The next time Ginny awoke, her first impression was of pleasant warmth–a wonderful change from the cold of the Chamber. She opened her eyes to find herself lying in a bathtub full of water, wearing just her underclothes. The material looked charred in places, but she couldn't find any burns on her skin.

"Ginny!"

She looked up to see her mum rise from a chair and move towards her. Her mum reached for her, but snatched her hand back before making contact.

Everyone must have found out about everything she'd done. She'd expected things to be bad, but her own mum not even wanting to touch her still hurt.

Her mother hurried off, already calling for Madam Pomfrey. Ginny realized she must be in the hospital wing. She noticed ice cubes floating in the water with her. Strange–The water didn't feel cold.

She fished one of the cubes out, and watched it melt away to nothing in her palm. It hadn't felt cold either. Warm ice cubes were the sort of joke item Fred and George would enjoy. Had they brought these?

Madam Pomfrey and her mother came through the privacy curtains that separated her from the rest of the room.

"How are you feeling, Miss Weasley?" asked the matron.

"Okay, I guess. A bit warm. Is this some sort of magical ice that doesn't get cold?"

Pomfrey and her mother exchanged a look. The Healer answered, "No, just ordinary ice, dear." She glanced down and added, "It looks like it's time to add more. Zeekey!"

A house-elf popped in, carrying a bag of ice. At a nod from Pomfrey, Zeekey dumped the ice into the tub.

Madam Pomfrey thanked the elf, and it popped away again.

Ginny lifted a handful of the new cubes out of the water, and watched them melt. These didn't feel cold either.

"There's nothing unusual about the ice," Pomfrey told her, "It's your perception of hot and cold that's different. You have a very high temperature. I'm surprised you're awake, let alone lucid."

Pomfrey waved her wand, causing glowing numbers to float up from Ginny and hover where she could study them. "I think you're past the worst of it now. When Fawkes first brought you to me, I had to wear dragon-hide gloves to examine you. I expect you'll be too hot for anyone to touch for a while yet. You seem to be out of danger though, so try to relax and rest."

Ginny asked her mum. "Is that why you wouldn't touch me? Because I'm too hot?"

"Of course, dear. What other reason could there be?"

"The things I've done… I thought–"

"Oh!" her mum cried, rushing forward to throw her arms around Ginny.

"Molly!" Madam Pomfrey cried in alarm.

Although Ginny couldn't feel the usual warmth of her mum's hug, she could still feel the pressure. She enjoyed the comfort, until she remembered Madam Pomfrey's warning, and pushed her mother away.

"Don't, mum. Don't hurt yourself. It's okay, now that I know the reason."

Her mother stepped back, the side of her face and neck red from the brief contact. Madam Pomfrey tsked as she waved her wand at Molly, causing the redness to vanish. Molly absently ran her fingers over the spot.

"Oh, Ginny," her mum said. "Nobody blames you. There's nothing you could ever do to make me love you any less. Family is family, no matter what. The same goes for your father and brothers. We've all been absolutely frantic about all three of you kids."

Ginny exclaimed, "Oh! Harry! Is he okay?" She started to rise from the tub.

Molly and Madam Pomfrey both held out their hands to block her, though they stopped short of making contact.

Pomfrey told her firmly, "You are not moving from that tub until I'm satisfied your temperature has stabilized."

"And yes," Molly added, "your brother Ron is fine as well. It's so thoughtful of you to remember to ask about him."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I already knew Ron was fine. Harry told me. He was the one who got bit by a Basilisk."

Molly covered her mouth in horror at the mention of the giant snake, while Madam Pomfrey shook her head in exasperation at the boy who was one of her most frequent patients.

Harry did say Ron was fine, right? Ginny wondered. He said something about Ron clearing a cave-in, and hadn't acted worried. She hadn't asked for details though, and should have. Ron had come to save her too.

"I'm glad they're both okay," she said.

Her mother said, "Harry is awake and seems fine, but before you have any visitors, you will be properly attired for a young lady."

Ginny glanced down at the flimsy garments clinging wetly to her. "Oh!" She crossed her arms over herself. "Right."

That would have been more than a little embarrassing. She remembered how mortified she'd been at Harry seeing her in her nightgown at the Burrow, and that was nothing in comparison.

Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat. "Quite so. Mr Potter was rather determined to see you as well, until I made it clear this area is strictly off limits. But since I'm keeping you both here for at least one night, you'll be able–"

"Harry! Are you okay?" Ginny called out.

This earned her a rebuke of, "Ginny! Indoor voice!" from her mother.

From somewhere in the room, Harry called back, "Ginny! I'm fine! Are you?"

"I think so! Still a bit fevery!"

