Despite my insistence, Malfoy had decided not to visit the hospital. He believed it to be a waste of time since I had helped him the traditional way. Magic. I was firmly against it but I remembered it was his call to make so I had dropped the subject.
"You're quite the nurse, Weasley", he said one morning when I was replacing his bandages once again. "Couldn't have guessed you'd do such a good job with my arm". I saw him move his arm around a bit.
I felt my ears warm. "Thanks", I mumbled.
"It still hurts a little when I move it but it's much better now".
"I'm glad", I said placing the last bandage on his shoulder.
"Where did you learn to heal?"
"Nurse", I corrected him. "Two years of training".
After that, we went about our morning routine where we had breakfast and then I did my daily chores and what not and Malfoy watched television, played with Nate and fed him his bottle.
"Do you want to try to stand?" I asked Malfoy. "Stretch your muscles maybe?"
"Sure, I can try", he agreed. I had put some of the more delicate and dangerous things away so I let Nate craw freely around the cottage while Malfoy and I proceeded to the task of helping him stand. "How are we going to do this?"
"you're going to have to put pressure on your right leg to lift yourself. And you'll have to use your left arm to push yourself up. I'll be holding on to you as well. You can balance off me".
Malfoy pulled his duvet off and nodded, "let's do this".
Malfoy positioned himself like I had instructed and I put my arm around him to hold him steady. "That's it", I said softly. "Gently now".
"Ugh", he grunted. "Fuck, this hurts..."
"Here, this might help", I put my hands on his back to help with the lift and balance since he was supporting himself by one leg.
"That's better thanks", he said and used the wall for support. "My legs are numb".
I made sure to hold cautiously since it easy to lose balance with numb legs. "How does it feel to be up?"
"Amazing", he sighs. "I can't wait till my leg is better. I'll be able to walk around".
After a couple more minutes, Malfoy went back to the couch. and we resumed our day. During the afternoon, I decided to head out to town for some groceries since I was cooking for someone other than myself now and I was running low on ingredients. Plus I needed more diapers for Nate. I was amazed at how many diapers a baby could go through in a day.
"I'm sorry I'm making things difficult for you", He said looking up from the television as I was putting on my raincoat.
"I don't mind", I shrugged.
"Please...you don't have to do anything fancy for me", he said.
"I wasn't planning to".
Malfoy nodded. "How long will you be?"
"An hour. An hour and a half maybe", I said as I rummaged in my purse for my car keys.
"Don't be too long", he said. "If Nate gets restless I won't be able to help him".
"I'll try. Just rock him. I'll put his bottle on the stand here. Give this to him if he gets restless".
Malfoy sighed and I saw him try to shift slightly.
"Do you want to lie on my bed? You don't look very comfortable".
"It's fine", he sighed. I watched him take the TV remote and flip through the channels. "You know, I still can't believe you're leaving me alone in your house", he smirked.
"You're too crippled for crime", I shrugged. Malfoy's eyes gleamed in amusement and a slight grin was shared between the two of us
"And she's funny too", he said to Nate who had crawled to him.
"Well, I'm gonna head out now. See yo—"
"Wait! One more thing. Can you pass me my jeans please?" He pointed at the chair across the room where his clothes were just as I opened the door.
"Sure", I said and I gave him his clothes. Nate crawled towards the door excitedly but I caught him and gave his squirming self back to Malfoy. "Oh no, Nate, you're not going anywhere. Okay, Scorpius, I'm gonna go n—".
"Wait", he said.
"What?"
"Take this", He said, pulling out a piece of leather from the pants I had handed to him.
"Your wallet?"
"Yes. I have cash in here as well as credit cards. It should be enough".
"I don't need it. I have money, Malfoy", I said sternly. I was very offended. How can he assume I don't have money or I'm poor or something! Just because I'm in a small cottage without the luxury he probably has at the Malfoy Manor? That doesn't mean anything, my simple lifestyle is my choice!
"Rose, I didn't mean..." he began. "Listen. All I'm saying is that I don't want you paying for mine and Nate's things".
"Oh..."
"It's not right. I'm already an uninvited guest here. I don't want you to have to put up with our expenses".
"Okay", I mumbled. That sounded like a fair deal I guess.
"Nate!" Malfoy suddenly called out to Nate who had cleverly made his way to the door once again.
"Nate!" I laughed when I caught him again. I tried to give him back to Malfoy but he refused to go to him.
"I'm his uncle! Why does he like you better?!" Malfoy said huffing.
"He's intelligent like that isn't he?" I said tickling Nate.
"Actually, he just wants to go out", Malfoy said taking a wriggling Nate from me. "Come on, Nate. We're staying at home today".
