Except it was a huge deal. Not to toot my own horn, but apparently, I was one of the most requested and talented healers on staff and St. Mungo's didn't want to lose my skill. They attempted a counter offer with a bigger office and salary, but I couldn't be bought. Standing firm in my decision, I finished out my two weeks while simultaneously packing for my move.

The next issue came in the form of one Harry Potter. I still remember the flare of his temper when he flooed over last week and found me packing...

"Hey, Hermione. Decided to finally take that vacation?" He asked as he casually walked to my kitchen in search of something to drink.

I had been meaning to tell both Harry and Ginny of my new position, but I was putting it off as long as possible. With Harry in my kitchen while I packed up my things, I had no choice but to tell him the truth.

"Harry, can we sit down for a minute?"

He eyed me skeptically. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything! Well, I guess that's not exactly true. I did do something, but it's not anything bad. I promise."

Still keeping an eye on me, Harry sat across from me in my small sitting room.

My palms began to sweat as I thought of what I was about to do. In the end, I decided it was best to get it over with. "You see, I haven't been as happy as I could be lately at St. Mungos. Another position opened up and I applied. I've been accepted and I start next week."

Harry relaxed. "Oh, well that's great news! Especially if it's something you think you'll be happier with. I know how disappointed you've been since you were promoted. Where's the new position? I wasn't aware there was another..." His voice trailed off as he took a minute to really take in the nearly empty room. "Hermione, you are packing to take a trip. Right?"

I swallowed hard. "No, actually. The position I have taken is for team healer of the Appleby Arrows. I'll still be based in England here; I'll be moving to the team flats and I'll have a fair bit of travel."

Harry sat back in his chair and ran a hand through his already messy hair. "Hermione, this is crazy. You don't even like Quidditch."

I scoffed. "That's not true. I don't like playing Quidditch. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the game. I'm not going to play, I'm going to be a healer." I squared my shoulders in confidence. "I'll be there on site for injuries, but also work on their overall health which is something severely lacking in the Wizarding World. This is a great opportunity for me."

He stared at me for a moment as if deciding on how to react. "You think you'll be happier with this job?"

My face softened. "I really do, Harry. It will challenge me in a different way and I've always wanted to travel. I think it will be good for me."

"I'm not saying it won't be fun, I just wonder if at this stage in life that kind of lifestyle is good for you. You've talked about wanting to settle down and being a part of a traveling Quidditch team doesn't exactly make that easy."

"I appreciate your concern Harry, but the hours I've been keeping makes that just as difficult. I know that you and Ginny are settling into parenthood and Ginny loves her weekly mom's groups and all of that, but I think it's time I accepted that I'm just not there yet. And don't talk about me like I'm ancient. I'm still only 23 for another few weeks! It doesn't feel right to hold myself back from an opportunity that I'm really excited about because of other what ifs running around in my brain. This is what I want to do and I hope you can support that."

He let out a large sigh. "I guess I don't have a choice. I just want you to be happy."

While I'm not entirely convinced he was happy about it, Harry didn't say anything else on the subject and I was able to finish up my packing.

It was almost a relief when I finally arrived at my new flat. The building was relatively small, but just around the corner from the stadium and had everything the team could need. On the main level was a state of the art work out facility that included strength training and agility training equipment. There was also a physical therapy room and a large pool. I actually even had a main floor office as well. The room could be used when doing nutritional consultations or if players have any concerns they want addressed outside of practice time. I wouldn't have set hours for that, but rather a flexible schedule to work out with the individual who is seeking consultation.

The units themselves were quite nice. It wasn't over the top, but spacious enough with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Many of the team members are married and the flats have to be big enough and nice enough to house their families.

One might think that with the large salaries Quidditch players make they would all be off buying mansions, but the Appleby Arrows do things a bit differently. They've found having everyone together in a community builds a stronger team and it also gives those with families the most time together since they can train from home.

Of course, that didn't help them much this past season. The team apparently suffered several injuries that really affected their chances to come out on top. That was part of the reason Garrett wanted a new healer with more experience and an open mind to whole body health. That worked out lovely for me.

I had taken the weekend to unpack and get settled before the team practice on Monday. I was anxious to get started in my new role. It was 8am and I was waiting by the Coach's office at the stadium. The wait was short as Garrett came running up just a few minutes after I arrived.

"Healer Granger! So wonderful to see you again. I just checked in with the main office and all the official paperwork has been filed for you to work as our healer so you're good to go. The team is down by the field ready to get started. Let's get you down there to meet them and then I'll show you your set up."

I agreed and we made our way through the many levels of the building to the field itself. While I had been to many games, this was the first time I had actually been on professional stadium grass. I felt so small looking out at all the many seats around us.

Before us stood the team of seven, huddled together in some intense conversation, getting ready to start.

Garrett's booming voice interrupted them, though the way they were grouped, I still couldn't quite see everyone just yet. "Alright, calm down you lot. I'd like you to meet the new team healer, Hermione Granger. Healer Granger, this is the team. We've got our chasers, Sophia Rose, David Danvers, and Eliza Edwards." The trio presented their hands in welcome. "Then we've got our beaters, Alex Alvarez and Murphy Pheonix." Again, those named came forward so I could put a face to a name.

"Let's see, just two left then. This is our seeker, Howard Haskel." The smallest member of the team welcomed me with a quick bow.

"And that just leaves our keeper. Oliver Wood."

I had to do a double take as my former housemate made his way from the back of the group.

His face was lit with a smile and recognition. "Well, I'll be!" He opened his arms and I accepted his hug. "Can't say you're who I expected when they said we had a new healer, but it's mighty good to see you."

"You as well, Oliver!" Through the excitement of the job change and move, there had been plenty of nerves as I transitioned to this new stage of my life. As soon as I saw Oliver's smiling face, I felt myself relax a little. Seeing a familiar face was a welcomed sight.

"Ah yes, I forgot there was a chance you had crossed paths at Hogwarts." Garrett turned to me. "Wood here is actually fairly new to the team as well. He just signed a three-year contract last month. We finally got him away from Puddlemere." He knocked Oliver's shoulder with his own. "Anyways, you lot need to get up in the air and do some laps to warm up. Healer Granger, you follow me and I'll show you your set up."

I waved goodbye to the team and followed Garrett to an area on the outskirts of the field. I had never noticed the healer's tent at games before, but the set up was rather nice. There was a room built into the ground level of the stands. The front wall and the ceiling were entirely windows giving me a full view of the game, but there were hangings that could be moved in front of them if I had a patient.

"This will be your spot during the game. Take a look around and familiarize yourself with everything. If there is anything you feel you may be missing, please let me know and we can get it ordered. I know you moved in over the weekend and I trust you've seen your office there. If you need to do any potion making, feel free to use that space to do so. That way you don't have to bring work into your personal quarters. Do you have any questions so far?"

I shook my head. "I really don't. What I would like to do is familiarize myself with this space and take an inventory of what's here. I'll need to look at the mobile kit for away games as well. If it's not too much trouble, I would also like to schedule some time one on one with each member of the team this week to get to know them and put together a profile on each."

"Yes, of course. I do have here their medical profiles, but I'm sure you would like to make your own care plans for each person after talking to the team. Practice will be a few hours today, we are trying out a new formation, but then after I will send them all down to schedule something."

"Lovely." I said with excitement. I couldn't wait to meet everyone and set things in motion.

And with that, Garrett went to go supervise the team while I began to catalog my new workstation.