She lasted all of two minutes after climbing through the portrait hole and into the common room before the tears came. She was somewhat relieved to see the common room was empty. The last thing she needed was for everyone to see her fall apart like this. The last thing she needed was for him to see her like this.
She could just imagine him laugh and proceed to be the immature git he always was. He would never allow her to live this moment of vulnerability down.
Her head whipped up as she heard the telltale sound of the portrait swinging open and her fears were suddenly a reality as he strode in, the cocky bounce to his walk evident as ever. That was, until his eyes fell on her. He took in the sight of the tear-stained face and the pained expression on her face as he slowly approached her.
"Well, go on, give me your worst," she choked out, daring him to make a laughingstock out of her.
He stopped in front of the couch she had curled up on and knelt down to her level, surveying her intently with his eyebrows furrowed, his hazel eyes burrowing into her green. He then sat down beside her wordlessly and slung an arm behind her and gently pulled her into his chest and held her comfortingly.
Normally she'd protest vehemently at the slightest touch from him. However, she needed to be held at this moment, and he'd taken her by surprise with this gesture.
"I'm sorry," she whispered through her tears as they stained his uniform.
"Hey," he finally said gently, tilting her head up tenderly to look at him again. "You don't ever have to apologize about anything," he said with finality, before reaffirming his comforting hold on her.
Perhaps she had to reconsider her stance on James Potter.