Chapter 3

I didn't tell Cedric. I knew I would never hear the end of it. As it was almost all the girls in the dormitories kept telling me I was crazy to go with Draco Malfoy. I figured that Malfoy, being the kind of guy he was, had made sure everyone knew I was going with him whether I wanted him to or not. I remained silent through all their pleadings to find someone else.

As I walked to the Great Hall for supper the night before the dance, Fred and George ambushed me.

"Draco Malfoy, Angie? Couldn't you do better than that?" Fred was giving me sad eyes.

"One of us should have asked her, before that snake did." George did, shaking his head regretfully.

"That was our mistake brother. Now we must watch this tragic scene unfold with our own eyes."

I rolled mine. "Guys, listen. I already agreed to go with Malfoy and that's that."

I pushed past them and entered the hall. I could hear them muttering in unison behind me.

"But . . . Malfoy?"

I ignored them. Walking over to the Ravenclaw table, Cho turned me.

"You have a dress?"

I nodded. "My mum sent it in this morning."

Cho smiled. "Have you seen mine?"

"Yes."

"Do you think Cedric will like it?"

"If you're wearing it he will." I said bluntly.

Her smile brightened and that made me feel slightly better. Maybe Cedric did deserve her more than me. She was definitely sweeter than me. She would never punch him in the stomach or smash his face into his tenth birthday cake. Or short-sheet his bed, or give him a doll for his twelfth birthday.

But even as I thought back on all the terrible things I did to Cedric as we were growing up, I couldn't help but remember how hard he had laughed at all of them. I didn't remember a single moment when he was truly mad at me for something I had done.

I was startled out of my reminiscing by Padma Patil leaning over to me and saying,

"So Angela, I heard you kissed Malfoy underneath the tree in the courtyard. Is that true?"

I surprised myself by blushing slightly. I turned my face to my food. "That's none of your business Padma."

"Then it is true! What was it like?"

"I bet it was like kissing a snake." Another girl said. The group around me giggled.

"You could probably taste the poison on his teeth couldn't you?" Another one asked.

"You'll probably end up dead by morning." Padma stated.

Cho looked at me, her face concerned. I was glowering now. For some reason I wanted to defend Draco. It was one thing for me to mock him and throw eggs in his face, but it was another to have these girls doing so.

"Shut up," I growled.

The girls gasped mockingly. "Oh my, I think we've struck a nerve. Do you have feelings for the snake Angela? I suppose you'll want to sic him on us in the middle of the night."

The group erupted in giggles once more. I stood quickly, abandoning my food in my haste to get out. I realized then that girls could be just as cruel as any Malfoy. Cho must have told Cedric about the scene for he came out looking for me a few minutes later. He found me leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, with tears falling down my cheeks.

He did not say anything, just took me in his arms and held me until the tears stopped. When they did, I stepped away, swiping at the wet marks that now graced his robes. He waved my hands away. I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes and calming my breathing.

"Draco Malfoy, huh?" He asked.

I sighed. "If you don't want me to go with him, just say so and I won't."

"Why would I not want you to?"

I opened one eye and glanced at him. "So I can go?"

He laughed slightly. "I'm not your mother Angela." He wiped the tears from my cheeks. "If you want to go with Malfoy, then go. Don't let anyone stop you."

I smiled faintly. "Thank you."

"No problem."

We started to walk back to the Great Hall. He glanced at me.

"Just out of curiosity, how did he get you to agree to go with him?"

I rolled my eyes. "He kissed me."

Cedric's mouth curled into a smile that could have been a smirk. I punched him in the stomach.

"I didn't say anything!" He protested.

I smiled at him as sweetly as Cho Chang. "You didn't have to. I can read minds, remember?"

0000000

The night of the dance I threw my lunch twice because of nerves. Cho helped me calm down enough to get into my dress. She thought I looked lovely. I told her she looked prettier. Her dress was gold, simple yet elegant. She positively glowed. She was beautiful. I studied myself in the mirror. The dress my mom had sent used to be her dress that she wore for the Yule Ball back when she went to Hogwarts. She had modernized it, of course.

