When the Angels Cry
by Silverbutterfly
"Mom, is it true? Am I getting a present?" Ginny asked, her eyes shining with hope, as she walked through Diagon Alley with her parents, Ron, Harry and Hermione.
"That's right, Ginny. Now that we are only four living at The Burrow, I think we can afford a new present for you and for your brother, within reason, of course. So, what do you want?" Mrs. Weasley asked, smiling happily.
"I want a familiar… Ron has Pig, but he's not a very efficient owl, as you well know." Ginny replied, chuckling at the memory of the small energetic owl.
"Oh, a familiar? You could get a cat to keep company to Crookshanks!" Hermione proposed, excited at the prospect of finding a friend to her familiar.
"I'm not sure about what I want, yet… We'll have to see what catches my attention." Ginny grinned and started walking towards the Pet's Shop.
Mrs. and Mr. Weasley followed their happy daughter with huge smiles on their faces. Having seven children, it had never been possible to give small presents like these, and they had always felt guilty over it. But now, it was easier to make such a gesture, and the look on their daughter's face was enough to make them feel as happy as she was, at the moment.
While the boys and Mr. Weasley went to the Quidditch shop, Mrs. Weasley and the girls went into the Pets' Shop. The small room was full of cages, of all sizes, inside of which there were several animals, from cats to owls, and from snakes to badgers.
"Go take a look around and try to find THE one." Mrs. Weasley whispered in her daughter's ear, giving her a slight push towards a pile of cages.
Ginny searched the entire shop trying to find the familiar that would make her feel `this is the one', but wasn't succeeding. So far she had found toads, owls, rats, parrots, snakes, but none of them interested her.
At last, she found a small silver cage in a corner of the room… Inside, there was a smile white cat, with little eyes that glowed a soft pink, and it had a cute little face. Taking it from the cage, Ginny held the kitten against her chest, caressing behind its ears.
"Do you want to go home with me, little one?" Ginny whispered with a smile on her face, listening to the cat purr. The kitten opened its pink eyes, and licked Ginny's jaw with a harsh tongue, making her giggle. Yes, she had found her new familiar… With a huge smile on her lips, she went back to join her mother and friend, showing them her new friend.
"That's a beautiful kitten, Ginny, but we'll have to be careful with Crooks. He tends to jump on top of the other familiars, and with all his weight, he might hurt your small pet…" Hermione said with a small frown, while Mrs. Weasley reached over to pet the small cat's head.
"How much is the cat, Mr. Bertallanffy?" Mrs. Weasley asked the shop owner, as the previous client left the shop with a toad in his hand.
"That's not a common cat, Mrs. Weasley. That cat is one of a rare kind, but people don't like to buy them…" the old man said, looking at the small animal with a sad face. "These cats die very easily."
"They die easily? Why?" Ginny asked worried, while she stroked the kitten's fur.
"They create strong bonds with their owners, and when they are not loved like they need, they die of sadness. This specie's death is known as the Cry of the Angels." The man said. "If you think you're up to the job of making it live happily, then I'll give it to you!"
"Yes, I'll make sure I make her happy…" Ginny promised, her eyes shining with joy and love towards the little cat, although there was also concern in her face. She had no intention of causing her new friend's death.
"Very well, take good care of her, then… You may take her." Mr. Bertallanffy said, smiling kindly at Ginny.
"Thank you, Sir! This is the first time I get something new, although Angel is not just something… I always had to use hand me down robes, worn shoes, old cauldrons, but now, I have my own pet." Ginny whispered to Hermione, while her mother talked some more with the shop owner, and then looked down to the kitten's pink eyes. "I promise to take good care of you and ensure that you have everything you need at all times… Make sure you don't die, alright?"
"Oi, Ginny, what did you choose?" Ron asked, when the two groups met in front of the Quidditch shop, and then he noticed her arms. "What's that? Are you another freak for cats, like Hermione?"
"Ronald Weasley, shut up!" Hermione hissed, slapping the back of his neck as punishment.
"It's a nice cat, Gin… May I hold her?" Harry asked with a gentle smile, reaching over to grab the small animal, but Angel started to get nervous and stretched her nails, making Harry lower is hands, again. "He's a little wild, isn't he?"
"It's a she and her name is Angel. I think she's a little nervous, that's all…" Ginny explained, smiling when Angel started licking her face tenderly.
"I think she likes you, already…" Harry smiled, winking at Ginny, making her blush.
"At least someone does…" she whispered to the kitten as she followed her parents and friends down the street. Ginny had her amber eyes so focused on the kitten's pink ones that she wasn't paying attention to where she was going.
"Hey, watch it!" someone complained, when Ginny bumped against his chest.
