"Are you still going on about those badges?" I asked rolling my eyes at the boys making them looked up from their work.

The 'Support Cedric Diggory' badges had started off as a joke, as well as an insult to Harry, but they had become more popular than any of us had expected. Some were resentful towards Harry, thinking he was just trying to take the Hufflepuff's glory from them; they rarely got any as is. Others were angry he had passed the age line so easily. Mostly people were just jealous. Whatever the reason, people wanted them, so our boys kept making them.

"Want one?" Draco smirked, extending his arm to hand me one. They had several of the badges with them. Some they were wearing, others were just there, ready for distribution. "It's free."

"I thought you were charging for them now" Daphne intervened, taking a seat next to Theo on one of the common room's couches. Because of their popularity, Draco, Theo, and Blaise had decided to profit from their invention. Though I was against the idea I couldn't help but notice how well they worked together. The original idea belonged to Draco but the others were of great help. Theodore was the one who set everything in motion and made the final product function properly. Blaise had come up with the idea to sell them. Something about Blaise told me he would do well in a field focused on finance.

"We are" Theo answered, finishing inspecting one of the newer badges. "He means it's free for her"

"What? He is our school champion, after all" Blaise smiled teasingly as I gave them all a look.

"The supporting part is fine, the 'Potter Stinks' side is the one I'm not too thrilled about" I replied moving to sit next to Draco. I took the badge from his hand and started examining it. "How much have you made so far anyway?"

"Enough that you would be proud" Draco smiled not finding anything wrong with his actions.

"He means proud if it weren't for the fact that they're probably making Potter's life hell" Theo corrected for him. Draco shrugged as if that fact was irrelevant to him. That's probably because it was.

"Isn't he getting enough of that from Skeeter's latest article?" I commented. Theo shrugged at me, probably not having even read it. I only skimmed through it really; Rita Skeeter liked to ramble.

"Please! I'm sure Potter's just soaking in the attention" said Blaise. I rolled my eyes at him. From what I had seen he didn't seem to like it much.

"He and that mudblood" Pansy grumbled. "And honestly, is Skeeter blind? Stunning?"

"Don't talk about Hermione" I warned her with a glare. Either she didn't see it or she was stupid enough to ignore it.

"She looks like a chipmunk! With the teeth to prove it!" Pansy exclaimed. I took a deep breath to calm myself enough not to lash out. Behind me I heard laugher. I turned around and saw Daphne giggling at her remark.

"I expect this from her, but what's your excuse" I scolded Daphne with a look.

"She can laugh at whatever joke she fancies" Pansy barked at me. Again I had to take a breath.

"Was I talking to you?" I said through gritted teeth.

"I was talking to you!"

"This is none of your business!" I snapped turning back to her. She scowled back at me

"Daphne can laugh if she thinks it's funny!"

"Maybe she just feels sorry for you. I know I do"

"You know what—"

"What!"

"Wait, are they fighting over me?" Daphne mumbled to the guys. Out of all this of course that would be what she focused on. The rest of them looked to be watching our argument comfortably from their seats.

"At least it gives Malfoy a break"

"Shut up, Blaise!" Pansy and I both snapped at him but then returned to stare at each other.

"This is what you go through every day?" Daphne asked turning to Draco. "It's kind of fun"

"Yeah" Draco shrugged and nodded at her, with a grin clear on his face.

"Well I wouldn't say they're fighting over you so much as around you" Theo commented casually to him. Draco turned to give him a look.

"Shut up, Nott" Draco snapped as Theo smiled to himself.

"Yeah don't mess up his dream" Blaise teased. Draco looked like he was about to tell him to shut up too but I interrupted.

"Look regardless of that I have told you all, Hermione is my friend, so watch it with the 'jokes'" I warned them

"Like it's our fault you're suck a muggle lover! Just because you like them doesn't mean we have to" Pansy snapped at me.

