A big thank-you to my beta who did a brilliant editing work on this chapter!
The large fireplace of St Mungo's Hospital emergency ward constantly flares up with flashes of emerald flame. People with various looks on their faces – confused, angry, scared – head straight to reception, where two nurses are busy advising families of patients. The chaos is accompanied by the occasional sound of sirens from the far east entrance of the emergency ward, where A&E wizards deliver the newly admitted to a hallway behind the reception desk. It all looks like turmoil after an earthquake.
Scorpius Malfoy, like many others who have just stepped out of the fireplace, stands still in confusion for a moment. He looks around, searching for where the flamingo patronus has called him to. Pulling the hood of his robes over so it covers half his face, he paces past hospital beds, his eyes squinting as he tries to discern the familiar faces among strangers with all sorts of blood stains and injuries. He's about to give up and ask a staff member for help when the little electric owl inside his pocket vibrates.
Second floor. Surgery ward. Waiting area.
Scorpius rushes inside the metal cage of a lift as soon as he finds one at the far corner of the room he is in. The rusty fences close behind him and a handful of other passengers and take them off the ground floor. He lets out a sigh as he recalls the events of the past hour. Scorpius knows his mother well enough to tell she would never cause a scene at the Emergency Department. She would ask for additional security and would arrange that his father is admitted in utmost privacy. If news spread that Draco Malfoy had been admitted to Mungo's with a serious injury, it would cause great turmoil in wizarding London.
As Scorpius gets off the lift, he carefully runs his fingers through the famous Malfoy blonde hair in an attempt to make himself presentable after a busy day of work. His mother Astoria is walking circles in the empty hallway in front of another set of closed doors. Her eyes are glued to the shiny white ceramic of the floor tiles. She seems deep in thought.
"Mother!" Astoria looks up and Scorpius runs towards her. He pulls her into a hug. "It's going to be alright, mother."
After a moment she gently pulls herself away and takes his hand.
"Let's go inside. Your father is still in surgery. We need to talk to the healers now, otherwise this will be front page news on tomorrow morning's Prophet."
They cross the closed doors, and Scorpius' eyebrows lift up at the sight in front of him. In contrast with the empty waiting area, the surgery feels almost crowded with nurses referring to charts and mediwizards discussing cases in animated voices along the long corridor.
"I've requested to speak with the Chief of Surgery. He should be here any moment," Astoria whispers into her son's ear. He's doesn't have time to respond before a young witch approaches them.
"Hello, Mrs Malfoy. And you are?" the stranger offers Scorpius a handshake.
"Scorpius Malfoy, son of Draco Malfoy." Scorpius nods his head curtly and shakes her hand.
"Right, Mr Malfoy. My name is Natalie Jones and I'm here to give you an update on your father's status. Our trauma surgeon Healer Williams is leading the surgery. Mr Draco Malfoy is stable now. He should be out of surgery in an hour."
"Healer Williams? I'm sorry, but we specifically requested Healer Smith, St. Mungo's Chief of Surgery to treat my husband." Astoria says, surprised at the young witch's report. Natalie Jones gives a well-practiced reassuring smile to Astoria.
"Mrs Malfoy, we are all well aware of your wish that your husband's admittance is handled quietly. Our Chief of Surgery has kindly agreed to respect your privacy request and I can assure you we have taken all necessary steps to ensure this stays within the walls of the surgery ward. However, Healer Smith has unfortunately had to decline the request to act as Mr Malfoy's mediwizard."
"Please, Miss Jones, surely you can do something?" Scorpius pleads. "We would be happy to generously compensate Healer Smith for any inconvenience."
"Mr Malfoy, you should know better than to think that our Chief of Surgery will prioritise patients based on financial enticement!" the woman responds icily. "We cannot insist that he acts against his own decision. He has referred you to Healer Andrew Williams, who is currently performing surgery. He is our current Chief of Staff, and more importantly, a specialist in muggle trauma and maladies. He is the best qualified wizard we can provide for your father."
"No offence, Miss, but we've never heard of a Healer Smith," Scorpius' voice is thick with contempt. Jones keeps her cool professional demeanour.
"This would be because his speciality in muggle trauma is rarely sought after. Your father has suffered a great many non-magical injuries in his accident. Treating him with spells and potions wouldn't be sufficient. Please, rest assured that Mr Malfoy is in the best possible hands."
Scorpius returns to the waiting area with his mother. His hands clench into fists as anger courses through his veins.
"That Chief of Surgery is refusing to treat father because he used to be a Death Eater! I can't believe there are still people who discriminate against us because of what happened thirty years ago. Father has proved himself over and over again and has contributed so much to wizarding society! Definitely more than the whole lot over here have!"
Astoria pats him on the shoulder.
"Come on, Scorpius, you can't accuse Healer Smith of anything until you're certain of it."
"I know him, mother." Scorpius grunts. "I met him at a Ministry gala once. During the Second Wizarding War his people were killed by Voldemort. Now he attends every event in honour of Weasley, Potter, Longbottom and the like."
Astoria Malfoy sighs.
"Scorpius, this is not the first time this has happened and I can promise you it won't be the last. We've always encountered people who loath us, as well as people who are insanely loyal to us, and even people who are ready to kiss your grandfather's arse only because of our wealth. I thought you were immune to all of this."
Scorpius bites his tongue and nods obediently. It's been thirty years after the war and yet he can still see the effects it's had on the wizarding community. He's always known that his father, him, and probably even his children and grandchildren will always have to live like saints if they're to have any chance at erasing all the prejudice and hatred. By default Malfoys are universally disliked for their past sins and their wealth.
"At least your father is in the best hands, at least according to the young mediwitch." There is a shake in Astoria's voice, and Scorpius can hear it. Sensing she's about to cry, he hugs his mother and brushes her hair gently.
"Father will be alright, mother. I know it. Please don't cry."
Moments later, a nure informs them that Draco Malfoy is out of surgery and that Healer Williams would like to talk to them. Scorpius and Astoria quickly follow her and find themselves inside the surgery ward once again.
Scorpius quietly watches as his mother runs towards a patient, pale and quite messed up, lying on a surgical bed that is being wheeled into a corridor. He clears his throat, takes a deep breath, and does his best to remain calm as he approaches the two other figures over by the bed. One is tall and solid, and the other small and delicate. They are still deep in their own discussion.
"Hello, healers," Scorpius draws their attention. "How is my father doing?"
The two surgeons look up at his anxious face. The tall one has already removed his mask and quickly offers a handshake.
"Hello, Mr Malfoy. I'm Healer Williams and this is my intern, Healer Weasley. Your father is doing just fine for the moment. We're happy to confirm he is stable."
Scorpius' mouth quite literally drops a bit. His gaze shifts towards the second, much smaller, surgeon, who is slowly peeling off her mask. She forces a smile as her blue eyes pierce his grey.
"It's lovely to meet you, Mr Malfoy. I'm Healer Rose Weasley."
This is my first attempt at HP fanfictions. I especially love Scorose and believe their love stories are always interesting. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Thanks a bunch!