Looks are Decieving

Chapter Two ~ A Small Explosion and an Unlikely Partnership

Angelina began to panic as she felt herself spilling out the answer. "My most terrible and darkest secret is that I have the blood Slytherin and I have the Dark Mark as a birthmark."

The whole class gasped in surprise even Draco looked taken aback.

Anger, hatred and embarrassment were just a few emotions Angelina felt before she saw red. She felt herself losing her temper and then it happened.

Angelina burst her anger and hatred mounting. Sparks flew from her body, glass broke and showered the class Lightning struck everywhere as everyone took cover Angelina glowed a magnificent yet terrifying yellow, eyes flashing with rage, Angelina turned to face Draco.

"Who the fuck do you think you are? You fucken dickhead. You rich little bastard, who thinks so fuking highly of himself. You see it's not nice to do that to people, you fucker. I especially don't like it when people do that to me. You have absolutely no right to ask that of me! Now you have crossed the damn line. Just who the hell do you think you are?" Angelina asked maliciously before she stormed out of the dungeon.

Everywhere she went people moved out of the way, frightened of the fire glinting in her eyes. Her footsteps sent vibrations through the corridor. She slammed the door as she entered her dormitory.

Falling facedown on her bed, Angelina slammed her fists into her pillow. Damn that Malfoy. Angelina thought, and then realisation dawned on her. What have I done? I'm going to be expelled and on my first day too. I'm a failure and even if I stay everyone's going to hate me. What are my parents going to say? I'll have no friends. And I can't believe I burst like that and in front of a teacher. I'M GOING TO BE EXPELLED! She screamed inside of her head. Might as well pack my bags, Angelina thought with a sigh.

Slowly she began to pack up her things and put them into her trunk, when Professor McGonagall walked in.

"Angelina I am very-" McGonagall began, but Angelina cut her off.

"I know, I know. You're very disappointed with me. I'll have to pay for the damage, apologize to everyone in public and begin to pack my bags. I know that I'm expelled no need to tell me." Angelina said, rubbing her tear-streaked face.

"No that was not what I was going to say. What I wanted to say was that I am very worried about you and I understand how hard this is for you. I mean many students your age wouldn't be able to cope as well as you do in your situation. Your mother told us about your outbursts and I understand why you feel this way, I would too. And no you are not expelled; you don't have to pack your bags," Professor McGonagall said soothingly. I can't believe she's crying, thought McGonagall. She's hasn't cried for ages. Little did Angelina know, but Professor McGonagall had babysitted her when she was a baby.

"But I'll have no friends and everyone will hate me," replied Angelina.

"There are some people who are still your friends and over time others will realise that sometimes what they hear is not necessarily true. You're a special girl and they will accept you. Now I want you to promise me that you'll come to the Great Hall for dinner after you've calmed down. Okay?" McGonagall said sternly, but not unkindly.

Angelina only nodded in response. After Angelina had calmed down a little bit, she reluctantly tidied herself a little bit and slowly made her way to the Great Hall like McGonagall had said.

As she entered the whole Hall went silent. People stared at her, either looking malicious or frightened, others had expressions that Angelina couldn't read. She made her way to the Gryffindor table, where only Hermione greeted her.

"Are you alright?" She asked concerned.

Angelina nodded and said nothing, choking back tears. Soon everyone returned to their plates and started their conversations again.

Angelina chose to stay silent throughout the whole meal. She wouldn't have eaten anything if Hermione wasn't there helping her through the meal, especially when students occasionally glared at her.

Angelina was able to survive through most of the meal, when dinner had finished Hermione walked with her to their dormitory, while Harry and Ron stayed a little behind.

"For God's sakes, what the hell is the problem with you guys? It's not like she's going to kill you," Hermione said sternly, finally getting annoyed by the behaviour of the other students.

"But she's a true Slytherin and part of the enemy," Ron replied.

"Arrgh, I give up, you people are absolutely hopeless. There is nothing wrong, if she really is that bad, then how come the hat put her in Gryffindor then?" Hermione snapped back.

At that the two boys were speechless. "Alright you win, we're really sorry." They said in unison.

"That's okay; I understand why everyone hates me at the moment." Angelina replied, grateful that she had her friends back.

