The Barkeep and The Medicine Woman

The hospital wing was about the only part of the castle that was not destroyed or littered with rubble. She worked tirelessly, catering to everyone carried in as others worked to repair the damages done during the battle. She smiled as Seamus Finnegan stumbled in, a book of paper and a box of colored and sketch pencils in his hand. He sat in a chair by his friend, setting the items on his bedside table. "Will he be alright?" He questioned.

"He will be alright. I've given him a sleeping draft so he can rest. He will be awake in the morning."

"Good, good. I brought him those; he'll be wantin' them in the mornin'." He said, with a sigh of relief. She patted him on the shoulder gently.

"You can visit for a while, as long as you are quiet." Normally, she would not allow visitors, knowing the patients would need their rest, but she understood that, under these circumstances, exceptions should be made.

She started when someone cleared their throat. She spun on her heel and found herself face to face with Aberforth Dumbledore. "There are more coming," he said gruffly. "I will stay and help. You are going to need all of the help you can get and the students need to rest." He nodded his head toward Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot who were both tending to minor injuries and abrasions.

She thought about refusing. There was something about him that made her uncomfortable but, then she thought better of it. She could use the help. So she simply gave a curt nod and ran to the doorway as a young boy, no more than fourteen, was carried in.

The two busied themselves, caring for patient after patient. At some point Aberforth had sent the two Hufflepuff girls back to their dorms to rest. She ignored his gaze as they worked, until finally, every person had been attended to.

"You look like death," He said. Then looking chastened under her glare, he mumbled, "Sorry, I wasn't thinking."

She nodded, lips pursed, "You should go home, rest. I will stay and keep an eye."

He sighed, looking defeated. "I will be back in the morning," He said with air of finality that reminded her so much of his brother. Gentle but determined.

"Thank you," she said, as he opened the door to leave.

He smiled in response.


AN. Wish I could have added a little more but it would have put it over the maximum word count. This is exactly 400 words. This entire collection is for the Five Drabbles Competition. My pairing is Aberforth/Poppy. The prompt for this drabble was colored pencils. Also submitting for the Unusual Ships Challenge.

Disclaimer – I don't own them.