After the intense scene came to an end, a blank screen appeared, and Dumbledore's soothing voice announced a break, urging everyone to get some sleep and promising to continue the movie the next day. Mia bid her Godfathers a tender goodbye, pressing kisses to their cheeks, before following her friends, Ron and Hermione, towards the common room. The atmosphere hung heavy with a blanket of silence, allowing each person to grapple with their own thoughts and fears.
As they settled in, Ron's voice pierced the quiet, calling Mia's name. "Mia," he began, his tone tremulous with uncertainty. "I think I'm scared."
In response, Hermione scoffed softly, and Mia regarded Ron with a mix of confusion, concern, and a hint of wistful amusement. "Why?" she asked, her voice gentle and probing, seeking to understand the source of his unease.
Ron's shoulders rose and fell in a heavy shrug as he struggled to put his emotions into words. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Maybe it's just the thought of everything you've done, all your triumphs and mistakes, being laid bare for everyone to see."
Mia's gaze softened with empathy as she absorbed his words, understanding the weight of his fears.
"She is the one that should be afraid, Ron."Hermione, always quick to offer wisdom, gently reminded Ron that they were facing a fearsome adversary, implying that the true source of anxiety should be elsewhere.
"No, but I understand you, Ron," she murmured, her voice tinged with a tremor of fear. "I'm scared, too, terrified, really. But there's a reason for everything happening the way it is."
Before Ron could interject, she continued, her words filled with a sense of purpose, "This is the only path to prove Sirius innocent and convince everyone of Voldemort's return. And you know I'd do anything to clear his name."
Hermione, with profound empathy, added, "Also Cedric's death must not be in vain. People need to understand that he was a victim of Voldemort's atrocities."
As Hermione spoke, tears welled in Mia's eyes, her emotions finally breaking free. She sighed and tried to brush away the tears that streaked her cheeks, but they continued to fall, unchecked. Overcome with anguish, she felt the weight of her sorrow expand within her chest, threatening to overwhelm her.
Moved by Mia's tender display of vulnerability, Hermione drew her in a warm embrace, her arms a comforting refuge against the storm of emotions. Ron, his expression heavy with sorrow, inched closer, desperate to offer solace in Mia's time of need.
"Oh, Mia," he murmured, his voice a gentle whisper filled with empathetic compassion.
Mia's response was a cascade of apologies punctuated by heart-wrenching sobs. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sor—"
Hermione interrupted her, her voice gentle and assuring. "Don't be sorry, Mia. Let the tears fall. Don't keep it bottled up inside."
Seeking solace, Mia nestled her tear-streaked face into Hermione's neck, releasing the torrent of tears that she had held back for so long. Ron closed the distance, offering his own form of comfort with tender pats on her back and murmurs of support as they stood intertwined, a trio bound by sorrows too heavy to be borne alone.
"I'm feeling exhausted," Mia murmured. "The way everyone watches me, the things they say, the weight of their expectations for me to be the savior of their world, it's all just so draining."
Hermione held Mia close, her voice soft and understanding. "It's okay to feel tired, Mia. You've carried so much for so long, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed. You're not alone in this; we're here for you. You don't have to bear the weight of the world by yourself."
Ron joined in, his expression reflective and sympathetic. "You've done more than anyone could ask for. It's okay to feel exhausted, but remember that we'll share the load and help each other through."
Mia breathed a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging with the burden of her emotions. "Thank you, both of you," she murmured, her voice raw with vulnerability. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
The trio held each other in a tender embrace, finding solace in their shared bond as they weathered the storm of emotions and uncertainty together.
As Dean stumbled upon the heartbroken trio, his confusion turned to concern as he took in Mia's tear-stained face. "Mia, what's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of the emotional scene before him.
Mia hastily wiped at her tears and forced a small smile at Dean, hoping to convey that she was alright. "It's nothing, Dean. I'll be okay," she reassured him, her voice unsteady.
Dean's eyes remained fixed on her, filled with a mixture of worry and disbelief. "Are you sure, Mia?" he asked gently, his concern palpable.
