Outside several students were scattered about the courtyard. Seeing as we all had some time before the afternoon classes began it was nice to spend it out. And with winter so close by it was smart to take advantage of the sun while it lasted. Among the crowd I spotted George not too far away. He was standing next to one of his friends laughing and joking around much like he always did. I began walking to him; he spotted me a little before I reached him.

"Hey, there you are" George greeted me with a smile.

"Hi" I smiled back. Next to him his friend gave me a look. I wasn't sure what to make of it except that he clearly wasn't overjoyed by my relationship with George. But I chose to ignore it. "Are you busy?"

"N—no, no I was just waiting for you" George replied stepping closer to me. "I wasn't sure when you'd be done but you're here now so we can go. See you later, Lee"

"Yeah, see yah" Lee replied still looking to me. George waved goodbye to his friend leading me past him and out of the courtyard.

"Where are we going?" I asked since I remember he'd said we would be in the courtyard today.

"I thought we could go over to the Black Lake. It's less crowded you know"

"Okay" I shrugged and followed after him.

We stopped once we reached the lake. That area was usually left empty aside from students on their way to class. It was nice and quiet, especially when compared to the courtyards, and it was a good place to talk. I sat down on the grass; George sat in front of me.

I liked the view of the lake too. The lake reflected the sun beautifully, even in snowy weather, it always looked nice. And as I thought about it I realized it seemed as though I only came here with the twins. Draco, the other Slytherins, and I usually spent our time outside of class in the dungeon. With Hermione we more often than not stayed in the library or the courtyards. Every once in a while I would take Lev on walks and passed through here but we didn't linger for long. So I suppose that meant this was a place for just me and twins.

"Where's Fred?" I asked suddenly realizing he wasn't with us. George looked out towards the lake before answering.

"Oh, uh, he had things to do I guess" he said not looking to me. He was avoiding my gaze, clearly lying, but he must have had his reasons.

"Okay" I shrugged, letting it go.

"So what's new?" George asked looking back to me. I gave him a look and smiled

"Nothing is new. We've only been at school for like two days. And I saw you over the summer."

"Not the whole summer" he commented sitting in front of me looking excited like a child. His legs were crossed and he leaned into his hands on the ground. I smiled at him. Sometimes I forgot he was some years older than me

"I left your home approximately one week ago" I insisted

"A lot can happen in one week" he insisted too with a smile. I giggled a little at his expression.

"Well…" I began, trying to think of something to tell him since he cared so much, "I got a new book. I guess… I think I learned something about rune placement yesterday. I got detention… and—"

"You got detention?" he interrupted a little loudly. I laughed; clearly he hadn't been expecting that.

"Yes" I said

"For what?" he asked just as loudly as before.

"For talking back to a professor. Though, technically, it was the whole 'no wondering the halls during dinner unsupervised' rule" I answered, using air quotes. That was the only reason I had detention really. If I hadn't brought up that rule Professor Snape would've let me go with no punishment. But if that had happened the Moody would've turned into my punishment. He still sort of was…

"Oh, sorry" George said rubbing the top of his head sheepishly

"Sorry for what?"

"Fred and I kind of made that an actual rule during our first year…" I laughed again. I could only imagine what those two could've done that made professors turn common sense into a rule. George smiled at me and changed the subject. "So who did you talk back to?"

"Moody" I grumbled his name.

"Why? He's awesome" George defended. Apparently the professor was the type that people either loved or hated. And it was no mystery that for me it was the latter.

"No he isn't" I frowned.

"Sure he is. He's great" George maintained his impression of him. Perhaps Moody was like Professor Snape, in the sense that he favored one house over the others and that house favored him as well. Gryffindors sure seemed to like him. Professor Snape was, in my opinion, the best teacher at Hogwarts but since I was a Slytherin that opinion was biased.

"As a teacher, perhaps," I admitted thinking it over. "But as a person… I don't like him"

"Why? Is it because he turned Malfoy into a ferret?" George asked failing to control his laughter. I frowned remembering that

"It's not funny." Something in my tone made him stop. George's face began to pout

"It's kind of funny…" he muttered to himself

"Moody shouldn't have done that" I insisted. "He could have severely injured Draco"

"He's fine" George defended waving the statement off. "Besides it's not like he didn't deserve it."

"Look," I sighed, "I don't think I should need to explain this to you but Draco and his parents are very close. That's why he acted that way against Harry. He gets very upset when they are offended."

