~Of Silver and Gold~
Chapter 34: Hogsmeade with a Pinch of Jealousy
She smiled at him, that warm smile that she reserved simply for him. Her long blond hair fell so graceful, it was almost too pure, too angelic, that is if it wasn't for that gleam in her eye. That gleam he shared as well and it was what kept them together.
Sirius never did try to follow the rules. Since birth he was a different child, he wasn't upper crust like his cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa were, no instead he was calmer, but with a wicked sense of humor as well. At the age eleven he also surprised them by entering the Gryffindor house rather than the Slytherin house that all his ancestors fell into. Even now…he had married an French-American and his parents weren't please, but he didn't care they had kicked him out at the age of sixteen.
His adoptive parents, the Potters were very pleased at the fact that he was happy as was his best friend and brother James. Now everything was so peaceful, they were newly graduated and now were ready to take over the world.
"It's weird isn't it?" she asked him.
"What do you mean?"
"It's over..the classes, the professors and now it's up to us."
He stretched on the wet grass and soon pulled her down too. He smiled hearing her protest but soon she laid atop of him with an amused smile.
"I think that's the best part dear" he said and kissed her lips softly.
She reciprocated the kiss and pulled back with a soft chuckle.
"How do you figure?" she whispered.
"Well.." he said licking his lips." let's say it's just you and me and my motorcycle taking on the road!"
"Make an honest woman of me?" she teased.
He immediately turned to face her and seeing her smile he returned one of his own.
"Maybe" he said amused.
"That sounds pretty nice…and how long does that last?" she asked.
"Eternity" he whispered.
Soon they shared another kiss and looked up at the bright sky, something rare in London.
He gasped and sat up immediately. The dream seemed to vivid that Sirius simply turned to his side to see if she was there. She wasn't. He felt tears brim and wiped them immediately not wanting to let a flood of emotions in.
Ever since his release he was haunted by his memories, memories of her, not to mention the thoughts of how his daughter would be. He wondered if she was happy, with the life she was given, and if she ever wanted him there, her real father who shared her blood. Would he even be a good parent to her? He often times asked himself that, but right now…he had a son he supposed. He had little Harry.
He got up knowing that from the letter he needed to see Harry as soon as possible. His trial would be next month where he would prove his innocence, but now...now he needed to try and intercept Hogwarts and reunite with Harry. Maybe he'd even catch a glimpse of her. Maybe.
Hogwarts…
"How dare you avoid me?" a voice screeched across the room.
A small smile spread on Angel's lips and she turned around to see Pansy running towards her. She couldn't help but be amused by her vivacious friend who pushed through many first years to reach her friend once more.
"Hey Pans" Angel said smoothly before she began to walk.
"Don't you 'hey Pans me' young lady! You've been avoiding me!" Pansy whined.
"Sorry mother" she replied rolling her eyes.
With Pansy grabbing her arm and holding her tight, she huffed and continued to talk knowing she would not be able to get away from her friend.
"You're the one that's been avoiding me dear" Angel said.
Pansy snorted and tugged her down the hallway, she knew that she would not get free of her, nor did she want to. She missed her, but both had become distracted. She had become more involved into Harry's life and Pansy and her had drifted. She didn't want that, after all their friendship had been strong before that.
"You gnat, don't you lie to me. You are barely at the common room, nor in any of the usual places you are found."
Angel did not deny nor confirm it knowing that more information would make Pansy all the more nosy. Instead she simply hummed as she pretended to think it over.
"What have you been doing?"
Pansy shifted her blue eyes to her friend and raised her brow. Many said, at least Hermione said, that she was thicker than a troll's head, but in reality she might have not been the brightest girl in school, but she was the most beautiful (she thought) and the most intuitive. Usually Angel would deny it or explain to her the truth, but being in that vague grey area made Pansy all the more curious.
She often times reacted to these kind of answers with more and more questions, but this time around, she decided to let it go, she knew her limits. Instead she sighed dramatically and tugged Angel along.
"I've been exercising" she said simply.
She stopped walking as she felt that her friend was no longer budging, so she turned to see Angel's expression. Her expression could only be described as amused and bemused.
"What?" Angel said.
"Exercising…I've gained three pounds in the time we've been here."
