Disclaimer: I own nothing
Master Professor
Chapter Two
Rounding the pond, Mia had finished her fourth lap around the gardens. Each lap had been a mile, and she was aiming for two more. Mia had been up since 4:30 a.m. training her body to become swift and agile, as she had done while studying in china five years ago. Her instructor, Lao Shi, had trained her physically from the crack of dawn till mid-morning before her school lessons. He had taught her in order to become a brilliant witch; one must hone not only the mind, but the body as well.
Mia had one more lap to go; she turned up the volume on her IPod to a muggle band she liked, pushing herself to the last stretch. Waiting for her at the pond was Midsummer, her only friend, a house elf that Mia had rescued when Midsummer was just a baby. Midsummer sat waiting for her dear mistress and friend. Mia smiled rushing towards her and sat on the ground, noticing Midsummer had worn her tan dress that she magically woven for her.
Mia knew that wearing clothing meant disaster for a house elf. It meant their masters had no need for them and were set free as punishment. Yet, Midsummer was different, even though Mia had given her clothing; she didn't think ill-will as others would, but as a gesture of love. If it weren't for her friend and Mistress, she wouldn't have been saved from a horrible creature.
"Ah, Midsummer," Mia kept her smile. "I thought you were not coming to get me today, or are the house elves giving you trouble?"
"No trouble, "Midsummer's voice was soft and vibrant. "The Master and Mistress are home and they wish to see you at breakfast in an hour."
A heavy sigh escaped Mia's lips, as she got up pulling up her friend with her. "Yes, tell them I shall join them." Mia glanced up at the manor, before heading inside.
The Malfoys returned home a few hours earlier than expected, and then it was Narcissa who suggested that they have a breakfast with Mia, since she had been home alone for a week. Agreeing with his wife, they apparated home. It had been a good chance to speak with Mia about certain issues now, since she had received her letter to Hogwarts as did their son.
Promptly on time, Mia had arrived for breakfast. She knew it wasn't a special occasion, so she dressed in an emerald off the shoulder crinkle chiffon top, with a silk silver band that tied below her chest in a loose bow, with a black capris and silver flats. Mia used a charm to make her knee-length black and platinum hair wavy and intertwining white silk ribbons sequined with emerald and diamond jeweled flowers, before tying it back into a loose half braid.
"Good morning Sir, Ma'am," she said gracefully as she had been taught, by Mrs. Azgrid. Both adults nodded at her greeting. She glanced over to Draco, holding back her dislike of the young boy. "Dragon," she whispered. Draco didn't say a word to her, as she took a seat beside him.
Breakfast appeared on the elegant cherry oak table, each member having something different in front of them.
Narcissa held her gaze upon Mia, seeing nothing but a blank expression upon her face, a signature mark that the Malfoy's held. Each winter holiday Mia had spent with them, Narcissa had noticed the child turn into a remarkable young woman. She had become bright and intelligent, along with her looks and how she carried herself in the presents of company, a mature adult in the body of a child. It's as if she passed all of her childhood and went straight into adult hood. Narcissa had craved a daughter of her own, not that she doesn't love her son dearly, she adores him as any mother to a child, but she wanted a little girl. She was distress that Lucius had not wanted any more children, that was before they decided to switch to the light thanks to their friend and Draco's appointed grandfather, Severus. Even after the fall of the Dark Lord, Severus had told them until the Dark Lord was completely destroyed they were not safe. So little by little they had changed their ways and view upon muggle and muggle-born, but yet still kept their pride as pure bloods. She mused at her teaching Draco a different view from what her and her husband had grown up with, but one thing that Draco inherited was his father's pride. Mia's education between both worlds will provide a much better understanding of muggles, more than what they had now.
Lucius had waited awhile after everyone had finished breakfast. He had been eyeing Mia from above his newspaper, watching the girl's delicate movements as she ate her breakfast. It was as if Flahna Asgrid had taught her to move gracefully as a gentle breeze. It was an unlikely comment that would ever pass his thoughts; and he knew these movements would not go unnoticed by his wife.
He was proud that both his son and Mia were accepted into Hogwarts. It would give them a chance to get to know each other better than the yearly holiday visit. He had hoped that this talk wouldn't keep them at a distance, but Lucius knew they were not going to be given an option, considering the situation.
"Draco. Mia." Lucius began, as he folded his newspaper setting it aside. Both children looked up at him with full attention. "There are a few things I need to discuss with you. Both of you received your acceptance letters, so tomorrow we shall go get your wares at Diagon alley." Both nodded. Lucius turned to Mia with a stern look. "Draco, once school begins I need you to be on your guard and watch over Mia."
Draco gave his father a questioning look. "Why? She is capable of handling herself."
"Yes, I am," Mia began. "I do not need Dragon to watch me."
