Disclaimers: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters. I also do not own the plot, it is copied from an awesome Romance novel from Christina Dodd. I only mixed my two favorite things to create this.
Previous Chapter:
"Don't you remember anything I have told you about my husband?" Hermione said angrily. "He was a gambling fool. He used me to hide from the wrath of the people he robbed. Even my in-laws warned me about him. I was a naïve and didn't listen to them. They disowned him. I am not about to make a mistake of bringing him back into my life." By the time she finished, Hermione's cheeks were wet with tears.
"What if I order you to go to your husband, and release you from my services?" Lady Hawford asked in a small voice.
"You wouldn't." Hermione said in a horrified voice.
A few hours later, Hermione was on her way to Hogwarts.
End.
Hermione could not use magic. It would be detected by the Ministry of Magic. She had to travel the muggle way to Hogsmeade where she would be picked up. It took her about a week to reach Hogsmeade. She was provided a comfortable carriage that held all her belongings. As soon as she put her foot down in Hogsmeade, she felt the magical energy surround her. Hermione was very sensitive to the energy around her. It had been such a long time, almost seven years, since she had used magic. Hermione had her wand stored safely in the chemise of her dress.
"Mrs. Weasley, if you will please follow me." One of the house elf said. "Do you have any other places to visit before we head to Hogwarts, Madam?"
"If you don't mind, can we please stop by the apothecary? I need to pick up some ingredients." Hermione replied politely.
"Sure, Missus." The house-elf led the way to the ingredient shop. It took Hermione about half an hour to gather necessary items for later use. After that, the house-elf helped Hermione get to Hogwarts faster by side-along apparation.
The magnificent castle was standing tall. The house-elf disappeared after leaving Hermione at the gates. She waited for someone to come and guide her. She looked up and saw a shadow coming towards her. It was the shadow of an elderly man, a man who was over a hundred years old, but still had the spirit and enthusiasm of a man in his prime; it was a shadow of Albus Dumbledore.
"Mrs. Weasley, welcome back to Hogwarts. It has been a long time since you graduated. I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am. I know that you and Mr. Weasley are estranged, and this must be difficult for you." Dumbledore smiled, without the usual spark in his eyes.
"Professor, sir, I have not come to see my husband, but to treat a patient. Will you please show me to my duties?" Hermione said, her voice void of any emotions.
"Mr. Weasley is given his own private quarters. The new term does not start for several weeks, so there will be no students. The ministry has provided a healer and a maid, because Fred was injured while fighting the Death Eaters. They are trying their hardest to save Mr. Weasley's life. I believe it would be more helpful if Fred heard a more familiar voice. If you will follow Hickey, the house-elf, she will show you to Mr. Weasley's quarters."
"Where will I be staying?" Hermione asked, her eyes narrowed.
"There are two separate beds in Mr. Weasley's room. It's for the best if you stay there." Dumbledore left before Hermione could reply.
Hermione followed Hickey. Fred's room was near the entrance of the dungeons. Hermione knocked before she entered, and almost wished she hadn't. Hickey disappeared.
The room was dark and smelled strongly of sweat and blood; it smelled like illness. The window curtains were closed, only allowing the darkest of lights to enter. The room had a gloomy look. Hermione shivered. The room gave the aura of death. On the bed, a still form was covered in blankets. A maid was sleeping in the chair by the bed.
Hermione crossed the room and went near the bed. What she saw shocked her. She had never thought that she would see Fred Weasley in this condition. He had bandages all over his face. She could see that the face was swollen. One of his foot was in a badly-shaped cast. As the nurse part of Hermione took over, she touched his forehead to feel his temperature, and lifted her hand almost instantly. Weasley's body was too warm.
"Weasley," Hermione said in a weak voice, to see if he would reply. He remained motionless.
'There needs to be some changes.' Hermione thought. She moved to the window, and opened the curtain. The change of light woke the maid.
"Hey," she protested, "who are you? You are not allowed to open the curtain. See the man over there," she pointed to the bed, "he is dying. Can't you just leave him alone? The doctor recommended that the curtains to be closed, to not irritate Mr. Weasley. The healer-"
She was cut off by Hermione, "-is a fool if he recommended this."
