InsaneJournal

The wards shuddered around us and Murphy woke next to me from a restless sleep. She sat up slowly, careful of her splinted arm, and leaned into my shoulder. Very carefully I folded one arm around her and hugged her warm body close.

"They won't get in," I breathed, not daring to speak louder. My apartment was full of injured Wardens recovering from a fight we'd barely made it out of and I didn't want to wake any of them.

She nodded then asked, "Have you slept?"

"Watching the wards."

"Harry...you need to rest." Her unwounded hand closed around my forearm and she squeezed it tight enough to leave a bruise. "Now. Otherwise you're useless to defend anyone injured."

Slowly I nodded and we both lay back in bed, her cuddled against my chest. After a moment, she breathed, "I love you."

"Love you," I whispered back and I held on to her warmth, her strength, her hidden softness, and her love tighter than ever as the world shook around us.