Chapter 7 is here!

Sorry for taking so long! I've gone back to college and well...it's like a never ending cycle of papers and exams. I finish one exam and a few days later I have a paper due or another exam. *shakes fist* HIGHER EDUCATION! is good for you. =P

Thanks to; Naii, Ashley Everdeen-Malfoy, Stinepiiig, Apocolips, Fredweasleylover, ForgeandGred4Ever, beba78, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, Himeko.123, Hailey-Stone, Cereah, BleedinLuva1123, Princess Aria Romanov, klspun, georgethecunt, Anonymous, AwesomeAnon, KHfan22, AranaBanana, falangel, FleurSuoh, the holy see, and Bow Down To Gir for reviewing last time!

Also a thanks to everyone that added this story to their alerts or to their favorites! Your support means everything to me!

Small rant: With every My Immortal repost or Commentary I see on this site under the Draco/OC filter...I die a little more on the inside. I think it's lost it's "appeal" and needs to disappear. haha. =/

Disclaimer: I do not own, Harry Potter now...nor ever. *tears*

August 29, 1997

The only way that Angeline could begin to describe dinner in one word was, uncomfortable. Her cousin had backed out in telling her parents about her current enrollment at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which in like cause Angeline to hold her own tongue for another week.

Keeping this secret only made Angeline feel uneasy. Lying had never truly been a problem for her, but for some how looking her uncle and aunt in the eye and not telling them the truth about her decision to return to school was nearly breaking her in two.

Angeline suspected that, Gisele wasn't having a better time at keeping this information from her parents. Mainly for the fact that for the longest time, her parents were in short her best friends. Not that Angeline had best friends herself, but she's seen how secrets affect a close group of friends.

Continuing to eat in silence, Angeline knew they had to say something soon because later wasn't an option they had. She didn't feel right just leaving in the early mornings of September First without so much as a goodbye. A letter just would suffice.

"Okay girls," Xander said. "What's going on?" he asked. Angeline looked at her cousin who looked somewhat panicked. Angeline wasn't sure she'd seen her look like that before.

"What do you mean, dad?" Gisele questioned as she set down her fork. "Everything is fine."

"Don't give us that," Vivianne said giving her daughter a certain look. "The two of you have been acting quite strange the last few weeks."

"Care to enlighten us?" Xander enquired.

No time like the present... Angeline thought as she sat up straighter and set her own fork down. She prepared herself as she opened her mouth.

"I'm going to Hogwarts," Gisele blurted.

Nothing but silence filled the air as everyone looked at her. Angeline wondered if her cousin could have said it any louder.

"I'm sorry you're what?" Xander asked. There was a slight hint of amusement in his voice. Indication that he didn't quite believe his daughter.

"I'm not joking, dad. I'm going to Hogwarts. It's a rather long story. But I'm going." Gisele said as she pulled a letter from her pocket and passed it to him. "I lied to the Headmistress. I even wrote a letter in your hand, mum. She's given me permission to go considering I have your blessing...well at least she thinks I did. I'll be with Angeline so there's really nothing to be worried about."

"Angeline isn't going to be there," Vivianne said looking at the paper. Angeline glanced at her briefly before she looked at her uncle.

"I am," she said strongly. "I've decided, weeks ago that I would be going back. I should have said something sooner, but I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to tell you."

"This is out of the question," Xander said. "Neither of you will be attending that school and that's final." Angeline raised her eyebrow at him in small challenge. She loved her uncle, she really did, and she was grateful for what he had done for her, but he didn't have control over where she'd be going next.

"I wasn't looking for permission," Gisele said. Angeline looked at cousin and was surprise she had lost her uneasiness and seemed more determined than she ever thought.

"Excuse me?" Xander said.

"I said, I wasn't looking for permission. I'm—" she paused and looked at Angeline. "We're going and that's that." Gisele said. "Ever since I could remember, you've been telling me that it's important for people to stand up for what they believe in. We're going to do that, Hogwarts is just the first step in that."

"It's too dangerous," Vivianne said.

"And we know this," Gisele said. "But I don't want to sit around anymore. I've been sheltered far too long, mum. I'm not making the world better by staying here. Neither of us are." She said indicating Angeline. "We have a chance at making a difference."

"Besides," Angeline said speaking up. "According to the Prophet I'm required to attend unless I have a deadly ailment. And in case I don't. If I don't go back I'd be on the run just like Muggle-borns. And who's to say what they'd do to me or worse...to the two of you..."

