Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related material. All materials in this story are copyrighted by people that are a hell of a lot better off than I am.
Author's
Note: First of all, thanks to all my awesome reviewers! I can't
believe that I didn't get Hell about having such a long break in
between, but I guess I have the best audience in the world. Luff.
Luff. I still can't help but try to apologize for my long rendezvous
with writer's block. Hopefully, it is cured up, and I can get back to
writing more. Thanks for sticking with me. I'm sorry that it's so
short. It was an awkward chapter for me. Edited: 07-02-07
International
Delight
(With
a Side of Zachary Norton)
Zachary Norton arrived at my flat at eight o' clock on the dot the next morning. I was dressed in my snitch and broomstick covered scrubs, and my carpet bag full of equipment was thrown over my shoulder. Alex clung to my hand desperately, and he sported a small backpack with a few of his possessions.
"I didn't know you had a tyke!" He exclaimed excitedly. "And all this time I've been calling you Miss Bell! Where's your husband?"
I shook my head with a tight smile playing on my lips. "I'm not married, Mr. Norton."
"Oh. . . Widow?"
I cocked my eyebrow. "No, why would you ask?"
He shrugged as I locked the flat. "Any man would be a fool to leave you."
I shook my head. He would be a smooth talker. "That's very flattering, Mr. Norton, but I am not a widow, nor am I married. I am simply a single mother living my life to its fullest."
"Fair enough," he muttered as we walked down the long hallway. "Are you taking him to daycare?"
My mouth fell open in shock. Daycare?! I hadn't been informed that there was a daycare! How do they manage to not tell me these things? Once I realized that I must have looked like a fool with my mouth hanging open, I replied, "I was not aware that there was a daycare. I was going to bring Alex to work with me until I found a suitable daycare close by."
"You would be hard pressed, Miss Bell. We have a daycare centre on the top floor of the establishment. If you like, I could take you there now. You would be able to meet the sitter."
"Oh gosh, that would be wonderful!" I exclaimed as Alex tugged on my arm. I looked down to see his green eyes watering. "What's wrong, baby?"
"Mommy, who is that?" He pointed to Zachary.
The man stopped walking and bent down to the boy's level. He held out a hand and said, "I'm Zachary Norton, and who might you be?"
"Alexander James Bell."
"That's a nice strong name," Zachary said, his eyes shining in joy.
"Thank you," Alex stuttered. He looked down at the man's hand and shook it before asking, "How do you know my mommy?"
"Well, Alex, may I call you Alex?" When Alex nodded, he continued, "You're mommy and I work together now. She is the Medi-Witch for the American National Team, and I am the Defensive Coach."
"What's a defensive coach, sir?"
Zachary laughed. "Are you familiar with quidditch?" Alex nodded. "I'm the person that teaches the team what to do when the other team has the quaffle."
"Oh. Do you like it?" Alex questioned.
"Very much so."
Alex smiled, and Zachary stood up. "I suppose we should get to the daycare before Montgomery has my head for being late."
I nodded in agreement. Zachary took us to the daycare where I met Mrs. Montgomery. She was the wife of the quidditch coach, and I could already tell that I would like her immensely. In the back of my mind, I could faintly connect her presence to that of Mrs. Weasley. Because of that, and that alone, I felt safe leaving Alex with her.
After a short walk with Zachary, I was in the bottom quarters of the practice stadium. He led me to my office before quickly scurrying away with the excuse that he needed to get back to practice. I smiled warmly to myself before emptying my carpet bag and beginning to rearrange my working area.
The packing finished too quickly for my liking. Before I knew it, my first patient had arrived for her physical. I groaned in displeasure. I loved my work, truly, I did. However, I was not fond of giving full physicals. You got to know a person on a level that you just didn't want to know them on, and I always found that weird. No matter how much I hated physicals, I knew they were required. If I didn't give a physical, how could I ever know how to treat my patients?
So with a tight lipped smile on my face, I explained the procedure thoroughly to Miss O'Reilly. After discussing her medical history, I set the examining table up for the physical. After twenty minutes or so, I was finished, and my breath finally returned to normal.
I shuddered as Madelyn redressed behind the screen. "I'm sorry for the full physical, Miss O' Reilly, but it really was required."
She poked her head out from behind the screen with a small smile. "Hey, don't worry about it. I understand that you need to know your patient's bodies. I don't have a problem with it. I just wish my gynecologist was that gentle."
I shook my head at the red headed woman. I already knew that we would get on well. She bid me goodbye with a short smile, and I prepared myself for the next physical, which just so happened to be with the woman's sister, Cheryl.
After spending a hard day at work, and an awkward one, I was more than happy to pick Alex up from the care of Mrs. Montgomery. When I arrived at the daycare, it was to see Alex playing nicely with a girl who looked to be about his age. With a smile on my face, one thought ran through my mind. "He's going to be a heart breaker."
"He's been playing with her all day, love," said a sweet voice next to me. I jumped from shock and looked to see Mrs. Montgomery staring at me with a small smile playing on her lips.
I smiled warmly and asked, "Who is she?"
"Amanda Lawson. . . Her father is one of the chasers for the team," Mrs. Montgomery explained to me shortly.
"She's adorable."
"Your's isn't too bad himself. He's quite the handsome little devil," a deep male's voice boomed from behind us. I turned to see Jesse Lawson standing behind us with a smile on his face.
I shrugged and replied, "I think so myself."
He smiled before calling, "Amanda, are you ready to come home?"
The girl looked up, and her brilliant blue eyes flashed with happiness. She ran to her father's arms and placed a warm kiss on his cheek. I smiled as Alex ran over to me. "Mommy!" He exclaimed while latching himself onto my legs.
"Hey, killer. Ready to go see Ginny-winny?"
He nodded to me as Mrs. Montgomery handed me his bag. I bid a friendly farewell to Jesse, Amanda and Mrs. Montgomery before picking Alex up and walking towards Ginny's flat. We were nearly there when I encountered my first run-in with Oliver.
"Katie!" I nodded curtly and attempted to be on my way. "Kates, are you going to ignore me forever?"
"Yes."
"Katiiiiiiieeeee," he whined while pulling a puppy dog face at me.
I sneered. "Mr. Wood, I do not need you bothering me at the moment. My son and myself are on our way to Ginny's apartment. If you would please excuse us, we're late!"
"Son. . .?" I heard him question as I pushed past him. I shook my head. I found it a little strange that people wouldn't assume that Alex was my son when he was by my side more often than he wasn't.
Once we were at Ginny's flat and eating dinner, I sighed in relief. The day had been long, and I didn't relish another like it. With any luck, the next day of appointments would go much smoother. A heavier sigh escaped my lips as I realized that it probably wouldn't. Oliver's appointment was the next day.