Chapter Ten

A/N – Just so you know, there is a talent show at my school in two weeks and practice and auditions start soon…I might try out so it may take me a while to update…on to the story…

Neville stared in shock as he read the letter that his Gran sent. He sat back on the bench, letting the letter fall out of his hand. No one made a move for a moment, when Ron slowly reached forward and took it. The three leaned forward to read what was written

Neville,

I am so glad to hear that you are doing better in Potions…and before you ask, Professor Snape wrote me to let me know of your improvement. Yes, I did meet a girl Mia in St. Mundo's. The medi-witches had called me there to discuss new approaches with your parents. They heard a noise from their room and rushed out of the office, she wandered in during a nasty fit they were going through. Then it all went quiet, imagine my worry, I naturally thought that the worst had happened, like that one time, you know what I'm talking about. Now imagine my shock when I enter the room to see a child sitting on the edge of their bed, stroking your mother's hair. She must have done something right; Alice just lay there staring at her as Frank held her hand. It was beautiful. The doctors of course scolded her for being there, but I said it was all right if she visited them, she seemed to have given them peace for a moment or two. I am sorry though that I didn't tell you before about this, I didn't think you needed to know, what with all the OWL testing. Love you, Keep up the good work.

Gran

P.S. Mia cornered me just before I left…let's just say that you-know-what might happen to you-know-who. I trust her.

Ron too dropped the note, glancing quickly at Hermione. Even after reading Gran's reply they were still weary of Mia.

Harry on the other hand sat back, a content look on his face.

Ron leaned forward, re-reading the letter as Hermione spoke gently, "Neville…who is you-know-who…is it…Vold…"

Neville cut her off, "No, it isn't He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…" He left it there…which wasn't good enough for Ron.

"Well, who is it then?" he asked rather bluntly.

Neville took a deep breath before facing Ron. "It is a personal thing and I would appreciate it if you'd not ask about it." "Wow," he thought to himself, feeling braver for having spoken up against Ron, "Mia must be rubbing off on me…"

There was silence for a moment when a thought occurred to Harry, "Neville…what was Mia doing in St. Mundo's?"

Neville looked apprehensive for a moment before replying, "I don't really think I'm the one to tell you…it's Mia's story…you should ask her."

Ron was about to open his mouth when the doors opened to reveal Mia. She walked over to the table, "Hi Harry, Neville…" she said, "Ron, Hermione…" she added after a moment. "So…what's for breakfast?"

I

I

I

Harry and Mia were walking through the winding halls of Hogwarts on their way to the Divination tower for it was the 7th year week for tea leaves and tarot cards, Hermione and Ron were following close behind.

"So Harry," Mia started, making conversation, "have you watched the replay yet?" Harry shook his head, slightly embarrassed, "It's alright, I don't need it back right away, keep it as long as you need it." She paused, "Although, I can't wait till you watch it, they do some spectacular moves during the matches."

"I should be able to watch it tonight, all we have is Divination, and I basically just write how I will die a horribly painful death in a week or two." He said this so nonchalantly that Mia just had to laugh. "What?" he asked, starting to laugh as well.

Ron and Hermione scoffed as they walked by the now stopped pair, who were trying to catch their breath.

Mia looked up, wiping a tear from her eye, when a portrait caught her attention. Stepping away from Harry, she moved up to a beautiful painting of a Forest. She cocked her head looking at it, Harry moved up behind her as a beautiful reddish-gold Griffin walked onto the scene. Mia gasped slightly, a trembling hand reaching up to stroke the Griffin. It stretched as if it could feel her fingers petting it.

"Oh, Godric," she muttered, "What happened to you?"

Harry was about to ask who and what she was talking to when the Griffin moved to raise a paw. Mia peered closer, as did Harry, to see a large raw, red gash on his leg. Harry looked over at Mia, who had tears building in her eyes.

"Godric, I'm so sorry." She muttered. The griffin shook his head, stretching his wings and flying around the picture, making Mia laugh slightly. He landed and stretched, kneeling down, and was soon asleep in a nap.

Mia shook her head and walked away from the painting, followed by a curious Harry.

He opened his mouth to ask what just happened when Mia answered his unasked question, "That was Godric, he was a gift from my grandmother, right before she died. It was the only baby Griffin that her Griffin had, and she wanted me to have it. I'd visit him every time I came back to the school. But I couldn't come back last year…something must have happened…"

"Why was he in the picture?" Harry asked.

"Sometimes…" she started, "when a magical creature is severely injured…it's magic…it's essence can be put into a picture until it heals…I'll have to ask my uncle what happened while I was in St. Mundo's…"

They continued on in silence till they reached the Divination Hallway. "Mia…" Harry started, stopping for a moment. "Why…why were you in St. Mundo's?"

"I…I'm sorry Harry…I really can't tell you now…I…I'm not ready…" she laughed slightly, "Neville doesn't even really know…and he's been like a brother to me since I got here…" She shook her head and walked off.

Harry stood there for a moment longer…If Neville was like a brother to her…then what was he?

A/N – I know that it would be too soon for Mia to really look at Neville as a brother, it's only been about a week…but let's just say he's the only other guy who really talks to Mia besides Harry. Coming in later chapters: Mia's stay in St. Mundo's revealed, Ron's over reaction to Harry watching a Replay, a Halloween Party, a Yule Ball, Hogsmeade trip interrupted by Death Eaters…you know the usual…

Hee hee hee, I'm evil…