RP: Yes, it's possible to work three shifts in a row.

[shh_ginny]

Date: November 21, 2004
Characters: Ginny Weasley, Adrian Pucey, Anyone
Location: Hospital
Status: Public
Summary: Ginny makes rounds at the hospital. Where's Dr. Robert Chase when ya need 'im?
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_adrian]

Adrian had woken that morning with a swollen right ankle. He hadn't thought much about the spill he'd taken four days earlier at the pick up quidditch game, but apparently he'd done more damage than his slight limp would have warned. Lying in bed that morning he was tempted to charm it himself, but if his attempts at charms while fixing his apartment up was any indication, he'd probably end up with one less right foot and that wouldn't be so easy to fix as a twisted ankle or even a break

[shh_ginny]

Lyda tapped lightly on the doorframe to get Ginny's attention and the redhead put the book down immediately, standing to stretch like a cat before crossing the floor to whisper, "What's up, Lyda?"

"There's a young man down in the lobby," The receptionist said softly, glancing past Ginny with an air of nervousness. Not everyone was as comfortable in the ward as Ginny was.

Ginny guided the older woman out of the doorway and closed the ward behind her, following her down the stairs with a barely suppressed yawn. Pushing the lobby doors open, she adjusted her robes as she crossed the floor to where their latest patient sat, his gaze fixed firmly on his feet. His riot of silky black curls framed the sides of his face, obscuring his identity from the Healer.

"Hello, I'm Healer Weasley. What can I help you with today?" Ginny had been clipping a new patient parchment to her board for notes as she gave her opening talk, looking up only after she'd stopped speaking.

[shh_adrian]

Adrian looked up to see a gorgeous redhead in healer robes. Upon hearing her name he had to roll his eyes, "Weasley, eh? You've grown up." Adrian stood, much taller than the petite witch in front of him, but he faltered a bit on the sore ankle. Sitting back down, "Adrian Pucey, we used to play against eachother at school. Seems I've lost some of the quidditch touch. I took a spill at the pick up game on saturday, didn't think much of it but this morning I woke and my ankle was swollen and painful. I figured it best to get it checked out." He lifted his pants ankle just a bit to show the healer the bruises and the size of his ankle. Looking back up at her he shrugged.

[shh_ginny]

Dye job. Tomorrow.

'Right after I change my name.'

For once, we agree.

Ginny bit back an exasperated sigh as she tucked her quill under the clipboard clip, swinging her hands behind her back to clasp her wrist as she rocked on her heels. Keeping her tone even, she answered. "That's right. Healer Weasley, Mr. Pucey."

Her gaze softened as she took in the puppy-dog eyes he was giving her as he held his pants leg up with a shrug. Setting the clipboard on the chair beside him, Ginny dropped to one knee as she pulled her wand from her robe pocket.

"How far did you fall, Mr. Pucey? You shouldn't have waited so long to come in... this has to hurt."

Laying a gentle hand on his calf, she glanced up at him, brown eyes full of concern and professionalism as she gently guided her wand close to his very swollen ankle. "Please tell me if I hurt you, Mr. Pucey."

[shh_adrian]

The look on the young witch's face was one of slight annoyance. Adrian couldn't tell if she remembered him from school or not though. He couldn't imagine anyone forgetting her, she'd been rather spectacular on the pitch, really no matter what position she played

[shh_ginny]

Ginny fell back on her bottom, narrowly avoiding being kicked. Smothering a chuckle at the Slytherin's concerned rambling, she folded her legs under herself and stood, laying a hand on his shoulder. Speaking softly, she said, "Adrian. Please, it's alright, really

[shh_adrian]

When she placed her hand on his shoulder, Adrian couldn't help but feel warm there, and he calmed down enough to nod that he understood her and to stop the bloody rambling

[shh_ginny]

Ginny took a small step away from the raven-haired wizard, smiling apologetically. "I remember who you are, Adrian."

"Please forgive my formality. I'm used to addressing everyone that way here." The petite redhead caught her bottom lip between her teeth in an unconsciously shy gesture.

Indicating the small vial, Ginny took a step close again, leaning her head down to read the tiny script on the label as she pointed to it. "Crushed Doxy wings, Bloodroot leaves, and Anise Hyssop. It's a simple variation on muscle relaxers and blood clotters."

Glancing up, she met his gaze with an easy smile. "As I said, it's going to taste vile but honestly, but combined with my spell, it will heal your ankle good as new. So you can get back to your Quidditch."

