Chapter 24- A Difficult Tango

Serena thought it was probably a bad thing that she was out of breath by the time she made it to her bedroom at the far end of the tower. Deciding she should start working out again because this was really pathetic, she folded her arms over her chest and Heather tied a black, opaque cloth over her eyes.

Heather and Eve had returned from Hogsmeade later that day, to catch her having lunch with Tom. Offering smiles and looks that implied they knew she had been doing inappropriate things with Tom, they joined them for a few bites.

"Glad to see your feeling better," Heather had said as she settled herself down on the bench. Serena felt herself blush slightly.

"So how was Hogsmeade?" Serena asked, before they started interrogating her in front of Tom.

"Oh, it was fine…" Eve said, going into a list of where they went and what they bought for 10 minutes, before stealing Serena off, telling her they had a surprise.

"Ok. I'm completely blind," Serena assured them. "Can we go in now?"

"Can we leave her?" Heather whispered loudly in Eve's ear.

"No you may not!" Serena said indignantly. She heard Heather sigh.

"Ok," Heather groaned as Eve promised they wouldn't leave her.

"Ready?" Eve asked.

"Yes!" Serena said, but quickly realized she wasn't when they threw her through the open door, very roughly.

"Ow!" She cried as she tried to catch herself before she fell over. With arms flailing about, she caught on to the bedpost and let herself stay there as she tried to steady herself amidst Heather and Eve's giggling. Highly annoyed, Serena ripped off the dark strip of cloth covering her eyes and turned herself to glare at Heather and Eve who were now leaning against each other, trying to stay standing while they laughed. Serena just stared at them until finally, they calmed down.

"Sorry Serena," Eve muttered.

Serena! Look at your bed!" Heather cried. Serena's eyes stayed fixed on them for a moment longer before she turned to look at her bed. There, on top of her comforter, lay a big, rectangular box and a small bag.

"You guys didn't have to buy me anything," Serena said.

"Well we knew you weren't feeling…too well, so we got them to cheer you up, but seeing as Tom has already done that…" Heather mumbled.

"Oh yeah! How'd you guys make up anyways?" Eve asked her. Serena felt her cheeks redden slightly.

"Well, I was in the library, reading, when he came over and started talking to me," She said.

"What'd he say?" Heather asked.

"Well, he didn't seem to think he'd done anything wrong, so I asked him about Rebecca and he…"Serena smiled, knowing the red glow of her cheeks must be obvious now.

"What'd he say!" Eve asked.

"Suffice it to say, he didn't do anything with her, and we're going to the dance together," Serena said, grinning. Heather rolled her eyes as Eve hugged her.

"We told you he wouldn't do anything with her," Heather said. Serena sighed.

"I know," She said.

"Well, now we can go out next weekend and get you a dress," Eve said. Serena smiled.

"Sounds like a plan," She said.

"Now you have to open our presents," Heather said, catching Eve's eye and sniggering. Serena glanced suspiciously at her friends before walking over to her bed. Cautiously, she grabbed the bag and peered down into it. Relief washed over her face, followed by a smile.

"Aw, you guys!" Serena said, smiling, as she dumped the chocolate frogs and liquorish wands onto her bed. "I can't eat all of that. I'll get fat!" Heather and Eve just rolled their eyes.

"Oh shut up," Heather said. "Open the other one." Serena put down the empty bag back on her and pushed the candy over. She took the thin rectangular box in her hands and was very surprised to find it to be heavy.

"What did you guys get me?" She asked, sitting herself down on her bed and placing the box on her lap.

"Just open it!" Heather said, as the two girls walked over to get a closer look. Warily, Serena unbound the ribbons keeping it closed and slowly removed the lid of the box. Glancing down at the contents, Serena sent a puzzled gaze back up to them.

"Take it out and look at it," Eve said, encouragingly. Serena furrowed her brow and turned her attention back to the box.

Carefully, she slipped her hands underneath it and pulled out the heavy, silver coated mirror. She looked it over, seeing the engraved lettering above the glass which read "The Magic Mirror". Serena looked again, unsure, to her friends.

"Thanks?" She managed, not really sure what she was supposed to do with it and finding it really random they got her a mirror in attempts to make her feel better.

