Response to reviews:
Evilevergreen: The necklace will come into play soon, but for the minute both the tattoo and the necklace remain partly a mystery, (to Angelina and you!) Must say though you jumped ahead of me when you asked about Angelina being given the tattoo on the couch as I hadn't thought of that. Thankyou anyhow for the French fries and giving me a kick up the butt! I'd the chapter in two part's, but I lost the first part because the computer was being difficult and the copy I'd made wouldn't load...I know no excuse I should have carried on and rewritten the part I'd lost! So a BIG thankyou!
Digital Tempest:Wow, I love the way you describe Montague because you've got him and Angelina's relationship down to a T! That's always good to see because I know then that they're relationship is coming across to you the way I want it too! Thankyou for your review, I hoipe that you enjoy this next chapter, because after this I think it might get a little darker...
Cupiditatis: It's nice to hear that the story is still intresting, and isn't starrting to go stale, bacuse I hate it when I'm reading something that startts out brilliantly, but then I lose interest through the story line as it progresses. The relationship between Montague and Fred will change as the story contiues, but who know's in what direction?!
Enchated Flower: She only notice's the necklace at the moment because the tattoo isn't relevant yet, but it soon will be so stay tuned and thankyou for your review!
WriterLady1031: The issue's of 'who own's who' will no doubt be the cause of many more arguments! Angelina's acceptance is going to be a bug issue as well, and maybe the tables will be turning on Montague! Thankyou for all your help, and I hope that you like te latest chapter!
LiLi-lUlAbYe13:A new reader! Always pleasing to see! Montague is an ass isn't he?! Thankyou for your many reviews as they are always helpful and entertaining! Glad that you're lovin' it! Thankyou for the compliments! I'm chuffed that I'm one of your fave authors! Hope that you stay with us and enjoy the latest chapter. Thanks for your reviews on my other stories as well!
Ashliegh: Montague getting worse?! LOL! Yeah I suppose he is! I suppose he's some-what of a man's man isn't he? Here's the update at last, sorry it's so late!
Rebecca: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Let me know what you think of the latest update!
angelface04: LOL! Thanks for the review, but make sure you don't hurt yourself too much, wouldn't want to knock yourself out and miss the lastest update would you?!
Britley Britterz: Thanks for reviewing, even if you are a die hard Fred/Angelina fan. It's good to hear that you can see the possiblities of a Angelina/Montague fic though! There'll be more juicey scene's coming up though between Fred, Angelina, Montague and Hermione yet though!
Awaking to an empty home, had never caused much particular pain Angelina before. It had happened many times in the past, and she believed that it was likely to happen many more times yet in the future.
But it hurt this morning. Hurt more this morning than she could ever remember it hurting before. Maybe it was the old romantic notions of waking up every morning to someone that you loved. Yes, maybe that was what it was.
It hurt to wake up naked, your body aching pleasantly and still tingling at the thought of what you'd done the previous night. The bed sheet's were cool and crisp against her skin. The colour of her skin and hair a stark contrast against the pure blinding white of her sheets.
It hurt to wake up alone and know that you had been used, that you might be able to fool yourself during the night but not the day.
It was by shifting in bed that Angelina managed to dislodge the emerald that hung around her neck, allowing it to roll across her chest.
Disbelief entered her eyes as she stared almost unseeingly at the large stone she held between her thumb and forefinger.
Bile rose up at the back of her throat, so strong that she couldn't force it down, instead it carried on rising, burning away at the tender skin. Breaking free of the bed sheet's and sliding off the mattress, Angelina dashed into the bathroom, the emerald hanging freely around her neck as she heaved the remaining contents of her stomach into the toilet.
Was she to be paid now?
Was it not enough that he had humiliated her? Disgraced her?
But she was to be paid now?
She spat the bitter tasting saliva out of her mouth, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
Standing, she staggered over to the sink, and turned the cold water taps on. Rinsing out her mouth, she splashed the cold water on to her face, and allowed it to drip off as she braced herself against the sink. A dead weight settled itself into her stomach, and the feeling did nothing to comfort her.
God. She was in so deep. So deep.
Far to deep. Angelina admitted to herself. How was she supposed to compete with someone like Montague?