Mia nodded, though her facade was beginning to crack. "Yes, really. What did you want to tell us?" she deflected, attempting to shift the focus from her own turmoil.
Dean nodded, though he wasn't entirely convinced. "Okay, but you really don't look okay," he said, reluctantly accepting her response. "Well, you won't believe who's waiting outside."
The trio shared a look. "Who?"
"Draco Malfoy."
The trio exchanged another glance, their surprise mirrored in each other's eyes. Hermione's brow furrowed with suspicion, while Ron's expression darkened with distrust. Mia's heart raced as she swiftly made her way outside to find Draco standing in the dimly lit corridor, his expression wrought with an unusual mix of tension and apprehension.
"Malfoy," Mia greeted cautiously, her gaze steady as she approached him.
Draco met her gaze, and a fleeting moment of vulnerability flickered in his eyes before he cleared his throat, his words coming out in a rush. "Potter, I... I wanted to talk to you. I know it's not the best time, but I need to apologize."
Mia's brows furrowed in surprise, an unexpected weight settling in the air. "Apologize? For what?" she inquired, her tone guarded yet open to hearing him out.
Draco's usual air of superiority seemed to wane as he struggled to find the right words. "For everything, really," he admitted, his voice laced with a rare hint of contrition. "I know we've never been... friendly, but that doesn't excuse my behavior. And with everything that's been happening lately... it's made me realize a few things."
Mia's eyes narrowed slightly as she listened to Draco's apology, the weight of his words conflicting with her feelings. Despite the palpable sincerity in his voice, Mia couldn't forget the years of animosity and hurtful actions she had endured from him.
"I appreciate your apology, Malfoy," Mia replied evenly, her expression guarded. "But it's going to take more than words to change anything between us."
Draco's shoulders slumped slightly, his gaze faltering under her unwavering stare. "I understand," he murmured, a note of resignation coloring his words. "I know I have a lot to prove. I just... I wanted to try and make things right, especially with everything that's been happening."
Mia's resolve remained firm as she held his gaze, her own emotions swirling with uncertainty and a lingering pain from the past. "You can't expect forgiveness to come so easily, especially after everything that's happened," she replied, her voice tinged with the weight of her own experiences.
Draco nodded, acknowledging her words with a solemn air. "I know I have a long way to go," he conceded, a trace of humility entering his tone. "But I hope, in time, I can show you that I'm trying to change."
Mia offered a tight-lipped nod, her stance indicating that the conversation had come to an end. As Draco turned to leave, Mia grappled with the conflicting emotions brought on by his unexpected apology, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty as she watched him walk away.
Mia re-entered the room, her expression a mix of contemplation and unease. Ron and Hermione immediately sensed the shift in her demeanor and exchanged a concerned glance, their worry palpable in the air.
"Mia, what did Draco want?" Hermione inquired, her eyes searching Mia's face for any hint of what had transpired outside.
Ron's brow furrowed in suspicion as he added, "Yeah, did he try anything?" His protective nature was evident in the tight set of his jaw and the guarded stance he assumed.
Mia sighed, her thoughts still swirling with the weight of Draco's unexpected apology. "He... he wanted to apologize," she admitted, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, while Ron's expression shifted from concern to disbelief. "Apologize? Malfoy? What for?" he asked incredulously, clearly struggling to comprehend the notion.
Mia hesitated, grappling with the conflicting emotions stirred up by her encounter with Draco. "For everything, apparently," she replied, her voice betraying her uncertainty. "He said he wanted to try to make things right, especially with everything that's been happening lately."
Hermione's brow furrowed with skepticism, her distrust of Draco Malfoy deeply ingrained. "I don't know, Mia. It all sounds a bit... suspicious, don't you think?" she ventured, her concern evident in her voice.
Mia's thoughts echoed Hermione's sentiments as she grappled with Draco's unexpected display of vulnerability. "I don't know what to think, honestly," she admitted, a note of uncertainty coloring her words.
Ron's expression hardened with suspicion as he crossed his arms, his protective nature coming to the forefront. "Well, I wouldn't trust anything that bloke says," he stated firmly, his distrust of Draco lingering beneath the surface.
