"Healer Weasley!"
Rose sat up straight in her bed, her wand gripped tightly in her left hand as she waved her right to make sure her wards were still in place; her heart was pounding, her Muggle alarm clock read 2:37am, but she had definitely heard someone calling for her.
"Healer Weasley, are you there?" The voice was muffled but Rose could hear it clearly now. She tore back the blankets and hurried to open her bedroom door into her small sitting room where a face was sticking out of the fireplace. "Healer Weasley, we need you at St. Mungo's," a Mediwitch she didn't recognize was saying through the fire.
"I'm not on duty," Rose mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
"You've been summoned by the Ministry, no one's allowed to see the chaps who came in except you," the Mediwitch turned to look behind her. "Please, come quickly. The Head Auror and the Minister are on their way as well."
Rose ran a tired hand over her face, "Bloody hell, all right. I'll be there soon." The Meditwitch disappeared from the fireplace and Rose hurried to the bathroom to splash water on her face and brush her teeth. Who the hell was so important that her mother and uncle were coming to St. Mungo's at 2:37 in the bloody morning? And why was Rose the only one allowed to treat these mystery patients?
She had barely pulled on a pair of jeans, the only pants that seemed to be clean at the moment, when an owl tapped on her bedroom window. She recognized one of her mother's official owls, Orion, and frowned as the owl flew off before Rose could offer it a treat.
Healer Rose Weasley -
The patients you are instructed to heal tonight are on an official Ministry, top-secret, mission and need to be debriefed by the Minister of Magic, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and several other top level members of the Ministry. Please be aware that anything you may hear during your time healing the patients is top secret. You are sworn to secrecy.
Your Ministry thanks you.
Rose's blue eyes widened as she scanned the letter, shoved it in her pocket and grumbled, "Bloody hell," again before Apparating to an eerily silent St. Mungo's. Rose looked around, frowning that no one was at the main desk - how was she bloody well supposed to know where to go to find these mystery lads on a secret mission and to heal them? She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from groaning and walked down the hall towards her office when she heard the pop of someone else Apparating into the main waiting room.
"Ah, Rose, wonderful," her Uncle Harry walked towards her. "This way, come along," she walked alongside him. "Thank you for coming so early in the morning, I know this is unusual."
"Sure, Uncle Harry, but can I -"
"No," Harry looked at her sadly. "Unfortunately I can't answer any questions, and you really rather pretend you don't hear anything in the room while we're debriefing. It's very important, otherwise we'd wait until tomorrow, but," he trailed off and ran a hand through his messy black hair.
"Well how bad are their injuries, do you know that much?" Rose's voice was still thick with sleep but she tried to sound more professional as they got closer to where ever it was they were going.
"Not sure," Harry shook his head. "I think one of them is worse than the other, since only one came by the Ministry to tell us he dropped the other here."
"Blimey can you just tell me who -"
"Ah, here we are," Harry pushed open the door and there was Scorpius Malfoy, unconscious on the cot, Walter sitting on the end of the bed.
"Auror Potter," Walter stood up and Rose saw a huge gash across his cheek. "Rose," he nodded at her but she ignored his pleasantries.
"Sit," she told Walter abruptly. "In that chair and hold this," she waved her hand and handed him a warm cloth, "on your face until I'm done looking over Malfoy." Her blue eyes roved over Scorpius, "Tell me everything that happened, please." Walter swallowed and looked at Harry but Rose spun around, her eyes flashing dangerously, "Tell me every curse or Muggle weapon that may have hit Scorpius right now because his breathing is shallow and I don't think any of us want him to die, do we?"
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Flashback, Post-Hogwarts
"And that will do nothing to quash the rumors of a Malfoy-Weasley romance," the paper had read that next day. Scorpius threw The Daily Prophet on the ground as hard as he could - which was not very hard at all - and closed his eyes to ignore the pounding of his head and the throbbing in his shoulder.