They'd fought on the quidditch pitch. But what was that? A game. Just like the rivalry they were playing at then.
This was war. This included other people rather than just the two of them.
What to do?
What should she do?
Talking to someone would be preferable. Angelina snorted at herself. Yeah, because there were so many people available to talk to.
Her family, and Charlotte were out of the question. They knew little of the wizarding world, and it's current situation. Her father might be a wizard, but how could she talk to him about Montague?
To talk to him would be selfish, he had enough to worry about, the threat of Voldemort attacking his family once again. They'd survived last time, but Angelina's mother had not, and if she was honest she didn't think her father could cope if he lost another member of his family to Voldemort.
Who else was there?
Her wizarding friends? Friends that she kept in contact with by dutifully writing letters twice a year at birthdays and Christmases? She had lost many of her friends when she had lost Fred. Lost contact with half of the, lost faith with the rest.
No, she wouldn't run back to Fred either. Her pride wouldn't allow it. 'Pride,' she mused, 'Was one thing free to man or woman, and yet the most costly thing to keep.'
Going to any of teacher's was the same as going to Fred. They'd be disappointed, they'd judge her, and they wouldn't see her as they previously had. She'd be jaded in their eye's now for what she had done.
She stared hopelessly into her own forlorn eyes in the mirror, and with a vicious anger, reached up and tried to snap off the necklace. She gave another, harder tug, and yet still the necklace remained around her neck, and not broken in her hand. The skin where the chain had dug into it had broken though, and small patches of blood welled up along the thin line.
Anger mounting, she reached up and around her neck, along the gold chain searching for the clasp that would release the chain. There wasn't one. So she lifted the chain up around her head, intending to lift it up and off if the chain woudn't snap or undo.
But it shrunk, shrunk so small that the chain wouldn't even lift over her ear's. Why had she expected anything from Montague?
If it wouldn't snap then she had no chance of cutting it off, no clasp and it shrunk when she tried to lift it off, looking at the chain now again in the mirror, it was back to it's original size. She doubted she'd be able to melt it off either.
It was a dog chain.
He'd put a bloody dog chain around her neck.
A harsh, bitter laugh escaped her. Poetical wasn't it?
Poetical with a slytherin twist mind you.
He'd put a collar on his bitch.
It was pure pandemonium once again in the Order's meeting room, and once again it was over Montague. Not even the shrieking of Sirius's mother caused them to pay any attention to his arrival.
An air of satisfaction hung heavy around Montague as he watched the scene before him, and the chaos that he had caused as he moved into the room, pausing on the threshold.
Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Lupin, and a couple of other Auror's where tucked away in the corner, their disappearance not paid attention to by any of the younger member's apart from Nott perhaps, who kept glancing over at them.
Meanwhile the Weasley twins, and the golden trio stood around the main table shouting various arguments at each other, while Nott reclined in his chair, watching the drama unfold, occasionally adding something provoking before falling silent again.
"I don't understand how he's just disappeared!" Fred bellowed.
"Maybe Granger didn't cast the spell correctly." Said Nott.
"Of course I cast the spell correctly!" Hermione shrieked. "It was working right up to half an hour ago when he disappeared off the radar-"
"Radar?"
Hermione moaned, "A radar Ron. It's a muggle thing. But my point is that he can't just disappear like that!"
"Of course he can bloody well disappear off this 'radar' he's just gone and done it hasn't he?"
"Can't we try the spell again? What about another locating spell?" Harry asked, frustration in his voice.
"I could have told you this was going to happen!" Fred was now crowing. "He's a traitor! Gone running back to his dark lord! No doubt he's a bloody spy, and has been using us for information! Hell, Angelina's probably his accomplice, and it's her way of getting back at you and me 'mione. That's why he chose her!"
"Isn't that a little over dramatic Weasley?" Nott asked.
"No it isn't! Your probably a double crossing spy as well! What else can we expect from Slytherin's?"
"Or rather, the question is, what can we expect from Gryffindor's?" Montague asked, strolling further into the room, allowing everyone to see him.
"I'm sure I know this..." Nott mused, rubbing his chin.
"You double crossing bastard! How can you do this is Angie? How? What has she ever done to you?" Fred exploded.
