"Healer Weasley!"
Rose winced when she heard the ear-splitting screech bouncing around the hallway and hoped that hiding in this empty room at the other end of the hospital was enough for Healer-in-Charge Lang to not find her until Scorpius and the others returned. She wanted to drink her third cup of tea and slowly pick at the sad cheese toastie she managed to make from the minimal supplies in the breakroom alone and not be forced to defend herself against whatever Healer Lang decided to throw at her.
Rose had originally liked Healer Lang; the woman was desperate to get Rose back to St. Mungo's under the pretenses that she was a wonderful Healer and doctor and that St. Mungo's needed to move into the future and embrace Muggle practices. She promised Rose autonomy, giving her titles galore and a salary Rose would be foolish to ignore.
But now, it seemed, Healer Lang was more interested in Rose's connection to the Minister of Magic.
Their brief interaction today made it painfully obvious Lang wanted to use Rose to get to Hermione, wanted to know everything that was going on in "her" hospital, even when it was private, classified, Ministry business. Rose knew her mother well enough to know Healer Lang would soon be out in the cold if she got on the wrong side of the Minister; and she was heading there quickly.
"Ah, Healer Weasley, there you are!" Healer Lang's fake smile did nothing to hide the disdain and irritation in her voice as she pushed the door of Rose's hiding spot open. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Sorry, ma'am," Rose did her best to sound apologetic and hide the frown from her face. "I haven't had a break all day and -"
"I heard very disturbing things of what happened today, and I need to know exactly what -"
"Sorry, ma'am," Rose stood up, leaving her half-eaten cheese toastie on the bedside table of the bed she was sitting on. "You know I can't tell you, it's classified -"
"This is my hospital," Lang spat out. "I need to know everything that is going on."
"I'm under orders from the Ministry -"
"I'm the one paying your salary, Healer Weasley," Lang's voice was ice.
Rose stood to her full height and arched an eyebrow at the shorter woman. "The Ministry and private citizens fund a lot of St. Mungo's, as I understand it," Rose's voice was calm and low, but there was no mistaking the authority. "Am I thinking part of the reason you were so desperate to have me return to St. Mungo's was for the increased funding that would come from people in the country who knew my name?"
"That's," Lang's face fell and Rose rather thought she looked like an animal caught by a predator. "That's not entirely true -"
"I'm also starting to think you only want me here because I'm related to the Minister of Magic," Rose clucked her tongue. "Imagine if the papers found out about that, the type of scandal that would cause."
"It could be a scandal for you too," Lang was grasping at straws now.
Rose shrugged and looked down at her nails, "I'm more than happy to go back to Sweden. Or I can brush up on my French and get a job at the hospital in Paris. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to have me -"
"What do you want?" Lang's body sagged.
"Want?" Rose sighed. "I don't want anything, Healer Lang. Except for you to stop pestering me about who I'm healing or what I'm doing when it's for the Ministry. Or the MediWitches who have been assigned to these tasks. If you have a problem, you take it up with the Minister's office -"
"Can you -"
Rose's eyes flashed dangerously to her superior, "No. And you will never ask for my help getting in touch with any of my family members, do you understand?"
Lang jumped slightly and nodded, "Of course, Healer Weasley." She swallowed and took a step backwards, "Yes, of course." And without another word or another glance, she left the room and shut the door behind her.
Rose sat back down on the bed slowly and let out a long breath, thankful that Healer Lang was afraid of either losing her or incurring Hermione's wrath enough that Rose could get away with speaking to her superior like that. She picked up her cheese toastie and ate it quickly, finally feeling ready to go to her office and find Aisling.
Aisling was sitting in Rose's office with the lights so dim it wasn't obvious anyone was in there, sitting in a chair she had pulled to the corner behind the door. She looked up sheepishly when Rose came in and closed the door, "Figured this was as safe a place as any to hide."
"Lang didn't see you in here?" Rose asked as she sat heavily down on her office chair.
