Disclaimer: Nothing you may recognize is mine.
A/N: All of my thanks to Nutters4Potter; knitchick; sweet-tang-honney; irishblue69; Phx-Songbird; Fi; bournespeed; bbmetater; Narcissas Sister; Edana Alary; seitoyoukai and Sampdoria for their reviews. And of course thank you to everyone who has been reading and giving this story a chance.
.lily
Hermione slowly started to come out of her potions induced sleep to the sounds of quiet chatter around her. Her eyes felt heavy and gritty and she could feel the remnants of tears she had shed in her sleep. Gingerly she lifted her aching arms to rub at her eyes. Her low moan alerted the others in her room to her waking.
"Good morning dearie. Lets get you sitting and we will get you some water." The woman, who seemed to be in her fifties, though one never really knew with witches, was wearing pale purple robes with what appeared to be a an old fashioned nurses cap to coordinate. Her light blond hair was graying and pulled into a braided bun that sat just slightly off centered. "I'm Assistant Healer Roderick, and this young lady here is Apprentice Healer Lyra O'Leary," she said, gesturing to the small redhead to her side who was holding a clipboard and jotting something down without bothering to glance up at the girl in the bed, "Don't mind her, sharp as they come that one, but her bedside manner leaves something to be desired I say."
Lyra's head snapped up to look at the older woman, and then Hermione. She had sucked in one of her rosy cheeks and appeared to be gnawing on the inside of it nervously, "Oh, sorry, I just like to take notes; I don't mean to be rude. It isn't everyday that an apprentice gets to be involved in a case that encompasses so many varied injuries. It really is a fascinating case. I mean, that is to say. Sorry." The girl went back to chewing on the insides of her cheeks and studying the pattern of the floor.
Hermione tried not to laugh at the woman who looked to be just out of school, though she didn't remember anyone fitting her descriptions in the younger years at Hogwarts when she had been a student. The girl could have passed as Hermione's Irish cousin, not in looks necessarily, but Hermione could tell that her lust for knowledge rivaled her own and she understood that that didn't always pair with exceptional people skills. Hermione noted that the girl was likely a muggle-born if the various muggle pens holding her hair in place were anything to go by. She felt sorry for the girl who so obviously wanted to be a good healer and was afraid she had offended Hermione with her interest in her injuries. Hermione decided to take pity on the girl, "Lyra, Miss O'Leary; it really is alright. I wasn't known as a know-it-all swot in school for nothing. Were I in your shoes I can guarantee I would be the same, if not worse. I hate being here, your bedside manner won't change that, but if you learn something then it's worth it I suppose. Please don't feel bad. This room reeks of guilt from all the people that have been through here since yesterday, no need to add yours. Learn what you can when you can; I would," she spoke softly to the girl, and tried to convey her sincerity.
"Thank you Miss. It's just, I worked so hard to get the apprenticeship here, and there was such stiff competition. I really want to be a good healer; I'm just not very good with inter-personal skills." She fiddled with the clasps on her robes while she talked, managing to make her look even more nervous.
"Think nothing of it." Hermione's stomach rumbled and she remembered that she hadn't eaten since lunch the day before, and that had been a small salad. "Could I perhaps get something to eat? I am afraid I am quite hungry, it has been some time since I have eaten," she asked.
"Of course dearie. I am nearly finished checking over all your injuries here, as soon as Lyra and I get this all marked in your file here, I will see about getting you something light to eat and maybe some tea as well." Tea sounded lovely, she thought. "Oh, while we are gone dearie, you have a package here, and a fair few get well cards you can take a look at alright." The healer finished her wand work while her apprentice looked on scribbling notes ferociously. "Everything is looking good. We will be back in a while with breakfast and I will bring you some pain potion, I am sure you can use some by now."
"That would be lovely. Thank you both." Hermione watched them walk out of the room and quietly shut the door behind them; leaving her to look at her cards and inspect her package.
