Author's Note: I am very sorry for having such a short chapter. –sighs— Some people were really understanding and some were disappointed, I am sorry about that. Now that my AP exams are done, I can concentrate somewhat on this, you know ignoring the buzz of university that is coming up. I hope you do like it! Onward with the story, and don't forget to review please.
~Of Silver and Gold~
Chapter 25: Confusions and Hope
Angel walked out of the carriage with a frown on her face. It seemed that the rain was nowhere near stopping. She grabbed Draco's hand as he helped her on the last step and she wrapped her cloak around her protecting her from the dreary weather.
"Come on let's go inside, my hair won't be able to handle all this humidity" Pansy whined.
Angel laughed softly and she nodded placing the hood of her cloak over herself to prevent her hair from getting wet. As they walked calmly towards the steps, they heard a cry and turned to look out of sheer curiosity.
There they saw the Ron Weasley getting hit with a red water balloon. They laughed seeing the commotion. He looked like a wet rat and they snickered seeing Granger getting hit on the head with one.
"Look, her hair actually looks better that way!" Draco commented.
They all started laughing loudly, Angel having silent laughter at the comment.
"Peeves!" Ron cried.
Her silent laughter soon turned to full blown out laughter as she saw Harry trying desperately trying to clean his glasses as Peeves was continuing his assault.
Soon everyone was getting wet from Peeves' shenanigans, that is until one was thrown their direction. Draco cried out in anger as he barely missed the water balloon. Pansy cried in fear and Angel glared as it hit her stomach making her wince.
"Damn it Peeves" she screamed.
It was no laughing matter once she was hit with water colder than the rain itself.
"Peeves!" a voice cried out in anger. "Come down at once!"
The last balloon had come at such a full force that it made Hermione fall atop of her boys. They all turned to see Professor McGonagall with her hands on her hips glaring towards Peeves.
Peeves was simply cackling as he was flying over the group of students.
"Stop it now!" Pansy whined. "My hair!"
"You're already wet you gnat!" Peeves replied snarkily.
"We'll tell the Bloody Baron!" Blaise glared.
"He won't come" Peeves replied in a sing-song tone.
"I will call the Headmaster" Professor McGonagall replied in a deadly tone.
Peeves looked…well peeved and he pouted.
"Twas not like they weren't wet already" he responded immaturely.
With one large red balloon, he threw it with great force and flew away looking dejected, but by no means stop scheming.
"Ugh" Angel said annoyed looking at herself.
"At least you weren't like the Gryffindorks" Draco said smirking.
As they climbed the stairs, she couldn't help but look back. There was the Weasel on the floor muttering curses as he pushed his hair away from his face, Granger looking like a wet cat her hair flopping down her shoulders like a piece of wet fur, and Potter soaking wet, but cleaning his glasses in a frustrated manner. Her lips twitched as she saw him looking up at her and looking embarrassed.
She looked away and she walked up towards the Great Hall behind her friends. She sighed wondering just how simple things could change for the worst, or become unpredictable. As she headed towards the table, she took off her cloak, hanging it. She sat on the right of Draco, as she usually did, Pansy sat to his left and Blaise sat beside Angel, just like what he had been doing as of recently.
She looked at him discreetly, and when their eyes met he let out a charming smile. She rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. Blaise was admittedly handsome with his expressive eyes and his smirk. In any other time, she would have found him to be attractive enough for her to fathom a crush towards. But it was harder than that, her eyes trailed towards the Gryffindor table as the messy raven-haired boy seemed to be oblivious to it all. Blaise was simply too late, though she had to admit she was flattered. She thought it his perseverance and determination to get what he wanted was impressive.
"You need to stop doing that" she muttered.
She stared as the little first year students entered and murmured quietly in obvious excitement.
"What?" Blaise asked.
"Stop being so obvious" she said sighing.
Blaise leaned forward and smiled seeing her body language being neutral towards his advances. He knew that it was either success or fail with her and he had to admit he loved it.
"Is it working?" he asked curiously.
She didn't say anything but stared at the first years being sorted. Some looked so tiny and she wondered if she ever was just like that. Her lips twitched and she leaned against her hand.
"If you mean by, is it annoying me, then yes, yes it is" she replied.