It was strapless except for pencil thin cords that rounded my shoulders and it was a deep sea-green color that made my eyes appear brighter than their normal dull, pale green. Cho had done up my hair so that it bunched in curls on the top of my head. She let me borrow a net of aquamarine gemstones to place in the curls. My shoes were simply sea-green slippers.

I took a deep breath then followed Cho out of the room. We Ravenclaw girls remained as a group until we met our dates outside of the ballroom. Then one by one they met their dates until it was just me and Cho. She gripped my arm nervously as Cedric came towards us. I patted her hand reassuringly and she smiled gratefully at me. Cedric smiled.

"Now these are possibly the two most beautiful girls at this ball."

Cho giggled slightly, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Cedric offered Cho his arm and she took it almost reverently. Just before they started to walk away, Cedric nudged me.

"You're date's over there," he said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

If we hadn't been dressed so nicely, and standing in front of Cho, I would have punched him in the stomach. As it was I had to be satisfied with a hard glare. Cedric didn't seem to mind. He winked at me then led Cho into the ballroom.

I sighed and approached Draco. I realized this could get awkward very quickly so I had to be prepared for anything. He was smirking but I expected that. What I didn't expect was the strange look of slight tenderness that I saw in his eyes only for a second, before they gleamed in triumph.

"So, you really did come. I didn't think you'd have the nerve." He said, offering his arm.

"I could say the same to you." I muttered just loud enough for him to hear while I placed my arm around his offered one.

We entered the ballroom and I could feel more than one pair of eyes staring at us. That didn't seem to bother Malfoy. In fact I thought I saw him wink to his Crabbe and Goyle. That made me mad.

"This is all a game to you isn't it?" I asked softly as the Triwizard contestants started out the dance. I winced slightly every time I saw Harry stumble. I couldn't look at Cedric.

Malfoy smirked as the rest of the student body started to dance.

"I might have made a bet with Goyle and Crabbe that I could get you to go with me. Shall we dance?"

I resisted the urge to slap him across the face, knowing the scene that followed wouldn't be pretty. I took his hand and he led me out to the dance floor. I was prepared to stand as far away as I could and dance like the other had leprosy or something, but he slid his hand over my waist and pulled me close to him. I sighed and place my hand on his shoulder. I gripped his other hand tightly. We started to waltz. I was surprised to find that Malfoy was a fairly good dancer. I tried to stay mad at him.

"Listen Malfoy, I want no funny business out of you tonight. You start acting like a jackass I'm going to Transfigure you into one. Understand?"

Draco nodded, fear flickering in his eyes for a brief moment before being replaced with a smirk. "You know you can't resist me Barry."

"Maybe I can't, but that won't stop me from kicking your butt if I need to."

Yet even as I said those words a slight smile made its way up my lips. Malfoy's smirk widened and we continued to dance. I couldn't keep my mouth shut for long however, a fault of mine Cedric knows well, and I asked my next question quietly but forcefully.

"So this whole 'asking me to the dance' thing was just a set up? You had a bet going."

"Yep, and I won."

"Good for you. You know, I should get part of that money, since I'm here basically under force."

"No way. You agreed to come on your own. I didn't 'make' you."

"You kissed me."

"So? You kissed me back. That means nothing."

Before we knew it we were standing stock still in the middle of the dance floor glaring at each other. The rest of the students just danced around us. Malfoy's face was slightly red with exertion and anger and I knew mine was the same. Our hands were at our sides, and we stood there for a few seconds before I realized what we were doing.

"We'd better start dancing again. People will trip over us."

He glanced around before putting his hands up and we resumed our dancing positions. Only this time we did dance as if the other had leprosy. It was very awkward and was getting worse, when Cedric and Cho came up next to us. Cedric gestured to switch partners. Malfoy opened his mouth to protest, but I gave him such a hard glare that he closed it and handed me over to Cedric while taking Cho himself. I could see a look of faint distaste on Cho's face but I knew that she would be back with Cedric soon enough.

"So, how's the snake doing?" Cedric asked as we started to waltz.

I rolled my eyes. "As annoying as usual."

He just smiled. "Has he kissed you yet?" He asked.

I discreetly punched him in the stomach. He doubled over slightly but the smile never left his face.

