Looks are Decieving

Chapter 4 ~

The next morning Angelina went down to breakfast with Hermione. She wasn't actually looking forward to that day as she had another DADA lesson.

"Who invented DADA lessons anyway?" she asked herself as she ate breakfast.

"Did you say something?" Hermione asked her. Angelina looked up and smiled.

"No, I was just rambling on to myself as usual," Angelina told her. Hermione raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

Before she knew it, it was time for the first lesson which was Charms. Entering the classroom, Angelina found a seat near the back of the room and waited for Flitwick.

Charms passed without any trouble and Angelina got up dejectedly to go to her next lesson. With every lesson that passed, it was one lesson closer to DADA.

That night as she made her way to the second floor the suspicions would not go away and Angelina was certain that Opwell was the man from her dream. With her head in the clouds Angelina didn't realise that she was yet again late. She sprinted the fastest that she could into the room, bursting into the classroom huffing and puffing heavy. Many pairs of eyes turned to look at her.

"You are late again Miss Nadford," Professor Opwell said calmly.

"Sorry sir," Angelina said simply, fighting the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks. She ignored the snickers from the Slytherins.

"Five points from Grffindor make sure that you are not late again," the professor added. Angelina opened her mouth to protest, but decided against it as the professor looked at her as if to say 'are you going to argue?' Angelina smiled sweetly at him and sat down next to Hermione. Opwell turned back to the class.

"Now today we will start our class with a simple exercise on page 156 in your textbooks. You will answer the questions and do the activities in partners. The partners must be Slytherin and Gryffindor," Opwell added. He smiled to himself as he got his list of partners and as the whole class started complaining.

"But Professor, we hate each other. The two houses will never work together without fights," Pansy complained loudly. The professor raised an eyebrow and looked at Pansy.

"Then work together," he answered. "You're going to have to eventually work with people you don't like, so you might as well start now."

Opwell started reading the partners that he had put together. He had deliberately put Angelina and Draco together so Draco could do his thing (Whatever that was). Opwell paired everyone up.

"Nadford and Malfoy," Opwell finished.

Angelina groaned. What was it with teachers and putting me and Malfoy together as partners?

Angelina slowly made her way over to where Malfoy was sitting. Settling down she opened her book and began to read, finishing she and Malfoy worked on the questions. The lesson continued and Angelina found that Professor Opwell was watching Harry very intently. At that point her suspicions grew. Then he turned on her. Their eyes held. Angelina quickly looked away and went back to her work. Every time she looked up, Opwell was there either looking at her or at Harry. Her spine tingled.

After class Professor asked Harry to stay behind. Angelina fearing the worst decided to stay outside and listen to the conversation. If anything happened she'd, well, she'd do something.

"Harry, I believe that I can help you in some self defence work against troubles you may encounter during your life. I was wondering whether you'd mind if I taught every, let's say Tuesday and Thursday after dinner?" Opwell asked.

Harry considered it for a while before agreeing. Opwell grinned triumphantly as soon as Harry left.

Hearing that, Angelina gasped and rushed off to the Great Hall for dinner, forming a plan in her head. Angelina took a seat next to Harry. "Um, Harry can I talk to you about something?" She asked

"Sure," Harry replied.

"I mean in private," she said weakly.

"Okay, what about?" Harry asked

"About your lesson with Professor Opwell," she replied.

Harry got up and they made their way outside, so that they were alone.

"Okay, what about Opwell?" Harry asked, eyebrows raised.

"Well I heard about you having lessons with him and I really don't think you should go. I mean sure everybody thinks he's nice, But I don't. I get these bad vibes coming from him and it ain't good. Please I am practically begging you, don't go to his lessons. He's trying to kill you, for god's sake. I had this dream that he is in league with Voldemort," Angelina finished, out of breath.

"Look, Hermione told me about your dreams and they are probably just nightmares. Nothing serious. Come on like he's going to kill me when Dumbledore is here. Give it a break Angelina, a dream doesn't mean anything. People are trying to kill me like every day." Harry replied.

"Uh, I give up. You listen to me Harry Potter, I warned you to stay away, but you won't listen. In other words you are signing your death sentence. But when it's too late all I can say is I told you so." Angelina said angrily, pissed off that Harry wouldn't listen to her. She stormed off, not wanting to talk to Harry and go to the common room she headed off to the library to work on her Arithmancy project. That was her only option. Though she did not want to spend time with Draco either, but at that moment, anything was better than spending time with Harry Potter.

