The Letter

Part Six

Summary: Hermione receives a letter that can change everything.

Warnings: mentions of suicide and off-screen gay relationship (Snarry), Ginny and Molly bashing. The story is mostly canon compliant, but disregards epilogue (obviously).

Disclaimer: the Harry Potter universe has been created by J. K. Rowling and does not belong to me. No money is being made from writing and publishing this story. No copyright infringement was intended.

A/N: Please, note that English is not my native language and I have no beta. If you find any mistakes, feel free to tell me about them. I have nothing against constructive criticism, but no flames, please!

Huge Thanks to all those who has reviewed, faved or put this story on their alert list!

At St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Hermione could not help wondering where healer Norrington was. Or any other healer. She was sure that the man could not work 24/7 (magic or no magic), could he?

After her outburst in the ward, healer Norrington had asked the witch to wait in his office (because of Snape's attempt to conjure a handkerchief for crying and sobbing woman). He even allowed her to continue her research, should she feel inclined to do so, but asked not to leave the office unattended and not to pry into other people's affairs. As if she would do something like this. Hermione huffed. She was not five! She was thirty-two!

The witch hated idle waiting. The research could not be continued without the books, and she could not go to the library because she had to wait for the healer's return. According to the clock above the entrance, she had been waiting for almost an hour now.

It was Friday, 8:32 a.m. It should have been the young witch's day off. Then she recollected the reason, why everyone in her department was having a day off today, and the corners of her lips moved upwards. Someone must have intended to make the air inside cooler, but unfortunately had mispronounced the spell. As a result everything in Hermione's department was buried under five-inch thick snow now and the employees of the climate-regulation department were trying to fix the charms and save anything valuable that might be inside the offices. They did not need the residents of said offices to be there too.

Hermione Weasley had planned to spend this day together with her husband. It was supposed to be nice and romantic, but no such luck. She was spending it at the hospital. Or rather wasting. She could have already been in the library. If the woman could not have fun today, she could at least do something useful and help her goddaughter.

The bushy-haired witch felt guilty. She should have been there for Lily, should have known how the teenage witch felt, what was on her mind. And suddenly she remembered: according to the letter she knew more about the girl's life than anyone else. The revelation was shocking. And another one followed: neither Hermione nor Ron knew what was going on in the Potter family! The families (the numerous Weasleys and the Potters) that dutifully met once a month in the Burrow to have a dinner together were almost strangers!

The door opened, the man that came in was not a healer. It was...

"Ron, what are you doing here? Where is healer Norrington?" The young witch exclaimed.

"And here I thought that you wanted to see me, honey! Not another man!" Ron sounded a bit offended, but there was something mischievous in his tone that made Hermione doubt he was serious. "Healer Norrington and healer Gr-something are talking to an Auror in the corridor."

"Why? About what?"

"Dunno. I was not paying attention... I wanted to give you this..." The young man fumbled in his pockets. "Oh, here it is..." He pulled out a small beaded bag. "I've been to the library. They have given me some books that might be useful."

"Oh, thank you, Ron!" Hermione squealed, then hugged and kissed her husband. "Now, I can-"

The door opened again and a tall young woman stepped inside. She was pale, her long dark-brown hair was pulled into tight bun and she wore lime-green robes. Her lips were pursed, her eyes were colder than ice, her movements were harsh: she seemed to be angry about something.

Before either of the couple managed to say a word, the healer asked.

"What are you two doing here?" Her voice was harsh too. Everything about her appearance was harsh. "Visitors are not supposed to be here without a healer!"

"But healer Norrington said-" Hermione started, but her voice sounded a bit weak.

"I don't care what he said! Get out!" The woman was furious.

"Who are you? And why are you shouting at my wife? You have no rights!" Ron's face became even redder than his hair, his fists were clenched. "And this is Healer Norrington's office! Not yours, Miss I-Don't-Know-How-To-Be-Polite!" The wizard was on verge of hexing that annoying, rude excuse of a healer.

"You'll regret this!" The nasty witch hissed and left.

Ten minutes later both of the Weasleys had calmed down and started the research (Hermione started and Ron pretended that he was helping). At 9:14 healer Norrington finally returned.

"Sorry that I made you wait. Is everything alright, Hermione?" The healer was concerned. "You are so pale!"

Ron told him about the incident with their nasty visitor.

"Hm, weird. Healer Falcon has never been rude to anyone... And I thought that she was on vacation..."

The door opened again and another mediwitch appeared. She started talking right away.

"You know, Alberto, that professor Snape, he is-" Then she noticed that there were other people in the room. "Hello, everyone, I'm Healer Penelope Gabrovitzke. You may call me Penny or Healer Penny." The short brunette said cheerfully.

"We are Ron and Hermione Weasley."

"They are Lily Potter's godparents." Albert Norrington explained.

"Ah, poor girl!" The witch sighed. "Pity that she has not woken up yet. She'd be happy to see loving faces, not that Auror with his one hundred and two questions!"

She would have said more, but her colleague interrupted her.

"Your goddaughter is still unconscious. She'll be for a while. Why don't you two go home and have a rest? You may return during visiting hours. Or earlier, if it's necessary. It's Penny's shift. Penny, you would not mind, would you?" The woman shook her head. "I'll be here in the evening." The wizard left.

"If you want, you can stay here, at least for a while. I'd like company." Penelope smiled and waved her hand invitingly. Both Weasleys retook their seats. The healer started talking again. The young people just listened to her for a while. Then she said something that made Ron curious. "Professor Snape is a genius! Why isn't he working here?"

"What has he done?" The red-headed man asked.

"He corrected Mrs. Broock's recipe. Now she can take her anti-allergy potions and leave us in peace." Penny chuckled. "Coffee? Tea?"

Ron was going to accept, but then noticed how pale his wife was.

"No, thanks, we'd better go home and follow the healer's advice."

"OK. You may floo from here." The brunette smiled and a minute later she was alone in her office.

A/N 2: Review, please! Your reviews give me inspiration!