A/N: Thank you for all the support on this story! It's been wonderful hearing your thoughts on each chapter. I decided to combine these two chapters to make it a bit longer; that is something I struggle with. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I promise, next one will include Ron!

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing of hers!

Chapter 5

The healer nodded and started giving directions to the nurses. They instructed Hermione to change into a gown that resembled Rose's while they left the room. Hermione handed Nurse McKay her clothes and quietly thanked him. He gave her a tight lipped smile, and a single nod. He left the room and began to cast spells to clean the clothing. They levitated in another bed, making the room much smaller and more crowded than before. Hermione laid down as she was instructed. She looked over at Rose who was now hooked up to three more machines since her health had continued to deteriorate. She took a deep breath and looked up at Healer Clarke.

"Ready Hermione?"

"Yes."

Hermione's voice was quiet. Healer Clarke ran through how the procedure works. They would draw blood just like in muggle hospitals. Then, they would do a series of spells that would create a dominant strain around Hermione's blood and magic that they had extracted. Once they inject it into Rose, they should know if it worked within the hour.

Hermione didn't even flinch when Healer Clarke inserted the needle into her arm. She slowly took deep breaths to help her stay calm. She knew this could help Rose, it all made sense. She just needed to stay calm and do everything in her power to protect Rose. The healer withdrew the needle and waved her wand over Hermione's arm, healing the small opening rapidly. The Healer took the sample out of the room, and Hermione was once again waiting. Hermione scooted off her bed, and paced to Rose's side again.

"It's almost over Rosie," she whispered to the unconscious child. The witch sat in the chair she previously occupied, tucking her dress underneath her as she did.

"They're doing everything they can to help, love." She stoked Rose's arm up and down with her hand. Every moment that passed made Hermione more and more anxious.

What could possibly be taking so long?

A slight knock on the door was heard and Healer Clarke slipped in. She looked pale and anxious. Hermione's stomach contorted. She looked with wide eyes at the Healer.

"Her-Hermione..." the Healer cleared her throat unsuccessfully. She tried again.

"The spell was ineffective. It didn't take."

Hermione stared at the healer in complete shock. She felt like her world came crashing down, her stomach twisted again and urged anything it had upwards, her lungs seemed restrict, unwilling to breathe and beginning to burn.

"It took us some time to determine why... perhaps our calculations were incorrect, maybe we needed to cast it in a different way. But then, I remembered a study I was reading a few months back," the Healer continued. Hermione continued to stare. Her face displayed her confusion of why the healer would be speaking of a study she's read when in a few sentences prior, she'd given her only child a death sentence. Healer Clarke hurried on.

"In this study, the idea was that, like blood, magic has different types. And only certain types can be used with specific witches or wizards," She paused to see if Hermione was following, "Rose has your blood type, we've determined that much... however, when I remembered the study, I had McKay find out what types they had created."

The healer took a deep breath.

"Turns out there are hundreds of them. However, like blood types, the child must have a type that correlates with one of their parents..."

"...she doesn't have yours Hermione."

Hermione was catching up. Her heart started to pump faster than it had in the past few days. Her breathing was rapid. Her palms started to sweat. She didn't notice it, but her head started to shake slightly side to side, showing her disbelief in what she knew the healer would say next.

She needed Ron.

"Hermione!" Hermione looked up at Healer Clarke.

"Sorry, what?" Hermione responded, looking dazed.

"I was just asking if there was any way to contact Rose's father... I've looked over the information you've provided to Nurse Bell, and it says nothing on Rose's paternal information." Hermione's stomach was still clenching and now doing flips at the thought of needing Ron to save her daughter. She took a moment to compose herself and to stop the shaking that had begun in her hands.

"He's decided not to have a role in her life," Hermione simply put, outwardly composed. However, as the words left her mouth her voice broke and new tears were shed. An anguished sob broke loose.

"I can't lose her!" Hermione completely broke down. Her mind was racing, trying to push her exhausted and languid brain to process.

I'd have to face him. After all this time. It'd have been for nothing.

More tears rolled down Hermione's face while Healer Clarke watched uncomfortably wringing her hands. Hermione took a deep ragged breath, begging for Healer Clarke to have a different method.

"Is it the only way?" Hermione gasped.

"In the time that Rose has, yes. I'm afraid that if we wait and look for an alternative method, it may be too late..." Hermione sucked in her breath, biting her lower lip, pleading for the tears to stop.

Get it together. This is the only way.

She turned her watery gaze to her daughter. The tot was so small, and so weak; still taking short wheezing breaths.

Hermione took another deep and ragged breath. She straightened her shoulders and brought herself to her full height. Wiping her tears with her fingertips she faced Healer Clarke again.

"There's no choice then is there?" Hermione swallowed, forcing the lump in her throat to reside at the moment. Healer Clarke looked up at the witch to continue. Hermione looked toward the ground.

"He'll be here." Hermione stared at the floor and nodded to herself. Her eyes looked hurriedly to meet the Healer's.

"Do you have a parchment and quill I could use?"

"Yes, I'll get some for you..." the Healer summoned a few sheets and the quill used earlier and handed them to the younger witch. She watched as Hermione sat down to start scribbling away. After a few lines, she secured it with an address and handed it to Healer Clarke. The Healer looked at the letter reading who it was inscribed to as she held it in her hand, furrowing her brow, and returned her gaze to Hermione.

"Hermione, you understand that time is of the essence, yes?" Hermione nodded, returning to Rose's side.

"He'll be here," she muttered to herself, returning her view to Rose. Healer Clarke let the confusion show on her face.

