Saving Harry Potter

Bill

Bill had been in the kitchen, helping his parents with the aftermath of dinner. He had made sure he was facing the living room so he could keep an eye on the messy-haired boy curled up on the sofa.

Harry had been more jumpy than usual all day and Bill knew it was only a matter of time before something triggered a panic attack.

It was in that moment that a slam echoed throughout the house from the ghoul swinging the attic door shut.

Bill internally cursed the ghoul and watched closely as Harry sat up. At first it seemed as though the noise had merely startled him awake.

Molly asked him if he was okay and got a hesitant, shakey nod in reply. Arthur went upstairs to check nothing had been broken.

But Bill saw the way Harry's hands grasped hopelessly at the sofa cushions. He saw the way Harry struggled to swallow. He saw the way Harry's chest was beginning to rise and fall quicker. He saw the way Harry's knee was starting to bounce.

He placed the stack of plates he had been holding on the table and made his way over to him, trying not to move too quickly or too harshly. As he knelt in front of him, Harry's face paled and his rapid, laboured breathing became audible. "Harry." He said gently.

Tears ran down Harry's cheeks and his whole body shook.

Bill moved to sit on the sofa next to him and lightly grasped his arms. "Breathe, Harry. It's okay, you're safe."

Harry's shaking hands clasped onto Bill's sweater in a desperate attempt to cling onto reality. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't say anything. The words got stuck in his throat. Harry wanted to melt away and disappear. He wanted to hide. He wanted to gain back control over his own body. He wanted it to stop. Oh God, it hurt so bad, he just wanted it to stop hurting. It hurt to breathe. His chest ached. His throat burned. His head pounded. It hurt so fucking much. For a moment, he thought he might pass out from the pain.

"It's okay. Breathe with me, Harry." Bill took a deep breath in, held it for a second, and let it back out slowly, coaching Harry.

He didn't stop until he was sure Harry could breathe properly on his own again. He didn't let go of Harry's arms until Harry let go of his sweater. He didn't move until it was over. He didn't stop reassuring him until after it was over.