A/N: Hello, it's been a few days!

I will admit I am a little disappointed by the lack of response, apart from my ever-faithful J.F.C, but then again I suppose I am updating this for my own pleasure :)

J.F.C: Of course not, after all, it's only the online world :) I don't really take things to heart, I was just being horrifically lazy and didn't update my chapters :) Anyway, I'd sooner have constructive criticism than have no response at all, as it tells me how I could do better. Oh Gosh, it would be horrid if I ended it there, wouldn't it? I hate seeing loose ends untied in stories, even more so when I really enjoy it. I look forward to your next response!

PS: I am unable to put out my followers and favouriters as there are too many. However, I do love you all! Keep reading and reviewing :)

I was shocked.

Is he actually allowing me to display public affection simply because he has power?

He laughed. " On the cheek, Kat." I pursed my lips.

" Do you take me as stupid, Tom?" I asked, displeased. Puzzlement showed on Tom's face.

" I beg your pardon?" He asked. I freed my arm from Tom's encircling digits.

" You wish to flaunt your utter control over me as if though I were a prize!" I shouted. Tom looked taken aback.

" My Lord?-" Orion was cut off by Tom's confused denial.

" I do not know what you are talking about-"

" Do not lie to me, Tom." I hissed, my use of jargon and formal language increasing as my anger rose. " Your deceit and narcissism makes me want to retch. Can you even begin to comprehend how I am feeling? Everyone underestimates me simply because of my gender- simply because I am the only girl in first year in Slytherin! For heaven's sake, Tom! You're my brother, you know who I am! You know what I hate and despise and yet you are using my love- my adoration- for you as a means to make you look powerful!" My anguish poured out in the passionate moment of rebellion.
" Even you are under the impression that I know nothing because I am a girl." I said, bitterly. I looked down. Tom attempted to embrace me, having thought that my anger was short lived, but I pushed him off." Do not be insensitive, Tom. I just shouted at you for this exact reason." I spat, contempt dripping from my voice. " Do not attempt to communicate with me tonight either. God knows I will use whichever jinx comes to mind." I walked away, throwing a final comment over my shoulder. " Or a curse if you are lucky."

•••

I had pushed the bunk bed against the door, somehow, fuelled by my utter anger and bitter disillusionment. Tom had knocked frantically on the door, begging for my forgiveness, but I'd held firm in the face of doubt and kept the bed leant against the door. Tom had stopped knocking after a while and I'd briefly wondered if he'd gone to the library to spend the rest of his Saturday- it was only 10am in the morning, if my 'Tempus' charm wasn't to be mistaken- and was probably planning to spend the night in the dorms with his new minions.

Chances are that everyone in Slytherin house knows by now, if the impressive rumour mill of Hogwarts isn't to be mistaken.I thought, bitterly.

I sighed and sat on my bed, carefully averting my eyes from the upper bed that Tom usually slept in. I stood up and picked up the torch that illuminated the room in a fiery light before lighting the candles with the torches. A small shift of light from the lake alerted my senses.

What was that?

The room darkened yet again, but the shadow was larger- as if though the thing was moving closer.

It could be the giant squid...

But the squid casts larger shadows than this...

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I spun around, large torch in hand.

And I gasped.

" What are you doing?!" I hissed. I knew that Tom couldn't hear me, but I said it regardless.

My brother was suspended in the murky waters of the Great Lake, his head encased in a shimmering, large bubble. His hair was floating in a dark halo around his head and his green eyes were wide, his skin appearing slightly green due to the colouring of the lake. He kicked his legs, propelled himself forward and was finally face to face with me in the window, staring at me in eye level. I pursed my lips. He drew out a single finger and started to write on the window, making sure that he mirrored the lettering so that I could read what he was saying.

' I am sorry.'

I hissed out a breath of annoyance and grasped the curtains before drawing them shut. The room was plunged into a sudden darkness, the only things illuminating the room being the six candles. I threw myself on the bed, staring up at the beams supporting Tom's mattress when-

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I turned over in the bed, stubbornly ignoring the insistent call for attention.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tap. Tap-

" Ugh!" I threw myself out of the bed but miscalculated the length of the mattress and fell onto the floor, hitting my head on the stone. I groaned, rubbing my hand over the pained area.

Tap. Tap. Tap-

" I am coming!" I shouted. I got up, rubbing my head and tore the curtains open.

Tom was still in the water, but the bubble of air had shrunk to the area around his pert, small nose. My alarm immediately increased.

" What are you doing?!" I yelled. He could tell that I'd asked the question by my animated gestures and look of both outrage and worry. " Get out of there- you will drown!"

' No.'

" Why?!" I threw my hands up in the air.

' I am sorry.'

