Karina's POV

As we all sit in the common room waiting for time to get closer to flying class, we all start to talk about flying and Quidditch.

Draco was complaining about how first years never get on the house Quidditch teams. Then he moved on and told long, boastful stories that always seemed to end with him narrowly escaping Muggles in helicopters. Pansy seemed to love his stories because she sat right beside staring with wide eyes. She was so close to him I thought she was on his lap.

He wasn't the only one though, Blaise told us about how he'd spent most of his childhood zooming around thecountryside on his broomstick.

"So then I look to my right and see a flying car with a bird sitting on top of it."

Everyone cracks up at Blaise's stupid story.

"Wow Blaise I can't even fathom that amazing story. It was just so good." I say teasing him while smirking evilly.

"Don't be jealous Grey. Green maybe be your color but jealousy is not cute." He winks at me which causes everyone to start laughing again.

"Can anyone tell me why we have to do flying lessons with those stupid Gryffindors?" Gregory asks while flipping through his comic.

"No idea but those Gryffindorks are going to look like trash compared to us." I smile looking at Draco who grins at my statement.

Even I have been practicing with flying. My father was on the Quidditch team as the beater. Next year I'm going to try out. Hopefully I can make it. It's my dream to follow in my parents footsteps...well minus that one big problem but you know what I mean.

"Gryffindorks? That so fits. Good one Karina." Vincent laughs while shoving flavored jelly beans into his mouth.

When the clock strikes three-twenty we all make our way out to the field down by the entrance. It was a clear, breezy day, and the grass rippled under their feet as they marched down the sloping lawns toward a smooth, flat lawn on the opposite side of the grounds to the forbidden forest, whose trees were swaying darkly in the distance.

At three-thirty, Harry, Ron, and the other Gryffindors hurry down the front steps onto the grounds for their first flying lesson. They find empty spots as most Slytherins were already by the twenty broomsticks lying in neat lines on the ground.

Everyone goes silent as Madam Hooch arrives. She had short gray hair and yellow eyes like a hawk.

I glance down at the broom I was given. It was old and some of the twigs stuckout at odd angles.

Let's hope this thing isn't a full piece of crap.

"Stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch at the front, "and say Up!"

"UP!" everyone shouted.

Harry's broom jumped into his hand at once, but it was one of the few that did. He glances over at Draco who is beside me and smirks.

"Up!" Draco says once sternly. The broom shoots into his hand and he smirks back at Harry.

The two boys glance over at me who is still standing watching everyone else.

"Up." I say nonchalantly. My broom leaps into my grasp. Looking at Draco's proud face I smile, then glancing at Harry's shocked face I smirk.

Hermione Granger's had simply rolled over on the ground, and Neville's hadn't moved at all.

Perhaps brooms, like horses, could tellwhen you were afraid, there was a quaver in Neville's voice that said only too clearly that he wanted to keep his feet on theground.

Madam Hooch then showed us how to mount our brooms without sliding off the end, and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips.

It seemed as though again Draco, Harry, and I were the only ones getting it. Hermione glares at me as Madam Hooch tells her everything she's doing wrong. I just smile and wave knowing that I'm getting on her little muggle nerves.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle-- three-- two--"

But Neville, nervous and jumpy and frightened of being left on the ground, pushed off hard before the whistle had touched Madam Hooch's lips.

"Come back, boy!" she shouted, but Neville was rising straight up like a cork shot out of a bottle-- twelve feet-- twenty feet.

I watch his scared white face look down at the ground falling away,slip sideways off the broom and --WHAM -- a thud and a nasty crack and Neville lay face down on the grass in a heap. His broomstick was still rising higher and higher, and started to drift lazily toward the forbidden forest and out of sight. Madam Hooch was bending over Neville, her face as white as his.

"Broken wrist," Harry heard her mutter. "Come on, boy-- it's all right, up you get."

She turned to the rest of the class."None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.' Come on, dear."

Neville, his face tear-streaked, clutching his wrist, hobbled off with Madam Hooch, who had her arm around him. No sooner were they out of earshot than Draco burst into laughter.