"So?" Angel said raising her brow. "I've gained like five, but who cares."
Pansy scoffed wondering how her best friend could be so nonchalant about gaining weight.
"It's atrocious to not look your best." She scolded.
Angel cracked a small smile but let her friend rant.
"I mean, you and I, we're the lucky ones, we are already gifted with good looks, but people like…like that girl there..she can't help the way she looks. We can! We are already gifted with natural beauty for girls to die for that we need to keep it in utmost perfection. Nature would be insulted if we let ourselves go."
By the end of her rant Angel couldn't help it and laughed. Students around weren't surprised to see this reaction, oftentimes the girls' cold exteriors were broken by them being alone. Both were known to share secret smiles between one another and this time it was no difference.
"Right well…that was enlightening" Angel said laughing.
"Beauty is no laughing matter you gnat!" Pansy said pouting.
"Quite right…now are you only doing it to lose those extra pounds or-"
"The Yule Ball you git." Pansy said.
Angel was never really offended by the insults, because that's just how they treated each other.
"Oh…so want to look perfect for that night? Makes sense to me." Angel said.
As they reached their favorite spots, their book bags were thrown on the ground and soon they sat under it.
"Right…glad you see it that way. Now you have to do the same thing with me!"
"What? Oh no…I'm not that bothered by the weight gain. I think it makes me look cheerier" Angel said amused.
"Well you're wrong it makes you look homey, oh and by the way, your humor is less to be desired."
Angel wrinkled her nose and mocked glared, not really being too insulted. She was not usually bothered by her weight when it wasn't a drastic gain. Pansy was too blunt for her own good, but she figured that's why they complimented each other.
"That's nice…remind me to get a new best friend"
"You know I love you, but I'm just saying, don't you want to look your best for the Yule Ball?"
Angel blinked.
"Pans…you know I can't go. I'm not old enough and-"
"And I've told you that you'll get a date! You're not too hideous you know."
Angel smirked and slapped her friend's thigh earning her a curse from her pal. She laughed and sighed knowing that the real reason was that Pansy would end up bullying someone to take her as well so she would have someone to gossip with at the ball.
"That's the best compliment I've ever been given. Honestly starting out as someone who has natural beauty and being demoted to not too hideous, honestly Pans you do wonders for my self-esteem."
She earned herself a slap on the leg and she groaned.
"You want me to join you don't you?"
"I knew that you were my best friend."
"You know Pansy…a starving Angel makes for hell in Mary Janes."
Pansy laughed and soon they were chatting up about the gossip going around the school. Angel had to admit it was nice to catch up on the gossip and more importantly with her friend.
…
The next morning was anything but normal. She had been woken up early by her very annoying best friend and was literally pulled out of bed. She dressed in what Pansy called "the cutest exercise clothing money could buy" and added "the one thing Muggles can do well is make clothing".
Now a mile and a half out of the Hogwarts ground and reaching the corner of Black Lake, she figured that this, this was the way she was going to die. Her breathing was labored and she wondered how women could even be doing this.
She turned to face her friend and was surprised to see her best friend sweating but not in as bad a shape as she was.
"I need a break!" Angel rasped out.
"Half a mile more" Pansy said calmly.
"But-"
She soon received a slap on her stomach and jumped.
"Let's flatten some of that out no? Come on, stop being such a Hufflepuff"
With a smirk Pansy sped up leaving Angel to be panting. She was surprised that other girls were doing the same, but all were heading the same direction. She sped up not wanting to be left behind and soon caught up only to see that there was a flock of girls there.
She soon caught sight of the something, or better someone they were all seeing: Viktor Krum. She rolled her eyes and stopped. She placed her hands on her knees and was breathing in and out, and with every breath cursing Pansy all the more.
She heard footsteps coming towards her and lifted her head to see Pansy looking at her. She smiled and shrugged.
"What a coincidence that's he's here right?"
"Bollocks. Forget exercising, I almost died" Angel said pouting.
"Stop whining, soon you'll look-"
"No! I refuse to do this. I'd rather be Millicent Bulstrode than run with you one more mile."
Pansy sighed wondering why her friend could be so dramatic. She pulled her friend up and placed a hand around her waist.
"Come on let's go have breakfast."
Angel leaned against her and sighed in relief.
"Good…I want something sweet."