" I forgive you- just get out of there!" I ordered, my voice going an octave higher. Tom frowned, and the bubble shrunk yet again, only just surrounding the tip of his nose. He wrote again.

' Mean it.'

" Tom, if you catch pneumonia I will never forgive you. Now get out of the lake!" Tom shook his head, his frown deepening. He kicked slightly closer to the window, his hands pressed against the glass.

The bubble popped.

Tom immediately held his breath.

" Tom!" I hammered against the window, beseeching for him to desist from torturing his body of oxygen. " Get out! Did you not hear a word that I said?!" He let out a breath and bubbles escaped his mouth. He only grinned at me. " TOM!" My voice was hysterical now.

He only cocked his head innocently to the side, as if though he was a curious child, and I could imagine him mouthing: 'Forgive me?'

My heart broke.

" I forgive you," I started to sob. " I forgive you, just please, get out of there." His face took on an expression of sadness. He drew on the window again.

' Don't cry.'

" I'm not." I whispered, though tears were escaping my eyes. He sighed and a stream of bubbles left his mouth. Tom's eyes immediately widened. He cupped his hands over his mouth and started to thrash about. My eyes widened and I only just stopped myself from screaming. I span around.

The bed is blocking my path from the door!

I cursed myself for barricading myself into the room with the heavy piece of furniture and I frantically grabbed my wand on the bedside.

"Bombarda!" The bed almost immediately shattered upon the spell's impact. I knew that it was a spell that fifth years usually master and I would have congratulated myself if it weren't for the circumstances. I threw the door open, wincing slightly when wooden pieces of shrapnel hit me from the bed's initial explosion. I ran past the Slytherin common room- I ran like I never had before.

Save Tom, Save Tom, Save Tom...

The thought ran around my head, blocking any other thought. I eventually ran out of the school grounds and saw a small crowd of students and professors, shouting wildly.

" This disturbance in the lake is never made by the Giant Squid- he just stays content on the edges!"

" But it could be! I'm not risking my skin for a squid!"

" At least check!-"

" Move out of my way!" I shouted, my voice both frantic and filled with frustration. Without a second's hesitation, I waded into the lake until I reached my hips and dove.

The initial cold shocked me- almost to the point that I froze. But then thoughts of my brother- still thrashing about and seeking air- caused me to kick further than I ever had before, and for once I was glad that I was routinely submerged into the sea when we went to Brighton on our Summer Holidays. I kicked as far as I possibly could until I saw something in the distance.

Tom.

I propelled myself towards him, forcing my legs to keep kicking although they were burning. I put my hands together in front of me and started to streamline my body, in fruitless hopes that I might reach Tom faster.

Burning.

I held my breath for dear life, trying to ignore that insistent, stabbing pain I felt in my lungs as the oxygen I accumulated became almost too much.

I have to breathe out.

No.

I need to keep it in.

Or I'll lose my breath.

I saw him.

He was deathly pale.

Alarmed, I pedalled harder, pushing my body to its limits. He was about two meters away, his eyes open, glassy and vulnerable. I wasn't sure about whether he was alive or not. With that thought, I desperately kicked forward, my hands touching him if I stretched far enough. I didn't quite know what it was, but something in his eyes sparked. They were still sluggish, but I had high hopes that he was at least conscious. With that thought, I let out the oxygen in controlled bursts and hooked my arms around his body.

I can do this.

I kicked myself upwards this time, unhooking one of my arms to help me aim toward the light.

Come on... I know I can do this...

I let out another small breath, bubbles escaping to the surface of the water.

I'm here!

I finally broke the surface and threw my head back, breathing air in almost greedily. Tom's head was propped up on my shoulder, unresponsive. I fumbled around for a pulse and found it, though it was a little weak and fluttery. I heaved Tom around and over my back before holding his hands in mine, so that he was lying on my back and started to swim, ensuring that my back stayed above the surface of the lake.

Tom shifted, and gave a noise of contentment.

You are an idiot, Tom.

But as much as I hate the act you did, I can't bring myself to hate you.

•••

It took five long minutes to reach the shore, but by the time I did, I gave the concerned professors a cold look.

" If you'd cared enough to check instead of arguing against the odds, then perhaps Tom would not have drowned." They stared at me, speechless, as I heaved Tom's heavier body onto my back, looping my arms through his legs and give him a ride back to the castle.

•••

" Tom, relax." I commanded, pushing Tom's now-dry body back onto the bed. He tried to protest, but suddenly noticed that he was dry and in different clothing.

" How-"

" I changed you, of course." I said, rolling my eyes. Tom blushed a vibrant red. I was taken aback. The last time I'd ever seen Tom blush due to embarrassment...

Well.

Exactly.

