Chapter 5 - It had eyes

She was standing near the entrance of the Great Hall, unsure if she should go in or not. She leaned against the wall, her long forelocks obscuring her eyes almost completely.

She caught the scent of herbs, sandalwood and a man, the same she had smelt yesterday during her detention.

"Good morning Professor Snape," she said in a monotone voice, not even turning her head to look at him.

"Miss Ivanov, I believe it is best you go and eat your breakfast. Your first lesson is Potions with me and I won't tolerate lateness or your annoying me with a growling stomach."

She didn't have a chance to respond as he went away. She also spent a good minute to compose herself. In his harsh, cold way Professor Snape told her that she wouldn't be expelled. She wanted to hug him.

Maybe not hug him. But she wanted to say thank you at least.

She went to breakfast then, and after Potions.

Every seat near the back was taken, but she wasn't planning to sit far from Snape. She wanted to hear and see everything the best she could, so she sat near his desk.

The door opened with a loud bang and Snape entered the classroom making all the students jump in their seats and go completely still. He swept himself up to the front of the class, his black robes billowing. He looked upon everyone with a sneer on his face and spoke in his silky, low voice.

"Today you will be making a headache potion. It must be done in pairs."

His black eyes rested on Katia.

"Miss Ivanov has no partner. Is anyone from Slytherin, willing to be her partner?"

Katia turned to see the rest of the class, but they just gave her disapproving glares. Only Draco whispered to her. "Sorry mate, but I need to pass Potions."

She just nodded and sat straight in her chair. Professor Snape crossed his arms at the height of his chest and scowled.

"No one? Pity."

With two long strides he was in the middle of the classroom. "Miss Greengrass, take a seat next to Miss Ivanov. You will be her assigned partner as need requires."

The girl who sat next to Katia had a scowl on her face, which almost matched the one on Professor Snape's face.

"Don't even think that you will pass because of my skills," hissed Greengrass.

She was beyond furious that Snape paired her with this slip of a witch. She was sure that she could say good bye to her 'Exceed Expectations' in Potions.

"Forget it," grumbled Katia, angry that this silly chit tried to embarrass her in the front of Professor Snape.

"Now, you decide, who will supervise the process and adding of ingredients, and who will prepare them. For a qualified Potions Master it is not a problem to make the potion alone, but with your pathetic ignorance of the subject, I wouldn't dare to let you do it without a partner. I can see only two students capable of doing it without help, but unfortunately they are from opposite houses, so two dunderheads would be left helpless."

He turned and sat behind his desk. "The list of ingredients is on the blackboard. You may begin."

"I am supervising," said Greengrass, her voice full of venom. Hope you're better at preparing ingredients then you are at casting spells."

"As you wish," hissed Katia and followed Hermione to the cabinet which held the ingredients.

She went back and started cutting, grinding, and separating with studied precision and rapidity. She didn't even pretend that she was listening to what Greengrass had to say and finished her potion quickly. Hermione was not even near being finished. The moment Snape towered over their cauldron, she knew her mistake, but she only wanted appreciation after all her previous failures.

"The potion is adequate, Miss Ivanov, Miss Greengrass," Snape smirked but it wasn't a friendly expression, "however, brewing the potion isn't a show. Do it once again, and you will serve another detention and I will be forced to take points from my own house."

"I am sorry, sir," said Katia, her head bowed, a too long forelock obscuring her eyes.

He turned around with a swirl of his black robes.

"Potter, your potion is far from adequate. I would advise you to take a little example from Miss Ivanov and do it quicker. We do not have all day to wait for this soup you're cooking in your cauldron to be ready."

The girl paired with Katia took a sample from their cauldron, labeled it and placed it on Snape's desk. She took her seat then and looked at Katia.

"I shouldn't have said all of that earlier, but-"

Katia stopped her with a gesture and shook her head a little.

"You shouldn't," her voice was monotone and emotionless.

"The previous lessons and gossip, you know. I want to be healer and Potions is a vital subject."

"Save it. And don't talk with me during the lesson."