"I'm sorry, I was distracted… MALFOY?" Ginny gasped in shock, when she looked at the boy in front of her. "Great! With all the wizards and witches walking down this street, I had to bump against you…"
"I'm sure you must be feeling very pleased, but can I at least know who the hell are you?" he asked confused, running a hand over his smooth blond hair. "I don't think I know you…"
"I'm happy you don't." she spat back, sneering. Merlin, he was looking good. His hair was no longer gelled back; it was now loose around his perfect face, bringing out his silver-grey eyes and his porcelain like skin. His lips were slightly full and she couldn't stop the thought of what they would feel like on a kiss…
"I'm sure you're enjoying what you see, but can you tell me who the hell you are?" he insisted, watching her as well. He was sure, that if he knew her, he would have never forgotten her. The girl in front of him was gorgeous… Sure, she had freckles, but they looked great on her, shining under the summer sun, resembling stardust. She had a thin but curvy body and nested on her chest was a white small cat that caught his attention. "That's a nice pet you've got."
"I really advise you not to touch her… She doesn't like strange people, especially evil people." Ginny advised, covering Angel with her cloak.
"I'm sure she won't mind being touched by me… I have a lot of success with girls." Draco Malfoy replied with a sneer on his face.
"Malfoy, you think too highly of your self, really." Ginny sighed, with a grin on her lips. "Go ahead, try to touch her, but then don't say I didn't warn you…"
Ginny offered him the kitten and he took Angel in his soft hands, stroking her fur and watching her pink eyes. Angel only meowed softly, and rubbed her face against Malfoy's jaw.
"That's incredible, she was all nervous when Harry tried to hold her…" Ginny said, looking at Malfoy with a confused face.
"Harry?" he hissed furiously, his pale cheeks turning slightly red. "Don't tell me you're a stupid Gryffindor…"
"What else could I be? A know-it-all Ravenclaw isn't my type, I'm not dumb enough to be a Hufflepuff, and I certainly am not a Slytherin piece of scum! I'm a Gryffindor, and a very proud one at that." Ginny replied, feeling angry as well. "Are you still trying to recognize the red hair?"
"Oh Merlin! A Weasley?" Draco groaned. He had spent so much time watching her body, that he hadn't paid attention to her long and wavy red hair.
"That's correct… Someone give the boy a prize?" Ginny replied sarcastically. "Give me my cat, and move out of my way."
"I think I'll keep the cat… She seems to like me." he replied, with an evil grin, as he kept running his hand over Angel's fur.
"Don't you dare, Malfoy, or you'll regret it!" she yelled, feeling her face glowing red with anger.
"Indeed? What will the little Weasel do to make me regret something?" he sneered, looking straight into her amber eyes.
"I'll make sure the Malfoy family tree ends with the name Draco Malfoy… I'll make sure you're incapable of having heirs." she menaced, smiling evilly. "Now, give me my cat."
"Oh, I'm so scared, Weasel… Merlin, what they say about the redheads' temper is true, but add the Weasley blood to a red head and you get a completely crazy piece of pureblood traitor." Draco laughed, and watched her roll her hands into fists, on each side of her body. "Here, take your pet. I hate Weasleys and I hate everything related to them… including pets."
"Don't talk about her like that! She's sensitive…" Ginny yelled, taking the little cat from his hands and held her close to her chest. "Come on, Angel, let's go home… This stupid git just doesn't know how fragile you are, does he?"
Draco Malfoy stood there, in the middle of the street, watching the young Weasley girl, running to catch up with her family, up the street. Her hair reflected the sun light in every direction, making him hold his breath without realising it.
`She's beautiful…' he thought, with a small smile on his lips. `Too bad she's a Weasley.'
Soon, came the day when Ginny, Ron, Harry and Hermione had to go back to Hogwarts. In fact, Ginny could hardly wait to get there. She had spent the worst summer ever, having to watch Harry and Hermione flirting and kissing all the time. No, she was no longer head over heels for Harry, she had overcome that… But it still made her jealous to see them together; looking so happy and she truly wished that someday she would have someone to love her.
"Ginny, drop Angel and push your luggage car, I'm not your employee!" Ron said, looking furious, while he pushed both their luggage cars towards Platform 9 and ¾.
"Oh, fine, Angel, stay still ok? And don't disappear…" Ginny warned the kitten, placing her on top of her trunk, and took control of the car, going through the barrier. "Angel, this is the Hogwarts Express… Isn't it beautiful?"
Ginny stopped in front of the engine, to admire it. It was of a wonderful scarlet colour, and was releasing steam, getting ready to leave. It looked like the engine was as anxious as Ginny to go back home: to Hogwarts. Starting to walk again, Ginny gathered with her family in the middle of the crowd, getting ready to say their goodbyes.
