Chapter 5: Making Tough Decisions.

After Harry's shocking news he quickly departed leaving Nadia deserted and slightly shocked in the corridor. However, her brave demeanour soon took over and Nadia felt more ready for the first task than ever. Yes, she wasn't very knowledgeable in the subject of spells, but she had Hermione and she felt confident enough that Hermione could teach her at least one spell to help her survive the first task. Even if Nadia couldn't get any of the spells right she knew she wouldn't go down without a fight.

With these brave and noble thoughts running through her mind, Nadia continued her walk towards the great hall for breakfast. When she entered, the room was quiet and tense and Nadia was slowly beginning to wonder why that was. She swiftly skimmed her eyes over the house tables and noticed that all students had their eyes trained to their breakfast's anxiously. Suddenly she met the eyes of Ron and Hermione and she began to wonder why they were looking at her with faces of angst. Suddenly, Nadia realised that she probably looked very strange standing gormless and confused at the door of the great hall, so she quickly walked towards the Gryffindor table and sat down.

"What's with all the tension?" Nadia asked quietly, hoping that no unwanted eves-droppers were listening in. Hermione glanced up at her quickly and gave Nadia a soft smile.

"It's Pansy, she's really not happy with you, words going around that she wants to confront you about Draco. But don't worry we've got you back, right Ron?"

"Yeah right, however, I kept telling her Nadia that you could easily stick up for yourself but she wouldn't bloody listen as always." Ron shot Hermione a sharp glare making her recoil in shock. Even though Ron's words seemed rather sweet, Nadia somehow felt that if the time came she might not be able to stick up for herself. Yeah she was brave, but she knew no spells what so ever. If anything, odds were against Nadia this morning. Suddenly the shouts of a group of students shot Nadia out of her thoughts and her stomach coiled with dread. She felt the familiar squeeze of Hermione's hand on hers. It helped the dread lesson, if only slightly.

"Ahh Bowman, I'd like a word with you!" The sharp snarl of Pansy snapped through Nadia's ears and she glanced up to see her pug like face looming over hers. Behind her were a few girl slytherins she didn't know the names of and Grabbe and Goyle. She was surprised to see Draco wasn't there. Sensing the dangers of sitting down would cause she jumped up a glared into Pansy's snake like eyes.

"What do you want Parkinson?" Nadia decided to snarl her words also and she was surprised to find that her voice sounded somewhat menacing, which Nadia noticed made Pansy flinch in shock a little.

"I've noticed that you've been trying to take my Draco from me! Is that true Bowman?" Pansy sneered causing her pug like features to scrunch up in a somewhat ugly fashion. Nadia couldn't help but laugh a little at the sight. She also noticed out of the corner of her eye an angry Hermione who was ready to step up and stick up for Nadia. Yet, she also noticed Ron was holding her back. Nadia quickly decided that she quite liked the idea of annoying Pansy a little, even if it came with some consequences.

"Ohh please, Draco doesn't really seem that interested in you, I mean look at yourself and secondly I don't like Draco in that way. I was drunk when I tried to kiss him, I didn't know what I was doing ok? Maybe if you weren't so boring you would know what I mean." Nadia's words seemed to take an effect on Pansy because her face began to colour into a horrible blood red, which caused Nadia to wonder if it were possible for steam to emit from her ears also. Then a soft movement, directed her gaze away from Pansy's face and towards her hand, she was now clutching her wand and Nadia knew she was going to cast a spell on her.

"You listen here, me and Draco like each other very much and I'll be dammed if he actually liked you! Everte Statum!" Pansy's spell was quick and forceful, yet Nadia had the upper hand because she knew she was going to cast it. Which meant Nadia was able to avoid it unscathed. Suddenly, a spell started to form in Nadia's mind, one that she'd never heard of before, yet knew it would work.

"Is that all you've got Parkinson? Calvario!" Nadia softly smiled to herself as she realised Pansy wasn't expecting her spell and she watched as her hair began to fall of her head in clumps and wisps. The students in the great hall erupted into fits of laughter causing Pansy to shriek and grab her head in shock. Tears began to pool in her eyes and she turned and fled from the great hall in streams of tears, with her fellow slytherins in toe. Nadia couldn't help but smile softly to herself, even though she felt slightly guilty. All eyes fled to her and she self-consciously sat down in her previous seat at the Gryffindor table. However, while turning around she caught Draco smile and wink at her from across the hall. Nadia couldn't stop herself from blushing.

"That was bloody brilliant!" Shouted Ron and he slapped her on the back lightly as a sign of congratulations. Nadia couldn't help but laugh softly, making Ron join in with her.

