adored by him | *under editing*

summer × 15

In a split second, Nadia's feet thudded onto the gravel driveway leading up to Malfoy Manor. It was a sight to behold but gave an eerie atmosphere. A huge hedge curved along side it with albino white peacocks roving over the top. The land surrounding it was vast but beautiful, in its own way, filling many acres.

Lucius waved his hand and the family passed through the wrought iron gates as though they were smoke, making their way to the grand door into the handsome manor. They stepped into a large, dimly lit and sumptuously decorated hallway with a magnificent carpet covering the stone floor.

House elves bounded over to Nadia, taking her trunk, bowing as they did so. One, with grassy eyes and oversized ears, stood out to her, reminding her greatly of Dippey. She wondered what he was up to right now. The house elf gave her a small, slightly frightened, smile before taking Opal's cage. Nadia watched the creature waddle off until Narcissa's voice caught her attention. "Draco, would you show Nadia to her room?"

"Yes, mother." He took Nadia's hand and led her up the stone steps. He pushed open a large, oak door to reveal a bedroom fit for royalty. Nadia's jaw dropped. A black four-poster bed lent against the dull cream, back wall, draped in Slytherin green covers. Nadia ran her hand along the marble mantelpiece of the majestic fireplace, grinning at the lack of dust and dirt.

Draco cleared his throat, his eyes swimming with adoration at the girl exploring every inch of the room. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." Nadia beamed. Opal chirped happily from her cage earning a laugh from the children. "I think Opal does too."

***

Four weeks had flown by and Nadia felt as comfortable as ever at Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was almost like a second mum to her, often spending hours on end in the library together, and Draco and Nadia were becoming closer with every day that came.

She had a constant stream of letters from her parents and friends, well except Harry. Nadia hadn't received a single reply from Harry over the summer which did worry her but she guessed that the Dursleys probably had something to do with it.

"Figured I'd find you here." Nadia lifted her eyes from her book over to the smirking boy leaning against the door frame. "I want to show you something. Tonight's the perfect night to do so."

"Okay, let's go." She smiled and placed the book beside her.

Draco took her to a lavish balcony overlooking a drool-worthy lake. The opalescent moonlight rippled down over the silky water creating a sense of utter tranquillity. "It's beautiful." Nadia whispered.

Draco nodded, inhaling the cool summer air. "It's where I come to think. It's my...Well, I don't know what to call it."

"Safe place." They caught eye contact for a minute, just staring, until Nadia averted her gaze, her cheeks deepening in colour. "It is rather calming."

"Yeah." Draco coughed slightly, his eyes drifting to the glittering sky. "I've always loved the stars. Looking at constellations is one of my favourite things."

"My dad used to take me stargazing a lot when I was younger." She smiled fondly. "Before things got so busy."

Draco sighed and squeezed her shoulder. "They won't be busy forever." Nadia placed her hand atop of his before realising what she actually did. They both retracted their hands swiftly as Draco spoke up. "We should get back. It's late and I don't want to be the reason that you don't get your beauty sleep."

Nadia let out a melodic laugh, causing Draco's heart to race, as they made their way back to her bedroom. "Goodnight, Draco." However, as she was about to enter, Draco tugged her back and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. With pink cheeks and eyes looking deep into hers, he broke away from the speechless girl.

"Goodnight, Nadia." With that, he walked away and Nadia slipped into her bedroom, collapsing onto the bed whilst tracing her lips with her finger. The girl was hooked by confusion, sinking into the emerald covers, eyes fixated on the glow of the moon as her mind kept drifting to a certain blonde Slytherin.