Smile Like You Mean It

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I know I said the 9th, it's just I've been trying to get my life back in order after being away. I got a new cat too, so I'm trying to make sure she behaves herself!

Ok, well, we're back on the road, this chapter will hopefully bring about some more interesting confrontations between our favourite couple! I had loads of ideas while away, but this one just kept coming back to me!

Alright, I won't make you wait any longer! A week is long enough...

Oh yes, if anyone want to be informed of new chapters via email, give me a review and leave your email address and I'll add you to my list.


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Chapter 14 - Planning Is Half The Work



The weekend had come quickly, with Aera and Hermione ignoring each others' presence. Harry had tried to resolve the differences between the two, but to no avail. Aera had no interest in trying to convince Hermione of her innocence and she had a feeling the other girl was in no mood to listen.

The evening of their argument Aera had apologised to Blaise, telling him she didn't really feel like a walk by the lake. Surprisingly he hadn't questioned her, though he had probably overheard the end tail of her outburst that morning and knew she wasn't in the best of moods. He had smiled and stated that perhaps the weather was still a little too chill for such a stroll. They could wait until the temperature had improved a little, then he would show her the interesting sights of Hogwarts' grounds.

It was Saturday afternoon and Aera was seated in front of the common room fire, idly flicking her new wand and watching the ribbons of colour it produced. They floated dreamily through the air for a moment before dissipating. Her oak and dragon-scale wand had arrived from Ollivander's the night before and she was still getting used to channelling her magic through a tool once more.

"Aera..." She sighed, used to her brother's hesitant tone. Without looking at him she twisted the wand sharply, causing the colours to intertwine and fade before she placed it on the table. "Don't you think you two have ignored each other long enough? I'm sure Hermione would be willing to apologise and explain what she really felt."

Aera finally met Harry's concerned gaze, her eyes cold. "I told you already, Harry. I'm not interested in what she has to say. I plan on waiting until the potion is ready, then we'll see if she's so bloody clever."

Harry opened his mouth as if to say more, then shut it tightly. Aera felt a twinge of guilt. She didn't mean to involve Harry in this, but it appeared inevitable.

"Look, Harry." she said softly, leaning toward. "I don't want to be arguing with her, but it really is best to wait until she knows what's going on." she eased herself back against the couch. "What ever happened to your idea about befriending a Death Eater's son or daughter?"

Harry gave a shrug. It was only the two of them in front of the fire. Hermione had pointedly walked past earlier, telling Harry she would be in the library until lunch-time. Ron had followed, giving Aera a rueful grin. She knew he didn't hold any animosity towards her, but it was clear he didn't want to get caught inbetween.

"Well, I came up against a brick wall with that idea. The ones we can be fairly certain are in the position to tell us things are the ones who are no way going to tell us anything. I know Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson's parents are all involved with Voldemort. And Malfoy, of course."

Aera felt an unexpected flutter in the pit of her stomach hearing his name. She had succeeded in avoiding him the past week, but she had felt his eyes on her more than once. She kept quiet, unsure of whether to speak up.

Harry continued, obviously not noticing Aera's discomfort. "But the first three are all well under Malfoy's thumb and we've as much chance getting Lucius Malfoy to inform on Voldemort as his son." Here he stopped and glanced over at Aera, clearly hesitant.

"What?"

"Well, Ginny told me that Blaise Zabini had been... showing interest in you."

Bloody red-haired blabber mouth! Aera gritted her teeth to stop herself from growling in irritation. Ginny had promised! Then again, she might not have told Harry the whole story.

Harry, encouraged by her silence, blurted the rest out quickly. "We don't know for sure that his family is involved at all with Voldemort, but it seems to be the easiest solution. I'm not asking you to do anything you don't want, I'm just telling you what's been going through my mind."

Aera's mouth felt very dry. Suddenly the reality of what Harry needed of her was crystal clear. "You want me to seduce Zabini!" she gasped.

Harry blushed and she started to laugh. After a moment he joined in. "I know, it's a stupid idea. But it's the only lead we have."

Aera stopped laughing, though her lips still quirked in a smile. "It's not stupid, Harry. Actually it's ingenious. But do you really think I could do it? I mean... it's not like I'm..."

"Gorgeous?" This new voice made Aera jump off her seat in fright. So engrossed in their conversation she hadn't noticed Ron come through the portrait hole and approach them in front of the fire.

The words registered in her mind and she stuck her tongue out at the boy, embarrassed that he had overheard their discussion. He grinned at her childish response and settled himself on the couch beside her.

"Where's Hermione?" asked Harry, his eyes watching the portrait hole in case she had followed Ron.

"She's caught up in the world of Kinetic Magic: A Study Of Magical Motion by Pentil Breezily. Really boring so I said I'd come back up here. So I hope you weren't agreeing with Aera claiming she wasn't up to seducing someone."

