Looks are Decieving

Chapter 9

The next time they had Arithmancy, Angelina regretfully entered the room (Spooky music) and plonked herself down next to Draco. Draco was about to say something when Professor Vector entered the room.

"Good morning class, well how's the project coming along everyone?" she asked cheerfully. Everybody half-heartedly agreed that the projects were coming along fine.

"Well Mr Malfoy, Miss Nadford, how's your project?" she asked as she stopped by their table. Angelina was about to answer when Draco said

"Terrible Professor. Angelina refuses to work."

Vector gave Angelina a disappointing eye as Angelina spluttered angrily.

"I have so been doing work!" she replied. Knowing she sounded childish but was too angry to care.

"Yes by yourself. The whole point of this exercise is to work TOGETHER and we can't do that if we aren't together can we?" Draco asked unruffled, thinking about his conversation with his father. Vector nodded her agreement.

"That is correct. Miss Nadford, you and Mr Malfoy are going to work together. If I catch you working by yourselves there will be trouble," she warned sternly. She walked away before Angelina could argue. Angelina glared at Professor Vector's retreating back, and then began to glare daggers at Draco who just looked innocently back at her.

"Meet tonight at seven?" he asked. Angelina looked smug.

"I can't this week," she replied.

"Why?"

"Because a certain blond asshole got me into trouble with Snape and now I have to serve out my punishment," she said, suddenly grateful about detention. One less week I have to spend with Malfoy the better, she thought with satisfaction.

Draco glowered at her.

"You didn't have to talk back to him," he argued. Angelina glared back at him.

"Your precious girlfriend didn't have to knock me out," she pointed out. Draco looked like he was going to blow.

"She's not my girlfriend," he said dangerously.

"Yeah right I see the puppy dog eyes she gives you," Angelina snorted.

"Oh yeah? What about you and Vanhousan?" he asked.

"What about me and Dominic?" Angelina was on her guard now.

"He was in complete denial last week. Of course anyone liking you would want to be in denial."

"And what does this have to do with you and your lap dog Parkinson?"

Before Draco could reply, Vector cut in.

"Mr Malfoy, Miss Nadford would you like to share your interesting conversation with the rest of the class?"

Angelina looked up to see that the whole class' eyes were on her.

"Uh, no?" she tried. Vector was not amused.

"Five points each from each of you, now pay attention."

Angelina and Draco didn't talk again during the lesson.

***

Angelina angrily stomped out of the Arithmancy classroom. Her eyes flashed with fury. She deliberately pushed past everyone ignoring all the 'heys!' and 'watch its'. Storming into the Charms room, it sent surprised and curious glances her way.

"What are you all looking at?" Angelina snapped testily.

"My, someone's in a bad mood today," Ron observed. Angelina shot him a look of pure venom.

"Shut up Ron, or I'll tell Hermione about your little secret," Angelina said suggestively. Ron turned red as Hermione bounded over.

"Tell me what?" she asked. Ron glanced at Angelina, pleading with her not to say anything.

"Oh, nothing," Angelina said as Hermione gave her and Ron a suspicious look.

At that moment Flitwick tottered into the room.

***

It was a Friday night when Angelina entered the Arithmancy room next. Going in, she jumped 3 feet in to the air when she saw Draco sitting there, head bent, working. Backing away slowly and hoping that Draco didn't hear her come in, Angelina silently cursed Draco for coming.

Of all nights he has to come tonight, she thought fiercely. She was almost at the door when Draco spoke.

"I was wondering how long it'd take you to get here."

Angelina jumped again.

"Uh, you know I'm here?" she asked, then immediately regretted it.

Of course he knows I'm here, if I weren't, why would I be standing here? How stupid can I get?

Draco smirked. He got up and walked around to her.

"Of course I know you're here," he drawled. Angelina scowled at him while simultaneously looking for an escape route.

"I'll just be going now," she said, backing for the door again.

"Oh no you don't. We have to work on our project," Draco argued, encircling her arm with his hand and tugging her towards the table.

"I will, I told you already, I'll do it by myself and give the final copy to you in a week's time," she repeated, wrenching herself from his grasp.

