Author's Note:Seventy-seven Reviews! –runs around excited—I never thought that it would happen and I'd like to thank all the reviewers. : ) I really appreciate it and I will try to update even sooner than before.
REMEMBER AU . Oh please review :)
~Of Silver and Gold~
Chapter 19: Break
As morning arrived, there were to figures lying against the couch snuggling close together. One had blond hair poking from the top of the blanket, and beside him, was a curl here or there popping upwards from the blanket as it lay against his shoulder. The fire had died down, and the cold was beginning to creep itself into the pair's warm atmosphere.
A pop was heard by no one but the house, and the elves began their morning ritual. Many were quietly cheering the return of the brunette heiress meaning the return of the whole family. They were determined to make the house even cleaner than before. They young mistress was here meant many things. She was the baby of the family, the person that would take the young master from his funk and would bring a lighter atmosphere to the house.
During the whole school year, they admitted that they missed the pair, but as only one returned they were forced to wait longer for the whole family to be together. Many elves were whispering among themselves of Dobby being freed and he was happy working in Hogwarts as a free elf. Many shunned him and refused to even think about being away from the family. They frowned upon the bad rumors that were spread around about their treatment, but they digressed after all they were still in servitude under the family.
The house began to come to life as the house elves began to open the windows, letting in the sun to warm the dark mysterious house. While some rooms held the warmth of togetherness, it didn't spare the other rooms filled with darks pasts and dark vibes. The elves began to hum in the kitchen getting ready to make the welcome breakfast feast for Mistress Lili.
As the aroma of the mouth watering breakfast reached the sitting room, there was a little grunt heard from the pair. Angel lifted her head and sniffed the air, suddenly noticing just how empty her stomach seemed. She had had a long day and it was exhausting and her body was now beginning to cry out in pain at the loss of adrenaline. She slipped her covers off and began to walk towards the kitchen.
She smiled feeling the cold wood on her bare feet and she walked towards the finely tiled kitchen. She took in a deep breath and sighed knowing that she was home. Her shuffling footsteps made all the house elves look up and they all were gleeful of her arrival. She knew that while they all were happy with the family, there was one that missed her more than anyone. She walked over to the tiny blue house elf with giant ears and she hugged her tight. She smiled noticing that the apron she wore was perfect for her. Twinkle was not only her personal elf, but it was also her nanny when she was young.
"Twinkle missed you Misstress Lili" she squeaked.
Angel chuckled slightly and she squeezed her showing her she felt the same way. She pulled back and patted the elf showing more affection.
"Breakfast will begin in an hour Mistress Lili" Waffle the elf said.
Angel nodded and leaned against the counter. She looked at them happily beaming at the work they did and wondered just how simple they were.
"May I help?" she asked.
Twinkle looked at her mistress and giggled.
"Don't be silly Mistress Lili, only Waffle, Puffle, and Twinkle can cook in kitchen. You's a lady and you cannot cook." Twinkle commented.
"Unless Twinkle, Waffle and Puffle doing bad Miss?" Puffle said sadly.
Angel shook her head immediately trying to avoid a fit of self-harm from them.
"Just wanted to learn is all" she said nonchalantly. "But may I have some strawberries instead, before the table is set? I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon" she said.
They all scurried around trying to make her something small to eat and in an instant were freshly cut strawberries in front of her. She took a piece in her mouth and she made a happy noise at its sweetness. She ate and saw them cooking and she smiled at how sweet they were happily doing their jobs.
"Already eating I see?" she heard.
She turned to see Draco freshly bathed and dressed ready for the new day. She looked down at herself and saw her skirt ripped and covered in dirt, and her blouse covered in dirt, and her blood. Her tie was no longer green but black showing the level of dirtiness and her hair was tussled.
"Merlin you look a fright" Draco commented as he also studied her clothing.
"You git, I'll go get ready for breakfast I suppose." She replied.