One and a half seasons. He hadn't even made it through two seasons and his Quidditch career was already over. He tried not to let his mind wander, as this was dangerous territory, thinking about how stupid he had been, what he could have done to avoid -
"Ah," his father's voice broke into his thoughts. "I told them to keep the paper from you."
"Don't blame them," Scorpius opened his eyes and tried to sit up a little. "I forced their hand."
"With charm?" Draco raised an eyebrow.
Scorpius snorted; he didn't want to be in the mood for banter with his father, he would have preferred to sulk in silence alone, but he couldn't deny his father was good at lightening the mood. "Hardly," Scorpius replied.
"Pity works just as well, I find," Draco's voice was smooth as he looked seriously at his son. "What do you need? A Healer? Food? You have visitors outside, waiting desperately to see you."
"It's barely 9am," Scorpius scoffed. "No friend of mine would wake up -"
"It's too early for you to be badmouthing us," James pushed in through the door and Scorpius bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the faux-haughty look his father gave him.
"To think we come bringing gifts," Fred said from behind his cousin.
"Rethinking that now," James huffed.
"Grandmum's honey oatcakes and -"
"Give it here," Scorpius sat up and reached his good arm out. "Bloody 'ell I'm sorry for whatever I said, but give those oatcakes here."
"You're a nutter," James grinned as he plopped the oatcakes on the tray on Scorpius' lap.
"No oatcakes for me, boys?" Draco arched an eyebrow in an attempt to be menacing.
"Plenty of oatcakes for everyone," Lily was through the door now. "Albus sends best wishes, he'll be by soon, and Roxanne sends kisses," she handed Draco a plate and kissed both of Scorpius' cheeks with such a flourish that James pretended to spit up an oatcake he stole from Scorpius' plate. "But they couldn't get out of, you know," she looked sheepishly at Scorpius.
"I know the rest of you still play Quidditch," Scorpius made sure to keep his voice light. "There's no point in hiding it from me."
"That was a dirty play," Lily whispered to him, her brown eyes dark with menace. "When I play that ruddy bastard I'm going to -"
"He's been banned," Dominique was there now and Scorpius heard Draco mutter, 'bloody theatrics' next to him. "I made sure the commission banned the bloody sod from playing professionally anywhere in the bloody universe."
"Nic," Scorpius started but she cut him off.
"Not only was it illegal," Dominique's voice was ice, "but it put a lot of people at risk. He can't be holding a vendetta against me because I'm better than him -"
"And because you wouldn't go on a date with him," Fred reminded her helpfully, taking a loud bite of oatcake for good measure.
"Exactly," Dominique agreed. "That's insane. Who's to say he wouldn't do it to someone else?"
"I, for one," Lily said haughtily. "Am glad he's been banned."
A Mediwitch burst through the door, "No, no, I told you two at a time, out, out, out, he's barely begun his recovery."
"But," James started.
"We're family," Fred finished.
"Not blood," Lily said unhelpfully.
"But nearly," James added for good measure.
Draco and Scorpius shared a surprised look; it was rare Lily joined in finishing sentences without Roxanne.
"Out, out," the Mediwitch ignored them. "Two at a time."
Dominique looked at her cousins, "I'm staying, you lot go." She smacked James' hand when he reached for another oatcake, "Go see Grandmum if you want more oatcakes, bloody -"
"Language!" Fred admonished playfully.
When they had finally left, Dominique turned to Draco, "Do you think, sorry, Mr. Malfoy. Do you think I could talk to Scorpius alone for a moment?"
Draco shared a look with his son to ensure it was all right before nodding, "I'll just take these with me," and took his plate and left the room.
