Mila lost track of time while she was stuck in between the fires. It was long enough for the place to get chilly to the point where she could see her own breath and of course the fires were lit in such a way that they wouldn't provide heat. At some point, she was ready to stick her hand in them just to see if they were actually real.

A sudden gust of what felt like wind interrupted her boredom and it disappeared just as fast as it came. Mila felt uneasiness surround the place as if something was watching, making a shiver run down her back and for the hairs on her arms to stand up.

"Lumos!" She flicked her wand spun around but there was nothing there. She held her breath in and listened for anything as her heart loudly beat in her ears.

Then, the atmosphere shifted, and everything felt normal once again. She frowned. It was as if whatever it was, just disappeared. That was... not normal.

She didn't have long to mull over it as the flames on the exit parted in half and concerned-looking Professor Dumbledore appeared from nowhere, with Madam Pomfrey hot on his tail.

"Merlin! Rosier! Are you alright?" The woman near shrieked seeing her there. Mila merely nodded in reply. Professor Dumbledore didn't even pause in his way, barging through the final flames and in through the doors.

"You stay here alright? Stay where it's safe!" Madam Pomfrey ordered strictly and ran after the Headmaster. If it was any other situation, Mila would have followed the orders, but Harry was in there.

She waited for about five seconds before silently following them. She flinched at the sudden burst of light in her eyes from the room. But that was nothing compared to what she saw.

The room had few remnant flames surrounding the pillars as if they were blocking any possible exit. Walking down a few steps, she saw to her surprise, a bundle of clothes that looked like something Quirrell would wear and a pile of dust. Oh. Oh God.

Mila felt as if her world turned into slow motion as her gaze trailed from the pile of dust to Harry slumped on the floor, pale and injured. His forehead was covered in bruises and a trail of blood dripped down his cheek. His hand was bent at a weird angle.

Mila took a step back. No, this wasn't Harry. The Harry she knew was fidgety, full of sass and certainty, and held his emotions on his sleeve. The Harry she knew was alive. This...this was a body that looked like him, but it couldn't be him.

Mila couldn't focus on what their rescuers were talking about. She could feel herself zone out of her own body as her heartbeat increased tenfold. This felt like the Forbidden Forest all over again but this time she didn't have Draco by her side. She was alone and that was even more terrifying.

She let a pitiful wheeze and covered her mouth with her hand to silence herself, making it harder to breathe than it already was. Harry needed the help, she couldn't pull that away from him. Not now.

So she did the only thing she could do. She shifted her gaze away and looked for a distraction. She found one in the shape of a mirror. It stood there as if calling to her, to look at it for just a second. She did. Because the alternative is looking at one of her close friend's body.

Mila stood in front of it, and for a moment, it just reflected her. The image became cloudy until it transformed into two figures. She only ever saw them briefly in pictures, but there was no way to mistake them. Evan and Sodie Rosiers were standing in front of her; her parents. Mila frowned slightly, the mirror showed them younger, perhaps sixteen if she were to guess. Mila stepped closer to the mirror and saw her parents' face split into wide smiles. They looked so handsome. Her father was tall and lean with freckles scattered all over his face and his short hair untamed with the blonde curls. She could have sworn his brown eyes were full of mischief. Her mother stood beside him, their hands intertwined. She was just as tall and slender as him, with long light brown hair falling down her back and high cheekbones. They looked happy together.

Mila watched mesmerized as their gazes shifted from her to behind her. She was just about to turn to see if there was actually someone behind her but she didn't need to. Draco, Narcissa, and Lucius stepped right by her. She could almost feel the lightest weight in her hand as mirror Narcissa grasped her hand in her own. Her parents moved to stand beside Lucius. Lucius was midway to putting his hand on her shoulder when everything turned cloudy and the image disappeared.

A hand harshly pulled her back and away from the mirror. She blinked in confusion.

"Mila, it's time to go," Professor Dumbledore spoke in a calm yet demanding voice. There was no space to protest.

"Where's Harry? Is he okay?" Mila asked looking around. It seemed that there was no one but them. How long did she stand there?

"He is taken care of and will be just fine. We must depart as well, I believe your family is anxiously waiting for your return."