Hermione had gotten through a few cards from the Weasley's and a few friends who worked at the ministry, where word of her attack and her husbands arrest warrant had gotten out, when she noticed a familiar looking brown package. Hermione deftly lifted the brown paper package into her lap and ran her fingers over the familiar wrapping. The heavy brown paper, similar to that found in butchers' shops, was sealed with green wax bearing the likeness of a cauldron and stirring rod. Hermione peeled back the wax seal and paper packaging to reveal a small crate carrying several familiar looking vials and two small tubs of bruise paste. Sitting atop the potions was a folded piece of parchment that had never before accompanied her potions orders. Hermione lifted the parchment and opened it, revealing the familiar spidery script she had come to admire; the same script that had lambasted her essays with cutting remarks in a scathing red ink. It was the same beautiful script that adorned her potions. She decided it was all the more lovely to see when it was her name written in the elegant spiky scrawl.
Hermione,
I have enclosed several vials of what I have come to think of as Hermione's potions. The potions lab at St. Mungo's does not have a proper Potions Master on hand and is run by incapable dunderheads I would not trust to produce adequate brews any more than I would Longbottom. There should be sufficient healing and pain potions to get you through the next few days, along with three vials of dreamless sleep and the same of calming draught. Should you need assistance with sleep longer than three nights we will have to consider options other than dreamless sleep for it can be addictive, though I am certain you already know this. You have always been an insufferable-know-it-all Hermione.
Do try not to drive your healers to distraction with you incessant chatter and endless questions. I shall be there tonight to see to you and see if there is anything else you require of me, and my well stocked apothecary. I must get to work however. Perhaps I should consider taking on an apprentice. Now that business has grown so much I find myself with little time to research as I would truly like to do. Instead, for now, I need to attend to the pepper-up, a truly challenging brew I assure you. I can feel my brain atrophying from disuse as I write this.
Do not worry about the cost; I have taken care of it.
Please be well Hermione.
-Severus
By the time Hermione had finished reading the letter from Severus she had tears flowing down her cheeks and wetting the top her hospital robes. She set the little box on the bedside table and plucked the familiar vial of pain potion from among its contents. Hermione carefully uncorked the tiny vial and gratefully drank its contents, relishing in the quick dissipation of her aches. Just as she was setting the empty vial in along with the rest, the door opened and Lyra walked in carrying a tea tray and potions.
"Hello Hermione," Lyra said quietly as she shut the door behind her with her foot, "I brought some blackcurrant oolong tea. I find it a lovely blend, and quite nice for calming and tension relief. If you want something else I am sure I could-"
Hermione waived her off; she really needed to work on her confidence, blackcurrant sounded divine, "Oh, good then. There is also some toast and fig jam here. You can have more to eat later if you like, but it is best to start light. I will just leave you to it then." She moved to set the tray on the bedside stand when she noticed the package from Severus. "I see you have a personal potions supplier. Are these Snape's? I heard he was likely one of the best Potioneers in the world. Costly too. Not that I blame you of course. I worked in the potions lab here for a few weeks at the beginning of my apprenticeship. Not the cleanest operation if you ask me." She covered her mouth with the fingers of her right hand, "Oh, shouldn't have said that. Well, I will just leave you to your tea then."
"Thank you Lyra. I appreciate it. Oh, and do you think you could get me a couple sheets of parchment and a quill. I would really like to send a thank you to Mister Snape for the potions." She could tell she was blushing and hoped the young healer apprentice didn't read too much into the coloring of her cheeks.
"Of course Hermione. Eat, rest. I wouldn't be surprised to see a room full of visitors when I returned," she told her, smiling brightly at the compassionate witch in the bed.
Hermione was halfway through her cup of tea when Lyra returned with the parchment and informed her that when she was finished with her 'Thank You's' that she would see to it that they were all sent out with owl post.
Hermione waited for the door to click shut before she took up the parchment and a quill and penned a note to Severus.
Severus,
I cannot thank you enough for package. It was so very thoughtful of you. I am indeed glad I decided to make friends with the dour old Potions Master; he has turned into a kind hearted soul after all. Do not fear Severus. I shall tell everyone you charged me an arm and a leg for the potions and grumbled on about dunderheaded imbeciles attempting to make acceptable brews. I dare say it shouldn't be difficult to believe, you did call them dunderheads.
