adored by him | *under editing*

fifth year × 62

"My mum didn't want me to come back this year." Ashton commented as the girls strode down the corridor.

Sam creased her eyebrows. "Why not?"

"Because of Potter." She said his last name as though it was poison on her tongue. Nadia sighed as Ashton continued. "The Daily Prophet's been saying a lot about him and Dumbledore."

"And you believe it?" Nadia asked, coming through a lot harsher than intended.

"I mean, nobody was there the night Cedric died..." Nadia stopped in her tracks and Ashton instantly regretted what she had said. Sam glared holes into the side of her head.

She folded her arms over her chest. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's just..." Ashton was careful with her words. "...Potter could be making it up, you know?"

Nadia scoffed. "Why in the name of Merlin would he make something like that up?"

Ashton let out a breath and shuffled awkwardly. "Well?" Nadia pressed.

"Look, I-I...don't know. It's just, a lot of things are being said. No one knows what to believe." She explained, a sad look written in her features. "I'm sorry."

Nadia's face softened and her arms unfolded. "There's nothing to be sorry for. Like you said, no one knows what to believe. Not even me." She added quickly. "C'mon. I'm dying for a good night's sleep."

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Sam yelled, taking off down the corridor. The girls giggled at her antics.

"Nadia, I didn't mean--" She was cut off by her hand.

"Don't worry about it." A reassuring smile was planted on her face. "Now, let's catch up with the sleep monster."

•••

"Good morning, children." Professor Umbridge greeted in her honey-like voice before flicking her wand at the blackboard. Nadia scrunched up her nose, causing Draco to chuckle beside her.

A piece of chalk began writing as she continued speaking. "Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations. O-W-Ls, more commonly known as OWLS. Study hard and you will be rewarded. Fail to do so and the consequences may be...severe." She giggled at the end, beaming widely.

"Your previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven."

With a flick of her wand, books were being handed out. "But you'll be pleased to know, from now on you will be following a carefully structured, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic." She clapped her hands. "So, wands away and quills out, please."

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A RETURN TO BASIC PRINCIPLES

Nadia narrowed her eyes at the title before her head snapped up at what Umbridge had just said. She replayed the words in her mind. Wands away? The whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts was to use wands.

The class seemed to agree with her thoughts, their faces sprouting odd looks as they slowly placed their wands in their bags.

Hermione raised her hand uneasily. "Yes?" Umbridge asked, coming to a halt in front of her.

"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells." She questioned.

Umbridge looked as though Hermione had just said the most offensive thing thinkable. "Using spells?" She sputtered. "Well I can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom."