It was Saturday and I was enjoying myself at the lake, just waiting for Nagini. She had told me to meet her here. She'd done more than find the common room. I felt a snake crawl through my robes and up my arm and around my neck until I could see Nagini's head.

/Gryffindors practice three days a week. Best time for Tom is Tuesday at Sun High Past./

/Six o'clock? So before dinner. That's quite convenient. Practice before food. Thank you Nagini. You can sleep under my bed again. Has anyone spotted you?/

/Nagini magic snake. Nagini camouflage./

/Oh yes, camouflage. If that's true, why was Pest control a problem?/ She hissed at me before rearing up. She wouldn't bite me but she could be very cross.

/Nagini not like when not visited by boy./

/Okay Nagini. You did it because you get lonely./

/More than lonely. Nagini like boy./ With that she quickly slithered off, I got up to go after her but she moved too fast. Sometimes creatures are so temperamental.

~

It was now Monday and Nagini still hasn't come back to the dorm. I myself was beginning to feel irritable but I kept calm and collected like I was supposed to and I was getting over it. I watched Dolohov before speaking to him, he also had been avoiding me since his detention.

"Dolohov, how does Tuesday at six sound? For Quidditch Practice?"

"I'm Captain, I'll decide."

"I don't have any other free time to check out the sport though. I guess Quidditch just isn't for me." He's shown that he wants me to like Quidditch so bad that I could easily use it against him. I sighed. Now all I have to do is wait for the bait to be taken. He looked up from his own homework to study me.

"Fine. I'll tell everyone else."

"And only them, no teachers. Just Slytherin."

"Yeah, fine. But I decide what happens if you do like it." I'm already giving you something. Don't be greedy.

~

Tuesday came and Nagini still wasn't here. I was currently sitting in Slughorn's office. I'd set up an appointment with him. "What is it Tom?" He was eating the same thing from before but from a glass bowl this time.

"Professor? Do you like Quidditch?"

"Yes, I do. My favourite team is the Wimbourne Wasps. Why do you ask?"

"Because I made a deal with Dolohov. His part is that I have to watch him play but tonight at six is the only time I have for such a thing. If I do like it, my part is that I go to the first match of the year for Slytherin. I was hoping maybe you could give permission, sir? I do understand if you don't want to, I could just go back to my studies."

"No, no, no. Of course." He pulled out a quill and parchment. He signed it and handed it to me. I rolled it up and put it in my pocket. "Your studies are coming along quite nicely. You're the top of your year."

"I do strive for perfection, Professor, sir." I smiled at him and he gave me a big smile.

Later, when I'd been dismissed and it was six o'clock, I had found Dolohov and the team headed off to the field. I caught up with them at the door and walked behind them. I was working for him but soon he'd be working for me. First I needed to know my wizarding family. That I could use against him. So far, no luck.

When we reached the field, we found the Gryffindors getting ready to go on the field. I had made sure to have the signed slip in my pocket but it was secret, and that would be my highest defense.

"What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Stupid Quidditch captains.

"Practicing." They replied in unison. "What?!"

"I set this time up for the Slytherins practice yesterday."

"Well I had it booked for weeks!" McGonagall complained.

"Well I would've been told I couldn't if yours still stood McGonagall."

"I hear you're Dumbledore's favourite student." Walburga gloated. "Guess you might be, but he's got no respect." What is she talking about?

"Yeah, so get lost! Filthy Halfblood!" One of the other team players called and some of the other Gryffindors got angry.

"There's no such thing as a 'filthy' bloodline!" A tall black haired woman said, angry.

"Says the filthy Mudblood." They all took out their wands and pulled it at Dolohov. I mentally shook my head. Such stupidity. Am I the only smart student at this school?

"Do that and I'm afraid I'll have to do something about it." Dolohov looked at me for help but I refused. He was the Prince, he should know what to do. McGonagall and Black noticed too.

"McGonagall, you've lost so get lost." Spells shot out and I pulled out my parchment, handing it over to McGonagall. She read it before storming off, and confused, her friends followed after. I smiled at my quick success, but that had been what the note was for.

"What the hell Dolohov? Solve your own battles." Black strode off and before I could get hexed, I strolled to the stands to watch them play. I knew what I would say to McGonagall to keep it from getting physical. But I also knew I couldn't outshine him yet. He was a third year, and I a first year. If I took power now, they wouldn't trust me and thus they might try to overthrow me.