A/N: Sorry this has taken so long to get up, I've been having some technical difficulties and honestly not knowing how to start this chapter. I know I've missed out a huge chunk, the first task, but as Mia isn't really involved all I would be doing is describing what's happening and if you wanted that you'd be reading the book right now. So I've gone onto the next main point, the Yule Ball.
Oh and also I don't think I can make this any clearer or say it any more times, BELLATRIX IS NOT I REPEAT NOT PART OF THE BLACK FAMILY. She is NOT Narcissa's sister; they are not related in any way! That means Mia is NOT related to Narcissa, NOR Draco. This is not an incest story, Mia is not related in anyway what so ever to the black family. Please, for my sanity will people stop saying she is. I CHANGED it to make it viable which I have stated at least 5 times throughout the story so far. Everyone got that now?
"You can't be serious" Draco was stood by the door of their shared room, his dress robes for the evening piled messily in his arms, a disgruntled look covering his features. The room was a mess, literally resembling that of a war zone with all the clothes, makeup and hair products, at least half curtsey of Draco.
"Deadly. I need to get ready" Mia was half buried under one particular avalanche, only her legs and back visible as she rummaged for Merlin only knew what.
"'Getting ready' doesn't involve taking over my room and kicking me out!" he huffed, though was already opening the door as her correction about it being 'their' room was spoken. He glanced over his shoulder just as it was shutting, smiling sadly at the others back. "Forgive me" he whispered, but was drowned out by the thump of the wood.
ZNZNZN
2 ½ hours later Draco was stood, now in his dress robes at the bottom of the dormitory stairs. It was taking all of his self control, but as Pansy sauntered over he was managing to keep a blank expression and not gag. She didn't look particularly good, the pink dress quite frankly just made her look fat and what perfume she had bathed in was far too overpowering. He regretted asking her- hell, that had happened seconds after he had. But this was for the best.
"Hi Draco" she purred, drawing out his name for a few extra syllables so it sounded more like 'Draaacoooo'.
"Pansy" the blonde responded, attempting to give his infamous smirk that he really wasn't feeling.
"For a while there I thought you were going to ask Mia" She tried to say it nochtulantly, but it wasn't hard to pick up the smugness to her voice. He gave a short laugh, one that lacked all humour and caused Pansy to blink cluelessly several times like the idiot she was. Nothing was funny in the slightest about this situation.
Before the conversation could go any further however, the girl in question became visible, slowly descending the staircase. Her dark hair was mostly pulled back into an intricate braid, with several perfect ringlets framing her face and the green emerald hairclip, the exact same shade as her dress, was holding her sweeping fringe in place. Once again the blondes self control was called into question as he took in the hair, the vibrant eyes, deep red lips. He was unable to prevent his own eyes from widening and his mouth opening slightly at the sight of the dress though. From what he could tell, it was a halter neck, a thin green jewelled strap snaking around her neck, her back completely exposed; showing what he was certain would be incredibly soft ivory skin. A string of emotions flashed across his features; adoration, desire, shock and regret being just some of them. Luckily by the time Mia reached the floor they had all been pushed firmly away. Pansy also chose that moment to move closer, slipping her arm around his and literally clinging to him. Ideally he would have pushed her away- she was a leech after all, but that wasn't an option right now.
"What's going on?" He could hear the quiet accusation in the fourth year's voice and wanted to squash it immediately. Yet his answer didn't do that.
"Pansy's my date." The facade nearly slipped when Mia's face fell, the temptation, need, to pull her into his arms and never let go almost too overwhelming. Almost. He could understand, of course she'd been expecting to go with him, he'd probably insinuated it at least ten times. However that didn't make it possible.
"Could you stay somewhere else tonight? Well, unless you're into watching..." Now, Draco had never hit a girl before, and in every other circumstance found the thought repulsive, but after Pansy's comment just then, his view nearly changed. How could she even suggest such a thing? There would be no need for Mia to stay elsewhere because Pansy wouldn't be getting anywhere near his room. But if the younger believed it was true it could make her hate him. And that would keep her safe. He couldn't keep looking at her though; if he kept eye contact she'd see the truth. Turning his head to the side, the blonde ignored Mia when she said his name, the broken whisper making his heart ache. Not that any of his feelings showed with that stoic look on his face. He didn't hear what she mumbled, but did catch sight of her tears as she fled from the common room. It tore him up inside, every part of his body telling him to run after her. If only that was possible. Instead he shoved Pansy, not too gently away, showing a glare that would have had most first years running.
"What was that?" He hissed, taking out all of his self hatred on her.
