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Tweak says, "SHUT UP NURSE!"

Andromeda Black Tonks (_andietonks) wrote in numeri,
@ 2010-03-21 18:20:00

Who: Andie Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy
What: Rounds at the hospital.
Where: St. Mungo's
When: Sunday, late afternoon
Rating: Low
Status: In progress.

Andie was exhausted. She hated working Sundays, but it was easiest for Ted, who wasn't on the weekend news team, to stay home with Nymphadora while Andie was at St. Mungo's.

She checked on Mrs. Turpin, again, down the hall, and returned to her station to go over some patients' charts. The wall clock reminded her she hadn't eaten anything in nearly eight hours, and now that things at the hospital, in her ward at least, had calmed down, Andie figured she could take the time to find something to eat.

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amaryllisse
2010-03-22 12:35 pm UTC (link)

If there was something that Narcissa would not brook, it was lack of control, and frankly, that was precisely where her appetite was headed.

Her temper was fast heading in that direction, too, as she informed the witch on the desk of the obstetrics ward at St Mungo's in no uncertain terms that she would see a mediwitch, she would see one now, and if she was delayed any longer it would be her job and did she not know who she was dealing with?

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	_andietonks 2010-03-22 01:36 pm UTC (link)
	On her way to the cafeteria, Andie heard a slight scuffle turning argument outside the ward, at the check-in desk. Frowning, she pushed food to the back of her mind and made her way over. "Can I help you with something?" she asked, taking a chart from the witch. She glanced down at the name and then up at the woman. Her sister. "Narcissa?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

amaryllisse
2010-03-22 01:53 pm UTC (link)

"It's Madam Malfoy to y-"

It was her intention to put the mediwitch in her place, but that was not a face Narcissa was expecting to see. Indeed, it wasn't a face she'd seen in a long time. If she recalled correctly, she'd shut the door on that face, before placing an envelope in a box that was then locked, warded, and hidden away.

Turning to the witch on the desk, Narcissa forced her tone to neutrality.

"I require the services of a mediwitch. Now."

She wondered when Andromeda had become a healer.

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_andietonks
2010-03-22 02:38 pm UTC (link)

Andie pursed her lips together and nodded. "Right this way, Mrs. Malfoy," she said somewhat stiffly. She held the chart against her chest and turned sharply, leading her sister down the hallway and to a private room on the right hand side.

Had she even known that Narcissa was pregnant? Andie wasn't sure, and now that her back was to Narcissa, she frowned. She opened the door and allowed the other woman in first.

"Now, what seems to be the problem, Mrs. Malfoy?" she asked, glancing up from the chart.

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amaryllisse
2010-03-22 03:09 pm UTC (link)

Careful not to look at Andromeda as she swept past her into the room, Narcissa seated herself on the patient's chair and waited for her sister to set the privacy wards before speaking. Several things were the problem, but this was neither the time nor the place.

Clearing her throat, she spoke quietly, and directed her words to the back of the chart.

"My appetite has become somewhat... excessive, lately."

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	_andietonks 2010-03-22 03:13 pm UTC (link)
	After placing the proper wards, Andromeda referred to the chart, mostly blank, in her hand. She used a charmed quill to take notes on a second page as she began to ask questions. Andie frowned again, slightly confused. "An excessive appetite?" she asked, just to clarify. "How far along are you?" She nodded to Narcissa's stomach. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

amaryllisse
2010-03-22 03:26 pm UTC (link)

Feeling oddly exposed to have the gaze of the sister she could no longer acknowledge as such resting on the bump that announced her impending motherhood, Narcissa moved a hand to rest protectively over it.

"Twenty-three weeks. Approximately."

She knew to the day, but it was presumptuous to announce such. Besides, she usually saw a private healer, but as Lucius wasn't home to contact her, she was forced to visit St Mungo's with the common people, and they didn't have her details. So to quibble over semantics really wasn't necessary.

