"I'm here," Rose's eyes were wide as she called out to the MediWitches at the front desk. "Where do I go?" When no one answered her, she looked around and saw witches and wizards in the waiting room staring at her. She frowned and ran a hand to smooth her bright red top before walking to the desk and asking a Mediwitch politely who had requested her, pulling her robes out of her bag.

"Oh, Healer Weasley," Leslie looked down at the desk. "Ah yes, Aisling will walk you -"

"Can you tell me who the patient is?" Rose's voice was strained.

Leslie looked up, confused, "'Fraid not, Healer Weasley. But Aisling will be able to tell you everything."

Rose's heart was still pounding as she paced in front of the MediWitch station: why couldn't they tell her where to go? Why weren't they nervous? Why wasn't Aisling here already to take her to whoever - she shut her eyes and clenched her fists at her sides when she stopped pacing to lean against the walls in an attempt to slow her brain down.

"Healer Weasley!" Aisling's voice roused her and she opened her eyes, walking quickly to her friend and colleague.

"What's going on? Who is it? Is everything okay?" Rose said so quickly Aisling could barely understand anything she said.

"Whoa, slow down," Aisling put her hand on Rose's arm. "There's no emergency, everything's okay. It's just confidential, that's all. And as a Healer, you have to sign off on everything."

Rose's brows furrowed, "Sign off on everything?" They turned a corner to a very small and narrow hallway that was rarely used unless the hospital was full or someone was very contagious, and Rose saw a young man and a young woman standing outside a room, their eyes nervously glancing around. "What in Merlin's name?" She wondered, as the two stopped them before entering the room.

"This is Healer Weasley," Aisling said to their drawn wands. "She's the one your friend needs to see before you can take him away."

The two young Aurors put their wands down and let them enter the room as Rose glanced at Aisling, "What is going -"

"Ah, Healer Weasley," her Uncle Percy was sitting in the corner of the room. "Wonderful to see you," he stood up and shook her hand formally as he always did when he saw her. "Now, this man," he gestured to the haggard man strapped to the bed, "needs to be medically approved before we can bring him to Azkaban. Can't have him injured and in too ill of health before we send him there."

"Oh," Rose breathed as a million thoughts swirled in her head. "Oh?"

"I'm not at liberty to discuss the particulars with you. It's need to know," Percy droned on before pushing his glasses back up his nose. "But, there will be more folks brought in throughout the day, most likely, possibly even longer, so," he cleared his throat.

Rose nodded, and walked towards the patient, "Can you tell me anything about his condition?" She raised an eyebrow at her uncle.

"He's not speaking to us, so," Percy shrugged and sat down again. "We're hoping to transport him to Azkaban once Aurors Malfoy and McDonald and Auror Potter return, hopefully soon."

Rose's eyes darted to her uncle as she tried to slow her breathing before she turned her attention back to the haggard man; so Malfoy was okay? He was back in Europe rounding up the rest of this man's followers? She assumed, of course, she had no idea. She swallowed and waved her wand over the man for initial diagnostics.

"His name is Ivan Zhuk," Aisling was at her side and said in a low, professional voice. "37 years old, malnourished, dehydrated, no visible hex wounds or scars."

Rose started at that and she raised both her eyebrows to Aisling who also looked rather surprised; no visible hex wounds or scars? Maybe he wasn't the madman the Ministry was investigating?

Percy stood up and went to the door to talk to the two Aurors, but Rose ignored them as she continued to look over Zhuk, "He's hydrated now, we'll have to give him some pills to nourish him," Rose said in a low voice to Aisling. "I expect they don't want him to waste away quite yet?"

Aisling shook her head and glanced at the man in the bed, his dark brown eyes now open and staring openly at Rose; she couldn't help the involuntary shiver that went down her spine when his eyes landed on her face.

"How do you feel, Mr. Zhuk?" Rose asked him stiffly.

"Angry," his voice was scratchy and the hatred in his voice was unmistakable.

