Scorpius adjusted his tie one more time as he stepped through the main doors of St. Mungo's and nodded at the MediWitch behind the front desk. "Scorpius Malfoy here to see Healer Weasley," he said with a small smile.

"Ah, yes," the MediWitch smiled at him. "Healer Weasley told us to expect you early," she walked out from behind the desk and gestured for Scorpius to follow her down the hall. Early? He was barely 15 minutes earlier than his appointment time. He tried not to frown and flattened his tie again, needing to do something with his hands as they walked down the seemingly never ending hall.

He realized he'd never be able to make it back out of the maze of the hospital and he grimaced at the floor; as an Auror he should have been paying better attention, but his mind, of course, wandered as it always did when Rose was nearby. Or on in his mind. Which seemed to be constantly, despite her outbursts -

"Just here," the MediWitch smiled and knocked on an open door. Scorpius barely had time to read all of the titles and certifications under the words 'Healer Rose Weasley' on the placard outside her door. "Mr. Malfoy here to see you, Healer Weasley."

"Oh, splendid," Rose said and stood as Scorpius stepped into the office, thanking the MediWitch as she walked away. Scorpius met her dark blue eyes, ignoring whatever she was wearing - he couldn't think about that now - and smiled when she said, "Good morning, Mr. Malfoy," and gestured at the chairs on the other side of her desk. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Scorpius nodded and immediately felt foolish when Rose tilted her head slightly, her hair in a low bun. "I mean, I feel completely fine. No pain, no lingering issues." He noticed the way Rose's lips twitched slightly and swallowed.

"I'll do some diagnostics to see if that's true," she said gently. "Not that I don't trust you but -"

"Protocol?" Scorpius offered.

"Precisely," Rose smiled genuinely. "How are you feeling mentally? Work has been normal?" She sighed when she saw him open his mouth, "I mean as normal as it can be without field work."

Scorpius's lips twitched this time, "Good catch," he sat back in his chair slightly. "Mentally I'm the same as before. Desk work is boring and tedious, but it's all been fine. I feel as good as ever. Loud noises aren't startling me."

"Even around Fred and James?" She arched an eyebrow and smiled slightly when he laughed. "Well I'm glad to hear that. None of your scars are hurting? The area around them don't ache?"

"I barely have any scars," Scorpius shrugged. "From this visit to hospital, I mean," he corrected. "Whatever you did, Healer Weasley, has left with me only the smallest scars."

"Well that's good to hear," Rose tore her eyes away from him and Scorpius could see she suddenly felt uncomfortable. Was she imagining -

"I'm just going to run some diagnostics and tests," Rose stood up and went to the cabinet behind her desk. "Some of these tactics are Muggle, and they are important that we do them the Muggle way. Are you okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Scorpius asked, genuinely confused.

Rose sighed when she turned to look back at him, "Does it surprise you to know some older wizards and witches don't love 'the Muggle way'?"

"Well when the contraption looks like that," Scorpius eyed what Rose was holding and she let a small, deep laugh escape from her lips.

"This measures blood pressure," she pointed at his arm. "Roll up your sleeve, please. And this measures your heart rate."

"And you can't do that with magic?" Scorpius asked as he rolled up his sleeve.

"It's less accurate," she shrugged. She placed something on her desk, Scorpius's eyes following it. "That measures your reflexes," she smiled at him as he continued to look skeptically at her. "I promise none of this will hurt."

Scorpius swallowed and nodded at her, watching her as she squeezed a ball, put something in her ears, and watched his wrist. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to explain to Albus or anyone else what exactly Rose did, it was all so strange. But it did give him the perfect excuse to stare at her face as she worked so closely to him; her fingers felt like fire when she touched his wrist and moved his arm and he wasn't sure why this was suddenly happening now he didn't want it to happen now.

He felt cold when she stepped back from him and pulled the device from her ears, "Everything's in working order." She smiled at him. "Now this will be very strange, but," she bent down to knock on his knee and he gasped when his leg shot out of its own accord.

"What -"

"And the other one," Rose said in a singsong voice and hit his other knee. "Perfect," she smiled and put everything back in the cabinet.

"What was that?" Scorpius squirmed in his seat.

"Checking your reflexes," Rose's eyes were bright as she sat down behind her desk. "The Muggle way."

"You could have," Scorpius tilted his head slightly and frowned, scratching his chin where the hairs there started to itch again.

"Draw my wand at you and see how long it takes you to react?" Rose offered, arching an eyebrow. "You're an Auror, Mr. Malfoy. I should hope your reaction time is better than mine. But that won't prove anything if it's not against another Auror and you know it's coming."

