Try as she might, Draco was still giving Mia a slight cold shoulder as they walked through the castle doors and made their way to the great hall. Admittedly it was nice to not have to wait outside for her name to be called this time, but it would've been nicer if the people she was walking with were talking to her. Instead however, the blonde was going on about Harry and trying to find out exactly what had happened on the train. Why did it matter to him so much? It was petty. Draco was being petty.
The great hall looked amazing, even better than last year. Candles lined the ceiling and it took the younger girl a second to remember it wasn't real. Maybe she'd be able to learn that at some point. It would be pretty cool to have a bedroom ceiling like that every night.
Taking a seat beside Draco, Mia directed her attention to the Gryffindor table behind her. Who would be stupid enough to put the two rival tables next to each other? Probably Filtches idea of a joke. She spotted Ginny several places down and gave a small wave, not wanting to attract too much attention, though that plan went out the window as the twins noticed her. Both gave huge over exaggerated displays of 'waving', which only stopped when professor Mcgonagall entered along with the first years. The sorting ceremony didn't hold any of her interest however, and instead she took to observing Draco. He didn't seem to be paying attention either, and when the singing started it looked like he was trying to cover up his ears in concentration. What the hell was he thinking about? As soon as the singing ended however, his whole mood seemed to change and whatever little world he'd been in was gone.
"Are you ok?" Mia questioned, though got a shrug for an answer. Apparently his mood hadn't changed that much. Giving up she turned her attention back to the front where Dumbledore was now stood, preparing to make his annual start of year speech.
"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts," Several people clapped and cheered, though she wasn't one of them. "Now I'd like to say a few words before we all become to befuddled by our excellent feast. Firstly I'm pleased to welcome professor R.J Lupin; who's highly experienced as our defence against the dark arts teacher, good luck professor." Whilst the clapping sounded up again, Draco leant backwards to the Gryffindor table behind, his eyes fixed on Harry. What was he doing? Frowning the raven haired girl turned around aswell,
"Potter, Potter. Is it true you fainted," At the other side of Draco Crab did a very poor version of someone fainting. Thank goodness he didn't want to become an actor. "I mean you actually fainted?" The smirk was evident in the blondes voice, and she was happy it was back, but this wasn't fair to Harry. Though before she could say something Ron spoke up,
"Shove off Malfoy" He said with annoyance, forcing Harry the turn back towards his own group. Draco was still smirking to himself however as he too turned back to the table.
Dumbledore continued the rest of his speech, which stopped any attempt Mia was planning to start a conversation with the blonde, though he probably still wouldn't speak to anyway.
"And finally, our old care for magical creatures teacher has decided to take time off to spend time with their few limbs left, so I am pleased to announce professor rubeous Hagrid." Most of the Gryffindor and several from other houses stood up and clapped, though nowhere on the Slytherin table, including Mia dared. "And on a more serious note, as a request of the ministry of magic, Hogwarts will play host to the dementers of Azkaban, until Sirus Black is found. They will be placed at every entrance to the ground and whilst I'm insured that their presence wont interrupt day to day activities, dementers are dangerous creatures. It is not in their nature to be forgiving, so a word of warning to you all." No one clapped at this and everyone stayed silent until the food was magically placed on the tables. But Mia wasn't hungry.
Making their way back through the portrait hole, Mia too a look around the common room. It looked exactly the same, that unusual and slightly eerie green tinge still shinning around. The only difference was that first years were cluttering the place, making it harder for the dark haired girl to think. Pausing at the staircase entrances, she frowned. Where should she go? The girls dorm wouldn't be locked off to her anymore because it was the start of the year, but she doubted that would last long, and the atmosphere would be ridiculously uncomfortable. Well, that left camping out in the common room, or sharing with Draco again. That was providing he still had it and would let her ofcourse. And after the carriage incident… Well. Sleeping on the sofa was seeming more and more like the only option.
"What're you doing?" A voice questioned close behind her, sounding like water running over rocks. Giving a small shrug she turned to face Draco, glad he seemed to be speaking to her again. Even if he did look completely bored.
