All characters still belong to JK.
A/N: Thanks to my lovely reviewers—notwritten, duj, Looks Far Woman, MaritimeStars, excessively perky, Phantasm, debjunk, EruthiadwenGreenleaf. You all keep me going!
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The next day they take me away for a whole bunch of tests. Nothing painful or anything, but it is tedious and they do so many! I meet the specialist, Dr. Griffin, like Gryffindor, except when I ask he says he was in Ravenclaw. I don't like him very much. He is very matter of fact--not friendly like Dr. Bella--and he tests and retests me, over and over. I think he's used every exami-wand there is.
But finally the tests are over and they take me back to my room. Severus is there, waiting, and so is Mum, sitting in the chair in the corner, thumbing through a magazine.
Mum is a pretty cool muggle. She always knows just how to act and what to say. She respects our differences without making a big deal about things. Dad is the opposite. Whenever he meets a wizard, he always asks a million questions. I know he means well, but some wizards (my husband included) find it annoying. His attitude towards wizards is a lot like Arthur Weasley's attitude towards muggles. Cute in small doses, but irritating when there's too much of it. But Dad's not here. He's at home, minding Inanna.
Mum and Severus get along all right, but they really don't have anything in common, and they don't have much to say to each other. That's why she brought a magazine--in case she got bored with only him to talk to.
I eat my lunch, and as soon as the medi-witch takes my tray away, Dr. Griffin comes into my room and glances at Severus first. That's another reason for me not to like him. I can tell he's one of those people who think Severus should be in Azkaban. Or else, he's wondering what I see in him. Of course, a lot of people don't understand that. Not that I would ever lower myself to trying to explain it. There was even speculation that we'd been involved back when I was a student. People can be so stupid.
I am glad to see that Dr. Bella is with him. I don't get the feeling that she's judging us at all, and it's rather nice for a change. Unfortunately, though, both healers look serious. Mum puts down her magazine.
Dr. Griffin doesn't introduce himself to Severus or my mother. He probably thinks they're both beneath his notice. But he talks to me. "Dr. Bella has asked to be brought on to this case. Does that meet with your approval?"
Dr. Bella shakes her head impatiently. "I'm involved in a few research projects, and I would consider it a favor if I could include you, too. But only if you're comfortable with that."
I know she's sincere, and I nod.
Dr. Griffin speaks now. "The tests show you have Artinem syndrome."
"I thought you said Muggle Continuum Disorder," I object.
"Artinem syndrome is a type of MCD," Dr. Bella explains. "There are certain conditions that only muggleborns can get. Nobody really knows why. Also, these conditions are very rare. We only see it in about one out of every thousand muggleborns. But you have all the symptoms--loss of magic, headaches, nosebleeds, fatigue..."
Dr. Griffin cuts in , "And over time you can expect to become increasingly weaker."
"Is it contagious?" I ask. "Did I catch this?"
"It's not contagious," Dr. Griffin answers. "You don't have to worry about passing it on to anybody."
"Then how did this happen?" I'm pressing for answers.
He shrugs. "There may be some inherent weakness in muggleborns that makes them susceptible. Or it could be something they're exposed to. There's been some link to the consumption of polyjuice potion in childhood--but that's never been proven."
My face is burning, and I hope nobody notices. I forgot the botched polyjuice I had taken when I was twelve. I never told Severus about it. What about Ron and Harry?--oh yes--Ron is pureblood and Harry had wizard parents. They don't need to worry about this happening to them.
Mum speaks up for the first time since the healers entered the room. "Is this serious?"
Dr. Bella answers. "I'm afraid so, Mrs. Granger. But we can start her on treatments." Then she turns to me. "Mrs. Snape, you would have to come back here every week for special potions and healing charms."
I grope for Severus' hand. Find it. Squeeze it. How can this be happening to me? How can I have a serious disease? I'm only twenty-two!
Now Severus asks, "But after the treatments this disease will go away?"
The healers look at each other, and Dr. Bella puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'm afraid there's only a ten percent survival rate after two years."
"What's the survival rate with the treatments?" Severus barks.
"That is the survival rate with the treatments."
"What's the survival rate after two years--like five years, for instance?" My head is spinning and I'm desperate now. I want them to hold out some hope.
The healers look at each other again. I wish they would stop doing that! "That's never happened--survival at five years."
The last thing I remember is hearing a piercing, high-pitched scream. It's coming from me.