"Bye, now", I said to the pair from the doorway. Just as I was about to shut it behind me, I heard a burst of crying. "Oh what the hell!" I turned around and marched back to the tear-streaked, red-faced baby who was holding his arms out to me.
I took Nate from Malfoy and Nate's seat from Malfoy's car. "You and I are going to have an adventure today". I strapped him in, then strapped myself in and off the two of us went. I drove down to a small town on the edge of the mainland across the bridge. Nate was laughing and making happy noises the entire time. I heard him bang on the window in excitement and I couldn't help chuckle. Our first stop was the baby store.
"Come on, Nate. Time to shop for you, you little pussycat", I cooed him as I unstrapped him and picked him up in my arms.
I noticed, as soon as I stepped in, that the entire store had that same scent I smelled on Nate. The baby oil kind of scent but it was somewhat overwhelming in the store.
"Cute dress, madam; loving the pattern!" I turned around to see a nice looking gentleman standing next to me. He was dressed in the store's simple uniform, his hair neatly gelled and wearing black large-rimmed glasses. His name tag read 'Hi, my name is Adam'. "Oh my gosh! Aren't you the most adorable little boy!" He said pinching Nate's cheek. I saw Nate cringe and pull back slightly so I patted his back to soothe him. "May I show you our newest brand of formula?"
"Uh...alright", I said. Nate was going through his milk fast. He was going through everything fast come to think of him.
"Now the special aspect of this new formula is that it's the closest it gets to breast milk".
"What?!" I looked at him.
"You seem like a new mother", he looked me up and down. I felt extremely uncomfortable...
"Excuse me, I'm not-"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. A lot of women prefer not to use formulas. Do you mind if I ask if you breastfeed?"
"WHAT?! No I-"
He leaned in, "It's fine if you don't like to in public. Trust me, tons of young mums come here and they tell me they're just not ready to do it in public. Follow me!" he said excitedly. So I did since I was so confused and unsure of what else to do.
"Here you'll find some of the best pumps this town has to offer!" He squealed. "Trust me on this, ma'am! My partner and I recently adopted the most adorable baby girl. We didn't want her to get used to the idea of being breastfed so her birth mother used to pump and we bought this brand for her", He held the box out.
"I'm so sorry...uh, Adam. I don't...breastfeed and I'm not a mother. This is not my baby".
"What?"
"Uh, I mean, this is my friend's baby".
"Oh I see..." he eyed us funny. "Well...I'm sorry about that. However, if your friend is ever curious—"
"No! no, my friend is a man—I mean it's his nephew. I'll just stick to formula, thanks".
"Well in that case, let me sho-"
"No it's fine", I said. "I like to do things myself".
"Sure!" And with that he left. I quickly got the things I needed for Nate and proceeded to check out and leave this store. It's much too overwhelming to shop for a baby. Once I was at checkout, I remembered Malfoy's wallet in my purse. He'd probably be much more comfortable with the fact that he's paying for Nate's things.
"Will you be paying by cash or card today?" The lady asked as she rung up my items.
"Uh...just cash", I put my wallet back in my purse and pulled out Malfoy's (The task was made harder with Nate who kept sticking his hand in my purse, pulling out whatever junk I had in there and then chucking it at the cashier). "Nate, stop it", I said as I wrestled my pen out of his grip before he stabs the very nice cashier in the eye with it.
"Shopping with the husband's wallet today I see?" She winked at me.
"What? No!" Merlin, the idea of that!
"It's for...my friend. His purchases", I said. I suddenly saw the sales assistant, Adam, standing near us giving us a look. I ignored him and once I paid, I rushed out of there. But I saw from the window, he walked over to cashier and they were talking in hushed tones. I put the stuff in the trunk and I drove away. God knows what they must think of me. They probably thought I'm lying or stole someone's wallet or baby or something!
I tried not to think about it and headed for the supermarket. As soon as I entered though, I was confused and didn't know where to begin buying food. In my defence however, I am not half bad when it comes to cooking. In our family my Granny Weasley was the master chef. She basically taught most of my aunts how to cook when she noticed her sons becoming thinner. My mum wasn't incredible but like most things, she picked up quickly and can cook up a decent Christmas dinner. Out of our cousins, I was always the most enthusiastic! I would always arrive early to family dinners so I could help out; ever since I was a little girl. I went from taste tester to sous chef. I missed my granny and her cooking dearly; she always put so much flavour and so much love into everything she made.
I began by putting Nate in the cart after I'd learned my lesson at the previous shop. After that, I just walked around the aisles hoping to get some inspiration. Since I have guests for dinner, I wanted to make something nice. Nothing fancy; just decent. My mum would have wanted me to leave a good impression. At that moment I decided that if Malfoy was my guest, dinner would be my responsibility and so I tucked his wallet away in my purse and pulled out my own.
