In her letter she'd sent Smudgley yesterday, she'd promised an interview with two war heroes, now recovering at St. Mungo's. He was to ask for Neville, and arrive promptly at noon.

During her session with Healer Tamor that morning, Hermione had convinced him that visiting with Neville was "good for her." Healer Tamor had given her an approving smile as the mediwitch led her out of her room and to the third floor. She'd returned it.

Hermione smoothed out her robes — blue ones she'd borrowed from Neville — as she detailed to Smudgley the True Order's "daring rescue" of the Golden Girl, best friend to Harry Potter. She told the story as if none of the Malfoys had been present — as if she'd been locked alone in a tower, waiting to be saved. She kept the details of her "condition" vague, saying she was recovering from injuries sustained at Edinburgh.

While Neville described the events of the morning of 4 May, 1999, Hermione looked outside, watching sunlight strike the buildings. A sparrow landed on the windowsill.

A cleared throat startled her, and she turned to see Smudgley crossing his legs and sliding his thick specs up the bridge of his nose. "Miss Granger, you were a prisoner of the Malfoys for a year. How do you feel knowing that Lucius and Draco Malfoy are still on the loose? Are you frightened?"

She'd prepared for this. She'd twisted away from every question about the Malfoys, but Smudgley wanted something juicy to sell papers.

"Not at all. I trust the True Order with my life. Which is why I am eager to leave St. Mungo's and join their efforts to help rebuild our magical community."

The Quick-Quotes Quill paused, then began scribbling furiously. "You'll be working directly with the True Order, Miss Granger?"

"Yes," she said. Neville's lips twitched, and her shoulders felt lighter. "As soon as I'm discharged from St. Mungo's, I'll begin work with them."

Smudgley flipped through his notes. "Mr. Longbottom is being discharged tomorrow, I remember you saying…" He looked up at her. "When is your discharge date, Miss Granger?"

Hermione sent him a pleasant smile and said, "This Wednesday."

~*~

The article appeared the next morning, in the Sunday edition. She and Neville were the cover article, a picture of them splashed across the front page.

Healer Tamor came to see her that morning, and after asking a few perfunctory questions, he crossed his leg over his knee. "I wasn't aware that you were doing interviews, Miss Granger."

"Yes," she said lightly. "Smudgley was pleased to hear how well I've been treated here."

On Monday, her session with Healer Barkley was cut short by a basket of mail. The mediwitch dropped it off with a curious look, and Healer Barkley almost looked amused before excusing herself.

Hermione tore through the envelopes, searching for something from Ginny or Ron. Instead, she found letters from Daily Prophet readers around the world — words of support, prayers for her well-being, and… dare she say it, fan mail. She had to summon a grumpy-looking janitor after lunch to clear up the rose petals and streamers that had burst onto the floor.