Scorpius ignored Dominique's bold stare and occupied himself with his oatcakes; he didn't have much of an appetite, but knew he needed to eat. "Scorpius," she said softly and he tried not to wince. They hadn't spoken since the incident and Scorpius was embarrassed; he had been stupid and rash and -
"I didn't mean to save you, like they're saying, I know you don't need saving Nic, I just," his grey eyes were wild with regret and a need for her to understand. "I was scared and mad," he ran his good hand shakily through his platinum blonde hair. "I've never been so angry before and -"
"Shut up, Malfoy," Dominique let out an exasperated laugh and hugged him tightly around the neck, careful to avoid his shoulder and arm. "You were bloody brilliant. I mean," she took a deep breath. "I was terrified, and I've never been terrified flying or playing Quidditch before." She was talking so quickly Scorpius could barely follow. "But the look in his eyes," she blinked and loosened her arms from around him to look him in the eyes. "I was scared he was really going to try to kill me," she admitted.
"He wouldn't have," Scorpius' voice was soft. "He couldn't have."
"No," Dominique smiled slightly. "Because you were there, you thickheaded -"
"Oi!"
Her voice grew louder, "Stupid, pain-in-the-arse, idiot -"
Scorpius tried to put his good hand over her mouth but she maneuvered away from him with a gleam in her clear blue eyes. "You'll draw attention," he tried to shush her.
"Prick of a man who thinks I needed saving from -"
"Weasley!" Scorpius hissed.
Dominique fell into a fit of laughter and leaned against the bed, "You're too easy."
"The whole wing will have heard," Scorpius managed to say through clenched teeth.
She waved her wand around her head with a flourish, "You think so little of me, Score?" He rolled his eyes and she laughed again, hugging him around the neck. "You're a dream, you know that?"
"Shut it," he snorted.
"Scorpius Malfoy, my savior," she batted her eyelashes at him as he laughed again. She stood up and patted his cheek, "Seriously, Score. Thank you. That bloke needed to be banned not only for what he did to you, but the look of murder on his face."
"Are they going to question him?" Scorpius asked. "I mean, the authorities?"
Dominique grinned, an evil glint in her eye, "You think Uncle Harry is going to let this slimy bastard get away with trying to kill us?" Dominique patted his head lightly, "How hard did you knock your head?"
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"Rose," Harry said gently, rubbing his hands over his face and under his glasses. "He can't see anyone until he's been debriefed."
"Auror Potter," Rose's voice was clipped and she could see her mother open her mouth to say something out of the corner of her eye, but Rose continued uninterrupted. "With all due respect," she managed through a clenched jaw. "He is in tough shape. And in my professional opinion, he needs to have visitors."
"Healer Weasley," her mother spoke up gently, "we can't have someone learning what -"
"Minister," Rose cut her off. "I have Muggle papers and studies, some written by me, that proves patients recover faster when they are surrounded by loved ones," Rose kept her voice even, knowing full well that her mother could be swayed by research. "Even if it's only his parents," Rose offered. "He needs to have visitors if you want him awake and speaking within the next few days."
Hermione and Harry shared a look, "What about other Mediwitches?"
"I can't be here all the time," Rose sighed. "I'm sure you could vet some Mediwitches."
Hermione bit her lip, "That will take time. You and Auror MacDonald could take turns until Harry - Auror Potter, and I find some Mediwitches."
Rose glanced at Scorpius, "I have other patients that need me," but she frowned at Scorpius' unmoving face. "Yes, I can be here or within shouting distance as much as I can."
Hermione put a hand on Rose's arm, "Thank you, Ro- Healer Weasley." Rose met her mother's eyes and nodded. "We'll let Draco and Astoria know Scorpius is here. I expect they'll be here -"
"Not until normal visiting hours," Rose interrupted her. "9am."
"Certainly," Harry agreed. "I'll be back this afternoon," he moved to the door. "Hermione, can I walk you out?"
"Actually, I'll stay here a minute," Hermione looked to Walter. "Auror MacDonald, can you accompany Auror Potter out? Then we'll get you a room as well."
