Scratches (Fred Weasley)

(156) Compromises

"Its funny how you had to nearly die for you and Fred to get back together," Nicolai said thoughtfully, before scribbling something into her clipboard. "Nic!" Alexander chastised, his eyes wide, appalled by his friend's statement, "What a horrible thing to say."

"Well she's not wrong though. The healers have mentioned plenty of times that I would have died from that stab wound if it had been a few inches to the left." Florence chimed in, lifting her head up to give Nicolai room to change her pillow. "And that blood. So much blood, you couldn't even imagine."

This made Alexander shudder, "Oh now you're just teasing. You know I hate blood. And if you could refrain from joking about your death, that would be much appreciated."

"Lighten up, Xan, you're not the one who nearly died," Nicolai chortled, earning a brief chuckle from Florence, "Anyway, where IS Fred? I thought it would be practically impossible to remove him from your side after you two got back together."

"Well I asked him to go back and help George with the store. I can't imagine he's doing very well on his own," Florence said, "He shouldn't skip out on work because of me."

"Pfftttt, George will be fine. He has Verity."

"Verity?" Florence frowned, "I thought he fancied Lisa?"

"No, no. Verity is the help they hired for the store. Charming girl, if I must say."

"She has a bit of an attitude, though," Alexander remarked, to which Nicolai rolled her eyes to, "Well that's what gives her her charm."

"Its nice to know they hired help," Florence butted in, before their bickering could escalate. She took a moment to look around her, instantly feeling happy as she realized that it had been awhile since they got together this way, where Nic was cracking jokes that made her smile. She wondered if things were going to go back to what it used to be. Maybe so. Maybe not. Either way, she was thankful for the moment she was in right now.

"Do you know when I'll be able to go home?" Florence asked Nicolai after a few beats of silence. Nicolai looked at her clipboard, then hesitantly up at Florence, who didn't like the look on her friend's face. "Nic?"

"I'm sorry, Flo. I don't think it's any day this week if that's what you're hoping for. They still need to run you by a few more tests to ensure your wound doesn't reopen after the slightest movement."

She felt her heart sink. "Oh. Of course. That's completely understandable."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Florence managed a small smile, "I'm just afraid that if I stay here longer, I might miss out on things in Training."

"Oh don't worry about that." Said Alexander, "The Minister's gave all the other trainees at least a month of leave of absence. You know, those who got out with minor injuries. Your uncle wasn't the only one who gave him severe backlash after that incident."

"I see," she said, before slumping deeper in to her pillow. "I'm so so bored."

"Aw, I know, hun. This will be over before you know it. I promise." Said Nicolai. "Meanwhile, I have to get these charts to Karen—"

"I can bring them for you." Xander chimed in, "Your lunch break is right about this hour, yeah? I'll spare you from some of the walking."

"Thanks, Xan. That would be lovely."

Xander took the charts from Nicolai's grip, giving her a knowing look and mouthing 'tell her', before walking out the door.

Nicolai trudged over to the seat closest to Florence's bed, plopping down on it. "So here we are, huh?"