Slytherin Boys x Y/N Short Stories/Reacts

Illusions of Comfort - Theodore Nott

Theo wandered the familiar halls of Hogwarts, feeling a comforting presence by his side. After the war, he had struggled to piece his life back together, and Y/N had been his guiding light through the darkness. Their shared moments, whether in the library or by the Black Lake, were like precious jewels in the midst of his struggle.

One chilly evening, Theo and Y/N walked along the path near the lake, the crisp air a gentle reminder of the world outside his pain. Y/N's laughter was a soothing balm for Theo's wounded heart, and he clung to the belief that her support was what he needed to heal.

"You know, Theo," Y/N said with a warm smile, "sometimes it feels like we're the only two people in the world who understand each other."

Theo looked at her, his heart aching with both gratitude and sadness. "I don't know where I'd be without you. You've been my rock through all of this."

Y/N reached out and took his hand. "I'm always here for you, Theo. We're in this together."

They spent the evening talking and laughing, Y/N's presence a reassuring anchor as Theo faced the challenges of his post-war life. Yet, despite the comfort she provided, Theo felt a growing unease that he couldn't quite place. Sometimes, Y/N seemed distant, vanishing for short periods before returning with her usual warmth.

As the days went by, Theo's sense of normalcy began to stabilize, but there were still moments when Y/N's absence felt like a ghostly echo. He found himself clinging to their time together, finding solace in her words and touch, even as he struggled to shake off the lingering shadows of his past.

One rainy afternoon, Theo sat alone in the common room, feeling a deep sense of loneliness. The fire crackled softly, and he longed for Y/N's comforting presence. When she finally arrived, she looked at him with an expression that was both tender and sorrowful.

"Theo," Y/N began, her voice soft, "we need to talk."

Theo's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong?"

Y/N took a deep breath, her eyes searching his. "I can't keep doing this. You're holding on to me, but it's time for you to face the truth."

Theo's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? You've been helping me through everything."

Y/N shook her head gently. "Theo, I'm not real. You've been imagining me to help you cope with the pain. I'm gone, and you need to let me go."

Theo's world tilted. "No, that's not possible. You're right here with me."

Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes as she reached out to touch his cheek. "I'll always be with you in your heart. But it's time for you to move on. You've suffered enough, and I want you to find happiness again."

Theo's heart pounded as he gripped her hand tightly. "No, you can't be gone. I need you. You're all I have left."

Y/N's expression was filled with love and sadness. "I'm sorry, Theo. I know it's hard to accept, but you have to face reality. I can't watch you destroy yourself like this. You need to heal, and that means letting me go."

Theo's vision blurred with tears as he struggled to hold on to her fading presence. "But how can I let go of the one person who made everything feel okay? How can I live without you?"

Y/N's image wavered, her form becoming less distinct. "You will find a way, Theo. I believe in you. I will always be a part of you, even if you can't see me. You have to remember the good times we had and use them to find strength."

Theo collapsed to his knees, his cries echoing through the empty room. The weight of Y/N's words crushed him as he faced the devastating reality of her absence. The warmth of her touch, the sound of her laughter, the comfort of her presence—all of it was a figment of his imagination.

As Y/N's figure finally disappeared, Theo was left alone, the cold emptiness of reality settling in around him. He felt an overwhelming sense of loss and despair, the life he had clung to shattering before him.

In the solitude of his grief, Theo tried to piece together the fragments of his heart. The love he had cherished was gone, and the journey of moving on was daunting. The memory of Y/N would remain a bittersweet reminder of what he had lost, and he would have to find the strength to face each day without her.

Hours later, as Theo sat in his room, still wrapped in his grief, there was a soft knock on the door. It was Mattheo, who had noticed his distress.

"Theo?" Mattheo's voice was gentle, filled with concern. "Can I come in?"

Theo looked up, his eyes red and tired. "Mattheo... I don't know if I can do this."

Mattheo entered the room and sat down beside him. "I'm here for you, mate. Whatever it is, we'll get through it together."

Theo buried his face in his hands. "I thought I was healing. I thought I had everything I needed. But it was all just... an illusion."

Mattheo placed a comforting hand on Theo's back. "It's okay to feel like this. It's okay to be lost. Sometimes, we think we have everything under control, but it turns out we're just holding on to memories."

Theo shook his head. "I saw her. She was right here with me. And now she's gone..."

Mattheo nodded, understanding the depth of Theo's pain. "Grief can be incredibly cruel. It can make you hold on to what you wish was real. But that doesn't mean you're alone. I'm here, and we'll work through this together."

Theo's sobs were quieter now, the weight of his sorrow beginning to be shared with his friend. Mattheo's presence was a small comfort in the overwhelming darkness.

"Thank you, Mattheo," Theo said softly, his voice breaking. "I didn't know how to let go, but maybe, with time and help, I can find a way."

Mattheo squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "One step at a time, Theo. We'll take it slow. You don't have to go through this alone."

As the night wore on, Mattheo stayed by Theo's side, offering support and understanding.  It was a long road ahead, but for the first time, Theo began to understand that healing would come with time, acceptance, and the courage to move forward without the one person who had meant everything to him. But with a friend's support, eventually, he could find peace in the midst of his pain.