Morning Light by the Sickbed and Unhealed Star Scars

Hermione didn't know how long she had been holding Linley's hand, keeping vigil. The moon outside the window gradually set, and the first hint of gray-white light broke through the ink-blue sky. The Hospital Wing was so quiet that only Linley's faint but steady breathing could be heard, along with her own heart beating a little too fast from exhaustion and anxiety. She dared not close her eyes, for fear of missing even the slightest change in him.

When the first true ray of dawn, a warm gold, slanted through the tall glass windows and fell upon Linley's pale face, his eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

Hermione's heart leaped! She held her breath, leaned forward, and stared at him, not blinking.

After what felt like an eternity of several seconds, his thick eyelashes fluttered again, and then, extremely slowly, they opened a sliver. Those dark eyes, as calm and deep as an abyss, carrying the confusion of just waking and a lingering weariness, struggled to focus.

His gaze first swept blurrily over the unfamiliar white ceiling, then, bit by bit, with some effort, moved downward, finally landing on the figure by the bed who was practically collapsing onto him.

Hermione's hair was a mess, dark circles under her eyes, tear tracks crisscrossing her cheeks, her school robes rumpled and stained with dark red blood. She looked terrible, like a frightened, stubborn little beast guarding its nest. But when her gaze met his open eyes, those brown eyes, previously bloodshot and filled with worry and fear, were instantly lit up with immense surprise, like fireworks suddenly exploding in the night sky!

"Linley!" Her voice was hoarse, choked with tears, yet filled with the immense joy of having him back. It was so soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing him. "You're awake! How do you feel? Does it hurt? Should I call Madam Pomfrey?" A string of questions tumbled out like pearls, her hand still gripping his tightly, conveying a scorching warmth and uncontrollable trembling.

Linley's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He seemed to want to speak, but his dry lips merely moved, emitting only a faint, raspy sigh. A dull, sharp pain emanated from the area covered by thick bandages on his chest, reminding him of everything that had happened before he lost consciousness. He tried to move his fingers and found them held tightly by Hermione, her grip surprisingly strong.

His gaze fell upon Hermione's haggard face, seeing the tears welling in her eyes and the undisguised, almost overflowing concern and relief. A strange, subtly stinging sensation passed through his heart, clearer than any physical pain. He reversed his hand, using all the strength he could muster at that moment, and very lightly, yet with immense firmness, squeezed her cold fingers back.

This subtle action struck Hermione like an electric current. All her worry, fear, and forced composure broke down completely at that moment. Hot tears surged forth, and she could no longer hold back. She leaned down, pressing her forehead gently against his uninjured shoulder, and began to sob uncontrollably. Her hot tears soaked his hospital gown.

"...Don't cry," a voice, so hoarse it was barely audible, came from above, carrying a clumsy attempt at comfort.

Hermione cried even harder, her shoulders trembling slightly. She wasn't sad; it was a release after immense tension, a delirious joy of regaining what was lost.

Just then, Madam Pomfrey, as if timing it perfectly, entered, lifting the curtain with a tray of steaming potions. Seeing Linley awake and Hermione in tears, a barely perceptible softening appeared on her stern face.

"It's good that you're awake!" Her voice was professionally crisp. She set down the tray and began a quick examination with her wand. "Your magical fluctuations are extremely weak, and the damage to your origin is more severe than anticipated. The dark erosion on your chest has been suppressed by the Phoenix Tears, but healing will be very slow. Listen, Mr. Linley," she looked sternly into his eyes, "your body is like fragile glass right now. For at least the next month, any form of magic use is forbidden, including the tiniest levitation charm! You need absolute rest for your Star Origin to repair itself slowly. Do you understand?"

Linley looked at her in silence, then nodded almost imperceptibly a few seconds later. He knew his physical condition better than anyone; the backlash from forcibly activating the Star Stone to counter the Killing Curse was far beyond imagination.

"As for you, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey turned to the still sobbing Hermione, her tone softening slightly, "you've been here all night. Now, immediately, go back to your dormitory! Wash up, eat, sleep! Otherwise, I'll force-feed you a bottle of potent Draught of Living Death and make you sleep for three days!" Her gaze fell on the bloodstains on Hermione's robes and her haggard face, leaving no room for argument.

Hermione's head shot up, tears still on her face, and she looked at Linley anxiously. "But..."

"No 'buts'!" Madam Pomfrey stated decisively. "What he needs most right now is quiet rest! You being here, other than worrying him, offers no help! Go back immediately! This is a medical order!"

Hermione was silenced and could only look to Linley for help. Linley met her gaze and shook his head again, almost imperceptibly. His eyes were calm, conveying a "be good" message.

"Okay... okay." Hermione bit her lower lip and reluctantly released Linley's hand, her fingertips still lingering with the faint warmth of his skin. She walked towards the door, looking back at Linley repeatedly, her gaze fixed on him as if trying to etch his current conscious image into her memory.

"Can I... can I come see you at noon?" she asked Madam Pomfrey softly from the doorway, her eyes full of pleading.

Madam Pomfrey looked at the girl's red, swollen eyes and finally sighed. "After three o'clock this afternoon, visiting hours are for half an hour. Now, disappear from my sight immediately!"

