New Slytherin Girl

by AnnyBee

Not all Slytherins are evil; then again, they're not always so nice. But isn't that how all humans are? We grow, we learn, we adapt. At times we're hated and others we're loved. Seven eventful years, all seen through a Slytherin's eyes. Sometimes it's good to look at life from a different perspective.

112. The Third Task

Hello everybody and hello February!

I could have spent this week studying for exams but instead I wrote a chapter for my fanfiction. That's where my priorities are. But who cares about my life, you're here for the story. Well there it is.

Have a lovely day everyone, and hope you enjoy the chapter.

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"I do not vant you involved in this, Katerina" Viktor gave me a stern look. I stuck my tongue out at him in response.

"That is not your call to make. And why does everyone treat me like I'm a little girl?" I crossed my arms, ignoring the fact I had just stuck my tongue out at him.

"That is because you are—"

"Finish that sentence and you're going to wish you never meet another little girl again!" I snapped, giving him a glare. Vik let out a small smile in return. I noticed too, I had just called myself a little girl. I made a face and gave him a look. "Don't... Do not say it."

"Katerina" he sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. He looked down and gave me a concerned look. "You told me yourself, that man vas part of your Ministry of Magic who attacked me. You should not involve yourself vith—"

"I understand you're concerned, it's sweet really" I interrupted. Vik gave me the same troubled look. For a moment I smiled at him, then let out a sigh. "But, it is also annoying. I can take care of myself. And I told you, that couldn't have been him. I've met Barty Crouch and he's not one to blindly attack someone, especially a student. If it were, then he wasn't of right mind."

"No, he vas mad. All the more reason for you to stay avay from all of this."

"Like I said, annoying" I repeated, patting his cheek before taking a step away from him.

Walking forward I moved closer to the lake bend. I had wanted to talk about what had happened that night with Vik, to figure out that which I had not seen, but all he kept saying was how it seemed too dangerous for me. That I should stay out of it. Dumbledore hadn't informed the students of any happenings meaning only one thing; this only proved what I had told Draco. Something was happening at Hogwarts that we as students, and perhaps even the staff, had no idea about. With a pout I stopped short of the waters and fell back, down onto the grass. Vik sat next to me. I turned to him, glancing just behind him as I did. There Karkaroff was watching us carefully, again. I let out another sigh.

"Fine, you want to change the topic? What does Karkaroff have against me now?" I asked, turning my attention away from the professor and towards Vik. Giving me a slight look of confusion he began to turn around, to get a look at his headmaster, but I kicked his shoe stopping him. He stopped instantly knowing what I meant by it.

"I am not sure" he replied, positioning himself to look down at me. "He vas also behaving strangely. I suppose he believes if you had to choose loyalties you vould most certainly side vith Hogwarts."

"Not that I would but so what if I did?" I complained. It was really none of his business whom I chose to place my loyalties with. Viktor gave me a patient smile, as if knowing what I was thinking.

"Like I said, he is not of right mind. Not just from then but it vould seem from some time now he has been behaving this vay."

"He hasn't told you anything?"

"He hasn't spoken much to any of the students" he frowned slightly. I shook his head at him.

"Let me rephrase, he hasn't told you, specifically, anything?" I asked more clear as to what I meant. This seemed to change something in his eyes. Viktor turned his attention forward now. I nodded my head at him. "I thought so. He seems to favor you, particularly. So, what was it?"

"It vas some time after the second task. He had congratulated me and continued to say the judges vere wrong to have placed me in third, having given first place to Harry Potter. Though I believe he truly deserved—"

"Yeah, yeah, you're humble. What else did he say?"

"He said he didn't trust the others though he never had. Then…" he began then his face furrowed, forming a frown. "Then he said that something… something vas returning. And that if it did he vould send us all back to Durmstrang, vhether the tournament vas over or not."

"So it's something that scared him so much he would rather lose this tournament" I said slightly surprised. He had enough pride it was strange to think he would sacrifice such a significant win. Whatever that 'something' he had talked to Vik about was, it must terrify him.

"Vhich is vhy I am asking you to stay out of this" he repeated. "I don't vant you getting involved in something of this sort."

"You just worry about the third task tonight" I smiled and patted his cheek a little harder. Viktor gave me a smile and reached up to rub his cheek.

"Be angry if you must but I care about you, Katerina" he said softly, moving his hand from his cheek to mine. Vik leaned in and kissed my forehead. I couldn't help but smile back at him. Behind us someone cleared their throat. Vik glanced behind me and his smile faded. Not far from us, my father stood over us.

"Oh, hi Papa" I called as Vik stood hurriedly next to me. For a moment he hesitated before extending a hand to me. I took it.

"Sir" he nodded politely as I stood up, using his hand as leverage. I shook the grass off my uniform gingerly before turning to my father.

"Mr. Krum. I wasn't aware you cared so much about my daughter" Papa said, holding his gaze. Viktor swallowed a bit. He made an attempt to answer him but I interrupted him.

"Papa, what are you doing here?" I asked. He kept his eyes on the boy next to me.

"I was speaking to Igor for a moment when he told me of an interesting event relating to the Ministry" my father replied, his eyes finally turning away from Vik and to me. "He mentioned his concern as well with some of the people involved. Do you know anything about that?"

"You ask as if you think I don't" I replied, before turning to Vik. "Didn't you say Karkaroff wanted to talk after we were done?"

"Yes" he agreed, taking the opportunity I had given him. Technically it wasn't a lie but we still had plenty of time before he had to go. "Yes. Excuse me, I must—"

"Nonsense" Papa said, taking hold of Vik's shoulder as he attempted to pass. He squeezed it once and gave him a particular sort of look. "I know about all that and it is not any sort of urgency."

"But it is the day of the final task today and he wanted to spend what time he had this morning to practice."

"Which is why he was here, with you?" Father gave me a smile, the type of smile he gave others when he was trying to silently point out they were not making a very convincing argument. I let out a breath, rather than rolling my eyes, and smiled back.

"Fine, if you want to talk then I can speak with you alone. Vik doesn't have to be present and I would much rather he wasn't."

"Taking the direct approach then?" he asked still with the same smile.

"I really don't want to run around in circles with this" I shrugged at him. "I haven't had breakfast yet, and I hear it's recommended not to do any form of labor before then."

"When you put it that way" he smiled before turning back to Vik. "You may go."

"I vill speak with you later" he said, though sounding slightly like a question. I smiled and nodded; it was for the best that he go on ahead. With that confirmation he turned back at my father. "Sir."

"Mr. Krum" he replied, and watched as he made his way back to the ship. Once far enough to avoid overhearing our conversation I gave my father a tired look and let out a sigh.

"Why must you always try to intimidate everyone around you?"

"It's good to see you have company smart enough to know when they need to submit."

"Of course they're smart enough. Do you think I care much for idiots?" I shook my head. My father gave me a smirk in reply. "So what do you want to know?"

"How much did you see?" Papa asked more seriously.

"Just the aftermath" I answered looking up at him. "Karkaroff screamed at Dumbledore for a bit. Something about being a traitor and cheat and something else I think. Then Moody accused Karkaroff of having something to be nervous about. Karkaroff stormed off and took Vik with him. And, from what I could stitch from that and Vik's retellings, something has happened to Crouch that has made him lose it."

"We can't be certain it was even him" he mumbled sounding like what I had told him only reassured his suspicions. "All we have is the word of two students, one of which who was found unconscious at the scene. It might be someone trying to make Crouch look bad. Or maybe he has gone mad. Recently Crouch has taken a leave of absence, relying on that assistant of his to help him make demands while away. As of recent he has been deemed missing by some. Not to mention Bertha Jorkins whom no one has seen since this summer. Though highly dimwitted she may be, it is unlikely she disappeared for so long without proper reason."

"Two members of the Ministry of Magic have somehow gone missing? And you didn't think of telling me this?" I demanded, feeling upset. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"I wasn't aware I was obligated to do so" my father replied calmly.

"You're not obligated" I grumbled back, "but I would have wanted to know."

"Do not involve yourself in things you can't handle" Papa said in a strict voice. I frowned back at him.

"Where did she even go missing to make it so difficult to find her?" I asked with a pout. At this, his look changed. It wasn't strict, not entirely, but it turned almost… concerned. My tone changed as well. "Where?"

"Katerina" he said slowly, his tone even. He was refusing to tell me, but why? Papa turned to look at the lake. He wasn't even looking at me anymore. I felt myself go a little cold.

"Where was it?" I repeated, my voice gone soft. But, he heard what I had said all the same. My father sighed and continued staring ahead.

"Last time anyone heard from her she was taking a trip East… to Albania."

I froze at the mention of that place. Suddenly I felt a lot colder than I had even before. There were no good memories of that place for me. Last time I had been there… My father looked to me for a reaction, knowing just what had happened there. I didn't say anything, didn't do anything. Although, that was a reaction of its own.

"Maybe she is just dimwitted" I mumbled, looking away from him. "The quality of staff has certainly fallen in recent years. Their standards are basically nonexistent."

"Yes, it has" Father agreed in a low voice. Gently he put a hand on my head. I looked up at him. "Some in the Ministry have been in a wreck trying to find where both have gone. Others have held themselves in oblivious bliss. They are either very lucky or very misfortunate to have the Triwizard Tournament happening in the same even."

"Which is why there has been so much unnecessary coverage of the tournament and their champions" I guessed. He nodded at me. There was something going on, I knew as much. "I thought as much."

"But regardless, do not concern yourself too much with all of this" Papa said, looking down at me. I gave him a look but he smiled in return. "I'm not telling you to do nothing; that would just give you more of an incentive to disobey me. We will discuss this in further detail once you are home. You must remember, you are a student first and anything else you wish second. Shouldn't you be more focused on your exams? They're today, are they not?"

