Harry awoke with a searing pain in his head. He groaned slightly and tried to get up, but a weight was pushing on him so he could not do so. Harry was forced to open his eyes to the blurry scene of reality.

He saw a blurry shape of a person beside him- a person with flaming red hair.

"Ron," Harry croaked, his voice hoarse from all the yelling he did before. How long ago was his fight with Mercanian? Where was he now?

Harry felt his glasses being put in his hand and he slowly placed them on the bridge of his nose.

Suddenly everything was clear.

He seemed to be in his bedroom, which was surprisingly clean, and Ron was sitting beside him with a happy look on his face.

"You're up!" he said with enthusiasm.

"Yeah," Harry breathed, "Whatwhat happened?"

Ron took in a deep breath. "Well, where should I start?" he said to himself, "I guess when you fainted right outside Mercanian's hide-out. Well, Oliver and I had to carry you for a while till we were safely away from that earthquake. Everyone was so hysterical. But finally we were able to Apparate out. Blimey, Mercanian's place was totally destroyed. I mean, it totally caved in."

"Good," Harry breathed, thankful for the moment that the present danger was taken care of.

"So yeah, we all Apparated to St. Mungo's Hospital and we all got doctored upeven if we didn't need it."

"Was anyone seriously hurt?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Well, I wasn't too bad off, got some nasty bruises, but nothing too bad. Ginny had some broken bones, Oliver had an awful gashed arm, Sirius had a gash on his chest, Hermione had some really bad injuries and her arms were strainedbut I'd have to say you and Rose had it the worst."

"Rose," Harry croaked, a sudden sickness coming over him, "What happened?"

Ron's face softened and he patted Harry on the arm.

"She's one lucky woman, that's all I have to say."

"So she's alright?" Harry asked, his voice cracking with anticipation.

"Well, she was really sick, but Hermione and some other people tended to her twenty four/seven. The breaking of the charm didn't kill her, it just sort of left her in a blank state, in which she couldn't feel or think. But Hermione found a way to recover her and then that's when things got bad. She suffered from lack of food, dehydration, fever, Merlin, all sorts of thingsshe was in really bad shape. I'm not sure if she's recovered fully yet."

Harry didn't know what to say. He had a mixture of joy and worry in his heart.

"Where is she?"

"She's back in Southampton at her house. We thought it would better for her there. Plus she had family and everything thereso we thought if she was in her normal environment it would be less suspicious."

"Right," Harry said, "How did you explain it all to her Muggle friends?"

Ron chuckled. "Yeah, that was pretty tough. We made something up about how you and her went on a spontaneous trip to Africa and caught a really bad sickness there."

Harry smiled. "You never were good at lying."

Ron's smiled faded. "Yeah, I know. But the bad thing is, is that she did loose her job. She had been missing for a few weeks. Oliver did the job of covering for her with friends, but we all forgot about her job totally."

"I'll take care of her," Harry said, not worrying about that fact so much as long as she was ok.

Ron smiled, "I'm sure you will, Harry, but you've got to worry about yourself some too. And speaking of taking care of yourself, I suggest you get some rest. Doctor's orders. Hermione will be hear latershe's with Rose right now."

Harry smiled wearily and relaxed his head against the pillows. All this information was weighing heavily upon him and it didn't take much persuading from Ron to get to sleep. As soon as Harry shut his eyes he was out like a light.

****************

Rose shifted from sleep, hearing soft voices.

"So do you think they're going to get married?" one voice asked: a woman.

"I'm pretty sure. They just seem so perfect for one another. It's funny how things turn out. Ginny was such an awkward child during Hogwarts, sort of unconfident. And Draco, well Draco was always full of himself. But as years went on, Ginny became a beautiful, confident woman, who learned to hold her ground. She had to, living with all those brothers. And Dracowell, he became more humble and well, just different. We were all surprised when he turned against the Dark side, but I think we all knew deep down he had it in him." Rose knew that voice — it was Hermione.

"Well, I must say, he is devilishly good looking."

"Cate, I'd hate to see what Oliver would do if he heard you saying that."