I have been assigned a healers apprentice to play nurse to me while I recuperate it should seem. Though I suppose I would worry more if she weren't a redheaded carbon copy of me during my time at Hogwarts. Pens in her hair, ink stains on her fingers, and her ear. Her people skills are sorely lacking, as are mine, but her note taking and thirst for knowledge makes me believe I have a kindred spirit in the girl. Lyra is her name, and she agrees with your opinion of the Potions department here and suggests that I continue to purchase my potions through 'Mister Snape' so long as I am able. I do believe you have a fan Severus. She is quite pretty, should I introduce you? I do not think I like that thought, perhaps you shouldn't visit, she may take all your attention from me, distracting you with her incessant chatter. I simply can't have that, for I have decided that distracting you is my job.
Severus, thank you so much for being my friend. I know it is an odd sort of friendship but I value it highly. And do not think I did not notice that you flavored my potions. Severus, they were palatable. Are you experimenting with flavors so that you can charge more, or am I a special case? I cannot help but hope that it is the latter; I like the thought that I am special to someone. To you.
I think you would make a great Master to any apprentice Severus. It is too bad I could not apprentice under you. It would be a most wonderful opportunity for anyone you choose. You should do more research. I hate to think of you sitting there brewing pepper-up when you are capable of the most complex potions. You have a brilliant mind Severus, do not waste it. Get an apprentice. Besides, an apprentice would give you someone new to berate and cut to pieces with your sharp tongue, and we both know that you truly love to do that Severus. It is a gift.
I think someone is here to visit, so I will cut this short. Thank you Severus. I look forward to seeing you tonight, though you do not have to come out here if you are busy, I understand. Though, I would miss you if you didn't.
Yours,
Hermione
Hermione rolled the parchment and sealed it when the door opened and she was greeted by the sight of Bill and George, each carrying terribly large bouquets of flowers. Bill had brought her a simple bouquet of pink peonies, tied with a simple ivory ribbon, whereas George's bouquet was a shocking combination of orange and magenta carnations.
"George, what on earth is that?" she laughed.
"Weasley Wizard Wheezes Color Coordinating Carnation Creations. Don't you like them?" He gave her an exaggerated pout.
"I love them, both of you thank you." She smiled at the two boys she had grown to love so much like older brothers. "How are you Bill? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. How are Fleur and little Victoire? I feel like a terrible aunt." She started to cry uncontrollably and suddenly felt wetness on her chest. "Oh gods," she cried.
"Um, 'Mione, I love you. You know that. But you're 'ah, boobies are wet." He tried not to laugh when she was so obviously upset. "Did you know?" he asked.
She sniffled a little as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I think my body doesn't know that the baby was a still born. At least that explains the extra tenderness," she told them.
"And size, I mean those melons are especially ri…Oof." He was cut off mid-sentence when Bills elbow connected swiftly with his gut, "Owe, Bill, that hurt."
"Well then don't be such an insensitive git!" Bill reprimanded.
"You know George, you are lucky you are…"she stopped herself from outing him in front of his brother, "You are lucky you are in a relationship, or I might be forced to think you were ogling my breasts!" she covered.
"It's okay Hermione, I was ogling. And Bill knows. I told him this morning." He beamed at her, he knew she had always thought he should tell his family the truth about his sexuality, he was in love, and there was nothing wrong with that.
"Oh George!" She had stopped sniffling and was grinning wide at him. "That's so wonderful, I am so proud of you. How does Kings feel about it? Did you tell him I would be stopping by soon?" She was so excited she missed the shocked look that passed Bills face as he whipped his head to stare at his little brother who was looking rather green.
"Didn't tell him who, just that it wasn't a she Hermione," he told her through his hands, which he had buried his face in.
"Kingsley! Kingsley George? You are in love with the bloody Minister of Magic? How in Merlin's name? Shite. No wonder you are keeping it under wraps. How?" Bill looked like he was going to pass out if he didn't sit down and George had already decided that the floor against her bed looked as good as place as any to sit.
