning trees, fleeing animals and half-starved people flashed before Francis' eyes but she was still feeling too happy to be completely upset. She messed around instead by hiding Draco's stationary and pulling faces at Tim who seemed in need of cheering up.