In for a knut in for a pound
The weekend flew by, mainly because Draco spent it absolutely pissed. Hearing Mrs. Akins' wails broke a piece of him, and he just wanted to forget it. Monday morning came too fast, and Draco had to break up his routine with a hangover cure to keep his coffee down. He could tell by the bags under Theo’s eyes that he’d had a similar experience.
“Morning Mate,” Theo said flatly. Draco could tell he had probably consumed a hangover cure right before he walked in. “Listen, can we go out for drinks after work? I’ve been asked to help with a project I think you’d be interested in.”
“Sure that sounds fine. Where do you want to go?”
“Let’s do Cat’s Pub. I don’t have the energy for anyone to run into us.”
Draco nodded as they made their way to the clinic. Cat’s was a muggle bar on the other side of London. They used to go pretty often, but their hectic schedules had kept them away.
Draco had 2 patients to see this morning. He was surprised to see Mrs. Watkins was one of them. He went to her room immediately.
“Good morning Mrs. Watkins. It’s always a pleasure to see you, but I’m not quite sure why you’re here. I know you came back in for a lab redraw, but you didn’t need to be seen by me.”
“I know you just needed me for labs, but while I was getting ready this morning, I felt the exhaustion start. Since I was already here I decided to just tell you in person.” Now that Draco was paying attention, he could tell she was unwell. She was very pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Her hands had a slight tremor, and it looked like she had started to sweat.
“Ah, I understand. Well good on you for doing your homework. Have you gotten your blood drawn yet, and what EXACTLY were you doing this morning when it started?”
“Yes I actually just walked in from getting the labs done when you walked in. Anyway, I was getting dressed this morning, doing my makeup, and making some breakfast for my son. I had just cast a stasis charm to keep the muffins warm when it hit me.”
“I see. During any of those tasks, besides the charm, did you use magic?”
“Yes actually I did. I summoned my clothes, curled my hair, and did my make up with spells. Oh, I also set the muffin batter to mix on its own. Why does any of this matter?”
“Mrs. Watkins, I think something is leaching you of your magic. It’s taking from your reserve, and then every so often you cast enough spells that throw you over the edge. Does that make any sense?”
“I guess, but what could be taking from my magic,” she asked with concern. Rightfully so, Draco thought to himself.
“A number of things. A simple infection to many different muggle or magical diseases can leech magical reserves. I do need to warn you though, that depending on your lab work and scans, we may need to admit you. Pushing past a depleted reserve can be very dangerous to your health.” Draco was very serious about the dangers. He had seen too many young witches and wizards push themselves past a breaking point.
“Oh no. Would it be possible for me to send an owl to my mum? She’s watching my son. I would need to let her know I’m not coming home and that I would need some personal items.”
“Of course, but let’s check first and see if we’re even need to go that far.” Draco took a step back and cast his complex diagnostic spell. The last time he did it, everything came back green. This time, an area on the right side of her abdomen came back a bright, flashing red. It looked to be about where her liver was.
“Unfortunately, we are going to have to admit you for more tests. It looks like you might be developing something wrong with your liver. While I wait on your labs to come back, I’ll have my assistant lead you to your room.”
Defeated, Mrs. Watkins hopped down off the table and out the door Draco’s assistant had just opened for. Before he left, he handed Draco two pages of paper. “These are her labs, and I had them complete the chemistry this time despite the abnormalities.”
“Thanks. Please help Mrs.Watkins send an owl to her mother. Also, please place her on strict Nothing by Wand orders until we have her sorted out.” Draco sat down tiredly after the door shut. He hadn’t expected to see Mrs. Watkins again, and had mostly written her off. He looked down at the labs as shock filled his body.
WBC 2.8, HGB 6.7, PLT 44 immediately just off the page. He turned and looked at the chemistry panel, feeling sick to his stomach. Creatinine 3.1, potassium 5.1, total bilirubin 10.5.
Liver failure. Kidney failure. Pancytopenia. He had to be missing something. He researched through lunch, never getting time to see his other clinic patient. His assistant would have to see him, he thought to himself as he tore open every book in his office.
4pm came before Draco could even register time passing. He had given orders to the inpatient medi witches to give Mrs. Watkins a blood replenishment potion every 6 hours. She was also on bedrest to go with her NBW orders. They had started her an IV and had her on some fluids at a low rate. It was all Draco could do for now.
A knock on his door broke his concentration. It was Theo. Draco remembered he agreed to go out for drinks after work and groaned.
“Theo, I don't have time for this. I have a patient that is very sick and I don’t even know why.”
“That’s even more of a reason why you need to come. You’ve been staring at this all day, you need a break or you’ll never figure it out. So come on, or I’ll stun you and drag you there with my bare hands.”
Draco glared at his friend. “Fine, but while we’re there, we’re going to try and figure it out. None of the ‘no work talk’ nonsense.”
“Whatever,” Theo said as he rolled his eyes, “let’s just go before they fill up.”
Draco packed up and the two of them apparated to an alley behind the bar. They transfigured their healer robes into more sensible muggle attire before going around and walking in the front door.
The lights were dim, and it took Draco a minute to adjust. The amount of people here for a Monday afternoon was absurd, and he was having trouble finding a booth without someone in it.
“Don’t worry,” Theo said with a smirk. “I got someone to come early and save us a seat.”
Right as he said that, a young woman started waving at him. She was petite, and even in the dim lights Draco could tell that she was pretty. A large amount of curly hair was pulled up, leaving some ringlets out to frame her face. As they got closer, her eyes met his.
“Granger?”