I can speak for myself [open]

I will, I will speak for myself…

there’s so much that you’re missing….

…if you cared you would listen.

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Angela’s eyes snapped open. Quickly she shook her head and looked around. Though she felt as if everyone in the room was staring at her, no one actually was. Blushing, she ducked her head as low as she could in hopes that she could melt into the plush chair she occupied. How long had she had her eyes closed? It felt like forever to her, but it might have only been a few seconds. With a sigh she closed her eyes again, glad that she was easily over looked. While her eyes had been closed she was remembering her first few days at Hogwarts and how awkward she felt. More people than she cared to remember had made attempts to talk to her only to find out that she couldn’t. Most of them didn’t give her time to explain herself, but those that did didn’t seem interested after that. She felt like a pariah. Even now, six years later she still felt that way. Sure she had a few close friends, but not nearly as many as she felt she should have. Because of her disadvantage, she lacked the social experiences that any normal person would have.

It wasn’t her fault she was born the way she was. It wasn’t her fault she lacked the same verbal skills as everyone else around her. Since it wasn’t her fault why then was she ignored by her peers? All her life some treated her different just because she was born mute. It wasn’t like they could catch anything from her or like she would break if they touched her; she was just like everyone else just not vocally. At first being ignored had bothered Angela, but after time went on she realized she couldn’t feel sorry for herself because no one understood her. But that wasn’t true, some people did understand her, it was just hard to do so if you didn’t have the time to learn. Maybe they should take the time, Angela thought bitterly. With a sigh she shook her head, but then stopped and glanced around her again. All she needed was for more people to think she was weird. It isn’t their fault, she defended them like always even though there was no excuse, It is our nature to repel what we don’t understand. It was pathetic how she defended them.

Finally, unable to take the way she felt, Angela stood up and smoothed out the folds of her uniform. The last class of the day would be over in roughly forty-five minutes and Angela needed to get out. Before anyone could stop her, not that they would, Angela hurried from the Ravenclaw Common Room and made her way towards the Entrance Hall and right onto the grounds. The weather outside had been unruely of late and today was no different. Overhead hung dark storm clouds that looked as if they could let loose at moment; not the ideal time to be outside, but Angela didn’t care. Regrettably, Angela could tell that the grounds were actually quite busy. Apparently the cold weather had been getting to everyone because several groups of students were out enjoying what they could while the rain held off. Not wanting to bother anyone already enjoying their time, Angela made her way towards the Stone Circle, a place she hardly ever visited, but she felt it would suit her.

As expected, it was empty. In the distance she could see the hut which was home to the grounds keeper of Hogwarts. Personally she had never set foot any closer to it than she was right now, but she knew others had. The way she saw it, that was someone’s home and since she wasn’t invited, she would stay at a safe distance. As she entered the gazebo a cold breeze cropped up sending violent shivers over her body. Quickly she wrapped her cloak tightly around her and found a bench to sit on. Trying to get comfortable, she pulled her legs up to her chest and hugged them, preparing for a long and lonely while before dinner.

From where she sat she could see the forbidden forest, even from here it looked ominous. Though she had never set foot inside the dark place, it was always there in the back of her mind as if haunting her. The horrors within seemed all too close for her liking even within the castle. Angela never really understood what kept the nasty creatures from the forest from sneaking onto the grounds at night. Sure there were probably spells that may be in effect, but who was to say that they were fail proof? Angela was sure that no matter who cast the spell, it could always fail. And who was to say that there were actually spells keeping them safe anyway? No one had ever said that nothing could escape the forest, so that left the scary thought that something could if it really wanted to. A shudder crept over her causing her to hug her knees tighter. Get over it you silly girl! Angela scolded, burying her face in her arms. Could you be any bigger of a baby? Though she knew she was safe, or so she hoped, a loud shriek sounded from the forest, raising the hairs on the back of her neck.

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Tag! OPEN
Wearing! School robes
Words! 889
Credit! CC
Lyrics! Speak for myself- Aly & AJ
Notes! <3[/blockquote][/size][/font]

It was nearing the end of the day and Vincent couldn’t be more relieved that the classes were over. The day had just felt long for him. Maybe it was the fact that he had a bunch of homework looming over his head or maybe it was because he hadn’t slept well the night before – of course, he rarely ever slept well. Some days he was surprised that he was able to get through the day because of how tired he was. It was just because of the usual nightmares – some were worse than others. They circulated around a majority of things; the way his mother and eldest brother thought of him, the night he was attacked, the night he ran into his father.

