Chapter 16 - Being one of Us

The Slytherin common room was full of people as it was early afternoon and most of them were finished their classes already. Whatever the students were chatting about, they fell silent when the door opened and Katia Ivanov made her appearance.

Unlike Transfiguration lesson, she looked normal, at least to Daphne who had seen Katia's haunted look.

Everyone looked at Katia who produced a polite smile. "Hello," she said, leaving no doubt that she was aware of poorly hidden staring. Zabini, Parkinson and Bulstrode made an attempt to leave, but Katia spotted them anyway.

"You are not going anywhere, I have something to say to you," she said, looking at them and advancing in their direction.

"What do you want?" asked Pansy, taking step back, her voice higher than she wanted it to be.

Katia sat on a nearby table and crossed her arms. As she spoke, her voice was unconcerned; she could be speaking of weather as well.

"What I want is you to know that I won't seek revenge on you. It's not that I'm happy that you almost killed me, but I don't think it's your fault that you were dim enough to not know that some people may be allergic on Love Potions. I'm not eager to give you this kind of reprieve twice, but for now I can take that it was a stupid mistake." She extended her hand. "I offer you a truce," she proposed, smiling a little.

Blaise, the bravest of them, or just standing closest to Katia, extended his hand as well. "I wanted to do something to you, but never something like this," he admitted and caught her hand, giving it a little squeeze. "Truce," he said, smiling back at her.

"I wouldn't have done anything to you if you haven't called me a cow," admitted Millicent, advancing Katia.

"I called you a cow? It's a misunderstanding of the year," laughed Katia. "I was the one called, how it was? Ah, a big cow like Millicent." She looked menacingly at Pansy, who stepped back a little.

Millicent's cheeks became red and she balled her fists. "How could you?!" she roared, turning to Pansy Parkinson who had enough self preservation to run for her life. Bulstrode chased after her towards bedrooms.

Everyone laughed seeing that. Blaise looked to his right, where card players were seated. "I hope it will end cockroaches in my soup?" he asked hopefully.

Katia raised an eyebrow, though it wasn't quite visible under her forelock. It was more like her left eye seemed bigger than another. "And what would be cockroaches doing in your soup, Zabini?" she asked.

Marcus Flint put down cards he was holding. "There would be a punishment for him; for being an annoying little shit, stupid enough to almost murder you and bring disgrace to our house," he replied before Blaise had a chance do so. "How about that?"

Derrick, who was sitting next to Flint, also looked at Katia. "We've been pulling pranks since our first year here, but no one was in mortal danger because of them. Zabini, you crossed the line," he said angrily.

"I said I'm sorry, all right?" blurted out Blaise, not happy that he was a subject of public discussion.

Flint looked at him disbelievingly and a smirk appeared on his face. "I don't think I heard you say so earlier. And I would advise to choose less…retarded cohorts," he said smugly.

Blaise looked behind him as if expecting Parkinson or Bulstrode there, and it caused an onslaught of laughter from everyone who watched this exchange.

"Would you like to play chess with us?" asked Daphne who was watching the whole exchange. She was seated opposite to Goyle, who was playing with Theodore Nott.

"Of course," said Katia and sat at their table.

She was looking at the chessboard, but her thoughts were drifting elsewhere. Her arm was throbbing painfully and she couldn't recall in which moment Professor Snape held her so strongly to cause it.

What was more, she found a piece of parchment in her pocket. She must have taken it from that horrible room. She unfolded it and deciphered the letters, looking like they had been written in rush. It said 'Seeing Mirror. Cursed ones – violet. Red – carry the curse in their blood. Blue – do not have it, mostly Mudbloods'.

Katia blanched. So that is how cursed ones came into being? And who was that someone before her in that room? Did he or she use the process to create a body for themselves?

It was still cold, although the snow had melted a few days ago. However, it wasn't too warm to prevent Neville from wearing his precious scarf. He went for a walk just after dinner, as many students did and thought about the one person who couldn't just leave his mind.

He was fond of Ginny Weasley since she started her first year at Hogwarts. Ron kept company to Harry and Neville decided to help the girl around. He liked Harry; he was a good friend, but Neville wasn't happy that Ginny developed some unhealthy obsession with him.

The girl talked of Harry as if he was some kind of untouchable celebrity. Neville shrugged. He couldn't change it; he just hoped that his new friend won't get hurt by Harry's complete ignorance towards her.

She was acting strange at the beginning of the year, but lately, they had had some decent conversation and snow fights. He spotted her going towards the owlery and followed her.

"Hello," he said as they were inside.

