A boy who's jealous

will become so mean he's overzealous

~

It was the end of yet another successful Dumbledore's Army meeting. There was something different about this one, though. The change was nothing negative, just a bit shocking to some.

Two Slytherins were in the room.

Millicent Bulstrode and Blaise Zabini were learning alongside their fellow classmates of different houses. And, surprisingly, it worked out well.

After the meeting, Harry bid everyone farewell. He was about to ask Mia to stay behind but she was already making a beeline for him whilst also saying goodbye to everyone.

He couldn't hold back a smile and neither could she. They waited until the last people left until they started talking.

"Hey, Mia," said Harry sheepishly, "I was just about to ask for you to stay after."

"Oh really? And why's that? Do you actually like the Slytherins?"

He gave a chuckle. "Well, that might be a stretch. I am impressed, though. They were doing quite well and they weren't too mean either."

"See? You can't just judge by the color of someone's robes," she said with a smirk. "House equality is so important. Maybe everyone would be a bit more decent if we actually gave them the chance."

"I just don't get it, how do you see the good in everyone?"

Mia smiled and shrugged. "Well, I just remember that everyone is a person who has a soul and they own light and dark within them...maybe not Voldemort, but everyone else does for sure. I think it's a Hufflepuff thing. We just try to see the best in others. Cedric would always remind us to, even last year when everyone hated you for being in the tournament."

"Really?" asked Harry with a sad smile.

"Yes...and that's actually why I tried becoming your friend more and helping you with the challenges. I've always admired you as a person. You're a celebrity yet you never act like it, actually, I can tell that you don't even want to be. You're so brave and smart and kind. I'm just so sorry for everything you've had to go through, because you deserve so much better. Still, you keep going and appreciate everything you do have."

Harry just looked at her, not being able to speak. Although just a few sentences, he was taken aback. He had never had someone analyze him that deeply and kindly. It felt as if she were staring into his soul, picking out the good that had recently been buried by Voldemort.

"I, erm...thank you, Mia," he said, feeling at a loss for words. "You seem to know so much about everyone else...what do you think about yourself, though? You've always seemed so mysterious."

Mia's smile faded a bit. "I, um, never thought about that actually."

There was a bit of silence and Harry broke it, saying, "Well, I have to admit, I've thought about what you said. I realized you were right about Cho and how I fancied her while acting the same towards you. You were right, that's not okay or fair, and I apologize."

"It's okay-"

"It's not, though. The thing is, my mind has been all over the place, especially with Cedric's death and Voldemort, and my priorities are way out of order. With Cho, I think she's beautiful, of course, but that's about it. You're different, though."

The girl's heart started racing. Of course, she felt the urge to defend Cho. "Well, she's great. Sure, she's pretty but she's also smart and really nice-"

"I'm not saying she isn't," interjected Harry, "what I'm saying is that you fascinate me. Not only that, but you're genuinely kind and see the good in me even when I don't deserve it. I want to get to know you and I want to try to give back for what you've given me. Do you want to go on the next Hogsmeade trip together?"

Mia couldn't hold back a grin. "Isn't the next one on Valentine's Day?"

"Oh, you caught me," said Harry with a laugh. "Yeah, it is. Is that okay?"

"Of course! I would love to!"

"Okay, it's a date then."

The girl hugged him, butterflies in her chest as she took in what just happened. 

She knew him throughout their five years at Hogwarts, but last year she started developing feelings for him. She tried to be his biggest supporter throughout the challenge and even helped him with the different tasks. Mia actually had suggested that he was framed by someone at the school, being the first person to figure out that someone put his name in the cup, not him.

They went to the Yule Ball together, yet they never crossed the line of friendship into a relationship. She never had minded, though, for a few reasons. Her mother would throw a fit if she ever had a boyfriend. Also, Mia was nervous to date, as she had no clue what to do or expect. They were young, after all.

Harry was always her first real crush, and continued to be throughout the years. She never thought she was good enough for him, but here they were, in each other's embrace. She couldn't be happier.

Their eyes met, flicking down to each other's lips. Hearts racing, they both were unsure if they should make the first move.

"You know...there was a mistletoe above us last time we were here," said Harry quietly with a nervous laugh.

A smile crept across Mia's face. "Well, I guess we should make up for it then."

The two leaned in, feeling bliss when their lips connected. It was Harry's first kiss. Mia, though, had her first tainted by Damien Benn.

She pushed the thought aside and just enjoyed the short moment. When they broke apart, she couldn't help but see Harry's dazed gaze, her emerald eyes twinkling in the dim room.

"I'll see you on our date, Harry," said Mia softly, giving him one last hug and kiss on the cheek before she left.

