Disclaimer: I still do not own HP. Sadly.

A/N: Sorry for the slight delay. I've been going through a rough transition so it's taken me a bit to get back into everything! But I should be updating more consistently now! I'm trying for every week!

Again I'd like to remind everyone that I'm not an English Major so my grammar, punctuation and sometimes my tenses might not be perfect or get messed up. But I write because I enjoy it so please no flames! As always reviews are appreciated! They really do give me incentive to upload on time when I get busy!

-Casper

The next month passed with no major changes. When not at Quidditch practice, class or doing homework, I spent my time with my friends. Daphne, Theo, Blaise and I spent almost all of our spare time together. I tried to get together with Iz as much as possible, but it was hard. I was thankful for classes because that is when I got to talk to my sister without dirty looks from others.

It was mid-October and I was sitting in potions class eagerly anticipating the beginning of class. Up to this point, we had been mostly listening to lecture, prepping ingredients and mixing basic potions. We were finally about to try our first 2nd year potion. I was sitting at my usual table chatting with Daphne when Professor Snape walked through. The room fell silent immediately.

"Pull out your books and turn to page 154. You have this whole class to complete this potion, and although you shouldn't need the whole time, I doubt any of you will manage to complete an acceptable potion. Ms. Herondale, come to the front."

I quickly raised my hand. "Which one of us Professor?"

He drawled "Not the Gryffindor of course."

I glanced at Iz who just rolled her eyes at that response.

I smirked but stood and walked up to Professor Snape's desk.

"Yes Professor?"

He barely glanced at me.

"Yes I would like you to do a different potion. Page 245. You should be able to finish the potion in the allotted time. That is all."

I was confused but I didn't want to question Snape, so I returned to my table and proceeded to make the potion on page 245. The potion wasn't too complicated and I finished the potion about halfway through the class. Once done, I sat around and continued reading ahead in my potions book.

Finally, the class ended and I told my friends that I would catch up to them in a moment. I wanted to speak to Professor Snape.

"Professor, may I have a word?"

He glanced up but didn't say a word, so I took that as 'go ahead.'

"I would like to know why I had to complete a different potion. I finished it quite early into the class period. Also, I know my potion was completed correctly and I didn't find it to be too hard. If you think my potions ability is subpar I'd be more than happy to work on it after class."

He just raised an eyebrow and I would almost say my tirade amused him.

"On the contrary Ms. Herondale, the potion that you completed today is generally a late 2nd year potion and much more complicated than the one the rest of your classmates completed today."

I started to speak, prepared to defend myself but then stopped as I realized what he was saying.

"Wait, what?"

Snape set down his quill before he spoke again.

"I've noticed that you have an aptitude for potions. You are meticulous in your preparation and you occasionally modify directions in a way which increases the potency of the potion. This shows knowledge of what each ingredient's purpose is."

I just stared at him unsure of what to do next.

"Do you have a desire in learning more about potions beyond what you'll learn in class?"

I just nodded before scrambling to answer him.

"Absolutely Professor."

He nodded as if pleased by my answer.

"Well then, I know you don't have Quidditch practices on Tuesdays. So starting this Tuesday be here at 7PM. Understood?"

"Yes Professor."

Without another word, I scrambled out of the classroom to tell my friends what happened.

Tuesday came around and at 7PM I knocked on the door to the potions classroom and then walked in.

I walked up to the station that had items on it and sat down to wait for Professor Snape. I had only been sitting for about 30 seconds when Professor Snape walked in.

"In order to be semi proficient at potions, one must first perfect preparing ingredients. Preparing ingredients requires precision and concentration. Some of the more complex potions can be rendered completely useless by badly prepared ingredients. So for the foreseeable future, you will work on preparation. You will also read passages that I assign you. Understood?"

Although I was slightly frustrated that I wasn't going to be making potions, I knew arguing wouldn't solve any issues so I just nodded my head in agreement. I sat down and started prepping ingredients. When I was finished, Snape looked over my ingredients.

"Although this is sufficient for the first years, this is pitiful work. I expect better next time. You're dismissed."

