Author's Note: I thank the reviews that this story received along with the alerts and faves. Now I have to say that I'm shock how you readers care for this pairing so much! I thought it'd be one of those obscure stories that no one would really read but I can't say I'm complaining. –insert squeal here— And now I leave you to the next chapter. Remember to review, I'll love you all the more. Oh just so you know my dream is by chapter 40 this story would have like 200 reviews. If you'd help this girls dream occur…well I'll love you always.
~Of Silver and Gold~
Chapter 24: Insecurities, Conflicts, and Hogwarts
Angel sighed as she saw herself in the mirror. She spun around and pushed her bum out somewhat so she could see just how short her skirt was. She turned back and tied her tie properly and looked at herself. A frown was etched on her face and she felt something she hadn't ever felt before. She was self-conscious; no not because of her skirt, but because the person who she lov-cared for, cared for, was looking at the more mature, and regal Cho Chang.
She started by staring at her hair, she was old enough now to know how to tame it. It was a small spell, and a green ribbon to keep it from her face. Her hair was now cut showing the bang that was over her right side adding a little more flare than her usual self. Still she didn't have, nor could she be capable of the long shiny and desirable hair Cho had. Her height was nothing like Cho, nor was she thin and lithe, when she noticed that she wasn't so skinny. Her bust wasn't as developed, but that couldn't be helped after all two years do change a person.
She felt two arms wrap around her shoulders and through the reflection saw Pansy giving her a sympathetic smile. Hugging her tightly, Pansy sighed.
"Don't start that" she heard Pansy say, who then re-tied her tie properly.
"What?" Angel murmured.
"You have that kicked puppy look. Stop it, it's not like she's perfect" Pansy said rolling her eyes.
Angel's eyes softened and she laughed at the absurdity of the statement.
"Come on Pansy, she's not exactly hideous, if it was anyone else I wouldn't be this bad but come on. She's smart, quiet, kind, people like her and she's a seeker! Have you seen me fly? I couldn't ever be chasing a damn snitch, I'd fall"
Pansy sighed and smiled softly. Moments like this she remembered just how old Angel really was. She was going to turn thirteen, this girl was in the most self-conscious stage a person could do. Someone like Angel who had a tall order to fill with her last name, was hard. Unlike Angel, Pansy had that natural confidence in her.
"So she's pretty big deal" Pansy said shrugging, "I mean look at me! I'm gorgeous, talented, smart, and I'm a great Quidditch player"
She ignored Angel's small laughter. Pansy knew that she was saying was what she believed and if she entertained her along the way of her pep talk, she'd do it.
"Point is that you aren't intimidated by me right?" Pansy said smiling.
Angel couldn't help it and let out her thousand watt smile towards her best friend. Pansy was beautiful with her bright blue eyes, slightly upturned nose and quirky smile. She was beautiful perhaps not like Cho, but not as ugly as Angel felt that she was. Still, having someone as vain as Pansy give her a motivation speech made her laugh. Pansy gave her a cheeky smile in return and tugged her along.
"Plus you're not hideous, you're…you know pretty for not being me of course" Pansy teased.
That brought laughter from Angel and they walked out of the restroom.
"I've got nothing to worry about?" Angel asked in a quiet voice.
Pansy's eyes immediately softened and she lifted her friend's cheek to properly take a look at herself in the mirror. Slowly turning her face side to side she ooed and awed in hopes of making her feel confident.
"Angeline Malfoy, you are beautiful you simply need to accept it. Look at all this hair" she teased pushing her hair up and letting the curls fall. "And these soft baby cheeks" She pinched much to Angel's displeasure. "And that little mouth that hides foul little words" another giggle followed. Angel...if you did have something to worry about, you know I'd tell you. I can do many things, but I don't just throw our compliments, it's just not in my system" she whispered against her ear.
Angel leaned against her friend and they walked towards their compartments. As they opened it, they noticed that the boys were nowhere to be scene. She was going to ask Pansy, but as she saw Pansy looking at the other compartment she was confused.
"Come on they're teasing someone" Pansy murmured.
Angel sighed and shook her head following Pansy as they reached the compartment. She wiggled herself in between Blaise and Draco to see just who they were bullying, and she came face to face with the boy who she had decided she wanted to avoid: Harry Potter. Her eyes met his and she felt a small flush beginning to rise on her cheeks.
Harry seconds prior to her popping up. He felt that Draco Malfoy was just being his usual arrogant and obnoxious self. He had been harassing Ron over his hideous dress robes, which Harry agreed but was too kind to mention the horrid piece of clothing.
In the moment that he heard ruffling between the pairs and saw the girl, who had but minutes ago confused him in a way that made him lose his chocolate frog, he forgot that he was supposed to be fighting with Malfoy.
Their eyes met and for a second he saw that she really wasn't mad at him, on the contrary her eyes showed him something that he hadn't ever seen before, but with that flush that was beginning to appear, he felt his own cheeks warming up just by how…pretty she looked to him.
"Get a load of these Angel" Draco said handing her the hideous robe.
Harry and Angel's gaze battle ended and she looked down at the cloth and looked confused.
