Chapter 6

Spoken Truths

"They're exhausted," Hermione said. She was sitting in a plain chair next to Harry. Ginny was lying right next to Harry in a separate bed. They were holding hands, and neither had woken up since they arrived. The room they shared at St. Mungo's Hospital was a private suite. They had all of the comforts of home, except they weren't home. Ron was sitting in a like chair next to Ginny. Harry and Ginny had been laying in bed for a week now. They hadn't woken or stirred in all the time they were there.

"I don't understand. Ginny wasn't even hurt. Why is she like this? Charlie said that when they found them, Ginny was awake and rocking Harry, but when the sun came out, she fell asleep." He stood up and a started pacing. He had been doing that a lot lately. There was so much to think about, so much to worry about and he realized that they hadn't even gotten started yet.

'What if it was Hermione laying there?' He asked himself. He knew that he shouldn't think like that, but what if it was? He looked at her sitting next to his best friend. 'What if she was dieing, and they never were together again? This war, that's what was wrong. You could have your loved ones there one moment and then they were gone. Gone forever. Never to hold them, never to see them, never to hear their voice, ever again. He knew he wanted forever with her. He wanted everything with her. He wanted marriage, kids, maybe a dog. But look what it took to finally sink into his head. His sister and his best mate, laying in a hospital, and the Healers saying they could do nothing for them. No, when they woke up, when things got better, he'd ask. He had known her six years. And it was almost all six years that he loved her. Sure, he knew they had only been a couple for a few months, but it was always there. It was like they went through five years of mating rituals. Their fights and arguments had only made them understand and love each other more. That's what he was going to do. When these two were better, he'd ask Hermione to marry him.' He sat down again, and took Ginny's other hand. Looking across, he saw Hermione looking at him.

It seemed to be Hermione's turn to pace. She got up and started walking the length of the room, running her hands on the rail of the beds. "This is madness. I can't believe this is happening. It's like a dream. We had just seen them."

She stopped, turned and started back the way she came. "Iceland. What were they doing in Iceland? I have been trying to figure it out and no one is telling me anything. Then there's the magic they performed, while unconscious. They just pulled their beds together and held hands. That was seven days ago and they haven't move since. I feel like I'm going crazy just sitting here."

The door opened and Neville and Luna walked in. Neville was in front, but you could tell, it was Luna who was leading him in.

Luna looked at them a moment before speaking. "Why don't you two take a break? We'll sit with them. They will be ok."

Hermione stopped walking. "Maybe your right. Ron? Let's go upstairs and get a cup of tea. I don't think they're going to leave while we're gone.

As Ron stood, Hermione hugged Luna and whispered her thanks before turning to the door. As Ron passed Neville, he padded his shoulder and said they would be only a few minutes. As the door closed, Luna sat in Hermione's seat as Neville sat next to Ginny.

"Neville? Do you believe in the power of prayer?" Luna asked while looking at Harry. She took his hand, and held it to her face.

Neville watched her a moment, then took Ginny's hand. "I used to pray all the time. I prayed that my parents would get better. I prayed they were happy and didn't feel pain. Over time I guess I realized that they weren't getting any better. I guess I gave up on prayer. What good does it do anyways? Half the wizarding world is praying for Harry, and he's still out."

"I still believe" Luna said with conviction. "I believe our prayers are directly related to what we place trust in, our trust in God, and in what we believe in our hearts. You see, you have to believe things will get better for it to happen. Otherwise all we see are the bad in things around us."

Neville watched how her faith shone in her attitude. She believed in so many amazing things. Maybe she was right. He watched as she closed her eyes and softy spoke a prayer over Harry. Neville too closed his eyes, and thought good thoughts. He remembered how Ginny and Harry always had faith in him. He remembered Harry once telling him he was worth ten Malfoys, and meant it. He remembered, Ginny saying she would love to go the Yule ball with him, when he didn't believe anyone would ever want to go with him. Yes, these two had faith in him. He'd have faith they would be ok. And so, while holding Ginny's hand, he softy said a prayer over them.

Back at the Burrow, the Order of the Phoenix was meeting in the kitchen. Arthur Weasley was now presiding. The vacant spot held by Albus Dumbledore was one he had accepted reluctantly.

"What was it about this necklace that Harry and Ginny had to destroy it in a volcano? What did she mean when she said to remember Dumbledore's hand? Can anyone tell me what this was all about?" Arthur asked to the assembly.

As he looked at the group before him, he watched as they all shook their heads. Only Minerva McGonagall had anything to say. "Albus would leave the school for days at a time, and not tell any of us where or what he was doing. One day he returned with his hand burned to a crisp, and blamed it on slow reflexes. As if he thought any of us would believe that. No, he was up to something, but I have no idea what it was." Sitting down, she cocked her head sideways a moment.

"You know, there may be a way to find out though. He may have left us a clue, and I'll bet anything that Harry knows, but he won't say. Ginny will know too. But she won't tell you any more than Harry will. She's just as stubborn as he is. They were made for each other and that's why she knows everything that goes on in that head of his." She paused again.

