Disclaimer: The same thing as always....... I don't own Harry Potter, J.K.
Rowling does......
Chapter 6
Time passed quickly for the students of Hogwarts.
Soon it was the Christmas morning.
........:::::::: Angelique's Room ::::::::........
Angelique woke up, yawning.
She knew exactly what day was today.
Christmas.
The word had meant so much for her just a year ago, but now...
She didn't want to remeber the wonderful Christmas Eve's she had spent with her now dead family.
She didn't even hope to receive presents.
Who would give her presents anyway?
As she looked around she saw nothing looking like a present.
But suddenly something caught her eye.
What were these things by the fireplace?
Two small packages packed in silver and green were in front of the fireplace.
Angelique jumped up from her bed, feeling curiosity stir inside her.
'Who could be these from?' She thought while moving towards the fireplace.
Angelique kneeled and took up the first package.
It had a letter with it.
'Merry Christmas, Angelique! Your Severus. So this present is from Snape. Nice of him to give me a present.'
Angelique opened the present and saw a little bottle with a glittering potion inside it.
'The Luck Potion. I'm gonna need it.' She thought and smiled to herself.
She then took the other present and looked at it.
'Wonder who gave me this.' She thought, but dared to think who it would be from.
Angelique opened the present carefully and saw a dark blue box inside.
When she had opened it, she saw a red crystal rose in there.
'Beautiful,' She thought and took the rose out of the box.
There was something else in the box too.
Angelique looked at it with awe.
There was a beautiful diamond necklace what suited a girl her age perfectly.
Angelique closed her eyes and tears slipped out.
"My mother. My mother had a necklace just like this, but this isn't from my mother. I can feel it."
Her mood was ruined for the whole day.
'Today is the ball. I won't go.'
Angelique breathed in wearily.
"I guess I'll go and have some breakfast."
....:::::::: The Great Hall ::::::::....
All of the students and teachers were chattering away happily.
Still, there was someone who didn't talk or who was happy.
It was Angelique.
She heard everyone happily talking about their presents, family, or the Christmas Ball.
Finally she had it.
Angelique stood up angrily and marched out of the Great Hall, wanting to go outside.
She took her coat from her room and went out in the Hogwarts grounds to breathe some fresh air.
She walked around in the snowy grounds and suddenly wanted to go to the Forbidden Forest.
She looked around and started to walk towards the forest when someone stopped her.
Angelique turned around startled and bit afraid.
And saw the face of Albus Dumbledore in front of her.
"You know, Ms. Kou, it's cold in that forest and there are many dangerous animals in there too."
"I'm sorry, Professor. I just-"
"You wanted to see the Unicorn Lake and the unicorn again, didn't you?"
"How did you know? Who told you about the unicorn?"
"No-one, Ms. Kou. There's nothing that is hidden from my eye in Hogwarts."
Angelique looked down, feeling guilty.
"Now, Ms. Kou, wouldn't you want to go back inside?"
"Alright. I don't want to go back to the Great Hall though."
"Why not?"
"I feel uncomfortable there. Everyone is talking about their families and I. My family is dead."
"Alright, I won't make you go back there. Take care."
"Thank you."
Dumbledore went back to the castle and Angelique sighed.
'I won't go to the forest today.'
She instead walked around.
Angelique found herself by Hagrid's house.
Hagrid was sitting on the stairs.
He seemed to do something with his big hands.
Angelique approached him, "Hi, Hagrid. Need some help?"
Hagrid didn't look up, but stopped working.
'That voice. Those words. The same words Amelile said when she saw me having trouble with my Potions homework.' Hagrid thought and looked up.
"Amelile." The name of his old love slipped his lips when Hagrid saw Angelique.
Angelique's eyes widened.
"What did you say, Hagrid? Amelile?"
"No, nothing. You just reminded me someone."
"Do you know who Amelile is?" Angelique asked.
"She. she was a Gryffindor when I went to school. An Elf if I am right."
Angelique bit her lip.
"The Queen of Elves, Hagrid."
"What?"
"The Amelile you knew became the Queen of Elves after her 25th birthday."
Hagrid looked at Angelique with curiosity, 'This girl really is weird.'
"Why do you think so?"
"I don't think so, I know so."
"Who are you?" Hagrid suddenly asked, shocked himself for asking such question.
"The last of my kind, Hagrid," Angelique turned around and left.
She felt Hagrid's eyes staring at her back for a long time.
....:::::::: Slytherin Common Room ::::::::....
Draco was bored to death.
He had received a lot of presents today, but he didn't like those.
He wanted the best present he could ever get - a smile and a thank you for the present from Angelique.
Maybe she'd even come to the ball with him?
Who knows?
Angelique had stormed out of the Great Hall during breakfast and had been gone since that.