They reached the portrait of the fat lady and said the password. Feeling tired they all said their good nights and went into their dormitories and fell instantly asleep.

***

The next morning Angelina woke up feeling groggy, as she had fallen asleep in her robes. As she woke up she found that cracked eggs were spilled all over Hermione's and her own bed. Hermione woke up and gave a scream. "Who would do this?" she screamed.

"Who else but our dorm mates. Look this is my entire fault." Angelina said regretfully as she used a quick spell to clean the mess. "At the moment it is time to become my revengeful side. Let's play along then BAM! We hit them so fast that they won't realise what happened. Here's the plan," Angelina said deviously.

Lavender and Pravati were pleased when they had heard Hermione's scream, inside they sort of knew that 'new girl' (That was the name that they called Angelina) wasn't the screaming type. She was like so ungirlish. She was like a tomboy, which was not acceptable in their dormitory. But they had to admit Angelina was like really pretty, even when she didn't show it. At that thought Pravati and Lavender became instantly jealous.

"It's like that 'New girl' has everything. I mean, not only money and looks, but the brains too." Lavender claimed beginning to whine.

"Well that's life, but at least we know she's not the dating type so technically we won't loose any guys to her, especially not Draco Malfoy. He'll never look at her after that outburst; it's amazing that she didn't get expelled." Pravati said with distaste.

"Anyway better make our way to breakfast," replied Lavender.

Hermione and Angelina got quickly dressed and made their way to breakfast as well. Geez, she even looks perfect after just waking up, being rushed into dressing and not even brushing her hair! Thought Hermione feeling a little bit jealous.

As they reached the Great Hall the number of malicious stares had decreased dramatically. Hermione and Angelina took the seat that Harry and Ron had saved for them.

"Where the hell were you? You are really late today," asked Ron curiously.

"It's a long story but we'll tell you," replied Angelina, telling the story all over again.

"Well, well if it isn't the little Angel." Smirked Malfoy.

Angelina felt her temper rising again, she hated it when people called her Angel, and it was the worst thing to call her. But Angelina suppressed her anger and began to take deep breaths. Ignore him, ignore him. Angelina thought calmly. Angelina turned her attention to the teachers table and began to try and will Professor McGonagall into noticing something was wrong. As if Angelina had done that, McGonagall looked up and immediately was there telling Malfoy off.

"What are you doing Mr Malfoy, trying to annoying Miss Nadford? Go back to your house table and don't come back." Snapped Professor McGonagall hotly.

"I-uh, but I wasn't-" Malfoy spluttered, obviously taken a back not a bit but a lot.

"There will be no 'buts' Mr Malfoy, you are only to come to this table if there is important business you need to do," replied McGonagall.

Slowly Malfoy retreated back to his table. God, what the hell just happened? I mean me, getting told off by a teacher, for just standing in front of the Gryffindor table? There is definitely something strange about that Nadford and I'm going to find out. Even though I already have. Malfoy thought annoyed and yet satisfied.

Walking back to his dorm, Draco found a figure sitting on his bed. "Who the hell are you and why are you sitting on my bed?" Draco asked annoyed that people thought that they could sit on his bed.

"My, my Draco and I thought you had manners and knew how to treat ladies properly." The girl tutted.

"Oh, I didn't realise it was you Pansy." Malfoy replied with a sigh. He was beginning to get really irritated by Pansy. "What do you want?" he added harshly.

"All I want is to have some fun with you," she purred moving towards Draco. The way she purred annoyed Draco even further.

"Look I'm busy and I'm not in the mood to have fun, now leave me alone," Draco said harshly.

"Fine then, be that way," Pansy replied, fuming with anger.

"Whatever just leave me alone," Draco snapped back. "Now if you don't mind, would you get lost?"

Pansy stormed out of the room without another word. "Now that I've gotten rid of her I can think." Draco said to himself.

***

While Draco was doing that Angelina was in the Gryffindor common room gathering her things for her first Arithmancy lesson. As if rushing around the place wasn't enough she had Lavender and Pravati on her tail asking her all these stupid questions about which beauty products she used and which guys she thought were cute. Angelina only half listened to what they were saying, as she knew what they were doing. Smirking at the thought of what she and Hermione were going to do to them, she rushed out of the common room and made her way to Arithmancy.