***

Angelina entered the room with a huff. Blowing the hair that had fallen over her eyes out of her eyes angrily, Angelina's spirits weren't lifted when she saw Draco was already in the room. Dumping her stuff on the table with an undignified thump, Angelina went over to the drawer to get out the scrolls. Settling at the table Angelina scanned the scrolls until she felt something warm pressed up against her legs. Turning her head she was surprised to see Draco sitting next to her. Edging away slowly, Angelina tried to concentrate on reading her scroll. Draco grinned inwardly and moved closer until their legs were touching again. Angelina felt her irritation rise and turned to face him.

"What the hell is up with you?" she asked him testily. After the confrontation with Harry, she wasn't in the mood for Draco's games. Actually, she's never in the mood for his games.

"Nothing, I'm just trying to read the scroll in your hands," he told her innocently. Angelina grunted in frustration and thrust the scroll into his hand.

"Read," she ordered as she stood up and went to get another scroll. Faintly she felt Draco stand up behind her. Grabbing the scroll, Angelina turned around and came face to face with Draco with about an inch of space left between their faces. Angelina very slowly backs away, all the time keeping a watchful eye over Draco, who just smiled at her. Sitting in her seat again, Angelina began to read the scroll.

Halfway through it, Angelina discovered that she needed a book from the library to translate it. Standing up Angelina bashed straight into Draco. Reaching out Draco steaded Angelina but didn't take his hand away from her arm. Bending his head, Draco was about to kiss Angelina when she pushed him away.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked him. Draco raised an eyebrow as if to say that it was so obvious.

"I'm trying to kiss you," he replied, stepping closer. Angelina steeped back and towards the door.

"Okay, I'll ask you again. Who are you and what have you done with Malfoy?" Angelina asked, fully freaked out. Draco looked irritated for a moment.

"I told you already, I am Draco," Draco answered. Angelina shook her head stubbornly.

"Oh no you're not; you've been acting weird for a long time. First you apologise and now you try to kiss me? Are you sure that you feel okay?" she asked him.

"I'm fine!" Draco snapped. Angelina gave him one more looked uncertainty before grabbing her bag off the floor and running out of the room. She definitely needed to get away from him.

***

The next morning Angelina woke up early and decided to read a book until it was class time. Walking down stairs Angelina heard her name being said. As she neared the common room she recognised the voices. They were the voices of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"Like I said before I'm still really worried about Angelina. All this stuff about Opwell teaming up with You-Know-Who, it just doesn't make any sense. She is thirteen, her imagination might've been working over-time," Hermione said.

"I agree with the Opwell thing," Harry added.

"Me too," said Ron.

"Though you kno-" Hermione was cut off by Angelina's harsh voice.

"You know Hermione, just because I am two years younger than you it doesn't mean that I don't know what I'm talking about. Or that what I say isn't as important as what you say. You may not believe my dream, but it is the truth. I can only do so much. So if you don't believe me then that is your problem, but don't come running if you find that you have made a mistake," Angelina snapped and stormed off slamming her dormitory door behind her.

"Maybe we did think that because of her age she is just over reacting," Hermione said uncertainly.

"So?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean so? She's our friend and we should listen to her, no matter how far fetched her ideas are," Hermione snapped.

"She shouldn't have been listening," Ron snapped back.

Angelina stayed in her dorm until it was time for class. Angelina reluctantly made her way to the dungeons for Potions. Settling in her normal seat, Angelina tried to sit as far away as possible from Draco. She was still freaked out about what he had said to her last night. She avoided her so-called 'friends' glances, still angry and upset. Angelina barely survived the rest of the potions lesson; fortunately she was able to contain herself. As soon as the lesson finished Angelina grabbed her things and ran off, preparing to skip the rest of the day's lessons.

She didn't appear at lunch and her friends were steadily growing worried. She hadn't gone to Ancient Runes and no one seemed to know where she was. Hermione looked around the hall one last time before leaving for History. Ron was looking down at the ground guiltily, no doubt blaming himself for what happened to Angelina. Looking around the corridor one last time as he entered the classroom, Ron was chest-fallen when he saw that Angelina wasn't around.