"Did you see his face, the great lump?"

The other Slytherins joined in and I can't help but giggle slightly, which earns another glare from the muggle.

"Shut up, Malfoy," snapped Parvati Patil.

"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" Pansy sneers. "Never thought you'd like fat little crybabies, Parvati."

I laugh into my hand then see some kind of ball glimmering in the sun. Picking it up, I walk over to Draco.

"Hey what is this?"

Draco turns around from the class and I watch his eyes gleam with mischief.

"Let me see?"

I hand the ball to Draco and he throws it up in the air.

"Look! It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."

"Give that here, Malfoy," said Harry quietly.

Everyone stopped talking to watch. Draco smiles nastily. I just stand smirking watching a little show go on.

"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find -- how about --up a tree?"

"Give it here!" Harry yelled, but Draco had leapt onto his broomstick and taken off.

He hadn't been lying, he could fly very well.

Hovering level with the top most branches of an oak he called, "Come and get it, Potter!"

Harry grabbed his broom.

"No!" shouted Hermione. "Madam Hooch told us not to move— you'll get us all into trouble."

Harry ignored her. He mounted the broom and kicked hard against the ground and up, up he soared; air rushed through his hair, and his robes whipped out behind him. He pulled his broomstick up a little to take it even higher, and heard screams and gasps of girls back on the ground and an admiring whoop from Ron. He turned his broomstick sharply to face Draco in midair. Draco looked little stunned but quickly covers up any surprise on his face.

"Grey! How about you get your stupid boyfriend down from there before he gets Harry in trouble?!" Hermione walks over to me and stands infront of me but not too close.

I know she's scared but wants to act like she isn't.

"Granger... How about you GET a boyfriend. Or better yet get out that stick that's shoved up your arse." Hermione gasps at my comment while Pansy and the other Slytherins laugh.

Ron looks over at me with a baffled expression on his face.

"Give it here," Harry called, "or I'll knock you off that broom!"

"Oh, yeah?" Draco sneered.

Harry leaned forward and grasped the broom tightly in both hands, and it shot toward Malfoy like a javelin. Malfoy only just got out of the way in time; Harry made a sharp about-face and held the broom steady. A few people below were clapping but now I was over it.

"Draco we get it! That was hilarious now would you please get back down here. You're going to be expelled or worse hurt."

"No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save your neck, Malfoy. Why don't you listen to your idiotic girlfriend. At least she's smart enough to know now to mess with me." Harry called.

That seemed to have struck Draco.

"Catch it if you can, then!" he shouted, and he threw the glass ball high into the air and streaked back toward the ground.

Harry saw, as though in slow motion, the ball rise up in the air and then start to fall. He leaned forward and pointed his broom handle down-- next second he was gathering speed in a steep dive, racing the ball-- wind whistled in his ears, mingled with the screams of people watching-- he stretched out his hand-- a foot from the ground he caught it, just in time to pull his broom straight, and he toppled gently onto the grass with the Remembrall clutched safely in his fist.

"HARRY POTTER!" Professor McGonagall was running toward them. He got to his feet, trembling.

Haha he's in for it now. I hope he gets flipping 15 detentions.

Can't believe he called me idiotic. I have been nothing but nice to him.

Even when I did want to murder him in his sleep for his parents actions.

But now no more nice girl.

"Never-- in all my time at Hogwarts--"

Professor McGonagall was almost speechless with shock, and her glassesflashed furiously.

"-- how dare you-- might have broken your neck--"

"It wasn't his fault, Professor--"

"Be quiet, Miss Patil"

"But Malfoy--"

"That's enough, Mr. Weasley. Potter, follow me, now."

Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle wear triumphant faces as we watch Harry leave with Professor McGonagall.

"What the heck Malfoy?! What's your problem?" Ron strides up the Draco but Vincent and Gregory stand in the way.

"Oh, no problem just having a little fun. Isn't that right guys?" The boys nod then slightly move away from Draco.

"God you guys are so stupid and so mean. What's fun about getting someone else in trouble?" Hermione says as she steps forward.