"Oh George, I am so sorry, when you said he knew, I just thought. Oh George, I am so, so sorry." Hermione was crying again.
"It's not your fault Hermione. We couldn't keep it from the family forever; we both knew that. It's just, I kind of wanted to talk to him about it first you know," he told her. He turned to Bill and considered the best way to explain how it was he had come to be in a serious romantic relationship with a man over fifteen years his senior who just happened to be the Minister of Magic.
"Yes, Bill. Kingsley. We started seeing each other during the war. When it started we were just friends. He thought some of our products would make great tools to use in the war and within Magical Law Enforcement. He became one of our biggest supporters and an investor: Though the products he invested in do not carry the brand name nor do we sell them to the public. Kingsley was one of the first people who ever saw me as more than just a jokester, he saw all the hard work and skill that goes into my business and he contracted Fred and me to develop devices like the darkness powder and extendable ears that would be useful for staking out Death Eaters. We developed semi permanent listening devices that can be used over a wider range, similar to what the muggles use, and there are other things that are termed classified and that I can't talk to you about," he let out a breath of air as he continued to tell the story of how he came to be with the love of his life, "Did you know Kingsley is just over forty Bill? That's right, he is the youngest Minister in history but he is great at what he does. And we aren't so different. He has an amazing sense of humor and he gets me. I make him laugh and he can see my more serious side. I don't know the moment it really started but business led to friendship and there was always an attraction on my part, have you seen him in those suits, he looks good in robes yeah, but in a muggle suit…I'm a right lucky bastard I tell 'ya Bill. It's just.. it's hard you know? I mean, he is the bloody Minister for Magic; it was one thing to get involved when he was an Auror, fellow Order member and all, but now? I don't want the public to think less of him for being involved with one of the Notorious Weasley Twins who doesn't even have his Newts. The world still just sees me as a prankster Bill, and that's fine, I am. But to Kings, I am his partner. I hope, I hope Bill that you can see that, and that when the time comes you help me tell Mum, 'cuz I think I might just piss myself. Scares the bloody hell out me." He laughed, and smiled at his brother, happy that the weight was off his chest and Bill hadn't yet called him an idiot, though there was still time.
Hermione was dabbing tears from her eyes and watching as George poured his heart out to his older brother.
"Wow," Bill nodded dumbly, thinking of the right words to say, "I- Wow. Well, I can't say I saw that coming little brother. I mean, wow. You know, mom always hoped one day Harry would be the Minister of Magic and then she could say she had a Minister in the family; looks like you beat Ginny to the role of Misses Minister," Bill chucked at his brother, he knew George must be terrified no one would understand. He was truly happy his brother had found someone who understood him so completely, "Really though George, I am happy for you. You didn't have to hide this from us, not the family. I mean, shite, I thought when you said you were gay but wouldn't tell us who the bloke was, well I thought it was going to be Malfoy or something. That I could have understood keeping a secret." The room erupted into laughter at that.
Lyra came back a short time later to find the three chatting animatedly and all looking in good spirits. "Hello Hermione, I just knew you would get all the good visitors," she joked, "Are you finished with the note for Mister Snape; I am nearing the end of my shift and thought to take it to the owlery on my way out if you wanted."
"Um, yes, please," Hermione's voice was tiny and she bit her lip as she glanced between the smug looks on the boys faces, their 'ha ha, we know your secret' faces, "I would like that thank you. Here it is." She handed her the scroll and Lyra quietly saw herself out of the room.
George pounced as soon as the door shut. "So writing notes to 'Mister Snape' are we 'Mione? That is a lovely blush by the way. What is it about our favorite surly Potions Master that causes you to color so fantastically I wonder? Does our little 'Mione have a crush? Perhaps I am not the only one with an eye for older men 'eh? You're blushing more you know." He held back an incredibly un-manly giggle at her obvious embarrassment.
"Shut it you!" She narrowed her eyes and glared daggers at him, "For your information, Severus sent a care package of potions for me because the quality here is abysmal and I was simply sending him a thank you. It was business. Weren't we discussing your love life just now?" she tried to redirect.
