Chapter 2
Hermione turned her attention to the chart and the privacy charm, but then, thought better of it. If Robards thought she had a history with the witch, it was best to remain objective. Her priority was to confirm the patient was stable. With that mix of ingredients, there was no telling what it would do to her patient’s systems. She continued her diagnostics. Some of the ingredients definitely shouldn’t be combined together. In the wrong dosages it could absolutely be fatal.
Remarkably heart rate, blood pressure, and brain function all appeared normal. Her magical core was stable too. The potion itself was still present but not reactive, if her initial readings were to be believed. Whoever brewed it was either astoundingly lucky or remarkably skilled, maybe both. It was showing no signs of degradation in the binding agents, though perhaps it hadn’t been very long. She carefully noted the levels and resolved to check again in an hour. Confirming her patient was in fact not in any life-threatening danger despite the concoction coursing through her veins, she left to research in her office. Reversing a potion like this was usually a race against time.
Without the actual potion to test, her work would be more difficult. Perhaps she should have played nice with the aurors. She shook her shoulders. Difficult but not impossible - she had done the impossible before, she could handle difficult.
An hour later she headed back to her patient’s room to check on her, but she was waylaid by the head healer.
“Healer Granger, my office, now.” Head Healer Hester Smythwick spat through gritted teeth. The poor woman really abused her molars. Hermione had tried to refer her to a dentist, but the witch wouldn’t hear of it.
Hermione followed her boss into her spacious office with its magically enchanted windows showing the 19th Arrondisemont of Paris of all places.
Jaw clenched, Healer Smythwick’s face was carved in a pained smile. Her wide lips showed off her back molars nicely. Pity they were being worn to nubs. “Kindly explain to me, Healer Granger, why I have received a notice from the aurors office of a formal complaint against one of my best healers as well as a request to remove you from a patient’s case?”
Hermione kept her face neutral. “The rules of the hospital clearly state that healers are authorized to use all reasonable magical means available to ensure the health of the patient - per code item 14.88 part (b). During my initial assessment, I determined that my patient had ingested an unknown and potentially dangerous, possibly fatal potion. I was interrupted during my diagnosis by an auror who sought to harm said patient. I summoned Deputy Auror Potter to resolve the matter swiftly, but Head Auror Robards joined us and proved to be highly disruptive. It was my assessment that neither his demeanor nor his presence best suited the needs of my patient - particularly the need that I confirm she was not in a life-threatening situation - so I removed them and continued my diagnostics which confirmed that while the potion was indeed a dangerous combination of potentially highly volatile ingredients, it is, at least for now, stable.”
Healer Smythwick pressed a manicured hand to her face. Her fingers came together to pinch the bridge of her nose. She inhaled, held it, and then exhaled. The witch was usually stressed running a magical hospital. Hermione had once seen literal steam coming out of her ears. Her boss folded her hands on her desk and opened her eyes. They flashed dangerously - clearly her calming technique was not working today.
“We have security to remove problematic persons Healer Granger.” Healer Smythwick chided. “Most staff would call for assistance.”
Hermione nodded. “I’m aware, but under the circumstances, it didn’t seem necessary to bother them when time was of the essence, and I was perfectly capable of handling it. I do think I did so in a reasonable manner - just wind. No harm done.”
Healer Smythwick hit her desk with her fist. “Damn it Granger I cannot have this! The head auror is not going to be satisfied with technicalities. He demanded you be reprimanded and taken off the case.”
Hermione spluttered. “But you can’t do that. This patient is in a serious situation - experimental potions, possible memory loss, I’m the best healer for this.”
She was, not to mention it was a fascinating case. Much more interesting than her usual slate of love potions gone awry and forgetful people who were convinced they were obliviated when really they just needed a remembrall. George Weasley used to add in the occasional bit of spice, but since he and Angelina were trying to get pregnant, his wife had banned him from certain experiments. Hermione couldn’t blame her, but it did make her shifts rather dull.
Smythwick took another breath. Her lips moved slightly as she silently counted to ten. Her brown eyes opened, and Hermione could read the sincerity there. Really most days she did like her boss.
“I know you are very capable Healer Granger. You’re one of my most skilled healers, but that is your job here - healing. Just because you are capable enough to handle something does not mean it falls to you to do so. Most staff…” she paused considering. “Most staff are not war heroes. I realize Healer Granger that you are not most staff - that you have battlefield experience and the skills to back it up. But the war is over. Has been for quite some time now.”
The woman leaned forward, her long hair flowing around her shoulders. She tented her fingers. “I told Robards that I won’t take you off the case.”
Exactly. Hermione squared her shoulders and gathered the folder in her hands, ready to get back to her job.
Healer Smythwick held up a finger stalling her exit. “However, as he impressed upon me the significance of this patient to his investigation, you are off all other assignments. This is your number one and only priority, and you will devote all of your time and those immense capabilities of yours to the task. You will update the aurors office with your progress and provide them as much access as possible without jeopardizing the patient’s health. You work on this until further notice.”
Hermione opened her mouth to protest. Shift work aside, she had any number of projects going on at present and would hate for them to be stalled.
Healer Smythwick’s eyes flashed. She seemed to be enjoying this just a tad, “IF you do not comply with these terms, or I have to hear from the auror’s office again, I will be filing a formal reprimand in your file AND you will be suspended without pay for two weeks.”
The Gryffindor shut her mouth. Her house traits got her into this mess, but she knew when to pick her battles and this one was clearly lost. Much as she detested the auror’s office meddling in her case, she was intrigued by the medical mystery in front of her. Her fingers already itched to unravel the tangled threads. Her other projects could wait - it seemed they would have to either way. She nodded.
“I understand.”