The morning air was cool. A foggy mist overlapped the orange-colored trees. Birds chirped their morning tunes, squirrels scampered up tree limbs, and rabbits nestled into their burrows. A drip of dew fell onto her hand from the hanging Ivy of her front porch. She swiped it with her empty one before she brought the coffee cup to her lips.
Hermione Granger, dressed in Healer scrubs, is ready to take another long shift at the assisted living house, Five. She had been working at this particular home for about three months.
After the wizarding war and Battle at Hogwarts, though many had died, many who survived needed psychological and physical help. Thankfully Kingsley Shacklebolt became the Minister for Magic and passed bills to open up multiple care units outside St. Mungos Hospital.
These homes weren't necessarily for older witches and wizards but for all ages who had been hurt past the extremes and the expectations of healing completely and learning to live with their handicap.
Hermione was exhausted. She had been working long hours and no slowing down in sight. It'd been ten years since the war, and daily, more people showed up. Many were return visitors and needed extra rehab; others were some who didn't want to admit they had a problem. That latter mostly pertained to the psychological aspect of it all.
Taking another drink of her warm elixir, she took in the beauty of her view. She was thankful for her little haven. Away from society and away from passersby to come and speak with the one and only Hermione Granger. Even after ten years, people still asked for photographs or autographs. She'd admit, at first, it was nice: the attention. But once threats from remaining Death Eaters started, she found herself resenting the spotlight. So she moved to the countryside. The only neighbors close by were The Weasleys. They were still some miles off.
An echo of a bell rang from behind her, notifying her that someone was ringing through her floo. She hadn't been expecting anyone. Glancing at her watch, she had to leave in an hour. Another ding caught her attention. Leaving her coffee on the railing, she jogged inside to open the hearth. In came Harry Potter and… Theodore Nott. She hadn't seen this man in ages. The last time she'd seen him in person was in school. He still looked the same but more mature in the face.
"H—Harry, hi." She greeted her long-time friend and his escort. "What can I do for you this morning?" She eyed the wizard beside her best friend: Theodore, otherwise known as Theo. He was tall and slender. He had wavy brown hair, a pretty set of blue eyes, and plump lips. His cheekbones were chiseled and high, and his jawline was slightly crooked but strong. His outfit screamed business and in-charge.
"Er, you know Theo Nott, yes? He went to Hogwarts with us. He's an Auror but has primarily been working in France.
Hermione quirked a brow at Harry, then formed a tight smile over her lips, allowing herself to push forward a hand to shake in greeting. Theo eyed it peculiarly, then back up to Hermione's face before he reached out to take the hand into his own. "I do recall Mr. Nott. Not to be rude, but why, er, have you brought him here, Harry?" She'd asked as she took her hand back into her grace.
Theodore hadn't been notably an evil wizard. He wasn't on either side of the war. His family had been neutral, and he didn't fight. Some would say cowardice, and others would call him lucky.
Harry didn't know how to bring up what he was about to say to Hermione. He scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders back and forth a few times before Theo spoke up for himself instead.
"I hear that you work as a Healer, and over the last few years, you have made rank within your status with how knowledgeable you are and overall being a great person. It's known that you have a knack for learning and are always up for a… challenge."
Hermione looked to Harry, who held a grim look on his face. Then back to Theo. He still stood tall. His presence was demanding. "Yes. I believe you've heard right." Hermione said with more confidence than she was feeling at that moment. She added a quick, "for the most part." She stepped back, feeling awkward standing in her quaint living room. "Let's go sit in the kitchen."
Theo quietly snorted with amusement. "Ah. Leave it to you to stay humble."
Hermione was confused by that comment. Where Theodore was concerned, he didn't know much about her aside from the rumors. "Not humble. What can I do for you?" The three of them sat around her small dining table. It didn't need to be much bigger than the four seats. It was just her most of the time. It was a hand-me-down from her parents. The table was probably perceived as trash by Theodore. His dining room table had to have been an elaborate party all on its own, plus ten chairs.
"I have a friend who is in desperate need of assistance. He's fired just about every last one of his Healers and nurses due to their inconsistencies and lack of knowledgeable care. I am curious to know if you're up to being an in-home Healer?" Theodore asked. He tapped his fingers. Hermione observed as each one of his long digits drummed against the wood. The quiet beats seemed so loud at that moment before she suddenly noticed the minor snags in the pumpkin-shaped placemats. There was a cup ring on one corner of the table and some bread crumbs beside it. She felt her cheeks staining red with embarrassment. She wasn't sure why — She had nothing to prove to this man.
"How do you know I don't lack the same as the others? And for who, exactly? I would have to see their file and understand their diagnosis before I can agree. Plus, I have a job here—one where I am a very prominent Healer in my patients' care." To say she wasn't intrigued would be a lie. She was very much so curious— curious to know why she had been chosen to be next in this mysterious scenario.
"Sure," Theodore said. He reached into the breast of his suit coat and brought out a thick envelope.
Sure? Sure… She took the envelope from him, then looked at Harry. "What do you know of this?"
Harry rubbed a sweaty hand down his face, then sat forward. "I have been meaning to bring this up to you."
"For how long?" She asked, looking between both of the men.
"For weeks," Theodore answered for her friend.
"Weeks? Harry, you—" Hermione massaged her temples.
"I didn't know how to bring it up. I'll be honest," Harry said. "I was… frustrated that it was even brought to my attention in the first place as well. But I looked into it and… I think. Well." He looked down toward the table and shook his head.
Hermione unlatched the envelope and seen at the top of the page before pulling it out completely the name she hadn't spoken in years, if at all. Draco Malfoy.
She swallowed the thick spit sitting on the back of her tongue. She continued to read as she slid the paper out slowly. Critical. Terminal.
She glanced up at Theo, then to Harry, then back to the papers, and then to Theo again.
"He wants… He can live like this. Has no one shown him that?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"We've tried to tell him. He doesn't want to listen. We've been trying for, well, since the beginning. Every time there is an ounce of hope, he gives up." Theo sighed. "I'm not here to ask you to change his mind. I'm just asking that maybe you can help him be comfortable until… he's made his final decision."
Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. "I, uh. I work to help people live. I'm in assisted living, Mr. Nott. Not… I don't want to assist him in death. Especially when he's perfectly capable of living."
Theo nodded, "I agree. Neither do we. But…" he looked behind her. "Look over the files. Please let me know by tomorrow."
A/N: I am uploading from my phone and app -- so if it isn't looking right structure wise when reading, I'll get it fixed soon. Not sure how often I will update/write on this. Was a plunny that I haven't seen much of. How you enjoy!