"When did I ever say you had to like who I like?" I snapped back. "I think we can all agree that is not going to happen. And frankly I don't care I you don't like them. What I will say is that you need to shut up and not insult my friends."

"Give me one reason why I should!"

"Because if you don't I will hurt you!"

"Alright, no need to act rashly now" Theodore said in a calming voice. He slowly started to separate Pansy and I by standing between us. "We all have our own opinions but I'm sure we can settle this without anyone getting hurt."

"Come on, Nott, it was just getting good!" Blaise complained behind him. I sighed at them. All of this was not good for my temper. It was strange; usually I had a better handle on my emotions.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked when he noticed me walking away from the group. He followed after me.

"I'm going to the library"

"Is it because the books won't be able to run away from you" Pansy sneered at me. I stopped walking and turned around to face her.

"First of all, that was a stupid insult and we both know it. Secondly I'm leaving because I don't want to do something you will regret"

"You mean you will regret. Can't you—"

"No I mean you" I interrupted knowing what she was going to say. Pansy was too predictable… and stupid. "You, as in Pansy Parkinson. You, as in I am able to contain myself until you open your mouth and say such idiotic things that I feel my brain trying force me to slap you. So shut up and count yourself lucky that I have enough self-control not to murder you every day. Because I think we all know that if I tried I easily could. And I could get away with it too. Now are there any other comments or objections or can I go"

None of them answered me. Pansy looked to be contemplating her next move, though knowing how slow her mind worked that would probably take hours. The rest looked to have a mixture of concern and amusement on their faces. But since no one had any objections I simply shrugged and continued on my path out of the common room.

"Katerina, wait" Draco called after me as I reached the stairs up to the Entrance Hall.

"What?" I groaned wondering why I couldn't do something as simple as go to the library without everyone wanting to have a say in it.

"You're just mad at her, right? I'm not involved in this…" he asked me cautiously. I was angry but not at him. I smiled a little

"No, you're fine. I just really hate her"

"Oh I know, and it's fun to watch, I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't in trouble"

"I'm not your mother" I rolled my eyes at him.

"I know you're not but that's never stopped you before" Draco smirked at me. I laughed a little and poked his cheek

"I'm going to the library now. Do me a favor and tell Daphne to walk Lev for me. I was going to do it myself but if he sees me upset he'll get upset too and I think one of us is bad enough."

"You're telling me" said Draco making a face. I laughed a little more this time making him smile. "Don't take too long. I do want some advice on our marketing scheme. Hufflepuff and Slytherin are all for the badges but we still have Ravenclaw to entice. Gryffindor's a lost cause but why would we want them on our side anyway."

"You do realize I'm not going to get involved in this" I muttered though I doubted he'd listen. They had been trying to get me to contribute to their plan since the whole thing started. Those boys could not, would not, take no for an answer.

"We got you involved in the bet" he reminded me with a smug look on his face

"Yes but that's because I knew the chances of me winning were far greater than the chances of you all shutting up" I retorted. He grinned at me

"But see you can't pretend to be so goody-two-shoes when you literally just threatened someone with death not too long ago."

"Do you want me to repeat that on you?"

"You wouldn't kill me. Hurt or maim perhaps but not kill"

"If you say so" I teased and started to walk away again.

"Just hurry back. It's no fun having no one threatened every other minute." I laughed and kept walking.

The library wasn't as close as I would've liked. I thought it was annoying to have it on the third and fourth floors rather than the first and second. According to our librarian, Madame Pince, this was so that it would be at a fair distance to all the common rooms which I thought wasn't a good enough excuse. Besides, the whole concept of fairness was a grey area. I didn't believe that having to walk up so many flights of stairs to find a decent book was fair yet if they put it anywhere else I'm sure others would complain. Fairness was about perspective; what's fair to one may not be fair to another. But maybe I was just thinking too much into it. Whatever the case, I shrugged to my inner monologue and stepped into the library.