She burst into the classroom, but realised that she was in fact not late, but that she was the first one to get there. She checked her watch again and realised that she had mixed the hands around and was 30 minutes early. Oh well, might as well just do some reading, Angelina thought. As she began to open her book, the last person she expected and the person who at the moment she hated the most strolled in. Yes, it was none other than Draco Malfoy. "Damn," Angelina said out loud.

"Oh it's you," replied Draco sneering as well as smirking. Maybe it could be called smeerking? Angelina thought with distaste.

"Well get lost I don't have all day for you to get going," Draco said in greeting.

"What do you mean you don't have all day? I'm in this room too. I'm just 30 minutes early that's all." Angelina responded in annoyance.

"What?! You mean you chose Arithmancy? You're never going to survive with your level of intelligence." Malfoy smirked.

"What do you mean my level of intelligence? For your big fat information my level of intelligence probably exceeds yours by over a million if not more. You're like one of the dumbest people I've met and you call yourself smart? Well that's a laugh. Ha, Ha very funny. What type of idiotic moron are you?" Angelina responded sarcastically.

Draco felt his temper rising. How dare she call him, Draco Malfoy an idiotic moron! The nerve of this girl. She was tougher than he had thought and perhaps a lot smarter.

"What's wrong, the great Draco Malfoy can't think of a comeback? You know I really don't know why people actually think that you are all high and mighty," Angelina spat out wrinkling her nose in disgust especially what some girls thought about Draco. "Draco Malfoy is speechless and seems to be at the mercy of a thirteen year old girl. Ha you suck! I am the victorious one. All I can say is that I win and rule, while you lose, suck and drool!" She laughed, glad that she was yet again able to win an argument against Malfoy.

"You take that back you bitch," was the reply, as Draco stormed over to his usual seat at the back of the room.

"Whatever," Angelina responded cheerfully.

For the rest of the 30 minutes, Draco and Angelina stayed in silence. Draco in a sulking silence and Angelina in a victorious and cheerful silence. Geez, I seriously think I kicked his ass this time. I mean he's fuming in silent anger. But maybe I've pissed him off to much. Angelina thought worried at what he might do to her. Well I guess I should make sure.

"Um, Malfoy, are you like really pissed off at me? If you are I'm really sorry," Angelina said, uneasily. Draco didn't say anything, but his glare revealed what he thought of her, which just happened to be a stuck-up bitch. Before Angelina could say anything else, students started filing in and sitting down at their appropriate seats. Well that made me feel better, thought Angelina bitterly. I just made a big fool of myself in front of Malfoy and I just apologized to him. For god's sake I never apologize to idiotic morons. What the hell is wrong with me? Boy does my life suck.

She just apologized to me. What is that meant to mean. People don't usually apologize to me and she is. Interesting. Naford is a really strange girl. Every time I make a final assumption on her, there she goes doing something that isn't right. Draco thought getting annoyed and still recovering from the shock. Draco glared at the girl's back.

Angelina could feel Draco's eyes boring into her back, but was afraid to look back. Then again, she thought, why the hell am I afraid of him? He's just like any other boy that I've fought. Another annoying spoilt brat. Nothing to worry about. Angelina assured herself.

Soon other students began to file in as classes began to start. Professor Vector was the last person to arrive. But when she entered the class went immediately silent. As Professor Vector greeted the class, Angelina took that chance to look around the room and at the students, whom were in her class. Soon the real class began and everyone began fiddling with their quills and parchment, scribbling down notes of what the professor was saying. Angelina began to do the same, even though she could remember everything perfectly fine.

"Now can anyone tell me what we were discussing from last year's lesson? Uh, Hermione" asked Professor Vector.

"We were discussing our yearly partner projects." Hermione responded instantly, you could clearly see that this was her favourite subject.

"Um. Where's Miss Nadford? (Angelina raised her hand) Yes I have marked your test and it seemed you have passed with flying colours, with a mark of 100%. Well done. This proves that you understand Arithmancy and could well be one of my top students." Professor Vector said with a smile.

Phew. Man I can't believe I got 100% that's amazing. Oh yeah, I rule. Angelina thought cheerfully.

