Chapter 12: Dancing With Myself

An hour later, and Ginny was feeling no pain. She was blissfully free of the warnings that had recently been populating her brain whenever members of the opposite sex were around, and that was a good thing, she thought, for now at least.

As the sound of thrumming bass pounded through her body, Ginny had her hands in the air and was swaying and swerving to the music.

Truthfully, she looked a bit ridiculous. But luckily, no one at the party was in any state to point that out, as it had gradually degenerated into a crowd of people participating in very similar movements, and Ginny didn't look nearly as silly as some of them. Maybe it was the smile on her face, the expression that made it clear she didn't care what she looked like because she was having fun. Or maybe it was because her outfit was just less outlandish than the other stupid-looking partiers. Like Lottie, who's costume had collected a few easily-visible stains and spills, and who's dramatic makeup was smeared laughably across her face. In comparison, Ginny looked… she held an innocence and a vivaciousness that made her rather magnetic.

Perhaps that was why someone was dancing up on her, trying to direct her hands around them.

Nope.

Ginny swatted the hands away, "No thanks, I prefer to dance alone," she was far bubblier than she'd usually be in a situation like that – far more approachable than she'd be sober. Maybe that was why the fellow dancer didn't want to take no for an answer.

"I said," Ginny leaned in so the boy (she didn't recognize him, but thought perhaps he could be an alumni) could hear her, and dug her nails into his shoulder, "No thank you." She very purposefully kicked him in the ankle - almost as if it could've been an accident; not hard enough to break anything, just bruise a little - and spun away. He should probably get the message now. If not, she had developed a great technique for breaking fingers.

"May I?"

This time, when Ginny looked up, she shot a stunning smile at the dark-haired boy who was politely offering a hand as he, too, swayed in that ridiculously silly way all people danced. She laughed, "Sure, Zabini." If she'd been more sober, she might've thought longer about it, but she was drunk and he was asking nicely, and for some reason she just didn't get the same vibe from him. Perhaps she was just so perfectly aware of his intentions that she didn't feel he was hiding anything. He wanted to flirt with her. Maybe sleep with her. But he would never seriously try to pass off something else as his purpose. So, in that way, he was more decent than most boys she'd met.

As they danced together, Ginny enjoying the music and Blaise behind her, enjoying Ginny's enjoyment, she piped up, "You know I won't sleep with you, right?"

Blaise grinned as he slipped an arm around her waist, gently, "Who ever said I wanted to-"

He couldn't even finish the sentence before Ginny had burst out laughing, nearly doubling over briefly. "Oh, that's a good one," she was practically snorting, but the less-than-graceful behavior seemed to fit her less-than-smooth persona.

"You, Miss Weasley, are delightful," there was a bit of a playful growl in his voice as he pushed her hair to one side, chuckling as he traced his lips along her ear, teasingly, his hand still holding her waist against him.

"And you, Mr. Zabini," she mocked his tone, "Are getting ahead of yourself." Her hand delicately plucked his from her waist, finger by finger, as she peeled herself away from him. She kept a hold of his hand, making it clear she wasn't pushing him to get away from her, as she turned to face him, both of them still moving to the music, just farther apart.

He took advantage of her hand in his to spin her, but didn't try to pull her against him again. A vague look of recognition lit in her eyes, and she seemed almost impressed, though it was hidden behind a cloudy fog of drunkenness. "Thanks."

He wasn't sure what she was thanking him for, but he smirked, "You're welcome."

They'd been dancing together for another two songs before Ginny cozied up to him again, of her own volition.

"I thought you weren't interested?" He murmured, a smug smirk lighting up his lips as she placed his hands on her waist, keeping her hands on his to prevent them from wandering.

"I'm not."

"Oh?" He threaded his fingers through hers, and moved so her head brushed against his collarbone, "So what do you think you're doing?"

He didn't need to see her face to know she was smiling mischievously. "Enjoying myself."

Blaise laughed at that, but quietly, as he was so close to her ear. "You certainly are, you little tease," he nudged her away, and she let him spin her before pulling her back to the same embrace. "And how do you know I won't do anything about it?"

Ginny's words were filled with a devious delight, "Because some day…" she turned in his arms, looping her hands around his neck and standing on tip toe to speak into his ear; "I might let you."


A/N: *sigh* One of my personal favorite exchanges I've written of them. ...Apart from chapters 21-2, that is. But those chapters are a while off, so you'll all just have to wait. Unless I start getting some reviews. I have so much written, I might not mind posting two chapters a day. (Hint hint)

Once again, thanks to Nutmeg44 for reading through the new stuff and letting me squeal over the Slytherin boys in all their sexiness. And thanks to everyone who's read, reviewed, favorited, and followed.

-Turner