~Sorry for the very late update! I recommend skimming over the last chapter at least, if not other previous chapters~

"She wanted to add a bit of equality

to the DA's policy"

~

"Honey, are you sure you want to go back?" asked Amie as she cast a worried look to her daughter, "I've been reading the papers and things have been getting bad, I just know it-"

Mia continued to pack her belongings quickly, she knew her mother was just trying to stall time so she would miss the train. "I'll be fine, Mum, I promise."

The two had a strained relationship for the rest of break. After the incident with the estranged Draco Malfoy, it was no surprise that Amie would be on-edge. The boy's father was best friends with her evil ex-lover, after all. Not only that, but he was within arms reach of the Dark Lord, and she refused for him to pull her daughter with him.

"We could transfer you to a different school, or maybe you could just take the rest of the year off. I just don't feel comfortable-"

"Please, just stop," begged Mia, her blue eyes watery yet narrowed, "I-I don't mean to sound rude or ungrateful but you need to stop being over-protective. I love Hogwarts, it's my home. My friends and passions are there. The muggle world is nice and all, but I am a witch, I want to become an Auror, and I'm close to being at the top of my class. I am of no use here, I'm magical."

"But-"

"I'm not getting into trouble. Heck, I'm even planning to go into a career where I catch the bad guys!"

"You know I'm just worried."

"Yeah, I know," muttered Mia with a slam of her trunk closing, "I'm going to be late to the train. You can't stop me."

Silence filled the small living room. Amie's arms were crossed in front of her chest, trying to control her anger as she watched the girl frantically gather the rest of her belongings. Something in the woman felt both angry and scared.

All the years of hiding and lies, all of the sacrifices made were about to go to waste once her teenager stepped out of the door.

But she knew this was bound to happen. You couldn't change a child's name and create a false life for them and expect them to be obedient forever no matter the potential consequences.

One last hug between the two was exchanged, both muttering quiet apologies as they pushed aside their differing views for just a second so they could bring out the bond they would never shed. 

As Mia was about to step out the door, her mother's strong yet somehow soft voice rang out, "Mia...I love you more than anything in this world. Please stay safe."

She turned to face the worried woman, her heart hurting. Part of her felt obligated to stay, like she should want a normal teenage life. The nagging feeling in her gut made her legs as stiff as lead making her want to just give in and stay.

But she didn't.

"I love you too. Trust me, we'll always be safe."

~._.~

The first day of classes was quiet, especially for Mia. She tried to avoid everyone except for Melanie, Katarina, and Ernie. Although she wasn't necessarily popular, everyone knew there was something off with the girl. She shrugged it off, claiming she just felt 'under the weather'. 

After her mother's warning of making the wrong friends, she tried to find a happy medium, only talking people when she had to but not become a complete recluse. It was hard to not be energetic and outgoing like her Hufflepuff nature pushed her to be.

Of course, some people just didn't understand when to back off...like a particular Slytherin prince.

Draco Malfoy felt something different for the girl. He couldn't quite pin it, but since the girl went out of her way to be kind to him, he felt as if he finally had a real, true friend who believed in him. Someone who actually cared for him for all the right reasons. 

He had time to think over the rest of break and reflected on all of the insults and foul moments he had with her. Remorse filled him and he decided he would start over. He would attempt to be kind and make up for the past. Surely she would understand, right?

But he grew frantic when she barely spoke a word to him during classes. She deliberately ignored eye contact and cut him off with short responses when he would try to speak.

So that evening in the Great Hall, he decided to corner her at the Hufflepuff table. He knew she would never be rude in front of her fellow housemates. She always preached about setting a good example for the younger ones.

He always thought it was silly, just like anything she was passionate about, but he decided to appreciate her for his own sake.

As the girl read a book at the dinner table, the blond took a deep breath before making his way over to her. There was nowhere to sit next to her, as usual, so she stood behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.

She lazily looked up and her eyes widened a bit upon seeing him. Katarina and Melanie were right across from her, and fear coursed through her veins as she remembered her mother's warning and threats.

"Hey, erm, I just wanted to, uh-"

"Bother Mia?" scowled Ernie, his hazel eyes narrowed. "Why don't you just go back to your table?"

Draco was about to retort but bit his tongue, expecting Mia to step in and defend him as always.

But she didn't.

Instead, she got her book and rose from the table. "I'm gonna go to the dorms, I've been ill lately. See you, Malfoy."

The Slytherin boy frantically followed her, knowing something was wrong. He didn't quite know what or why he even cared, but wanted to get to the bottom of it. "Smith...hey, can we talk? Are you okay? You've been acting odd...MIA!"

The Great Hall fell nearly silent as the boy's voice rang out. Everyone was struck with surprise not at the fact that the usually-snarky boy had grown loud, but that he had called someone by their first name. This hadn't happened in his 5 years at Hogwarts.

Mia's eyes flitted to him before she muttered a sheepish apology and left. The boy stood there dumbfounded as his cheeks burned with embarrassment. The fact that he had shown respect to a Hufflepuff in front of almost the whole school was humiliating.

He couldn't even imagine what his father would say.

