CHAPTER TEN

Love Rules

For weeks after the bonfire, Igor was vexed by memories of that evening. Never before had he become so infuriated over a girl's behavior as he was after Natalia stood him up. He thought, no, he knew she liked him. That was evident in her eyes, yet something was holding her back. And Lucius, what was an intelligent, kind-hearted girl like that doing with a douche like Lucius Malfoy?

Apparently, his rival knew Natalia felt affection for him, for he forbid her to see him. Who did he think he was? More importantly, why had she agreed to it? How could she submit to such a pathetic demand? Perhaps she cared somewhat for Lucius. However, Igor was certain she was not in love with him. For if she was, she would never have attempted to see him at the bonfire, much less without Lucius' approval. Yes, she must feel something for him. Or perhaps his original theory was correct, and she valued Lucius for his wealth, power and what he could do for her. These thoughts turned over and over in his mind and he went back and forth between thinking she didn't care for him, to being utterly convinced that she did.

This internal debate was not Igor's only issue. After overhearing the exchange between Natalia and Lucius, he had been out of sorts and found solace in the open arms of Sasha Malfoy. She was entrancing, available, and willing, and although he had not planned on it, he had succumbed to her allure. He had allowed himself to be drawn in by her flirtation, and for the evening, become lost in the feeling of her warm lips and body pressed against his. Their interlude lasted at least an hour, gradually she granted him more and more liberty, and unsure though he was, he crossed each line that she permitted him too. Further and further she allowed him to go, first kisses, then caresses, then her hands slid under his shirt, and his lips trailed tentatively down her neck until their private party, along with the entire bonfire was brought to an abrupt halt by McGonagall. It was a welcome relief, for no matter his lack of feelings for her, he was unable to resist these pleasures of the flesh. His mind knew he should have stopped, but his body was in control, and so he did not.

Now it was downright embarrassing to run into Sasha. It was awkward between them and he regretted leading her on. Oddly, she too, was preoccupied. He assumed she was merely embarrassed at her unladylike behavior, though her conduct didn't bother him one bit. He didn't think any less of her. In himself however, he was disappointed. He used her to forget another, and that was dishonest. Perhaps Natalia thought him disingenuous and that is why she forgot so quickly. Perhaps, given his behavior, she was right.

He searched for Natalia in the courtyard, in the hall during meals, he even stopped by the infirmary where she sometimes worked to try and speak with her, but to no avail. She was avoiding him. He was certain of it. Did she know about Sasha? He wondered what was on her mind. He obsessed for several days before deciding he was reading too much into it all. She was with Lucius. He meant nothing to her. And really, what did he even know about her? He laughed thinking how silly he was being over such a wisp of a girl. In time, Igor forgot about it all, until he saw her again.

It was on the pitch during the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff quidditch match. There she was attending to injuries on the Hufflepuff side. She worked intently, in the background attending to stowed fingers and twisted ankles while the players flew about, getting all the glory. While the match raged on, he also watched Sasha and compared the two. Sasha liked to show off on a broom, doing spinouts and risky maneuvers even when they were not necessary. She loved attention, seemed to need it. Natalia was the exact opposite. She was content to exist in the shadows, unnoticed by anyone. Except of course Igor, who couldn't stop noticing her.

When the match, or rather, the rout was over, the Hufflepuffs trudged off the field in despair. Sasha, Sirius and James Potter stood on the sidelines congratulating each other on their outstanding play. She was enjoying herself and looked wonderful with windblown hair and flushed cheeks. Attractive as Sasha was, her beauty could not distract him from the more modest witch following the Hufflepuff team off the pitch at a rather quick pace. Realizing that he may not see her again for a while, Igor seized the moment, charging down the stairs of the spectator box and running across the pitch to catch up with her.

"Natalia!" He called after her. If she heard him, she pretended not to, and continued on. Fortunately for Igor, his long legs made him quicker and he easily managed to catch up with her. When he touched her arm, she finally turned to face him and he was disarmed. "Hallo Natalia."

"Oh, Hi Igor." There was a lack of enthusiasm in her greeting that caused his heart to sink a bit.

"I missed you at the bonfire." He didn't bother to hide his feelings like other young men of his age. Generally, girls seemed to appreciate his transparency and responded to him.

"Bonfire? Oh yeah. I told you I had to study. Sorry." One shoulder shrugged and she offered no further excuse. How could it be that she was so unconcerned about his feelings? She didn't even bother to make up a plausible lie, just this lame excuse. Little did she knowthat he knew who she was really with, and he was not about to let her get away with treating him like something she stepped in.

Igor leaned in closer and narrowed his eyes while looking directly into hers. "What's going on with you and Malfoy?" Obviously, she hadn't seen that coming, for she flinched. Not for long however, for then her eyes also narrowed, and she came right back at him.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Now it was his turn to flinch. So she knew about Sasha. "That's different." He shook his head and discretely avoided eye contact.