"Hi Neville," greeted Ginny, her cheeks flushed from cold wind. She was attaching a letter to the owl's leg.

"I came, because we…We were supposed to do your Herbology homework and I decided that a nice walk won't be bad." He was nervous, but he couldn't tell why.

Ginny was a nice girl; she had a fiery temper, but living with six brothers would do that for you, especially Fred and George. He suspected that his nervousness had something to do with the fact that of all the people at Hogwarts, she wanted to spend her time with him and admired his knowledge in Herbology, telling him how smart he was. He wasn't used to people telling him that he was good at something and there was doubt in his mind, that maybe she was just being nice, maybe she just pitied him like everyone else.

"How thoughtful of you Neville, it's really good idea," she said smiling. "This place is not the best to clear your mind, the stench and all."

Seeing that Neville looked at some spot behind her, she ushered him outside. He was silent and smiled to her from time to time.

"You made some friends?" he finally asked.

Ginny giggled. "I have friends already. You, Harry, and Hermione are really great and I'm happy that we keep together."

They were walking on the Hogwarts Ground and Neville could tell that spring was in the air. Everything was waiting to grow and he could feel it through his skin. He wanted to stay here, have some hot tea and feel the nature awakening after winter. The perspective of sitting in dusty library wasn't alluring at all.

After something like an hour, that's exactly where he found himself, sitting with Ginny and telling her about various methods of growing magical plants.

They weren't alone; near their table was Hermione with Katia Ivanov, discussing Katia's success in Transfiguration and Charms.

Hermione must have been a great tutor since Katia had improved so greatly. He had nothing against the Slytherin girl, she was always nice to him, but they had hardly anything in common. Neville had no courage to join them and sighed inwardly, looking at the essay which Ginny furiously scribbled under his watchful eye.

"Checkmate," said Goyle. Katia sighed and shook her head.

"Impossible, how did you do that?" she asked him, amazed.

"He always wins in chess," said Draco Malfoy. "That's why I never play against him. Give the goods, Ivanov. You lost."

Katia pushed forward a small pile of items and money. Malfoy smirked. "You though that Goyle is a complete idiot and it will be easy for you?"

Katia wanted to punch him and wipe off that annoying smirk. "No, I saw how he won against Theodore." She looked at Goyle and smiled apologetically. "Besides, sorry. I didn't mean to talk about you Gregory like you were absent."

Goyle just shrugged. "It's ok."

It's been almost two months since the unfortunate Valentine's Day incident. Katia stopped being the subject of rumours and everything went back to normal. She could say that it improved even, as now she socialized with her housemates. Being an outcast was unpleasant and drew attention to her person.

Katia stopped practicing the Art of Seduction as now, without the influence of the curse she had lost her touch in the subject. She might as well be seducing Peeves. She spent less time with Hermione as her magic was strong enough to perform tasks during lessons. She melted in the crowd being just one of the students. It suited her perfectly.

She had learned that McGonagall developed a certain allergy to Slytherins as Snape had a similar one to Gryffindors. She kept her meetings with Hermione relatively secret and they always met in some less crowded part of the library. It helped them avoid students and teachers who might be opposed their acquaintance. Katia needed these months she spent at Hogwarts to fully realize how far the animosity between the Houses went.

She couldn't tell that she was immune to it, however being raised in a different culture she tried to be rational. She couldn't lose Hermione. The girl was bossy and stubborn and nice and so smart that in never ceased to amaze Katia. It was such a rare combination to be smart and hard working.

"Ron and Harry seem to not realize how important is to choose the subject wisely," said Hermione, pulling Katia out of her train of thoughts. "Our future depends on this choice and they treat it so lightly."

Katia nodded. "I agree, but honestly I don't know what I'll be doing in the future."

"It's obvious, Katia. You will be the Potions mistress; you're brilliant in Potions and you have a natural talent."

"Maybe you're right. I do not have much choice though. What did you pick so far?"

"Everything, of course. How can I know which subject is useful if I not try them all?" asked Hermione rhetorically, her tone suggesting it was the most obvious thing in the world to pick all of the subjects.

Hermione felt the casual atmosphere as she talked with Katia. She stopped suspecting the girl of being disingenuous. One couldn't act so all of the time. Besides, Katia was one of few who never used Hermione to get her homework done. What was more, she improved in Charms and Transfiguration and Hermione perceived it as her personal success since she tutored the girl.

"I don't think I would be able to study this much," said Katia after a while. "I think that Divination is tempting, and I'll take Defence Against the Dark Arts too. I like the subject itself, and I hope that maybe Headmaster Dumbledore will change the teacher. This Lockhart is just insufferable. However it's good that you won't waste your potential, Hermione"

"Do you think I would be a good student if I was at Durmstrang?"

