adored by him | *under editing*

summer × 32

Bleating its horn, the Hogwarts Express slowed to a halt at Kings Cross Station for the final time that year. Lugging their trunks behind them, the quartet stepped out into the cluster of students reuniting with friends and family. "Hermione!" Mrs Granger beckoned the bushy-haired girl.

She turned to the trio with a soft smile, bringing Nadia into her arms. "You'll be okay. You are so strong, remember that," She whispered through her hair.

Nadia grinned gratefully, "Thank you, 'Mione."

"I have to go but I'm expecting letters from all of you."

Ron chuckled. "You'll be lucky."

They all shook their heads with a laugh. "Have a great summer, guys." With that, she rushed to her parents as Ron spotted his family further down the platform.

"Really though, don't wait on any letters from me." Harry and Nadia exchanged a knowing glance as he bid his goodbyes and retreated into the river of red-heads leaving the station.

"Crazy year, huh?" Nadia smiled. "I wonder if next year will be normal."

"Well, choosing to associate with the Harry Potter basically guarantees that you will never have a normal year at Hogwarts." He chortled, earning a giggle from the girl.

"I suppose that's proven to be correct so far," Her features then softened as she buried herself in Harry's arms. "Is it bad that I don't want to go home?"

Harry smiled softly, hugging her tighter. "I'd stay at Hogwarts all year if I could." Then, he emitted a deep sigh.

"Let me guess, the Dursleys." Nadia stated more then asked, pulling away and raising her brows knowingly. Harry nodded slowly whilst feeling mildly surprised they had actually come to collect him after his little escape stunt at the start of the year. "You know, you're always welcome at mine. Mum would love to have you."

"I'll keep that in mind." With a slight hesitation, Harry stepped forward and placed a kiss to her lips. Red-faced, he muttered a quick goodbye and set off down the platform.

Nadia wasn't able to respond. She stood there, mind whirring with the thought of what Harry had just done, or more specifically, how it didn't feel as right as it had done with somebody else. 

"My angel has managed to capture the heart of Harry Potter, eh?" A familiar voice plucked her from her head and she wheeled, abandoning her trunk and diving into her mother's arms.

"Mum!" The strong scent of vanilla stung her nostrils as she finally had the warmth she had craved for so long. But, something was missing as she looked over her mother's shoulder. He wasn't there and he never would be again.

"Let's go home, shall we?" Katherine uttered gently. "Judging by what I just saw, we have a lot to catch up on."

***

Nadia woke with a start, glistening beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Dippey frowned, pulling himself up onto her bed and patting her trembling hand, "Dippey is becoming concerned. Nadia has been having this nightmare for weeks now."

"I'm okay, Dippey."

The house elf shook his head. "Dippey thinks Nadia should tell Mistress Katherine."

"I'll tell her." Nadia gulped. Dippey tilted his head as though he didn't believe her. "I will," She sighed, her eyes drifting to the black dress draped over the floor-length mirror, "Just not today."

The service was beautiful.

Radiant, white tulips coated the perfectly polished, dark stained cherry coffin; Jakob's favourite. Nadia held her mother's shaky hand the whole time, wiping stray tears on her cardigan sleeve. She kept it together relatively well until a slow melody danced around the room, much like she and her father used to do, or more so, how she would keep stepping on his feet as he chuckled and twirled her around.