Draco wanted to run after her but Crabbe and Goyle seemed to understand the young Elf better than Draco.
He had never told them the truth about Angelique, but he understood himself that Angelique's family is dead and it hurts her to listen to others talking about their families.
Draco couldn't wait to see Angelique at the ball. If she was coming.
She did say that she wouldn't come, but somehow Draco thought that she'll come anyway.
'Curious. What does father think about me staying here for the Christmas because a girl has taken my heart.? He'll be angry or glad that I have found someone,' Draco thought.
Suddenly someone stepped in.
That someone had a hood over her head.
Yes, *her* head - Draco could see a woman's figure under the cloak.
And piercing green eyes looking out of the hood.
Wait a sec. Piercing green eyes?
'That's Angelique!' Draco thought.
He saw the hooded Angelique look at him and saw deep sadness in her eyes.
She hurried to her room and Draco didn't see her anymore.
Draco looked at the time and saw that the Christmas ball would start in two hours.
He saw some girls leave the Common Room to get ready for the ball.
Draco fell in thoughts while staring at the fire licking the wood in the fireplace.
....:::::::: Gryffindor Common Room ::::::::....
Harry had invited Ginny to the ball with him and Ron was taking Hermione.
Harry began to think that those two would make a really great couple since the beginning of the 5th Year and was glad to see that they were going to the ball together.
"Hey, guys, I'm gonna go and get ready, ok?" Hermione said.
"Ok. See you later, 'Mione," Ron answered.
"Yeah, go and get ready, Ron can't wait to see you!" Harry grinned.
"Harry!" Ron pouted.
....:::::::: Slytherin Common Room ::::::::....
There was half hour to wait and then the ball would start.
Draco decided to go and get ready.
He took out his tuxedo and looked at it.
An ordinary black tuxedo, nothing special.
He didn't want to look fancy.
....:::::::: Dumbledore's Office ::::::::....
"Now, is everything prepared?" Dumbledore asked with twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes, Albus," The teachers answered at the same time.
"Magnificent! Let's go to the Great Hall then!"
....:::::::: Angelique's Room ::::::::....
Angelique sat on her bed.
'I am not going to the ball. I am *not* going to the ball. I won't go.'
She tried to convince herself that her decision was right.
But she felt like she should go in the deepest depth of her soul.
'Oh no. That isn't happening. I won't go there.'
Angelique lay down on her bed and closed her eyes.
'Now I can fall into a peaceful sleep. Ahh.'
She fell asleep instantly, forgetting the blonde boy who desperately wanted to see her.
....:::::::: The Great Hall ::::::::....
People started to come in, Draco with them.
He looked at all the fancily dressed girls and searched for Angelique.
No success.
She wasn't there.
Besides, she wouldn't wear such glittery and pink or lilac or white dresses like the girls here did.
She was different.
She'd probably wear something unnoticeable.
The feast had begun a few minutes earlier and Angelique wasn't sitting on her ordinary seat.
Draco had an idea.
"Hey, Charles, wanna change our seats?" Draco asked a guy who would usually sit besides Angelique.
"Ok," Charles answered as they changed their seats.
....:::::::: The Head Table::::::::....
Snape looked around.
There was no sign of her.
He stared at the door for about five minutes and gave up.
Angelique wasn't coming.
At least not on her own free will.
Snape left the Head Table with no hesitation and quickened his pace towards the Slytherin Dormitories.
....:::::::: Angelique's Room ::::::::....
Snape entered Angelique's room quietly and was surprised to see her sleeping.
He had the perfect way - or spell - to wake her up.
He quietly said a word in Latin and a cold bucket of water fell on Angelique's sleeping form.
As the cold water hit her, it dried, leaving a shocked and awake Angelique on the bed.
"What do you think you're doing?!" She yelled.
"I want to make something clear, Angelique. I'll leave your room for ten minutes and when I come in, you'll be up and ready to go to the Christmas Ball."
With that, Snape left the room.
Angelique stood up and looked at the time.
'I've got nine minutes,' She thought and put her dress on.
She applied some makeup - lipgloss, eyeshadow and blush.
Angelique looked at her short hair and made them longer, so they reached her waist.
She didn't like the way her hair were so straight, so she made them nicely wavy and put some silvery glitter on them.
Angelique looked at the clock.
'My time's up,' She thought and Snape came in.
Suddenly she remembered something and took the diamond necklace out.
"Severus, would you help me put this on?"
Snape still didn't move.
It seemed like he had seen an angel, a fallen angel in a black and sexy dress, when he came in.
"Severus?"
Snape realized that she wanted him to put a necklace round her neck.
He did it quickly and smiled.
"You look wonderful, even for an Elf."
"Thank you. Will we go now?"