Katia shook her head. "No."

Hermione was startled. "Why do you sound so sure about it? Do you think I wouldn't be working hard being there?"

"No," said Katia, rubbing her forehead. "It's not the case."

"So what is the case?" asked Hermione impatiently. She hated when Katia danced around the subject. She did it rarely, mostly when she found the answer difficult. Maybe she was hoping that Hermione would let go?

"They do not accept Muggleborns. What is more; you don't receive the letter from Durmstrang as I heard is the case with Hogwarts. Durmstrang in Unplottable and you need to contact them yourself, by sending them an owl."

"And you think it's fair?" asked Hermione.

"I've lived with these rules; I was raised in that culture. I never asked if it was fair or not. It just was, period."

Hermione furrowed her brows and looked hurt. Katia sighed; she hated expressing her personal views. It was a delicate issue.

"Listen, I do not see the difference between Muggleborns and Purebloods. If I cared about the birth status…most of people are, let's say - below me, I would have no friends at all. So I do not worry about things I have no leverage over. I judge people by their actions, not their social status."

Hermione accepted that explanation, but obviously she felt bad about Muggleborns in the eastern – no, the north region, because she stopped asking about Durmstrang. As if the mere existence of that school offended her.

Katia got used to Slytherins and spent her afternoons with them. She enjoyed playing 'Poke Explode,' a wizard version of muggle Poker, using exploding cards. She wasn't extraordinary good, but often got lucky. Usually she played with the Quidditch team and some girls.

Some time later even Pansy joined them and Katia lost some money to her. This evening was particularly lucky for Katia. Most players were washed up and there were four large piles of money and goods. It was unspoken tradition to bet for more than one owned if the players were sure to win.

Her wager was an equivalent of four piles of goods, but she had enough pocket money to afford it if she lost.

Marcus Flint fought the urge to smile. It was the fourth round of betting and he had good cards and was sure that no one would have better. Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott and Katia Ivanov were stubborn to lose some money today.

Malfoy and Nott resigned and he was left with Ivanov.

"Checking you," said Ivanov and he put cards on the table. "Full House," he said and looked at her.

"You lost," she said smirking. She put her cards faces up. "Four of a kind." The cards exploded.

Marcus slammed his fist against the table so hard that Ivanov jumped in her seat. He was obviously angry and the inane girl was smirking instead of cowering before him. He stood up and his chair keeled over after him.

All eyes were set on them as Ivanov took a pile of money and other things. Marcus was towering over her and forced her to look up.

"Hey Flint, cool down!" shouted Derrick. "It's only a game, for Merlin's sake!"

Marcus knew he could be intimidating with his height and angry expression. He was furious because he lost more than he could afford.

"Time to pay," said Ivanov, her cheerful tone suggested that she was oblivious to his furious state. He had seen however, how she gripped a small, silver ring. Her knuckles were white, so she was scared after all.

"You are going to stand here looking at me all day?" she asked, grinning.

"I've lost more than I have, are you happy?"

"Come on, Flint. You're unlucky in cards; it means a lot of luck in love life, doesn't it?"

He wanted to throttle her. He had never had a girlfriend and he was a seventh year. Of course some girls were interested having a boyfriend who was a captain. Bloody Slytherins, attracted to power, as always. He heard them gossiping, talking about him as no more than a school title. He wasn't handsome or rich or talented in anything except flying and he was bloody unfortunate with the girls. Ivanov must have known, it wasn't a big secret that he had a nonexistent love life.

"My love life is not your concern, Ivanov. I have no money to pay you, what do you want instead?"

"Take your clothes off!" shouted Sylvia Rosier, his dim witted classmate. Oh yes, she was the one who wanted to be his girlfriend, but he would rather kiss a giant squid than her.

"Strip! Strip!" the others started shouting and clapped their hands rhythmically. Ivanov shook her head and a few "ohhhhh"s were audible.

So, she wasn't going to humiliate him completely? Or maybe she had something nastier in her sleeve?

"Everyone needs to pay, Flint," said Malfoy from across the table. "Maybe tomorrow you'll leave her in her knickers, winning everything she got."

Katia smiled sweetly and seemed to be contemplating something. "I want your broomstick."

"What?" asked Marcus aghast.

"You can't, we need to practice!" shouted Montague.

Marcus leaned over her, placing his hands on the either side of her. "Don't. You. Dare," he spat.