His smile was gone, but seconds later it was replied with a smirk and his eyes shining with mirth. She was probably testing him, or so he thought. In reality she was trying to be honest with him, but it was hard.
"Stop playing hard to get" he said placing his hand over his.
She moved away from the ceremony and instead turned to face Blaise.
"Stop pushing me to my limits. I don't want to hurt you, you're not succeeding so stop it okay?" she said.
He leaned forward and whispered against her ear.
"I'll get you in the end Angeline, I promise you that." he whispered. "You're too pretty to let go"
She rolled her eyes but her cheeks reddened. No matter how she felt she had to admit that being called pretty was the first complement she was ever given. She was always described as many things, but never ever was she called pretty. She looked away and went back to the event before him.
"Stop it" she whispered and turned towards Draco.
Draco had pretended not to hear a thing, but his eyes were glittering with amusement. She felt her flushed state travel down her neck and she hit his side making him laugh. Pansy leaned over Draco and looked at Angel raising her brow.
"Later" she muttered and Pansy winked.
As she stared on towards the house placement, she was oblivious to the stares she was getting across the table. Harry had seen it: he saw Blaise talking to her, he saw her expression shift to nonchalance, to annoyance, to her now flushed state. His faced was etched with a frown as he saw Blaise place his hand over hers.
Why did she have to confuse him? Cho never confused him, but he had to admit he wondered where she was. He sighed wondering just how hard this year was going to be, and how girls were teases. He felt a little bit better as he saw her move her hand away and turned to face Malfoy. Their group, no matter how different he thought they were, acted like his friends did.
He paid attention to his table once more as soon as the food appeared. He was grateful that this year he was allowed to have a good meal, considering his break was with the Weasleys. He immediately began to fill up his plate with a little bit of everything.
As he shoved food into his face he felt that he was stared at. At first he looked around wondering if it was the Creevey brothers who were big fans of his, but his green eyes landed on those doe eyes he had a soft spot for. He noticed that she was staring at him with a mix of amusement and disgust. He immediately reached over and tried to drink some pumpkin juice, but as he was nudged by Ron accidentally, he jumped and let some juice spill from his lips. She wrinkled her nose and turned away.
As he managed to swallow it down, he sighed and wiped his mouth knowing once again he was made out to be a pig and no longer was hungry.
Dumbledore appeared after the meal and began to make his speech that he did in every year. He heard a few snickers as he began Filch's message stating a list of toys and pranks not being allowed in the castle anymore. Everyone knew that it Fred and George had the secret stash of all the items and that they would be making a good business.
"It is also painful to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year"
As soon as Dumbledore said this a lot of groans were heard from all over the hall, that is except from a few Slytherins who had no real shock. Harry turned to face all his other teammates, many were too shocked to even utter a word of protest.
"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy— but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts—"
He was suddenly interrupted as the doors were slammed open and many jumped at the deafening thunder heard outside.
A man was standing at the entrance of the Great Hall, and many were shocked at the sudden entrance. As he walked towards Dumbledore, the hall was filled with nothing but silence. The man was hidden behind his traveling cloak, but as he took it off, everyone's breath hitched seeing this man's face. He was the epitome of someone who has really lived life, his face worn and beaten showing the hardships he once faced.
Once he reached Dumbledore he shook his hand and they both muttered quietly among themselves. Everyone followed his movement till he reached the seat usually reserved for the DADA teacher. Dumbledore cleared his throat earning the attention of the students once more.
"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher" he said in a light happy tone. "Professor Moody!"
The only people clapping were Dumbledore and Hagrid, and the claps echoed throughout the room as students were either cowering in fear, or in too much shock to realize that. Eyes followed Mad-Eye Moody sat in the professor's table.
Draco leaned over to his right to whisper into Angel's ear.
"Mad-Eye Moody? Merlin the teachers are getting worse and worse as years go by"
Angel's lips twitched at his comment and he knew that she thought it was amusing. She leaned towards him in returned and whisper.
"Don't judge a book by its cover?" she replied.
He chuckled and nudged her shoulder.
"And do you live by that rule?" he asked her in return.
"…." She stayed quiet and her eyes were discretely towards Harry. "Sometimes"
"As I was saying" Dumbledore continued ignoring the uncomfortable looks of the students. "We have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, and event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place in Hogwarts this year."
