-

Chapter 4- A Kiss, A Dance

-

Luna meandered down the corridor, pondering the possible ramifications of the scene just witnessed in the Great Hall. Rounding the corner of a seldom-travelled corridor, she decided that overall, she was quite satisfied with the progression of the little play from a play she was directing. Once she reached the statue of Gregory the Smarmy, Luna scrutinized the girl seated near the statue and said, "I love your earrings."

Sniggering at the dry tone, Blaise rose to her feet and turned her head playfully. The emerald eyes of the silver serpent hoops glinted, eerily lifelike. "I wore them for Draco...knew they'd get a laugh."

"I saw him laugh, among all the other things he was doing."

Her noncommittal tone fazed the taller girl not a bit. "Oh my gods, I thought I was going to fall off the bench when he started playing around. Malfoy is a love god. He should give lessons—every girl in school would thank him."

"More to the point, will Ginny Weasley thank him? She looked pretty upset when she rushed out."

"I've never had so much fun being so bad and yeah, I saw our Beatrice looking green. Don't worry, it was good for her."

"Was it good for Terry Boot? He bolted from the Hall not long after you and Draco started getting into your little act." Luna's lips twitched at the dramatic reaction she received for the mild remark.

"Oh my gods...I totally forgot about what Terry would think!" Blaise grabbed her brown curls and gave an inarticulate shriek of frustration. Shoulders slumping, the girl scrunched her face in dejection. "Now he'll never ask me out, and the first Hogsmeade weekend is only a week away!"

Unable to stop herself, Luna giggled. Reassuring her pouting friend, she said firmly, "Stop worrying. Terry looked like he wanted to pull you away from Malfoy and drag you off to his cave when he left. Primal reactions are very encouraging." Seeing the instant brightening effect of that observation, she pressed her lips together to retain much needed composure.

Blaise's shoulders slumped again. "I couldn't go to Hogsmeade even if Terry did ask me. Draco wants me to go with him to help torment Ginny some more."

Resignedly raising both brows since she could not raise a sardonic single one, Luna sighed. "Obviously, tonight's drama has affected your intellect. You don't have to spend all day with Malfoy. You only need a few hours. If Terry asks, tell him you'll meet him for lunch at the Three Broomsticks...no...the Bludger...it's a small restaurant decorated in Quidditch memorabilia."

Unperturbed by the unusual sight of a Slytherin dancing about joyfully, Luna wondered aloud how best to arrange an eavesdropping scene like the one in Much Ado About Nothing. "We can hardly stop in front of Draco in a corridor and say Most wonderful that (Ginny) should so dote on (Draco), whom she hath in all outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor."

Blaise got into the Shakespearean mood and quoted drolly, "Is't possible? Sits the wind in that corner?"

Luna nodded, returning, "By my troth, my (friend), I cannot tell what to think of it but that she loves him with an enraged affection: it is past the infinite of thought."

At the phrase 'enraged affection', Luna watched her new friend dissolve into laughter and thought Shakespeare really had a way with words.

They talked over plan possibilities, deciding to work out a few details out prior to any attempt at execution. Before they parted, Blaise took something out of her pocket and pressed it into the other girl's hand. Shrugging, she said brusquely before heading toward Slytherin House, "Here. I didn't have any Snorkacks, so I transfigured these into something I thought you'd like...no big deal."

Luna opened her hand to contemplate the earrings resting on her palm. Two small silver radishes dangled from hooks. Smiling, Luna took off her jewellery fashioned from the real thing and rambled back to her own common room, tucking long hair behind her ears so everyone could admire the radishes swinging.

-

-

You just spent the weekend trying on new robes and chucking out every non-girly item in your wardrobe. You look good. Stop worrying!

Blaise stood outside the dungeon classroom, contemplating skiving off to the nurse and complaining of cramps. Her stomach was bothering her. Butterflies were manically performing loop-de-loops over the thought of sitting across from Terry for double Potions.

Hogwarts' infamously whimsical and erratic schedule meant loads of randomly doubled classes in order to promote house unity, equalise class time, or some other rot.

Why does this have to be the Monday before Hogsmeade weekend? Snape will revoke my permission if I miss one of his classes.