"Watching the earth go round?" She replied nothing more imaginative coming to mind. Atleast it sounded better than 'Well dear Draco, I don't quite know where I'm meant to sleep, will you let me share with you, your highness?' No. She wasn't about to say that.
"Well, when you're done," The blonde paused, side-stepping the younger girl and heading up the stairs, "I'll be in the shower." He continued, and disappeared. Was that her invitation to share the room again? Either that or he just felt like announcing his bathroom activities.
The room was just how she remembered, two four poster beds opposite each other, random books half-hearted stacked on the otherwise empty shelves, several articles of clothing cluttered the black otherwise immaculate carpet. And her own trunk was placed at the end of one of the beds. She was right to think it was an invitation then. Infact the only thing that seemed different was that music was playing all around the room. Since when did Draco listen to music? Then again, why wouldn't he? Frowning to herself, Mia shrugged her robe off onto the bed, before turning to face the bathroom door as it opened. Good timing, she thought.
"Music?" The younger questioned, taking a step away from the bed towards the damp haired blonde. It was strange seeing him with his normally perfectionately gelled back hair, messy and at odd angles. It suited him though. Maybe she could persuade him to keep it like that more often. He had black jeans on along with a deep blue, snugly fitted T-shirt, which along with matching his eyes perfectly, accentuated his muscles further. It was a rather distracting site.
"I like music" he said, silencing her internal babbling by taking a hold of her hand and spinning her around in circles.
"What're you doing?" She asked through laughter.
"Girls like spontaneous dancing, don't they?" Rolling her eyes Mia continued to twirl, stopping when Draco's hand went to lightly rest on her waist. Keeping a hold of his right hand, that had been twirling her, she put her other hand ontop of the blondes' shoulder. It was… nice.
"When did you learn to dance?" She said, hoping it wouldn't ruin the mood, but she couldn't help but being curious about it. The idea of the blonde taking ballroom lessons was something she couldn't help but query. To her surprise though, answered without stopping.
"Mother made me, when I was eleven. Something about it being 'proper'" he shrugged and both fell into a comfortable silence again, dancing slowly.
Unfortunately as soon as the song ended Draco let go and walked over to his bed, the small smile that had played on his lips now gone. How many mood swings did this boy have? It was like he had split personalities. After several seconds and no more music coming on, Mia followed, sitting down on the free side of the bed. She so desperately wanted to ask if anything – or anyone had happened when she'd left. But it didn't seem like the right time. Then again when was? Instead however, she vouched for another question,
"Why didn't you write to me?" It had been bugging her since they'd got onto the train. The blonde had promised to send her atleast one letter, but whilst she'd been staying with the Weasley's, Mia hadn't received anything.
"I did, I just never got to send it" There was an edge of bitterness to his voice now, that put the darker haired girl on edge herself. She'd thought he'd just forgotten, or hadn't been bothered. But there seemed to be more to it now. Without any warning however, and backing up Mia's theory of multiple personalities, Draco stood up and went to his mostly empty trunk. Unlike her, he'd seemed to have time to unpack. He rummaged around though hidden pockets for a while, and there were a lot of them, before turning and lying down on the bed, a letter held in one hand. Letting go of the paper, it floated down to land on the bed, and it took all of Mia's will power not to reach out and read it.
"You can," He muttered as if reading her mind. "It's yours." That confused her. Did he mean it was one of the three she'd written to him, or it was for her? Biting down on her bottom lip, she picked up the cream coloured paper and opened it. No, it was definitely Draco's flowing handwriting. Glancing away from the words and to the blonde, she was about to ask why he couldn't have sent it, but once again he seemed to read her thoughts.
"Just read it" He said, an arm coming up to lie across his eyes. Her eyes brows knitted together at that, though never the less she turned her attention back to the letter.
A/N: haha cliff-hanger! :P I guess you lot will just have to read the next chapter for the letter. It'll be up soon I promise. Thanks for reading, please review! Z-Nugget xx