I stood up and headed back towards the common room. As soon as I entered I walked over and collapsed onto the sofa with Daphne.

She glanced over when my book bag hit the floor.

"That bad?"

"I'm prepping ingredients and apparently my work was 'pitiful.' His words. Remind me again why I agreed to do this?"

Theo didn't even glance up from his Transfiguration textbook.

"You like potions and he can help you with that."

At this point Malfoy, whom I hadn't even noticed chimed in.

"He also never compliments people. If he's being hard on you it's because he knows you can be better. Acceptable from him is probably outstanding outside of Hogwarts."

I was astonished at the almost kind words that came out of his mouth but when I went to say something, Malfoy had turned his bag on me and proceeded to ignore me.

Daphne smiled at me.

"Draco's probably right Kat. Now ignore that and help me with this Transfiguration essay. Theo won't help me."

I laughed at the indignant look on Theo's face before pulling out my textbook and getting to work.

"Kat, you need to eat something."

"I am eating!" I retorted showing my plate to Daphne.

She raised her eyebrow.

"You've had half an apple. That's not going to be enough to get you through the game today."

I groaned.

"If I eat more, I might throw up and that'll be a surefire way to get myself kicked off the team."

But before any of my friends could respond I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Malfoy gesturing towards the front of the hall where the rest of the Quidditch team was assembling. I nodded my head in thanks.

"I have to go guys. I'll see you after the game."

I grabbed the rest of my apple and walked down to the pitch to get ready for the match. Before I knew it, I was in uniform and waiting for our names to be called. As soon as I heard my name I flew up into the stands. As the game was between us and Gryffindor, the stands were packed and all too quickly I heard the boos that accompanied our names. I quickly decided that I needed to ignore them if I had any chance of playing well. We went through our warm ups and then we formed up at the center of the pitch for the beginning of the match. I was the center chaser and because of my smaller size and my speed, I was the one who would fight for the quaffle immediately.

I glanced at the Gryffindor team and quickly made eye contact with my sister. We both nodded our heads in acknowledgment but it was game time. There was no room for sentiment, at least not until the game was over. Below us Madame Hooch began to speak.

"Now I want a nice clean game, from all of you."

I had to repress a smirk. Of course that last comment was made towards the Slytherins.

She then released the bludgers and the snitch but I focused on the quaffle in her hands. As soon as the quaffle left her hands I shot forwards and managed to snag the ball.

The next half an hour was a blur of movement. The Gryffindor chasers were good, they worked well together and we struggled to create a gap. We were also struggling because Wood was brilliant. Don't get me wrong. Bletchley was a pretty good keeper, but Wood was phenomenal. I was off to a pretty good start. I had scored 4 out of our first 10 goals, but we were still down 130 to 100.

At this point Flint was starting to get pretty chippy and was becoming even more pushy than usual. With that we were finally starting to edge ahead, I managed to score 3 more and we were ahead of them 160-140 when we heard the cheers. We looked down to see Harry Potter holding the snitch in his hand.

Knowing that we weren't going to get sympathy from anyone but Slytherin House, we all trudged off to the locker rooms and started heading back to the common room.

I was walking towards Hogwarts when I heard my name being called.

"Kat!"

I turned around to see my sister jogging towards me. As she got closer she pulled me into a hug. "I'm so sorry. You played great! 7 goals! I'm so proud of you!"

Despite my anger at losing, this was my sister and I didn't want to take it out on her.

"You did too! That was 5 I saw from you right?"

She nodded her head, and she had the biggest smile on her face. Despite her joy, I was eager to go so I made my excuses to leave.

"Well maybe next time Malfoy will pay more attention to the snitch and less attention to Potter. I should go inform him of this. Go hang out with your team."

With one last smile, I turned on my heel and headed back to the common room.

"Ms. Herondale. Would you like to share with the rest of the class what is so fascinating that you and Ms. Greengrass can't wait until after class to talk?"

I glanced up towards McGonagall who was glaring at me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my sister attempt to hold back a laugh. I paste a smile on my face.