"They deserve it" George frowned, not liking hearing me defend the Malfoys.

"Maybe, but that doesn't change anything. Draco cares a lot about them like they care a lot about him. That is why they spoil him like they do"

"Doesn't change that he's a prick" George crossed his arms. Again I sighed

"When children are spoiled they are given everything they want, everything. When those children grow up they expect that from everyone else. If they don't get it then they get upset. That is why Draco is like that and why I'm like that too" I explained. It's hard to change someone when they are raised that way. I had been able to contain it for a while but it still annoys me when people tell me no.

"You're not like him, don't compare yourself to him" George said in a serious tone.

"I am"

"No –"

"Yes I am, George" I interrupted before he got all sweet and defensive. "I was spoiled as a child and am still given everything I want. It just so happens I don't ask for a lot but if I did I would get it."

"So what you've never been told no?" he asked sarcastically, though he was right.

"Not by my parents, no" I replied. His expression changed once my words sunk in.

"What? Are you serious?" he asked.

"Yep," I smiled a little. "Whenever I ask they always say yes. Especially if it's clothes, my mother loves that. My parents have never told me I couldn't have something I wanted."

"Ever? Like never ever?"

"Never ever," I repeated and laughed at his expression. He looked like I had just told him I could summon jinn to grant my wishes. I guess that was one way to look at my parents. As far as I could remember all they ever said was yes. Even if they had set a limit to the amount of things they would buy me, if I just asked they'd get me more. But, there was one time… "Well actually—"

"So they do say no!" George called out happily.

"Once" I admitted with a smile

"Only once?" he asked looking disappointed

"Mm hmm," I confirmed with a nod. He smiled a little at me but looked down at his hands "Once, my father did say no. But then he changed his mind and bought it for me anyway. Does that still count?"

"Yes" George quickly replied. I giggled and watched him pulling at the grass beneath us. "So what was this thing that your father didn't want to buy you?"

"A dragon"

"A dragon?" George asked, incredibly surprised, looking back up to me. "You asked for a dragon? No, wait, you own a dragon?"

"Yeah" I sighed happily. Those were some good times. "It's not at home or anything but I do, technically, own one"

"But dragons are illegal. They need to be contained in secluded locations by dragon keepers"

"Here yes," I agreed, "but elsewhere the laws aren't so restrictive."

"So where's yours?" he asked curiously

"In Russia, with my aunt Sasha and her husband. There the lands are not as populated so it's easier to hide dragons." With all the land in Russia it wasn't a rarity to stumble into a patch of woods you didn't know was there. Aside from the occasional disgruntled wizard it was a fun place to visit. And I was sure my dragon was enjoying it there. "When I was 7 or 8 I was reading a book about the Ministry's classification of creatures and I saw a dragon"

"And that made you want one, aside from the fact that the very text you were reading deemed them untamable." George gave me a look that had grown becoming of him. It was one of confusion mixed with affection. As if he found me odd yet endearing. That was a look that I had only seen one other person give me before but it had been a while since I'd seen Draco make that face.

"As far as you know" I waved it off his remark. "And yes it made me want one. Dragons are grand and deadly and to have something like that on your side would be great. Around that time my aunt's husband was working with a group of his on different ways that one could tame a dragon. As far as I know he's still working on that but I don't talk to him much. I should probably ask… Anyway, my dragon should still be there with him. I think I named him Sparky…"

"You are so cute, and scary, sometimes" George smiled giving me that same look again.

"Thank you?" I replied though it came out as more of a question. And I was blushing a little too. He seemed to make me do that lately.

"But I still say you're not spoiled" George insisted. I shook my head at him.

"I manipulate people. How am I not spoiled?"

"You're not" George frowned unfolding his legs and leaning his arms on his knees. I laughed again. Ron only saw the evil in me yet Hermione and George only saw the good. Gryffindors only saw what they wanted to see apparently. "You're not the same as that git, Malfoy"

"I'll admit he deserved punishment but not like that" I replied seeing as he was going back to our earlier conversation. "I just don't trust Moody. There's something about him… My instincts have never been wrong before."

"What did your instincts say about me?" George asked smiling and resting his chin on his hands. He probably really wanted a change of subject.

"Well…" I started, thinking back to my first day at Hogwarts, back when I first met him, and when I tried a little harder to be nice. It was tough to remember considering that back then I could barely tell the twins apart. "I thought that you were sweet, which you are. You weren't much for rules, which you aren't. And that I'd like you, which I do."