"Poked her head in and left," Aisling shrugged. "She found you eventually?"
"Hmm," Rose agreed. "I may have been a little too honest with her," Rose trailed off and smiled when Aisling snorted. "You haven't known me long enough to know I'm exaggerating," Rose chuckled.
"I know you well enough," Aisling stood up and waved her wand as the chair followed behind her towards Rose's desk. "You make all our lives harder?"
"Easier, I reckon," Rose leaned her head on her hand. "I may or may not have reminded her that I could leave at any moment and that half the new donations and funding pouring in are because I'm bloody back," she spat out the last bit.
"Sounds like you were absolutely thrilled -"
"Healer Weasley!" Her office door burst open revealing Walter panting.
"I told you, I'd get her," a MediWitch said from behind him.
Rose and Aisling shot up, "Where?" Rose asked, her voice hard, and they hurried out of the office, following Walter and the MediWitch down the hall.
"I'm fine." Rose heard Scorpius say before she walked into the room, "I'm bloody fine," he said again as she stepped inside the room. "It was nothing," he said to her, his eyes wide in slight fear. "An overreaction -"
"He nearly fainted," Walt said lowly to Rose. "His arm was bleeding -"
"Are you tattling on me?" Scorpius was incensed. "I'm -"
"Quiet," Rose said firmly to them both. "Auror McDonald, you need to be looked over as well," she nodded to Aisling. "Take him next door, and I'll be by after I see what's going on here." She narrowed her eyes at Scorpius when she saw him open his mouth to argue. "Is Auror Ennis coming soon as well?" Walter nodded, looking ashamed and Rose let Aisling guide him out, closing the door behind her.
"I'm fine," Scorpius said softly to her. "I promise, I'm fine," he still looked slightly scared and ashamed. "I didn't want you to find me in the bed," he swallowed. "I didn't mean for -"
"Scorpius," Rose couldn't help her small smile. "Are you scared of me?" He swallowed and nodded his head slowly as Rose let out a deep-throated laugh. His lips twitched but he watched her, still slightly afraid. "You're here and you're conscious," Rose put a hand on his arm and Scorpius's eyes glanced down at his arm, at how warm and comforting it felt before he pulled his eyes back up to hers, waiting for her to finish her thought, but she didn't. She removed her hand, took out her wand from her robes and said rather clinically, "Your leg, your arm, what else?"
Scorpius looked rather sheepish when he said slowly, "My ribs." Rose narrowed her eyes at him for a long moment, "And my lower back."
"Hmm," Rose waved her wand and his clothes vanished and were instantly replaced with a hospital gown. "Come to the edge of the bed and let's look at your leg first."
Scorpius watched her as she worked; her hands were light and delicate but left a path of fire on his leg as she moved it this way and that, summoned vials and pastes, and finally placed his leg in some sort of weird looking open-boot.
"Scorpius?" She said and he blinked, clearly not having heard what she was saying as he was mesmerized by her hands.
"Hmm?" He asked, hoping his face didn't turn bright red.
"Is this too tight?" She asked again with a small smirk.
"No," he shook his head. "What is it?"
"A Muggle boot," she stood up and offered her hand. "It should help keep the weight off this leg and make sure you don't bend or move it too much," she stood back so he could stand on his feet. "How's that?"
"I look ridiculous," he said sullenly.
"In a gown?" Rose raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you do," she smirked when he glared at her. "The boot is only for a few days. You'll have to wear it to sleep."
"That sounds uncomfortable," Scorpius grumbled.
"It will be," Rose agreed. "I can give you some dreamless -"
"No," Scorpius shook his head. "I can manage," he leaned back against the bed.
Rose eyed him warily but continued, "Let's see your back now. Hop up." She nodded to the bed and Scorpius sat and swung his legs over the side so Rose could open his gown; her fingers hovered over his skin as she opened it and Scorpius dropped his head slightly as he bit his lip, the heat radiating from her fingers -
"Does that hurt?" She pressed two fingers lightly on his lower back and he sucked in a breath. "It's bruised, and I reckon you've broken a few ribs," her voice was soft. Scorpius missed the warmth of her fingers as soon as they were gone. "Have you urinated recently?"
