Author's Notes: Written for the sq_drabblers community on Livejournal. A part of the Court This Disaster / More Than Our Abilities universe but can stand alone.
And as I explain in my profile, JKR spelled it Asteria on the Weasley Family Tree so that's how I spell it.
Come let me love you / Let me give my life to you
Alice had surprised them all today. At Healer Nguyen's suggestion, they'd been playing music in the ward for the patients. Today it was popular Muggle music and Alice had a particular fondness for one song in particular. When it first played, she'd walked over to the enchanted phonograph, swaying and humming to the music. When it stopped, she had tried to pick up the needle, wanting to play the song again.
Frank too, had shown an unexpected reaction though not as obvious as his wife's. Every so often, he'd move his feet on the floor as if he wanted to move. He'd first done it after Alice stood and for one wild moment, Asteria wondered if they would get up and dance. She'd considered suggesting it but hadn't had a chance to speak yet.
"Along with trips outside," Nguyen was explaining his plans for treatment to the other Healers, "I'd like to see more activities. I notice you have land out back, I'd like to propose a garden. Not just for the looks but let the patients get involved in tending and taking care of it as a way--"
"That's it?" interrupted Healer Deverill. "We portkey you all the way out here from California on the suggestions of two Trainee Healers--"
Asteria Greengrass sighed, beside her Padma bristled at his tone.
"And you think that coloring and trips to the zoo are going to what - make these people just wake up one day? Puttering around in the dirt is going to cure them?"
"No," Nguyen answered flatly. "I don't know if there is a cure--"
"Then what--"
"But we can," Nguyen continued on over Deverill's objections, "improve their quality of life."
"I understand your point, Mr. Nguyen," Healer Leach began. Asteria had noticed a correlation between those who refused to use the title of 'Healer' when referring to Nguyen and those who were most likely to object to his plans. "However, I don't see how something like a garden would be possible. We already spend enough money as it is on your ideas and with very little to show for it."
Thinking of Heidi Macavoy's recovery after being tortured by the Carrows, Asteria was ready to remind the Leach of the same but Padma spoke first.
"Neville Longbottom would help. He's a Herbologist now. I'm sure a simple garden would be easy enough for him and I doubt he would ask for payment."
Leach was unmoved. "But where would the money from for such an endeavor? We can't expect Mr. Longbottom to work for free and foot the bill for materials."
With a glance at the green diamond that was the centerpiece of her ornate engagement ring, Asteria said, "I could help with that." Deverill snorted and she squared her shoulders. "With any of the funds Healer Nguyen needs for his proposed treatments."
The table fell quiet till, finally, Chief of Medicine Cadwaller huffed, "Very well then. Have your proposal on my desk Monday including cost. We'll go over it then."
You fill up my senses / Come fill me again
