"Healer Black?"
The blonde mediwitch stopped in her tracks and turned around to walk into the room the voice had called from, internally preparing for the conversation she knew was to come. Because after already having this exact conversation yesterday as well as the day before, she couldn't help the sliver of annoyance that crept into her being.
"Mrs. Thistle," she forced a smile onto her face as she approached the old witch in the hospital bed. "How are you doing today?"
"I am feeling rather well, thank you. And that is why I wanted to speak to you, Healer Black. You see, I feel healthy enough to return home and-"
"Mrs. Thistle, haven't I explained this just yesterday?" Narcissa pulled on gloves and gently examined the old woman's ears. The inflammation was still there as were the little tufts of orange fur that were slowly growing back. "You have to remain here until the jinx is fully lifted, ma'am. You are lucky that your neighbor isn't very adept in wandless magic or you might very well have a matching tail and snout. And while I personally think that the cat ears were rather cute, I believe you would prefer it if there remained no trace of them at all?"
"I do. Of course, I do. But my Sally turns five this weekend and-"
"Mrs. Thistle, your ears look good enough that I believe you'll make a full recovery in the next two or three days. And I know you love your cats and do not wish to miss their birthday but trust me, Sally will be more than happy to be celebrated a day or two after." Narcissa briefly squeezed the 102-year-old's shoulder. "Rest and be patient and the rest will take care of itself. I will examine you again tomorrow and Healer Ming will come to apply the salve later this evening."
"All right, Healer Black, I shall try to be patient. Have a good evening."
"You too, ma'am."
And just a little more tired than before, Narcissa left Mrs. Thistle's room and continued on her way to the staff room, hoping to catch a small break and a cup of tea before her evening rounds.
However, it seemed fate had a different idea.
Because when she rounded the corner, one of the nurses was already waving her over, frantically trying to keep a man and a woman from wandering off before they could even be admitted.
"Nurse Swenson?"
"These Muggles were flown here all the way from Australia," the young wizard explained, handing her a clipboard. "The Healer who examined them in Perth seems to think that they have gone through a memory charm gone wrong. They were found by a wizarding family who thought that they behaved rather oddly – even for Muggles – so they alerted the officials. Healer McLeod decided to transfer them to London as we have the best spell damage ward worldwide."
Narcissa nodded after having gone through the mediwizard's notes. "Take them to room 23 and get them settled in, see that the elves know not to bring them supper themselves. Have another nurse bring it. Maybe also put one of the 'Muggle' signs on their door. We do not need them any more scared or confused than they already are. I will check on them before my evening rounds."
"Yes, ma'am." The young nurse blushed and rushed off, struggling to keep the two Muggles at his side but finally succeeding to usher them into the mentioned room.
Narcissa on the other hand quickly slipped into the staff room, poured herself a cup of herbal tea, and took a bite of a turkey sandwich, moaning in pleasure.
"Long day?"
The 'intruder' surprised her so much that she almost choked on a piece of cucumber.
"Minerva!" she coughed and cleared her throat until she was able to breathe freely once more. "What are you doing here?"
The old witch chuckled and briefly stepped forward to peck the blonde's cheeks.
"I am here to visit Alice and Frank," she said, smiling at her former student. "And I decided to see how you are doing while I'm here. How are things with your colleagues?"
"Healer Ling is nice enough and I work well with Nurse Swenson even though he does still make a lot of mistakes sometimes. The others... well…" Narcissa trailed off, opting to take a sip of her tea instead.
"Old prejudices die hard," Minerva sighed, sinking down into one of the uncomfortable looking chairs only to learn that they weren't only looking that way. No wonder Narcissa remained standing. "But I am preying to the choir. You must know this better than almost anyone."
"I do," Narcissa agreed. "And it might be difficult but I knew that before you helped me acquire the position. I am grateful for this chance and I won't throw it away because of a few spiteful words or disgusted looks. I am a Black after all. We don't break easily."
"Good. I am glad, Narcissa, I really am. I always grieved the potential you threw away by doing as you were told and marrying Lucius. It is good to see you follow your own wishes now that you are finally free of him and the expectations of your family."
"And it is all thanks to you," Narcissa gave the older witch a genuine smile. "Now, your visit was a nice surprise but I have to get back to work. I have two new patients as well as nine others who are waiting for me." She helped Minerva to her feet, watching with amusement as the headmistress stretched and glared at the chair she'd just vacated. Somebody should really throw these out…
"Good evening," Narcissa said as she walked into room 23, noting with relief that both Muggles were still where they were supposed to be. And judging from the empty dishes, they had eaten as well. Good. Sometimes memory charms went so terribly wrong that people starved to death or died because they simply forgot to sleep. It was a horrible thing to witness. "I am Dr. Black," she introduced herself, using the Muggle title as she'd read from the pamphlet about treating Muggles. "I heard that you are having some kind of amnesia? Do you remember your names? Anything at all?"
