Chapter VI

Gryffindor are Losers

What bothered Karida the most about Arithmancy wasn't that there weren't any other Slytherins in the class – that much she was grateful for. It was the fact that hardly anyone was. The class was quite small, as it was an unpopular elective. Karida didn't expect to be taking it for her N.E.W.T. year. The effect of being in a small class was that Professor Vector didn't have to split her attention between many students; which meant she made Karida answer questions more than any other teacher.

When Karida walked into the unusually empty classroom for a double period the next Friday, she saw that Professor Vector had rearranged the desks in the classroom. Terry Boot and Michael Corner were already in one of the pairs at the front, and Macmillan and Hannah Abbott were the next. Professor Vector had obviously done this for the benefit of their small class, as there was only one open seat – next to Granger, of course.

Both girls shifted uncomfortably as Karida sat down, heaving her heavy textile copy of New Theory of Numerology out of her bag. While waiting for the class to start, Karida straightened her quill to be parallel with her note-taking parchment, and her ink bottle at the most efficient placement and angle for re-dipping.

By the middle of the class, Karida was completely and utterly confused. She squinted at the calculations Professor Vector had made on the board, but they just weren't making sense. Why did they have to move on to different, more complex mathematical theories?

Most of the class consisted of the history of Arithmancy, and then a lesson about a new Theory to apply while using one of their Methods.

Professor Vector wrote a familiar name on the blackboard in her usual boxy, all capital handwriting. "I know that we've analyzed Dumbledore's name before, but remember that instead of using the Agrippan Method, we are using the old-fashioned Chaldean Method today."

Karida had already forgotten what this new Method was.

"When making your charts, please remember to omit the number nine, you wouldn't believe how many mistakes like that I see on O.W.L.s these days… I want you to finish this with your partner before starting on your homework to make sure you understand." She tapped the board, and twenty names appeared for the class to copy and solve for Wednesday.

Granger had already copied and started on the homework by the time Karida started planning out how to solve Dumbledore's Character Number. Professor Vector usually had the entire class work out problems together, but obviously she thought splitting their class into pairs was more effective.

Karida didn't want to follow Professor Vector's instructions, but she didn't want to disregard them, either. Talking to Granger seemed out of the question. Since Boot and Corner were making so much noise arguing over which number corresponded to each letter, Karida decided Professor Vector wouldn't be able to tell that she and Granger were silent.

The bell rang very shortly after Karida finished copying the names off of the board, giving her no time to start her tedious homework. That night she had to go up to the Astronomy Tower for a very late class to study the position of Mars, which meant she would be stuck with her Arithmancy homework looming over her head all weekend. But Karida had Potions next, so maybe she'd have extra time and be able to get some out of the way.

On her walk from the Arithmancy classroom to the Potions dungeon on the other side of the school, Karida made sure to take advantage of the good weather; it would be one of the last days of sun before the grounds were always murky or covered in snow.

But as soon as she arrived in Snape's classroom, Karida had forgotten how nice it was outside. The dungeon was dark and dank as ever, and still had the distinct chill of the previous week.

Since there were no Gryffindors in the class, Snape gave everyone more time to get settled before starting the period. "Today," he drawled in a bored tone, "we will have a very short lesson. The Babbling Beverage is a very short and relatively easy brew, and is definitely not advanced enough for O.W.L. students." He sneered. "Nevertheless, last year, it was part of the practical exam. So we must be prepared."

Karida shuffled uncomfortably thinking about the exams. She'd been dwelling on the thought of them a little too much lately.

"Although this is a simple potion, I ask you all to refrain from rushing; the brew will be significantly different if you neglect to measure properly." Snape opened the store cupboards with a flick of his wand. "And do not make me deduct points from my own House for trying to sneak some of your finished Babbling Beverage – it has some rather foul side effects. You may begin."

Babbling Beverage consisted of a lot of bug parts – dried cockroaches, spider legs, and beetle juice for a start – which made Pansy squeal with distaste. Karida had to weigh five different rat tails for Daphne (who wouldn't go near the ingredient) before she found one that weighed two ounces.

Even with having to help the girls, the Babbling Beverage did prove to be a rather quick and easy brew for Karida. The rest of Snape's warning also proved true; when Goyle got to a step telling him to boil his potion for five minutes on high, it bubbled noxiously and emitted enough grey fumes to further darken the classroom. He was forced to start over.

There were still twenty minutes left in the period, in which the others were starting the essay on common potion side effects and cures. Knowing she would be able to finish this easily, Karida wrote the assignment down and unpacked her Arithmancy homework.

It was only after Wendelin the Weird's Character Number equaled an impossible forty-seven, that Karida stuffed the parchment full of ink blots and scratches back into her bag.

When there were only ten minutes left in the class, Karida started packing up her things. She handed over a flagon of her Babbling Beverage to Snape to receive high marks and an approving look. Karida felt her frustration with Arithmancy disappear; at least she knew she would pass her Potions O.W.L., and that's all that mattered.

"What I say," Malfoy said loudly over the top of his Self-Fertilizing Shrub, "is that all plants should be Self-Fertilizing, it would save so much trouble…"

Pansy nodded her head fervently while Professor Sprout looked disapprovingly over at them.