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	_andietonks 2010-03-22 03:29 pm UTC (link)
	Andromeda made note of it and nodded. "How would you describe your appetite?" she asked. "Besides excessive? Any cravings? How many meals are you eating? Or is it primarily snacking? Would you say you're eating anything you don't normally eat?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

amaryllisse
2010-03-22 03:38 pm UTC (link)

"I've been eating cake."

If that didn't tell Andromeda how abnormal her appetite was, nothing would. Narcissa did not eat cake. Ever. Not even at her wedding. She'd taken the traditional bite, and discreetly spat it into her napkin as Lucius hid a smile behind his hand.

"And I suppose it would be around eight a day. More if I spend the day reading in the parlour, and really, that makes no sense."

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	_andietonks 2010-03-22 03:45 pm UTC (link)
	Andromeda wanted to laugh, but she refrained, just barely. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, however. "I'd have to say what you're describing to me -- Mrs. Malfoy -- is completely normal for a woman your age, in your condition." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-03-25 11:19 am UTC (link)
	She saw that smile, and a frown marred her features. "Then perhaps you weren't listening, Healer-" here she paused, and made a point of glancing at the name on Andromeda's robes, "-Tonks. This isn't normal. I am aware of what is normal, and I am telling you, something is wrong." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_andietonks
2010-03-25 04:01 pm UTC (link)

Andie rolled her eyes. She didn't even bother hiding it this time. "And what part of having a large appetite while pregnant is not normal?" she asked, trying her best to keep the frustration out of her voice.

"Mrs. Malfoy, you are pregnant. That means you are eating for two. It is very normal that the baby requires more eating than normal. For you, perhaps, your desire to always keep your figure means that you never ate enough for just yourself. So eating for the baby now, plus what your own body regularly needs, means a giant leap in diet. I assure you, there is nothing wrong. Your appetite will return to normal after the baby is born."

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amaryllisse
2010-03-26 01:40 pm UTC (link)

"You needn't patronise me."

Narcissa didn't bother hiding the frustration in hers.

"If you're going to be obstinate and judgemental, then you're of no use to me. Everyone's pregnancy is different - surely they taught you that at Healer school. I know my body, and I know what is a normal change and what isn't," she snapped, and rose from her chair, one hand resting in an unconsciously protective manner on the swell of her stomach.

She was edgy and tense, and worried for the safety of her unborn child - and her own sister (despite the fact she wasn't to acknowledge her) refused to believe her concerns were valid.

Oddly enough, given the nature of her visit, Narcissa wasn't actually hungry.

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	_andietonks 2010-03-26 05:24 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm not patronizing you, Mrs. Malfoy. Who is your regular mediwitch? I see that we don't have your file here. I'm assuming you've been seeing someone privately? Has she not gone over all the possible side effects of your pregnancy with you?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-03-28 02:29 pm UTC (link)
	"Estella Gamp, she came highly recommended, and she was very thorough!" Agitation had her pacing and near to tears, though she refused to let them spill over. Bad enough that she was forced to come here for help. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-03-28 02:40 pm UTC (link)
	"What would you like for me to do?" Andromeda asked as politely as she could muster. She had forgotten how emotional her sister was, then, with a pregnancy on top of it... She looked at her levelly, acting as professional as possible. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-03-28 02:48 pm UTC (link)
	"I don't know! You're the Healer!" Narcissa looked shocked at her outburst, and stared wordlessly at Andromeda for a long moment. Then she smoothed her expression, and sat gracefully in her seat, hands folded protectively over her stomach. "Please tell me my son is healthy," she said quietly, directing her request to the clipboard. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-03-28 02:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Do you have pain anywhere?" Andromeda asked. "Unusual cramping or bleeding? Have you felt movement lately?" She began with the standard questions. She looked at her sister. "I do apologize for the generalized questions to begin with, Mrs. Malfoy, however I'm afraid since you use a private healer, we do not have your current charts." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

amaryllisse
2010-03-28 03:06 pm UTC (link)

"No, no, no, yes, and you've already explained that."