"Oh, that. Yeah, it'll be fine" I waved my hand at the comment. "If I were the least bit concerned I wouldn't have asked Vik to meet me here. Speaking of which, what did Karkaroff want with him?"

"The champions are all to meet their parents and spend the day with them if they so wish. My department was in charge of getting them safely here, among other things. All the parents, even those who don't belong…" he mumbled onto the last part. I felt like I would regret it but it was better than talking about that place. I sighed and decided to ask.

"What do you mean by even those who don't belong?"

"I mean that Potter boy's chosen family" he answered. Yeah, I knew I would regret it. Hermione once mentioned he lived with some muggle family members. According to her, they weren't the decent kind either. I let out an internal groan but waited for him to finish. "The headmasters were in charge of giving us their information for proper transportation. Albus Dumbledore apparently decided that for him it would be best if the muggles he lives with weren't invited."

"So who did they bring then?" I asked curiously, glad we didn't have to have that talk.

"The Weasleys actually" he turned to look to me. Oh, so it was this talk then. "He is very close to your friend's family it would seem."

"It would seem so" I replied, ignoring the fact he referred to George as my friend.

"So, still being stubborn then" he surmised from my expression. I gave him a smile in return.

"I learned well from you" I replied, making him let out a sigh.

"Why you insist on keeping such company when—"

"I know, you've told me" I groaned now. "So has Draco. Several times in fact. I already hear it every day from him, do I really need to hear that from you as well."

"At least he has a good head on his shoulders" he replied with an almost thoughtful look. I rolled my eyes at him. Father liked Draco better, that was obvious, but he and George weren't too different, really. Both were sweet boys, though a bit mischievous. There were only slight differences between the two that, if it weren't for their families' prejudices, they might actually get along.

"That's right" I groaned to myself, remembering something. Papa turned to give me a curious look. I had told George I would do this, even if I thought it was a terrible Idea. With a sigh I turned to look up at my father. "He wants to meet you."

"Draco?" he asked with a frown. I shook my head at him. His frown stayed, realizing who I meant. "You mean your friend—"

"My boyfriend, yes" I corrected, ignoring the look he gave me for correcting him like I did. "He said he wanted to meet you."

"Why?" Papa asked suspiciously. I threw my hands up in response.

"I have literally no idea as to why he would want to, but he does" I exclaimed. "He said something about it being proper or what not. Other than that, I have no idea of why he would want to go through with it. But, he wants to meet you. Oh and mum too."

"Didn't you just say a moment ago you don't care much for idiots?" Papa replied, with a slight humor in his tone. I smiled back slightly.

"Everyone's allowed their moment now and then" I shrugged in return, though mostly agreeing. My father shook his head in return.

"And I'm assuming this is one of those situations where you will persist until I give you your way."

"If I don't, he will nag me about it" I mumbled. Father gave me a look but I shrugged back. "But it is one of those things couples do, isn't it? It's bound to happen, you meeting him proper and all."

"Or we could wait until this relationship inevitably ends and I never have to face that boy in the first place" he retorted. I gave my father a tired look making him roll his eyes at me. "Fine, if you must persist I will humor you."

"Thank you" I mumbled to the side. My father stepped closer to me.

"Now" he began, looking down at me, "exactly how seriously do you feel about this boy to ask me for such a thing?"

"Oh, we have plenty of time to discuss that" I said quickly, turning from him and to the castle. "And as much as I would love to have a detailed conversation regarding the subject I should first have some breakfast, before the exams and all."

"I thought you weren't the least bit concerned about those" he replied, though not trying too hard to keep me.

"I wouldn't want to be testing on an empty stomach. No matter how confident, that would be just silly" I smiled though mostly focusing on stepping away. I didn't need to be thinking of this during exams. We would talk about this later and we both knew it. So, for now, I would rather partake in blissful ignorance.

"I will be around. So don't get involved with anything I would disapprove of" he told me and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "I have a parcel for you to open during breakfast as good luck and what have you. Your mother thought it proper seeing as I'm here and all. Now go do well on your exams. I expect high marks."

"If you didn't I'd be concerned. Thank you" I added and turned to walk away. With a wave to my father I moved towards the castle, letting out a sigh once I reached it.

I kept forward, making my way down the Great Hall. It was still fairly early so the place wasn't as packed as it normally was. I had decided to meet Viktor early that day to talk. Given that I would be busy with exams and he would be too focused on the task it was the best time we could manage. I still didn't understand what exactly happened that night but it had obviously been important and I had wanted to discuss it further. But instead he spent most of the time lecturing me on the proper way I should be reacting to all of this. I pouted over it as I sat down for breakfast.

"What's with the face?" Theodore asked, facing me from his seat. He and Daphne were already sat for breakfast. I never did understand why they woke so early. But even Millicent was here today, sitting off to one corner looking tired and not quite awake like the other two. "Didn't go well with Krum?"

"It went fine. But my father is back on the grounds."

"Does that mean you're going to hit Draco again?" Daphne asked, sounding almost excited. Theo smiled next to her. I rolled my eyes at the two.

"No, it means that he's keeping tabs on me, again" I sighed. But Theo gave me a small shrug.

"Isn't that what parents like to do? I'm sure most others' here would do the same if they could" he replied. Daphne gave that a thoughtful look.

"Maybe" she mumbled in reply, just before letting out an unruly smile. "Or, maybe… he wanted to check on your Gryffindor while he's at it."

"That is also a valid point" Theo noted. I gave them both a look before letting out a sigh.

"Hey" Draco called moving to sit next to me. I turned to smile but stopped when I noticed Pansy, clinging to his arm and sitting on his other side. "What are we all talking about?"

"Now, slap him" Daphne giggled. Theo let out a snicker next to her. Looking confused Draco turned from them to give me a curious look.

"Not that I'm not for it but why is she going to slap Malfoy?" Blaise yawned, taking a seat next to Daphne. Crabbe and Goyle followed behind him, completing our little Slytherin circle.

"Papa is on the grounds again" I informed him. Draco raised his free hand defensively.

"I didn't speak to him, I swear" he said immediately, as if I would slap him. I rolled my eyes at him and hit his shoulder.

"He does work for the Ministry's Department of International Affairs. I'm surprised he hasn't been here more often" Theo mentioned. I gave him a look making him turn away.

"Maybe he has but spent his time sneaking about so we wouldn't notice him. I mean, I'm sure Volkov must have learned it from somewhere" Blaise suggested, causing some of the others to chuckle. I gave him a fake laugh and turned back to Draco. With a sigh I scooted closer and leaned against him. For a moment he froze under me.

"What are you doing?" Pansy snapped, still holding onto Draco's arm.

"Whatever it is, keep at it" Blaise said with a smirk. Daphne gave him a look. I ignored them both and instead looked up at Draco who, in term, gave me a confused look.

"What is it?"

"While my father was here he… said something to me" I mumbled, realizing the others were well within hearing distance. Draco frowned at me.

"And?" he asked. Pansy gave me a smirk from where she sat. I didn't really understand why but, again, I ignored her. I moved up closer to his ear.

"He mentioned Albania" I said softly, so much so that, for a moment, I wasn't sure if he had heard me. When I pulled back, however, his expression told me he very much had.

"Why would he bring up that of all things?" he asked, holding an anxious and bewildered expression. I shook my head at him; now wasn't the appropriate time or place. It was probably a bad idea to bring it up in the first place, but I needed to say it to him. If I hadn't it would have kept itself in my head, making me overthink it until my head felt as if it would burst. He frowned again, but this time moved his arm to hold me closer. He moved his hand gently along my arm.

"Draco" Pansy called impatiently. He turned to look at her. Draco seemed to mouth something to her as a reply. He used the arm she had been using and held me. Pansy gave him, and me, an irritated look but turned forward to her food. Draco turned back to me with a look of worry.

"Go on, eat. We can talk about it once we're done with exams" he spoke gently, nodding towards the food.

"There's nothing to talk about" I mumbled. His expression didn't change, he simply took a moment to pause.

"Just eat, then" Draco said calmly. I nodded and grabbed something from his plate. He didn't react, just let me have it.

"So… you're really not going to tell us what your father said. Or at least slap Draco for us?" Daphne said with a pout. Blaise looked just as interested on the subject as her. And Draco, being the gentleman he is, gave them both a particular gesture as response. Daphne continued to pout as Blaise returned it.

The food continued to be served. The usual array was scattered across the Slytherin table, given by the house-elves. Eventually Draco let go of me as we all continued to eat. Pansy took the opportunity and scooted closer to him, grabbing at his arm and making it visibly difficult for him to eat. Draco didn't complain, though if that was because he didn't mind or because he didn't want to argue with her over it I wasn't sure. Either way I was glad when the owls finally came, their flapping wings silencing her shrill and obnoxious voice.

The owls all came to make their deliveries. One by one they dropped off their things for each of their owners. Some made a mess as they crashed into the plates and goblets at the tables. Father's owl landed gently in front of me, between the mess on the table, dropping off the parcel my father had mentioned. I reached over and handed him a piece of sausage as a reward before he flew away. He was a serious owl, taught to do his job simply and quietly. As he left it wasn't too long before Zary came in behind him, landing on Draco's shoulder, already leaning towards me to receive his treat. I tapped the table once and gave him a look. Zary jumped to it, careful not to hit anything, before letting go of Draco's parcel. I smiled and grabbed a piece of sausage for him.

"She has him better trained than you do" Blaise chuckled.

"Who asked you?" he snapped back, moving to get his parcel.

"Although, it is true" I smiled and scratched the top of the owl's head lightly. Zary pressed against it before stepping back and flapping away.

Draco gave me a look as I smiled back. He sighed though giving me a small smile in return, probably just glad I was in a better mood. Leaning the parcel to me he offered me a sweet, which I took. Pansy cleared her throat loudly next to him. Draco rolled his eyes before turning to her. I let out a smile and bit into the piece of chocolate.