"Uh," Scorpius said noncommittally. "That actually -"

"Makes a lot of sense?" Rose could barely refrain from rolling her eyes, "Yes, exactly. Now -"

"Sorry," Scorpius leaned forward in his seat slightly. "I didn't mean -"

Rose waved a hand at him and wrote something in the folder that was on her desk in front of her. "Not at all," she said without looking up at him. "I do need to ask you, however, how you are feeling about going back into the field."

"I'm itching to go back," Scorpius admitted. "I've missed it -"

"No," Rose's dark blue eyes lifted up to meet his dark grey ones. "I mean, rather, are you feeling anxious about this sort of thing happening again?"

"I," Scorpius swallowed. "Do you mean, am I anxious or nervous to meet that," he clenched his jaw slightly. "No," he could barely get out. "Not anxious or nervous."

"Mr. Malfoy, I'm only a Healer but, I think being too eager to -"

"Not eager, Healer Weasley," Scorpius's eyes were hard. "If I saw him again would I hesitate in doing my job? No."

Rose's entire body was still as she watched Scorpius seemingly pulse with intensity and anger; she had never seen him like this before and it rather unnerved her. If this is how he was as an Auror, she thought people on the other side of his wand were right to fear him.

She cleared her throat after a long moment of staring at him. "Well, that's good. It's up to your superiors in the DLME to decide if you're mentally fit to go back in the field, but," she met his gaze. "From a medical standpoint, you're perfectly fine."

He stood up and held his hand out to her, "Thank you, Healer Weasley."

Rose stood up as well and took his hand, trying not to notice how warm his hand was, how nicely it fit against hers. "Certainly," she smiled as their hands dropped and he turned to leave. "Are you," she hesitated. "Sorry, are you, do you think, going back out to -"

"That's classified," he said gently but Rose could not miss the sharpness in his voice.

"Of course," she nodded and glanced down at her desk for a moment. "Be careful, won't you?"

"Healer -"

"Not as your Healer, Scorpius," her voice was full of an emotion that Scorpius could not place, nor dare hoped to place. "As your friend."

"I'm always -"

"I don't want to see you back in that bed," she stepped around the desk and Scorpius watched her every move. "I can't see you back in that bed." She lifted her arm for a brief moment and Scorpius stilled, wondering if she was going to reach out and touch him, but just as quickly she lowered her hand. She swallowed and attempted a smile. "I should walk you back out. It's a bloody maze to get to the exit."

"Oh," Scorpius scratched his chin again. "Thanks."

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'I can't see you back in that bed,' rolled around Scorpius's head as he left St. Mungo's and walked to the Ministry of Magic. Rose had looked scared - and he had never seen Rose look scared before - and it was, he knew, going to haunt him. He didn't want to think about what she meant or the tone in which she had said it, what it could mean for them -

No. There was no 'them', there had never been a 'them', there would never be a 'them'. Scorpius ran a hand through his hair as he stepped onto the lift. He had very nearly gotten over Rose before she moved back so unexpectedly, he had even gone on a date!, but now she was back and she was not only taking over his entire life by always being around, but she was invading his thoughts and his feelings and -

"Ah, sir!" Catriona greeted him as he stepped off the lift. "You get approved for duty?"

"I did," Scorpius nodded and attempted a smile.

"Well done," she patted his arm and walked past him to step on to the lift. "See you in a bit, I reckon."

Scorpius frowned at her back but continued into the Auror offices and headed straight to Auror Potter's office. "Ah, Mr. Malfoy, he was expecting you," Margie, one of Harry's assistants, smiled at him. "He's inside."

"Thanks, Margie," Scorpius did his best to return the smile and opened the door to Harry's office. "Auror Potter," he said. "I've been -"

"Approved, yes," Harry looked up from his desk with a grin. "Healer Weasley just owled over her approval. Is today too soon to send you back out?"

"No, sir," Scorpius felt his shoulders relax.

"Wonderful," Harry handed Scorpius a file. "A dust up out near Kent. Catriona just went over there to relieve Simpson. I'll want you to leave within the hour to see what exactly we're dealing with."

"Certainly," Scorpius opened the file.

"And then we'll talk about sending you back out to mainland Europe," Harry's voice was low. "With a bigger team this time." Harry tilted his head slightly, the worry very obvious around his eyes, "If you're up for it."

Scorpius didn't even blink, "Of course, sir."

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"It's well past your shift, Healer Weasley," a kind voice said from her office doorway and Rose jumped slightly, her hand immediately going to her wand before she looked up and let out a rush of air.

"Merlin, Aisling," Rose closed her eyes for a brief moment. "I nearly hexed you."