"You're joking!" The twins exclaimed.
Everyone began to laugh at the reaction, even Angel was giggling that is until she got a nudge from Draco who was looking at her with his 'look'. The 'look' was always a reprimanding look he gave her when she did something he didn't agree with. She wrinkled her nose and nudged him in return showing her annoyance.
"I am not joking , though now that you mention it I did hear an excellent over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go to the bar." Dumbledore said cheerily.
Before he could even utter the joke, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat signaling him to continue on with the story at hand.
"Er-but I seem to have forgotten it" he said looking towards Professor McGonagall. "Where was I? Ah yes the Triwizard Tournament…the tournament involves…"
As he droned on about the origins and the purpose of the tournament, Angel laid her head on Draco's shoulder signaling her disinterest. Draco frowned immediately as he heard that the candidate for the champion had to be seventeen or older. He sighed and looked down at Angel.
"Shame, I would have wiped the floor with them" he murmured.
"Sure dear" Angel replied with a snicker earning her a glare.
"I think you could do it mate" Blaise said trying to cheer his chap up.
"As I too Draco" Pansy said smiling.
"At least I have some support" Draco murmured.
Angel laughed softly and squeezed his hand showing she didn't mean it.
Their little conversation ended as soon as Dumbledore ended their conversation as soon as they heard that it was time for bed. Many groaned as they walked towards the double doors. The Slytherin group walked out, oblivious to the Gryffindor group walking behind them.
" Shame we can't join the tournament" Blaise said sighing.
"Yes, absolute shame. I would have loved to crush Potter." Draco sighed in return.
"Potter?" Angel said curiously.
"Well he's a glory hog-" Blaise began.
"-exactly, he would have loved to compete and be more in the spotlight." Draco said.
"He would" Pansy said nodding.
Blaise noticed that Angel had gone quiet at the comment.
"What do you think Angel?" he asked.
Angel walked ahead and shrugged.
"I'd doubt he'd do it" she said.
The group stayed quiet for a little bit.
"Why not?" Pansy asked softly.
She knew she had to be the mediator if a fight came towards the siblings. She never liked to take sides, because she couldn't: on one side her boyfriend, and on the other her best friend.
"Because his life is already in danger…and the fact that he seems to hate the fame-"
As she turned around to face her friends, she saw the trio behind her. All of them seemed surprise by her comment, but none more than Harry himself. His face seemed so confused, but showing some sign of flattery, something she felt angry at.
"-that and he'd be too cowardly to even think about joining the tournament." She added.
That's when her group began their laughter immediately agreeing and she felt safer, back to her circle of friends, and back to her circle of comfort. Being outside her comfort zone made her experience fear, and gave her uncomfortable feelings towards being alone.
"Come on, let's head towards the common room yeah?" she said.
Her hands were clasped by Pansy and she nodded with a small smile. She knew that Pansy had noticed the group behind them, and that she wanted to talk about the obvious shift. They Slytherin group sped off towards the opposite direction as the Gryffindors and they group remained.
"Did you hear that?" Ron asked towards Harry.
"For a moment she seemed to have even defended you" Hermione said confused.
"Yeah…." Harry said softly.
"I think it might be a prank" Ginny jumped into the conversation.
She hated anything that dealt with that girl. Angel Malfoy was the bane of her existence because she was always in the spotlight. Ginny really believed that Angel only lived off of her name and what came with it: a pompous, arrogant, tyrant who always got what they wanted. Angel had the name, the money, and the well known reputation that would make her life much easier than her. Ginny: surname of a poor pureblood family, auburn hair recognition, and a rat size number of children all with hand-me-downs. She hated that girl, but what she hated more was the fact that she got to Harry.
Harry. Oh her Harry. He was growing more and more handsome as he got older, and she knew that he'd be the perfect man for her when they would become of age to marry. She'd imagine them perfect, his famous name and her sense of luxuries would take her out of her depression and have the same promise of a good life as that Malfoy girl did. She had her dream boy, her childhood hero in her clutches which she adored all the more.
"A prank?" Fred and George said at the same time, taking Ginny out of her stupor. "We sure know about those"
Ginny and Hermione rolled their eyes, but the twins ignored them.
