The morning sunlight streamed faintly through the castle windows as Beatrice finally emerged from the Hufflepuff common room. Her steps were slow, and her face bore the marks of a sleepless, tearful night—swollen eyes and a pallor that betrayed her exhaustion. Whispers and stolen glances followed her as she made her way out, but she kept her gaze fixed ahead, determined to ignore them.
As she stepped into the corridor, she froze. Theo was leaning casually against the wall, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a plate of toast in the other. His expression softened the moment he saw her, and he offered a warm, lopsided smile that made her chest tighten.
— Thought you might need this, — he said simply, holding the coffee out to her, his voice calm and steady, as though willing her to feel the same.
Without a word, Beatrice walked straight into Theo's arms, burying her face in his chest. The weight of everything felt a little lighter in that moment, the comfort of his embrace wrapping around her like a shield. Theo's arms tightened around her instinctively, and with a flick of his wrist, the coffee and toast floated gently beside them.
He held her close, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his touch gentle but reassuring. The silence between them was enough; words weren't necessary. Theo simply stayed there, grounding her, his presence the only comfort she needed in that moment.
— Let's go for a walk.— He whispered to her as she nodded, and slowly walked towards the garden as he gave her the coffe and toasts.
The crisp autumn air greeted them as they stepped into the castle gardens. The morning dew clung to the grass, glinting faintly in the soft sunlight. Beatrice held the cup of coffee in both hands, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. Theo walked beside her, matching her pace.
Beatrice sipped the coffee slowly, its comforting bitterness anchoring her further. She glanced sideways at Theo, his expression calm, but his sharp eyes occasionally darting to her, checking on her. She felt a twinge of gratitude.
They reached a bench beneath a sprawling oak tree, its golden leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Theo gestured for her to sit, then plopped down beside her, passing her the toast.
— Eat. — he said lightly, though there was a faint edge of concern in his tone. — You'll feel better with something in your stomach. —
Beatrice took a small bite, then another, until she realized she was hungrier than she thought. Theo didn't speak, giving her space as she ate, his presence as steady and reassuring as ever.
— I didn't put my name... —she began, her voice barely above a whisper, but Theo cut her off gently.
— You don't have to explain anything, Bea, — he said, his voice firm but kind. — I'm here, no matter what. —
Her throat tightened, but this time it wasn't from sadness. She placed the empty coffee cup beside her and looked at him, her tired eyes brimming with unspoken gratitude.
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A Hufflepuff heart | Hermione Granger
FanfictionBeatrice Lestrange has always been an outsider in her own story. Born into one of the darkest families in the wizarding world, she grew up under the looming shadow of her infamous mother Bellatrix Lestrange. Despite this, Beatrice is nothing like th...