I was once told that a well placed kiss is the best revenge. Whether it be to arouse dark feelings of jealously in the veins of the one who wronged you. Whether it be to tease. Perhaps even to torment.

A bitter kiss will bring him to his knees. Every time.

One kiss and you can regain control. One kiss and you can reclaim your life. One kiss and you reputation can be restored. Or destroyed. One kiss and all will be forgotten and everything will be as it was once before.

I can do it. After everything he's done to me. I can do this. Without hesitation. Without remorse. I won't falter. He deserves so much worse than what I'm going to do to him. I'm sure he'll be able to recover his good standing in his circle. He always seems to. No matter what happens. This will just be one tiny little uncomfortable second in his otherwise perfect life. He'll have the money, the charming wife, the exotic mistresses, the perfect children. There's no question about it. Draco Malfoy was born to have the perfect Death Eater's life.

And I will go back to what I had before the events of the past few months happened. Everything will go back to normal after tonight.

I'll make sure of it.

I take my time as I make my way up to the main hall. I feel the eyes of society on my back. But I keep my head up high. It will all be over soon. It's a shame about the location; Theodore Nott and Padma Patil's wedding reception. But it has to be public.

People have to see.

People have to wonder.

People have to gossip.

I slip into an empty seat across from him. He's sitting next to his fiancée. They're not touching though. Not holding hands. No warm hand caressing the inside of the other's thigh. Nothing. They sit next to each other. But faced in opposite directions. Both absorbed in different conversations.

They don't love each other. I know that much at least. It's just another arranged marriage between pure-blooded families. Strangely though, I'm not comforted by the fact that he's going to be trapped in a loveless marriage for the rest of his life. You think I would be after my humiliation last month. But no. I secretly hope that he is going to be positively miserable with her but deep, deep down I want him to be truly happy.

But first I need my life back.

He looks up. I meet his gaze. He smirks. I turn my head towards a passing waiter and take a flute of champagne. When I look up his seat is empty.

I sense him behind me. He pauses there a second before bending over me to whispering in my ear. "Care to dance, Granger?" he said as he extended his hand for me to take. It wasn't really a request, no matter how he phrased it; I knew I had no choice.

"Thought you'd never ask, Malfoy" I reply as I slip my hand into his. Every touch electric. Well, to me anyway. I'm never able to tell what he's thinking. He hides his emotions so well. Whereas, I know he can read me like an open book. He's always been able to do that. To watch me. To know me.

He leads me to the dance floor. We take up our positions. Ready for battle. My hand on his shoulder just inches away from the bare skin of his neck. I can feel his hand through the light fabric of my dress. Strong hands. Beautiful hands. Our hands clasp and we start to move slowly around the dance floor. I shake my head. I can't let myself become unfocused. I came here for a reason. But he knows just how to get under my skin. To get inside my head. To possess me in any way he pleases. But I think I know his weakness.

It's quite simple.

Pure, unadulterated desire.

Time to make him suffer.

We glide across the marble floor. I do my utmost to try to stop my fingers trembling. I avidly avoid his eyes. Merlin only knows what those eyes can do to me. They make my legs turn to jelly. When he looks at me I want nothing more to be his. Only his. Forever. I could get lost in those eyes for eternity. I would happily drown in those grey pools of darkness for the rest of my existence. But that's not possible now. He's not mine. I'm not his. The only thing I can do is try to reclaim my life, the way it was before this happened. I have to be strong.

"Granger, look at me" I hear him mutter. I did as he commanded. I raise my eyes to meet his. I keep strong though. I can't fail. Not tonight. It's my only chance.

"Granger, what is this? Why are you here? What are you trying to prove?"

"Its nothing personal…just revenge" I smile sadly.

"Revenge is always personal, Granger"

"Maybe so." I conceded. "I'm sorry"

"So what is it the Gryffindor Princess has planned for me?" he asked, holding my eyes with his. His mouth transformed into a smirk.

"You'll see"

He moved his mouth next to my ear. "Do your worst"

Lust, it has to be said, is a dangerous weapon. But it can also be a very effective weapon. If used correctly, of course.

I sneak a glance behind me. Sure enough, we have a captive audience all vying for an exclusive look at the new development in the most talked about scandal since Gregory Goyle was caught making out with the pool boy.

I turn back to Malfoy. Now's the time. I let my finger touch the bare skin over the collar of his shirt. Softly run it back and forth. I feel his eyes boring into me the entire time. But I can also feel how his arm tightens around my waist. Just a fraction. But enough to know that I'm having an impact. Albeit a slight one. Thus far at least.

The music changes. I move in closer; resting my head on his shoulder. Another battle of wills. Who can stand the close contact longest? At least I had come knowing what I was letting myself in for. Hopefully that would work in my advantage. I let my lips graze his neck lightly. I feel him stiffen.

"Hermione…"