They waited in silence until the bell rang. Katia stood up and caught the familiar scent right behind her. She turned immediately.

"Professor?"

"A word, Miss Ivanov."

They waited until the last student went off for the break and then Snape spoke.

"Would you add your nose drops to this potion to extend the effects?"

Katia looked at his crossed arms and gently shook her head.

"In most cases, no, Professor. If the drinker has heart problems, it can make them worse. Also, the headache can be caused by micro extravasation in the brain, or migraine and it would aggravate the symptoms. To make it more efficient I would add an aspirin to it and some caffeine."

"That would be all, Miss Ivanov."

She wanted to grab her bag and go, but stopped in mid-move.

"When may I ask about my mark, Professor?"

"I already marked your work, Miss Ivanov. You received an Outstanding, but if you continue this ridiculous show to prove yourself, it will be lowered until you learn that brewing is not some kind of a race. You will also cooperate with your given partner or I give the mark only to Miss Greengrass."

"Of course sir," she took her bag and smiled. "And thank you." With that she left the classroom and headed for her next lesson.

History of Magic wasn't her favorite subject, but she had heard about Hogwarts from Hermione and she read a book or two, so she was not worse nor better than her classmates. She sat beside that Greengrass girl and poked her in the arm.

"Hey," said Katia in a tired, friendly tone. Daphne turned to her, confusion clearly written on her face

"I thought that we were not supposed to talk during classes, according to what you said earlier," replied Greengrass, in an uncertain voice.

"I overreacted, the same way as you did, but I don't want us to be enemies."

"I should apologize Ivanov, I don't know you and…you know, messing up something during Snape's class-"

Katia patted her arm, interrupting her.

"It doesn't matter anymore, okay? Call me Katia by the way. It's my name, you know."

She smiled and extended her hand. It was no good to be stubborn and disliked in a place she was supposed to live in for years to come. Besides she could have worse partners, like some stupid, pug-faced twit.

"Daphne. Let's start from the beginning, all right?" She also smiled.

Having Ivanov on her side was a good development. Her grades wouldn't suffer and Katia was from a wealthy family. Even if she was still a failure in wand work. Pansy Parkinson was an idiot, messing with the new girl. She had a feeling that Ivanov wouldn't let it go, and she wasn't willing to be on the receiving end of Katia's wrath in the form of a shoe or any other violent reaction.

Professor Binns appeared in the classroom and put an end of their small talk. Katia felt some kind of relief that there wasn't any wand work involved here, even if she wasn't extremely interested in history, having read much of italready.

At dinner she took a charger full of fruit salad. The rest of Slytherin was eating a roasted steak, appreciating its juicy taste.

"Why don't you try the steak, Ivanov?" asked Draco from across the table. Katia smirked. She couldn't tell the real reason why.

"I don't eat things that have eyes," she replied smugly.

Draco looked at her disbelievingly and raised his eyebrows.

"It's a steak for Merlin's sake! It has no eyes."

Katia swallowed a forkful of salad and shrugged. "It did."

After dinner she waited near the Headmaster's office. She needn't wait too long. Albus Dumbledore ate his meal faster than yesterday. His smiled seeing her and greeted her cheerfully.

"Katia, child, what a pleasant surprise. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Actually yes, Headmaster. I would like to thank you for not expelling me and if it isn't too much trouble, I need to buy something and if you could Apparate with me to a nearby town, I would be very grateful."

Dumbledore sighed and put his hand at her arm.

"It can be arranged. Is that all, child?"

Katia snorted, suppressing laugher.

"You have a yellow candy stuck to you beard, sir"

Dumbledore stroked his beard and soon found a lemon drop.

"Oh, it must have been saving itself for later," he said and popped said candy to his mouth.

Argus Filch took a nap, preparing himself for late night rounds. He was sure that he was dreaming still, when he heard a knocking on his door, but the second time he was awake.

"Coming," he said in a sleepy voice.

He opened the door to see the girl from yesterday holding a cauldron in her arms.

"Good afternoon, sir," she said cheerfully and seeing his trampled clothes she added quickly.

