A/N: I've been a total bum and done nothing productive all damn day. Do I regret it? Kind of?
Whoops.
Tallyho!
Chapter 37:
October 2001
"Alright," Astoria said. "First batch is ready for testing. Is the cadaver ready?"
"I don't know, should we ask it?" Daphne retorted.
Astoria rolled her eyes. "Why do I even bother talking to you?"
"You know you love me," Daphne said.
"Merlin, help us all," Hermione muttered. "Yes, the cadaver's ready."
"Thank you, Hermione," Astoria replied. She filled a muggle syringe with the potion and injected it into the cadaver. "Now what?" Daphne asked.
"Now, we wait to see if anything happens," Hermione said. "If the potion doesn't cause any harm to the body, we can start testing on the mice."
"Does the body smoking count as something happening?" Daphne asked.
Hermione and Astoria turned around and saw smoke coming out of the cadaver's ears and noticed a foul smell. Daphne cast a charm around the cadaver that would isolate the smell while Hermione cut open the body to investigate what was happening.
"Oh, God," Hermione said, covering her mouth.
"That is foul," Astoria said.
The potion had failed miserably. Instead of doing nothing to the body, various organs either incinerated or fell apart causing the terrible smell. "Well, that potion was a bust. Any idea what might have caused that Tori?" Daphne asked, writing down what had happened in her notes.
Astoria nodded and looked away from the body as Hermione cast a cleanup charm on the cadaver then vanished it. "The Nightshade. It was a risk putting it into the potion in the first place but I did it because there have been cases of it working. Problem is, it's a highly poisonous plant and doesn't react very well with other plants except on rare occasions. It's clear this was not one of those exceptions."
Hermione nodded and opened several windows to let the smell out. "Well, at least now we know not to use that. How long would it take you to make your next batch?"
"About two weeks," Astoria answered.
Hermione nodded. "Perfect; we'll try this again in two weeks."
Two Weeks Later
"Alright, test number two is a go," Daphne said.
Astoria injected the potion into the cadaver while Hermione had her wand ready in case another incident occurred. When ten minutes had passed and no issues occurred, Hermione cut open the cadaver to investigate. "Merlin's beard," she exclaimed.
Astoria and Daphne looked over Hermione's shoulder and gasped. Every organ in the body had vanished leaving just a shell of the body and the skeleton.
"How does that even happen?" Daphne asked.
Astoria shook her head. "I have no idea; I'm going to have to do more research to figure out how to prevent that."
Daphne sighed and looked to her parchment. "Test two: failed."
December 2001
After several months of various test results- incineration, mysterious vanishing, melting, organ deforming, even the body catching on fire- the three women finally figured out the right ingredients to make the perfect potion that caused no harm to the cadaver, whatsoever. "Ready?" Hermione asked.
Daphne looked at the test mouse and sighed. "Yeah, I guess so. Good luck, little guy."
"It's a mouse, Daph; not a person," Astoria said.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I know, I just don't want him to be in any pain."
"After the infection we gave him, he already is in pain. But with luck, after this, he won't be," Astoria said. As Hermione cast a stasis charm on the mouse, Astoria filled the syringe with the potion then injected it into the mouse. Hermione lifted the charm, then watched the results with the other two women.
The infection the women had given the mouse was as close to cancer that they could mimic; however, due the mouse's tiny size, the infection would be a lot stronger and work a lot faster so the women had to move fast if they wanted a successful test. In a human, the potion was expected to attack the infection and kill it within a few weeks- in more serious cases, it would take longer; for a mouse, it was expected to take a couple of hours, minimum.
It was only forty-five minutes later when the mouse appeared to be fully healed. He was running around his cage, squeaking happily, and when Astoria placed a plate of food in front of him, he immediately ran over and ate it.
Daphne had tears in her eyes and Hermione grinned. "Test number one: success," Daphne said.
"Well done, Tori," Hermione said. Astoria beamed. Hermione pulled the two women into a tight hug, grinning. "Happy Christmas, ladies," Hermione said.
Christmas 2001
"So what's next now that you've had a successful test?" George asked.
"We need to conduct some more tests," Hermione said. "Once we've ensured that the potion will cure or at least heal any form of cancer or something similar to it, then we can contact the testing facility in Oslo and begin administering the potion to humans with similar illnesses."
"Assuming we get the results that we want," Daphne continued, "we can build up a case to take back to the Board of Medicine and show them our findings."
"What happens after that?" Arthur asked.