Rose heard Cate and Hermione giggle softly and she chose to open her eyes. She saw the two women sitting on either side of her bedher bed. Rose recognized her room. The pale green walls with the sunlight from the windows filled the room with a bright aura. Her many pictures of people she knew and places she'd been plastered all over the wall. Her piles of books on her desk and over the floor, papers strewn everywhere, a pile of clothes in the cornerjust as she had left it — perfect.

"Rose! You're up!" Cate exclaimed.

Rose sat up slowly in the bed with the help of the other women and she yawed sleepily. Her head felt rather dizzy and she noticed she had almost no strength in her limbs, but she felt this overwhelming happiness to be home and alive.

"How do you feel?" Hermione asked sternly.

"Well, I feel dizzy and weak, but incredibly shocked and incredibly happy I'm here."

Cate and Hermione both smiled and Rose found herself being smothered in a hug. She hugged them back as best as she could and a small tear trickled down her face. When they let go Rose sniffed a little and then looked back up at the two inquiring faces.

"So are we," Cate said, grabbing her clammy hand and holding it gently.

"What exactly was wrong with me?"

"Well, a bunch of things actually," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "You were suffering from a terrible influenza probably caused by malnutrition. Plus, you were in horrible conditions from those spells put on you."

Rose shivered slightly just thinking about them. Those spells had scarred her for life, that overpowering pain imbedded in the back of her mind.

"I'm so sorry," Hermione whispered patting Rose's hand.

Rose smiled weakly and squeezed Hermione's hand in return.

"Enough about me," she said softly, "What about you? The others? How is everyone else?"

Hermione sighed and looked across at Cate.

"Well," Hermione said slowly, "Everyone came out alive."

"We all had our injuries," Cate helped. "Hermione had some bad cutsummm, Oli got his arm all sliced up, Sirius had a bad chest injuryand Harry, wellHarry had it pretty bad."

Deathly silence.

Rose felt herself pale. Harry.

"What happened to Harry?"

Hermione and Cate exchanged doubtful glances. Hermione then sighed and began to speak.

"It really is a long story."

"I've got time," Rose replied, finding herself itching with curious fear of what happened.

"Alright," Hermione conceded. She then proceeded into telling Rose the story from after she passed out from the broken charm- Harry's fight, the earthquake, Hermione's jump, the strange powers Harry seemed to posses, the escape.

A little while later, Hermione stopped talking, a little breathless.

Rose just closed her eyes and thought about what she had just heard.

"So HarryHarry's not a normal wizard?" she asked, not quite sure how to phrase her question.

"Well," Hermione replied, "We've always known he's not a normal wizardbut these strong powers are something quite new. They must have something to do with his is strange pastwith Voldemortsomething. But no, it is not normal for a wizard to be able to magic, extremely powerful magic at that, without a wand."

"I see," Rose sighed.

"Well, Rose, we better goyou really need to rest," Cate soothed.

"Wait," Rose said, "What do I do now? I mean, I probably lost my job right? What did you tell everybody? How did I get cured?"

"Woah there, hon," Cate chuckled, "One question at a time."

"Sorry," Rose apologized, "It's just, this is so strange to meI'm still so confused."

"That's normal," Hermione replied, "But let's seeI'm really sorry, but yes, you were fired. We made the mistake of forgetting about your current job and when we went to see them a week ago they were very upset and had hired another pianist."

"Oh no," Rose said, closing her eyes in distress. "How am I going to support myself?"

Hermione smiled comfortingly, "Don't worry, Rose. We'll take care of you until you can find something."

"We notified your family about what happened," Cate said, "They took care of letting your friends know what happenedI think it was something about you and Harry getting sick on a trip to Africareally sketchy, but oh well."

Rose chuckled thinking of how she was going to explain this to her friends later.

"And last but not least," Hermione added, "I did most of the medical work, with an assistant of mine from St. Mungo's. We were unable to perform magic on you, but I along with my assistant knew some Muggle area's of medicine."

Rose sighed. "Thanks so much, you two."

Cate bent down and kissed Rose lightly on the forehead.

"You get some rest now, okay?"

Rose nodded slowly, letting her exhaustion come over her.

Hermione patted Rose on the arm as she got up from her chair.