"I don't blame you for staring off thinking of me, Blaise, but please...move on now," a coolly amused voice drawled behind her.

Shaking her head, the exasperated girl entered the classroom. Without looking back, she held up a two-fingered salute to the insolent boy. He gave a huff of laughter. Reluctantly amused, Blaise turned slightly toward Draco and stuck her tongue out.

He said suggestively, "Stop giving me ideas. Don't want me to get all hot and bothered and melt a cauldron like Longbottom, do you?"

"Kindly refrain from melting a cauldron, Mr. Malfoy, no matter how hot and bothered you get."

The satirical voice of Professor Snape echoed from the doorway behind them. Blaise smiled sheepishly at Draco and kept smiling...straight into the deep blue eyes of Terry Boot. He wasn't smiling. He was searching her face, looking for something. Thanking her parents for olive skin that barely showed a blush, she smiled tentatively. Terry's face softened. Moving past his table, she felt something slide into her pocket. Waiting until everyone was busy assembling ingredients for the day's potion, Blaise unfolded the note.

I need to talk to you. Meet me after class under the Dragon Claw Willow. Terry

"Say yes, dummy!"

Fiona was grinning like a pixie beside her, the rule of private correspondence being private more of a guideline, really, in Ms. Nosy Parker's opinion. Crossing her eyes at her cheeky friend, Blaise shot back, "We're making the Draught of Incapacitation, not taking it." Peeping at Terry, she was glad to see him peeking back at her. He raised a brow in question, and she nodded in answer. He gave a slight smile in return before concentrating on his potion.

Blaise noticed Professor Snape strolling around checking student progress and hurriedly returned her attention to her work as well. The last thing she wanted was a detention over the weekend!

At the end of class, Blaise was first in line to place her test flagon on Professor Snape's desk. The saturnine face relaxed slightly. Lifting a brow, Snape observed, "Eager to be off are we, Ms. Zabini?"

She smiled apologetically at her Head of House. Snape was never going to win a popularity contest, but he was a good teacher, always pushing his students to do their best. She enjoyed his biting wit—unless directed at her. Draco's banter in the Great Hall had always reminded her of Snape, cruel but dead on. She knew Gryffindors couldn't stand the professor, but he had always been fair to her...and she liked his voice. It was sexy.

All at once, Blaise became aware that she'd been staring and Snape's dark eyes glinted with amusement. Blaise quickly exited the class. Making her way to the lake, she fervently hoped he couldn't really perform Legilimency without a wand.

Sitting on her school robes under the willow, Blaise looked out at the lake until she heard Terry approach. She nodded to the robe spread on the ground. "Have a seat."

He sat down, taking his time studying her before glancing toward the lake. "That's the infamous outfit you showed Malfoy."

She gazed in surprise at his handsome profile. "Yeah, I wanted to show you that it wasn't the lingerie the grapevine is currently rumouring it was. How'd you know?"

His fair skin showed embarrassment much easier than hers did. Lips curving, he admitted, "I've been sitting diagonally across from you at the next table for years. Malfoy's not the only one who got flashed."

Blaise was stunned. "Years?"

"Yeah. It's been a Ravenclaw joke." Terry's voice deepened as he imitated, "Why isn't Boot going with anyone? Oh, that's right...he's waiting for Blaise Zabini to prove that she's a girl so he can finally make his move." Dryly, he added in his own pleasant voice, "You can imagine what they're saying now."

Some emotions even olive skin couldn't hide. Her jaw dropped.

Grinning at her speechlessness, he teased, "Getting the picture?"

"You've wanted to go out with me?"

"Luna was right. You are smart for a Slytherin."

Blaise bumped his arm with hers. "What did Luna say?"

He smiled. "Lovegood just happened to sit by me in the common room after the...you know…." Terry grabbed his robes, pretending to rip them open. "She started talking to herself, hoping no one misunderstood her poor friend's actions." Laughing at Blaise's indignant look, he said, "Well, it got my attention. Luna's really good at letting information slip—on purpose."

"She told you about our little project?"