Scorpius's cheeks flushed and he was glad Rose was behind him, when he sputtered but didn't say anything. "I want to know if your kidneys are okay, Scorpius," Rose couldn't help her smile.
"Yes," he managed to get out.
"Everything normal?" Rose asked so nonchalantly and Scorpius wanted to cry in embarrassment.
"Yes," he said again.
"Good."
Scorpius sucked in another breath when suddenly all of Rose's fingers were kneading into his back, burning his skin; he closed his eyes, imagining the burn marks she was leaving, the path of fire across his entire back -
"This will feel very cold," her voice was gentle and Scorpius bit his lip again, her breath ghosting across his neck as her fingers were suddenly gone from his back. He hated that he jerked slightly when her hands met his back again, this time freezing, as though she had dipped them in a bucket of ice. He couldn't help the low hiss that escaped his lips as he shivered slightly. "This will help with the internal bruising and mending of your ribs," Rose's voice was low and soft and it stirred something in Scorpius that he wished would stay hidden.
Her hands were gone from his back and Rose stepped in front of him, "How are you holding up?" She asked, peering into his face. "Was that too painful?"
He didn't think he could form a proper word without his voice being too rough so he opted to simply shake his head to prevent any further embarrassment in front of her.
"Let me see your arm," Rose nodded, her eyes still fixed on his face. "That'll be a nasty scar," she lifted his arm delicately. "Even with all my tricks," she frowned slightly and tilted her head. "Were you cut with a jagged knife?"
He eyed her warily and said rather sheepishly, "Maybe."
"Scorpius," Rose couldn't help the twitch of her lips. "I'm not scolding, you," she sighed and wrapped her fingers around his wrist lightly. "I'm trying to figure out how to heal you."
Scorpius swallowed. "I didn't get a good look at the knife," he admitted. "It came out of nowhere," he winced slightly at the memory. "Hurt. Bled a lot before I had a chance to stop it. Started to bleed again at the Ministry."
Rose nodded and bent slightly to get a better look at the long, jagged, bloody line down his forearm before muttering, "You should have told me sooner just how much blood you lost." She summoned a vial and opened it quickly, "Drink this."
"What -"
"Blood replenishing so you don't pass out," Rose chided him, her eyes back on his arm. "You used murtlap on it?"
"Ennis had some on him, used it quickly," Scorpius coughed; the potion was vile.
"Hmm," Rose nodded and tilted his arm back slightly to get a better look at it. "I don't think the blade was cursed," she said softly. "That's good at least." Scorpius blanched; he hadn't even thought about a cursed blade.
"You don't think?" Scorpius's voice quivered slightly.
"No," Rose either didn't hear the fear in his voice or simply didn't mention it. "Would look a lot worse if it were, or you'd," she trailed off. "It's still very jagged and very deep, probably rusted." She placed his arm gently back down on his lap, "You'll need a tetanus shot."
"I'm sorry, what?" Scorpius didn't understand,"Is that some sort of Swedish alcohol?"
Rose, caught by surprise, laughed her deep-throated laugh that Scorpius loved, and he couldn't help his small smile even if she was laughing at his expense. She finally said, "No, 'fraid not. A needle, very small, very quick. Want to make sure you don't get an infection in case that blade was rusted." She patted his hand, "I'll be right back."
