Episode Thirty Six

            When dawn arrived the young lovers were still tangled together, wrapped tight against the fear of Harry's dream. Gwen wanted to hold him forever, to protect him from the pain she felt rising steadily every day.

            Maybe that was part of being human. Maybe the pain made us better people, better able to appreciate it when we did have good things in our lives. Harry knew nothing but pain, she thought bitterly. She had led a charmed life in her dreams with her share of crest-falls and crescendos. The Hogwart's world had its share of painful memories for her, more surfacing everyday. But she knew Harry had seen the bottom of the pit of despair, something she had only peered into.

            She pulled him closer and kissed the scar on his forehead softly.

            Harry woke suddenly and looked at her eyes wide. No one had ever touched his scar before, not with bare hands or even lips. She pulled back only slightly, not certain what had caused his sudden arousal. He felt a strange lightness fill his body and a sense of comfort and security he had only ever felt at Hogwarts and at the Weasleys' home. Yet this comfort was intense, almost too strong to really feel. If Harry opened his heart to it he feared he would burst.

            He brushed her hair back from her face and searched it for meaning. She was just gazing back at him, still unsure of what had just happened. He smiled finally, after a long pause. "You are the most powerful witch alive."

            Gwen laughed and threw a pillow at him playfully. "That's impossible."

            "I'm serious." He said, throwing another pillow back at her.

            "Why would you say that?"

            "Because you make me feel safe. And only really good or really powerful wizards and witches can accomplish that feat."

            "Maybe I'm just really good." She said quietly, not wanting to admit to herself that she thought he was right. Her fey blood was what made her strong. Her talent was what made her powerful. Put together, she was unstoppable.

            He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her softly. Her head was swimming and she felt the bed rushing up to meet her. Harry and Gwen were falling gently into another trance.