"What project? Luna told me you were tired of the whole is she a girl thing." Leaning closer, Terry bumped Blaise's arm and coaxed, "C'mon, tell me. I've confessed my embarrassing secret, so it's only fair." He held his fist over his heart and vowed, "By Rowena Ravenclaw, I solemnly swear, that even under Cruciatus Curse, I will never-" Terry put his hand down quickly to prevent being unbalanced by the sudden push.

"All right, I'll tell. Merlin, you quiet types!"

"Kettle's calling the cauldron black, hmmm?"

"Do you want to hear this?" Blaise ruined her stern look with twitching lips. She started to explain, "I had to take Muggle Studies this year…." Giving the details of how the matchmaking came about and what they'd done so far, she tried to make it plain that she wasn't truly fooling around with Malfoy...even if she was fooling around with Malfoy...that didn't sound right...it was for a noble cause...best not to mention the ignoble sheer enjoyment factor.

Afterwards, Blaise attempted to read Terry's reaction.

He nodded his head as if he understood, then quickly shook it as if he didn't. He ran a hand through his long hair and asked, "Have you kissed him?"

"No!" she cried. "I don't want to kiss him. We're just friends."

Looking satisfied at Blaise's emphasis on 'him', Terry said seriously, "Keep it that way." His eyes narrowed in playful warning. "No dodgier flirting either...or next time I will jinx Malfoy and Jelly Legs will be just the beginning."

Wow. Luna was right. Primal reactions were very encouraging. Blaise said 'okay', feeling bemused as he stood and helped her to her feet. Bending down to pick up her robe, he handed it over and said as she put it back on, "You'd better wear more than that when we meet at the Bludger Saturday. It's pretty chilly for October."

Blaise had a sudden suspicion. "Did Luna bump into you coincidentally this morning? Mention this willow as a good place to talk and the Bludger a great place for lunch?" Seeing Terry's amused nod, Blaise started to think she owed her matchmaking friend more than jewellery. She'd have to find out who the blonde had her eye on and return the favour.

She felt her eyes widen in alarm when Terry reached a hand up to cup her cheek, tilting her face up to meet his descending lips.

He whispered, "Relax. You're acting like you've never been kissed before."

His lips were so close. She admitted simply, "I haven't."

Before he changed that statement to past tense, Terry smiled so tenderly that tears sprang to Blaise's eyes.

-

-

Lying on the most comfortable sofa in the Slytherin common room, Draco clasped his hands behind his head and sullenly refused to speak to anyone.

"Want to play Wizard Chess?"

Crabbe's query received only a sneer. Like anyone in the house could begin to give him competition. During the Sorting Ceremony, that stupid hat had asked Draco if he was sure he wanted to be Slytherin, blathering on about his ready mind and some wit and learning nonsense. As though he'd toss over a brilliant future as a Slytherin to be a Ravenclaw….

"How about a game of Exploding Snap?"

Closing his eyes at that hopeful question from Goyle, he thought snidely, Let's not and pretend we did.

"Draco darling, why don't I come up to your room and make you feel better?" Pansy offered, reminding him of those hydras his Greek cousin Herc always bragged about fighting on one of his treasure hunts.

Cut off one of her daft ideas and three more attack you when you least expect it.

Still debating whether to fake snoring or use an Impediment Curse to escape the pernicious creature digging her claws into his arm, the put-upon boy's eyes snapped open when another voice said coolly, "Sorry Pansy, Draco's promised to escort me to the library."

Malfoy ignored Pansy's sour face, rose and tucked his rescuer's hand into the crook of his arm. As they strolled into the corridor, he raised an amused brow to ask, "Why exactly am I escorting you to the library—not that going someplace Parkinson-free isn't reason enough."

The inexplicably affectionate girl hugged his arm for a moment and said, "A little redheaded birdie in Moronic Muggles was overheard to say she'd be studying there."

Blaise is really getting into this game, he thought.

Draco had never had a co-conspirator who was as intelligent and amusing before. Perhaps he had been a trifle sexist...girls could be just as Slytherin as boys. As they strolled through the library, he wondered whether he was now one of those sensitive males who saw women only as genderless people. He admired Blaise's backside when she bent over to ask Loony Lovegood if she'd seen their quarry and smirked, happy the answer was negative.

On the second floor, Draco pulled Blaise close and jerked his head toward the shelves of Muggle literature. A flash of red could be seen bent over a book. Looking around, he wondered what they could do on a corridor open to the view of anyone in the library below.