Harry's cheeks went pink again and he shook his head emphatically. Aera herself felt her face begin to burn in embarrassment. This was not the most comfortable conversation. Ron turned to her, looking serious.

"Ok, I'm not trying to persuade you about Harry's idea. But believe me, if anyone in this school had the ability to seduce any member of the male student population, it would be you." He sat back, the tips of his ears scarlet, though he seemed proud he had spoken up.

"Well... um." Aera stuttered. "Hang on, how do you know what we were talking about? You can't have heard more than the end of it."

Ron gave a casual shrug. "Harry and I talked about it already. It's not like we could persuade Hermione to try and seduce someone." He paused, using a cough to try and cover up a snicker. "And I don't want Ginny getting involved in this. Mum would kill me."

Harry nodded his confirmation and Aera folded her arms. "How the hell do you think I could seduce someone? And Blaise Zabini of all people!"

"Look, all we need to know first of all is whether the Zabini family is caught up with Voldemort. After that we can talk about further plans." Harry said, glancing between Ron and herself. It was clear that Ron would be the one to try and persuade her. "We don't want you in any danger, so every step needs to be carefully thought out. But the first step won't be taken if you don't agree to this."

Ron sat forward, blocking Harry from Aera's view. "Look, you're pretty in a way that makes guys' heads turn. You come from an all girl school which adds to the attraction, it makes you seem innocent. You're telling me you haven't seen the way guys look at you here? Or the way they talk to you?"

Aera gave a shaky laugh. "You guys are pulling my leg. There is no way you can be serious."

Ron and Harry exchanged a look. Aera watched them suspiciously.

"Ok, a little test then." Ron said, turning back to her. "You see Seamus Finnegan over there, in the corner?" She followed the nod of his head and saw the young man with his head bent over a book on the far side of the deserted common room. "I bet you anything you want that you can get him to ask you on a date. In five minutes."

Aera gaped at him. "Fine. I'll do it. If he doesn't, you guys leave this idea alone and stop trying to embarrass me."

Both guys nodded and she gave a sigh, wondering what the hell she was thinking. She was going to make a complete fool of herself.

Taking a deep breath she got to her feet and strode across to where Seamus was sitting. He looked up in surprise when she stopped in front of him.

"Hey Aera. What's up?" he asked, pulling a chair over for her to sit down. She took it gratefully, feeling a stupid.

"I was just wondering what you were reading. You seem pretty involved with it."

Seamus grinned and shoved the book across the table so that it was in front of her. She looked down. Splashed across the pages were pictures of famous Quidditch players, replaying moments of their greatest tricks in games. She traced the images with a finger, entranced by their grace. She looked up into Seamus's bright eyes.

"Pretty cool, huh? Me mam sent it to me."

Aera smiled. The task she had been set came back to her suddenly and she turned it over in her mind. I wonder if I could do this? Her smile became wider and she decided to give this folly a proper go. After all, the likely-hood would be that she'd fail anyway, so she could at least give the two boys a show.

She started by crossing her legs, noticing the way Seamus's eyes followed the hem of her skirt as it rode a little higher against her long legs. Then, flicking her hair back over her shoulder she leaned forward slightly.

"So are you on the team this year? I've heard you can be quite a flier." she purred.

Seamus swallowed. His eyes were still bright but the welcoming smile had been replaced by one of uncertainty. "Um, the tryouts are on Tuesday. I won't know until then. Do you fly?"

Aera smiled. The opportunity was too good. "Oh I can ride a broom. I like being in control."

The double entendre was not lost on the poor Irish lad and she noticed the way he sat up a little straighter. His smile turned into a grin and he rested himself more comfortably on the chair. "Really? And how good would you say you are at riding a broom?"

It was clear that Harry and Ron had chosen their subject smartly. Seamus was quick enough to turn the topic around so that she had to answer his probing questions. "I'm pretty good." She licked her lips and once again his eyes followed the movement. "Though I could always brush up on some parts."

"I'd be happy to teach you everything I know." Seamus was fast with his reply and Aera felt herself smirk inwardly.

"Are you saying you know a lot in this area?" There was a pause. It was clear that Seamus didn't know how to reply. Aera took pity on him. "Experience is not to be frowned upon, yet there is always more to learn."

The grin that suffused his features made Aera smile in return. He leaned forward and looked deep into her eyes. "You're fascinating. Will you come to Hogsmead with me next weekend?"

His request made Aera remember why their conversation had started in the first place. For a second she froze, shocked at the ease with which she had slipped into the role of seducer and how easily she had achieved her goal. As time stretched out, Seamus seemed to take her silence for discomfort.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Perhaps that was a little too sudden."

Aera nodded and, calming herself, smiled. "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting that. I'm not really ready to start getting involved with someone from the school."