The double period wasn't helping Karida at all. The Ravenclaws had all paired up with each other at the beginning of the class, as if to distance themselves as much as possible from the Slytherins. Crabbe and Goyle shared a Shrub, as Pansy made it clear that she wanted to work with Malfoy. This left Karida with the quiet Blaise Zabini (who was better than the rambunctious Daphne on any count). He was still Malfoy's friend, however, and he interjected random comments into Malfoy's constant stream of drawling, making Karida feel increasingly lonely and out of place.

"…And have you heard?" Malfoy said quickly, changing the subject from the new broom his father was going to buy him. "Weasel-Bee made the Gryffindor Quidditch team! Can you believe it?"

Pansy snorted and dropped her shears.

"I know, right? They must be really desperate…" He looked at a window in the greenhouse ceiling and smirked devilishly. "So I thought we'd… Welcome him to the team."

Pansy didn't understand what he meant and looked at him stupidly. "What do you mean, welcome? We're not on their team…"

Malfoy, loving her constant attention, explained. "At their next practice, we go trip him up! Just… Get him ready for the competition, right?"

Pansy giggled mischievously. "Ooh, that sounds like fun! When is it?"

"Tomorrow, I think. And now that Potter's out of his detention with Professor Umbridge, he'll be a scream. He was too much of a dunce to hold back against her, so he'll be shouting at us the entire time," He snickered.

Daphne, having long abandoned pruning her Shrub to give her rapt attention to Malfoy, tittered with excitement. Blaise smirked and nodded.

Malfoy looked rather pleased with himself for having such a wonderful idea. "So are we all going then? It's after dinner."

Pansy practically bounced up and down. "Of course I am if you are, Draco!" She said, blushing and exchanging a meaningful look with Daphne.

Crabbe and Goyle grunted.

"Depends if Binns decides to give us another two-foot-long essay, in that case I'll need to work on that instead," Blaise shrugged.

"It'll be brilliant," Daphne grinned and nodded. Millicent's gargoyle face looked happy, so Malfoy must have taken it as a yes.

Karida tried her best to hide behind her Shrub, which would have been much easier at the beginning of the period before it had been pruned. Going to mock Weasley didn't sound fun at all – Karida actually thought he was quite funny. She never liked it when Malfoy taunted Longbottom, and Weasley wasn't any different.

As much as Karida told herself that that was the only reason she didn't want to go, Ron's brothers continually popped into her mind. They would definitely hate her if she was seen with Malfoy, even if she wouldn't partake in the mocking.

Just when Karida thought Malfoy had forgotten about her, he stood up taller to address her over the Shrub. "What about you, Karida? Fancy a go at ol' Weasel-Bee, for old times' sake?" He winked.

"As endearing as that sounds, Malfoy, I've… I've got to practice the Inatimus Conjurus for McGonagall…"

Malfoy snorted. "Oh come on! What if he falls off of his broom? You don't want to miss that!"

"Yeah, come on, Karida! We've all got to practice!" Pansy pitched in, though Karida knew she would like it much more if she was alone with Malfoy.

"Well I have to practice more than you lot don't I? McGonagall hates me… And I have Arithmancy too," Karida protested.

"Someone doesn't know how to have fun," Malfoy scoffed. "Really, do you fancy Weasley or something?"

"No," Karida said a bit too quickly.

"First helping Longbottom, now defending Weasley? You've changed," Malfoy said, shaking his head.

"Fine, I'll go with you," Karida gave up, wanting to avoid any taunts Pansy could think of regarding her having ginger babies.

Malfoy smiled triumphantly. "Yes, this will be fun… Just don't get too scared when Weasel-Bee falls off his broom, alright?" He snickered, turning away to return his shears to Professor Sprout.

The next day, Karida hesitantly sat next to the group of the people she secretly loathed at dinner. She convinced herself that going to this one event was enough to make the clique leave her alone for a few weeks, and that she'd be able to practice the Inatimus Conjurus under her breath at the stadium. This still wasn't enough to make her forget that Fred and George Weasley would most likely be able to see her with Pansy, when she had just told them that she hated her.

"Okay, remember," Pansy whispered excitedly as the group left the Common Room in warm clothing, "All you have to do to make your voice super loud is point your wand to your throat and say 'Sonorus'. Got it?"

Karida knew that she wouldn't be saying anything, but nodded as if she was completely interested in what Pansy was saying. Meanwhile, she was really worrying about getting her Arithmancy done. Her grade was obviously dropping by the way Professor Vector had been looking at her disapprovingly, and urging her to ask more questions.

The Quidditch pitch was empty. Evidently, no one else thought it was interesting to view a Gryffindor training session. Malfoy had lovingly invited the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team, and they all made a ruckus as the Gryffindor players started appearing.

"What's that Weasley's riding?" Malfoy scoffed with his wand pressed to his neck excitedly. "Why would anyone put a Flying Charm on a moldy old log like that?"

Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy thought this was absolutely hilarious; Karida was quite comfortable sitting behind Millicent, knowing she wouldn't be seen. If worse came to worse and one of the twins flew overhead, she could squat down between Crabbe and Goyle and be virtually invisible.

Angelina Johnson had just rounded up the team to explain their warm-up when Pansy took her turn. "Hey, Johnson, what's with that hairstyle anyway?" She catcalled. "Why would anyone want to look like they've got worms coming out of their head?"

Malfoy guffawed. Johnson ignored her coolly and the team spread out across the pitch to start passing. Karida wrapped her arms around her knees at the wind, and hoped that Weasley wouldn't do anything to embarrass himself too much.

It wasn't that she wanted the Slytherin team to lose… It was really just what Malfoy's face would look like after being defeated that made Karida hope for Weasley to be really talented.

Johnson passed to one of the twins, who passed to the other, who passed the Quaffle to Potter, who passed it to Ron. Instead of making a smooth catch, Weasley dropped the Quaffle and had to streak to the ground to retrieve it.

Malfoy shrieked with laughter, and soon the rest of the group joined in. Karida felt Pansy's gaze and pretended to jeer along.

The Gryffindor team acted as if nothing had happened and resumed passing, even though Weasley's face was turning scarlet.

"Hey, Potter!" Malfoy jeered dangerously. "How's your scar feeling? Sure you don't need a lie-down? It must be, what, a whole week since you were in the hospital wing, that's a record for you, isn't it?"

Karida snorted unwillingly. Malfoy's insult was really well planned out, for someone who had to stay in the hospital wing for a week for a Hippogriff scratch.

Potter nearly missed a pass from Johnson but sent it on to Weasley quickly, making him lunge unceremoniously and miss by inches.

Pansy absolutely howled. The Gryffindor team sat more rigidly on their brooms as Ron returned with the Quaffle. "Look at his face," Daphne heckled, to no one in particular, "did he get stung by something?"

The next time, Weasley actually caught the Quaffle. Pansy hissed under her breath. Instead of finishing the job with a smooth pass, however, Weasley was so unfortunate as to smack Katie Bell in the face. He looked pathetic and tried to fly over to her.

"Get back in position, she's fine!" Johnson yelled over the Malfoy and his friends, who were all stomping their feet and booing. "But as you're passing to a teammate, do try not to knock her off her broom, won't you? We've got Bludgers for that!"

Karida noticed an odd feeling in her stomach as Fred and George saw Bell was bleeding and converged on her. Fred gave her something to swallow, and then went to fetch their Beater equipment and the Snitch with Potter. Each of them gave the Slytherins a dirty look as they passed over to get into the locker room, and Karida hunched down into her jacket in a vain attempt to hide herself.

Malfoy took the time to turn around and face her. "Karida! Quit hiding! You had no chance with Won-Won anyways!"

In an instant, Karida sat up indignantly.

When the three players had returned to the air, Johnson blew a whistle and the Bludger and the Snitch streaked out of sight. Karida watched Potter's admittedly magnificent flying before Johnson blew her whistle again, bringing him to a halt.
"Ron!" She screamed so the whole stadium could hear, "You're not covering your middle post!"

Malfoy looked extremely pleased with Weasley's performance. Pansy gasped excitedly, and started conducting a chant of "Gryffindor are losers, Gryffindor are losers," with all of the excited Slytherins. Karida had no choice but to mouth along.

"And Katie," Johnson, who had just been lecturing Weasley, yelled. "Can't you do something about that nosebleed?"

"Gryffindor are losers, Gryffindor are-"

"It's just getting worse!" Bell called back, holding her uniform up to her nose.

"Gryffindor are-"

Fred Weasley's eyes widened and he checked his pockets frantically. He examined something he found, and wheeled around to face Bell, mouth agape.

"GRYFFINDOR-"

"Let's try again!" Johnson barked over the ruckus.

After maybe two and a half minutes, Johnson resorted to blowing her whistle again. Potter stopped shortly; he had evidently just seen the Snitch.

"GRYFFINDOR ARE LOSERS, GRYFFINDOR ARE LOSERS-"

Johnson, Fred, and George were next to Katie in a flash, Potter and Alicia Spinnett tagging behind. Katie was bobbing on her broomstick, and practically dripping blood onto the grass below. Fred and George arranged Katie to be supported between them, evidently taking hear to the hospital wing.

"GRYFFINDOR ARE LOSERS, GRYFFINDOR ARE LOSERS, GRYFFINDOR ARE-"

As the trio zoomed over the grandstand where the Slytherins had made themselves all too comfortable, George belted at them, "Oi! Aren't you lot tired of that yet?"

"Sing something new for a change!" Fred agreed loudly before they were out of sight.

"GRYFFINDOR ARE LOSERS-"

The rest of the team, discouraged and running short of members, had no choice but to retreat to the locker rooms glumly.

Everyone continued chanting but Malfoy, whom Karida knew was giving Fred and Georges' request far too much thought.

That took me so much longer to write than I had planned, and I don't even know why.

I wasn't originally going to have her going to the practice, but I decided to... Don't ask me why, I don't remember.

Thanks again for reading! Please please please review! I don't know what you think if you don't :)