There weren't many people, which wasn't too surprising. The only times I ever saw large amounts of students in there was when exams were nearing, or a big assignment had been given. And, judging by the lack of bodies, no such assignments had been placed. There was however one familiar, with his face tucked neatly inside the pages of a heavy book.

"You're here again?" I greeted him with a smile. Recognizing my voice Vik looked up from his book and smiled at me.

"I could say the same to you" Vik replied as I reached him.

"I've been here a number of years so I know the library is as the most interesting place here. You on the other hand haven't. Shouldn't you be off exploring the grounds? It's really not that bad the first time around. Specially the Forbidden Forest" I offered. He was always the quiet sort but I didn't understand why he would chose to be here so often. After a while it became boring but I was sure Hogwarts would be found fascinating by an outsider.

"But isn't that forbidden?" he asked making me sigh.

"You always were an obedient kid. You know that's was the only fault I ever found with you" I admitted with a look. He chuckled a little at my remark.

"I'm fine here."

"If you say so" I shrugged as he stood up from his seat. Quietly, Vik closed the heavy book he had been reading; one which looked to be Hogwarts, A History. Hermione would appreciate that. She was alw ays going on about how not nearly enough people bothered learning our school's heritage. And speaking of Hermione… Strange, she wasn't here... "Huh"

"Vhat is it?" Vik asked neatly tucking the copy of the print back into its place on the shelf. I looked around one more time to make sure I was right.

"It's just… I have a friend who's always coming in here but I don't see her today." She must still be working on trying to keep Ron and Harry from killing each other.

"Do you mean Hermy-own?" Vik asked me looking very curious. Her name sounded funny with his accent. In spite of that I frowned a little but nodded. I didn't know they had met.

"Yes, her. Do you two know each other?"

"No, she just, um, she comes here a lot so I've gotten to know her name" Vik answered with a smile. Something was off in the way he said that but I brushed it off.

"Okay" I shrugged. "Well you should talk to Hermione. I like her. She's a sweet kid like you. I'm sure you'd get along"

"You think so?" he asked curiously

"Why not?"

I joined Vik as he continued to search for interesting books. There was nothing wrong with that but it still annoyed me a little, his lack of interest towards exploration. He should be looking through the dungeon, or perhaps even up in the towers. And so what if the Forbidden Forest was actually 'forbidden'? There were places in Durmstrang that were forbidden and yet I still went there. Although, in fairness to his argument, it was forbidden to 'students' and I was technically not a 'student'. But the point is I explored while Vik just continued to browse the shelves, still looking. He should be doing that outside. I'm sure people would be a little annoying considering he's well known and all but that shouldn't stop him from going where he wants to go. Finally, Vik pulled out a book from the shelf and turned to me.

"Have you read this—"

"Ugh, we need to get you outside!" I exclaimed, earning me a look from Madam Pince. Vik gave her an apologetic look before turning back to me.

"I'm fine here, honest" he answered politely which only made me frown more.

"Yeah, well, I'm not. Come on, I'll show you around the Forbidden Forest" I offered again. Which, to no one's surprise, he denied again.

"I don't think that is vise, Katerina. Ve could get in trouble. And Professor Karkaroff—"

"He'll be fine. Although I will say he's treating you an awful lot like a delicate princess. I should know." Vik laughed a little and shook his head.

"If anyone vould know it vould be you. I suppose he has been tremendously attentive" Vik sighed

"Is he the one that told you to be in here?" I guessed it would be Karkaroff's idea for Vik to be in the library. He enjoyed reading and it would keep him from being corrupted by the other students. I imagined that to be his reasoning; Karkaroff was a little paranoid.

"Initially yes," Vik admitted looking around at the many books in sight. "Although I do like it. I have no complaints"

"That is irrelevant. The point is he forced you to come here and that is something I won't allow"

"Vhat vill you do?" he asked, watching me cross my arms against my chest. His expression looked a little amused and a little worried. That was a face commonly worn by my father. Also with Draco... Maybe I just had that effect on people.