"Y-yeah, see you," he replied, grinning ear to ear. 

The butterflies in both of them lasted all day.

~._.~

That evening, Mia sat with her friends in the library. The intention was to study for OWLs, but between the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, the focus couldn't be sustained.

It really never could be.

But at least they were spending time together. Mia sat in between Melanie and Katarina, and across from Ernie and Anthony Goldstein. Everyone was talking and complaining about upcoming OWLs and Umbridge, but the blonde wasn't engaged. 

She was in a daze from the earlier events of the day. She felt so light yet excited just at the thought of Harry. Out of all people, he chose her, and she just couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Hey, Mia!" said Katarina loudly, causing the girl to look at her in surprise, "Why are you not talking? Out of all people I'd expect you to whine about Umbitch the most!"

Mia gave a chuckle. "I, um, I'm just not focused. It's been a long day."

"How did your talk go with Harry after practice? Is it...distracting you?" asked Melanie suspiciously. Anthony held back a smile, knowing where is fellow Ravenclaw was going with this question.

"Um, no, we just talked about Blaise and Millicent is all."

"Is that all? You-"

"Yeah, can we drop it? It's rude to pry," pleaded Mia.

Ernie was the first to give a nod, saying, "Yeah, Mia. To change the topic, I have a question to ask you."

"Yeah?"

"So, next weekend is Valentine's Day. You know that I've liked you for a long time-"

Melanie gave a groan, muttering, "Oh here we go again."

Ernie was too invested in Mia, not hearing her. "I wanted to cordially ask you to go on a date with me to Hogsmeade."

Mia bit her lip, looking down. "Oh, um, I'm flattered, really. The thing is, I'm already going with someone."

Katarina spoke up. "Oh, you don't have to worry, you can ditch us! Mel and I will just find some boys to go with, right Mel?"

"I can take you, Melanie," suggested Anthony with a kind smile.

Melanie's facial expression immediately filled with discomfort. "Oh, um, Kat, why don't you and I just go together?"

"Well, Mia, that means we can go together then," said Ernie happily.

The girl's eyes avoided his when she said, "Actually someone else already asked me."

"Who?"

Mia just shook her head. Anthony and Melanie looked at each other and immediately knew it was the raven-haired boy she stayed after to talk to.

Katarina gasped. "Oh Merlin, who is it? Draco? I can't even guess who."

"What? No, not Draco."

Melania shook her head, giving a sigh. "It's Harry, he must have asked her after the DA meeting. You three are so dense."

Anthony gave a laugh, saying, "I have a joke...how many Hufflepuffs does it take to figure something out?"

"How many?"

"None, it takes a Ravenclaw," finished Melanie, following it by giving her fellow housemate a high-five.

Mia shook her head while Katarina let out a giggle. Ernie just stared at Mia in disbelief, asking, "Why would you go with him?"

"I really like him."

Ernie just shrugged and gathered his belongings. "Whatever, I'll just go."

"Ernie, come on," pleaded Mia but to no avail. She put her head in her hands and groaned, her heart hurting for the feelings she couldn't return.

~._.~

The rest of the night passed quickly. Mia's friends tried to console her, but she couldn't help but feel awful about rejecting Ernie. Still, she had done so countless times over the years...even since their first week in their first year at Hogwarts. She was at a loss of what to do.

Yes, Hufflepuffs were kind, but they were bloody stubborn too. 

So the girl decided to find Ernie that night during their Prefect shift. She waited in a corridor coming from the Hufflepuff Common Room. He always went that way to come to his shift.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of waiting the boy came in her sight. His eyes widened upon seeing her but quickly dropped to the floor.

"Hey Ernie," said Mia quietly with a small smile. "I was hoping we could talk about what happened earlier today."

"There's not much to talk about, is there? And anyway, why are you here? You usually do your Prefect rounds with Malfoy," he said bitterly.

"This is more important. Ernie, this is five years of friendship on the line-"

"Well maybe I don't want just friendship!" exclaimed the boy, his honey eyes filled with fire. "I have been so in love with you since I first met you, why can't you see that?"

Mia frowned. "I think it's infatuation, it's normal, y'know. I just really value our friendship. There's someone else out there for you-"

"I can't be with anyone else. You think I haven't tried? I try to like other people but my mind just goes back to you, Mia. It's not infatuation, I really love you," said Ernie, a tinge of annoyance in his voice.

"Ernie, we're teenagers. You can't put your life on hold for me. I want you to be happy-"

"No, I'm not giving up on this...how is Harry better than me? I want to know."