"What are these?" she asked.
"Weasley's dress robes" Draco snickered and Blaise followed.
Angel sighed and rolled her eyes. As her boys threw the robe at her she wrinkled her nose before throwing the robe back to Ron.
" Sorry I won't have the opportunity to see them on I suppose" she said shrugging.
Ron was beginning to turn redder and redder by the minute, but Harry noticed that Angel wasn't as much of an instigator as her brother was. He shook his head wondering just how simple it was to think of him as her brother, when he wasn't adding a little comfort to his small crush.
"I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?" Draco said.
Harry then noticed that he was being asked something and turned back to Malfoy to look at him annoyed. He noticed that Blaise was glaring daggers at him and he wondered why.
"Either explain what you're on about or go away, Malfoy," said Hermione annoyed.
Harry was glad that she interrupted for he didn't know how he would even answer.
A gleeful smile spread across Malfoy's pale face and Angel looked at him confused. It seemed that she herself had been distracted by Harry and felt almost shameful. She felt a hand at the back of her neck in a comforting manner and noticed it was Blaise. She elbowed him slightly and he let go understanding that sign.
"Don't tell me you don't know?" he said delightedly. "You've got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don't even know? My God, my father told me about it ages ago. . . heard it from Cornelius Fudge. But then, Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry. . . . Maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley. . . yes. . . they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him. . . .well we better get going, come on"
He said a final laugh and walked off with Blaise behind him. Angel felt somewhat uncomfortable with Ron's red face, Hermione's annoyance, and Harry's stare. She felt someone was holding her hand and saw Pansy tugging her along.
Harry swore that as they left he heard her say sorry but that might have been his imagination. Ron slammed the door shut and cursed over how he hated them. Hermione sighed and patted Ron's leg.
"There there, we're almost there" Hermione said trying to comfort him. "Remember the pumpkin juice"
As soon as they said this, they heard the breaks creaking and they knew that they were already at their location. They felt the shill and they all put on their cloaks and walked out of the train.
Harry was a little too distracted to hear Ron still muttering about Malfoy as they walked towards the carriages. He knew that Malfoy was a thorn on Ron's side, but he thought that poor Ron fell for it too easily.
They walked out and shivered at the fact that he felt the cold wind hit his face. He felt slightly bad for the first years as they were forced to go through the boat, but he was glad they got carriages. He let Hermione and Ron get on first, and as he climbed on, he turned back to see Angel standing there on her own.
"Harry, hurry up it's cold!" Hermione yelped feeling the cold wind on her skirt.
He nodded and he sat on the opposite side of the seat. As the carriage began to drive off, he wondered just what this year would bring.
Angel had become oblivious to Harry's stare, rather she was waiting for the next carriage. She sighed in relief as another one appeared before her and she began to place her luggage to the carriage.
"Here let me help" she heard Blaise say.
"Thank you" she murmured and let him aid her.
She wondered just why he was so determined for more, when in her perspective, the way they were was just fine. She didn't see him in any other way other than a friend.
"Where's Draco and Pansy?" she asked.
He nudged her slightly and gave her a hand up the carriage.
"They'll be here in a minute, they were snogging back there" he said with an expression of amusement.
Angel wrinkled her nose and made a face of disgust, and as he said this, there came the couple.
"Hey!" A flushed Pansy said as she got on the carriage followed by Draco who had a small smirk on his face.
Angel rolled her eyes at their antics, while Blaise snickered.
"Honestly you two are disgusting" she murmured.
Pansy nudged her side and closed the door, signaling for the carriage to go.
"No it's not; this is why you need a boyfriend" Pansy commented.
"Till I'm good and ready" Angel replied.
"But you didn't deny it" Pansy added in a sing song tone.
Angel blushed in annoyance and ignored the look of hope pass through Blaise's eyes. Draco nudged Blaise and glared at him not liking the obvious look.
"Come on Hogwarts awaits, where I will find you a boyfriend, that's my new goal!" Pansy cheered clapping her hands.
Angel covered her face with her hands and she shook her head at Pansy's antics. She had no need of a boyfriend, and she would make sure this wouldn't occur. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the side of the carriage letting herself relax.
Minutes later, she felt herself nudged and opened her eyes to see the gates..Leaning against the window, Angel could see Hogwarts coming nearer, its many lighted windows blurred and shimmering behind the thick curtain of rain. Lightning flashed across the sky as their carriage came to a halt before the great oak front doors, where people were getting out and into the school.
"I hate lightning, it's bad for my hair" Pansy whined.
"You look fine" Draco said rolling her eyes.
Blaise laughed and he opened the door. He hopped off and he helped Pansy off. After that Draco followed leaving Angel inside. She sighed wondering just how bad the year was starting, and if it was an omen. She'd rather not think that.
Author's Note: So sorry that it hasn't been updated. I know this chapter is short and is kinda going nowhere, but I have AP exams to worry over. -.- Sorry that this is the only thing I could post but I need to study for all these exams. I will post up a longer chapter with more substance soon. :D Review please and be kind I am exhausted and this was like half a chapter.