"Is that a yes or a no?" He asked once we started dancing again.

"It's a 'none of your business.' But if you must know: no, he has not kissed me."

"Yet."

I growled. Cedric backed off. He knew when enough was enough. I quickly changed the subject.

"How are you and Cho doing?" I asked.

He smiled and glanced at the girl fondly. "Wonderful." He looked back at me and whispered confidentially. "I think she likes me."

I forced a smile. "That's fantastic, Cedric. Truly."

"Do you think she will, you know, want to go out with me again?"

I looked over at Cho dancing stiffly with Draco. Her attention was on Cedric only. I looked back into Cedric's hopeful eyes.

"I think so. Definitely."

He smiled and we finished the waltz. After that he handed me back to Malfoy and he and Cho went to go get some drinks. I stood on the sidelines with Draco as the next dance started. There was an awkward silence between us. We stood close together but too far apart to touch without the other knowing. I chewed on my bottom lip and Malfoy search the crowd for Crabbe and Goyle. I sighed.

"Look Malfoy, you've won your bet. Just go already."

He turned and smirked at me. "Trying to get rid of me, eh?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am."

"Then you won't have a date anymore." He pointed out.

"I really could care less. Besides, someone else will ask me to dance."

"Who? Your boyfriend Potter? He's sitting over there with his date doing absolutely nothing. That's because he's a terrible dancer and both he and Pital know it. No one else will possibly ask you, they don't even know you exist most likely."

"And that positively delights you, doesn't it?"

He smirked again. "Absolutely."

I narrowed my eyes, and suddenly something snapped. I turned towards him. "You know, I'm sick of playing games with you. You only asked me to come with you because of a bet, you kissed me just because you could, and now you are making me stay with you by pointing out how invisible I am. You're using me and I'm not going to stand for it anymore. I'm leaving."

I marched away, holding back tears of anger and disappointment. It was only when I had gotten to the stairs that led out of the foyer in front of the ballroom when Malfoy grabbed my arm. I realized he had followed me out.

"Hey now, don't be like that. It was only a bit of fun."

"Fun?" I stared at him incredulously. "You thinking using people is fun? Why you slimy little—" I cut off suddenly and sighed. "You know what? I'm not even going to waste my breath to tell you what you are. You know perfectly well what." I tilted my head and studied him. He looked at me apprehensively. "You're trying too hard." I said finally.

"What?" He asked. His eyes grew wide.

"To impress your father. You're trying to hard. Don't think we haven't noticed Lucius Malfoy's obsession with Harry Potter. You know it too. That's why you taunt Harry so much. You want to win your father's approval don't you?"

Draco glowered at me. "You don't know what you're talking about."

I shrugged. "Maybe not. But I do know that you're a pathetic bully." I turned to go then thought of something else. I turned back and stepped back up until I was standing right in front of Malfoy.

"I do believe however, that if you search for it, deep down there's a nice young man who's hidden behind all that jealousy and hatred." I tapped his chest, right above his heart. "If you find that young man, come tell me."

Draco was too stunned to say anything. I leaned forward and gently kissed the corner of his mouth that always started that smirk that irritated me so much. I turned away then and walked briskly back to the Ravenclaw dormitories. I was the only one there but I didn't care. I curled down on a sitting chair, shivering slightly in a slight draft. I wondered for a moment if I should start a fire but just the thought of it filled me with fear. Instead I closed my eyes and drifted in and out of sleep.

A group of laughing talking girls entering the room woke me up. I blinked in the bright light of the fire they started up. Padma noticed me and tsked.

"Aw, poor Angela. Was the snake not good to you tonight?"

"I didn't see you dancing with your date Padma," I snapped back.

That sobered her somewhat. "No, but did you see what he was wearing?"

That set the girls off again. Cho was the only one who didn't join in. She sat in a chair across from me and smiled. She had a dreamy look in her eye which made prickles go up and down my neck.

"I'm sorry your date didn't work out," she said.

I shrugged. "It was Malfoy. I guess I set my expectations too high."

"I didn't raise mine high enough. I really like him Angela."

My heart twisted in my chest but I forced a smile. "He likes you too."

