'Mel. Mel! Wake up Mel! Help me! Anybody please, help me!'

beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep

'Why is she hooked up to that machine?'

'It's to monitor her heart. It's something I can't keep track of if I'm cast spells.'

beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep

'Mel. Please wake up. We did it Mel, he's dead! He's never coming back! We were so close to getting out unharmed Mel, so close.'

beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep

'Harry you should get some sleep. You haven't left her side in three days.'

'I can't. I just can't. You don't understand.'

beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep

'Mel, please. If you're in there just listen, please. We all love you Mel. You've helped us so much this year. We all want you back. Please Mel, don't give up. You've got to pull out of this one Mel.'

beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep

'Mel. I just want you to know that I don't care about you not being from our world. I don't care about the lies. You've done so much for us. I couldn't imagine life without you.'

beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . beep

'Please. Mel. I can't go on any more. I can't live without you Mel. I can't go on. I love you so much. Please Mel, I love you.'

~o!o~

Pain.

That's all there was. All I could feel. I couldn't form a coherent thought it was in so much pain.

Every nerve in my body was screaming. Pain shooting throughout my body. My bones were weary and sore. They felt like they could snap at any moment. My muscles were tender. It was like pulling every one of them at the same time.

Yet I could still hear.

Not brilliantly. Only snippets here and there but enough. Enough to know that Harry was there. Waiting. He was waiting for me to wake up, to acknowledge him. He hadn't given up yet. I couldn't leave him like this. What type of person would I be if I did.

I cracked my eye open the tiniest bit. Light flooded in, exploding my sensors and temporarily blinding me. I had lost all concept of time but I'm sure it was hours before I could even get my eyes half open.

I couldn't move. Even breathing left an ache around my ribs and stomach. I twitched my finger ever so slightly, testing it. It flared up my whole body yet I gritted my teeth and soldiered on. After many minutes and much pain I had turned my head to one side.

There, curled up in an armchair, a blanket thrown over him, head lolling back, was Harry. His arm was stretched out onto my bed, inches from my hand. It seemed like such a struggle to do the simplest of things that I wanted to scream.

I very slowly began to move my hand over to his, slipping it underneath his and sighing in relief as I let sleep overcome me once more.

~o!o~

'I'm telling you Madam Pomfrey, she's been awake! Her head has moved to the side and her hand is underneath mine.'

'Potter, I know that you desperately want her to wake up but it's just so unlikely. She was hit by the killing curse. That she is even alive is a miracle.' I heard the padding of footsteps, growing fainter until a door shut.

'Mel I'm sure you can hear me. I know you've been awake. Thank you, even after being in a coma you take the time to reassure me that you're alright. I'll let you rest now but I'll see you, properly see you, soon.'

~o!o~

'Guys shh! You might wake her up!'

'Harry, she's been asleep for over a week now. I don't think she's going to wake up now.'

'I'm sure she will though mate, she just needs some time.'

'Yeah. Maybe you're right.' I could hear the dejection in his voice. Come on Mel. It's time to wake up.

I experimentally twitched my toe, happy to find that the pain had died down to a dull ache. I prepared myself for an explosion before saying:

'Get some sleep, Potter. I want a back to life picture and I won't have you looking like a zombie.'

Even though I hadn't opened my eyes I could feel the whole room jump and a number of eyes on me. I cracked one eye open, letting myself adjust to the light before taking in the scene in front of me.

Harry was sitting by my bed, my hand in both of his. Hermione and Ron were perched at the end of the bed.

'Mel!' Hermione and Ron called. They briefly glanced at Harry before getting up, saying something about getting Madam Pomfrey.

After they were gone I looked over to Harry. He was sitting back in his chair, looking at his hands.

'Harry?' He looked up and I almost cried at the look on his face.

'I almost lost you. You almost died.'

'I'm sorry-'

'Don't be. It's not your fault I just-' he stopped and turned away. I reached out and took hold of his hand.

'I couldn't bear it. Seeing you lying there, almost dead. Call me selfish but, I was angry. Angry that everyone I've ever loved has gone, abandoned me. I couldn't lose you Mel. I just couldn't go one like that.'

'Harry. I once told you that you would never be alone. That I wouldn't allow it. I said I would jump in front of a dragon for you. I told you if never leave you, so I couldn't. You're the force that kept me grounded. Hearing your voice, knowing that you were there, it gave me the strength to overcome the pain. It kept me sane when I was swimming in and out of sanity. You were my light when it was dark. My anchor when I was being pulled under. I will never give up on you Harry. All I ask is that you don't give up on me.'

Harry nodded and pulled himself towards the bed. He took my hand and pressed it to his shaking lips.

'I love you Mel.'

'I love you too Harry.'

~o!o~

'Miss Williams? Miss Williams. Melanie I need you to wake up now.'

I awoke with a start. Standing around my bed wa the world and his wife. Madam Pomfrey was next to my bed, busying with the necessary potions. Harry was on my other side, still holding my hand. Around the end of my bed was Hermione, Ron, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Fred, George, Seamus, Dean, Lavender, Parvarti, McGonagall, Dumbledore and Snape.

'What? Oh. Hi everyone.'

'Mel,' Professor Dumbledore moved towards the bed and stood next to Harry, 'How are you feeling?'

'Like I've been trampled on by a herd of Hippogriffs.'

'You give us quite a scare Mel.' One of the twins said, I couldn't see which one.

'Yeah,' Lavender started, 'We really thought you were...' She trailed off.

'Right! Out! She still needs to rest. Three at a time. Professors you can stay if need be, but no over exerting her.'

The majority of visitors filed out until only Ron, Hermione, Harry and the three Professors were left. Dumbledore waved his wand and conjured chairs for everyone as they sat around my bed.

'Professor. How? How did I survive?' I asked quietly.

'I had hoped that you could tell me that.' He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold chain. On the end was a mangled locket.

'The necklace I gave you!' Harry exclaimed, 'How did that happen?'

'Without this necklace, Melanie here, would have surely died.'

'Was it the protection charms?' Harry asked.

'They certainly helped, lessened the effect slightly but no charm can stop an unforgivable.'

'Only a physical barrier can stop an unforgivable.' Hermione said under her breath.

'The spell must have hit you exactly where this necklace was.' McGonagall said. I turned and looked directly into Harry's eyes.

'You saved my life.'

'And you mine.'