"Not at all. And don't say it is, you sound like a chauvinist."

Her words stopped him dead in his tracks. She had him. He was using Sasha for her name and position as much as she was rumored to be using Lucius. If he was being truthful, there was something flattering about a pureblood heiress draping herself all over him. Even if he didn't feel strongly about Sasha, it made his friends envious and fed his ego. But this wasn't about him. It was about her. "Is he your boyfriend?"

"No." She snorted.

"Then what's your association with him?"

"That's none of your business. You ask a lot of questions."

He raised his chin, but kept his eyes locked on hers. "I'm curious."

"There is no association. We are housemates, no more."

He was prepared for her to lie, and dismissed it. If she decided to lie, there was nothing he could do, so he tried another angle. "Why did you stand me up?" His questions were coming rapidly and designed to throw her off. Just like a quidditch match, if you kept the pressure on, and took multiple shots, eventually you would score.

"It wasn't a date, so I really didn't stand you up."

No matter what, she seemed to be able to put him in his place. As maddening as it was, he enjoyed it. "I guess I can't force you to tell me. I was disappointed though."

"Not for long. I hear you and Sasha hit it off quite well."

He stifled a grin, generated by the thought that perhaps she was a bit jealous. "I suppose we did."

"Do you like her?" She asked softly, with a forlorn tone to her voice. Now she was the one pressing him for information, but her technique was far gentler.

"Hm? Oh yes. Nice girl."

"She is." She turned away from him so he couldn't see her chin wobble. "She really is. You deserve someone nice."

She had taken two steps before he touched her sleeve, prompting her to turn back to him. "As do you."

A shadow crossed her face while she seemed to make a great effort to smile. "I'm late for work, Igor." She turned and walked away, while he stared after her, wondering what had just happened.

The rest of the year was rather uneventful for both of them. Natalia immersed herself in work and her studies, grateful for something constructive to think about. Lucius managed to arrange an encounter with her ever two or three weeks. Since the bonfire, his demeanor had softened, and he was now less demanding. Even he was smart enough to figure out that he could catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar. Natalia's judgment was clouded, and her attachment to him was growing. Lucius could have embarrassed her, he could have forced himself more fully upon her, but he didn't and for that, she was grateful. So isolated was she, and unable to talk to anyone about her dilemma, that she thought these were normal feelings. So under his influence was Natalia, that she viewed his lack of abuse as an act of tenderness. Although to a trained professional, it was a touch of Stockholm syndrome, as in the muggle world.

Igor continued his relationship with Sasha mainly because it seemed to be expected of him by his mates, but also, he liked her as a friend. Despite her feminine beauty, she was frank and direct like a man. Kissing and heavy petting were also a part of their relationship and he didn't have to be madly in love with her to enjoy that. She always stopped him before things went to far. And, at times, she seemed terribly distant, like she had something or someone else on her mind.

The day before the Durmstrang students were to leave Hogwarts, there was to be one final quidditch match. This time Durmstrang would be facing Gryffindor and Igor would be going head to head against Sasha. When they were together, she deferred to him, letting him call the shots. This inflated his childish masculine pride and he was quite confident that she would be no match for him on the pitch that day.

As the teams were warming up, he spied Natalia heading over to his side of the pitch. She would be assisting Durmstrang today and this pleased him. He would get to see her one last time before leaving for home. He didn't approach her right away, but watched her walking toward the team. Her shoulder length hair was lifted by the breeze, which allowed him to examine her face more closely. She possessed high cheekbones and sharp features softened by the graceful curve of her brow. It was a serious face, and strangely, he could see himself in it. It didn't matter what his friends thought. He found her entrancing. When he worked up his nerve, he approached, wearing what he considered to be a charming smile.

"Any advice for me today, oh Queen of Quidditch strategy?" He asked trying to deepen and smooth out his voice for effect.

A mischievous smile curved across her lips as she met his eyes. "Sure." She then turned back to her bag and busied herself, organizing first aid supplies so as not to draw attention to their conversation. "Sirius Black, you know Regs' brother, is a notorious show off. If you let him have some minor success in the beginning, he'll puff up like a peacock and then you can annihilate him when his guard is down"

A warm feeling bloomed inside him. She was still on his side. "Not as good as some of your other advice. Bit risky, but I'll take it to heart."

"All right then how about this? Do you see the red head in the front row of the Gryffindor box?" She looked over at an unsuspecting Lily Evans.

He moved his head closer to hers and looked in the same direction, while being very aware of how close they were. "Yes, not my type but some find her attractive."

"No matter. Flirt with her anyway."