"Hey, Vik, have you ever heard of Hogsmeade?"

"Of vhat?" Vik asked answering my question. I smiled at him

"So it's settled. You're coming with me Saturday" I stated as he gave me a confused gaze.

"Saturday? To Hags—"

"Hogsmeade" I corrected. "It's a small village we get to visit on occasion. It's quite cute. They have little shops and this tea place that is really good though slightly on the girly side" I mumbled more to myself, thinking of the time when George accompanied me there.

"I vould love to but are you sure that is the best idea?"

"Nope" I smiled. "It's impossible for one to be sure of such a thing. Unless one has mastered Arithmancy perhaps, but that's beside the point. The point is you are accompanying me this Saturday."

"But—" Vik began to protest again but I stopped him.

"You know it is quite rude to be constantly objecting to a lady's requests" I said with a hand to my chest as if offended by his actions. Vik gave me smile and sighed.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope" I smiled just as I had last time. He returned it then turned to the book he had most recently taken out.

"Alright. I vill speak to Professor Karkaroff about it and tell you vhat he says"

"Why do you have to talk to him?" I asked as I watched Vik put away the book. Professor Karkaroff wasn't his father so there was no need to let him know. I suppose he was, for the moment, Vik's guardian. But Vik was a big boy and he could take care of himself.

"I'm the Durmstrang champion" he mumbled, sounding like he had heard that one too many times. I frowned as Vik stared blankly at the desk next to him. He shouldn't have to ask permission, I know I didn't. Whenever I did it was usually more of a formality than an actual request. But then again I wasn't like most people. Suddenly I smiled, having gotten an idea.

"Alright let's go ask him" I smiled at him. Vik's head snapped back to me not having expected that.

'Let's'? You mean… both of us?" he asked a little concerned. I giggled a little and nodded. With that I turned around and made my way out of the library. Vik followed closely after.

"Yes both of us. I can be very persuasive you know"

"I am mindful of the fact but I don't think that is the best idea" he said a little nervously as he and I exited the castle. I rolled my eyes at him.

"It maybe not the best but it's better than any of your ideas so were going with it"

"Katerina" Vik rushed after me. He reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me from walking further. Not too far ahead from us was the Durmstrang ship, along with its headmaster and a few of the students standing outside.

"Come on, let's go ask him right now, don't be so scared" I gave him a small smile. Vik always had been a good kid. But what was the point of being good if it just kept you from what you want? "You won't get in trouble, relax. How is it that I'm always the one that has to speak for you when you want something?"

"Because you have an impulsive nature. Though in truth I suppose I am jealous of it" he smiled back a little, letting go of my arm. I giggled a little and turned back to the ship. With a sigh from Vik we continued our path to Karkaroff.

"Hello Professor Karkaroff" I greeted once we reached him. Karkaroff looked away from the ship and to us.

"Miss Volkov, how are you? Mikhail and Karissa are vell I presume" he smiled at me.

"Yes my parents are well" I nodded and smiled in return. It was odd having someone refer to my parents by their first names only. The only other people I could think of that did that were Draco's parents. But since I didn't speak to them often, mostly by choice, it was a still strange to hear.

"Did you vant to talk to me about something?" Karkaroff asked, noting Vik's slightly nervous demeanor. I sighed a little at him. I was hoping to ease into the subject but I suppose a blunt approach would have to do.

"Well, yes, Professor. I was hoping you would allow Vik to accompany me this weekend" I started. Already Karkaroff gave me a curious look.

"Accompany you vhere exactly?"

"Hogsmeade," I answered honestly. I was contemplating lying so that maybe I could get his 'permission' faster but Vik would probably blow my cover. "It is a little village near here where students get to go on occasion. The next trip is this Saturdays."