"But it's a partner project and if one of the partners were missing, then it would just be a single project. Now how is that a partner project?" Draco asked, grabbing her arm again and dragging her over to the table. Angelina stared at him, wondering what was wrong with Draco Malfoy today.

"Yes, but if we both do our bit, the professor will never know how we did it," she said, wrenching herself from Draco, again.

"But it's the principle of it," Draco insisted, blocking the doorway.

"Principle my ass," Angelina snapped, trying to push past him. She had her last detention in a half an hour's time.

"We still have to work together."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"Why?"

"Cause the professor said so."

"And you listen to everything the professors say?"

"Of course not."

"Then why start now?"

"Because it's important!"

"No it's not!"

"Yes it is!"

"To who?!"

"To me!"

"Why?!"

"Because I like you!"

Angelina stared at him in shock. Even Draco looked shocked at what he just said. They were both breathing heavily from the shouting.

The things I do for my father, Draco though bitterly as the expression on Angelina's face turned from shock to anger.

"I don't know what you're playing at Malfoy, but leave me out of it!" Angelina half exclaimed, half spat at him.

"I'm not playing at anything. I like you," he repeated. Angelina snorted.

"Yeah as if a person like you has feelings," she said. Giving him one more glare, she grabbed some more books and scrolls, dumped her old ones on the table and left the room, leaving a shocked and angry Draco behind.

***

The next morning Angelina walked to the Great Hall, groaning as she checked her timetable. It would be DADA first that day. Hermione seeing her friends' distress bounded over and asked what the hell was the matter.

"Nothing, only that we have DADA first with that idiotic pathetic excuse for a teacher," Angelina sneered.

"Right, you know Opwell isn't that bad a teacher. He's actually really good."

"Yeah right," Angelina snorted.

Hermione didn't say anything, but watched Angelina closely.

Entering the classroom and Angelina for the first time not being late, took her seat.

"Good morning class today we will be studying hexing, hexes and their counter curses. And we will have a small competition with Slytherin against Gryffindor. You will be put in partners," Opwell began. The whole class groaned but he ignored them and continued to talk.

Opwell began his long list of names. "Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. Millicent Bulstrode and Hermione Granger. Pansy Parkinson and Angelina Nadford." And the list went on. Angelina groaned when she heard who she was partnered with.

Out of all the fucking people it had to be Parkinson, she thought. She's gonna be pissed off at me. Damn that Malfoy's lap dog, I just know she's gonna get me back in this class.

Angelina worked diligently trying to ignore Pansy in every way possible. It wasn't that she was scared of Pansy, but she really didn't need anymore detentions. She grimaced at that thought.

"I remind you that only the curses you just studied that have counter curses are to be used. We will begin with Miss Granger and Miss Bulstrode. Begin!" And they began.

Hermione shot the first curse that came to her mind. Throwing the jellylegs curse Hermione dodged the stunning curse that was sent her way. Hermione seeing an open spot when Milicent had lost concentration, trying to stop herself from vibrating so much, threw the stunning curse, which knocked Milicent out. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

"Point to Gryffindor," Opwell announced. About ten pairs got up and duelled when it was finally Angelina's turn.

"Miss Nadford and Miss Parkinson," Opwell announced. Angelina got up slowly aware that the whole class was silent. Making her way into the middle of the classroom she turned to face her opponent. Pansy was smirking, an evil look on her face. Angelina was not affected and as soon as she had heard the signal, she launched into attack.

"Stupefy!" Angelina shouted, missing by inches. She cursed under her breath. She would have to do better than that.

Pansy shot a stunning spell, but Angelina dodged it expertly and threw the jelly leg curse, it hit Pansy, who quickly did the counter curse and sneered at Angelina. She slowly raised her wand, the whole class waited in anticipation wondering what she was about to do. The thought that escaped Pansy's mind and into hers made Angelina swear.

What curse is that?! Did we even learn it? Quick, think Angelina, think. Any counter curse would do, Angelina thought desperately as she raised her wand and muttered the counter curse for jelly legs.

Pansy smirked again.

"Deformulias," she exclaimed as a blaze of blue light shot from her wand, heading straight for Angelina.

Angelina prepared herself for the worst.

