She had no intention of going to the hospital wing and instead headed to the Slytherin common room. She walked through the dungeons, past the potion classroom, and up to a stonewall that was almost indistinguishable from the neighboring walls except that it had three bricks sticking out. She tapped each of them with her wand and said, "Serpentia." The wall slid back and behind another wall. She stepped into the Slytherin Common Room.

There were dark green and black chairs and couches scattered around a fireplace. The walls were black with think silver and green vertical stripes. Kat blinked at the sudden change in light. 'We need some light in here,' she thought as she walked up to her dorm room. She grabbed her muggle studies book and plopped down in a nice big armchair by the fire. She sat with her back against one of the armrests and her feet on the other. With the book propped up against her knees, she began to read. This was the first time, in what seemed like forever, that she had nothing to worry about.

Kat had just finished reading a chapter when someone cleared their throat. She glanced up. It was Draco. "What do you want, Malfoy? Here to insult the classes I'm taking, or do you still have problems with my blood?"

Draco narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm…I'm sorry," he mumbled.

Kat turned, sat up straight, and leaned closer to him. "What? I couldn't understand what you said."

He sighed heavily and repeated, "I'm sorry, alright?"

Kat thought for a moment, her eyes full of amusement. "That's a lie and we both know it." At his look of protest, Kat explained. "First of all, I'm just a filthy little mudblood to you. Second, you don't give a damn about how I feel. And third, I can see Snape watching you in the mirror. He told you to apologize." She smirked and Draco stomped away. Kat laughed to herself and closed her book. She sat for a moment, trying to think of what she was forgetting.

'Of course!' she thought. 'The Quidditch game!' She set her book on the table and rushed out of the common room, towards the stadium. She checked to make sure she wasn't wearing anything that screamed, "I'M A SLYTHERIN!" and climbed up the Gryffindor stands. There she found Stephanie and Chandler.

"Hey Kat! You made it!" Chandler said once she saw her.

"Yeah, I thought you'd forgotten the game. It's almost over, but better late than never, I guess." Stephanie said without taking her eyes off the game.

Kat shrugged. "Malfoy had too feed me a fake apology." She glanced at Steph. "Who ya watchin?"

Chandler laughed. "Steph's watching George," she sang in a sing-songy voice. "They've been an item for about a week and a half now."

Kat nodded. "So I'm guessing that you're going out with Fred."

Chandler shook her head. "Nope. I've got Ron, their little brother. He's back in the common room, doing last minute homework."

Kat smiled. "So…does that mean that Fred's single?" Chandler nodded. "Cool!" Chandler took her eyes off the game and turned to Kat.

"Oooooooh! Kat's got a cruuuuuush!" Kat blushed.

"I, erm…. It's just…"

Chandler laughed. "It's alright. I think he likes you too!"

Kat smiled and turned her attention to the game. Fred was a good player. Even across the field, she could tell this difference between him and his brother. Fred was a bit shorter than George. She sighed. He was so cute. All the Gryffindors started cheering and Kat looked around. Harry Potter had caught the snitch!

Kat got a few glares and weird looks from people, but she didn't care.

"Chandi, Kat! Let's go!" Stephanie said excitedly and walked out of the stands.

Kat and Chandler followed her. "Where are we going?"

Chandi smiled. "The Quidditch players go out a certain exit. We always go down and meet them."

Kat nodded. "So that means Fred'll be down there, right?" Chandler laughed.

The three walked to the Quidditch exit, just as the Gryffindor team was coming out. Stephanie flung her arms around George's neck and they kissed. Chandi rolled her eyes and laughed.

Kat walked up and hugged Fred. "You did great today, I was cheering for you."

Fred blushed a bit. "I bet you got some weird looks. It's not everyday you see a Slytherin cheer for a Gryffindor."

Kat shrugged. "I don't care what other people think of me. I'm my own person. If they can't deal, too bad."

"And that's why I love about you." He kissed her on the lips. In that moment, Kat felt such happiness she'd never felt before. These people accepted her!

Kat pulled away and noticed that the whole team, Steph, and Chandi were staring at them. Kat and Fred blushed furiously. George and Steph started laughing, and soon everyone joined in.

'This feels so right.' Thought Kat. 'This is the life I want to live. I want to be surrounded by people who accept me and are my friends.' She smiled and grabbed Fred's hand as they all walked down the hallway.

Kat lost complete track of time, everyone was just talking and having a good time. They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and everyone turned to look at Kat. It took her a moment to realize what was going on and where they were. "Oh…this is your Common Room, isn't it?" Fred nodded. "Then I guess I'll be leaving…" She turned to walk away, but Fred grabber her wrist to stop her.

"Wait a minute. Dinner is soon. How about someone casts a silencing charm just so you can't hear the password, and I'll go and change my robes. I'll be back in five minutes, tops."

She thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll be waiting." Fred kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back before you can say Quidditch." Stephanie cast the silencing charm, and they all disappeared into the portrait hole, with the exception of Kat.

Kat sat down next to the entrance and fiddled with her robes. 'Just a few minutes,' she thought. 'No one'll notice me sitting here.' Boy was she wrong.

Snape walked by and glared at Kat. "Miss Tykins…What are you doing?" He towered over her.

Kat looked up at him. "I'm waiting for someone, sir." 'Ugh,' she thought. 'Why can't he just leave?'

Snape narrowed his eyes. "And who would that be?"

"Fred Weasley."

He sneered. "Why are you hanging around that juvenile delinquent?"

"He is not a juvenile delinquent!" Kat glared. "He's a sweet, caring person and he doesn't give a damn about my blood!"

"Hmph. Whatever you say, Miss Tykins." Snape narrowed his eyes. "This is not what I came to talk to you about. If there is another…erm…outburst from you like the one today, you will be confined to your dorm room, except for classes, for a week."

Kat stood up. "So that was Draco's punishment? That and the fake apology?" Snape shook his head and started to speak, but she cut him off. "So I'd get a worse punishment for defending myself? Guess Blondie Boy really is your favorite."

Snape glared. "Do not assume what you do not know." He stormed off as the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room opened and Fred walked out. Kat glared after Snape.

Fred looked at Kat. "What's wrong?"

She glanced up at him. "It's Snape. He came by to tell me that if I have another 'outburst' like the one today, I'll get worse punishment that what Draco got."

"He said that?"

Kat sighed. "Not in those exact words, but that's basically what he said." She looked up into his eyes. "And he called you a juvenile delinquent."

Fred shrugged. "I've been called worse." He noticed that she was really bothered by this. He hugged her. "He's just jealous cause he can't get some lovin'." Kat giggled and Fred smiled.