Chapter Seventeen

"Are you sure you're alright?" asked a concerned Harry. One who was currently carrying Mia's books as the walked slowly to the Gryffindor tower…

…much too slowly for Mia's liking. She sighed exasperatedly, "Yes, I'm fine…" She reached out and took her books from Harry, "I'm not dieing Harry."

He sighed, "I know…but just thinking of what could have…"

"HARRY!" Mia called, snapping him out of his train of thought. "ENOUGH!" She sighed, shaking her head, "I can take care of myself. You saw that…" Then a thought occurred to her, "But you on the other hand…"

Harry shook his head, not liking where the conversation was going, "Hey, don't try to change the subject…and besides I'm not that bad. Have you forgotten that I beat Voldemort more than once?"

"On pure dumb luck. Harry let me ask you a question…what are you going to do if Voldemort gets your wand from you? Or worse yet, breaks your wand?" She looked for Harry's reaction, noting that, based on his face, he hadn't thought of that. "My point exactly. You need more worry than I do."

Harry stuttered, leading to a laughing fit from Mia. "Well what do you propose I do?" he asked indignantly.

Mia thought for a moment, walking over to the tapestry that hid the long tunnel to Gryffindor Tower. Harry followed stunned, not knowing that there was a tunnel behind there. "I know," Mia said after a moment, her voice echoing slightly, "I'll teach you."

Harry stopped walking, "What?"

Mia turned, walking backwards, "I'll teach you how to defend yourself…you know, self defense…I practice Occulmancy with Professor Snape…and he told me how badly you did, but I think I can help…" This led her onto a tangent about the different types of weapons she could teach him, and some wandless magic he should be able to do…

Harry just laughed, which stopped Mia's rant, just out side the Fat Lady's Portrait, "Alright, so when do you propose we do this 'defense training'?"

Mia thought, turning to the portrait, "Dormiens Vita." The portrait opened, "How about after dinner three times a week?"

Harry nodded, following her into the common room, full of students preparing for the Ball. He still couldn't believe that after spending a week in the Hospital Wing recovering from a sword wound, Mia still wanted to make it to the ball…

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Harry walked down the stairs dressed in his previous Yule Ball attire to the Common Room, still occupying a few students…Ron and Hermione among them…unfortunately.

He shook his head, trying to walk past them, but Ron headed after him, followed by Hermione.

"Harry mate," He said stepping up to him, "I need to talk to you…"

Harry glared at him. So, Hermione stepped up, "It's about Mia."

"What again?" Harry nearly shouted, however noting that the common room wasn't exactly empty, he toned it down to a whisper…thankful that Mia wasn't in the room. "Will you two give it up already!"

He started to walk away when Ron grabbed his arm. "Not until you listen to us."

Harry stared at his 'friend', there was a threat underlying his tone. Harry glanced around the semi-crowded room, before pulling his arm from Ron and walking out into the hall. He turned, glaring at his 'friends'. "What?"

"Alright, mate, now just listen to what we have to say before you say anything…" Ron took a breath, "Mia…something's not right about her…you know?"

"No I don't," Harry said, "Why don't you explain it to me."

Ron sighed, "She practices Occulmancy with Snape. Did she tell you that? What does she need to know Occulmancy for? Now, not even Dumbledore will know what she's planning." Harry rolled his eyes. "What does she need to hide? Think if she can fool him, what's to stop her from fooling you too?"

Lavender and Seamus, stepped out of the portrait hole, laughing at something. The group got quiet waiting till the couple passed. Before Harry could speak, Hermione stepped up, "Harry just think for a moment, remember the potion Snape asked her to make? Why would she need to make a Discrima potion?"

"It's not only that!" Ron practically shouted, "For the love of Merlin Harry, she was doing the Crucio curse with Snape!"

Harry had had enough, "Oh, will you two just stop it!"

"Harry why won't you just listen to me for a minute!" Ron yelled, "She's bewitched you! She must have slipped you a Love potion or cast an Enchantment or something! You can't even see that she's a danger to you!"

Ron's knee suddenly gave out and he found himself on the ground, Hermione running to his side. "You've flipped your lid," He started to walk off, Ron getting up.