Montague looked momentairily confused. "But, I thought you just accused her of being my accomplice? If she's my accomplice I wouldn't need to do anything to her would I?"
Nott clicked his tongue in mock annoyance, as if the answer to Montague's theoretical question had come to late. "Ah! There it is! Weasley's accusation's just proved it..."
Sliding into a vacant chair, Montague agreed with his fellow slytherin. "Indeed. Weasley has supplied the answers to my question. Stupidity, rash conclusion's, annoying hero complexities, and as for the question, 'What has she ever done to you?' would you like a detailed list? Or should I leave it up to your imagination, and have the mudblood explain it to you later when you're still none the wiser?"
"Put a can on it Montague." George snapped, "Angelina is our friend-"
"Was." Montague corrected softly.
"What?" questioned Fred.
"Weasley twin number two was incorrect in his statement. He referred to Angelina as currently being his friend, as in now, the present,' Montague elaborated. "But since your little- or rather large indiscretion, as one can't really describe it as being little when the girlfriend finds out about the whore-"
"Montague." Dumbledore warned him, a steely glint in his eye, his tone condemning the continuation of such talk as the older member's of the order made their way over.
"Very well Headmaster." Montague sneered, his tone mocking. He paused for a minute, "Where was I?"
"Insulting the mudblood." Nott commented.
"You would do well not to speak of Miss Granger as such!" Dumbledore boomed.
"Relax. Here have a lemon drop." Montague smirked, and tossed Dumbledore a lemon drop, newly transfigured. "It's a nickname, she even answers to it." He gave a sharp whistle. "Mudblood!"
Hermione's head shot up as she glared at Montague, who smirked at her response. Snickering as she tried to calm down her boyfriend. "Good doggie! Or should I say bitch?"
"Enough!" McGonagall snapped, her voice rising as she carried on. "We are here for a meeting of the Order! Not to fling insult's back and forth at each other and see who can become the most bawdy!" She finished, openly scolding Montague.
With a roll of his eyes, Montague only shifted, finding a more comfortable position in his chair. "Well said Minevera." He replied. "But as you so helpfully pointed out to us, this meeting was called for a reason, so can we get to it?"
"A wise decision Mr Montague." McGonagall agreed frostily, unnerved by the use of her first name by a former student. "This meeting is due to your behaviour."
"I am honoured. But with regard to my behaviour, could you perhaps be a little more specific, your mind might not be as bright as it once was, so if you just give me the general time, or indeed, the generalities of the incident, I shall be happy to narrow it down for you."
Mcgonagall bristled at the impertinence of Montague, that was twice! Twice he had embarrassed her in front of the order! "You over step the mark Montague!" She warned him.
"Indeed? Do I?" He asked as if amazed by such revelations, he frowned suddenly. "Which mark would that be? At this precise moment I can see none, are you sure you are not becoming confused with the edge of the table, as I assure you, I am well behind it. Perhaps you need some new glasses?"
"Enough Montague." Snape said wearily. "There are important reason's for this meeting. No longer can we sit back and watch the verbal baiting which you excel at."
Tipping head slightly towards his previous head of house, Montague signalled his aquisnace.
"I assume that you have seen the pictures in the Daily Prophet?" Snape asked, already knowing the answer to his question, but asking it for the benefit of the order. The rising of Montague's eyebrow made it clear that he had, and what did it matter?
"The publishing of the pictures means that Miss Johnson has been put into the public spotlight. I am sure that you understand what this means? That fact that you have both been photographed together, in a more that friendly fashion."
"Of course."
"Then why did you not do something?" Tonks asked, exasperated. "I'm sure you have connections at the Daily Prophet! You have everywhere else."
"You are quite right Andromeda. I do have contact's at the Daily Prophet."
"What do they have to gain by printing these pictures then?!" She exclaimed.
"Nothing. They gain nothing. I on the other hand do."
"You told them to print picture's of you and Angie?" George asked in disbelief.
"I picked the photo's of Miss Johnson and myself, and then told the Prophet to print them." Montague corrected him.
"Then we clearly have nothing to worry about." Snape concluded. "Are there any other points of business Dumbledore?"
