Talk To Me

by facelesswriting

While finishing their education, the 8th years are picking up the pieces of their lives, but Harry's world is still crashing down around his ears. As he spirals apart, even the most unlikely people are banding together to keep him sane, but will he ever recover? And will he ever find his voice again? (TW for self-harm, panic attacks, and depression)

15. Chapter 15

15- Harry POV

It was always awkward waking up. Hermione usually left before me so I wouldn't have to face her, but Neville never did. I knew he was awake because he was rubbing my back again. I wondered if he stayed up all night for me.

My eyes flicked open and they burned. I couldn't breathe through my nose because it was so stuffy. We were in the same position I fell asleep in so I knew I'd be sore. So far the morning wasn't going well.

"Hey," Neville said, the sound dragging out as he cooed, shifting to see my face, and I realised I'd started crying again. Pathetic little gasps escaping as I pitied myself.

"Do you hurt?" I nodded, "Where?" I nodded again, hoping he understood. He only hesitated a moment before asking, "Everywhere?"

When I nodded again, he huffed, slithering out from under me as I grasped his shirt tighter. I didn't want him to go. It was awkward, but I needed him here.

But he didn't go. He scooped me back up and carried me again, but this time to the loo. He asked if I had to use it, and I shook my head so he took me to the shower stalls instead. He dropped me to my feet but kept an arm around my waist to hold me up. Then he flicked on the shower to drench us, pajamas and all. For a split second the water was freezing, jolting me to reality. I flung an arm around Neville's shoulder, not letting go of his shirt with my other hand, and buried my face in his neck to cry.

Eventually my tears petered out, and I was standing on my own. Neville asked if I would be okay while he ducked into the loo, and I nodded and spun to face the spray and wash my face.

"We missed breakfast, but the elves brought us lunch."

I tried to remember why I had a sinking feeling in my stomach at that, why it was important that I had been up earlier. Neville turned off the water while I was lost in my thoughts, magicked me dry, and led me back to our room. "No one will mind that we missed classes," he told me, filling a plate for himself.

I nodded, happy that he understood me without even needing pictures sometimes. I offered him a smile I'm sure was too shaky to be reassuring, but he gave me back one anyway.

"Thanks," I whispered, biting into a sandwich of my own.