"Silence both of you!" Lucius raised his voice, knowing if he didn't; the both of them will be at each other's throats. "The reason I bring this up, is because of the Malfoy family history with the Dark Lord. Mia do you know about He-who-must-not-be named?"
She nodded. "He-who-must-not-be named was a dark wizard who despised Muggle-born and wants them dead. He led others who supported him into a war against anyone who opposed him. The Dark Wizard was eventually destroyed by a toddler named Harry Potter." She stated, and then took a drink of water, before continuing. "The connection between the Malfoy and He-who-must-not-be named is that you were a big supporter, including any ancestral family that perceived his views. After the first war had ended with the death of He-who-must-not-be named, many people believed he is still out there and that he shall return."
Lucius nodded in approval to her answer. "You are indeed correct. We at the time as children in school didn't realize how deep we had gotten ourselves into. No matter how loyal we were to the Dark Lord, he only cared about his goal and no one else but him. After his defeat, Narcissa and I have wanted to leave, but didn't know how, until we found an unlikely escape."
"Father," Draco interrupted. "But what does all this have to do with Mia and me?"
"Since there is rumored that the Dark Lord has returned, we must keep appearances." Lucius stated. "No one knows we have switched to the light, and we must act like we were until his defeat, as long as that may be."
"Sir, if I may?" Mia looked at him questioningly. She had listened carefully to his story, but she knew that he was not telling them everything, especially when it came to how they knew this information. "How do you know he is to return? I'm sure you have a contact? Someone must know you switched sides in order for you to escape. Followers of He-who-must-not-be named, must kill traitors in his absence?"
"Very astute of you Mia," it was Narcissas turn to speak. "Severus Snape."
"You mean my Godfather is a supporter of you-know-who?" Draco said surprised.
"Was a supporter, he switched over after the potters died and became a double agent." Lucius explained. "I was the one who enlisted him. Your Godfather," he turned to Draco, "was smarter to escape."
Mia had only heard of Severus Snape from Draco, that he was the boy's grandfather and a professor in the arts of Potions. "Sir, if I may, you never answered Dragon's question: what does this have to do with us?"
"In order for you both to be safe, you must pretend to hate muggle-born." Lucius answered. "As I have said, this is to ensure safety not only for you both but for our family in general. You both are to keep up appearances, while betrothed."
It took a sheer moment before the last word registered in their minds.
"What!" Draco screamed, and Mia whispered in shock.
The two looked at each other, then to the adults paled face.
"I don't want to marry her!" Draco shouted, pointing at Mia.
"Good! I do not wish to marry you as well!" she crossed her arms, turning her head away from the family.
Lucius and Narcissa knew that this would happen.
Mia had never felt a dislike for anyone she had come across, but Draco was the only one on his list as most hated. Each visit Mia would be engrossed in her books, and Draco would bother her from her studies to play pranks on her. Only one winter, after coming home from the America's she decided to become experimental and create a stronger Healing potion. She had left only for half-an hour letting it simmer. Draco came in and put an unknown substance in the cauldron, then quickly leaving. When Mia had come back, only having ten more minutes to go, she busied herself and had gotten several vials ready. Her back was turned to the potion when it exploded. Mia screamed and Midsummer had appeared seeing her mistress covered in potion. The potion had eaten away at her clothing, where it touched, including her hair. She knew the dangers of Potion making, appreciated the art the care each one needed, and loved it every moment. Mia awoke a day later, seeing Draco at her bedside asleep. She questioned his being there, before getting out of bed, until she realized she was hurting. Mia had slowly recalled what had happened. Slowly moving towards the full-length mirror, to see the damage and to figure out why Draco was there. She wasn't wrapped up in bandages, she mused at Midsummers handy work to heal her. Mia looked at every angle of her body, until her eyes caught something off. Her hair shifted in movement of her head, but gently rested just at her shoulders. Mia screamed. Two years her hair finally had grown back to its desired knee-length.
Getting out of her thoughts, Mia glared at the boy still ranting about not wanting to marry her finding all her qualities to be unsatisfactory.
"Draco that is enough," Narcissa raised her voice. "Your father and I decided that the both of you were to be arranged in marriage. That is not the only reason you two are to be married. "Narcissa looked over at Mia. "This might be a shock to you my dear."
"If marrying Dragon isn't a shock, then what is?" She whispered.
"Mia I want you to know that you are not our true blood daughter."
"Thank goodness, because I was thinking-"
"Draco!" Lucius cut his son off knowing what he was about to say.
"Mia you're not of blood relations to our family, you are adopted." Narcissa continued, after a brief glare at her son.
Mia had gotten up from her chair, wide-eyed. "Adopted…?"
A/N: ok so end of chapter two left it on a cliffy I know! Sorry it's going slow but it will build up! All my ideas are coming in every direction so I'm getting it organized! Hope it's entertaining so far! So Read and Review please!