"I'm your date-" the pug started to say, looking honestly confused. Ha, like she didn't know! Now that was laughable.
"And I'm regretting that by the second" He wasn't trying to keep his voice down anymore, so really didn't care when a group of 5th years looked over curiously. Maybe this was all a mistake. If he was quick enough he could still catch up to Mia and apologise. Then his father's words echoed in his head. Lucius had seen them in the maze that day. The younger blonde had been stupid to kiss her so openly; he'd been stupid to kiss her at all. And he'd paid for it. But his father was a cunning man, a trait which Draco himself had inherited, and realised his tactics were no longer working. This time he'd brought Mia into the acquastion, and if Draco didn't stay away as instructed, it would be the brunette who would pay the price.
She ran. Without thinking where or why. She just ran. And if it hadn't been for someone grabbing her arm gently as the entrance hall came into sight she probably wouldn't have stopped.
"What's the rush?" Initial fear that the voice and hand belonged to Draco who had followed her and now wanted to explain caused her to pull away. Of course it wasn't the blonde though. "Hey." No, it was one half of a twin who was now looking rather worried. Mia opened her mouth to say something, anything, but no words sounded. Instead a mix between a sob and a hiccup came out, which was enough for Fred to move his hand to the forth years bare back and guide her down an emptier corridor, away from prying eyes. And then he did something which would have shocked her under any other circumstance; for once in his life, Fred Weasley, who was notorious for asking questions and joking around, didn't. This time he put his arms around the younger's shaking form and pulled her against him, him mouth staying completely shut.
They stood like that for over five minutes, the redhead waiting until the other had calmed down enough and stepped back out of his arms.
"What happened?" Ok, so maybe he did give into one question finally, but in his defence it had been eating at him and he could take an educated guess about who would be involved. It took several more attempts for words to actually come out, and even then they were slightly mumbled and broken.
"He said- with her- I can't." Fred took a deep breath; his blood starting to boil at who he was certain had caused this. But he had to be sure.
"He who?" The brunette looked up through wet lashes, her eyes finally meeting his. She could tell he was angry, something she couldn't remember ever seeing before, so maybe telling him the truth wasn't the best idea. "He. Who?" Or maybe Fred wouldn't stop until he had an answer.
"Draco-" She started, the name still causing a physical pain in her chest, but was cut off before she could explain that even though he had implied he liked her a hell of a lot, he hadn't actually done anything wrong.
"He's a dead man." Mia's eyes widened in shock. Sure, she knew none of the Weasley's particularly liked the Malfoys and that was putting it lightly, but for Fred, who was in no way an aggressive man to say such a threat...
"No." Well at least her voice sounded stronger than she felt. "Not tonight. I can't deal with a murder as well right now" Fred seemed to think it over, deciding he would definitely do something about the situation tomorrow, whether he was given more facts or not. He really didn't need facts to know Malfoy was a spineless creep and had hurt his friend, and he wasn't about to let that go.
"Fine" He agreed out loud after a loud, over exaggerated sigh. "But you're not missing this stupid ball if I have to go. George can take Angelina." The fourth year blinked cluelessly. She really didn't feel like going to any ball right now, and what did that have to do with George taking Angelina? As if realising the confusion, Fred suddenly got down onto one knee, which in all honesty almost gave Mia a heart attack though thankfully he chose to ask a different to question to what she had been thinking. "Mia Lestrange,"
~Oh Merlin. Please don't propose. Why is he done on one knee? People are going to see, I can see someone looking round the corner! They're going to think we're about to be married. Fred please get up this isn't funny. Why isn't he getting up?~
"Will you go to the Yule ball with me?"Oh. Mia let out a shaky laugh, more at herself. So that's what he'd meant about Angelina! A small, half forced smile flickered across the raven haired girl's lips. She still didn't feel like going, especially with the likely hood of seeing Draco and her, but when Fred was looking at her like a bouncing puppy it was hard to say no.
"If I say yes, will you get up and stop making it look like we're about to get married?" A half dreamy, half hopeful grin spread over the redheads face, probably at the idea of what being married to her would entitle.
"We'll work on that later" he decided without the others consent, standing back up and brushing his knees off. It was only then that she got a proper look at what her newly made date was wearing. Thankfully he hadn't been sent dress robes like his youngest brother, and was instead in a black waist coat, the tie of which matched the green of the others dress nearly spot on. She didn't wish to know how they matched so well, but his comment of "I knew you'd look amazing" gave the impression he was in fact a stalker.
