Chapter 11: Christmas and the Yule Ball.
"Happy Christmas!" Mia greeted as she made her way down the stairs into the common room. She grinned when she saw all the students lounging around the room. Everyone in fourth year and above stayed behind at school so they could attend the ball.
Most of the thirds and below had gone home as usual - there were some thirds years staying behind because they had been invited by some of the fourth years.
"Happy Christmas Mia," everyone greeted back while Hermione smiled at how 'Christmassy' Mia looked. She wore a red shirt and a red mini skirt with white trim at the bottom. Mia also wore her mid-calf high heeled boots, also red, and the top half of her hair was pulled back into a clasp with strands falling around her face, making her look more innocent than she was.
"Very Christmassy, Mia," Harry told her from where he was sitting next to Hermione with an arm slung over her shoulders, echoing Hermione's thoughts. Mia just grinned.
"A girl loves a reason to dress up," Mia informed him as she moved closer to the tree and started digging out the presents. "Who wants to play Santa this Christmas?"
"I'll do it," Ron said as he moved over next to her and sat down. He started pulling the presents toward him. "Okay - this one is to Mia from me," Ron told her as he handed it to her.
Mia grinned as she took the present and ripped into it. She opened the box and found herself looking at a double ended blade that curved slightly at the tip while the handle was twisted and curved.
"Oh - this is brilliant!" Mia exclaimed and Ron grinned.
"The twins and I pitched in to buy you this," Ron told her and Mia just hugged him hard before she sat back and looked at the knife before she placed it back in the box.
"This is to Harry from me," Ron continued.
Harry took the present and opened it before he gaped at the key chain that Ron had had made. Harry lifted it up and saw that one side contained a picture of a laughing Mia wrapped up in Harry's arms while Harry tickled her. The other side contained a single picture of Hermione, who was sitting on a couch, reading a book.
Harry ran his thumb over the picture of Hermione before he looked up at Ron, who just grinned and winked at him. Harry gave a soft laugh before he placed the key chain back in and picked up the other part of the present, which consisted of a very good drawing of Harry and Hermione together.
Harry looked up at Ron, curious to where Ron had received this from and Ron grinned.
"Seamus helped me out - I gave him pictures and told him what to draw. He did this and passed it on to me. I guess you can say it's from both of us," Ron explained and Harry grinned back in reply as Hermione leaned over and looked at the drawing.
Harry and Hermione were sitting together on the couch. Hermione had her head on his shoulder as she read a book while Harry had an arm over her shoulder and was resting his cheek on her hair with his eyes closed.
Both of them had a look of contentment on their faces and Hermione couldn't help but fall in love with the painting.
"This is to Hermione, from me," Ron told them as he handed Hermione the present and watched as she opened it to find that it was a book on the water element. She looked up at Ron with a happy smile on her face. "I know that there wasn't a lot about the water element so I contacted Bill and he found it for me."
"Thank you!" Hermione told him and Ron nodded, waving it off before he handed out everyone's presents from Mia.
Harry had received a Stellerstarr CD, because he liked the song 'Sweet Troubled Soul' and a black leather jacket - which had Hermione checking it out. Ron had received a new book on quidditch and a sliver chained necklace that had a tribal charm. Hermione had received a new charm for her charm bracelet. This one had an actual friendship charm on it, and Mia revealed a matching one on her anklet.
Next Ron gave out the presents from Hermione. Ron had received a book on defence so that Ron knew who to work his way around certain tasks for their fifth year and he had received an older collector's version of another book on quidditch.
Harry received a book on fire and what type of fire that he would be able to manipulate later when he had fully grown his elemental abilities. He had also received a sliver chained necklace.
Mia had received a book on the weather so she would know how to conjure up any weather she wanted and a pair of twisted sliver earrings that Hermione had seen her admire in a shop.
Finally, Ron gave everyone their presents from Harry. Ron had received a wand holster and a book on self defence. Ron had asked Harry to teach him how to fight and Harry had given him the book as a starting point.
Mia had received a stuffed cuddly toy of a dolphin, much to her delight. Harry couldn't help the grin that crossed his face when he saw Mia cuddle the dolphin close to her and saw that there was a dolphin charm in a box that she could attach to her anklet.