"Ginny, please stay out of trouble, and make sure your brother behaves… Don't forget to feed Angel and give her the love she needs, and, most of all, write me a lot, because I'm going to miss you so much…" Mrs. Weasley warned, hugging her only daughter as if her life depended on it.
"I will, mom. Make sure you send me some cookies, ok? I always miss your cooking…" Ginny agreed, kissing her mother's cheek, and then hugging her father. "Bye, Dad, thank you for the wonderful present… It made me very happy."
"You're welcome, my dear. Be strong and face everything with your head high, don't let your self go down… Goodbye, Gin-gin." Mr. Weasley said, his eyes filling with tears.
"You're sounding weird, Dad. Have you been reading those Muggle psychology books again?" she said, suspicious of something going on.
"Go to the train, and have a smashing year." he replied with a chuckle, pushing her towards the engine.
"Wait a minute… Where's Angel? Angel? ANGEL?" Ginny called, starting to get desperate. Her kitten was nowhere in sight, and the crowd was too compact. They could even smash her with the cars' wheels… Oh Merlin, she had to find Angel.
Going on fours, Ginny crawled through the maze of legs, calling for Angel, but the kitten was nowhere in sight. When Ginny was about to stand up, a pair of polished black shoes appeared in front of her.
"Trying to get as filthy as your Mudblood friend, Weasley?" a male voice enquired, heavy with sarcasm.
"Malfoy!" Ginny spat, furiously, not even looking up to make sure it was him. She would recognize the arrogant git's voice, anywhere. "Just leave me alone…"
"Why should I?" he asked, with a small chuckle.
Ginny stood up, and looked him right in his grey eyes.
"My cat ran away, and I'm trying to find her before the train leaves, so, get out of my way, you stupid blond ferret…" she yelled, getting furious.
"Well, Weasley, I've got news for you. I know where your kitty is, but I won't tell you…" he sneered, watching her clench and unclench her fists.
"Where is Angel, you bastard?" she hissed, menacingly, her face turning as red as her hair.
"You see, Weasel, I won't tell you until you start showing some respect to your Head Boy. You have to say: `Oh greatest Hogwarts' Head Boy of all time, can you please, please tell me where my cat is? I would be most thankful if you helped me.' Say it and I'll tell you…" Malfoy replied, his eyes shining with laughter.
"Angel? Come here, kitten. Come to me, sweetie…" Ginny called, looking all around her, trying to find the small cat.
"That won't work…" he said, with a know-it-all voice. "Say it!"
"I would rather endure one month of detention with both Snape and Filch, than telling you those stupid lies. Now, please, tell me where Angel is… The train is starting to move!" she yelled over the whistle of the train, releasing its vapour.
"Fine. You have two options: one, you tell me what I told you to say; two, you will do something for me…" he said, watching her with attention.
"What do you want?" she asked, suspicious.
"I'll tell you soon. Here, take your damn cat and keep an eye on it… This is not a good place for little kittens, to stroll around." he sneered, taking the cat from under his cloak, and handing it to Ginny.
"You stupid git! You had her, all this time, and still you tried to blackmail me?" she yelled, not noticing the train start moving away from the platform. "No wonder… You're your father's son. The two of you are made of the same death-eater stuff. Where are you going, you coward?"
Draco Malfoy was running along the moving train, trying to jump through an open door, to the space between carriages. Ginny finally noticed what was happening and holding Angel the best she could without hurting her, she started running as fast as she could. The train was now moving too fast and the platform was coming to an end, but Draco Malfoy managed to jump into the train while Ginny kept on running.
Just as she decided to give up and find another way to go back to Hogwarts, Malfoy appeared at the door, blond hair flying around his face and his arm outstretched, offering his help. Ginny was shocked but decided to trust him, quickly holding his hand and allowing him to pull her against him. Both ended up on the floor, Ginny on top of her rescuer.
With a quick push, Draco Malfoy got up, leaving Ginny on the floor with Angel still in her arms, mewing.
"I'm not a Death-Eater, so shut your mouth before you even say those things. You don't know me and I don't want you to… Keep yourself away from me, Weasel, or you'll wish you had never met me." he menaced, going down the corridor with his black robes dancing behind him.
"Looks like I've hit a soft spot, don't you agree Angel? Please, don't you ever run away, again." Ginny sighed, smiling softly to her little friend, before going to the last compartment, where her brother, Harry and Hermione used to sit.
"Hello Ginny, where were you? You disappeared at the platform. Is everything ok? You are so flushed…" Hermione asked, curious, looking at her friend.