Suddenly she was pushed to the ground with Draco on top of her. Opening her eyes in shock, she realised that Draco had thrown her clear of the curse, but unfortunately for him, he was unable to shield himself. Angelina was about to open her mouth and thank him, when Draco looked at her once and fell into unconsciousness. Angelina gave a small gasp and quickly pushed him off her, trying to be as gentle as possible (A/N come on, he just saved her!). As soon as she had extracted herself form Draco, Opwell came rushing over to help the unconscious Draco.

Summoning a stretcher Opwell carefully levitated Draco on to it and proceeded down to the hospital wing with Draco in tow.

"Now no one is to do anything while I'm gone. Miss Parkinson, please come with me," Opwell added icily before he exited the door.

No one seemed sure of what to do and almost everyone was staring at Angelina in shock.

"Did Malfoy just push you out of the way of a curse?" Ron asked disbelievingly. Angelina nodded dumbly.

"Yeah, I guess," she answered. Ron suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked at Angelina suspiciously. Angelina shot him an odd glance, wondering what was wrong now.

I wonder is Angelina is seeing Malfoy, Ron thought. After all why would he save her if they weren't?

Unfortunately for Angelina, Hermione was thinking of the same thing.

***

He approached her menacingly. Taking in the delightful sight of fear. He cackled as the girl shook uncontrollably. She cowered in the corner; her tear-streaked face and tattered clothing only showed a fraction of the amount of torture she was about to endure. He came closer and closer, his teeth glinting in the light. A heavy cloak covered his face. He smiled again evilly and whispered dangerously-

"Crucio."

The girl screamed and dropped to her knees. He threw about fifteen more, watching with joy as she screamed. With one last cry the girl fell to the ground unconscious. He cackled and with a swish of his cloak he was gone.

***

Angelina was woken up that Saturday morning, by an extremely loud squeal right next to her ear. She vowed to herself that who ever it was that woke her up was going to pay. Getting up with a jolt Angelina whacked her head on the four-poster bed. She groaned irritably and opened her eyes. Only to find Hermione standing over her with a mischievous look on her face. Angelina groaned again as she remembered what day it was and why Hermione was looking that way. It was Saturday the day Angelina was going to go out with Dominic. Very simple actually, but oh no, Hermione just had to make such a big deal about it.

So very typical of her, Angelina thought.

"Good morning Hermione, what's up?" Angelina asked sweetly plastering on a big fake smile.

"What's up, what's up!? Is that all you can say, for god's sakes you are going on a date with Dominic!" Hermione squealed, as Angelina winced at the loudness of her voice.

"I wouldn't think of it that way, we're just getting our Christmas presents together and a simple drink. That's it," Angelina replied exasperated.

"If you say so," Hermione said back, somewhat disappointed. Angelina rolled her eyes, as she began to get dressed, that was until Hermione screeched at her. Again.

"What do you think you are doing young lady? You can't possibly think of just wearing those clothes do you?"

"Uh, yeah I can," Angelina replied. "Look Hermione I really appreciate that you are trying to help me, but seriously I don't need it. I'm comfortable the way I am and that's that. And if Dominic can't hack it, then tough luck."

"Alright," Hermione said with a small sigh.

After escaping from Hermione Angelina met up with Dominic at the entrance of the school. Walking hand in hand Angelina and Dominic were closely followed by two moving bushes, whispering intently. Angelina stopped and turned around. The two trees stopped also and with their bickering.

"What's wrong?" Dominic asked, tugging at Angelina's hand.

"Er, nothing. I thought I heard rustling and I have a sneaking suspicion that those two bushes were just talking," Angelina replied, suddenly feeling very, very stupid.

"Right," Dominic answered, giving her a funny glance. Angelina shrugged mentally and with one last look at the bushes she continued walking to Hogsmeade.

***

Meanwhile the two bushes had stopped bickering and moving. Looking out through the leaves they two people made sure that Angelina and Dominic's attention was focused somewhere else before following them, making sure their leaves rustled as softly as possible.

"I told you that you made too much noise," one bush hissed to the other.

"Well, I could barely hear myself over the racket you were making," the second bush retorted softly as they stopped in the shadow of a huge tree. They watched with amusement as Angelina and Dominic walked hand-in-hand towards the town.

Time to dig up some dirt, the second bush thought mischievously as the two trees continued on their way.

