Vidi, Vici, Veni

Chapter Two

"The Best Laid Plans"

Ginny woke up the next morning looking a little worse for wear. She had had another dream about Malfoy. They were both back in Dolores Umbridge's office, but in this version of her dream, they were alone. Draco had her pinned against the wall, his eyes fierce, but without anger. He was slowly bringing his face closer to hers. Her mouth was unresponsive to her desire to scream. She felt like she couldn't breathe. He brought his lips to hers. Usually she would always bolt upright in bed, waking from the dreams in which Malfoy would kiss her, just before his lips touched hers. But in last night's dream, she didn't wake. Their lips touched and she felt like she was suffocating in a delicious sea of rapture. Her body felt like it was made of air. Then she woke up.

She rolled over and stared at the window of her dorm room. It was just before dawn, so she resettled herself into her bed hoping to get another thirty minutes of sleep before she had to get up. Instead her mind returned to the dream, she could almost feel the phantom sensation of Malfoy's lips on hers.

She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. Great, she thought. That's all I need now; a crush on Ron's worst enemy.

At breakfast, Ginny sat next to Florence and Roxanne, while Harry, Ron and Hermione sat across from her. Hermione was giving Ginny tips on what to pay attention to in her classes that might help her on her O.W.L.s next June.

"Didn't you sleep alright last night?" Ron asked Ginny.

"Yes and no." Which was the truth. "I'm just getting used to sleeping in a different bed again after being home all summer." It was a lie. Ginny knew that her brother and the rest of the gang would not like hearing the truth about her dreams.

"Are you sure?" he asked, unsure about her answer.

"Yes, Ron. Now stop pestering me."

Ron knew that his sister hadn't been sleeping well for most of the summer. He figured it had something to do with Tom Riddle taking control of her during her first year. Knowing that Harry was somehow mentally connected to Voldemort, he was afraid that with You-Know-Who's return to power he was getting to Ginny too. However, Ginny was no more affected by Voldemort than Ron or Hermione was.

Professor McGonagall began walking along the Gryffindor table passing out this year's class schedule to the students.

"Thank the gods! No more classes with Snape," Ron exclaimed with relief. Snape didn't take sixth or seventh year students for his potions classes unless their grades were good enough. Besides, Ron's career goal was to be a Quidditch reporter for The Daily Prophet or a Ministry job in the Depart of Magical Games and Sports.

Ginny was looking over her schedule when she felt someone sweep past her, brushing her back as they past. She ignored it. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny's two dorm mates were also too engrossed reviewing their class schedule to notice Malfoy walk past and glance at Ginny's schedule over her shoulder.

"Perfect," Draco murmured under his breath. She would have to pass him in the halls while he was on his was from Charms to Potions class in the afternoons. There was really only one route for Ginny to take between her Arithmancy and Transfiguration classes. He would see her everyday in the hallways. He would have a chance to implement his plan everyday. The strategy was there, what he needed now were tactics.

He knew full well that flirting with Ginny in the hall alone was not enough to make her love him. He would have to keep his eye out for opportunities. Draco didn't have to wait long.

~_~_~_~_~_~

At the beginning of the second week of school, notices were posted in all the common rooms announcing that instead of the usual Halloween feast, there was going to be a masked ball. Attire would be in the student's choice of formal dress or costume. Masks were required.

"Just my luck," chirped Draco to himself in his room. He figured that of all the opportunities to make Ginny fall in love with him against her will, this one would be his best chance.

That afternoon Draco sent an owl off to his tailor in Diagon Alley. He asked his tailor to use his latest measurements and make him a tuxedo, black, double breasted, white shirt and bow tie, in the muggle fashion. He also asked for black patent leather oxfords to go with his outfit and a mask.

On top of whatever the outfit cost, he included an extra fifty galleons to ensure the tailor wouldn't mention this to his father. He knew full well that his father was a very important customer to him and that he might make mention of this. There was no way Draco wanted his father to know that he was going to be dressed like a muggle, even if it was to a costumed ball.

At Draco's Defence Against the Dark Arts class that next morning, Professor Mead made an announcement that she was offering dance lessons in preparation for the ball. She mentioned that since the ball would be held in the American tradition of Halloween, the waltz, the foxtrot and swing would be common dances for the night.

