Chapter One
Moving Forward
"Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."
–J.K. Rowling
A thin stick of wood vibrated under her pillow. The shaking of her pillow nearly threw her to the ground. Groaning, she smacked at it to make it stop, only to have her hand shocked. Cursing, Hermione Granger sat up and glared at her wand.
"That's one charm I wish I never learned," She muttered under her breath. Sighing, she grabbed her wand more firmly, the cool feeling of the polished wood settling into her skin like home. She half-whispered, half-grumbled the counter spell.
Standing up, she stretched out her arms and glanced around her room. Looking towards her bookcase, her medical books sat with a thin layer of dust. Her fingers slightly twitched. The overwhelming need to clean them off, run her fingers over the pages and absorb the words deeper in to her psyche nearly tricking her to pick them back up again.
No. She thought, very firmly to herself. Shaking her head, she urged her feet to move out of her room, throwing a robe over her shoulders as she went. Pausing briefly to scratch her cats chin, hoping she would get her letter today, the letter that would free her from the stupid decision when she had decided to become a Healer at eighteen.
Walking into her kitchen she set about her routine, flipping on the stereo in the corner and humming to the beat, walking to the counter and pulling out pots and pans to begin breakfast. She put on her tea and set to work on making her egg omelet and toast. As she was about to flip her egg omelet, a pecking noise caught her attention.
"Damn it," She muttered when she broke the omelet into three pieces. Oh well, scrambled eggs with will have to do. Shrugging, she walked over to the window, unlatching it so the owl could be let in. A large black owl swooped in and landed on her counter, turning its handsome head toward her.
"Aren't you a beauty," She smiled. The owl hooted and extended it legs towards her. Undoing the letter carefully despite her excitement, she caught sight of the seal that she was waiting for. Managing to unwind the twine from the courier, she set the letter down as she grabbed a plate and emptied her egg onto it, before turning back towards the bird who watched her expectantly. "Here you go sweetie, I hope you brought me good luck," She smiled, handing over an own treat. The bird hooted and nipped lightly at her finger, before turning and flying off.
Hermione smiled, grabbing the letter and her breakfast before setting down at the table. She began eating her breakfast and glancing at the letter every now and then, scared to approach it.
Feelings of cold dread fill her stomach. What if she was denied? She couldn't stand the idea of having to go back to being a Healer. It was too much for her. Tears hit her eyes as she set down her fork and sipped from her tea, the memories of her last day being a Healer coming back to her.
"Healer Granger, he's not going to make it," whispered Braxton, her male assistant who worked at her side. Hermione shook her head, looking at the tiny child who was ghostly white.
"I've never lost one like this, I can't start now," Her voice cracked as the small six year old grabbed her hand.
"Mione? It's going to be okay, right?" A tiny voice announced its presence.
Hermione glanced down into the deep blue eyes that shone back at her. She saw fear, pain and a small light of hope.
"It's okay Kason, you're going to be okay," Hermione felt the lie slip through her teeth.
"It will be okay, Mione. You don't have to lie to make me feel better. I already know." His grey eyes stared at her, holding an unbreakable, but very tired spirit within them. "Go get mommy and daddy, please." Kason nodded towards the door, and Hermione spun on her heel, going to find the child's parents. Tears were burning in her eyes as she tried to step back into professional mode.
"Mr. & Mrs. Johnston," She said as she stepped through the door. Both parents glanced up at her, his mother taking one look at her face and bursting into tears.
"It's hopeless?" Mrs. Johnston's voice cracked. Her hand shook as she fell softly to the floor, her husband quickly stooping beside her.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am, he wants to talk to you, to both of you." Hermione whispered. It hurt. The feeling in her gut as Mr. Johnston physically lifted his wife from the floor began to cause a burning in her throat. She felt the bile began to rise and pushed it back down. Be a professional, they don't need a cry baby right now, Hermione. Be strong.
They both rose, walking through the corridor that they had memorized. It'd been six weeks. It was six weeks of hard labor, six weeks of trying her best to save this beautiful, fragile soul.
When they walked in, Kason had his eyes half closed, his breathing was shallow, his vitals showed a possible five minutes left of life.
"Baby…" His mother's voice broke, as she walked to him. He looked up at his parents, his beautiful eyes losing their shine.
"Mommy… it doesn't hurt as much." He whispered. His dad coughed, trying hard to fight back the tears rising in his eyes, walking up beside his wife to rest his hand on his sons' leg.
"My boy..."
"I'm going to a good place though, right? Like grand mum and granddad? You said they were angels, watching over us… will I be an angel mum?"
"Yes, sweetie..."
