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Assignment 9: Necromancy - Task #3: Write about someone feeling drained.
Harry made his way through the crowded ward, his focus entirely on the clipboard in his hands and his latest patient charts that he needed to sign off on. He couldn't help but to feel completely drained as the clock ticked closer to the end of his twelve hour shift. Harry was adamant that there was something in the air that night, because he had never seen the wards and waiting rooms of St. Mungo's as crowded as they were now.
"Malfoy, what in Merlin is going on?" Harry called out as he approached the nurses desk, his body sagging as exhaustion seemed to take over and he struggled to contain his yawns. "I haven't seen this many patients in one day, ever."
"Potter, if I had time to stop and chat I'd ask you the same damn thing," Draco Malfoy was moving more energetically than Harry deemed fair considering he was also nearing the end of his long shift. The only noticeable sign of how overwhelming the day had been was in the way his white blonde hair stood up like a porcupine from all the times he had anxiously ran his hands through it. "Unfortunately I've got to go and help with the sixth delivery of this shift, it's babies left right and centre."
"Good luck!" He called tiredly to the retreating figure of his colleague, taking advantage of the break between patients to sit down behind the desk and type up his charts and notes.
"Oi, Potter, get out of my chair!" Daphne Greengrass, Head Nurse at St. Mungo's power walked towards him with a level of ferocity that had Harry stumbling to get out of the rather lovely ergonomic chair as quickly as his weary bones would allow him. "I've got more reports to type up then I can possibly be bothered to deal with, and if I'm going to even attempt to get them done in time for the shift change you best believe I'm having the only damn seat that provides back support in this place."
"Daphne, please tell me you know what's going on? It's been non-stop all bloody evening." Harry was fully aware that he was whining, usually he would deem himself too dignified to whine, but he was tired and it had been a very long night. "I had to deal with a man, his wife and the mistress, I still don't know who's, and a cursed wedding ring, followed swiftly by three cases of exploding cauldrons, three! I've only just now finished writing up notes for a bloody broom crash that had me dealing with eight very drunk wizards and a furious bride to be. I've got a feeling she's calling off the wedding, and wouldn't really blame her if she did to be honest. It's been absolute hell, and I'm terrified of what's going to be coming through the doors next."
"It's a full moon Harry, do you ever check the memos?" She murmured, chuckling slightly as she began rifling through the pile of reports building up in both the intake and the discharge trays. As hard as it was being a healer, Harry was positive that the nurses had it even harder dealing with both patients and the healers themselves. "Whenever a full moon hits, we're swamped. No one really knows why, but it seems like the whole hospital is overrun. All you can do is take some deep breaths and do your job. You're a good Healer Harry, this job isn't for everyone but you've really got the nature for it. Now, have a five minute break and eat something, you look completely drained, and then go out there and give your patients the care they deserve."
"Could Healer Potter make his way to the Dai Llewellyn Ward please. Healer Potter to the Dai Llewellyn Ward," a small blackbird patronus chirped away as it flew through the ward and towards the desk. Harry sighed, grumbling to himself as he dropped his finished file into Daphne's waiting hands.
"I guess I'll take a rain check on that break then," Harry headed towards the stairs, blocking out his colleagues' chuckles. "I'm never working another full moon in my life."
700 words