"What's all this about a prank?" Fred asked.
"Well we heard Malfoy-" Hermione began.
"Which Malfoy? Was it the-" George interrupted.
"Blonde haired, long-nosed, upper crust Malfoy, or-" Fred cut in.
"Brown eyed prankster" George finished.
Hermione placed her hands on her hips annoyed.
"Female Malfoy, and she-" Hermione began.
"What do you mean prankster?" Harry asked unknowingly interrupting his friend.
" Oh she's good at pranks she is" Fred said with a hint of glee.
"Poor Ginny has faced a few wart-faced nights because of the addicting chocolates that femme fatale Malfoy sent to Ginny from who Ginny thought was -"
Before George could utter 'Harry' Ginny covered his mouth and glared at him face red. She showed her obvious annoyance at their butting in.
Fred chuckled knowing what her sister wanted to stop, but he did as she had begged towards George.
"Point is that every time that Ginny tries to even return her prank, femme-Malfoy never falls for it, rather throws it at Ginny in return."
Both twins high fived, and laughed at the cleverness of all the schemes that "Femme-Malfoy" had done. There was no doubt that they always sided with their baby sister, but when they saw a good prank, they had to appraise it.
"Anyway!" Hermione exclaimed in annoyance.
Everyone turned to look at her and she blushed slightly.
"Female Malfoy actually said something that was close to a compliment towards Harry, that is until she saw us, and then she just twisted her words. Now…Ginny thinks this is a prank, but we want to see other purposes too."
Fred and George murmured towards one another and they nodded after a few minutes.
"It's not a prank" they said simultaneously.
"Why not?" Ron asked confused.
"We know her prank-style, and it is never this petty, rather clever and funny at that" Fred explained.
"Sorry we couldn't be more of help. Ready Forge?" Fred asked wrapping his arm around George's.
"Ready Gred" George replied with a silly smile.
"Onward!" both said and walked off towards unsuspecting victims.
Hermione frowned at their immaturity but they headed off towards the common room.
No one seemed to have noticed Harry being quiet. He wondered just why she was even remotely complimenting him when in reality she always brought him down. She made him look like a fool more than once. She made his palms sweat, he stuttered words and said loads of apologies. She always gave him that look: a look of annoyance with a hint of amusement. He noticed when her lips twitched showing her amusement and as she repressed it, he noticed how she would blush if he got too close to her personal space. He wondered what this compliment was, and if she felt that she needed to force herself to suppress it.
His romantic side had to let out a small grin at how close he was getting to cracking her. He didn't know what he wanted out of her, but he knew that he wanted her to just like him. The level of liking was a gray area for him, for he didn't even know he wanted out of her. She was pretty yes that was true, and she was smart, but she had a wicked sharp tongue, one that tongue-tied his in ways where all his eloquent words would be thrown to the side.
" Harry?" Hermione called out.
Harry nearly jumped and turned to face her smiling sheepishly.
"You alright mate?" Ron asked taking a bite out of his chocolate bar.
Harry nodded not trusting his voice. As they said the password towards the Gryffindor Tower, he walked in and walked up straight up the stairs.
"Where you heading Harry?" Ron asked.
"Tired, gonna sleep. See you later." Harry said with a small wave.
The group didn't really right it; rather they did believe just how tired he was.
Harry walked towards his bed, something he missed greatly and laid atop of it, once he had removed the annoying uniform and had changed into his sleeping clothing. He was by no means tired, but he wanted to be alone with his thoughts, something he rarely had the chance to do. He stared at the roof and placed his hands on his head simply thinking about the fickle girl.
"Hell of confusing" he muttered to himself. "She's not nice, she's not quiet and friendly, she's not even passionate about Quidditch!"
He closed his eyes and he began to dream of the girl he saw as perfect for him. Long black hair began to form in his mind, a pair of almond shaped eyes followed and her face began to form. What defined her was her thin lips that had a soft smile on it.
"Hi Harry" she said to him softly.
He smiled thinking of Cho Chang. She was so mature, so lovely and was a hell of a flier.
"Perfect" he whispered.