"What do you mean she'd know what he has going on in his head? Is that why she's out cold in St. Mungo's now?" Molly asked in an accusing manner while moving towards Minerva.

Minerva replied flatly "Surely you realize those two are soul mates." She said turning toward Molly. "The bond those two hold, I think is more than strong enough to explain why she passed out. Think woman, they're bonded, and she's healing him with her mind as we speak."

Standing now and speaking to the group as if expecting them to challenge her comment "She's even the reason he's survived this ordeal. The power she's exerting is surely exhausting her magic. And that is the reason she won't wake up. She's going to remain by Harry no matter what happens to her. Albus always said, that 'People in love do crazy things' and that 'Love is the most powerful magic there is', well now I can see exactly what he meant"

"My word", Molly exclaimed covering her mouth as she sank into the seat next to her, "Soul mates," as her hands rested on her lap, looking towards her husband with a happy tear in her eyes.

Just then, the kitchen door opened to reveal Bill. "Dad, I'm sorry to interrupt, but Hermione is calling through the floo. She says they are awake" he said moving to the side as he watch his mother running towards the door.

Healers surrounded the beds, giving them strengthening potions as Ron held Hermione around the waist. She was crying into his shoulder. Tears of joy could be seen in his eyes as he watched his sister and soon to be revealed brother-in-law awake. Neville was holding Luna around the waist too as he kissed her on the cheek.

The door kept bursting open as Healers came and went carrying trays of instruments, different wands and potions of every color. As that stream slowed down, it picked up again with the Weasley's and Order members coming in. First to arrive was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, quickly followed by Remus and Tonks. More arrived, before the Healers had enough and ordered everyone out who wasn't immediate family.

As the room emptied, Hermione turn to go, but Ron refused to let her. "You staying with me," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and looked over her shoulder to the couple lying in the bed. Harry's head still had a great lump on the side. Even with the bandage, you could tell it had to hurt. Ginny had scooted over to his bed and layed alongside him as he rested his head on her shoulder. He looked so tired, and she looked it too but proud.

"Well, are you going to explain yourselves?" Arthur asked pointedly as he stood behind his wife. She was sitting in a chair next to Harry, twisting and turning a kerchief in her hands.

"Please, not now Arthur. Not here" Harry said in a weak voice.

"He'll tell you everything when he's better. He'll tell everyone that needs to know at the same time. He's just too tired Daddy. Please wait." Ginny said, looking at her father solemnly.

"Believe it or not, what he really needs is some rest. We're both so tired. Even with the potions, I still feel so weak," she said as she closed her eyes.

Molly got up, and kissed them both on the cheeks before ordering everyone out, so that the couple could rest.

"I understand now. Everything is going to be all right. I love you Ginny, and I always will." Harry said softly drifting off to sleep as the lights faded down.

In the corner of the room, the smiling ghost of Albus Dumbledore kept watch over them.

Harry woke to giggling, whispers and the smell of fresh cut flowers. Everything was blurry, with the exception of Ginny who was lying in bed next to him. As she put his glasses on his face, he saw the unmistakable smile of Madam Pomfrey.

"Well," she said with a big smile on her face, "just couldn't stay away from a hospital bed now could you? Or was it that you missed me, so you had to get yourself hurt to visit?" she continued smiling while fluffing his pillows.

"Oh, don't pick on him, Madam Pomfrey, he's hurt, and we know the real reason is that he just likes to be fussed over." Ginny giggled again while covering her mouth.

Turning to face the other direction, he noticed, wrapped gifts, cards, candies, and flowers all over the room. Ron was eating something from a bag with Hermione. Both were bent over a plant studying it, while Luna helped Neville bring more in. Luna spoke to the wall and a long table appeared at the other end of the room where they started placing plants and flowers. As they turned to leave, they noticed Harry was awake and joined the group.

"Good to see you awake Harry. Luna has been helping me bring all your flowers and gifts in, although I think we're going to run out of room. Hermione wanted us to look them over and make sure none were dangerous." Neville said beaming while grasping Luna by the hand. Luna's distinctive dreamy look played upon her face.

Mad-eye Moody marched in with Arthur Weasley passing Madam Pomfrey as she exited. "Harry. Good, you're awake. The Minister is coming this way and I think he wants a word with you about what happened" Arthur said.

"No, I'm not ready to talk with him yet. Is there a way we can get out of here undetected? Harry said hurriedly. He started to get up, but got dizzy and nearly fell. Ginny was grabbing hold of him as Ron raced to grab his other side.

Moody picked up a pillow. He tapped his wand against it saying 'Portus'. "Everyone take hold, you have five seconds. Ginny hugged Harry as all grabbed hold of the pillow. Harry was dizzy and his head really hurt. He felt like throwing up as he felt the pull behind his navel. A second later they were gone.