A Break
Theo closed the bedroom door behind him gently. He turned to see Potter waiting for him on the landing.
“How is she?”
Loaded question. Theo wasn’t sure how to answer.
“She’s been better. I think this might be it for them.”
Potter nodded, keeping his face neutral. Theo didn’t know what her friends thought of her relationship with Draco, but he could take a wild guess.
“She can stay here as long as she needs, she knows that. I’m glad she’s finally come to her senses.”
Theo resisted the urge to come to Draco’s defence.
“They’re just – they’re not right for each other. It’s bad timing. They need some time apart. Once Drake sorts himself out, they’ll find their way back together.” He ignored the pit in his stomach at the thought.
“You can’t be serious, Nott. He’s an abusive alcoholic. I’m surprised he’s not hexed her yet.”
“Hey. He’s been through a lot. He would never–”
“We’ve all been through a lot. You don’t see the rest of us taking it out on other people. Hermione has given him too many chances.”
Theo moved to push past Potter down the stairs. He couldn’t listen to The Chosen One slag off his best friend, especially when he was making good points.
“She cares about you.”
Theo stopped, halfway down the staircase. He knew that, he was her friend. Of course she cared about him.
“I care about her too, what’s your point?”
Potter shook his head.
“No, I mean, she /cares/. Like, the way she looked at you at the last Malfoy ball? You could be so much better for her than him, Theo. She deserves better.”
Something unpleasant turned over in Theo’s gut.
“Stop, Potter. I won’t do that, to either of them. They mean too much to me.” He carried on back down the stairs.
“I know you love her.”
Theo’s heart stuttered in his chest. Did he? He hadn’t ever let himself think about it. He didn’t turn back to face Potter, addressing the hallway in front of him instead.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel, Potter. How could anyone not love her? She’s sunshine. She’s the light that dapples through the trees. She’s a rainbow in the storm. She needs to remember that on her own. Jumping into a relationship with anyone else would only dim her further. I won’t do that to her.”
He walked to the front door, placing his hand on the knob as he called back to the other man.
“Tell her– Tell her I’ll deal with Drake. Tell her I’m here if she really needs me, but she should rely on you guys now. You know her best.” His voice cracked on the last sentence, as he let himself out the front door without looking back.
“I told you. He loves you.”
Harry turned to look at the tear-stained face peeking out of the bedroom door.
“Maybe. But he’s right. Nothing good would come from it. Not right now anyway. Not when I’m so broken.” Hermione murmured, closing the door on Harry and heading back to bed.