There was a group of us, all clustered around the fire in the common room; Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Dean, Seamus, Anna, Elisabeth, and myself. Anna had felt somewhat uneasy about staying in the Gryffindor common room for so long, but her fears were quieted by everyone else.
Dean sat cradling Ginny in his arms and Harry was doing the same for me. Hermione and Ron were sitting completely opposite from each other. Obviously there was some sort of tension between them; something to do with Ron's new girlfriend Lavender I think. Luckily, Lavender wasn't in the room at the moment. If she had been, Ron would have had to leave because even I the romantic can't stand to be around those two. It's sickening. She's like a leech, I swear.
We all didn't say much and when we did it was quiet conversation. The fire crackled peacefully, spreading a much needed warmth through our bodies. I felt almost like the day was a dream; later, thinking back on it, it all blurred together. At some point the group split up and I went to bed and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
The mood in the school was slightly lifted the following morning. Mostly for show though; friends pretended to be alright so that their friends would be alright. I didn't pull any bullshit like that though. I'd never felt the need to mask my real feelings, so I tend to be incredibly open and easy to read. And as anyone could tell that day, I was depressed. I followed my friends to the Great Hall and sat down in a droop. The only thing I managed to do all meal was pick at my food and stare off into nothing.
3rd Person POV:
All of Mia's friends watched her nervously, as if waiting for a breakdown at any second. Ginny talked quietly with Dean while Harry and Ron conversed by themselves as well. Hermione however sat next to Mia with a bright and cheery grin.
"It's a pretty great selection we've got today hmm? I can't remember the last time we had this many choices for breakfast! So good too..." Hermione glanced around expectantly. Ginny looked up and decided to join in.
"Sure is Hermione. Say, you look really nice today. Did you do something different with your hair?" Ginny asked brightly. Hermione grinned in response.
"Actually, yes, I did. It's a new hair product I picked up at Honeydukes. That isn't the type of thing they normally sell of course, but since the Ministry is so strict on airmail lately, Honeydukes has started ordering them for us."
"Oh I see... well that's cool Hermione," Ginny said.
"You look rather nice also Mia," Ginny continued tentatively. At the sound of her name, Mia's head sprang up but her eyes still seemed unfocused.
"Oh, um, yeah thanks," she muttered. Ginny quieted but Hermione was not to be deterred.
"Do you want to talk about anything Mia?" Mia shook her head slowly but then her head raised as a look of focus returned to her eyes.
"Talk..." she repeated dumbly, "Talk! Shit! I had detention yesterday; I completely forgot! I have to go see Slughorn," she shouted as she rushed out of the Great Hall.
Harry stood up halfway from his seat as if to follow, but seemed to reconsider and sat back down.
Draco POV:
I was still fuming over how things had turned out. Why had Mia had to get involved? It wasn't supposed to have anything to do with her!
If only someone else had walked into that ladies room before Katie... then this wouldn't have happened. My task would have been accomplished and I wouldn't have had to sit here and see Mia in such obvious distress.
My stomach churned just looking at her. Mia, like me, didn't bother to hide her feelings. I did envy her one thing though; her friends had noticed her mood and seemed to be trying to engage her, and cheer her up. My "friends" noticed my bad mood, and kept away. For good reason though. I would snap at them if they said something stupid to me right now, which of course they would if they so much as opened their mouths.
I didn't even bother putting food on my plate, knowing that I wouldn't eat any of it. I spent the entire meal just watching Mia from across the room.
As much as it pained me to see her in that state, she was still so beautiful. Her long brown hair seemed to float in front of her face, creating a film across her deep blue eyes. Her skin was pale and unblemished and her features were rather defined, not soft and 'pretty' in a delicate way. Most guys I knew seemed to prefer that rounded, sweet face on a girl, but I thought Mia's defined features fit her perfectly and made her outright dignified and somewhat... sexy. I was somehow attracted to her natural look; as opposed to all the makeup that slut Pansy wears, not to mention most of the female body at Hogwarts.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that it took me a second for me to process the sudden movement from the Gryffindor table. Mia had bolted up and out of the room, looking panicked. I saw that worthless Potter almost get up to follow, before sitting back down. I growled under my breath muttering curses at him.
That pansy ass doesn't deserve Mia if he doesn't even have the balls to chase after her when she obviously needs someone, I thought.
With a single bound I expelled myself from my seat and rushed out of the Great Hall, ignoring the stares of the Slytherins. I was relatively sure none of them had even noticed Mia leaving so they couldn't know why I was leaving so quickly myself. With that reassuring thought, I made my way out the double doors and glanced both ways.
Mia was running down the hallway to the left. I picked up my pace in order to reach her. Before I was close however, I saw her falter and her steps slowed.
Is she running out of breath? I wondered. But no, I knew she was athletic, there was no way her stamina had run out so quickly. Mia reached the end of the hall, somewhat stumbling now and still moving forward slowly. I saw her glance quickly left and right down the perpendicular hallway before she slid around the corner to the right. I jogged and quickly turned the corner myself before stopping short. Mia was nowhere to be seen.
But then I spotted a little, dark side corridor. I recalled something Mia had said during one of our sessions.
["So are you like, claustrophobic or something?" I asked.