Rose stopped her for a moment. "Tell Harry I love him," she whispered, barely audible.

Hermione smiled, "I will. Take care, Rose, I'll be back to check up on you tomorrow."

"Good-bye," Rose breathed, feeling so much better once she had sent her message.

***************

Harry was restless. He had been in bed all day and for all he knew, he felt fine. Ron had insisted he stay in bed. The two fought about it for a while until Hermione came. Only then was Harry consoled by having her tell him how was Rose and what she said.

Harry felt something in his chest soften upon hearing about her. Intense relief flooded his body and for a time he was completely relaxed.

The three spent the whole afternoon together, just talking. Hermione was completely obsessed with this power of Harry's.

"Harry, I meanthis is importantyou can do magic without a wandyou can control natural disastersI'm not sure whether to be worried or impressed."

"'Mione, it's okay. The guy's recovering from a near death experiencecan't we talk about something less"

Hermione gave Ron an annoyed look, "Less what? Important?"

Ron sighed, "Finehave it your way."

Hermione nodded her head in victory. "WellHarry what do you think?"

Harry jerked his head, rapidly pulling himself out of his daydream.

"What was that?"

Hermione sighed defeatedly and Ron sported a smug grin.

"You see what I mean, Mione?" Ron boasted, "Harry's way to exhausted to think about anything of importance."

"Hey!" Harry exclaimed, "I was thinking of something of importance, thank you very much."

"And what would that be?" Hermione asked grouchily, "Something more important than your own well being?"

"I was actually thinking about when I fed Dudley dog food for dinner and he got mad at me for not telling him the recipe so he could make more."

"Cor, Harry!" Ron exclaimed, "That's really disgustingbut bloody brilliant."

"Oh, please," Hermione scoffed, trying to hide her smile. She then sighed and plopped her hands in her lap. "Oh, this is useless. What do you two want to do? It's eight o'clock."

Ron chuckled, leaned over and gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek. "That's the spirit, lovelets do something fun for a change! Any ideas, Harry?"

Harry sat up in bed, stretching his arms and legs. "Merlin, you guysI need to get out of this bed. I'm going to suffer from atrophy if I don't walk around a bit."

"I suppose you're right," Hermione replied, helping him up from the bed. Harry stood up and walked around the room a bit, feeling totally refreshed and not tired a bit.

"Want to watch a film?" Ron asked hopefully, "I'm just itching to see Monty Python."

Hermione looked at Harry for an answer.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," he answered indifferently. Truth be told, he really didn't want to watch a movie. He really didn't want to be in his apartment. He wanted to be with her. She was all he thought about.

So with that the three friends settled themselves on the roomy sofa. Ron went to put in the video and then wedged himself in between Harry and Hermione. Harry couldn't help smiling to himself. This is what he always wanted — for them to always be together. And now, here he was, yes, still fighting evil, but still closer than ever to the best friends he would ever have.

All he needed now was her.

Rose.

******************

After Hermione and Cate had left Rose slept the rest of the afternoon, so when she woke up at dusk she felt refreshed and restless.

Quite against the doctor's orders she got up out of bed and walked around the house she had missed for so long. It was a small cottage, situated pretty much in the middle of nowhere. But she liked the seclusion. It gave the small rustic house a mysterious romantic feeling.

She made her way out of her cluttered bedroom into the living room. She smiled as she took in the salmon sky she saw setting through the windows. She walked over to her trusty piano and ran her fingers over the keys, her eyes still fixated on the wondrous sky.

She then strode over to the front door, grabbed a shawl off one of the coat pegs and wrapped it around her shoulders. She then opened the door and stepped outside into the fresh air.

She took in repeated deep breaths as if she couldn't get enough of the beautiful tasting air. After being held in Mercanian's dungeons, breathing the fresh air of late summer was like a complete revival.

Despite her weakness, Rose laughed out loud and started to jog into the fields that lay around her. She passed her tiny garden, which was now giving way to weeds, and ran until she was completely out of breath.

She then collapsed onto the ground and lay on her back, gazing into the brightly colored sky.

