Monday, 15 June 2009

Draco knocked on Healer Philberry's door.

"Enter," his boss's voice came through the door.

The young healer took a breath and opened the door.

"Ah, Healer Malfoy, I was wondering when I would be seeing you." A small smile graced her features. She gestured to one of the empty chairs in front of her desk. "Please have a seat."

Draco sat down in the seat offered to him and looked at his boss. Where do you start a conversation such as this?

"I think I can assume that you are here to discuss the new additions to your life?"

Draco's mouth went dry. That was one way to start a conversation that as of three days ago when his boss left for the weekend, Draco didn't know he would be having with her. He nodded, swallowing.

"Uh…hehe," he chuckled, grimacing. "Yes, I'm here to discuss my paternity leave once Hermione is allowed to go home."

"Good, now, I don't want to know the specific circumstances of how your two little ones came to be, since that is something I do not need to know, but I do want you to know that you will have your job when you return. You're one of the best healers I've had in a long time and the positive way you handle your patients is undeniable, especially patients who are stuck in the past." She took a moment and pulled out a file, making notes. As she was finishing writing, she spoke again, "Now, I've noted in your file that you will be taking paternity leave followed by unused holiday time for as long as needed."

"But I was only planning to take the two wee-"

Dilys Philberry gave her assistant head a withering glare, effectively cutting him off. "No, Healer Malfoy, you will take your two weeks paid paternity leave and then you will use some of your saved holiday time."

She closed the file and stood up, making her way around her desk to sit next to the young wizard who had such potential in their field. "You've only taken a week or two a year of your holiday time over the last five years, so you have quite a few days accumulated. If you keep up at the rate you're going, you will burn yourself out. I'd like to think that you would take over the department when I finally decide to retire in a few years, but if you don't take time for yourself then you'll just run yourself into the ground before that time. You will want to use all of your holiday time available to you now that you have a family."

Dilys smirked; the older witch actually smirked at him! "Plus I won't take no for an answer. If I see you back at the hospital for anything other than a check up in the next two months, then I will be forced to suspend you."

Draco raised an eyebrow at her, her smirk widened. Accepting his only option from his boss, he nodded. "It looks like as soon as Hermione and the twins are released, then I will not be seeing you for two months."

"Smart choice, young Draco. You'll thank me the long run for this." She stood up, returning to the far side of her desk. "How are Healer Granger and your little ones doing? I heard they were supposed to go home this morning."

"They were, but Elysia has come down with jaundice and somehow Hermione, I mean, Healer Granger-"

"Hermione is perfectly fine considering the circumstances."

Draco nodded. "Somehow Hermione contracted the flu that has rapidly hit the Muggle world. The, what is it called…?"

"You mean she has the H1N1, or as they've taken to calling it, the Swine Flu?"

"Yes, she must have come in contact with someone that already had it Friday night on her way through the waiting room, because she's been at home on bed rest since I put her there at the beginning of May." Draco rubbed his hand over his face, before he slid his fingers through his hair. Dislodging blond strands in every direction. "When her symptoms started showing last night, they quickly started her on an antiviral potion and an antibiotic potion to help prevent any complications that might arise from the flu."

"How is she handling not being able to breastfeed because of ingredients in both potions?"

Draco shook his head. "She's not happy about it, but there's not a whole lot that can be done until she's taken off the potions. It probably doesn't help that she hasn't been allowed to hold them since yesterday afternoon and she won't be able to until her fever falls below 37.8 degrees Celsius and stays below it for over 24 hours."

"I can understand her frustration, but with the potions she's been put on for the flu, plus the potions she'll be on for her postnatal care, she will be healthy again in no time."

"I know, but I just hate seeing her like this, she's trying to recover from the delivery and add on this horrible Muggle virus someone else gave her and she's quite weak right now. I'm just glad little Elysia seems to be getting better quickly and she should be back with her brother in the next couple of days." Draco grinned. "But you should see my son, healthy as an ox."

Dilys laughed. "That is the proud voice of a new father. Congratulations, Draco."

"Thank you, Healer Philberry." Draco stood up to leave, but remembered something else from his conversations with Hermione from Saturday. "I know I've asked before, but I would like Miss Rosier's portrait removed from my office. She has continually delayed in informing me when my presence is required ever since I moved into the office in November. On Saturday, it was over an hour after Hermione arrived before she informed me that I was needed in Room 15. There are two ways for this to stop, either move the painting or I will see to it that she will never bother or delay another person again."

Draco raised an eyebrow, challenging his boss.

"I will have it taken care of while you are gone, Healer Malfoy."

"I hope so, because I meant what I said."

Healer Philberry nodded. "I know you do. If I have to, I will see to it personally."

Draco nodded his head. "Thank you, Healer Philberry. Have a wonderful day and I will let you know when my leave will be starting once I know more about Hermione and Elysia's conditions."

"Healer Malfoy, your presence is requested in the ward," Healer Philberry's portrait informed him.

He quickly turned to the painting. "Is it Hermione?"

Eva Balin shook her head. "No, another patient of yours is here to see you."

Draco sighed, "Okay, good. Thank you, Eva." He turned and made his way to the door. "Good day to you both."

"Good day to you, too, Draco. Take care."

By the time Draco returned from paternity leave, the previous portrait had been removed and Mungo Bonham's portrait was installed. The new occupant was mum as to why he ended up in Draco's office, but Draco wasn't complaining. The healer never did figure out where Miss Rosier's portrait was moved to, not that he really made an effort to find out.