"I'll watch over you and daddy… I'll watch over you, Ms. Mione" He whispered turning towards me. Hermione bit her lip, to keep from crying, under a minute left. His organs were failing him now. "I love you" He whispered to his parents as his eyes fluttered and then he took one last jarring breath, his small body going still.
"Kason… baby… baby wake up, come on wake up you can't be gone" His mother's voice carried her pain and torment. His fathers' face was downcast, tears streaming down his face, "Oh Merlin, PLEASE! Not yet, it was a stupid, stupid toy! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! DON'T TAKE HIS LIFE, TAKE MINE. GIVE ME MY BABY BACK!"
"Ma'am…" Hermione said stepping forth. The woman whirled around on Hermione, her face filled with sadness, regret, and burning rage.
"YOU! HEALER BLOODY GRANGER, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST. YOU'VE NEVER LOST ONE BEFORE! NEVER! THAT'S WHY WE CAME TO YOU; YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST! YOU PROMISED HE'D LIVE! HE'S GONE; HE'S GONE BECAUSE OF YOU! I'LL NEVER HOLD MY BABY AGAIN AND IT'S YOUR ENTIRE FAULT! THEY CALL YOU THE GREATEST HEALER OF OUR TIME BUT YOU ARE BY FAR THE LAST PERSON I WOULD EVER, E-ever..." Her tyrant ended with her pointing finger falling by her side, her grief hitting her hard. Mrs. Johnston leveled her gaze at Hermione, her eyes burning with tears of sorrow for the child she had just lost, and hatred for the women standing in front of her.
"Carolyn... you're upset…" Mr. Johnston's voice broke through.
"UPSET?!" She screamed. She briefly babbled to herself, the grief gripping her.
Hermione was so torn, so broken. She wanted to run away, she failed! She wanted to go to the lady and hold her, hold her and tell her. Tell her she was sorry, that he didn't deserve it, that she should've tried harder, pulled longer shifts. NEVER left the boys side. She never should have trusted that he was getting better just because of a good day. In the end, it cost him his life, her mistakes, her ineptitude.
A broken sob pulled Hermione from her twisted thoughts. Mrs. Johnston had found her last bit of strength, rage burning into her grey eyes so much like her sons. She glared hard at Hermione, "YOU" A hard, choked breath, "You don't have any right to call yourself a Healer." The women whispered, her voice breaking with her heart, her eyes broken as she took in the lifeless form of her son. Hermione gazed at her, glancing over at Kason, her heart breaking, her first failure staring her in the face, her failure representing a six year old boy who had fallen from a deathly height on a broom…
The glass from the tea mug broke in her hands, her tears streaming down her face. Shards of glass grazed her fingers. Hermione swallowed, hanging her head down and trying to shake away the memory. Her stomach was rolling, vomit climbing. She pushed away from the table and raced to the loo, emptying her stomach into the toilet.
It was then she realized she wasn't strong enough to do that job. She couldn't deal with the disappointed of losing another. She wasn't a Healer anymore, her heart was broke and she couldn't heal herself, let alone a patient.
Shaking, she pushed herself up from the ground, stopping in front of mirror. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, staring at her reflection. Shadows under her brown eyes, pale skinned and sweating, she was a mess. Cupping her hands under the faucet, she gathered water throwing it on her face, before grabbing a toothbrush and scrubbing the taste of failure from her mouth. Taking a deep breath after spitting, she closed her eyes and counted to ten. Breathe deep. Be calm.
Her emotions of grief, anger, resentment, failure and heartbreak were shut off, one by one. She glanced at her reflection, emptiness staring back at her, before she turned away to shuffle towards the kitchen.
She sat back down, grabbing the letter that was close to getting soaked with tea. She saved it just in time, moving it to the counter as she stared out the window, her fingers absently strumming against the envelope. Glancing down, she took a deep breath; she had to move on, desperately needing to pick herself up from this mess called life.
Sliding her finger across the envelope she pressed it against the seal. It let out a small hiss before breaking open. Trembling, she pulled the letter from its safe haven, wondering what will be the next chapter in her life. She unfolded the parchment and took a deep breath, scanning the letter.
Ms. Granger,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to attend the Ministry of Magic Auror Training! We were very pleased with your application and cannot express our happiness in your decision to begin your new job field.
Enclosed is a list of materials and items you will need for training. All training will take place at the ground level of Ministry of Magic, Auror Training Suite, located by the Department of Mysteries.
All new trainees will have one assigned trainer who, after the junior Auror, meaning you, has completed training, will become their new partner. We look forward to watching your progress as you train.
Congratulations,
Harry James Potter
Head Auror
Hermione could not help but laugh as she saw scrawl underneath of Harry's signature.
