The Curse and The Cure *Snamione*

Chapter 6.

6

Gone to Romania on our 'mission'. Could be a while. Keep that old coot Snape alive for me until I return. Lucius

Hermione reread the owl again. It had been dropped onto her desk a few minutes after she arrived in her office, barely allowing her time to remove her cloak. She'd briefly visited Severus that morning before flooing back to The Ministry and having been happy that he was well enough to be left for a few hours, settled down for a day's work.

Maple had brought her a number of parchments to read through and sign - all incredibly dull but a necessary part of the job and by mid morning Hermione had cleared the lions share of the pile that was now sitting neatly on her desk, awaiting distribution or filing.

Her musings took her to Lucius. She wondered if he'd yet had any success with the Goblin? She knew how devious and downright odious Goblins could be - and that was just the nice ones - and despite Lucius' bravado she was concerned for his safety. Maybe she should have demanded she go in his stead or at least accompany him? She sighed and let out a long slow breath. The waiting was always the hardest part. Whilst Severus was surviving, he was needing more and more of her potion to keep him stable and it wouldn't be long before the tincture had no affect on him at all. This morning, for the first time, he'd actually been courteous to her - without a hint of the abrasive attitude she had become used to receiving upon her arrival, so she knew he must be feeling incredibly weak. She was scared for him and could only pray that Lucius' quest was successful.

At lunchtime, to take her mind off Lucius and Severus she gathered her cloak and bag and after a stop at a store to collect some gifts, made her way to St Mungos to visit Misty, Ron and the twins.  The Wizarding entrance to the hospital was inconspicuously hidden behind an abandoned building, with the name Purge & Dowse etched into the crumbling brickwork above the door of what once must have been an impressive shop front.  Today, in its decay, it was just one of many identical forgotten businesses, waiting for its turn to be rediscovered and gentrified into smart apartments, art galleries or faceless office blocks. 

The whitewashed clinical corridors seemed to be never ending as Hermione and her shoes gently tapped along the marble floor towards the maternity unit.  She eventually came across the side ward that had the name 'Misty Weasley' written on a small piece of parchment, pinned to the door and was just about to let herself in when George and Angelina appeared, coming out of the room. 

"Well hello Minister!" Said George with a grin, "stalking me again?" Angelina rolled her eyes skyward "Can't say I blame you..."

"Hello you two" Hermione smiled back. "Funnily enough I've come to see the two new additions to your ridiculously large family! Am I ok to go in?"

"Of course" replied Angelina, taking her husband's hand and pulling him away from the door "We're just going now anyway, go on in. I'm sure they'll love to see you." They said their 'goodbyes' and Hermione turned and pushed open the double doors. Her heart gave a little leap as she saw the sight before her. Misty was sat up cradling one small bundle and Ron was sat next to her on the edge of the bed with another identical burrito of blankets. Both of the new parents bore expressions of tiredness mixed with relief and wonder but mostly - definitely mostly - love. It was unmistakeable and for a moment Hermione felt like she was intruding on their intimacy.

She faltered, wondering if she could leave without being seen but no such luck; at that very moment Ron looked up and with a huge grin crossing his face spotted her.

"Hermione!"

Hermione came towards them. Her arms full of the gifts she'd bought earlier.

"I'm not interrupting am I?" She asked "Is now a good time?"