Hermione opened her present only to find that it was another box. She shot Harry a curious look, one that had Harry grinning.
"Oh…Harry!" Hermione gasped out as she opened the box to reveal matching earrings and necklace.
"I thought you might would like to wear it for the ball," Harry told her and Hermione gave him a soft smile.
"Thank you," Hermione told him as she leaned and in kissed his cheek before she settled back on her seat and looked the jewellery once more.
Ron looked around the bottom of the tree before his eyes narrowed when he saw a thin box at the back. He reached in and pulled it out before looking at the tag and arched his eyebrow.
"This is to Mia but it doesn't say who it is from," Ron told them as he handed the thin box to Mia, who took it with a puzzled look. She looked cautiously at the box and opened it.
A startled gasp came from Mia as she looked at the item that was in the box, causing Ron, Harry and Hermione to look at her before they leaned over and found themselves staring at the item in stunned silence.
"Oh, wow," Ron gasped out when he saw what Mia was looking at. "Who got you that?" Mia just shook her head; she didn't know who had gotten her it because no note had come with it.
"Are you going to wear it to the ball?" Hermione asked curiously. "It would go with your dress."
"Right now, I just want to know who gave it to me," Mia admitted as she fingered the present before she closed the box and looked at the time. "We'd better get ready - the ball will be soon."
Everyone agreed as they all got up from their sitting place and headed up to their respective dorm rooms to get ready.
***************
Harry found himself standing at the bottom of the steps as he straightened his robes when he heard an amused male voice.
"Panic much?" Harry turned around and saw that Draco was standing in the shadows, watching Harry with an amused expression. Harry grinned as he moved closer and rested his back against the wall.
"Kinda," Harry admitted before he sighed. "It's a big night for Hermione and me; I just don't want to mess it up." Draco laughed softly.
"Harry - I don't think you could mess it up even if you tried," Draco reassured him. Harry looked over his shoulder at him.
"Who are you going with?" Harry asked and Draco grinned.
"I'm with Susan Bones," Draco told him and Harry grinned back.
"Finally got the guts to ask her out did you?" Harry asked and got a shove to the shoulder for his trouble. Harry laughed.
"Harry!" a male voice called out and he turned to see that Ron was waving him over.
"I gotta go and play golden boy," Harry told Draco before he looked at him and grinned. "Catch you inside."
"Later," Draco told him and they both walked off towards their groups.
"Who were you talking to?" Ron asked curiously. Harry just shook his head.
"Just a classmate - he's a little nervous about dancing," Harry told Ron, who nodded then turned back to his date. Parvati, however, looked over Ron's shoulder and gasped slightly.
Harry, curious about Parvati's reaction, turned around and felt his jaw drop slightly when he caught sight of Hermione standing at the top of the stairs.
"Oh…wow," Harry uttered out as Hermione made her way down the stairs. She shot Harry a shy smile as she brushed back a strand of her hair.
Mia had pinned Hermione's hair up after straightening it and had left some strands loose. She wore a pink and purple dress. It fit her upper body like second skin but flared out at the waist and fell to the ground in simple elegance.
"You look amazing," Harry told her and Hermione blushed slightly.
"You look great too," Hermione told him as she eyed him over. Harry had gotten his hair cut a little bit shorter and wore black robes with a green shirt and black trousers. Hermione grinned when she saw the bow tie before she reached out and touched it. Harry rolled his eyes in return.
"Mia threatened me with bodily harm if I didn't wear the tie," Harry explained. Hermione just grinned wider before she pulled her hand away and Harry lifted up his arm, allowing her to slip her arm into his.
"She's beautiful," Parvati stated from where she was standing next to Ron, looking over Harry and Hermione's shoulder this time.
Ron, Harry and Hermione turned around to see Mia standing at the top of the stairs, looking around a bit nervously. When her eyes landed on them she grinned before she straightened slightly.
Hermione couldn't help the pleased smile that crossed over her face, because Parvati was wrong - Mia was gorgeous.
Hunter watched from where he was standing a little further down from the door. He had arrived early so he could see Mia and couldn't help the soft smile that appeared on his face when he saw her.
