Hermione looked down at Harry who was lying in a hospital bed at St. Mungo's, unconscious. He had been in a coma for over three weeks and Hermione had been at his side every minute of the way. Ron had even complained about her spending too much time waiting for Harry and not with him. She had responded simply by saying that he needed her.

Ron had gone off with Luna a week later and, to be honest, she was happy for them. They deserved one another, just like Harry and her. The only problem was that Harry did not know her feelings. From the moment he walked off into the forest to seal his fate with Voldemort. She had come to realize just how much she loved her best friend. Hermione thought back on how her heart broke when they thought Harry was dead. When she saw his limp body being carried by Hagrid, she felt her heart drop.

In the second that Harry sprang into action, she felt as if she were being reborn.

Harry had taken a hard hit after serving the final blow to Voldemort. He had fallen and hit his head on the ground from the blast of the spell, blood trickling down from his hairline, just above his temple. Hermione had rushed to his side and discovered that he had been knocked out. With the protective wards dropped from Hogwarts, Hermione held onto Harry and disapparated to St. Mungo's, yelling for anyone to help him. They had taken him in immediately and done all of the necessary tests and treatments. Now all they could do was wait. He had many visitors in the time he was there: The Weasleys, even Ron though he was still slightly jealous, Neville and his grandmother, Luna and her father, members of the D.A., and, of course, the never ending throng of reporters and members of the press. They, however, were not permitted to actually see Harry and Hermione was grateful for that. It was painful enough that every time she went to get something to eat that she was bombarded with questions about Harry's recovery, it was also a vicious reminder that he still had not woken up.

One story afternoon when Mrs. Weasley came to visit Harry on her own, Hermione asked the older woman if she would care to have lunch with her. When she accepted the two headed to the cafeteria that was on the first floor of the hospital. Hermione had come to realize over the years that magical hospitals were not much different from muggle hospitals apart from the use of magic instead of machinery. The two had gotten their food and had begun eating in silence until Mrs. Weasley spoke.

"Have there been any improvements at all?"

"Nothing at all." said Hermione, flatly.

Mrs. Weasley looked at the young lady sitting across from her. For one so young she had seen a lot of tragedy and death. Ron had told her of the things they had seen and done while hunting for Horcruxes, when he had returned one night upset about Hermione choosing Harry over him. In the end, Molly was ashamed that her son had abandoned his friends when they needed him the most. She could always tell that Harry and Hermione had a special connection and she encouraged it. Molly would have liked to see him with someone like Hermione buy she knew her son could be quite daft when it came to women. She loved Ron but sometimes she thought he was a little too stubborn for his own good.

Molly watched as Hermione fiddled with her mashed potatoes, not eating even one bite. "You have to eat, dear." She said her motherly instinct getting the better of her.

"I know." said Hermione, lifting a fork full of potatoes to her mouth and taking a bite. There was no point in fighting Mrs. Weasley.

"You're really worried about Harry, aren't you?" asked Molly.

"Of course. Nothing has changed. It's been three weeks." responded Hermione, tears brimmed her eyes for what felt like the tenth time that day. "It can't stand this waiting any longer. I just wish we had some sort of answer."

Molly reached a comforting hand across the table and took Hermione's hand in her own. "You love him, don't you?"

Hermione looked up in shock. "What?"

"Don't be shy, Hermione," she said, "It's obvious by the way you look and talk to him."

Tears began falling silently as she nodded her response. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, dear. I think you two are a fine match and once Harry wakes up, you two will be able to live happily together."

"He doesn't know." sobbed Hermione, afraid, now, that she would never have the chance to tell him.

"I think he knows more than you think." Mrs. Weasley gave her a kind smile.

Just then a nurse came up to their table and asked, "Excuse me but are you Hermione Granger?"

Hermione wiped away her tears and answered, "Yes, I am."

The woman smiled and said, "Well, if you would kindly follow me, I have something that you might want to see." Hermione looked at Mrs. Weasley and the two shared a confused look before following the nurse. They were taking the same route to get back to Harry's room. Could he have woken up? Hermione thought as her heart gave a hopeful flutter.

When they turned into Harry's room she noticed he was still lying down but his eyes were opened slightly! She rushed over to the bed and took his hand in hers as fresh tears, tears of happiness this time, flowed down her cheeks. Harry was back and now they could have their happily ever after.

"Hermione?" his voice was slightly shaky but held a strong tone. "Are you okay?"

She nodded then responded by saying, "I'm fine, you just get better."

Harry looked up at her confused. "What's wrong?"

"Hermione, that's not funny."

Now it was Hermione's turn to look confused. "Harry, what are you talking about?"

"Would you talk normally?" he asked getting frustrated.

"I am, Harry."

Harry rubbed vigorously at his ears as Hermione and Mrs. Weasley gave him questioning looks. The nurse was paging the doctor noting the stress the patient was in.

Harry looked at Hermione with a pleading look. "Say something!"

"Harry, I don't understand-"

"No!" Harry shouted, startling everyone. They all stared in horror as Harry buried his head in his hands and began sobbing. A few moments later, he took his hands away from his face and said, "I can't hear you. I can't hear a thing. I can't even hear myself."