The Art of Seduction

The Art of Seduction

Rule # 1: Choose the Right Victim

Everything depends on the target of your seduction. Study your prey thoroughly, and choose only those who will prove susceptible to your charms. The right victims are those for whom you can fill a void, who see in you something exotic. They are often isolated or unhappy, or can easily be made so--for the completely contented person is almost impossible to seduce. The perfect victim has some quality that inspires strong emotions in you, making your seductive maneuvers seem more natural and dynamic. The perfect victim allows for the perfect chase.

*

Ginny Weasley. She was quiet. Didn't really talk much, didn't really do much of anything. She just sat in the shadows, overpowered by Harry and his friends. Yet there was something about her that made his insides stir. Maybe it was the danger of dating a Weasley. Maybe it was the fantastic curves that even loose hand-me-down robes could not conceal. Or maybe it was the challenge. Whatever it was, he had chosen. Ginny Weasley would be the next one to fall prey to Draco Malfoy.

*

"Which one should I wear, Suzy?" Ginny asked, admiring herself in mirror. She was wearing a gold dress robe, but had a green one held to her side. Her roommate, Suzy, had tons of dresses and was lending Ginny one for the Yule Ball. She had narrowed it down to the two she was holding, but it stopped there. She really would have liked to wear the golden one, but cringed at the thought of what her brother would say.

"I think that you should go with the gold one," Suzy said knowledgeably, as if she was a perfect expert on anything that came close to fashion. "It brings out your golden highlights."

Ginny glanced again at the green one. The dim light of the dormitory created a mystical effect as it hit the green and purple iridescent fabric. It was beautiful, but the gold one still held her favor. It was . . . seductive. There was a fitted drop waist bodice trimmed with crystals, and a spectacular open back. It made her feel sexy and romantic--she had to have the dress. In her sixteen years of existence, she had never worn anything that made her feel so good about herself. "But what do you think Ron will say?" Ginny asked Suzy, voicing her inner obstacle. "It's kind of revealing."

"Who cares what Ron says? Besides, you're going with Neville. Let me emphasize that: NEVILLE. No one's going to worry about what that twit'd do to you . . . Ron'll just be glad that it has a train long enough for him to trip over while dancing, so that you both get sent to the hospital wing with minor injuries and he has no more worries for the night."

"Thanks," Ginny said sarcastically, punching Suzy playfully in the shoulder. "But I doubt Neville needs a train to trip over. He'd manage to find something to knock him over, even if it was his own feet."

Suzy giggled, and then sighed becoming serious and dramatic. "It's such a misfortune," she said eyeing Ginny with pity, "that something that beautiful gets wasted on someone like Neville Longbottom."

"Neville's not that bad!" Ginny protested. "He's really nice and caring and friendly and--"

"A total klutz! Don't look to me when he falls, taking half of your dress with him and leaving you standing the middle of the dance floor in your knickers. Why are you going with him, anyway?"

"I told you! Because he's nice and carin--"

Suzy held up a hand. "But you didn't have to go with him! I'm sure that Collin would have gone with you, or maybe Seamus. So why the heck are you going with that idiot?"

Ginny lowered her head. "Because he asked me first and I didn't want to be mean," she said quietly.

Suzy sighed. "Whatever. Sometimes you're too nice for your own good."

Ginny had to agree with her. Neville was really a great guy, but the whole melting cauldrons twice a week deal was kind of pathetic. Of course--she wouldn't admit to it. She may have been kind, but she was stubborn too!

"So have you decided what dress you want to wear yet?" Ginny asked, trying to break the tension in the room.

"Yep!" chirped Suzy brightly. "The lilac one." She pointed a perfectly manicured fingernail at an elegant soft purple dress. It was really pretty--Ginny had always wished she could wear purple, but it just clashed terribly with her auburn hair. "What about you?" She asked, motioning to the two dresses Ginny was deciding between.

Ginny looked nervously at the golden one biting her lip. "That one . . ."

"Perfect!" Suzy said happily, launching into her fashion designer mode and starting her little rant that Ginny only half heard. "And I have just the perfect shoes and shawl to go with it, and oh! Can I do your hair? I just got this new spell that makes the cutest little ringlets . . ."

Ginny phased out in thought, as she often had to do when around Suzy. She felt some kind of independence. She had just defied what Ron would have wanted her to do. Maybe she was moving into her own spotlight--that would be nice.

*

Yes, Ginny Weasley was perfect.