Rose gave him a tight smile, "Physically, Mr. Zhuk?"

"Sore," he grunted, his eyes hard. "These -"

"Are there for a reason," Percy muttered from back in his chair, his eyes still on the paper he was reading, but Rose could tell his eyes weren't moving.

"Wrist broken," Zhuk's voice was thick with hatred. "But she -"

"It's not broken," Rose interrupted him. "MediWitch Walsh is correct. You have no broken bones, no visible wounds from a hex -"

"Inside me," his dark eyes were glaring at Rose, daring her to back down and cower; she did not.

Rose arched an eyebrow, "I don't see any evidence of internal trauma, Mr. -"

"Is there," he raised his voice. "Everything hurts," he tried to move. Rose wondered, briefly, how he spoke in such near perfect English, before she remembered he wanted to murder all Muggleborns.

"What does it feel like?" Rose ignored his tantrum. "If you can explain it to me, I can run some Muggle tests to see what we may have missed magically," her voice was smooth and she arched an eyebrow as she stared down at him.

"Muggle?" He roared and thrashed against his restraints, his dark eyes blazing. He moved to spit at Rose and Aisling's feet but Rose waved her hand carelessly, her wand in the pocket of her robes, and a bubble enveloped him, his spittle hitting the bubble and falling to the floor.

"Hmm," Rose tilted her head slightly to Aisling. "Didn't seem to like that very much, did he?"

Percy was behind them with his wand out, "What's -"

"All taken care of, Uncle Percy," Rose said casually over her shoulder. "Nothing a little wandless magic couldn't help. And from a halfblood no less," she glared down at Zhuk.

"Best not mention I'm a Muggleborn, eh?" Aisling's hazel eyes were dark with anger. Zhuk opened his mouth to roar or spit again, they weren't sure which, but Aisling flicked her own hand and his mouth snapped shut. "Even the Muggleborn can do wandless magic. Fancy that, eh, Mr. Zhuk?"

The two young Aurors peeked through the door, "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," Rose turned and smiled at them. "Nothing we can't handle."

"Auror Potter and the rest should be back soon, if he's ready to be moved to Azkaban?" The young woman asked.

"He's fit as a fiddle," Rose nodded and turned back to Zhuk. "Guess he won't want any of your homemade muffins, Ms. Walsh," Rose inclined her head to Aisling, glaring at the man.

"A recipe passed down from generations of Muggles," Aisling nodded. "Very tasty. You sure you don't want one for the road, Mr. Zhuk?" Aisling smiled prettily at him, her eyes still dark with anger. "Oh, but of course," she chuckled as he tried to speak, his mouth still snapped shut by magic.

Rose winked at Aisling as they left the bedside and turned to her uncle. "What do you need me to sign to say he's medically cleared to be brought to Azkaban?"

"Harry will have it," Percy said from the chair in the corner before he turned to Aisling. "And there are other rooms set up for more patients?"

Aisling nodded, "I'll check next door, see how many beds we can have."

"They'll have to be separated," Percy shook his head. "They can't see or speak to one another."

Rose frowned at her uncle but nodded at Aisling, "We'll both go and see what can be done. Do you know how many?"

Percy shook his head, "We should know soon enough, I don't think they'll be here all at once."

Rose and Aisling went into the room next door and both began waving their wands to Transfigure room dividers that they could soundproof. They worked silently for a moment before Rose cleared her throat and asked, "Did you see who brought that man, Zhuk, in?"

"Aye," Aisling nodded. "I was here when they dragged him in," she let out a long breath. "Literally dragged, mind you. That blonde friend I met the other night, Malfoy? He said they had to process him at the Ministry first, you know, bring him in there before they brought him here."

Rose nodded, "And how did he seem?" She swallowed, trying to act casual as she waved her wand to make the beds, "Malfoy, I mean. Was he injured, or?"