"Everything." Draco smirks evilly as all of Slytherin laughs.

"And you... You want everyone to think that you're so innocent and so sweet and nice. But really you're just a big bully. No wonder you and Malfoy are perfect for each other." Hermione turns to me and glares.

Okay like I said no more nice girl.

I laugh a little to myself as a small smile appears on my face.
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Draco's POV

"And you... You want everyone to think that you're so innocent and so sweet and nice. But really you're just a big bully. No wonder you and Malfoy are perfect for each other." Granger turns to Karina and glares.

Oh shoot.

I look at Karina's blank face and know that her nice plan is over. There's only so much of Granger that you can take.

Suddenly, Karina laughs to herself and smile wicked smile lights up on her face.

"Do you want to know why it's so much fun to get other people in trouble? Seeing the person's sad face as they take the walk of shame. Teasing them about what they did wrong. Letting them know who not to mess with." Karina says as she walks around Granger in a circle.

Everyone is watching with curious yet fearful eyes, well of course except the Slytherins.

Karina stops walking around Granger then stands directly in front of her, staring her down as if she is a lion and Granger is the prey.

"Listen here Granger, I'm nice until you push my buttons. And right now I have no more buttons to push which means, stay out of my way. You don't want to get on my bad side believe me. It won't be pretty." She winks at Granger then grabs my hand and pulls me to the inside of the building.

As soon as we get to the common room I notice Blaise, Pansy, Goyle, and Crabbe followed. We all sit down in silence until Blaise shouts out, "Damn that was hot!"

Karina laughs slightly blushing as the guys cat call her and whistle. She hides her face in my neck until the teasing wears off.

Seeing her back there made me realize why I befriended her in the first place. She's just so strong and so confident. She doesn't let anyone push her around. That's who I need by my side.

Wait did I just say by my side?

Meaning...

Nah.

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3rd Person's POV

It was dinner time. Harry had just finished telling Ron what had happened when he'd left the grounds with Professor McGonagall. Ron had a piece of steak and kidney pie halfway to his mouth, but he'd forgotten all about it.

"Seeker?" he said. "But first years never -- you must be the youngest house player in about a century" He finished as he shoveled more pie into his mouth.

He felt particularly hungry after the excitement of the afternoon. Ron was so amazed, so impressed.

"I start training next week," said Harry.

"Only don't tell anyone, Woodwants to keep it a secret."

Fred and George Weasley now came into the hall, spotted Harry, and hurried over.

"Well done," said George in a low voice.

"Wood told us. We're on the team too -- Beaters."

"I tell you, we're going to win that Quidditch cup for sure this year,"said Fred.

"We haven't won since Charlie left, but this year's team is going to be brilliant. You must be good, Harry, Wood was almost skipping when he told us."

"Anyway, we've got to go, Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school."

"Bet it's that one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we foundin our first week-"

Before Fred and George can say goodbye Draco arrives flanked by Karina, Crabbe, and Goyle.

"Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?"

"You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you," said Harry coolly.

There was of course nothing at all little about Crabbe and Goyle, but as the High Table was full of teachers, neither of them could do more than crack their knuckles and scowl.

"He always is Potter." Karina sneers looking at Harry angrily.

Harry glances at her and realizes that she is still upset.

"Yeah I'd take you on, anytime, on my own," said Draco.

"Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only-- no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"

"Of course he has," said Ron, wheeling around. "I'm his second, who's yours?"

Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle, sizing them up.

"Crabbe," he said. "Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; that's always unlocked."

The conversation ends when Percy, the Gryffindor prefect, sits down. As soon as Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle are away from reach, Harry calls Karina.

"Karina wait."

Karina turns on her heel and walks back over to stand in front of Harry and Ron.

"Oh hello, I'm Fred and you are?" Fred smiles widely at Karina while holding his hand out.

"Karina." Karina smiles lightly while shaking Fred's hand.

"Oh really I thought you were gonna say beautiful."

Karina throws her head back and laughs entrancing the table full of guys.

"Aw Fred that was horrible yet somewhat adorable." She squeezes his cheeks.