"A few."
"Would it be possible for myself and the other death eater's to slip away, there are some issues that need discussing."
"Of course Severus." Dumbledore replied, looking slightly relieved at the idea of having Montague vacant for the rest of the meeting.
"Do you have any idea of what you are doing Montague?" Snape snapped, slamming his palm down on the table standing next to him, causing it's legs to shake a few quills of roll off it even surface and fall onto the floor. The were then crushed underfoot as Snape began to pace.
Montague answered back as ever with impeccable calmness, "Of course."
"Death eaters are talking Montague." Nott reminded him. The eyes that had been alight with mirth earlier on in the evening were now dark and serious as he contemplated the sanity of his fellow spy.
"Death eater's always talk." Montague growled irritably. He strode across to the other side of the room, and opened the sideboard, drawing out several glasses and a full bottle of firewhiskey that he intended to have empty by morning.
"Rumour's are flying around. As per usual. There is speculation because I haven't yet introduced my new whore at court, and they don't yet realise that I seem to have found one. It's rather laughable really," he continued, slamming a shot of the firewhiskey back down his throat, "because I could have anyone that I really wanted-"
"Then why didn't you?" Snape drawled.
"Rather a senseless question isn't it Severus?" Montague drawled.
"Because you don't want any of them. Yes. We understand that. But why the hell Johnson Montague?" Nott asked.
Giving a long suffering sigh, and tipping back another shot of whiskey, he answered. "Because her situation."
"What situation? She doesn't have a situation!"
"No true." Nott smirked. "She does now."
"Yes Sev, she does." Montague countered. "Think about what I have done, and think about her situation very carefully, and then think about Weasley and Granger's situation very carefully. Think very, very clearly, and very, very carefully."
"She has no links to the Voldemort."
"Indeed."
"And how again is that a good thing?" Nott drawled as he reclined in his chair, swirling his whiskey around in his glass absent mindedley.
"No connection's to the Voldemort, and being seen with me, will confuse people."
"It'll put you in a good light." Nott clarified. "She's pureblood, but her blood is tainted by muggles and mudblood's. Those that cast you a death eater won't be so sure, the ministry will hold you above suspicion if your seen out and about with her, and because of that fewer surprise raids..."
"And their attention will focus more on the likes of Flint, Malfoy and so and so forth..." Montague trailed off, but carried on waving his hand in the air for emphasis.
"That's all very well regarding the view's of the general public and the fools at the ministry Montague. But it won't do anything for your standing among the death eater's." Snape pointed out.
"How?"
"How?" Snape echoed in disbelief. "She was in Gryffindor. She has connections with the Weasley's, who in turn have connections to Potter and Dumbledore and the entire Order. She also happen's to have been friends with Potter. She's tainted by mudbloods and muggles. She has strong connections to the muggle world. How is any of this good?"
"Oh it's good." Montague replied. "It's very good. But as I comprehend the fact that you're still not thinking carefully, or clearly, I'll explain it to you."
"Oh, don't put yourself out Montague." Snape drawled sarcastically.
"Not at all." Pouring another whiskey into his glass, he stared at the amber liquid, trying to capture his thoughts, and prepared what he was going to say, and how he was going to present it. Couldn't really come out with the fact that he'd picked Angelina Johnson merely on the basis that she was damn hot, he wanted to fuck her more than Bell, his desire to get one over on Weasley, his need for revenge because of the quidditch cup that she had caused him to lose all those years ago, and the fact that he wanted to dominate her. Wanted the satisfaction of having her bend to him, bend to his desire's and his whims and loving it, and hating him every minute for it. He wanted that passion, that fire that she hid behind that cool, calm façade that she wore from a mask.
He wasn't blind either. He'd achieved many of these objectives. He'd sleep with her, conquered her in a way that she'd never been conquered before. Made her bend to him. He'd thrown his relationship with her in Weasley's face as well. He'd had that passion from her as well. That fire had been directed at him, both in the bedroom and out of it. He'd had his revenge on her, and a humiliating one it had been.
