A/N: Harry Potter is a big jerk in Chapter Two. I know that! It was a very hard chapter for me to write since it broke my heart as well. I enjoyed reading your comments. I agree that he doesn't deserve to be easily forgiven. But hey, we'll see how it goes, okay?
I appreciate the follows, faves, and reviews.
My Cheating Heart almost ties with All Because of You in terms of the level of difficulty to conceptualize and write.
Anyway, here is chapter three. I hope you like it.
My Cheating Heart
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Three: Back with A Vengeance
With a nod to her junior researchers, Hermione along with Kei Irie and Evangeline Rosier held tight on an old rope that port keyed them to the main hall of the British Ministry of Magic. After ten minutes of spinning, they landed on the hard stone floor. As soon as they arrived, wizards and witches immediately focused their attention on the newcomers. Of course, a lot of the ministry employees recognized her and they started to whisper. Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Welcome back to Britain!
"Excuse me, Lady Potter?", a tall dark gentleman approached their team.
"It's Hermione Granger", she replied in a formal voice.
"Oh, sorry, Hermione", the gentleman said sheepishly.
"Sorry but you look familiar", she stared at the man.
"You don't remember me, Hermione? We were in Gryffindor together. It's me. Dean Thomas", the man replied.
"Oh, yes. Of course! Hello Dean! Could you please escort me and my team to the Office of the Minister for Magic, please? Or really to anyone here who requested for clemency at the ICW", she gestured to her team who immediately stood alert.
"Please follow me, Hermione", Dean smiled and led the way.
"These are my teammates, Kei Irie and Evangeline Rosier", she introduced as they hurriedly followed Dean Thomas.
"Please to meet you Healer Irie, Healer Rosier. I'm Auror Thomas", Dean politely replied as they walked the halls.
"Here we are, Hermione. It's good to see you back in Britain. Healer Rosier, Healer Irie", Dean nodded before leaving them as they stood outside the Office of the Minister of Magic. Hermione knocked and to her surprise, Harry Potter opened the door.
"Hermione?", her ex-husband said with surprise.
"Sorry to intrude Lord Potter, but my team and I just arrived. We're here to see the minister for a quick briefing before we head straight to St. Mungo's", she replied formally.
"Please come inside, Lady Potter", Harry widely opened the door and stepped aside. She rolled her eyes at the Lady Potter comment. Don't give in to the bait. He's just teasing you. Trying to get into your nerves.
"Did that tosser just called the chief, Lady Potter, Vangie?", Kei Irie whispered to his partner.
"Shut it Kei!", Evangeline Rosier shushed the Japanese fellow.
"Lady Potter! It's so good to see you back in Britain, even if it's due to very sad circumstances", Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt greeted.
"Minister Kingsley", she formally greeted as she shook the man's hand.
"It's good to see the most brilliant mind of Britain and the best healer in the world back in our shores", Kingsley smiled.
"I'm hardly the best healer nor the most brilliant mind. Anyway, let me introduce my teammates. Kei Irie of Japan. He is our expert for genetic mutations and Pathology. And this lovely lady is Evangeline Rosier of France. She is an expert on skeletal diseases and potions. I selected them for a reason given the initial insights on the epidemic which we received from the British healers through communications", she explained.
"Brilliant! Anyway, Lady Potter, if you don't mind my asking. What is your domain of expertise in terms of healing? Also, how long will you be staying here? And where are you staying for that matter?", the minister inquired.
"Minister, I do hope you call me by my maiden name. I believe it's been ten years since I am entitled to the Lady Potter name", she said formally.
"I beg your pardon, Hermione. It's just, well, per British records, you are still the Lady Potter", the minister explained.
"What? That's impossible!", she was aghast. Just what in the name of Merlin is going on here?
"Er, well, this should be a different discussion, isn't it?", the minister said awkwardly while glancing at her ex-husband.
"Right. Anyway, my expertise lies on the dark arts, vile curses, hexes, and surgery. Since we are not certain as to how the epidemic is spread, the three of us are here for that specific reason. Of course, if my initial investigation finds that the epidemic is not due to the dark arts, a curse, or a hex and if the cure does not involve surgery, then I would return to Switzerland and send someone more qualified for the case. Rosier and Irie will stay as long as they are needed here. Our accommodations will be provided by Rosier's cousins, Draco and Astoria Malfoy", she narrated.
"I've heard from Harry over here, how your quick action saved the life of Auror Richards. You are too modest Hermione. The victims will be in a better place if you are here with us", Kingsley stated.