"I'm fine… So, what are you guys doing?" she asked, sitting next to her brother, and in front of Harry and Hermione.
"Exploding Snap. That's all they can do, unfortunately…" Hermione complained, rolling her eyes with boredom.
As always, Hermione was right. Both girls spent the next couple of hours watching the boys playing the game without even looking at the people who came to greet them… Having had enough, Ginny decided to take a walk with Angel in her robe's pocket.
"Well, well, well… What have we got here? I conclude that she's a Weasley, because of the red hair, but, Merlin, isn't she looking good?" a male voice, said behind her, scaring her to death. Turning around, Ginny found the greatest Slytherin git, after Malfoy, of course.
"What do you want, Zabini?" she asked, preparing herself for his insults about her family.
"Nothing, Weasley, just wanted to take a good look at you… Hum, you've really improved this summer, haven't you?" he said, eyeing her body from head to toes, making her feel exposed and disgusted. "I wouldn't mind having a piece of that…"
"Zabini, go back to your compartment." a familiar voice said, from behind Ginny.
"Oh, come on, Malfoy, I just want to have some fun! Don't you agree with me? The little Weasley really looks good… Sexier than Pansy, uh?" Zabini said, grinning evilly. "What do you think about sharing her? It would be fun…"
"I'm not a piece of meat to be shared, you git! If you are so hungry, I'm sure Pansy Parkinson will be pleased to help…" she replied, utterly disgusted, before she turned to walk on the direction she was heading before being interrupted. Now, in front of her, was Draco Malfoy, again… And boy, did he look furious.
"Zabini, go to your compartment or I'll take points from Slytherin." he menaced, watching the other boy send another lusty look at Ginny, before he obeyed.
"Thank you, Malfoy." Ginny said, smiling weakly.
"I want you to go to your compartment as well." he ordered coldly, not giving a damn to her apologizes.
"I don't want to… It's really boring over there and I want to take a walk. I don't want my butt to become flat after spending so much time sitting on the same place." she complained with a hint of humour.
"I'm sure your cute butt will stay as it is… Now, go to your compartment." he said, smiling softly.
`WOW, what a change! He looks really good when he smiles… Nice teeth, nice lips, nice face, nice body… Awful temper!' Ginny thought, looking at him from head to toes, like Zabini had done to her a few minutes before.
"Ok, I'm going, Mr. Head Boy. Thank you for saving me from Zabini, the Womaniser…" she joked. Quickly she stood on her toes and grabbed his neck to bring their faces close to each other. "You were a darling…" she said, before she touched his lips with hers, for a brief soft kiss.
Breaking the short kiss, Ginny turned around and went back to her compartment, leaving a stunned Malfoy behind her.
`Oh, my, I can't believe I did that! A few hours ago I was yelling at him, and now I kiss him and think of him as if he was a Greek God? Am I going nuts? I must be…' she thought, petting Angel's head, which was peaking out of Ginny's robe's pocket. "Oh, Angel, I think I really did it, this time… Mom told me to stay away from trouble two hours ago, and I'm already getting in Malfoy's black list."
"Meow…" the kitten responded, licking her hand.
"Yes, love, I'm glad you're here with me… Let's go back to the Exploding Snap game, shall we?" Ginny laughed, trying to calm her red face, before facing her brother and his two friends.
The first week back at school was pure hell… At least it was for Ginny.
She still felt confused about the reasons why she had kissed Malfoy, her brother's greatest enemy of all time. Over the last week she had avoided walking in the same corridors as Malfoy, the teachers were giving them dozens of assignments to do and Angel followed Ginny everywhere… including classes.
Right now, Ginny was on her last class of the day and of the week: Potions… Placing Angel inside her robes' pocket, Ginny started to work on her Engorgio Potion with Cathy, one of her friends. About half way of the class, Angel got out of Ginny's pocket and started sniffing the potion bubbling in the cauldron.
"Angel, get out of the table! Please, hide, or Snape will get you…" Ginny begged, trying to reach for the cat, but Angel jumped from the table and ran to the teacher's desk, sitting next to it on the floor, looking up at the cold man. "Oh Merlin, he's going to kill her as soon as he sees her…"
And, in fact, Snape did see Angel, sitting on the floor watching him. His face was serious, but there were no signs of fury… At least that was a good sign.
"Hello there, enjoying a Potions class, are you?" he said in a strangely soft voice, picking up the cat in his arms.
Blushing, Ginny rose from her seat and went to the teacher's desk.
"Um… Professor, I'm sorry about Angel, I know I shouldn't bring her to classes…" she said in a low voice, looking at her shoes.
"Miss Weasley, have you finished your potion?" he snapped, not even looking at her.