As soon as he said this, the face began to morph. The slightly round nose shortened and showed a aristocratic nose, the almond black eyes changed to bright brown ones that held one hell of a spark. Her long straight hair began to make softer waves, soft waves that became brown, and her skin paled; paled to a soft ivory and her lips no longer held a soft smile, rather a curve to it…a smirk.
"What are you looking at Potter?" the person asked.
He groaned softly in annoyance.
That tone, those words, that girl! Damn that girl, he couldn't even think about anything without her popping in, he absolutely loathe it.
"Damn it to hell" he said.
He turned to his sides and tried to fall asleep. After a few minutes of attempts he did indeed fall into sleep, an uncomfortable one that began with petty squabbles to bad dreams once more.
12 Grimmauld Place
Sleep was something that he was not used to, rather it was a weakness. Sleep in Azkaban meant death, meant weakness, something that should never be shown. He shook his head as he saw his hands trembling with a grip on a stuffed animal.
He had decided to begin to clean it all out. He had locked the nursery tight, not allowing himself to even think about entering it again and wallowing in the 'what-ifs'. His lips twitched thinking about what they were thinking of calling her.
"Marie" he whispered. "My sea star"
He chuckled softly at his stupidity.
"Old friend" he heard someone call out to him.
He turned pointing his wand towards the shadows and holding the small stuffed animal with
"Marie" sown in cursive writing.
"It's me Remus" Remus announced himself.
Sirius put the wand away and smiled embracing his friend. He was glad to have some human company for he feared madness heading his direction.
"Hello friend" Sirius said happily. "Cuppa?"
Remus shook his head.
"No, rather I came to hand you this. I saw it and it seemed interesting how it was written for you, but it was sent to my home"
Sirius took the letter and looked at Remus.
"What is it?"
"I don't know" Remus said shrugging. "You should open it."
Sirius nodded and he ripped the seal of the letter taking out the paper and beginning to read.
To: Sirius Orion Black III,
This is to inform you that while you are seen by many as a criminal, there seems to have been a new case
opened based on your behalf. In fact there are new facts showing your innocence towards
the murder of Lily Rose Potter and James Harold Potter. The third person refuses to show his
identification towards you but nonetheless he is a reliable source, so much so that you are no longer seen
as a criminal, rather seen as a person on parole. There is but no means for you to escape
for this contributor of the facts has no real reason to do this but the human nature.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Ministry.
Sincerely,
The Ministry Of Magic
Sirius looked flabbergasted and handed the letter towards Remus to read. As his old friend read both were surrounded by silence. Suddenly they embraced and were overjoyed with the news.
"There's a chance Remus, a chance!" Sirius said excited.
Remus nodded holding the letter close to his chest.
" You might be seen as free!" Remus replied.
Sirius nodded.
"Yes yes, but that's one thing. If that happens, I can take Harry away from that horrible family. We can start a family, the family I was denied" Sirius said with tears appearing in his eyes.
Remus patted his friend shoulder and they both succumb to silence.
Malfoy Manor…
Lucius Malfoy sighed and rubbed his temples. He had done it. He couldn't believe that he had done this good deed.
"Good deed" he snorted at that word.
He did not do it because of Black, he could go rot in a rat hole for all he cared. He traced the signature of his young daughter with his index finger and sighed. That child. That was his child, his little girl and that dog had no reason to be free.
"You're my family…you all are. He's…he's Potter's family. I just want to repay Potter for what he's done, saving me and I want to save Sirius after all he's the only person I share a blood bond with."
Those words were uttered by his little girl. Her cheeks were red, tears streamed down her face and she seemed absolutely sad.
"I'd do anything for this. I wouldn't go back on my word"
He sometimes noticed how she would have the qualities of a Gryffindor. She was a true mixture of Amorette and that dog Black. She had the Slytherin wit, the cunning, the ambitiousness from her mother, but had the loyalty, the courage and the stupid heroic need of a Gryffindor.
"I wouldn't have left you anyways"
Those words had shaken him to the core.
"I should hope you don't Angeline, I should hope you don't" Lucius whispered.
With a long sip of his brandy he walked out of his office, for he could not be in the room any longer, it was too suffocating, too emotional to handle.
"Lucius?" Narcissa called towards him.
He forced a small smile and walked towards her. She was surprised as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. She smiled softly and she kissed him in return. She did love him, her love, her only love.