They were late. And even later as Mia made them go the long way to the Great hall so she could duck into a bathroom and sort herself out. No one seemed to really notice them enter however, most couples were already dancing in the middle of the floor. But Fred wasn't off the hook that easily from his previous date. They were ambushed by George and a very angry looking Angelina before they'd made it to one of the tables.
"Fred! What's going on, where have you been?" The darker skinned sixth year demanded, placing her hands on her hips and looking every bit the warrior princess in the red and white flowing dress she had on. Both twins took a visible step backwards, obviously used to this reaction from their mother to know how to react when it was another female they'd aggravated. "Seriously, why are you so late?" Evidently she hadn't noticed the fourth year, who was able to slip away, not wanting to be caught up in a domestic and went to stand by one of the drinks tables. There was a wide selection- nothing alcoholic due to the under aged students, and after picking up what she hoped was just a plain pumpkin juice, Mia turned to watch those dancing. Ginny was easy to stop, her flaming red hair whizzing around her head as she was spun around the dance floor by Neville. Wait, what? The Slytherin's eyes flew open, a tentative smile flickering over her face once more. They looked sweet together, but she really wasn't sure her previous best friend liked Neville that way. At least he could dance.
"Are you ok?" a voice asked beside her as a pale freckled hand lightly grazed the skin on her back. The raven haired girl blinked, choosing to avoid the question and ask her own.
"Sorted everything out with Angelina?"
"Sort of" He answered sheepishly, his hand moving to run through his already tussled hair. When Mia raised an eyebrow he continued, "She thinks George is me."
"Wont she be able to tell the difference?" Yes they were technically identical, but they still had slight difference, and she was pretty sure Angelina wouldn't be fooled that easily. Either way, Fred shrugged.
They stood at the corner watching the crowd dance in what could only be described as comfortable silence. Well, at least until Fred started to get restless and bounce from foot to foot.
"You're like a puppy" Mia mussed aloud, putting her empty cup down. She was tempted to pick up another, just for the sake of something to do and as an excuse not to dance. However her date seemed to have different ideas.
"Come on" he insisted, taking her hand and pulling her towards a free space. She made a sound of annoyance, but put up no other resistance.
"This is stupid." The brunette said finally, glancing up at the red head who shrugged again. If he didn't stop doing that she was definitely going to leave. Or hit him.
"Why is it?" he retorted playfully, obvious to the threat unfolding in the others mind.
"Because ballroom dancing will never help anyone." And that was putting it simply. She really couldn't understand how anyone could enjoy putting one foot in front of the other in time to incredibly dull music. Ok, so that wasn't entirely true, doing that exact thing with Draco had been... nice. Her thoughts turned to the pureblood instantly, eyes unintentionally scanning the room for the blonde head of hair. He wasn't anywhere on the dance floor and before Mia could search the tables behind her Fred was pulling her further into the crowd whilst the music was changing.
"Stop it" Looking to the left where he was now stood, she raised an eyebrow. "You're looking for him, cut it out." She blinked twice, running over what he had just said and trying to figure out how he'd realised. Then again, she probably wasn't being too subtle about it.
"Sorry" Of course it was pointless looking for him and she was more than thankful Fred hadn't actually used his name, but that didn't make the whole thing any easier. The red head sighed putting his arm over her shoulder for the third time that night, this time deciding not to mention how nice she smelt and go for a different tactic.
"We'll deal with it tomorrow"
"That still leaves me with the problem of where to go tonight" The other bit his lip, honestly appearing to be thinking the dilemma over.
"I'll come up with something." And he did.
Four hours later once most of the Yule ball had finished, Mia found herself in the very unlikely place of the Gryffindor common room whilst Fred clambered up the girls dormitory stairs in order to try and find his sister.
"Come on!" his head was now popping around the spiral staircase, a smile on his lips. She wanted to shake her head, turn around and run out, anything that wouldn't involve having to see Ginny and hear 'I told you so', although there really wasn't any other option when it came to sleeping arrangements for tonight. Slowly climbing the steps, Mia paused outside the door watching as one of two twins smiled at her and disappeared back to the common room. She stayed where she was, not wanting to risk looking up and meeting the other girl's eyes.
"Mia?" Letting out a breath, she glanced at the younger redhead. Ginny was stood in front of a small crowd of girls whom the Slytherin really couldn't name, and was the only one who didn't look judgemental. "Are you ok?" Well that did it. She tried to swallow the lump which had accumulated in her throat but tears were already welling up in her eyes again. Thankfully Ginny seemed to forget about the last conversation they'd had and jump straight back into best friend mode, quick walking over and hugging the slightly taller girl. "You can stay here for tonight."