When I arrived back home and walked in, I noticed Malfoy flutter his eyes open. I said 'hello' quietly and went straight to the kitchen to put the groceries away. The only sound that could be heard was the television and Nate speaking in his baby language once I had put him down.
"Rose?"
I turned around immediately and saw Malfoy yawn. "Yes?"
"How did it go?"
"We got all we needed".
"I just remembered I needed to ask you if you get the Daily Prophet?"
"I don't get the Prophet", I said quietly. "I don't have an owl either".
"Do you know where I can get one. Is there a wizarding shop anywhere here? I really need one"
"I don't know. I never bothered to look for a wizarding store. I guess you'd have to go to Diagon Alley. I haven't been there in years though".
"I need to know", he said anxiously. I could tell he was lost in his own thoughts now.
"Know what?" I asked curiously.
"Nate's father...I need to know if he reported that I took his son", Malfoy suddenly looked up at me alarmed.
"Scorpius", I said. "We have to talk. I don't mind you and Nate staying here for a bit and I don't mind helping you until you're better but you have to tell me what is going on honestly".
I hoped that was as nice and understanding as I could sound.
"I get it. Thank you, Rose. For everything", he said looking down. "I'll try to be out of here by tomorrow".
I watched quietly as Malfoy tried to lift himself to sit up with one arm.
"What are you doing? You'll hurt yourself", I asked.
"I'm sorry", he said. "I shouldn't have come. It's not right of me to impose myself in your home and make you nurse me. I mean I get it, you're concerned about your own safety too and you have every right to be".
"I'm not asking you to leave. That's not what I meant—I mean, I just want you to let me in on what's going on here".
"You won't understand. I need to figure this out on my own. I don't want to be any more trouble for you".
"Listen, Scorpius. I don't mind having you here, it's not a problem for me and I'm not about to throw you out like this", I looked at his leg. "But you will have to be honest and tell me what is going on. I want to help you. Trust me".
"How can I know that I can trust you?"
I sighed. "Look around me. I'm alone. I have nothing to gain and nothing to lose anymore. What is there for you to be threatened by?"
Malfoy and I averted our gazes from each other, tending to our own sorrows.
"My sister", Malfoy began. "Beatrix, was disowned by my parents for getting pregnant by a muggleborn last year. She married him", he said. "In secret after she told him. My grandparents removed her from the Malfoy name. I was the only one there when she gave birth to Nate".
I looked at Malfoy almost feeling sorry for him for being a bloody Malfoy. Them and their stupid pureblood rants and there stupid blood supremacy! How could they reject a child as innocent as Nate because of his birth?!
"When she became ill, she asked me to become his guardian because she didn't expect to live much longer", Malfoy sighed. "But she never got around to making that decision legal".
"Wait", I said. "What about Nate's father?"
"Nate's father is an alcoholic and also Nate's guardian by law", Malfoy said bitterly.
"Oh", I said. No wonder Malfoy has him. I wouldn't approve of a child being raised with someone like that either. "My uncle George had an alcohol problem during the first few years after his twin brother's death".
Malfoy nodded. "Roxie's dad?"
I nodded and the room became silent with only Nate making noises in fascination with the television. "Are you still seeing her?" I blurted. I suddenly remembered the two's romance Hogwarts. How had I forgotten? Notorious Mr. Malfoy. I hadn't been happy about it then; seeing Scorpius with Roxanne.
"Huh?" Malfoy looked up.
"Roxanne? Are you still seeing her?" I asked again, clicking my tongue annoyed.
"Why not just as her yourself?" He muttered.
"I haven't spoken to her in a long time..." I sighed.
So did Malfoy. "We never stayed in touch".
"Oh", I said.
"I fell out of touch with most people from school", he shrugged.
"What about James?" I asked.
"What about him?"
"How is he doing? You must still speak to him. He was your best friend".
Malfoy gazed at me peculiarly for the longest time, almost amused. "Rose...James passed away".
I didn't show Malfoy my tears but that night I sobbed uncontrollably in bed as I patted Nate to soothe him to sleep.
...
The first few days after he broke the truth about James to me, I avoided conversation with him as much as possible. I didn't know why but all I could do was cry because I had lost another member of my family and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I cried because I was confused, why was I here? I came here so I could detach myself and not have to feel the pain so why were my eyes constantly red and puffy. For a second I even wished I could be back at home.
"Rose?" Malfoy said one evening from the couch where he was feeding Nate a bottle while I was stirring a pot of beef and tomato stew in the kitchen.
I sniffled and wiped my tears immediately. "Y-yes?" I said in a small voice.
"Are you crying again?"
I was startled since this was the first time he addressed my emotions since he broke the news to me.
"I'm sorry", I said half sarcastically.
"Don't you want to know how it happened?"
I turned the stove to minimum heat, put the lid on and went to sit with him.