He paused on his trek up to the Ravenclaw common room, realizing that he wasn’t quite ready to head up there just yet. Once he got up there, he would probably just go up to the dorm and start on his homework – in the hopes of avoiding talking to anyone in the common room. Vincent was gradually getting more social after becoming accustomed to what he was now, but he still felt extremely nervous talking to people. After seeing a group of Ravenclaws at the top of the staircase, he turned and began the climb down to the ground floor.

He peeked out the window and saw that it appeared there would be a storm coming in. Good. Maybe that would help him sleep a little bit better. Just when he was about to pull away from the window, he saw a familiar figure making her way across the grounds to the Stone Circle. It was Angela du Coudray – probably one of his closer friends. However, he hadn’t spoken to her too much lately, just on account of his nervousness with talking to people.

Thinning his lips, he left the castle to catch up with her. He was worried that she might be upset with him on account of his having not spoken with her for awhile. The closer he got, though, the more he realized how upset she looked and he felt terribly guilty. He came to a sudden halt and turned to look at the Forbidden Forest when he heard a frightening sound coming from it. Vincent had been in the Forbidden Forest a few times before, but had never really run into anything too dangerous – of course, he never went too far inside. What could have made that noise?

He shrugged off the noise and continued up to the gazebo, where Angela was sitting. “Hey, Angela…,” he said, carefully sitting next to her, but not too close,”Um…are you alright?”

I will, I will speak for myself…

there’s so much that you’re missing….

…if you cared you would listen.

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Angela shivered, it was cold to her though the whether had been warming up as of late. The sounds from the forest we making her want to run back towards the safety of the castle, but the thought of going back was almost as unpleasant as being attacked. Shaking her head, she wondered what was happening now that she wasn't around. She doubted anyone had noticed her absence or had even second guessed her leaving in the first place. Not many really payed attention to Angela something she both liked and loathed.

Gently she rested her chin on her knees and just looked into the distance. Her mind wandered but to nothing in particular until she thought of the few friends she actually did have. Apart from her sister Angelique, Angela had very few people in her life that she could call a friend. One person she could, or that she could once call a friend, was Vincent. He might have been a year older, but he had always been nice to her. He had been one of the few that had actually taken to her and even come to her defense, but something had changed recently. Vincent hadn't spoken to her and she wondered why. I wonder if I did something,[/i] she thought sadly. Maybe I said something to upset him... I mean it would be a first for me, but I'm sure it could happen.[/i] Angela let out a sigh. Some people thought it was funny the way normal activities looked when she did them, even cursing just didn't seem as vicious somehow when written or signed.

Angela wasn't alone long when she heard someone coming closer. Quickly she turned so she could see who had found her and was surprised to see Vincent react to the noise and then brush it off as if nothing happened. He came closer to her and then sat with her, his voice casual as he greeted her. Angela noticed that he sat rather far away considering how alone they were. When she saw this it only solidified her feeling that maybe she'd done something to upset him. Even though she felt like she should be apologizing for something, she smiled at Vincent as kindly as she could.

Slowly she reached inside her robes and grabbed her wand and note book she always carried with her. It took only seconds to find a blank page. When she was ready, she pointed her wand at the paper and began her spell. It had been her life saver over the years and she was glad she had it. Without its help, Angela would never have gotten as far as she had and would probably have no friends at all.

Hi Vincent. It's nice to see you. I'm fine, just couldn't take the Common Room anymore. I always feel like I'm not welcome.

As she continued her spell, Angela wrinkled her nose and twitched her lips back and forth like she always did when she was thinking about something. It was awkward to her to have someone waiting to read something she wrote. Because it felt to unsettling to her she always made sure that her messages were at least slightly lengthy to justify the wait, but they never seemed to in her mind anyway. I shouldn't have to make them wait,[/i] she told herself for probably the billionth time in her life. Those healers should have been able to fix me. Angela thought she was broken, almost like a toy that needed to be fixed before it could be played with.

As the spell continued, Angela never looked away from the page:

How have you been? I haven't seen you around much lately.

