Hermione paced the hospital room, her thoughts racing frantically. They were all centered on Harry who lay in a coma on a bed near her. He had been unconscious for almost three years now. His body was so injured that his mind had shut down to escape the pain. The doctors all said that he would probably never wake up. They only kept him under the life-supporting spells because of who he was and what he had done for them. They felt guilty about taking him off them, but did not have any hope for his survival. Hermione knew that he would come out of it. She just knew. She needed him. He would wake up. He had to. She did not know what she would do if he did not. She knew that he was still there, buried somewhere inside his damaged body. She could feel him, though she did not know why. Something had happened back in the cell, something had connected them. Dumbledore had explained that Harry had a power, the power of love. His mothers sacrifice had strengthened that power. This power would unite him and his true love after they both realized it, when they were in the same room and in desperate need of help. Now the two of them would share their minds and power. They could use each others power and would know everything the other was thinking. Even now, with Harry buried so deep, she could feel most of his thoughts. He was not really there. He was in his own vivid fantasy world that she could not enter. He was oblivious to the world around him, far from reality. Yet, he was happy. His joy leaked out of him and into her mind. He was where he wanted to be, safe from pain and from memories. She sighed and gazed down at her best friend, the man that she had fallen in love with.
"Oh Harry, I know you are happy. You deserve to be happy. I know it is selfish to want you here with me. Harry, I lived six years without you, and they were the worst years of my life. I know it was nothing close to what you've experienced. I don't want to think about what you went through. Oh Harry, I love you so much. Each day without you seems to last forever. I know that you are in there. That almost makes it worse. At least if you died, I would know. There would be closure. Oh Harry, I need you so much. Please come back to us, to me. I was a fool to not see what was right in front of me. You were there all along. I just never realized what I felt until it was too late and you were gone. Come back Harry. I know you love me too. I can feel it; I felt it. My love, I don't know if I can live without you, and I don't even want to think about trying. Harry, my Harry, please come home."
Hermione walked over to Harry and sat next to him, putting her hand on him, letting him know that she was not leaving. She did not notice one of the doctors enter with Ron, Luna, Ginny, and Neville. They stood at the side, looking at her and whispering to themselves.
"She hasn't left at all, has she?" Neville asked quietly.
"No," the doctor replied, "we had to put a bed in here right next to his before she would even think about sleeping. She spends every minute in this room. We bring her food, but she hardly eats. She is wasting away."
"What can we do?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know. I actually think that she is helping them. There is a connection between their minds that I cannot explain. He seems to be better when she is near him. He can sense her presence, and it comforts him," the doctor replied.
"Yes, there is a connection. I am not sure I get it myself, though Dumbledore tried to explain it. She is what he needs, and she needs him. I hope that she can help him and not lose herself in the process," Ron said.
"I am not too hopeful right now, but we will see. Just be there for her right now. That is all that you can do."
Hermione turned as Ron touched her shoulder. He, along with Ginny, Neville, and Luna, joined Hermione at his side. They gazed at Harry, desperately hoping for a miracle.