"Orange juice will be fine as well as some whole grain toast and a poached egg."
Angel groaned and let go of her friend making a run for it.
"Hey! You got a second wind! Wait up!"
If someone were to look from the top of the tower they'd see a pair of girls chasing each other towards the grounds of the school.
After a quick shower and a change of clothing, she sat down in the Great Hall to read the Daily Prophet. Her eyes laid on the picture of the four champions in what she could only describe as awkward. She skimmed through all the interviews but as soon as she saw Harry's interview she looked both sides. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her she began to read the interview.
As she read the article a frown was wretched into her face the whole time. She couldn't believe that Harry sounded like such a…such a sap.
"I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now… Yes sometimes I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it…I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament because they're watching over me!"
She lifted her head to see that her brother was reading out the article and showing great amusement in the weakness that was shown to Harry.
"What a wanker" he said and everyone around them started laughing.
"Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts- well isn't that great?" Draco said.
Angel tensed up and immediately wanted to get out of there.
"Draco that's enough I-"
"Shush woman let me read this."
"Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts" Draco repeated.
Angel winced scared about what was coming next.
"His close friend Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, and while a stunningly pretty Muggle-Born girl who, like Harry, is one of the top of the school, resources say that there is a new girl coming into the picture vying for Harry's affections. One source says she is another stunning girl, who is taking more of Harry's heart at a fast rate, faster than Hermione can fight for."
"Stunningly beautiful?" Blaise repeated the snorted "More like a hag"
"Another girl? Poor girl, must be blind"
Angel felt so uncomfortable as jibes and jokes were being heard all over. She lifted her head to see the Gryffindor tables only to see that Harry wasn't there and much to her annoyance Granger wasn't there either. Now she considered herself a logical person so she ignored the tug at her stomach at the thought.
"Look there they come!" a person whispered.
Soon what people were starting to consider the "Gryffindor Golden Couple" entered the Great Hall. Angel glared and Pansy exclaimed, as she was catching up to the story.
"Stunningly Pretty her? What were they judging her against, a chipmunk?"
She saw Hermione place a hand over Harry's and whispered something. Angel gritted her teeth and dropped her toast onto the plate now feeling that she was no longer hungry.
"Pans"
"What?" Pansy said annoyed.
"Let's go get ready!"
"What?"
"Hogsmeade? Don't you want to look cute for your date with Draco?"
As she saw Pansy's eyes brighten, she knew she had her.
"Oh right! Let's go!"
Angel and Pansy soon got up and walked out the Great Hall. Angel ignored the look that Harry gave her as she left, not wanting to even imagine just what Hermione had whispered to him.
Hogsmeade was something that she was excited to experience. Last year she wasn't old enough, but now being a third year, she knew that she could do more than she expected. She slipped on her shorts and to avoid being cold she slipped on her thigh high socks and slipped on boots. She then slipped on her light blue cashmere sweater and lastly her beret and she was out the door to meet Pansy.
She smiled seeing Pansy in a matching outfit, except she was wearing a skirt and all being pink. Both girls complimented each other and soon the girls parted their ways.
"Are you sure?" Pansy said frowning to her friend.
"You can ride with us there you know" Draco said.
Angel shook her head.
"It'd be too weird. I'll go on my own."
"Blaise can take you" Pansy said.
"He's out with a girl. I think a little time alone will do me good" she said.
"But you look too cute to be alone!" Pansy whined.
"Bye poppet" Draco said to Angel before he tugged Pansy.
Pansy pouted as she was being dragged out by Draco. Angel sighed and walked at a steady pace towards the carriages. She hated being alone, reminded her how she didn't have a boy with her. Merlin even Blaise had someone with him and she had no one.
She saw Harry there and she let out a small smile wondering who he was waiting for. Before she could walk over she saw that Hermione had appeared and tugged him into the carriage. Her smiled disappeared and now she was annoyed.
She huffed and kicked a rock waiting to get seated to a carriage.
"Excuse me, but is that a lonely lady there?" she heard someone say.
She turned to see Blaise smirking. She smiled and walked towards him. He seemed to be ready for his date…or maybe his date just ended as she saw a few bites on his neck.
"What happened to your date?" she asked already knowing the answer.