"It actually was Nadia, but how did you know that spell?" Hermione quizzed her casually, causing Nadia to squirm slightly from her interrogating question.

"I'm not sure I just thought of it and knew it was a spell, I guess. I've never even heard of that spell until now." Nadia's answer made Hermione widen her eyes in shock, making Nadia squirm self-consciously.

"My goodness Nadia, you must be one clever witch then! Not many witches or wizards can think up spells they've never heard of! I can only think of a handful and there all old or dead!" Hermione exclaimed and Nadia couldn't help but think if maybe she was a better witch then people thought she was.

"You're a genius!" Ron shouted jokingly, causing Nadia to laugh quietly and Hermione to glare at him. No one said anything for a while and Nadia glanced over at Hermione to notice that she was deep in thought and kept glancing at Nadia more times than normal. Suddenly, Hermione's eyes stayed on Nadia's longer this time and Hermione's eyes scrunched in concentration then widened in shock as if she had just realised something.

"OMG! It can't be! Erm, I'm popping to the library quickly, erm last minute homework... erm see you two in Hogsmede!" Hermione exclaimed loudly and before Nadia could ask what was wrong she was already out of the great hall.

After a short conversation with Ron about what Hermione was up too, breakfast had finished and Nadia and Ron trudged their way up to the Gryffindor common room to get dressed for Hogsmede. Once they had entered the common room, Nadia realised that Hermione still hadn't returned from the library, which meant whatever Hermione was doing must have been important. Once they both reached the top of the staircase, they said a quick goodbye and agreed to meet in Hogsmede, due to the fact that Nadia didn't know how long she'd be.

After a long while, Nadia's unruly hair was styled and she was dressed and ready to go, however, just as she was about to leave she was stopped by a sharp clicking sound emitting from the window. She quickly turned around and saw perched on the window ledge outside, was her owl Athena and in her beak was a small piece of parchment. Nadia quickly walked over to the window and opened it, allowing Athena to flutter in and land gracefully atop Nadia's bed. Nadia took the parchment from Athena's beak and began to read the note.

Dear Nadia

Meet me in the back of the three broomsticks, I would like to talk to you.

From DM x

Nadia reread the note a few times before the words began to sink in, Draco wanted to see her, for reasons Nadia couldn't identify. Would he talk to her about Pansy? Tell her he doesn't want to be friends because of what she did? Finally, after a war with her conscience to decide wheatear or not to meet Draco, she finally decided to go. So she tucked the parchment into her pocket and began to walk down to the carriages.

Eventually, Nadia had arrived at Hogsmede, the place was breath-taking to Nadia and she couldn't help but feel like she was in a fairy-tale. The buildings were old and warm looking just like the ones in Diagon alley and the cobblestone pavement was riddled with memories of previous footsteps from many witches and wizards. Nadia couldn't help but feel like she was walking on years' worth of history. She began the small trek up the cobblestone path towards the three broomsticks, carefully hiding her face in the crook of her jumper, hoping she wouldn't be spotted by either Ron or Hermione. Thankfully, she arrived undetected and she walked into the warm and quiet pub. She glanced around at the homely pub and noticed how radiate it was. Candles covered the grey stone walls, illuminating the pub with a soft source of light. An open fire sat brightly in the corner, making the pub feel warm and inviting, the pub was mostly empty but she was able to spot the bright blonde sitting around the corner. She slowly walked over and took a seat at the table, Nadia began to wonder why she felt so shy.

"Hey Draco." Nadia said timidly and she scalded herself on her shyness.

"Nadia" Draco smirked and Nadia tried to stop the butterflies swimming in her stomach.

"Erm, so why did you want to meet me for?" Nadia asked casually even though she was dying to know the reason for this meeting. She then saw Draco look up at her and softly smile before he replied with an answer.

"Well, I saw what you did this morning in the great hall, pretty impressive, but you need help. A genius yet inexperienced witch can to great things if she was taught the right things." Draco said with almost as much casualness as what Nadia presented him with earlier.

"I don't need help, but thanks for the offer." Nadia said quickly, she immediately regretted what she said but there was still some part of her that felt guilty about Pansy. Even though it was hard to comprehend, but Pansy and Draco liked each other and however much Nadia wanted to, she couldn't get in between that. She noticed Draco's face fall ever so slightly, but was quickly replaced with his usual smirk.

"Yes you do, if my assumptions are correct you haven't got a plan for the first task, and I can help with that." Draco's words intrigued Nadia and she couldn't help but wonder what he meant, she wanted to know his plan. Yet, does she want to get on the wrong side of Pansy again? Suddenly, Nadia thought yes, she doesn't like Pansy, not one bit and she felt like she wanted to annoy Pansy just a little bit more.

