Chapter Text
Harry felt his grip on the door handle harden as he took in the sight of her.
Dracea was a wreck, through and through; her usual pristine, immaculate clothes were wrinkled and rumpled. Her hair uncombed and ruffled, her eyes red and glistening wet with tears. She breathed hard, and each exhale was followed by a tremor that coursed from her shoulders down to her knees.
Her surprised expression transformed into one of annoyance, and she stood a bit taller. She sniffed once and raised her right hand halfway to her nose before catching herself. Instead, she stood a bit taller, defiantly so.
“What are YOU doing here, Potter?” She was quiet for a moment before squinting accusatorily at him. “What ARE you doing here? This is the women’s bathroom, you perv!” Harry just gave her a pointed look. She blinked, her cheeks turning a pale red. “Doesn’t matter anyway.” She said quietly, looking away. “Just leave me alone, would you. Everyone else is.”
Harry let go of the handle and walked up close to her, causing her to shrink back despite herself. He held her gaze; those icy-blue eyes of hers with those faint spiral patterns. A glint of uncertainty crossed them. Want. Fear.
Without saying another word, he leaned in and hugged her. Hard.
Dracea gasped and froze. “What do you —“ she tried to muster in anger, but quieted in calm surprise once Harry let his lips lightly touch her forehead as he moved his hand through her silky-soft hair.
“Shh, it’s gonna be okay, Dracea. I’ll see to it.”
She hugged him back as he said the last words, and Harry grimaced as he felt her strength through it.
“You promise?” Her voice was low, like a whisper, her breath tickling the skin of his neck.
Harry nodded, and Dracea sank deeper into his embrace. “You better, Potter. You better…”