"But, I can't leave her alone while I get him," she continued. The woman nodded, now understanding. She left the room and sent the owl urgently flying to its destination.

Hermione changed back into her now previous clothes, clean, thanks to Nurse McKay. She tucked in her blouse and carefully zipped up her charcoal grey pencil skirt. She sighed in frustration realizing she forgot to sign some new paperwork when she Apparated into her office for five minutes that day, while a neighbor stopped by to be there while Rose slept. She rolled her eyes and spat out a laugh realizing how ridiculous she sounded thinking about work to help take the stress off of her current situation.

She slipped on her heels and walked to the small mirror that hung in that en-suite. She did several spells attempting to reconstruct her appearance as to not frighten her visitor who should soon be arriving. She did a final refreshing charm when she heard a small knock at the door. Healer Clarke slipped through the door and shut it behind her.

"He's here Hermione," the Healer spoke in a soft voice. Hermione nodded nervously and headed toward the door. She put her hand on the doorknob, and turned back to Healer Clarke.

"Would you please stay with her, while I..." Hermione gestured to the door. The Healer gave a genuine smile.

"Of course." Hermione thanked her and tightened her grip on the doorknob.

Now or never Hermione.

She had no idea how this would go.

The witch quickly opened the door and shut it behind her. As soon as she was turned around she was engulfed by a pair of arms attached to a male body with raven black hair. The strength at which he squeezed her caught Hermione off guard, but, she recovered and hugged him back just as tightly. Tucking her head into the crook between his shoulder and neck, squeezing her eyes shut, as she did so; wishing she could stay in the happiness of her best friend's embrace forever. Then, she remembered what he was here for. She loosened her grip on him and slowly pushed him away.

"What the hell Hermione! You write me a note at the crack of dawn saying that you needed me at St. Mungo's as soon as possible! Without any details? I thought you were dying!" Hermione cringed at his word choice.

"Good to see you too Harry," she joked, attempting, and failing, at keeping the mood light.

"I had to sneak out from a sleeping Ginny to get here! She'll not be happy when she wakes!" Hermione could see the rush he was in getting there; he had clearly thrown on the closest items of clothing. The items he grabbed happened to be a striped Gryffindor tee and some navy blue plaid pajama bottoms. Accompanied by a deep green robe and mismatched slippers. His attire may have brought a slight smile to Hermione's face, but, Harry could see the pain that resonated there.

"Hermione," Harry gently held her by the arms. "What is going on?"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply. But where would she start? The beginning would take far too long and time was not on her side. She bit her lip and took Harry's hand. She looked at the man who she has always considered her brother. She figured diving in was the best way at this point.

She opened the door and led Harry into the room. The lighting had been dimmed long ago, to keep Rose calm under all the spells cast on her. The witch lead Harry all the way to the makeshift crib Rose was lying in. Healer Clarke left the three alone in the room, slipping out, and closing the door behind her. Hermione had been focused on Rose's form, but now turned her eyes to view Harry's reaction.

His eyes were wide, clearly processing everything he saw. She could see the gears turning piecing together the puzzle before him. After a few moments of silence, he met her eyes.

"Hermione... is she... she's yours," Harry stated, no longer asking a question.

"She is," Hermione smiled.

"Ron's never said... I mean. She is Ron's right?" Harry's gaze became more intense. Hermione lost her smile then.

"She is," Hermione solemnly nodded.

"I don't understand... Why have you never told me about her? What about Ginny? Does she know? And the rest of the family? Ron's never said anything about her." She could tell he was hurt. His voice stayed quiet.

"Ron never answered any of my questions about you during or after Auror training. Why have you two kept me in the dark Hermione?"

"It's complicated Harry." Forcing back tears, Hermione dryly swallowed, "I'm sorry, I truly am."

Harry shook his head in disbelief. He returned his gaze to Rose. The machines surrounding her still slowly beeping. Hermione was once again reminded of her task. As much as she wanted to explain everything to her best friend, she didn't have time for that. She straightened to her tallest height and faced Harry full on.

"Harry." He turned to look at her.

"Rose, she's terribly sick. The healers said it's something ancient and completely evil. They've tried everything, and they think they can use some blood magic to create a resistance to the evil curse that she has." Harry looked at her as if she'd grown another head.

"The point is," she continued, "The person they need to do this is Ron."

She took another deep breath.

"I can't leave her without someone I trust and know completely..." Hermione hinted softly.

"Oh, and that's me now is it?" The raven haired man quipped bitterly.

Hermione felt another stab to the heart. A few tears escaped and she looked away to clear them. Harry's face melted, and he heaved a sigh.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that." He turned toward Hermione and rested his hand on her shoulder.

"Go to him and get him Hermione. When he gets here, I'm hexing his bullocks off," He gave a forced smile. Hermione let out a small laugh.

"You and I both, Harry."

She walked towards the crib and bent down to caress her daughter's face. She wiped the escaped, curly, tendrils back and kissed her forehead. She spoke to her sleeping child.

"I love you Rosie. Uncle Harry's going to stay here while I go get daddy. He'll make you better, love," she quickly gave her another kiss to her forehead, and turned toward Harry. He used the parchment and quill to jot down an address and told Hermione where the closest Apparation location was. She thanked him and gave him a peck on the cheek. He pulled her into a hug.

"You know you're explaining this entire thing when she's healed, yea?" He whispered into her ear.

"I will Harry," She quietly replied. He released her and she strode towards the door. Harry sat in the wooden chair Hermione had previously occupied. She gave one final look back at Rose and Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.

A/N: Please let me know what you think! I love hearing your thoughts!