Rose nodded at Harry and Walter as they left the room, "There's a room next door," Rose said to Walter. "Or we can fit another bed and larger chair in here if you'd like."
"Thanks," Walter nodded, his voice tired.
Hermione waited for Harry and Walter to leave before she took a deep breath and sat down in a chair next to the still unconscious Scorpius. "Thank you for coming here so early in the morning, Rose," she watched her daughter closely. "We weren't sure how bad it was, what they had seen, or who we could trust to hear the news."
"Sure," Rose said softly, uncertain what exactly her mother wanted.
"You really are a wonderful Healer," Hermione said seriously. "Not that I doubted you, darling," Hermione frowned slightly. "But to see it in action," she stood up again and took both of Rose's hands in her own. "You wrote papers about your research?"
"Co-wrote," Rose nodded.
"I'd love to read them," Hermione smiled kindly. "And as we're speaking professionally, Healer Weasley," she continued and bit back a smile when Rose rolled her eyes. "I'd like to schedule a meeting with you on any changes you think we need to make here at St. Mungo's."
"Thinking of writing some new laws?" Rose arched an eyebrow.
"Well for one thing, we need some protocols when something like this happens again," she turned towards the bed again. "He'll be okay, won't he?"
Rose hesitated at the worry in her mother's voice, unsure if it was because Scorpius was a friend and the son of a friend, or because she felt responsible for an employee as the Minister of Magic. Rose swallowed before mustering as much confidence as she could, "He's young and he's strong. And knowing Malfoy, he wouldn't settle for going out this way."
Hermione let out a startled, watery laugh, wiping at her eyes, "Oh, Merlin." She put a hand on Rose's shoulder as she continued laughing, "You certainly have that wicked Weasley sense of humor, don't you, darling?"
Rose bit back a laugh, "You should get some rest, mum."
"I -"
"No, sorry," Rose chuckled and began to push her mother towards the door. "That's an order from Healer Weasley, not a request from your daughter. I'll let you and Uncle Harry know as soon as something happens, come on. It's early, you can get a few more hours of sleep before Da wakes you up wanting pancakes."
Hermione groaned, "Oh, Merlin, I forgot it was Sunday." She walked through the door before turning back around, "Thank you, Healer Weasley."
"Of course, Minister," Rose nodded and watched her mother, the Minister of Magic, walk down the hallway of St. Mungo's to go home and get more sleep, before she took a deep breath and turned back to Scorpius. "Bloody wake up already, Malfoy," she muttered to his unconscious form before closing the door and going to tell the Mediwitches on staff to avoid the room and report any movement to her directly.
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"Oh, hullo, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy," Rose was slightly startled as she walked into Scorpius' room later that afternoon.
"Healer Weasley," Draco nodded seriously. "How is he?" Astoria nodded at Rose, but didn't move from her seat next to Scorpius, holding his hand.
"It's still rather serious," Rose admitted. "But he's out of the woods, nothing he can't recover from." She could tell Draco and Astoria were still fearful for their son. "He's young and strong," Rose continued. "He just needs some rest, and he'll be alright."
"Thank you," Astoria looked up and met Rose's eyes. "We're so glad he's under your care."
"Oh," Rose was uncomfortable with how to respond to that.
"Your," Draco cleared his throat. "The Minister and Auror Potter said he was on a mission," Draco looked at Rose. "And that's where -"
"Yes," Rose nodded.
"Walter said you pushed for us to be able to visit," Astoria's green eyes were misty. "We really appreciate it."
"It's for Scorpius' sake as well," Rose shifted uncomfortable on her feet. "He'll recover faster if he's around loved ones -"
"But his mission was top secret," Draco finished for her, his grey eyes that were so similar and yet so different from his son's, meeting her clear blue eyes.
"Once he's been debriefed he can have other visitors," Rose said seriously. "I'll make sure of it."
"Do you need to," Draco looked at Scorpius. "Run some diagnostics or something?"
