Scratches (Fred Weasley)

(116) Like Father Like Daughter

Remus bursted through the doors of St. Mungo's, Florence closely in tow with Sirius in animagus form on a leash, as they rushed towards the receptionist, the brunette fidgeting with the hem of the jumper, which had quickly borrowed from Fred, nervously. Julien, who had packed a bag of essentials for his aunt, had a worried look on his face as he watched Remus approach the front desk, snippily asking for Jane's whereabouts.

The woman behind the desk looked perplexed as Remus continuously pressured her to hurry up her search, the three of them quickly bolting as soon as the information was given.

"Ma'am?" she addressed Florence as she caught sight of the large black dog in her company, "Pets aren't allowed in the facilities."

"He's a service dog," Julien quickly came up with a reason, "My cousin, she's blind."

The woman blinked rapidly at Julien, before her gaze flickered over to Florence, a frown dawning on her face, "She doesn't look blind to me."

"The damage in her eyes is internal, so you can't really see it. Now excuse me, she and I really have to get somewhere." He pulled her along, Florence buying in to the act and pretended to depend on Padfoot as a guide for direction.

"Blind, seriously?" Florence told Julien as soon as they were out of earshot."

"That was the only way that they'd let Sirius in." he whispered, before Remus beckoned them to walk faster, the three of them turning a corner in search of the room number given to them.

He gently turned the doorknob, Florence entering the room to see her mother, bandaged up and looking weak, Sloan sitting in one of the waiting chairs. She rushed over to her bedside, tears spilling from her eyes, "Mum? What did they do to you?"

Jane smiled at her wearily, reaching for her daughter's hand and squeezing it reassuringly, "I'm fine, dear. It's okay."

As soon as the door was locked and secured, Sirius shifted out of his animagus form, unclasping the collar that still remained around his neck, "You know I hate arguing with injured people, but this doesn't really look like nothing."

Jane's expression went from physically exhausted to that of a scolding one, shooting Sirius a glare. "You idiot. You're not supposed to be in here! Anyone can walk through that door any minute."

"That's why Sloan's going to put protective locks on them," he retorted, before walking over towards her and standing beside Florence, "What did they do to you? Did you know who did it? How did you get away?"

"One at a time," Jane grimaced, "You're going to give me a headache..."

"Take as much time as you need."

"I was ambushed, on my way to work. Only a few more blocks away from the Ministry when they attacked. One punched me in the gut when I tried apparating away from them, and dragged me into an alleyway. Death Eaters, I suppose. They're the only ones who could ever use the Cruciatus curse on someone without batting an eye..."

"How did you even get ambushed on your way to work? Doesn't it take you one apparation to get to the Floo entrances?" Sloan frowned, "They couldn't possibly have enough time to attack you inbetween that short amount of time."

"I..." Jane said almost hesitantly, "I didn't go straight to work as soon as I left the house. I made a few quick stops somewhere before I apparated to the ministry. And they close the Floo entrances an hour after everyone's supposed to be inside, so I had to take the other entrance."

"She was able to escape...barely...apparated back to the mansion and I found her outside." explained Sloan.

"And I may or may have not lost my wand."