Seamus didn't seem too put out, though there was disappointment in his eyes. For a little while they made small talk, both avoiding topics that could imply other things. After a while Aera excused herself and walked back over to the fire. Harry and Ron were seated there, both staring in the opposite direction but with identical smirks on their faces.

"I take it you were eavesdropping." Aera frowned at them, keeping her voice down. She glanced behind her. Seamus was still watching her and gave her a wink before returning to his book.

"Look, I'll tell you what I decide later. I'm going up to the dorm for a little while."

Harry and Ron nodded and Aera left, her feet feeling like they were sticking to the carpets.

In the solitude of her room, Aera strode over to the large full-length mirror. The other girls who shared this room were elsewhere, leaving her to examine her features alone.

Any time she had looked at herself before in a mirror, it had been with a critical eye, finding the blemishes, the flaws. Now she tried to look at herself with a detached sense, how a man would see her.

For a moment she saw nothing new. There she was, dark hair, dark eyes, legs... Nothing in the image changed, but suddenly she saw herself in a new light. The black hair hanging across her shoulders was sleek and straight, making her think of fingers running through it. The dark brown eyes stared smoulderingly back her, promising secrets and mystery. Her lips curved enticingly, full and red. The paleness of her skin was complemented by the dark strands of hair. Her breasts pressed against the flimsy material of her shirt with each breath. Not overly large, they were still a good handful. Her stomach was flat and toned, her legs long.

The realisation that she could actually do this struck her hard and she sank down onto a nearby bed, hands gripping the sheets. The power she had felt manipulating Seamus had been heady and intoxicating. She could make Zabini want her, get him to reveal secrets. But if she did, how far was she willing to go?

She was a virgin, but she honestly didn't think Harry or Ron was asking her to make that kind of sacrifice. Probably they expected her to share a few innocent kisses, but the reality was that if she were to let herself do this, it could easily place her in a position where she would have to reveal the reason she had begun the seduction, or have sex.

Aera took a shaky breath, closing her eyes. There was no way she was going to sleep with someone simply for the greater good. She didn't even think she could feign sexual attraction towards someone. Then again, she was attracted to Blaise.

The image that popped into her head stunned her. Instead of Blaise it was Malfoy who she was seducing.

Aera calmed her racing heart. Harry had said that it would be impossible to gain that kind of confidence with Draco, yet she had already seen that he felt some kind of desire for her.

And me for him. She crushed that thought fiercely. It was true though. She found it hard to imagine playing the same game with Zabini that she had with Seamus, but Draco fit the picture perfectly.

Would I do this? Seduce a man who's family is so obviously involved with the Dark Lord? She rubbed her hands unconsciously off the bed sheet, wiping away the thin layer of sweat that had gathered there. It would be a chance to discover his secrets, find out what he is hiding. And I could use Blaise. I've seen them talking. I'm sure Malfoy is the sort who would easily get jealous. This is actually possible!

But did she really want to do it?


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Back down in the common room, Harry and Ron had started up a game of wizard's chess. Aera sat down on the couch again, noting the way they kept silent. They were waiting to hear her thoughts, not pressing for an answer.

"I'll do it."

Harry grinned as Ron gave a laugh. "Excellent. Zabini is going to be in for a shock!"

Aera waved Ron quiet. "Zabini will be part of it. But he's not my main target. We have no proof that he has anything to do with Voldemort and we're only wasting time that way. I'm aiming for the dragon's lair."

For a moment neither Harry or Ron appeared to understand, then Harry's face grew dark. "No, Aera. That's too dangerous. If Malfoy found out what your real reasons were, you'd be in big shit. Besides, no offence to your skills, but I reckon Malfoy wouldn't fall for it."

Aera gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "That's nothing. Malfoy has already shown his interest in me, so that's half the fight already won. And the risk is something we'll have to take either way, so that makes no real difference."

"What do you mean he's shown his interest?" Ron's voice was low and dangerous. Aera fixed him with a calm gaze.

"He kissed me."

Harry growled as Ron leapt to his feet, his face a picture that promised murder. Aera felt her patience snap.

"Look! This is what you wanted anyway! If we play this right we'll have access to information that even the Order might not have. I can do this!"

The two boys looked at her for a long moment, their eyes judging. Aera held her breath, hoping they wouldn't be foolish enough to throw this chance away. This is insane. A little while ago I thought the idea was absurd, now I'm fighting for it?

"What has Zabini got to do with it then?" asked Harry, obviously feeling a little mollified.

"Zabini will help me get Malfoy's attention. He's seems the jealous sort and Zabini has already asked me on a date."

Ron settled back into his seat and they began to discuss specifics, the chess board completely forgotten.

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Ooh! We're well on our way now! You all ready for a little jealousy, seduction and illicit engagements?

Don't forget to review...


xxx
Aera