Disclaimer...I own nothing, it all belongs to the wonderful JKR
Chapter 7
Devastating News
Hermione was disappointed that Jessica wasn't back in classes the first day they resumed. She had tried to call her after classes were finished, but she didn't get an answer. She left a brief message on the answering machine, hoping that she'd call soon to update. She quickly became concerned after she went to her class the next day, and Jessica still wasn't there. And again she tried to call, and again there was no one home to answer the phone.
She had a hard time making herself attend classes on the third day, but she knew that she would need to write notes for both herself and Jessica, so she made herself go. It was when she arrived home, that she noticed the flashing light on her answering machine. Finally, she thought, I'm going to know what is going on.
"Hello Hermione. This is Ms. Harris, and Jessica would really like to talk to you. Her labwork came back with some problems, so we are at St. Andrew's for some tests. We are in room 105, and come by when you can." The machine beeped as the message ended.
Hermione was really worried now. What kind of tests would a hospital run that would require you to stay? I guess I really need to head over there and talk to Jessica. She is so tired all the time, maybe she is anemic or something. I hope they figure this out so she can come home soon.
-ooOOoo-
Hermione was surprised to find out that room 105 was an actual hospital room...with a hospital bed and equipment. She expected her to be in a lab area or waiting room, not an actual patient room with beeping machines and sterile equipment. And she was even more surprised to find Jessica in a hospital gown, laying in the hospital bed. Her mom was sitting beside her in a very uncomfortable looking chair, but she still managed a small smile for Hermione.
"Hi Hermione! Can you believe that they made me stay just because I had some bloodwork that didn't come out totally normal? I'm waiting for the results of my second blood draw, they want to check my white cell count again. Something about it was too high the first time, and possible it was wrong or something. But in the mean time, they won't let me go home." Jessica replied while fidgeting with her hospital gown.
Although Jessica's words were reassuring, she noticed that Ms. Harris looked solemn and serious during the conversation. Hermione felt that something more was going on, and that Jessica's mom knew it, even if Jessica did not.
"So, when do you think you will be able to leave? I have the notes from Probability and Calculus, but I didn't bring them with me. If you think you'll be here a few more days, I can go home and get them. Then you'll at least have something to do while you are stuck here.". Hermione really hoped that she'd be bringing them to Jessica's house, not the hospital. But she felt she needed to ask, anyway.
"I'm hopefully leaving as soon as I get these new lab results. Maybe later today. The doctor should be in any time to tell us, and hopefully we'll get the discharge papers after that. I'm hoping another round of antibiotics will fix everything.", she sighed.
"Believe it or not, I'm actually missing class," she said, with a fake pout on her face.
"Of course you are, because I would be as well," Hermione smirked as she replied.
Conversation was halted as the three women heard a knock on the door, and a man with a lab coat, presumably the doctor, came in to speak with them.
"Hello Jessica, Ms. Harris. My name is Doctor Williams, and I am a specialist here at St. Andrew's. I wanted to talk with you about the test results."
Hermione realised that the doctor hadn't noticed her yet, so she cleared her throat before he continued.
"Oh, I didn't realise you had company. I can come back later to discuss this in private if you'd like."
Ms. Harris started to answer, "Yes, that would probably-" but didn't get to finish before Jessica started talking.
"No, it is okay. Hermione is my best friend, and I am fine with her hearing as well. I'm hoping to be out of here soon so we can go back to classes together." She stated assuredly to the doctor.
"Very well. Jessica, your initial lab work showed a very high, that is abnormally high, white cell count. Much higher than normal showing that your immune system is continuously fighting something. High counts are common during an illness, but your numbers are even higher than the normal for that. So that is why we ran the second set of labwork. Again, the numbers came back very high, even higher than the previous numbers. There were some anomolies with the shape of the cells, and the red cells were a little low, as well.
He continued, making sure the women were comprehending what he was saying.
"I would like to run more tests, and then we will see where we go from here. I'd like to do an ultrasound to check out your lymph nodes, and a CT scan. Possibly a few more tests depending on the results of those two."
Hermione looked over at Jessica and her mom, not liking where this discussion was heading. She knew what those tests were looking for, without the doctor even saying. And from looking at Jessica's expression, she knew as well.
"You think I have leukemia, don't you?", she replied quietly.
"Yes, unfortunately." replied the doctor solemnly.
A/N...I am not a dr or nurse, but do have a bit of medical knowledge. But I am not an expert on leukemia, and everything in this chapter comes from my internet searches on leukemia symptoms and tests. If you are an expert, and I've botched this, just PM me to straighten it out.
Rest assured that our dear Potions professor will make an appearance soon, I promise.
And to answer several PM s I've received, I know that this is a long wait for Severus to appear, but I did try to write in my summary 'eventual SSHG romance'. I hope this slow buildup isn't too off-puting to everyone.
I am up to Chapter 14 in writing, but not editing. If I don't make too many changes to my outline, it should be complete in 21 chapters.
Up to 16 reviews...keep them coming! I appreciate the comments and the suggestions!