"Have I!" Ron asked.

Harry stopped, "Yes, you have." He stated simply, "Not that it is any of your business, but I haven't even touched Mia, there's no way she could have cast the Enchantment spell. It requires physical contact."

"Yeah right!" Ron snorted, "You're so full of it. I've seen you touch her."

"Oh right," Harry scoffed, "A pat on the back or holding hands…always through fabric. Every time one of us gets close to touching something happens, or we wear gloves or have bandages blocking it!"

Then Ron said something that made Harry see red. "She's your girlfriend and you haven't even touched her! It's a wonder that she hasn't gone running to Malfoy!"

Suddenly Ron went flying into the wall, being held there by an invisible force. Hermione gave a little yell. Harry stalked over to him, "If you ever say that again…if you ever insult Mia like that…if you don't stop trying to make her out to be Voldemort…I will never forgive you…EVER!"

Just then Mia came out of the entrance, a sleeveless white dress with sleeves from the elbow down, with a gold trim. (imagine princess Fiona's (from Shrek) dress but white…and sleeveless...) Ron fell to the floor, as Hermione ran over to him, drawing Mia's attention. "Harry?" she asked, walking towards him slowly.

Harry had his eyes closed, trying to control the rage he was feeling. He was breathing deep, still seeing red behind his closed lids, when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He visibly relaxed, opening his eyes to face Mia's worried glance. His features softened, and he smiled slightly, now completely at ease.

"Are you alright?" She asked, ignoring the couple on the floor. Harry nodded, offering his arm, and leading the way down to the Great Hall.

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"Harry are you sure you're alright?" Mia asked once again. They were on the dance floor once again, a nice slow song playing in the background. Mia had her arms around Harry's neck and his were resting on her waist. "You seemed pretty angry back there…what did Ron do to make you so angry?"

Harry sighed, "Nothing…just Ron being Ron…"

The music changed suddenly to a fast paced tune, unfortunately the couple was too slow to react to the change. Harry was pushed from behind, bumping into Mia. She stumbled slightly, Harry grabbing her upper arms for support…flesh met flesh for the first time…and both were lost…

The couple froze among the students jamming around them, staring into each other's eyes. They were deaf to the music…only hearing two hearts beating as one. The students around them faded until they were the only two left in the Hall. There was a faint pressure around them, the other students, their only sense that there were other people there.

Eyes locked, Harry's hands trailed their way to Mia's. She looked down at his hands in hers; looking up she let go of his right hand, leading him through the crowd towards the side doors that led out side. They walked out onto the small patio on the side of the school, she paused, unsure of where to go.

So Harry took the lead. He tugged lightly on Mia's arm, leading her to the path towards the gardens…completely unaware of two students following them…

Mia and Harry walked over to the small fountain in the middle of the garden, sitting on the edge of it. Harry's hand came up to her cheek, and Mia leaned into his touch. Slowly, ever so slowly, they both leaned in…and their lips met in a light caress, electricity running through the both of them. It was soft and gentle, a first true kiss for the both of them. They broke apart slowly, staring into each other's eyes…

"Wow," Was all Harry could say.

"Yeah," Mia replied, blushing slightly at what they had just done.

Their eyes met again, and they leaned in…this time more quickly than before, for a second kiss…and then a third. The kisses deepened with each one. Soon it became a battle for domination, tongues dueled for power. Two students looked away in disgust, a red head turned to drag a bushy haired brunette back to the castle.

The couple broke apart only when air became a necessity again. Both were breathing heavily, and blushing deeply. They glanced at each other, and laughed at the situation. Harry stood, feeling undeniably happy and complete at last. He turned to Mia, smiling, offering her his hand. She took it, and they walked back to the castle, fingers laced.

They arrived back at the castle just as another slow song began to play, Harry led Mia onto the dance floor, taking her in his arms to sway to the music, noticing how she fit into his arms perfectly…

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The night had been nothing short of magical…as ironic as is sounded. Harry had never been happier, neither had Mia. The night was perfect. They had been one of the last couples to leave the Hall, not really noticing.