"I am sorry if I woke you, but I have something for you."

"I guess you won't leave me alone and since you did wake me up, come in then."

He let her into his room and took a seat in the large armchair exercising his arthritic hands. Katia followed him, locking the door behind her. She put the cauldron on the floor and brought out a heart shaped box from inside it.

"These are for you. I appreciate your help. You gave me a hope and you were right."

Filch took the chocolates from her outstretched hand and examined them carefully.

"I've been told that they are really delicious, but unfortunately, I'm allergic to milk chocolate."

Filch nodded and opened the box.

"I have something more," she said, emptying the contest of the cauldron.

"And what is that?" asked Filch, raising an eyebrow.

"I took everything which I need to prepare a salve for you hands and knees. I can see clearly that you are in pain and since I know some effective salve, I thought that I could make some for you."

Filch sighed, resigned.

"It's very nice, Miss Ivanov, but I've tried everything from the Hospital Wing and it was only a temporary solution. I also used it too often and now it doesn't work."

Katia shook her head, busy with preparing ingredients.

"It's not like I am better in potion making that Professor Snape or your healer. I saw the material in the book and Professor Snape has much to teach me, but I studied under the best Russian Potions master, and his techniques are…different. He uses traditional recipes and combines them with Muggle ingredients. This salve was patented in January of this year, so it's still not imported to Great Britain and definitely not in the books here. He only teaches his private students and he's not a regular teacher."

She wanted to add more, but stopped herself. Looking at the caretaker she said quietly.

"Please, let me try."

Filch scowled. He wasn't sure if the girl was right, but it could do no harm to try something new.

"All right. But how do you want to heat the cauldron here?"

"It doesn't require the heat. Only water if you can provide me any."

He looked with genuine interest at the girl when she started making the salve. She grinded and blended everything in concentration. Most of the components were partially prepared, so it didn't take long for her. When she was finished, she placed the slimy, green substance in a large jar.

She crouched next to him with the jar and took a small portion of it with two fingers.

"Give me your hand."

Filch winced like she woke him from a dream.

"What?"

"Your hand, please. Or take your trousers down if your prefer to try it on your knees."

Filch snorted and blushed instantly. Mrs. Norris lifted her furry head at the sound and seeing that everything was okay, went back to sleep.

"I prefer hands," he said in a small voice.

The feeling of the substance wasn't as disgusting as it looked. In fact it had a creamy consistence and an herbal smell. He felt a warmth in the places she put the salve with her slender, skilful hands. There was a tingling sensation somewhere inside his bones but slowly it faded away along with the pain. He was perplexed. This Russian teacher had the brains to create something like that, and the girl must have been talented to copy his results.

He was sure that these words would never leave his mouth towards the student, but this girl made him do it.

"Thank you," he said, uncertainly, looking at his hands. Their appearance remained unchanged, but he felt like if they were new.

"You were kind to me, sir, when others turned me down. I can repay for kindness."

He wasn't used to that. In a fact it was hard to believe for him, that the girl could have any good intentions. He couldn't stop himself from suspecting that in any minute it all would turn out to be some cruel joke.

But the girl seemed to be different, sitting on the carpet, with a large jar of healing salve, her long forelock covering her eyes, her head bowed a little, her sight at the level of his ankles.

Suddenly he was curious why she never looked him in the eye.

"Do you find my shoes interesting, Miss Ivanov?"

Katia shook her head, lifting her gaze a little to let it rest on his knees.

"Looking directly in the eyes is daring and rude, and lowering the gaze means respect. Why do you ask me such a trivial question sir?"

Filch sighed. Oh dear, not only her is accent wrong.

"Miss Ivanov, you are mistaken. Here, in Hogwarts, avoiding the gaze means cowardice and disrespect. It also means that you don't listen to your speaker or are extremely shy."

Katia looked at him immediately, her eyes a little wide.

"Oh," she said incoherently. "Oh, I didn't know."

They had a talk about her habits from Bulgaria and the culture she was raised. It was near the curfew when she excused herself to go and do her homework. Filch ate almost the entire box of chocolates as they talked.