Rose felt so small against it, lying in those vast fields under the never-ending sky. She wished she could stay in that moment forever — free from worry, danger, and strife.

There was only one thing she needed to make her happiness complete.

Harry.

*****************

Finally the movie ended, leaving the now blue screen of the TV eerily illuminating the room.

Harry looked to his left to see Ron sleeping, Hermione's head in his lap, she asleep as well. Harry smiled sadly as he watched his two friends sleep totally in peace and totally in love.

Then a sudden idea popped into his head. He would go see Rose. Sure, it was late at night, he was weak, she was probably recovering as well, and Hermione would have a fitbut he would never rest anyway unless he saw her.

Harry nodded his head as in agreement to his thoughts and quietly got up from the couch. Ron made a little movement and mumbled in his sleep, which made Harry chuckled. He grabbed a near-by blanket and laid it over the two sleeping lovers.

With that Harry walked over to the kitchen and made himself a glass of water while he rapidly went through thoughts in his brain.

She lives in Southampton. I've never been to Southamptonbut if I think about it hard enough I could probably Apparate there.

Harry drained his glass of water and sighed loudly. He was now wide-awake. He was also feeling rather insane, but he was beyond the point of caring. All his emotions the day built up were about to explode. He needed to get out. He needed to see her.

So he closed his eyes tight and kept mentally saying the word Southampton, vaguely picturing what he thought it might look like. And with the flick of a wand, he disappeared.

***************

Before he knew it, Harry felt cool air wisping through his clothes. He cursed to himself when he realized he had been too hasty to bring a coat. He then cursed again when he heard the roll of thunder cross the sky.

Then he took in his surroundings. He was outside of a Shell station. A sinking feeling overcame him, but when he felt a slight drizzle come down he decided he might as well ask for directionsor something.

Harry entered the station with the tinkling of the doorbell. Some Muggle music was playing softly in the background and Harry looked to the person running the counter. She was a tall, lanky woman with stringy blonde hair. She was chewing her gum in huge, sloshing bites and was drumming her long fake nails on the counter impatiently.

Harry made his way towards her feeling slightly awkward about his current situation.

"Can I help you sir?" she asked loudly, not really sounding like she wanted to help at all.

"Uhhumm," Harry stumbled for words while the woman looked at him doubtfully, "Well, could you please tell me where I am exactly?"

The woman chuckled softly at his question but nonetheless answered with sincerity.

"You're just a few miles out of Southampton, if that'll help you."

Harry nearly jumped for joy.

But then a sudden thought hit himthere were a lot of houses in Southampton. Well, maybe she had a phone book

"Do you have a phone book, by any chance?"

"Not in herebut there's a phone booth outside, you'll find one there."

"Okay, thanks a lot."

The woman just nodded and turned away to read a magazine.

Harry practically ran out of the shop and quickly found the phone booth. It was now raining pretty heavily so he was glad to find shelter in the booth.

He opened the book and shakily turned to the "W" section. Woen, Woltini, Womser, Wonton, WOOD!! There were about thirty of them of course. Harry was shaking with excitement, cold, and nerves but finally he saw the small black print: Wood, Rose

Harry found her address, along with her phone number. He then looked up suddenly at the black phone hanging right in front of him. Shouldn't he ring her first? He reasoned to himself. He decided it would be a good idea so he picked it up and gripped it tightly. He then punched in the numbers slowly, making sure he didn't make a mistake.

He heard the first ring.

Oh MerlinI can't believe I'm doing this

Second ring.

What if she's not there? What if she's sleeping? What if she's still sick?

Third ring.

She's not thereI'm such a fool.

Harry sighed and was about to take the phone away when he heard that beautiful voice.

"Hello?"'

Harry couldn't speak, he was so stunned. Here she was, she was on the other line. OH MERLIN!

"Hello? Is someone there?"

Quickly, Harry brought himself together.

"Hello," was all he could muster.

Silence.

"Harry." It was barely audible over the phone — a whisper.

"Yes," he replied just as quiet, his heart pounding.

"What"

"I'm in Southampton," Harry filled in, feeling stupider every moment. She was obviously very surprised by this call.

"Oh."

Silence.

Bloody hell, Harry, what do you say now?