"Oh, yes. Let's get going."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 6
Time passed quickly for the students of Hogwarts.
Soon it was the Christmas morning.
........:::::::: Angelique's Room ::::::::........
Angelique woke up, yawning.
She knew exactly what day was today.
Christmas.
The word had meant so much for her just a year ago, but now...
She didn't want to remeber the wonderful Christmas Eve's she had spent with her now dead family.
She didn't even hope to receive presents.
Who would give her presents anyway?
As she looked around she saw nothing looking like a present.
But suddenly something caught her eye.
What were these things by the fireplace?
Two small packages packed in silver and green were in front of the fireplace.
Angelique jumped up from her bed, feeling curiosity stir inside her.
'Who could be these from?' She thought while moving towards the fireplace.
Angelique kneeled and took up the first package.
It had a letter with it.
'Merry Christmas, Angelique! Your Severus. So this present is from Snape. Nice of him to give me a present.'
Angelique opened the present and saw a little bottle with a glittering potion inside it.
'The Luck Potion. I'm gonna need it.' She thought and smiled to herself.
She then took the other present and looked at it.
'Wonder who gave me this.' She thought, but dared to think who it would be from.
Angelique opened the present carefully and saw a dark blue box inside.
When she had opened it, she saw a red crystal rose in there.
'Beautiful,' She thought and took the rose out of the box.
There was something else in the box too.
Angelique looked at it with awe.
There was a beautiful diamond necklace what suited a girl her age perfectly.
Angelique closed her eyes and tears slipped out.
"My mother. My mother had a necklace just like this, but this isn't from my mother. I can feel it."
Her mood was ruined for the whole day.
'Today is the ball. I won't go.'
Angelique breathed in wearily.
"I guess I'll go and have some breakfast."
....:::::::: The Great Hall ::::::::....
All of the students and teachers were chattering away happily.
Still, there was someone who didn't talk or who was happy.
It was Angelique.
She heard everyone happily talking about their presents, family, or the Christmas Ball.
Finally she had it.
Angelique stood up angrily and marched out of the Great Hall, wanting to go outside.
She took her coat from her room and went out in the Hogwarts grounds to breathe some fresh air.
She walked around in the snowy grounds and suddenly wanted to go to the Forbidden Forest.
She looked around and started to walk towards the forest when someone stopped her.
Angelique turned around startled and bit afraid.
And saw the face of Albus Dumbledore in front of her.
"You know, Ms. Kou, it's cold in that forest and there are many dangerous animals in there too."
"I'm sorry, Professor. I just-"
"You wanted to see the Unicorn Lake and the unicorn again, didn't you?"
"How did you know? Who told you about the unicorn?"
"No-one, Ms. Kou. There's nothing that is hidden from my eye in Hogwarts."
Angelique looked down, feeling guilty.
"Now, Ms. Kou, wouldn't you want to go back inside?"
"Alright. I don't want to go back to the Great Hall though."
"Why not?"
"I feel uncomfortable there. Everyone is talking about their families and I. My family is dead."
"Alright, I won't make you go back there. Take care."
"Thank you."
Dumbledore went back to the castle and Angelique sighed.
'I won't go to the forest today.'
She instead walked around.
Angelique found herself by Hagrid's house.
Hagrid was sitting on the stairs.
He seemed to do something with his big hands.
Angelique approached him, "Hi, Hagrid. Need some help?"
Hagrid didn't look up, but stopped working.
'That voice. Those words. The same words Amelile said when she saw me having trouble with my Potions homework.' Hagrid thought and looked up.
"Amelile." The name of his old love slipped his lips when Hagrid saw Angelique.
Angelique's eyes widened.
"What did you say, Hagrid? Amelile?"
"No, nothing. You just reminded me someone."
"Do you know who Amelile is?" Angelique asked.
"She. she was a Gryffindor when I went to school. An Elf if I am right."
Angelique bit her lip.
"The Queen of Elves, Hagrid."
"What?"
"The Amelile you knew became the Queen of Elves after her 25th birthday."
Hagrid looked at Angelique with curiosity, 'This girl really is weird.'
"Why do you think so?"
"I don't think so, I know so."
"Who are you?" Hagrid suddenly asked, shocked himself for asking such question.
"The last of my kind, Hagrid," Angelique turned around and left.
She felt Hagrid's eyes staring at her back for a long time.
....:::::::: Slytherin Common Room ::::::::....
Draco was bored to death.
He had received a lot of presents today, but he didn't like those.
He wanted the best present he could ever get - a smile and a thank you for the present from Angelique.
Maybe she'd even come to the ball with him?
Who knows?
Angelique had stormed out of the Great Hall during breakfast and had been gone since that.
