Hey guys! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day! Here's another gift for you, hope you enjoy 🥰.
It was eight fifty a.m.
The corridors of the castle were empty, and so were the common rooms and the library, as it usually was on a Sunday morning.
But most of the students' beds were empty too.
Mioha gulped as she stood beside Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny, watching the Room of Requirement fill up. Hermione shot Mioha an encouraging look, but that couldn't take the knot of nervousness away that had settled in the pit of her stomach. Despite her determination to do this, she still hated giving speeches in front of crowds larger than two people.
The Creevey brothers had shown up, as had Seamus, Dean, Astoria, Levinia, Erica, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Luna, Susan Bones and many more from last year. To Mioha's big surprise, not only Marietta and Cho walked through the door, the latter suspiciously eyeing the way Harry and Ginny were standing closely next to each other, but also Lavender Brown, Padma and Parvati Patil showed up.
Harry seemed just as surprised as Mioha, judging by his facial expression.
Katie was still recovering from the curse, but Mioha knew the former Canisclan member would participate as soon as she got better.
There were more Slytherins than last year present, among them Zacharias Smith, but they glanced around uncomfortably and stayed together in one the corner of the Room of Requirement.
Pillows had appeared for everyone to sit on, and more and more were needed as students kept flowing into the room.
When it seemed as if no one else would arrive, Hermione shut the door and locked it, then took her position between Mioha and Ron again.
Chatters and murmurs filled the room as the crowd of students looked around curiously, taking in the large room that looked completely different from the training room last year.
Behind Mioha, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny, the room was divided into four large square areas. There was a square pool filled with water, another square filled with pots of burning wood, the third had heaps of dirt in it and the fourth square...was empty.
"Er- hello everyone", said Harry, raising his voice to drown out the noise.
The chatter faded as everyone looked at the Gryffindor, who returned their gazes calmly and folded his hands behind his back.
"It's nice to see that so many are interested in continuing with Canisclan", said Harry. "As you probably all know, the purpose of this is to learn how to defend ourselves against Voldemort and his followers."
Lavender flinched and looked around nervously, and she was not the only one.
"However, we- or actually Jessamine- came up with an idea considering our training."
Harry paused and shot Mioha a look, silently asking her whether she wanted to take over.
She swallowed nervously, and nodded.
"Er-", she started, fiddling around with the hem of her sleeves as everyone's eyes fell on her.
"Well, uhm..."
She cleared her throat and saw Ginny and Hermione glance at her, smiling confidently.
Mioha took a deep breath.
"I've been thinking", she said, letting her eyes wander across the students sitting on red and blue cushions, "and I think that we all know, even with another year of hard practice like last year, we won't be a match for grown wizards and witches that had their entire lives to use curses and hexes."
Several people paled at her statement.
"What are you saying?", said Zacharias frostily and narrowed his eyes at her. "We're all gonna die anyway?"
Levinia shivered and scooted closer to Erica, her already pale face turning a more colorless shade of white.
"No", said Mioha, raising her voice when several started talking at once. "I just think we need to learn something the Death Eaters aren't prepared to fight against."
It got deadly silent in the room.
"I want to teach you elemental magic."
Everyone fell silent.
There. She'd said it.
"What's elemental magic?", Denis' question broke the silence and he eyed her confused.
"It's an old way of performing magic", Cho lectured him. "It's kinda outdated though."
She looked very skeptical at the thought of learning it.
"How do you want to teach us elemental magic?", called Ernie puzzled, "you're not even a master!"
"Yeah, why can't we stick to practicing normal spells?"
A murmur went through the room as people nodded in agreement.
"Because the point of elemental magic is that barely anyone uses it anymore", said Mioha, forcing her voice to remain steady.
"I thought that takes years to learn", a Ravenclaw muttered.
"This is crazy!", someone said, shaking their head.
"How would we be able to learn this if wandless magic is already so difficult?"
"I can teach you the basics", Mioha answered, unconsciously fisting her sweaty hands.
"It's difficult, yes, but not impossible."
Some blinked at her in disbelief.
"I knew it. You've gone mad", a Slytherin said. "This was a waste of time."
People started getting up from their cushions, and more of the newcomers followed suit, moving towards the door.
"I didn't come here to learn something no one knows about anymore", Lavender said with a sniff.
Parvati nodded in agreement.
For a split-second, Mioha panicked.