"Alright now I'll be putting you into pairs. I believe that we should change partners so that we get to know other people within the class. Okay then. Dean Thomas you will go with Justin Finch-Fletchley. Hannah Abbot you will go with Ariel Barnes." Professor began to read from her long list. It was like they were being sorted all over again. Professor Vector ran through the names until she reached Angelina's.

"Ah, yes our new student, judging from your test results I'm going to put you with one of my other top students. And that's Draco Malfoy." Vector pronounced with a smile.

Hermione shot her a sympathetic smile, while Angelina's heart sank. Why did her test marks have to be so good? Why did she have to be stuck with Malfoy? This is like the worst day of my life. Angelina thought.

"Well hurry up, I'm not coming over to you," Malfoy retorted. Angelina sighed and gathered her things moving over to the desk next to Malfoy, trying to stay as far away from him as possible. By doing this Angelina found that soon she would fall off her chair and find herself on the ground. But she didn't dare move in again.

Professor Vector came around and gave each pair of students a sheet describing what their project had to include.

Skimming through Angelina found that she would have to spend more time with Malfoy than she had first thought. Shit, she thought to herself. Malfoy gracefully plucked the sheet from her hand and read it as well. "Hey I was reading that," Angelina said hotly, annoyed hat Malfoy thought he could do what ever he wanted.

"It's my project too. Don't think that I'm going to let a mudblood make me lose my marks." Malfoy snickered back.

"Well it's my project as well and I don't want you losing my marks either," Angelina muttered under her breath, that Draco didn't quite catch what she had said.

Angelina went into the mood where she stayed silent for a certain period of time and continued to stare at her books. Angelina knew that sometimes this made people feel really uncomfortable, but she didn't care. If she felt like being silent then that was what she was going to do.

Draco began to feel queasy and uncomfortable at Angelina's silence. "Do mind talking, you know I am not going to do all the work." Draco said sounding a little desperate.

"What's it to you? I thought that I would lose all your marks," Angelina replied sounding a little hurt.

'What ever, how about we meet at the library after dinner to work on the project? But remember to stay away from me." Malfoy said, relieved that she finally spoke.

"What ever, it's not like I actually have a say. And sure I'll stay away from you, I know that nobody likes to be seen with me. Nobody." Angelina replied as if in a trance. Like she was remembering a sad memory. Draco could just make out the start of tears. He felt awkward, he had never actually know what to do when people were going to cry.

Angelina tried to suppress the time when nobody talked to her and stayed away from her because they had thought she was weird and dangerous. Angelina had felt hurt and had cried. Since then she had hardly cried and was stronger. But now that she was remembering, she found that technically she didn't make any friends, even now. It was actually Hermione who liked making friends, who became friends with Angelina. Angelina did have friends and good friends too, but these days she still felt lonely. She quickly choked back the tears, when she just realised that Malfoy was there watching her. Angelina quickly wiped her tears away and said again that she would meet him and promised to stay away from him.

"Good," Draco replied, relieved that she had stopped crying.

***

Angelina made her way to the Great Hall, where many students had already started dinner. Angelina took the seat next to Hermione. "You alright?" Hermione asked. "Your not upset because of Malfoy are you?"

"What about Malfoy," Harry asked warily.

"Oh, I just have to my Arithmancy project with him." Angelina replied, without much emotion.

"That's a bad thing right?" Asked Ron. "Because you don't sound as if it's a bad thing."

"Oh, it's bad, but you see I can cover my real emotions better than you can, that's all." Angelina replied.

"Oh, okay then. What ever." Ron responded.

"So how exactly are you guys going to work? I mean it's like you can't even spend 5seconds together without screaming each others head's off," asked Harry.

"I don't know, but we have to do it eventually. So I think we should finish it as soon as possible and not leaving to the last minute," replied Angelina.

As soon as Angelina had finished her dinner, she waved goodbye to the others and sombrely made her way to the library. Angelina entered and soon found that Malfoy had not arrived yet. Sighing she set her things on an empty table and began to work.

