Chapter Text
James and the rest of the Marauders were all settled in at Gryffindor table within the Great Hall. The messy-haired boy kept looking over to the doors, waiting for his sister to enter the hall with the verdict of her sorting. “Mate, relax. She’ll be here soon. Besides, she’s the most Gryffindorian witch to ever exist! I’ve no doubt she’ll come in wearing red,” Sirius nudged James in the side with his elbow, trying to help his friend calm down before he had a fit right there at the table. Just as James opened his mouth to retort, the doors opened and in slipped Mia. The crest for Gryffindor House emblazoned on the left breast of her robes and a smile on her face. Sirius jumped up from his spot at the table and whooped with joy, “there’s our girl, now! See, James. I told you she’s a lion!” With his final remark, he winked at Mia, who had made it over to join them. Giving a magnanimous bow, Mia took a seat between Sirius and James. “Congrats, Mia,” Remus said with a smile, passing a jug of pumpkin juice over to her. “Thanks, Remy,” she replied as she poured herself a goblet. Seeing Lily and a few girls further down the table, she waved before settling in with the others to await the headmaster’s welcome speech.
Once Dumbledore finished his eccentric, albeit foreboding monologue, they all put together plates for themselves. With a satisfied hum, Mia dug in. As the Welcoming Feast ended and the students were released, Mia took hold of James’ arm as he lead her up the staircase towards Gryffindor Tower. “I can’t wait to get to bed, I’m knackered,” she lamented to her brother, resting her head delicately on his shoulder as they walked the final stretch to the portrait of the Fat Lady. “Password,” the trussed up woman demanded imperiously. With a dramatic curtsy, Mia replied, “unity.” Tittering, the Lady opened the portrait for the students to enter the common room.
The teens all joked as they made their way over to a couple of the couches sat before the fire. “Well, Mia, how was your sorting,” asked Peter. Humming, she looked around at the four boys before glancing around to make sure no one else was paying them any attention. “It was alright, but the Headmaster had a look in his eye I wasn’t too keen on once I’d been sorted.” The boys looked at each other with worry and then turned back to the curly-haired witch. “The sorting hat was also surprised by my past. But there wasn’t much said on its part that I didn’t already know.” With a shrug, she got up from the couch she was sharing with her brother and faced them all. “Well, gents. I’m off to bed. I’ll see you all in the morning.” With that, she bent down and placed a kiss on top of James’ unruly hair before climbing the staircase to the sixth year girls’ dorm.
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The next morning, Mia awoke feeling relatively rested. Thank the gods for Dreamless Sleep, otherwise I’m sure I’d be walking like an inferi this morning. After getting herself dressed for the day, she bid farewell to her half-asleep roommates and made her way down to the common room to wait for the boys. The three of them joined her a few minutes later with James tumbling down the last few steps in his rush to make sure Mia wasn’t being hassled by anyone, particularly any of the wizards he had seen eyeing her up at the feast. The witch had just shook her head before helping him up from the floor and taking his arm as she herded them all towards the portrait hole.
Entering the Great Hall, Mia and the others were heading towards the Gryffindor table when a voice called out for her. Turning, Mia was pleasantly surprised to see Felicia, Min, the other firstie who had been with them alongside a few of the other older years. She recognized Min’s older brother, Evan amongst them. “Hello lovelies, how was your first night,” she asked kindly, seeing Min and Felicia wearing green ties, while their friend wore blue. “Miss Potter, our elder siblings wished to thank you properly for what you did for us on the train yesterday,” Felicia spoke up, gesturing to the older students behind them. “Oh! There’s no need for that, really. Anyone would have done the same thing, I’m sure. And call me Mia, all my friends do,” the curly-haired witch waved her hand as though it was of no consequence. Evan stepped forward and cleared his throat, “that’s where you’re wrong, Miss Potter. Anyone who recognized the families these three came from probably would have walked away and shrugged it off. Our families are all thick with Slytherins, so most would assume they deserved whatever would have happened if you hadn’t shown up. It’s our duty as their elder family members to show our gratitude and give you thanks.” Blinking at the tall boy, Mia nodded slowly.
Clearing her throat after a moment of looking over the group standing in front of her, she said, “well, like I told these three, my mum was a Slytherin. House rivalry doesn’t mean all that much to me. If she and Da can look past it and find love, then I don’t see why the average witch or wizard can’t as well.” Turning to the three firsties, she gave them a smile as she continued, “I’m just glad the three of you are alright.” Looking to the still unnamed firstie, she tilted her head with a kind smile, “I’m afraid I never got your name yesterday, lovely.” The young boy stepped forward with a tint of pink on his cheeks as he gave a slight bow, “my name is Roderick Travers, Miss Potter. Th-thank you for assisting myself and my friends.” Chuckling lightly, she gave the boy a pat on the shoulder as she said, “it was my honor to help the three of you out of a tight spot, Roderick. I’d do it again if need be.”
James lightly bumped her in the ribs with his elbow to get her attention, he tilted his head towards the Gryffindor table. “Ah, well that’s my cue ladies and gents, to take my leave. My dear brother seems to think I’ll waste away without a meal. I hope you all have a good day.” With that, she gave a delicate curtsy and smile before winking at the little ‘uns and turning to follow her friends. “If ever you need anything, Miss Potter, our families are in your debt for protecting our siblings,” Evan called after. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled and nodded before continuing on towards her table.
As she sat down between James and Peter, Sirius was looking at her speculatively while Remus asked her, “so what really happened on the train Mia. I have a feeling you might’ve glossed over some details when you told us that you helped out some firties.” Taking turns with Peter to dish up some eggs on their plates, Mia just hummed, “I might’ve done. But I wasn’t sure what would come from it. At the time I just about saw red when I realized what was happening in that compartment. It wasn’t a part of some grand scheme or anything. I didn’t even know what families they belonged to at the time.” At this point Sirius spoke up, “do you know what that spectacle was truly all about just now Mia? With all relatives of the families that are present in the school coming to officially thank you and having Rosier announce in the Great Hall of all places that they owe you a debt?” Seeing her confused face, he continued on, “they just made a point to every person in this room, and everyone who will no doubt receive letters tonight about it, that members of both Slytherin and Ravenclaw House owe you a debt of honor. You, kitten, just made yourself untouchable to practically the entire school.”
Blinking rapidly for a moment, Mia looked around the hall to see many a pair of eyes glancing at her as they talked amongst their housemates. Humming, she nibbled at her lower lip for a moment. “I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, having so many eyes on me this early,” she said quietly. Reaching across the table to grab her hand for a moment, Remus attempted to bring her some comfort, “come what may, you have the four of us at your back should you need us.” She squeezed his fingers back in silent thanks, only to bark out a laugh as Sirius quipped, “and what a lovely backside it is too,” and James called out an indignant, “Oy, that’s my sister you knob!”