They had just made it into the hall when Harry was pushed into the wall. He turned suddenly to see Ron glaring at him, wand drawn…the smell of the spiked punch on his breath…

"Ron!" Harry called, "Geroff!" He pushed Ron off him, who stumbled slightly. Hermione was nowhere to be seen. "What is you problem!"

"My problem? MY PROBLEM!" Ron shouted, slightly slurred in speech. "You're the one…going off with one of you-know-who's minions! She's just a little enchantress who wants to kill you! She's just a little…"

Ron never got a chance to finish the statement when Harry's fist collided with his jaw. Ron reacted, slowly, but reacted nevertheless. Which led to an all out brawl.

"Stop it!" Mia called to deaf ears, tears forming in her eyes. "STOP IT!" The windows shattered along the hall. "JUST STOP IT!" The various items of furniture started to shake as the doors to the Hall burst open to reveal the teachers followed by Hermione.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Professor Snape shouted completely ignored by the two fighting boys.

Mia ran towards the teachers, towards her Uncle, Hermione guesses. And so she was completely shock when, instead of running to Snape, Mia leapt into Dumbledore's arms. "Please…" She whispered into his robes, "make them stop…"

Dumbledore clasped his hands together and threw them apart, sending the boys flying to opposite ends of the hall. "ENOUGH!" he shouted as Hermione ran to Ron…who was just as shocked to see Mia latched onto Dumbledore rather than Snape.

Snape walked past the students, leading the way for the Headmaster and his granddaughter. He stopped to face the group on the floor. "Weasley! Granger! Looks like you'll be serving detention with me for another month!"

He headed off just as McGonnagal finished repairing the broken windows. She turned to glare at the once golden trio. "I am very disappointed in you." Was all she said, "I would have expected better from you."

Soon the three students found themselves to be alone in the Hall. Harry stood as Hermione helped Ron stumble to his feet. "Dumbledore's her uncle?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Of course. But you wouldn't have known that would you?" Harry asked roughly, "You didn't bother to get to know her." He glared at them before turning to leave, shaking his head…

Harry found Mia sitting in the Gryffindor Common room in her white pajamas, eyes still slightly puffy from crying. He felt sick with himself, he couldn't believe that he had been such an idiot…she probably never wanted to see him again or worse yet hated…

"Don't even finish that thought Harry," She said staring at him. "I could never hate you."

"Bu…how…" Harry stuttered.

"Occulmancy does come in handy." She sighed, "What happened back there Harry?"

"I don't know," He said honestly, sitting down next to her. She leaned over resting her head on his shoulder. "I just remember seeing red…I was so angry at Ron and Hermione for everything they did to you…"

"It's alright Harry," Mia whispered, eyes drooping, "I forgive them…after all," she yawned, "They just want to protect you…"

"Yeah," Harry muttered, eyes drooping closed, lulled by Mia's soft breathing. "But I don't need to be protected…especially from you…"

Harry drifted off to sleep; completely unaware of the small frown that made it's way onto Mia's face before she too fell asleep.

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Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table next to Neville a few days after the Yule Ball, just playing with his food. He hadn't really seen Mia that much…something about a project with Snape…

He shook his head, about to get up and leave when Mia burst through the doors. She ran towards the table something clasped in her hand. She ran right over to Harry and Neville, excitement clearly showing through her eyes.

"Follow me," She said to Harry and Neville. She started to walk off…but when Neville remained sitting, she came back and practically dragged him out of the room, followed quickly by Harry…and a pair of spying 'friends'.

She shut the door to the great hall, spinning quickly to face Neville. She thrust a Vial of a glowing neon blue liquid into his hands. He started at it for a moment before staring back at her, question obvious in his eyes.

She shook her head at him, "A Salute potion…" He stared, not knowing why he would need a healing potion. Mia sighed, "For your parents…"

A/N – Next chappy a trip to St. Mundo's…will Mia's potion work? Will Neville's hope rise just to fall down in a flaming ball of misery that will cause an unstoppable flow of death and retribution to all who encounter it?

Just kidding…but there is a trip to St. Mundo's and Mia's full history is discovered…