In all honesty, Angela had been worried about her friend. He had never done her wrong before, he actually took up for her when she was being bullied, but he had been so distant lately she wondered if something was wrong. Even though she wanted friends and wanted to have people who understood her, she never forced herself on anyone. She knew that taking on any kind of relationship with someone like her was a challenge and it was one she would never fight for if the other person ever showed disinterest. Maybe Vincent has had enough,[/i] she thought with a sigh. Not sure if that was really the case or not, Angela looked at this meeting as a chance to restart, maybe even figure out why he'd been so distant lately.

Finally, satisfied with her work, Angela turned the page towards Vincent so he could read it. As he did she looked back at the forest and waited. Silently cursing to herself, Angela wished there were an easier way for her to communicate with people. The ideal way would be to speak to them, but since she was still broken that was out of the question. It wasn't that she felt sorry for herself, but rather for those around her. She knew that dealing with someone like her wasn't ideal and could be hard to take, so it wasn't her that she felt pity for.

If Angela was being truely honest with herself, even she would find it hard to be around someone like her, not as she was now, but if she was fixed and normal like everyone else. If she could talk, she wondered how she would react to someone like her, if she would be their friend or would she be like most everyone else and turn her back on them? Though she told herself that she would try and be friends with them, she wondered if that was really the case. She saw how hard it was for everyone else and she knew it would be just as hard for her. It took a very rare type of person to be friends with someone with such a great disability.

Merlin, would you listen to yourself! You're a miserable person, so full of self loathing that you cant even accept the beauty and blessings you have! You have a family, a sister who love you and you have friends who accept you for you and your disadvantage and yet you act like no one even sees you. Maybe you don't deserve friends if you're just going to question their motives.[/i] Angela felt terrible for being so negative, but it just seemed like second nature now. Though she tried to defend those who ignored her, she found it harder and harder to do. It was impossible for her to not feel a little hate towards them for turning their backs on her so soon. Most heard from others about her disability and stayed away from her without even trying. Angela sighed and looked at Vincent. As she watched him, she couldn't help but smile, glad that she had someone like him to call her friend.

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Tag! Vincent Dorée
Wearing! School robes
Words! 1,197
Credit! CC
Lyrics! Speak for myself- Aly & AJ
Notes! Yuck, this one got kind of preachy, sorry >.< [/blockquote][/size][/font]

It almost made Vincent feel worse when he saw Angela smiling sweetly at him. His friend, Nancy, had lectured him just a few days prior to this about the way he was distancing himself from people. He still didn’t believe what she had said about him being worth anything at all to other people, but there might be the select few people that still valued him. He had no idea what reason that might be, but Nancy had made it clear to him that he had abandoned them. It made Vincent feel horrible. He had been so stuck inside his own head that he hadn’t thought about how his actions were affecting other people.

He took a deep breath and turned slightly as he waited patiently for Angela to write down what she wanted to say. Vincent never minded having to wait to read what Angela wanted to say and he didn’t understand why some people had such a problem with it. She couldn’t verbally speak, so what else was she supposed to do? Just not talk? Honestly, it made him mad how she was treated sometimes. A pang of guilt hit him in the stomach when he realized he was now one of the ones that was treating her badly.

Vincent tilted his head to the side and rested his arm on the back of the seat as he read what his friend wrote. “Oh,” he said, furrowing his brow after reading what she said,”I guess I kind of know what you mean. The other kids can be a little harsh sometimes.” Vincent had to put up with his own experiences with bullying from time to time, but it was nothing compared to the issues that Angela had. He was just relieved that he was able to come to her defense whenever he saw her having trouble.

He took a sharp intake of breath when he read what she wrote next. To anyone else, it would appear to be not so bad. To him, though, it just reiterated what a terrible person he was. Vincent bit his lip, hesitating in answering her. “I – I know. I’m really sorry, Angela. I know I’ve been kind of a rotten friend lately,” he said, cringing a this words, despite how true he felt they were. He had been so absorbed in his own problems and coming up with stupid reasoning, like thinking he was trying to keep people safe. Despite being a werewolf for almost two years now, he still hadn’t accepted it. He had barely gotten used to it. “I’ve just…been trying to deal with something, I guess. In…all the wrong ways apparently,” he said, risking a glance in Angela’s direction.

I will, I will speak for myself…

there’s so much that you’re missing….

…if you cared you would listen.