Mila wanted to say that her family was right there, in the mirror. She didn't.

Instead, she allowed Dumbledore to lead her back to the castle.

When the Headmaster said her family was waiting for her, he was not joking. The moment she was led to the direction of Professor Snape's office she had a sinking feeling she was in deep trouble. It was confirmed the moment she opened the door and found four pairs of eyes all stare at her arrival.

Professor Snape's face was completely black and he stood by the fireplace in the corner. In any other circumstances, Mila would wonder how can someone look so devoid of any facial expression but she was barely able to spare a glance at him because there in the small office sat Narcissa, Lucius and Draco.

"Mila!" Draco looked her up and down a few times, his posture stiff. Narcissa put her arm on his shoulder and gave a slight squeeze leaning closer to him. Professor Snape left his office without speaking a word to her.

"Draco, leave,"

"But…" Draco bit his lip, looking uncertain.

"Now." Lucius cut in.

"It's okay dear, we'll call you back."

The room felt as if Draco took all the oxygen and left with it. Narcissa rose from her chair and walked to where she stood.

"Are you alright dear?" She asked gently, putting her hands on Mila's cheeks.

Mila could only manage to nod before tears burned in her eyes and spilled over. She let out a small sob and wrapped her arms around Narcissa's waist, burying her head into the expensive dress material. Her sweet, light perfume soothed Mila's fried nerves.

"No need for tears dear, it's over." She ran her hand through Mila's hair and guided her to the chair. Mila wiped her face harshly, avoiding to look up. She didn't want to cry in front of Lucius.

"What the hell, were you thinking Mila?" Lucius on the other hand wasn't as kind. His voice rang out cold and loud in the quiet office.

"I was just trying to help! I...We-" Mila meekly defended herself, keeping eyes cast to the floor. Lucius never needed to raise his voice to bring fear into people.

"Help? You're a child Mila. Even more, you are an inexperienced witch. I believed you to be smarter than to pick fights with grown wizards and beasts as a side hobby."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

"Sorry doesn't undo what you did. You put your life in danger, you put the family's name in question and this is not the first time this year. We didn't raise you to lose your head in such foolishness." If it was possible, Mila could swear Lucius's every word had a sword that had the perfect aim to her heart.

"I knew letting you socialize with mudbloods and traitors was a mistake, but I entertained it only for you to throw everything to the wind and start to mindlessly accuse your professors of unspeakable things and go after dangerous situations without a single thought."

"I didn't...I thought it through."

Lucius slammed his fist on the table causing Mila to jump.

"No, you didn't think it through. If you put even the smallest amount of thought you could've come up with a less ridiculous idea than to go and play a hero!"

"I wasn't playing a hero. Gryffindors are meant to be brave…so I -"

"Bravery is worth nothing if you let it rule your head. It gets you killed." Lucius scolded, his voice raising.

"Lucius, that's enough. You can yell at her another day. She went through enough for the night."

He glanced at his wife and stayed silent for a moment.

"I'm sure your so-called 'bravery' will be very useful when you're scrubbing every inch of the Manor till it shines. No broom, no books, no magic, nothing for a month from the moment you step in the Manor. If your grades are anything less than Outstanding it will be for the whole summer."

"But...I... Narcissa!" Mila called out desperately to the woman who was uncharacteristically quiet. She never had any trouble standing up against him or saying no.

"No Mila, what you did was irresponsible and dangerous and you will not learn if your actions do not result in consequences."

"That's not fair! No one else is getting punished."

"Everyone else is not our concern and neither should it be yours."

Mila stayed silent. There wasn't anything she could say to get herself out of trouble. She just wanted to throw herself into bed and sleep for a month.

"It's late, you should go and rest." Narcissa broke the tension. It was as if she read her mind. Mila watched as Lucius and Narcissa looked at each other as if having a silent conversation among themselves before Lucius sighed and stood up.

"You can come home early with us if you would like," Narcissa added but Mila shook her head.

"It's okay, I'll come back with Draco,"

"Very well. I expect you to be on your best behavior. One step out of line and you'll be on the first train to Beauxbatons." With that, he was engulfed in flames and disappeared without a goodbye.