Aisling shrugged, "He and the man he was with, I forget his name, his partner I think? They seemed okay, a little dirty," she glanced at Rose. "They were only here for a moment before they were off again to round up some of his followers."

"Hmm," Rose hummed; so Malfoy was okay, or at least okay enough to go back out to Europe. It should have relaxed her, that he seemed to be uninjured, but it didn't; she was still worried about him. Why was she so bloody worried about him?

"Malfoy, he's friends with your family?" Aisling asked lightly and Rose nodded as she looked at her new friend and colleague. "He's been in hospital before?"

"I'm sure plenty of times," Rose couldn't help the quiver in her voice.

"You've been his Healer before, I mean," Aisling was beside her now. "Before some of us were vetted for these types of situations?" Rose's dark blue eyes darted to Aisling for a long moment before bringing her attention back to the beds and the room dividers. "Ah," Aisling nodded. "Of course," she put a comforting hand on Rose's arm. "He seemed to be okay," Aisling said gently. "And now that they've got the main maniac in custody -"

"Healer Weasley?" One of the young Aurors was at the door. "Auror Potter is here."

Rose nodded and smoothed her robes as she and Aisling left the room to go back next door. "Auror Potter, this is my colleague, MediWitch Aisling Walsh," Rose gestured and watched as Harry's green eyes brightened some as he recognized the name. "She's been vetted and was here when Mr. Zhuk was brought in."

Harry extended his hand to Aisling, "Thank you, MediWitch Walsh. The Minister and I appreciate you -"

"Speaking for me again, Harry?" Hermione said from the doorway and Harry turned around quickly, his mouth wide open.

"You were supposed to stay at the -" his voice was tight.

"And miss speaking to Mr. Zhuk without reporters?" Hermione's eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of the man in the bed before she forced a smile on her face and looked at Rose and Aisling. "Ah, Healer Weasley, and -"

"This is MediWitch Aisling Walsh," Rose introduced her as Hermione shook Aisling's hand, a brief glimpse of recognition passing over her face as well.

"Wonderful to meet you. Thank you for helping the Ministry with such a strange request. We value your work and discretion," she said softly, yet firmly, to Aisling.

"Happy to help," Aisling's smile was wide as her eyes flickered between two of the most famous people in Wizarding Britain.

"Uh," Rose cleared her throat. "I can sign whatever documents you need for him to be cleared and brought to Azkaban."

"He's in fine medical condition?" Harry asked, running a hand through his hair.

"Why is there a shield around him?" Hermione asked, an eyebrow raised, her eyes narrowing at her daughter. "And is his mouth sealed shut?"

"He was a bit mouthy," Aisling shrugged. "Didn't seem to like that I was Muggleborn or that Healer Weasley here wanted to do Muggle medical tests on him."

"But he's perfectly fine," Rose said firmly. "The Muggle tests aren't mandatory, and it's obvious his blood pressure and everything were normal."

"There was no external or internal damage," Aisling added.

"No hexes?" Hermione raised an eyebrow and turned to Harry. "That in the report?"

"It will be," Harry rocked on his feet slightly. "He was apprehended without any real force."

"Hmm," Hermione nodded, her eyes staring at Zhuk. "Yes. Healer Weasley, you can sign those papers outside, can't you?"

Rose nodded and took the papers from Harry as she and Aisling walked outside of the room where several Aurors were now standing with her Uncle Percy. "They'll just be a mo'," Rose said to her uncle as she pulled a Muggle pen out of her robes to sign the various forms. "Thought you were gonna thank them," Rose muttered quietly to Aisling.

"Without your da' present?" Aisling muttered back. "That'd be in poor taste."

"Quite right," Rose's mouth twitched. "He'd be bloody furious." She looked up at her uncle, "Are they taking Mr. Zhuk to Azkaban?"

"No," Percy shook his head. "The pair who brought him in will take him to Azkaban. Once they get back."

Rose tried to keep her face neutral as she nodded, glancing down at the papers again. "Any word on when that will be?"