The two women looked to each other and shrugged. "With luck, our plan to open up a new wing in the hospital dedicated to muggle ailments- cancer, in particular- will get approved and we'll be able to keep incidents like Adeline's birth mother or Andromeda from happening again," Hermione explained.
"Sounds like you've got a lot of work ahead of you," Arthur mused.
Daphne grinned. "Yeah; but we can handle it."
"How long are you expecting to be in Oslo?" Angelina asked.
Hermione shrugged. "As long as it takes for us to get the test results we want; we're hoping come back for a weekend or so, of course, but we will be gone for several periods of time while we're conducting the tests."
Daphne looked to Ginny and winked. "Don't worry, Gin, we'll be back in time for your wedding."
Ginny and Neville had made peace with Molly several days after the big reveal blowout at dinner on the condition that Molly would be able to plan a "real" wedding for them. The couple agreed on the condition that it occurred on the day of their anniversary, so there wouldn't be any confusion later on. Molly agreed and the three of them reconciled, happily. Ginny smirked. "You better be," she said.
The table laughed while Daphne and Hermione sat closer to their husbands. Both Ron and Harry had already been told how long their wives would be gone but neither couple wanted to be separated from one another for too long; it was even harder for Daphne and Hermione knowing they'd have to leave their children behind while they worked. But it would all be worth it; they were sure of it.
January 2002
As the new year started, more and more tests were conducted. By the end of the month, several mice had been tested with various illnesses- including one that was as close to cancer as they could mimic- and every single test had been successful. Some of the more serious cases took a bit longer to take effect in the mice, but every single test had cleared the virus in the mice; it was time to contact the facility in Oslo.
After speaking with the head of the facility, arrangements were made for the three women to go to Oslo and begin their testing and research. The initial plan was to test for six months and then continue from there, but all three women hoped it would take less than that. However, no one would be sure until testing started.
Daphne arranged everything for the trip: the portkey, the meetings, the testing schedule, accommodations, and even when and where to get more supplies if they needed it. By the time the day came to take the portkey to Oslo, the three women were more than ready to get started.
"You excited?" Harry asked as Hermione packed the last of the books she wanted to take.
Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yeah; I am," she said. "I think we have the ability to really make a change, Harry, and I think Oslo is going to be just what we need."
Harry pulled his wife into a tight hug and kissed her head. "No matter what happens, know that I am so, so proud of you."
Hermione smiled and kissed Harry on the lips. "Thank you, love." She pulled out of the hug to get a better look at him. "Are you sure you're going to be okay with just you and Teddy?"
Harry smiled and nodded. "Of course; and, if I'm not, I can always call Molly or Val and Michel, your parents, or even the elves and have them help me out." He kissed her forehead. "We'll be fine, I promise; you just focus on your work."
She nodded and turned her attention to the bedroom door which was now being opened by her son. She smiled. "Hi Teddy," she said.
"Hi mummy," Teddy said, his hair matching hers in color. "Are you leaving me?"
She picked him up and held him close. "I would never leave you, Teddy; I'll always be right here," she said, pointing to his heart. Teddy smiled and burrowed into her. "I do have to go away for a short while though."
"Why?" Teddy asked.
"Because Auntie Daphne, Miss Astoria, and I are going to do some testing for our potion," Hermione explained. "If we're successful, we could save a lot of lives."
Teddy looked at her wide eyed. "Will you be a hewo?" he asked.
Hermione chuckled. "Maybe in some people's eyes," she said. "But I'm just trying to help people."
"I hope you win," Teddy said.
Hermione smiled. "Me too, Teddy." She kissed his forehead and hugged him close. "You be good for Daddy while I'm gone, okay? No causing trouble."
Teddy nodded. "Yes, mummy."
Suddenly, the floo roared from downstairs and Daphne and Astoria's voices could be heard. "Well, I guess that's my cue," Hermione said. She handed Teddy to Harry and kissed both of them. "I love you both so much. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"See you soon, mummy," Teddy said.
"Go get 'em, love," Harry said.
She smiled and walked downstairs, bag in hand, to join her friends.
"Ready?" Astoria asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Hermione replied.
Daphne smiled and took her hand in hers. "Don't stress, Hermione. We've got this."
Hermione smiled and held onto to Astoria's other hand as the portkey activated, whisking them away to Oslo, Norway.
Oslo, Norway
January 2002
"Ah, Healer Potter, Healer Weasley, Ms. Greengrass, please come in; have a seat," the head of the facility said. "My name is Naomi Fox, I'll be working with you as you conduct your tests," she said.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Fox," Hermione said.
Naomi shook her head. "Please, call me Naomi."