Angelina meanwhile was seated next to the lake, hugging her legs. She was protected from view by the large tree that she was sitting under. Looking at a point above the lake thoughts swerved around in her head.

Why doesn't anyone believe me? I hate my life! I should have never come here!

Angelina angrily wiped away the tear that fell down her cheek. She wasn't going to cry. Not now not ever. Even when Opwell couldn't see her, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of crying because of what he had done.

The next time Angelina checked her watch, she was surprised to see it was five o'clock at night. Looking up she could see that the sun was starting to turn orange and dip. Gathering her things Angelina decided to skip dinner and maybe spend a few peaceful hours in the library just reading. Walking quietly back to the castle Angelina didn't notice the shadow that followed hers. Entering the library and finding it relatively empty (since it was nearly dinner time) and almost cheered Angelina up. The main word, of course, being almost. Ambling around the vast library Angelina found the most secluded seat and sat. Extracting her book from her bag Angelina began to read. It was a thick volume of mystery stories and Angelina found herself once again lost in another world. One maybe two hours passed when Angelina realised that someone's eyes were on her. Lifting her head slowly and praying desperately that it wasn't Hermione or Ron or Harry. Grey eyes locked with sapphire. It was Draco.

"What do you want?" Angelina asked, not in the mood to talk to anyone at that moment.

"I just want to know what's wrong with you. You did storm off during Potions and I haven't seen you since. You look like you need some comforting," Draco replied simply, obvious on his face that he should be the one to comfort her.

Angelina was now beginning to get exasperated, "I don't need your sympathy. I'm perfectly fine." Though she couldn't hide the fact that her eyes were starting to smart from the tears that were filling them again. When she read she was lost in another world and away from her troubles. But when Draco came in ad stated her behaviour so bluntly, the problems tumbled back into her mind, tripping over each other and making them seem worse than they actually were.

Draco began to feel awkward again, but as if from instincts he went forward and put his arms around the girl. Angelina buried her face into his chest and was determined not to cry. (Although she couldn't help the occasional tear). She felt comfortable in Draco's arms and for once at Hogwarts she felt wanted and not discriminated. Draco suddenly let go of her and Angelina too began to step back, but before she could do so Draco grabbed her around the shoulders and kissed her.

At first Angelina was shocked and her brain seemed to freeze over. What was happening? She hated Draco Malfoy, didn't she? Her eyes were open and she saw the shock in Draco's eyes as he realised what he had just done and was in fact still doing. The pathetic excuse for a kiss was suddenly interrupted when Draco was yanked back. Angelina turned to see who it was. It was Ron and Harry both with furious looks on their faces.

"Come on Angelina, let's go," Ron ground out, without taking his eyes off Draco. Grabbing her bag and her wrist, Ron practically dragged Angelina to the Gryffindor house. Angelina didn't turn back to look at Draco as she was probably just as afraid as he was at what just happened.

Ron dumped Angelina's book bag down and half pushed and half threw her into an armchair.

"What the hell are you doing?" Angelina asked annoyed, rubbing her wrist.

"What the hell am I doing? What the hell were you doing kissing Draco Malfoy, that god damn son of that god damn death eater?!" Ron shouted.

"I- I don't know. He just kind of went up to me and it just kind of happened," Angelina said, her voice trailed off. She didn't know what happened and she wished that Ron would just stop pestering her.

"I just don't want to see you hurt. Malfoy is a very, very bad influence on you and he isn't too good for you either. He's in league with You-Know-Who," Ron told her, voice softening. Harry rolled his eyes.

"I don't like Malfoy either, but that doesn't mean that he is a death eater," he told Ron. It was Ron's turn to roll his eyes.

"Have you looked at him recently? With his black clothes and sneering face, a perfect example of a death eater," Ron retorted. Angelina sighed.

"Okay I get the point. Draco Malfoy is a stuck-up jackass who likes hurting people. It won't happen again," Angelina said exasperatedly. Ron smiled triumphantly.

"Good," he stated. Angelina rubbed her eyes. She bid the boys a goodnight and went upstairs to bed.

It was when she got into bed that she realised she had left her book on the library table.

***

Draco walked into the Slytherin Common room that night and mused over what he just did.

