Verina had drawn blood (which was not easy) and sent it off to the lab. She had even rented machines from a medical supplier. She told them she was doing pro bono work for the poor people of Wiltshire. Somehow they bought it and she had portable everythings in the house. It was new to have portable xray machines and things. She was now listening on the phone as the lab tech guy read back the results. " Listen Rina there is some weird mutation found in her blood as it is. I cross matched it with a blood sample you gave me and its the same strange mutation. Are you sure you're not related?"

Verina panicked. " She's my cousin."

"Gotcha. Have you ever had this checked out?"

"Listen, I am a doctor I am not paying you to diagnose me."

He was silent for a moment. " Right. Well here's the deal. Her white count is high. She has an advanced infection in her blood. It's not looking like cancer, but more like a parasite or something. Her scans are clear as far as all that goes. No tumors or anything like that. I am checking her for lupus, aids, all of that jazz as we speak."

"Good news. Thank you so much." she said sighing a breath of relief.

But it was spoken to soon as Verina heard a crash to the floor and heard Lilyana yelling.

Verina shut her phone and ran to the noise. Narcissa was lying on the floor having a seizure. Verina called for Scorpius and ran to Narcissa's head holding it still and turning her on her side. "Minni my black carry on please." she said frantically looking at her watch timing the seizure. She wanted so badly to call an ambulance, but not after the phone call she just experienced. Of course there would be a genetic cell mutation in people with magical abilities. It's probably why magical people didn't struggle with cancer. Rather infections and serious internal injuries that couldn't necessarily be stopped. Magical people still got colds, flus, stomach bugs, but nothing that would mutate the cells because the cells were already mutated. Minni brought the bag to her and Verina found what she was looking for. She watched the benzodiazepine squirt out of the top of the needle and she injected it into her arm. The seizure slowed and then stopped. Verina checked her pupils for responsiveness and got the answer she was looking for. " Nice." she said gently. " That's a girl. Now I just need you to wake up and talk to me."

Verina helped clean Narcissa up and put her into her bed. Levitation was useful she remembered. Verina did not leave the woman's side for more than mere seconds as she and Scorpius read over the information he had picked up from the lab tech. " Verina, she could have a serious infection in her blood stream that's gotten into her brain."

"But what? She's displaying no outward symptoms other than fatigue, weight loss, soreness, head aches, and fever. It could be the flu with how much she's displaying. Her urine production is good I mean what do I do here?"

"We keep running test." he said " meanwhile replace every ounce of food in this house and wash everything and quarantine her. No one comes in or out that's not you or I and test the others for something." Verina shook her head. " Fine."

Scorpius handed her a mask. " Let's hope we're immune to all of this."

Verina knew she wasn't, but hoped her time in a hospital had built her immune system up. In a few days she would test herself as well for everything. Meanwhile she had Narcissa on a round of general antibiotics and fluids.

Narcissa stirred and looked at her arm. " It is so strange."

Verina laughed. It was a miracle she was talking. " It is indeed. Barbians those muggles."

"Now you're sounding like Draco." she said tiredly. " Bet you didn't know this, but I don't like Astoria."

Verina felt Narcissa's head. " You're not fevered. Tell me when did you get this honest."

Narcissa shrugged. " I am too sore to care right now. How did you like her?"

Verina remembered back to dinner the other night. " She is quiet, intelligent, kind hearted, mousy. Not at all well suited for Draco."

"Not really. I mean she is wonderful, but Draco will always get his way and we both know what that does to him. He's a good man. A really good man. When Crabbe died Astoria was distraught and Draco befriended her. I think they bonded over loss and now they're getting married."

Verina painfully smiled " That's good for them. Now what about you, you said you were sore, how else are you feeling?"

Narcissa weakly explained all the things wrong with her and Verina had a better understanding of what could be wrong. " I am going to run more test, but for now you're stable and that's a good thing. I don't think we're going to lose you."

Narcissa smiled. " That's good. I want to see my grandchildren."

Verina thought of Draco and Astoria's children and held down vomit. " Well, you will. I promise."

