Chapter 9: Gardenia's and Chrysanthemum.
After many long and beautiful moments between the secluded hedge kissing to their hearts content. Nadia and Draco, reluctantly called it a night and retired to their own dorms. The walk back for Nadia felt dreamlike and she swayed up the stairs, giddy with happiness. Even though they had both decided to keep their feelings secret, Nadia couldn't help but feel slightly excited about the prospect of their forbidden relationship. The dorm was empty when she entered, which meant that the yule ball was probably still going.
Maybe they didn't spend hours kissing like she thought then.
Still in her dreamlike like state she began to trudge into her dorm and proceed to get her pyjamas on. Suddenly the soft sniffling grabbed Nadia's attention and she spun around to see Hermione crying in her bed.
"Ohh Hermione! What's the matter?" Nadia mumbled as she rushed to sit opposite Hermione on the bed, she also grabbed her hands in hers for extra comfort. Hermione glanced up at her with watery eyes and sniffed.
"Ron, he ruined everything tonight! He basically shouted at me that Krum was too old for me and that I was fraternising with the enemy! I was happy that someone actually wanted to go to the ball with me, why couldn't he be happy for me?" Hermione mumbled making Nadia's heart knot with sadness and guilt. Guilt because she wasn't there to stick up for her friend.
"Ohh Hermione, he was just being a silly teenage boy! Krum is perfect for you if he makes you happy, sod what Ron thinks. And between you and me Ron isn't a very good kisser." Nadia finished with a wink and she was glad to find Hermione respond with a laugh.
"What you kissed Ron! I hope Draco saw it, what was his face like, I bet it was priceless! Wait you kissed him, didn't you? The way you walked in here so dreamlike, it's so obvious!" Nadia cheeks began to heat at Hermione's rambling, causing Hermione to shout a loud 'I knew it!"
"Ok ok, we did kiss, well actually we did a little more than kissing. But let's not talk about that now, especially when your night didn't turn out so well." She then squeezed Hermione's hands tighter and she responded with a warming smile.
"Ohh Nadia you're such a good friend." Hermione grabbed Nadia into a quick hug and then let go, "I have an idea." She grabbed her wand and two vases, one that was on her night stand and the one on Nadia's. She then uttered a quick spell and Nadia watched as two light pink flowers appeared in the vases.
"Ohh wow Hermione, there so beautiful!" Nadia exclaimed as she picked up her vase and examined the flower inside.
"There Chrysanthemum, they mean 'you're a wonderful friend.' Keep this as a reminder that I'll always be your friend no matter what."
Nadiawas currently sitting in the library stressed and worried behind mountains of different titled books. The task was only 10 days away and Nadia had no preparations for the task what so ever. She was doomed, she didn't want to win the tournament that was guaranteed, however she did not want to lose so embarrassingly, which meant she had to find out what the message in the egg was.
She was also frustrated because today was also valentine's day and she really wanted to spend the day with Draco, yet the only problem was, is that she didn't know where she stood with him. Were they together, or were they simply just a fling? She hoped it wasn't the latter, because even though she hated to admit it she liked Draco.
Ever since that amazing night of making out in the garden the night of the yule ball, Draco and Nadia hadn't found any time in which they could be alone long enough to do anything more than talking for a few minutes. Which left Nadia feeling lonely and slightly bored.
So, with all those thoughts running through her head, she decided that it was best if Draco seeked her out instead of the other way around, that way she would be hundred percent sure on where about they stood.
"Penny for your thoughts?" The sound disturbed Nadia's thoughts and she flinched slightly in her seat, she hoped it was Draco but the sound of the voice was to high-pitched to be him and her heart knotted a little in sadness. However, curiosity got the better of her and she looked up to see who the guy was.
It was Cedric Diggory.
Nadia gave him a soft smile and replied to his earlier question. "Quite frankly Diggory, I'm doomed there's 10 days until the 2ndtask and I'm no closer to finding out what it's about, then the day I got the egg. Please tell me you figured it out." Nadia flashed him her killer puppy eyes and she watched as Cedric flashed a charming smile in return.
"Well you're in luck Bowman, because I actually have figured it out." He then slouched against the bookcase and she watched as his expression changed to a look of smugness.
"Ohh have you now, care to share?" She replied and she enjoyed the way they could easily banter between each other.