Mia was wearing a dark blue dress with accents in light blue. The top fit snugly while it flared out slightly at the waist before it fell, straight to the ground. Thin straps crisscrossed at her back.
The one thing Hunter noticed the most was the necklace that Mia was wearing. She wore a blue topaz crystal necklace. The crystal was suspended just above her breasts and it twinkled in the light. Her black hair was twisted up with strands falling down around face her and framing her neck, making her appear more vulnerable.
Hunter felt his heart clench softly before he turned away and made his way into the Great Hall.
Cedric couldn't keep his eyes off Mia as she made her way over to her friends while smiling brightly. Cedric looked down at Cho before he looked back to Mia once more and realised that he had to make a decision.
"We'll see you inside," Mia said once she had joined Harry and Hermione, who nodded as Mia, Ron and Parvati headed into the hall with the other students, leaving the champions and their dates outside.
Professor McGonagall rounded the corner and smiled when she saw her students all dressed up. She noticed that Fleur was with a Ravenclaw boy who seemed to drooling over her, Krum was with a small brunette who was clinging onto his arm, and Cedric, of course, was with Cho Chang.
McGonagall looked towards the last couple and couldn't help the soft grin that crossed her usually strict face at the sight of Harry and Hermione looking so cute together. She cleared her throat and turned her face passive quickly.
"Students," she greeted as she moved closer to them and nodded her head. "You will be opening the dance." She moved over to the doors and opened them before stepping to the side to allow the champions through.
Cedric walked in first with Cho, then Fleur with her date, followed by Krum and his date preceding Harry and Hermione.
Harry looked toward Hermione and smiled softly.
"Ready?" Harry asked and Hermione grinned back as she slipped her arm through Harry's.
"Ready," she told him and they both walked through the doorway and into the Great Hall. The students cheered as the champions made their way over to the dance floor. Almost immediately the music started and they started dancing, officially opening the ball.
Once the dance was opened and students started joining the champions, Mia made her way over to the drinks table and was about to pick up a cup when a voice interrupted her.
"Here you go," a male voice spoke up and Mia turned around to see that Hunter was standing there, holding a cup of juice out to her.
Mia arched an eyebrow at him before she looked at the cup then looked back at him.
"Should I be worried about the juice being spiked?" Mia asked and Hunter grinned.
"Nah - a waste of time if you ask me, I'd rather charm the girl," Hunter told her and Mia couldn't help the wry smile that crossed her face before she took the cup. While she did, she scanned Hunter and found that he was looking quite handsome. He was wearing a black trouser with a white shirt and a black tie. His hair was in its usual spikes and he wore black robes over his clothes.
"Having a good time?" Mia asked and Hunter looked at her, startled that she was talking to him cordially before an amused smile crossed his face.
"You are talking to me? Of your own free will? Has hell frozen over and I just became the king of the Underworld?" Hunter exclaimed.
Mia was about to open her mouth to argue with him when she saw the amusement in his eyes and settled for a half hearted glare.
"There is no need to mock me," she informed him and Hunter laughed.
"Sorry - it's just that every time I try to talk to you, I get a chilly glare in response," Hunter informed her and Mia couldn't help the soft laugher that came out of her mouth at Hunter's description.
"Sorry about that," Mia admitted. "I just... I felt like I knew you somewhere." Hunter arched an eyebrow at her and Mia blushed slightly. "We met back in the summer."
Hunter's eyebrows furrowed as he tried to place her when his eyes widened in understanding.
"You're the girl that I flirted with!" Hunter exclaimed as he remembered before shaking his head and frowning. "And if I remember correctly, you started being cold to me after I came down the stairs."
Mia arched an eyebrow at him.
"You went up the stairs with a girl and another male then came back down later - why do you think I was chilly toward you?" Mia informed him and Hunter laughed softly.
"I only took her up the stairs because she was hung over," Hunter explained and Mia arched an eyebrow at him, causing Hunter to grin. "I used a sobering potion on her and then we came back down the stairs - we most definitely did not have a threesome - I don't share very well."
Mia rolled her eyes at that before shaking her head. "Is what why you've been frosty with me since I've arrived at Hogwarts?" Hunter asked curiously. Mia shook her head.
