"Urgh…All this paperwork….it's so tiring…" Hermione mumbled to herself while sitting in her office at the Ministry of Magic. Hermione worked in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and sometimes she worked as a healer for St. Mungo's Hospital.

Knock, Knock!

"Yes, who is it?" she asked, glancing up at the door.

"Good morning, Hermione. I see you're here bright and early, like always," Her boss said, smiling as he pushed the door open enough to poke his head through.

"Like always? What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, folding her arms cross her chest, "Anyways, was there something you wanted, Mr. Vanstrife?"

"Well, I have a new partner for you. He came to me yesterday asking about a job here, so I set him up with you. Hope you don't mind."

"Umm…no, no problem, is he here now?" she asked.

"Yes, yes one moment," Mr. Vanstrife said before disappearing behind the door only to return seconds later with a young, brown haired boy, "Hermione, I would like to introduce to you your new partner, Darren Vincent."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Vincent," Hermione said, extending her hand.

"Darren, call me Darren. It's a pleasure," he said, taking her hand in his and kissing it.

"Well, hope everything works out. I'll expect your reports on my desk before you leave for lunch, got it? Hermione you know what to do, so get him started, and remember: before lunch. I mean it!" Mr. Vanstrife said before leaving the room; closing the door rather hard behind him.

Sighing, Hermione returned her attention back to Darren she said, "So, were you originally from around here?"

"No, actually, I'm from Liverpool; far east of here, have you heard of it? I moved her last month," he said, grabbing a seat in front of Hermione's desk.

"Yes, I have heard of it because I used to live there. I lived in an apartment building for eight years before I moved back here. I went over there to further my training," she said, reaching into a side drawer and pulling out a stack of files.

"What are those for?"

"These are the reports we have to finish. I get three and you get three. Do you know what to do?"

"Yes, of course," he said, laughing to himself.

"Well than, here are your reports to complete. You can use that empty desk over there, it's yours now," Hermione said before picking up her pen to start writing.

Periodically, Hermione would look up from her paperwork to find Darren spaced out. Finally after the fifth time she spoke.

"Darren?"

No answer.

"Darren?" she said a little louder, causing him to jump.

"What?"

"Are you having troubles with your report? I told the boss to lay low for a few days. Plus, you seem a little distracted."

"Oh, sorry. I'll get straight to work," he said, once again taking up his pen and beginning to write.

An hour later Hermione dropped her pen on the desk and stretched; slightly yawning.

"Well, that was long. I'm done, how about you Darren?" she asked, standing up and walking over to the filing cabinet in front of Darren's desk. As she bent over, Darren found himself looking her over. But before he could say anything, she slapped him a cross the face.

"Darren Vincent!" she shouted.

"Sorry, sorry! I—I…" he started, but stopped when he noticed that Hermione was giggling to herself, "What's so funny?"

"Do you always do that to any woman you work with?"

"Only if I find them attractive…"

"Thanks but I'm already taken. So, what are you doing for lunch?"

"Umm…"

"How about I treat you?" she asked, grabbing her coat.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, sure, no problem, Lets go," she said, grabbing her report and heading for the door.

Darren shoved his papers in drawer and hurried after her. They stopped the Boss's office, dropped the reports off, and finally left the building.

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"That was great!" Darren murmured, setting his fork down on the table, "You have excellent taste."

"Well, thank you. I'm going to the ladies room. I'll be right back, okay?" Hermione responded, standing up to leave.

"All right," he said. Darren watched her make her way through the restaurant towards the bathroom.

As soon as he saw her disappear behind the bathroom door, he reached in his pocket and retrieved a small bottle. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, he poured the potion into Hermione's iced tea.

"Heh, that should do it," Darren said, snickering to himself. A few moments later Hermione returned, taking her seat.

"So, you excited about working for us?" she asked, taking a sip of her drink.

"Yeah, I can't wait," he said, a smile spreading across his face.

About a half hour later, in the middle of a conversation, Hermione suddenly began to feel ill. Than slowly, her head began to feel strange.

"Darren, what were we just talking about?" she asked, rubbing her forehead.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Uh…never mind, I'm gonna go home. I'll just talk to you later, all right?" Hermione stood up and took off for her car without waiting for a reply.

Back at the diner, Darren laughed, "Lets see how you like this. Everything will soon go just as we suspected…"

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As soon as Hermione arrived at their house, she rushed through the doorway and straight for the toilet.

"Hermione?" a voice said from the living room, "Hermione, are you all right?"

Hermione looked up to see Harry's silhouette now kneeling beside her.

"Harry, what did I do today? I can remember a thing! Harry what's wrong with me! ARGGGGHHHH! Wh—What did I just say? Oh Harry!" Hermione cried, grabbing hold of Harry's chest and squeezing him.

"Hermione, are you feeling alright?" Harry asked, starting to panic slightly, "What did you eat today!"

"I-I don't remember!"

""Hermione, you're coming with me!" Harry shouted, pulling Hermione to her feet.

"Where are we going!" she asked, clinging to him.

"We need to get you some help…" Harry said. Then, grabbing hold of Hermione tightly, Harry threw a hand full of floo powder into the fire.

"St. Mungo's Hospital!"