This was definitely not the reaction she'd had in mind. She traded a nervous look with Ron, but he looked about as clueless as her.
Mioha looked forward again.
Colin Creevey shrugged helplessly at her, being one of of the few who had remained seated. Luna gazed around calmly, not appearing as if she was planning on leaving either.
About fifteen Canisclan members from last year still sat on their cushions, obviously determined on hearing what Mioha had to say. But the majority of the crowd was leaving.
Then Mioha's eyes narrowed determinedly.
She was not going to give up, not like that.
The Slytherin raised her hands and focused on the water in the pool behind her. It slowly rose into the air, like a wobbling pillar.
Erica saw it and gasped in surprise, pointing at it. Astoria's eyes widened and she pulled at a fourth-year Hufflepuff behind her, who'd wanted to leave as well.
Mioha breathed in. Then she whirled around in a full circle and thrust her hands out in the direction of the door. A wide beam of water followed her movements, soaring across the heads of students who ducked in alarm- and splashed against the wooden door.
Justin, who'd wanted to unlock it, yelled in surprise and jumped back.
Ice formed on the wood, freezing the lock and the hinges of the door. It crackled as it spread over to the adjacent walls. Students stared up in confusion as small icicles grew from the ceiling.
Their heads turned around. Wide eyes stared at Mioha as she rightened herself up again and lowered her arms again.
She turned the palm of her right hand around so it faced upwards, and conjured a small fire. Gasps were heard as Mioha calmly looked at the students, fire dancing on her hand without seeming to burn her.
"There are six elements", she said quietly, now having everyone's attention. "The usual four are known to you, but there are two more. Shadow and light.
I will help you learn to control one element of your choice, but only one. One year is not enough for me to teach each of you all of them, so you need to choose one from fire, water, air and earth."
There was a short silence.
"Why only from those four?"
Heads turned to look at Luna, who had a curious look in her large eyes. "You just said there are six elements."
"Yes."
Mioha formed a fist with her right hand, extinguishing the fire.
"But shadow and light are the most difficult to learn of all six, and there's not enough time for that.
As I said, you need to chose one from fire, earth, water and air, preferably the element you feel the most comfortable with. However, I recommend you to consider either water or earth, since these are the elements that come the easiest to us humans."
Ginny had to smirk at the last sentence, finding it funny that Mioha called herself a human.
"You just threw water at us!", said Lavender in a high-pitched voice, looking as if she were hyperventilating. "And froze the door! Without a wand! Am I the only one FINDING THIS ODD?"
She looked around in panic.
"That was AWESOME!", exclaimed Colin, walking towards Mioha and raising his fist.
"Gimme a fist bump!"
Mioha smirked at that and bumped her fist with his.
"How did you just do that?", said Astoria astonished. "With the water? Did you master it completely? Did you master all six elements?"
Mioha hesitated for a second, then shook her head.
"I only learned these four", she lied. "And no, I haven't mastered them."
Another lie.
She looked at Hermione, unsure what the next part of the plan was. The Gryffindor caught her eyes and stepped forward.
"Jess will demonstrate some things in each of these four elements", she said and indicated to the four large squares behind them. "Then we'll give you time until next week for choosing your element."
"Awesome", said the Creevey brothers in unison and grinned at Mioha.
"A week?", said Zacharias snobbishly. "A whole week? You just said we're running low on time anyway, so why not start tomorrow?"
Mioha took a breath before she answered.
That Hufflepuff was really getting on her nerves.
"Because you need to make the right choice", she said seriously. "Everyone's talents lie elsewhere, so I can't help you with this. But what should not happen is that you start learning one element, then suddenly realize after a month you chose the wrong one. We don't have that kind of time, which is why you need to put some thought into this."
"But how did you learn this?", asked Padma suspiciously.
Mioha returned her gaze calmly.
"As a muggleborn, I was curious about finding other ways to use magic when I had troubles the first few years", she explained. "I'm sure you remember me having difficulties even with the simplest spells."
Some nodded at that.
"So, I found a book on elemental magic and thought I'd give it a try. I started practicing this whenever I could, and even though I wouldn't call myself a master-"
Harry and Ginny traded a look.
"-I can still show you enough to defend yourself against Death Eaters. Most of them will not be prepared for you to use an element to fight."
Zacharias opened his mouth again.