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Angela was glad that Vincent seemed patient enough with her. It was rare that anyone stood around long enough for her to get out everything she needed to say, but with Vincent he had never seemed to have a problem with it. Angela held a soft spot in her heart for the boy who was now next to her, one because he was so kind to her and two because there was something about him that made her feel they had more in common than what she realized. Whatever had drawn them together, Angela was glad for it and wasn’t about to question it, even if she had already done so. He has yet to really let me down, maybe he’s just going through something. As his friend I need to be there for him. And she vowed to do just that.

As Vincent read her words, she watched him closely, trying to decide what he wasn’t saying. The way he furrowed his brow told her he was thinking about something other than what her words meant, but she chose to ignore it, if he wanted to tell her then he would. When he spoke, Angela nodded in agreement. Yes, their fellow classmates, though the supposed wisest at the school, seemed to lack common sense. They were in fact harsh because of her lack of voice, but she had six years with them and knew how to ignore them… mostly. Sometimes it just got to the point where ignoring them wasn’t enough. Vincent was a rarity. He was one of the select few who actually came to her defense when someone was teasing her about something or other. Angela smiled, glad that she had this time to talk to Vincent again.

His next reaction surprised her. Tilting her head to the side, she looked at the top of the notebook, trying to remember what she had written and if it warranted such a response. To her memory she hadn’t written anything that should have caused Vincent to react so. Her eyes searched his face, just trying to see into him, though she couldn’t read minds so the odds of figuring him out weren’t very good. What are you thinking? When Vincent bit his lip, Angela became even more confused. Had she upset him? When he started to speak, he stumbled over his first word which again surprised her. Apparently she’d said something to him that made him uncomfortable. Then he was apologizing, but for what Angela wasn’t sure. Yes, he might have been distant lately, but even the closest of people had to take a step back every now and then, Angela didn’t fault him for that, but apparently Vincent did. Angela smiled again, even as he cringed. It made her feel guilty for saying what she’d said even though she didn’t think it was so bad. Gently she reached across the space between them and touched his arm lightly, giving it a tender squeeze before smiling at him in earnest; she wanted him to know she wasn’t upset with him.

Taking the book back, she pointed her wand at the page again and started her spell:

You don’t have to apologize. Everyone handles things differently. I’m just glad to see you. Are you alright? I mean, do you want to talk about it? I’m here for you, you know that.

It was in her nature to worry more about others before herself. It was a trait that her sister disliked, but that her parents valued. They felt that maybe, eventually, outsiders would see this and be drawn to her. They knew of her sufferings and on more than once occasion, suggested that she leave Hogwarts to be home taught or maybe even attend Beauxbatons where they might be more understanding; Angela highly doubted that it would be any different there than it was here. Besides, Angela loved Hogwarts, and felt that running away from her problems wouldn’t solve anything, only being diligent and keep her head held high would, maybe eventually bring others around to accepting her.

If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine as well. I just want you to know you can come to me, you don’t have to of course, but the option is there. I’m a good listener.

Angela couldn’t help but smile at her own joke. Of course she was a good listener; that was all she could do. She wondered what Vincent would say to it, if he would like the joke or feel awkward because she’d made it at her own expense. She often made jokes about herself, somehow it made her feel better. In her limited experience with people, she found that when they cracked jokes about themselves, it made those around them laugh thus bonding them to an extent. It is then, with low expectations, that she tries the same approach in hopes that someday it will bring more people around.

Slowly she turned to book back to Vincent so he could read her words. Even if he didn’t have a problem reading her thoughts, she did. It was awkward and unsettling that she had to make anyone wait. At least with Angelique she could communicate in almost real-time. With sign language she didn’t have to wait as long, but it took longer to say what she wanted and not everyone knew how to use it. Maybe they should start teaching it here. Angela thought halfheartedly. The odds that anyone would bother teaching sign language in a magic school were slim to none, as far as Angela could tell she was a rare case. Most other ailments could be magically healed, but apparently she was just too different. I can’t even use my Metamorph ability correctly. And it was true, Angela had to be at her most extreme emotionally before her ability would present itself. She had no control over it like Angelique did. And how she wished that she had control.

