A.N just a quick little note here, i shouldn't want to take up too much of your time. I want to thank all of you who may be reading this and cyber cookies to all who review! *!* and also a small reply to CarlitaM to set your mind at ease should it be distressed that is, there shall be no love triangle. This is purely a HermOliver fic, although i suppose i understand where you came from, i like to think of Fred and Hermione as friends who started dating but realised it was a mistake so instead of growing bitter and resentful towards each other they parted on good terms and remained friends, however there will always be something special between them. And i want to give you a big cyber hug because your review made me smile like a mad child :D.

Disclaimer: Does J.K leave the story hanging for god knows how long? Nope that's what i do because teachers feel the need to interrupt my wonderful story with a truckload of homework

Chapter seven: The Witch is back.

Harry was seated at his cubical in the auror office when the call came through, he like Hermione was also back at work, and was worried as he set off towards the apparation point. He started muttering to himself as he was walking, "what does this mean?" He thought to himself "are there death eaters at large again?" But the question that ran through his head most frequently was "Is Hermione alright?"

He got his answer when he arrived in the emergency ward at St. Mungo's, finding a distraught and pacing Hermione "Harry! Thank god you're here, he was cursed," she then voiced her main worry in a lower tone "do you think it was Death eaters?"

"I can't know until we see him, and the crime scene." His voice was gentle but had a firm edge, enough to bring Hermione out of worrying and lead him to the injured quiddich player.

When they arrived at spell damage they found Oliver's bed being partially obscured by Healer Grey and Healer Shepherd and Oliver himself seizing, Hermione rushed forward to help "Jesus! What the hell is happening?"

"The curse appears to be killing his arm," the veteran Healer Shepherd answered her "Healer Grey any suggestions?"

"We could re-grow his bones." The intern healer stuttered

"I see, i like your way of thinking but first we have to remove them." With that he set about performing some very complicated spells which removed every bone in Oliver's arm starting at his phalanges then the metacarpus and carpus, once these bones in the hand were gone his wand moved to Oliver's forearm, vanishing his radius and ulna then the bones in his upper arm, the Humerus, scapula and clavicle.

"Alex, fetch some skele-grow for me will you?" Healer shepherd asked the young trainee.

"Of course!" and so he bustled away to the pharmaceutical station.

"Now Ms. Granger, now that he's stopped seizing i need you to go round the other side of the bed and talk to him, i don't care how just keep him calm, normally i would sedate him but i don't want to risk advancing the curse."

And so she followed healer shepherd's instructions and went to take Oliver's hand on the other side of the bed, he looked to her with a pained expression, fear clouding his eyes and a silent plea for help emanated from his sea colour irises.

"Don't worry Oliver, it's all going to be fine." She rubbed his healthy arm soothingly and tried not to think about the pain he would go through in a matter of minutes, now taking skele-grow was painful enough but when you needed a direct shot into your body to kill the curse eating at your arm things could get a little torturous.

"Now keep him calm Hermione, because this won't be pleasant." The healer warned her, as Alex came back with the potion and a syringe.

When the Healer gave him the injection, Oliver cried out in pain and started to thrash wildly.

"Oliver honey talk to me now, remember that move you did when you blocked that goal from Lyra Delray, tell me about it" Hermione employed her old trick for distracting boys "now I know you told me already but explain how you do that again?"

Oliver gave another yelp; it seemed her trick would not be enough of a distraction, even for hardcore Quidditch manic Oliver Wood.

Hermione couldn't even begin to imagine what pain the man was experiencing, it made her blood boil just thinking about Oliver being in pain.

"Hermione!" the elder healer exclaimed, too much stress could cause even more damage in the delicate state Oliver was in.

Hermione didn't quite know what she was doing but she continued anyway, framing his face with her hands she leaned in, inhaling Oliver's delectable scent and captured his mouth with hers.

Sparks flew between them as Oliver felt a jolt of electricity strike his lips and for the minutes that they kissed Oliver felt no pain, just the silent conformation that they were now more than old friends flirting and toeing the boundaries of friendship.

It was that kiss that Oliver would go on to describe as being the one that saved him, the one that got him to be a better man and settle down and start a family.

When they finally pulled apart the two other healers were staring at them, Alex was smiling and trying not to laugh, he and Hermione had talked during the long hours they sent working in the ER, while Healer shepherd simply looked shocked.

"Right then, we'll just leave you to it." The older man said rather awkwardly, causing Alex to burst into a fit of giggles and drag his mentor away.

~~~~~~O_O_O~~~~~~~~~~~

It was hours later, after talking about what was going on between them that they decided that there was most definitely something, and that Hermione broached the subject of Oliver's condition.

"Oliver?" she began rather timidly.

"What's up?" he asked her with a small frown, he didn't like the idea of something bothering her

"I don't want you to be angry okay?" she continued

Oliver smiled reassuringly at her "Don't worry love; I could never get angry at you, not after you helped us out during that storm."

Hermione was touched that he even remembered that "it's about your arm, that curse hut you really bad and i don't think you'll be able to play for a few months."

Oliver just smiled at her, "why would i be mad at you? It's not your fault Hermione and I'm not going to blame you because i got cursed," Then joked "You know i can live without Quidditch!"

Hermione laughed, he didn't blame her, and she could have kissed him... again.

Healer Shepherd entered the private room, the pair were laughing at something that had been said before he walked in.

"Mr. Wood," he started "I have to inform you that you cannot play until your arm is completely healed."

"That's fine, Hermione already told me that." Oliver replied.

"And you know that you won't be able to use that arm properly for some time? You'll need a help around the house."

Oliver gave a small "oh!" and looked slightly confused.

"I was going to recommend Hermione as you two know each other so well."

Mwahahahaha! I know i know evil cliff hanger! And i'm sooooooooooo sorry its really short but i was really struggling with this chapter.

Do you forgive me? Review and tell me if you do ;)

Xoxo

Ewan