I can't believe I just kissed her! I mean for god's sake, she wasn't even kissing me back! She was just looking at me as if I was the most physiologically deranged person on Earth, which personally I think I might have turned into! Never, never again would I do anything for that stupid bastard father of mine again! And let's not forget that I absolutely hate her!

Draco stomped up the stairs to his own room and everybody avoided him. He was in a bad mood and no one wanted to get in the middle of it, but there was always one exception
- Pansy Parkinson.

"Hey Draco," she said, her voice sickening sweet. Draco fought to keep his temper. He had a bad day and he wasn't in the mood for Pansy's special treatment. Pansy on the other hand didn't seem to notice and moved forward enticingly. She placed a hand on his shoulder and pouted prettily.

"Draco, you've been ignoring me lately and going for that Mudblood Nadford. Don't you like me anymore?" she asked. Draco sighed mentally, but smiled at Pansy.

"I'm sorry Pansy darling. I've just been having a bad day. Can we talk tomorrow?' he asked. Pansy was disappointed, but agreed reluctantly. Draco flashed one his dazzling smiles at her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Night," he murmured as Pansy turned red and he entered his room.

***

The next day Angelina spent the whole time trying to avoid Draco, forgetting that he probably had her book. After what had happened the night before, she wasn't waiting to see what he had to say. All she wanted was to pretend that nothing had happened. So because of that she dreaded the Arithmacy project.

Maybe if I beg real hard Vector would just let it drop, Angelina thought hopefully. Yeah right, who am I kidding?

Maybe Hermione will go in and get the files I need for the project?

Angelina mused as she entered the divination room. Going into the room, Angelina gasped for breath. The supposedly 'calming and relaxing' scented the room contained was at the moment choking Angelina half to death.

"I know, but you'll get used to it," Ron said sympathetically. Angelina coughed one last time and gave him a cynical look.

"Yeah right, I can so just get used to being choked to death three times a week," Angelina said sarcastically. Ron grinned at her and shrugged. Before anyone can say anything else, Professor Trelawney entered the room and looked around the class.

"Welcome back children, for the next few weeks we will be looking at tea leaves again. I know you have covered the topic before, but I would like you to do a bit more. Please everybody get a tea cup and half a handful of tea leaves each," the professor said in her soft voice. Angelina raised and eyebrow, but went up with everyone else.

Coming back to the table, Angelina went through the procedure she needed to do for the mixture to work properly. Stirring her tea leaves into the water, Angelina yawned. The dark room and the scent were making her sleepy, when it wasn't killing her.

Glancing down at her mixture briefly, Angelina blinked a couple of time to make sure that what she saw wasn't just a nightmare. But it wasn't. Angelina turned white as slowly the image formed.

There were dead bodies everywhere, a sea of blood, ankle-deep, skeletons as well as fresh bodies. Damaged arteries, spurted blood and decaying hands hung out at you brushing your bare legs and faces. The bodies covered the large area that was Hogwarts. There was a man standing in the middle of it all. I man in a dark cloak, cackling.

"Join us Angelina and no one will die," he said. Angelina, if possible, had turned even whiter and was finding it hard to breath in the stuffy room.

"Never," Angelina whispered fiercely. She unaware that Harry and Ron were staring at her and that professor Trelawney was coming over to see what horrible death Harry was seeing in his tea.

"Then death and destruction of Hogwarts will be because of you," he cackled and slowly disappeared.

Angelina slowly returned back to the classroom. She blinked a couple of time and looked up. The rest of the class was still looking into their cups and giggling except Harry, Ron and the professor. Shaking her head to clear it, Angelina tried to smile, but as the image entered her mind again, her pitiable attempt at the smile disappeared.

"What did you see?" Ron asked breathlessly. Angelina looked at him before her brain registered that he had asked a question.

"Um, nothing," she answered. Angelina wasn't sure why she was lying, but probably because she didn't want her friends to worry about her anymore then they already were.

And besides, they probably won't believe me anyway Angelina reasoned with herself as she set the cup back down. She had a throbbing headache and for the thousandth time that day, she wished the aroma that filled the room would just disappear.

"I'm sorry Professor, but I have a terrible headache. May I please go to the infirmary?" Angelina asked and without waiting or an answer she left the loft.

***