"May I borrow that?" Daphne called, taking a sip of her juice. Draco shrugged and let her take his copy of the Daily Prophet.

"What did your father give you?" he turned to ask me, having forfeited his own parcel to Pansy. I shrugged at him and leaned back. Draco reached over me to grab it while I continued to eat my breakfast. He reached in and took out a sweet, giving me a smile as he did.

"Hey, your new article was released" Theodore called, leaning over Daphne's shoulder to read. Draco handed me back the parcel, taking the newspaper back.

"Doesn't like to waste time, does she" I mumbled next to him. Draco gave me a smirk as Pansy leaned against him. I made a face back at her. Of course she would have been involved too. I sighed and took the paper from his hands. "Let me see."

"Going to be the designated reader now?" Blaise called, drinking from his coffee, his eyebrows raised mockingly. I rolled my eyes at him but Daphne seemed to like that idea.

"Oh, yes, would you?" she smiled at me. I gave her a look too. But she kept her look and I let out a sigh, raising my hands in resignation.

"Harry Potter 'Disturbed and Dangerous'" I made a face at the title. Already this seemed daft. Just as I was about to begin I let out a breath instead and gave them a look. "Must I read this whole thing?"

"You were going to read it yourself anyway" Blaise called out.

"Yes, to myself, not to all of you. You know how to read, why don't you do it" I added as Daphne pouted at me.

"Summarize it at least" she asked. I let out a sigh deciding it was more trouble to argue than it was worth. Daphne clapped her hands and let out a happy squeal.

"Disturbed and Dangerous" I made myself repeat. My eyes ran across the page, through the usual babble of Rita Skeeter's writing, occasionally pointing out areas of interest as they passed. "Possibly dangerous child… has been acting strange… occasional headaches so people think he might have a brain injury…"

"If you're going to tell it, at least get it right" Draco complained next to me. I chose to ignore him.

"Draco gives unnecessary information to make himself feel better about being part of the paper" I added as the others laughed. He gave me a fake laugh before hitting the top of my head. Swatting at his arm I kept looking but paused towards the end, staring at what I had just read. This part of the article... "'Parseltongue, the ability to converse with snakes, has long been considered a Dark Art. Indeed, the most famous Parselmouth of our times is none other than You-Know-Who himself… snakes, serpents, are often used in the worst kinds of Dark Magic, and are historically associated with evildoers and anyone who seeks out the company of such vicious creatures as werewolves and giants would appear to have a fondness for violence."

"Oh, that part you read out loud" Draco gave me a look. Again I ignored him, frowning down at the article.

"Just because he's a Parselmouth doesn't mean he's evil or demented" I muttered, tossing the Prophet onto the table. Draco rolled his eyes at me and took it.

"It is true that nearly every wizard that was born with said ability was in later life considered a dark one" Theodore kindly pointed out. I shook my head at him.

"That is but a coincidence" I waved the comment away. "Seeing as there is a very limited amount of wizards with such an ability it is statistically more likely the data be skewed more to one side than the other. Besides, there might be those who are born with the ability yet share it with no one out of fear of being associated with the prior."

"That is a valid point" Theo noted with a nod. Draco rolled his eyes at us.

"Why don't we get the opinion of an actual Parselmouth? That way we'll have an answer" he suggested and stood in place of his seat. "Hey, Potter! Potter! How's your head? You feeling alright? Sure you're not going to go berserk on us?"

"While I approve I don't think he'll care much to share his opinion" Blaise snickered as they turned to look back at Harry. Apparently he hadn't seen the article yet as he quickly stretched to take it from Ron.

"Bet he'll love that" Draco replied smugly. Pansy hollered out a cackle next to him. I couldn't help but make a face at that.

"I don't know about any Parselmouth but they really did a job on snakes, didn't they. Slytherin's symbol is a snake. Everyone already considers us evil" Daphne turned to look at the boys next to her. Theo nodded but Blaise gave her a smirk.

"That's because we are all evil" he answered with a low chuckle. Daphne giggled as he continued his attempt at an evil laugh.

"It makes sense people feel that way" I mumbled, glancing at the paper. Draco turned to frown slightly at me. "Snakes are intelligent creatures, cunning, and with a lot of magical capabilities. That should insight at least some amount of fear to anyone rational enough to understand this."

"Volkov, don't tell me you're afraid of a poor wittle snake" Blaise teased with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at him ignoring the fact that he was right. Most animals while intelligent have their limitations but snakes… there's something particularly dark about them. "Finally found your weakness, did we?"

"Yes, my weakness is our house symbol. Because that makes so much sense" I scoffed. Really, it didn't make sense, it was an irrational fear after all.

"Are you sure?" he insisted.

"He's right. They can be pretty terrifying" Draco smirked next to me. I turned and gave him a look, he should know better than to joke about that. Still, he just smirked in reply.

As I turned to my food Draco reached behind me and poked my side. I jumped and let out a surprised squeal. The others laughed as I turned and began hitting Draco against his shoulder. Draco hissed at me in reply, moving to make snakelike gestures at me. Crabbe and Goyle joined in from where they sat all making such faces and gestures that I couldn't help but laugh along with the others. Seeing me do this Draco let out a grand smile and leaned in beside me, stretching to grab one of my sweets.

"You're welcome" he whispered as he leaned away. Taking the piece of chocolate he settled comfortably back in his seat. I turned and stuck out my tongue but again I had to smile. He was an idiot but he was my idiot.

Soon enough we moved out of the hall and towards our end of year exams. None looked to enthusiastic to be heading there. The exams themselves though went as was expected. I had no problem in Potions or Transfigurations, of course. Care of Magical Creature was fine. The only one I had a stutter with was History of Magical creatures. Like I could remember all the names of people whose lives never affected me. Needless to say we were all glad to be back in the Great Hall for lunch. We all took advantage of the break and tried enjoying the food until we inevitably had to get back up for the second half of the examinations.

"Katerina" Viktor called, stopping just beside me at the table.

"Oh, hey" I called between bites. "How is the parent visit going?"

"How—" Vik began to ask but stopped himself. He had seen me with my father earlier after all. Instead he gave me a smile. "It is going vell but they vanted to get a look around the castle and, vell… I apologize if I am interrupting your meal."

"No, it's alright, I'm basically done. The castle is not that interesting but I can show them around if you'd like" I shrugged. Taking a sip of my juice I stood up. "It's been a while since I last saw your parents."

"Wait, where are you off to?" Draco asked, turning to us. I ruffled his hair as a response. He rolled his eyes at me and reached up to his now messy hair. Pansy glared at me next to him.

"I'll see you all later" I called and walked away. Draco waved back flippantly as the rest said goodbye. Walking after Vik we headed out of the Great Hall.

"I still find it surprising he decided to date that girl" Vik said quietly, sounding like he was talking mostly to himself, though I completely agreed.

"I know, right" I made a face then sighed. "But they get along fine, however horrid of a creature she is."

"I did not mean because of her" he said. I gave him a confused look, not understanding what he meant. He turned forward, not bothering to explain. "Let us go, my parents are vaiting."

We stepped into the Entrance Hall. Vik's parents were already there waiting for us, as he had mentioned. Both looked just like I had last seen them, and very similar to their son. It was strange how children seemed to grow immensely within a few years while adults stayed basically the same. The two saw us and smiled. I smiled back at them as we joined them.

"Mother, Father, you remember Katerina" Vik called, more or less reintroduced us. I nodded at them.

"It is nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Krum."

"Katerina, you have grown so much since ve last met" his father said kindly.

"It is lovely to see you again" Vik's mum said sweetly. "You have become a very beautiful girl."

"Thank you. That is very kind of you" I replied, as Vik gave me a smile.

"Katerina is here to show us around Hogwarts."

"Where would you like to start?" I asked, stepping a bit away to begin the makeshift tour.

"I have already shown them around the grounds" Vik informed me. I gave him a nod, understanding.

"So the castle it is. We can start upstairs, that way we can work our way down" I smiled and headed up the staircase.

"So how are you liking Hogwarts, Katerina?" Mrs. Krum asked following after us. "It vas a shame to find you vere not going to be attending Durmstrang vith our Viktor."

"It just seemed suitable at the time" I nodded while avoiding the actual subject. "It is certainly a different layout as you will see but the Hogwarts castle is still quite lovely."

We began the tour with the towers. Mr. and Mrs. Krum looked either surprised or impressed by the stature of the castle. Perhaps it was both. The number of floors at Hogwarts was far greater than that of Durmstrang though their grounds were far vaster. Together we continued to the library. His mother seemed impressed as she, like Vik, much enjoyed books. It had been the reason Viktor and I met too. After we got done looking through the books we continued down the stairs, just past the Great Hall. They seemed interested to know that was where we held most of our indoor events, including the Yule Ball. Then lastly was the Slytherin dungeon. The place was often thought of as dreary but in reality it was quite beautiful. The tall windows gave a deep view into the lake, giving the corridors a calming green glow.

"It looks much clearer from down here. Inside the vater vas much harder to see through" Vik mumbled, looking as we passed the last of the windows. I smiled at him and continued to the stairs.

"You managed vell in the task" his father replied confidently though he hadn't been present for that task. Vik nodded at him with a small smile.

"You did great then and you'll do great at the upcoming task" I reassured him. Vik smiled at me in return. But as he looked to me his attention seemed to drift to something just behind. A little confused I turned behind me to see what had caught his attention.

"Malfoy" Viktor called out. Behind us Draco was walking in our direction. He gave a nod to Vik before turning to me.

"What is it?" I asked as he stopped beside me.

"What's taking you so long?" he asked, looking down at me.

"Aww, did you miss me?" I cooed stretching my arms up towards him. He extended a hand and put it on my head, stretching it and keeping me at an arm's length. I gave him a look but Draco just smirked back.

"About as much as I miss a headache" he replied, using his hand to mess up my hair a bit like I had with him earlier. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him chuckle in reply. "We have to go; our next exam is in like 10 minutes."

