Author's Note: Okay, so I wasn't going to update anything until I graduated, BUT with getting my 200th review, I could do nothing but run around and squeal like a dork. I thank you all for loving this story so much that you got me here. :D You don't understand, writing is my passion, it's basically all I can do besides mention random history. Gosh there's still so much to write in this novel but it's ridiculous how the response is. I am totally not going to cry, I am not THAT much of a dork. But I'd like to say that without you guys, this would be a little fantasy in my head. I am practically writing a novel here, one that you guys don't even read –even more of a dork— but I had to get it out there anyways cause…I love you guys. As promised I will love you always and are part of my first accomplishment ever. I've never been really good at anything (I suck at drawing) but writing is a passion of mine, so thanks again darlings.
~Of Silver and Gold~
Chapter 29: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang
The evening had arrived and Angel threw her satchel to the side. She was panting slighting from running from DADA to her common room. She was so thankful that she had half an hour less of Professor Moody. If she had to describe him in one word, it'll be: arse. He was an absolute arse to her and she loathed him.
She walked down the stairs and rushed towards the Great Hall. She couldn't help but remember how he had been towards her.
Flashback…
She was standing in the back, because she did not want to face that man. He hadn't even apologized to anyone, and had the gall to take twenty points from Slytherin. She decided that she did not want to get into an altercation and so she stayed in the back. Luna was sitting beside her, for the mere fact that she continued to check over her.
"I'm fine Luna" she whispered.
"Hm…seems so, but you never know, a goshluddy can take your health away, they are attracted to ferrets you know" Luna whispered.
Angel rolled her eyes, but a part of her was flattered that Luna cared enough to say that.
"That…and I know the love bug got you" she whispered.
"Love bug?" Angel whispered back.
Luna nodded.
"It's a Muggle bug you know, it bites you and you are instantly in love" she said.
Angel's eyes widened and briefly wondered if Potter got the Muggle bug from his Muggle family, that is before remembering who told her the comment and calmed down….somewhat….maybe she needed to ask Pansy later.
"Miss Malfoy, seems you're back to your annoying self right?" Professor Moody interrupted their conversation.
Angel looked up immediately and her face was devoid of any emotions once more. She stared back unblinkingly to his good eye and simply waited, not moving an inch. The tension in the room was surrounded in incredible tension.
Moody stared at her, wondering when she would burst into tears, but she did not.
"I most definitely am Professor" she smiled a sickenly sweet smile before continuing. "Did you need something from me?"
"Name all the Unforgivable Curses" he said.
Angel sighed and replied in a deadpan voice.
"Imperius, Crucio, and Avada Kedavra"
"No surprise that you know them right Malfoy?" Ginny called out from across the room.
The class began to laugh all around, except for the Slytherin side and Luna who shook her head.
"Actually Weasley, if you read the chapter we were assigned you'd know, but then again I give you too much credit….considering I thought you could read" Angel replied with a smirk.
Snickers were heard from the Slytherin side and a small smile from Luna. No matter how oblivious Luna was to the real world, she knew when she heard a joke.
Professor Moody had take out a jar with a tarantula. Angel forced herself not to tense up, after all she had an irrational fear of spiders.
"Very well Miss Malfoy," Moody said frustrated. "can I assume that you know all the light differences?" he asked her.
"I do" she replied.
"Imperio?" he asked.
"No light"
"What does it do?" he asked looking at the spider.
"Controls the victim to perform unquestioned bidding by the user" she murmured.
"Let's see then.." he said.
"Imperio!"
Immediately the spider began to tap dance. Many rejoiced in small laughter, that is everyone but Angel, she felt uncomfortable about what was happening.
"Crucio?" He said.
"Red flash" she said tentatively.
"Describe it!" he barked.
"It inflicts excruciating pain on the recipient of the curse."
"Let's see then" he said. "Crucio!"
