Wonder Witch Love Potion 69

With her personal life in a complete upheaval, Hermione focuses on work, and tries to pull herself together, getting quite a lot of support from her friends. However, even through the turbulent twist of fate, something really awesome happens in her favor.

Things Are Starting To Look Up

Hermione went home and headed straight to her loo for a nice long soak, but as soon as she was chin deep in the bubbles, she started to cry. In just the last few days, everything around her had suddenly turned completely upside down. Ron had cheated on her in spectacular fashion. The memory of watching him shag Megan, his freckled bum, the way he'd moved her around, the aggressiveness of it, replayed over and over in her mind, and it was all she could do to think of anything else. "I wonder if he shagged Lavender that way too?" she asked no one.

A soft mewing followed by a very loud purr announced that Crookshanks, now a very old cat, was in the loo with her. Hermione turned to watch him try and jump up on his favorite pedestal, the bench seat of the vanity. It pained her to see him hesitate, and she knew it was getting harder for him to manage even that simple jump. Hermione held her wand ready and as Crooks made his attempt, she assisted him magically. He turned to look at her as if triumphant, settling down carefully to get comfortable.

"How are you doing, love?" she asked him.

Oh, I'm fine. But you know, the arthritis kicks up, my back and joints all hurt. I sleep all day, and when I get up, I can hardly move. My teeth are becoming sensitive and weak, so I can't chew very well, and my stomach bothers me when I eat some of my favorite treats. But other than that, I'm fine, she imagined he was telling her, if he could actually talk, when Crooks simply made a long meow and resumed purring at her.

"I'm not doing so well myself," she told him. "Ron's—he's a father. Did you know that? In addition, he's shagging Megan What's-Her-Name, and we broke up. He's not going to be moving in here after all."

Crooks actually perked up at that, and Hermione laughed, reheating her bath with a Warming Charm. "So, yes. You are still king of the ottoman! And you may still have the chair closest to the fireplace."

He mewed again as if to say he was pleased and readjusted his feet.

It pained her to see him getting old.

Hermione closed her eyes again and tried very hard not to think about anything, which unfortunately only worked in books. Her mind drifted, either to Ron or to Severus Snape, both with equal emotional upheaval. In the end, she decided on concentrating on work. It was safer and didn't make her cry.

Finally, as the water cooled again, and Hermione felt like a prune, she climbed out, dried off, and followed Crooks into her bedroom. In the bedroom, her eyes immediately focused on the wedding gown hanging on the wardrobe door. She started to cry again, walking over and shrinking the gown down. She quickly hid it away in the back of the wardrobe and out of sight. She threw herself on the bed, still wrapped in the towel with her hair still wet, and cried herself to sleep.

Crookshanks managed to climb up on the bed and lay down next to her, purring, trying to comfort his friend and provider.

—{ }—

"Do you really think they might actually consider helping? I know that the orphanage would be an ideal place. It's been abandoned for years, but with magic, it could be put to rights in no time," Hermione said, standing in Diagon Alley, right next to the bougainvillea, which marked the alleyway for the Apparition site. A wizard and two witches walked past them, entering the street.

"I think you explained your idea really well. You have me convinced," Harry said. "Of course, if you need start up money…"

Hermione paused as a couple walked past them into the alleyway, arms loaded with packages. "It's not that I don't need money, Harry. You and Ginny have already committed to helping me, and you've already done so much. You've agreed to fund the production of the potion and books for the kids. However, buying the orphanage and grounds will be really expensive, and I think I'll need more than one patron to get the premises. Besides, having you helping and being on my committee is already making things easier in the Ministry, getting the laws changed, getting St. Mungo's to sanction the project, and all. I know that people are willing to listen to you. I still need to figure out containment issues, and I don't want to use cages."

"How are you going to get around using cages?" Harry asked. "I know you plan on using the individual rooms, but with the numbers Remus told us about, there isn't enough."

"Remus said that with the potion, the rooms will be fine. I could use the large dormitories even. But people want them locked up when they change, and I don't see a way around that," she explained. "Your point of the fact that with the new clinic, werewolves would have a safe, contained environment to transform, and no longer be transforming in the parks or cities was a good one, though." She was distracted momentarily by a sharp pop in the alleyway. "A bit too direct, maybe. Mrs. Greengrass looked positively ill, and Mrs. Montgomery looked ready to faint. Still, I think it went well. I really hope they actually consider helping!" Hermione gave Harry a hug. "Thank you so much for coming with me," she mumbled against his cheek.

"Umph, oh, yes. You're welcome. Glad to help." He returned the hug, albeit uneasily. "Hermione, are you okay? You don't come around anymore."

Hermione felt the happiness of her hopefully successful meeting with the Greengrasses and the Montgomerys fade instantly, and she sighed.

