"Andy?" Hermione's voice came out in a shocked hiss, but her eyes betrayed her calm domineer. It took her a full twenty seconds to recover her composure before she bent down and picked up the skull mask. "You're a…a…death eater?" she asked, staring into the mask.
Andy didn't look in her direction as he started at the ceiling and nodded. "Surprised?"
"Surprised? Andy, I'm about to kill you." Hermione growled, putting the mask on the small bed side table.
Andy shrugged, but he winced as he did so. "So what's wrong with me Doc?"
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Besides being a psycho sick killer of innocents?"
Andy's eyes flicked to look at her, and a dark look passed over his face. "I have only killed twice, and both times was in self defense."
"Is that why those men are after you so badly?" Hermione asked, pulling a set over and slumping into it. She couldn't believe it. She had felt like she had had a connection with Andy last night, but now she just felt like a fool.
Andy shrugged again. "I guess I rubbed them the wrong way."
"Don't get smart with me." Hermione hissed, glaring at him.
"I wasn't trying to be." Andy replied, blinking slowly.
Hermione was silent a moment, before she asked the question that was tugging at her mind. "Did…" she coughed. "Did I run into you last night by accident?"
Andy didn't say anything for a second, before he shook his head sharply. "No. I was meant to find you."
"Was it you in the shadows?" Hermione asked, her stomach knotting with every second that passed.
"Yes."
"Is your name really Andy Histon?"
Andy didn't reply. Hermione wondered why. "Let me ask a simpler question," she said, standing up and walking over to him. She pressed a hand firmly down on his chest. Andy shouted in pain. "Does that hurt?"
"You think?" he snapped, gasping in pain.
"Okay, interesting." Hermione said, getting all professional. "How about this?" she slapped him across the face.
"Not so much." Andy replied defiant.
Hermione looked at where she had pressed on his chest. "Describe the pain." She said, picking up a brown clip board and posing a quill over the paper.
"At the moment, there's a big one in my ass."
Hermione pressed on his chest again. Andy screamed. "Burning? Sharp? Stabbing?"
"Stabbing." Andy winced.
"What spell did they cast onto you?" Hermione asked, scribbling something onto the paper.
"How should I know?" Andy snapped. "You're the healer- cant you tell me?"
Hermione looked at him. "Andy, I could have those men back here in a flash- I think you should be thanking me for saving your neck, and apologizing for wasting my time last night," she added as an after thought.
"Didn't seem like you were worried about it last night." Andy said, smirking at her.
"Yes, but last night, I had no idea that you were a murder." Hermione said, writing a little note on the bottom of his chart.
"So what?" Andy asked, raising an eye brow. "Are you always this picky with your relationships? No one is perfect."
Hermione picked up on that- it sounded exactly like what Ginny had said last night. "No, normally I don't dance with Voldermort's Death Eaters."
"Well sorry, you see, when I meet someone, I always tell them my life's story."
"You could have mentioned the small part about being a murderer!" Hermione shouted, then lowered her voice. "Just forget it."
"Cant." Andy said, trying to look relaxed. "I'm here- your patient."
"Not for much longer." Hermione said, putting the chart on the end of his bed and picking up the mask. She pointed her wand at it, then stuck it back on Andy's face. "Now listen to me." She said, leaning close so she was whispering in his ear. "You don't know me, I don't know you, and thanks to my spell, no one else can remove your mask. I alone know what you look like- I will not let any of the Healers here come to harm; do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Andy nodded.
"Good. Now I will be back to check on you later." Hermione said, straightening up and walking over to the door. She opened it to find Amy standing there, hand poised like she was about to knock.
"The…the boss wants to see you." Amy said, losing her voice for a moment as she caught a glimpse of the death eater lying on the bed. "Its true then isn't it?"
"What is?" Hermione asked, signing a slip of parchment near the door- official acceptance of receiving a patient.
"They really wear those masks." Amy said, looking at her.
Hermione closed the door. "Yes, they do."
"Freaky looking…" Amy stared at the door for a second before she looked back at Hermione again. "So anyways, yes, the boss wants to see you in his office immediately."
"Okay, thanks." Hermione brushed down her healers robes. "Can you make sure my rounds are finished? I have a feeling this will take a while."