Many jumped as he pointed his wand out towards the spider and as she said the red light appeared. She had never imagined that he'd have the gall to do that. The spider cried out in pain and Angel felt her eyes water at the noise.
It was a high pitch tone, and as much as she hated spiders, the thought of it being in pain hurt her more than she cared to admit. She felt Luna's hand over hers as she tightly gripped the desk. Yet her pride would not let her look away, so she stared on at the professor's face and to the poor arachnid suffering befor her.
"Avada Kedavra?" He said.
"Green light" she whispered. "The killing curse…it causes instant death"
He smirked knowing she was frightened and he pointed towards the wand.
"Don't please" she whispered.
Many were looking back and forth, but no one said a word. Ginny had noticed just how Angel had reacted towards the spells, for being such a dark witch and being in Slytherin is obviously affected her to see the pain in the spider.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The spider stopped feeling pain and immediately died before them. Not only had it died in front of the whole class ,but in ended in front of Angel and Luna's desk. Angel covered her mouth and before she could say anything the bell rang signaling they had to return towards their dorm to get ready for the meal.
Immediately people filed out, and she was trembling as she grabbed her things. Luna was kind enough to wait and she gripped Angel's books that had been under the spider.
"Miss Malfoy!" Professor Moody called out.
She turned to face him nervously.
"Get used to those spells girl"
She looked away from his smirk and walked out with Luna in tow.
"I get a bad aura from him" Luna said.
Angel nodded.
"I do too, I just don't know why he hates me so much."
"I don't either, but Angel" Luna stopped her and made her look right at her. "Don't let him take your light. Stand up like you always do."
With a small quirky smile, Luna rushed off to her next class, leaving Angel staring at her in surprise.
End Flashback….
She rushed downstairs and noticed no one was in the common room. She cursed softly knowing she was late. She groaned softly and she began to dash towards the Great Hall, that is until she remembered she needed her cloak.
"Bugger" she muttered and turned towards the common room.
She immediately tugged out her wand and muttered the incantation.
"Accio"
She closed her eyes and imagined her cloak and the dreaded hat. She silently hoped that the spell worked and as soon as she felt her silk cloak and her hat, she smiled happily. She slipped it around her shoulder and she ran with her hat still on her hand.
She saw that they were already heading towards the Entrance hall rather than the Great Hall and so she turned sharply and ran down the moving stairs that is until she tripped. She closed her eyes expecting the impact, but she landed in a pair of safe arms. The person huffed and fell on his back saving her from getting hurt.
She opened her eyes as she heard a soft groan and looked down to come face to face to the person she was trying to avoid. She tensed up from atop of him and he looked up to see her.
Both their cheeks flushed and she couldn't move. She felt a warm sensation from her stomach, like…dear Merlin butterflies. It sounded like something from Pansy's romance books, but it's how she felt.
"Sorry" she whispered.
"Are you alright?" Harry gasped out.
"Yes…oh Merlin I'm crushing you" she said and climbed away, or at least attempted.
She tugged herself and failed as soon as she remembered his arms were wrapped around her.
"Um.."
"Or right…" he whispered.
She tugged herself, but failed because he had not even moved an inch.
"Potter.."
"No"
"What?"
"It's Harry" he told her softly.
She looked at his eyes immediately and she was enthralled by the mere look in his eyes.
"Don't do this to me" she whispered.
"I'm not doing anything" he whispered.
His eyes were trailing away from her eyes, and were on her lips.
"Let go" she said. "They're waiting."
"Right.." he said reluctantly and let go.
She crawled away from him and got up. Both of them dusted themselves off and looked at one another awkwardly.
"I wanted to…I don't know if you heard in the Hospital Wing but-"
"I heard you" she whispered.
Harry felt his cheeks reddening all the more. He had been vulnerable not really expecting to hear her actually admitting she heard him. She looked at him nervously and let out a reassuring smile.
"And?"