But he'd also seen her in a different light. He'd couldn't ignore the similarities between them either. They both wore cool, calm masks, hiding their true emotions. Although he liked to reflect, he was better at it. While he had been doing it ever since he was a child, she'd only started it in the last few year's, probably when her relationship with Weasley ended badly. It was nice, the fact that only he was able to break through the wall that she had erected around herself. Only he could ever get a rise out of her quite like he did.
He was also aware that they both were alone, once again, both out of choice, but because of different circumstances. He because he was a slytherin, because you looked after yourself first and foremost. She because of the hurt she'd been caused and out of fear that she could be made to feel that again.
They also dealt with it differently. He liked the danger of being a spy, the thrill, the adrenaline it gave him as he played two side's off against the other. But she had buried herself with friends, family and work, everything but love.
He probably should let her go before she addled his brain beyond use and sensible thinking. But he wasn't ready to let her go yet. She was his. She was his until he decided otherwise.
Downing his drink quickly, he felt the alcohol burn a path down his throat, deep into the pit of his stomach, and imagined how the conversation could go if he explained all of his reasons, the motivation he was feeling the theories he'd come up with.
"Anyone who does any research into her background, will undoubtedly find out that she was involved in Fred Weasley. But they will also find out that she has only recently returned to this country recently.
Why? One may ask.
Why had she been out of the country for so long? Why has it appeared that she no longer has any contact with many of her school friends? No contact with Weasley? With Potter?
One doesn't have to dig very deep to find out that her relationship with Weasley ended badly. Now for many death eater's this could turn either way. Is she looking to get inside the inner death eater's circle as a spy, or is she looking to get revenge on a straying lover?
If she had been introduced by herself, no doubt many would think the former, however she is being pulled into the death eater circles as a whore, pulled in by a fellow death eater, who would do nothing to weaken his Lord and Master." He sneered mockingly. "And, she doesn't seem to be doing it willingly. From what is known about her, she would never be seen with a guy like me, not to mention the fact that we were school rivals, on and off the pitch.
The claims of muggle ties only helps to strengthen that theory. The pictures were to prove a point, that I am responsible for her."
"That's all very well and good Montague, but what are you going to say when you're questioned about the fact that your new whore has muggle connections. That she lives among them!" Snape would bite out.
"I am simply going to say that physical torture has lost it's appeal, and that I want to see what damage psychological torture and fear can do. In other words, how far a person, namely Miss Johnson, is willing to go to protect the ones she loves?"
"You better hope," Nott would warn him quietly, "That they don't decide to find out how far you will go to protect what's your's."
No, maybe he shouldn't say that. It was indepth and emotional. He wasn't indepth or emotionl.
Snape's patience had run out, and he allowed his anger to run it's full course. "You're playing a dangerous game Montague. If we can't see the connections that seem so obvious to you, do you think that the other death eater's are going to sit around and ponder your new play toy and the motives you have behind using her."
Standing abruptly Montague felt his infamous self control slipping. "Then don't! Do not become involved and watch this latest game of mine play out from the sidelines! Do not stand there and lecture me on things that you do not even understand."
"How can I understand such things if you will not explain them! I'm not a bloody mind reader!"
"Bollocks Severus! Bollocks! You think I don't know?" His eyes flashed as Montague viewed his former potions master. "I haven't explained certain things to you because you don't need to know. The less you know the safer you are. You don't need to know therefore you don't!"
Snape's voice was hard and cold as he regarded the headstrong young man in front of him. "Maybe you can't tell me Montague what the hell is going on because you don't know! Because you're latest whore has addled your brains!"
"Watch how you speak of her Snape." Montague hissed at him. "She is my property and any disrespect you inflict on her you inflict on me." His voice slithered around the room, expelling any warmth from it. "I give this advice freely. Stay away from her." The ring on his finger began to heat up, and Montague frowned at it before turning his attention back to his two colleagues.
"I am required elsewhere. I trust all business has been resolved?" Without waiting for an answer he apparated away.
"She will be his downfall." Snape murmured pessimistically.
Nott said nothing, remaining silent and unmoving, instead turning his troubled eyes towards the fire and watched it devour all that was in it's path.
A/N: I know it's over a month since my last update as Evilevergreen reminded me! But I hope this chapter makes up for it. Let me know what you think, because I think the chinks in Montague's armour are starting to show!