Mia smiled softly at their defensive behavior as she laid back and closed her eyes for a bit to smoothen out her mind and eyes.
"Tell you what, Mia," Ron began with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "next time Malfoy wants to apologize, we'll make sure to have a parade for him! With giant banners saying 'The Great Malfoy Apology Tour'!"
Hermione shook her head in mock exasperation but couldn't suppress a grin, "And don't forget the confetti cannons and marching band."
Mia couldn't help but chuckle at their absurd suggestions, feeling the heaviness from earlier slowly lifting as she joined in their lighthearted banter.
Ron, not to be outdone, struck a dramatic pose and feigned a deep, serious voice. "Even better! We'll get him a shiny, golden 'Apology Champion' trophy and present it to him with a grand ceremony in front of the entire Hogwarts student body!"
The thought of Draco Malfoy being awarded an "Apology Champion" trophy had Mia and Hermione in stitches, their laughter filling the room and washing away the lingering tension from earlier.
Amidst the laughter, they found solace in their shared moments of pure, unadulterated hilarity. As their infectious laughter filled the room, it was as if the weight of earlier worries had been lifted, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the healing power of simple, genuine laughter.
"Fun is over, Mia. You need to sleep. You've got a big day today," Hermione told her.
Mia sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I really do." She got up. "Good night, guys, love you."
She bid them farewell, kissed their cheeks, and made her way up the stairs.
As Mia retreated to her room, the warmth of her friends' laughter lingering in her mind, she felt a profound sense of gratitude for their unwavering support. With their lighthearted banter still bringing a smile to her face, she tucked herself into bed, letting the day's worries melt away as she embraced the promise of a new day.
As she closed her eyes, Mia carried with her the comfort of cherished friendships, finding solace in the shared moments of laughter and the enduring bond that she knew would carry her through whatever lay ahead.
Ron turned to Hermione with a thoughtful expression, "Do you think she's going to be okay? I mean, with everything that's been happening lately."
Hermione's brows furrowed in concern. "I hope so. It's been a lot for her to take in, especially with the recent events involving Draco."
"Yeah, I just wish there was more we could do to help," Ron sighed. "She's been through so much already."
"I know, Ron," Hermione said softly, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on his arm. "But she's strong, and she's not alone. We'll be there for her every step of the way."
Ron nodded, a hint of determination in his eyes. "You're right, Hermione. We'll make sure she knows that we've got her back, no matter what."
As they settled in for the night, the bond between the three friends remained strong, a source of unwavering support and comfort amidst the uncertainties that lay ahead.
The next morning, the sun's gentle rays filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room where Mia slept peacefully. As the gentle morning light gradually stirred her from slumber, Mia felt a renewed sense of determination blossoming within her.
As Mia looked around the room, she realized that Hermione was not in her bed, nor was the other girl who shared their dormitory. Feeling a surge of apprehension, Mia exhaled a sigh and quickly went through her morning routine. Once she was ready, she opened the door and made her way down to the common room.
As she descended the stairs, she noticed Ron and Hermione chatting by the fireplace. Their expressions brightened when they caught sight of her.
"Mia, there you are!" Ron exclaimed, a warm smile lighting up his features as he and Hermione watched her descent down the stairs of the common room.
Mia furrowed her brow and glanced around the common room, noticing the absence of their fellow Gryffindors. "Where is everyone? she asked curiously.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "We need to head to the Great Hall. Everyone's waiting for us."
"Why am I always the last one awake?" she asked with a hint of amusement.
Hermione chuckled lightly. "You needed to get enough sleep, Mia. It's going to be busy day today, after all," she said.
Ron chimed in, "Yeah, and we couldn't possibly go to the Great Hall without you, now could we?"
Mia grinned at their words, feeling a surge of warmth at their companionship. As they made their way to the Great Hall together, Mia found comfort in the shared camaraderie that threaded through their interactions, a reminder of the unbreakable bond they held as they faced both the ordinary and extraordinary moments