"No, sir." she whispered in reply.
"Then I suggest you go finish it. You will remain after class…" he ordered, starting to pet Angel.
`Traitor!' Ginny thought, watching as the kitten enjoyed the caress, and went back to her cauldron to finish the stupid potion, always keeping an eye on her teacher and cat.
As soon as the class was over and everyone had left, Ginny approached Snape's desk, and reached for Angel, but the professor held the kitten against his chest, stopping her from doing so.
"Professor, can I have Angel back?" Ginny asked softly.
"Where did you get a Pulga, Miss Weasley?" Snape asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"My parents wanted to give me a present and I chose Angel… The owner of the pet shop gave her to me and in return I promised to take good care of her." she explained. "I know I shouldn't bring her with me, but if I don't bring her to classes, she comes after me…"
"I understand…" he said, smiling to the kitten, with his yellow crooked teeth.
"You do?" Ginny replied, confused with his behaviour. Snape never ever smiled… Not even to his Slytherin gits!
"Don't you know anything about Pulgas, Miss Weasley? I suggest you do some research…" he stated, going back to his usual self, and returned Angel to her owner. "You are dismissed."
Ginny held the kitten and her bag, leaving the classroom as fast as she could. Seeing Snape smile was truly weird and she couldn't understand why Angel let him hold her. She didn't seem to like anyone besides her, Malfoy and now, Snape…
Still trying to understand, Ginny went to the Great Hall, for dinner, and sat between Cathy and Harry, at the Gryffindor table.
"Hey Ginny, what did he say? Are you in detention?" Cathy asked, worried with her best friend.
"Oh Cathy, you'll never believe what happened…" Ginny sighed, starting to explain what had happened in the classroom, and at the same time she fed Angel with the food from her plate.
"NO WAY!" Cathy yelled, astonished. Everyone in the Great Hall turned to look at her, and the girl blushed violently, staring down at her plate. Looking at the other house tables, Ginny locked eyes with none other than Draco Malfoy. His face was blank, staring back at her without smiling, sneering, or looking furious. His face was blank and devoid of any emotions… Ginny had been watching him for a while, with him staring back, until Harry broke the connection by waving a hand in front of her eyes.
"Earth to Ginny… Hello? Is anyone home?" Harry joked, trying to bring her out of her hypnotic state.
"What is it Harry?" she asked, looking away from Malfoy.
"Why were you staring at him?" he asked curious, while he ate his piece of chocolate cake.
"I was lost in thought, not looking at anyone in particular…" she lied, drinking her Pumpkin Juice, and petting Angel.
"Oh, ok…" he said, turning back to Hermione, kissing her softly on the lips.
"Oh Merlin, Will someone give those two a bedroom? I'm sick of this kissy kissy stuff…" Ginny whispered in Cathy's ear, making her friend laugh.
"Don't worry Gin; someday you'll do that as well and you'll love it." Cathy replied, watching Angel jump on top of the table.
"Angel, come back to my lap, I don't want you on the table." Ginny said, trying to grab the kitten, but she jumped from the Gryffindor table to the Slytherin table, landing steadily in front of Draco Malfoy, who smiled softly and reached for Angel, petting her gently. "That cat is going to get me killed with a heart attack!"
"Maybe you're right… But before that, she'll make you loose your heart." Cathy smiled knowingly, watching the change in the Slytherin boy's face.
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"Soon you'll know… Malfoy has gotten really cute, hasn't he?" Cathy whispered, watching the Slytherin feed Angel with his pudding.
"Yeah… Uh, I mean no! He's still the same old stupid ferret…" Ginny quickly replied, blushing a dark red.
"Ginevra Weasley, I thought you were taught not to lie!" Cathy laughed, patting Ginny's arm. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you think he's gorgeous."
"Hey, you were the one who said he's cute and I never said he was gorgeous." Ginny complained.
"Whom are you two talking about?" Neville, who sat in front of them, asked with a curious smile on his chubby face.
"Probably about Harry… My sister has had a crush on him since she was ten!" Ron replied with a chuckle but when he saw the look on his sister's face, he became worried. "Uh, oh!"
"Ronald Weasley, who the hell do you think you are to know what's in my heart? You are talking about the little girl I was, once. I've grown up, in case you didn't notice! Don't you dare say I like Harry, because I don't. Not that way! He is a friend I once fancied, that's all, so if you don't want to suffer the consequences of making me furious, shut up about my feelings." Ginny hissed angrily, trying to keep her voice to a minimum, but it was still loud enough for some tables to hear.
"Ok, I got it… You don't have to be so angry, it was an innocent comment." Ron complained, going really red.