"Oh, shut it, Zacharias", said Neville bluntly. He looked determinedly at Mioha and nodded.
"Can you show us?"
Mioha smiled and turned around to face the pool. She slid off her shoes and socks, and stepped towards the glistening water. Not hesitating when she reached the edge, Mioha lifted a foot- and started walking across the water's surface. Ice formed wherever her feet touched the water, supporting her weight and disappearing again once she'd taken another step forward. When she'd reached the middle, she turned around to face the students that had lined up on the sides of the square, while floating on a little island of ice.
Ginny gave her a thumbs-up and grinned widely.
"Wicked!", said Seamus excitedly.
"This can be useful if you ever need to fight near water or on water, such as the black lake", Mioha explained. "Instead of being worried about falling in and drowning, it can be a great advantage for you if you are able to use water to get to another place, either to flee or to run towards something."
She extended her left arm and performed a semi-circle above her head until her left hand was on her right side. A narrow water whip formed and rose upwards, curving through the air to follow her hand movements.
"As you can see, water is very flexible", said Mioha, holding the curved water in place.
"It can be soft and easy to put into any form you want-"
She whipped her hand to the left in one fast motion. The water formed a sharp spear of ice and flew through the air towards the air. It shattered against the wall into many small pieces of ice.
"Yet it can become very dangerous as well."
Susan Bones stepped forward curiously, touching the water's surface with the tip of her shoe.
"This element is easy to control for people who are open for change", Mioha continued. "They can adapt, let their thoughts flow. Literally."
Some chuckled at that.
Mioha walked across the water towards the end of the pool, into the direction of the square containing piles of earth. She stepped off the water back onto the floor, leaving wet footprints behind. The others followed her and lined up at the edge of the square.
"Earth", she said and stopped next to a large pile of dirt and rocks that came up to her hips, "is seen as the element that us humans usually belong to. Especially people who have a close connection to nature can master this element more easily. They are patient and tend to wait first, listening to their surroundings before acting."
Mioha turned her left hand until her palm faced the ground. Then she stomped with her left food and lifted her left hand upwards at the same time. The pile of dirt formed one smooth, massive ball the size of her head and rose into the air. She let it fly above her head and looked at the awed faces of her classmates.
"Most people think that the element earth is about obstinacy and remaining steady on your legs at all times, no matter what comes your way."
She let the ball crash down onto the ground, where it shattered into pieces and left a large round dent beside her foot.
"But like I said, the connection to nature is important."
Miohe moved her hands to the left, turning their palms so they faced the ground. She turned her hips to the right, then made a flowing movement with her hands into the same direction. The ground smoothed with rumbling sounds until its surface was flat again.
"And nature teaches us flexibility as well."
And so the hour passed. Mioha showed her classmates the elements fire and air, accidentally scaring Lavender when a fire ball nearly missed her head.
And when Mioha conjured a mini tornado, Padma Patil was so zealous about it, she accidentally stepped into the square while trying to get a better look. Mioha didn't see her in time and the little tornado crashed into the Ravenclaw. It didn't do much damage besides scaring Padma a little...and making her hair go all frizzy as if she'd been electrocuted.
"The wind can be used to listen", Mioha finished after her last demonstration. "It carries sounds and smells across miles of land or water, and sometimes those informations can be invaluable."
She paused and looked at Harry, signaling him that she was finished.
"Well", said the Gryffindor, looking relieved that most of the meeting had gone smoothly. "That's it for today. We'll meet you here again next Saturday at six in the evening."
"What?", said Erica disappointedly. "It's only ten thirty, can't you show us more before lunch?"
Mioha shook her head.
"Sorry, I need a nap."
Luna and Ginny laughed at her remark.
"Oh!", said Hermione suddenly, having remembered something important. "Everyone needs to sign this list."
She pulled out a scroll from her bag and opened it, revealing the title CANISCLAN at the top.
"It will protect everyone should one try to tell anyone else about these meetings."
"What happens if someone does talk?", asked Marietta frostily.
Hermione eyed her coldly.
"You don't want to find out."
While people took their turns signing their names on the parchment, Ron handed out the paw-necklaces to everyone who hadn't been a Canisclan member the year before.
And then students left the Room of Requirement in groups of twos and threes (Mioha had to unfreeze the door first), shooting impressed looks at Mioha on their way out.
When finally no one besides Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Mioha were left, the Slytherin flopped down on one of the empty pillows.