"Is it Ron?" Harry asked, his arm across her back tightening up a little bit.

"Er, yeah," she admitted. "I just can't face him right now. Or Kreacher. I practically destroyed your house!"

"Four doors, two mirrors, three windows, the glass in four picture frames, one wardrobe, a huge antique bed frame, a nice crack in the hallway wall, and I had to get rid of two dozen gold finches, but who's counting," he said. "Actually, all considering, I think Ron got off easy."

Hermione started to cry again, and Harry held her tightly, stroking her back. "Maybe you shouldn't go to the shop this afternoon. I don't mean that Ron will be there, George has worked out a schedule so you don't have to cross paths, but do you really think you can brew potions in your state?"

Hermione let him go and wiped her face. "No, I'll be fine. Brewing gives me something to concentrate on, and if I do more than one at a time, I have to really concentrate. If you like, would you and Gin come by tonight for dinner at my place?"

"Kreacher cooks better," Harry suggested, and Hermione gave him a playful swat.

"I'll bring take away. Your favorite," she said, forcing a smile. "It will be nice to have you both over."

"Sure," he replied.

—{ }—

Hidden behind the bougainvillea, Severus watched the scene and sighed. Okay, maybe she will need another day.

He wished he dared use Legilimency on them to find out what she was up to and why she thought the Greengrasses and Montgomerys would help. Help what, I wonder? I've heard rumor of a werewolf clinic. Is Hermione trying to start a… Lupin. Of course she is.

A smile spread on his face. Be interested in what she is interested in, Narcissa had said at dinner. Good advice. If Hermione is trying to set up a werewolf clinic, she'll need Wolfsbane Potion. I was going to the apothecary anyway. He slipped into the street and nodded at a surprised Potter. "Good evening, Potter. I trust you and Miss Weasley are well?"

"Yes, thank you," Harry replied, more out of courtesy, Severus supposed. "And you, sir?"

Severus stopped and turned, facing Harry properly. "I'm doing well, thank you. Please forgive my imprudence, but I couldn't help overhearing you speaking to Miss Granger," he said as amiably as he could muster. "Are you and Miss Granger considering setting up a werewolf clinic?"

"Since, as you say, you overheard us," Harry replied, looking both surprised and a little offended, but maintained his cool, "yes, sir, we are. She works in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and she is trying to establish a clinic for them, in order for them to have a safe place to transform. Hermione also wants a Healer on staff, teachers for the kids, and a job referral services for the adults. Help make them viable citizens instead of outcasts."

"An excellent idea." Severus smiled. "And does she intend for this clinic to be at St. Mungo's?"

Harry looked at him suspiciously. "No, it's not planned to be at St. Mungo's. She found an abandoned orphanage facility that suits her needs, and if she can get the building, St. Mungo's has agreed to sanction the clinic as a satellite facility. But the Ministry is too stretched at this time to get it started."

"I see. Thank you," Severus said with a small smile, deep in thought. "Good day to you, Mr. Potter." Perfect. I now have a reason to call on her, and get on her good graces.

—{ }—

George was leaving when Hermione walked into the shop. "Oh, just the girl I wanted to see. I didn't know if you were coming in or not."

"What did you need?" Hermione asked, walking to the back room to set down her stuff. "Did Ginny bring the trick ink samples?"

"Yes, and the other charmed items—look I need to ask you about the potions in the truffles."

Hermione turned around and crossed her arms. "What about them?"

"Okay, how do I know if what happened between me and Susan was real or not? Snape said that the potions last six hours, right?" George asked. "He said that if we were drawn to each other, then we are soul mates, but that it could've just been lust because of the combination of the potions. So, how do I tell?"

"Why are you asking me?" Hermione asked, stunned.

"You brewed them!" George said, raising his voice slightly. "You're the Gryffindor know-it-all! So, tell me!"

Hermione sighed and looked away, then faced George, dreading the conversation. "Okay, reason it out. Did you or did you not feel an attraction to her you might not have had otherwise?"

"No, well yes," George said. "She's cute. I was—am attracted to her. I just never saw her as a possible girlfriend before."

"And Susan, how does she feel?" Hermione asked. "Have you asked her?"

"Yes, she said she had a crush on me in school, but that I never gave her the time of day," he answered.

Hermione didn't know what to say. "Why did you take her up to your flat?"

"To sh—get her alone, so we…" he stammered.

Hermione held up her hand and raised her eyebrows.

"So, you don't know, do you?" he asked.

"No, I don't," she admitted. "All I can say is that if after finding out you're attracted to her, regardless of the reason you were drawn together in the first place, maybe you should give it a go. It's like your other love potions, they wear off, and then you either have this sickening regret or an attraction, right? I am to assume you still feel something for Susan?"