He grimaced. "Ewe. Why?" She loved that he made a face. It gave her a smug little feeling, knowing that he didn't find Lily attractive.

"Because she's James Potter's girlfriend that's why. He's the seeker and he's a jealous hot head. Whatever you do, make it big, and you might throw him off. Be warned though. Sirius is his best friend. Those two are so far up each others asses it borders dangerously close to homosexuality. Offend either one and they'll both come at you."

"They're both all mouth and no trousers."

Natalia giggled. "Glad you're confident but be careful."

"Don't worry. I have friends on my side as well."

"One more thing, Sasha's a distraction for you."

His expression changed to shock at being called out on his romantic inclinations.

"She probably thinks you'll go easy on her and you probably will. It's your weakness and if you don't overcome it, you're going to lose."

He chuckled. "You know, you think like a man."

"What does that mean?"

"It's a compliment. I love that you say what you think and what you mean. Most women don't."

She blushed. "Whatever. Don't be a schmuck. She's been flirting with you more than usual this week hasn't she? I'll bet she allowed you a few more liberties than usual too. Let you go a little further than you thought you'd get?"

The smile faded from his face as he took stock in what she said. She had let him feel her breasts at the bonfire and only yesterday, led him to believe that he could press his luck further after the match today. He was being used. "Come to think of it, she has."

"Right. She's softening you up. She probably wants you to think she'll like you better if you let her win."

"No." He waved his hand at her while shaking his head. He was the user, never the used. How was it possible that he would fall for Sasha's obvious tactics?

"Yes." She raised her eyebrows and held his gaze.

He smirked. "Perhaps you're right. You seem to have put lots of thought into my strategy today."

"I've got money on this match."

He laughed. "Really? How much?"

"Twenty galleons. Don't fuck up."

Hearing a girl swear like she was in a men's locker room was amusing to him, the face of an angel and the mouth of a sailor. He winked at her before heading out onto the pitch. "I won't."

The Durmstrang team took the field and warmed up, flying in an impressive lightening fast formation. The Gryffindor team studied them carefully, occasionally putting their heads together and whispering to one another. After seeing the humiliating defeat of Slytherin prior to break, they were taking this team very seriously.

Igor and his teammates practiced, batting about a practice quaffle and doing flips, spinouts and other flamboyant maneuvers on their brooms designed to intimidate the opposition. When their time was up and it was Gryffindor's turn to warm up, they rocketed two laps around the field as an answer to the Durmstrang display. While the rest of the team returned to their side of the field, Igor swooped in to pick up the quaffle and flew slowly enough to attract attention, to the opposing side. When he reached the Gryffindor side, he made a very big deal of transfiguring the practice quaffle into a lovely bouquet of pink roses, waving his wand with flourish. He then hovered directly in front of Lily Evans and presented them to her while turning his most charming smile on her.

Lily looked at him strangely but was smiling at him. No one could resist smiling back at Igor when he flashed his thousand-watt smile in his or her direction. Natalia's eyes immediately went to the Gryffindor team who had stopped in mid drill and were now hovering over the pitch. Sasha was openly gaping at them, which Natalia found amusing. James eyes were wild with anger and he leaned forward on his broom to take off in Lily's direction. However Sirius, who was close by, swooped in front of him and stopped James before he got very far.

"He's fucking with you Prongs. Let it go."

James did not respond other than to stop. His eyes burned with rage and he did not take his eyes off Igor and Lily.

Sasha seemed to shake herself back to reality and flew over to join the discussion. "He's right James. It means nothing. Don't be drawn in. It's what he wants."

James, still scowling, nodded and turned away to continue the drill. Igor and Lily conversed for a few moments while Natalia observed from a distance. It was her idea, and though she knew it meant nothing, she felt a pang of jealousy. Lily tossed her head back and laughed loudly, Igor smiled again and flew back to join his team.

His teammates slapped him on the back and guffawed at his antics. Igor merely smiled at them and returned to Natalia's side.

He stood casually beside her and watched the Gryffindor team practice. Without looking at her he asked, low enough so no one would hear, "How was that?"

Natalia also looked straight ahead while answering. "Bra-vo Mr. Karkaroff. You're in their heads now. That will help, but you'll still have to play hard."

"Not a problem, I always play hard." He winked at her again.

The match was predictably a disaster for the Gryffindor team, who always tended to wear their hearts on their sleeves and let their tempers and emotions get the best of them. Igor, much to the delight of Natalia, showed no mercy to Sasha.

She was the star Chaser for her team, but was having great difficulty getting anything past Levin, who was the Keeper for Durmstrang. Not only did she have a terrible time trying to score on Levin, Igor kept interfering and throwing her shots off. The longer her team went scoreless, the more frazzled she became and her play got worse and worse.