"Oh boy", she groaned and rubbed her forehead. "I'm beat."
"You did great", said Hermione soothingly. "Although I'm sure you didn't plan on freezing the door."
"The door part. Was. Totally. Awesome", said Ron with a wide grin. "That idiot Zacharias looked like he was about to pee his pants."
Mioha shot him a stern look, but she had to smirk.
"I didn't do it to scare them, I just wanted to show them something that would make it clear I wasn't kidding."
Ron rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Was still funny", he mumbled.
"Well, we'll see in the next few days what will happen", said Harry thoughtfully. "Hey, how did you curse the scroll, Hermione?"
Mioha looked up curiously.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you about that."
Hermione smiled mischievously.
"After last year, I was thinking that a tongue-tying spell would be more practical than just a hex creating pimples all over your face."
She paused.
"But just to be clear, any snitch will still get that rash."
Ron laughed and put an arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side", he smirked.
Mioha looked at the two and smiled knowingly.
"I'm going to bed", she declared tiredly and stood up.
"What, now? I thought you were kidding earlier!", said Ron incredulously.
Ginny rolled her eyes.
"She's been showing off her awesome talents the past one and a half hours. Let her sleep."
"See you later, Mia", said Harry and bumped her shoulder gently. "That was really great today. Let us know if Draco kills you."
Mioha rolled her eyes.
"Gee, thanks."
She left the Room of Requirement after one last wave at her friends, and headed down towards the dungeon. Most students seemed to be either outside, enjoying the last of the warm October, or in their common rooms. Walking through a deserted corridor, Mioha's thoughts returned to the large problem that kept the Order occupied the most.
The three missing Titans.
Orlai was Lux, Octo was Aqua, Nanrek was Terra. And all three were near Hogwarts. They'd been searching for the other three in the near surroundings, but that obviously hadn't worked. Now, if Mioha were a sick Titan, her instincts would tell her to go to her home. Which, in the Titan's case, would be their Birth Place. So the Birth Place had to be near Hogwarts. But they knew that already.
She rubbed her forehead furiously, feeling like her brain was tied in knots.
The Birth Place was a place of tremendous energy, so where the heck could it be?
Mioha groaned and stopped, resting her hand against the wall as she thought hard.
There had to be a simple explanation. There had to be something they were overlooking, perhaps a little detail they had missed-
Someone spun her around by her shoulder. Mioha jerked her knee up instinctively and felt another hand block it. She looked up in surprise, green eyes meeting grey ones.
"You know, I think you should work on your social skills", she said and lowered her leg again. "Because you scaring me half to death most of the time is...a little off putting."
Draco let go of her shoulder.
"What happened in the meeting?", he demanded in a low voice.
Mioha raised an eyebrow.
"You know, I'd be happy to tell you all about it, but I'm really tired, so how about we meet later again? I can practice elemental magic with you."
Draco's eyes narrowed at her.
"The training I'd appreciate, but I just came to know whether anyone found out about... you know."
Mioha shook her head.
"No. Why would they anyway? I'm just a muggleborn who happened to be very studious the past years."
She grinned.
"And my hair isn't red."
"This isn't a joke, Mioha!"
Draco pulled her into a corner where they were more hidden from view, and his voice dropped dangerously low.
"You don't get it, do you? Most Slytherins that show up at Canisclan might actually be on our side, but there parents aren't. Now what if they accidentally let it slip that there's a student who knows elemental magic? The Death Eaters who haven't been informed of your identity will just put two and two together!"
Mioha shook her head.
"No one can speak about Canisclan, Hermione made sure of that."
"What? You think another pimple problem for snitches will stop people from talking?", said Draco sarcastically.
"Not if Hermione added a tongue-tying spell."
Mioha rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry. It's gonna work out fine."
Draco looked at her hardly.
"Why are you taking this so easy? You've been the one trying to stay hidden the whole time-"
"Now I've got a question", Mioha interrupted him, her voice turning a little snippy from her exhaustion.
"I don't really know if we are friends because sometimes you treat me like one, and sometimes you don't. But I get it, you're obviously not used to someone caring about you."
Her tone turned more annoyed.
"So how come you keep trying to decide what I should or should not do? I want my classmates to stay alive, so I will try to help them as much as possible because I've seen what Voldemort can do."