"I'm fast on the draw," Aisling chuckled. "Thought about being an Auror for a minute there, you know."

Rose arched an eyebrow at her new friend, the MediWitch who had helped Rose get re-acquainted with St. Mungo's and it's many counterintuitive protocols. Aisling was also one of the first MediWitches Rose had suggested to the Ministry be vetted for classified patients. "I didn't know that," she waved a hand for Aisling to sit. "Is this a story worth hearing over a drink?"

"Aye," Aisling's smile was radiant and rather cheeky. "But not here. Maybe at a pub, eh?"

Rose chuckled, "You want me to leave, I understand -"

"You've been here all day, Rose. It's getting late, come on," Aisling leaned against the doorframe. "Let's get you some food and some drink and we can talk about what's on your mind after you hear my delicious tale of not becoming an Auror."

Rose rolled her eyes playfully and grabbed her things, "A delicious tale is a disgusting thought, Aisling."

Aisling laughed as she left Rose's office, not even waiting to see if Rose would follow her.

"Merlin, the Leaky," Rose groaned as she saw where Aisling was guiding them. "I don't want to run into any -"

"Who are we going to run into?" Aisling snorted. "You told me yourself your family is only really here to eat, not to get drunk" she pushed open the door to the dim tavern. "And it's too late for normal folks to be eating anyway."

Rose couldn't deny that and followed Aisling into the tavern, relieved to see, on first glance, no redheaded people in the dining area. With a sigh she sat down across from Aisling at a small table and smiled widely as the proprietor of the establishment herself came over. "Well if I live and breathe," Hannah Abbott grinned. "Rose Weasley."

"Hi, Aunt Hannah," Rose stood and hugged her tightly. "How's Uncle Neville?"

"Pleased as punch you're back in England," Hannah smiled and patted Rose's arm. "Furious he couldn't get away from school and his plants for your welcome back party."

"But I'll see him for Christmas?" Rose asked as she sat back down.

"But of course," Hannah grinned and looked to Aisling. "I'm Hannah Abbott, owner, landlady, proprietor, all that, of the Leaky."

"Aisling Walsh," Aisling smiled and stuck out her hand. "Professor Longbottom was my favorite professor," she grinned.

"Oh, that's lovely to hear, I'll tell him. What House?"

"Gryffindor," Aisling grinned.

"Even better," Hannah laughed. "Neville will be so pleased and so embarrassed," she waved her wand and two glasses of water appeared in front of them. "Drinks?"

"Butterbeer," Aisling said. "Please."

"Firewhisky, if you don't mind, Aunt Hannah," Rose smiled.

"Coming right up," she nodded. "And food, dears? The same for you, Rose?"

"You know I can't say no to your shepherd's pie," Rose grinned genuinely.

"I'll have the same," Aisling agreed.

"It's our specialty," Hannah smiled before walking away.

"You didn't tell me bloody Professor Longbottom was your uncle," Aisling leaned back in her seat. "Bloody minx."

Rose couldn't help the look of genuine shock on her face as she set her water glass down, "I, well, uh -"

"You assume everyone knows everything about your family?" Aisling's dark eyebrows rose in indignation.

Rose looked horrified, "No, I -"

Aisling laughed and smiled at Hannah who was behind the bar as their drinks landed in front of them. "I'm sure most folks do know your entire family tree, Weasley," Aisling took a sip of her butterbeer and watched as Rose visibly relaxed. "But I'm less familiar with the particulars," Aisling smiled wolfishly. "Rather thought that's why you liked me."

Rose took a sip of her fire whiskey, "It's a relief, now. But you're right and I do just sort of assume everyone knows everything about me."

"Well that's a shite way to go through life," Aisling said offhandedly. "We Muggleborns don't care much. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm right glad I was able to go to Hogwarts. But I won't embarrass you by thanking your parents and uncle in front of you." Rose rolled her eyes and waited for Aisling to finish. "I'll make sure it's in front of your entire family."

A laugh escaped Rose before she could hide it and Aisling threw her head back to laugh. "Well then what other secret uncles and aunts you got, eh, Weasley?"

"No other secret ones," Rose laughed into her glass. "Just the ones everyone already knows."

"Weasleys and Potters and -"

"Yes, yes," Rose did roll her eyes this time. "Thank you."

Aisling's pale hazel eyes seemed to twinkle with mischief but she refrained from teasing her new friend anymore until they got their food. She tucked some of her shoulder-length dark chestnut-brown hair behind her ears. "Well, then, Weasley, you mind telling me why you were at hospital so late past your shift?"