"I like you two" he smiled and I smiled back. After a second George went back to picking at the blades of grass. I looked over to the lake watching the sun reflecting off the surface. With the window like top of the dark waters it was hard to think that any life was down there. Apart from the occasional giant squid appearance not many of the creatures of the lake showed themselves. From time to time we'd see them in the dungeon but they mostly stayed away from the glass.

"So is detention that bad?" I asked George, being reminded of the one of the most recent event to happen in the dungeon. Turning back I saw him already looking at me

"Umm… no" he slurred a bit as if his mind were on something else. "No, not really. Depends on the teacher I guess. The worst by far is Snape"

"I like Professor Snape" I defended. He really wasn't nearly as bad as people made him out to be.

"I would much rather have any other teacher. Trust me; I have experience with this sort of thing. Moody might be fun."

"I told you I don't like him," I insisted. "I'd rather have to deal with a giant than have him for detention."

"Why do you sound like you're not joking" George asked with a curious smile

"Because I'm not" I answered sweeping off a leaf that had landed on my skirt. "Giants are actually rather easy to deal with. People are just put off by the size."

"You're telling me you consider taking down giants easy?" George teased but with some interest in his eyes.

"Sure, it's simple once you know how. Giants are great in height and at defending against magic but agility is not their strong suit. All you have to do is wait for the giant to ready an attack and dodge before it strikes. While they're recovering from that loss of momentum you make your way around and blast them with a spell from behind. It might not work in the conventional manner but the force of a strong enough spell should put them off balance. They'll fall because of their weight and maybe even hurt themselves. Once down you constrict them with another spell like Incarcerous. That's usually enough. If it's not, or if it doesn't work, there is a curse I know that will cause the ground to open in a certain area and suck in any nearby objects; trees, rocks, people, and what have you. So use that, the giant will be submerged at least partially, and you're done."

I shrugged while George continued to stare at me. I had given the method a decent amount of thought so I knew it would work. There is nothing wrong in being prepared even with something as rare as a giant attack.

"How do you know all that?" George exclaimed once he could speak again

"My brother" I answered quietly. I looked around for a second to make sure there was no one else in sight. George did the same thing which made me laugh. He smiled as I continued my explanation. "He went to Durmstrang and there they have a class that teaches you to deal with that sort of thing. It's sort of like a mix between Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts. They dealt with giants, ogres, trolls; they even brought in a dragon once though I didn't like that class. Poor thing, they were too mean to him…"

"So he told you how?" George asked curious

"No, I watched. I even got to try on one of the trolls once." His eyes got a little bigger not having expected that and I laughed. "My father went there too, when he was younger, and he made friends with the current Headmaster. When I was a child the Durmstrang Institute Headmaster would let me go onto the grounds whenever I wanted so sometimes I went to some of my brother's classes with him. He didn't seem to mind either"

"So that's how you know all this stuff" George said more to himself than to me, as if an old question had finally been answered. I smiled and nodded.

"I was actually supposed to go there too but decided on Hogwarts last minute. I like it here so I'm glad I chose this."

"I am too" he smiled at me. I got to thinking maybe I would've never met George if I had chosen Durmstrang. It's not like we knew any of the same people. And though his father worked at the Ministry it wasn't a section that my father frequented or one that I was likely to come across. If not for Hogwarts I would've only known Slytherins, but probably not in as friendly of terms as we are now. My relationship with Draco might have been the same, if he had gone to Durmstrang with me. Otherwise I may not have forgiven him for insulting my brother as quickly as I did.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked being reminded of something I had grown curious about.

"Go ahead" he answered looking over to the lake with a small smile on his face.

"Why are you and Fred always arguing lately?"

"Umm… well" he muttered not looking back to me.

"I don't mean about what. That's not really any of my business" I told him before he worried.

"Then what do you mean?" he asked though a little relieved making me more curious about what their argument was. But I tried to ignore it.

"I mean why" I clarified. "You two are usually like one brain so it's sort of strange to see you on different sides of something"

"Oh. Well… Fred and I just think differently about… this one thing" George began, scratching his head thoughtfully. "He thinks it should be done as soon as possible but I think that taking time isn't that bad. That it needs some space and to have a plan maybe… It's not something that should be rushed into."

"Are you sure?"

"What?" he asked giving me a confused look.