Looking back at Harry her face changes from light and grinning to angry and frowning.

"Anyways what did you want?"

"I just wanted to ask if you are still upset about earlier?" Karina glares at Harry so hard that he can almost feel heat coming from her eyes.

"F off Potter." Karina says angrily then stomps away to her table.

"I take it she's still upset?" Harry asks Ron sarcastically.

"Well you did call her an idiot..." Ron says chewing on some chicken awkwardly.

"You called her an idiot...Oh big mistake." Percy says pointing a turkey leg at Harry.

"Well why'd you do that Harry?" George cries out.

Harry explains to them how mad he was at Malfoy and how Karina always stood up for him even when he was wrong. That's why he was upset earlier. She didn't even say anything about him trying to steal Neville's remembrall, just the fact that she didn't want Malfoy to get hurt.

"Yeah they are honestly like two magnets." Percy says shuddering in disgust looking over at the Slytherin table.

The guys follow his gaze to Karina and Draco. Karina is laying her head on Malfoy's shoulder while lightheartedly laughing with her table.

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Karina's POV

Draco couldn't believe his eyes when he saw that Harry and Ron were still at Hogwarts the next day, looking tired but perfectly cheerful.

"I can't believe they're still here. We ditched, told their prefect about them being out, and they are still here? I don't get it." Draco groans and puts his head down on the table.

I know how he feels. They are getting everything they want. When they do something they aren't meant to they get a good result whereas we Slytherin's are put in detention faster than you can say, well detention. It's just not fair.

"It'll be okay Draco." Pansy says trying to cheer him up but it doesn't work.

As the owls flooded into the Great Hall as usual, everyone's attention was caught at once by a long, thin package carried by six large screech owls. I was just as interested as everyone else to see what was in the large parcel, and was amazed when the owls soared down and dropped it right in front of Potter.

Ron and Harry quickly leave the table and go to the hall. Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco get up and hurry after them. Two seconds later I decide that I'm not missing anything then run after them.

Running down the hallway I see the entrance hall to upstairs is barred by Crabbe and Goyle.

Draco seized the package from Harry and felt it.

"That's a broomstick," he said, throwing it back to Harry with a mixture of jealousy and spite on his face. "You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them."

"It's not any old broomstick," Ron grins as he says, "it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty? Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."

"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle," Malfoy snapped back. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig."

Before Ron could answer, Professor Flitwick appeared at Draco's elbow. "Not arguing, I hope, boys?" he squeaked.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," said Malfoy quickly.

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances,Potter. And what model is it?"

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," said Harry, fighting not to laugh at the look of horror on Malfoy's face. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it," he added.

The Professor leaves down the hallway as Harry and Ron turn towards the stairs, smothering their laughter at Draco's obvious rage and confusion.

And this pisses me off.

"What the heck are you talking about Potter?" Gregory asks.

Harry chortled as they reached the top of the marble staircase, "If he hadn't stolen Neville's Remembrall I wouldn't be on the Quidditch team...."

"So I suppose you think that's a reward for breaking rules?"

My angry voice came from just behind them. I come out of hiding and stomp up the stairs, looking disapprovingly at the package in Harry's hand. 

"Karina- um no! It's not a reward. You don't understand." Harry stammers.

"Oh no I understand perfectly Potter. You Gryffindorks get everything. You sneak out your room at night, ten points for you. You break the rules, twenty points for you. You put yourself in danger but then save yourself even though you would've never been in danger if it weren't for you not following the rules like everyone else. A spot on the Quidditch team. It just amazes me. Everyone thinks us Slytherins are bad, oh no Gryffindors are the worst of the worst. You're the worst of the worst. Just know that things are about to become a little more fair around here. And don't even think that we won't stop teasing and taunting. It's just too much of a fun opportunity to pass up." I glare at Harry and Ron so bad that they flinch.

Turning around I laugh while skipping down the stairs. I grab Draco's hand and we walk down the hallway back to the Great Hall.

Things are about to change... Watch out Hogwarts. Make way for Slytherin!