adored by him | *under editing*

seventh year × 94

Nadia and Hermione sat bundled in blankets, surrounded by the beautiful woodland which they were able to appreciate much more in the morning light.

"You've outdone yourself this time, Hermione." Harry praised as he approached them, looking pale and battle-worn.

"The Forest of Dean. I came here once with my mum and dad, years ago. It’s just how I remember it. The trees. The river. It’s like nothing’s changed. Not true, of course. Everything’s changed." Hermione smiled but it quickly faded.

"Maybe we should just stay here. Grow old."

Harry and Nadia had no words, only sympathy for the girl as she inhaled deeply and shook off tears. "Anyway, Harry, you wanted to know who that boy in the photograph was. Well, I know."

Hermione held the book up from her lap; the one she took from Bathilda's living room. Nadia shuddered just thinking about what happened there. Or more specifically, what she did to Harry's wand.

"It doesn't make for very nice reading." Hermione grimaced.

"Who is he? The thief. Did Dumbledore know him?" Harry questioned.

"Yes." Hermione answered simply.

Harry rose his eyebrows expectantly but Hermione sighed. "Only for a time."

Harry huffed. "Who was he? Tell me, Hermione."

Hermione bit her lip, unsure of whether to tell the frantic boy. Nadia nudged her, gesturing for her to explain.

"Gellert Grindelwald." She said, causing Harry's eyes to widen. "He's not very well known in Britain, but there was a time, before You-Know-Who..."

"I don't need to have read a History of Magic to know who Grindelwald is, Hermione."

Hermione nodded in understanding and passed Harry the book, open on a page with a photograph of a teenage Grindelwald.

Harry scanned it over. "He and Dumbledore were close until they changed."

"Changed?" Harry asked.

"Grindelwald became obsessed with ruling over muggles, something the both of them once believed in." Hermione nodded at Harry's wide eyes. "But Dumbledore was the one to put him in prison."

Harry stared at the photograph of the thief before Hermione removed the book from his hands.

Harry sighed and looked up. "Where's my wand, Nadia? I'll take the watch."

Nadia took her bottom lip in between her teeth, her hands shaking as the guilt set in. "Uhh..."

"Nadia? Where's my wand?"

Nadia breathed out as she moved the blanket, revealing Harry's shattered wand.

He lifted the pieces gently, his lips curling downwards.

"When I casted the curse, back in Godric's Hollow, it rebounded and...I tried to fix it. I did but--" Nadia said desperately but Harry cut her off.

"It's done." Harry stated.

"Maybe we can--"

"It's done." Harry's tone put an end to it. She nodded, gulping down the lump in her throat.

"Take mine." Hermione offered, handing him her wand before pulling Nadia up with her and placing the blankets on Harry. "Oh, and here." She said, draping the Locket around his neck.

The girls started to leave but Nadia turned back. "I'm really sorry, Harry."

Harry gave her a small smile. "It's okay. It was an accident."