"Auror Potter would know," Percy shrugged and pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Sent a few more experienced Aurors with Aurors Malfoy and McDonald to round them up."

"Unless there was trouble," one of the Aurors piped up, "they should be back soon."

"They're bringing them straight here instead of to the Ministry," Percy nodded. "Going to process them here."

"And why are they being brought to England from wherever they were hiding?" Aisling asked.

"You didn't hear?" One of the young Aurors straightened up as he asked only to cower slightly when Percy glared at him.

"It's classified," Percy said to Rose and Aisling. "Until it's been decided that the information can be released."

Aisling and Rose exchanged a look quickly before Hermione and Harry opened the door and stepped out of the room. Hermione smiled brightly at them all, "Thank you all for your help today, your Ministry thanks you." Rose wondered how many times a day her mother was forced to say that.

"Aurors Malfoy and McDonald should be here shortly," Harry glanced at the Muggle watch Rose knew her mother had gifted him decades previously. "You should head down to the back entrance," Harry nodded at his young Aurors before turning to Rose and Aisling. "Is there a way to ensure the halls are clear from the back entrance to here?"

Aisling smiled wickedly, "If Healer Weasley tells people to stay in their rooms, they'll stay in their rooms."

Hermione raised an eyebrow as Rose rolled her eyes, "That's not -"

"I'm certain it's very true," Harry pushed his glasses up his nose. "Hermione, you should head back to the Ministry -"

"And miss all the excitement?" Hermione interrupted him and gestured for Rose to lead the way to the back entrance of St. Mungo's.

"Actually, Minister," Aisling said from behind her. "May I call you Minister?"

Hermione turned her head slightly to smile at Aisling, "Outside of hospital you can call me Hermione."

Aisling's cheeks pinked slightly, "Oh, thanks," Aisling cleared her throat, caught off guard. "I think it would help if you popped into some of the rooms on the way to say hello, see how people are doing."

"The ones maybe less inclined to listen to Healer Weasley?" Hermione asked. "I think that's a wonderful idea." She pointed at Harry, "You'll join me."

"Hermione," he nearly whined and Rose bit her lip to stop herself from laughing out loud.

"Two rooms," Hermione shook her head. "If I have to do it -"

"But you're the Minister," he grumbled.

"And you're Harry Potter," Rose turned around to walk backwards, shrugging at her uncle with a smirk; Hermione covered her mouth with her hand to hide her laugh.

"Don't taunt your uncle," Hermione leaned over to whisper to her daughter.

"Room 313," Aisling pointed. "A young man fell off his broom, from very high up, and his family's in there too." Hermione nodded and Aisling pointed at another room further down the hall. "323. An elderly fellow got caught in his late wife's devil's snare."

"Oh," Hermione's eyes widened. "He couldn't get himself out?"

"Not for a while," Aisling shook her head. "He's got a few scrapes and bumps, but he's mainly just embarrassed now. Very tired."

"See, Harry?" Hermione smiled. "Those won't be so bad."

"Room 318 has a small boy with a scar on his face that he's pretty upset about too," Rose added with a teasing smile.

Harry chuckled, "Well I can't avoid that, can I?" He ran a hand through his hair, "Okay, Minister, lead the way. Secure the rest of the patients, will you?" He nodded at Rose and Aisling and didn't wait for them to respond when he was following Hermione into room 313.

"I can't believe the bloody Minister of Magic told me to call her Hermione when I see her outside the hospital," Aisling let out a whistle. "Can you bloody believe it?" She didn't wait for Rose to respond before she continued, "I'm going to love telling James I met his dad and aunt."

"The date went well?" Rose arched an eyebrow at her friend.

Aisling glanced at her and smirked, "I told him, rather firmly, that he was my boyfriend now and he didn't refuse, so." She shrugged carelessly but winked at Rose, "You tell me."

"Impossible," Rose rolled her eyes. "I'm simultaneously glad and annoyed I introduced the pair of you. It'll either be my greatest achievement or my worst nightmare," she sighed dramatically and let out a laugh when Aisling let out a very loud laugh.