"Go straight to sleep Mila, it's been a long night."

"I will, goodnight Narcissa,"

"Goodnight honey."

The room felt much colder than it was moments ago. Mila turned around to leave as well.

When she opened the door, she found Draco not far. He looked up.

"Well? What did they say?" He asked curiously.

'So they cast the silencing charm' Mila thought as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Got grounded for a month." She smiled weakly. Looking behind him at the dimly lit corridors, her smile fell.

"Walk with me to Gryffindor?" She blurted out. 'Stupid. There's nothing there.'

Draco frowned. She could tell he wanted to ask more questions.

He stared at her for a moment then shrugged his shoulders.

"I suppose."

"Harry?" Mila called out. He stood at the end of the hall on the second floor. Mila frowned. He didn't reply or move. Didn't do anything to show that he even heard her. He just stood there.

"Harry?" She called out, louder this time. There was no response. She began to walk towards him, but the more she walked, the longer the hallway stretched. She gulped. Could she even get to him?

Mila looked back, seeing the hallway stretch behind her into darkness. What the hell? She turned back. Harry stood right in front of her, his face inches away from hers. She recoiled so fast she almost lost her balance.

Harry finally blinked and looked into her eyes, his gaze piercing through her soul. Then, a droplet of crimson red fell from his nose. It made a loud noise as it fell on the carpeted floor. Another drop fell soon after, followed by another. It became steady, like someone turned on the tap. It just wouldn't stop.

His body crumpled to the floor. Mila could only watch in horror as his neck snapped in half, the crunching noise of bones breaking echoing in the hall. He never moved again. Mila could hear her heartbeat ring in her ears.

"You could have saved me. Why didn't you?" Harry's voice echoed through the halls.

"Did you want me to die? Did you want to have my friends that bad?"

"No!" Mila screamed, wanting to move away, to run the hell away but she couldn't. Her legs were frozen in place.

"You were there. You let him kill me. It hurt. I cried for you to save me."

"I'm sorry I-"

"You never came. You left me there. I thought you were my friend."

"Harry…" Was she crying? She couldn't tell. Everything felt off.

"Pathetic. That's what you are. You-"

Mila opened her eyes to pitch darkness. She blinked a few times. Where was she? Her heart was beating out of her chest and she was freezing, shaking maybe. She wanted to wipe her face but her actions were sluggish, as if her body was catching up with her brain.

After a few minutes, the haziness went away and Mila could recall some parts of the dream. Enough to get the gist of it.

She closed her eyes, trying her best to remind herself that everything was fine, everyone was safe. Harry wasn't dead.

Mila took a deep breath and knocked on the wooden door the next afternoon. It only took a second before the doors swung open themselves, letting her go inside the Headmaster's office. She barely took a glance at the surroundings before she faced the professor.

"You wished to see me, Headmaster?" Mila asked as she approached his desk. Her hands stopped shaking a while ago but she kept them hidden inside her robes. He smiled and indicated for her to take a seat.

"I did indeed, my dear," His voice sounded light and soothing, causing her shoulders to slump and relax. "It has been a couple of long and challenging days, I wanted to know how you are doing."

"I'm fine, why does everyone keep asking me that?" Mila blurted out, feeling defensive. Eight people asked her that today, three of which she had never talked with before.

"Because what happened can be traumatising, especially for someone as young as yourself. People care about your wellbeing Mila."

"I appreciate everyone's concern but I am okay, I feel fine. There's no need to worry."

"I have no doubt that you are. Very like your mother I see. She was always fine no matter the mischief she got into." Professor Dumbledore chuckled lightly in amusement and a hint of fondness. It caught her attention.

"Professor, may I ask a question?" Mila asked before she could talk herself out of it.

"Of course dear,"

"It's about the Mirror of Erised."

"I will answer to the best of my ability dear,"

"The Mirror of Erised shows me what I desire the most right? I saw my parents but they...they were younger. I'm just curious as to why? It's not like I haven't seen pictures of them older. Lucius and Narcissa were there too, but they were older and Draco was the same as he is now so I don't understand." Mila shrugged her shoulders, leaving the part of her own image out.