"And…and it was the most…I-well- it was the sweetest thing I've ever heard. No one's ever.." she paused. "..we should go towards the entrance." She said turning away.
"Why do you do this?" he asked.
"What?" she asked.
"Why do you push me away before you tell me how you feel?" he asked.
"I am not going to do this" she said beginning to walk away.
Harry followed her annoyed and followed her. He even had the gall to grab her hand making her stop immediately.
"Don't!" she whispered. "we're too close to the other students." She commented.
"Are you embarrassed?" he asked.
"I don't want people to think more than what we are!" she hissed.
"What?"
"I won't be made a fool of" she glared.
"I wouldn't-"
"Oh you mean when you give Cho puppy dog looks? Yes I won't be embarrassed."
He frowned slightly but let her hand go. Before she could be too far into the other groups, he called out.
"But do you hate me?" he asked.
She froze and stared ahead, refusing to look back at him.
"I am not capable of doing that…" she replied.
"Because?" he began.
"If you don't know why, then you're an idiot" she said walking ahead.
He sighed and followed a few minutes later.
As Angel reached the entrance hall, she lost herself among the whole group. She saw the tall woman Madame Maxime who was in her house prior to school starting. She saw the woman hug Dumbledore and then turn to hug the other man…Durmstrang headmaster.
As the crowd parted, she saw the students coming their way, and she moved towards the wall. Down walked the students of Beauxbatons with their silk cloaks behind them. She had to admit that those students were gorgeous, they had this appeal about them and she felt herself in a daze.
"It's Krum!" she heard a student scream.
She turned to head and saw all the masculine boy everyone was talking about. She was out of breath immediately after seeing him. She knew that he was famous, but she was surprised at how handsome he was also. She fanned herself slightly and smiled shyly as the students began to walk ahead. Murmurs were heard all around, but she was still in shock over seeing her favorite Quidditch player there.
"Angel!" Pansy cried out.
She turned to face Pansy looking that she was affected as well. Both hold each other's hands and jumped up and down immaturely. Draco and Blaise followed them a few seconds later, but rolled their eyes at the scene.
"It's like if you haven't ever seen a boy before" Draco commented.
"Not like that…" Pansy said while Angel laughed at the implications Pansy was saying.
Angel walked ahead with Blaise beside her. She knew that he might want to talk to her, but as she turned to face him ready to let him down, he merely smiled at her and lifted his hand.
"Don't…I know…you don't like me like that" he said in a tone showing acceptance.
"I'm sorry" she said softly.
"I know…you know we would've been perfect for one another, both Slytherin, close like a family already, would have had all the wealth in the world…perfect looking kids too. The whole nine yards"
Angel looked up immediately and was wide eyed in shock at what he saw, but as Blaise began to chuckle she figured it was just a joke. She glared at him, but it was no use, a smile was already on her face.
"I hate you sometimes" she said amused.
Blaise laughed and wrapped his arm around her tugging her close. She knew that this was no longer in an amorous way, but in a way where they were back to square one, back to when touches meant nothing but horseplay. She leaned against him and wrapped her arm around his waist holding each other like close pals.
She looked up to see that everyone's eyes were on Krum, and she couldn't blame them. To her yes he was handsome, but more importantly he was the best seeker in the world! She always wanted to join Quidditch, but she did have a fear of falling and it seemed reckless for her to do it. She was more of a cheerleader, she cheered for people she cared for, but she knew when she was in the presence of greatness.
She lifted her head to see Harry looking at their directions with a frown. She looked away and they headed towards their table. She smirked seeing the girls scramble all over trying to apply their makeup for their guests. She rolled her eyes and they all looked at one another.
They saw the guests looking around, unsure where to actually sit. As Krum's gaze landed on the Slytherin table, Draco made a sweeping hand movement showing them that the seats in front of them were free. He had of course made his goons, Crabbe and Goyle move towards another area to make room.