"No, mother" Vik said quietly as she leaned in, having whispered something herself. Draco let go of my head and took a step back. Viktor cleared his throat and began to talk again, this time more audibly. "This is Draco Malfoy. I have known him for some time as vell. He vould sometimes visit Durmstrang just like Katerina did."

"Mr. and Mrs. Krum" Draco greeted in his polite voice and shook their hands.

"It is nice to meet you" Vik's mother smiled grandly at him. "You two have been together a long time, yes?"

"Mother—"

"Yes we have, actually. Several years now, in fact" I replied as she smiled back. Draco let out a cough and turned away from us. I turned and gave him a confused look.

"So it is serious—"

"Mother" Vik interrupted, moving closer to her. He gave her a particular look which she, like me, did not seem to understand. "Mother, Katerina and Malfoy must go to their exams now. Ve may talk about this later, no?"

"He is right" Vik's father stepped closer to them. "Ve should go."

"Good luck. Ve shall see you both at the task" she smiled and walked off with her husband. Vik let out a sigh and turned to us.

"Good luck" he stated, though looked to be saying it mostly to Draco. He nodded in reply and let out a sigh himself.

Viktor stepped closer and gave me a hug. I let out a giggle and smiled back. As he pulled away he and Draco shared a look. I frowned a bit, wondering if they had been talking more than I expected. There had been multiple occasions now of them sharing a look that I had no idea about. Either way we waved as he walked back and led his parents out onto the grounds. Draco gave a tug at my robes and headed towards the stairs. I followed quickly after him.

"Don't give people the wrong impression" Draco mumbled, starting up the stairs.

"What do you mean?" I asked with a frown. Draco opened his mouth to speak but closed it, shaking his head and changing his mind.

"Forget it" he replied. I tugged at his robes stopping as he tried to take another step. Draco turned to give me a look and I pouted back. With a sigh he moved to the step I was in and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Stop making faces. It's going to get stuck that way, you know."

"Good. Then it won't be as much effort when you make me do it again" I continued to pout. Draco gave me a smile and shook his head.

"Just come on, we don't have much time. I swear if I'm late you're taking all the blame."

"No one asked you to come looking for me" I crossed my arms at him.

"Oh, yeah?" he debated. "What would you have done if I hadn't come to get you then?"

He was right; I would have probably been pretty upset had he let me miss an exam. Still, I kept my look. Draco smirked next to me, knowing he was right, regardless of whether I would admit to it or not. He tapped my head before continuing forward, taking me along with him. Together we hurried back into the classroom, just in time for Charms. Aside from the tardiness scare there wasn't much to worry about with that exam, or any of the others for that matter. I was sure I had kept my word to my father, all would have good marks. Not that everyone else felt that way. As soon as we were back in the Great Hall Draco dropped his head onto the Slytherin table. With a grunt he crossed his arms on it, almost as if wanting to hide his face.

"I hate you" Draco grumbled against his forearm. I leaned over and patted his head, letting out a laugh as I sat next to him.

"No one forced you to take the class with me" I reminded him.

"So, Arithmancy went well I take it" Blaise smirked as he sat down, watching Draco resting in the little area he had built himself. Without taking his head out of his arms Draco raised a hand and, with it, a not so friendly gesture to Blaise.

"Don't blame him because you didn't study" I lectured, swatting his hand back down. He lifted his head and gave me a scowl.

"I did study!" he complained. "But any time I studied with you I kept being purposely given the wrong answers!"

"I didn't give you the wrong answers. I told you your answers were wrong but just didn't bother explaining why" I shrugged back at him. Draco sat up giving me a look and, reaching out with one of his hands, pinched my face. "Ow! Hey!"

"That's the same thing you spiteful brat!" Draco said sharply at me but let go. He let out a sigh. "No matter. I'm sure the grade is good enough to keep Father happy, regardless of your childish behavior."

"Well if you just studied more—Ow!" I winced as he grabbed my cheek again. Blaise laughed at us as Draco once again let go. I stuck out my tongue at him and moved to rub my cheek. "Stop doing that."

"Then stop telling me stupid things" he replied. I made a face at him and he made one back.

"Didn't go well in Arithmancy?" Theo asked as he and Daphne sat down at the Slytherin table. Draco, in reply, gave him the same gesture he had given Blaise when he asked. I hit Draco's shoulder making him roll his eyes at me.

Behind him I noticed Pansy and Millicent beginning to walk our way. Making a face to no one in particular I turned forward. Already I knew exactly what would happen; it was always the same thing with her. Really, even trees had more unpredictable habits. I didn't even need to look at her to know. She smiled widely as she sat down next to Draco. Almost instantly she would take hold of Draco's arm and lean in to kiss him which, in term, would make me want to vomit. And, as she settled herself into her seat, placing her book bag just beside her feet, she would ask the same stupid question she always did.

"So, what are we talking about?" Pansy asked as I mouthed the words alongside her. Daphne let out a laugh before trying to stifle it, having seen me. Pansy turned to give her a curious look. Unlike with me, she wasn't instantly angered by any sign of happiness she showed. "What is it?"

"Nothing" Daphne shook her head and looked down, but not before giving a glance at me, one long enough for her to notice. Pansy's curiosity quickly turned into a frown and turned to me too.

"We were talking about exams. How did you do in Arithmancy?" I asked with a smile. At that her face turned a little red, though she kept her frown.

"That is none of your concern" she argued then turned away.

Blaise let out a laugh again. Not finding it funny herself Pansy grabbed a piece of bread from the table and threw it at him. Still huffing about our comments Pansy turned to her dinner, as did most of us. The Evening Feast was enjoyable as always, though this time with a slightly greater selection of food. There were more courses than on a daily basis for the champions to have before the final task I presume. Although, knowing Vik, I doubt he would eat much of this. Still the food was good.

"So what did Krum say during lunch?" Blaise asked between bites. I looked up at him then, realizing why he was bothering to ask, rolled my eyes.

"You two are betting again?" I frowned at Draco. He smirked in reply.

"You want in?" Blaise asked, holding the same smirk Draco had. "The buy-in is 15 this time. Since the rest of us are in already if you join that'll make it an even 120 price pool."

"If we all were to join with the same buy-in then the price pool would be 135. So who else hasn't bet?" I asked a bit confused. Theo let out a sigh as Daphne smiled next to him. "Oh, so she's making you pay for her again."

"Don't say it like that" Daphne leaned forward to protest but Theo nodded at me from behind her. "We're sharing, if we win I'll pay him back."

"No you won't" Theo mumbled beside her. Daphne turned to give him a look but Theo continued to eat, as if he hadn't said anything.

"Malfoy and I betting on Diggory, you know, siding with Hogwarts. Greengrass and Nott here are betting on Krum, like the traitors they are" Blaise said with a feigned expression of contempt. Daphne returned it. "Pansy and Millicent are siding with us; Crabbe and Goyle are with them."

"So are you in or what?" Draco asked. I gave it a second of thought before just shrugging.

"Fine, I'll join. It's not that much anyway. I'll put my money on Harry."

"I thought you would've chosen Krum" Theo said calmly as nearly all the others at the table gave me some sort of look.

"Of course I hope he wins but if I bet on either Vik or Diggory I would have to share the winnings with four of you making it so I only have a profit of a few Galleons. Besides, Harry is tied for first with Diggory which gives him an advantage on the last task. That and, since none of you would even think of betting on him, I would have the winnings all to myself" I added, taking a bite of my food. Blaise nodded, not having thought of that part. Draco, however, continued to frown.

"You're more of a traitor than Greengrass" he grumbled into his drink. Pansy let out a laugh. I let out a fake one before kicking his foot. Draco flinched away and gave me a look while I returned back to my food.

At the staff table Dumbledore stood up. I turned, curious, just as others students seemed to be. The room fell silent waiting for him to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium now."

The students all clapped for the champions, each house cheering for their own. Hufflepuff and Gryffindor kept to the Hogwarts champions, Diggory and Harry. Ravenclaws clapped for the Beauxbatons girl, Delacour. And we Slytherins gave our applause to Vik as he and the other champions exited the hall. The champions all followed Bagman out to the grounds, some looking more humble than others but all holding some degree of anxiety in their expression. The rest of us kept to our seats and turned our attention back on the headmaster.

"These have truly been trying times for all four of our champions. We must remember to be supportive and holding in this final task. It has been a difficult trial. Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Hogwarts students all coming together to rally behind our chosen champions. We must give them some time to prepare, then we may all go and enjoy the end of this Triwizard Tournament."

With that, Dumbledore sent us on our way. The students began to rise from their seats. Some turned to leave the hall immediately while others lingered, standing to chat with those they were near. Our group moved quickly to the door, wanting to find a proper place to sit during the third task.

"Hurry up. Let's go find a good point to judge the task" Blaise called, having to stop and wait for the rest of us to walk into the Entrance Hall.

"Also some place no one can interfere" Draco added giving me a fake look of suspicion. I gave him a laugh.

"You're just jealous because I'm the only one that thought of how the price was going to be divided" I smirked back at him.

Before we could walk much closer to the door a pair of arms grabbed me from behind. I stopped in place as George continued to hug me from behind. He gave me a smile and rested his chin against my shoulder. Then, keeping that smile on his face, he turned to face forward. There Draco stood giving him a look, which George easily returned. The two glared at each other for a moment, Draco's fists tightening as did George's arms around me.

"You're right, Volkov. He looks jealous to me too" Blaise commented, returning to the conversation at hand. Draco turned to give him a quick glare before turning his attention back to George. Blaise raised his hands in a feigned attempt at defense and walked ahead, out of the castle. Daphne let out a giggle and followed after him.

"We'll go find a place for us to sit" Theodore said calmly, being the only mature one in the group.

