Mia awoke under the covers of the double bed, still in her uniform, though her robe was now folded neatly beside her. She frowned sure she hadn't fallen asleep like. Shrugging, the fourth year sat up, pushing the duvet off and peering around. A sleeping form was in the bed opposite, a tuft of white hair sticking out being the only clue to who it was. She had no idea where he'd been or what he'd been doing, and had fallen asleep before he'd gotten back.
She showered quickly, getting dressed into a clean uniform and tying her dark wavy hair into a braid before leaving the bathroom. Draco was still asleep, so after throwing a show at him and listening to the curse of response, Mia left him to it, padding out of the room, through the crowded common room, past the dungeons and up the stairs to the great hall. She stopped in her tracks once reaching the double door at the sight unfolding however. There were still four h8ge oak tables, but Gryffindor's seemed to have joined up with Ravenclaws, all huddled around one table, whilst several Hufflepuffs buzzed around them. Only the Slytherins were sat alone at their allocated table. The two free tables were filled with Beaux Batons and Durmstrang students, laughing and talking with their own groups. Not wishing to really stand out too much, the brunette weaved through groups, smiling back at five muscled Durmstrang boys.
"Min Skjønnhet" one of them called, the language too foreign for her to even attempt at translating, and instead just offered another smile over her shoulder before sitting down at the Slytherin table.
Draco didn't make an appearance during breakfast, and Mia worried he was still sleeping as she walked to her defence against the dark arts class. Thankfully she noticed the tall blonde lounging against the door.
"Where the hell have you been?" she demanded, standing in front of him. He just shrugged as response. "And where were you last night? She was starting to feel like his mother, which wasn't helped by the second shrug he gave. Mia let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand along her braid. Why did he have to be so difficult? The door opened magically before she could ask another question, and instead chocked back a laugh as Draco stumbled backwards. Everyone else pretended not to notice as they went in, taking their seats and waiting for class to begin in relatively silence.
"Alistair Moody" he had walked in- or rather limped in, demanding attention immediately. "Ex auror, and your next defence against the dark arts teacher". His voice was gruff as he wrote on black board. "I am here because Dumbledore asked me, end of story, good bye. The end." Mia's eyebrows shot up slightly as she listened to him, quite certain he was in fact mad. Did Dumbledore not believe in a normal defence teacher? Ever? "When it comes to the ark arts, I believe in a practical approach." Several people risked a glance at the Slytherin still remembering what had happened two years ago with the last 'practical approach', though she chose to ignore them all and keep her eyes straight. "First, which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?"
"Three sir" Hermione said before anyone else could even think about the question.
"And they are so named, why?"
"Because they are unforgivable. To use one will-"Moody cut her off, his writing on the board getting faster and more aggressive
"Earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban. Correct! Now the ministry saves you're too young to see what these curses do," Mia had to agree with the ministry there. She had no desire to see someone being tortured, killed or whatever else. "I say differently" oh, what a surprise! "you need to know what you're up against, you need to be prepared, and you need to find another place to put your chewing gum besides the underside of your desk Mr Finnegan!" everyone turned to look at him, some in shock considering Mood hadn't turned away from the board. Shamus began to mutter something, but stopped as the 'teacher' the term being used loosely, threw the piece of chalk art him. "Weasley!" he barked, causing everyone to look back to the front.
"Yes?" Ron asked, his voice shaking slightly. Draco smirked. Mia elbowed him lightly under the table.
"Stand" Ron stood slowly, fear evident on his face. What was he expecting? Moody to test a curse out on him in front of everyone? Then again…"Give me a curse" the whole room seemed to hold their breath in anticipation, wondering what would happen if he couldn't.
"Well," he began, his voice fully cracking this time. "My dad did tell me about one… the imperious curse."
"Oh yes, your father would know all about that, gave the ministry quite a bit of grief a few years ago…" he trailed off, possible reliving the memory, his false eye- that was incredibly creepy, moving rapidly. "Perhaps this will show you why" he turned, walking over to the glass jars on his desk and taking out a spider. Mia bit down on her lip, not too keen on them at the best of times, and this one certainly wasn't small, or the best of times. "Imperio!" Moody said, pointing his wand at it then forcing it to move onto a desk. By the time he'd flicked it at Crab's head, Mia's was having a hard time not laughing, watching the dog squirm was hilarious. Though not as god as Ron's face was when the spider hovered over his head, like it were tap dancing. Moody's laugh was veering on demonic. Draco seemed to find it funny too, a sneer more than a laugh parting his lips, of which caught Moody's attention. "What are you laughing at?" he demanded, sending the spider at his face. The blonde whimpered, but Mia had already jumped out of her seat, taking several steps back. She only sat down again when the spider was hanging over a cup of water, far from them. "What shall I have her do next? Drown herself?" it struggled over the water, but was unable to free itself. Finally he brought it back to sit on his hand. "Thousands of witches and wizards claimed they only did you know who's bidding, because they were under the influence of the imperious curse. But here's the problem. How do we sort out the liars?" no one in the class could answered that, hell even the ministry couldn't answer that! "Another!" Moody shouted, waiting for most of the class to raise their hands, including Mia. Of course she knew one. It closely resembled what she'd used on Lockhart, Tonks and almost Draco several months ago, he didn't pick her for an answer however, pointing to Neville instead who stood up.
"Professor Sprout tells me you have a knack for herbology" Neville nodded, smiling slightly, but it disappeared as he spoke.
"There's the erm… the cruciartus curse".
"Correct! Come, come" he ushered Neville- who was looking more and more uncomfortable by the second, to his desk where the spider was placed. "The torture curse. Crucio!" Mia couldn't watch, her eyes darting to the wooden floor boards. She could hear Neville's sounds of distress, which seemed to make the whole thing worse. Shutting her eyes didn't even help. Cold fingers brushing hers did distract her slightly however, and she gratefully entwined her fingers within Draco's.
"Stop it!" Hermione shouted suddenly, and the blonde pulled his hand away instinctively. "Can't you see it's bothering him? Stop it!" Moody finally looked up, taking in Neville's traumatised expression and moved his wand, stopping the spell. He picked up the spider and [laced it on Hermione's books.
"Perhaps you could give us the last unforgivable curse miss Granger?" the muggleborn shook her head, looking close to tears. Mia's eyes were still on the floor, knowing what was about to come. "Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green light left Moody's wand and hit the spider, making it go motionless and gold in on itself. Dead. "The killing curse" he explained to anyone who hadn't realised. "Only one person is known to have survived it, and he's sitting in this very room." He walked over to Harry, who refused to look up at first, as if embarrassed by his 'fame'. Moody took a swig from a flask he kept in his pocket, and although the Slytherin had no idea what it was, she was sure it wasn't pumpkin juice.
The class ended not long after, everyone hurrying out quickly, not wanting to be the last in the room with Moody.
"That was horrible" Mia muttered as they walked down the winding staircase, offering Neville an apologetic look as they passed him. He was stood, stoic and staring out the stained glass window, even Draco9 didn't mock him and carried on walking.
A/N: I've had over 100 reviews! It's been just over a year since this story was first published on here, and that had made me so incredibly happy. The winner was sent part of a later chapter, and the comment I got back was good, so I'm pretty sure the rest of you will find the events of the next year interesting as well. Keep reviewing though! Just because I've reached 100 in no way means you should stop. And if I have to bride you lot to get more reviews I will! The more that I get the quicker these chapters will get put up :P that should be incentive enough. Z-Nugget xx