There it was the truth and it seemed as though there was nothing anyone could say. Angeline waited for anything, yelling, someone to get up and leave the room. None of that happen. They all sat there looking from one another as the food on the table continued to grow cold.

Silence was far worse than yelling she thought.

"Angeline," Xander said. Angeline looked at her uncle and noticed the emotions raging through his eyes. Concern, pride, and a tinge of anger. But she wasn't sure if that anger was toward them or toward himself. "If you don't mind, we'd like to have chat alone with, Gisele if you please."

"Of course," Angeline said. Before she got up from the table she flashed Gisele an encouraging smile before she left the room to leave the family of three alone.

Angeline wasn't sure how long they talked in the dinning room but she had managed to pack most of her belongings plus all the photo albums she had found before Gisele had entered her room looking both upset and happy all at the same time.

"What happened?" Angeline asked standing from her trunk. Gisele shrugged her shoulders.

"They sort of gave me a stern talking to for lying to them," Gisele said. "Mum started to cry of course, but dad...dad seemed to have come around. He's not exactly excited with the idea but I have his blessing so it makes me feel slightly better about leaving."

"Well that's great," Angeline said. "At least he's not forcing you to stay."

"Exactly," Gisele said as she walked to Angeline's trunk and pulled out one of Angeline's many uniforms. "Dad wants to talk to you though. He's in his study." she said holding the skirt up to her body. "Do you think this will fit me?" Angeline rolled her eyes slightly.

"They'll fit you," Angeline said as she headed to the door. "The skirt might be a little short for you."

"Fabulous," Gisele mumbled. "I do have wonderful legs."

"We'll sneak around Diagon Alley tomorrow morning," Angeline said with a small shake of the head. "I'll be back."

When Angeline reached the door to her uncle's study she knocked even though the door was open and he was staring out the window. He turned and looked at her, a small smile on his face.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked.

"I did," he said as he walked around his desk and sat down. Angeline sat in the chair in front of the desk, she felt like she was back at school about to get a weeks detention. She waited for him to speak. "You know nearly ten years we waited to see you again. We finally do and you're off again."

"I'm sorry," she said.

"No don't be," he said. "I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you, Angeline."

Angeline stood and walked around the desk and hugged her uncle. She couldn't remember the last time someone had said they were proud of her...or ever for that fact.

"Thank you," she said. "For everything."

"You're my niece and I'd do anything for you. Just as if you were my own."

"I never asked, but why did my father forbid you from seeing me?" she asked. Xander looked amused for a moment.

"He claimed I was a bad influence," he said. Angeline scoffed a little.

"And my mother?" she asked. "Why did she let you write me?"

Xander's amusement faded completely before he sat up straight in his chair, his eyes going distant for a few moments.

"Don't write your mother off so soon, Angeline," he said. "She's not what she appears to be. Much like yourself."

Angeline stared at him, her head tilted to the side as she took in what he had just said to her. Was her mother pretending to be someone she wasn't just for the sake of living?

"Do not forget that she is your mother," he added.

"As is your brother my father," Angeline responded. Xander smiled at her and that distant look was gone.

"Well, a father's love is much different from a mother's..." he said. "But then again, I don't think Demetrius could love anything but himself and power."

"What do you mean? About a father's love and a mother's love?" she asked curiously. "Are there different levels of love, uncle Xander?"

"Love is a tricky thing," he said. "Go on now, help that daughter of mine pack. Lord knows she'll try to pack her bed..."

Angeline laughed quietly before she left the study and headed toward her room. She was going back to Hogwarts and for the first time in years she was excited, but she wasn't sure if it was good excitement or bad excitement.

September 1, 1997

The smoke on Platform 9 and ¾ had slowly cleared allowing Draco Malfoy to see exactly what was in front of him. He had come alone to the Platform having said a dry farewell to his mother and father, though his mother did hold his hand a lot longer than necessary. It did worry him to leave them there alone in the Manor, but he'd be safe at Hogwarts. Safe meaning he wouldn't be doing, the Dark Lord's dirty work.

No more being forced to use the Cruciatus Curse or be threaten to feel the wrath of the Dark Lord himself.

Yes Hogwarts would be a much needed change.

Draco sighed as he glanced over the Platform, which wasn't as crowded as it had been years prior. Though he didn't expect anything less, with so many Muggle-borns being denied their Hogwarts Letters. Then with current Muggle-born student on the run and it higing, the Platform was anything but filled with excitement.