"Go secure those patients on that side, Healer Weasley, I've got this side," Aisling stepped into a room.

Several minutes later, Rose was leaving the last room on her side when she heard several loud thumps coming from the otherside of the door at the back entrance; her heart racing, she hissed, "MediWitch Walsh!" Aisling popped her head out of her last room, "Get them, will you?" She pointed further up the hall for her mother and uncle. "I think they're here," she jerked her head to the back door. Aisling quickly excused herself from the room and ran up the hall to collect Hermione and Harry.

Rose pushed the door open gently, her dark blue eyes landing on Scorpius struggling to stand, four very large men laying on the ground around him trying to kick out at him despite the ropes around their legs. He looked up when he heard the door open and his lips spread into a wide smile, "Finally a friendly face."

"You're hurt," Rose waved her hand behind her to prop the door open and walked around the men to reach Scorpius, helping him to stand up.

He leaned against her slightly, "I'm fine," he chuckled. "Just a little banged up, nothing, ah," he winced when he tried to put weight on his left leg.

"Lean on me," Rose instructed but Scorpius shook his head.

"Got to get this lot inside, there's more -"

"You can barely stand," Rose glared at him, her eyes moving over his dirty, scratched, face. "You're bleeding," she hissed and raised her hand to his cheek, not noticing that instead of pulling away he leaned ever so slightly into her hand.

"Let me get them inside first," his voice was soft, his dark grey eyes meeting hers.

Rose searched his eyes for a long moment before she heard Aisling, Harry, and Hermione walking down the hall and pulled her hand away from him. "Let me at least help your leg a bit," her voice was soft and she waved her wand behind her back. "You can put weight on it now. It won't last long."

Scorpius nodded her thanks at her as Rose stepped away from him so he could wave his wand at the four men who levitated alongside him.

"Auror Malfoy!" Harry nodded at him, "Portkey worked?"

"McDonald and Ennis will be along next," Scorpius nodded. "Where are we taking them?"

"I'll show you," Rose nodded before asking Aisling, "All the rooms are secured?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "I put a Silencing charm on the hallway as well," she added. "Better it come from me if Healer Lang starts to ask questions." She smiled at Scorpius, "Are you okay, Auror Malfoy?"

"Better once I get this lot inside and go back to get some more, Minister," he managed a smile. He turned his head slightly to Rose, "Lead the way."

"Thank you for your service, today, Auror Malfoy," Hermione said to him.

Scorpius nodded back at her with a small smile, "Just doing my job, ma'am."

"Do you need help," Rose whispered quietly to Scorpius as he levitated the men behind him.

"I'm okay," he whispered back. "This is the easy bit." They walked in silence for a moment, "Did Zhuk give you any problems?"

"Not that Aisling and I couldn't handle," Rose shrugged before tilting her head towards him. "Mentioning that Aisling is a Muggleborn and suggesting some Muggle testing may have riled him up."

Scorpius bit back a laugh, "Can't imagine he took that well."

"We may have sealed his mouth shut and put him in a bubble," Rose's voice was light. "In here," she gestured to the room. "The beds are separated and they shouldn't hear anything the others say."

Scorpius levitated one at a time to each bed before asking her, "Mind helping me with the magical straps while I take their ropes off?" They worked together silently for a moment before Scorpius said, "Any Muggle restraints may help too," he jerked his thumb to the biggest man. "He's not bad at wandless magic."

"They don't have wands on them, do they?" Rose's eyebrows rose.

"He doesn't seem to need his wand," Scorpius shook his head. "None of them are talking, but he seems to be the real brains behind this operation."