"You are too kind, minister. Anyway, should there be any particular details we should be privy to before we get ourselves settled in St. Mungo's?"
"Here are some papers documenting the cases of the victims. Also, Head Auror Potter will be providing your security here in Britain. You three are here as dignitaries from the ICW after all. I imagine that Akingbade will not be pleased with me if something bad happens to his most talented medical researchers", Kingsley chuckled.
"Thank you, minister. Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you so much for coming here, Hermione. Thank you also, Healer Irie, Healer Rosier", the minister shook each of their hands.
"Please follow me, I'll escort you to St. Mungo's", Harry led them out of the minister's office and they quietly followed.
"Irie, Rosier, as soon as we arrive, I want you to interview the healers attending the patients. Ask for thorough medical records of each case. I will then be extracting blood samples so Irie can study if there is an observable genetic mutation from the blood cells. If there is a skin irritation visible, then we can lightly scrape the epidermal layer as well. Rosier, I need x-ray scans and an initial list of potions that can be given to mitigate the prevalent effects of the epidemic. If we can't cure it yet, best to focus on two things: how the virus is spread, and to control the worsening of each case. Is that understood?", she briefed her colleagues as Harry led the way.
"Yes, chief!", the team chorused.
"Er, excuse me, Lady -"
"Ms. Granger", she interrupted.
"Fine! Ms. Granger, what about your things?", Harry asked.
"We will be meeting the Malfoys in St. Mungo's and we'll be going home with them when their shift ends. You shouldn't worry so much about us. We'll be fine", she said formally before she returned to her calm and stoic demeanor.
"Here we are. Just yell St. Mungo's and we'll be there soon", Harry gestured to the floo. Hermione nodded to her team and Rosier and Irie went first. When she was about to enter the fireplace, Harry held her arm.
"Hermione, can we talk?"
"We are talking", she replied curtly.
"There is something we need to discuss", Harry insisted.
"Look if this is about what the minister said about the whole Lady Potter thing, then if there was something wrong with the divorce papers I drafted, find a lawyer and draft another one. When it's done, hand it to me so I can sign it", she shrugged.
"That's not the problem", Harry sighed.
"Then what? Oh. Fine! How much alimony do you want? After all, the whole marriage was my fault anyway", she rolled her eyes. The nerve of this man to seek alimony from me! But fine! Whatever! It's not like I can't afford it anyway.
"You think I want your money?", Harry was offended.
"Look, Lord Potter, I gave you the divorce papers many years ago. It was ironclad. Now I arrive here and discover that legally I'm still Lady Potter. So just tell me what do you want? You're wasting my time and my patients need me!", she said angrily. She saw that they were attracting attention. Harry noticed too so he held her hand and dragged her to an empty corridor.
"Have dinner with me tomorrow night", Harry gave her a penetrating stare.
"I'll be busy for the next few days. I can't just have dinner with you, Lord Potter", she said sarcastically.
"Fine! I'll wait until you're free", he insisted.
"Look! Just tell me what you bloody want so that the divorce can carry on. I'm sure your girlfriend would want this situation fixed immediately", she glared at him.
"Ah, well! I don't have a girlfriend so I can wait until forever for that dinner", he smirked.
"Fine! Meet me at the Malfoy residence on Sunday night at seven. Then we can discuss this divorce business", she huffed.
"See you at seven. Wear a dress", he smirked. He was happy to have gotten his way.
"I'll be in a bloody smock", she rolled her eyes and walked away. Her jerk of an ex-husband just laughed.
"St. Mungo's", she yelled as she stepped into the fireplace. She glared at her smirking ex-husband before she disappeared in green flames.
"Chief! What took you so long?", Rosier asked as she exited the floo.
"Annoying ex-husband", she whispered and Rosier nodded.
"It's our pleasure to have you here in St. Mungo's Lady -"
"Please, just call me Hermione Granger or chief. Or Healer Granger. Never call me by my ex-husband's last name", she insisted and the healer nodded.
"I'm so sorry, Chief!", the female healer was ashamed.
"No worries", she shrugged.
"Now Healer Carmichael, could you please brief us on what you already know of the epidemic so far", she inquired. Her team immediately had notepads and pens in their hands as they took notes.