" Oh, do not look so scandalised. I would not change you for that purpose, my dear perverted brother-" Tom spluttered in shock. I continued. " But rather to save you from a rather idiotic death." Tom looked up at me, weakly. I groaned. " Do not look at me like that, Tom. You know I cannot resist that look-" He pouted. I sighed, pulling his body into my arms. " I swear to the King that you are a spoilt brat." I muttered.

" Glad to be one." He retorted. I pulled away and swatted his arm.

" Curb that sharp tongue of yours, dear brother. We are to start our lessons within the hour." Tom's look of panic amused me. " ... In our dormitory." He sighed in relief. I smirked.

" Minx."

" Lion."

" I resent that!" Tom shouted. I smiled.

" It is good to have you back, Tom. I almost thought..." My breath faltered. I shook my head. " Never mind. We start Charms first and then Potions- luckily for you, the class is only doing theory today- followed shortly by Transfigurations, Herbology, History of Magic and dinner." A dinner of which is bound to be interesting due to our dormitory mates' sudden submission toward Tom. There was a tentative knock on the door.

" Enter." Tom called, imperiously. Abraxus Malfoy entered the room with his head bent, almost looking meek in front of the both of us.

" Headmaster Dippet requests for the presence of the Dark Heiress." I turned slightly and raised an eyebrow at Tom. He didn't look me in the eye.

" Tell him that she is tending to me and teaching me."

" Tom-" Abraxus' protest was cut off by a glare from Tom, and for the first time in what seemed like an age, Voldemort's presence was clear in Tom's emerald eyes- which were now rimmed with red and growing in intensity toward the pupil.

" Do not interrupt me, and do not ever call me by that abominable Muggle name, do you understand me, Malfoy?" Voldemort hissed, his voice cold. I swallowed slightly. The rigid posture that held Tom up suddenly deflated and he relaxed, though Malfoy never noticed the receding redness from Tom's eyes.

" I apologise, my Lord." He whispered, his head bent. I climbed down the ladder and Tom pushed himself off the bed with shaking limbs. I stood by the ladder and waited for Tom to descend from the ladder and gave him my hand once he reached the last rung. He turned around and let go.

My hand felt oddly empty.

" Tell him, in that case, that Katherine shall be in his office in a quarter of an hour." Abraxus nodded and scuttled to the door. " Oh, and Abraxus?" The blond turned around, eyes wide. Tom smirked at him, the expression on his face tangibly similar to Voldemort's. " Don't think you got away with that." Abraxus' throat visibly rose and fell. The Malfoy heir turned and left the room. Tom relaxed.

" I need to go, Headmaster Dippet shall be expecting me." I commented. Tom hummed.

" Ensure that you arrive within the hour, Katherine. Otherwise I shall be both sisterless and deprived of a teacher."

" Oh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Tom sighed.

" Never mind. Just remember to walk with the boys in our year. Do not interact with anyone above our age group." I frowned. " I would have sent you with girls, but seeing as there are no girls in our year..." I shook my head.

" I understand, brother of mine. I simply..." It was Tom's turn to raise an eyebrow. I sighed. " Why?" I asked, deciding to be straightforward. A dark look passed over his face, and for a second I thought Voldemort had returned.

" Let me put it like this, Kathy. There are many sick people in our house who would kill to have Slytherin blood running through their veins." He paused, looking slightly nauseous. " And... They would acquire it in any means possible. Especially considering the fact that you are the only girl in Slytherin's first years... You are particularly vulnerable." At my look of confusion, Tom sighed. " And illegitimacy would by outranked by blood." Realisation dawned on my face.

" But I- I haven't started bleeding yet, I-"

" And they don't know that, do they, Katherine?" Tom whispered.

" After all of that time, telling me I was weaker because I was a girl- even though you told me the opposite in the Muggle World... It was to protect me from that?" I asked, my voice quiet. " I always thought that there was something going on with you... You were suddenly more possessive... You kept asking me why I was late when I sparred with Merrythought. Tom, I-"

" Kathy, what you need to realise is that we are in a boarding school." Tom pleaded. " This isn't like an ordinary Muggle school- we have no rights here or there. We simply had more pity over there because of our weaknesses and our status as orphans. Here, we are like any other student and any weakness will not be pitied... But rather exploited. Especially in a house like Slytherin." The bile that rose to my throat was suddenly difficult to swallow.

" My Lord?" Malfoy, Avery, Nott, Parkinson and- surprisingly enough- Alphard Black turned up at the dormitory. I sighed.

" Good bye, Tom."

" Good bye, Katherine. And remember my warning." Tom said. I nodded. First years wouldn't harbour that kind of thinking, which was why I was safe amongst the first year male students.

