adored by him | *under editing*

sixth year × 83

"Did you really expect that you could just walk up to ol'Sluggy and he'd reveal his deepest, darkest secrets? Honestly, Harry. I think the Daily Prophet should be calling you the Dim One." Nadia drawled sarcastically as she scribbled away on her parchment.

At the moment, there wasn't any free time, not a second to breathe and not a minute to think. Just endless homework. And now, she couldn't believe that Harry had been so forward with asking about a very, very dark piece of magic. Not even she knew what Horcruxes were, nor did she want to.

Harry rolled his eyes and feigned a smile. "Nice." The Maurauder's Map was spread across the desk. Harry didn't care to hide it as Nadia and him were the only ones in the library, after all, it was a Saturday night.

"You're going to have to persuade him somehow. And now, after your little episode, you've made it a lot harder."

"I think Malfoy's leaving the castle." Harry stated, ignoring her previous comment.

Nadia stopped dead, her quill only just scratching half a word. "What? That's impossible."

"I've seen it. Sometimes...sometimes he just disappears off the map."

Nadia shook her head, carrying on with her essay. "It's not possible. No one can leave the castle these days. The Map must be wrong."

"The Map is never wrong."

•••

Sam closed the door behind her, a massive beam on her rosy face.

Nadia and Ashton exchanged curious glances before dropping everything and bounding over to her.

"What happened?" They questioned excitedly.

Sam's smile turned so wide that it could have split her face in half. "He's so romantic."

Ashton and Nadia squealed, pulling the bashful girl over to the bed.

"Guys, I think...I think I love him." Sam whispered cautiously.

Nadia and Ashton squealed even louder. "That is adorable!" Ashton exclaimed. "Oh, young love." She sighed dramatically.

"I know. But, how do I tell him? Like, is it too early? And, you know how awkward Neville is. What if he doesn't love me back?" Sam rambled, playing with her fingers.

"Well, one:" Nadia started. "You tell him straight up. Of course you'll be nervous, but if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Two: It's not too early. You've been practically together for like three years. And three: If he doesn't love you back then he needs a trip down to St. Mungos."

Sam smiled as Ashton nodded furiously at Nadia's words. "Yeah. I'll send him there myself." She threatened.

Nadia shook her head and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No you won't. There's been enough drama this year."

Ashton huffed. "Fine. But that doesn't mean--"

"Yes. It means that you do nothing." Sam scolded.

Nadia silently agreed whilst Ashton looked shocked. "Are you saying that, if it comes down to it, I can't even defend my best friend?"

"No, because you...well, you, uh can get a little, urm, fiesty." Sam sputtered.

Ashton opened and closed her mouth a few times, attempting to spit a comeback but nothing tumbled from her mouth. She simply folded her arms and leaned into Sam, muttering a small, "You've got a point."