Amy nodded. "Sure."
Hermione magically locked Andy's door then headed up the corridor, attracting looks from her fellow co-workers who saw her stand up for a death eater.
Hermione scrambled into the elevator just as the doors were closing, and hit the level key pad with her wand.
The lights in the elevator dimmed and a ladies voice, slightly annoyed, came over a speaker. "Yes?"
"Hermione Granger to see the boss." Hermione said, looking at one of the speakers.
'The boss' is essentially the man in charge of the whole hospital, he was called the boss simply because his name, Markus Fecnonintesa is far too long to say at the end of every sentence and of course, there was no calling him by his first name.
"Do you have an appointment?" the ladies voice asked.
"No, he sent for me." Hermione said in a mono tone.
There was a pause, then the lady said "The boss will see you."
"Dah." Hermione muttered as the elevator jolted into movement.
Hermione couldn't tell weather she was going up or down or side to side- that was the whole point. No one knew where the boss's office was, or even where his snappy secretary plunked her butt every day.
After a moment, the doors opened and Hermione was faced with a large office. Directly opposite her was a large window, that went from the ceiling to the floor and sitting neatly in front of the window was a highly polished wooden desk, and high chair. Sitting in the high chair was the boss.
Hermione edged into the room and saw a dead fireplace to her right, and the walls were lined with tall bookshelves.
"Come in." the boss said in a deep voice.
Hermione walked up to the desk, stopping a meter or so in front of it.
"Please, take a seat." The boss said, gesturing to one of the cushioned chairs in front of the desk.
Hermione sat and felt her insides knot up again.
The boss had short, cropped grey hair, a very pathetic beard, and dark brown eyes that stared calmly into Hermione's face. This man scared Hermione- not his looks but his ability to read your mind, know when your lying and know what your entire life story was, and no, it wasn't a mind trick. He was just good at reading people.
"You took a Death Eater in under your wing and saved him from almost certain death." The boss said after a moment.
Hermione nodded.
"You know him?"
Hermione hesitated. "At the time, no." she said slowly. "He was wearing his mask."
"At the time?" the boss repeated, lacing his fingers together in front of his chin.
Hermione nodded. "When I removed his mask, I recognized him."
"Really?" the boss looked pleasantly surprised. "Who do you spend your afternoons with?"
"Not him." Hermione growled.
"I see." The boss nodded slowly. "How do you know him?"
"He is a recent acquaintance." Hermione said, remembering how the boss liked to talk like he was in a formal ball somewhere and not managing a modern day magical hospital.
"How recent?"
"Last night."
"That recent?" the boss smiled. "I see. And you met him…at a bar?"
"Close. A night club." Hermione said, feeling slightly embarrassed- why was she having this conversation with her boss?
"And you feel like you need to protect him?" the boss asked, looking at her with his chocolate eyes.
"Honestly, I don't know. I took him in before I saw who it was- I didn't even know he was a death eater until twenty minutes ago." Hermione said, speaking quite quickly.
The boss held up a hand. "I understand. Well, as you have so boldly stated in front of your work colleges, this man is now your patient. You will cure him of whatever his problem is, then we will hand him over to the ministry. Your personal feelings for this man cannot get in the way or I will have his case reassigned."
"No." Hermione said without thinking.
"Pardon me?"
"No, you wouldn't have it reassigned- you cant risk one of the Healers getting recognized by Death Eaters later. I know. I'm happy to put myself at risk, but not another healer."
"Bold move." The boss said. "Never the less, you cannot take this personally. Do I make myself clear?"
Hermione nodded. "Extremely." She stood to go.
"Oh, and Miss Granger," the boss said, calling her back. "I would not advise you to tell the ministry that you know this man personally- they may take advantage of you."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you sir."
Hermione strolled through the hospital heading to her office. She sat down behind her desk and sighed. This was one wild day.
She told Amy not to bother her for anything for the rest of the day. Hermione needed some time to think. She stared at the stack of paperwork in front of her and slowly reached for the top piece of paper.
Hermione quickly read it and started to fill in the gaps where required, and then signed down the bottom on a dotted line.
This is how she spent the rest of her day. Just signing paperwork, filling forms out and distracting herself from Andy.