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Tag! Vincent Dorée
Wearing! School robes
Words! 994
Credit! CC
Lyrics! Speak for myself- Aly & AJ
Notes! <3[/blockquote][/size][/font]

It always bothered Vincent how he could never really seem to do enough to keep the other students from bothering Angela. The reasons they picked on her were completely idiotic. She just really deserved to be treated better than she was. He had grown to believe that he deserved the bullying that he received. Some of it, at least.

He jumped slightly when he felt Angela’s light touch on his arm. Personal contact, even something of that minimal degree, tended to make Vincent uncomfortable…unless he was the one initiating it. Not only did it make him uncomfortable, but he felt like he didn’t deserve it. It was one way that he had started to cut himself off from people; no hugs, no pats on the back, not even a handshake. However, he turned to her and gave her a small smile, knowing that she was just trying to reach out to him. At least it let him know that she wasn’t mad at him…even though she probably should be. He had been a rotten friend. Even if he had decided that he wasn’t good enough to be her friend, he should have at least talked to her first, instead of just abandoning her.

Vincent leaned forward slightly as he peered at what Angela wrote next. His eyes flashed up to Angela’s face after he read what she had written. He bit his lip as he thought about it. He honestly did feel like he should tell her, but…the thought made him nauseous. What if she was afraid of him? What if she didn’t want to be near him at all? He wouldn’t really blame her if that was what happened…honestly. Vincent was momentarily distracted by his worries, though, when Angela began writing something else.

His eyes flashed up to Angela’s face once again, almost hesitantly, as he leaned forward to examine what she had written next. He licked his lips and leaned back a bit, trying to decide what to do. Vincent could barely muster a small smile at her little joke. “Well…something – something happened to me awhile ago. I’m…not the same,” he said, choosing his words carefully,”I’ll understand if you don’t want to be around me anymore…um…”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his face for a moment, before pulling his hands up to grip at his hair, one of his nervous habits. Vincent turned to glance at Angela. How the hell was he going to do this? “Okay, I – I feel like you deserve to know, so…so I guess I’ll just say it,” he said, turning to face her again. He huffed out a sigh. “I’m…a werewolf.” Oh, God, why had he said it? She’s going to freak out, she’s going to hate him.

I will, I will speak for myself…

there’s so much that you’re missing….

…if you cared you would listen.

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Vincent jumped. Angela flinched. When she realized it was her touch that caused him to react so, she jerked her hand away and pursed her lips together, her eyes slightly wider than normal. She felt bad, it wasn't her intention to scare the poor thing, she just wanted him to know that she was there for him. Vincent was a nice guy and she genuinely liked him as a person. Whatever had brought them together made her feel connected to him. He was handsome, and maybe she had a small, little crush on him, but she told herself that she would never tell him. He was a friend when she had so few, he was much too important to loose over a fling.

Angela thought Vincent was acting strange. He just seemed almost to be at war with himself. When he gave her a small smile she felt slightly better, but it was obvious that something wasn’t right. At first when she had told him that he could tell her what was bothering him, she felt bad, almost like she was prying, but now she was glad that she had. Vincent almost seemed like he needed to talk to someone about what was going on. If he was like Angela he probably didn’t think anyone would care and so kept things to himself, but she had soon learned that even just talking to anyone was better than keeping things bottled up inside.

And then she was back to regretting prying again. Vincent looked almost scared. As he bit his lip, Angela tilted her head to the side and furrowed her brow, trying to figure him out and learning nothing. What is going on?[/i] Angela was at a loss, but the longer she sat with Vincent the more worried she got. Even if she hadn’t known him at all she would have known that something was wrong. Since she did know him she knew for certain that he was suffering from something. Concern. That’s what she wanted him to see on her face and she hoped he did. She was worried about her friend.

When he laughed, Angela knew, absolutely knew, that she couldn’t leave this spot without finding out what was going on. That laugh wasn’t what she had been expecting, it was much too small, almost forced. She clutched her notebook and wand, ready to write again as she bit down on her bottom lip. Instead she noticed that Vincent started talking. He didn’t seem like he wanted to, but he did and Angela listned. Something happened? Angela felt her heart beat quicken. Whatever had happened to him he must have thought it was pretty bad. The way he faltered when he spoke made Angela worry even more. What could have happened to this poor boy to make him feel that Angela would abandon him?

