adored by him | *under editing*

second year × 24

"Professor?" Nadia's anxious eyes landed on Dumbledore, a slight pained look on his aging face. Her eyes then darted to a solemn Professor Flitwick, who Professor McGonagall had now taken residence beside. "If you don't mind me asking, why am I here? What's so urgent?"

"Nadia, I would like you to stay calm as I tell you this but I understand that you may find this incredibly difficult." His blue eyes held nothing but sympathy behind his half-moon spectacles.

She was trembling now. "What is it, Professor?"

"Just a few minutes ago, I was regretfully informed that an incident had taken place in Bulgaria, an incident affecting an extremely important Auror mission." Nadia inhaled sharply, her palms becoming sweaty. "Unfortunately, many lives were lost in the conflict and I'm ever so sorry to say that your father was one of them."

Nadia froze, her whole body feeling numb. Her heart slammed against her rib-cage, fingertips moist, legs weak and head spinning like a tornado. It was as if she had been taken to a foreign land where she knew nothing of the language or culture. Hot tears nipped at her her virescent eyes, slowly crawling down her pale cheeks. "D-did he suffer? And w-what about my mother?" Nadia felt as though someone was squeezing her throat, emptying her fragile body of any oxygen which it could grasp.

"I was told that the Cruciatus Curse was used in great volume." Dumbledore sighed deeply. Nadia's hand flew up to her mouth as she choked out sobs, the tears streaming like gleaming waterfalls. "Your mother did all she could but I'm afraid it wasn't enough."

"But is she..?" She croaked.

"Your mother is okay. She escaped with only a few minor injuries. As I understand it, she is on her way back to England at this very moment." Nadia nodded at his words shakily as Flitwick ambled over to her side.

"You have been excused from all lessons for the next few days, however, if you wish to continue with them, you are more than welcome to. This is your time to grieve, however you choose to fulfill it." He squeaked, reaching up to pat the girl's shoulder.

"Though, Nadia, I must make you aware that your father's death will not go unnoticed." Dumbledore spoke up. "By tomorrow mail time, everyone will know." He gave an encouraging nod.

Nadia smiled weakly with a sniffle. "Thank you, Professor." She then rushed from his office, scurrying through the corridors, head bowed, until she crashed into three familiar people.

"Nadia?"

"What happened?"

"Is everything okay?" They all uttered suddenly. Nadia took one look at the concern written on their faces and broke. Harry immediately pulled the girl's trembling form into his chest, rubbing soothing circles on her back as she quietly sobbed into his shoulder.

"We should take her back to the common room." Hermione suggested softly. Draco watched as the trio steered the girl away from prying eyes, his heart breaking at the state she was in, unbeknownst to her.

They shortly reached the Fat Lady portrait and Ron muttered the password but the woman eyed Nadia's blue robes confusedly. "She's not a Gryffindor." However, the trio looked up at her pleadingly and the woman's eyes landed on her tear-stained face buried into Harry's shoulder. "Oh, just this once." The portrait swung open and they positioned themselves on the sofa, under the crackle of the warm fire.

Hermione reached for Nadia's hand. "Nads...what happened after McGonagall asked for you?"

Nadia, still wrapped in Harry's arms, breathed in deeply. "It's my dad. He's--he's gone."

"Bloody hell." Ron breathed as they all wrapped Nadia in a tight hug. They sat there a while, embracing one another in a much needed silence before later breaking apart, the concern returning to Hermione's features.