adored by him | *under editing*

seventh year × 99

Nadia's body twisted, feet kicking and arms flailing to find the surface.

Finally, she bobbed up, coughing up water and hair sticking to her face.

She looked around, seeing everyone else emerge from the depths too.

They swam to the shore, shivering and panting as the climbed out of the freezing water and began to change into dry clothes on the bank. But something was on Harry's mind.

"He knows." The trio eyed him, their chests heaving from the swim. "You-Know-Who. He knows we broke into Gringotts. He knows what we took. He knows we're hunting Horcruxes."

"How is it you--" Hermione started until the look Harry gave her caused realisation to dawn. "You let him in? Harry, you can't do that!"

"I can't always help it, Hermione!" Harry snapped breathlessly. "Maybe I can. I don't know..."

"Never mind. What did you see?" Ron enquired, changing the sensitive subject.

"He's angry. But he's scared too. He's going to make sure all the other Horcruxes are safe." Harry explained.

"What happens when he finds out that four of them are gone?"

"I reckon he'll do anything to stop us from finding the rest. There's more: one of them's at Hogwarts."

The trio's eyes widened at Harry's words. "What?" They exclaimed in unison.

"You saw it?"

"I saw the castle. And Rowena Ravenclaw." His eyes drifted to Nadia who was deep in thought. "I think it must have something to do with her. We have to go there, now."

"Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem!" Nadia concluded. "Maybe that's why Dumbledore left it to me. Because it's a Horcrux!"

"But it's lost. How can it be at Hogwarts?" Ron questioned.

"I don't know. But I agree with Harry; we have to go there." Nadia nodded at the boy. "Tonight."

"Tonight?" Hermione repeated in disbelief. "But-but we need a plan!"

"Honestly, Hermione, when have any of our plans actually worked out?" Harry asked, trudging up the hill. "We plan, we get there, all hell breaks loose."

"He's right." Ron agreed whilst shaking his head. "There's just one problem: Snape's headmaster now. We can't just walk in the front door."

"We'll go to Hogsmeade. To Honeydukes. Take the secret passage from the cellar." Nadia suggested.

Harry nodded and looked off into the distance. "There's something wrong with him. In the past, I could always follow his thoughts. Now everything feels disconnected."

"Maybe it's because of the Horcruxes. Maybe we're getting to him. Maybe he's dying." Ron said, sounding hopeful.

That hope was diminished, however, as Harry replied, "No. It's more like he's wounded. If anything, he feels more dangerous."

•••

An eerie calm flooded the dark town. Posters of Harry flapped in the soft breeze. Silently sitting shops were shrouded in the thick fog. The only evidence of life was the gentle yellow glow of the Three Broomsticks.

The quartet apparated into view, glancing about cautiously.

Then, a screeching sound rented the air. It was inhuman and shrill.

Instantly, a mob of shadows infiltrated the dark street. Death Eaters.

The quartet turned on their heels and vanished into the mist, ducking into a sheltered area and crouching below the clothed tables.