"I know, he told me." She paused. "Right before he kissed me."

I jerked upright. "He kissed you?"

Cho nodded. "Is that bad?" She asked, confused by my reaction.

I shook my head and settled back down. "No, of course not." Then I remembered something. "Oh before I forget." I fished the net of aquamarine out of my hair and handed it to her. "It's a beautiful piece. Thank you for letting me borrow it."

She smiled. "You're welcome, it looked good on you."

I smiled back, albeit weakly. "Thanks." I stood. "I'm going to go to bed now. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Angela."

As I slipped under my covers that night, a tear trickled down my cheek. Cho had had the perfect night. A night I had wanted for so long. I wanted so badly to hate her for stealing any chance at having Cedric but she was just too nice and sweet. She was perfect. Why couldn't I have been perfect? I thought about it for a moment. After a while I decided that I didn't want to be perfect. My personality and quirks was what made me and Cedric such close friends. I would not trade our friendship for the world.

I fell asleep feeling a lot better.

00000

The second task was the Black Lake. The contestants had to retrieve a valuable treasure that lay deep within the lake. This did not frighten me as much as the dragon test did. Cedric had informed me that he would be using the Bubble Head charm. He would be searching for an hour, but the charm should last that long. Everyone went down to the Lake for the task. Giant spectator platforms stood in the middle of the lake and boats took us there. I looked around for Cho before I remembered she had told me she wasn't going to watch the second task.

I merely hugged Cedric before he got ready to jump into the water. The cannon fired and the four contestants leaped into the small waves. Well, almost all of them leaped. It seemed that Harry sort of fell in. I wondered if he was all right. The next hour was dull. I saw Draco standing a ways from me with Goyle and Crabbe. He caught my eye once but looked quickly away before I could say anything.

An hour passed. I rushed to the edge of the platform, scanning the water for Cedric. Nothing. I started counting silently. At exactly sixty seconds, I saw Cedric's brown head pop up out of the water. I breathed a sigh of relief. My breath caught however when I saw what was the treasure. It was Cho. That was his treasure. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I controlled myself however, hugging Cho as she came shivering out of the water. I hugged Cedric as well but he moved out of it quickly to wrap Cho in a towel handed to him by one of the judges.

I backed off, my hands clenched tightly at my sides with my face struggling to remain impassive. A quiet voice in my ear startled me but I made no movement.

"Give it up Barry. If he's interested in Chang, you don't stand a chance."

"Shut up, Malfoy." I said softly, but without menace.

I was also surprised when I felt his fingers brush against my clenched hands briefly before he walked away. I flexed the hand, wondering what had gotten into the snake. I was startled out of my stupor by Fleur Delacour's arrival. Everyone gasped when they saw she did not have her treasure. Her friends helped her out of the water and wrapped her in a towel, she watched the water anxiously. Seconds later Viktor Krum made his appearance, with Hermione at his side.

Harry however, did not show up. We all watched uneasily. Fleur started to cry softly. Suddenly the water broke as Ron's and Gabrielle Delacour's heads broke the surface of the water. Ron helped the younger girl to the platforms and they were engulfed by towels and relieved friends. Ron and Hermione noticed as well as I that Harry had not shown up yet. I searched the deep water. I could see nothing.

Just then Harry came hurtling out of the water, through the air, to land on the platform in an ungainly heap. He was soon covered in towels and Hermione even gave hers up for her friend. Fleur thanked him earnestly for saving her little sister. Then Dumbledore declared the winner. Cedric Diggory won first place for being the quickest, but since Harry had shone great moral fiber in staying to make sure all the hostages had been retrieved, he tied for first with Cedric.

Everyone cheered and Cho and Cedric hugged. I couldn't help but notice how intimate the hug seemed. I turned away quickly to congratulate Harry. He seemed a bit waterlogged but none the worse for wear. As I patted his back encouragingly my gaze turned to Cho and Cedric as they pulled away and started back to Hogwarts talking confidentially.

I tore my gaze away only for them to meet the light gray eyes of Malfoy. I could not read the expression in them. I looked away and smiled at something Ron had said. I could feel Draco's gaze on me however, all the way back to Hogwarts.