Draco wanted to run after her but Crabbe and Goyle seemed to understand the young Elf better than Draco.
He had never told them the truth about Angelique, but he understood himself that Angelique's family is dead and it hurts her to listen to others talking about their families.
Draco couldn't wait to see Angelique at the ball. If she was coming.
She did say that she wouldn't come, but somehow Draco thought that she'll come anyway.
'Curious. What does father think about me staying here for the Christmas because a girl has taken my heart.? He'll be angry or glad that I have found someone,' Draco thought.
Suddenly someone stepped in.
That someone had a hood over her head.
Yes, *her* head - Draco could see a woman's figure under the cloak.
And piercing green eyes looking out of the hood.
Wait a sec. Piercing green eyes?
'That's Angelique!' Draco thought.
He saw the hooded Angelique look at him and saw deep sadness in her eyes.
She hurried to her room and Draco didn't see her anymore.
Draco looked at the time and saw that the Christmas ball would start in two hours.
He saw some girls leave the Common Room to get ready for the ball.
Draco fell in thoughts while staring at the fire licking the wood in the fireplace.
....:::::::: Gryffindor Common Room ::::::::....
Harry had invited Ginny to the ball with him and Ron was taking Hermione.
Harry began to think that those two would make a really great couple since the beginning of the 5th Year and was glad to see that they were going to the ball together.
"Hey, guys, I'm gonna go and get ready, ok?" Hermione said.
"Ok. See you later, 'Mione," Ron answered.
"Yeah, go and get ready, Ron can't wait to see you!" Harry grinned.
"Harry!" Ron pouted.
....:::::::: Slytherin Common Room ::::::::....
There was half hour to wait and then the ball would start.
Draco decided to go and get ready.
He took out his tuxedo and looked at it.
An ordinary black tuxedo, nothing special.
He didn't want to look fancy.
....:::::::: Dumbledore's Office ::::::::....
"Now, is everything prepared?" Dumbledore asked with twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes, Albus," The teachers answered at the same time.
"Magnificent! Let's go to the Great Hall then!"
....:::::::: Angelique's Room ::::::::....
Angelique sat on her bed.
'I am not going to the ball. I am *not* going to the ball. I won't go.'
She tried to convince herself that her decision was right.
But she felt like she should go in the deepest depth of her soul.
'Oh no. That isn't happening. I won't go there.'
Angelique lay down on her bed and closed her eyes.
'Now I can fall into a peaceful sleep. Ahh.'
She fell asleep instantly, forgetting the blonde boy who desperately wanted to see her.
....:::::::: The Great Hall ::::::::....
People started to come in, Draco with them.
He looked at all the fancily dressed girls and searched for Angelique.
No success.
She wasn't there.
Besides, she wouldn't wear such glittery and pink or lilac or white dresses like the girls here did.
She was different.
She'd probably wear something unnoticeable.
The feast had begun a few minutes earlier and Angelique wasn't sitting on her ordinary seat.
Draco had an idea.
"Hey, Charles, wanna change our seats?" Draco asked a guy who would usually sit besides Angelique.
"Ok," Charles answered as they changed their seats.
....:::::::: The Head Table::::::::....
Snape looked around.
There was no sign of her.
He stared at the door for about five minutes and gave up.
Angelique wasn't coming.
At least not on her own free will.
Snape left the Head Table with no hesitation and quickened his pace towards the Slytherin Dormitories.
....:::::::: Angelique's Room ::::::::....
Snape entered Angelique's room quietly and was surprised to see her sleeping.
He had the perfect way - or spell - to wake her up.
He quietly said a word in Latin and a cold bucket of water fell on Angelique's sleeping form.
As the cold water hit her, it dried, leaving a shocked and awake Angelique on the bed.
"What do you think you're doing?!" She yelled.
"I want to make something clear, Angelique. I'll leave your room for ten minutes and when I come in, you'll be up and ready to go to the Christmas Ball."
With that, Snape left the room.
Angelique stood up and looked at the time.
'I've got nine minutes,' She thought and put her dress on.
She applied some makeup - lipgloss, eyeshadow and blush.
Angelique looked at her short hair and made them longer, so they reached her waist.
She didn't like the way her hair were so straight, so she made them nicely wavy and put some silvery glitter on them.
Angelique looked at the clock.
'My time's up,' She thought and Snape came in.
Suddenly she remembered something and took the diamond necklace out.
"Severus, would you help me put this on?"
Snape still didn't move.
It seemed like he had seen an angel, a fallen angel in a black and sexy dress, when he came in.
"Severus?"
Snape realized that she wanted him to put a necklace round her neck.
He did it quickly and smiled.
"You look wonderful, even for an Elf."
"Thank you. Will we go now?"
"Oh, yes. Let's get going."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~