When the sun went down, Hermione didn't take any notice. Her coffee was stale, and she hadn't had anything to eat. Her neck was slightly stiff but she didn't notice. Her hand was in a rhythm- sign her name here, write a date there, explain the procedure here, patient details where needed.
Her office quickly became dark, and the lights flickered on.
Amy knocked softly on her door and entered. "Sorry to disturb Hermione," she said, closing the door behind her. "But it's 8:30- nearly everyone else has gone home."
Hermione glanced up. Her desk was smeared with paperwork, she had empty ink pots scattered everywhere, her hair was slightly messy, her jacket was on the ground and books lay open near by.
"Hermione?" Amy walked cautiously forward. "You really should go…"
Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Yes… sorry what time did you say it was?"
"8:30." Amy said.
"Alright…"Hermione stood up and stretched. "Alright, you can go Amy, and I will be off soon."
"Are you sure?" Amy asked, frowning.
"Yes. I will be out of here once I've put some of this away." Hermione flapped a hand at the papers scattered over her table.
Amy nodded. "Alright, but make sure you go home- you need to rest."
Hermione smiled. "Ok. I will see you tomorrow."
Amy turned and left, making sure to give Hermione one more glance before closing the door.
Hermione sighed again and began gathering papers together. She put some into folders and grabbed her jacket. She turned her lamp off, put her jacket on, and stacked the folders and papers in her arms.
Heading out into the corridor, Hermione saw that Amy had already gone. She headed down the corridor, towards the elevator, thinking of getting something light to eat before getting home.
Before she pressed the button, Hermione saw the door to Andy's room. She thought of just leaving, but then she suddenly felt her feet taking her towards the door.
Hermione shifted the folders into one hand then turned the knob. She ducked her head into the room and saw Andy lying down on the bed, the mask still on.
His head suddenly turned and looked directly at her.
"Yes?"
"Just checking in." Hermione said. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm a prisoner in the hospital, Aurors breathing down my neck for my arrest, and my doctor is my assignment." His voice spoke sarcastically. "Does it sound like I'm doing good?"
Hermione glared at him. "Still a jerk?"
"Listen, you hardly know me." Andy growled. "You don't know how much of a jerk I am."
"I can guess." Hermione said, starting to close the door.
"Hey!"
She looked back into the room.
"You coming tomorrow?"
Hermione frowned. "Of course- I work here."
"Well just a piece of advice- keep your eyes open."
"Excuse me?"
"Keep your eyes open." Andy said.
"Right, thank you." Hermione closed the door and headed over to the elevator. What the hell was that?
She punched the button and waited while the elevator grinded up the shaft. When the doors opened, she scrambled into it, and hit the bottom level.
Crossing the foyer, Hermione had an uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching her. She looked around but the foyer was completely deserted except for the little lady behind the reception desk.
Hermione smiled at her as she opened the front doors and stepped out into the cold London night.
She walked down the street. Every once and a while, a car passed, but no one else was walking. She headed down a small lane, another street, past a gang of young men who wolf whistled at her, and opened the glass door to a small café.
It had a few people scattered around the small tables. Hermione pushed her way to the back of the café and sat down at a small round table and put the files next to her.
An old woman walked up to her and smiled. "Good evening dear. You waiting for someone?"
Hermione shook her head. "No."
"Oh. Well can I take your order then?" the woman pulled out a small note pad and pen.
"Yes, just a black coffee please." Hermione said, shrugging her jacket off.
Ten minutes later, the waitress returned and handed her the coffee.
Hermione slowly sipped it, and when she was done, threw some money down on the table, picked up her jacket and file and left the shop, heading home.
She decided to walk so she could clear her head. It had been an interesting day, that's for sure. There was a sudden prickling feeling on the back of her neck, and Hermione had the strangest feeling that she was being watched. She spun around, but found no one behind her. Maybe Andy's warning was genuine…
Oh stop it. Of course it wasn't- he's a Death Eater! There is nothing genuine about him, or what he says. You're just wound up because of the things that happened today… stop panicking.
Never the less, Hermione couldn't shake the cold feeling that was running up her spine, and causing her to shiver. She shook it off, then began walking faster, putting a hand in her pocket to grip her wand tightly.
