Chapter 7: Chocolate Frog Cheesecake

Mia had accepted that she would never see the Mirror of Erised again. She told herself to simply put it out of her mind. Her number one priority after school is her friends. And she was determined to get in good graces with them again.

Since she's met Draco, Mia had paid attention to him. His likes, dislikes, and favorite pastimes. Quidditch was one of them. Along with sweets. Mia decided to tackle the latter. She had mentioned to him once that her mum made a mean Chocolate Frog Cheesecake, and Draco always pestered her to get her mum to send over some. Mia never did. That should be a start.

Mia took out her parchment and ink as she had done every week, to send a letter to her mum. They usually contained nothing of significance. Mia didn't want to give her mum any reason to worry and sending any letters with any out of the ordinary information would be recipe for a Howler. Mia's brother, Mason was known in Hogwarts for getting weekly Howlers from mum.

The letter Mia planned to send was as follows:

Dear Mum,

Hope you and Dad are doing okay. What are you up to?

Nothing quite out of the ordinary from over here.

I'm doing pretty good in my classes.

Potions class is brilliant. I hope to see you guys over Christmas Break.

Sincerely,

Your favorite daughter (Mia)

P.S. Can you send over your famous Chocolate Frog Cheesecake?

My friends really would like to try some, and I've missed it.

Mia made her way up the stairs to the mailing room to find the family owl, Bixby. Mia spotted the flecked brown fur of her owl and gave him the letter.

"Give this to mum, Bixby. I'll see you later!" Mia told the owl, after giving it a treat from her bag. Bixby nuzzled her hand in response and flew through the window.

Mum's reply came quick. Almost suspiciously quick. When the post came during lunch, Mia was immediately confused. She received a slim letter, not a box or a tin where the cheesecake would be. Hesitantly, Mia opened the letter addressed to herself.

Dear Mia,

Your father and I are doing splendid as usual.

We went out with the Cho's last night for dinner.

I'm glad you are enjoying your Potions class, dear.

However, do remember to pay attention to your other classes as well.

As for your request to send over some the Chocolate Frog Cheesecake,

I simply haven't got the time to make it, sweetie.

Your father and I are packing for our trip to Lisbon.

I think it would be much more personal if you were to make it yourself.

Don't you think so? You've helped me make it plenty of times.

I'm sure you'll do well. I attached the recipe in case you've forgotten.

See you Christmas!

Cheers,

Your favorite Mum

Bloody hell. Of course she'd just send the blimmin' recipe. That's great. Just great. She looked over the familiar recipe. It wouldn't be hard at all, but she'd need the proper ingredients and kitchen space, which Mum had obviously forgotten was necessary when making this dish. Unless…the Hogwarts kitchen! She could sneak back there and make the cake in the kitchen. The elves would be happy to let Mia make it there. They might even help a little. This'll be a piece of cake. Literally.

Mia went to all her classes and finished her homework in a daze as she thought about the plan. Would it be enough to sway Draco into being friendly again? She was growing tired of sitting alone for most of the day, and she craved their light banter.

After dinner, and when most people left the Great Hall for their dormitories, Mia snuck into the corridor, and tickled the pear on the painting as she had seen Harry do it the last time. The elves were ecstatic to see Mia again and were eager to help Mia retrieve all the ingredients in the recipe. One elf, Muffy, was especially excited.

"Is there a special reason Master Barnes is making cake in Hogwarts kitchen?" Muffy asked curiously as she was unboxing the Chocolate Frogs.

"As a matter a fact, Muffy, yes. I am trying to get in good graces with Draco again. He always begged for me to get the cake from my mum. It would be more special if I made it for him myself" Mia replied back.

"Me think so too, Master Barnes!"

"Alright let's do this!" Mia exclaimed with enthusiasm.

They followed the given recipe meticulously and Mia remembered the charms necessary for keeping the Chocolate Frogs still on the cheesecake. Mia smiled as she found a chance to use her beautiful cherry wood wand again.

"Immobulus!"

The Chocolate Frogs froze perfectly, which pleased Mia. She hated the idea of eating something still moving, another reason for being vegetarian, but she made an exception for Chocolate Frogs because they were spelled to be act like real frogs.

After some decorating with the help of the other house elves, the Chocolate Frog Cheesecake was ready. Looking at her watch, she saw she still had time to give the cake to Draco today. He would still be in the Great Hall with Crabbe and Goyle.

Mia set off with the cake carefully boxed up in her nervous hands. She thanked the elves over and over for their help and promised to visit again soon. Mia had a vice grip on the box. The last thing she wanted was for the cake she made to drop.

Mia made it to the top of the stairs and headed into the Great Hall. To her relief, Draco and the entire gang of Ravenclaws and Slytherins were still there. She plopped down in her usual seat across from Draco and put the box on the long table before he could say anything.

"Draco. I made the Chocolate Frog Cheesecake from scratch just for you. I promise nothing is going on between me and Potter. Can we please be friends again?" Mia said in a rush.

The look on Draco's face was utter shock and a glimmer of happiness. She knew he couldn't stay angry for this long over something so stupid. He gave her a smirk and eyed the box.

"May I? I need to have a taste before I make my decision" Draco replied. What? He was meant to just accept the apology straightaway. Mia nodded her head yes anyways, knowing her cake was made perfectly. She and the house elves made it, for goodness sake!

Draco opened the box and went at it with his fork. She can tell he liked it. He's not saying anything, no doubt desperately trying to play it off cool.

The Crabbe and Goyle were itching to take a bite too, and now that Mia looked as well, the entire table was eyeing them with anticipation. Mia made eye contact with her sister. They gave each other a knowing look.

"Well, let me have some Malfoy! You're not gonna finish that by yourself!" Crabbe complained to Draco.

"Fine have at it." Draco said as he stood up from the table. Mia was worried, until he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the Great Hall.

"Where are we going, Draco?" Mia asked, confused, but completely euphoric. After a couple minutes of dragging, they made it a secluded and dark corridor, completely cut off from everyone else.

"I can't believe you made that cake for me. I was going to forgive you next week anyways" Draco eyed Mia with a smirk.

"Did you miss me, Draco?" Mia returned with her own smirk.

"Maybe…" Draco said, taking a step closer to Mia.

Is this really happening? That's the first thought that pops into Mia's head. She really wanted her first kiss to be Draco. Her body listening to her brain, made Mia lean in closer to Draco.

Both their eyes fluttered close as their lips touched. It was short and sweet. Mia could taste the Chocolate Frog Cheesecake on his lips.