"I mean how do you know it's supposed to be done as slowly as you want?" I asked him, thinking of what he'd just said. "More often than not people do things slow because they're stalling rather than because it's necessary. Maybe Fred thinks you're just putting it off and that's his way to get you to do, whatever it is you're arguing about, faster."

"Maybe…" George mumbled still giving me a look

"Like I said it's none of my business but that is my opinion." He smiled at me a little uncertainly.

"You might be right. Well then, Kitty—"

Before George could tell me anything else a bark interrupted him. From the edge of the lake Lev made his way towards us. In his ribbon was a piece of parchment though I was sure it wasn't the one I had given him.

"Again?" I heard George whine. I looked over to him with a questioning look but he merely shook his head and laughed a little to himself. Lev barked cheerfully as he jumped onto my lap.

"You brought me a letter? What are you a little owl now?" I gave him kiss as I took the parchment from his ribbon. Lev stretched out on my lap and shook his fur, making himself comfortable.

"Who's it from?" George asked moving to sit next to me. Lev began to growl at him but calmed down when I started scratching his head.

"It's from Professor Snape about my detention." The writing was Snape's at least but I had a feeling Draco was the one who sent it to me. "Apparently Draco and I have detention with him in the dungeon few days from now."

"Too bad it wasn't that giant. I kind of want to see that now" George teased, leaning in to look at the letter in my hands. I smiled at him and looked back to the letter myself.

"I think I should go. I need to get ready for the next class and all" I said moving Lev from my lap to give me room to stand. Next to me George was already standing. He outstretched his hand and pulled me up to stand with him. I smiled in gratitude at him.

"Alright well at least I got to see you, even for a little bit" he mumbled slowly letting go of my hand. I smiled at him and picked Lev up.

"I'll see you around" I ensured. He nodded in reply

Lev rested comfortably in my grasp as I led both of us back to the dungeon. He was lucky that he wasn't growing anymore or I wouldn't be able to carry him everywhere. Though knowing him, if he had gotten bigger, he would've just forced others to carry him instead of me. Or maybe not. Lev wasn't really lazy, he just loved being carried. So maybe it was just me he liked being carried by.

Down in the common room the place was packed with Slytherins. Most of them talking, some playing chess, and others were just sitting about. In one of the corners of the room I saw my little group sitting on the couches there. Daphne and Theo were sitting together and talking but the rest looked to be keeping to themselves. As I was walking to them Draco was the first to see me.

"Thanks for telling Lev where I was" I called to Draco as I got closer to them.

"Sure" he answered with a smile. Next to him Blaise rolled his eyes

"Why are you thanking him?" Blaise asked looking up at me. "Like he'd miss a chance to mess up your date with the Gryffindor"

"It wasn't a date. What makes you think that?" I asked putting Lev down on the spot next to Daphne.

"You were by yourselves" she answered as she greeted my puppy.

"So what?" I didn't even ask how she knew that, since she had supposedly walked down to the dungeon before I even left the Great Hall. Daphne knew everything when it came to gossip, yet somehow she still couldn't understand that Dragon's Tongue was a plant, not the actual tongue of a dragon. "It's only because Fred was busy with something."

"Are you joking or just stupid?" Blaise muttered quietly as if needing to say it but not wanting me to hear. I ignored his remark.

"I'm alone with Draco all the time and none of you think we're dating" I reminded them.

"Pansy does" Theo commented smiling to himself. Daphne giggled next to him.

"Shut up, I do not" Pansy grumbled crossing her arms.

"You're all idiots" Draco grunted standing up. He walked to me and grabbed arm. "Come on"

"Where are we going?" I asked as he half dragged me over to the stairs to the boy dormitories.

"Yeah Malfoy, where are you going?" Blaise called in a teasing tone.

"You're helping me with my homework" he answered me, ignoring Blaise.

"What homework?" I asked. From what I remembered no class had assigned homework so far. Except for Study of Ancient Runes that is, but Draco didn't even have that class.

"Just shut up and walk" he barked and started climbing the stairs. I rolled my eyes at him but followed Draco up the steps.

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Okay this is really late :(

It's been almost a month I think. I tried to do it sooner but writers block... and I had a lot of school stuff to do... I'm still pretty behind...

But here's the chapter (yay) and I made a new picture that'll be on DeviantArt soon too. It's the dragon conversation Katerina had with her father... sorta. So yeah you can go see that and hope you enjoyed this :)

P.S. Are these notes better in the bottom, or did you like them in the top, or do you really just not care...? Let me know and have a super fun day :3