"Fine, Ron, but please, don't forget that I'm not your baby sister anymore… I can take care of myself, so please, abstain from commenting about my decisions and feelings." she said softly, leaving her sit and kissing her brother's forehead. "I love you, but sometimes you are a real prick…"
"I love you too, Ginny, but sometimes you are just like Mom, exploding because of the littlest things… You scare me." he replied with a smile.
Ginny smiled back and went to the Slytherin table, standing behind Draco Malfoy.
"Can I have my cat back, please?" she asked, reaching out her hands.
Quietly, Draco handed her the kitten and turned back to his plate.
"Thank you, Draco." she whispered close to his ear, feeling him shiver. When he gathered the strength to turn around, she was gone…
That Weasley girl was really getting to his head… and worst… to his feelings.
"What was that all about, Draco?" Pansy Parkinson complained, as soon as Ginny left the Great Hall. "Why was that Weasel talking to you? What did she whisper in your ear?"
"Will you please shut it? Your voice is giving me a headache…" he replied with a frown.
"Draco Malfoy, I will not have you talking with me in that tone!" Pansy shrieked. "What did she say to you?"
"Pansy, you are no one to demand explanations from me. Go back to your pink little world, and leave me alone…" he hissed, standing and leaving the Great Hall. He needed to think, and Pansy Parkinson wasn't the best company to do that… Seriously, that girl could talk for hours about clothes; make up, diets and other non-important stuff.
The breeze coming from the lake was chilly, but it felt good against his body, making his hair fly around his face, tickling his cheeks. For the first time in a long time, Draco felt somewhat alive… Right now, no one could make him feel bad about anything.
As he closed his eyes to inhale the thick air that menaced rain, an image popped up in his mind… A pale face, adorned with wide open honey eyes showing fury and amusement, full rosy lips, saying horrible things to him, but smiling as well… That cute little nose with small freckles, those red tinged cheeks, and finally, a large mane of red hair, full of large curls, making him wish to run his fingers along them.
"Oh Merlin, I'm doomed…" he whispered to himself. "There's no way I'm letting myself step this low."
Turning around, Draco Malfoy went back to his dorm, trying to keep a certain redheaded girl out of his mind.
"Hey, Angel, listen to this…
`Pulgas seem to get strongly attached to their caretakers and they show that affection by being around all the time. They do this to express their love and in hope that their caretakers will reciprocate that feeling.
`Considering this, if your Pulga follows you everywhere, do not worry, because this is perfectly normal. Just give it all your love and your special friend will give it back to you.
`Be careful, though, because if you don't show the so needed affection, the Pulga will die… Some refer to this process as the Cry of the Angels… Why? Because the Pulga will be floating in the air, surrounded by a white light, and tears will come down from its eyes. `When it finally dies, the body vanishes. Not pleasant sights, so please, take good care of your special friend…
`They may show some powers, but it differs from animal to animal. Some possess telepathic powers, some possess the ability of speech, and some seem to be able to perform simple magic…'" Ginny read from one of the library books about Pulgas. Then, she looked at Angel and smiled. "What power do you have, my little Angel? I don't care… Just make sure you don't let yourself die, ok? I love you dearly and I know you love me back…"
"Meow…" the kitten replied, as if understanding what Ginny said, its pink eyes shining with adoration towards its caretaker.
"You're such a smart kitten, Angel." Ginny smiled, placing the book on the table, and proceeded to hold her Pulga in her arms.
"Oh, how endearing… A little weasel holding her little pet. Don't you have anything better to do with your time?" a voice drawled behind her.
"Go away, Malfoy…" Ginny replied, freeing Angel, who was struggling to get out from her embrace. As soon as she was free, the kitten jumped to Draco's robes, holding onto the fabric by her sharp nails. The blond Slytherin chuckled and held her in his arms, while the white kitten started licking his hands. "I just don't get it… How can she like you so much? Are you always carrying cookies in your robes to give her, or something?"
"Why? Are you jealous, Weasley? Angel knows better. She likes me because I'm charming, and gorgeous… Isn't it, Love?" he joked, playing with the kitty, forgetting to whom he was talking.
"Oh, wait a minute… Did you just call her `Love'? That's the second shock I've received in the last 24 hours… A Malfoy saying the L word! Amazing." Ginny laughed, watching him become furious.
"Miss Weasley, I suggest you laugh outside of the library… And please, take that filthy cat out of here, I don't want my books ruined." Madame Pince complained, as she passed by the table.
"Sorry…" Ginny said in a low voice. "Give her back to me, I have to leave."
"No, I want her to stay with me a little longer." he replied, sitting next to Ginny's chair and taking his books out of his bag.