"This is my wife, Dr. Black," the Muggle man nodded at the woman sitting on the bed next to him. "But I cannot recall her name nor can I recall my own. And I can't even remember marrying her..." He shook his head, confusion clearly his main emotion. "She is… she's worse off than I am though, isn't she? I had to spoon-feed her the soup and she hasn't said a single word ever since... ever since... I don't remember."
"It is quite all right, sir, you and your wife will receive our very best care," Narcissa tried to calm the man, unsure of how to continue next. She'd have to run a series of diagnostic spells but she didn't want to agitate them further by waving around with her wand. She could examine them after administering some Sleeping Draught but Narcissa didn't want to risk it with their unknown conditions. Potions could have unforeseen effects on Muggles. If something went wrong… No, she wouldn't risk it.
Maybe she could transfigure her wand to look like something else? There was a photo of a Muggle doctor in that brochure, wasn't there? Maybe her wand should look like one of these things they were always wearing around their necks? Yes, that could actually work.
She excused herself and briefly left the room.
"Accio 'How to treat your very first Muggle' brochure."
Narcissa swiftly caught the magazine in her hand and quickly skimmed through the pages until she found what she was looking for. So they called this a stethoscope? What a strange name.
With some effort and wandless magic – after all her wand was the object for transfiguration – she eventually managed to make it look like the real thing. She'd have to cast the diagnostic spells non-verbally though. No point in hiding her wand if she was shouting spells at them.
Narcissa tiredly massaged her neck. This was going to be a long evening yet.
After doing a first gentle examination of the Muggle couple and going on her evening rounds, Narcissa was finally free to go home. Or almost at least.
She was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed but she had promised Draco and Astoria to meet them at the Manor for a quick evening cap, so she would do just that.
She shrugged out of her lime-green Healer robes and donned a pair of black dress pants and a grey blouse, leaving behind the bustle of the wizarding hospital and entering Muggle London.
The blonde rounded the corner of the elegant Muggle boutique that hid their hospital and disapparated once she was certain that no-one was around to witness her disappear.
A moment later she arrived at the gates of Malfoy Manor, frowning at the sound of her plop. Usually, she had to strain her ears to even hear the sound of her apparition... She must've really dipped into her magic storage.
Running her left hand through her hair, she placed the other on the handle of the large iron gate, watching as it swung open before her. The blood magic wards around Malfoy Manor were strong and while she wasn't a Malfoy by blood or even by marriage these days, they still recognized the fact that it was her son who lived here and treated her as 'family'.
"Mother," Draco came to the door himself, pulling his mother inside and into a long embrace. "I have splendid news. Come, Astoria is waiting for us in the sitting room."
She smiled at her son's obvious happiness and hung up her coat, swiftly following him into the sitting room where she was greeted by Astoria who raised from one of the couches to kiss her cheeks.
"Narcissa," the brunette smiled widely. "It is so nice to see you. Please, take a seat. Would you like some tea?"
"That'd be lovely," Narcissa agreed, sitting down in the old armchair that had once belonged to her former father-in-law, Abraxas Malfoy. It was the most uncomfortable chair in the whole Manor and exactly what she needed right now if she didn't want to nod off.
"Winky," Astoria called out for their house-elf and the tiny elf appeared not a moment later. "Would you please bring us some tea? Perhaps a few biscuits as well?"
"Yes, Mistress Malfoy. Winky shall be right back."
They waited until the elf had returned and once everyone was nursing a nice hot cup of tea, Draco cleared his throat to get his mother's attention.
"Mother, Astoria and I are expecting a baby." His eyes were bright with joy and excitement.
"You are? Oh, that's wonderful news, Draco," Narcissa was wide awake after her son's announcement, his joy quite contagious. "I am so very happy for the both of you. How far along are you, Astoria?"
"Almost fifteen weeks. We wanted to wait before we tell anyone in case-" the young witch trailed off and Narcissa could see the hint of sadness in her eyes.
So she took one of her hands and looked her straight into the eyes. "This baby will be perfectly fine, I can feel it. And now you have your personal Healer at your beck and call. I know the pregnancy won't be easy on you with your blood malediction but all of us together we will get you through it. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, yes… thank you, Narcissa," Astoria gave her a grateful nod, dabbing at her wet eyes.
"I can't wait to meet my grandchild," Narcissa stood up, pressing a kiss to Draco's forehead like she'd done uncountable times before. "Now unfortunately, I have to leave as I have to get some rest before my night shift tomorrow. But come see me next week at the hospital, yes? I'll squeeze you in."
"We will. Thank you for stopping by, mother. Have a good night."
"Healer Black!" Swenson was on her heels as soon as she stepped through the charmed boutique window the next evening. "We have an emergency at the ward and all the other healers are busy with patients. A little girl..."
"Lead the way."
Narcissa followed the young wizard to a room where she was awaited by utter pandemonium.
Two dark-haired children were noisily chasing each other around the bed while a young man – whom Narcissa immediately recognized as George Weasley by the hole in his left ear – was holding onto a little redheaded girl who was sobbing into his chest.