"If I were to hypothesize, perhaps, you do not desire for them to fulfill a parental role because that role is already fulfilled by someone else. I'm sure you know that your parents and the Malfoys have been quite close ever since they were children."

Mila nodded in agreement.

"Friendships like that don't just disappear in the face of death. They leave a mark. A mark you observed so perhaps your deepest desire is to give the Malfoy's back what they lost. Mila, it is important to remember that at the end of the day the mirror is just a wistful daydream. It does not bode well to get yourself lost in it. Many powerful wizards and witches have wasted their entire lives in a fairytale."

"I see...Thank you professor. Is that everything?" Mila started to get out of the chair.

"Yes dear, I hope you enjoy your last few days."

"Thank you,"

"What happened down there?" Hermione asked curiously later in the day.

"Nothing. I don't really know, I wasn't in the room," Mila shrugged, lying through her teeth. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell her or didn't trust her enough to share the details. She just couldn't bring herself to speak the words, to explain how their best friend was as close to death as he ever could, couldn't describe how it felt looking at his body. The more time passed, the harder it was even to think about it. She chose not to, purposely making herself busy enough so her mind couldn't create the alternative scenarios of what could have happened. She didn't think she would ever be ready to discuss it, so she simply didn't disclose the truth. It was better for everyone.

"Oh, I see. I'm glad," If Hermione suspected anything, her voice didn't give it away.

"You have to come with us!" Hermione repeated for the fourth time.

"No." Mila replied, closing shut her luggage. They were in the girls' dormitory packing the last items for the trip home. The moment they heard that Harry was awake both Hermione and Ron jumped on her to come visit him, until she went upstairs to pack to escape them. Unfortunately, Hermione didn't want to drop it.

"What do you mean no? He's finally awake don't you want to see him?"

"Of course I do," She did, she really did. More than anything she wanted to replace the image of him lying motionless on the floor, inches away from death. But she couldn't. Not while he was in the Hospital Wing.

"Then come. Mila he saved our lives! At least visit him!"

"I will, but not while… I'll do it later."

"But-"

"Hermione!" Mila snapped harshly, cutting her off. She felt a pang of guilt as the girl's face dropped. "Sorry, I shouldn't have shouted. Just drop it, please."

She eventually did.

Mila walked silently beside Draco as they made their way to the end-of-year feast. Ever since Lucius and Narcissa ate her head off, he made an effort to be extra nice to her. He didn't even brag about how the Great Hall was decked out in the Slytherin colours of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the House Cup for the seventh year in a row.

She sat down between Harry and Hermione at the table. She spared a longer glance at the boy, she hadn't seen him since that night. He looked well, definitely much better than when she saw him last.

"How are you feeling?" She forced herself to ask. It wasn't that she didn't want to know, it was just awkward.

"I'm good, happy that Madam Pomfrey finally let me go. How are you?" He smiled.

'I'm good. Just keep seeing your dead body whenever I think about it. It's great.' She smiled back and replied that she was good as well.

Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.

"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully, your heads are all a little fuller than they were ...you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…"

"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Mila was the only Gryffindor to join in the clapping but she didn't care. She smiled at Draco who looked over the moon with the victory.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

The room went very still. Mila frowned.

"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes... "First — to Mr. Ronald Weasley..." Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn. "...for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."

Mila grinned at the sudden roars that erupted in the hall. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

"Second — to Miss Hermione Granger... for the use of cool logic in a stressful setting, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."

Hermione buried her face in her arms and Mila could see the trail of tears on her cheeks. She pulled the girl into a side hug, almost bursting into tears herself. She couldn't describe how proud she was of her and knew that Hermione's confidence needed that extra recognition.

"Third — to Mr. Harry Potter…" Dumbledore announced. The room went deadly quiet. "... for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points, exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the House Cup. Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.

"Fourth - to Mila Rosier…" Mila looked up so quickly she almost got whiplash. "For finding courage when faced between what is right and what is easy, I award Gryffindor House fifty points!" If it was possible the roaring became even louder. Mila's cheeks were burning bright red and she ducked her head down sheepishly.