Draco flinched at his name and grabbed his left arm.
"So unless you can give me a good reason why I should not teach elemental magic, you are going to stop pestering me with the dangers of it. I am very well aware of them."
Mioha turned around and stomped off, annoyed.
"See you in the Labyrinth after lunch", she called over shoulder, although she very much did not feel like training with him.
But she had told Draco she'd help him, so she would.
———————————————-
After a nice, long nap in her cozy bed, Mioha met Draco in the Magnus Antrum. Should a professor see them, they would just say they were practicing the elements. Which they were.
The atmosphere was a little frosty as Mioha conjured up a little tank filled with water. She and Draco hadn't exchanged a word yet since their little encounter earlier and now they faced each other silently, waiting for the other to speak.
Mioha scratched her neck uncomfortably, feeling a little embarrassed about her outburst. She looked up at Draco, who was standing on the other side of the two meter long tank, his arms crossed and staring stiffly into the water.
"Well", said Mioha slowly and stretched out her hand. She laid the palm of her hand against the surface of the water, feeling little waves slosh against her hand.
"Professor McGonagall only did the basics with you, so how about we start with shaping the water into specific forms?"
Draco nodded curtly and and unfolded his arms. He imitated Mioha's position and stretched out a hand, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration. Then he curved his hand and pulled it upwards. The water followed him slowly, forming a tiny mountain on the surface. Yet a second later, it splashed back down and Draco huffed in frustration.
"That is the best thing I have accomplished so far", he said frostily, obviously displeased with himself. "The water doesn't seem to want to do what I want it to."
Mioha studied him carefully, then rose her hand into the air, shaping the water into a small pillar.
"I've had the same problem", she said and elegantly moved her hand around, the water pole curving and widening at some spots, shortening at its end- until a little dolphin had formed out of water. Mioha let it jump through the air until it splashed back into the tank.
"You're already able to do wandless magic, so I don't think performing magic without a wand is the problem. I think you're just having trouble to control water because you don't know what it's supposed to feel like."
Draco folded his arms again and scowled.
"Maybe I should try a different element", he suggested grumpily.
Mioha shook her head.
"No, I think water is the best choice for you."
Upon seeing his questioning look, she added: "you use Occlumency on a daily basis, meaning you hide your inner feelings and thoughts while letting the surface remain calm."
She pointed at the water.
"It's like sinking something into the sea. The surface of the water can be calm and not tell you a single thing about what's at the bottom."
Understanding lit up in Draco's eyes and he nodded, his tense facial expression relaxing slightly.
Mioha looked up at him.
"Can you try to do the same thing you did earlier, but this time blindfolded?"
She conjured up a long black piece of cloth and handed it to Draco. He looked at it uncertainly, then tied it around his eyes.
They spent two hours in the Magnus Antrum. During that time, Professor Flitwick popped by, watching excitedly how a blindfolded Draco Malfoy was slowly getting better at maintaining control over the water for longer periods of time. He fluttered out of the hall again after fifteen minutes, his dragonfly wings buzzing softly.
"Alright", said Mioha after realizing it was already two o'clock.
"I think we should stop for today."
Draco sighed in relief and pulled off the blindfold, his sweaty hair sticking into all directions.
"Can't really say how I did because I couldn't see anything", he said in a raspy voice, "but it definitely felt ... different in the end."
Mioha nodded.
"Sometimes, if you need to focus on something, it's good to block some other things out."
She vanished the water tank.
"Well...uhm....see you later, I guess."
Mioha turned to leave.
"Wait...Mioha."
"Hmm?"
She looked at him over her shoulder.
"I want to apologize for earlier. I understand your intentions are good. You just need to watch your back."
Draco looked at her seriously.
Mioha nodded.
"I will. Don't worry."
The blond Slytherin vanished the black blindfold.
"And...thanks for helping me. When would you have the time to meet me here again?"
Mioha smiled relieved as she felt the tension between them disappearing.
"How about Tuesday? I've got a free period in the morning."
Draco nodded gratefully and rolled his shoulders with a grimace. They cracked loudly.
"So, about the Canisclan meeting..."
"Ah, right."
They both started walking out of the Magnus Antrum.
"Well, I think it went pretty well. I told them they'd have to choose an element from air, earth, fire and water by Saturday because there's no way I can teach them all six."
Draco nodded in understanding.
"Yes, I assume with your schedule, you're already pretty packed."