With that Verina walked out of the room and removed her mask. " Stupid thing I don't even need it." she muttered and walked down the stairs and into the drawing room. Verina sat down on a sofa and opened the Daily Prophet. It was like it was before. Famous witches and wizards being the center of gossip, Harry Potter being head auror and celebrating times of peace. She saw a smile article on international magical cooperation which mentioned Draco in it. She smiled a bit at that. At least his name wasn't forever ruined. Briony was mentioned as well in the Quidditch section. Life was back to normal it seemed and oh how she felt like the odd shaped puzzle piece that sort of completed the picture, but didn't need to be there.
She was so conflicted about how she felt with being home. Did she like it? Did she dislike it? She didn't know. Her phone rang and she answered it " Olivia."

"Verina it has been a week. Any news?"

Verina sighed. " None. She had a seizure this morning."

" I think you should take a leave of absence for a few months."

" A few months! In the middle of my residency?"

"Yes, I knew you wouldn't like to hear it, but Verina listen to me. This is your family who haven't seen in years. I had Matthew talk to your boss and he seemed to be okay with it. It would set your residency back a bit, but as long as you could pass your boards you should be asked to stay on as an attending."

Verina rubbed her temples. " I really don't think I can last here for a few months."

"Come back in the Fall. It will be alright."

Verina looked at the Calendar. " It's June. You want me to stay here until the end of September and you expect me to survive?"

"Yes." Olivia said bluntly " Because you don't know how this could turn out."

Verina shifted uncomfortably. " You have already arranged this didn't you?"

" I had HR look over it this morning and told them you would fax me the paper work. The chief is okay with it and you still get paid."

"Money is not the issue. My education and career is the issue."

"Verina, that's your name right? Well listen to me. I know you and I know you're younger than you say you are so you have all the time in the world. Take a few months off and come home and tell me your story. I told your landlord about it and they're fine with it as well. And your fish is here. He likes it here."

Verina rolled her eyes. " Why?"

"Because I love you and I love that for the first time in year your father said he recognized you."

"You spoke to my Dad?" Verina said eye balling the door as Scorpius walked in and then back out, but Verina would have none of that.

"I did and he was the one who asked I do all of this."

Verina glared at Scorpius as she walked towards him.

"I have to go." Verina said. " I will call you later."

Verina hung up the phone. " Unlimited international calling. It's a thing now." she said staring at Scorpius. " Explain yourself."

"You can't just leave with Narcissa like this and your boss was calling anyway. A leave of absence is okay. Call it a sabbatical. You're getting a paid vacation to be in England. Go stay in the beach house a little while. Be around Charlie. Make amends with Draco."

Verina crossed her arms. " Is that right? What are you not telling me?" she said searching the depths of his soul.

" Nothing. I just want you to be happy."

Verina never understood Scorpius' investment in her, but was sure it had everything to do with her grandmother and how much she invested in him. Verina could only accept what he was telling her, but felt like he was hiding something from her.

She would find out all in good time. " First, I come here and now you want me to stay months? Seriously. No. I am not going to just agree to this."

"It's been done and you don't want Olivia to go to jail for forgery." he said simply

"Fine, but know this. I really hate you." she said and walked back to the couch and put her ear buds in her ears and turning on her music. It was Bach this time. He always helped her out of a bad mood.

Scorpius walked out muttering something and Verina rolled her eyes and as she did so they drifted to the piano. She turned off her music and walked to the piano stool. Her hands worked their way around her old piano. She smiled as she played one of her favorite newly recorded songs. A dramatic and beautiful song by a band who called themselves Evanescence. Her surgeons hands were skilled and she played the song without problem.

The sun was shining and she could smell the gardens through the open window and she drifted back to 16.

Music filled the downstairs area and it was sound missed by Lucius. He listened as his not so little princess skillfully played the piano. He flipped a paper and looked down at a drafted document Draco had asked him to go over. It was an agreement between two parties concerning magical war. It was long overdue at this point. And who was to say it would never happen again. Just as he was thinking of the devil he walked in.

"She sounds rusty. Can't say I have missed that at all" he muttered pouring a sizely glass of whiskey. Lucius looked at the clock and shook his head.

"Lying is learned not inherited start practicing"

His son glared at him and Lucius was looking at his wife, but his eyes and his heart were his. "She is going to come in here and she is going to wreck havoc and run again. And guess who can't afford that, Dad. Me, mum, even you."

Lucius well remembered Draco after Verina leaving. It took him two years to get over her and three years to get less bitter about life and love. And then she came back and Lucius was afraid of the cycle repeating. Draco was successful and so was Verina. He had never seen them together, but the way his wife described it was a force to be reckoned with. He just saw fire and gasoline the amount they argued. It was odd for him to be in this position. Worried about a sick wife. Worried about a shattered son. And watching Verina somehow help and hurt them all.

