Hermione: Day 1
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was bustling with activity. Hermione had to be careful where she walked to avoid bumping into haggard-looking healers and irritable witches and wizards in need of the hospital's services.
She wondered where Healer Pye was. She had asked the Welcome Witch and the woman had told her to wait for the healer in the crowded reception area. That was twenty minutes ago, and Hermione was starting to get annoyed at Healer Pye's lateness.
She picked up a copy of Witch Weekly that was about three years out of date and scanned through the pages, not really taking in a word of it.
A pleasant voice suddenly spoke in front of her. "I'm sorry for being so late, Ms. Granger. I was busy tending to a patient. I'm Healer Augustus Pye."
Hermione put down the magazine and started to say that it really wasn't a problem when her voice stuck to her throat. Standing in front of her was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Healer Pye was tall, with short brown hair, and had the most beautiful sea-green eyes Hermione had ever glimpsed.
"I… I… err…" Hermione stammered, going red in the face.
Healer Pye flashed her a dazzling smile. "Well, let's not waste anymore time, shall we? Please come with me." He said.
Hermione followed him, feeling stupid. "It—it's nice meeting you, Healer Pye." She finally managed.
"Please, call me Augustus, or August like my friends do. But only when we're not around any of my superiors." Healer Pye said with a smile. "I'd prefer we work in a light atmosphere and calling me 'Healer Pye' all the time makes everything seem so stuffy."
"Right… August. So where am I supposed to work?" Hermione asked, her usual composure returning.
"Well, mostly you'll be working in the first floor, tending to people with bites, stings, that sort of stuff. Is that all right?" August asked.
"Well, er—I was hoping to work at Spell Damage." Hermione said timidly.
"Ahh… I suppose it isn't too late to change mentors…" August said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked alarmed.
"If you want to work at Spell Damage, you'll have to get a different healer as a mentor. I only work in the Creature-Induced Injuries corridor."
"In that case, it's all very fine. I'd love working at the Creature-Induced Injuries corridor." Hermione said quickly.
August beamed at her as they continued walking. Hermione beamed back.
They climbed some stairs and reached the entrance of the Creature-Induced Injuries corridor. Hermione, not looking where she was going, nearly crashed into a trolley carrying different potions.
"Do watch where you're going!" cried the man pushing it.
"Sorry." Hermione muttered, feeling embarrassed. She hadn't realized that she had been gaping at Healer Pye the whole time.
Stop looking at him, Hermione! Her brain commanded. Stop gaping at him as though he's the incarnation of Adonis, with a perfect smile and eyes that any girl would gladly drown in, and… oh damn! Just stop thinking about him!
Hermione wrenched her eyes away and looked around. August had led her to the second door on the right. She suddenly realized that they were in the same ward that Mr. Weasley was in two years ago. Only a few beds were occupied, one of which August was now striding towards.
A young woman was sitting up on her bed, her back propped up by pillows. She looked up from the book she was reading when Hermione and August approached.
"Good morning, Elizabeth. How are you feeling?" August asked cheerfully.
"I'm fine, thanks." Elizabeth replied in a hollow sort of voice.
"This is Hermione Granger. She's going to be my junior trainee for the week." August said, gesturing toward Hermione.
Hermione gave the woman a smile and a cheery "Hi!"
However, Elizabeth merely ignored Hermione and buried her nose in her book again.
Hermione's smile faltered and she looked at August for an explanation. He beckoned her to a corner.
"You'll have to forgive her for being so… negative. She got bitten really badly by an occamy yesterday and she's still rather distressed about it." August whispered.
"Is she going to be alright?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, of course. But occamy bites take time to heal and are very painful. I hope that you'll do your best to make her feel comfortable." August said seriously.
Hermione nodded; she wasn't going to let August down.
August smiled. "Now I'm going to teach you how to change a bandage." He said. They went back to Elizabeth's bedside.
"I'll be changing your bandages now, Elizabeth." August said, and lifted the blanket covering her feet.
Elizabeth looked away from her heavily bandaged leg and stared at the bedside table instead.
August gently removed the bandage covering her bite wounds. Hermione's eyes widened and she couldn't hold back a gasp when the wounds were revealed. There were several bites on Elizabeth's leg, all of them very deep. It wasn't a sight for the faint of heart.
Even August's face was grim as he changed her bandages carefully. Elizabeth grimaced in pain, but she didn't make a sound.
Hermione was now feeling a bit queasy after that horrible sight. Her face had paled and there was a slight greenish tinge on it. Without another word, she rushed to the sink at the corner of the room and retched, ignoring the surprised look on August's face and the scowl on Elizabeth's.
A/N: I'd like to acknowledge all those who reviewed my story so far…
Princess-Perfect: Thanks for the review, however, I feel that it would be so much more interesting for Professor Stalk to teach Harry instead of Lupin.
CountessMel: Thanks for taking time to review my story… twice! I really appreciate it!
Ellsie: Thanks for reviewing! Please forgive me if I can't update right away, school is my first priority.
General K-Star: You're cool too!
Nightwing 509: You'll be able to find out what happens to Ron very soon. I'm glad you enjoyed my story, and thanks for the review!
drxd: I try my best to make the characters sound like they do in the books, so thanks! I like Professor Stalk too, even if he is gross.
Ia: I'm glad you think so! Thanks for reviewing!
dracoluvver16: I won't disappoint you. And I agree!
MissCorker: Heh heh, Draco shoveling dung is one of my favorite scenes as well. I think Harry'd make a DADA teacher, too. Thanks for the review!
Enclume volatile: You'll be seeing more of Stuart on Harry's second day. I'm glad that you find my fic original and thanks for reviewing my story!
I will upload Ron's first day A.S.A.P. so stay tuned! Please review!