Harry Potter arrived at St. Mungo's and immediately inquired about the ICW's medical researchers. The male healer led him to the ward that says Intensive Care Unit for Unknown Diseases. When he entered the door, he was surprised. The entire Weasley family was there, sitting on one of the benches across a locked room with fifteen very sick looking children. He could see how sick the children were because there was a large glass window that allows worried family members to see what's happening inside the ward. Hermione and her team were now accompanied by two healers from St. Mungo's. It was clear that Hermione was in the zone doing complicated diagnostic tests while Irie was following Hermione's orders and taking blood samples. Rosier was also busy examining the skeletal structures of each patient using a charm that he's never seen performed before. Merlin! Hermione may just be the world's best healer indeed!
"Harry?", he heard Ron's voice.
"Hello, Ron. I didn't know that Freddie and Julianna were affected by the epidemic. I am so sorry", he offered his sympathies.
"Harry, Hermione can cure them, right? Hermione is the Chief of the ICW's Medical Research Department after all!", Ron exclaimed.
"I can't give you any assurance, Ron. I have seen Hermione operate on my comrade though. Bloke didn't even know he was under a dark curse but with one glance, she just knew what to do. She operated on him on the spot and he was fully healed. Hermione may just be the world's best healer, Ron. If someone can find a cure, then it's her and the team she's brought along", he tried to reassure his friend.
"Harry! Please tell me Hermione can cure my grandkids!", Mrs. Weasley wailed.
"Hermione will surely do her best, Mrs. Weasley", he said formally.
"Harry! Hermione is the best, right? She can cure my Julianna, right?", a crying Ginny Zabini approached.
"Mrs. Zabini, I am sure the ICW medical research team will do their best", he curtly replied.
"Hello, Harry!", George greeted.
"I am so sorry about your son, George", he patted the man's back.
"Yes, it is really sad indeed. But with Hermione here, I am confident that she can find the cure. If Hermione helped in finding a cure for lycanthropy, then this epidemic is just like a walk in the park for her", George tried to joke but Harry could see the worry and stress in the man's eyes.
"Of course, George! That's the world's most brilliant healer in there!", he said jovially. His eyes followed Hermione's every movement and he was amazed. This was like watching her operate on Richards but this time, she was more determined. Of course! Since the patients are children, she is more invested in this. Viola died in her arms and the mother in Hermione will not let another parent suffer the pain she experienced…
He saw that Hermione was finished in visiting each patient as she thoroughly conducted diagnostic tests while a parchment and quill automatically wrote notes for each child. Hermione went to Irie and he could see the man nod. Rosier also nodded and the five healers looked at each other before leaving the room. As soon as they exited the room, the family members of the patients immediately crowded Hermione. As their auror guard, he immediately dragged the grieving family members away from the healers.
"Let's please not crowd the healers!", he reminded everyone.
"Hermione! Please tell me you can save my grandkids!", Mrs. Weasley ran towards Hermione but Harry's arm separated the two women.
"Mrs. Weasley, we are doing the best we can. If you'll excuse us, we need to study on the blood samples", she said formally and then turned around to leave with the rest of the healers.
"Chief Healer Granger!", a voice that Harry knew called out. Hermione turned to face the voice and gasped. He was also astounded! Ginny Zabini kneeled in front of Hermione and cried.
"Hermione, I know how much I've hurt you in the past. Hell! My family has hurt you so much. But please, Hermione! Please! You are my only hope! Save my Julianna and George's son, Freddie. Please, Hermione! I'm begging you", Ginny wailed as she tugged on Hermione's robes.
"Mrs. Zabini, please let go of the chief healer!", he admonished as he removed Ginny's hands from Hermione's robes. Ginny slowly let go and cried.
"Please, Hermione! Please!"
"Mrs. Zabini, I promise to do the best I can", Hermione said formally while not glancing at the woman.
"I am so sorry Hermione, I am so sorry", Ginny cried.
"Mrs. Zabini, please get up. Our personal affairs are not included in my relationship with your daughter. I am a healer and your daughter is a patient under my care. You do not need to apologize", Hermione explained while still not looking at the wailing woman on her knees.
"I'll do anything, Hermione. Just heal my Julianna!", Ginny cried.
"If you'll excuse us. The healers and I have to convene", Hermione nodded and turned around to leave the ward. As auror guard, Harry quietly followed the rest of the healers.
"Chief? Isn't that crying woman the bitch who accused you of all those vile things years ago?", he heard Irie ask Hermione.
"Irie! Focus on the work at hand. My personal affairs with that woman are not important! We need to find a cure! Am I clear?", Hermione glared at the obnoxious man.
"Chief, yes, chief!", the man was scared.
"Hermione Granger!", a voice Harry hated called out.