Oh how she wished she could speak! Vincent was in dire need of reassurance that she wouldn’t turn her back on him. It was obvious he didn’t really want to tell her what was going on, but she desperately hoped that he would. If he didn’t she would try and coax it out of him. The way he rubbed his face and pulled at his hair made Angela want to cry. He looked so tired and broken. He was scared and that made Angela feel even more strongly about staying where she was no matter what. I wont leave you. At that moment she wanted her voice, wanted it so badly that she was almost willing to give up anything just to have a moment so Vincent knew he had a friend no matter what he had to tell her. Then it was over, he told her, but it didn’t fully sink in at first. A werewolf? Her friend was a werewolf?

Slowly it sank in. Something happened to him and he wasn’t the same. He had been avoiding her or well probably everyone. It was something that he felt he had to deal with on his own. Suddenly everthing made since and it was much more horrific than anything she would have imagined for him. Now she really did want to cry, but leave? No, she didn’t want to leave. Actually she wanted to be by his side more than ever. Angela wasn’t afraid of him, but rather for him. She knew what he had to go through because of their classes, but she didn’t know how bad it was. For him to be as brave as this, to tell her what was happening, took courage. She was glad he told her, but she knew it had cost him. Angela smiled lightly and leaned towards him. She had to make the gesture fast so he wouldn’t freak out on her. Gently, she knelt on the bench and then leaned forward and pressed her lips lightly to his cheek. When she pulled away, she brushed his shoulder and then pointed her wand at the paper, activiating her spell.

I’m so sorry Vincent. I know that must have been hard for you to tell me. I’m not going anywhere. This must be hard for you and you’ve been there for me, so let me be here for you. I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, but I’m still here for you if you do. You are a good person and this thing that happened, you can’t let it push you away you’re your friends. No matter what you’re going through, your friends can make it easier. I wish you would have told me instead of avoiding me. I know what it’s like to have something you can’t control.

Angela couldn’t help but smile. Now she knew why she felt so connected to him. They both had something that others viewed as unusual. He would no doubt be tormented for what he was just as she was tormented for what she couldn’t do. They needed eachother, even if it was just to have someone to talk to. As she continued her spell, she felt sad. She wondered if Vincent would push her away again because of this. Honestly she hoped he would come to her when he needed to talk and she wanted him to view her as someone he could trust. She would never do anything to hurt him.

Please don’t shut me out again. I want to help you, in any way that I can. Even if you just need someone to talk to. I’m here for you.

Finally, Angela ended her spell and pursed her lips at the page. This message had taken a lot longer for her to get out, but she felt it all needed to be said. Deep down she hoped Vincent would appreciate what she was doing and be glad to have someone who knew. As far as she was concerned he could have told her that he had six legs and seven eyes and she would have still stayed by his side. This, though it was probably worse for him, she saw as something minor that he never should have hid from her. She was glad that he had felt close enough to her to open up and hoped that he would continue to do so. Now she was definitely going to be there for him whether he liked it or not.

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Tag! Vincent Dorée
Wearing! School robes
Words! 1,228
Credit! CC
Lyrics! Speak for myself- Aly & AJ
Notes! Aw! Vincent is so cute! <3 I love his character.[/size][/font]

After he said the dreaded words, Vincent held his breath, waiting for the reaction. He almost wished that he had just made some sort of excuse to leave, so that he could avoid letting her know what he was now. Of course, the guilt probably wouldn’t let the distance last for long. He would end up buckling sooner or later. Besides…he guessed that it was probably better coming from him than from someone else that may have found out without his knowing it. He wondered if anyone had figured it out. Honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised, especially since a lot of the students had learned how to tell a werewolf. Ugh, it was probably just a matter of time.

He could feel his heart start to quicken when Angela didn’t write anything down. It was hard to tell what she was thinking. He furrowed his brow and leaned back slightly when she suddenly smiled – it definitely confused him. Why was she smiling? His eyes widened when she suddenly moved forward and kissed him on the cheek. Vincent’s face erupted in a blush, he put his hand to his cheek where she had planted the kiss and he froze. Okay…that definitely wasn’t the reaction that he was expecting. His eyes flashed to look at her, but he stopped himself from saying anything when he realized that she was saying something.