"I didn't remember where I had seen you. No - there's something else put me on an edge - it's like you know something about me that I don't want you to know," Mia explained and Hunter laughed.
"Jeez Mia, you make it sound like I'm stalking you," Hunter told her and Mia flushed slightly before she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"That's how I feel," Mia stated and Hunter grinned.
"Don't worry - I don't know anything that you're not going to tell me," Hunter told her and Mia smiled softly, enjoying the banter with Hunter. She briefly wondered why she had been so worried about him but just squashed the small voice in her mind and allowed herself to enjoy the moment.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Hunter asked as he held out his hand towards Mia. Mia looked at his hand and then into his dark eyes and felt a soft smile crosses her face.
"I would like to," she told him before she placed her hand into his and he led them out onto the dance floor. He turned to face her and placed one hand on her waist, joining their other hands together as was proper. Mia placed her free hand on Hunter's shoulder and they both swayed to the soft music.
Cedric watched from where he was dancing with Cho. Mia was looking up at Hunter and was laughing at something Hunter was telling her. Cedric couldn't help the small clench of his heart as he watched Mia's blue eyes lighten up with happiness while smiling and replying back to Hunter, who also laughed at Mia's response.
Cedric looked back at Cho when she nudged him, noticing that his attention was somewhere else and he smiled at her.
"Is there something wrong?" Cho asked and Cedric shook his head.
"Nothing's wrong," Cedric assured Cho before she gave him a soft smile and leaned her head into his chest. Cedric rested his chin on top of her head before he once again shot a quick look over to Mia and noticed that she was still smiling softly and looking happy. He closed his eyes and sighed to himself.
He needed to make a choice and very soon.
Hermione, on the other hand, was happy that her best friend had let down her guard and was finally talking to Hunter without glaring at him. Hermione didn't know what it was that drew Mia to Hunter but she just knew deep inside of her that Hunter was good for Mia - that he would be able to help her.
Hermione frowned softly when she saw that Cedric was watching Mia and Hunter with an unreadable look on his face and sighed to herself before shaking her head. She knew that Cedric really liked Mia and just hoped that Mia wasn't going to be hurt in the process.
"Hermione?" a male voice cut into her thoughts and she turned around to see Harry staring at her with an amused expression on his face.
"Sorry?" Hermione asked and Harry grinned.
"Where were you?" Harry asked. "I've been calling your name for the last two minutes and you didn't even hear me." Hermione blushed softly before she let out a soft laugh.
"Sorry, I had a lot on my mind," she told him before her eyes were drawn toward Mia and Hunter once more and saw that Mia was looking at Hunter with a curious look on her face as he told her something. "What do you think of Hunter?"
Harry frowned, curious about Hermione's thoughts and change of subject before he turned to see that Mia and Hunter were having a conversation. He sighed.
"I think that he is actually a good guy but Mia is just cautious about letting him close to her," Harry told Hermione. She nodded in agreement before a soft frown marred her face.
Harry couldn't help but reach out and rubbed his thumb over the crease in between her brows and she turned to face him, startled. "Sorry," Harry apologised with a sheepish grin. "I just don't like seeing you frown."
Hermione smiled softly again before she leaned in and rested her head on Harry's shoulder as they watched the people dance while Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close to him.
Hunter looked down at Mia's necklace and smiled softly before he looked at Mia's bowed head.
"That's a nice necklace," Hunter stated casually and Mia raised her head before she looked back down at the necklace.
"Thanks," Mia told him. "I got it for my Christmas from a secret admirer." Hunter raised en eyebrow at that statement before he whistled softly.
"He must really care about you if he gave that to you," Hunter told her before he eyed the necklace. "I saw something like that in a shop and it was quite expensive."
"Really?" Mia asked half shocked and half curious. Hunter nodded.
"Yep - you must have really attracted his attention if he bought you that," Hunter told her.
"Oh," she whispered to herself before she looked at the necklace and saw the crystal glitter slightly under the light. Suddenly the glow changed to a soft pinkish colour with a slight red hue before it changed back to its normal blue colour - one that was the same as her eyes.
Mia frowned softly when she saw it change colour before an idea came to her and she brought her head up and looked at Hunter, who was staring over her head.
"Hunter…" Mia started and Hunter looked down at her. "Did you buy me the necklace?"