He began to step forward then stepped back, giving Pansy a look. She returned it, not finding a reason to move. Theo grabbed her arm which she quickly swatted off. Even with that, however, she followed after him. As she did Pansy turned to give me a glare. Meanwhile Draco and George continued staring at each other.

"What do you want?" Draco said in a calm but cold voice. Most likely he was using it to cover his anger.

"I came to talk to my girlfriend" George answered just as calmly. Neither was at all convincing at hiding the obvious contempt from their eyes.

"We were in the middle of something" Draco stated, his expressionless voice almost failing him. George let out a cold smile.

"Doesn't look like it to me. So, if you don't mind…" he replied. Neither of them moved.

I let out a sigh at the two. I knew what this was about. Each was making an attempt to be nice to the other, as I had pestered them so much about, but it was obviously all a front. Polite words were one thing but the anger I wanted them to get over was still there. They might as well be screaming at each other, there wasn't much of a difference besides the volume. And, if I weren't in the middle of them, I doubt they would be making much of an effort either way. With that thought in mind I tapped George's hand. He looked down but, knowing what I meant, let go of his grip on me.

"What is it?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Just wanted to chat" he smiled innocently at me. I gave him a look back.

"'Chat.' Now?" I asked. George simply nodded in return. I gave him a look again and sighed before turning to look at Draco. He was still staring at George. "I'll catch up with you in a bit, alright?"

"No, it's not alright" he complained. I frowned at him.

"I wasn't asking" I replied. I noticed George smile behind me. Draco noticed too. He tightened his jaw but withdrew.

"Hurry up" he grunted.

Draco turned to look from me to the boy standing beside me. George smiled back at him. At that Draco clicked his tongue and turned to walk out of the castle along with the others. George moved to hug me again like he had been. I let out a breath and turned to look at him again.

"I have told you not to purposely anger him" I reminded, as if he wasn't already aware.

"I was polite" he defended.

"Those are not the same thing" I said as George gave me an impish smile in reply.

"So Bill and Mum are here. They came to watch Harry compete in the third task. Want to sit with us, I'm sure she'd like to see you again" George offered, moving on from what I had said and reminding me of what Papa had mentioned earlier. I had expected his mother and father to be here but it made sense he would still be working. But, because Papa had been the one to originally tell me, it was possible he would be looking for me during the event.

"I probably shouldn't. If Harry were to win while I was away I'm sure they'd suspect me of tampering with our bet" I shook my head at him, feeling that was a better thing to say than telling him my father was watching. He might just want to use that as an opportunity to talk to him. Maybe Papa was right at saying he was an idiot.

"You're betting on the task?" George asked, getting my attention back from where it had gone. I nodded in reply. For a second he looked to want to say something but paused. Shaking his head he opened his mouth again, deciding to say it after all. "How much are you putting in then?"

"Well I just joined the others' pool so I didn't have much say on the buy-in but we're putting 15 each. Well, except Daphne. Somehow she always manages to get Theo to pay for her" I mumbled the last bit mostly for myself. George frowned slightly.

"15 Sickles? You could basically bet a Galleon for that…" he stopped talking as he saw me shake my head. It took him a moment to understand what I meant. Then his expression changed from one of confusion to surprise, and a bit of confusion. "Wait, 15 Galleons?"

"Yes" I nodded simply. "There's nine of us competing and each of us, except Daphne, placed 15 on the champion we thought would win. All of them are divided between Vik and Diggory while I placed my bet on Harry knowing none of the others would do so. I'm still hoping for Vik to win so even if I lose the bet I'll be alright, if he is who I lose it for."

"But if you're not sure Harry will even win why bet 15 Galleon on him?"

"I just explained, because no one else would think of doing so. Statistically it is more likely he will win than any of the other champions, except maybe Diggory. And if I win I'll have the 120 Galleon to myself."

"That… is a lot of money" George mumbled, almost to himself. I frowned a little. I sometimes forgot that what some people thought of as a lot wasn't what some of my other relations considered a lot. I could understand that 120 Galleon wasn't a small amount but I wasn't sure I would so easily classify it as a lot.

"Well isn't that the point of gambling, to spend a lot so you might win even more?" I asked, mostly rhetorically. He gave me a curious look. After a moment he leaned in and kissed me. When he pulled back George let out a smirk.

"Either way" George gave me a smile, "I doubt they'll make a big deal out of you not sitting with them. Why don't you join us for—"

"Ahem!" someone said loudly next to us. I turned and found Daphne standing not too far from where we were. She took a second to clear her throat before turning to look at me. I raised a look at her.

"Yes?" I asked when she didn't say anything else. Daphne gave me a frustrated look, as if having expected not to need to explain herself, before speaking.

"You have to sit with us" Daphne began, most likely having heard what George was saying. "Draco wanted me to remind you that if you are not with the group then you forfeit any money you placed into the bet and any opportunity at winning the price. So the 15 Galleon you gave us will stay in the price pool whether you bother to show up or not. Though you still have to show up. Even if you're not going to win."

"What?" I asked. She let out a groan and began to explain again but I raised a hand to stop her. It was barely coherent but I didn't understand. I was more concerned as to when these questions had been established. "Since when was this decided?"

"Since now. So…" she gave me a look. That meant either she had just made them up or Draco had made them up sometime between when he left and when Daphne appeared. I rolled my eyes at her.

"I haven't even given any of you a deposit so what does it matter—"

"Just come sit with us!" Daphne interrupted. I paused and gave her a warning look. She crossed her arms and frowned but looked down, taking the warning.

"I will be there in a bit" I said slowly and clearly making sure she heard me. Daphne looked up for a second giving George a look before turning around and stomping off to the grounds like a child. I gave a sigh and turned back to George. "Does that answer your question?"

"Guess so. I'll see you after the event then?" he asked and leaned into me. I nodded in reply. George gave me a smile and leaned in the rest of the way to give me a goodbye kiss.

George continued to kiss me until I stepped back from him. He waved at me before heading back into the Great Hall, probably to meet with the rest of his family. I turned to move out to the grounds as many other students were still doing. I walked alongside the crowd of them until I reached the Quidditch field, which now looked to be a grand hedge maze. Daphne stood at the foot of the stands, which was filling with students as was usual for Quidditch matches. She didn't look as upset as she had been; now talking to a couple of Ravenclaw. I stepped past her and moved up the stairs though as she saw me Daphne turned and followed after without a word at the two boys she had been talking to, either forgetting to say goodbye, or maybe just not caring enough to.

"You came alone, right?" Daphne asked, inspecting the area behind me before I even had the opportunity to lie to her. I rolled my eyes in response.

"No, I brought the entirety of Gryffindor obviously" I said gesturing behind me. Daphne took a second to turn before pausing and realizing how it would make her look if she actually checked. Instead she took advantage of the motion, flipped her hair, then gave me a look.

"Well, as of lately, I wouldn't put it above you" she complained, crossing her arms. Daphne let out a sigh and crossed our arms together. She began to walk forward and I followed. "Honestly, how you stand the company of those goody-two-shoes, obnoxious, think they know it all—"

"Daphne" I said slowly again. She took the hint and stopped talking, keeping forward to find us a seat. Together we walked along the stands. I mostly followed as she seemed to know where she wanted to go. Down on the grounds a number of professors, Bagman, and the champions were conversing. Vik looked determined, yet slightly nervous as was to be expected.

"This way" Daphne called, pulling at my arm. I turned from the field and followed her up the stands. The others were already there, sitting among the crowd. Blaise let out a laugh as he stepped away from Crabbe, his forehead now holding Krum's name. Pansy shook her head but smiled. Draco looked down, frowning at the field. He was the first to notice us and when he did his face did not falter.

"You took your sweet time" Draco grumbled. I rolled my eyes at him as Daphne moved to take a seat next to Theo. Pansy scoot closer to Draco, taking up any and seemingly all space next to him. I ignored her and moved to sit next to Blaise, just in front of where her and Draco were seated.

"Have they explained the rules yet?" I asked turning to Blaise. He smirked at Draco for a moment before turning to answer my question."

"Actually, not quite yet" he began, leaning in a little closer to me. I gave him a confused look at that. "They've spent the time mumbling to the champions about where to stand and such but haven't told us much. For now we're mostly waiting on them to get on with it."

"I can hear you fine, you don't have to sit closer to me" I informed him. Blaise shrugged in return.

"I don't mind. Besides, this way I don't have to repeat myself if others get too loud" he continued to smirk not moving away from me. He did, however, turn to look at Draco. "I'm not sure though. Do you know, did I miss anything, Malfoy?"

"Bite me" Draco snapped at him before turning ahead again.

"I don't know if she'll care much for that but I'll ask" Blaise smiled and turned back to me. "Malfoy would like you to—"

"Shut it, Zabini!"

Draco pushed against his head to silence him. That seemed to take the opposite effect however as Blaise let out a laugh. Daphne moved to whisper something in his ear to which he merely smiled back. Either having heard or merely guessing what they were talking about Draco decided to kick Blaise in the back. Both continued to grumble and move against each other until settling for making obscene gestures at one another, as the well-raised gentlemen their mothers would so clearly be proud of.

"Idiots" I mumbled and turned ahead. The champions all seemed to be in position now. Seeing that I let out a sigh; hopefully this task wouldn't be as dangerous for Vik as the last two were.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each—Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School!" Bagman exclaimed. The students in the stands followed his words with applause, the sound causing some of the birds in the forest to rise and flutter away. "In second place, with eighty points—Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" Again, more applause, though in my opinion Vik certainly deserved it. "And in third place—Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"

The final set of applause followed for the last champion. From where the champions stood Harry looked up towards the top of one set of stands. Following where his gaze was I noticed him looking at the Weasleys. I smiled up at them until I felt myself being pushed from behind. Draco was still looking ahead, though I very well knew he had pushed me. I gave Draco a look, but he continued to ignore me. I stuck out my tongue and hit his foot before turning ahead and continue to watch the champions.

