The House of Control

A Servant's Pride

Mia's heart was still fluttering as she stepped into the servants' quarters, her fingers instinctively brushing against the new pin on her collar. It felt almost surreal—a symbol of all the hard work she had poured into her duties, shining proudly on her uniform. Her cheeks were warm with pride as she crossed the threshold, a small smile lingering on her face.

As she entered, the other servants glanced up, their eyes immediately catching on the additional pin at her collar. A wave of excited murmurs spread through the room, a few maids and butlers exchanging nods of approval and whispered congratulations.

"Mia, is that... another pin?" one of the maids, Lila, asked, her eyes wide with admiration.

Mia nodded, her face beaming. "Yes, it is! Apprentice Master Harry noticed my work and arranged for a promotion." Her voice was full of pride, and she felt a warm glow at the memory of Harry pinning the symbol on her collar.

The other servants gathered around, their expressions a mixture of admiration and awe. Some clapped her on the back, while others offered quiet words of praise.

"That's wonderful, Mia! You deserve it," Lila said, giving her an encouraging smile. "You're always so diligent—Master Harry must have noticed."

"Oh, he did," Mia replied, a gleam of respect in her eyes. "Apprentice Master Harry is incredibly observant. He knows exactly what he wants, and he values precision and dedication. He's strict, but in the best way—he pushes us to be perfect, and I think that's why The House runs so smoothly."

The maids around her nodded in agreement, clearly pleased by her praise. Most of them shared her admiration for Harry's high standards, recognizing that his expectations made them all sharper and more skilled in their roles.

Standing nearby, Hermione watched the scene unfold, a neutral expression on her face. She managed to hide her resentment well, but inside, a simmering frustration burned. While Mia and the others continued to heap praise on Harry, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that The House's rigid standards only served to strip them of their individuality, bending everyone to a narrow, controlled role.

But Mia didn't notice Hermione's reaction; she was too caught up in the pride and camaraderie of the moment. She felt as though she had earned a place among the most loyal and skilled servants, and she was determined to keep pushing herself to meet Harry's standards.

"Apprentice Master Harry is a perfectionist," Mia continued, her voice filled with respect. "He won't accept anything less than our best. But he's also fair, and he notices everything—even the small details. That's how I knew he valued my work."

Several other maids nodded along, echoing Mia's sentiments.

One of the butlers, Edwin, smiled and said, "You're lucky to have someone like Master Harry noticing your efforts. It must mean a lot, knowing he sees your dedication."

"It does," Mia replied, her hand returning to the pin as she spoke. "He's strict, but he's kind, too. He knows when to be firm, and he rewards hard work. It's all for The House, and I feel proud to be part of it."

The other servants murmured in agreement, encouraged by her words. To many of them, Harry represented a figure who balanced authority with fairness, someone who drove them to be better but didn't overlook their efforts. Mia's respect for him seemed to resonate, and it lifted the morale in the room.

As the evening wound down, Mia allowed herself a quiet moment, sitting on her cot with her hand resting on the pin. She felt thankful—not just for the promotion, but for the sense of belonging she had found in The House. Apprentice Master Harry had given her this honor, and she silently vowed to live up to his expectations.

Hermione, watching from across the room, forced a polite smile, hiding her conflicting emotions as Mia's voice carried softly through the quarters. In her heart, Hermione knew she was different, and she couldn't help but resist the complete submission that others so readily embraced.

But for Mia, this was enough. She was where she wanted to be, and tonight, with her new pin gleaming on her collar, she felt complete.