…
"Hermione move over!" Ron hissed as she shoved her.
"What?" she said incredulously.
"Never mind…" Ron muttered bitterly.
He turned to face Harry and so they could both sulk at the bad luck, but he saw that Harry was already staring at the Slytherin table. He saw Viktor Krum and his friends sit on the other side of the Slytherin group.
What Ron didn't understand, was that Harry wasn't really looking at Krum, but he was looking at Angel who had sat down beside Blaise willingly and had even embraced him. Now, Harry wasn't really used to the emotion, but when it was jealousy he'd figured he'd know it, and it was this moment. He was also envious of how he could openly interact with her without being shy about it. He felt that he could be the same, he was a Gryffindor after all and bravery was one of their qualities.
'If you don't know why, then you're an idiot' he remembered her saying.
He had finally figured it out. The way she riled him up so easily, the way they shared looks between one another, and the way that they were always so close to more showed him just what she was showing him. She was the type of girl that would make a boy work to get her. He had seen Blaise try and apparently beginning to succeed, but that was hard for him considering how many times she had nudged him aside. He on the other hand had something that Blaise did not, he knew that he was perfect for her. Why? He was Harry Potter that's why.
He had no idea that he was growing so much confidence from this new goal. He saw that this year he'd have to get her, just her. The question was…what about Cho? Cho was pretty, but he had seen the way she was always around Cedric and that somewhat hurt him, but he wouldn't feel that flame over his body, that indignation as he did when Blaise touched Angel.
"I can bet that Krum see right through him…right Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry was taken out of his stupor and nodded. The feast began and Dumbledore presented Madame Maxine and Karkaroff and began to talk about the whole impressions of things. The food was interesting to say that least, at least to Harry. He didn't like bouillabaisse but he did like black pudding. Everyone was beginning to mingle with one another and Harry saw just how enamored Ron became towards Fleur Delacouer. He thought that it was so amusing, but then again he had his own issues.
The meal soon ended, and everyone went their separate ways. He saw the tip of Angel's head, he knew her wavy hair and being next to the blond showed exactly who it was.
Harry suspected that mostly everyone was heading towards the Goblet of Fire trying to put their names in it, and he thought the same. He had to be grateful that he wasn't old enough to join the competition. He hated the spotlight, but worst of all he hated the pressure, the pressure killed him more than anything. People expected the best of him, like if he wasn't human, but he was, it seemed that only a few people understood that.
He went to bed tired not only from the exciting day, but from the epiphany that he'd had. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to rest and really dream about what had occurred not only today, but many days prior, to things he had been oblivious towards.
…
In the morning, Angel woke up earlier than usual. She knew something was out of the norm, if she woke up at such a time. She stared at the ceiling wondering what she was to do. She yawned and then jumped feeling a tail caress her cheek. She lifted her hand and Coeur knew it was code for her to be petted. She immediately laid on her back letting Angel caress her stomach. She loved her cat, but sometimes when she wanted to think, she would never be allowed to by Coeur.
"I should get ready for breakfast" she murmured.
She kissed Coeur's forehead, earning herself a meow, and she began to get ready. Today was the Halloween Feast, a very important date in the witches' community. On Halloween night, it was when then veil between the dead and the living would disappear and they would return to visit. She finished the Windsor knot on her tie and waved goodbye at Coeur before she left going towards breakfast.
She was earlier than usual, so Draco, and Blaise weren't in the common room waiting, surprisingly enough Pansy was there. She walked towards her friend and plopped herself beside her making her friend jump.
"Don't do that!" Pansy said slapping her arm lightly.
Angel cracked a smile and shrugged.
"Happy All Hallows Eve!" Pansy said to her smiling.
"Merry one for you too" Angel replied.
"Too bad we're not out of school, remember how we'd have the large banquet between our families?" Pansy asked.
Angel nodded and they both reminisced over the times when the family just acted around one another. There were simpler times when they would run around, mingle within families and she'd play pranks on the boys with Pansy.