"I'll come back," Rose smiled kindly. "When visiting hours are over."
Astoria stood and took Rose's hands in hers, "Thank you, Rose." Astoria's voice was low and kind; Rose could not miss the sincerity. "Thank you for everything."
Rose squeezed the woman's hands, "Of course, Mrs. Malfoy." Rose nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her. Letting out a puff of air, she walked next door to see how Walter was doing, but the Auror was asleep on his bed. With a yawn Rose went to tell a Mediwitch to wake her up in a few hours when visiting hours were over; she needed a nap too.
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"Have you been here all day?" Rose jumped in her chair at Albus's voice.
"Odin's beard," she muttered. "Are you trying to give me a bloody heart attack?"
Albus chuckled and sat down in a chair on the other side of her large desk, "Have you been here all day? I tried to Floo you for lunch."
"Busy," she shrugged, averting her eyes to the files on her desk. "Lots of -"
"You were here all day yesterday." She felt Albus's bright green eyes boring into the top of her head. "Are you avoiding me?"
"Of course not!" Rose's eyes were wide as she stared at her cousin. "I am just truly busy," she said seriously. "A lot of serious patients this week," she knew Albus could tell she was lying as he tilted his head slightly, watching her intently. "We can get dinner when everything settles down," she suggested. "Just the two of us?"
He nodded, "Sure." He cleared his throat, "Actually, maybe not just the two of us," he scratched his neck. "Well, I mean, maybe we could also get dinner or drinks with Fiona and Scorpius when he's back too," he looked a little embarrassed. "We've been on a few dates," he admitted.
"Oh," Rose's eyebrows shot up. "How many dates exactly?" She teased.
"Quite a few," Albus's cheeks pinked slightly. "I know you've met her at drinks with everyone, but I'd like for you to meet her in a less, um," he trailed off.
"Less of an aggressively Weasley setting?" Rose arched an eyebrow and Albus let out a relieved breath.
"Exactly," Albus chuckled. "Hopefully Scorpius will be back soon," he shrugged. "His work trips aren't usually very long. This one may have been top secret, he bought hair dye," Albus said offhandedly.
"Oh, did he?" Rose asked as casually as she could. "Well, I'd love to spend more time with Fiona in the very near future," she smiled at her cousin. "And I promise to come by when I'm not as busy," she added.
"I take it that's my cue?" Albus smirked as he stood up. "See you soon, Rosie. And get some sleep, you look ruddy awful."
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"You never visited me last time," Scorpius' voice was soft but it still made Rose jump up from the chair where she had been sitting next to him.
She stood and put her hand gently on his shoulder, "Don't try to move too much, Scorpius."
"I said you -"
Rose barely refrained from rolling her eyes, "I'm not visiting you now either."
"Ah," Scorpius closed his eyes. "So it's serious this time."
Rose frowned but moved her wand over his body before gently putting her fingers over his forehead, neck, and shoulders. "How are you feeling?"
"Bloody tired," Scorpius was watching her face closely as she ran her fingers over his body and Rose kept her face as still as possible. "Muggles teach you this?"
"How's your vision?" She ignored him again.
"Fine, I think." His eyes were still on her face, "I can tell it's you."
"Auror Potter and the Minister will want to meet with you," Rose's hand settled gently on his shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. "I don't have to tell them right away that you're awake if you'd like some time alone."
Scorpius swallowed and tore his eyes away from her, "I'd like you to tell me how bad it all is first."
"Now that you're awake," Rose tilted her head slightly. "Not as bad."
"How long," Scorpius trailed off.
"Three days," Rose squeezed his shoulder again as he looked up at the ceiling and exhaled deeply. "Your parents have been here every day during visiting hours," Rose said gently. "Walter's in the room next door napping, actually. He's fine."
"My parents have been here even though I haven't been debriefed?" Scorpius frowned, "What if I woke up and said -"
Rose did roll her eyes this time, "You didn't. And it's been found that having loved ones around wakes people out of their comas."