"Ok, now say it," Heather insisted.

"Say what?" Serena asked.

"You know, the 'mirror mirror on the wall' thing" Heather said. Serena started at Heather uncertainly.

"Just do it," Eve said. Serena sighed and did as she was told. Setting the mirror upright on her lap, she cleared her throat, feeling like an idiot.

"Mirror mirror on the wall," She said, looking at Heather and Eve who nodded at her to continue. Serena rolled her eyes. "Who's the fairest one of all?" Instantly, her reflection in the mirror disappeared, replaced with a new image of some handsome, but arrogant looking blond guy.

"Why you are darling," The 'face' in the mirror responded (IMAGINE Rupert Everett's VOICE FOR THIS). Serena's eyes widened.

"What the hell is this?" She asked, glancing back at Heather and Eve.

"It's so that you never get all depressed like you were last night," Heather said.

"If you ever think you feel ugly or fat again, all you have to do it look into this mirror and ask it," Eve said. Serena looked skeptically back at her.

"No, seriously, ask it something else," Eve said. Serena thought for a moment.

"Do I look fat?" She asked the mirror.

"Of course not, baby-doll," The mirror responded. "You are THE most beautiful girl in the world." Serena laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Well even if he does lie, I rather like it," Serena said. "Thank you guys so much." She said as she hugged her two best friends.

"No problem," They responded.

"Just don't ever get that depressed again," Heather said. "It scared us." Serena smiled.

"I'll try not to." She said. "But where did you guys buy this?"

"Zonko's," Eve said. Serena rolled her eyes.

"Figures," She said, smiling. "But thanks, though, I do like it."

"You better it was like expensive," Eve said.

"Really!" Serena said, starting to feel bad.

"No," Heather said. "That's just Eve being all miserly again. It wasn't. We wouldn't have bought it for you if it would bankrupt us." Serena smiled at their blunt honesty.

"Good," Serena said. "Now, we have to talk about dates and where and when we're getting our dresses for the dance."

0-0-0-0

"Ew! Guess what I found out today," Heather said, throwing herself down on the bench at the tables, during Friday's lunch, almost a week later. Serena and Eve looked up from their conversation at her.

"What?" They asked.

"You know how Malfoy had been going by his middle name, Lucius, for like ever?" Heather asked. Serena and Eve nodded their heads.

"Well, apparently he decided the other day to go by his first name Abraxas," Heather announced, rolling her eyes. "He thinks it sounds more important or something."

"It does sounds a bit more pretentious," Serena said. Eve snorted.

"That's probably why he reverted back to it," Eve said. Heather just rolled her eyes again.

"It's so weird. I don't like it." Heather said.

"So I take it you aren't going to go to the dance with him then?" Serena asked. Heather shook her head and then smiled.

"No, but Henry Rutters asked me this morning!" Heather said, blushing slightly.

"He's the American, right?" Serena asked. Heather nodded.

"That's awesome!" Serena cried, hugging Heather, who nodded.

"I know, I can't believe it."

"What about you Eve?" Serena asked. Eve shrugged.

"I was thinking about that Philip kid," She said, nonchalantly.

"That one Hufflepuff?" Heather asked. Eve nodded.

"Ohh! I like him, he's blonde," Heather said. "You should totally go for it."

"Well…I don't know," Eve mumbled.

"Oh come on!" Serena said. "You totally have to." Eve sighed.

"We'll see what happens," She said dismissively. Serena and Heather sighed as well and moved back to eating.

When they were finished, they all got up and left the great hall together. They had the same class next period and were on their way to pick up their books when Tom caught Serena's eye. He motioned for her to wait for him, so she offered a brief apology to Heather and Eve and asked them to grab her books for her. They rolled their eyes and left together, sniggering as they went.

Serena rolled her eyes and waited outside the doors to the Great Hall as Tom made his way over through the crowd. He smiled at her, as he made it over.

"Hey," She greeted him. "What's up?"

"How would you like to join me in my room tonight, after dinner," He asked. Serena raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you have night-duty tonight?" She asked.

"No, it's been changed, again," He said. "Stupid girl can't seem to make up her mind when she wants people patrolling." Serena couldn't help but smile. Tom smirked, noticing her enjoyment of him degrading Rebecca.

