Chapter 24: Where the Walls Fell

I barely remembered the walk back to Gryffindor Tower. My feet moved on their own, carrying me through staircases and corridors as my vision blurred with tears. By the time the portrait hole came into view, my chest ached so badly it felt like I could not draw a full breath. My hands were shaking as I gave the password, my voice breaking halfway through it. The portrait swung open. The warmth and noise of the Gryffindor common room washed over me, but the moment I stepped inside, everything blurred. Laughter faded into a dull hum. I did not make it more than a few steps before the tears spilled over completely. I covered my face, a sob tearing out of me before I could stop it. “Melody?” Harry’s voice reached me first. I looked up through blurred vision and saw him, Ron, and Hermione sitting near the fire, books spread across the table. All three of them froze when they saw me. Hermione’s eyes widened instantly, her chair scraping back as she stood. “Oh my goodness,” she said softly. “Melody, what happened?” I tried to answer, but my throat closed up. Instead, another sob broke free, my shoulders shaking. Hermione crossed the room in seconds and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me gently against her. “It’s alright,” she murmured. “You’re safe. Just breathe.” Ron stood too, his face flushed with concern and something that looked dangerously close to anger. “Did someone hurt you?” he asked, already scanning the room as if expecting to see a Slytherin behind me. Harry moved closer, his green eyes dark with worry. “Was it Malfoy?” That was all it took. I nodded, the motion small but devastating. The tears came harder, hot and unstoppable. Hermione tightened her hold on me, one hand rubbing soothing circles on my back. “He kissed someone else,” I choked out between sobs. “I saw it. Pansy. Right in the corridor.” Ron’s ears went red instantly. “I’ll kill him,” he muttered. “I swear, Hermione, let me at him.” Hermione shot him a sharp look. “Ron.” Harry clenched his fists, jaw tight. “Are you sure? I mean, Malfoy is a lot of things, but” “I saw it,” I said again, my voice breaking. “I slapped him. I just lost it. I thought he loved me.” Hermione pulled back just enough to look at me, her expression soft but serious. “Oh, Melody,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.” I collapsed onto the sofa, curling in on myself as the sobs wracked my body. Hermione sat beside me, immediately pulling me close again. Harry took the armchair opposite us, leaning forward, while Ron paced back and forth like a caged animal. “You don’t deserve that,” Hermione said firmly. “Not from anyone.” Harry nodded. “Whatever happened, you’re not alone. You hear me? You’ve got us.” Ron finally stopped pacing and looked at me, his voice rough. “You want us to hex him, yell at him, or pretend he doesn’t exist. Just say the word.” Despite everything, a broken, shaky laugh slipped out of me through my tears. It faded quickly, but the weight in my chest eased just a little. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I just… I need it to stop hurting.” Hermione pressed her forehead gently to mine. “It will. Not all at once, but it will. And until then, we’re here.” I leaned into her, clutching her sleeve as the fire crackled softly nearby. The common room felt warm, familiar, and safe. My tears slowly began to quiet, though my heart still felt raw and bruised. For the first time since the corridor, I allowed myself to fall apart completely. And this time, I did not fall alone.