Hogwarts Legacy Oneshots

Garreth - Nightmares

Y/N's breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled down the stairs from the girl's dorms, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. The nightmare's vivid images still lingered in her mind—faces twisted in agony, accusing eyes staring at her, blaming her for their deaths.

Professor Fig, Lodgok, Sebastian, Ominis, and her parents. They all blamed her for their deaths in her dream, taunting her - dooming her to live a life filled with guilt and suffering. Among them, Garreth's face had been added at the very end, his features being the most haunting as his usual bright smile replaced by a look of betrayal and pain.

She reached the common room, quickly crossing the room to reach the exit, her shaking hands fumbling to push the door open. The warmth of the firelight inside did little to soothe her frayed nerves. Desperate to escape the oppressive weight of her fear, she exited the portrait hole, intent on fleeing the castle, if only to find some air that wasn't stifling with her own guilt.

Just as she threw herself into the hallway, she collided with someone, a quiet yelp escaping her as she jumped at the contact, raising her fists to fight off an enemy. A pair of strong arms steadied her, and she looked up to find Garreth's concerned eyes peering down at her.

"Y/N? What's wrong?" Garreth's usually loud voice was soft, but it was enough to break the dam of her composure. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't hold back the hyperventilating breaths that wracked her body.

"I... I had a nightmare," she managed to choke out, her voice trembling. "Everyone... everyone I've ever cared about was dying because of me. Including you. They were saying horrible things and blaming me and -" her panicked breaths turned into sobs as she held onto his forearm with one hand, the other covering her mouth to stifle her sobs.

Garreth's expression filled with concern, but softened. He gently picked her up bridal style and carried her to a nearby sofa as she continued to sob on his shoulder. "Hey, hey, it's okay. It was just a nightmare. None of that is real," he reassured her, kneeling in front of her and keeping a comforting hand on her knee and shoulder.

Y/N shook her head, the images from her dream still vivid. "But it felt so real, Garreth. I could feel their fear, their pain as their lives were taken from them.. I'm swimming in guilt - I can't shake it."

Garreth's brow furrowed in concern, and he shifted closer, his presence a comforting anchor in her turmoil. "Nightmares can be powerful, but they aren't prophecies. You're not responsible for anything like that. You're one of the strongest, kindest people I know. You wouldn't let anything happen to those you care about."

His words began to penetrate the fog of her panic, and she took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. "But what if—"

"No 'what ifs'," Garreth interrupted gently, his voice firm but kind. "We're here, right now, and we're safe. You're safe. You don't have to face this alone."

Y/N looked into his eyes, finding solace in his unwavering gaze as she took deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Slowly, the grip of the nightmare began to loosen, replaced by the warmth of Garreth's reassurance. She nodded, taking another deep breath, this one steadier as he moved from the floor to sit beside her.

"Thank you, Garreth," she whispered, leaning into him for support. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her close.

"Of course. I am alive literally because you fought a crazy power-driven goblin.. I'll always be here for you," he replied softly, his presence a comforting shield against the remnants of her fear.

As they sat together in the dim light of the common room, Y/N felt the terror of her nightmare ebb away, replaced by the comforting reality of Garreth's friendship and support.

Garreth continued to hold Y/N close, his warmth slowly easing the last of her tremors. The crackling fire provided a gentle soundtrack to their shared silence, its soft glow casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Y/N's breathing gradually evened out, the terror of her nightmare dissipating with each comforting word Garreth whispered. His hand rubbed soothing circles on her back, and she couldn't help but marvel at how safe she felt in his arms.

"Garreth," she began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'd do without you. You've always been there for me, and... tonight, I really needed that."

He smiled down at her, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and affection. "I'm glad I could help. You mean a lot to me, Y/N. I hate seeing you so scared and upset, so the fact that I was able to help with that was nice."

She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. There was something in his gaze that made her heart race, but for a different reason. A warmth, an intensity she hadn't noticed before, or perhaps had been too afraid to acknowledge.

"Garreth," she said again, her voice trembling, but not from fear this time. "There's something I need to tell you."

He tilted his head slightly, encouraging her to continue. "What is it?"

"I..." Y/N took a deep breath, summoning all her courage. "I think I've been scared to admit it to myself, but... I care about you. More than just a friend. When I had that nightmare, the thought of losing you was the worst part. I don't want to hide my feelings anymore."

Garreth's eyes widened slightly, then softened. He reached up to gently cup her cheek, his thumb brushing away a lingering tear. "Y/N, I've felt the same way for a while now. I didn't want to risk our friendship, but I can't keep it to myself anymore either."

Her heart soared at his words, and she leaned into his touch, closing her eyes briefly as their foreheads touched. When she pulled away and opened her eyes, the intensity of his gaze made her breath catch.

"Really?" she whispered, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips.

"Really," he confirmed, his own smile widening. "You mean everything to me, Y/N. And I promise, I'll always be here to chase away your nightmares."

Before she could respond, Garreth leaned in, closing the distance between them. His lips met hers in a gentle, reassuring kiss, and all the fear and doubt melted away, replaced by a warmth that spread through her entire being.

The kiss was soft and tender, filled with the unspoken emotions they'd both been harboring for so long. When they finally pulled apart, Y/N rested her forehead against his, their breaths mingling in the space between them.

"I feel so much better now," she murmured, a contented smile on her lips.

Garreth chuckled softly, his arms still wrapped around her. "Me too. I'm glad we finally told each other."

They sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, the fire crackling merrily beside them. The night had started with fear and panic, but now, it was filled with warmth and newfound love. And as Y/N drifted off to sleep, safe in Garreth's embrace, she knew that no nightmare could ever stand a chance against the reality of their feelings for each other.