Death Eaters, stood at the entrances to the train questioning all that wished to enter. Draco was on no exception to this new rule of entry.

"State your name, blood status, your year and house," said the unknown Death Eater. Draco glared at the man he didn't know.

"Draco Malfoy, pureblood. Seventh year, Slytherin," he said. The man flipped through the small black book in his hands before he glanced Draco over once before nodding his head toward the train. Draco brushed past him and made his way onto the Hogwarts Express.

The corridors of the train were quite empty and the compartments were in the same fashion. As Draco walked down the train corridor he paused when he heard a voice float through one of the open windows.

"Angeline Jensen. Seventh year, Slytherin." Draco turned and looked out the window. The smoke on the train was clearing for a second time and standing there in it's wake was Angeline Jensen speaking to a woman. Her head was held high as she stared the woman down in some sort of unspoken challenge.

"Your blood status?" The woman asked. Draco watched as Angeline smirked slightly and crossed her arms.

"What should it matter, miss?" she asked. The woman glared at her and Angeline's smirk only grew. "I'm a pureblood. But of course you knew that..." she said rocking on her heels. The woman she was talking to flipped through her book before looking Angeline up and down.

"Of course, I know who you are, little girl. I'm sure your parents are ashamed to have a daughter like you. Let's see if you're little jokes continue to keep you safe. Blood traitors should watch their backs."

Angeline smiled fully this time as she began to walk past the woman and started onto the train. "It's not so much my back I have to worry about..." At that moment, Angeline's eyes lifted to the window and her smiled faded, but she kept going and entered the train and headed straight toward him.

"Eavesdropping, Malfoy?" she questioned as she slowed in front of him. Draco grabbed her arm and pulled her into the closest compartment. He slid the door shut and pulled down the blinds before he wheeled around and faced her.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked. Angeline raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.

"A nice hello would have suffice," she said.

"I'm not playing your games, Jensen," Draco snapped. "What do you think you're doing here?" he asked.

"I thought it was quite obvious what I'm doing here," she said. "The same reason you're here. School."

"It's quite obvious to me that you've got yourself a death wish," Draco responded.

Angeline laughed. "That's funny, Draco," she said. "It almost sounds like you care."

"Well I don't," he replied crossing his arms over his own chest. Angeline looked him over and looked as though she was going to laugh again but she contained herself.

"Bravo," she said. "You've got me fooled again. Listen, I'm not following you if that's what you think. The truth is Draco, you were the furthest from my mind when I made the decision to come back. I'm back because I need to be."

Draco wasn't entirely sure if she was lying or not. None of her usual tale tell signs showed.

"You're back because you like living in danger," Draco supplied.

"Don't pretend you know how I like to live," she said. "I'm back because there are students here who do not have that ability to protect themselves from these Death Eaters. And with Snape as Headmaster...there aren't enough teachers to watch everyone."

"And who's going to watch you?" he asked in annoyance. "You can't even help yourself let alone someone else."

"I'm not looking for you to help me any," she said in the same annoyance. "And for your information. My cousin will be joining us this year. I think I'm covered...For the most part..."

"Your cousin is here?" Draco repeated. "Where in your trunk?" he asked. Angeline looked amused and shook her head. "Both of you are out of your bloody minds," he said. Angeline nodded.

"Oh definitely," she said her eyes widening a little for effect. "What reason do you have to be back, Draco?" Angeline asked.

"None of your business," he responded.

"Well that's hardly fair," she said. "You forced me to tell you why I'm here and then you deny my the same information."

"Just because you're willing to share your life story doesn't mean I am," Draco said.

"Believe me my life story isn't nearly as interesting as yours," she said. "If we're done here. I'd like to find Gisele before the train leaves the station."

Angeline pushed past him and pulled opened the compartment door, but before stepping out of the compartment she turned and looked at him, any air of smugness she may have had in the last few minutes gone.

"You know," she started. "There's going to come a time when we'll have to decide where we stand, Draco."

"I know where I stand," he said.

"I mean with each other," with that being said she left him standing in that compartment alone. He hated how she'd do that to him. How she'd say a few words and just leave him standing there. She made him think and do things he typically wouldn't think of or typically wouldn't do.

But really, where did he stand when it came to her? Where did she stand?

He could tell she didn't hate me...not completely that is. Sure he found her to be the most irritating person he knew but he didn't hate her. Not really that is. But where did he stand? What exactly did she mean to him? What did he mean to her?

