Hey peeps! Thanks to my reviewers, Amanda, Allyson and Phoenix Feather3, you've given me the courage to continue!
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Chapter 2 – That lonely feeling
The Accident and Emergency department of St Mungo's Hospital, was busy and crowded as usual. Healer Hermione Granger flitted backwards and forwards between patients, giving treatment and administering potions and remedies. It was the same routine day in, day out for Hermione, apart from the occasional dragon bite or near fatal hex, she dealt with wands stuck up noses and in ears, gob stones which had been swallowed, jinxes, curses and potions which had exploded, causing nasty results. She was getting quite fed up and stuck in a rut.
All of a sudden Ginny popped out of one of the fireplaces,
"Hey Hermione, how are you, Harry and I were wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tonight, it seems like ages since we saw you last!" Ginny cried, with the lost puppy look in her eyes, which she knew Hermione could never refuse.
"Ok, Ok" laughed Hermione, " I give in, what time do you want me, I should be finished here around 6"
"That would be fine, we'll see you then!" and with that Ginny disappeared.
'Well at least I have something to do tonight, rather than sit and watch muggle TV again' Hermione thought.
The day continued to drag on, lunch came and went with Hermione missing it as usual due to the ever-increasing workload.
Around 3'o clock Steven Parker, the Head Healer came looking for Hermione in order to have a meeting in his office, Surprised, but glad of the break from trying to excavate a Wizarding chess piece from a little boys nose, Hermione followed into the bright yellow office an sat down patiently in the chair by the desk.
Steven Parker was a kind and sympathetic man, and always had time to talk to you, whether it was busy or not, he knew all about the final battle and what it meant to Hermione as she had confided in him how lonely she really was. He was her shoulder to cry on because for some strange reason she couldn't bring herself to talk to Ginny or Harry about it. It just seemed awkward.
Steven sat down behind his desk, smiled at Hermione and begun to explain the reason for the meeting.
"Hermione, I'm sorry to drag you away from your patient, I could see you were having fun!" he said with a cheeky grin covering his features
"I've had a request from a Hospital in Melbourne, Australia asking if we could send one of our Healers out on an exchange program. The exchange will last a year and they will be working in the Curses, jinxes and hexes department. Unlike our department, it covers a wider range of hexes and jinxes and they are using some of the cases as clinical trials to find easier or better cures. I suppose what I'm trying to say Hermione is would you like to go?"
Hermione's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe it
"You're really asking me to go to Australia? Steve, there are other Healers, far more experienced that me who would jump at the chance, why me?" Hermione asked with a suspicious tone.
"To be honest Hermione, yes there are other Witches and Wizards with better qualifications and more experience than you but that is the whole point. I think that you will benefit the most from this exchange, not only will you learn a lot and gain more experience, you will help with the clinical trials. Also, don't get mad Hermione, but I think it may help you personally, a change may be what you need!" Steven explained
"I think you may be right, there is nothing really keeping me here, Harry and Ginny have each other, and their baby is due nearer Christmas, so I see them less and less now-a-days, when will I have to leave?" Hermione asked, making up her mind there and then on the spot.
Steven, a little shocked, explained that she would have to leave by international floo in 2 days time, which would give her time to say her goodbyes and pack.
Later that night at the Potter's
"So Hermione, what is this news that you mentioned, come on we're all ears," Ginny smiled, curling up o the sofa with Harry while Hermione sat in the arm chair by the fire.
"Well, I've got a new job," Hermione began, only to be interrupted by Harry
"That's great Hermione, you were only saying last week how fed up you were of A&E, where abouts is it, what will you be doing?"
"Well you see that's the thing, I'm going to be moving…… To Australia"
"WHAT, Australia, as in OZ, Kangaroos, Koala's and Crocodile Dundee?" Harry exclaimed, a little shocked, Ginny looked confused
"What's a Crocodile Dundee?"
"It's a film character Ginny, but Harry look at it from my view, what have I got here to stay for? My job is horrible, you two have each other and we see each other less and less now what with our jobs etc and my parents have moved to America anyway. The job is a dream come true, it's only for a year anyway!"
"When do you leave?" Harry asked, seeming to have calmed down a little at the thought of her returning after a year.
"In two days time" Hermione answered, not meeting his eyes
"Well, in that case we'll have to help you pack!" Ginny said with a smile on her face.
Hermione new that even though she was escaping to the other side of the world, her friends were always there for her if she needed them, she was going to miss them a lot!