"Ok then, enlighten me." Nadia replied and she flashed Draco a flirtatious smile, which surprisingly he returned. Maybe he doesn't like Pansy? Or maybe his just really flirty?

"Ok then, the thing I've noticed about you is your quiet and light on your feet, when you're not wearing your heels of course. So your best approach is stealth. So my advice to you is use the invisibility spell." Draco said rather quickly, making it hard for Nadia to keep up, but eventually she was able to understand exactly what Draco meant. Yet, how could she do it? She had never heard of that spell before. Let alone be able to cast it!

"So your saying I should make myself invisible? Would it work?" Nadia babbled but she was too preoccupied with thoughts of this unusual spell then feel worried about what Draco would think.

"Yes it will work if you practice it well, maybe that Mudblood Hermione will help you and please don't wear any of your heels." Draco smirked but his words however angered Nadia, how dare he call Hermione a Mudblood in front of her! She leaned forward towards Draco and glared at him menacingly.

"Don't you dare call Hermione a Mudblood!" Nadia whispered dangerously, however, it seemed to have a different effect on Draco then the one she's hoped for.

"Ohh babe, you really should have been in Slytherin with that feisty attitude of yours." He smirked and winked causing Nadia to blush a little, but she was still angry at Draco and she still would be if he didn't apologise.

"Malfoy! I'm warning you, promise me you won't call her that ever again, otherwise I won't speak to you again!" Nadia words sliced through Draco like a knife and she realised her words hit home. She wasn't sure if it was because of her use of his last name or the threat of not speaking to him again, but whatever it was seemed to work.

"Alright I'm sorry, I won't do it again, but promise me you'll learn that spell? You can't fail the first task, please?" Draco words were soft and sincere, making Nadia's anger lesson, Draco must have sensed this because he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Nadia liked the soft feel of his hands in hers, yet, she couldn't help feeling confused about everything. Why was Draco flirting and holding her hand? Why was Pansy adamant that Draco liked her? Why was she allowing Draco to do this when there was slight chance that there was something between him and Pansy? With all these thoughts running through her head she couldn't help but feel guilty about what she was doing. Even though she hated Pansy and would rather go against her, Nadia didn't want to be the sort of person Pansy was accusing her of being. Which meant Nadia had to end what this was between her and Draco. Whatever this actually was.

"Look Draco, I promise I'll learn the spell and I'll try and finish the task. But this, whatever this is between us has to stop. You like Pansy and Pansy likes you and I can't ruin that, even if I do hate Pansy." Nadia said clearly and she noticed that Draco heard every word. Yet, before Draco could say anything or reply she got up and quickly departed with the sounds of Draco's voice saying,

"Nadia wait."

I had been two days since Nadia's and Draco's meeting in Hogsmede and Nadia was avoiding him like the plague. She spent most of Sunday in the common room with Hermione, which despite Nadia protests with herself, she kept Draco's promise and asked Hermione for her help in learning the invisibility spell. So all of Sunday was spent in practicing the spell over and over, which surprisingly Nadia actually succeeded. And thankfully, resulted in her not seeing or speaking to Draco. However, Nadia knew she couldn't avoid him for much longing and unfortunately that time came quicker that Nadia could have hoped for. It was Monday morning just after breakfast and Nadia and Hermione were both heading towards Transfiguration, which sadly were with the slytherins.

"Look those badges are new! I wonder what they say?" Hermione said quizzically, making Nadia jump out of her thoughts and back to the present. She watched as Hermione took a badge from a friendly Hufflepuff and began to examine it. The badge was a bright orange and was flashing a picture of Cedric Diggory, with the caption "Support Cedric Diggory!" Nadia began to wonder why Hermione was so interested in a badge about a Hufflepuff, when suddenly the badge started to change. What was then a bright orange was now a shade of purple and was flashing a picture of Nadia, this time was the caption "Support our Hogwarts's Princess!" Nadia felt rather blessed to be known as the Hogwarts's princess and she began to smile. However, her smile didn't last long because the badge changed again this time to a sickly green and supported a picture of Harry, along with the caption "Potter stinks". Even though Nadia was a little annoyed at some of the things Harry's done to Ron, she still felt rather guilty at the level of embarrassment Harry must feel. Which made Nadia begin to wonder who in fact made these badges.

"Who do you think made these Hermione? There quite mean towards Harry aren't they?" Nadia said quietly.