After Rose closed the door behind her Scorpius let out a very long breath and ran his good hand through his hair, trying to slow his heart rate and mind. It had been a long, exhausting, and hard day - on top of the few days it took him and Walter to find and capture Zhuk and his followers - and adding such close proximity to Rose…
She had an exceptionally long and exhausting day as well, he knew, and he couldn't forget the anger he felt when he heard that she and Aisling had been attacked. Seeing her standing there in shock, ready to hex him when he approached, had made his heart tighten in anger and pain. She wasn't an Auror, she shouldn't have been put in that situation, she shouldn't have been attacked at her place of work, she shouldn't feel the shock or the pain of remembering later when -
He took a deep breath and let his shoulders slump slightly, remembering what it was like the first few days and weeks after his first real duel. He hoped Rose would ask for help if she needed it, but rather thought, knowing her for as long as he had and knowing her family very well, that she wouldn't. He was determined to help her through, whether she knew she needed help or not.
"That's a very big needle," Scorpius managed to say when Rose returned.
"You'll barely feel it," Rose's voice was soft and gentle. "Muggle kids get this all the time when they step on rusty nails and things."
"Are you trying to say kids are braver than I am?" Scorpius was watching her closely, wary of the needle.
Rose arched an eyebrow at him as she waved her wand over his good arm, "This will clean the area so I can insert the needle, look at me." She said firmly, "Watch my face, not the needle. It'll only prick for a second, so why don't you tell me a funny story while I do this, hm?"
Scorpius swallowed, his eyes glued to her face. "I can't think of a funny story," he mumbled glumly.
"What about the time James and Fred tried to release fireworks in the Great Hall on the anniversary of Uncle George and Uncle Fred's epic escape from Umbridge?" Rose was saying in a voice Scorpius was sure she used around younger patients. "But Headmistress McGonagall, the smart witch that she is, knew they'd try that and paid Uncle George to create a product that would make fireworks fizzle out before they could be ignited?"
Scorpius's eyebrows shot up, "George created that?"
Rose grinned, "With my mum's help of course." Her dark blue eyes twinkled slightly, or so Scorpius thought, "It broke Uncle George's heart, of course, and he only did it when McGonagall agreed to let them release fireworks outside the castle."
"I didn't know that -"
"Nor do James and Fred," Rose laughed lightly. "Well, not that Uncle George sold McGonagall the product, even though their store sells it now."
"Wheezes sells it?" Scorpius was shocked.
"Uncle George claims he got the idea from McGonagall after the fact," Rose shook her head. "James and Fred haven't put two and two together, thankfully. I don't believe they'd think Uncle George could betray them like that anyway," Rose shrugged and patted his arm. "All done."
Scorpius looked down at his arm where there was now a bit of cotton and a bright purple bandage, "That was all?"
Rose stepped back from the bed and grinned, "For the shot, yes. You like purple, don't you?" She nodded at the bandage, "The kids love a bright color bandage to show off their bravery."
Scorpius bit his lip as he glanced back down at his arm, "Can I exaggerate how big the needle was and how much it hurt?" He asked as he looked back up at her.
Rose winked, "Your secret is safe with me. Now," she took his bad arm. "This will genuinely hurt a bit."
Scorpius winced and shut his eyes tightly as he felt the skin on his arm seemingly knit together, Rose's hand tapping the long wound gently in a rhythm. "Focus on my voice," her voice floated to him. "We're almost done, then I promise I'll leave you alone and you can finally rest," she continued, her voice soft. He knew she was standing right next to him, he could feel her hands on his arm, but she sounded as if she was far away, "You can have a nice pint with Albus or Walter. You can go see Hannah at the Leaky for her shepherd's pie. I bet Uncle Harry will buy you dinner for free after today," she continued and Scorpius unclenched his jaw slightly despite the pain deep in his arm. "Just a bit longer," Rose said and Scorpius felt her hands fall away from his arm. "All set."
He slowly opened his eyes and saw her smiling down at him and nodded at his arm, "How's it feel?"
He moved his fingers slightly and blinked down at his arm, "Actually," he frowned. "It doesn't hurt."
"No," Rose laughed and stepped back from the bed. "Hurts like hell during, but should be fine now." She looked seriously at him, "Nothing too strenuous with that arm for a few days, okay? I'll take another look at it when we take your boot off." Her face softened slightly, "Now lay here and rest for a few minutes while I check on Walter. I'll ask Aisling to bring you tea and some food," she took his hand and squeezed it gently, Scorpius's eyes widening slightly at the gesture. She dropped his hand just as quickly as she had grabbed it and with a small smile, left the room.