"Oh it's over. She was easier than I expected…but then again when you look like me there's no real surprise."
She laughed at his comment and he shared one with her as well. Despite their chances of romance were over, they still were very close friends.
"Still going to Hogsmeade with her? Or is it over for today?" she said rolling her eyes.
"Oh it's over. Now come on, let's get into the carriages." He said.
She wrinkled her nose as she was tugged by him into the carriage.
"You're disgusting sometimes you know?" she said.
"Maybe…but you still love me."
"I have to love you.."
Both smiled knowing that they were a family here at Hogwarts. It was always the four of them, and sometimes six if those idiots followed them. They both climbed into the carriage and they were off towards Hogsmeade.
On the way there they started talking about the Ball.
"So…you going to the ball?" he asked.
She shrugged honestly not knowing the answer.
"I might ask Daphne, what do you think?" he asked.
"Daphne will really like that. She's been following you like a puppy recently. Astoria told me that she often times gets mad when you are with that Ravenclaw girl Sally."
Blaise chuckled and felt his ego grow better. He was already a confident person, but with her, she didn't take him too serious. He had grown out of that infatuation he had, but he still loved to hang out with her.
"I guess my date is settled." He said smirking.
She rolled her eyes but had a smirk on her face. She admitted that despite all of his flaws, she did enjoy his company, he was like another brother to her, a brother that was perverted and too blunt. During the ride she looked out of the window the whole time, excited at seeing the village.
"You are such a dork" Blaise said amused.
She looked back at him and shrugged her shoulders showing she didn't really care. Last time she had been there, it had been strictly for finding Sirius and not being able to even think about looking around the village.
As the carriage stopped, Blaise stepped out first and helped her down. She smiled and soon they were off.
Blaise admitted to himself that she was really a different person when she wasn't in school. In school, if they group was together, they all changed their demeanor, the colder the better was the signature of the group and that's just how it was. Like their mascot it was customary for them to be cold-blooded, but now, and moments like these they were freer to be themselves. Personally he never really was too much into pestering other people, rather sticking to himself and quipping a few comments here or there.
Angel, she was totally different in general. Whenever in a group, she tended to be quiet with a stoic look on her face, or a signature smirk that Malfoys seemed to be good at. She never really lashed out, unless prompted, but she mostly stayed in the background. In reality it was so different from how she was in real life. In "real" life she was a breath of fresh air; she was not as outspoken as Draco, but she carried her emotions on her sleeve. This was what had once made him like her, because she was just a normal girl, excited about coming to this milestone in Hogwarts class.
"Come on, I want to go to Zonkos!" she said smiling.
He chuckled and was soon tugged by her to the store.
She admitted that her discontent over the whole Harry fiasco was gone, soon replaced by the excitement of being able to enjoy Hogsmeade. Throughout the trip, Blaise was tugged all over the place. From Zonkos where they found a few tricks they could use on first years, to Dominic Maestro's Music Shop where they bought the newest music of Angel's favorite band the Weird Sisters, and now they were in front of the Three Broomsticks.
"Can we rest now?" Blaise said annoyed as he carried bags for her.
"Sure, I'm hungry" she replied.
"Look there's Draco and Pans" Blaise said.
This time she was the one pulled and they went with their group.
Harry admitted that he even found his own ideas as stupid. While he did enjoy the freedom of not being seen, he did hate the fact that he almost got sat on three times in the pub. He had avoided many people as the Three Broomsticks was full once more.
The whole time Hermione was grumbling at the fact that she looked like an idiot. Many times people looked at her as if she was a freak as she mumbled things to him and every time she grew pink with embarrassment. She was currents getting drinks and when she returned he couldn't help but smile thinking about how she was such a good friend.
He admitted that while he did enjoy returning to hang out with at least one of his remaining friends, he did miss Angel in a way. They were now friends, but ever since the last time they talked she had begun to avoid him. He wondered if the interview changed her mind of him. He had briefly seen her in days but not enough for him to know how she was doing.
"Here" Hermione said as she planted both of their drinks down.
Before he could slide it under his cloak, they were interrupted.
"That thirsty Granger?" Draco drawled out.
Harry bit back a groan and instantly felt bad for Hermione. He looked back to see the quartet looking at Hermione as she was wide-eyed and holding the jug of two butterbeers.