As she hopped off the stool and began to walk towards the main stairway to reach her room but was stopped by a simple comment.
"Why are you like that?" he asked. "What happened to you?"
She turned around and shrugged.
"Looking for something you love does make it hard to notice what happens to you I suppose" she said.
Draco nodded thinking that what she was saying was for her stupid cat, but in reality it was more than he could ever imagine.
Angel walked upstairs avoiding the any noise to make her parents know of her absence. With every step, she purposely stepped on parts of the stairs that would not make a noise. She humored herself for only a moment as she still thought of them as her parents, but then again after Black's subconscious rejection and replacement, she was no longer needed by him.
She opened her door and instantly she felt at peace. Her blue walls were brighter than what she could ever see in other parts of the house, and she was in her haven. She closed the door softly and she began to throw her clothing all over the room. She was just ready to get out of the dirty clothing with so many memories.
She opened the other door leading her towards her powder room. Walking over towards the sink and looked at the mirror. She noticed just how dark her skin seemed because of the dirt. She took her small blue rag and she wet it. She lifted it to her cheek and began to wipe her cheek and was shocked at the contrast. She could not believe how much she had gone through but hours ago.
She wiped around half of her face and she decided that it'd be better to take a bath As she washed thoroughly, she reached her shoulder and hissed feeling the sting of the wound before her. She vaguely wondered if she would get a scar, but she no longer cared, if it did scar, then she'd simply use a glamour charm. She wondered how was it that being around the Gryffindors was it that she was injured when before her skin was nowhere marred. She washed it despite the pain knowing that an infection would be the worst thing that could occur and she knew that she'd be better. She moved then to wash her hair and sighed feeling her tendrils simply relaxing under the hot water.
As she opened the glass door, she sighed as the steam surrounded the room. She wrapped herself with a towel and she smiled relaxed feeling better. She walked out towards her room and saw her cat surprisingly enough tugging her dirty clothing in a pile. She rolled her eyes and smirked seeing her feline familiar cleaning her room for her.
Angel opened her closet and she took out a simple yellow sundress. She first slipped her undergarments and she slipped her dress on. She brushed her hair and tied a ribbon on her hair and she decided she was ready for breakfast.
She slipped on her flats and she walked out of the room with her familiar in tow. As she went down the stairs she heard conversation beginning. She quickened her steps and as she rushed towards the balcony she smiled seeing that in the cool morning were her parents and brother waiting. She walked outside and smiled fondly at her family.
Narcissa smiled and immediately stood up opening her arms welcoming who she considered her child. Angel rushed over and hugged her tightly. She felt a pang in her chest thinking about how she sought her real family when she had one here.
"Mon chere I missed you" Narcissa said squeezing her tight.
Angel smiled against her mother's bosom and they separated soon after. She sat down and smiled at her father who was not known for showing too much emotion. He merely nodded her direction and their breakfast began. The conversation was light nothing too enchanting, but it felt like home.
Their breakfast was interrupted by Twinkle with the Daily Prophet. Lucius took the paper and murmured a thank you and began to read the paper. She was distracted by what was in front of the paper that she heard other mutterings from her brother.
"..so Blaise is coming over so we'll play a game or two you know to beat Potter next year."
Draco blabbered on.
Angel noticed Narcissa was just staring out into the garden with a small smile on her face. She knew that all her mother cared about was that they were all together. She drank her tea calmly and smiled warmly towards her daughter.
"So what do you think?" Draco asked.
Angel shrugged.
"I'll floo Pansy to have a picnic here while you guys play" She replied.
She turned to see the news and saw Sirius Black's picture on the front page. She read the news clearly. "Sirius Black: Murderer Escaped Kiss" and she immediately wanted to read the paper. She knew that it would be too obvious for her to simply ask for the paper when she never had any interest prior to the current year. She bit the piece of fruit languidly and her eyes were still on the image of Sirius yelling at the camera.
"Honestly what the Ministry has become" Lucius muttered.