Rose let out a whistle, "We can move him to Zhuk's room once he's taken to Azkaban, if that's -"

"Healer Weasley!" A sharp voice said from the doorway and Rose turned around quickly. "What's going on? I heard the Minister and Head Auror Potter are here?" Lang's dark eyes were wide as she smoothed her robes down, "And no one thought to tell -"

"Ah, Healer Lang," Rose hurried to her and ushered her out of the doorway. "It's Sunday, you know," she tried her hardest to smile. "Didn't want to bother you," she glanced back at Scorpius before guiding Healer Lang down the hall. "I'm sure the Minister would love to speak to you privately -"

"I'd really love to know when your mother," Healer Lang caught herself, "the Minister, I mean, is in the building. I'd love to get a chance to talk to her -"

"She's very busy, you understand. Here on important business," Rose tried to hide her grimace.

"And you are aware of this important business?" Lang continued. "And it's happening in my hospital," her voice was hard. "I should be kept aware -"

"Ah," Rose turned the corner, thrilled to see her mother with her Uncle Harry and Uncle Percy now. "Minister, you know Healer -"

"Miranda Lang, yes," Hermione smiled and shook her hand. "Good to see you. We do apologize for taking over so many of your rooms, but important classified Ministry business, you understand."

"Yes, of course," Lang said quickly, and Rose could tell that the fire that was moments ago directed at Rose was now gone.

"You know Auror Potter as well, I take it," she gestured to Harry. "He's spent plenty of time here in the past, along with the Aurors under his charge," Hermione continued brusquely. "A true testament to how many good Healers you have," she nodded at Percy. "And this is Mr. Weasley. He'll be glad to answer any question you may have as long as they aren't classified," she began to walk again. "Please excuse me, I must be continuing on," she shook Lang's hand again. "Good day."

Rose watched as Healer Lang stood there, her mouth open slightly as Hermione and Harry guided Rose away as Percy said, "Shall we go to your office, Healer Lang?"

Rose's eyes widened as she whispered to her mother, "You didn't thank her for all she's done for the Ministry."

Hermione arched an eyebrow and whispered back tersely, "She hasn't done anything worth being thanked for."

Rose let out a loud laugh before she could manage to cover her laugh and Hermione's mouth twitched, "Come on, Ms. Walsh is bringing McDonald and Ennis back here and then Malfoy and McDonald will bring Zhuk to Azkaban -"

"Malfoy is hurt," Rose frowned at her mother. "And I don't even know what state McDonald and Ennis are in -"

"We need to bring Zhuk to Azkaban first," Harry shook his head. "And then," he trailed off. "There's a lot that needs to be done -"

"They may not make it -" Rose tried to argue but they had made it to the room and Scorpius nodded at them all as they walked in.

"Healer Weasley," he pointed at the bed in the far room. "Do you mind starting down there? I need to talk to Auror Potter about this fellow," he tilted his head at the bed with the large man he had mentioned could do wandless magic.

"I really think I should look you over," Rose tried to argue.

Scorpius shook his head, "Plenty of time later. Adrenaline and all that -"

"McDonald and Ennis are bringing in eight more men now," Harry added. "And I expect there's still more?"

Scorpius nodded, "Can Weasley get us more Portkeys?"

Rose opened her mouth to argue again, but the look from Scorpius made her shut her mouth and she left to head towards the back of the room. The man had a bloody gash on his cheek, for Merlin's sake! He could barely walk! And he was going to go to Azkaban and back to mainland Europe, how many bloody times before he let her examine him? The man was bloody out of his mind -

"Sorry, no," Rose came back out from behind the room divider. "You at least need me to fix your leg," she snapped at Scorpius and Transfigured a chair. "You can talk while i do that, can't you?" She glared at her mother and uncle; Harry's mouth twitched as Scorpius reluctantly sat down.

"It's not that bad," he mumbled as she sat down gingerly before letting out a harsh gasp when Rose touched his shin. "Ok, maybe it's -"

"Bad," Rose finished for him and rolled up his pant leg before waving her wand over the long gash along his calf. "This will hold for a few hours," she touched her handiwork for a long moment and Scorpius felt his cheeks pink. "But I'll need to do a real job of it soon," she stood up straight and nodded at them all before turning back to her patient.

