Here I am again. This story actually came to me over Christmas, I can't explain why or how. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1 Wednesday

Harry sat at his desk finishing off the last bit of paperwork. He wanted to complete everything before tomorrow.

He had been working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for over a year now. Harry had decided some time ago that this was the best course of action. He wasn't an Auror, but he was still working with them. Shackleboot was actually the one in charge of him. Harry really didn't mind working for him.

"Excuse me, Harry." Madeline, the administrator for Shackleboot asked. "I have some documentation on questionable practices we just found on Stergoes and Larks. It looks like a pretty boring case, but. . ."

"Madeline." Harry interrupted her. "What day is it?"

Madeline looked peculiar. She then looked at the calendar. "Wednesday. Oh Harry I am so sorry. I'll take this over to Caroline. She can handle it, I'm sure. Harry if I would of realized I would not have said anything."

"It's alright." Harry said calming her down. "It was a simple mistake. You're right Caroline would probably handle it quite well."

"Do you need me to send something somewhere or help out, so you can head off?" Madeline asked in a very apologetic matter.

"No," Harry said. "I've got this taken care of."

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Madeline said walking away with the paperwork.

When she was out of view Harry allowed himself to smile. Madeline worked all the administrative aspects for Shackleboot. Occasionally handing out work assignments and handling the time tables. Generally she was pretty good in most aspects even if she wasn't always the brightest person in the world.

Harry did like her though. She believed in the work that the Magical Law Enforcement did and would defend it to anyone. She was also one of the first to line up all the faults that occurred when Fudge was in office. She had only worked for about year in the Ministry of Magic when Fudge was in office. But she had an unusual knack for keeping things straight and seeing faults.

After finishing his paperwork, Harry got up and grabbed his cloak. He said a quick good bye to Caroline, who he partnered with occasionally, then headed towards the Magical Games and Sports office.

"Are you ready Ron?" Harry asked.

"Yes I am." Ron said getting up. He pulled his own cloak on and they both headed to the lobby. "Did you hear, Ginny's in Spain this week."

"Not bad considering she was working in Holland last week." Harry replied. "I suppose handling damage control for Quidditch players can get rough and send you around everywhere."

Ron nodded. "Especially with that damn Johnson on the team. I swear that guy could start an incident in his sleep."

"He did." Harry said remembering the owl that Ginny had sent him. "Remember when he fell asleep in the Muggle pub? Then started talking in his sleep?"

Ron nodded remembering that from the Daily Prophet. "I thought the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad was going to have to clean that one up. But Ginny handled it quite well."

They arrived at the fireplaces in the lobby. Because of security it was actually the easiest way to get out at times. Harry took a pinch of floo powder and threw it into the flames.

"St. Mungo's."

Ron followed right afterwards.

Meanwhile at St. Mungo's, Alice stood watching over the other Healers. She made a point to keep an eye on them and to make her presence known.

Alice was the Healer-in-Charge of the Janus Thickey ward on the Spell Damage floor of St. Mungo's. She ran her ward in a manner of strictness and constant observations.

Most of her staff seemed uneasy around her. She figured the initial fear was her presence. During her younger foolish days she had done a cosmetology spell on her eyes. The end result was that her eyes remained forever darkened with a black circle around them. They looked as though they had been kohl painted.

She checked the clock on the wall. It was just about time.

Alice may have been head of the ward, but in truth she had one patient the she cared for Hermione Granger. She had made it know that no one was to care for her, but her. Alice only chose specific Healers that would be allowed to care for her, but she restricted what they were allowed to do.

One pour nurse had made that mistake. She had been doing routine checks and had just checked on her.

The nurse had discovered how well Alice's Boils Curse worked. The nurse had been a patient for an hour on the Spell Damage floor to have all the boils removed.

The message was very clear after that.

"Hello, Hermione dear." Alice said entering one of the small private rooms. "Your gentlemen callers are coming today."

Hermione just laid on the bed not moving.

Alice carefully lifted her onto her wheelchair. She knew the other Healers raised an eyebrow to her for not using magic. But Alice had her own approach to magical healing. Use magic has you can, but use caution with extended use.