Draco's face contorted into annoyance and he let out a matching sigh before he yanked open the compartment door with for more forcefully than he intended and marched his way further down the train where he could hopefully find some sort of distraction on this long ride to Hogwarts. He'd even welcome Pansy's company.

Merlin, I'm desperate...

Angeline wasn't expecting to run into Draco Malfoy on the train. In fact she was hoping to surprise him with her presence once they were at the Welcoming Feast at Hogwarts. However, Angeline had learned that fate had it's own plans for her and she wasn't sure if she was liking where it was taking her.

Shaking her head Angeline continued down the train trying to erase her conversation with Draco, she was sure she'd have more of those type of conversations with him again in the very near future. There was absolutely no getting around it. Something made them react to one another and though it was quite maddening, Angeline figured it would be the only thing close to "normal" she was going to get all school year.

One of those things that were out of the norm was the fact that Angeline's cousin was attending the school with her. The only problem was that though, Angeline knew her cousin was on the train having seen her get on moments before she did, the question was where did her cousin run off to.

Peeking into compartment after compartment Angeline was about to give up before she came face to face with an old friend. Well, Blaise Zabini was the closest thing she had to "old friends" and that would have to do.

"Jensen," he said. "I'm surprised you showed up," Blaise said. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and he looked as haughty as ever, but that was the Blaise she had grown to know and become fond of.

"Nice to see you too, Zabini," she said. "As much as I'd love to have our usual banter, I'm actually looking—"

"Yeah, yeah," Blaise said. "Your cousin," he said.

"Wait what?" Angeline said looking at him confused. "How'd you know I'm looking for my cousin?"

"I ran into her...literally," Blaise said and there was a hint of annoyance and amusement in his eyes. "She's how would you say...Never mind." Angeline looked at him curiously. "Said she was looking for you."

"Well?" Angeline prompted. "Where is she?"

"Believe it or not, but I'm sharing a compartment with you and your equally blood traitor cousin," Blaise said. "You coming?"

"Do you really think it's a good idea to be seen with us then?" Angeline asked as she followed Blaise down the train corridor.

"Listen, our kind doesn't have much longer," he said. "War won't stop change. My opinions on this matter doesn't well...matter. We'll all have to adapt at some point. I'm not a twit."

"That makes you a target to be seen with us," Angeline stated. Blaise shrug as he stopped at a door. "You don't care?"

"I'll cut you loose when I see fit," Blaise said and slid the door open. Angeline smiled a little to herself.

"That's more like it," she said. "That's the Blaise Zabini I know."

"The one any only," he mumbled.

"Where have you been?" Standing in the compartment with her hands on her hips and her foot tapping was Gisele. "Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't find you on this bloody train. I thought they took you and were going to take you to your parents. I mean they game me enough heat when I had to check in. Don't scare me like that again! Where were you?"

"Blaise," she said. "You've met my cousin, Gisele. Gisele my only somewhat friend, Blaise."

"Angeline," Gisele said in a warning tone.

"They gave me more of a look over," Angeline lied. "Just a little delay. I'm here now so what does it matter?" There were somethings Angeline didn't need to share with her cousin. Speaking to Draco Malfoy was one of those things.

Gisele looked her over for a moment before she threw her hands up and sat down. "Fine then, don't tell me the truth," she said. Angeline rolled her eyes and sat down next to her.

"Believe what you want," Angeline said before turning to Blaise who had sat across from them. "Have a nice holiday?" she asked. Blaise scoffed.

"No," he said. "But the details of my summer aren't necessary. Nor do I care much to ask about yours." Angeline shrugged used to this type of Blaise behavior.

"You're quite rude," Gisele said. "Have you no manners, Zabini?" she asked. Blaise raised an eyebrow at her.

"I have plenty of manners," he said. "Whether I choose to use them are entirely up to me."

"Which should be all the time," Gisele argued. "How are you friends with this bloody git," Gisele asked.

"Somewhat friend," Angeline corrected. "He's great entertainment for the most part."

"Merlin, to think if I had came here when I should have, you'd have actual friends," Gisele stated with a small glare at Blaise.

"Why are you here now?" Blaise asked. "People don't just come to Hogwarts because they feel like it."

"It's a long story," Angeline said with a sigh.

"I've got time," Blaise said glancing at his watch. At that moment the train whistle blew and the train started to move. "We've got hours really. Start telling," he said.

"Just because you tell me to do something, doesn't mean I'm going to." Gisele said. Angeline rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. It was going to be a rather long ride to Hogwarts. She just hoped her cousin saw it before she and Blaise decided to kill one another.