"Thanks," Scorpius called out to her. "Thanks, Healer Weasley."

She nodded at him and ducked her head before anyone saw the blush that threatened to creep up her neck and face.

080808080808080808

Rose and Aisling had their work cut out for them with the ten men that Malfoy, McDonald, and Ennis brought in; "the first round" Harry had told them. She didn't know when Malfoy and McDonald left, or where they went, but after two hours they were back with more men.

"Markovic should be moved to Zhuk's old room," Rose said to Harry as Ennis levitated two more men in. "He can do wandless magic even without his wand nearby," she said in a low voice to him, her eyes never leaving the very large man.

"Is he medically ready to leave for Azkaban?" Harry asked.

"Soon," Rose shook her head. "We need to watch him for a while longer, see if we can stop some internal bleeding."

"Hmm," Harry frowned and looked around. "Best maybe not to move him yet. Can we put some more beds in Zhuk's room?"

They managed to fit four men in Zhuk's room when Malfoy and McDonald came back; Rose met Scorpius's eyes, ready to tell him to bloody sit down so she could heal him, but he shook his head. "They ready for Azkaban?" Scorpius asked Harry.

Harry held up the papers Rose had signed, "Yes."

"Can't someone else take them?" Rose intervened. "I really think -"

"Malfoy and McDonald are going to lead the newer Aurors there," Harry said. "Are you both okay to do that?"

"Yessir," Scorpius nodded, but Rose saw through the grimace on his face; he looked grimier and there were now visible scratches on his hands and Rose was certain elsewhere as well.

"Then to the Ministry?" Harry asked. "We need to finish up -"

"They need to come back here," Rose said sternly, crossing her arms. "They need to -"

"Finish the mission first," Harry interrupted her. "Not long now."

"Ennis is bringing in the last three," McDonald interrupted, uncomfortable by Rose's anger and irritation.

Scorpius nodded at Markovic, "Has he caused any trouble?"

"Not yet," Aisling was there. "He's out for the moment."

"Internal bleeding," Rose added, arching an eyebrow.

"We'll be back soon," Harry nodded to Rose and Aisling and led Scorpius and Walt out of the room. "Percy will be back with the rest of the paperwork for this new lot."

Rose nodded tersely, her lips pressed together tightly at how bloody pale and dirty Scorpius and Walt both looked, but she let Aisling pull her to one of the new men on the cot. "Bloody stubborn," Rose muttered to Aisling.

"All Aurors or just one in particular?" Aisling asked .

'The bloody lot of them," Rose ground out. She let out a very annoyed sigh and got back to work as Aisling hurried out to direct Ennis to the other room for the last few people he was bringing in.

"Some women at last," Aisling rolled her eyes when she came back.

"Finally," Rose agreed. "Wonderful to see women aligned with that utter maniac."

They continued to check over their new patients for two more hours, Percy and some young Aurors coming in and out of the room occasionally with paperwork and updates when they heard two loud thumps outside the door. "What was -"

The door burst open and the large man, Markovic, stood there with a gash on his forehead newly bleeding as he held someone else's wand in his hand, and pointed it at Aisling and Rose, standing over the stupefied bodies of two young Aurors. Rose waved her wand to put a shield around them but Markovic was fast, waving his newly acquired wand and sending one of the empty chairs careening at them.

Aisling waved her wand at the man, yelling Stupefy, but he blocked it wordlessly, stumbling towards them. Rose waved her wand this time, her lips pressed tightly together, her dark blue eyes wild, aiming to incapacitate him, and not bothering to put another shield around her when Aisling's wand flew out of her hand and towards Markovic. His black eyes landed on Rose now as she sent three hexes at him in a row; he fell to his knees, his stolen wand falling to the ground, but his fingers twitched and Rose's wand flew towards him, clattering to the ground out of his reach.

