Mia found herself disoriented and confused. She looked down, and realized she was lying on a bed. It was an odd sensation, and she instinctively went to run her hand through her hair when she noticed the Parabatai stone clutched tightly in her hand.
To her left, Jace let out a groan. Mia's head snapped in his direction, her heart racing with surprise and were in the same bed. Panic surged within her as she attempted to recall the events leading up to this moment. How had they ended up in a bed together?
A wave of memories rushed back to Mia like a tidal wave—blood, Jace, Magnus, and Jace again. She moaned softly, lying back down on the bed. Confusion and uncertainty swirled within her as she tried to make sense of it all.
Suddenly, she felt Jace's arm wrapping around her waist, and her nerves went into overdrive. They had always been close friends, emphasizing the "just friends" part quite vehemently. She couldn't help but feel frustration welling up within her. This was all Jace's fault, she thought with irritation. His stupid infuriating smile, his stupid unruly hair, his stupid comforting hugs and that stupid dimple of his– it was all responsible for this confusing mess.
Mia crossed her arms, her brow furrowing in frustration, as she stared up at the ceiling of the grotto. Annoyance boiled within her as she mentally scolded the imaginary Jace that had invaded her dream, with his maddeningly charming features. She reached out, grabbing a nearby pillow, and buried her face in it, letting out a muffled scream of frustration.
Theo's excitement was palpable as he squealed, "Oh my god, you're awake! How... how are you feeling?"
Mia's voice was muffled by the pillow as she replied, "What... what day is it today?"
"Mia, are you okay?" Theo asked, amused. "Take that pillow off your face."
Annoyed, Mia sat up on the bed and playfully smacked Theo with her pillow. "Are you happy now, Teddy? Do you want more?"
Theo laughed, trying to dodge the incoming pillow attack. "Stop, stop! I'm glad you're still you."
"What day is it today?" Mia asked again, her voice clearer this time.
"The Easter Break starts today," Theo told her softly, "you've been in a coma for a week."
Mia quickly stood up, placing the pillow so that it looked like Jace was hugging her, and headed over to Vhagar. Theo watched her with a mix of surprise and concern.
"Where are you going?" Theo asked, tilting his head inquisitively.
"We were supposed to go to Azkaban today," Mia said, speaking to Theo as if he were a child. "You ask so many questions that sometimes I wonder if you can listen to me when I talk."
"I know what you mean, Star," Theo replied, "but you've been in a coma for a week, and Jace is still recovering. You're not in a position to go to Azkaban yet; you need to rest."
"Who are you, my father?" Mia quipped sarcastically.
"He isn't, but I am," Enzo's voice chimed in as he approached.
Isabelle and Enzo enveloped Mia in a tight hug, as if they were afraid she would vanish. Deep down, Mia was grateful that her parents were there, showing their love and concern.
"You gave us quite a scare, young lady," Izzy scolded playfully, tapping her daughter's nose lightly.
Mia wrinkled her nose in response. "I'm fine, Mom."
"Dolcezza, stop giving your father these scares, or you'll send me to the grave early," Enzo proclaimed dramatically while hugging his daughter. "And you know well that I'm too young and handsome to die."
"I'm fine," Mia repeated with a serious tone.
Theo announced that he needed to contact Magnus, who had asked to be informed when Mia woke up. Mia nodded, and Theo moved to the side of the grotto to summon his Patronus and send it to Magnus. A few moments later, Magnus appeared, his characteristic charismatic smile and spiky hair with blue highlights immediately recognizable.
"Mia, darling, how are you feeling?" Magnus asked, his smile warm and welcoming.
"Fine," Mia replied. "I feel fine."
"I'm glad," Magnus said, "you gave us all a good scare."
Mia blushed but didn't respond. Magnus approached the bed where Jace was still sleeping deeply and, with a snap of his fingers, conjured his characteristic blue flames.
"Jace is recovering favorably," Magnus reported, finishing his diagnosis. "It won't take long for him to wake up."
Magnus then turned his attention to Mia, examining her with blue flares. When he was finished, he looked at her with an enigmatic smile. "Interesting," he muttered to himself. "Very interesting."
Magnus smiled and clapped his hands together happily. "Well, family,it was nice seeing you but I have to go. Tonight, I'm hosting a party, and it would be a shame if the host were absent. Call me when Jace wakes up."
With a flourish, Magnus opened a portal and disappeared.
"What have I missed this week?" Mia asked, her curiosity evident.
"Dumbledore and Snape have been arrested and are awaiting trial," Theo informed Mia. "Uncle Alec filed formal charges against Malfoy, but since he was in Durmstang territory, we have priority."
Mia's concern shifted to her brother. "And my brother? How is Harry?"
"According to what Viktor has told me," Theo replied, "he doesn't hang out with Draco as much anymore, not since he found out what happened to you."
