Chapter 25 Visiting Saint Mungo's

Corbin apparated home from Malfoy Manor. After standing for a moment in their front hall, he leaned against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor. He put his arms around his knees and rested his head on his arms. He could feel himself start to shake. He'd let his guard down because he was so worried about Cassius and his father-in-law had capitalized on it. Julius had been able to look into his memories without using a wand. Corbin shuddered thinking of what else his father-in-law might have been able to do. His father-in-law was a monster.

Corbin felt himself get angry again - how dare that lunatic say that Cassius was precious to him when he had beaten and tortured Cassius. How dare he doubt Corbin's faith in Cassius, he knew nothing about them. Cassius was the one thing Corbin never doubted.

He startled when the clock chimed 10. He had two hours before he had to pick Harry up. He'd go to Saint Mungo's to find Healer Augustus and then he and Harry could come home for lunch and a nap. Corbin was definitely going to take a nap.


Corbin had never been to Saint Mungo's and he had always imagined it as a dark, cold, and forbidding place, like the castle of a Disney villain. He was surprised to find it a bright cheery place, fashioned from white stone, and painted in soft pleasant colors.

"Excuse me," Corbin said to a witch who was wearing a uniform similar to Madame Pomfrey's. "Where could I find Healer Augustus?"

"Healer Augustus does not see anyone without an appointment," the witch said as she hurried off.

Corbin found a desk and a wizard behind it who was reading Gilderoy Lockhart's latest book, "Excuse me, I'd like to make an appointment with Healer Augustus."

"Healer Augustus does not have any availability until March 13," the wizard didn't look up from his book.

"That's...that's five months from now!" Corbin exclaimed.

"You could see him at 1 o'clock." The wizard said, sounding bored.

"Oh, that'd be-"

"On March 13th."

"Isn't there some way to see him today? It's rather important," Corbin said, and the wizard finally looked up at him.

"You don't look sick," The wizard looked Corbin up and down in a way that made Corbin uncomfortable.

"No, I'm not sick. My husband is sick." Corbin explained.

"And your husband's name?" The wizard flipped a large book open and Corbin could read March 13 in gold ink. The wizard raised his quill to write.

"Cassius Malfoy," Corbin answered, feeling defeated.

"Oh," the wizard dropped his quill and stood almost ramrod straight, "Oh, a thousand apologies, if you'll just come with me. Merlin's hat and cloak, I'm so sorry, if only I'd known sooner," the wizard kept making apologies as he ushered Corbin down a short hallway.

A moment later, Corbin was settled in a comfy chair in a small office and the wizard had bustled off for some tea. Corbin felt almost dizzy at the sudden change in the wizard's manner and Healer Augustus's availability. He should have known the Malfoy name would have carried weight here.

The wizard brought in a silver tray with an ornate tea set on it. Apologizing again, he backed out of the room. In a short while, another wizard walked through the door.

He must have been tall once, but now he was bent-over with age. He was wearing the traditional pointed hat and long robe, and his long white hair flowed over his shoulders.

"Master Corbin, I am Healer Augustus, I am so pleased to make your acquaintance," he said with a kind smile. "How may I be of service to your husband?"

Corbin was so relieved to see the healer that he didn't notice that he'd been addressed by his name.

"He's….he's…," Corbin wasn't sure how to explain, "Julius Malfoy said you'd helped Cassius when he was hurt...when he was young."

"Yes," the elderly wizard had shuffled slowly over the desk while Corbin had been talking, "It is my understanding that Cassius has recovered almost totally."

"Yes. Well," Corbin paused, feeling a lump in his throat, "it's just….it's my fault."

"What is your fault, dear boy?" Healer Augustus settled himself carefully into his chair

Corbin hastily swiped the tears from his cheeks, "Cassius is losing control of his magic and he's having seizures and he says he loses time"

"Ah," Augustus nodded as he levitated the teapot to pour them both a cup of tea. "Tell me, how well is Cassius sleeping lately?"

"He sleeps well, usually eight hours a night." Corbin had known since their last year at Hogwarts that it was important for Cassius to get a good night's sleep and he did everything he could to make sure that happened as often as possible.

"And he eats well?"

"Yes," Corbin answered, "He's healthy in all other ways."

"And why do you say it's your fault?"

"He's training to be an Auror."

"Ah, yes, the training is very rigorous." The healer nodded.

"Yes, and well, I used to be in the program with him, but I dropped out and he doesn't have any other friends in the program," Corbin took a sip of the tea, "It's stressful for him."

Healer Augustus hummed thoughtfully. Corbin took another sip of tea, feeling his nerves start to calm. He wondered what was in the tea.

"I believe I can create potions that would calm the outbursts. A sedation spell could address the seizures. I can brew a potion for him to take in the mornings and another to have when the outburst is extreme."

"He hates taking potions," Corbin frowned at the thought of having to convince Cassius to take a potion every day.

The old wizard chuckled, "Oh, that he does. I remember now, he's hated them since he was a small child."

"You've known him since he was little?"

"Yes, I'm his Great-Uncle Malfoy, my brother was Cassius's grandfather."

"He's never mentioned having an uncle who is a healer," Corbin said.

"I have a complicated relationship with my family," Augustus said quietly. And Corbin wondered about all that was left unsaid.

He nodded silently as he looked more closely at the healer and saw the gray eyes that Malfoys always had, but these gray eyes held warmth and kindness. "Could I ask you something?"

"Of course," Augustus nodded.

"Julius said he'd been worried about Cassius being in the Auror program, but not because he doubted Cassius's ability - would you know the reason?"

"Through the centuries, Malfoys have strengthened their magic through dark means. Usually with foul-tasting potions," he gave a small smile, "Sometimes their magic becomes hard to handle when the witch or wizard is emotional. Are you familiar with something called adrenaline?"

"Yes," Corbin nodded, he remembered it from biology class at his school before he'd gone to Hogwarts.

"When a Malfoy's adrenaline is high, such as during a fight, their magic can become unstable. It does not matter if the fight is real, the will to win is strong in a Malfoy. To be in such a state for prolonged periods of time, yes, I can see why Julius would worry."

Corbin nodded.

"If you could bring him here, I will-"

"No, I can't bring him here," Corbin shook his head emphatically, "He hates this place."

"Does he?" Augustus asked with surprise, "I did not think he remembered his time here."

"I...I'm not sure he does, it's just, I promised him I'd never bring him here," Corbin felt embarrassed and hoped he wasn't offending the healer. The promise was something Cassius had insisted be included in their relationship manifesto. "Could you come to our house?"

"I'd be delighted," Healer Augustus smiled.

"I can owl you a portkey," Corbin said, feeling embarrassed once more but the elderly healer nodded with understanding.

"I will brew both potions, but they will not be ready until morning. I can deliver them then. But I would like to see the magical outburst for myself. Would that be possible?"

Corbin thought for a moment, "I don't know….he - He'd hold it together while you were there."

"Malfoys don't show weakness," Augustus nodded, "I would like to visit nonetheless, to acquaint him with me, for I will be visiting often until the situation is improved.

Corbin hesitated then nodded. "Cassius will be home at 4."

"I will arrive a few minutes later."

"Thank you," Corbin said, standing up.

"You are very welcome." Augustus smiled.

Author's Note: did anyone guess that Augustus was a Malfoy before the reveal? :-)