Magical Charm

By: Dragon's That Fly

M&C

Chapter: Three

Title: Dancing (in the dark)

Rating: M

M&C

Disclaimer: I only own: Carolina (Carrie) Riddle; Michele Merrill; Isobel Jameson; the plot; and other unrecognizable characters from the world Harry Potter.

M&C

Author's Note: Tell me what you think, please.

M&C

In truth … Michele, and I – from the beginning – had never had that, finely strung, student-teacher relationship; there was, always, a - a certain, element of fun between us. It was a game, between us; and, Merlin on high, I loved it. A bit like … Jean-Carlo and Aimee pairing, before the, explosive, sex began. A compliment here; a flirtatious remark there; a lecherous comment fitted in somewhere.

22nd of September '08

Today was the beginning of my tuition with Prof. Michele; and I was, completely, and utterly, excited about the whole affair. Last night I had finished The Searching by Fate Oracle. I hadn't slept a wink last night, from excitement; and as dawn broke, I was at the window sill, looking over the Black Lake. I closed my eyes; and let my mind run. I needed to get some grounding, before I went to Michele, first for Defence, then for tuition. I let my mind go back to the beginning of term, where I'd first seen Michele Merton, in all his glory; then my mind went to the first Defence class, and that, undeniable, humour about him; then the first time we were alone, last week, and that constant playfulness between us. I sighed; this was going to be different; very, very, different.

I walked into the bathroom. I washed my face, soothingly; then showered, washing my hair.

I walked back into the dorm; and sat by the dresser. I smoothed eye-crème; then face-crème, on. Then applied, liquid, foundation on, smoothly. I lined my eyes ending the liner in a triangle, or 'V' shape, at the outer corner; brushing black shadow over the lines drawn; and a whisper of black mascara. With a red lip. And left my hair down, over my shoulder, with a side parting.

I dressed, in: a One Vintage Madyson black-and-pink top; Current/Elliott The Stiletto tie dye-print cropped mid-rise black-and-pink skinny jeans; Dolce & Gabbana crystal-embellished stain pink pumps; and a Gucci designer-embossed beige leather tote.

Great Hall

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"What a wonderful mood you are in, today."

"You would be too if you hadn't had a nights' sleep."

"Merlin alone knows what you were doing."

"How flattering, professor."

"They say it is my enthralling attraction."

"'They' being?"

"Undoubtedly pleasant. See you."

"Of course."

He picked up his pace; as I was accosted by Harry. "Morning."

"Hey."

"What did Prof. Michele want?"

"Just being his charming self, is all."

"Lovely."

"Tell me about it."

Defence Against The Dark Arts class

"Good day, guys."

"Prof. Merrill," we greeted, in unison.

"Seamus?"

"Here."

… "Carolina?"

"Present, professor."

"That you are. Good day." He took my hand, swiftly.

"Good day, professor." He smiled, lazily; and let me in.

After school

My last lessons were both Frees so I was in the library looking for something new to read. I found a book titled Immoral Honesty by Adriana Bern.

"Hello Madam Pince."

"Carrie dear."

"Can I take this, please."

"The bug bit you, dear."

"Indeed. I think The Tale For Two was, merely, fascination; but Prof. Merrill leant me The Searching; and I somehow got addicted."

"Terrible sweet Prof. Merrill is, is he not?"

"Quite, Ma'am."

"I told you, dear, it's Irma."

"I'm sorry. Thank you, Irma."

"Have a nice afternoon, Carrie."

I made my way to the Defence classroom. I walked into the, deserted, classroom; and up to Michele's office. I knocked.

"Come." Something about his voice scared me; it wasn't as light-hearted as usual. I walked into the office; and found Michele gazing out the window.

"Hey."

"Carolina."

"I dropped in at the library."

"Addicted, are we?" There was a darkness to his eyes; but the joke was there.

"Something like that. Let's begin.

"Come sit."

"Excuse me?"

"Come sit." He touched the seat before him.

"Fine." Eyeing him, sceptically.

"Close your eyes." I complied. "Now I want you to take yourself something calm. I need this place to consume you. Let it fill your mind. Let it fill your senses. I want you to feel it. Breath it. Live it. Now … I want you to imagine your dancing. I want you to image the ideal partner. The ideal music. The Ideal. I want you to stand. Carry on breathing. May I?" I felt his hands on my hips; and mine placed on his. "The tango. Sexy. Erotic. Sensuous. Feel it. Breathe it. Live it." My back came in contact with his front; and he rolled our hips, as if they were one. "Do you feel it?"

"Ah-ha," I said, breathlessly.

"Good girl."

"That. My darling Carolina. Is Magic, for you; raw, and untainted. That's all for today."