Scorpius blinked again and maneuvered himself hesitantly and with great difficulty back up the bed so he could lay down and close his eyes for a moment; he was bloody exhausted, physically, and if he tried very hard to slow his mind down, he reckoned he could get at least a few minutes of sleep.
"Didn't mean to wake ya," Aisling smiled at him as she walked into the room. He wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep, or if at all, and he ran a hand through his hair as he leaned forward slowly. "Brought you a tea and a sausage roll," Aisling continued and set it on the table. "Well, I asked a young lad to get it for me from a Muggle stand not far down the street." Aisling leaned on the bed, "Ya've had a sausage roll before haven't ya?"
Scorpius couldn't help his large smile as he picked up the roll, "I have," he took a small bite. "You don't happen to have more, do you?"
Aisling glanced over her shoulder as if she were checking for anyone watching, and pulled two more from her pocket, "One for ya, one for me." She tapped hers to his as if they were clinking glasses, "Slainte," she grinned and bit into hers. "If Rose asks, I got ya something a bit more healthy, yea?" Scorpius tilted his head slightly, confused why they were being so conspiratorial about the sausage roll but Aisling's hazel eyes twinkled slightly. "Can't have it known that I'm feeding her patients junk, aye?"
Scorpius grinned, "Your secret's safe." They ate their sausage rolls in silence for a few more moments, but Scorpius could see that the light and laughter in Aisling's eyes had been a rouse; she was trying not to frown or look fearful. "If you want to talk about what happened," Scorpius probed gently. "I'm, not to brag, a bit of an expert in this sort of thing."
Aisling's eyes darted to his face and her lips twitched, "An expert on interacting with your boyfriend's dad and having to keep that information a secret at the beginning of your relationship?"
Scorpius's mouth hung open and he fumbled, "Well, not exactly -"
"I know," Aisling let out a soft laugh. "God you're easy," she shook her head slightly. "I appreciate it, Scorpius, I truly do." She swallowed, "It was, well, it was bloody terrifying," she blinked quickly, her gaze on her half-eaten sausage roll. "Rose was, of course, bloody brilliant, but," she shook her head slightly before looking back up at him. "Is it bad that I'm more concerned with how I keep a secret like this from James? I mean, his dad," she closed her eyes.
Harry had been the one to console Aisling after the incident, as he had found her nearly hyperventilating in the room next door. Scorpius could understand that she was embarrassed, but he also knew Harry had consoled and helped countless Aurors and civilians in the same sort of situations.
"It's not bad," Scorpius shook his head. "It's probably better that's what you're worried about," Scorpius smiled slightly when she looked back up at him with a confused look. "I'm not saying it's a smart concern," Scorpius continued. "Harry Potter has helped a lot of people through a traumatic event like that. He's probably the best suited -"
"But he's my very new boyfriend's dad," Aisling's shoulders slumped slightly. "And keeping a secret this soon into a relationship?"
Scorpius shrugged, "Why not ask Harry if you can tell James? Harry knows him best. This is all going to get out in the public anyway," he continued. "Well, not this bit in the hospital, but," he took another bite of his second sausage roll.
"I'm a little embarrassed," she admitted quietly. "Harry bleedin' Potter finding me," she trailed off.
"Harry bleedin' Potter found me after my first real duel," Scorpius's voice was soft. "Curled in a ball on the floor under my desk," Scorpius glanced at Aisling and saw her mouth open in shock. "He's seen it all, remember. He's been through it all," Scorpius put a comforting hand on hers. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"But I could have done more," Aisling tried to argue.
"Are you kidding?" Rose was leaning in the doorway. "You were brilliant."
Aisling jerked her hand to hide her sausage roll behind her back and jumped up, her face trying to hide her guilt.