So he decided to let the girl go despite the dull pain in his chest. She obviously didn't care for him anymore and he tried to appreciate the easy escape from their friendship. It would be better for the both of them. 

~._.~

"Smith, you better back off of my Drake-Poo! A nasty blood-traitor pushover like yourself doesn't deserve to even look at him!" exclaimed Pansy Parkinson loud enough for the whole library to hear. Her dull eyes burned with jealousy at the innocent blonde girl.

Mia gave a deep sigh and rubbed her temples. "Pansy, please, I have no interest in ruining your oh-so-dear relationship with Malfoy. I just need to talk to Millicent and Blaise for a second."

"And why-"

Pansy stopped dead in her tracks as Draco approached the small table in the library, looking weary as ever. He livened up a bit upon seeing Mia, but it was uncertain of whether he was scared or happy about the new encounter. 

But his instincts told him to revert to his old mean ways. The rumors of the past few days were driving him mad. All he did was call the Hufflepuff by her first name one time.

Yet the school thought otherwise.

Draco Malfoy was never known to be on a first-name basis with anyone, not even his best friend Blaise Zabini. He always tormented Gryffindors and bullied Hufflepuffs. The idea of him showing a shred of kindness to Mia Smith, the epitome of the badger house, was absurd. But this year had been a turning point and people had begun to notice.

Students saw the two together more, they were partners in classes, and the other Prefects caught them in the same corridor every shift talking. But when Draco frantically called her by her first name, everyone took that as a sign.

Even more so than seeing his yellow and green knit scarf every time he stepped outside. 

"Erm, Smith, I'm assuming you came here to talk?" asked Draco sheepishly.

Mia shrugged, averting her eyes. "Yeah, but not to you. Millicent and Blaise, could you come with me for a moment please? I promise it'll be quick."

Blaise Zabini gave a curt nod and motioned Millicent Bulstrode to follow. She led them to the back corner of the library among the books of herbology. Students typically didn't meander back there - with the exception of Neville Longbottm - so she knew it would be safe.

"I'm sorry to bother you two, but I have an offer I think you guys will enjoy," started the girl cautiously. "I've noticed that you two are the only fifth year Slytherins to not have joined the Inquisitorial Squad. I think that's brave of you, and it shows you have morals. I've also noticed you despise Umbridge heavily.

"I think you two would enjoy an opportunity I'm about to offer, but you have to promise that you won't tell anyone. I've been advocating for Slytherins to be a part of this for quite some time. If you stay quiet, nobody will get in trouble."

Millicent's small eyes widened, "Is it a plan to get rid of Umbridge?"

Mia chuckled and shook her head. "Not necessarily, although that would be great as well. I need to have your word before I tell you."

"Whatever little club you lot have, keep me out," huffed Blaise, crossing his arms, "I don't have time for such shenanigans."

"Look, whatever pride you think you have to uphold is irrelevant among people that are actually worth your time. You're safe with us, nobody in your house will know about either of you doing this. So, can I continue?" asked Mia. The two finally accepted, although Blaise was quite hesitant.

"The group is called Dumbledore's Army, and we aim to teach what we should be learning instead of what the Ministry has put in place. We mostly focus on Defense Against the Dark Arts, but have also learned other spells."

"So...basically what we're already doing, but just in secret?" asked Blaise boredly.

Mia gave a sigh and shook her head, "No, we do a lot of dueling to actually practice the spells. Everyone in it so far loves it and we haven't had anyone leave. The only thing we're missing is a bit more house diversity...that's where you two come in.

"We need to break the stereotype that Slytherins are all evil and support the Dark Army. You two could be the start of that...we would love to have you join."

The two stood in silence, taking in the information. Millicent looked so deep in thought while Blaise stared Mia down, his calculating gaze making her shift uncomfortably. 

"What's in it for us?" asked Millicent in her Slytherin way.

"An education...and defiance against a certain pink toad."

"Oh, and the chance to get caught and possibly expelled. Sounds brilliant," muttered Blaise.

Mia's eyes narrowed, "Look, I understand it may seem risky but we are very cautious with the way it's run."

"You know what...count me in," said Millicent with a small smile. "It's better than the Inquisitorial Squad anyway."

"That's great! Meet me outside the Great Hall at quarter-to-four on Friday," instructed Mia, giving one last smile and wave to to girl before she strode off.

This left just her and Blaise, who was giving her an questioning stare. "You know I'm best friends with Malfoy, the head of the Inquisitorial Squad...why would you possibly want me in your little club?"

"Because, Blaise, I know you're not like them. Not only that, but you'd be especially helpful in making sure they aren't around in while these meetings are taking place...it's a win-win situation."

The boy thought silently for a second and gave a nod. "Fine, Smith, but you owe me."

"Don't worry, the DA is already paying you back."

~=~

Hello all! Thanks so much for reading and sorry about the late update.

I hope you are all doing well. I will try to continue this book since I am home for winter break for over a month. 

I have a lot of great ideas for the future of this story, so I hope you'll stick with me!

Question of the chapter,

~What do you think about Blaise as a character?~

(I wish he would have had a more fleshed out character in the originals...I always thought he was so cool!)

Love to all,

Lumos