Enclosed

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Closure

Getting sleep in a hospital was impossible. The bed was uncomfortable, the paper-thin sheets rustling with every move, and there was a constant shuffle of feet as healers ran about the hall. When Rose managed to fall asleep, her nightmares made sure it wasn't for long.

Most days she was up before the day shift's first set of rounds. She spent those moments reading a book and soaking up the alone time. Her parents had finally gone home to rest after Hugo practically threatened to ban them from the hospital. They'd taken most of Rose's flowers and gifts with them to help clear up the room. The space was sparse without the colorful cheer of petals. The bag Scorpius brought her was still sitting untouched in the corner of the room. Dimitar's jumper hung limply over the side.

This morning she read a fantasy novel about a wizard fighting in a goblin war to defend his homeland. She was justgetting to the good part when Helene knocked on the door. "Good morning," Helene greeted warmly, "Do you mind if I come in?"

"Please!" Rose gestured to the chair beside her bed, as she marked her book and set it to the side. She hurriedly brushed her hair, hoping she resembled some form of a human. Rose was elated to see Helene. She missed her work desperately. She'd tried to beg Scorpius to bring her some files, but he refused to do so until she was cleared. Rose would give just about anything to have work as a distraction while she was still in the hospital. She missed doing research and trial prep.

Helene took the seat timidly, her hands nervously fidgeting in her lap. She was in a set of newly pressed apricot robes. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, slips of grey peaking through.

"How are you doing, Rose? When I heard what had happened I was terrified for you. I was glad to hear you got out okay."

"Thank you. It'll be a long road to recovery but I've been told the potion team at St. Mungo's have been hard at work creating a cure ever since we brought them the ingredients for the extraction potion. Draco's even offered the service of his company which has been a huge asset."

Helene breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm glad to hear it. I came here today to check on your well-being, but I'm also here on official business?"

Rose rolled back her shoulders helping ease the tension building there. Was this Helene pulling veto power and letting her work again?

The next words out of Helene's mouth were the last thing Rose expected.

"I'm sorry. Can you say that again?" Rose requested, her mind struggling to understand the words spoken. It couldn't be that. Anything but that.

Helene's pink eyes gazed empathetically at Rose. "We're taking you off Pious's case."

Rose sat up in bed, trying to gather every ounce of professional composure she had to not cry in front of Helene. There was nothing more devastating than having to fight off tears in front of your boss.

"I can't imagine how disappointing this must be, Miss Granger-Weasley," Helene continued, "I'm afraid it'd be a conflict of interest to let you prosecute Pious when you are one of his victims. We'll need you to testify."

Rose's throat constricted at the use of the word 'victim.' She hated to think of herself as a victim. It made it sound like Pious had won. Like he'd knocked her down and broken her spirit. She might be the one in the hospital bed, but he was the one who was going to live the rest of his sad life out in prison. While she would get to live life. She wasn't his victim. She was a survivor.

She pointedly stared anywhere but Helene's face to hide the tears welling in her eyes.

Helene patted Rose's hand maternally, drawing her attention back to her. "I'm sorry to say this, but you're officially off the case."