He heard a song like laugh in the distance. " No needs silly incantations and foolish wand waving to be successful, you silly man. Come I think he is in here."

"You sound like your godfather. I remember him saying something like that our very first potions class."

"You actually remember a class?"

"Hey I wasn't always daft. Your godbrother was a bad influence."

Draco snorted. " Goyle being a flirt."

Verina opened the door and Lucius found her breathtaking. She looked oddly enough like her father. Her hair was wavy and thick and fell over her forehead like her fathers did, but it was raven black almost like ink. Her heavily lashed violet eyes looked a bit big for her face, but was counter balanced somehow with rosy cheeks and lips. She looked like a porcelain doll innocent and sweet. Her eyes gave away the depth of her soul. Pain, misguidance, sacrifice, but her smile said joy and it was infectious. She was wearing a pair of dark denim jeans and some oversized blue button up top and heels. Her jewlery reminded him of Vera. Her clothes were expensive alright that was obvious. She just looked different. Not at all like Princess Verina from Bulgaria, but more like Briony and the other young girls.

" Sorry to interrupt" she said her bulgarian accent underlying her now heavy English one " but you have a visitor."

"So the house elves don't know how to answer doors these days. Doesn't matter you're dressed like one."

Verina just rolled her eyes. " It was nice to see you Goyle. Send Millicent my love." she kissed him on the cheek and waved to Lucius. Who smiled at her.

Goyle watched her as she walked out. " Merlin's beard. She is all woman these days. Certainly not scrawny little Verina anymore."

"No, now she is a smart mouthed, sloppy dressing, attitude filled squib with a complex whom you are not allowed to eyeball ever again. Lest I remind you you are about to be married and she is my g-"

"Your godsister that's right. Because you're about to be married too, and guess what it's not to her. Speaking of how is the future Mrs.?"

"Fine. What do you want?"

Verina blinked back tears as she walked outside of the study. She had been putting up with his jabs for a week. She shook her head and walked up the stairs to check on Narcissa, but the door bell rang again. " I'll get it" she said and walked to the door. She was surprised and yet not so surprised to see Astoria standing on the steps.

"Astoria" she said smiling. " Do come in. I'll go fetch Draco."

Astoria shook her head. " No, I am here to see you."

Verina felt the tension rising. And knew this was about to hit a level of awkward she didn't want to go to. She had already had to endure that first initial awkwardness of "hey I set you up on a date with another man. Meanwhile shagging your now fiance, and now you're going to marry him." It was a little twisted.

"Shall I call for tea then?"

"Wow, you really haven't lost your touch." she said and Verina saw Daphne Greengrass come out of her sister.

" If by touch you mean manners then no." she said and shut the door behind the girl. " Would you like to go into the drawing room or is the foyer more your preference?"

"Listen, this is about to become my house so don't you dare treat me like that and you better not get too comfortable because as soon as I am Mrs. Malfoy you're on a one ticket back to where ever it is you scampered off to. I know what you're doing. Coming in here saving their lives again and it's not going to work, milady." she said coldly it wasn't in a rude or altered tone. It was simple and matter of fact. This girl before her was not into cat fights or anything of that nature. She was straight forward and she meant business. Verina knew that about her. She also knew her to be kind. And she felt the insecurity just oozing from her. Verina wondered who had filled her mind with such garbage to lead her here.

Verina pitied the poor girl immensely. And kindly looked up at the worried face " I understand you aren't comfortable with us being in the same house. If you would like me to go stay at the Obolensky's or at an Inn I will. Please do not feel threatened by me. I don't want you to think I am here to get him back or anything of that nature. My godmother is sick and we don't know what's wrong with her. I am here for the season."

Astoria's eyes narrowed. " You expect me to believe you when you are so good at hiding things. So good at duping the world. You will not fool me. I see through your precious smile, kind heart, and goodness that you put out. I see you for who you are."

Verina shook her head. " and what's that, Daphne?"

Astoria looked insulted and scoffed. " This has nothing to do with her."

Draco walked up surprising them both.

"Hey ladies, friendly chat?"

"Yes, I was just on my way to check on your mum and Astoria was asking how she was doing. Thanks for your kindness, Astoria. You take care." Verina said and walked towards the stairs.

Heartbreak was coming fast and she wanted out of there.