"You haven't changed your mind about that, have you?" He asked, leaning in closer to her.

Serena furrowed her brow, not understanding what he was talking about, but, she definitely caught the lust that lined his voice.

"Changed my mind about what-?" Serena asked and then stopped, her eyes widening as she realized what he was talking about.

"No!" She almost shouted, looking around frantically to make sure no one else was listening to their conversation." Tom chuckled at her obvious discomfort.

"Damn," He said, evidently disappointed. Serena just stared at him.

"I was kidding, Princess," He said, trying to calm her down a bit. He took her hand and gently pressed his lips to it. He could feel her body relaxing under his touch and couldn't help but smirk somewhat arrogantly at his effect on her.

"But you will meet me tonight, won't you?" He asked her, his voice a dark whisper of power and lust. How could she refuse?

"I'll try to," She promised, smiling flirtatiously at him before running off to her class.

After dinner that night, Serena bade good-bye to Heather and Eve before running off to meet Tom outside the great hall. She smiled when she saw him.

"Good evening, my lady," Tom said, bowing slightly. Serena giggled at his silly display of formality, but decided to play along anyways.

"Good evening my Lord Voldemort," She whispered, performing a small, but graceful curtsy. Tom smirked at the mention of his name, the article my in front of it, and the way she could move so elegantly without trying to, but continued with his role-playing.

"I do hope this evening finds you well," He asked, holding out his arm for her to take. She smiled and hooked her arm through it as they started walking.

"It does," She answered. "And you, my lord? I hope things are faring well."

"Well," He said, eyeing her hungrily. "It's about to get better." Serena caught his eye and couldn't help giggling.

"You are quite the flirt tonight," She said, as he led her down another darkened corridor.

"It was a good day," He said. Serena looked at him curiously.

"It was?" She asked. Tom smirked.

"It was," He said. Serena rolled her eyes, a bit annoyed at his refusal to tell her anything. She was about to say something else when they stopped in front of his door. He said the password and bowed to her.

"My Lady," He said. Serena rolled her eyes and walked through, Tom following her in. The door shut behind her and she skipped over to the couch, where she placed herself in a very…inviting position. Tom smirked before following her to the couch.

Serena giggled as he kissed her, his hands wandering over her body. After a while, his mouth left hers and his tongue slipped to caress her neck. She moaned softly as he continued down before she stopped him.

"Shit I forgot!" She cried. Tom looked up at her, perplexed.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"I didn't finish my essay for Advanced Potions. And it's due tomorrow." She said.

"So you're thinking about schoolwork as I'm kissing you?" He asked, a bit upset. Serena rolled her eyes.

"Actually, I wasn't. It just came to me!" She said, sitting up.

"It's Friday night," Tom said. "How is it due tomorrow?"

"I know, but he gave us only a one day extension so I have to give it to him tomorrow," She said. Tom frowned.

"I'm sorry! I completely forgot!" She said. "I promise I'll make it up to you!"

"When?" He asked. Serena couldn't help but smile at what looked like Tom pouting.

"Tomorrow night," She said.

"No, I have night patrol then," He said.

"Sunday?" Serena suggested.

"Meeting with a Professor," He said, arms now crossed over his chest.

"Ok, so weekend after," She said.

"That's the dance," He said.

"So that'll work out perfectly." She said. Tom growled.

"Oh you'll be fine," She said, moving on top of him and kissing him, moving off just as he got into it. His eyes sparkled dangerously.

"Next weekend," She promised as she slipped off of him and sneaked out of his room, leaving him completely unsatisfied.

The next morning, Tom was still upset with her from the night before and wouldn't talk to her that much. Serena decided it was a good thing she'd be in Hogsmeade all day where she wouldn't see him.

After breakfast, the girls left for Hogsmeade in the search for dresses. Eve had announced earlier in the week that Philip had, indeed, asked her to the dance, so now they all had dates which they obviously had to impress, so dress shopping was a bit difficult.

After visiting several stores, with Eve being the only one who had successfully found a dress, Serena and Heather found a shop which had the perfect dresses. Happy and content with their dresses, they made their way back to Hogwarts just in time for dinner. Serena noticed that Tom wasn't there. Shrugging it off, she went back to her food and then back up to her room. It wasn't long before the big night of the dance finally came.

