Title: Nonpartisan

Author: Maid Of Many Names

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Nothing appearing in JK Rowling's "Harry Potter" books belong to me. I gain no monetary profit from this work of fanfiction.

Summary: Hermione Granger left Hogwarts and joined an ancient healing order that remains neutral even in times of war. As Medicus, she is called upon to put her impartiality into practice. Can she live up to her ideals?

Part 1

Hermione Granger sat in perfect calm, as she perused the letter. Heavy parchment of the finest quality was smooth as silk under her fingertips. The large and ornate crest stamped in green wax, smelt faintly of oakmoss. The ribbon that had secured the letter was of the finest satin. Such fine materials were not unexpected. One simply did not write to the Medicus Order on substandard stationary. What was unexpected, was the signature signed with a flourish at the bottom of the letter.

For several moments, Hermione considered the signature. She didn't concern herself with the rest of the letter. What the letter contained was no different than the twenty or more she'd received from other senders. It was the signature that demanded her attention. Uncertain, Hermione tore her eyes from the letter and up to meet the gaze of the woman before her. Red hair with strands of gray framed a face that was all at once welcoming, determined and peaceful. The startling violet eyes, that peered from that visage, were clear and astute. Those eyes served Melinda Baneworthy, Head Healer of the Medicus Order, very well. Hermione knew her reservations were noted.

"As you can see it is a permanent contract. A life-bond," Melinda said, breaking the silence between herself and Hermione.

"I thought you said that I wasn't ready for a contract longer than a year," Hermione replied.

"You aren't."

"Then why have you show me this letter?" Hermione questioned, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

"Our order has prided itself on remaining apart form politics and other conflicts. This letter has negated that possibility, but I won't say that I did not expect it," the older witch spoke.

"What will we do?" Hermione managed to ask.

"We grant the request. The Order is impartial, and heals all those that request our aid and have need."

The very pinnacle of healing, the Medicus Order operated under unbreakable oaths as old as time. Its members were inviolate and nonpartisan in peace and in war. The healers of the Order were the most knowledgeable and the most sought after in the world. The grounds of the Order were open to any who needed healing. Any who requested aid were treated. None were refused. That was the Order's greatest tenant. Hermione had given ten years to the order. She had been a full Medicus for three of those years. The tenants were part of her flesh, bone and blood. Even so, she felt uneasy.

"And why have I been summoned? There are far more experienced-"

"I agree. There are more experienced Medicus than you Hermione, but none are as qualified," Melinda interrupted. "Your particular talents and areas of research make you ideal for the position. The lack of experience must be overlooked."

Medicus were oath bound to serve any in need, except under very specific circumstances. Contracts, that magically bound a Medicus and a patient, were such a circumstance. For the duration of the contract, the Medicus tended near exclusively to the patient specified in the contract. Short term contracts of no more than five years were common. A good sixty percent of the order were under contract at any one time. When under such a contract, the Medicus formed a special bond with their patient. At the end of the contract, the bond was broken. Hermione had taken on two short contracts, one for six months and the other for a year.

Permanent contracts were another matter. They were as rare as they were expensive. Such a contract effectively removed the Medicus from other work, as they life-bound until death. Permanent contracts were the only request for aid that the Medicus Order could refuse. In addition, the Order discouraged such contracts through heavy financial penalties, and extensive requirements and conditions that had to be met. A request for a permanent contract hadn't been made for nearly a hundred and fifty years. Had this contract been made in any other time, it would probably have been refused. Sadly, that was not so.

Hermione sighed and looked back down at the letter. No Medicus was forced into a contract. She could refuse it, if she desired. No one would condemn her if she did. A Medicus performed many functions. Like mediwitches and wizards, they healed. The healing of a Medicus, however, encompassed all spheres. Mind, body, spirit and soul were healed. A Medicus could become friend, companion and lover to a patient. A permanent contract bound deeper than wizard debts or blood bindings. This was why any contract was met by rigorous examination, before approved and offered to a Medicus. Was she ready?

"Hermione, it would be a great challenge. Certainly, it's not an... easy contract. You are within your rights to refuse, but I would not have suggested you if I didn't think you capable," Melinda encouraged.

After five years of apprenticeship with Melinda, the bonds of friendship between them were strong. Hermione could read the sincerity in the older witch's face, but it quickly was replaced with an expression of sadness or perhaps regret. After graduating Hogwarts, Hermione had applied to the Order. Becoming a Medicus required a great deal of study and work. That hadn't daunted Hermione. She loved what she did and she had learned much under Melinda. More importantly, she believed in what the Order was, down to her bone. Hermione was beginning to realize that she was now required to put her convictions into practice. She had never backed down from a challenge and she wouldn't now. Taking a deep breath, she looked down at the letter.

"Tell Lord Voldemort that I accept his contract."