His partner in payback whispered, "Are you willing to get a detention?"

"Of course...if I can't talk Snape round to letting us off…." Smiling in anticipation, he asked, "What are we going to do?"

"Dance."

At his look of disbelief, Blaise rolled her eyes. "Draco, girls are driven mad with jealousy when they see a boy they like dancing with someone else...you do know how to tango?"

He let his lip curl disdainfully. The nerve of her….

I've had bloody dance lessons like every other Malfoy since time began. If you'd gone to the Yule Ball, Ms. Cheeky, you'd have seen me in action. I made that cow Parkinson look good, and I'll show you and Weaselette a thing or two.

A feeling of recklessness swept over him. He glanced over at Ginny and then smilingly challenged, "Go on, it's your idea."

The girl winked and said loudly, "Come on, Draco, I thought you said you'd dare anything."

How fun it was to sneer. "I don't consider a silly tango around the second floor corridor a dare worth taking."

"I Cerberus Dog Dare You!"

Leering in a way that would make his father—rotting in Azkaban prison—proud, he said silkily, "Are you sure that you can take the consequences of a Cerberus Dog Dare?"

Her eyes sparkled. "I can take anything you can dish out!"

My gods this is fun...and it is only the beginning.

Draco caught Blaise's wrist and pulled her flush against him. Masterfully, he moved their bodies into a tango embrace. With their audience in mind, he bent his head close to his partner's and gazed deeply into her eyes. Lowering his voice to the level Pansy called 'dark seduction' he commanded, "Sing something so we can dance."

-

-

Engrossed in her commentary on the plays of Shakespeare, Ginny didn't become aware of the nearby couple until she heard Blaise's raised voice daring Draco to tango with her in the corridor. She had to cover her mouth to stifle a laugh at the ridiculous thought.

Malfoy would never lower himself in such a way. He was too proud to dance in the library. Disbelief grew while she listened to the pair. Surely he wouldn't... She moved back and to the side in order to watch from the shadows.

The arrogant boy pulled Blaise into a close embrace and commanded her to sing so they could dance.

Ginny's entire body heated in a flush she knew rivalled her hair. As she watched from her place of concealment, the girl unconsciously started swaying. The couple glided effortlessly in sensuous rhythm.

Rock step, rock step turn...I've never danced with a partner who could move like he does. What is Blaise singing?

The melody, with its smooth walking, and double time beats fit the dance in same way that Malfoy was fitting his body to Zabini's—sensual and mesmerising. He was mesmerising. Ginny told herself that she would throw her book at them...and make him stop moving in that tormenting rhythm...but not just yet. The words of the song slowly became clear. It was about a woman wanting to be held in her lover's arms like a Spanish Guitar.

Being held like a guitar didn't sound very romantic. Ginny thought being played throughout the night sounded a little better, if the couple wasn't Slytherin. Watching them sway together as Blaise huskily entreated that he hold her to his heart and caress her with tenderness was harder to do by the second. An unfamiliar feeling was sweeping over her.

Bloody damn Malfoy...I will not let you...or that song make me cry. I don't want you to hold me in your arms, look my way, hold me to your heart...I don't!

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

Madam Pince's voice carried from the floor below. Ginny could hear students furiously whispering. By dinner, the Great Hall would fill with speculation about what exactly Malfoy and Zabini had been doing in the library.

Blaise looked aloof and indifferent to the indignant shrieks of the librarian. She smiled regretfully before making her way downstairs to face the music, so to speak.

The girl's partner paused at the stairs and looked back - directly toward Ginny's place in the shadows. Draco's eyes were stormy. He opened his mouth to speak but halted when Professor Snape called imperiously from below. Pressing his lips together, Draco shook his head. With a last, unfathomable look, he made his way down with the same natural elegance that had captivated her during the dance.

Ginny numbly re-shelved her book. She noted with detachment two other texts shelved out of order. She stared at them, wondering what the bloody hell was going on and what she was supposed to do about it.

-

A/N: Tony Braxton sings Spanish Guitar, which really is a fabulous song to tango to, and aye, me hearties, I did borrow 'more of a guideline, really' from POTC. :D