"Dear, not in front of the children" Narcissa sighed.
Angel frowned while Draco took no notice, she sighed wondering what bad thing she had done in her previous life to be in this uncomfortable situation. The rest of the meal was Lucius commenting on certain articles and Narcissa piping in here or there nothing specific or a very strong opinion. As Lucius left the table, Angel knew that it meant that it was over; Narcissa went to get ready for her tea part with Parkinson and all her other ladies, Lucius was off to work in his office on Merlin knows what, Draco was going to go get the field ready for a game with Blaise. Angel was left all alone as they all began to walk their separate ways.
Angel got up leaving them to go about their business and she picked up the newspaper that Lucius had left on the table and went towards the deeper part of the gardens to read. She avoided the white peacocks, the fountains, the rose bushes and exotic flowers that her mother refused to let her touch. As she saw her childhood swing she smiled and sat down beginning to read the story:
"Sirius Black: Murderer Escaped Kiss"
By Rita Skeeter
It seems that the Ministry of Magic has lost its touch when it comes to finding the criminals and disposing of them. Sirius Black, age 34, was originally imprisoned in Azkaban for the murder of the dear Potter Family, but now it seems his lifelong sentence was instead twelve years. So much for protection especially for our dear Boy-Who-Lived who now has to experience the criminal free from the hands of the law.
Many speculate that he was aided out of the prison in the Hogwarts cells. Why would they aid him? Well sources say that the criminal was aided by Dumbledore himself who was mysteriously missing from the scene. As an unbiased third party, I believe that Dumbledore would indeed have something to do with it, after all he does believe in the greater good.
At the end of the day, all that matters is that the ministry has to capture that maniacal monster and-
Angel growled not wanting to finish the article.
"How dare they!" She hissed.
She heard a soft meow and she turned to see Coeur climbing beside her to comfort her in some way. She petted her familiar absentmindedly as she looked on towards the gardens wishing that Sirius would be saved. She wondered just how she would be able to do it, but it was impossible for her reason wouldn't be justified.
"Merlin Coeur I can't do a thing, everyone's against him and if I try people will start asking questions" Angel murmured.
"Mew" was Coeur's response.
Angel cracked a small smile and she sighed.
"If only I had the name for it, I wish I could simply influence the Ministry but I'm not like father at all and- " she stopped immediately as she knew what to do.
She got up and ran towards her father's office. She knew that she needed to be on her toes for this case, but she needed to. Her father was not know to be easy to negotiate with.
She entered the house through the glass gardens and noticed no one was in sight. She smiled and walked towards her father's office. As she met the dark domineering doors, she took a deep breath and knocked it.
"Come in" she heard him say.
As she walked in, she knew what she had to do. Her shoulders immediately were pushed back, her posture was straight and her chin was high.
"May I help you Angel?" he asked.
She nodded and sat down in the large chairs that she almost sunk in. She looked at him seriously and took in a big breath to begin her conversation.
"Father I was wondering just how much influence you have towards the Ministry of Magic" she began.
He looked up from his papers and looked at her slightly bewildered by her question.
"Well I have a great deal of influence at the top level of the Ministry, why do you ask?" he asked her.
"Well father I was interested in you using your influence in the Ministry to retract some charges towards a certain individual" she began "mainly one Sirius Black"
Lucius dropped his quill and didn't even care of the smudges on his official documents.
"I ask you, do repeat that please" he asked.
"Sirius Black…he's innocent, and thus he deserves to be liberated. It was Peter Pettigrew he-" she was interrupted by him.
She flinched immediately as he slammed his fists on his fine desk. The ink bottle spilled over and he walked towards her as she leaned harder against the chair forcing herself not to tremble. She knew her father was very intimidating when he wanted to be, but he had never treated her in such a way before.