Keeping her tone neutral was a struggle. Part of the issue, of course, was that this was her sister sitting opposite her. Narcissa would really have liked to have thrown her arms about her and wailed her concerns - but Andromeda herself had cut that tie when she chose to leave their family. So Narcissa was curt, and churlish, and frustrated.

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	_andietonks 2010-03-28 03:10 pm UTC (link)
	"Besides your appetite, have you experienced anything else lately that you feel is not normal?" Andromeda asked patiently, making some general notes on her clipboard. But, really, she suspected this wasn't anything more than a first time mother panicking. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

amaryllisse
2010-03-28 03:14 pm UTC (link)

"...I've an insane urge to spend more of Lucius' Galleons than I normally do?"

This was actually true, and usually went hand in hand with a binge eating session in the parlour. She had no need for so many maternity clothes, and she had enough things for her unborn child that anyone viewing her spending habits would think she was planning to supply the Malfoy family with their own Quidditch team.

"Something's off. I'm sure of it," she sighed, and finally looked Andromeda in the eye.

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_andietonks
2010-03-28 03:28 pm UTC (link)

Andromeda looked up from her clipboard and shook her head, just slightly. "Narcissa," she said softly. "Everything is fine. When I was pregnant with Nymphadora, I spent a whole weekend cleaning out the ice chest. You remember how I hate chocolate? I ate three two pound boxes in one day. I made myself very sick. Strangely enough, Nymphadora loves chocolate, and Ted spoils her rotten with it."

She almost reached out to touch her sister's arm but thought better of it, keeping her hands tight on the clipboard. "As horrible as it might seem right now, it's entirely normal."

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amaryllisse
2010-03-28 03:33 pm UTC (link)

Forcing herself not to acknowledge Andromeda's mention of her downfall and it's progeny, she still fought back a wince at the name. Nymphadora? What on earth had she been thinking?

However, she wasn't immune to the sentiment behind the words, and her own voice was small and quiet as she asked, "Do you promise?"

She suddenly felt very small again, asking that question.

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	_andietonks 2010-03-28 03:43 pm UTC (link)
	Andromeda nodded. "If all you're concerned with right now is a large appetite, then yes, I promise. If there is another concern, however, it might be something we need to take a look at." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-03-29 03:28 pm UTC (link)
	Narcissa gave Andromeda a long look, before nodding once. "That is my only concern at this point." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-03-29 03:29 pm UTC (link)
	"I am glad that's your only concern," Andromeda said with a smile of her own. She glanced at her bare chart and took a slow breath. "A boy, you said?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-03-29 03:37 pm UTC (link)
	She tensed slightly at the question. A boy, she hoped. She was far enough along for her mediwitch to tell, but as the woman was not currently contactable... It galled her to admit this, but she didn't want to be wrong. "A boy, I believe. We... I don't know, yet." Her words were directed at the wall behind Andromeda, and were tight with irritation. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-03-29 03:50 pm UTC (link)
	"Congratulations," Andromeda said softly. "Ted wanted a boy so badly when I was pregnant. But he does love Nymphadora, spoils her, really." She smiled, thinking about her husband and her daughter. Then, she became all business again. "Would you like to know for certain?" she asked, after vaguely hearing that her sister wasn't entirely sure. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

amaryllisse
2010-04-02 02:11 am UTC (link)

Narcissa's jaw tightened at the mention of her sister's poor choice in husband and the child that wrecked any chance of Andromeda being accepted back into the family fold, but she knew better than to say anything.

Nodding stiffly in response to Andromeda's question, she sat a little straighter in her seat.

"I would."

Please be a boy. Please. I can't bear the thought of doing this twice.