It had taken hours into the trip before Gisele and Blaise had finally warmed up to one another, though Angeline still saw that there was a thin layer of ice between them, but Gisele had finally gave and told him how she managed to find her way into the school. Blaise of course replied with a sarcastic remarked that only set Gisele off.

For Blaise, Angeline had learned that his summer hadn't been exactly as planned, his Italian girlfriend he was no longer speaking to. Details were of course left vague, but Angeline never pushed personal matters when it came to Blaise. Gisele however liked to push people. Angeline noticed that it took all of Blaise's will to not snap at her cousin.

It wasn't until they had neared Hogwarts and the three of them had changed into their school uniforms, Blaise leaving to give the girls their privacy, did Angeline finally see that perhaps her cousin and only somewhat friend wouldn't kill one another after all.

Glancing out of the window Angeline smiled as she grabbed Gisele's hand.

"Gisele," she said. "Take a look at your home for the next few months." Gisele glanced out the window and her face lit up. Though Angeline knew that life at Hogwarts wasn't going to be as wonderful as it once was she had small hopes.

Just looking at that school gave hope she didn't have in such a long time.

"It's beautiful," Gisele whispered.

"Enjoy it while you can," Blaise said having joined them at the window. Both girls looked at him. Angeline had never seen him look as grim and serious as he did then. "We're in for a very different term this time around..."Angeline looked back as the school faded from their vision. "Seventh year and there's a new meaning to the words, the end."

Somehow Angeline wasn't sure if hope was the right word any more.

There was something dark about the Great Hall, Draco thought. The whole atmosphere of the school was dark. Everything seemed colder, everyone seemed less alive.

Tension hung in the air, almost suffocating. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws alike all glared up at the staff table where sitting in the chair that had once been occupied by Albus Dumbledore, was Severus Snape.

On either side of him sat his Deputy Headmaster and Headmistress, Alecto and Amycus Carrow. Not the brightest of Death Eaters, Draco thought, but that's what made them so dangerous.

Alecto Carrow would be teaching, Muggle Studies and it would be the required that all students took the class, for it was now revamped and it would tell the truth about Muggles. While her brother, Amycus Carrow would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the class was all about the Dark Arts now.

Draco glanced down the Slytherin table and found many of them, contradicting the looks of those at other tables. Some of them smiled, some of them cheered. Draco didn't think they realized just how bad things were going to get.

Snape had reinstated Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four, the banding of clubs and organizations.

The atmosphere was a lot worse than fifth year, though Draco could argue that fifth year wasn't that bad, but that was the time when he was top of the school.

When the feast had finally started, Draco hardly touched any of the food on his plate. Instead he pushed it around and wondered whether things would ever be the way they used to be. He almost laughed as if things would ever go back to the way they were.

He glanced down the table again and found, Angeline sitting with her her cousin and on the other side of the table, Blaise Zabini. Of course she'd sit with him, but it still annoyed Draco that she was there at all.

But he couldn't worry about her or anyone else, he had to worry about himself and himself only. He was positive that he would be getting as much backlash for the events in June from people of other houses. He was almost glorified in Slytherin...key word, almost. So it was him verses everyone else. He couldn't even rely on Crabbe and Goyle. Specifically Crabbe, but some loses weren't bad.

Like Angeline had told him once, life was a game of chess. And Draco was determined to not be a pawn this time around. Then again, he wasn't so sure he wasn't still a pawn.

And there it is, Chapter 7. Done! I like and I don't like this chapter for personally reasons. haha. But I hope you enjoyed it!

Next chapter we start classes and maybe someone will expand her circle of friends. Any guesses? ;)

Oh, I finally got my Pottermore account activated, the week of my birthday actually. If you want to add me, just PM or something! :)

Questions:

1) What are your favorite HP fanfic?
-Mine would have to be the Captain's Choice by AgentPersephone. It's unfinished and may never be finished, but it was one of the first hp fanfic I read. So it's very special to me. Another favorite would be The Order of Merlin series by RedCloakedMaiden. It's next gen, but I'm absolutely in love with it.

2) Favorite HP couples?
-I'd rather not get into detail here, but if you want to know ask! :)

3) Anything you'd like to ask me?

4) Where will Angeline and Draco end up alone next?
-A closest. Their classroom. The common room? It's endless. Let me know you're thoughts!

Thanks for reading and possibly reviewing!

Much love,
TR