"Mr. Weasley," Narcissa politely greeted the young man, hoping he'd react in kind. Their families had never seen eye to eye and the feud was almost traditional these days. One had to wonder which of their ancestors had started it.
"Mrs. Malfoy," the Weasley boy seemed surprised but not antagonistic.
"It's Black," she corrected him, making her way further into the room to shake his hand.
"I uh, we had a little accident at the shop," George Weasley admitted, nervously scratching the back of his neck. "I'd offered to watch my niece for my brother so he could have a romantic dinner with his wife. If they get here before Rosie is back to normal..."
"So you are Rosie then?" Narcissa approached the child who was clutching onto her uncle's shirt and still sobbing uncontrollably, her sobs only interrupted by a few hiccups.
"What happened, Mr. Weasley?"
"She must've gotten a hold of one of my new sweets. I call them 'Floating Flubbers'. They're still a prototype though and have never been tested and now... well.… I found Rosie floating at the ceiling of the joke shop."
"So you're saying your niece is floating because of something she ate?"
"Exactly," the man nodded his head so fast, Narcissa waa surprised his neck didn't protest.
"Very well. I'll need you to help Rosie onto the bed and hold onto her feet so I can examine her, can you do that for me?"
"Y-yes, of course."
"Good. And I'd appreciate it if you told your children to either sit still and be quiet or play down the hall in the waiting room. I need to be able to concentrate and hear."
"Of course. Fred, Roxy, go play in the waiting room. I'll come and get you once the healer has helped your cousin."
"Okay, dad," the boy nodded at his father, then took his sister's hand into his own and led her out of the room. Not a moment later, they could be heard racing each other down the hallway towards the waiting room.
Narcissa smiled at that. They seemed to take after their father and his deceased twin.
"Well, let's get started, Mr. Weasley."
The blonde waited until the wizard had done as instructed but it took her another moment to coax the little girl to let go off her uncle so she could examine her.
"Rosie, sweetheart, can you look at me?" Narcissa sweetly asked the child, bending down a little so she was on her eye-level. "I'm Narcissa," she calmly introduced herself, pointing to the little name tag on her green robes. "I know you're frightened right now, sweetheart, but I promise you're perfectly safe here with me and your uncle George. He'll hold onto your ankles so I can find out how to get you to stop floating, isn't that so, Mr. Weasley?"
"Yes. I've got you, Rosie, you can let go for the healer."
"See, Rosie? Now, can you let go for me?"
The little girl's honey brown eyes finally met Narcissa's as she shyly nodded. Then, after only a moment of hesitation, the girl let go.
"See, sweetheart, that wasn't so bad, was it? Now I'll just run a couple of spells on you and then you can go back into your uncle's arms, okay?"
Another tiny nod.
"It won't hurt at all. It might tickle a little though, so I hope you're not as ticklish as my son."
"I'm not," the red-haired child proudly declared, the tears finally subsiding and even being replaced by a small smile.
"All the better then," Narcissa smiled back and drew her wand, whispering a few examining spells as she swiftly moved her wand through the air in front of her.
Once she was done, she briefly touched the girl's little nose with the tip of her wand, making her giggle as colourful stars erupted from her nostrils.
"Oh wow," Narcissa feigned innocence. "Did you sneeze, Rosie? My, I've never seen such a magical sneeze before!"
"You're silly," the child laughed, totally having forgotten about her little 'problem'. "That was you."
"Me? No, it couldn't have been. I didn't do anything at all." Narcissa smirked, put back her wand, and pulled a small lollipop from her coat, handing it to her patient. "That one is for you, for being the bravest girl in the entire hospital."
Narcissa turned to the worried Weasley. "You can let go off her now, Mr. Weasley. The effects of your new invention have to wear off on their own, however, I have placed a 'Gravitas' charm on her feet, so she won't be in danger of flying off to any faraway places anytime soon. I suggest we keep her overnight though. We don't want to be caught unaware by any possible side effects of your 'Floating Flubber' after all."
"Thank you," he said, only somewhat relieved. He'd still have to let Hermione and Ron know what had happened after all, especially now that Rose had to stay.
"Well, I'll have to go and see to my other patients now but if there is anything you need, just have a nurse find me. If you want, I can let your children know to come back here?"
"Oh yes, please, that would be great. Thank you."
Narcissa nodded, winked at little Rosie who was now sitting on the bed and contently sucking on her lollipop, then left the room. She wondered if Mr. Weasley had already thought of his own mother's reaction to the little accident. Molly Weasley's howlers had been infamous during her son's Hogwarts years. Of course Draco had always gleefully told her of each and every one of them...
AN: I appreciate every form of feedback you can spare, whether it be a follow, a favorite, or even something as awesome as a review. I really like this idea so far and hope I can get some of you to hop onto the train!
Please let me know how I'm doing and pose questions if you have any :-)