adored by him | *under editing*

fourth year × 51

"Who is that?" Hermione questioned, plopping herself down between Ashton and Nadia.

A well-groomed, colourfully dressed woman was engaging in conversation up at the podium.

"Rita Skeeter." Ron answered as he took the seat beside Sam. "Probably here for interviews." He rolled his eyes.

"She writes for the Daily Prophet. She tends to over exaggerate things. Not the nicest woman." Nadia explained, grimacing at the blonde. "Oh! This is Ashton and Sam."

Hermione, Ron, Ashton and Sam all exchanged greetings before going back to their breakfast. Nadia sighed. "I have to tell you something."

"What?" Ashton asked.

"Last night, I was talking to Harry." Ron scoffed earning a kick in the shin from Nadia and a look from Hermione. "Something happened. He snapped at me then he may have...hurt me."

Everyone's eyes widened. "What do you mean he hurt you?" Hermione gasped, checking for injuries.

"Well, he shoved past me in a huff, accidentally hitting my shoulder a bit too hard." She carefully revealed the purple tinge to her shoulder.

"He's gone bloody mad." Ron concluded, glaring at the bruise.

"It just got worse." Sam said slowly.

Harry emerged from somewhere and was approaching the Ravenclaw table. However, he wasn't nearing Nadia and the group, he was nearing Cho. He didn't even take notice of the others.

"Mind if I join you?" He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Cho nodded, a huge smile on her face. Nadia's heart dropped.

Ashton rose from her seat. "He's dead." Hermione attempted to pull her back but Ashton was a woman on a mission and nothing was going to stop her.

The group watched intently, getting ready to go over there if Ashton became...unsteady.

"Potter." She acknowledged with a nod, seating herself opposite him.

"Can I help you?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Just so you know, you hurt your girlfriend last night." She stated, glaring at the pair. Cho lowered her head slightly whilst Harry seemed confused.

"What do mean?" Ashton rolled her eyes.

"Last night, when you snapped at her then shoved past her!" She began to raise her voice.

Harry cast an apologetic glance to Nadia who quickly averted her eyes. "I didn't mean to. I was just angry. A lot's going on."

"Oh boo hoo. That didn't give you any right to do that. She was trying to help. Maybe if you actually opened your eyes, you'd see that. But no, you're too busy fussing over this wannabe!" She slammed her fist on the table and abruptly rose from the bench, gaining the attention of the hall.

"Don't talk about her like that!" Harry rose too, also raising his voice. The students were transfixed on the unfolding scene.

Ashton let out a humorless chuckle, narrowing her eyes. "Oh, so you come to her defense rather than your own girlfriend who's sat right over there!" The hall was in complete silence. Even the teachers were watching intently.

The argument soon became a heated screaming match. Harry constantly stuck up for Cho whilst Ashton defended Nadia. It wasn't pretty.

Eventually, it got too out of hand so McGonagall stepped in. "What is going on here?"

"Nothing. Everything's fine." Harry hissed before storming out of the hall.

"Miss Rivers?"

"Just peachy." Ashton glared at Harry's retreating figure.