"I can smell the sausage rolls," Rose rolled her eyes. "Rude of you to not get me one," she put her hands on her hips and grinned widely when Aisling produced another one from her pocket to hand to her.
"I could have done more defensive spells," Aisling's voice was small and Rose shook her head defiantly.
"Stop thinking that way right this instant," Rose's voice was firm. "You did everything you could have -"
"You both did," Scorpius interrupted, his eyes locked on Rose who faltered slightly under his intense gaze. "You both did more than any Aurors could have." He hesitated before he continued, lowering his voice, "Hell, you did more than some people who were trained for this."
Rose put a hand on Aisling's arm, tearing her eyes from Scorpius to her new friend, and was about to say something when the door to Scorpius's room burst open.
"Aisling?" James hurried in, his black, messy hair nearly standing on end, his brown eyes wide in fear as he put his hands on her arms, "Are you okay?"
Aisling's mouth hung open in confusion, "I'm okay," she said breathlessly.
"Dad told me what happened," James pulled Aisling to him and hugged her tightly, a hand going up to cradle her head gently against his shoulder. "I got here as soon as I could, he just Floo-ed me and," he shut his eyes tightly and rested his head on top of hers.
"I'm okay, James," Aisling's voice was slightly muffled as she moved to hug him back. "I'm okay."
Rose felt her heart tighten and chanced a glance at Scorpius, thankful his gaze was on the pair as well; she saw something flash across his face, but then Harry cleared his throat from the door of the room and closed it behind him, "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of telling James."
"Thank you, mister, I mean, Auror -" Aisling started as she tried to release James, but Harry smiled and shook his head.
"Harry is fine," he ran a hand through his messy hair. "I thought it best if someone came to take you home, and I know we can trust James to not tell anyone what happened."
"Course, pops," James stepped around Aisling, his arm around her shoulder, pulling her tightly to him. "Won't say a word." He looked down at her and asked softly, "This isn't, like, too much too soon, is it?"
Aisling said kindly, "No, not too much," and squeezed James's hand.
Harry turned to Rose, "Are Walter, Ennis, and Scorpius okay to leave? I'd like everyone to head home if they can. It's been a long day for everyone."
"Yes," Rose nodded. "I've already put their paperwork through. Walter and Ennis will need to come back next week and Scorpius should come back in a few days for his boot," she jerked her thumb back at his leg. "But they're all clear to go home."
"As long as they rest," Harry added. "It'll be office work for at least a week anyway," he sighed. "For all of us." He turned to James and Aisling and said solemnly, "Ms. Walsh, if you need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to contact me." He put out his hand, "It was a pleasure working with you today," he smiled kindly at her. "And I hope to see you in a less professional setting soon."
"Thanks, Harry," Aisling smiled. "For everything."
"James?" Harry looked at his son seriously, "Not a word, yes?"
James saluted his father, "Sir, yessir."
Harry rolled his eyes and let out a sigh, "Ginny and I would love for the two of you to come by for tea sometime soon, yea?"
"That would be lovely," Aisling smiled and James looked down at his girlfriend and grinned.
"Sure, pops, whatever the little lady wants," he winked at her as Aisling slapped his chest.
"Rose? Scorpius?" Harry asked as he turned to the door, "Go home too, won't you?"
"Yes, Uncle Harry," Rose agreed, her lips twitching as she watched her uncle's shoulders relax slightly.
"Yes, sir," Scorpius added.
Harry turned back to everyone in the room, "Goodnight all."
"Uh," Aisling turned to Rose. "You all right here?"
Rose nodded and grinned at the pair, "Go home." Her eyes flashed to her cousin, "Glad to see this is working out -"
"Shut it," James nudged her playfully. "No one likes a braggart."
Rose shrugged, "It's not bragging if I was bloody right, is it?"
James laughed and pushed her lightly again but asked, "You gonna be okay?"
"I'm fine," Rose smiled and put a hand on Aisling's other shoulder. "I'll see you soon, yea?"