After Hermione was made comfortable Alice brushed her hair into a loose braid and laid it on the side of her head. She then placed one of the hats that she had in the room on her. Alice always made sure that when Hermione had guests that she looked presentable. Another thing the Healers raised an eyebrow to. But has Alice told her mother many times. She did not take this job to make friends.

Alice then used a charm to move the wheelchair Hermione was in towards the garden. The garden was actually in view of Muggles so Alice made sure that Hermione was in a wheelchair. She wanted to present an image of a handicapped person, nothing more they could take note of.

Earlier Alice had seen that it was sunny day and she thought the sun might do Hermione some good. She had left a note with the front desk to tell Harry and Ron to meet her out there.

Outside the day was nice and warm, something Alice did appreciate. It had been a bit colder the last week and she had kept Hermione inside. Alice saw Harry and Ron at the set of benches near the roses. She pushed the chair towards the two gentlemen has she called them. Alice knew that Harry and Ron both loved Hermione in their own way. Only love could give anyone the kind of dedication they still showed towards her.

"Hello Harry, hello Ron." Alice said to them. "I'm afraid that today is not one of her good days." She said gently. "But I've had her inside. I think the sun would do her some good. I will leave you three alone." Alice walked back into the building.

When it came to Ron and Harry, Alice trusted them completely with Hermione.

Ron took Hermione's hand in his and gently stroked it. "You're looking really pretty." Ron said to her.

Harry took Hermione's other hand. It was always the same routine every Wednesday that they came to see her. They talked to her about the Weasley family and work. How much they wished that she could join them. They also talked to her about Hogwarts. The school had to be reconstructed after the final battle. Harry and Ron had assisted with the reconstruction.

They stayed for an hour then Harry wheeled Hermione back towards the door. Alice was there waiting for them.

"Thank you for taking care of her." Ron said to Alice after saying goodbye to Hermione. He always said that to Alice after he got word about what happened to the nurse.

"I will. Don't worry about her." Alice patted Ron on the shoulder.

When they were out of earshot Ron turned to Harry. "She isn't getting any better is she?"

"It was just not one of her good days." Harry said. "Hermione has those every now and then."

"Today she seemed distant." Ron replied. "I don't think she will ever recover."

Harry didn't say anything. He patted Ron on the back and led him towards the lobby so they could go home. He did not want to give up hope on Hermione. He certainly did not want Ron to give up hope.

Alice placed Hermione back into the bed. She removed the hat and adjusted her head so she would be comfortable. "I hope you had an exciting day." She said to her. Alice then sat on the bed and took Hermione's hand. "I hope next Wednesday that you have a good day. I know Ron and Harry would like to see you like that again."

Alice referred to her days as good and not good. During her good days Hermione would squeeze the hand that was holding hers and look towards the person talking with her. Occasionally she would make eye contact with them. On her not good days Hermione would not respond to anything.

Alice closed the door to the private room and went back out of the floor to watch the staff before her shift ended.

When it came close to eight o clock a young witch came up to Alice asking for instructions.

Katherine was fresh out of Hogwarts. She had immediately gone to work for St. Mungos and was studying to be a Healer. Alice had scooped her up immediately.

Alice had an underlining mistrust with most of the senior staff at the hospital. Therefore she liked Katherine for three simple reasons. She was new, she was willing to work, and Alice's mother had sent a very nice recommendation.

Katherine had initially been a little standoffish with Alice. The incident with the nurse had not been a help. Alice had told Katherine when she was no longer on shift she was the only one to care for Hermione. She was not to handle any other patients, except has an emergency.

Katherine had argued that she was not trained well enough to handle such a special case. Since no one actually knew what was wrong with her. Alice had replied that she had enough training to follow directions well enough and knew how to use her common sense.

Alice took a scroll from her desk and handed it to Katherine. "She is not having one of her good days, but she was outside in the sun for a while."

"She seems to do better after she's been outside." Katherine remarked with her head still bowed.

"Yes," Alice agreed. "If anything happens I want you to write it down. Even if she blinks at you."

"Yes, ma'am." Katherine said. "Are there any additional medications?"

"No, just the usual." Alice said. "Have a nice evening."

"You as well." Katherine took her usual seat in the door way to the private room. She watched the clock waiting for when she would have to administer the potions.