"Quiet! Both of you!" Pomfrey shouted. "This is a hospital wing, not a Quidditch pitch!"

After making sure her order would be obeyed, she continued, "As I was about to say, if you continue to cool down at the same rate, you should be able to get out and get dressed in a couple of hours. As neither of you is going anywhere, you'll be able to see your friend then."

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Sorry about the noise," Ginny said, careful to use a more appropriate volume.

"Hmph. Do you have any other questions about your condition?"

"Why am I so hot? What's wrong with me?"

Her mother started to fidget with her hands.

Pomfrey said, "That's not entirely clear. The most obvious hypothesis would be something to do with phoenix teleportation, but Mr Potter did not suffer this side effect. Nor am I aware of any similar cases in the medical literature, though that could be because few people ever experience that form of travel. Indeed, Fawkes brought back the others in a more conventional manner."

"The others?"

"Rather than teleporting them, Fawkes flew back with Mr Weasley and Professor Lockhart holding on for dear life. According to the headmaster, it's easier for Fawkes to physically carry people than to teleport them any significant distance. After bringing Mr Potter, Fawkes had to rest before he could return for you."

"Why did he do it the hard way with Harry and me?"

"I assume because neither of you were in any condition to hang on. Mr Potter was still weak from the Basilisk venom, and you arrived unconscious. From Mr Weasley's account, I gather clinging to a phoenix in flight feels rather less secure than using a broom."

Molly shook her head and wrung her hands.

Pomfrey continued, "As for why the trip affected you differently than Mr Potter, I consulted with the headmaster. He knows as much about phoenixes as anyone, but even he couldn't explain it. Can you think of anything that might have been different in your case?"

Ginny thought back to the last thing she remembered. She'd been reaching out with her magic, trying to draw in heat. Then there had been the sound of a phoenix appearing…

And with that thought, Ginny was fire. Fire that burned endlessly and everything, yet did not consume her. For the fire did not consume itself, and she and the fire were one.

Before Pomfrey's question, she hadn't thought about her last moments in the Chamber. Now that she had, she could feel the same fire still burning. She was still burning.

"Ginny!"

"Miss Weasley!"

She focused on their voices. She realized they'd called her name several times already. The fire didn't go out, but withdrew enough for her to pay attention to other things.

"Sorry, what? I was… trying to remember."

"And?"

Ginny needed to sort out how much to share, given who'd taught her the technique she'd been using at the time.

She shook her head. "I'll keep trying."

Pomfrey waved her wand, bringing forth more glowing numbers. She frowned at the results. "Your temperature went back up just now. Try to stay calm and not tax yourself."

"I thought she was better!" cried Molly.

Pomfrey performed the same check again, waited, then repeated it a third time. "It appears to be a temporary fluctuation, but I'll be keeping her here for monitoring."

Pomfrey gave Ginny a stern look. "I'll be back. You will not get out of this tub before I give you permission to do so. Understood?"

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey."

"And no more shouting," the matron added as she went out through the curtains, leaving Ginny alone with her mother.

"Mum, I'm so sorry. For everything. I–"

"Hush, now. You heard Madam Pomfrey. Your one concern right now is to stay calm and rest and recover. If there's anything your father and I need to discuss with you, it can wait until you're home. In fact, maybe it's best I take you home as soon as you can move, away from the stress of exams and everyone's nosy questions."

"Mum, no! I have to face everyone sooner or later. I just want to get back to normal. If I leave now, it'll make things worse later. Please, mum."

Molly chewed her lip. "Well, we'll see what Madam Pomfrey has to say, and I'll want to talk it over with your father–"

"Thanks, mum. I promise you won't regret the decision you just made to definitely let me stay."

Her mum shook her head. "You've always been so stubborn and strong-willed. Ever since you were a little girl."

Ginny snorted. "I wonder which side of the family I get that from?"

Molly raised her eyebrows, and her voice. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Ginny lifted a finger to her lips. "You know Madam Pomfrey demands quiet," she said with a grin.

Molly tsked. "If you're sure this is what you want, and Madam Pomfrey agrees, and you promise to take it easy and come straight back here if you start feeling warm at all… then I suppose we can try it your way."

"Thanks, mum."

"I'll see you soon, dear." She stepped forward, bringing her arms up.

Ginny held up a hand to stop her. "You can't, remember? We'll just assume you would have hugged me. Okay?"

"I suppose it'll have to be. You be good."

"I will. And thanks."

Molly studied her for another moment, then nodded and stepped out through the curtains.

Ginny considered calling to Harry again, but didn't want to risk Madam Pomfrey's ire. With no one to talk to, she soon found herself dozing off.