Next morning, Hermione rolled out of bed and had a hot shower to wake herself up. She dressed in dark blue jeans, white button up blouse and a long black jacket that reached her knees. She put on brown boots, and pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail.
She pocketed her wand, grabbed her bag and folders, then left, heading to the little bakery down the road.
Hermione bought a bagel, then found an ally way and apparated into her office.
Amy soon appeared in the doorway and smiled. She had black bags under her eyes, and was carrying a large cup of coffee. She handed it to Hermione.
"What time did you get home last night?" Hermione asked, frowning as Amy stumbled.
"I don't know…"
"Amy, are you alright?" Hermione asked concerned. Amy looked like she was ready to burst into tears. Hermione guided her over to a seat and sat her down. "Amy?"
Amy started shaking. "I'm…I'm sorry."
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, kneeling down in front of her.
"I… I think I was followed home last night…I couldn't sleep…" Amy started crying.
Hermione blinked slowly. "You were followed?"
"Well I'm not sure." Amy said, reaching for a box of tissues. She blew her nose loudly. "I think I was."
Hermione looked at her carefully. "How do you know?"
"It was just a feeling." Amy shrugged.
Hermione sighed. "Would you like to go home?"
Amy took a moment then shook her head. "No, no its alright. I can work." Amy took a deep breath and slowly stood up.
"Well okay, but if you want to go home, just let me know." Hermione smiled at her and got to her feet.
Amy took another shuddery breath. "Well just so you know, the de…death eater is complaining."
Hermione sighed and nodded. Amy left, while Hermione changed into her robes and grabbed her clipboard. She made sure that she grabbed her bagel and coffee before leaving her office and walking to Andy's room.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Hermione asked, remembering the boss's remark about keeping this professional.
Andy groaned.
"That good uh?" Hermione put the coffee and bagel down, and began scribbling on her clipboard.
"Did you take…heed to my advice?" Andy asked.
"What advice would that be?" Hermione asked, reading two small notes on the paper.
"To keep your eyes open."
Hermione froze. "What?"
She could hear the grin in his voice. "You felt it didn't you?"
"Felt what?" Hermione asked, her voice closing up.
"Felt someone following you." Andy said.
"I…erm I don't know what you are talking about." Hermione mumbled.
"Sure you don't." Andy's face was hidden by the mask but she still knew he was winking. "Did you see anyone?"
"No." Hermione said, then caught herself. Don't give him what he wants! "If you need anything, just call one of the healers and they will get me."
She picked up her bagel and coffee, then left his room.
In the corridor, she saw two men in dark cloths standing near the shadows, whispering together. Something told her that they weren't grieving parents or relatives of a patient.
They caught her eye then looked away.
Hermione turned around and quickly walked away from them, towards her office.
Ten minutes later, Amy entered her office and smiled. "I think you should do rounds."
Hermione sighed. "Alright. Be there in a minute."
Amy left, and when Hermione came out into the corridor, she saw her sitting behind her desk, filling out some paperwork.
Hermione quickly did the rounds, and when she was starting to return to her office, she felt extremely jumpy, edgy and worried. The men hadn't moved from their spot, but where they were standing meant they could watch her every move.
She was walking up the corridor, and saw the men coming towards her.
She turned right and entered a room. It took her a second to realize it was Andy's room.
"Alright Mr. Start talking." She growled, walked up to him and pulling the mask off.
"What?"
"Who is following me and why is there two burly men out in the corridor?" Hermione hissed, standing over him.
"How should I know?" Andy asked innocently.
"Tell me!" Hermione grabbed his ear and started twisting it.
Andy shouted. "Alright!"
Hermione released him. "Start talking."
"Ok. Who are the men?"
"How should I know? I'm asking you here."
"Well there are two possibilities. Now tell me what did the men look like?"
"I don't know, tall, muscled, scary looking…"
"Covering their wrists?"
"What?"
"Did they cover their wrists?"
"Yes- they were wearing long sleeved jackets."
"Okay, option one- they are Death Eaters. They are following you because you are my target and they are worried that I am becoming to emotionally attached to you or the other way around."
"Why would they care if I'm attached?"
"Death Eaters, especially now, looked after one and other. They don't want some crazed assignment following one of their own. They would take care of you if need be, and since I'm such a spunky man, well, I would have a few girls following me." Andy winked.