"Professor, I was just attempting to help clarify something for Daphne. Understanding Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration is a necessary building block to today's lesson, the 2nd exception to that law."

McGonagall didn't reply, she only glared before turning around and continuing with her lesson. Daphne grinned at me before pulling out a piece of parchment on which to continue our conversation.

Can you believe that old bat? She's always trying to get you into trouble.

I laughed at Daphne's response.

She hates me. Probably because I'm not my sister. She's always asking me questions and I think it frustrates her that she can't take points away.

Not that that stops her from giving Granger and Izzy points every chance she gets.

Whatever. It's no different that Snape. But he actually succeeds in taking points from Gryffindor. What was so important that you couldn't talk about it later?

It's not really important but the boys wouldn't care. Girl stuff.

Ooohh. Gossip. I love gossip. Do tell.

Before Daphne could respond I felt an elbow jab into my stomach. I glared at Iz who had to be the culprit but she just gave me the 'I'm disappointed in you' look.

I rolled my eyes before returning my eyes to the note and I spent the rest of the class learning about all of the upperclassman drama.

Daphne, Blaise, Theo and I were eating when we heard the news.

"Did you hear? That crazy kid with the Potter obsession is in the hospital wing. He's petrified." Malfoy said as soon as he sat down.

"Crevy? Corvey? Creevey? Whatever his name is, he's annoying but harmless." I said wrinkling my brow as I tried to think of the name.

Blaise looked confused. "Do we care? He's just some Gryffindor right?"

"Up until now though it had been an isolated incident to a cat, but now that a student's been petrified. What's to stop this from escalating? What's causing this?"

Daphne looked thoughtful before she addressed Malfoy.

"Do you think you could ask your dad?"

He looked unsure but then nodded. "I suppose I can do that. I can't guarantee that he'll answer though."

"It's better than anything we can come up with." I said gesturing to the rest of the group.

We all fell silent and remained that way for the rest of the meal.

I was walking through the library looking for the most recent potions book that I had been assigned when I saw Iz, Granger, Potter and Weasel going into the restricted section. I was curious as to what they were up to so I hid in a corner and then watched them exit and walk to a table. I slipped into the section on the opposite side of the bookshelf nearest them and sat to listen. When they stood up to leave I noticed that Iz stayed behind. Perfect.

"So Moste Potente Potions. Normally one would be curious as to why someone would be looking into that book. However, of course I was listening to your whole conversation."

Iz jumped at the sign of my voice but relaxed and rolled her eyes at my statement.

"You're not going to be able to talk me out of it."

I scoffed. "Of course not, I'm not here too. I'm just here to inform you that you're wrong. Draco's not the Heir of Slytherin."

"We have to be sure. Maybe he knows something and hasn't told you."

I ignored that comment and continued.

"So what's your plan for the rarer ingredients? Steal them from Snape?"

I asked half-jokingly.

When she just looked at me with a slightly guilty expression I adopted an incredulous look.

"That's crazy. He'll catch you."

"Well we'll come up with a plan."

I rolled my eyes at that.

"Meet me here tonight at about 8:30 alright?"

Iz looked at me quizzically. "Why?"

"Just do it alright?"

Then without waiting for an answer I walked out of the library.

That night I walked into the library and glanced around until I saw Iz. I spied her sitting at a table with Granger. Although I would've preferred her to be by herself, at least she had found a table in the corner.

"Here you go." I said as way of greeting as I dropped my book bag on the table.

When nobody moved to look I gestured to my bag. Iz hesitantly opened the bag and then looked at me, shocked.

"Why?"

Granger then moved her head and when she saw the potion ingredients she started to panic so I quickly responded.

"Calm yourself Granger. I'm not going to tell anyone. I got the ingredients because it's easier for me to get them and I'll get in less trouble if Snape finds out. I don't mind helping because you won't find the answer that you want to find by interrogating Malfoy. Please make sure you find a secure spot to brew this. I don't want this to fall back on me."

Although Granger still looked shocked by my actions she nodded her head.

Thankful for their discretion, I turned on my heel and walked out of the library.