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Chapter 7

Minerva McGonagall gazed out over the students of her house. Her heart broke for them, they looked forlorn, as if they knew that Mia was now in the castle and her resorting was only moments away. There was always a slim chance that she would remain a Gryffindor, but with the growing smirks at the Slytherin table, her hopes were whittled down by the second. Minerva thought back to when the Sorting Hat was placed on Hermione Granger's head. For a long time it was wondered why she was not placed in Ravenclaw, however her acts of bravery proved the decision. But now, it all made more sense, she was a soldier there to be brave and ensure the desired outcome of the war. Even still as she felt her connection with Hermione slipping away, Professor McGonagall couldn't help but be inspired and impressed and in awe of Mia. It wasn't until Professor McGonagall heard a cough over her left should that she was snapped out of her thoughts.

"Minerva", a smooth voice drawled, "it seems as though you are putting off the announcement you were asked to make. Cat got your tongue?"

McGonagall didn't have to turn to know that it was Severus Snape standing over her shoulder. She had no desire to turn and look at him, only to see his eyes shining with mirth at both his cat joke and at her misfortune at losing her best pupil to his house. She also decided that she would not acknowledge his comment with a direct answer.

"May I have everyone's attention", her voice boomed through the Great Hall with the help of the Sonorus charm, "There has been a slight change of plans. We no longer have to wait until dinner this evening to announce our new Head Boy and Head Girl; we will be doing this as soon as Professor Dumbledore arrives. There will also be a brief resorting ceremony. The faculty asks that everyone maintains composure through this time, the less fuss made, that quicker it will all be over."

On cue, just as she finished speaking the words, all the heads in the Great Hall snapped towards the large double doors that had just blow open. Dumbledore strode in first; the Sorting Hat tucked securely under his right arm, and made his way towards the stool that had been brought out for the occasion.

But it was not Dumbledore's movements that all eyes were trained on…

Mia took a deep breath to calm her nerves before following her headmaster into the Hall. She felt as if her life was just about to really begin, that she could finally be herself. She gave herself a quick check; shoes – perfection, leggings – just snug enough, tunic – long enough to make her leggings look chic and not trashy, loose neck giving just enough away, she ran a quick hand through her curls, put her head up and with her best strut walked right into the Great Hall.

Ron sat up a little straighter, able to stretch above the other students and get the first view. He felt like the breath was knocked out of him, she looked even better than she had on the screen. Her new look accentuated all of her curves, curves that seemed to have appeared over the summer. Her hair was longer, blonder now, and far tamer. The curls cascaded down her back, bouncing with every step she took. As she walked past his seat the he couldn't take his eyes off of her, the ends of her hair pointing right to her butt, an area Ron couldn't take his eyes off of.

Lavender pouted next to Ron, her tempts at snuggling into his lap only resulted in failure. When she had finally squirmed her way under his arm and into his lap, Ron turned his body to follow Mia's movements. His abrupt turn flung Lavender off his lap and onto the ground. While he did reach his hand out to help her up, he never even looked down.

Ginny watched her brother in disgust. She watched Mia in disgust. The only emotion, besides anger, that she would feel right now was disgust. This was not supposed to be the year of Hermione Granger. This was supposed to be the year of Ginny Weasley, she had taken the small amount of compensation money she earned from the war and invested in a new wardrobe. But her jeans and t-shirt looked like rags compared to Mia's.

This weekend had been the first time that a Gryffindor had so much in common with a Slytherin. Pansy sat at the table barley keeping a lid on her emotion, she white-knuckle the edge of the bench. She had to keep her hands occupied so that no one would notice that she was shaking with fury.

Mia crossed the Great Hall feeling the eyes boring into her back. This is nothing, she thought, they have been watching me all weekend. They have seen me change my clothes for Merlin's sake! In truth, Mia could care less about the attention. Well that wasn't true, it took everything she had in her to resist turned towards the green and silver draped table to look for a pair of steely grey eyes.

But if she had, she would have found those very eyes looked on her every movement…

"Ahem", Dumbledore made a feeble effort at bringing attention back to him, yet he continued on. "It seems a bit late now, but nevertheless, Welcome Back! We sit here today with much to celebrate and much to live for. I hope now more than ever, that we can put house differences aside and work for the greater good, for we all survived, and that alone is strong enough to unite and bridge the largest gaps."

Urging Mia to sit on the stool he carried on, "We won't pretend that secrets have not been exposed this weekend. In this new light, we can see people's true character. The sorting ceremony this afternoon is just another example of our ability to do just this. With the decision of the Sorting Hat, we officially recognize Mia Grangée as a student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Mia sat anxiously awaiting for the dirty old hat to be placed on her head. With any luck her sorting would go much the same way as Draco's had their first year and the hat wouldn't even have to touch her head for the decision to be made.

No such luck, she thought as she felt the weight of the hat on her head.

