After The War : ** Shadows and Light ** :harrypotterxreader:

**Chapter 10: Silent Promises**

With courage fierce, you take the blow,

For love and friendship, you'll never let go.

As shadows dance and darkness swells,

In your brave heart, true magic dwells.

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*"In love's fierce embrace, we face the fight; a sacrifice made to protect the light."*

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The soft morning light filtered through the high windows of the hospital wing, casting a gentle glow over the room. You stirred, blinking slowly as you adjusted to the brightness. For a brief moment, you forgot where you were, but the dull ache in your side quickly brought you back to reality.

The battle. The shadows. The mysterious figure.

As the memories flooded back, you realized you weren't alone. Harry sat in a chair beside your bed, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back, his eyes closed. He looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept at all, but his presence was a comforting sight.

You shifted slightly, wincing at the pain in your side. The sound must have stirred him, because his eyes snapped open immediately, his gaze locking onto you.

"Y/N," he said softly, relief evident in his voice as he leaned forward. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," you replied, your voice still hoarse from sleep. "Thanks to Madam Pomfrey." You glanced around the empty hospital wing, realizing just how quiet it was. "How long have I been out?"

"Most of the night," Harry said, his eyes scanning your face as if checking for any signs of lingering pain. "Madam Pomfrey said you'd need at least a day to recover fully."

You sighed, the exhaustion still tugging at the edges of your consciousness. "I didn't mean to worry you."

Harry's expression darkened, his brow furrowing as he shook his head. "You don't need to apologize, Y/N. None of this was your fault." He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his messy hair. "But seeing you like that... after everything..." He trailed off, his jaw tightening. "It scared me."

Your heart squeezed at his words. Harry, always so strong and protective, rarely let his vulnerabilities show. The fact that he was openly admitting his fear now only made your bond with him feel even more important.

"I'm okay," you said softly, though your side still ached. "You don't have to stay here with me."

Harry's eyes met yours, and there was a moment of silence between you, heavy with unspoken words. "I'm not leaving," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

You wanted to protest, to tell him that he needed rest too, but the look in his eyes stopped you. There was a quiet intensity there, a determination that ran deeper than just his usual sense of responsibility. It was something more.

Before you could respond, the doors to the hospital wing creaked open, and Hermione slipped in, her face lighting up when she saw you awake.

"Y/N! You're up!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to your bed. Her eyes flickered to Harry, and she gave him a knowing look before turning her attention back to you. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired, but better," you said with a small smile. "What's the situation? Any news about the Amulet?"

Hermione's expression turned serious as she sat on the edge of your bed. "We haven't found anything yet. Whoever that man was, he's completely disappeared. We've looked through the Restricted Section, asked around, but no one knows anything."

"That's not surprising," Harry muttered darkly, his arms crossing again. "He was powerful—more powerful than anyone we've faced so far."

Hermione nodded in agreement, her face drawn with frustration. "And with the Amulet in his possession... we can't let him keep it. There's no telling what kind of dark magic he's capable of."

A heavy silence fell over the room as the weight of the situation settled in. The Amulet was far more dangerous than any of you had realized, and now it was in the hands of someone who clearly knew how to use it.

"We'll figure this out," Harry said quietly, his gaze fixed on you again. "But right now, you need to rest. We can't do this without you."

You nodded, though the frustration of being sidelined gnawed at you. The thought of being helpless while your friends faced such a powerful enemy was unbearable, but Harry's protective gaze kept you from pushing yourself too hard.

"I'll rest," you promised, "but I'm not staying here forever."

Hermione smiled slightly, though the worry in her eyes hadn't faded. "Just take it easy for now, Y/N. We'll keep you updated on everything."

As Hermione stood to leave, she gave Harry another glance, her expression softening. "I'll head to the library and see if there's anything else we've missed. I'll be back later."

Harry nodded in thanks, and as the doors closed behind her, the quiet settled over the room once more.

For a few moments, neither of you spoke. You lay back against the pillows, staring up at the ceiling, while Harry remained by your side, his presence steady and reassuring.

"Harry," you said after a while, your voice breaking the silence. "I know you feel responsible for all of this. But we're in this together, okay? You're not alone."

He didn't respond immediately, but when he finally spoke, his voice was low and filled with an emotion that made your chest tighten. "I've already lost too many people I care about, Y/N. I can't lose you too."

His words hung in the air, heavy and raw, and for a moment, all you could do was stare at him. There was something in his eyes—something deeper than just worry for a friend. Something you weren't ready to fully acknowledge yet, but it was there, unspoken between you.

"You won't lose me," you whispered, your heart pounding in your chest. "I'm right here."

Harry's eyes softened, and he reached out, gently taking your hand in his. The warmth of his touch sent a surge of comfort through you, grounding you in the moment. "I'm just... glad you're okay," he said softly, his thumb brushing lightly over your knuckles.

For a moment, the weight of the battle, the Amulet, and the danger ahead faded into the background. All that mattered was the quiet connection between you and Harry, the silent promise in his touch that he would protect you no matter what.

As the minutes passed, you felt the exhaustion pulling at you again, and your eyelids grew heavy. Harry stayed by your side, his hand still holding yours, as you drifted into a light, dreamless sleep.

---

When you woke again, the sunlight had shifted, and the hospital wing was quieter than before. You blinked, your mind still foggy from sleep, but the warmth of Harry's hand still in yours grounded you.

He was watching you, his expression softer now, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. You gave him a tired smile, feeling a little more rested.

"Still here?" you asked, your voice teasing.

"Always," Harry said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, tired smile of his own.

The bond between you and Harry had deepened in ways you hadn't fully realized yet. In the face of so much danger, his protectiveness, his loyalty, and his quiet strength were constants you had come to rely on. And though neither of you had spoken aloud what was growing between you, it was there—stronger with each passing day.

As you lay there, with Harry by your side, you knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, you wouldn't face them alone.

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