It seemed that he wasn't as bad a man as he wanted the students to think him to be. Besides how could a heartless bastard be so caring towards the little creature he owned? She felt a sympathy for him and she wasn't wrong in her judgment of people usually.

She stood up and took the empty cauldron with her. Looking him in the eyes she asked uncertainly.

"I know that I may be asking too much, but would it be okay if I came here to practice sometimes?"

Filch raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to practice, Miss Ivanov?"

She couldn't lie entirely, so she decided to tell a half – lie.

"I have had dance lessons in Bulgaria and to finish the course I must practice some movements. I live with other girls in the dormitory and it is impossible for me to concentrate. Besides they don't like me very much. I wanted to ask you if I could come here from time to time."

Filch seemed lost in thought for a while.

Her visits meant more salve if he runs out of it, and using his rooms she would constantly be in his debt. Her company wasn't tiring and she behaved polite, so he could endure her dancing eventually.

"You may, but come earlier, or later than today. I wake up usually at seven o'clock pm so this would be an acceptable time for you to come here."

"Thank you very much!" she exclaimed.

"Remember to not tell anyone and try not to be seen while you are walking through the corridors."

"Of course sir."

Her way back to the dormitories was full of thoughts about the upcoming exam with Aine Delorge. She despised the blasted woman with every cell in her body. The feeling was mutual, so the slightest mistake could result in failure, again. It would be her third try. She knew that Delorge wouldn't give her an Outstanding, even if she liked her, but she would pass anyway.

With the silent war raging between them, she had to perform for the highest grade to pass with only the lowest, but positive, grade.

Sometimes she wanted to fall asleep and wake up in January with good grades here at Hogwarts and with Graceful Movements behind her.

She found a niche, covered with cobwebs and after making sure that she wasn't seen by anyone, she took a gold chain out of her robes. She brushed the tiny hourglass with her thumb, almost lovingly and spun it four times.

Her counterpart passed her with a full cauldron in her hands, to go for a meeting with Filch. She left the cauldron in her niche and went in the opposite direction, towards the library.

"Hello, Hermione."

Granger lifted her head above the large pile of books, looking at Katia disbelievingly.

"I thought you would not associate with me. I'm sure that now you understand what means to be in rival houses."

Katia circled the table and pulled a chair for herself. She sat gently, without the studied, stiff movements.

"I do. Nevertheless I find your company more worthy than the ones I should prefer."

Hermione opened her mouth to ask probably the most obvious question, but Katia stopped her.

"However it would be the most unwise to include the others in our little agreement."

Hermione moved closer and spoke with a hushed voice.

"Katia, Harry and Ron are my friends. They will understand eventually."

Katia also moved closer and smiled ironically.

"I do not doubt it, but it will take time. I am not ready, just yet, to give them anything which would assure them my intentions are friendly. Your red-haired friend is exceptionally narrow-minded as he proved himself lately. Don't deny it, for Rasputin's sake!" she took a deep breath and half-smiled. "As one with such a brilliant mind as yours, Hermione, you should separate you feelings from pure logic. Then you will agree with me."

It was clear for her, that Hermione needed her time to digest everything that was said and they busied themselves with homework to avoid further discussions. Katia wasn't sure how long she could continue before her temper kicked in, so concentrating on the essays was the best way to avoid a heated quarrel.

She needed Hermione's trust to gain useful information about Harry Potter, and she knew that it required patience. She could be patient, but new surroundings and her failures made her temper worse than before. She was still young and had much to learn in the ways of self-discipline and control.

A/N: Thank you for the reviews. It's good to know what you think.

brandon279: The thing with pranks and disliking Katia will be solved later. Thank you for the remark.

Without the reviews I will have no way to know if I'm doing well or not.

Cat Paws: Thank you for editing this chapter :)

To those who may wonder about Hermione - I think that she wouldn't reject Katia, because she also want to have a person who is intelectually equal to her. However, I do not see them making a girl's talk.

Any ideas and suggestions are highly appreciated, so please, review :)