"I can and I will. You have two options. One you can play again and try your luck. I can tell that these nice shoes of yours will do. And second, I can be so generous as to lend you my broom for a small favours. What do say?" She looked right, and then left to see reactions. There were approving ones and some girls giggled as some boys whistled.

One thing was sure – everyone waited for his reaction.

"I think that I would like to have my new broomstick delivered here," she added with a sly smile.

"All right, I'll bring the broomstick," he said angrily. "Accio broom!"

Ivanov nodded, still smiling. "How nice of you."

The broomstick landed in his hands and he put it before her.

"But I have a Quidditch practice this afternoon."

Ivanov took the broom and rose from her seat. She wasn't tall, compared to him, barely reaching his chin. She moved close to his ear.

"I believe I can think of something for you to do, to have the broomstick for a few hours. But you must be eager to please me," she whispered.

Hermione watched as Flint, the big Slytherin, put down a rather large sack near the door of Transfiguration classroom. Katia smiled at him "That would be all. You can leave now," she said smugly.

Hermione advanced her. "You're friends with that- that eww...Harry says that he has some troll blood in him."

Katia shrugged. "I don't care how he looks as long as he carries my things, and serves as a personal house elf," she said casually.

"Why is he doing that?"

"He lost a game with me and couldn't afford the bet, so he does things for me. Like carrying a bag full of things needed for today's lesson. I've got those promised bricks for you, Hermione," said Katia cheerfully. It looked like she had fun making Flint serve her.

Harry and Ron couldn't stop laughing when Hermione told them the news.

Katia went to Quidditch practice with Flint. She wasn't a fan of this game, she never had been, but she wanted to see the looks they received. She wasn't going to humiliate the Slytherin captain, but she won his broomstick after all, and she planned to collect it after the practice.

She needed to say, that all the things he did in the air were impressive. She had seen her cousin, Viktor Krum, more than once doing his own magic up in the air, but Viktor was a different story. She believed that he was born to fly. She herself had never flown on a broom and her final mark in papers was fake. Oh maybe not a fake, but it was a mark from different subject, like "Wizarding Technology Studies". The subject was about wands, dicta quills, portkeys and such.

She smiled to herself and Flint must have noticed her smile, what is more he didn't take it as a good sign, because his face fell. His eyebrows were drawn together in angry expression and his jaw was set.

"What do you want this time?" he spat angrily.

"I just wanted to say that you're magnificent on the broom, but-" She looked at her shoes. "Silly me, surely everyone tells you that." She looked at him again.

Flint relaxed somewhat and corners of his lips twitched upwards. "Thanks," he said. "You want the broom back?" he asked, some frown back on his face.

Katia shook her head. "I can't keep it knowing that you need to practice and, it's just unfair. I've seen that you love to fly." She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You may want to use the good weather." She smiled at him and this time, it didn't cause him distress. She decided that he did enough little favours over the week and she wasn't cruel to have him serving her all the time.

"I have never seen you fly," said Flint.

"Maybe it's because I don't fly?" she asked rhetorically.

He took one of the brooms left by his players. "Maybe it's time to try?" He asked, handing her the broomstick. She took it reluctantly. Her poor magic made flying impossible for her, but she always wanted to feel wind in her hair, feel the sun and clouds being up in the air.

"I can easily predict a failure here," she said half-jokingly, half–serious.

"You'll never know until you try. I'll take care of you. Just straddle it and kick off the ground."

Katia nodded, feeling a knot of nervousness. After mere seconds she found herself in the air. It wasn't higher than five feet, but for her it was five feet higher than she has ever been on a broom.

They flew in circles around the Quidditch pitch, no more than twenty feet above the ground now. Katia could tell that she could barely control the broomstick, but was embarrassed to admit it, pretending that everything was fine. The flight drained her magic reserves and she could feel it with every passing minute.

"Try higher," said Flint after some time. It seemed that he was tired of flying like he was five years old again.

Katia turned right, sped up and flew higher. She reached three or four feet more when her broom jerked and she found herself falling, fast.

She fell into the grass with a loud thud.

Marcus was terrified. He wasn't going to be responsible for Ivanov's accident during his practice. He flew down to the place where she lay. He suspected her to be angry at him, and after knowing her for some time, he knew that she had quite a temper.

What surprised him was the fact that she tried to get up, laughing.

"What's so funny?" he asked, giving her hand and pulling her up.

"That was fun! Except the fact I killed my arse in the process."

He laughed as well, hearing her strange choice of words. They went back to the castle together and it was first time for Katia too see Flint without his famous scowl for such a long time.

A/N: Thanks to Artemis J. Halk for beta reading this chapter at the speed of light! :D

Reviews appreciated :D