Chapter 4 – Healer Training

Monday, July 3rd, 1995 – the drawing room

Sirius did a double take when he saw the title of the Daily Prophet.

IS THE HOUSE OF BLACK PREPARING FOR THE NEXT DARK LORD?

Sirius took the newspaper and started to read.

"It's widely known that the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black is a Dark family. With Narcissa Malfoy running away from her house, most likely to her cousin Sirius Black, who's whereabouts are currently unknown, one must wonder what the family must be up to. After all, Black and Malfoy are said to be estranged, so why are they meeting again? Which sinister plot are they planning for the wizarding world?"

"Well, Cissy, Andy, looks like we are preparing for the coming of the next Dark Lord," said Sirius, not seriously, looking at his two cousins.

"Aunt Walburga would approve," said the brunette, chuckling.

"Until she discovers your godson is a half-blood," said the blonde.

"Someone should to her portrait that the Dark Lord too is a half-blood," added Andromeda.

"She would go crazy," said Sirius.

"She won't. She already is," said Narcissa.

Suddenly, an owl came with an envelope bearing the seal of the Malfoy family. The blonde witch tote down the envelope and started reading her father-in-law's letter.

"You whore! I knew my son should have never married you! You were always a softie and you tried to make him like you, but I set him straight. As long as I live, he will always serve the Dark Lord and his noble cause of ridding the world of the impure filth called Muggles and Mudbloods. You will no longer be allowed back at Malfoy Manor and your dowry will be returned to you. As for Lucius' son, he will not be punished for your actions and will retain all his rights and privileges, including his titles, provided he joins the Dark Lord. And tell your filthy blood-traitor cousin that he's now a target for us and that Lucius will personally make sure that he's terminated.

May the Dark Lord soon bathe in the blood of Muggles, Mudbloods, half-bloods, half-breeds, and blood traitors!"

"Good riddance. I am not going to serve a monster who make Horcruxes. But I will really miss Lucius," said the blonde witch.

"I understand that you and your husband love each other Cissy, but he made his choice," said Sirius.

"And if he really loves you, he would side with you over the Dark Lord," said Andromeda.

"He loves me deeply, but he believes his father's lies that they Dark Lord is doing what's right for the survival of purebloods."

"Does Lucius too want your son to get branded? Doesn't he know that it could be dangerous? Look at what happened to Reggie," asked Andromeda.

"Lucius actually believes that he's doing Draco a favour by wanting him to become a Death Eater. After all, that's what Abraxas too thought."

"But when does Lucius want his son Marked?" asked the brunette.

"When he graduates from Hogwarts. But Abraxas wants him to get Market when he's 16. He was thinking of asking the Dark Lord to threaten to kill me if Draco refused."

The two Black sisters prepared themselves to go to St Mungo's, but before they left, Narcissa turned to her cousin.

"Siri, watch over the boys least they murder each other," said Narcissa.

"Boys!" said Andromeda in a chuckle.

St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries – Head Child Healer Andromeda Tonks' Office

"First thing, Cissy. If you want to be a Healer, you need to treat everyone without discrimination. Unless you don't believe Muggle-borns to be human beings unworthy of getting healed."

"Of course, they are human beings, Andy. I am not foolish enough to see them or even Muggles as animals. But they don't know how to act like proper wizards. That Granger girl even wanted to free the House-Elves."

"Well, it's not their fault we only tell them about magic when they are 11. I think we should tell them when they first show signs of accidental magic."

"And what's next? Give them their own elementary school?"

"You know that's a good idea, Cissy."

"But why? Their blood is dirty."

"Have you tested their blood? Or are you just repeating what our parents told us?"

"I have never tested their blood, but it's a known fact."

"It isn't, Cissy. You will become a Healer, and the books you will be assigned will show you that's it's all nonsense."

"But…but…"

"Cissy, isn't your dream to be a Healer? Would you really give up on it because of unscientific nonsense?"

"I…I…I…don't…know…"

"You can even test it yourself. Me and Ted can each give up a drop of blood and have you compare them."

The blonde witch didn't know what to say.

"And Cissy, I will drag you into becoming a Healer and I won't let you quit. It may be uncomfortable at first, but remember that I too passed through it. I used to be as prejudiced as you, but I learned to become better, even though I am not too fond of Muggles. You will thank me later on."

"But I still don't get why you turned your back on the family for a Mudblood."

"And end up like Bella? Remember how Father and Aunt Walburga were insistent on me marrying Rabastan? You know how abusive he is, like his brother."

"Couldn't you have just found out an acceptable pureblood?"

"All the men I loved were deemed unacceptable by out family. Remember how Aunt Walburga treated Aeson Greengrass just because he thought the Dark Lord was too extreme?"

"Her rejecting him was the stupidest decision she ever made."

"She believes that a husband should treat his wife like shit, which is hypocritical considering she was the one controlling jet husband."

"I remember that. She only agreed to Lucius because you can't say no to a Malfoy."

"Now Cissy, it's time to see our first patients. I know you already have two years of Healer training, but you might need some refreshers. Our first patient is John Winton, 12 years old. He seems to have symptoms matching a severe case of Dragon Pox and is Muggle-born." Andromeda clearly saw that her sister was uncomfortable with this.

"Cissy, no one said it will be easy. It wasn't easy for me, but you will get there."

Andromeda welcomed the boy into her office and made his sit at the examination bed.

"Hello! I am Healer Andromeda Tonks, and this is my trainee, Narcissa Black. She will assess you while I will supervise her." Andromeda gave her sister a stern look.

"Please describe your symptoms," Narcissa managed to muster, since she had to act professionally.

"I have some rashes on my skin and when I sneeze, sparks come out from my nostrils. I was told it could be a magical disease called Dragon Pox."

"It seems to be the case. I will run some diagnostic spells to better confirm it. Don't worry, I will confirm every spell with Andy…my supervisor before casting it." After a couple of minutes, the results came in: the child has a severe case of Dragon Pox. Narcissa also learn that the boy has a weak immune system, which explains why he got the disease despite his age and vaccines. Narcissa prescribed him a potion to cure the disease and another to strengthen the immune system, then dismissed him with a hope he gets better. Then it dawned on her.

"Andy, did I just treat a Mud…Mug…Muggle…Muggle-born without showing discomfort or disgust?"

"Yes Cissy. Your professionalism seems to have made you forget about it. I knew there's hope."

"Aunt Walburga must be rolling in her grave."

"So must father."

And the worldview of Narcissa Black was beginning to shatter.