"You want to come over?" Harry heard Rose ask.

"Ummm," Harry mumbled.

"I really need to see you, Harry."

Harry's heart leapt.

"Well, yes, I'd love to come over," he replied happilyhe could somehow sense her smile on the other line.

"Ok, unless you have something else to do here at midnight in the pouring rain?" she asked with a laugh, "Where are you anyway?"

The awkwardness leaving him he replied normally, "Well, I'm at a petrol station," Harry looked out at the neon sign, " a Shell station."

"Oh, ok, well lucky thing, cause my house is just down the road, away from town which I think is to the right. Just go down the road a while and you'll see a little white cottage to your left with a little front porch and a rose vine crawling up the front."

"Oh, alright."

"You do have a mode of transportation, right? Or I could pick you up."

"Oh no, I'm fine," Harry quickly replied. He didn't want to cost her any trouble. Plus he thought a nice walk would burn off some of his excitement.

"Ok" she trailed off doubtfully.

"Well, I better head off," Harry said cheerfully, "Can't wait to see you."

"Can't wait to see you too."

"Bye."

"Good-bye, Harry."

And with that, he hung up the phone and rushed outside barely feeling the cold rain pounding down upon him.

***************

Rose hung up the phone and then collapsed on the couch. All of a sudden she felt totally weak.

She couldn't sleep so she resulted to the one thing that could relax her mind- her piano.

And then the phone rang.

And all that relaxation disappeared.

So there she sat, gazing at nothing in particular just thinking about him. He would be there any moment. What would she do?

She then jumped up and ran to the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and almost screamed. She had been in bed practically all day and after that lying in the grass. Her hair was one mass of tangled strands, her breath smelled something awful, and her face was all blotchy. She sighed and pulled a comb quickly through her massive mane. She then decided to clip it up. She let the persistent wisps of hair stick out as usual, which helped soften her face. She then quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face.

Once satisfied with her appearance she made her way back to the couch. She sunk down into its soft cushions and felt herself shiver in anticipation. She looked at the clock beside her. Ten minutes had passed since the phone conversation. Where was he?

***************

Harry quickly strode down the rode. He was now officially drenched and freezing cold but he was blinded by his need for her. Just to see her would be enough.

Someone in a car passed by slowly, probably wondering what in the bloody hell this man was doing. He thought he probably did look really absurd. His messy hair dripping wet letting droplets of water stream down his face. His glasses were all fogged up which made things even worse. His clothes were soaked and stuck to his body uncomfortably.

But his heart leapt when he saw her house, just as she had said. Small, white with blue shutters, tiny porch, and roses. He started running. He saw a small light through the window and a shot of nervousness crept through his body. Soon he neared the door, the one thing separating him from her. He took a deep breath and knocked.

***************

Rose jumped when she heard a knock on the door.

Oh my godoh my god she kept repeating in her mind.

She made her way to the door and just stood in front of it, her mind racing. What would she see when she opened it? She finally swallowed her fear and slowly opened the door, letting the cold night air and rain brush her face.

Everything stopped.

It was just her and Harry, no rain, no people, no worldjust them.

She first noticed that he was soaking wet.

"Where have you been?" she asked softly, still standing in the doorway.

Harry, dripping from head to toe, answered shakily, "II walked here."

Rose then realized she was making Harry stand in the rain and she quickly stepped aside. Harry made his way in and Rose closed the door behind him, leaning against the sturdy wood for support.

"You're all wet," she said stupidly. What are you saying you idiot? Of course he's wet!

Harry smiled and stepped towards her so she could feel the dampness of his body, hear the unevenness of his breath.

"Yeahthat's what usually happens when you walk a mile in the rain."

Rose chuckled and closed her eyes. She jumped a little when she felt cold fingers brushing her face. She opened her eyes slowly to see Harry's eyes, slightly hidden behind the fog of his glasses.

Rose smiled slightly and removed his glasses, putting them on a small table by the door.

"I couldn't see your eyes," she said softly staring into their green depths.

"I missed you, Rose," Harry started anxiously, "I had to see you."