Several students approached her after class about signing up. Classes would be held twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, after dinner in one of the larger empty classrooms just off the entrance hall.

After the rest of the students had left, Draco approached Professor Mead as she was straightening up her desk. He didn't entirely trust her, but since Professor Snape had openly begun to court her in front of the school and staff, he figured she was trustworthy enough.

"Professor, I was wondering if it were possible that I might be able to arrange private dancing lessons with you?" he said in his most polite and sincere voice.

"Private?" she quizzed him, a bemused look on her face.

"Yes," he replied, trying to look as sheepish as possible. "It's just that I'm a bit shy about doing things like dancing in front of other people, especially when I don't know what I'm doing." Which was partly true, but Draco had other motives behind his request.

He did not want any of his fellow Slytherins knowing that he knew how to Muggle dance, especially anything like waltzing. His plan was to feign that he had no interest in attending the ball. Then when everyone had left the dungeon he would go to the Great Hall and allow everyone to assume that he was from another house.

"My dear, Mr. Malfoy," she drawled. "You of all people are not shy; a bit afraid that you might look foolish, stumbling here and there as most novice dancers do perhaps, but definitely not shy."

She looked into his eyes, sizing him up. Draco was nervous that she would encourage him to learn along with everyone else in a class. He was hoping that she would agree, so that he could seduce Ginny Weasley with every ounce of resources that he had.

Professor Mead had the most humorous smile upon her face as if she was reading his mind. Draco looked as if he was beginning to panic. Can she read my mind?, he thought.

"My dear boy, one does not have to read minds when thoughts of great intensity such as yours practically scream." Her eyes twinkled with a glint of mischievousness. "Yes, I do possess a certain talent for Legilimency, a handy skill as an Auror; however, I do assure you that I do not go around trying to read my students' minds. Their thoughts usually surround me like a kind of background noise I can usually ignore. Your thoughts, however, speak with a great intensity that is as subtle as Mountain Troll in Diagon Alley."

Draco was about to mention her little probing of his mind the night when he first saw her, but she continued. "That one and only time was out of concern for another student. I felt your fury towards another student and was worried you might do something rash to her...or him...that might make Severus disappointed in you." Draco looked down at his feet, unable to respond to her acute observations.

"Very well then, please come to my office on Mondays and Wednesdays after dinner. Please wear comfortable shoes. Good day, Mr. Malfoy." She went back to straightening her desk before heading off to lunch.

Draco gave her a quiet, "Thank you," and left the room.

Professor Snape entered the room, quietly slipping in after Draco left. "Private lessons?" he slowly asked, one brow arched. "Do I have to worry about my students making advances on you, my dear?"

Slight shock spread across her face. "Why Severus! Are you jealous?" she teased, eyes twinkling.

"No, my dear. It's just that I question his motives at times," he said dryly.

"You're wondering if the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree?" she asked. His confused look to this phrase made her clarify. "Like father, like son?"

"Exactly," he replied.

"Now, don't you worry. I think that he just wants to make a good impression upon whatever lady friend he has in mind for taking to the ball. He's a prideful boy. Reminds me of someone I know." She smiled looking at Snape.

Snape looked a bit shocked when she read him. The smile on her face brought about a lingering question in his mind. "Why do you find me interesting?"

As she was usually able to read Snape's face to know what was on his mind she had not expected this question. She thought for a moment while she carefully formed an answer. Snape was beginning to get edgy, afraid that she might think that he was a complete and total loser.

"That is a very good question, Severus. I have been courted by a good many gentlemen." At the sound of this Snape started to feel very inadequate. She continued, "Mostly handsome, mostly rich and powerful." He began to get restless and was eyeing the door as if to bolt for it. "But beauty fades, fortunes evaporate and power is fleeting. You may be of Slytherin house, but I have found from our few, but lengthy conversations that you have the mind of a Ravenclaw, the heart of a Gryffindor, and when your mood is right, the temperament of a pussy cat. It is a rare combination to find all these qualities in one man. And trust me, I've looked."

Snape blushed and was looking quite bashful. She walked up to him, took his hands in hers and said, "Severus?" He looked into those blues eyes he so much wanted to drown in. "What else does a girl have to say to get you to kiss her?"

Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and kissed her. His first real kiss in ages, so long overdue. He felt like his heart would burst. He took his lead from Calliope as to how intense she wanted this kiss to go. She drew him in a little deeper; then withdrew to catch her breath.

"Why Severus, how did you learn to kiss like that?" She looked radiant.

====================

Chapter Three

"Shall We Dance?"

During lunch, Professor Snape and Professor Mead were not at the staff table. Everyone figured he was walking her around the grounds showing her the school and explaining the history of Hogwarts. They had been seen frequently strolling arm in arm during the past week.

Draco was sitting at the Slytherin table hoping that Ginny would sit facing him so he could catch her eye. He had taken to walking past her in the halls every day. As she would pass, he would stare at her impassively but intensely, hoping she would look up.

The first three days she had looked back at him. Sometimes she would even slow down and her friends would continue chatting while walking, unaware that she had fallen behind. On the fourth day she got the hint that this would be routine. She walked to her Transfiguration class, then sensing he was approaching, steeled herself. He could see her stiffen up as he approached. When she didn't make eye contact with him, he was a bit disappointed. At least she still felt his eyes on her, making her aware of his attention.

Ginny plopped down in an ungraceful manner at the Gryffindor table. To Draco's luck she was facing him. She looked a bit exhausted after coming from Potions class. She set about piling some food on her plate and pouring herself some pumpkin juice when she felt like she was being watched. Halting her actions, she sat very still for what seemed like a minute. When she raised her head, she was looking right at Malfoy.

He's staring at me again, she thought feeling annoyed. She was sure that Malfoy was going to try and intimidate her back into submission for the train platform incident. She refused to be bullied by the arrogant prat, even though he did have piercing eyes that she thought looked a bit smouldering. Her stomach gave a slight flutter as she could feel his eyes begin to slowly seep into her.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?, she screamed in her head. You are not going to be seduced by that git, nor are you going to put up with his power trip to scare you back into becoming some submissive underling. She paused.

Seduced? Where the hell did that word come from? She shook her head and concentrated on getting some lunch down her throat before she had to leave for Charms.

Draco had a very self-satisfied look on his face. Thoroughly smug, like whenever he got the results he wanted.

~_~_~_~_~_~

The following Monday, Draco showed up at Professor Mead's office after dinner for his first dance lesson. He had had a few dance lessons with his mother when he was growing up, wizard dances that is. Usually, some sort of minuet or other obsolete dance that only the very rich and bored bothered to learn. He gently rapped on her door.

Professor Mead opened the door not wearing her usual pastel robes, but a clingy black dress that fell to just above her ankles. Draco smiled and eyed her a bit and thought about that far away look Snape had in his eyes that day he missed lunch.

Boy, now I know why he's been distracted, Draco thought, as quietly as he could.

"Don't worry, this is not for you. This is one of the dresses I have in my collection from when I was an amateur ballroom dancer. I intend to wear this tomorrow night for the class as well. You may be special, Mr. Malfoy, but not that special." She demurely smiled at him. "Please remove your robe; it will be easier for you to learn." Draco placed his robe on a hook on the back of her office door.

Professor Mead had removed her office furniture; she had used a shrinking potion to make her furniture small enough to place on a bookshelf. She pulled out a Muggle device called a CD player and pressed play. They began class with a basic foxtrot box step. Draco was naturally graceful and a quick learner. So, she worked him up to more complex steps before being satisfied that he had fully grasped the movements. She complimented him on his dancing skills, even though he was a novice.

"You were born to be a dancer, Mr. Malfoy. But sometimes we do not have the pleasure of following our callings at times," she said.

Draco thanked her for a good first class. He actually enjoyed himself and found himself smiling at her disarming wit. Even though he didn't have a crush on his new dance teacher, he couldn't help but think that Snape had really bagged himself a winner.

~_~_~_~_~_~

Tuesday night's dinner in the Great Hall was filled with a buzz; students were wondering what their first dance class was going to be like. After dinner students headed back to their rooms to drop off their robes before the first lesson.

Ginny walked into the large classroom with Florence and Roxanne. Harry, Ron and Hermione were already there. Neville Longbottom was standing over in the corner looking a little nervous. She walked over, put her arm through his and led him back over to the other Gryffindors milling about.