"Let's just say, I think you should take a bath and maybe you should bring the egg with you." He gave her a joking wink, causing Nadia to laugh slightly to herself. She then quickly tidied the books around her and grabbed her egg and began to walk towards Cedric.
"Thanks for the advice, however don't take this personally but I like to take baths alone if that's ok." Nadia whispered as a joke and she hoped Cedric would see it that way, banter was only good if they could take it.
"That's ok Bowman, I have much better girls to share baths with." Nadia laughed quietly to herself as she watched Cedric wave goodbye and sit down besides Cho Chang.
Nadia eventually made it to the prefect's bathroom and she was relieved to find it was empty, so she locked the door and proceeded to admire the room. The bath was at least 10ft wide and looked about 6ft deep. The tiles were a soft cream and they sparkled softly as the light from the stained-glass windows reflected upon their face. The taps, or more like tubes, were positioned on the side of the bath and were filled with an array of different colours and what Nadia assumed were scents.
However, the thing that marvelled Nadia the most was the painting displayed along the glass above the bath. The beautiful assortments of colours and shapes helped to assemble a breath-taking picture of a mermaid. Although, it wasn't just a painting, it was a moving painting and Nadia was awed at the way the mermaid moved so elegantly atop the rock that she was sitting on. After Nadia, had viewed the mermaid to a point of boredom she decided to run her bath, where she decided on the soft scent of cinnamon.
Let's just say cinnamon was now one of her favourite scents.
Nadia began to relax in the bath, as she felt the stress and fears leak of her body and dissolve into the bubbly water of the bath. She started to daydream, most of which were about Draco, and she felt her heart flutter and her stomach knot. She wanted Draco, now, she wanted to feel his lips on hers and feel the light touch of his fingers run along her necks, arms, and hips.
No, she couldn't daydream anymore, she has more important things to do.
She grabbed her egg and began to open it, but then she stopped. Why would Cedric tell her to open the egg here? Surely it would sound the same here as it does in her dorm or in the common room, right? Yet, why would Cedric suggest she took a bath with the egg? The bath had to have some significance? Then she realised the water! She had to hear the egg under water. So, she took a deep breath and plunged her head under the water and listened to the egg.
The music that drifted through the egg mystified her, the melodic sound of the song intoxicated her thoughts. She was so engrossed by the sounds of the song that she almost missed what the words were saying.
'Come and seek us where our voices sound.'
After hearing the rest of the song, she then shut her egg and pushed her head out of the water. What does that mean? Where our voices sound? She then looked at the egg, noticed it could only be heard underwater and then looked at the moving mermaid on the window. That was it.
Mermaids and the only place that mermaids lived near here was the black lake.
The realization made Nadia's heart clench in fear and worry, she couldn't do it, she could not complete the second task.
Because Nadia's worst fear was water.
With fear laced through her veins she quickly got dressedand exited the bathroom and went to seek out Hermione and Ron. Eventually, she made it to the common room and sat down beside them on the couch where they were currently playing wizards chest. Hermione glanced up quickly to say hi, but she stopped instantly when she saw the look of fear written on Nadia's face.
"Nadia what's the matter, what happened?" She whispered quietly, not wanting the rest of the common room to overhear. However, Ron noticed and looked up at Nadia also with concern.
"Hermione, I figured it out the second task, is water, the black lake. I have to go under water for an hour." Nadia babbled while whispering and she hoped Hermione heard, because she feared that she couldn't repeat it. She watched as Hermione's and Ron's face turned to an expression of shock.
"Ohh Nadia, I'm sure it will be ok, Hermione would know a spell wouldn't you Hermione?" Ron glanced at Hermione hopefully, however, Nadia didn't care what spells Hermione knew she wasn't going to take part.
"No I don't need a spell, I'm not taking part, my biggest fear is water guys, I can't do it." Nadia felt the reassuring squeeze of Hermione's hands in hers, which helped the fear lessen, however only slightly.
"Ohh Nadia, I'm always here for you remember. But look there's someone in the library waiting for you, why don't you go spend some time with him and then we can talk about this some more tomorrow. Besides you can't ruin Valentine's day for yourself, can you?" Hermione responded attentively and Nadia nodded her head in agreement. Although, she began to wonder who this person was, Hermione did mention valentine's day, which only meant one thing, it was Draco.