"You checking up on me?" Rose asked cautiously as she set her glass down on the table again.

"Aye," Aisling nodded seriously. "Someone's got to."

Rose swallowed, not expecting that answer. "I'm -"

"I swear on my grandmother's grave, who I liked very much mind you, if you say fine," Aisling said in a voice that made Rose snap her mouth shut. Aisling took a deep breath, her eyes laser-focused on Rose. "I've seen too many Healers work themselves to the bone and I won't let it happen to you."

Rose's eyes avoided Aisling as she played with her glass, "I got lost in thought -"

"That classified case, Rose, was a few weeks ago," Aisling started.

"What do you know -"

"I know that I've been vetted for any new classified cases that may come through," Aisling's voice was low as she leaned forward. "And I know that case rattled you. You can't let it -"

"I didn't -"

"Rose," Aisling put her hand out on Rose's arm to still the glass in her hand. "You don't have to tell me who it was or what happened, but you and I both know your family is too big, your friendbase too wide, for you to never see someone you know or care about in hospital." Aisling could tell that hit a nerve and watched as Rose lifted her eyes slowly. "The first one is always the hardest," Aisling said gently.

"But it'll never get easier," Rose repeated Healer Dawson's words.

"No," Aisling agreed. "It won't. But you can't lose sleep or -"

"I'm more likely to make a mistake," Rose finished for her and let out a breath. "I know that, inherently -"

"I was going to say 'or your social life'," Aisling leaned back in her chair and took a large sip of her butterbeer. "You really ought to let me finish." Rose, caught off guard again, let out a deep laugh that made Aisling laugh as well before she waved to Hannah, "Another round, I think? Now, let me tell you about why I didn't become an Auror," Aisling started and grinned when Rose let out a playful groan.

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"Then why did you," Rose frowned slightly, embarrassed and picked up her glass of water.

"Not become a Healer?" Aisling asked, her pale hazel eyes bright.

"I didn't mean," Rose's shoulder slumped. "It's such an offensive question, and I didn't mean it that way at all."

Aisling smiled genuinely, "It's not offensive, Rose. Yer not the first to ask and ya won't be the last."

"It's none of my business -"

"I just weaved ya a tale about why I didn't become an Auror," Aisling laughed. "I can answer this question."

Rose's eyes narrowed, "Are you somehow becoming more Irish -"

"When I drink," Aisling set her fork down. "Fun, innit?" She grinned again, her eyes wide.

"You're doing it on purpose," Rose laughed again. "You're a bloody -"

"I wouldn't finish that thought, Weasley," Aisling waved a finger playfully. "And it's more fun to tell a sad story with a bit of a playful lit," Aisling leaned back in her chair. "Me mam was very sick when I was a wee lass. In hospital for months on end. It was always nurses around, helpin' me mam, takin' care of her, makin' sure me and me da were fed and watered. Nurses were the ones that explained to us what was goin' on, could explain it to us better than a doctor we saw for a few seconds could," Aisling shrugged. "I spent a lot of time with nurses when I was young, I really respected them. And after me mam died, me da married a nurse some years later," she smiled fondly as she stared past Rose for a moment. "From a different hospital, of course, a pediatric nurse," she chuckled to herself. "I wanted to be a nurse before I knew I was a witch," Aisling met Rose's eyes.

Rose swallowed. "And after being an Auror was out of the question," she offered.

Aisling laughed, unexpectedly, "Exactly, Weasley! See, ya get it." Aisling raised her glass of butterbeer and smiled when Rose lifted her glass of firewhiskey, "To me mam. To all the nurses." They both took long sips.

Rose fingered her glass again, staring at the contents as she set her glass down on the table, "I'm sorry about your mom -"

"She's in a better place now," Aisling shook her head. "And she would have been bloody terrified of magic," she chuckled. "Da and I joke about that sometimes. She was easily spooked, and it would have been too bloody fun to spook her," Aisling sighed dramatically before nodding at her friend. "Don't ya dare look bloody sullen, all right? Ya didn't know me mam, ya don't get to be sad."

"Oi!" Rose's eyebrows furrowed and she said rather indignantly, "That's -"

"Good, then change the subject," Aisling dared her with a raise of an eyebrow and Rose let out a breath.

"Exhausting," Rose muttered. "Absolutely exhausting."

"And yet," Aisling gestured around the pub. "Here we are."

Rose perked up slightly, her dark blue eyes widening with a sudden idea. "Say, Walsh, what do you think about dating someone younger than you?"

Aisling arched a dark eyebrow, her pale hazel eyes twinkling, "What did you have in mind, Weasley?"

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A/N: Please review! :)