Hermione practically ran back to Gryffindor Tower. She washed up haphazardly, gulped down some hot milk and bread delivered by a house-elf to the Common Room, and then buried herself in bed. The extreme exhaustion of her body instantly overwhelmed her. Before her consciousness sank into darkness, the last image that flashed through her mind was Linley opening his eyes and the faint strength of his hand squeezing hers.

She didn't sleep well. Her dreams were a jumble of the sickly green Killing Curse light in the stone chamber, Fluffy's roars, and Linley's pale, blood-stained face... Each time she startled awake, her heart pounded wildly until she confirmed it was just a dream, and then she would sink back into a shallow sleep, exhausted.

By two-thirty in the afternoon, Hermione could no longer lie still. She jumped out of bed and tidied herself up as quickly as possible, looking neat and refreshed (though the dark circles under her eyes couldn't be completely hidden), and changed into a clean school robe. After thinking for a moment, she took a thick book she was currently studying on the energy stability of ancient runes from her bedside drawer and went to the kitchen to get a small pot of warm pumpkin juice.

When she appeared at the entrance to the Hospital Wing fifteen minutes early, Madam Pomfrey was sternly changing the dressing for a first-year student. Seeing Hermione, she merely raised an eyelid and let out a grunt, which was taken as tacit permission.

Hermione tiptoed to Linley's bedside. He was awake, quietly looking out the window. Sunlight fell on his chiseled profile, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath his eyes. His complexion was still pale, but he seemed more alive than he had that morning. The bandages on his chest had been changed, and beneath the clean white gauze, the outline of the hideous scar could still be faintly seen.

"Feeling any better?" Hermione asked softly, carefully placing the pumpkin juice on the bedside table and her book on the chair she had brought.

Linley turned his head, his gaze resting on her face, and nodded. His eyes lingered for a moment on the faint dark circles beneath hers.

"I brought you some pumpkin juice, and... well, I thought if you were bored, I could read something to you?" Hermione picked up the thick book somewhat awkwardly, her cheeks flushing. She thought her suggestion might be a bit silly.

Linley's gaze swept over the profound rune book, then returned to Hermione's face, which was filled with nervousness and anticipation. He nodded almost imperceptibly. "Mm."

This simple response made Hermione's eyes light up instantly. She immediately sat down properly in the chair by the bed, opened the book, cleared her throat, and began to read in a clear, gentle tone about the principles of stable configurations in ancient rune energy circuits.

Her voice flowed through the quiet Hospital Wing, carrying the unique clarity of a young girl and a focused gentleness. The sunlight streamed through the window, warmly enveloping them both. Hermione read very attentively, and when she encountered particularly difficult passages, she would unconsciously slow down, frown slightly in thought, and then continue. She was completely immersed, as if she weren't reading a profound magical theory book, but telling a heartwarming story.

Linley listened quietly, his gaze mostly fixed on the pages, occasionally lifting to fall on Hermione's focused profile. The sunlight outlined her fluffy brown curls, dancing on her fair cheeks. When she was engrossed, she would unconsciously sway her head slightly, a few unruly strands of hair falling down, brushing against her forehead. Her fingertips traced the rune symbols on the pages with a comforting rhythm.

A strange tranquility enveloped the small sickbed space. The physical pain was still present, and the weakness from his depleted magic lingered like a shadow, but listening to her soft, earnest voice and looking at her close, vibrant face, Linley felt an unprecedented peace that warmed his heart. The Star Stone in his chest emitted a very faint, yet steady warmth, as if soothed by the atmosphere.

As Hermione read, she would occasionally pause and ask softly, "Is this talking about something like a buffer mechanism for magic circuits? What do you think?" She didn't really need an answer; it was more like subconscious sharing and confirmation. Linley would sometimes nod slightly, and sometimes he would just watch her quietly, his gaze serene. This silent communication, however, made Hermione feel more at ease and content than any words could.

Time slipped away amidst the turning pages and the gentle reading. The half-hour visiting time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. When Madam Pomfrey, with a stern face, came over to remind them, Hermione finally realized time was up.

She closed the book and stood up reluctantly, looking at Linley. "I... I'll come see you tomorrow?"

Linley's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, and he nodded. His voice was still hoarse but clearer now. "...Okay."

This "okay" made a small flower bloom in Hermione's heart. She tried hard to suppress the corners of her mouth from turning up and said softly, "Then get some good rest, and don't think about anything." She hesitated for a moment, then quickly reached out, her fingertips brushing his hand, which was resting outside the covers, as lightly as a feather, before snatching it back like a startled rabbit, her cheeks flushing bright red.

"I... I'm leaving!" She grabbed her book and practically fled.

Linley watched the girl disappear behind the curtain, then lowered his head to look at his hand, which had just been touched. A faint, warm sensation seemed to linger there. He slowly raised that hand and unconsciously brushed his fingertips over the still faintly aching, scorched wound beneath the thick bandages on his chest. The weakness from the depletion of his Star Origin felt like a heavy chain, clearly reminding him of the price of power. He closed his eyes slightly. The sunlight fell on his face, but it couldn't dispel the deep, somber darkness in his eyes. The road ahead was far from clear.