"How dare you even ask such a ludicrous idea? Why you even want to save-"
"I know the truth!" she exclaimed. "He's my father"
"No you're wrong Angeline, I'm your father." He exclaimed, "Your mother and I give you a house and hold, food, and every material thing you are fascinated by so don't you dare tell me that now that he tells you that he's your father that now you're abandoning your family!"
His usually pale face was now covered with red blotches showing his anger, his silver eyes flashed pure anger as well.
"No!"
"No?" he asked trying to calm himself down.
He hadn't seen his daughter ever cry out. She was always so well mannered, a carbon copy of his wife on the inside. But now she was crying, outwardly so at his actions. He felt his stomach drop at the thought.
"He didn't tell me…I found out." She explained, "and I don't want to abandon everything, but I want him to be liberated. I'm not asking him anything in return, I just think justice should be served. All I ask is his freedom"
He shook his head not believing what he was hearing.
"And then what, abandon your mother, Draco and I so you can live with a newly freed criminal? Please do you think we'd be willing to see you go?" his voice grew softer.
She shook her head dejectedly.
"He hates me" she whispered eyes watering more than before. "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."
"How can I believe you?" he asked. "Behind our backs you were trying to seek him out"
She sobbed and curled into the chair trying to simply calm herself down. This was not what she wanted, she thought that they would be capable of dealing with such an event, but it was impossible, she was doomed to lose everything.
"I'd do anything" she sobbed. "I would create an Unbreakable vow"
Lucius immediately turned to face her and he shook his head.
"You know perfectly well it involves three people and I am not bringing your mother into this, she would have her heart broken." Lucius drawled out.
"I'd do anything for this. I wouldn't go back on my word" she whispered.
He sighed deeply.
"I'd do anything for you" he whispered "You know that, you're my child. I believe a contract would suffice"
She looked up at him red-eyed and vulnerable.
"What would it state?" she asked.
He sat down trying to cool down, while Angel tentatively scooted forwards her table to see the documents clearer.
"Scourgify" he muttered and the desk immediately was clean of ink and everything was placed and in order.
Angel felt her chest constrict as to what will be asked from her, but she knew that it wouldn't be that cruel considering it was indeed her father, at least in her eyes. She studied him as he began to write on the scroll and wouldn't even look at her. She was overcome with silence and she took the time to try and compose herself. She wiped her cheeks and tried to calm herself down. She nearly jumped as she heard the words she was dreading.
"Sign here" he said pushing the scroll towards her.
She grabbed the quill that was pushed towards her and she looked at him questionably.
"What is….what am I agreeing on?" she asked.
"Simple." He began. "You will not be able to leave the Malfoy Manor nor abandon the Malfoy name without permission. Also you may not confess to Sirius Black, or anyone in general of where your true roots lie. You are a Malfoy by name, and will remain a Malfoy till the day of your nuptials. The moment you decide to break this contract then you shall be left with no surname, thus making you a bastard in our society for it will be of great shame. Not only that but then your magic shall be locked as your magical core has yet to develop completely, dos thou understand?"
She nodded scared but couldn't help but ask. "And what do I get in return?"
"I shall persuade the Ministry to try and eliminate the charges towards Sirius Black and try to return his reputation. I shall remain anonymous of course, not wanting to soil our surname."
She frowned slightly at how she would never be able to tell Sirius the truth. She lost her opportunity, but was this worth her freedom? She immediately looked down at the scroll and signed her confessions away.
"Cut your finger and sign with blood as well, this will truly be binding" Lucius added.
She slipped her thumb in her mouth and she bit it with her canine teeth hard enough to taste the metallic substance. She then placed her thumb on the contract and it immediately started to glow.
"Accio scroll" Lucius said.
The scroll rolled itself up and landed directly into his hands once more.
"This contract is sealed, you shall no longer be able to take back what you have promised. I just hope that you don't regret it. Now leave my sight Angeline, I have no wish to see you at this current moment" he dismissed her.
She got up feeling rejected, and as if she had sold her soul, but as she walked away she turned and whispered.