"It was a car accident", he said, not taking his gaze away from a Nate who was wide-eyed and sucking on his bottle hungrily.
I listened but did not speak.
Malfoy's voice became quieter. "I was in the car with him but I made it out and he...well...died on the spot".
I couldn't help it now and the sniffling began.
"It was New Year Eve last year. S-some teenager—Fucking drunk driver..." Malfoy said, his voice choking up.
I couldn't bear to hear the rest so I got up and left to my bedroom, shutting myself in. It was odd but I appreciated how Malfoy didn't offer condolences. I was sick of condolences. I didn't want to be consoled because there was nothing I could do anymore except wonder why the innocent ones have to pay for other people's mistakes. I cried more even more. I felt helpless because I realized I'm just as dead as my father and James.
A few days had passed since and eventually I began to let go of my tears with the thought that James is probably in a better place now. Malfoy never asked me any questions about how I was feeling now and I was actually fine with that because I'm not one to talk about my feelings and after getting to know him better, I discovered he isn't either. In fact, Malfoy and I went back to minimal conversation again. Only when it was important, like when I'd tell him it was time for Nate's bottle or I'd give him his medicine, we'd talk but then we'd just become quiet all of a sudden and I'd go back to my chores or reading my books and he'd go back to watching TV since he really can't do much else. In a way, we sort of had a mutual understanding that the only thing we have in common is the part of us that we're trying to bury. Our losses. And to save ourselves from further pain, we kept to our own misery.
With my help, Malfoy's condition also seemed to be improving. He was able to stand without my help now and I gave him an old cane that was in the storage closet so he may get about my cottage. I even gave Malfoy some old clothes that belonged to my dad since he had none of his own at the moment. It was the first time and I had pulled out dad's old clothes. I didn't know what had gotten into me that day when I was doing my laundry. I threw some of Scorpius's clothes in there as well but he reminded me that he'd have nothing to wear and without thinking and I went to the dresser in my room and pulled out some of dad's old clothes and gave it to him. I couldn't believe I was letting Malfoy use my dad's stuff but I realized I didn't mind all that much.
Of course I still continued to help him with small tasks like bathing and getting dressed. At first it was really embarrassing for both of us and he kept apologizing but Malfoy had a weird theory. He said when I help him put on clothes, he'll close his eyes so that I don't feel embarrassed at the thought of him seeing me turn red which he noticed I did quite often. I thought he was joking at first so I had chuckled at the idea but he insisted it works and it really did.
"You're pretty innocent, aren't you?", he said one afternoon when I was helping him zip and button his pants. It was one of the tasks that could not be done with only one hand.
I felt my face burn hot at that comment and I cursed myself because I knew my cheeks were a bright scarlet. Malfoy, unfortunately, also noticed and he chuckled which didn't make it any easier for me. "Define innocent", I muttered.
"Inexperienced".
"No!" I retorted.
"It's not an insult", he insisted.
"Oh—well—I'm..." I was lost.
"You've never really had a boyfriend before did you...?" He asked. I thought he was teasing me but his face was as serious now.
"Not your business", I muttered bitterly as I buttoned his shirt. He was right though, I had never been on a date before. It wasn't that I was unattractive or undesirable. I was always a bookworm; boys always assumed I would be boring. The one's I fancied never even knew I existed and the ones that fancied me, well, I didn't waste my time with them much, opting to study and pave way for my career instead. I decided to choose career over men because...well because my career won't wake up one morning and decide they don't love me anymore.
"Sorry", he mumbled and we let the topic go.
"Scorpius, do you want to sleep on the bed tonight—switch sleeping spots?" I asked him as I did the last button and adjusted his arm sling.
"Why?"
"You've been on the couch for days".
"Sorry I'm such a disturbance", he sighed.
"No, I didn't mean that!" I said quickly. "I just don't want you to stress your back".
"I'll be okay", He gave me a small smile. "So what do you do around here?" He asked me when we went back to the sitting room.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you do all day, by yourself, in the middle of nowhere?" He said flipping through the television channels.
"I have—had a full time job, Scorpius".
Scorpius looked at me curiously, "What do you do?"
"I was a nurse", I mumbled.
Scorpius snorted, "I'm sorry what? A nurse? Why on earth wo-"
"I like helping people", I said.
"But still. A nurse? You can be anything you want with your brains and that's what you pick?"
"You should be thankful I used to be a nurse!" I retorted, "Or I wouldn't have known how to help you".
A pink flush crept to his ears and he looked away and we were both silent.
"Rose?" he said.
"Yes?"
"I really need that Daily Prophet..."
"I told you I don't know where to get one..."
"Diagon Alley".
"I can't apparate...I haven't been there in years".
Scorpius sighed, "When I'm better, remind me to teach you how to be a witch again".
