Staying Alive // D.M *On Hold*

2.6 - One Mask Down, Endless to Go

"Calm down, Potter!" she was being dragged to a semi-quiet place next to the seats by Severus Snape as he sneered down at her. Draco was right behind her, glaring daggers at the potion master's hand around Mia's arm. The only reason the ring hadn't pushed Severus a couple of feet away was that Mia needed the man to find, and possibly save, her brother. No matter what the ring had decided, Draco still prayed the man's hands away from her, forcing him to take a step back due to the force. He had a surprised expression. It was getting common practice for Mia to see Snape with emotions on his aged face. 

"If you hurt her one more time we'll have problems, Severus." The boy then stepped back one more time, standing tall over the Ravenclaw's shoulder. Mia brushed over his use of the first name and plain threat to their professor. 

"My brother is not here, and so is Fake-Moody!" She exclaimed, panic rushing into her veins with every beat of her heart. "I told you he's not who he says he is. We need to find Harry! He is in trouble, he is my twin. I can feel something is wrong."

"Harry is in trouble?" the trio turned to face the worried face of Minerva McGonagall. Mia nodded quickly, taking a step towards the woman she shared her middle name with. If Snape wouldn't help her McGonagall would. The woman took a sharp breath when she saw the worry written on the girl's face. "Tell me what is happening."

"Professor Moody is an impostor. He has been using a polyjuice potion. I-" she stopped herself. She wasn't quite sure if she should speak her mind but when Draco placed his hand on her lower back, encouraging her to speak. She blurted out, "I think he is Barty Crouch Jr!"

"Oh, Godric!" They may have the experience as teachers that taught for decades in Hogwarts but when it came to uncovering mysteries Minerva couldn't deny Euphemia Potter was the best. She had a way of focusing on small details no one ever noticed, connecting the dots faster than anyone she has seen and lighting the darkness with her insights. She wondered for how long the poor girl was trying to convince stubborn goat Snape. She would've acted on it sooner. "Severus, run along to Moody's office. I'll get the Headmaster, and children you-"

"I'm already here, let us not spare another moment." Mia had never been more grateful to see someone in her life. It was true she had her suspicions about the secrets Albus Dumbledore kept but she knew he was the only one to trust in difficult situations. His interest in Harry made Mia able to rely on the old man in life and death decisions. He really didn't wait for anyone, turning around sharply and rushing to the castle. McGonagall and Snape followed right after, the first sending a worried glance to Draco and her. 

Mia turned around to face Draco, pulling her wand from inside her daily robes. She was in dirt, sweat, and tears but she couldn't focus on appearances now. She was sure even her hair was a mess by now. It only took a look from her to make Draco grab his wand too. He gave her a nod, "I know you're going after them. I'm coming with you." 

She gave him a quick hug, slipping away in the next second to run to Hogwarts. Her breaths were uneven, worry eating her heart out while her fingers gripped her wand so tight that one would be surprised how it didn't break. Draco hasn't said anything on the road, focusing his eyes on his witch's smaller form. He was afraid she would pass out with all the stress she experienced in the last few months, peeking up today. He had no idea about the polyjuice potion but had felt something was off with their new professor, and it wasn't just because he was an ex-auror. 

"Do you know who I am?" They stepped inside the moment Dumbledore asked the question. He had Fake-Moody trapped on a chair with all three adults' wands pointed directly at his face. With a quick look around the office, Mia spotted her brother on the corner. The duo stalked over to Harry as Dumbledore kept up with his questions.