"Naomi, then," Daphne smiled. "We wanted to thank you for letting us conduct some tests here at your facility."
Naomi smiled. "It's my pleasure; anything that we can do to improve wizard medicine is something that I'm always in support of. If I may ask, what brought on this desire to research muggle ailments?"
Daphne and Astoria looked to Hermione who cleared her throat. "My, er, my son's grandmother recently passed away from Leukemia."
Naomi's eyes softened. "I'm sorry for your loss; was she a muggleborn?"
Hermione shook her head. "Pureblood."
Naomi raised her eyebrows. "Really? That is interesting."
"What makes you say that?" Astoria asked.
"Well, from what we've noticed, since muggleborns are born to muggle parents, they have a higher chance of contracting a muggle ailment like cancer or a mental illness of some kind. Purebloods- even with all the inbreeding that goes on in those circles- don't have as high as a chance."
"She was married to a muggleborn," Daphne explained. "Would that have anything to do with it?"
Naomi shook her head. "No; most ailments like this are not contagious. What's possible is that members of the pureblood community have been contracting ailments such as cancer but are too proud to admit it which could explain the large ratio between muggleborn cases and pureblood cases."
"What about halfblood?" Hermione asked.
Naomi shrugged. "It's about 50/50. Some people admit it, others don't."
"Are any of the patients you have here Pureblood?" Hermione asked.
Naomi shrugged. "I'm not at liberty to say; healer-patient confidentiality, of course. If you'd like to research that, you may, however, I should warn you that not all of our patients will be open about that sort of thing." The three women nodded in understanding and Naomi smiled. "So, how about a tour of the facility?"
February 2002
"Have you noticed any differences between muggleborns with any sort of disease versus purebloods?" Hermione asked. Daphne had been assigned to figure out which patient was from what type of family since Daphne was the most approachable of the three women. Using her charm, she managed to get every single patient to tell her whether they were pureblood, muggleborn, or halfblood.
The blonde shook her head. "Nothing; I made a list to keep track of who had what and it's pretty even among purebloods, half bloods, and muggleborns. I guess Naomi was right. Most likely, most purebloods refuse to admit that they could contract a muggle disease and brush it off as Dragon Pox or something. The few who aren't so proud have come here for treatment."
"Well, hopefully, our test results will diminish that and we can start helping more and more people," Hermione said.
"I hope you're right," Daphne replied.
Just then, the door opened and Astoria walked in. "Hey," Daphne said. "How'd the first tests go?"
Astoria smiled. "They took to the potion like kids in a candy store. I'm not sure how long it'll take before we see results but the good news is, the potion has not harmed anyone so far."
"That's great!" Hermione exclaimed.
"And very reassuring that we're on the right track," Astoria said.
"So now what happens?" Daphne asked.
Hermione sighed and looked to Astoria. "Now we wait?"
Astoria nodded. "Now, we wait."
14 February 2002
Oslo, Norway
My dearest Harry,
Tests are going well. Astoria started administering the potion to several willing patients. So far, no one has had any negative reactions to the potion so we're counting that as a victory. It's too early to tell if the potion is doing anything in regards to healing the patients but we have high hopes.
How's Hogwarts? The Gryffindor/Ravenclaw match is coming up soon, right? Tell the team good luck for me and give Neville and Draco my love. Tell the kids at the orphanage that I miss them and I hope they're doing well, along with the Weasleys and the Bouviers. I've been in contact with mum and she's been telling me that she and Val are writing a book together? I'm interested to see how that turns out.
And how's Teddy? Tell him I miss him and that I love him a lot. At night, the northern lights appear and I'll just stand outside sometimes and watch the multitude of colors pass through the sky; it reminds me of Teddy's hair sometimes. We'll have to bring him here sometime; I think he'd like it a lot.
I miss you. Oslo's freezing this time of year so there's several heating charms around our lodgings but the bed still feels too cold and too big without you. I miss having you next to me and I miss being able to curl up in your arms at the end of the night. I know it's wishful thinking, but I hope we get results soon so I can get back to you sooner. One can only hope, right?
I love you so much, Harry.
Hermione.
P. S. Happy Valentine's Day.
20 February 2002
The Cotswolds, England
My Hermione,
I'm glad to hear that testing is going well. I know you'll all have great success and I can't wait to hear about all the amazing things you three are going to do once the new wing in the hospital opens - don't call me optimistic, love. You know it'll happen.
Hogwarts is good. Gryffindor won the Quidditch match and get to move on to play for the Cup. Fingers crossed I can help them get there. Neville and Draco send their love back and both wanted me to tell you good luck with your endeavors. We're all rooting for you back home.