Vincent glanced at Angela’s face, before hesitantly leaning forward to read what she had put in her notebook. His shoulders relaxed as he peered over her words. He took a deep breath as he furrowed his before looking back up at Angela. “So…you don’t care? I mean…it doesn’t bother you? You’re not afraid or – or disgusted…or anything? ” he asked, just wanting to make sure that he understood what was going on. He felt like it was a little too good to be true. It didn’t matter how many people accepted him for what he was now, he was always convinced that everyone would react to him the way his mother or his oldest brother had.

What she wrote next made him feel guilty and touched at the same time. A small smile crossed his face before he looked at Angela again. “I’m really sorry, Angela. I just…thought it would be better that way. I didn’t think anyone would want to be around me anymore,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

I will, I will speak for myself…

there’s so much that you’re missing….

…if you cared you would listen.

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Angela watched Vincent for what seemed like a very long time. She saw his face turn red and his hand reach up and touch the spot where her lips had just been. It was hard not to smile at his reaction. Clearly she'd caught him off guard. I hope that was okay. She thought, suddenly thinking that maybe she'd done something wrong. It was hard for her to show affection to anyone because she couldn't say what she wanted to, so her ways tended to be different than others, she just hoped that it wouldn't make things weird between them.

When he read her words, he seemed even more surprised than when she'd kissed him. As he asked his question, Angela couldn't help but smile. Slowly she shook her head, glad that she could finally show him a form of communication that they both could understand. To emphasize the point she slowly scooted closer to him and nudged him with her elbow, a smile still on her face. She wanted to show him that it didn't bother her and she tried to do so without needing her spell, by getting closer to him. If she was disgusted her first reaction would have been to move away, not towards him and she hoped he would realize that.

As he continued to speak, Angela couldn't help feeling sorry for him. The life he had been attempting to lead would have been lonely and she felt that he didn't deserve that. In her mind he was a good person no matter what else he might be and she felt he needed to know that. Like so many times before, she pointed her wand at a new page and started her spell:

You are a good person. No matter what else you are, you, the real you, are a good person. Don't think that just because you have this that that makes you any less good in my eyes. You don't have to go through this alone. I will be there for you. You don't have to apologize for anything. If someone doesn't want to be around you just because of who you are then that's there loss. Take it from me, you'll be a lot happier. I mean look at us, we have each other. And boy what a pair we make.

Angela couldn’t help but smile. Her message was slightly amusing to her. For once someone else was the one who needed comfort instead of her. Now she knew how Vincent must feel when he came to her aid so many times in the past. It was refreshing to be able to comfort someone the way she now could with Vincent. Angela felt better now that she knew what had Vincent torn up so badly, but she still felt sorry for him. He was going through a lot and he had been trying to do it alone. She hoped that he would let her help him, but she knew that even he would need time to him self.

When she finished her spell, she turned to paper back to him. Since she was still sitting so close she gently reached over and put her hand on his chest, just above where his heart was. She felt the rhythm against the palm of her hand which made her smile. She hoped as he read her words that he would understand what she was trying to tell him, You are a good person, she thought intensely, her eyes focused on his face as he read. In her mind she had to make him see that he was still a good person no matter what he became. This was the real him, not the other side. This person in front of her, the boy who was so close in front of her, whose heart beat thumped against her touch, this was the real person and she liked this one.

After she was sure that he got the message, Angela removed her hand. She felt her face flush with heat and knew that she was blushing. Pursing her lips she looked away, back at the forest which didn't seem quite so scary anymore. With Vincent next to her it just seemed like any other forest. She smiled lightly and let out a sigh, which of course made no sound, but her shoulders and chest moved with the effort. She was glad to be with her friend again.

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Tag! Vincent Dorée
Wearing! School robes
Words! 762
Credit! CC
Lyrics! Speak for myself- Aly & AJ
Notes! I love the little gestures she does, so cute!!! <3[/size][/font][/blockquote]

A part of Vincent was terrified that he had misunderstood what Angela had said somehow and that she actually did care that he wasn’t “normal” anymore. To his utter surprise, though, she smiled and closed the gap between them on the bench. He wasn’t quite sure what she was doing, so he was hesitant. Vincent wasn’t completely sure where this almost fear of personal contact had come from. He had always felt that it should be other people that would be afraid of him touching them, but somehow over the past year, that had morphed into a fear of personal contact. The action had always made him uncomfortable, just because he tended to be awkward like that, but now it was any form of contact – a touch of the arm or a pat on the shoulder. Maybe he somehow got it in his head that people would want to strike him for some reason.