"Yea," Aisling agreed and pulled Rose in for a hug, surprising Rose. "Thanks," Aisling whispered.
"Course," Rose managed to get out when Aisling released her and Aisling put a hand on Scorpius's arm.
"See you soon, Scorpius," Aisling smiled at him and guided James out of the room.
"Drinks soon!" James told Scorpius as he left.
"Should I have reminded him again to keep his mouth shut?" Rose asked, her gaze still on the door.
"He can keep a secret when he knows it's important," Scorpius stood up hesitantly, keeping most of his weight off his booted foot.
Rose turned back to Scorpius and let out a small, disbelieving laugh, "Guess everything I've ever told him wasn't important then."
Scorpius could tell this was probably a sore subject for her so instead said, "Thank you, for everything today, Rose. Truly."
Rose smiled and shrugged slightly, "Just doing my job." Scorpius knew not to argue with her. "Come on, I'll walk you out."
"It's a bit of a maze," Scorpius thanked her.
They walked slowly and silently for a few moments before Scorpius spoke, "If you need to talk about what happened," he hesitated. "Or not talk about it over a drink," he shrugged, his gaze on her. "I'm available."
She turned her head to look at him and smiled, her dark blue eyes hiding an emotion he couldn't quite decipher, "I'd like that, Scorpius."
Hearing her use his given name outside of the hospital room gave him a nudge of encouragement and as they got closer to the front desk he said gently, "Maybe tonight?"
"Oh!" Rose was surprised but continued before Scorpius could worry it was too much too soon, "That would be nice. I could do with a drink."
"We could go to -"
"Rosie!" A voice rang out and they both turned to see her father hurrying over to them.
"Dad!" Rose gritted out through clenched teeth and shook her head as she took two steps backwards and away from the front desk and views of anyone in the waiting room. She waved her father away from prying eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"We heard," Ron pulled Rose into a tight hug. "Your mother is waiting at home, couldn't be here, you know," he released her slightly so he could see into her face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Rose's voice softened as she tried to peer around his shoulder.
"No one can see," Scorpius said softly from in front of them as he lowered his wand.
Thank you, she mouthed to him as Ron hugged her again. "I promise I'm okay, dad," she patted his back.
"Your mother and I," Ron shook his head, bending his head down to peer into her eyes. "Wandlessly?" His voice betrayed his shock.
Rose squirmed slightly. "Dad," she tried not to whine.
"Mr. Weasley?" Scorpius interrupted. "Maybe you should help Rose home so no one overhears?"
"Right, right," Ron nodded and let Rose go. "Good thinking, Scorpius," he nodded at him and put his hand out. "Thanks for getting Zhuk and all that today," he shook Scorpius's hand with both of us. "Hermione said how impressed she was with everything that happened today. And the spy, I mean," he swallowed, his face growing red.
"Ah," Scorpius said quickly. "I really should be heading home as well," he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not very fun to stand on this," he gestured towards his boot. "And I'm sure Rose is exhausted."
"Yes, very," Rose nodded quickly, glancing at Scorpius and shrugging at him.
"Yes, of course," Ron agreed. "Hermione will be so relieved to see you, Rose." He began to walk in front of them and back towards the waiting room.
Rose reached out and grabbed Scorpius's hand as he started to walk away, "I'd much rather get a drink with you," she said hurriedly.
"Oh," Scorpius felt his heart speed up.
"Maybe I can owl you later?" Rose tilted her head slightly. "Or tomorrow if mum and dad force feed me tea and biscuits all night?"
Scorpius let a soft laugh escape him, "I'd like that, Rose."
She smiled genuinely at him and squeezed his hand, "Take care, Scorpius." She glanced down at his boot, "Remember. Sleep with it on, yea?"
"Yea," Scorpius nodded.
"Doctor's orders," she dropped his hand and winked at him. "Goodnight," she turned and followed her dad out of the hospital, leaving Scorpius there alone, attempting to take deep, calming breaths.
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A/N: Please review! :)