And, you heard right, your mum and Val are working on a book. Val's gone on a history binge and wants to write a fiction story based off muggle wars so she's been interviewing your father in order to get inside the mind of a soldier while your mum is helping her research. It's pretty adorable, actually. They get along really well and they're both enjoying themselves immensely.
Baby Charlie and little Adeline are babbling happily along. They're able to form some words but nothing more than "Mama" and a few words in gibberish. They're gonna be best friends later on in life, I can tell. Everyone else is good; the kids at the orphanage are doing really well. They've started a book club and one of the older kids will read to the younger ones very night. It's very sweet; they're all very close.
Speaking of babies, I have some exciting news: Angelina gave birth a couple days ago! She had a healthy baby girl named Roxanne. George is an absolute mess, he's so excited but terrified. He's not quite sure what to do with himself; it's pretty funny. Lee Jordan and Katie Bell came into town for the birth and were named godparents. Merlin help that girl; with Lee and George around her as she grows up, who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause in her Hogwarts years.
Anyway, the Weasleys send their love and McGonagall wanted me to ask you if you would join her for tea when you came back. She misses you, I think. Oh, I've been talking to Dudley lately and he invited me out to a football game next week. I accepted; Teddy will stay with your parents that night so he'll be taken care of.
Speaking of Teddy, he misses you and insists that you take him out for ice cream when you get back as an apology for being gone so long. I told him I'd pass the message on to you.
I miss you too. I love the manor but it feels too big without you. Dahlia's been very sweet and always checking on me when I'm working late in the study. I think she knows I miss you. Actually, I think she misses you too. You know how she dotes on you.
I miss being able to have breakfast with you in the mornings and talk about nothing. I miss waking up next to you; I miss the smell of your hair, your kiss, your touch. I miss you being just a room away. Come home soon.
I love you, forever and always.
Harry.
1 March, 2002
Oslo, Norway
My love,
I'm so sorry for the delay in writing to you but I have a good reason: we've had a breakthrough. One of the patients has started to show signs of improvement. He had a case very similar to Andromeda's but got to the facility shortly after he was diagnosed. He was one of the first to undergo the treatment and today his vitals are starting to improve and it's the first day he's been able to eat a full meal and hold it down!
We still have a ways to go but this is huge. I'm so excited, Harry, I wish I could express it into words.
I'm sorry to say I have to cut this letter short as we have a lot to do and not nearly enough hours in the day to do it all. I love you and Teddy so much. I'll keep you updated as best I can.
Much love,
Hermione.
April 2002
It had been several weeks since Hermione's last letter and Harry was starting to get anxious. Was the test successful? Did any of the other tests work? Was she working herself too hard? Would she be home for Teddy's birthday? All these questions ran through his mind every day and night and took up residence in his mind whenever he wasn't focused on work or his son. Whatever was happening with their testing, Harry just hoped that it was going well and that Hermione would be home soon; otherwise, he wasn't sure how much longer he could take without seeing or hearing from her.
He was pulled from his thoughts as his classroom door opened and his third years walked in. He stood from his chair and leaned against his desk as his students filed in. When the last student sat down, Harry cleared his throat and began class.
"What can any of you tell me about werewolves?" he asked. The students looked among themselves, before one of the Gryffindors raised their hand. "Yes?" Harry said.
"Werewolves are half human-half wolf beasts who transform under the full moon," The little Gryffindor explained.
Harry nodded. "Can you elaborate a little on that? Say, how a person becomes a werewolf in the first place?"
"Well, they have to be bitten by a werewolf in the first place, sir."
"Good. Is there a cure for lycanthropy?"
This time another student raised their hand. Harry nodded for them to answer. "There isn't a cure, sir, but there is the Wolfsbane Potion which will allow them to keep their human mind after they've transformed."
Harry nodded. "Very good. I'm sure you're all wondering why I'm asking these questions," he said. The class nodded. "Professors Malfoy, Longbottom, and I have been talking and have decided to educate you on a matter that is usually approached with fear and prejudice: werewolves. I will be the first to admit that not all werewolves are going to be kind; there are going to be some who will try to hurt others, which is why I will teach you how to defend yourselves against them just in case. However, I also met a werewolf once who was one of the kindest and bravest men I ever knew and all he ever wanted was to be accepted.
"While I am teaching you defense, Professor Malfoy will teach you how to make the Wolfsbane Potion and Professor Longbottom will provide the ingredients as well as teach you how to grow them yourselves. This is both for your protection and to teach you about acceptance and caution. Like I said before, not all werewolves are going to be kind; but most just want a chance at a real life. We're going to help you help them achieve that goal. Are you willing to work with us?"
