Unbroken

Two Weeks Later, Saturday (1)

Hermione POV

Harry is healthy again, his magic is almost radiating off of him in waves, and his heartbeat is strong and steady like it always is. I sometimes think that this is a dream, that this is a fictional reality I've conjured in my head, but I know it's not. I've pinched myself, went to sleep with the express purpose of waking up in the 'real world', and all I've found is that I'm not imagining things.

That doesn't change the fact that I miss him, though. I can't wait for him to wake up so I can tell him how much I love him, so I can tell him I remember everything we shared. Life is too short and the man I love has this uncanny ability to put himself in harm's way. There isn't a single doubt in my mind that he feels the same so I'm not worried about that.

What I am worried about is Ronald. I wasted no time in dumping his ring once I escaped the prison but there still remains the matter of the divorce. The wizarding world, much to my chagrin, is very patriarchal to the point where divorce proceedings won't start without Ronald's express permission. I have some doubts that he'd be willing to get the proceedings underway but I've resolved to hope for the best from him.

Even if, for some stupid reason, he decides not to, I will be more than happy to leave the country with Harry for good. Magic isn't everything to me and I'm certain that I can live without it. What I can't live without is Harry.

"You know, I'm really starting to miss you," I whisper to myself more than him in a joking manner. I laugh to myself and turn to look at him once more only to find a pair of alluring jade eyes staring at me mirthfully.

I'm not sure what to say as his lips quirk up at the sight of me and the only thing I can do is giggle uncontrollably at him. I can tell he's trying to laugh as well but his throat is probably sore from disuse. I hand him a glass of water hastily and help him sit up so he can down it, still giggling like a silly schoolgirl.

"How long was I out?" He asks me after the glass of water is finished in one gulp. "And what's gotten you so excited?"

I playfully huff at him and hop up onto his bedside with a mock annoyed look on my face. "Honestly, a girl can't be excited to see her best friend again?" I haughtily turn my nose up at him.

He snorts in response and smirks at me—I nearly swoon again—before he clicks his tongue at me. "Well I don't know, you did say you were only just starting to miss me. I'm honestly kind of hurt," he jests to me and makes a show of being shot through the heart.

"I've missed you the entire time you've been here you wonderfully self-sacrificing idiot of a good man," I earnestly reply to him.

"Somewhere in there is a compliment," he jokes at me again with that same stupid cute lopsided grin. I've never known I could love and be so frustrated by a man like this.

"I guess I was out for a week or two," he says nonchalantly. I nod my confirmation and scoot even closer to him, wanting to join my lips to his now. It's not time yet, though, there's so much I need to tell him. "Wanna tell me why you're not wearing your ring?" He asks me as I look up at him in shock. How'd he notice that?

"I'm saving space for another one," I tell him honestly. The smile that comes on my face can't be helped as I see the momentary flash of jealousy that flips through his eyes in a flash. He's going to enjoy what I have to tell him next.

Slowly, I move closer to him so I can lay on his chest. I can tell he's surprised when he stiffens up momentarily but he relaxes into it afterwards and brings his arm up to caress my back.

"Can I tell you a story?" I use my puppy dog eyes and stare up at him. He smiles and gives me his permission in response. "You see, there was this boy and girl who spent every waking moment together. I swear, it was like they were joined at the hip and they were almost never without each other. The few times they were, however, were severely painful to them both. Eventually, these two children grew up and started to see each other differently."