"I wouldn't have left you anyways" she then closed the door and walked upwards towards the main stairway.
"Hey Angel, want to go play with us?" Draco asked with Blaise looking at her with a small smile.
She forced a small smile but she shook her head.
"No thank guys, I kind of want to rest" she replied softly.
Draco nodded knowing something was wrong, but he walked along knowing she needed her space. Blaise on the contrary stared at her and he smiled. She raised her brow at the different type of smile that he was giving her.
"Hey…you going to the Bulgaria game?" he asked leaning against the rail and towards her direction.
"Maybe depending on my mood" She replied.
"G-good" he said and walked off confusing her.
She was too emotionally drained to care so she climbed up towards her room only to throw herself on her bed. Coeur was in the bed and howled in protest at the disturbance, getting only a groan in return.
"God Coeur what have I gotten myself into" she asked aloud.
With Harry…
He had decided that his new pastime was staring at the ceiling. They had finally given him a bigger room, which was not because they thought that he deserved better, but the fact that he was getting too big for the little room under the stairs, and the fact that they wanted it to store more things for Dudley.
"Merlin they're horrid" he muttered to himself.
"Coo" was Hedwig's reply.
He smiled slightly at his dear bird and he sighed looking upwards once more. His hands were resting against his chest and he tried to relax after a long day.
His morning began simple enough, he woke up with back pains at being cramped in such a room, and then he was forced to carry all his material possessions, which were close to none, and move them all upstairs. Later he was forced to make breakfast for them, watching them gorge themselves as he waited for them to eat so he would be able to eat himself.
"Animals" he said aloud.
"Coo!" Hedwig said insulted.
"Not an insult for you girl" he said.
She cooed thanking him for his explanation and continued to hear him talk aloud as he mused in the daytime.
After the breakfast scene, he was forced to shovel the snow as the Dudley's went to shop for their dear Dudders, because he wanted a new pair of shoes.
"You know girl, I can't wait till we go live with Sirius. I bet he would give us a big room, and a place for you to fly around and be free. I mean imagine girl, a room where we aren't forced to wake up in a certain schedule, no slave work, and in fact having a family….Merlin that'd be amazing" he talked aloud.
Hedwig tilted her head and cooed flapping her wings slightly showing her enthusiasm to his dream.
"Maybe Angel would go along with us you know? When she gets out of that frustrating shell" he grumbled. "It's like day and night you know? She seems so cold,…" he sighed.
If she could shake her head, Hedwig would definitely do that, her boy was absolutely infatuated with the girl, sad thing was that he had no idea what was going on. She just cooed showing him that she was listening.
"But sometimes….she just smiles you know like a friendly one, and makes me think she can't be that way. Like the way she acts with her familiar, or the way she softens her expression when she let's someone in. She saved Sirius, didn't I tell you that? Well she did, and she smells nice. She smells like candy or something like that, I don't know, but I bet she's like a sugar quill. Yeah she might like those." He rambled on.
As he did, his left hand began to toy with his pocket watch. He smiled fondly remembering the kiss she had given him, sure it was on his cheek, but it was really nice. He had no idea that he was now blushing, but Hedwig saw humor in this. This Angel girl, she needed to meet this girl that was causing such an effect on her boy.
She flew over towards her boy and cooed teasingly.
"Shush girl" he said cheeks flushed. "Maybe we should go take a walk."
She flew over towards the window and he opened it letting her take a small trip. He slipped the necklace underneath his shirt and he slipped on a thin coat, which was the only thing he had and he closed the door behind him. He knew no one would notice that he would be gone, so he went off towards the park. He couldn't wait till he saw everyone again. Hermione, Ron, Sirius, Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George, Ginny…and maybe even the Slytherin girl that teased him. He smiled slightly in the windy weather and went on towards the small walk with Hedwig flying near him. He would see most of these people during the Quidditch Cup Game coming soon, and he couldn't wait.