Written for the Battle of the Houses Competition #3, the Phobia Challenge and the Holiday Spirit: Christmas Boot Camp prompt #34.
"Would you move already?" he called, poised on the other sie of the bridge. She had yet to take a single step. "We haven't got all day Astoria!"
"I know, I know," she grunted, gripping the railing on one side. She could do this, she could totally do this…
She just needed to take a step and then everything would be okay. The bridge wouldn't fly out from under her. It was a treacherous journey to cross it… but she would make it to the other side alright.
Probably.
Draco stood tapping his foot impatiently on the other side. "What's taking so long exactly?"
Gephyrophobia is the fear of crossing bridges. And Astoria was majorly afraid. But she had yet to tell Draco that. He wasn't the most passionate person in the world when it came to fears, and she would rather not be completely laughed at. No, she could cross this if he didn't push her.
But he didn't know what the problem was, so he wasn't going to be patient either. Oh, the dramas of life.
It was Christmas shopping season, and they were on their way into Hogsmeade to purchase things. Taking the back road was much shorter, but you had to cross this blasted bridge. Not only was she afraid of crossing them to begin with, but this one was pretty rickety.
He marched back across the bridge as she continued to stand there stock still, pausing in front of her with an arched eyebrow. "So what exactly is the problem?"
Her breath hitched, and she looked beneath his gaze when she spoke, hands shaking as she spoke. "Iamafraidofbridges."
"What?"
She took a deep breath, trying again. "I am afraid of bridges. I'm afraid to cross them."
"But you fly around on a broom all the time!"
"Yeah but this is… different. I can't explain it to you, but I really am afraid Draco. Please don't make me walk across this thing."
For a second it looked like he would lose his cool, before a smile graced his features and he extended his arms towards her. "Come on then, I'll carry you across if that's the case."
Her eyes widened. "But-"
"No buts Astoria, I promise to not drop you. Come on then, legs, around my waist."
Reluctantly, she hopped up on him, legs around his waist and arms around his neck. She kept her faced pressed into his shoulder as they walked.
"It's not going to give out is it!?"
"I won't let you get hurt if it does," he soothed, rubbing her back as he walked. It really wasn't that long of a walk.
On the other side he set her down, and Astoria looked back the way they had come. She looked between the bridge and Draco twice, before thumping him on the arm.
"I appreciate the gesture darling, but let's take the main road back. I'm never doing that again!"
He shrugged, wrapping an arm around her waist as they walked. "Whatever you say Astoria."