adored by him | *under editing*

second year × 20

Harry dashed to Quidditch practice whilst Nadia, Hermione and Ron (unwillingly) decided to get some studying done as the courtyard was quiet. That, however, quickly changed as Ron noticed both the Gryffindor and Slytherin team facing off against one another. "Uh oh, I smell trouble."

"Clear out, Flint. I booked the pitch for Gryffindor today." Oliver Wood snapped, his Scottish accent protruding heavily.

Marcus Flint rose in hands in defence. "Easy, Wood. I've got a note." He slipped a piece of parchment from his pocket and thrusted it into Wood's hands.

Wood unfolded the note, his features falling as he read, " 'I, Professor Snape, do hereby give the Slytherin team permission to practice, owing to the need to train their new seeker.' You've got a new seeker." He stated more than asked. "Who?"

The Slytherin team, faces plastered with smirks, parted as the head of platinum blonde hair sauntered his way through. "Malfoy?" Harry breathed incredulously.

He smirked. "That's right. And that's not all that's new this year." His smirk grew as he tossed his gleaming broomstick from one shoulder to another. Everyone stood stunned but Nadia frowned; she knew exactly what had happened here.

"They're Nimbus 2001s!" Ron gasped with awe. "But how did you get them?"

Flint grinned at the red-head. "A gift from Draco's father."

"See, Weasley, unlike some, my father can afford the best." Draco spat. Nadia shook her head as Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent." The Gryffindor team's moods lifted slightly whilst Draco's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"No one asked your opinion. You filthy little mudblood." Angry gasps filled the tense air and Flint had to dive in front of Draco to stop the Weasley twins from throttling him. Nadia looked at the boy with pure disdain. Hermione's eyes threatened to spill with tears as Ron pulled out his 'repaired' wand, aiming it at a proud Draco.

"You'll pay for that one, Malfoy. Eat Slugs!" The spell rebounded, knocking Ron backwards through the air and onto the grass. The girls and Harry bounded over to him, gasping at his ghostly white skin and bulging eyes.

"Ron! Say something." Hermione begged. Ron opened his mouth, as if to say something, but belched instead as a large, slimy slug came dribbling out, plopping onto the grass with a thud. Nadia watched in horror, becoming severely irritated at the cackling behind her. She turned and stormed over to Draco.

"What is wrong with you? I really thought you were different." His sniggering stopped immediately as he noticed how hurt she was.

"Nadia--"

"Save it." She snapped. "You're obviously just like the rest of them." She threw her glare at the Slytherin team.

Flint laughed harder. "I'm sorry, are we offending you? Your blood's just as dirty as hers." Draco's head whipped to Flint, anger pulsating off him.

"Thank you." Was all Nadia said before racing off after he friends, a single tear rolling down her flushed cheek. Draco watched as she ran, his grey eyes full of regret. He wanted desperately to chase after her but he had a reputation to uphold. No matter the cost.

***

"Got jus' the thing. Set 'im down o'er there." Hagrid beckoned, passing Ron a bucket. "That's it." They grimaced as another slug erupted from his mouth. "Better out than in, am I right? Who was Ron tryin' ter curse anyway?"

"Malfoy." Harry spat. Hermione rose abruptly, facing away from the others. "He called Hermione a-- well, I don't quite know what it means."

Hermione turned rapidly, tears pricking her eyes. "He called me a mudblood." Hagrid let out a horrified gasp.

"He did not!" Harry knitted his eyebrows together, not understanding why everyone had become so annoyed. Hermione glanced at him then looked away, pained.

"It means 'dirty blood'. Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who's muggle-born, someone with non-magical parents...someone like me." Nadia took the girl's hand and gave a sympathetic smile. Hermione looked at her gratefully. "It's not a term one usually hears in a civilised conversation."

"Yer see, Harry, there's some wizarding families, like the Malfoys, who think they're better than everyone else because they're what you call 'pureblood'." Hagrid explained solemnly.

"That's horrible." Harry tutted.

Ron threw up another slug and, with a grimace, added, "It's disgusting."

"An' it's codswallop ter boot! Dirty blood." Hagrid growled. "There's 'ardly a wizard terday who's half-blood or less! If we hadn't 'ave married muggles, we would've died out ages ago. Besides, they ain't invented a spell that our Hermione can't do." He took her free hand into his giant one. "Don't think on it, Hermione. Don't you think on it fer one minute."

A soft smile graced the teary girl's face as she pulled Nadia in for a hug. "I heard what Flint said about you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Nadia smiled with a sigh.

"Wait. What did Flint say?" Harry asked, anger laced through his tone.

"He said that my blood's just as dirty as hers, which isn't true because Hermione's blood isn't dirty at all." Nadia grinned. "Flint really thought he did something but I'm fine." Harry instantly calmed at her bright features. He admired her strength.

"Good fer you, Nadia!" Hagrid roared with a chortle. Ron went to laugh too but brought up another claggy slug. Harry patted his back. "Per'aps yeh should get 'im ter Madame Pomfrey. She'll know what ter do."