Mia could hear the hat's thoughts swirling around. Gryffindor was the correct house before, but things have changed drastically haven't they? My, my, what an identity you were hiding down there. What a strong family line, it's a wonder this decision wasn't instantly made before…

SLYTHERIN! The call of the hat rang out in the Great Hall. It was met with a variety of reactions. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had expected this outcome, and their expressions read with a tinge of boredom. Their lives would continue on much the same way they had before.

Gryffindor's emotions were across the board, some were bored, few were happy, but the majority of the faces fell. The younger female students felt lost, Hermione had been their role model, and someone they could always find in the dorm for help. The male Gryffindors felt despair, Hermione had been their sure fire way to get house points, there would be even more pressure on the already fragile quidditch team.

Harry tried to make eye contact with Mia sitting in front of the Great Hall. He felt oddly at peace with this decision. It had been becoming increasingly evident that Mia did not belong in his house, that she was fighting who everyone was forcing her to be with every fiber of her being. But he had felt that way his whole life until he had discovered Hogwarts, perhaps that mutual understanding of that feeling is what brought them together and made them such a good team. Harry didn't know how the next few days were going to go, but he was confident that when the dust settled, Mia would still be his friend. However, the same could not be said for he and Ron.

For the great majority, for everyone besides Pansy and the few friends she had left, of the Slytherin house, they were pleased with the expected outcome. A strong pureblood witch, she was a welcome addition. Even if she hadn't met their picky criteria, Draco was their leader and he approved, so they all would. But it definitely helped that she was a good looking pureblood witch from a wealthy, okay ridiculously wealthy, family that had connections with their own families.

McGonagall moved quickly to wipe the look of disappointment off of her face and moved to congratulate Snape. It hadn't meant to be the loser shaking hands with the victor, but that was exactly how if felt when Snape quirked his mouth up in smirk that screamed I won.

Dumbledore cleared his throat again and stepped beside Mia to remove the Sorting Hat. He had figured that this would happen, there was nothing more he could do but move on to the next order of business.

"While I have everyone's attention", Albus had to stop and chuckle, because there was no way he had anyone's attention, all eyes were flicking between Mia, the Gryffindor, and the Slytherin tables. "I would like to announce this year's Head Boy and Girl. For this first time in the history of Hogwarts, we will have our Head Boy and Girl coming from the same house. While this may have not been harmonious in the past, I have no doubt that our school will succeed under this year's leaders. Hogwarts, will you please stand and honor the new Head Boy and Girl, Draco Malfoy and Mia Grangée!"

Mia stood from the stool and gave a demure smile as she watched Draco make his way from the head of the Slytherin table towards were she stood. Summer had been good to Draco, she decided as she watched him move, even in his tailored black suit and emerald button-down she could see his muscles moving. He had bulked up quite a bit, his new look suited him, especially with his hair now free to move and not slicked back. Draco gave her a small, but genuine, smile as he came to stand next to her. The smile vanished into a smirk as he turned and looked out over the Great Hall. Now that he was next to her, Mia noticed he had grown taller as well, even in her 5-inch wedges Draco towered over her by a good 6 inches.

Draco couldn't help but smile at Mia's curious facial expression as she watched him approach. No doubt she was unsure as to how he would react, but if his plan were to work then she had to know that he welcomed her fully into his circle. He glanced down at her as they stood next to each other. Looking at her up close made him feel as though the screen had done her no justice. Mia was slim everywhere it matter, and filled out perfectly in the right places. Her lean legs lead up to a plush ass, he could tell she hid a flat tummy under her tunic top, which strained at the top, filled out by what Draco figured was a solid D cup. As Dumbledore walked by them he created just enough wind that Mia's scent filled Draco's nostrils, he decided right then that he had to be enveloped in that scent as soon as possible.

Snape walked over to the pair as the applause died down, "Mia, welcome to what you will find is by far the superior house. Draco, why don't you take Mia back to the table for lunch and when you both are finished a houseelf will come and escort you both to the Heads' Suite."

"Thank you, Professor", "Yes, Sir", Mia and Draco spoke at the same time. Mia quickly glanced up and Draco and smiled, but turned her head quickly after. It wouldn't do to let him know she liked him before she knew how he felt, or could feel.

Just as she was taking her first steps towards her new house, Mia felt a strong hand at the base of her spine, guiding her movements.

"You'll sit down here with me." Draco couldn't contain himself; he had to touch her in some way, in any way. It is impulsive, his need to feel her beneath him, even if was just his hand on her back…for now.

"Oh, I will?" Mia turned her head and quirked her eyebrow as she looked up at him. This was the take-charge wizard she knew, not one that gave out smiles.

"Yes, you will." Draco bent and all but purred in Mia's ear. Even though she turned her head and continued walking seemingly unaffected, Draco felt the shiver that ran down her spine.

MORE COMING SOON! I am really trying to turn out longer chapters and definitely MUCH faster. THANK YOU, to all who have stuck with this story!

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