Just Breathe

Chapter Twenty-Two

"How does it feel?"

"Heavy and tingly. Is that normal?"

"Very normal." He picked up his things and took them to the bin where he dumped them in. The young woman on his table had had her arm broken by a park bench that had rolled towards a lake with her on it. Another Muggle jinx. They had slowed somewhat and he had hoped that meant they were going to stop, but no such luck. Janey had had two people come to her hospital with 'strange' injuries and had luckily been able to get him out quickly to treat them before any suspicion was aroused.

He turned back to his patient and sighed. She was watching him carefully, watching his pocket where she knew his wand was.

"Now, I'm going to send you home with an instruction sheet which tells you how to take care of your arm. There is also the name of another doctor who will see you if you have any complaints or questions."

"Why can't I come back here?" She eyed his pocket again and he shook his head.

"This hospital is specifically designed for one time uses for cases such as your own."

"You mean because I'm not special like you." She narrowed her eyes at him and he leaned against the cabinet.

"You are special, ma'am. There is always a special quality to each of us, all different, all just as important. But, there are people in my world who don't think the way I do and aim to hurt people different from us."

"Like the person who did this." She held up her arm and he nodded.

"Exactly. And it's safer to keep you in the dark, so to speak, to keep you from any further harm. I have just one more procedure for you and you'll be free to go." He signed the papers for her and handed them over, watching as she put them in her purse.

"And it won't hurt?"

"Not at all. Look at my finger while I check your eyes, please." He pulled out his wand and with wide eyes, she followed his order and watched his finger. He raised his wand and smiled at her gently. "Obliviate." He rotated his hand and her eyes glazed over, her head lolling to the side momentarily. He tucked his wand deep inside his coat and he stepped back, holding his pen light up. He clicked it on and she blinked at the sudden intrusion.

"That's bright," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry, but it's doing its job and its told me that your eyes are dilating as should be and your head is just fine. We'll just put you in a sling for your arm and you can be on your way." He pulled a sling from the cabinet behind him and carefully situated it over her shoulder and across her back, buckling it in front of her and placing her arm inside.

"I can go home soon? I'm so tired, and hungry, and I feel kind of like I want to laugh..." she blushed and Draco nodded.

"I think you're free to go, but the medicine I used to numb your arm to reset it and cast it might make you feel a little dizzy and maybe even a little silly. Do you feel okay to go home?"

"Yes. I'd like to call my mother if I can. I do feel a little dizzy... but that could just be your smile." She clapped her hand over her mouth and giggled.

"That's the medicine talking. I'll lead you to my office and you can use the phone there."

"Thank you, Doctor." She stood up from the table and he held out his arm to steady her. She grabbed her purse and he opened the door to his office. He pointed to the phone on the table. He went back into the exam room to finish cleaning up, leaving the door open, but giving her some privacy.

As he listened to her giving her mother directions and as he scrubbed down the table, he thought of his next patient and how he was going to deal with that.