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	_andietonks 2010-04-02 02:30 am UTC (link)
	Andie nodded. "Very well. I have a potion here to tell us which sex the baby is." She turned to her cupboard and found the vial. She mixed the potion into a glass of water and held it out to her sister. "You'll need to drink this and then we'll do the examination." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-02 02:33 am UTC (link)
	Watching with a slightly nervous air as the potion was mixed, Narcissa was pleased that her hand didn't shake as she reached for the glass. Her nose did wrinkle at the smell, though, and she shuddered as she swallowed it down, lip curling in distaste. "That's disgusting." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-02 02:58 am UTC (link)
	Andromeda smiled a bit. "Yes, I don't really know why no one's thought to change the flavor," she said. "This will just take a few moments, if you don't mind waiting." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-02 03:02 am UTC (link)
	"I took the potion, didn't I? Clearly, I don't mind waiting." For Merlin's sake. For all that her people had magic, Narcissa was not expecting miracles, nor instantaneous results. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-02 03:11 am UTC (link)
	Andromeda busied herself with the chart. She had to fill in what she knew, after all, as a record. After finishing the chart she fixed the cupboard and then turned back around to her sister, taking out her wand. "Are you ready?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-02 03:14 am UTC (link)
	Nor was she expecting to be kept waiting, and her eyes narrowed. "Cast the damn spell, Andie." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-02 03:16 am UTC (link)
	Andie was surprised at the familiarity. "I'm sorry, Narcissa, I was under the impression you wanted to keep this professional. And as a professional, I am required to ask for permission before casting any spell on another person." She barely hid her smile as she said that though, and she pointed her wand and cast the spell. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-02 03:21 am UTC (link)
	It had been an unintentional slip of the tongue, but it was too late to take it back. Instead, Narcissa settled for a roll of her eyes before she closed them tightly as a tingling sensation spread across her rounded stomach. "Well?" She fought to keep the hope from her voice. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-02 01:37 pm UTC (link)
	A moment later and Andromeda could pull wisps from her sister's stomach from the end of her wand. These wisps were blue. "Congratulations," she said. "It's a boy." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-06 12:32 pm UTC (link)
	Not entirely sure she'd heard correctly, Narcissa glanced down at her stomach, a slow smile of sheer delight crossing her face as she saw the blue wisps being pulled from her. "A boy... a boy! Lucius will be-" Her words were cut off as she remembered suddenly just who she was sharing this news with. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-07 01:03 am UTC (link)
	Andromeda couldn't help but smile at the way Narcissa's excitement showed up. "He'll be thrilled, I'm sure," she said with a sigh. Ted would have been the same way. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-07 01:46 am UTC (link)
	"He will..." Unable to contain her joy, Narcissa cradled her stomach with both hands, smiling down at the bump she now knew would be her son. For the first time, she was completely content with her condition. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-07 07:11 pm UTC (link)
	Andromeda looked away at her sister's excitement. She tapped her fingers against the clipboard and sighed. "Was there anything else, Mrs. Malfoy?" she asked a moment later. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-09 02:41 pm UTC (link)
	The formal mode of address, despite her insistence on it, brought her back to the small room they were occupying, and Narcissa's expression immediately smoothed into neutral aloofness. Standing, she gazed at her sister for a moment, then inclined her head ever so slightly. "That will be all." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-09 02:45 pm UTC (link)
	Andromeda nodded. "Very well. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to let me -- to let us know here at St. Mungo's." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	amaryllisse 2010-04-09 02:51 pm UTC (link)
	"Thank you for your concern, but we'll be using our own healer as soon as my husband returns from his trip." Though the slip was caught, and noted, Narcissa knew very well she wouldn't be taking up the offer. Her rigid and correct posture as she left the room behind was ruined only by the hand she could not bring herself to remove from her stomach. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_andietonks 2010-04-09 02:59 pm UTC (link)
	Andromeda sighed and tossed the clipboard aside once her sister left the room. If this wasn't awkward, then she just simply didn't know what was. Shaking her head, she cleaned up before returning to her rounds. (Reply to this) (Parent)