With the idea of finally seeing Draco after so long, she quickly said a quick goodbye and gave Ron and Hermione both a hug and then quickly departed to seek out Draco in the library.
Eventually, Nadia made it to the library, where she was relieved to find it was empty. She walked in and peered along the many rows of bookcases to find Draco, when finally, she found him right at the back tucked into the corner of one of the bookcase rows. She liked the secrecy of the spot because they were well hidden from any unwelcome visitors and they were so far back that they would unlikely be heard from people sitting at the tables near the entrance. Which probably won't be many since there's only about 2 hours until lights out.
"Hello stranger." Nadia whispered and she sucked in a breath as Draco's face appeared from behind a big old book. He gave her a dazzling smile and pointed to the seat next to him. She plopped herself down and deciding to take a risk, she lifted her legs and placed them along Draco's knee's. She was grateful that he let her.
"Hey, it's good to see you again, it's been so long. And before you say it brief encounters in class, don't count." He mumbled and Nadia couldn't help but giggle slightly in return. She then sucked in a breath as Draco lent forward and grabbed her face in his hand. Her heart continued to pound as his lips connected with hers. The kiss began light, then after a while their desires kicked in and the kiss became more passionate. Draco's other hand began tracing up and down her thigh, making Nadia sigh in pleasure. Nadia's sigh seemed to spur Draco on because he began to kiss down her neck and then started to nibble, causing Nadia to giggle slightly. His grip on her thigh and hip hardened making her groan more loudly then she intended to.
The two quickly pulled away as they heard a wooden chair scrape along the floor and Nadia quickly assumed that this was the librarian, Irma Pince. Nadia quickly began to tidy her now ruffled hair and began pulling her skirt down that had someone drifted up her thigh. Nadia watched as Draco quickly picked up the book he was reading previously and pretended to seem utterly enticed with it. She quickly read the title, 'Different herbs and there uses.'
Why was he reading a book like that? However, she never got to think long enough because in that moment Irma Pince had appeared around the bookcase.
"May I ask what you to are doing?" She asked politely and Nadia seemed to think the professor knew exactly what they were doing. The Lady before Nadia she noticed was young and very pretty, however the one thing that stood out to her was Irma Pince's bird like nose that made her resemble a robin. She also noticed that the animal resemblance made her seem more kind and innocent.
"What does it look like were doing? Were clearly studying, so leave us alone!" Draco snarled and Nadia was rather shocked until she realised he was a slytherin, this is what they do, somehow, she seemed to have forgot this. She, watched as Irma Pince's expression fell to a look of sadness and worry at Draco's words and Nadia seemed rather guilty, so she offered the professor a soft smile, that she hoped Draco hadn't seen.
"Well ok then I'll leave you be." She didn't even glance at Draco when she spoke but she quickly offered Nadia a soft smile before she departed. When she was a good distance away Nadia turned to look at Draco with a questioning stare.
"What was that all about Draco? You didn't have to speak to her like that." Nadia whispered, worried that he might snap at her for telling him off.
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm just a little worried that's all, I found out what the second task is." Draco whispered back and Nadia suddenly realised that that's why Draco was reading that book. Her stomach quickly began to knot at the remembrance of the second task.
"You don't have to worry Draco, I'm not doing the second task. I have a big fear of water and they have another thing coming if they think I'm going in the black lake." Nadia whispered and she watched as Draco's face changed to a look of relief and then to determination. He quickly took her hands in his, causing Nadia's heart to flutter a little.
"You listen here, you probably won't because you're a stubborn ass.But however much you tell yourself you can't you can! Jesus, Nadia you went up against a dragon and you won! If you can do that then you can swim in the black lake, get something, and come back up again. You are the strongest, bravest girl I know, and if anyone can do this task it's you. You can do this Nadia, you just have to believe in yourself, just like the rest of us do." Draco's words made Nadia's heart melt and she began to feel like maybe so could do this. The task wasn't hard, not as hard as the first. She could do this she could prove to herself and everyone else that she could finish the second task.
"You really think I could, do it?" She whispered and she felt Draco's hands squeeze hers.
"Of Course, I do, I think you could do anything if you put your mind to it." Draco replied and she kissed him gently in response. After a short while Draco pulled away and looked deeply into her eyes.