The entire class nodded and Harry smiled. "Excellent; let's get started."
The next evening
Harry picked up Teddy from the Burrow after work and brought him back to the manor for a birthday dinner between the two of them. "Are you ready for the best birthday dinner, ever?" Harry asked his son.
Teddy grinned. "Will there be ice cweam?"
Harry laughed. "Always." Harry led his son into the kitchen, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw someone else standing there.
"MUMMY!" Teddy exclaimed, jumping out of Harry's arms and into Hermione's. Hermione picked up her son and held him tight, placing kisses all over his face causing Teddy to squeal with laughter. "Mummy, stop!" Teddy exclaimed.
"I can't!" Hermione said, continuing to kiss his face. "You're just so cute; I can't help but kiss you!" Teddy squealed with laughter again. Hermione looked up and noticed Harry still watching her, a small smile on his face. She kissed Teddy one more time then put him on the ground. "Why don't you go wash your hands, okay? Dinner's just about ready."
Teddy did as he was asked and as soon as the now-four-year-old was out of the room, Harry ran to Hermione and picked her up in a tight hug. They barely broke out of the hug before they started kissing each other as if their lives depended on it. Hermione tangled her hands in Harry's hair as he held her as close to him as possible. Only when they absolutely had to break for air, did they separate. "I missed you," Harry said.
"I missed you too," she replied.
"How long have you been home?"
"About an hour," Hermione said. "As soon as I arrived, Dahlia and I got to work on making Teddy's birthday dinner and cake. I'm sorry I didn't tell you; I wanted to surprise you."
Harry shook his head. "There's no need to apologize; this has been the best surprise ever." He kissed her again, smiling. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Me too," she said.
"Do you have to go back to Oslo any time soon?"
Hermione grinned and shook her head. "Not anymore; we got everything we needed."
Harry's eyes widened. "You- you mean-"
She nodded. "All the tests were successful and every single patient we tested the potion on has had no side effects and feel better than they've ever felt before. Harry, we did it. We found a way to treat muggle ailments in wizards."
Harry grinned and picked his wife up and spun her around while she held onto him tightly and laughed. "Hermione, that's great news. Congratulations!" he said, putting her back on the ground.
She smiled. "Astoria and Daph stayed behind for an extra couple days to finish gathering all our research and they're leaving a copy of the potion recipe with the facility so they have access to it before returning home. I left early so I could come celebrate my boy's birthday." She rested her forehead against Harry's and kissed him softly. "And I wanted to see you."
"Well, I know both Teddy and I are incredibly happy that you're home for good now."
"Me too," she smiled.
When Teddy returned, the three of them had a great dinner as a family, celebrating Teddy's fourth birthday. For dessert, Hermione allowed him to have an extra scoop of ice cream but did promise to take him out for ice cream later in the week as well. After his presents were opened and Hermione read him a story, Teddy fell asleep, finally allowing Harry and Hermione some time to themselves.
The moment Hermione entered the bedroom, Harry cast a silencing charm and locked the door before pinning her against the wall. He stared at her with a hunger in his eyes and a low growl emerging from his throat. "God, I missed you," Hermione said before lacing her hands in his hair and pulling him in for a passionate kiss. He responded immediately, grinding against her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
It didn't take long for them to shed each other of their clothing. Once they were both naked, Hermione led Harry to the bed without breaking the kiss. She pushed him backwards and straddled him and he entered her in one quick thrust. She threw her head back and moaned while Harry sat up and held her close as they began to move together. They quickly found a steady rhythm and continued to stare into each other's eyes as they rocked together. Hermione broke the eye contact to kiss Harry passionately and he moaned into the kiss as he picked up the pace. What only felt like moments later, they came together in a blissful climax.
Harry fell back onto the bed, Hermione falling with him and rolling off him to curl up next to him. "Wow. That was-" she started.
"Yeah," Harry finished for her.
"I didn't realize how much I missed all of you until I got home," Hermione said.
"I did. This bed is far too big without you in it."
Hermione laughed. "Well, don't worry. I won't be going anywhere anymore for a while. If we need to get back in contact with the facility in Oslo, we can most likely just floo call them."
Harry nodded and cupped her face with his hand. "I love you, you know."
She smiled and kissed him. "I know; I love you too."
There's a facecast of Naomi Fox on the Pinterest board plus some Northern Lights just cause they're so damn pretty.
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