"You know George; I think maybe you are right. Hermione is awfully defensive. Perhaps we should march down to that apothecary and defend our girls honor! Lets go George!" Bill clapped his brother on the shoulder and made a show about going off to protect her from the scary old Potions Master. "You know we are just teasing you 'Mione. Though, I will admit that after what your bastard of a husband has done to you, I won't begrudge you your happiness, wherever you should find it. We all love you. You know." He smiled softly at her, and kissed her cheek. "I would love to stay all day Hermione, but I promised Fleur I would pick up dinner tonight and I have to make a stop before that at work. Take care of yourself alright. Are you heading home tonight?" he asked her.
"I know you love me Bill. I love you too, you know. As for home, well I can't stay there; I'm going to my parents. I think it will be good to get away for a little while. I need to get myself together and I don't know if I can do that here. Give my love to Fleur and thank her for the flowers. I know she picked them. Tell Little Vicky that her Auntie will have to come and kidnap her for ice cream soon." She gave him a smile and an awkward half hug, which was difficult with her seated on the bed, "Thank you Bill, you have always been there for me. I am lucky to have you for a big brother." She started to cry again, almost afraid to call him her brother when she wouldn't be a Weasley much longer. She worried that he wouldn't be her brother anymore after all.
"Hey, don't cry. I'm the lucky one here Hermione. Before you I just had Ginny for a sister; can you imagine? Oh the hardships. You are a gem and we love you. Don't doubt that just because that little bastard did this. We blame him, not you so don't forget that, okay? I do have to go though. Be strong Hermione, I know you are." They said their goodbyes with promises of ice cream with Victoire soon and Bill left.
George got up from his comfy spot on the floor and sat on the bed next to her, swinging a leg up and placing it right up next to hers. "Hey love. Felt like letting all the secrets out now huh? I suppose I should thank you for that," he told her, "And Bills right you know, you're family and whatever your last name is, that will never change. Kings and I; we love you. You are our pretty little swot, although this hair is really doing nothing for you. I miss your lion's mane. I liked it before when you were using that muggle stuff and it looked wild and exotic. My brother never deserved you 'Mione. You always were so much better than him. I know we were teasing you, but…" he nudged her shoulder with his, "Between you and me, with his hair pulled back, Snape looks pretty good. He's filled out a bit since the war, not so thin and boney you know. I've wondered, just once or twice mind, what he keeps under all those buttons. So, so very many buttons…" He gave her a sly wink and then rested his head on her shoulder. "You know, you really could do worse. He's actually an alright guy, to you, anyhow. And I am guessing that he didn't charge you for that lovely package of potions. I kind of think that's Snape's version of sending a girl flowers." Sensing that she was going to argue with him he put a hand on her knee and kept talking. "Just, think about. I'm not saying jump into bed with the man while you are still Mrs. Weasley, but if, and I mean if, there is a possibility for something there don't just ignore it and pretend it isn't real. You deserve to be happy too, love. Just, think about it, for me. Please?" He gave her his very best big puppy dog eyes.
She took a deep breath and thought about what he said, "Okay George. I will think about it, for you. But that doesn't mean you are right, he's just my friend. I mean, I know he doesn't love Harry's mum anymore, he told me that once. But not loving a dead woman doesn't mean he loves me. He just, he puts up with me better than most I suppose." She smiled and tilted her head to rest against his.
"If you say so love."
The two stayed like that for hours, talking about nothing in particular, just enjoying each others company. They ate lunch together on her bed, as they would have been eating lunch together if she wasn't stuck in a hospital bed. When he finally kissed her goodbye and left after lunch to go and open the shop, a little later than usual, Hermione decided to take a nap, feeling happier than she remembered being in a long time. She wasn't going to lose the people most important in her life just because her marriage was over and she had fewer secrets weighing down on her. It wouldn't be easy, but she felt it would at least be possible to find a fresh start in life, knowing she had people who truly did love her.
A/N: And the House Points go to : seitoyoukai and Fi for picking up on my subtle little hints, or for wishful thinking. Either way they guessed it right!