"So… on my whistle, Harry and Cedric! Three—two—one—"

At the sound of the whistle both boys rushed forward, into the maze. The two got a head start from the others, which agreed with my theory that the two gain an advantage. A few minutes passed before the same was done with Krum. Then after some more time the last of the champions, Delacour, was admitted into the maze.

Students stayed in their rooms chatting excitedly between one another, though I didn't believe they were making much sound. There wasn't much to be seen or heard within the maze, making me wonder if it was the same for them. That was slightly worrying. Isolation was a troublesome thing; it was one of those things that could change people rather quickly. I didn't know enough about some of the champions to know how they would react to the situation. Either way, I hoped Vik would be okay. Smarts and skill were of great help but sometimes luck was the true determining factor in a situation.

"Already?" one of the others grumbled beside me. I myself was slightly surprised.

Over the hedge a shot of red spark flew out, hovering over a certain part of the map. The professors who had previously been standing out around the hedge walked into it, following the sparks in the sky. The stands became quiet, waiting to see who was the first of the champions to return. Professor McGonagall and Moody returned shortly after, Delacour standing between them. Students cheered reassuringly as she made her way across to the foot of the stands. Blaise cheered as well, though for a slightly different reason. He smiled at me when I looked, clearly happy to still be in the bet.

"Makes sense why no one bet on her" Pansy sneered looking down at the Beauxbatons students. All around her they handed her a blanket before making her way back to their Headmaster. She looked shaken. Something had been in the maze, something to disturb her.

Some more time passed before we saw anything of the others. Part of me began to worry some again. I let out a frown just as another spark made its way up, lighting the sky. Again everyone's conversations stopped as the professors moved to get the next of the champions. Another minute passed before Professor Hagrid returned, in his arms was Viktor. He received the same cheers as Delacour had. But Vik… he was unconscious.

"There goes your shot at the price" Blaise smirked at Daphne and Theo.

"Shut it, Blaise" I snapped at him. Blaise raised his hands and turned back. Karkaroff followed after the professors, to where his champion had gone. I frowned and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked, grabbing at my robes.

"Where do you think?" I asked, pulling them back from his grasp. "I'm going to go see if Viktor is okay."

"He's alright. Let them—"

"Are you kidding?" I snapped at him too. Draco frowned at me.

"No you stubborn brat. Stay where you are, you're not going to—"

"Last time I checked, you are not my father! I'm going! And quit trying to stop me" I called before stomping off.

I made my way down the stands. Behind me I heard arguing but kept forward, ignoring them. Other students were getting back to their conversations as well, engulfing the quiet that had been there before. He was okay I was sure, perhaps just a bit tired. I paused a moment at the foot of the stands, not sure where they had taken him. Probably just to rest a bit, nothing else. I heard footsteps behind me as I stood. I let out an exasperated groan and turned around.

"I told you—"

"Shut it!" Draco snapped at me this time. "I'm not trying to stop you but you can't go off by yourself and expect me to just let you. If you insist on going then I'm coming with you!"

I frowned at him and took his arm. Draco walked with me as we walked along side of the stands. It took a moment before we found where they were. The two were in an alcove of sorts. Karkaroff stood over Vik; he was still unconscious. The headmaster gave a watchful look as we walked in but didn't speak to us. I took a step towards Vik, Draco stayed a few paces back. On Vik's face were a few marks and scuffs but that was to be expected. Nothing aside from that looked too remarkable meaning this was the result of a spell. It was better to let him wake himself then.

I stood beside him for a moment, watching to make sure he was really okay. Draco remained leaned against one of the nearby walls watching from a short distance. It wasn't right

I moved to speak to Karkaroff but paused noting his expression, one of what could only be described as dread. He wasn't looking at Vik but at himself, at his forearm. Draco stepped closer to me, most likely realizing what was happening. He pulled me closer to him as Karkaroff rambled to himself incoherently. After another minute he got up and rushed out of the room. I took a step towards him before Draco stopped me. He shook his head at me; this wasn't the time and he wasn't who I should be worrying for.

Some time passed before Vik woke. No cheers had been given from the students meaning the competition must still be underway. This task must have been the longest yet considering how long we waited. Or perhaps my perception of time had been warped by the anxiety I felt towards his health. Even Karkaroff hadn't returned, wherever he had gone. Knowing the coward's tendencies he probably wasn't coming back any time soon, if ever. But after another moment of overthinking everything i could manage Draco tapped my shoulder, nodding towards Vik.

"Krum's waking" Draco said softly.

I turned back quickly to see he was right. Vik was slowly sitting up, waking up from his unconscious state. I stepped forward, a bit closer to him. Even though I was glad his expression didn't seem right. It was too calm almost. He should be at least in some pain, he had just been through a difficult task and woken up from an unconscious state. He should be confused, concerned at least, not so… calm.

"Draco, go find Karkaroff. He needs to—" my sentence was stopped short as Draco pushed me behind him. Turning to what he had seen I saw Vik holding his wand to us. Instinctively I pulled mine out as well.

"Funibus" I called just below Draco's arm. Before he could say anything Viktor fell back, as did his wand. He lay a few feet from us, constricted by ropes that could not be seen. I let out a frown, seeing his expression had not changed. "Vik?"

From the entrance of the alcove we heard the sound of someone entering the area. Draco moved to raise his wand at Vik as I turned to the entrance. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, it was Papa who stepped into the area. He took a moment to inspect the scene that had been placed in front of him. Vik lay on the ground, tied a spell he very well recognized, seeing as he had taught it to me himself. Draco stood above him wand in hand while I stood behind him. Then, without as much of a comment as to what had caused us to be in such a position, my father stepped beside us.

"Where is Igor?"

"He's run away it would seem" I said bitterly, trying to push Draco off of me.

"Leave" Papa instructed. "I'll take care of him."

"He didn't do anything" I frowned at my father.

"Go" he repeated.

I gave him a look which he ignored. Father turned to nod at Draco, who returned it before moving to take hold of me. I tried kicking him away as Draco carried me out of the room. I continued to struggle but couldn't shake off his grip. Draco didn't let go of me until we were back near the stands, where he finally set me down. Once he did I tried to step around him with, of course, no success.

"You want to leave Viktor with my father? Alone? He doesn't even understand what's going on. He'll think Vik was trying to hurt me or something and—"

"How can you know for sure he wasn't?"

"You know him!" I snapped at him. Again I tried to move around him but he easily pulled me back. I gave him a look of frustration. "We both know him better than that. He wouldn't hurt me any more than you would."

"And if that's true your father will let him go. Let him take care of this" Draco said, sounding almost like a request. I shook my head at him.

"But something isn't right. Why would Karkaroff run away just as Vik was waking? He left his student, his most precious student probably in all of Durmstrang. How can—"

"I don't know" Draco hissed, grabbing hold of my arm. "I don't know what's going on and I don't know why. And for that reason alone I'm not letting you go get yourself into a stupid and dangerous situation."

"I am not an idiot" I hissed back. "I won't. I just want to know—"

"That he's alright" Draco finished for me. "Yes, I know. I know what you're trying to do. And I also know your father will take care of that for now. So just stay put, I don't want you to—"

Draco's sentence was interrupted by a scream. We both turned confused to hear it. Draco moved forward, keeping an arm out for me so I wouldn't get too close. It wasn't hard to tell by the scene why there was so much commotion building. Harry was back, in one hand he held the cup and in the other was Diggory. The sound escalated, instead of one there were many voices now, all seeming to be saying the same thing. Draco pulled me back, heading in the direction of the alcove. I followed closely behind him.

"He's dead?" I mumbled, half turning back at the scene still confused as to what I was seeing.

"Come on" Draco said, pulling me away from the crowd that was beginning to form. I followed silently as he led the way.

We made our way back to where Viktor was. As we entered the alcove Papa stood over him. Once again Vik had become unconscious. Father heard us as we entered. I gave him a look and made my way to Vik. Before I got too far ahead, however, Draco stopped me. I pulled taking my arm back from his grasp, just barely managing. If he were trying in the slightest it would have probably been a lot harder. I tried once more to step forward but this time it was my father that stopped me. He extended a hand towards me, keeping me where I was but not from giving him a look.

"He's under someone's control, under the effects of the Imperious curse."

"What?" I asked stepping back. That would explain his expression earlier but… I hadn't noticed. Though the Imperious curse was hardly the type to be noticeable I should have at least been suspicious. I was too concerned, I didn't pay the proper attention.

"He broke loose within a few minutes" Papa continued. "Your charm was weak. You haven't been practicing as you should."

"Really, that's what you want to talk about now? A friend is injured, unconscious, and under the control of someone we do not know and you're going to lecture me on the consistency of the practice of spells above my year?" I frowned at my father. He didn't linger on it.

"He'll have to be restrained for the moment, until we find who did this. It is too complicated of a spell for most to do properly as is, much less in such a hurry" he stated, looking at where Vik lay.

"Hurry?" I repeated, not understanding.

"His eyes, you can see traces of the spell. That only happens when it is not done properly by means of doing so last minute. It is the only reason I could see it so easily. Aside from that there doesn't seem to be anything wrong in its execution. This was not the work of a student. So, what is with all the commotion outside?" he added, having heard the screams himself.

"Diggory is dead" I mumbled looking at Vik. My father raised his eyes to me. Draco stepped forward.

"Potter returned with him and the cup in hand. The professors all looked to be surrounding him at this time. Must have killed him trying to get the cup—"

"No" I interrupted. Papa looked to me.

"No? Are you defending—"

"I'm not defending anyone! I'm merely stating what I've compiled from previous analysis of his personality. He doesn't have those characteristics. I wouldn't say he's completely good, there is something to him, but there isn't a killer in him. And even if he did, he wouldn't have a reason for bringing back his body. It would be too suspicious; any idiot would have left him in the maze. Judging by the marks on Vik and Delacour there had to be dangerous things in that maze. And it's happened before, people dying in the task. No, whoever did this… Whoever did this is probably the same person that cursed Viktor" I said with a frown. Father shared my expression. He looked to me and let out a sigh.