0-0-0-0

The girls were full of giggles as they did their hair and makeup, before putting on their dresses. Eve's was tight, thin and made of emerald green silk which looked beautiful with her delicate skin. Heather's was black this time, and strapless and looked gorgeous with her wavy hair flowing about her shoulders. Serena's dress was blood red with a halter cut and a daringly low back. And it had a cut going diagonally from it, displaying a triangle of pale of silk. It fit her like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination. Her hair was put up, with curls escaping. They took a finally glance in the mirrors before, feeling satisfied with their appearance, made their way down to the Great Hall where they would meet their dates.

Heather met Henry at the bottom of the stairs and Eve found hers at the entrance to the Great Hall. Serena looked around, but she didn't see Tom anywhere. As she was starting to despair, she felt someone's arms slip around her waist.

"I love this low back," He whispered, his breath tickling her ear. Serena turned around and smiled as he kissed her hand.

"How do I look?" Serena asked, twirling around once for him to see.

"Like you need to be ravished," He said, drawing her close to him again. Serena giggled.

"So, I look pretty?" She asked, wanting his confirmation.

"Beautiful," He said, kissing her lightly on her lips. She smiled and straightened his tie, fluttering her eyes back up to him.

"I have to say you look quite attractive yourself," She said. He smirked arrogantly.

"I know," He said. She rolled her eyes.

"Shall we?" He asked, offering her his arm. She took it and let him lead her into the great hall.

It looked truly beautiful, with floating orange lights strung up everywhere and chanting ghosts in the corners. There were a few tables with refreshments on them and a band played in the furthest end.

Tom and Serena danced for a little, but with all of her teasing, they didn't stay long. In fact, after only two hours, they were back in Tom's room, ridding themselves of their clothes.

He laid her on his bed, and covered her in passionate kisses. Her breath became frantic and several moans escaped her as he entered her. They rolled through the blankets, their bodies moving in rhythm together. After a while, her body shook as she climaxed, and he wasn't far behind. Soon they both lay spent, wrapped in each other's arms.

Tom watched her as she cuddled into him, running her fingers over his chest and wondered what she was thinking. He smiled as an idea came into his mind, and though he thought that maybe he shouldn't, he couldn't help himself.

Do I love him? She was thinking to herself, unaware that Tom was reading her thoughts. As she said this, his heart skipped a beat. She started at his chest, thinking it over as Tom waited for her decision. Oh I don't know…What's that weird feeling? It's almost as if…no, he wouldn't. That's impossible. Wait. Yes he would!

"Tom?" She asked, moving her eyes back up to his.

"Hmm?" He asked.

"Were you…" She asked.

"Was I what?" He asked, becoming very amused.

"Were you…reading my thoughts?" She forced awakwardly. He smirked.

"Yes," He said simply.

"Tom!" She cried, sitting up and embarrassed! "I can't believe you! Those are private ideas. How could you do that?"

"Serena, calm down," He said, pulling her back down next to him.

"I can't believe you!" She cried.

"Why not?" He asked. She opened her mouth to say something but after thinking about it, realized, she probably should have expected something like this from him. She snorted and clenched her teeth. There was a moment's silence.

"So…"He said. She looked angrily at him.

"So what?" She asked.

"So, do you?" He asked, watching her cheeks redden with a refreshed embarrassment.

"Do I what?" She asked.

"Do you love me?"

"No," She said automatically. She felt Tom's hand on her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"Are you lying?" He asked quietly, his dark eyes searching hers. She looked away.

"yes," She answered meekly.

"You do?" He asked softly. She rolled her eyes.

"Yes," She said again. He smiled. And she waited. Would he proclaim his love for her as well? She wondered to herself. She dared to hope, that maybe, just maybe he would. Tom knew she was waiting for him. But for the life of him, he couldn't say it. He thought that maybe he did, but he shook it off.

Love was a weakness.

"You know I would never let anyone hurt you," He said. That was all he could say, and they both knew that's not what she wanted to hear. She forced herself to smile.

"I know," She muttered softly, before rolling over so he wouldn't see the tears that threatened to fall.