He glanced up at Angela’s face for a moment before looking down at her notebook. Vincent couldn’t help but smile at her last sentence. It was definitely true. A screwed up werewolf and a metamorphmagus that couldn’t change? That wasn’t exactly something you heard about every day. Vincent found himself not completely believing some of the things that she had written – mostly the bit about how he was a good person. If he was really such a good person, then why had his family rejected him the way they had? His mother had sent him a note a few months ago saying that she didn’t want him to come back. It was a shock, but he more he thought about it, the less he blamed her. She was a muggle and the fact that Vincent was a wizard had freaked her out enough, but add lycanthropy to that? It was no wonder she had checked out.

Vincent was about to speak up and thank Angela when she put her hand on his chest, which just made him nervous, so his heart began to beat faster. The longer her hand was on his chest, the deeper his blush got. His eyes flashed between her hand and her face, but he continued to look at her face when he noticed the sincere expression she was giving him. He was touched by how fiercely Angela was trying to make him feel better about himself. “Thanks, Angela,” he said, with a small smile on his face, after she had removed her hand.

He heaved out a sigh and took a look around.”So…what were you doing out here all alone? Are you okay?” he asked, with a slight concerned look on his face.

I will, I will speak for myself…

there’s so much that you’re missing….

…if you cared you would listen.

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Angela couldn’t help but smile when Vincent seemed to relax a little. As he thanked her, her smile grew. It made her feel good inside to help someone like Vincent with his own problems. Now that things seemed to be resolved, Angela relaxed as well. She slid herself towards the end of the bench and drew her knees to her chest, hugging them. She noticed that Vincent seemed to resolve his inner turmoil as he turned to look around. It warmed her to see how things had turned since Vincent first found her here. They had both been less than themselves, but things seemed better.

As he addressed her again, Angela watched him. She saw how concerned her looked with amused her slightly. Apparently the tables had turned. She smiled and nodded even though she knew this situation would require more than that. Lowering her legs so she was sitting cross-legged on the bench, she pointed her wand at the paper yet again and started her spell. A small smile crossed face as she directed her thoughts at the paper.

The tables have turned it seems. I’m fine Vincent; I was just tired of feeling as though I was being watched. The Common Room seemed too crowded tonight. Actually I feel better alone, even out here. At least out here no one is judging me.

Angela felt pitiful again. Vincent didn’t want to her about how miserable she was because she didn’t have friends. In all honesty she didn’t know how to act around Vincent because he was a rarity. If it wasn’t for him she was sure that she would have no friends at all. Apparently they were destined to be friends because they both had things wrong with them that others might not accept. The bond that formed was one that would mostlikely last now because they had their insecurities as common grounds. Angela was glad that they could talk openly with one another, not having secrets made their friendship easier in her mind. If either of them hid something from the other it would without a doubt hinder the relationship as Vincent’s secret had; though Angela understood why he had hid from her.

You know, sometimes I wish others would give me a chance and take the time to talk to me, but then I see how horribly they treat their friends and I thank Merlin I don’t have them in my life. What I have is both a curse and a blessing. It brings those close who actually deserve friendship and repels those that don’t.

Angela had to laugh and she hoped Vincent would as well. It was funny and it was true she just hadn’t realized it until that moment. For the first time she didn’t see her defect for what it was but rather a blessing. It meant that she had her own jerk repellent. Only those who had a good heart would be able to stand being around her which was something she wanted anyway because she herself was a kind hearted person. A smile spread across her face as she thought about the odds of her having such a friend as Vincent. He was kind and he was sweet; he was her gender opposite counterpart and she had never been happier to have him.

Slowly she turned the page towards him so he could read it. Now that she saw their relationship for the true blessing it was, she no longer felt guilty or ashamed for making him read her words. She was glad he was willing to tolerate her and knew she was very blessed to have him. Instead of feeling sorry for either of them, she felt hopeful for the first time in a very long time. No matter how bad things got or how terrible she felt, she knew she would always have Vincent to talk to.

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Tag! Vincent Dorée
Wearing! School robes
Words! 648
Credit! CC
Lyrics! Speak for myself- Aly & AJ
Notes!Sorry it took so long and isn't very good =([/size][/font][/blockquote][/quote]