Mia furrowed her brow, her protective instincts kicking in. "I don't want Harry to stop being friends with Draco just because of something that happened to me."
"You are too good for this world, dolcezza," Enzo chimed in, praising his daughter.
Mia continued to inquire about the well-being of others. "And how are the rest? I remember seeing my godfather before I passed out."
"Let's say that now there is some kind of breakup in your family," Izzy explained. "Your parents and your uncle Sirius are a neutral zone, a bit like Switzerland. Regulus is, so to speak, on our side, and Lucius and Narcissa are on the other side. It's complicated."
"Oh, blessed Salazar, you're awake!" Regulus exclaimed, enveloping his goddaughter in a tight hug.
Mia laughed, relieved to see her godfather. "I'm glad to see you. I'm sorry I scared you."
"Don't do it again," Regulus teased, his smile warm. "I've missed you so much, Cassie."
"What's going to happen now?" Mia asked, seeking guidance from her godfather.
"Well, nothing for now," Regulus reassured her. "We'll wait for Jace to wake up, and from there, we'll plan, okay? You focus on recovering because we have to go to Azkaban. We promised Barty, and a Black always keeps his word."
Theo offered to take Mia for breakfast, asking her where she'd like to have it.
"At camp, if possible," Mia replied. "I don't feel comfortable stepping into Hogwarts."
"We'll do whatever you want, honey," Izzy assured her, tenderly caressing her daughter's cheek.
Leaving the grotto, Mia, her parents, Theo, and Regulus began to make their way slowly toward the camp. As they approached, many looked at Mia in surprise but immediately broke into smiles, expressing how happy they were to see her again.
Viktor, in particular, was overjoyed and rushed to her side, giving her a cautious hug, worried about causing her any harm.
"What kind of hug is that, Viktor?" Mia playfully chided. "Give me a real hug."
Blushing, Viktor embraced Mia more tightly. "I'm glad to see you, little one."
Enzo extended an invitation to Viktor, saying, "Join us for breakfast and tell me how you're doing in this Tournament, whatever it's called."
Mia spent the morning in a peaceful and heartwarming atmosphere, surrounded by her family and friends. Many Durmstang students greeted her with smiles, showing their support without overwhelming her.
Harry had received the news that his sister had woken up, but he felt unsure about how to approach her. He was afraid of what to say, how to face her after what had transpired between their best do you say to your sister when your best friend almost kills her best friend?
"Hey," Pansy said, drawing him out of his reverie, "what's wrong with you?"
Harry hesitated for a moment before confiding in his girlfriend, "My sister woke up this morning, and I don't know what to do."
Pansy gave him a reassuring look and inquired, "What do you mean?"
Harry opened up about his conflicted feelings, saying, "This whole situation is so complicated. I can't help but think that I'm betraying my sister in some way."
Pansy offered him comforting words, trying to ease his concerns. "You're not betraying her, love," she reassured him. "But it would be good for you to talk to her. You might be surprised."
Harry questioned her belief in this, asking, "Do you really think so?"
Pansy responded with a smile, "I know so. You and your sister are cut from the same cloth. You both have hearts the size of the Black Lake."
Harry couldn't resist a bit of playful banter. "I know," he said with mock arrogance. "Why do you think so many people love us?"
Pansy joined in on the teasing, remarking, "And you also have an ego the same size. Seriously, what is it about Potter genes that you all act the same way?"
Harry continued the jest, grinning at Pansy. "You love us all the same," he said, pouting, "some more than others."
"That's not true," said Pansy, amused.
"Look at me in the eye, fucking lie to my face and tell me that if my sister walked through that door in her dragon rider clothes, you wouldn't kiss her." Harry challenged her.
Pansy blushed at the image Harry painted, making him even more amused. "I knew it," he shouted happily, "I knew it"
"Stop picking on me," Pansy slightly flustered, trying to deflect,, "it's not my fault I like your sister."
Harry decided to push the joke further, "You're not bisexual," he remarked playfully, "you're Miasexual."
Pansy got up from the table, playfully rolling her eyes. "Harry, seriously, talk to your sister."
Without turning to look at her boyfriend, Pansy cheekily gave him the middle finger as she left the Great Hall. Harry burst into laughter at her response, calling after her, "Do I also tell my sister that you send her kisses?"
Harry couldn't bear the weight of the situation any longer. With his sister awake and so much left unsaid, he decided to seek her out near the Black Lake. He knew she often found solace there, and it wasn't long before he spotted her, resting her head against a tree trunk.
Approaching cautiously, Harry was unsure of how to begin. His internal monologue chided him for being in Gryffindor, where bravery was supposed to come easily. But facing his sister now, the words escaped him.
Mia, without opening her eyes, recognized her brother's presence and teased, "I know it's you Harry. I can practically hear the gears in your head turning."