The song came to a stop, causing the lights to come on and the students to applaud the band while Hunter and Mia just stared at each other. Finally a soft smile crossed Hunter's face as he stood back from Mia and lifted her hand.
Hunter kissed the back of it before he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Thanks for the dance Mia," he told her and walked off, leaving her alone in the middle of the floor, breathless and her heart thumping heavily.
"Mia?" a female voice interrupted her thoughts and she felt a soft hand on her elbow. Turning, she saw Hermione standing there, looking concerned. "Are you okay?"
Mia looked past Hermione's shoulder and saw that Hunter was leaving the Great Hall altogether before she turned her dazed blue eyes toward Hermione.
"I think I might be in trouble," Mia admitted. Hermione just looked at her best friend before she looked over her shoulder then back at her best friend once more.
"Physically or emotionally?" Hermione asked and a soft smile laced with fear crossed Mia's face.
"Emotionally," Mia admitted and understanding dawned on Hermione as she stared back at her best friend.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hermione asked. "I can tell Harry that we need to go back to the common room."
"No!" Mia burst out, startling Hermione. Mia shook her head, giving Hermione a soft smile. "No, it's okay. We can talk later. This is a dance - we came here to dance." Hermione just smiled at Mia curiously before Harry came up behind her and looked at them with concern shining in his green eyes.
"Is everything okay?" Harry asked and Mia replied just before Hermione did.
"Yes," Mia told him and Harry nodded, slightly taken back by his sister's over excited attitude. "It looks like there is another song coming on - why don't you two go and dance?"
"Mia…" Hermione started but Mia cut her off with a soft look.
"I'll be okay Hermione, we can talk later," Mia assured her and Hermione gave in with a soft nod before she turned to Harry. "I'll catch you later."
Mia walked off toward the table where the cups and the drinks were to quench her thirst. She was about to pick up a cup when a soft hand cupped her elbow and a hot breath met her ear.
"Mia, it's time," a male voice whispered in her ear and Mia nodded as she moved over toward the stage and spoke to the main band member. He nodded as he pointed to the microphone, causing Mia to nod and speak to him a little bit longer before he stood to the side and allowed Mia to step up on to the stage, attracting a lot of attention.
Everyone but Harry and Hermione looked toward Mia with a curious look on their faces while Mia gave them all a soft smile.ermHermihhhhh
Mia stood at the microphone and winked at Draco before turning to face Harry and Hermione, who moved to the middle of the dance floor.
"This is my mother's favourite song, so I'm dedicating it to her," Mia stated before she closed her eyes as the music started to float around the room.
#I can feel the magic floating in the air/Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face and I've/Never been this swept away#
Harry and Hermione just stared at each other as they continued to sway in each other arms.
#All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze#
Mia opened her eyes and looked at everyone on the dance floor below her. Harry and Hermione were locked in an embrace. Ron was dancing with Parvati and winked at Mia, who grinned and winked back, not once breaking her song.
#when I'm lying wrapped up in your arms/The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear/Is the beating of your heart
'Cause I can feel you breathe/It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you/There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be/Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush/Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe/Just breathe
In a way I know my heart is waking up/As all the walls come tumbling down
I'm closer than I've ever felt before/And I know
And you know/There's no need for words right now
'Cause I can feel you breathe/It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you/There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be/Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush/Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe/Just breathe
Caught up in the touch/The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe/Just breathe
I can feel the magic floating in the air/Being with you gets me that way#
"Do you want to go outside?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded as they pulled away from the dance with linked hands and walked out of the Great Hall. Mia stepped down from the stage and moved over to the drinks table, where Draco was filling his cup with punch.
Mia reached the table and grabbed a cup herself and filled it up with punch as Draco leaned in slightly.
"Good going," Draco praised Mia and got a nod in return.
"Just slap a pair of wings on me, hand me a crossbow and call me cupid," Mia stated as she lifted her cup and both of them tapped the rim of their cups together before turning back to the scene.
While that was happening, Dumbledore watched with a dark look and a nagging thought came to his mind about exactly why Mia and Draco would be talking.
TBC
I hope the Mia/Hunter interactions have kept you happy!
Song is 'Breathe' by Faith Hill.