"I'm afraid not" he denied my request completely, as was expected from him. "I don't think that's a good idea"

"I think it is" I smiled, trying to keep my demeanor pleasant. Vik might have given up by now but I was certainly not taking no for an answer. This was why I had decided to ask for him. "Vik needs some time to relax"

"It is too close to the First Task. Viktor is a champion; he needs to prepare. I am sorry Katerina" I doubted he actually was but I tried not to focus on that.

"All I've been doing is preparing" Vik muttered in a low voice next to me. He was a sweet kid. His headmaster was about to say something but I interrupted.

"Look at this face" I said taking Vik's face in my hand. He gave me a sideways look but let me continue. "This is the face of an obedient and tired child. He needs some fun; don't you think he deserves as much?"

"Champions do not have time for fun" Karkaroff stated with the same strict tone. I never liked that sort of tone; it was only used on me when someone was trying to keep me from something I wanted. I sighed and let go of Vik's face, deciding to try a different method.

"Alright, I understand. As you said Vik is a champion and as a champion he has certain duties, does he not?" I began. Professor Karkaroff nodded, happy I agreed. I smiled at him and continued. "Now among those duties he needs to represent his school in a bright light, don't you think?"

"Vell, yes..." he agreed though sounding careful. The expression on his face let me know he knew I hadn't given up and he wanted to see where I was going with this.

"Now then, answer me this: How would it look if the Durmstrang Champion was kept from interacting with his fans? He would be left to say a sad goodbye to those whose headmasters allowed them to enjoy themselves on such a nice trip. Do you want people to think Durmstrang doesn't care for their students' happiness?"

"I highly doubt anyone vould see it that way," Karkaroff defended in a tense tone. I smiled innocently at him and continued.

"Really? Do you think so? Because I'm sure that's how Rita Skeeter would see it. She told me herself that she would be reporting on the first task so I'm sure she isn't too far from here." That last part was a lie, she had told me no such thing, but knowing her I was sure she would show up for that. Gossip was her calling, or so she said.

"Vell I can't argue vith that now can I" said Karkaroff quietly, looking over to Vik. "Alright, you may go. But ve vill have to talk about your expected behavior on such a trip and how you vill be making up for your missed practices."

"Yes, Professor" Vik nodded with a smile on his face. Karkaroff gave a small sigh and turned to leave but smiled before he did.

"You vould have done vell in Durmstrang, Miss Volkov"

"Maybe," I shrugged, "but Hogwarts isn't so bad."

With that Karkaroff went on his way, back inside the Durmstrang ship. I didn't know if that was because he had something he needed to do or if he that was his attempt to hide the annoyance of being outsmarted. It was most likely the latter. Either way I turned to smile at Vik.

"See, that wasn't so hard"

"Perhaps not for you" he mumbled which made me giggle.

"We leave in the morning, but it's not so early that you should worry. I'll come by and see you then" I informed Vik. He nodded.

"Thank you" said Vik with a sweet smile, and I knew it wasn't just about me picking him up. He was very sweet, and in truth I had missed him.

"Anytime" I smiled. He waved and I walked back towards the castle. Pansy had probably gone on to annoy someone else by now so maybe I could find some peace in my dormitory. If not I could always just get Lev to bite her. Then again, he never did like trash.

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I just wanted to answer a question that was in the latest reviews from a guest (since if you don't have an account I can't reply to you directly). Katerina has a light brownish shade of hair. Kind of dirty blonde looking but more brown than blonde… Also, I try to keep my story as close to the canon as possible but there are some differences so just because there is something in the actual books or movies doesn't mean it's going to happen in my story exactly in that way.

That blonde in the epilogue, aka Draco's wife, has been said to be Astoria Greengrass, Daphne's younger sister. Just a fun fact in case you didn't know. But like I said, I'm not doing everything exactly like in the original story so just because she's his wife in the canon doesn't mean she will be in mine :)

One more thing… it's Katerina. So please, please, pretty please, don't call her Katherine. That is a major pet peeve of mine. Please don't ever do that again… ever. Pretty please.

Okay, that's it. Thank you everyone for your time and I hope you have a happy sunshiny day

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