Harry blushed, feeling exposed and out of his depth. He settled beside his sister without uttering a word. The silence, awkward as it was, gave him a moment to collect his thoughts.
Mia broke the silence by asking, "What's troubling you, baby brother?"
Harry stammered, "I... How are you?"
"I'm fine," Mia replied, finally looking at him. "Don't worry."
Regret weighed heavily on Harry as he confessed, "I'm so sorry, Mia, for what happened to Jace."
Mia's sad smile masked her inner turmoil. "It's not your fault, Harry. You didn't do anything."
"But I feel partly responsible," Harry admitted, frustration evident in his voice. "Draco is my best friend, and... and what he did to you, what he did to Jace."
Mia reassured her brother, "Harry, it's not your fault, okay? What are you really worried about?"
Harry voiced his concerns, saying, "I don't know if I can stay friends with Draco. I feel like if I continue being friends with him, I'm betraying you in some way."
Mia paused thoughtfully before addressing her brother. "Harry, look at me. I don't want you to stop being friends with Draco, okay? You're not betraying me if you decide to remain friends with him."
"But he hurt you," Harry argued.
"I know, and that's why I'm not going to forgive him easily," Mia responded firmly. "He was about to kill Jace."
Concern etched on his face, Harry inquired about Draco's fate. "What's going to happen to Draco?"
Mia seemed surprised by the question. "What are you talking about?"
Harry explained, "It's under Durmstang jurisdiction. That's what Theo told me."
Mia clarified, "I know, and that's for Jace to decide."
"Jace?" Harry asked, intrigued. "Why him?"
"Because he's the one Draco attacked," Mia revealed. "In Durmstrang, when something like this happens, the person who's been challenged has the final say. No one can intervene or act on their behalf without explicit consent."
Harry wondered aloud, "What do you think will happen?"
Mia, with a hint of amusement, reassured him, "Don't worry, little brother. Jace may be many things, but he is fair. Draco won't be devoured by wolves nor turned into ashes."
Jace found himself in an unfamiliar place, disoriented and uncertain about his surroundings. He wondered if he had died or if he was still alive, but his immediate desire was to communicate with Mia. The memory of her frightened expression when she saw him lying on the ground had been heart-wrenching. Above all, Jace longed to assure her that everything would be alright, to ease her worries.
A soothing melody reached his ears, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced around and saw rows of tables covered in white tablecloths, adorned with flower centerpieces. In the distance, a stage and a bar counter were visible. Jace couldn't make sense of where he was; it felt like a wedding venue. However, there were no other guests in sight except...
The bride.
She was the most breathtaking bride Jace had ever seen, though her face remained hidden from view. Her gown was a masterpiece of pure, radiant white. The back of the dress descended gracefully, revealing her skin in a subtle yet enticing manner. Delicate details like lace and hand embroidery added sophistication to the design.
Her brown hair was elegantly styled in an updo, adorned with tiny sparkling diamonds that shimmered under the chandelier's light. Jace furrowed his brow, sensing familiarity but unable to place it.
Approaching the bride, he intended to offer assistance or at least make a polite inquiry. However, when he was only a few steps away, she turned to face him, and Jace was left in speechless awe. The bride was none other than his beloved Mia, and she looked utterly enchanting. Jace felt a twinge of jealousy toward the man who now had the privilege of calling Mia his wife.
"My love, have you already dismissed all the guests?" Mia inquired, her voice filled with amusement.
Jace struggled to find words, as Mia had just addressed him as "my love."
"What... what did you just call me?" Jace stammered.
"Darling, are you all right?" Mia asked, chuckling softly. "Or are you so excited about our wedding night that you've forgotten we're married?"
Stunned, Jace checked his hand and discovered a wedding ring on his finger. He carefully took Mia's hand, finding his grandmother's ring adorning her finger. He looked up at Mia, bewildered and astonished. This meant that Mia had married him.
"Seriously, you're scaring me. Are you okay, Jace?" Mia inquired, her hand caressing his cheek.
"I... I don't know what to say," Jace confessed, his face flushed with embarrassment.
He closed his eyes, convinced that this must be a dream. Jace and Mia were just friends, even though he had fallen in love with her. Yet everything about this moment felt so astonishingly real
"Do you regret it?" Mia asked, her eyes searching his.
Jace reopened his eyes and vehemently denied, "No, of course not. It's just that this... you... I... it doesn't feel real."
Mia laughed, her laughter as melodious as wind chimes. Jace stared at her, captivated by her smile, which had the power to brighten even the darkest of days.
"Of course it's not real," Mia replied gently.
"Then why...?" Jace began, still bewildered.
"This isn't a memory, Jace," Mia explained. "Be patient with me and find me. I love you."
Suddenly, as if a bucket of ice-cold water had been thrown on him, Jace jolted awake, his heart pounding as he gasped for air.
"MIA!"