" I shall." The door closed shut and that was the last I saw of Tom. I turned around and the boys immediately formed a tight-knit formation with me- frustratingly the smallest- in the middle. They started walking through the common room and through the dungeons. " What is happening, Black?" I asked, making sure that only Alphard could hear me. The boy turned to me, his shaggy hair just above his eyes, bringing their silver flecked with blue out and-

" Oh, we're just escorting you to the Head. No idea why, though." He said, his grin infectious. I fought hard not to grin in a similar way- Goodness knows that I'd look uncivilised- so I, instead, smiled at him, showing no teeth.

" I mean, why is everybody in such a formation around me?"

" Oh, that. Well," Alphard scratched his neck, looking a little confused himself. " I'm assuming it's because of your brother. Everybody in our house knows you're the heir of Slytherin and some of the girls have been throwing themselves at Tom, even though he's just a first year. I hear only Walburga was immune to this because of her... obsession with my brother." His speech began to grow a little more formal as his expression darkened- and I saw the Pureblood he was raised to be. " Some of the boys, though, are taking a more sinister approach. They... wish to be in Tom's favour so that they can court you." I fought hard not to gag.

" That's disgusting." My knees bent slightly and my hands covered my mouth.

" I know." Alphard said, grimly. But then a smile lighted up his features. " See me as often as you can, right? I can't endure my brother's incessant moaning about his appearance. He almost sounds as vain as Malfoy!" He lifted his hand to his fore head, dramatically. I snorted.

" I shall try, dear Alphard. Though I fear I may be a little too late." I responded, equally as dramatic. He lifted his eyebrows, grasping my arm.

So we are playing a game, are we?

" What is it that plagues me, dear maiden?" He asked, his eyes wide. I smirked.

" Your eyes. They tell me that you are the most arrogant, vain, self centred person in the world- and that you must break free from your brother in order to retain your former humble self." I responded. Alphard gasped.

" I shall do so with pride, fair Lady Riddle!" He exclaimed, miming a sword fight with a nonexistent sword. I smile, despite myself.

Tom has been the only one to evermake me smile until today.

" What's this?" A kindly voice interrupted our banter. Alphard turned around.

" Nought but a friendly fight, Sir Charlus Potter." Alphard bowed dramatically. The rest of our Slytherin inmates hissed in displeasure. " Oh quieten down, the lot of you! We've only used five minutes and the Head gave us fifteen! We could do with a little socialisation!" Alphard yelled. Tom's minions calmed in voice, but the expression they wore on their faces still looked like they'd sooner fry the Potter heir than see him, let alone speak to him.

" Oh, do you have a mission?" The Potter asked. I pushed into the front to see what was going on. The Slytherins complied, though Malfoy held his hand around my arm like a vice so that Potter would know that I was off limits, presumably terrified of what would happen if Tom were to find out that the inherently Light boy would want to have me- although he didn't know that I was Slytherin's heir.

A first year- already having a reputation as a player? How scandalous...

The boy who faced me wasn't terribly remarkable, but if one had happened to see him on a daily basis, then they would, indeed, pick out features that would grow to become handsome when he grew older. Charlus Potter had a dark mane, his hair as black as my own but charmingly tousled (in the eyes of other girls, for I believed that this way of grooming made him appear as if though he'd just rolled out of bed). His hazel eyes were slightly hooded and his facial features, overall, looked roguishly handsome. His cocky smile made him appear as if though he thought himself above us- and that was one thing that I immediately decided I hated the most in the Gryffindor Lion.

" Wipe that smile off your face." I commanded, unimpressed. Potter made an exaggerated bow and did as I asked, though his eyes still twinkled with unsuppressed mirth. I internally sighed.

He is going to be a lot of work.

" As you wish, my princess." He said, bowing his head slightly. I could feel the tension behind me from Malfoy. However, the blonde had no reason to fear, for I'd proven immune to the charm that the boy exuded.

" There is no need for any of your antics or flamboyancy in my presence. I am neither fond nor tolerant of arrogant toe rags that flounce about and believe that any girl who catches their eye would instantly fall for them." I said, my eyes narrowed. Potter's eyes immediately turned calculative, but then his boyish gaze appeared again- and I almost thought I'd imagined it.

He'd make for an excellent Slytherin...

" What are you talking about? I am only a humble boy seeking to impress the Slytherin Queen-"

That got a little too close for comfort for Malfoy. He immediately hissed and cut him off.

" Shut up, Potter." He spat, before grabbing my arm like an impatient father would and dragging me past him- ensuring to collide his shoulder with the Gryffindor Golden Boy. I could feel Potter's glare on Malfoy's back.

" I never miss a girl, Malfoy. Someday she'll realise how much of an arrogant idiot you are and will come back to me." He answered back. Malfoy froze.

" She was never yours to begin with." He responded, coolly.

A/N: Hello!

I hope you liked this chapter, I certainly enjoyed updating!

Lots of love,

~ Annika

Remember to read and review!