"You still haven't told me who you are, miss?" the foolish maid questioned Hermione once again.
"I am his wife." Hermione pointed to Fred Weasley. The words had the desired effect on the maid.
"I am sorry miss, but I was just following the orders from the healer." The maid left the room in hurry. A few moments later an old man appeared, with the maid tagging behind him. The man was apparently the healer the maid was talking about.
"What are you doing here?" the healer demanded in a strong voice.
Hermione just ignored him and started removing the bandages on Fred's face. The healer looked horrified.
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing here?" the healer was so angry, that he didn't notice Dumbledore enter the room. "The man is going to die. He is in no conditions to suffer any more pain, you wench."
Dumbledore's eyes grew cold as he listened to the healer talk. "Do you mean to tell me that you have not been treating Mr. Weasley all this time, because you believed that he was going to die?" The healer looked horrified.
"N-no." He stammered. "But just look at him. By removing the bandages, the swelling has gone up even more."
It was true. The face was swelling so fast; Hermione could barely recognize the form. Hermione then wondered, if she had made a mistake by removing the bandages. But they were so old, and they needed to be replaced.
"I can use ice baths to help with the swelling. Can you arrange for the house-elves to bring some ice, Professor Dumbledore?" He nodded.
"Healer Haler, your services are no longer needed." Dumbledore said icily. The healer and the maid left. Dumbledore turned to Hermione. "I am so very sorry. I didn't know that they were treating him like a corpse. Do you think you will be able to take care of him, or should I hire another Healer?"
"No, I will be able to take care of Weasley. I have bought some potion ingredients, just incase they are needed. I could use a helping hand around here. Can you arrange that?" Hermione said.
"I can get any materials you need. I can also ask one of the house-elves, Hickey perhaps, to help you." Hermione nodded at that and began checking the pulse. Everything was normal. Dumbledore exited the room. A few moments later, Hickey appeared.
"May I help you miss?" Hickey asked.
"Yes, Hickey, can I ask you some questions?" Hermione looked at the elf who nodded. "Can you tell me anything about Mr. Weasley's conditions?"
The elf looked sad. "Mr. Weasley sir was brought in just over a week ago. He was in a very bad condition when he got here. Dumbledore asked for a healer and the healer came. I just came in twice a day to bring the maid food. As far as I know, sir hasn't been awake. He moaned and said gibberish in nightmares last night, but that was about it."
"All right. I can work with that. Hickey, can you help me when I need it?" the elf nodded happily. "I know Fred. He would hate to be tied up in a bed. To prevent sore muscles, we will need to move his arms and legs. Without magic if you don't mind. He also needs a bath; can you arrange some warm water with soothing minerals to be brought here? Oh, and don't forget a sponge." Hermione requested.
After giving him a sponge bath, Hermione decided to change the sheets. She used magic for the first time in several years. She felt the magic in her body stir.
"So, Weasley," Hermione siad, "how in the name of heaven did you hurt yourself? I can imagine people beating you up, but the wound on you leg is magical. I happen to know that you usually played cards with the muggles. I can see why; it's easier to cheat in the game." Hermione talked aloud, trying to get a response from her patient. He laid motionless.
A pheonis entered the open window and stopped in front of Hermione.
"Hello Fawks. Do you have a message for me?" Hermione asked. Fawks simply held out his leg. Hermione took the rolled note. It was from Dumbledore.
'Mrs. Weasley,
I must ask you not to leave the Hogwarts grounds while you are staying here. It is not safe to leave, as there are Voldemort's followers roaming the village of Hogsmeade. You may visit Hagird, and the Greenhouses on the ground. Thank you again for your help. I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Dumbledore.'
Hermione shook her head. The sun was setting now. The sky was a mixture of purples and orange. The last of sun's ray were coming in through the window. It lighted Hermione's patient's face. With a moan, Fred Weasley opened his eyes for the first time in almost 10 days.
His very oceanic blue eyes staring right at her.