"Stay here," Papa instructed with a look. "Don't trust anything he says until I confirm he is out of the influence of the Imperious Curse."

"I know, I'm not an idiot" I replied but he was right. Normally I wouldn't have thought that a possibility but, seeing Vik there…

"Watch her" Papa said to Draco, as if he hadn't heard what I had said. Draco nodded at him in return. He turned to exit the alcove, out towards the scene outside.

"Are you alright?" Draco asked as my father escaped our sight.

"I'm fine!" I snapped, swatting his arm away from me. Draco rolled his eyes at me, pulling me into his arms and into a hug. I kept my arms between us but let him hold me. "I said I'm fine."

"Idiot" he mumbled but continued to hold me. I leaned myself against him, watching Vik as we against each other. Whoever had done this to him...

Father didn't bother informing me of what he had found. After Vik came to, Papa returned but didn't give many answers. Instead he sent Draco and I to the castle, taking Vik with him. It would seem he had some things to sort through among the Durmstrang students; Karkaroff had gone and disappeared. Draco took me back to the others. All of them asked if we knew what had happened and I could honestly say we didn't, not any more than anyone else did. It was confusing as well as irritating. The rest of Hogwarts seemed to be in the same boat, nothing was said on the subject for the next few days. It wasn't until the End of the Year Feast that anyone bothered bringing up the subject.

Dumbledore, by his untainted sense of justice, or perhaps his stupidity and old age, took no time to announce to all of his students that The Dark Lord was back. It made sense then why Karkaroff had run away like a coward, leaving the Durmstrang students to stay, with no idea of what was happening. He took a moment to honor Diggory's memory, which all students seemed complied to do. Then took another to do the same for Harry and his bravery. That wasn't as well-received though plenty of students still raised their goblets for him as well. If what he said was true then it was pure luck that he wasn't dead. And while I wouldn't necessarily want him dead, luck does not itself deserve praise.

Dumbledore ended his speech by reminding us of the opportunities we held by sticking together, regardless of international borders. That, by taking advantage of those relationships we had hopefully formed, we may triumph over The Dark Lord. If he really believed that then Draco had been right about our headmaster, he was an idiot. Good cannot so easily trump evil. Good plays by the rules, evil breaks every one it can. They cannot win simply by sticking together and making friends. Sure there is strength in numbers, but numbers don't necessarily lead to victory, they can also lead to massacres. The only way someone may win against evil isn't with good but with tact. When people stop seeing things so black and white and realize there is only shades of grey in the world then maybe, just maybe, they'll have a fighting chance.

"You promised you vould write."

"I will, stop nagging me about it" I gave Vik a look. He smiled at me in return. "You're sure you're alright then?"

"For the dozenth time, yes. You do not have to vorry so much" Vik said, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "If you can, visit. I have missed you."

"I will try" I nodded in return. "I'm expecting to be very busy this summer but, if I have the time, I will."

"And Katerina…" Viktor said in a low voice. "I vorry for you as well. Please, do not involve yourself in things you must not."

"I thought I said stop nagging" I groaned. Viktor smiled down at me once more before turning back to Draco.

"Take care of her" he more asked than said.

"I am standing literally right here" I frowned at him.

"I will" Draco nodded in return.

"Stop treating me like a child" I complained. Draco smirked at me as I crossed my arms in return.

Viktor gave us both a smile and waved us goodbye. Together Draco and I moved towards the train. Dragging my things behind me I moved into our predecided compartment. Daphne and Pansy were already sitting inside, talking amongst themselves. Daphne and Lev greeted me as I stepped inside while Pansy looked to be waiting mostly for Draco. Lev rushed to me as I sat down across where he and Daphne had been. I placed him onto my lap, glad to have the company.

"Did you say goodbye to Viktor?" Daphne asked, sitting forward in her seat. I nodded though noting the more spacious feel the compartment seemed to hold.

"Where are Blaise and Theo?"

"I sent them off to get some treats for Lev" Daphne smiled.

"Alright, fine" Draco hissed, still standing by the compartment's entrance. I turned to him curiously. Draco sighed at Pansy before turning to us. "We're going to be in the extra compartment. See you at King's Crossing."

I shrugged and waved them away. Pansy took Draco by the hand and out of the compartment, looking rather happy with herself. Really, he needed to get a better hand in their relationship. Ignoring the two I turned and chatted with Daphne for a bit. The train started off shortly after and, after a couple of minutes, the two boys came back into the room sweets in hand. Blaise, looking unhappy to have been made an errand boy, sat next Daphne as Theo sat by me.

"Where'd Parkinson go?" Blaise asked, taking a bite of one of the sweets he had kept to himself. I shrugged back.

"She convinced Draco to go to the extra compartment with the other three, since he apparently has no backbone" I complained, handing a piece to Lev. Theo gave me a smile as Blaise let out a laugh.

"I suppose it's in his best interest though. Recently the two of you have been at each other's throats around him. More than usual, I mean" he noted with a look. I frowned at him.

"If she wasn't always annoying me then I wouldn't have to" I defended.

"But what exactly is it that annoys you about them together?" Daphne asked curiously. Theo shook his head next to me.

"Daphne, let it go" he sighed at her. Blaise smirked at him as Daphne rolled her eyes.

We spoke for a bit more, though with nothing of much interest. I held Lev closer to me, getting comfortable as we sat, waiting to head home. Not long after did the train begin to move forward, on its way away from the castle. Blaise paused when seeing it do so. He stood from his seat and moved towards the compartment door. Carefully he closed it then sat back down at his seat.

"So, what do you think about what our dear old headmaster said during the evening feast?" Blaise asked, breaking the comfortable silence. I took a moment to see if he was joking. He wasn't. I frowned at him.

"Really? You want to talk about this sort of thing now? Are you mad?" I asked causing him to roll his eyes at me.

"Nott, you talk to her" he shook his head, raising his hands in resignation. "You both speak nerd. And I'm sure you're just as interested to know."

"Considering the other possibilities this is as good a place as any to have a discussion on the matter. Perhaps more so considering it is still sinking in for most and thus many will not take what we say to hear, were they to overhear our conversation" Theodore suggested. Blaise made a gesture at him and nodded, as though that had been what he was trying to say in the first place. I sighed at them.

"Well for one I think he, like you, is an idiot for wanting to discuss Him so openly."

"So we're all idiots. Go on" Blaise smirked at me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"If you're asking if I believe him then yes, I do."

"You're saying he's really back?" Daphne asked in a whisper, as if that would prevent anyone overhearing.

"I don't know anything for certain, much less any details, but for a while I've had suspicions on the matter" I stated.

"How come?" Theodore asked. I looked outside for a moment to see if anyone was around. It didn't look like it. I let out a sigh again and turned to me.

"Has your father seemed off lately, as if something was bothering him? As if there were something to make him, a man with such a normally calm demeanor, anxious?" I asked already knowing the answer. My words seemed to hit a cord. Theo leaned back against his seat, closing his eyes for a moment. After which he let out a groan and looked up at nothing in particular.

"I was wondering what that was" he mumbled mostly to himself. Daphne sat up.

"Wait, so you're saying—"

"Your father was a Death Eater. It would be expected that he find out first" Blaise said thoughtfully, interrupting whatever Daphne was going to say. He seemed to think about that to himself for a moment before turning from Theo to me. "Yours never made the jump though, did he Volkov. Did Malfoy tell you something he didn't tell us?"

"I'm sure he's told me many things he hasn't told you but not about this, no" I shook my head at him. "I've been paying attention to what's around me. Professor Snape and Karkaroff had both been Death Eaters at one point as well. Don't you remember that day during Potions when he rushed in to talk to Snape. Well I, unlike the rest of you, actually care about what they were doing. Karkaroff was complaining to Snape, someone he hadn't acted especially close before, about his arm. His left forearm in particular…"s

"Where the Dark Mark is placed" Blaise mumbled. I nodded.

"Towards the end of the third task, just before Harry came back to inform everyone of what he had seen, I had been with Vik and Karkaroff" I reminded them, taking a moment to pet Lev's head. Daphne nodded to me from across the compartment as the boys continued to just listen. "At one point Karkaroff bent over as if in pain, clutching his forearm. That's when he ran away, leaving all of Durmstrang to manage for themselves."

"That's how He signals his Death Eaters" Theo acknowledged next to me. Daphne shook her head.

"You don't think he's doing all this for attention then?" Daphne asked sounding like she wanted me to tell her I did. Instead I shrugged in return.

"Maybe he is. While I don't think that's the case it is still a possibility. Maybe he just wants the attention he will get once declared a hero; 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' and all that. But, just because he's trying to make a name for himself doesn't mean he's spreading lies of what he saw. It is not so much the question of whether the Dark Lord is back or not but, rather, to what extent has he returned" I finished in a low voice. Theo let out a breath. Blaise and Daphne both held thoughtful looks, thinking over what I had just said.

After that we took some time to ourselves. After a while we let the weight of the conversation drift behind us and focused on more meaningless chats, the kind that let us stay sane. The train ride didn't feel nearly as long as expected, especially considering how long the last few days had felt. Soon enough we made it to King's Crossing and the train began to settle itself to a stop. That's when I noticed I hadn't seen Draco during the entire trip. Dragging my things behind me once more I made my way down the corridors, Lev following behind me. But it didn't take long to spot them. A few carts over Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle all lay on the floor, unconscious and covered in hexes.

"What did you do?" I let out a sigh and stepped forward.

As I took the step a nearby compartment began to open, making me pause where I was. Out of the open door stepped Hermione and Ron. The two took larger steps as the passed the three boys on the floor, meaning they were aware of what had happened. Once they walked away I moved a step closer and saw Harry chatting with Fred and George. Well, that explained what they were doing on the floor. I moved to tell Lev to reverse the spells when a voice interrupted me.