"May I ask why you have a fear of water?" He asked attentively, Nadia hesitated a little before she nodded. It wasn't like it was big secret and besides she wouldn't mind telling Draco. She would tell him anything, if he let her.
"Well the winter when I was 10, me and my two friends went to the lake to do some ice-skating. We were told that the ice was thick enough and that there was no danger of it breaking. We were told that everyone went there and no-one ever got hurt, so that day we decided to go. We stayed on the part of the lake that everyone told us to stay at but Willow, the risky one suggested we skate further out. She convinced us we would be fine, she said if this part of the lake was fine then the rest should be too. So, we all agreed, however I was closest so I went first, but Willow was wrong the ice wasn't thick enough and it began to crack under my feet. Willow and the other girl, Freya began to scream and shouted at me to come back. I did but it was too late and I was too heavy. The ice cracked and I fell through, I blacked out instantly from the cold. Eventually, I woke up in hospital with a broken arm from the fall and a bad case of hypothermia. I was in hospital for weeks and was diagnosed with a survival rate of 15%. After that I never went swimming again and the only body of water I would go into was a bath." Nadia finished and she felt the hot wetness of tears trailing down her cheeks, her heart fluttered again as Draco whipped a tear away with his finger. She also noticed his face was etched in sadness to.
"I'm so sorry Nadia, but believe me when I say I still think you can do this." And she did believe him and she knew she could do this no matter what it took.
"I'm going to do it Draco. For me, you, and Hermione. Sorry I had to put my best friend in there to." Nadia giggled and she was surprised to see that Draco was smiling also, instead of looking jealous.
"Good and I don't mind and before I forget, Happy valentine's day." He reached inside his pocket and placed two items wrapped in red and green tissue paper. She unravelled them both and was shocked to find two beautiful rings, one with a shape of a snake and the other a lion. They were beautiful, she slipped them on her finger and marvelled at the sight.
"Thank you so much, there beautiful!" She exclaimed and gave him a quick kiss. "I've got something for you too." With the idea of the gift Hermione gave her, Nadia waved her wand and charmed two identical Gardenia's, one for Draco and one for her.
"They mean secret love, and I charmed them so they would never die." She whispered and they both kissed until they had to get back to their dorms for lights out.
It was the night before the second task and Nadia was nowhere closer to finding a way to finish the second task, she was doomed and she felt humiliated. She had to find Hermione or Ron, maybe they could help her.
Although they were nowhere to be find, she had looked everywhere, the library, the courtyard, the great hall. Admitting defeat, she trudged back to the common room feeling gloomy and un-proud of herself. She had let herself down and worst of all Draco and Hermione. She promised Draco and Hermione valentine's night that she would find a way to finish the second task, but all she had accomplished was breaking a promise.
She was a terrible best friend and a terrible girlfriend.
She mumbled the password and stepped into the common room where was met by the faces of Neville and Harry.
"Have any of you seen Hermione or Ron?" She asked as she sat down on the couch beside Neville in front of the fire. In all honesty, she felt bad for ostracising Harry, when he and Ron weren't friends, because now that they were, Nadia could see how nice of a person Harry is. She was also grateful that he had forgiven her and was glad that they had become friends.
"The last I saw of them, they went with professor Moody, why?" Harry replied and Nadia couldn't help but feel worried, she didn't like Moody, there was something funny about him. But he was still a professor after all.
"Well, don't shout at me, but I still have no idea what I'm going to do in the second task and I was hoping Hermione or Ron could help." She mumbled hoping that Harry wouldn't hear, no such luck.
"What! Are you mad its tomorrow Nadia!" HE shouted from beside Neville and she was glad Neville was quite big because it meant she couldn't identify Harry's expression. Suddenly, Neville thumped Harry's arm and began to speak.
"Shut up Harry! Don't worry Nadia I'm sure I can find some Gillyweed for you two. I offered some to Harry for the second task but I'm sure I can get you some to!" Neville exclaimed and Nadia's heart began to brim with hope. Maybe she hadn't broken her promise to Hermione and Draco. She can finish the second task.
"OMG, Thank you so much Neville, you're a star!" She hugged Neville in thanks and she giggled to herself as his cheeks turned a soft pink.
Bring on the second task, Nadia thought to herself.