Rose saw Aisling hide behind a bed out of the corner of her eye as Rose, frantic, scared, and unsure if it would work, screamed Petrificus Totalus in her head, waving both her hands and hoping she had enough magic in her to do it wandlessly. Markovic's legs and arms snapped together and he fell forward onto his face, his wand falling to the floor. Rose waved her left hand as the wands rolled away from him and she picked up her own wand, waving it to levitate him to standing and stitching the gash on his forehead before letting him fall roughly to the floor for good measure, his head hitting the floor first and knocking him out.

"Are you okay?" She whispered to Aisling who stood up from behind the bed and picked up her wand.

"How did you," Aisling's voice was shaking.

"I'm not sure," Rose shook her head, her voice a little shaky as well. "Will you help the Aurors up while I secure this bloody menace?" She clenched her jaw. "Don't mention to anyone that I dropped him, will you?"

"Only if you bloody bruise him up a bit more, eh?" Aisling grumbled as she wiped a hand over her face. "That was bloody," she shook her head. "Wasn't expecting that today, I'll tell you that much."

"No," Rose agreed and Transfigured ropes out of a torn piece of clothing off Markovic to tie roughly around his entire person. "Nor was I," she levitated him and let him fall very roughly on one of the empty beds. She tried to keep her hands from shaking as she secured him to the bed both magically and manually, not willing to take any more risks, before putting a protective bubble around him too that he would not be able to break through.

"Are you okay?" One of the young Aurors held his hand as Aisling helped him up. "What happened? How did he -"

"We're fine," Rose said softly. "You both should sit down, here," the two chairs righted themselves so they could sit down. "I expect you'll need a minute," she said firmly. "So do we."

"Auror Potter will be back soon, we'll have to report -" the other Auror started but Rose shook her head.

"Later," Rose interrupted him and turned to Aisling. "You need a minute? I can wait for them to return."

Aisling looked concerned about leaving Rose alone but nodded, her eyes glassy. "I could use tea. Do you want one?"

"Thanks," Rose nodded and took Aisling's hand, squeezing it. "Take your time. I can give my report first."

Aisling nodded her thanks and walked quickly out of the room, a hand on her chest.

Rose stood right outside the bubble of Markovic's bed and watched him, her mind blank, her fists clenched at her side; she wasn't sure how long she stood there, or if the young Aurors watched her. Sometime later, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she jumped back, her wand at the throat of whoever touched her.

"It's okay, Rose," Scorpius raised both his hands to show he wasn't holding a wand, his grey eyes kind, "It's only me." When Rose didn't move to lower her wand, but her eyes widened slightly, Scorpius could see for the first time knowing Rose, that she was scared. He slowly moved to put his hand on her wand hand, "You're okay, Rose." His voice was soft and low, as though he was talking to a wild animal. "No one is going to hurt you," he slowly lowered her hand. "You're okay."

His heart broke as he watched her blink and she took a step back, lowering her wand hand instantly, "Oh, sorry," her voice wavered. "I just," she blinked, her eyes glancing over to Markovic.

"Don't apologize," he shook his head and put a comforting hand on her arm. "Want a cup of tea?"

She blinked and looked back at him, as if she was surprised he was there, "Don't you need my account, or?" She frowned slightly.

"Only when you're ready," he shook his head. "We can have tea first."

Her eyes moved over his face and he watched her eyes harden, "I'm ready now. Then someone can take that bastard to Azkaban while I fix your bloody leg."

Scorpius didn't mean to, but he couldn't help the surprised laugh he let slip from his lips before he ducked his head, "Of course, Petal. Whatever you say." He looked back up at her and tilted his head, glad she didn't seem to flinch at the nickname. "Come on. Auror Potter's next door. It's empty, and I'll let McDonald watch this bastard while we talk."

Rose nodded and followed him out the door, "Will you let me clean up your face at least while I talk?"

"Sure, Petal," Scorpius looked back at her and grinned. "Whatever you want."

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A/N: Please review! :)