The Art of Seduction

Rule #2: Create a False Sense of Security--Approach Indirectly

If you are too direct early on, you risk stirring up a resistance that will never be lowered. At first there must be nothing of the seducer in your manner. The seduction should only begin at an angle, indirectly, so that the target only gradually becomes aware of you. Haunt the periphery of your target's life--approach through a third party, or seem to cultivate a relatively neutral relationship, moving gradually from friend to lover. Lull the target into feeling secure, then strike.

*

She was really beautiful. She had a beautiful innocence that drew him in. Yet the very innocence that created the attraction held a barrier to be broken(1). She would not want to associate with someone of such bad repute. He'd have to deceive her--but wasn't that all that seduction was about? Deception?

*

Ginny took the steps slowly, not trusting herself in almost two-inch high heels. Neville was waiting for her in the common room, looking really nervous and not particularly stunning in dark blue dress robes. Ginny had to bite back a sigh as Suzy bounced away from her cheerily to her handsome sixth-year date, Davy Davis.

Gritting her teeth, Ginny headed for Neville who kept wiping his sweaty palms on his robe. Every year since Ginny's third, Neville had asked her to the Yule Ball, and every year she had accepted out of pity. She normally didn't mind him that much, but since she had talked to Suzy while they were picking out dresses, she was kind of sorry for herself. Suzy had assured her that there were plenty of other guys she could have gone with, and here she was, stuck with Neville.

"H-h-h-hi Ginny," Neville stuttered.

You'd think that he would have gotten the hang of talking to her, Ginny thought, annoyed, after going to this ball thingy together for a bunch of years. But then again, you'd also think he would know which steps to skip over, too, but he still ended up in at least one trick stair a day.

"Hi Neville," Ginny said, trying to hide her exasperation.

Not knowing what to do, he stood there for a moment awkwardly. Finally, Ginny grabbed his hand--it felt gross and sticky--and started hurrying for the ball. The sooner this was over with, the better.

*

Ginny sipped at her punch, feeling on the verge of tears. Her entire night had been ruined when Neville had managed to knock over the entire punchbowl- -onto himself. Luckily Ginny wasn't hit, but even being up in her room trying to get punch stains out of a dress seemed better than what she was facing now. She was sitting in the back corner of the room with no one to dance with, nothing to do, and a sense of rejection.

She watched her brother spin Hermione around on the dance floor. He had flipped out, just as Ginny had expected, when he'd seen the dress. At first he had ordered her to take it off, but with the help of Suzy she had been able to convince him to let her wear it, as long as she covered her shoulders with a scarf. Once that had been settled he hadn't paid her another glance.

Finally tired of being the Wallflower of the Night, Ginny stood up and started to head for the Gryffindor Tower, but the door leading to the gardens caught her eye. It didn't seem like there were too many people out there, she reasoned with herself, and she could use the fresh air before bed . . .

Her mind was settled. She went around the back of the room instead of walking near the dance floor--she didn't want anyone to see her--and eventually ended up in the brisk air. Like she had suspected, there were very few people out there, and Ginny now knew why. It was freezing! Evening gowns were definitely not made to be worn in this kind of weather.

But as long as she was out there, she may as well walk around a bit or something. Gripping her shawl tightly around her, she set of along the path lined with fairy lights and statues of magical creatures. The beautiful mermaid really got on her nerves, it giggled flirtatiously as she passed by and smiled coyly. The others didn't bother her that much though, the stone unicorns just pawed the ground, and the hippogriffs just beat their wings.

Ginny was so captivated in the statues that she didn't notice when someone casually walked up behind her. She didn't notice he was there until she turned to face Draco Malfoy, standing only about a meter to her left.

*

Ginny Weasley was going to be a challenge.