The only things related to Harry Potter that I own are a Slytherin scarf, the Scholastic Book collection, and a jar of Sherbet Lemon Candies. Proper rights belong to JK Rowling.
This was the oddest sensation ever, Rose decided. She felt as though something had cast a Petrificus Totalus charm over her and left her to float under water. Somehow she was sinking and flying at the same time. Her body was entirely too relaxed and yet tense at the same time. Everything around her was dark but she could hear jumbled sounds piercing her ears.
"Quidditch," "Sorry, I'm so sorry," "How could you?" "Trauma," "When?" "Baby". The sounds were becoming more distinct and Rose could start to recognize voices.
"Her body needed time to heal," Lily whispered. "She should be coming round soon."
Rose felt as if the water was draining from around her and she was rushing towards the ground. With a thud she hit the surface and regained consciousness. She slowly opened her crusted eyes and look around. Rose recognized the room as a suite at St. Mungo's; she had been there enough for the years with her large, accident prone family. Dozens of vases of flowers and cards lined the table on the wall by the window. Rose continued to scan until she spotted a messy mop of black hair poking out from under a blanket on the couch. Rose tried to sit up, but a wave of nausea hit her when she did so. She felt as if someone were chiseling an ice pick into her head and moaned.
The body on the couch sprung up and Rose found herself looking into the vibrant green eyes of Albus Potter.
"ROSE!" her cried. She winced at the loud volume and he lowered his voice, "Oh Merlin, Rose I'm so sorry. Are you OK? Do you need anything? Of course you need something, you just woke up. I'm going to page Lily to have her come catch on you," he pressed a button on the bedside table.
Rose tried to clear her throat but it felt like sandpaper. "What happened?" she rasped.
"It was my fault, Rose. I was too competitive and hit the bludger too close to you. It smashed into your head and knocked you out. You fell almost 100 meters before your mum caught you with a charm. I'm so sorry," Albus guiltily finished.
"Accidents happen all the time in quidditch, Al," Rose stated as though she were reading from a textbook. "We all understand and accept the risks when we agree to play. Besides, from the look of your face, it doesn't seem like I was the only one injured during the game. What happened to you?"
"Nothing I didn't deserve," Albus mumbled earning himself a perplexed look from Rose. Albus's right eye was covered by a rather nasty looking purple bruise that was yellowing around the edges. Her next question was cut off when Lily swept in the door.
"Good you're awake," the lime green robed healer said. "I've alerted everyone but told them to pace themselves so you aren't overwhelmed. As I'm sure Al already told you, you were struck in the head by a bludger on Christmas. This caused a severe concussion. We put you in a magically induced coma so that the swelling in your brain could dissipate. Additionally, the skin around your temple ruptured and you lost a lot of blood. You've been on a blood replenishing potion. You should by OK now, but you'll have to take it very slowly for a few days." Lily offered Rose a glass of water to soothe her throat.
"I'm sure I received the best care in your hands," Rose complimented. "Who won the game?"
Lily laughed, "Of course, you'd care about that. The game ended when you were hurt. You know that you mean more than any silly game."
"Rose, you could have died!" Albus cried out. "And it would have been all my fault."
"As I said, injuries happen all the time. And I'm fine now. Now tell me, what happened to your face."
"Scorpius happened," Lily chuckled causing Albus to scowl at his sister.
"WHAT!" Rose screamed and then grabbed her head as it began to pulse.
"Yeah, a couple days ago he was here visiting you and Albus came into apologize to you again. Scorpius sort of lost it. He screamed about how Al could be so careless and decked him. Al refuses to let anyone heal him because he thinks he deserves it," Lily noted.
"I wouldn't say her deserves it but he did hurt my baby girl," Ron Weasley whispered. He and Hermione had just appeared at the door. "I'm so glad you're awake sweetheart."
Her parents entered the room and pulled Rose's torso up for an awkward three person hug. Ron and Hermione both had happy tears in their eyes and watery smiles. Ron moved away to clap Albus on the shoulder while Hermione sat on the edge of Rose's bed and clasped her hand.
"This happened a couple days ago?" Rose wondered, "How long have I been here? What day is it?"
"It's December 30, Rose. The healers kept you in your coma until the pressure in your brain decreased to a safe level. We're lucky. They said it could have been weeks before that happened," Hermione said as she brushed Rose's curls off her forehead. Rose was reminded of when she was a little girl and her mother would take care of her. She left loved.
Over the next few hours, Rose's hospital room was a revolving door of activity. Healers popped in and out to test Rose's vital signs and run diagnostics. Rose was given the all clear to leave the next morning. Her entire family took turns visiting her. Most stayed for short visits so that everyone could be accommodated. Around 6pm, Alice Longbottom popped in with some soup from the Leaky Cauldron. Rose could have kissed her for sparing Rose the misfortune of having to consume hospital food. After Alice left and dragged a reluctant Albus along with her, Rose only had one more visitor that evening.