"You're mental" George looked to be pushing something to Harry but he pushed it back.

"No, I'm not. You take it, and get inventing. It's for the joke shop."

"He is mental" Fred stated, sounding astounded. Harry however looked serious enough.

"Listen" he said, sounding as though he was insisting. "If you don't take it, I'm throwing it down the drain. I don't want it and I don't need it. But I could do with a few laughs. We could all do with a few laughs. I've got a feeling we're going to need them more than usual before long."

"Harry, there's got to be a thousand Galleons in here" George said weakly, weighing the sack Harry had given them.

"Yeah. Think how many Canary Creams that is. Just don't tell your mum where you got it… although she might not be so keen for you to join the Ministry anymore, come to think of it…" Harry grinned at them as the twins continued to stare. Then his expression turned and voice turned flat, something that looked somewhat funny. "Look, take it, or I'll hex you. I know some good ones now. Just do me one favor, okay? Buy Ron some different dress robes and say they're from you."

I took as step back as Harry moved out of the compartment. Harry paused and turned, noticing me as he stepped over Draco's arm. I smiled and waved, staying where I was. He didn't seem sure of how to react to that. Of course that was understandable, seeing as he had just stepped over the hexed unconscious body of my best friend, just outside of the compartment he had been staying in. Surmising that if I were planning to attack him I would have done so already Harry raised a hand as greeting and turned back. As he continued down the corridor I took some steps forward.

"He's definitely mad" George smirked at his brother.

"Well that's my kind of mad" Fred replied, laughing alongside him.

"What kinds of mad do you disfavor then?" I asked, peeking in from the side of the compartment door.

Both boys seemed to pause at the sound of my voice. Slowly they turned to look at me. I gave them the same wave I had given Harry and received more or less the same expression in return, one of worry and doubt. For a moment the two looked down at my feet, where the three still lay, then looked back up at me. Carefully I stepped inside the compartment with them, leaving my things just outside the door and signaling Lev to stay near where they were.

"Were you being polite this time as well?" I asked, taking a seat near them.

"He started it" George grumbled quietly before turning away. Fred moved to face the window, as if that act alone would apparate him out of the compartment and onto King's Crossing.

"Did he say something to you then?"

"Not me—"

"Then why did you get involved?" I interrupted with a look. George frowned but didn't answer. I let out a breath and turned from him to where my puppy was waiting for my command. "Take care of this, will you?"

Lev, understanding what I meant, let out a bark and stepped out into the corridor to fix whatever mess of hexes they had given those three. I stood from the seat I had just taken and followed him to the door. George and Fred stayed where they were, not daring to move forward. As Lev began to sniff at them, detecting just what spells needed to be reversed, I closed the door behind him. George let out a sigh and handed the sack he had been holding to his brother. Walking forward he reached out to me and pulled me into a hug.

"I love you" George cooed, pressing his cheek against mine. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I am going to need you to stop hexing my best friend over any little thing you can find. Just because you dislike each other doesn't make it okay, George."

"I love you."

"We're not talking about your feelings for me here" I scolded as he continued to hold me tighter. Fred let out a snicker behind him, reminding me he was also part of this. "You too. I have told you both to leave him alone but no. You continue to harass each other and I'm stuck having to fix everything for you. Stop making me work so hard over something so trivial would you."

"I love you" George repeated once more, looking down at me with an ashamed look on his face, though I didn't buy that for a second. I let out a sigh.

"So what is it that Harry gave you? Unlike with this you actually looked ashamed for taking it" I mumbled looking at the sack Fred was holding. The two looked away proving I was right.

"He didn't want it" Fred said, looking at the sack himself. "It's the Galleons he got from winning the Triwizard Tournament."

"You're not the only one who got something from Harry winning the task I guess" George said, standing up straight beside me. Still the two looked almost guilty.

"If he didn't want the winnings then just keep them. Stop looking as if you stole them" I rolled my eyes, then stopped, remembering something he had said. "But, what was that about a shop?"

"Harry thinks it'd be a good idea to use it towards a shop for ourselves" Fred answered.

"We'd been thinking about it for a while but never really had the means to go about it. Now he's given us one" George said quietly.

"That sounds perfect for you two, actually" I noted though with a slight surprise. I had never given their future plans much thought myself but the shop just seemed fitting somehow. "I certainly don't think I could picture you doing some kind of office work. And it's not like you don't already do this at somewhat of a smaller degree at Hogwarts. So you're using this as a way to start up your shop then?"

"If we can hide it from mum long enough, yeah" George gave me a small smile. It seemed natural that his mother wouldn't want them doing something as risky as starting their own business. But it would probably be fine; they certainly knew their way around that field.

"And we do have to buy Ronald some dress robes first" Fred said, not seeming to like that part of the deal much.

"Are you two taking investors then?" I asked a little curious. Fred seemed thoughtful, as if wondering whether or not they should. George, however, frowned almost immediately.

"Not you" he stated clearly. I turned up at him and gave him a frown back.

"I didn't ask because of me but why can't I?"

"Not you" he simply repeated.

"I don't like being told what to do, George" I gave him a look, not particularly fond of how he was addressing me. George nodded.

"I know, and I love that about you" he stated, though keeping hold of his frown. "Still, you're not giving us any of your money. It's not happening."

"If you're planning to start a business then you have got to start thinking as businessmen do. This includes considering your options and not just going on your core beliefs or gut feelings. It is not wise in a business to turn down a prominent angel investor because of personal prejudices" I crossed my arms at him. George leaned down to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. When he stood up straight again he gave me a smirk.

"No."

"We can talk about this later" Fred intervened, stepping closer to us. George gave him a sort of look which he easily returned. "Later, alright? For now—"

"You!" the compartment door slammed open behind us. Draco stood glaring at us, looking all better. So did Crabbe and Goyle who were standing looking menacingly behind him. "You sniveling, worthless, piece of—"

"We're in the middle of something. Go wait outside" I called, still giving George a look.

"Like hell we will!" Draco screamed at me, raising his wand. The other boys did the same. I let out a sigh. "Crabbe! Goyle!"

"I said go!" I raised my voice at him. They paused and turned to me. I turned to glare at the three Slytherins. "I don't like repeating myself and I don't like being disobeyed. Don't feign ignorance or innocence when I very well know what you three did. Take my things, go wait at the station, and I will meet you there. As I said, we are in the middle of something."

"We were—" he began but stopped getting a look at my face. For a moment he turned to scowl at the twins. Draco clicked his tongue but did as I said. "Hurry up, I don't want to wait all day for you. Crabbe! Goyle!"

The three turned and headed out of the compartment. Goyle looked to be the one taking my things. As I walked I nodded to my puppy. Lev barked and headed after them. Though they might have said they would go on that didn't mean it would be too far. I turned back to the two Gryffindors behind me. They held clear grins on their faces. I gave them the same look I had given the others and, noting that, the two turned away.

"I don't like being disobeyed" I repeated. George stepped closer, giving me a hug once more.

"Love you?" he said as Fred smiled innocently behind him. I let out a sigh and moved to pet his head. George seemed happier with that. He stayed on my shoulder as I continued to talk.

"Look," I sighed, letting go of his head, "if you don't want me to invest in your business that's one thing, and something I can't force. But don't be stupid and pass a possibly profitable opportunity for what you consider to be a chivalrous reason. Because that's just stupid."

"We'll think about it" Fred gave me a nod. George turned to look at him but I took his word for it.

"I should go, I'm sure Draco is getting impatient already."

"Let him wait" George frowned at me. I patted his head again which seemed to calm him down. He smiled and rested his head against my shoulder. I gave him a smile too.

"I'll see you this summer."

George got up from my shoulder and kissed me. He pulled me to him, kissing me further. After another moment I pulled back and he gave me a smirk. Saying our goodbyes I headed off towards the platform. The three were waiting for me outside the cart doors. Draco glared behind me for a moment, as if suspecting I was hiding the twins somewhere. When he didn't see them he gave a nod at the two. I waved as the two walked away from us. I turned to smile at Draco. He sighed at me, still holding the scowl he'd had when in the compartment.

"Are you done saying goodbye to that thing. Hopefully forever" he mumbled the last part to himself but it wasn't that hard to hear.

"Did you say goodbye to your thing?" I asked. Draco rolled his eyes at me this time. I grabbed his shoulder expecting him to do as much and walked forward. "You said you'd play nice."

"I'll kill him is what I'll do" Draco mumbled to the side. I hit his shoulder lightly, making him sigh at me. "So what did you all do while we were away?"

"We talked mostly" I shrugged at him. "Stumbled onto the topic of our headmaster's most recent speech and whether we should believe it or not. You?"

"Same. But that's probably something we shouldn't speak much of here" he added.

"I agree" I said before leaning against him. "We can talk about it more this summer. You will stop by, won't you?"

"Of course."

"Good" I gave him a nod. "Now, where did my puppy run off to?"

"Think he smelled Alla" Draco said, gesturing towards a section of the platform. "He ran off just a bit before you showed up. I only ever see him do that when there's her food nearby. Isn't she one of the reasons he's such a pig?"

"Shut up" I sighed. "He's adorable."

"Well, better off with that pig than with that thing. Honestly, how you're not repulsed by being within a two meter radius of that pathetic excuse for a—"

"Enough" I let out a groan. Draco let out a chuckle and rubbed my arm.

"All I'm saying is, you can do better. Much better. In fact—"

"Goodbye, Draco" I interrupted again, stopping where I was. I had spotted my family at a distance. Draco rolled his eyes at me. I leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you this summer then. Take care, and don't be an idiot."

"Like I ever am" Draco smirked at me. I rolled my eyes at him and waved goodbye. Regardless of what he said, he was always an idiot, but he was my idiot.