Scorpius' dark grey eyes landed on her again, "More Muggle teachings?"
Rose huffed, "My research, part of studies I wrote, thank you very much." She stood up straight, "Now. Do you want me to get Auror Potter and the Minister or do you -"
"Some time, I think," he said softly. "I'd like you to explain what happened to me and when I'll start to feel myself again."
Rose tried to keep her face neutral as she did with all her patients, but it was hard when Scorpius was so close with so many people in her family and he sounded so sad. She wanted to sit next to him on the bed and tell him everything was fine, that he'd be alright in a jiff, but she couldn't lie to him. She had to remain professional. She cleared her throat and stood up straight, "Over the next few days you'll get back to normal, I expect. Some things will take longer than others. I can't say for certain, of course, it's -"
"A tricky part of the healing process," Scorpius finished for her. "Heard that one before."
Rose blinked and her lip twitched slightly, "I can say with absolute certainty that you'll be absolutely fine. Back to catching bad guys and all that in a few weeks."
Scorpius let out a long breath and his shoulders relaxed significantly. "I'll still be an Auror," he said with such disbelief that Rose felt her heart tighten slightly; she couldn't have imagined what he had gone through before when he learned he would never be able to play Quidditch professionally again.
"You'll have some nasty scars, I reckon," Rose continued. "But you'll be back to your normal work schedule soon enough." She met his eyes briefly before shifting uncomfortably under his intense stare, "Should I go and get Walter before I -"
"Oh," Scorpius blinked. "Sure, thanks."
"Sure," Rose nodded and with a quick pat on his hand, she walked out of his room.
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"Thank you, Healer Weasley," Hermione smiled at her daughter as she walked up the hall to Scorpius' room. "Once he's been debriefed, we'll tell his parents, and any Mediwtich can go in and see him."
"Oh, sure," Rose nodded. "I'll um, wait -"
"You can go home, Rose," Hermione put her hand on her daughter's arm. "You should go and get some rest in your own home. You've done a great service to Scorpius, to the DMLE, and to the Ministry."
"Oh," Rose nodded. "Well, thanks." She knew a dismissal when she heard one. "I'll, um, be back to check on him tomorrow then." Rose felt uncertain, as though she should tell Scorpius goodbye, but Hermione was already turning to walk into Scorpius' room. Rose let out a breath and walked towards her office to gather her things, her mind in a confused haze. She wanted to say goodbye to Scorpius and tell him again that he'd be fine, not to overexert himself, and to rest, but she couldn't go in now when he was being debriefed, could she? Not when the Minister -
Rose stopped gathering her things and stood up straight. Was she the Healer in charge? Wasn't this her bloody patient? With a determined step, she walked back out of her office and towards Scorpius' room.
"Oh, no one is allowed," Walter started when Rose barged into the room. "Oh, Rose, um -"
"Healer Weasley, we're -"
"As Mr. Malfoy's Healer," Rose cut her Uncle Harry off with a voice of ice. "I've come to tell him, and you, a few things before I leave for the day. First, Mr. Malfoy, do not overexert yourself. If you begin to tire during this debrief, you are permitted to pause it and rest," she glared at her Uncle Harry. "I hope that is perfectly clear?"
"Yes," Harry said sheepishly.
"Secondly, rest as much as you can, you need it. And eat whatever the Mediwitches bring you, you'll need strength. You can have visitors, not too many at a time only if -"
"I'm not too tired?" Scorpius guessed with a sly grin.
Rose was not rattled. "I will be back tomorrow for more tests and I can decide, if you're not healing fast enough, to limit your visitors." She nodded at everyone, "Now, I'm off. Good day."
"Thank you, Healer Weasley," Scorpius said sincerely, his dark grey eyes meeting hers again with such an intensity that it startled Rose. She merely nodded and walked out of his room again.