"Teddy!" Rose exclaimed and sat up. Her strength was returning and she no longer felt as though her brain was being attacked by woodpeckers with every movement.
The metamorphagus currently sported a pale blue mohawk. His smile lit up the room. "I'm glad you awake Rose," Teddy said." Sorry it took me so long to get up here to see you but I've been with Vic. She's worn out but we're both so happy. I wanted to be the first to tell you that Philippe John Lupin has arrived."
"Oh Teddy! That's wonderful," Rose said. "But he's so early! Is he alright? If Victoire alright?"
"Everyone is fine," Teddy assured. "With all the excitement of the last few days, the little bugger decided we all needed a bit more. Victoire went into labor on Boxing Day and Philippe was born on the 27th. They wanted to keep him here for a few days because he was so early, but it all worked out. He's perfect. Ten fingers and ten toes and the brightest red hair that anyone has ever seen."
"I can't wait to meet him," Rose sighed. She yawned loudly at that moment and the proud father leaned down to give her a quick hug.
"I'll let you get some rest now. Merlin knows I need to get some sleep too since I'll be bringing home an infant tomorrow," Teddy grinned. He exited the room and Rose was left to drift off to sleep.
Hours later, Rose woke with the sensation that she was being watched. She cracked open her eyes and looked around the dark room. Magical monitors tracking her pulse and temperature provided enough of a glow for Rose to see. There, on the couch, was a tall figure with blindingly blond hair. He wore lime green healer's robes and had his head propped up by one arm. His golden stubble had grown out to form a short beard.
"Hi Rose," Scorpius whispered. He stared at her as if she might disappear at any moment. Rose noticed the larger shadows that had formed under his sunken eyes. His usually icy silver orbs were now a dull matte grey. He looked as though he had not slept in a long while. "Welcome back, love."
His presence reminded Rose of an earlier conversation and she flew into a rage and scolded him, "How dare you hit Albus? He's been your best friend since you were eleven! What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that it was his fault that you were hurt," Scorpius sighed. "It's fine. I've apologized now that you've woken up. But Rose, you don't know what it was like. There was so much blood and we almost lost you at first. I can't . . . we can't lose you Rose."
"Oh Scorpius," Rose held out her hand. Scorpius quickly crossed to her bed and threaded his fingers through her own and gave her a soft squeeze. "It's going to take a lot more than a bludger to do me in," she joked. "How long have you been sitting here?"
"I've come by every night to check on you," Scorpius admitted. "I didn't want you to be alone in case you woke up unexpectedly. I've been here for a few hours. I didn't want to disturb your sleep."
"That's sweet Scorp. I'm lucky to have you," Rose said. Suddenly, Rose cheered as she remembered her last visitor. "Teddy was here last night and told me that Vic had the baby. Any chance you can sneak me down to the maternity floor so I can see Philippe?"
"The things I do for you," Scorpius chuckled. "You'll let me know if this is too much for you, yeah? I'll bring you right back to your room." He wrapped his strong arms across her back and slowly pulled her into a sitting position. Together, they swung her legs out of the bed and Rose gingerly stood. Scorpius wrapped an arm across her lower back to steady her and they walked into the hallway.
The corridors of St. Mungo's were deserted at that late hour. Visiting hours wouldn't resume again until after sunrise. The pair moved slowly to the elevator and descended to the maternity ward. Scorpius steered Rose to a viewing window with several bassinets behind it. With a quick scan, Rose found a baby sporting hair so vibrant it would put a carrot to shame. The locks fought against the pale blue cap that tried to contain them. Rose breathed, "He's adorable."
Philippe, though only a few days old, was very cute. He had rounded pink cheeks and a nose that somewhat resembled a pig. Rose realized that Philippe would be a metamorphagus just like his father. Rose searched his little face for Victoire's features. There, she decided, the baby had her cousin's beautiful, full pouty lips. Rose was enamored by the infant.
For an instant, Rose pictured another baby asleep in one of these bassinets. Her baby. A beautiful child with pale skin, freckles, and strawberry blonde hair. Rose was pulled from her daydream and remembered that she wasn't alone.
"Do you ever think about it Scorp," Rose asked "what it would be like to have your own child?"
"You have no idea," Scorpius whispered, "I think about it all of the time." He shook his head and the corners of his lips downturned. There was pain behind his eyes.
"One day, you're going to meet the right witch and it'll work out. I promise you that Scorp," Rose vowed.
Scorpius caressed his hand along her back. She shivered through the thin material of her hospital gown. "It's time to get you back to bed," he decided and began to guide her out of the hall. With a backwards glance at Philippe, Rose allowed herself to be led back to her room.
Scorpius helped Rose back into bed and lingered beside her. He had been silent since they left Philippe, seemingly lost in his thoughts. "What's the matter?" Rose asked.
Scorpius leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Rose felt her body flush with a strange, contented heat. "Nothing's the matter. Go to sleep now, Rose."
Although Rose could see the sun beginning to rise, she could not fight off her exhaustion. Her eyelids become too heavy to keep open and she fell into a dreamless slumber.