"My guess would be Malfoy; he hates Harry's guts. And yes, it is quite mean I wonder how Harry's taking it?" At the mention of Draco, Nadia's insides began to coil with dread and she began to hate the idea of spending the next hour with him. However, she wasn't able to think about Draco for long because a cacophony of shouts began to travel towards Nadia and Hermione and they quickly ran towards it with curiosity. They eventually made It to the courtyard where they were met with a few loitering students, Harry, Grabbe, Goyle, mad-eye moody and a white ferret. The sight was quite unusual to Nadia and she began to wonder why there was a ferret running around on the floor, and why Grabbe and Goyle were not with Draco. Then it clicked, Draco was the ferret. Nadia couldn't help but laugh and she realised that a lot of the students were starting to laugh also. Eventually after a short while Mad-eye Moody's show was stopped by a very angry Professor McGonagall, who quickly transformed Draco back into himself and then began to shout at Mad-eye Moody, who seemed to think it was all rather comical.

"Come on I think we should get to class. It will look like we weren't late if we get them before McGonagall." Hermione said and she linked her arm with Nadia's and started to drag her away from the scene before them. However, she was able to see Draco staring right at her with a look of sadness written upon his face.

"Good Afternoon, Sorry I'm late please come in, but don't sit down because I'm going to pair you up. Now come on quickly." Professor McGonagall exclaimed loudly and she walked into the classroom with an air of sophisticated grace, which made Nadia feel rather jealous of. Eventually, they were all gathered in a tight clump at the back of the class, awaiting the news of who their partners will be.

"She's head of Gryffindor she better bloody put us together and not with the nasty slytherins." Ron whispered to her rather loudly and Nadia had a feeling that McGonagall heard every word.

"No Ronald, your very much mistaken your partners will be slytherins, so why don't we start with you! Ronald you'll be with… ah yes Pansy Parkinson!" McGonagall explained and Nadia saw Ron's face scrunch in annoyance, causing Nadia to feel somewhat sorry for him. Eventually the class was all paired up and Nadia was relieved to find she wasn't paired with Draco, in fact her partner was Blaise Zabini, one of the nice slytherins.

"Hey I'm Nadia Bowman." She said politely and she offered her hand for Blaise to shake. Surprisingly he did.

"I'm Blaise. Blaise Zabini. And I've heard a lot about you, Draco isn't one to hold back information about you." Blaise said rather casually, causing Nadia to squirm slightly in her seat, this wasn't a conversation she wanted to have.

"That seems a bit creepy to me." Nadia replied rather jokingly and surprisingly Blaise laughed in response. His laugh was sweet and melodic, and strangely reminded Nadia of her own.

"That was funny but all jokes aside, I think he misses you, but don't tell him I said that though." Blaise's words made Nadia feel guilty but she quickly remembered why she did what she did and the guilty feeling quickly went away.

"Well he shouldn't miss me; He likes Pansy which means he needs to leave me alone. I don't want to be dragged into any dramas." Nadia's words seemed cold and she realised that Blaise unfortunately picked up on it.

"My my maybe you should have been in slytheirn with malice like that! Anyway, haven't you realised yet? Draco doesn't like Pansy. Pansy's just the one with the weird obsession with him." Blaise's words shocked Nadia and she began to regret ignoring and avoiding Draco. She tossed away a friendship for nothing. Which made Nadia feel even more guilty then before.

"So he doesn't have feelings for Pansy?" Nadia asked, hoping to have exact clarification that he had no feelings for Pansy.

"No none at all. Look I think you should sort things out with him, otherwise the guilt's just going to eat you up." Nadia knew that Blaise was right, yet she didn't want to outright admit that, after all Blaise was still a stranger. Nadia was also slightly relived that Draco didn't like Pansy, after all Nadia did slightly like Draco and besides she doesn't like sharing, which meant it was a good thing Draco didn't like Pansy.

"My my Blaise, you know me so well!" Nadia joked quietly hoping that didn't reveal to much of what she was actually feeling. She heard Blaise reply with his melodic laugh and she returned her attention back to the class. She was so absorbed with what professor McGonagall was saying that she didn't hear Blaise's actual reply.

"I know you more than you think I do Rachai."

A/n: Dun Dun Dun! What does Blaise's reply mean? Anyone have any guesses? Anyway hope you enjoyed this chapter! I made it lengthier then normal. However, sorry it's late I've been really bust with college and assignments. I'll try and upload another chapter Thursday. The reason for this is because I might not be able to next weekend because I'm on an NCS residential so won't be able to upload. Anyway hope you enjoyed! Until next time.

Amber-Rose. xx