"I dunno, I suppose so," George admitted. "Okay, blimey, yes."

"Then there is your answer," Hermione stated.

George's expression changed to one of seriousness. "What about Ron?"

Hermione crossed her arms. "What about him?"

"You and Ron?" he repeated.

"As far as I'm concerned, we are over. It wouldn't have worked out anyway," she replied, a bit defensively. "Besides, he ate a truffle, didn't he? And he took Megan home—not me! I saw him with her. Not to mention he shagged Lavender Brown while we were dating, and he has a child with her. Not only that, but all we do is fuss, argue, and disagree about everything! I mean, I do love him, but I could never again trust him as a boyfriend and certainly not as a husband."

"I figured, but I was told to ask," he said, nodding in understanding.

"You can pass on the word, Ron and I are through," she said, grabbing her things and turning for the door. "I need to… I'm sorry. I'll brew the stuff you asked me to do, but I think I'll do them at home."

"It's okay," he replied. "I understand."

When Hermione left the shop, she saw Lavender across the street, crying. Although she was furious with her for cheating with Ron, she felt a twang of pity for her as well. Merlin's balls, can things get any more screwed up? She hurried to the Apparition site to go home.

—{ }—

Severus sat in the library sipping on a fine cognac, after enjoying a wonderful dinner. Lucius Malfoy sat comfortably in the chair across from him, eyeing his friends speculatively. "So, what is it that you want?" Lucius asked, nonchalantly, belying the true nature of the question.

"Are you implying I want anything other than your company?" Severus responded smoothly.

"Severus, being a wealthy man, I have always known when I am being approached for money. No matter how subtle a person is, their true intent is always there, like a tension in the air." Lucius rolled the cognac in his glass in a deceptively lazy manner, watching the amber liquor. "However, I have never known you to ask for anything. You even loathed asking me when you needed funds for our late master's wishes. So, give. What is it, and how much?"

'It's not for me," Severus said, choosing to be blunt.

"It never is," Lucius said with a smile.

"It's for a werewolf clinic."

Lucius looked at him, actually surprised. "A what?"

"You heard me. Hermione Granger is trying to set up a werewolf clinic, and the Ministry doesn't have the funds," Severus stated. "She has a site in mind, an orphanage, which will suit her needs." He handed Lucius a photo of the old building in an overgrown field, surrounded by groves of trees.

"You have got to be kidding?" Lucius said, handing it back. "It's dilapidated."

"So you can get it for cheap," Severus stated. "She will get the support she needs to fix the place up and make it livable. All she needs is the building and the grounds. I believe that such a donation to the Ministry would count greatly towards your restitution."

"It would at that," Lucius said. "But I don't want my name associated with a werewolf clinic."

"Then may I make a suggestion?" Severus asked. "Donate the building and grounds to the Minister personally, anonymously, and suggest that it be named after the war hero, Remus Lupin, a werewolf who was in Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix."

"Lupin, the one Nymphadora Tonks married?" Lucius' lips curled up into a smirk. "Didn't she save Draco from being killed during the war by casting a Slicing Hex on Faulkner?"

"She cut Faulkner down to save some Slytherin students from his curse. The students were fighting against the Dark Lord," Severus said, sipping his drink. "I believe she said there were three of them."

"But that's not how Narcissa heard it," Lucius said thoughtfully, rolling the glass in his hand as he stared into the amber liquid. "Draco told her she'd saved his life during the fighting. I think I'll have a word with Narcissa. This clinic building would be a nice way to repay Nymphadora and honor her husband's part in the war. Anonymously, of course."

"Of course, and win some favor with the Ministry again," Severus added.

"Indeed."

—{ }—

As it was, Hermione received an owl from Neville the moment she got home, asking if he could see her. Hermione sighed and responded with a, 'Sure, when?' on the bottom of the parchment.

Within minutes of the owl leaving her window, he returned, dropping the same piece of parchment in front of her. Along the left margin Neville had added, 'When would be convenient?'

Hermione turned the parchment over and wrote, 'Where are you?' The owl was back in exactly two minutes. Under her question Neville had written, 'The park with the phone booth.'

Hermione started laughing as she wrote, 'Harry and Gin are coming over for dinner. Would you like to join us?'

She waited by the window for the response. The owl took four minutes this time. 'I really don't mean to impose on you, but may Hannah come to? We would like to, and she is with me.'

Hermione chuckled. She grabbed her purse and headed for the park. Neville was pacing in front of the bench. Hannah, in contrast, was sitting on the bench, fingers laced together on her lap, trying to reassure him. Both looked up in surprise when Hermione showed up, briefly greeted them both, and sat down next to Hannah. "Okay, what did you want to see me about—or should I guess? You have questions about the potions that got mixed up."

"No, I don't," Hannah said calmly. "But there is something that we'd like to ask you, if you don't mind."

