A/N: Happy New Year! I hope everyone is doing well. Here is yet another chapter and don't worry - it is longer than the last one. Thanks to all of the favorites, story alerts, and comments - they really mean the world to me and help me push forward in developing the story.

Harry took in a deep breath of air, letting it fill his lungs completely, and opened his eyes. It took a moment for him to recognize the Hospital Wing and realize that he was sleeping in possibly the most comfortable bed he could have ever imagined. Or perhaps he was just recovering from being exhausted in every form possible: physically, emotionally, mentally. He contemplated just closing his eyes again and pulling the blankets tighter around himself to enjoy the peaceful relaxation of sleep once again, but the voices he could hear on the other side of the curtain sparked his curiosity.

He sat up in bed, making the bed springs squeak as he shifted his weight. He looked down at the small side table to find his glasses and he placed him on his head.

"Harry?" Hermione was whispering from the other side of the curtain.

"I'm up," he replied. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand, realizing how jelly-like his legs felt as they tried to support his weight. He ignored the sensation, keeping his hand behind him so he could catch himself if he fell. Feeling confident, he pulled open the curtain and saw Hermione sitting up in bed with a book in her lap.

"About time you're up," she said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"You've only been asleep for four days. Madame Pomfrey said you'd sleep a few days, saying that your magic was drained." The reminder of the battle made her lower her eyes again.

He took a seat on her bed beside her. "Where is everyone?" he asked, noticing that the room was mostly empty.

"Neville left yesterday to make sure his gran got home alright, but he is supposed to return today to help with the clean-up. Luna was here a few moments ago but left with Ron when he went to help his mum and dad with the..." she stopped, remembering the funeral that was being planned.

Harry nodded, not wanting her to finish the sentence. Although he felt more rested than he had ever remembered feeling, he knew that he would soon be faced with the ugly aftermath of the war.

"What are you reading?" he asked, pointing to the book in her lap.

"Romeo and Juliet," she replied. "I found an entire Shakespeare collection in Professor Burbage's office..." she looked down, feeling almost guilty for reading the book. "McGonagall told me I should keep it, said I would appreciate it."

A silence fell over them as they sat, neither looking at the other.

Does he even remember kissing me? she wondered. Does he remember what I said?

"How are you feeling?" she asked, trying to ignore the thoughts in her head. She had been reliving the kiss and over analyzing his reaction for days - it was truly exhausting.

"Alright, I suppose. A bit beat up, but I'll be fine. You?"

"Tired mostly. Might be a while before I can join the clean up efforts,"

He stared at her quizzically. "Why?" he asked. Concern flooded his features and he reached for her hand without realizing it. "Is something wrong? Are you hurt?"

"I'll be fine," she started, staring down at their joined hands. "The curse just did a bit more damage than initially thought." she replied coolly. "Only a few more days and I'll be back up and helping to clean things up."

"Hermione..." he looked into her eyes and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her again. His eyes traveled her. "I don't see any marks or scars..."

"The damage isn't on the outside," she started. "It's beneath my skin. When the curse went through me, it felt like my insides were on fire. I couldn't breathe and every inch of my body was burning. It caused some damage to my blood veins, particularly in my hands, and a bit of organ damage." Noticing the look of fear on his face, she tried to change the mood of the conversation. "Don't worry, I'm taking loads of potions. This will all be fixed soon - it just requires some time."

"Wha-" he looked at her, worry sketched on his face. He couldn't seem to organize his thoughts enough to speak them. "How... How much damage did it really do?" Hermione tried to speak but he interrupted her again. "Honestly."

She looked down at her fingers as if suddenly finding interest in them. "It isn't as bad as it could have been... probably because I had my thoughts focused on," she paused, unsure if she she approach the topic again, "focused on someone, which helped contain the curse to a minimum."

He nodded, avoiding her eyes and focusing down on her hands again. He lifted her hand in his own as if to examine it. He looked down at her fingers, noticing how pale and soft her skin was, tracing the lines of her knuckles and ending at her finger nails.

"Oh- Sorry! Didn't mean...didn't mean to just walk in like that. I should have knocked. Sorry." Ginny backed out of the room quickly, closing her eyes shut as she did.

Harry and Hermione stared at the door that had just closed behind Ginny. Had she really interrupted something? Hermione thought.

Harry released her hand and stood. "I should go check on the Weasleys. See if I can help with anything,"

Hermione nodded, understanding his need to help those who had sacrificed so much for, but she couldn't shake the disappointment that he hadn't spoke of her confession a few nights earlier. Or the kiss they shared. It had been only a small kiss, light and gentle, and yet it was perfect. Did he even remember it? Or was he purposely avoiding it?

Harry walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

The following weeks were draining as Harry and Hermione attended funeral after funeral. Each funeral was as painful as the next, each one serving as a reminder of the true cost of the war. When someone would thank Harry for his bravery and courage to finish the war, he always became tense, feeling unworthy of the praise. Each time, Hermione would place a hand on Harry's back, silently signally to him that they should leave. He would quietly reach down so she could take his hand in her own and they would walk away, finding a secluded space far enough away so the pop from the apparation wouldn't disturb the attendees.

Not wanting to stay at The Burrow and not having anywhere else to go, Hermione and Harry would return to Hogwarts and walk through the castle to the Gryffindor common room. The castle was nearly deserted at night, with the exception of a few professors, leaving it peaceful and quiet.

Hermione silently walked up to the boys dormitories like she did every evening. Not wanting to sleep alone, she has been sleeping in Harry's old room, picking the bottom bunk of the four poster bed next to his. She didn't bother changing out of her black funeral dress, only choosing to kick her high heels off. After both heels were cast aside, she pulled the blankets back and laid into bed, trying to resist the urge to curl in a ball and cry.

Harry entered the room a moment later and took his jacket off, throwing it on a chair beside him. He noticed Hermione in bed and briefly wondered whether she was alright. Noticing her small form shaking slightly, he frowned and sat on the edge of her bed. He tried to rack his brain for word to say, something that would provide comfort and peace.

Something that would lessen the pain of funeral after funeral, trying to say goodbye to the lives that were lost all too soon. Something that would stop them from thinking what would have been if everyone had survived, stop them from thinking about what could have been done differently to present the deaths. He could think of nothing. There was nothing that could be said to fix things. He let out a defeated sigh.

Taking off his own shoes, Harry pulled back the blankets and got into bed next to Hermione. Wrapping an arm around her waist, Harry pulled her closer to him and closed his eyes. He could feel her body shake as she silently sobbed. She reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his, letting her tears spill down her cheeks and onto her pillow. He closed his eyes and snuggled into her hair, trying to allow her scent to calm him. There was nothing he could do to fix their pain, but he was grateful to be in her presence and have her in his arms. Trying to clear his mind, he softly kissed Hermione's bare shoulder and pulled her closer, willing his exhaustion to push him to sleep.

A/N: What do you think? In the next chapter, Hermione won't be able to take not knowing Harry's feelings and will confront him. But what will Harry say? You'll just have to wait and see.