"Draco! It's so good to see you! Thank you for letting us stay at your home. Where is Astoria?", Hermione said happily. To Harry's surprise, Hermione hugged the ferret.
"It's good to see you too Hermione. Astoria is in an operation. A witch is giving birth to twins", Draco smiled.
"That's great! Two new lives brought into this world", Hermione smiled but Harry could hear the pain in her voice.
"Cousin!", Evangeline Rosier hugged Draco as well.
"Drake, meet Kei Irie", Hermione introduced and the men shook hands.
"Enough of this mushy talk. Let's work!", Hermione clapped her hands and everyone immediately took their seats and waited for Hermione's instructions. Harry stepped outside of the healer's office and sat on a bench. After one hour, the ICW medical research team exited the room.
"Lord Potter, why are you still here?", Hermione asked.
"Protection detail remember?", he shrugged.
"It's not like someone's gonna attacks us here", she rolled her eyes.
"I'm just following orders, alright?", he explained and she ignored him.
"Irie, I have a feeling that the virus is spread via tactile interaction. So, please ask a healer here to interview all the parents waiting in the ICU ward about all the children that their kids have recently played with in the last three weeks. That way, we can have those kids checked here, as soon as possible. Once we find Patient A, then we can map how the virus was spread. While we have initial insight on how the curse affects the body, I still need a full pathological analysis, Irie. Rosier, please review each case and see if the x-ray scans reveal anything on the nature of the virus' impact on bones. I need your reports as soon as possible. At the Malfoy home, let's call headquarters and talk about the initial results we have gathered. Understood?", Hermione commanded.
"Yes, chief!", the two chorused before leaving. Hermione walked to another direction which Harry quietly followed. When she noticed his presence, she raised an eyebrow at him as she tore her glance away from the medical records she was reading.
"Just ignore me", he shrugged.
"Aren't you supposed to protect all three of us?", she inquired even if she was busy looking at the medical records.
"Yes, but as chief, you are the most important", he replied.
"Whatever", she replied as she entered a door which says Medical Records. This has got to be my most boring yet entertaining mission!
At ten in the evening, a curly-haired brunette apparated to Godric's Hallow and walked towards the kissing gate. Hermione Granger cast a quiet Lumos and she trudged the way to the Potters' tombstones. When she arrived at Lily and James Potter's tombstones, she conjured some flowers for each of them before she carefully dropped them. After that, she turned her attention to the real reason as to why she came to Godric's Hollow at night. The Malfoys lived in a simple two-story house in London but she quietly left the house just to visit her most beloved daughter's resting place...
Viola Lily Potter
May 9, 1999 – August 25, 1999
Beloved Angel
"Hello, my darling angel!", Hermione greeted, as she carefully placed the bouquet of red roses she bought from Diagon Alley, near her daughter's tombstone.
"I miss you so much, my darling. Mummy is so sorry that she's never visited. Mummy cannot bear to come here and remember that you're no longer with me darling. I think of you every day. I am sure you know that", she squatted on the grass. Tears were already falling down her eyes.
"I love you so much, Vi! I hope that you have forgiven, mummy. I am so sorry that I couldn't save you my darling. I tried! Believe me, I did! But mummy is just not good enough. I do hope you're proud of all the work mummy has done. You are my inspiration, darling!", she continued to talk as she sobbed.
"Vi, there are fifteen children that need mummy's help. It is a very complicated case, Vi. Please pray for me my darling. Give mummy strength. Help mummy keep her promise to you! You were my first patient Vi and you died in my arms. Pray to the gods that are now cradling you in their embrace so that mummy can help these children. Please, my darling! Help mummy! I can't have another patient die!", her forehead was now on the grass as she talked to her daughter and cried.
"I love you, Viola Lily! You are my inspiration! The reason why I wake up every single day to be the best healer I can be! I failed you my darling but I will not fail another patient again!", she cried. Hermione carefully stood up from her position on the grass and touched the tombstone. She kissed her fingertips and touched the stone with her daughter's name.
"I will always love you, my little angel! You are always in mummy's heart, that is a promise", she wiped a tear from her eyes and she walked away.
A raven-haired man hiding under an invisibility cloak had tears in his eyes as he saw the curly-haired brunette walk away. He took the cloak off and knelt by Viola Lily Potter's tombstone.
"I'm so sorry Viola Lily. I failed you and your mother", he tightly pulled on the grass as he cried for the daughter he unknowingly hurt and the wife he killed deep inside.