Mioha sighed.
"Yup. But it will be worth it."
She stopped short when a thought popped into her head.
"Are you coming with me to St. Mungo's on Friday?"
Draco stopped as well and looked down at her curiously.
"I assumed I would."
Mioha smiled brightly.
"Great! It's nice not having to sneak around alone in a dark hospital."
They left the Magnus Antrum behind them and turned left.
Mioha suddenly had to snicker.
"What?", asked Draco and eyed her suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing. Earlier in the Room of Requirement, many wanted to leave because they didn't believed I could to elemental magic. So...I froze the door."
"You-"
Draco stopped short.
"You froze the door?"
"Well, I didn't really have a better idea so-"
Mioha shrugged and grimaced at Draco's facial expression.
"Okay, I'll just stop talking."
They walked in silence for a few more minutes. Mioha nodded at a few professors they passed, and soon she felt the ground slanting upwards as they neared the nearest exit.
"I have a question", she broke the silence and looked up at Draco.
"If...when Vol- I mean, You-Know-Who is gone, what are your plans?"
The blond Slytherin's grey eyes widened.
"My plans?"
"Yeah, like what do you want to be? An Auror? Work in the ministry?"
She cocked her head curiously.
Draco rubbed his neck.
"Honestly, I haven't really thought about that before."
"But what would you do?"
He tensed up.
"Well...I sometimes think about doing...portraits of people, you know the magical kind that have some part of the real person's character."
Mioha looked at him surprised.
Draco's face instantly turned cold.
"It's stupid-"
"No, it isn't."
Mioha smiled.
"So, you like to draw?"
"Yes. Helps me clear my head."
Draco's posture relaxed a little and they continued walking in silence for a few more minutes.
"What about you?"
Mioha looked up.
"Me? Well, I've been thinking of becoming a Healer. I really, really love doing things to help people and creatures, so it's either applying for St. Mungo's or...asking Charlie for an internship."
"Charlie?", Draco repeated.
"Charlie Weasley. He works with dragons. Ever since fourth year, I've been thinking about how dragons are probably being mistreated all over the world, and not only dragons. I'd like to change that by showing the wizarding world that there are better ways to deal with dangerous creatures."
Draco nodded slowly.
"Guess your knowledge of animal-languages really comes in handy in that department."
Mioha laughed.
"I should write a dictionary, starting with mammals. The Book Of Dogs And Their Languages."
She snorted.
"Chapter one: how to tell them to stop pooping inside the house."
"Oh, you could make a lot of money with that", said Draco drily. "Because getting dogs potty-trained is the world's biggest concern."
"Haha."
Mioha rolled her eyes.
"I could also do something completely different, like a delivery service."
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"For food", Mioha clarified. "You know, since I can flash. Ron's idea."
She smirked.
"Right. Now I remember."
Draco's lips tugged upwards.
"What would you call it?"
"What, the delivery service? Haven't actually thought of anything...oh!"
Mioha stopped and grabbed Draco's elbow in excitement.
"How about: Silverwing's high-speed international transport?"
She beamed at him.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"So your delivery service would be called...SHIT?"
Mioha frowned.
"No! It would be..."
She thought for a moment.
"Oh. Okay, new name."
Draco looked at Mioha amused as she kept on piecing together weird names that didn't make any sense. He wouldn't have admitted it, but he was actually kind of enjoying himself.
"How about Fast And Reliable Transport?"
"No. That name is so long, people would just call it FART", Draco retorted.
"Best And Rare Food?"
"Did you purposely make the capital letters spell BARF?"
Mioha giggled.
"Well, I thought we're sticking to short and disgusting words describing bodily functions."
Draco let out a short laugh.
This girl's was humor was so crazy, it was actually funny.
They reached the end of the tunnel, which was basically a dead end with a portrait on it that would lead them into the hallway in front of Professor Snape's office.
Draco looked down and found Mioha smiling at him, her green eyes sparkling gently.
And his heart warmed a little bit, just a little, at the thought of having someone to talk normally to. Without pretending.
"I guess we should leave separately", said Mioha and distracted Draco from his thoughts.
"See you at dinner?"
Draco nodded and watched Mioha step through the portrait into the world where they had to pretend again that they weren't friends.
Friends.
He shook his head and started counting to sixty before he followed, sparkling green eyes occupying his mind.