"We all know there are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore moments later quieting down the Hall once more. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood up to yell and cheer as Neville, white with shock, disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. He had never won so much as a point for Gryffindor before. Mila stood up as well, clapping somewhat awkward as she turned to Hermione.

"What did he do?" Mila asked, raising her voice so that she could hear.

"Mila! We won!" Hermione screamed happily, either not hearing Mila or not caring enough to answer. "We won!"

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration." He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand, with a horrible, forced smile. Mila was happy, but she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment when she looked toward the Slytherin's table. Gryffindor's victory had every other table cheering for them even if they didn't earn the points in the proper way. But Slytherin had, they earned those points throughout the year yet no one cheered for them. She caught Draco's eyes and her disappointment grew. This wasn't fair.

Their exam results came late at night while the girls were packing the remaining of their stuff. Mila was so relieved to see she got the perfect marks in every class, especially Professor Snape's. Thank Merlin. She was in enough trouble as it was. A sense of pride bubbled in the pit of her stomach the more she looked at the results. Her teachers thought she was smart, they must have if they awarded her such marks. She liked that feeling. It was different than having her friends make remarks that she was good at a subject or Draco making fun of her for always having her head in the books.

After a quick comparison among the rest of the girls, it seemed that her and Hermione were the only girls at least in Gryffindor to achieve such high marks. She couldn't wait to see what Draco got.

"This is it, isn't it?" Hermione mumbled gloomily half an hour later.

"Yep," Mila agreed. The dormitory was mostly cleared out of everyone's belongings and it felt colder. Mila fiddled with the lock on her luggage trying to ignore the sudden lump at the back of her throat. She was looking forward to going home of course, she missed both Narcissa and Lucius dearly but the moment it was time to leave, she realized she didn't want to leave either.

"Promise you'll write,"

"Everyday," Mila cleared her throat harshly and blinked hard. This was stupid, she was just going home for a few months, and then she will be back, she should be too old for crying.

"You okay?" Hermione asked with a frown. Mila nodded, clearing her throat. She made sure not to meet Hermione's gaze directly for the remainder of their stay in Hogwarts.

The morning came faster than Mila had hoped that it would. She woke up early with a lump in her throat that she couldn't seem to get rid of. She propped herself with her elbows and looked around. The girls were still asleep and the room was basking in the sunlight. Mila sighed and glanced at where Margo was sleeping. The cat let out a long meow as Mila pulled her onto her lap. Eventually, Mila laid back down. She was going to miss this.

"You alright?" Draco grumbled out a couple of hours later when he sat down in the compartment. Luckily, none of the goons were there yet so they had it for themselves for now.

Mila nodded, looking out the window and stroking Margo's back. There were plenty of students walking past, dragging their luggage behind them.

"What you crying for?"

"I'm not crying." Mila defended herself quickly but her voice broke just as she said it.

"Merlin you are so weird,"

"Shut up, Draco" Mila grinned and if she had anything to hit him with, she would've.

It took a while to get back to King's Cross station and it was packed just as much with wizards as it was with muggles. Wordlessly, Mila and Draco navigated past the countless families reuniting until they found Narcissa and Lucius further away. While Mila and Draco hugged Narcissa, Lucius shrunk their luggage until they could fit into a pocket.

It was almost hard to believe that the first year was over. It was time to go home.

CEO of writing most of the chapter in one go and then taking a month to finish the last thousand words to connect every scene. Why am I like this :) Buttttt we finished the Philosopher's stone! I am honestly a little shook. Without your interest in the story, this wouldn't be existing. I stuck pretty close to the script cause it is the beginning of the story but now we are approaching year two and I have ideassssss. We also got the smallest glimpse of Mila's parentssss. We also got a glimpse into the Malfoy family. Lemme know what you think of the chapter x

Ghostwriter71- I'm so glad you think that! I read the book and was like damn they jumped to conclusions and actions real fasttt.

M - Thank you so much! Hope you like this.

I would say I'll update faster but apparently I can not be consistent to save my life. So hopefully the next part is gonna be soon hahahah. Thanks for reading x