Ginny just stood there, looking at him with suspicion. How could he like Angel so much? She had never seen him being so friendly towards other people's pets… And, how could he call her love? Was he out of his mind? Oh… this was getting really confusing.
"Are you going to stay there, burning a hole in my head?" he sneered, scribbling on his parchment with one hand, and playing with Angel with the other.
"If it was that easy to destroy you, you would have been dead a long time ago." she spat back, picking up her things.
"What's that?" he asked, grabbing the book about Pulgas. "'Get to know your Pulga'. Why are you reading this stuff?"
"Because Angel is a Pulga, that's why. Now, give me the book back…" she growled, taking the book from his hands and placing it inside her school bag. "Angel, are you coming with me or are you staying with the slimy git?"
Angel looked up at Ginny, meowed, and lay on Draco's lap, closing her little pink eyes.
"I guess she gave you her answer. Have a nice day, Weasley." he sneered, watching her leave the Library with fury all over her face. "If I can't have feelings for her, I'll make sure her life is a living hell. That's the way it must be… You understand my reasons, don't you, Love? Yes, I think you do… As she said, you're a smart little kitten."
All the Gryffindors in the common room jumped in surprise when the portrait entrance closed violently and a furious Ginny Weasley threw her book bag to a corner of the room.
"Ginny, what happened? You look furious." Cathy asked, trying to sit Ginny on an armchair, next to the warm fire.
"That's because I am furious." Ginny replied coldly, pacing the small space in front of the fireplace. "Slimy git… Who does he think he is? Take her away from me like that… If he's using her to hurt me, he'll pay."
"Ginny? I'm sorry, but, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Cathy yelled, trying to understand her friend's behaviour. A few heads looked at them with angry stares, and curious stares, as well. "Oh, I think I have an idea of whom it is. What did the Slytherin Prince do to you, this time?"
"He's trying to take Angel from me! He even calls her Love… I almost had a heart attack when he called her that way. He holds her and pets her all the time and she prefers to stay with him in the Library, rather than stay with me…" Ginny replied, still pacing as her fury dissipated, turning into sadness. "I don't want to lose Angel."
"Oh Ginny, Angel loves you, you know she does… But she loves him, as well. Let her love both of you…" Cathy advised, hugging Ginny in a sweet embrace. "And Ginny, maybe she's trying to tell you something about Malfoy… Maybe she's trying to tell you that he's trustworthy. Why don't you try to follow her example and get closer to him?"
"And what? Rub myself against his legs, until he grabs me in his arms, so I can lick his face?" Ginny replied, with sarcasm.
"Well… That would be a start!" her friend replied jokingly. "Try to talk with him, without accusations and without loosing your temper."
"Fine… I'll try, but only because I don't want to lose Angel." Ginny replied, saying only half the truth. In truth, Ginny was a little jealous of the Pulga, because Malfoy liked her and enjoyed her company. Ginny would give anything to be the one in his arms, making him smile and become soft… But Angel was the one responsible for that and Ginny still loved her.
That night, Angel didn't return to the Gryffindor tower and Malfoy didn't show up for dinner, leaving Ginny terribly worried… about the Pulga, of course.
`As she eaten anything? She's always hungry… Did he feed her? Has he eaten?' Ginny thought, rolling in her bed, unable to sleep. `Hey, wait a minute, I don't care if he starves to death. I'm worried about Angel… not HIM!'
Feeling angry for not being able to sleep, Ginny left her warm bed and dressed her robe on top of the red cotton pyjamas. Putting on her matching slippers, Ginny left the 6th year girls' dorm and walked down to the common room.
To her big surprise, there was someone there, lying on the floor in front of the roaring fire. With the help of the yellowish light emanating from the flames, Ginny concluded that the person had short black hair. Approaching silently, she had one of the biggest surprises of her whole life… That was something she never expected to witness.
The black haired person, was Harry, but he wasn't alone… He was naked on top of a naked Hermione and his body was moving gently over hers, as she moaned softly against his lips.
That was not a sight Ginny wanted to see, so, silently, she left the Gryffindor Tower, and decided to go to the kitchens and get a cup of tea.
The beautiful stone corridors of Hogwarts looked scary at night, but aside from Filch, Mrs. Norris, Professor Snape and Peeves, there was nothing to fear. Well, almost nothing…
As she walked, Ginny remembered the fact that she had seen her friends going at it on the common room's floor and blushed. Should she be jealous? After all, she had loved Harry for a long time… But the fact was, she didn't love him that way anymore. He was like her seventh brother and she was happy he and Hermione loved each other so much, that they had taken that important step on their relationship.
`Yep, I'm cured from the Boy-Who-Lived… I'm free to find love. Boys of Hogwarts, be aware.' she thought, smiling amusedly. `Oh, no, correct that… Boys of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, be aware. That's more like it.'