"No not really," was the response, "I hate being crowded by lots of people, especially in a small area, but when it comes to just me by myself, I like small spaces. I feel really safe in dark enclosed areas. I generally find a small place to curl up when I'm feeling particularly upset or lonely; like no one else is there for me."
The sad smile that played across her lips made me want to reassure her that I would always be there for her... but of course I couldn't say that...]
I headed down the corridor just in time to see Mia slide down the wall and sit there, slumped. Her head was resting on her legs curled up in front of her, with her arms locked around her legs. She looked exactly like she did after I was a jackass to her during our fifth session.
"Mia?" I said softly. Mia's head snapped up in my direction before turning away quickly, but not before I'd seen the telltale glisten that meant tears.
"What?" she muttered. Her voice was muffled and I barely heard her.
Now my mind was racing. What indeed? What was my plan here? I didn't know how to comfort her. I wasn't that damn Potter or one of her good friends. What could I do?
Without even thinking I did the only thing that came to mind. I sat down next to her, loped my arm around her shoulders and lightly pulled her to me so that she was resting against me now.
"I'm sorry Mia," I whispered.
I felt Mia's muscles tense all throughout her body and I was silently hoping I hadn't just done something incredibly stupid. But the energy seemed to leave her and she crumpled into me, clutching at my shirt. I could feel the silent sobs racking her body so I rested my head on top of hers and rubbed her back with my hand.
I felt like I should say more but nothing came to mind so I just continued to hold her until the tears seemed to have subsided. I lifted my head and lightened my arm's hold around her, so she would be free to move off if she wanted. To my great pleasure, she gave a barely perceptible sigh and stayed put for a bit longer. No longer was she clutching my shirt; her hands were lightly rested against my chest instead. It was the first instant that I ever perceived Amelia Rust as being delicate.
Mia sat back up and looked much more relaxed, but confused also. I guess I couldn't be surprised. I was generally nice to her during detentions now but she'd never seen this extreme side of me.
Then again, I'm not sure it existed much- if at all- before knowing Mia. She had an innocent naivety about her that I felt compelled to protect; however, at the same time, she seemed more understanding of the world than most people I knew. Somehow this girl had managed to change me. I didn't feel like the world was as bleak as I'd thought it was. Maybe some people weren't so bad. I'd even stopped referring to people as 'mudbloods' and 'blood traitors'.*
"Are you alright?" I asked, resting my hand on her knee. The nod in return was a bit slow to come, but come it did.
"Malfoy..." she began, before halting.
"Draco," I corrected softly. A modest smile lit her face and she nodded in agreement.
"Draco, what are you doing here? How did you... well... find me?" Deep breath in, Draco. You cannot tell her that you followed her out, that's way too creepy, you have to lie. Make up a story.
"Well..." I said.
3rd person POV:
"Well..." Draco said, "I was actually just coming back from the restroom when I heard some scuffling noises from back here and I decided to investigate. I think a better question is... why are you here? What's wrong? There's no need to cry, whatever it is." A small chuckle escaped Mia's lips.
"Oh yes there is. You have no idea..."
"Is that so? Well then, enlighten me," Draco challenged.
"Katie... what happened to her... it's all my fault..." Mia's voice came out in a choked whisper. Draco was dumbstruck for a moment. It didn't take him long to clear up however.
"What? That's ridiculous! She touched a cursed necklace Mia. Unless you gave her that necklace, you are not allowed to feel responsible for this. It's not your fault. You're being completely stupid," Draco exclaimed before turning slightly away, seeming exasperated.
The scorn Mia heard in his voice, and the cruel words he chose, riled her up. Years of frustration towards Draco plus all of the stress of her own personal life, added up and exploded within Mia.
"Oh really? Stupid am I? And what do you know about it? Nothing! Don't tell me how to feel Draco. I don't need your arrogant ass trying to control things right now. Just leave me alone."
With that Mia weakly shoved Draco and scooted away from him a tiny bit. Draco's temper also let loose at this.
"Oh, arrogant ass? I just came over here to try and help you and you're calling me names? You've got a lot of bloody nerve! Fine, be alone. That's just fine," Draco yelled.
With a leap and a bound Draco was up and out of the corridor. Reentering the brightly lighted area made him squint for a moment.
In that moment, Draco's mind cleared and he was able to think clearly. With a muttering of curses under his breath, Draco spun on his heel and quickly approached Mia again. She still looked mad and opened her mouth to speak. But Draco didn't give her the chance. Before Mia could say anything, Draco had crouched down in front of her, rested his hands on hers, and then he spoke.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to call you stupid. I'm the stupid one. I just don't think, and that's how I've always been, but I know that it's wrong and I'm sorry. I want to be here for you. If you think it's your fault, we can talk about it. Then I will kindly disprove you," Draco added a slight smile here but was discouraged a lack of response.
"Look, I'm trying to change, honest. It's just going to take me some time. Please Mia... give me a chance." Mia stared into his eyes unconvinced. But something in them seemed warm, and sincere. Mia looked down with a sigh.
"Alright... I forgive you. I'm sorry too. But... why are you trying to change?" she inquired.
"You have opened my eyes, so to speak. I... I honestly don't know that I can explain it," Draco said apologetically. This seemed enough to satisfy Mia however, and the two moved on to talk of other things.
*Except in the Slytherin common room of course; I had a reputation to maintain and besides which, I needed to act as if nothing was different. I could not have any extra attention thrown my way, for any reason.