James let out a long sigh of frustration. "Can I get extra credit if I tell you how
incredibly difficult that was?"
Lily actually laughed. "Because she's your sister? Or because he's Severus Snape?"
"Honestly? Both. I'm not afraid of him. I am, however, a little afraid of Mia." He
chuckled nervously. "She's violent toward Slytherins, but she can be downright Slytherin to
the rest of us when she wants to be."
"I wouldn't worry too much. She loves you. But maybe have Peter taste-test all of
your food for a while."
They shared a laugh.
Outside of the compartment, Mia tried to ignore the flutter of happiness she felt
for her brother and friend. It was cutting through her anger, and that was just annoying.
Mia scowled at James from across the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall as they sat
down to enjoy the start-of-term feast. She tried to convince herself that, had she been in
his position, she would have issued detention as well. How many times over the years had
she scolded James and Sirius for picking on Snape? She had lost count. Then again, Snape
was cruel, and it had been a few years since Mia had punched him. Merlin, it felt as good as it
did the first time.
"Oh, it won't be that bad, kitten." Sirius smirked at her from beside James, reaching
over and pretending to check James's goblet to make sure that Mia had not slipped anything
in there yet. "You've served detention before for punching Snivellus in the face. I should be
the one who's upset. You've hit that greasy git twice, and I've missed it both times."
Mia pouted, folding her arms across her chest. "I've had detention before, but never
issued to me by my own brother."
"Mia, I can't believe I'm the one to say it," Lily said with a heavy sigh, "but the Head
Boy acted accordingly. I would have issued you detention as well, regardless of who started
it."
Sirius snorted into his own goblet. "Head Boy."