Mia shook her head, crossing her arms defensively. "I'm not doing this. Look, Ernie, you are one of my best friends ever. I value and appreciate you, but I just don't share those feelings, I'm really sorry. You deserve someone-"

"You've been an awful friend sometimes," said Ernie bitterly, giving an airy laugh. "Remember last year? When I asked you to the Yule Ball and you rejected me, saying you weren't going? Then that night you're dancing with Potter. He only took you because he couldn't have Cho, and you came back to the dorm crying. I was there for you, I let you cry even though you broke my heart. I still loved you."

"I-I didn't mean to hurt you. I wasn't trying to go behind your back. He needed someone to go with, it wasn't optional. That happened over a year ago-"

"You're his last resort...but you are always my first choice. I don't know why you can't see that," said the boy coldly.

Mia's eyes narrowed, feeling her heart drop at the insult, "You...have no right to say that. If you really loved me, you would be happy for me. You are not entitled to me, and I've said no to you so many times."

"But-"

"Just go, Ernie," she grumbled. "You're so damn selfish. I don't even want to look at you right now."

He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it. He walked away, muttering to himself, leaving Mia feeling awful. 

The girl sat on the stone floor, wrapping her arms around herself. She felt bad that he was so hung up on her, but she hated feeling objectified. She knew her words were true and there was nothing more she could do.

"Nasty argument, hm?" said a piercing voice around the corner. Mia looked up into the grey eyes of Draco Malfoy, who gave her a signature smirk. "He's always been an idiot. And a blood-traitor."

Mia rolled her eyes. "Why is it that you always seem to be eavesdropping on my conversations with other people? It can't be a coincidence, it's too often."

He gave a small laugh. "Usually it is a coincidence. But I was actually looking for you this time. I only heard the end of it, though. What were you arguing about anyway?"

"Why were you looking for me?" she asked, ignoring his question. 

"I'll tell you, then you tell me...well, Smith, you've been acting odd lately. After our...erm...well, when we saw each other over the holiday I thought we were actually friends. Or at least as close to it for a Hufflepuff and Slytherin. But you keep ignoring me."

"I-I'm not. It's just that times are getting worse with Voldemort and all," explained Mia quietly, recalling her mother's threats and warnings to stay away from the pureblooded boy. "I'm just keeping my circle a bit smaller. Besides, you're embarrassed to have a Hufflepuff as a friend anyway."

The words hurt Draco but he refused to show it. He decided to change the topic, "So, why were you guys arguing?"

"Um, well, Ernie has fancied me for quite some time. I've always tried to let him know I just don't reciprocate those feelings, I've never led him on. He's just upset because Harry and I are going on a date-"

"What? You a-and Potter?!" exclaimed Draco.

"Yes, he asked me earlier today."

The Slytherin stared at her in disbelief. He felt a sharp stab to the heart, something that he never felt before. It angered him to even think about Harry being anywhere near her...but why?

He didn't bother to think on it. He was determined to make her stay away from him. "Potter...we all know what he did to you at the ball last year...he asked you just because he had to, right? You're just a last resort."

"Stop, Ernie already tried that. I don't need to be berated. Harry and I talked about it and it's going to be okay, he really likes me-"

Draco scoffed. "You're never anyone's first choice. You're easy, you just let people use you. That's why you got into trouble with Damien. You know that, right? That he never even actually liked you? He only thought you were pretty-"

"Stop-"

"You're delusional if you ever think anyone's going to like you, especially a bloody prick like Potter. He doesn't have time for you. He's probably only doing this to look better. Although I don't know why he would...you're not much to look at anyway-"

"SHUT UP, MALFOY!" yelled Mia, causing him to stop mid-sentence. His grey eyes meet her teary blue ones. She shook her head. "Why are you so mean? Are you jealous or something?"

Draco looked down, the feeling of jealousy indeed, flooding him upon the thought of her and Potter. But even he refused to believe it. "I'd rather be with Parkinson than you. Hell, maybe even Granger, at least she's smart."

A fear tears escaped Mia's eyes as she shook her head in disbelief. "I really thought you were better, Draco. I guess I was wrong."

The sound of Mia's footsteps and quiet sobs rung throughout the corridors, haunting Draco. He wished he could just run and apologize, and wrap his strong arms around her so she would feel safe.

But the boy was still in denial. He let her go as he silently cursed himself for being so cruel.

~._.~

Hello! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Sorry if it was a bit drama-filled, but it as necessary.

Question of the chapter:

~Did you ever like Harry and Cho as a couple in the original series? Why or why not?~

(Personally, I always disliked it. I think Harry only liked her for her looks, they had no chemistry)

Thank you SO much for reading! Please vote, comment, and maybe even follow.

Much love, 

Lumos