She had gone through about 6 graphs, but still Malfoy hadn't come. By the time she had finished all her graphs Angelina was sick of waiting. At that moment she felt hurt, for being lied to and angry, that he hadn't come. Her temper rising Angelina grabbed up all her things and stormed out of the library, slamming into Malfoy on purpose on the way out.

"What the hell-" Malfoy thought as Angelina slammed into him. Why on earth was she leaving for? They were meant to be working on their Arithmancy project. Malfoy felt angry that she had slammed into him. HE turned around and headed for his dormitory, pondering over what just happened.

***

Angelina took her seat at the back of the room, next to Malfoy's usual seat. Angelina was still angry from last night and didn't feel like talking or doing anything, except bursting and kicking someone's butt.

When Malfoy took the seat next to hers, she instantly moved away. As soon as Professor Vector entered, Angelina got up and presented her project to Professor Vector.

"Ah, I see that you and Mr Malfoy have finished your project already-"

"No professor only I have. I did this all by myself." Angelina replied, her face showing no emotion.

"What do you mean by yourself? Didn't Mr Malfoy help you in anyway?" Professor Vector asked.

"No Professor he didn't."

"Mr Malfoy I will see you after class and Miss Nadford, I will like to see you too."

"Yes Professor," they said in unison.

"What the hell do you mean I didn't help you? You stormed out of the room when I was coming in." Malfoy said angrily.

Angelina chose to stay silent. This made Malfoy even angrier, but he decided not to say anything.

***

"Now Miss Nadford and Mr Malfoy, I believe that there is some explaining needed?" Professor Vector stated. "Miss Nadford you first."

Angelina launched into her story about meeting Malfoy at the library and waiting for hours and finishing all the graphs, when Malfoy still hadn't come.

"I see, well I'm sure that this is just a little bit of a misunderstanding. You two will do another project, because I find that these graphs are too easy for you. You two will work on an extra-curriculum project, which if you do well will give you extra marks. Come with me." Professor Vector said excitedly and seriously,

"You will be working on these files on ancient Arithmancy, you will report on them and make observations. You will also see what these files an tell us about today's Arithmancy. Madame Prince has provided you will a special room so you will not be disturbed. Well hurry up, you might as well get started." Vector said.

Angelina went instantly to one of the files and began looking through it. Settling on the large table she took out parchment and a quill and using he fast note taking writing began to write down observations. Not knowing what to do Draco sat down opposite her and also began to take notes. Sitting opposite didn't help a lot. Every time he looked up he would see her pretty face, going over what she wrote and reading, sometimes she would twirl her quill between her fingers when she was thinking. Draco found that he was staring and quickly returned to his work.

Finally Angelina had finished her file. What she had found was quite interesting. She stretched to let loose her muscles and looked up. She had totally forgotten that Malfoy was there. He was hunched over his work, his forehead furrowed in concentration. When Angelina looked at him, she found that he was as the girls said, quite cute and handsome. But then again, you couldn't change the fact that he was a rich asshole. At that moment Malfoy looked up to see that Angelina was staring at him. He smirked.

"What are you looking at Nadford? My charming and exquisite looks?" Angelina got snapped out of her thoughts at that comment.

"Uh, no I was just thinking about what I read that's all." She quickly turned away, feeling herself blush from the embarrassment of being caught staring. Draco smirked again and returned to his work.

Angelina began to feel tired and felt herself beginning to drift into an uneasy sleep. She quickly snapped out of it realising that Malfoy was still there. Angelina checked her watch. "Shit," she said out loud. She quickly packed her things. "What?" Malfoy asked.

"It's 10:30pm right now, that's what." Angelina replied hotly.

"So," replied Draco.

"So it's late and I need to get some sleep." Angelina walked out of the room without another word.

"Oh well might as well go too." Draco said to himself.

***

The next morning Angelina and Hermione found another present from their dorm-buddies. Whipped cream all over their beds and glue at the sides of their beds. But Angelina was ready so they didn't get stuck to the floor, but nothing could be done about the whipped cream. Angelina and Hermione decided to leave their plan until it was the right moment.

The two girls slowly got dressed and made their way over to the Great Hall. Taking their seats, they pretended to look upset and worried about these accidents in the morning. Telling Harry and Ron, talking deliberately loudly so Lavender and Pravati could hear.