[shh_adrian]

When she stepped away for a moment, Adrian was afraid he'd said something wrong or offended her somehow. Listening to her read the list of the potions ingredients he couldn't help a small grimace, "Well, they don't take much store by taste, do they

[shh_ginny]

"No, I don't, sorry. It does the job though." Ginny smirked. The potion was one of her blends and she knew it was horrible.

Listening to the attractive Slytherin ramble, the petite redhead nodded sympathetically. She'd heard that sort of thing more than once over the past year but she couldn't help wondering why he sounded defensive, almost apologetic.

She had easily remembered the wizard from Hogwarts and the Slytherin Quidditch team. The attractive, athletic Slytherin had a reputation for being a lady's man with high standards. There was no small number of reasons why she'd never done more than sneak glances in his direction all those years ago, not the least of which being his house followed closely by his reputation. The petite redhead knew she'd been a mouse to his cat back then.

Watching him drink down the potion, she moved forward instinctively supporting his back with a small hand to steady him as she swirled her wand over his ankle, murmuring softly as she closed her eyes, focusing her magic.

'Bloody hell, he doesn't

[shh_adrian]

She concentrated so intensely when she was working her magic. He had forgotten what that felt like - he hadn't done much more than simple, lazy spells in almost a decade, since his NEWTs really. She answered and suddenly he felt like a complete idiot and he shook his head, "No, I knew that, I meant... at the hospital, as a healer and all that." And then he realized he must seem like a complete weird-o to know for no reason at all where she would live, "I must seem an idiot. I simply meant, I knew your family was here. My family never took much store by blood and all, but old wizarding families usually stay in one place for generations... Mine did the same, until us I guess. My parents are living on a little island just south of the States, they got to enjoy the beach and all that." And he laughed, realizing how stupid he must sound

[shh_ginny]

Ginny tilted her head, red curly locks spilling over her shoulder as she blinked back a tinge of hurt. "Is it the hospital or me, Adrian?"

"You're obviously uncomfortable and I can't tell if I've said something to make you feel that way." She said with a soft sigh, raking a hand through her hair. The petite redhead was beyond exhausted and felt like a pathetic fool around the handsome wizard.

Focusing on a spot on the wall just over his head, Ginny found the words spilling over her lips in a tired rush. "I apprenticed with St. Mungo's after I graduated and joined the Order. My work with the Order and St. Mungo's got me a field promotion a year early. I ended up back here after we evacuated St. Mungo's."

"Is that what you really wanted to know, Adrian?" Ginny asked softly, without judgement. She felt like she had two left feet around men. Well, men who weren't her brothers.

Yes, mouse.Bowing her head in resignation, the petite redhead gestured vaguely, waiting for the raven-haired wizard to bolt out the door. "The hospital takes

[shh_adrian]

Was she kicking him out? What did she mean by the hospital or her? Adrian really wasn't sure what he had said or done so when she paused for a moment, he shook his head. "It's neither, I promise. I'm just, I'm not used to being looked at like you have been. Like I'm a real person and not A Slytherin or A Coward. Since I got back into this world all anyone seems to have cared is about my family's money or my old reputations... Seven years changes people and no one seems to see that about me. Everyone else can walk around with the knowledge that they helped, or are helping, and I'm just that pureblood git to the whole lot of them. You.." He paused and absent mindedly rubbed his shoulder, "you didn't seem to think that way, that's all

[shh_ginny]

'Oh. Oh dear.'

Cat got your tongue, dear?

'As a matter of fact...'

"Wow, Adrian." Ginny's eyes widened at his impromptu confession. "I don't know what to say..."

Walking over to him, she laid a small hand on his arm. "You are a real person, Adrian. Don't let anyone make you feel any different. I don't think you are a coward and frankly, I'd hit anyone who called you that. That's be right rude of them, now wouldn't it."

Her smile wobbled as she continued. "Of course you can call me Ginny. We did play Quidditch against each other, after all. Heck, I remember having a bloody hard time catching up to you out there."

"Of course, if you'd like to volunteer your services here, we'd be more than grateful for another person with potion skills." The petite redhead realized her thumb was absently stroking his arm and she pulled her hand away quickly, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Chuckling ruefully, Ginny said. "You're right, I am tired. I've had trouble... sleeping. I know, I know. It's the old joke. Healer, heal thyself."

You