Walking fast, but silently, Ginny arrived in front of the fruits' painting and tickled the pear, opening the door to the enormous kitchens. Usually the room was full of house-elves, working happily, but right now the only thing moving were the flames in a fireplace nearby. Still smiling, she went to the stove to prepare some tea, searching for cookies on the shelves on her right side.
"Can I have some tea, as well?" a male voice whispered in her ear, making the hairs on the back of her head stand up with electricity… That voice was unmistakable, and so were its effects on her body
"Are you sure you have enough courage to drink something a Weasley has made?" she retorted, not looking back at him, pretending to be occupied opening the cookies box.
"I'm a Slytherin, not a stupidly brave Gryffindor. We have our own ways of guarantying our safety…" he replied, leaning against the kitchen counter so that he could face her.
"Fine." was her only reply. Ginny picked up two cups of tea and two plates of cookies, placing his cup and plate on a table away from the one she had chosen for herself.
"Meow…"
Looking down, Ginny saw Angel rubbing herself against her legs, begging for attention and probably a plate of milk.
"He hasn't fed you, as he? Well, maybe next time you'll choose to stay with the right person." Ginny whispered, scolding the little Pulga, but couldn't avoid a tender smile. "I'll get you a plate of milk, ok?"
"Meow." the kitten answered, sitting down on the cold floor, waiting.
"I did feed her, you know…" Draco complained, still leaning against the counter.
"It doesn't look like it. She's hungry…" Ginny replied, placing a large bowl of milk on the floor.
"That's because she eats like a pig…" he replied with a sneer.
As if understanding what he had said, Angel stopped eating and looked at him with her pink eyes. If she had facial expressions she would have been looking at him with murder in her eyes.
"Sorry, love, I meant you eat a lot." he corrected, smiling softly.
Malfoy had just smiled and apologized to a Pulga… What was going on with the fake blond Slytherin git? He was acting soft this year.
"Malfoy, I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but, are you gay?" she asked, sitting in front of her cup of tea.
"WHAT? Why the hell do you think I am?" he asked, surprised and a little mad.
"Well, first of all, you've started saying the word `Love' and that word doesn't exist on Slytherins' vocabulary… Secondly, you've just apologised to Angel for saying a nasty thing. What the hell happened to you this summer? Have you met a new guy, or something?" she teased, sipping her hot tea and eating the chocolate cookies.
"Weasley, do you have any doubt about my masculinity? I can give you several names of girls who have no doubts about my sexual leaning." he scowled, picking up his cup of tea and bringing it over to her table, sitting in front of her.
"I have nothing to do with your sex life, so, please, abstain from telling me how many girls you've shagged, ok? Eeww, just thinking about it makes me want to throw up…" she mocked him, with a smirk on her lips. "Why are you sitting over here? This is Gryffindors' table."
"No, Weasel, this is the table on which the elves place the food that goes up to the Gryffindor table, in the Great Hall. There's a big difference…" he replied, not taking his eyes away from her face.
"Why are you acting so strange? Why are you spending your time talking with me? I'm just a filthy and poor, mudbloods' lover, as you like to put it." she asked, trying to read his silver grey eyes.
"Maybe because I want to make you feel miserable for having to endure my presence… Maybe I'm trying to make you go crazy with our fights…" he replied with a smile. A real one… "Or, maybe I'm trying to make you go crazy for me…"
"Uh, oh, Malfoy, I really think you've gone nut. Maybe you should go to the Infirmary…" Ginny chuckled. "But, you do lie very well. Well, since Angel likes us both, I don't see why we shouldn't talk to each other."
"I agree… But don't talk to me where others might see." he replied with a smirk. "Are you coming?"
Ginny got up from her seat, grabbed Angel and followed Malfoy out of the kitchens, into the Main Staircase. From that point he would take the stairs down to the Dungeons and Ginny would go up to the Gryffindor tower.
"Good night, little Weasel…" Draco whispered in her ear.
"Good night, Draco." she whispered, feeling out of breath.
Smiling, Draco brought his lips to hers and kissed her softly, before he disappeared down the staircase.
"Oh Angel, this is getting truly weird and confusing… But I like it. He's not as bad as I thought." Ginny whispered to the kitten, touching her warm lips with her fingertips. "I think I could fall for him…"
Trying not to dwell on that thought, Ginny went back to the Gryffindor Common room. Luckily the couple wasn't there anymore, so she went up to her dorm and tried to go to sleep, with Angel rolled up in a ball on top of her belly. That night, she dreamt of sweet kisses on the Main Staircase, with a certain blond Slytherin.
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