"Hermione, I'm not any good with potions, and well, Hannah didn't get into N.E.W.T. level Potions, so we," he said, suddenly going quite pink in the cheeks. "I was wondering if maybe you could help us out."

"Neville, I'd be glad to, but I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione said, confused. "Are you two okay about what happened? I mean, the effect that the errant truffle caused?"

"Oh, I couldn't be happier!" Hannah said, smiling warmly. "In fact, I'm seriously thinking of asking you to be my Maid of Honor!" She held out her hand, showing Hermione a tasteful engagement ring. "Thanks to you, Neville and I are going to get married, although his gran insists on a long engagement."

"And I don't want to get her pregnant before we do," Neville blurted out. "I mean, before we are properly married. Actually, I don't—I mean—I do, but we don't want kids right off. Can you maybe help us?"

Hermione tried to fight back a laugh at his expense. Her answer, "Sure I can," was interrupted when Neville added, "I don't have a lot of extra right now, since I'm still a journeyman apprentice. I can get the ingredients, but I can't brew it."

Hermione held up her hand. "Neville, I said yes. I remember how you struggled with Potions, but it was only because you were so intimidated by Severus. Hannah, did you get an O.W.L. in potions?"

"I got an Acceptable, Merlin only knows how," she admitted.

"Okay, I'll work with you, and teach you how to brew it. It's not hard, you just have to be real careful with the timing," Hermione suggested. "But after a few times with me, you'll get it. Now, I have to go into Muggle Surrey to the Fish n' Chippy to get dinner. I promised Harry. Would you like to come, or do you want to wait until I get back?'

Not surprising Neville wanted to go, and Hannah was apprehensive. In the end, both accompanied her, standing wide-eyed behind Hermione as she ordered five full dinners and extra chips.

Back at her flat, everyone scrunched together around her enlarged kitchen table, all talking and laughing. Hermione, for the first time in ages, felt like things were right in her life. Hannah conversed easily with everyone, although every now and again, she looked at Hermione with a look of awe and a touch of fear in her eyes, but Hermione simply figured it was because of what her friend Megan had told her. Still, it was the most enjoyable evening she'd had in a while.

Although that night in her bed, as she'd endured during the last few nights before, Hermione had a very restless night, tossing and turning from exotic dreams involving Severus Snape and Dolores Umbridge's house—especially Umbridge's bedroom.

—{ }—

Hermione walked into her office, running a tad late, and was nearly blinded as an urgent interdepartmental aeroplane from Kingsley hit her in the face, requesting, in a very firm tone, that she come up to his office immediately upon arriving at work. His assistant ushered her into his office as soon as Hermione arrived. "Good, you got my memo. Sit down," Kingsley said, looking as if he'd caught the Snitch.

"Okay, what happened?" she asked suspiciously. "I came as soon as I read your note."

"The orphanage you wanted has been sold," he said, "and the new owners are donating it to the Ministry for the purpose of a werewolf clinic."

"No!" she gasped, not sure she believed him. "The Greengrass or the Montgomerys?"

"Neither, although both have given your project a considerable sum for start up, and the Montgomerys have indicated that there will be a stipend donated monthly in their son's name. I have also been given assurances from a Potions master that the Wolfsbane Potion will be donated each month and facilities for research will be provided as well." Kingsley handed Hermione an official Ministry file. "Here are the specifics regarding your funding and the contract regarding your building and the surrounding grounds."

Hermione quickly scanned the contents, gobsmacked. "I—will the Ministry now approve the clinic now?"

"I already have," Kingsley stated. "It's to be known as the Remus Lupin Werewolf Social Services Building, as per the request of the contributor, and will be a satellite of your Werewolf Liaison office and St. Mungo's."

"Oh, my gods! They even hired a contractor and architect for the site!" she exclaimed, reading the file in her hands, amazed. "But I—who? How? Why?"

"They insist that they wish to be anonymous and do not want their name associated with the clinic," Kingsley stated and then smiled. "It's for personal reasons that they wish to do this, and also likewise have their reasons for to remain anonymous. But I assure you everything is in order. The facilities are yours. St. Mungo's has already been notified, and we have a meeting in five minutes to hear your proposal."

"Five minutes!" she gasped.

"Actually, three," he said, checking his clock. "You are the first subject on the agenda since this is going to be such a large endeavor. However, I intend to back you completely and make sure that you retain complete control of the construction and development of the clinic. You will have to assign a committee, so consider quickly who you want to work with."

—{ }—

Author's Notes:

I hope I have sufficiently explained the extra Prince family member. If not, I'm terribly sorry.

I want to give a great big thank you hug to MadBrilliant for combing through this to point out my numerous errors and help me make this presentable for reading. You're the best, thank you!