"Don't worry, Neville." Ginny smiled at him. "I would love to have you for a partner. We're all starting from scratch here." She hoped he wouldn't step on her feet again, as he did during the Yule Ball.

Neville smiled back and relaxed a bit when he realized that there could be plenty of other boys who might be a worse dancer than him.

There were about sixty students waiting for class to begin, a mix of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, an even ratio of boys to girls. The Slytherins were noticeably absent from the class.

Professor Mead strode into the classroom in the same dress that she had worn the night before with Draco. "Good evening," she began. "I am so pleased to see so many students here. Now before we begin, there are a few basics I'd like to go over, mostly the differences between wizard and Muggle dancing. In Muggle dancing, the men will hold the ladies like this." She grabbed an unsuspecting seventh year Hufflepuff who was a good eight inches taller than her.

"My, but you are a strapping young man. I don't remember the young men in my school ever looking this good." The poor Hufflepuff boy started to blush a furious crimson as a twitter of laughter spread throughout the crowd.

She placed the boy, moving his legs and arms in a position where he was ready to dance. Stepping up to him, she placed her right hand in his outstretched left hand then placed his right arm around her waist to the small of her back, resting her left hand gently on the top of his shoulder.

"Now, the rule of dancing is where the man goes, the lady must follow," she instructed.

Ron gave a small chuckle then leaned over to Hermione and said, "You picking this all up?" Hermione elbowed him in the ribs, hoping that would stifle any other sexist remarks he might make during the evening.

Professor Mead continued, ignoring their small lover's quarrel. "The man must give the lady directions as to where he would like to lead her, thus the dance term 'leading.' He should press with his hand into her back firm but gently to the direction he is going to lead his partner."

She then made everyone pair up. Ginny picked Neville, Ron paired with Hermione and Harry had to diplomatically pick between Florence and Roxanne. To Harry's relief, a sixth year Ravenclaw walked up to Roxanne and asked if she wouldn't mind paring up with him.

Professor Mead began with the foxtrot box step she taught Draco. With a much larger class, they didn't progress as fast as the private lesson had. Every thirty minutes or so, Professor Mead encouraged everyone to find a new partner. She wanted her students to learn to dance with a variety partners. Even Ron and Hermione broke to dance with someone else in Gryffindor. Ginny had even practiced dancing with Harry.

After two hours, everybody had a basic box step down pat. Everyone there would at least be able to passably dance for the ball, even though it was just one step.

Professor Mead congratulated everyone on the wonderful progress they made that evening and told them that they would be learning turns to go with the foxtrot for Thursday's class.

Wednesday's private lesson for Draco included some advanced, but simple steps for the foxtrot. Professor Mead instructed him how to lead his partner so that even if a partner didn't know the step, he would be able to guide her while making it look like she knew what she was doing.

Meanwhile, Draco continued to haunt Ginny in the afternoon between classes. After five weeks of private lessons with Professor Mead, Draco had mastered the foxtrot, the waltz and swing. The large class was just starting to learn swing.

At the end of their Wednesday night lesson Draco nonchalantly ask, "So, Professor, were there any other dance step you think I might need to learn for the ball?" Draco was really enjoying his lessons with her. She had even made him laugh a few times.

"As a matter of fact, I've been tutoring Professor Snape in the tango. I have asked the band that will play at the ball to learn 'Por Una Cabeza', a wonderfully sensuous piece of music," she replied, watching for a reaction from Draco. She knew he might raise an eyebrow at the thought of the head of Slytherin house dancing to something considered sensuous.

She had learned from her Severus that his students mostly feared him and thought of him in no other way than that of a glowering threat that had the power to fail them on a whim.

"If you are interested, I think that you could probably grasp the basics, plus a few fancy moves before the ball. Are you game?" she coyly asked.

Draco hesitated, then thought of Ginny dancing to something that sounded like it might be a bit erotic. "Sure, I'd be most honoured," he said as he bowed and kiss her hand, the other arm waving with a flourish.

"I must say that you can be quite the gentleman at times. However, I do believe that under that charming exterior of yours beats the true heart of a rogue and a cad." Her cheeks almost flushed as if she was slightly embarrassed that she could say such a thing to a student.

Draco laughed, amused that he had been so thoroughly understood, but hoped that she didn't know of his less than noble intentions towards Ginny.