"I missed you too, Harry. I thought about you all day. I owe you my lifeeverything. I don't know how to repay you for saving me"

Harry placed his finger on her lips. She shivered at the feel of it.

"Don't thank me, Rose. I would have died with out you. I love you."

She shattered.

She was able to whisper an "I love you, too" before she smothered him in a passionate kiss. She felt Harry start at first but then return the kiss with force, pressing her up against the door. His arms wrapped around her waist and she felt her hands tug at his shirt and begin to unbutton the buttons. The drenched shirt soon slopped to the floor, it having no purpose anymore. His bare skin was moist and cold and her first instinct was to make him warm and dry again.

She gasped slightly as he moved his kisses from her mouth, which felt like it was swelling, to her ears and neck. She shivered again when his fingers found their way under her shirt. His cold fingertips felt so refreshing on her burning skin.

Where is this going? She asked herself as he began lifting her shirt up.

"Harry," she whispered, pulling him away from the door.

"Rose, where are you taking me?" Harry asked huskily breaking from his kisses as she lead him down the hall.

"Just somewhere more comfortable," she replied. Harry saw that she had taken him to her bedroom and Harry chuckled slightly and then wrapped his arms around Rose giving her another forceful kiss.

She caressed him with her soft hands giving him chills up and down his body.

He slowly pulled her shirt over her head and moved his kisses lower. He smiled with pleasure as he heard her pleading sounds.

Harry then picked her up and carried her to the bed where he gently laid her down and resumed his kisses.

One thing led another, articles of clothing being strewn across the room, until with much passion and love the two became one.

***************

"That was amazing, Harry," Rose panted, once they were separated.

"No, you, were amazing, Rose," Harry replied, his hand trailing over her naked body.

Rose gave him one more lingering kiss and then nuzzled herself beside him. His hand grazed up and down her back while he listened to her soft breathing.

"Are you asleep?" Harry asked.

"No, just thinking," Rose answered quietly.

"About what, love?"

"How much I love you. You are everything to me, Harry. You don't know how much I have longed for this moment when I know deep down inside that I love someone, truly and forever."

"I think I do knowI've felt the same way."

Rose turned around so their faces were only centimeters apart.

"Who else was there?" she asked curiously, stroking his face.

Harry closed his eyes in concentration, trying to remember his past girlfriends.

"Well, my first girlfriend was Ginny Weasley, right after I graduated from Hogwarts."

Rose smiled. "I heard she had quite the crush on you."

Harry chuckled, "Yeah, so did I. She was, well, is a very sweet girlbut I don't knowsomething about dating my best friends sister just didn't work outplus, she just wasn'tI dunno"

"I know," Rose said. "I've had that before where it's like you know this person has no real fault, that they are a really great personbut you just don't feel that way about themthe connection isn't there."

Harry nodded his head and kissed her on the nose.

"What about you?" Harry questioned, not feeling like continuing his list.

"Oh, I don't know," Rose sighed, "I dated this one boy in highschool named Sam, I really liked himbut it ended up more as a friendship than a romance. Then I was just in and out of relationshipsnot many, though. And then there was Greg. He went to college with me, and was a bit older than I was. I was flattered by himbut I think that was all."

"I see," Harry soothed, pulling her close to him so her head rested on his chest.

"And then I met this man at my brother's weddingand everything changed," Rose continued, "I was taken away by his charm, and intelligence, and courage —"

"And good looks," Harry added with a laugh.

"Oh, yes, of course, the good looks," she chuckled, "And soon enough I found myself hopelessly in love."

"That is so weird," Harry said, " that sounds a lot like my story!"

Rose chuckled causing Harry to shiver as he felt her warm breath on his bare skin. "A lot like it, huh?"

"Yeahexcept this wasn't a womanshe was an angel."

Rose looked up at Harry. Harry looked back into her liquid blue-gray eyes. They just stayed like that for a while, lost in each others faces, content to just look at one another.

Then Harry bent down and kissed Rose gently on her flower petal lips.

"Goodnight, Rose," He whispered in her ear, gently brushing his lips against it.

"Goodnight, Harry," she replied, laying her head down on the pillow, her golden hair surrounding her head like a halo.

"I love you."

"I love you."

***************