Not knowing that Hermione and Angelina knew they smiled at each other and snickered. "They still don't know it's us," Pravati claimed happily.

"And I thought they were meant to be the smartest in our year!" Lavender added.

"This is great, we rule aha aha." Pravati sang.

As the two girls squealed in delight Angelina was watching them, grinning to herself. They are so gullible. Wait until they see what I have install for them. Angelina thought grinning evilly.

"Um, Angelina you're freaking us out. I mean you have tis really evil-like grin on your face." Hermione said uncertainly.

"Oh, I was just thinking about the plan." Angelina replied.

"Oh, okay then," Hermione grinned as well.

"What plan?" the boys asked curiously.

"Never mind," The girls replied. Their minds elsewhere.

***

Their first lesson that morning was Transfiguration. Entering the classroom, Angelina took the seat next to Ron's and took out her parchment, quill and ink. Professor McGonagall was already there and as soon as everyone was there she began to lecture. Angelina quickly began to take notes.

"Okay, now today we will be transfiguring a piece of hair into a worm today. It's a very simple transfiguration, but still requires concentration," said Professor McGonagall. "You will each pull out one of your own hairs and change that into a worm, off you go."

Everyone began to pull out a piece of their hair. Some like Lavender and Pravati fussed about loosing a piece of their beautiful hair. Others said that theirs was too short.

"But it's true, mine and Ron's hair are too short." Harry complained, but still Hermione would not give up more hair than she had to.

"Oh, for god's sake," Angelina said, pulling out two more pieces of hair and gave one to each boy. "Here, happy now?"

A few minutes later Angelina and Hermione were the only ones who were able to succeed in changing their hair into a worm.

"Well done Miss Nadford and Miss Granger. 10 points each to Gryffindor. The two girls smiled at each other. Occasionally the two girls had some friendly rivalry, but it wasn't that serious.

***

At dinner that night, Draco seated himself in his usual position, but he saw that Nadford wasn't with Potter and his friends. She must be at the room working on the Arithmancy project, Draco thought. He slowly got up and subconsciously made his way to where Angelina was.

Entering the room, Draco found Angelina hunched over a file, her pretty face scrunched up in concentration. When Draco entered she gave him a look of surprise as if saying 'I can't believe you actually showed up' before returning to her work. Draco got out his things began to work too.

The two worked and worked without a break. Soon it was close to curfew and Draco could see that Angelina was getting sleepy, after all she was thirteen. He quietly and gracefully got up and came back with two cups of coffee. Taking one for himself and placing the other in front of Angelina.

"What's that?" Angelina asked suspiciously.

"You look tired and I thought you might like a drink." Draco replied coolly.

"What is it?" Angelina asked again.

"Coffee," Draco replied.

"But I don't drink coffee, it contains about 80mgs of caffeine which is really bad, especially for young people, including you and me." Angelina said casually and looking at the mug in mistrust. She still wasn't sure if Draco hadn't put anything in it that would make her feel worse than she already was.

"Who gives, it'll keep you awake," Draco said coldly.

"But I've had coffee and frankly it tastes disgusting. I refuse to drink it and I don't know how you can drink it either," Angelina said stubbornly.

"Whatever your choice," Draco replied with a sigh.

"Thanks anyway for the coffee. If you bought it then I'll pay you back. I'm rich enough." Angelina said hesitantly.

"No I didn't buy it; I got it from the kitchens." Draco replied.

"I thought they didn't make coffee here at school. After all it is magical and isn't coffee a muggle thing?" Angelina asked. Draco didn't say anything, but glared at her. Angelina nodded blandly, already absorbed in the work again.

Angelina checked her watch and gave a little gasp of surprise when she saw it was already eleven. She hadn't meant to stay this long, but the arithmacy project was pretty interesting and she had lost herself in it. Pulling her bag over one shoulder Angelina was about to leave when Draco's voice stopped her.

"Hey, I'll meet you back here after dinner tomorrow and continue," he ordered her. Angelina glared at him briefly before nodding.

"Whatever I want to get this thing over and done with as soon as possible," she muttered and left. Draco glared at her disappearing back before realising she had left him with the mess of the scrolls and the cups. Muttering darkly under his breath Draco began to clean up.