"Aren't you excited about today's champions being announced?" Pansy asked.
"I know that Viktor Krum will get it" Angel said lazily.
"Hm…yes, Bon-bon Krum will" Pansy said dreamily.
Angel smirked and nudged her side and Pansy let out a laugh. Pansy only did it because she saw him as an attractive person, but said it aloud to bother Draco. Draco thought that Viktor was his hero and seeing Pansy react like that brought him some annoyance.
"You tart" Angel teased.
Both giggled and sat there relaxed.
"Hey…."Pansy began. "Did you know that Viktor jobs alongside the Black Lake every morning to work out?"
Angel cracked another smile.
"I'm serious!" Pansy said, not even hiding her smile.
"And?" Angel asked.
"And, I think we should start jogging in the mornings."
Angel couldn't help it and laughed at her absurd comment. Pansy wasn't known to be very athletic.
" I'm serious" Pansy whined. "We need to start working out, I mean we're having the ball and everything and I want to be the prettiest girl in the ball."
Angel shrugged.
"If you wake me up sure" Angel mumbled letting out a yawn.
"Didn't sleep well?" Pansy asked.
Angel nodded.
"I don't know why but I woke up all of a sudden. Like something's going to happen, it was weird" Angel murmured.
Pansy nodded and patted her hand. It was seen as an omen if someone was woken up abruptly on Hallows eve. She wouldn't tell Angel, after all she was easily excitable.
Pansy's thoughts were broken once she heard Angel's stomach grumbling. Pansy shook her head thinking about how childish her friend could be sometimes.
"Come on you bottomless pit, let's go eat" Pansy said tugging Angel up.
"Thank Merlin I'm starving!" Angel said patting her stomach.
"Sometimes it's scary how you and Draco are alike" Pansy told her.
Angel wrinkled her nose and then tugged Pansy showing her excitement over getting a meal. Pansy laughed and many parted through the hallway as they saw the two Slytherin girls running. As they reached the Great Hall, they saw more people were already there and there they saw the boys playing chess.
"Where were you guys?" Angel asked as she sat herself beside Draco.
"We went jogging with Viktor and then we came because we were hungry." Draco explained.
They nodded and began to dig into their food, that is until Dumbledore stood up and began to speak.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" - he indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions."
He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting. . . . A few people kept checking their watches.
Angel looked at the cup and could not help but admire its beauty. It was something that if a person won it, it'd be a story to tell for a lifetime. She looked in front of her to see Viktor sitting tensely and waiting, for his name to be called. He looked towards her and she smiled giving him the thumbs up showing he had their support.
The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.
"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."
Viktor immediately got up and people began to cheer loudly for him. Draco leaned over and patted Viktor on the back, making Viktor shake his hand as a thank you. He walked confidently towards the doors and into the next chamber.
The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.
"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"
From the Hufflepuff table, Fleur got up and flipped her hair in a manner that seemed too perfect. She walked so graceful, as if she was floating through the air. Ron looked at her dreamily and she disappeared as well.
Soon everybody grew quiet as the last champion would be named to represent Hogwarts. And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.
"The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"
A lot of people groaned from the different tables from the other houses as Hufflepuff cheered so loudly for Cedric. Harry clearly saw as Cho ran from Ravenclaw to hug Cedric. He felt a pang, but not as painful as he expected.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -"
But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.
The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.
Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out –
"Harry Potter."
Angel gasped and covered her mouth as she heard Harry's name being read. It couldn't be…he wouldn't. She felt as if someone had ripped something out of her stomach, she was so tense and Pansy placed her arms around her. It was a good thing that Draco and Blaise were over towards their male friends, cheering for Viktor.
But the cheering had stopped, no one talked, because everyone had heard that name.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore repeated, yelling it this time.
It was clear, the omen…it was for the probable death of Harry Potter.