"Option two?" Hermione asked, not wanting to talk about his ego.
"Option two is that maybe they are ministry workers."
"Why would they be following me?"
"Maybe they think that you are attached to me- a Death Eater. Cant have, that now can they?" Andy asked, raising an eye brow.
"But I'm not attached to you." Hermione said, sighing dramatically.
"Neither side knows that do they." Andy said.
"So you're saying that both sides are following me to see weather I'm attached to you?"
Andy nodded.
"How can I stop it?"
Andy shrugged. "I don't know. This isn't my problem."
Hermione glared at him. "Fine." She headed to the door and walked into the corridor.
The two men were coming at her from her right, but they slowed. Hermione walked to her office without slowing down and disappeared inside.
She walked over to her window and looked out and saw a group of Aurors were walking to the hospital entrance.
Her heart started pounding.
Hermione quickly took off her Healer Robes and threw her jacket on. She left her office, and walked over to Amy's desk. "Um, I'm signing out early. Have someone cover my patients."
Amy looked at Hermione confused, but Hermione was looking at the two men who were starting to make their way towards her.
Hermione ran down the corridor to the elevator. The two men started to run after her.
Hermione glanced at the dial and saw the elevator was on ground level.
Oh no.
Hermione turned and ran further down the corridor, towards the stair case. She threw the door open and ran down the stairs, taking them two at a time.
A second later, she heard the door open above her and the two men enter.
Hermione ran down the stairs and burst through another door on ground level. She ran across the lobby, and out onto the crowded street.
She pushed her way through the crowd. Hermione turned around and saw the two men were following her closely, pushing people out of their way roughly.
Hermione squealed and then continued running, heading up the street.
Her heart was pounding against her ribs, her lungs burned and her legs were starting to ache.
She smacked into a solid form and turned to see a tall, firm man, looking down at her, frowning.
"Please help me." Hermione mumbled.
The man looked past her and saw the two men running towards them. He nodded at Hermione, and pushed her back behind him and faced the men.
Hermione mumbled her thanks then ran on, not sure where to run to.
She continued running and could hear screams behind her as a fight broke out between Hermione's helper and the two men. She didn't dare stop to look.
Hermione continued running until she reached a busy road. She nervously pressed the button on the pole, waiting for the walking light to go green. Ten seconds later, she was practically punching it.
"Come on!" she groaned, pressing it again. "Oh please, come on!"
The signal turned green and Hermione ran across the road. She pushed past two men, and jumped onto the curb. Her boots smacked the pavement as she continued to run up the road, apologizing as she ran around people, or accidentally pushed them.
She saw a double decker bus pulled up at a bus stop and ran for it. She was maybe 100 meters away when she glanced over her shoulder and saw her two chasers were right on her tail. Her eyes widened.
She turned back around and yelled at the bus driver. "Please! Hold the bus! Wait! Please!"
She saw the bus driver frown, and start roll the bus forward.
"NO!" Hermione screamed.
She reached the bus and started banging on the windows. She ran to the back of the bus and jumped on, pulled to safety by a tall thin man.
"Go!" Hermione shouted at the bus driver.
The bus pulled off the curb into traffic. The two men stopped running at the road and glared at Hermione, sneering at her.
Hermione took a deep breath, hand on her side.
The tall man who had pulled her onto the bus glanced down at her. "You okay miss?"
Hermione coughed. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."
She smiled shakily at him then walked up the small staircase to the next level of the bus.
Hermione sat down, and rested her head against the cold window. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
She felt the bus roll to a stop, and heard some people get on and off. Two minutes later, when the bud was moving again, Hermione heard some people stumble up the stairs and sit six seats behind her. They were loud, and sounded drunk.
Hermione inwardly groaned, but kept quiet.
Ten minutes later, the bus stopped again and more people got on.
This time, they came up the stairs except they weren't loud and Hermione didn't bother to turn around to see them.
She suddenly felt a cold, sweaty hand clamp down on her mouth, and someone leant forward and whispered in her ear. "You're coming with me."
Very long chapter!
Wow!
Okay, so who has her? I wonder…actually I know!!! Heehe. R&R if you want to find out!
AJ