adored by him | *under editing*

sixth year × 80

Ron stared at the table, only grunting when someone wished him luck or said they were 'counting on him', or gulping at the Slytherins making fun of him. He was nervous as hell, that much was obvious.

"Ron, you'll be fine." Nadia reassured, taking a seat beside him and playfully bumping his shoulder.

He gave a weak smile and sighed. "So, how was it then?"

"How was what?" Harry echoed.

"Your dinner party." Ron said with mock refinement.

"Dead boring actually." Hermione stated.

"Though I think Harry enjoyed desert." Nadia added, sharing a knowing look with Hermione.

The boys didn't pick up on the statement being the oblivious people that they are so Hermione continued.

"Slughorn's having a Christmas do, you know. We're supposed to bring someone."

Ron scoffed quietly. "I suppose you'll be bringing McLaggen. Isn't he part of the Slug Club." He drawled, picking at his eggs.

Hermione seemed offended. "Actually I was going to ask you." She spluttered.

"Really?" Ron's eyes widened slightly.

"Really." Hermione repeated dryly. "But seeing as you have such a distaste for the idea--"

"Good luck today, Ron! I know you'll be brilliant." Lavender cooed, leaning dangerously close to the red-head's face. She, however, quickly waddled away at the daggers being glared at her by both Hermione and Nadia.

Ron only smiled feebly, staring back down at his plate. "After today's match, I'm resigning. McLaggen can have my spot." He said after a beat.

Hermione and Nadia's eyes snapped to him, about to protest but Harry subtly shook his head at them. "Have it your way. Juice?"

Nadia threaded her eyebrows at his blunt callousness. Ron was surprised too...and mildly put out.

"Uh, sure." He took the cup cautiously. Luna then spoke up, the lion hat on her head looking strikingly real.

"Hello everyone. You look dreadful, Ron. Is that why you put something in his cup? Is it a tonic?" She asked, though she didn't have much interest as she smiled and walked away.

Something blunted in Harry's hand as he placed it back in his pocket. Nadia recognised it all too well. "Liquid luck?"

Ron stared into the cup. "Don't drink it Ron!" Hermione hissed.

Ron ignored her and gulped down the whole cup. He was smiling like an idiot, not even phased by Hermione's disapproving look.

"You could be expelled for that."

Harry shrugged innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"C'mon, Harry. We've got a game to win." Both boys stood and shared a brotherly handshake before racing out the Great Hall.

Nadia watched after them, shaking her head in amusement before turning back to Hermione. "C'mon, Hermione. We've got a game to watch." She winked, mocking Ron's excitement.

She attempted to also mock their handshake but Hermione's look immediately stopped her.

•••

Slytherin snatched the quaffle and rushed en masse towards Gryffindor's end, weaving and passing with wicked skill. However, this skill wasn't enough for Ron who blocked every one of their attempted goals.

Another quaffle went screaming towards the goal but, out of nowhere, Ron sent it hurtling away.

The crowd were applauding and yelling like mad men. Nadia and Hermione just clapped politely, knowing why he was on such a role.

Ron threw a fist in the air after blocking yet another goal and the crowd went wild.

•••

The Gryffindor common room was teeming with students celebrating the lions' victory. Ron stood on a table, smirking at the crowd as they chanted, "Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!"

Harry beamed from beside Nadia, enjoying his best friend's time in the spotlight.

"You know you shouldn't have done it, Harry." Hermione tutted.

"Yeah, I suppose I could have just used a Confundus charm." Harry shrugged, looking at Hermione knowingly.

"That was different. It was tryouts. This was an actual match." She defended. Nadia snorted.

Harry just shook his head and pulled the vial of Liquid Luck from his pocket. It was still full. "You didn't put it in." Hermione gasped.

"Ron only thought you did." Nadia concluded, grinning.

Suddenly, the whistles and catcalls rose as the three turned to see the cause of the commotion.

Harry was whooping, Nadia was scowling and Hermione was shoving her way through the crowd whilst Lavender was eating Ron's face off.

Nadia turned and followed the direction in which Hermione left.

She came to a corridor to see a door ajar, where she heard quite chirping and sobbing. Her heart broke.

" 'Mione?" Nadia asked, stepping into the room.

Hermione quickly rubbed her eyes as Nadia eyed the small, blue birds flying in front of her. "Charms spell. Just practicing." She shrugged, seating herself on the steps.

"Ah...well they're really good." Nadia smiled, sitting next to her. Then she noticed Harry step out from the shadows, watching the scene with sad eyes. Hermione hadn't noticed him.

"How did it feel, Nadia? Seeing Harry and Cho?" Hermione questioned, her voice cracking as she held in her tears. "I know it hurt you more than you showed. You're my best friend."

Nadia casted a glance towards Harry. He wanted to know the answer too.

Nadia sighed just as Lavender and Ron ran in. Nadia huffed angrily, glaring at the pair. Harry watched from the other side of the room.

"Oops." Lavender giggled, hanging off of Ron's arm. "I think this room's taken." She ran off but Ron stayed and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"What's with the birds?"

Before Nadia could say anything, Hermione stood and pointed her wand. "Oppugno!" The birds darted towards Ron, sending him back into the door as they crashed all around him.

He eyed her weirdly before dashing out after Lavender.

Hermione let out a sob and dropped down beside Nadia, burying herself in her arms.

"It felt like this." Nadia said, stroking her head and rubbing her hand. "Like my heart had been ripped out and stamped all over."

She casted another glance to Harry. He looked at her with heartbreak and guilt written all over his features. He sucked in a breath and approached the girls, wrapping them both in a warm hug.

"We've still got eachother." Harry whispered, mainly targeting his words towards Nadia. "And we'll always have eachother."

A/N: A tad short and not much happens, for that I'm sorry, but I'm quite ill and a lot is happening right now :/

Thanks for reading xox