adored by him | *under editing*

sixth year × 75

Nadia frowned when she noticed Draco moping through the corridors on the way to Potions.

He wasn't laughing with his friends or picking on a first-year. He wasn't himself and that worried Nadia.

She promised him and herself that she would wait until he was ready to talk but he wasn't getting any better. He was getting worse.

Nadia sighed and picked up her pace, joining his side and lacing their fingers together with a comforting smile and sympathetic eyes.

Draco forced a small smile back but she could tell his heart wasn't in it.

They trudged to options hand-in-hand, briefly discussing the new Professor: Horace Slughorn.

Ashton had filled Nadia in on the speech that Dumbledore gave after she completely zoned out; something which was unlike her.

As they stepped into the classroom, Nadia was hit with a familiar smell. "Woah, Draco. Went a little heavy with the cologne today."

He chuckled sarcastically, taking his position beside her in the midst of the Slytherins. "Says the one that's doused in perfume."

"Welcome! Welcome!" The jolly professor greeted, stepping into the classroom.

Nadia was actually quite shocked by his positive attitude, having been used to Professor Snape for the last five years.

"Now, if you could all get out your Potions books and watch the front of the class. Now, this morning--" Professor Slughorn grinned but was cut off as, all of a sudden, Harry and Ron bursted through the door looking quite awkward.

Hermione frowned, Nadia rolled her eyes and Lavender Brown beamed upon seeing the red-head.

"Harry, m'boy! I was beginning to worry. And we've brought someone with us, I see?" Professor Slughorn nodded his head at Ron expectantly.

"Ron Weasley, sir. But I'm dead awful at Potions, a menace actually, so I probably should just be going--" He made to exit the classroom but Harry tugged him back.

"Nonsense, we'll sort you out!" Professor Slughorn chortled. "Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Right then, books out."

"Uhh, sorry, sir, but I haven't actually got my book yet -- nor's Ron." Harry said slowly.

"Not to worry, you can get what you need from the cupboard." The boys nodded and headed there, looking at the books and stopping in their tracks.

Nadia watched with amusement as they fought over the books, Ron eventually winning. He seemed smug until Harry slapped his book almost out of his hands.

"Now, as I was saying..." Slughorn continued, gesturing to the cauldron bubbling in front of him, "This morning, I prepared a few concoctions. Any ideas what these may be?"

Hermione's hand rocketed. "Yes, Miss..."

"Granger, sir." She answered eagerly. "That one there is Veritaserum. And that is Polyjuice Potion. And that there is Amortentia! The most powerful love potion in the world."

Hermione took a few cautious steps towards the cauldron. "It's rumoured to smell differently to each person, according to what attracts them." She casted a discreet glance towards Nadia, who felt heat pricking up her neck.

She risked a look at Draco only to realise that he was already looking back at her, the ghost of a smile on his face.

"For example, I smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and...spearmint... toothpaste." Hermione quickly said, blushing profusely and stepping backwards.