Igor cut a striking form as he streaked across the sky with his red Durmstrang scarf whipping behind him. He was the only one who wore a scarf and Natalia suspected it was for no other reason than that it looked cool. He was having a tremendous day as beater and every time he knocked a bludger out of the way of their seeker, it seemed to strike either Sasha or Sirius. Finally, Igor landed a shot on Sirius that knocked him off his broom. The crowd gasped as he hung on with one hand dangling perilously high above the pitch. James, the seeker, flew immediately to his rescue. He helped his friend to the safety of his broomstick, however this pulled his attention away from seeking the golden snitch. As Sirius thanked him for his help, a deafening cheer exploded from the Durmstrang box. They turned in time to see the Durmstrang seeker holding the golden snitch high above his head in victory.

Igor and his teammates converged on their seeker as they all celebrated their victory. In the middle of it all, he turned his broom to face Natalia and smiled broadly. She nodded and smiled slightly, trying to keep her congratulations private. He understood and held up his index finger while mouthing the word "watch." Watch she did as he added insult to injury. He flew once again over to the overrated Lily Evans, removed his trademark Durmstrang scarf and placed it flirtatiously around her neck as she blushed.

With cliché like predictability, James flew into a rage. This time Sirius wasn't quick enough and James sped towards Karkaroff, his face contorted in anger. Igor turned in time to see his attacker coming for him but merely squared his shoulders, ready for the fight. Natalia turned her face to the ground so no one could see her laughing but kept her eyes fixed on Igor. He was in for it now, but the cocky half smile on his face said that he was ready for anything.

James jumped off his broom mid-flight as he reached Igor, pouncing on him and knocking him to the ground. Dust kicked up around them as they wrestled and punched each other with a fury. It was what would be referred to in other sports a bench clearing brawl, even worse than the one with Slytherin. Igor's teammates were once again, eager to jump into the fray, and it seemed that every boy in Gryffindor house took the opportunity to pile on. While most of the Slytherin box looked on in amusement, Lucius included, Severus glared at the display and looked like he might jump in himself at any moment.

As before, the Headmasters, Oblonsky and Dumbledore immobilized the students before sending them back to their quarters one by one. However, while Dumbledore and his staff gave each one a stern talking to, Oblonsky merely slapped them on the back and sent them off.

At dinner that night, the last one before the end of term, everyone was buzzing about the day's events. Karkaroff's stock seemed to have been elevated in the eyes of the Slytherin boys who loved to show up their archenemy, Gryffindor house. Severus seethed in silence; obviously perturbed that Lily had been inadvertently involved and disgusted by Potter's public display of affection. Natalia thought of telling him that it was all merely a strategic ploy, but then decided she liked the idea of a secret between she and Igor, and so kept quiet.

She smiled to herself that night as she walked back from the Great Hall, back to Slytherin House to pack. Igor was waiting by the entrance to her house and she started when she saw him.

"My goodness, you scared me."

He merely chuckled and pulled her into a nearby stairwell. "Your advice seems to have made me public enemy number one." He kept her hand in his and she worried her palms would begin to perspire.

"You're a big boy, you can take it." She smiled coyly. "You won."

"We won. Thanks to you." Now his thousand-watt smile was turned on her, and she understood why Lily blushed. "A bunch of us are going into Hogsmeade to celebrate. Join us?"

"Afraid not. I have to work in the infirmary to take the final inventory, then I have to pack."

"Pack later. Party now."

"I can't."

He gave an exasperated sigh. "Why do you always turn me down? I thought you liked me."

"I do. But I don't have extra time in my schedule. I have to work. I have to study. No one is going to hand me anything, I have to work very hard just to get by here."

His eyes softened, as did his rich voice. "It's important to have friends and fun too you know. You should make time to enjoy life Natalia."

"I'll make time one day. Now isn't the time, however."

"Well, when you finally decide to make time, make it with me."

A curious look crossed her face and he realized that didn't come out right.

"Oh…I mean." He was sure he'd offended her, but she laughed and smiled. Her smile seemed to put him at ease again. He laughed along with her.

"Here." He reached into his pocked and placed the golden snitch from the day's match in her hand. "We wouldn't have won without you today."

"Oh Igor, really, you should keep this." She stammered, no one had ever given her anything, much less a sentimental gift such as this.

"I want you to have it." He closed her fingers around it. "Something to remember Durmstrang by."

"Something to remember you by." It was out before she could think and her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Will you?" He stooped down to draw her eye. "Remember me?"

She took a deep breath and found her courage. "I think you are quite unforgettable Igor Karkaroff."

His gaze took on a dream like quality. Raising her hand that held the snitch, he pressed his lips against the back of her hand for several moments. "Until we meet again Miss Smith." And then he turned and walked out of her life.

AN: Hope you liked it Don't worry, we haven't seen the last of Iggy.