***

Half an hour later Angelina and Dominic were settled nicely at the Three Broomsticks. Neither of them seemed to notice the two bushes enter the bar as well and remove leaves and twigs out of their hair. They didn't notice as they sat down at a table shielded from their view, but not far away enough not to hear what Angelina and Dominic was talking about.

"So, what're you going to get Hermione?" Dominic asked, breaking the silence. Angelina smiled at him.

"Uh, probably a book," she replied with an impish grin. Dominic smiled and shook his head.

"Why did I even ask?" he asked to no one in particular. Angelina laughed softly and shrugged.

"So, what was that thing with the bushes before?" Dominic asked. Angelina flushed slightly.

"Oh, I uh, thought that the bushes were, uh moving?" she offered. Dominic snorted into his mug of butterbeer, barely missing a collision with the contents and his shirt. Angelina glared at him for a second before smiling herself.

"Now that I actually said it out loud, it does sound kinda stupid doesn't it?" she asked.

"Just a tad," Dominic agreed. Angelina sighed and shrugged.

"Sorry, I'm just being paranoid," she apologised as Dominic grinned.

"Don't worry. I would've thought the same thing if I wasn't so sure that my friends were back in the dormitories sleeping," he told her. Angelina sighed again.

"You're so lucky. Hermione practically tore my ear off this morning. Man, you should've heard her scream," Angelina said with a shake of her head. Dominic laughed for a moment.

"Well that's too bad for you. Michael and the guys were still sleeping like a baby when I left. Michael was even drooling," Dominic added as Angelina chuckled.

The first bush stifled laughter when she heard this. The second bush meanwhile was muttering darkly under his breath that sounded something along the lines of 'stupid Dominic with his stupid stories. I swear I'll get him for this. Stupid idiotic moron who doesn't know what-' The muttering stopped abruptly as the first bush elbowed him sharply in the chest and put a restraining hand on his shoulder, stopping him from going out there and tearing Dominic to pieces in his fit of anger.

Angelina and Dominic had finished off their drinks and left the bar, intent on at least getting some Christmas shopping done.

***

Back at the castle the trio was meeting up with some of Dominic's friends.

"So, are you sure that they followed them out?" Hermione asked. Tiffany nodded.

"Yeah Michael and Shelley, his girlfriend, followed Dominic out of the common room this morning. Dominic was so happy he probably wouldn't have noticed if there was pink elephants dancing around in tutus, let alone a couple of bushes," Tiffany added as an afterthought as the students laughed.

"Don't tell me that Michael and Shelley was dressed as bushes before they left the grounds," Hermione said with a groan and Tiffany grinned.

"Of course not. They followed them out and hid their bush costumes outside I think. They said they were going to put them on after they were outside and they had, how did they say it? Could blend in with their surroundings," Raymond explained. The trio nodded, grins plastered on their face.

***

Angelina and Dominic were making their way back to the castle package free. After all the presents were going to get delivered that night.

Walking hand in hand again, the couple walked in a content kind of silence. (The nameless one ~ sorry, mental block here so if it seems weird or kind of sucks, then blame it on the writer's block) Faint rustling could be heard coming from behind Dominic and Angelina, but Dominic paid no attention. Angelina meanwhile was starting to get suspicious, that rustling sound had been following her all day.

Turning around, she saw two very familiar bushes behind her, but a little to the left. Her eyes gleamed in triumph as she saw something that proved her suspicions were correct. A red shirt tail was hanging out of the side of one of the bushes. Though it was yanked back into covering the second they stopped.

Walking up to the bush and ignoring Dominic's looks, she stopped directly in front of the bushes.

Oh shit, she found out, Michael thought as he wished desperately that she hadn't.

"Angelina, what are you doing?" Dominic asked as Angelina reached down and yanked out a handful of leaves.

"You'll see," she answered as she continued yanking out leaves.

After two minutes of leaf yanking, a brown head was visible through the twigs and remaining leaves.

Michael raised his head and smiled at them.

"Well," he began. "Fancy seeing you here."

***

Back at Hogwarts, Madame Pomfrey went to check on Draco. Pulling aside the curtains she gasped in shock as she saw something that she really didn't want to see.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" Draco demanded angrily as the nurse hurried to get the headmaster.