Seriously, Hermione, you didn't have to waste time applying, you should've just showed up in my office. See you very soon, training starts on March 4.
A list of items fell into her hand, and Hermione must say, it was a very short list.
4 pairs black pants
4 pairs black shirts
Defense Against the Dark Arts: Aurors Guide
Your wand
Hermione looked at the muggle calendar hanging in her kitchen. Today was March 3rd, Harry seriously meant very soon. Still smiling, Hermione stood up and brushed off her hands, a quick scorgify cleaned the table of tea. Heading towards her bedroom she found muggle hip hugging jeans, a deep red tank top and a zip up hoody. Heading out the door, she grabbed her wand and a black cloak before closing her eyes and apparating to Diagon Alley.
"No way Potter, it's not going to happen" A very tense man circled Harry Potter's office, his black slacks hanging on his frame and a tight fitting black sweater.
Harry surveyed the man standing in front of him. From his very athletic six foot three frame to his strong jaw line and short blond hair. Icy blue/grey eyes stared directly into Harry's and if it was anyone else but Harry Potter, they would have backed down.
"Look Malfoy, I don't like it any better than you do but Hermione is the only new trainee that fits the criteria as your partner. You've turned down three juniors over the past three years, I've sided with you every single time, but this time you're just being stubborn and you know that Hermione is the best fit for you, her skill is beyond words and so is her intellect. Together you two would make the best team, you being skilled in Potions, Hermione a professional healer, not to mention your sharp wit you both share. You're going to have to bite the bullet on this one Draco, she's so perfect that no one will be able to talk to the board out of this. Not even me."
"Bite the bullet? Bloody muggle references. Did you dimwits forget that I made her life a living hell through school and that she still sees me as that arrogant little prat that I was? My Aunt tortured her, she marked her forever, Potter. Does she even know I'm an Auror? She's going to be livid with you." Draco Malfoy glared down at the man who he had come to respect. He was also resisting the urge to stomp his foot like a two year old child.
"You make good points but if she can't get over everything that's happened between you two in the past, most importantly what your aunt did to her, she won't really be Auror material after all, will she?"
During Harry's little speech, Draco's mouth had fallen open slightly. Quickly, he regained his posture and shook his head, taking a seat in front of him. Looking at his boss, his ally, he couldn't help but realize he was right.
"When she realizes I'm her partner, you'll be the one on the receiving end of her hexes, got it?"
Harry smiled, "So then you agree?"
"Don't push it, Potter."
"She will understand; it's Hermione after all."
"Oh yes Potter, she'll be very understanding when we do hand to hand combat and she has to be pressed up right against me. I hope you have a good Healer when she comes for you after that part of training cause seriously, underneath me is the last place Granger will ever want to be."
Harry made a face that almost made Draco laugh if he wasn't so irritated. "I could've done without the visual, thank you." He shook his head before he started laughing at Draco's retaliation. "Give her a month into training, Malfoy. I bet you'll end up being the one on bottom."
Draco raised an eyebrow as he rose his full height, "I guess I had better get going and prepare myself for all of bloody hell to break loose tomorrow. You're in my prayers, Potter, may Merlin have mercy on your soul, cause your best friend is going to be in a rather testy mood for the next three or four months." As Draco was leaving Harry's office, he stopped, turning on his heel in an about face with an evil smirk crawling up his face.
"What?! Don't look at me like that, it's creepy." Harry felt a chill creep along his spine.
"Just wondering, Potter. What are your favorite flowers? I'll be sure to buy some for your funeral." Draco laughed, turning again, raising one arm in the air with a short wave before closing the door to his office.
Harry shivered, he couldn't help but wonder if his childhood enemy was right. Perhaps he should disarm Hermione before he told her who her partner would be. That probably was the best idea.
Shaking his head at himself, he glanced up to make sure Draco was truly gone before moving a book over on his desk. The manila envelope felt like poison as he lifted it, wondering if maybe this was it, this was what would finally kill the boy who lived.
Hermione was looking up at him through a photo, and he placed it right next to a picture of Draco Malfoy, glaring in the direction of the camera. Underneath their photos read the fate that both Harry and Draco we're afraid of: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, Partners.
**Revised/Updated 10.19.2018
I went through and added some information I felt was missing while also fixing some awful spelling and grammar errors. Yuck. Still open to a beta reader if anyone wants to PM me. Pushing forward through the next few chapters to fix errors and add some text that I really should have included, and then -gasp- updating the story!
Original Authors Note:
Just something fun for me to do, it's an idea that's been floating around in my head for awhile :) No idea how often or when updates will be, I'm very busy and they'll come when I have the time or the creativeness. Hope you all enjoy
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters. Obviously :)