"None of your business Malfoy" she bit out.
"Oh Granger are you on a date?"Blaise teased.
"None of your business Zabini"
"No no, you mean she's out with herself?"
"Where's Potty? I mean I thought you were inseparable" Draco said.
They all laughed and Angel made a forced chuckle of her own. Harry decided to move and save Hermione, even if it meant that he would be hassled by them too. He walked towards the men's loo and slipped the cloak in his satchel and came out as calmly as possible.
"Forever alone eh?" Pansy giggled.
"I wouldn't say that Pug-face" Harry sneered.
All eyes turned to face him and Pansy's cheeks began to redden in embarrassment. Angel glared, because despite it being Harry, Pansy was still her best friend.
Angel grabbed Pansy's hand in comfort and Pansy squeezed back acknowledging that she knew that it was no harm.
"So it is a date" Draco said seeing Harry sit beside Hermione.
"None of your business" Harry snipped.
"Adorable" Blaise said dryly.
"Let's leave the lovebirds alone yeah? I'd like some Butterbeer myself" Angel said softly surprising everyone.
Harry turned to see her and admitted to himself she did look rather pretty. Her hair was in soft curls and with her blue beret and matching sweater she looked more casual , but feminine.
"Maybe you should Malfoy" Hermione said glaring at Angel.
There was still some animosity despite them working together the previous year. The scratches that Angel had left her cheek wasn't something Hermione forgot so easily and that is why they avoided one another as much as possible.
At this comment Angel's eyes narrowed and she stepped forward from the group. She placed her hands on the table and stared straight at Hermione.
"If I were you I'd keep suggestions to yourself." she hissed. "Haven't you learned by now, bad things happen when you talk to me? Don't test me again, wouldn't want other markings on your cheek now would we?"
Her ferocious look gleamed and she sent a wink her way before straightening herself up. Her own group was surprised by her viciousness, but Draco looked proud at how she chose her words. No scene was made, no yelling, but rather fear. And the fear is Hermione's eyes was obvious.
"Let's go guys, let's leave the pair to their date and move on yeah?" she said turning to face her brother and their friends.
Soon the quartet was off and Harry was left there confused and Hermione angry.
"Honestly Harry, I can't believe you made me face that embarrassment" she said frowning.
She took a drink of her Butterbeer angrily and touched her hair self consciously.
"That girl is simply vicious, I have no idea how people even like her" she began.
Harry nodded not really listening and looked down at his drink uncomfortably. He hadn't denied the date the entire time, except avoid the question, but he didn't regret it that's what friends did, they defended one another. He'd just hope that she wouldn't give him the silent treatment, in his mind they were fine.
Soon they were joined by Hagrid and Moody who told Harry to visit him at night because he had something to show him and Harry was left with curiosity as to what it was.
As evening came Angel was laughing and eating candy floss as they reached the castle once more. She admitted despite the altercation this had been a good day. She had seen mostly all of Hogsmeade and enjoyed sweets, bought music and hung out with people she cared about. She admitted that she now felt that she was more mature and like any other teenager happy about it.
"Hogsmeade was great" she said as she walked in between Blaise and Draco while Pansy was at Draco's left.
"Oh yes, but you all really shouldn't be eating sweets" Pansy said frowning.
"Why not?" Angel asked.
"Because the-"
"Yule Ball is coming up and you need to look your absolute best" the other three recited.
"-and you need to look your best" Angel said rolling her eyes.
"-and you need to fit in your suit" Blaise said chuckling.
"-and you can't embarrass me because I swear to Merlin Draco I will leave you" Draco said rolling his eyes like his sister.
"I loathe the three of you" Pansy said huffing and soon was walking ahead of them in a quick pace. The three laughed and soon they caught up.
They were oblivious to a pair of silver eyes that stared at the group from the forest. He stared especially at Angel who was currently being lifted by Draco and lightly thrown on the grassy hill. He smiled hearing her say:
"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU RUINED MY CLOTHES!" she screamed.
The platinum blond who was laughing was soon tackled by her and another game began.
Sirius admitted that as much as it pained him to see, especially as she was hugging her "brother", that she was happy. And while life hadn't been to kind to him, they were certainly kind to his daughter. She was loved, not by everyone, but loved by the people that she cared about.