Draco sits alone on the Hogwarts Express, brooding over the task he has been set this year. His thoughts are interrupted by an argument with and near-hexing by the fellow child of a Death Eater. Finding her to be incredibly haughty and insulting, Draco is at once intrigued.

Unable to sleep, Draco wanders into the Common Room and finds out something shocking.

“Blaise,” he began, sounding regretful, “if you don’t do this for me, I’m afraid action will have to be taken.”

“Like what?” the attractive boy scoffed.

Draco smirked. Now, now was his time to shine. Oh, he could steal and lie and bully, sure, but these qualities came as naturally as- and were about as exciting as-breathing. But extortion…oh, there was a practice Draco could really sink his teeth into. He could almost taste his impending victory.

Draco studied Mariya carefully. She didn’t appear to be deceiving him. The thought of having to ask a student-a student in his year…a girl student in his year-for help was positively revolting. However, if she was right about Snape…

Draco reached out, grimacing. Mariya gave a derisive snort, picked up a fly, and placed it in his palm.

“Alright? Now, take the tweezers and separate the wings…no, not like that…here, let me see…”

She leaned over and plucked the fly and tweezers from Draco’s hands.

“Watch, Draco. It’s like this…”

She sat next to him, her right leg pressing against his left leg, and showed him patiently how to de-wing the flies.