1 November 1920
Afternoon
Rose looked around, a strange feeling settling over her. Returning to the Castle had been one thing, but this – walking into the dungeons towards the Hufflepuff area – that was something completely different. She really didn’t think that she’d ever return to Hogwarts after leaving so many years ago. How long had it been at this point? Ten years? A lot had changed; she’d had a child soon after graduating, and began her career as an auror.
Finally, she had reached the status she wanted in that field, when suddenly it was announced that Hogwarts needed a new Head Nurse. Well her specialty wasn’t healing, however she had spent a lot of her time in the Wing learning about magical healing techniques.
Plus, Maddox was here with their son and she’d be able to spend more time with Evander.
Leaving Fiona in their quarters, Rose was in search of the Deputy, who was also the Head of Hufflepuff. She couldn’t imagine being the head of a house at Hogwarts, though if the opportunity ever arose, she could not say she’d say no to the role.
The door was open. Rose stopped just outside and knocked on the door frame, before entering. She had a notepad and a quill, because she was sure there were things she’d need to write down. “Mr. Blackwood? Hi, I’m Roisin, the new Head Nurse,” she said as she moved closer to the man.
Time was not his friend today. There was more on his agenda than normal, between auditing a few classes, working on magic issues that never seemed to stop, meetings with staff and students, fielding owls from parents and a detention later after classes were over, Gideon had very little time to just sit.
In fact, he had forgotten to eat lunch. His stomach made itself known with a deep growl. Looking at his pocket watch, then down at his diary, he realized there was no time to stop for food. Any minute he would have…
“Mr. Blackwood? Hi, I’m Roisin, the new Head Nurse.”
And there it was, another meeting. This time with the new head nurse. Thank Merlin, not having a Head Nurse was a huge issue.
“Good afternoon Miss Byrne,” he said, moving a few things on his desk, not yet looking up at the soft feminine voice. As his eyes drifted up, starting at her feet and working up to his face, Gideon’s heart sped up with every inch his eyes took in. She was gorgeous. Beautiful. So many words came to mind, which was honestly astonishing. Since the death of his wife, Gideon hadn’t had romantic feelings for anyone.
Standing up, he buttoned his suit jacket as he came around the desk to greet her properly. Holding out his hand, their palms connected in a simple handshake, but when his skin hit hers a feeling of electricity ran up his arm.
“Please, come take a seat. Would you like a drink? I have water, butterbeer, and a few adult options if your day has been as crazy as mine.” Motioning to the plush leather sofa and arm chairs in front of the roaring fireplace, he went to pour a small amount of top shelf Irish Whisky over ice while she took her seat. His eyes stayed on her, watching as her vibrant red hair moved with each step, waiting for her drink order before joining her for their introduction meeting.
“Good afternoon Miss Byrne.”
Rose stood up straighter as the man’s eyes took her in, feeling a warmth spread in her chest as she bit her red lip. Dressed impeccably, she noted, as he stood and buttoned his jacket as he came over to her. Was she blushing? She might be, she honestly couldn’t tell, but she felt pulled in by him.
She easily placed her hand in his and shook slightly, noting the feeling of his hand with hers. Rose, as hot headed as she may be, was also the type to wear her heart on her sleeve; that is how she had both of her children. She couldn’t recall Fiona’s father, but Evander’s was here in this castle, and she vividly recalled how drawn in by him she’d felt.
She led with her heart, always.
“Please, come take a seat. Would you like a drink? I have water, butterbeer, and a few adult options if your day has been as crazy as mine.”
Rose’s eyes moved from the desk, where she assumed they’d be situated for this meeting, and over to the more comfortable seating in the room. Her stomach did a flip, and she smirked a bit at the offer.
“Red wine, please. Cabernet Sauvignon if you have any,” she responded and sat on the couch, setting her notepad and quill on the table in front of her. Perhaps she wouldn’t be taking notes during their meeting.
She crossed her legs at her ankles, smoothing out the short green handkerchief style skirt over her lap. Her back was straight and she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear.
“Have things seemed to settle in the Wing now?” Rose asked, watching the man.
“Red wine, please. Cabernet Sauvignon if you have any,” Gideon nodded, pulling the bottle from his liquor shelf. Hidden behind a row of books, tucked away from the prying eyes of students. He didn’t say anything, watching her take seat. Her movements were decidedly feminine. This was…. Different. Of course he missed his wife and they had come to love each other, but the pair had barely known each other. Arranged from a young age, Gideon had been devastated when Elizabeth had died in the war. A life together cut dramatically short.
Elizabeth had been gone for three years. In that time, Gideon had felt the familiar pull with exactly zero women. There was just something about the one currently sitting in his office. Handing the wine over to Roisin, Gideon took the paper off his desk with her very detailed resume.
Unbuttoning his suit jacket, he took his seat across from her, taking a sip of whisky before starting. “Miss. Byrne, we are very happy to have you here at the castle.”
“Have things seemed to settle in the Wing now?” Taking another drink of his whisky, Gideon tailored his answer carefully. “Things are,” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “better. I’ll be completely honest, because you will find out soon enough, it’s been a difficult couple of months.”
Gideon leaned forward, placing his drink on the coffee table sitting in front of them, resting his elbows on his knees. “As you know, we have had some magic issues. Thankfully, the Hospital Wing has been fixed and a…” again, thinking of the right words, specifically thinking of Ms. Elliot's determination. “A small group of dedicated students have been assigned to help keep things running. We have decided to keep them on to help you, since most have done a fantastic job bringing the Wing back to right.”
Gideon’s blue eyes met hers across the table. A jolt of attraction crackling through the room. This was NOT what he needed right now. It would be both unprofessional and messy. Roisin not only has two kids, but one, the boy, is son to none other than Maddox. Yeah, adding romance to this situation was not something he could allow.
“So, why don’t you tell me a little something about yourself. Do you have any plans for the Hospital Wing? Anything I can help facilitate?”
Rose sipped her wine, smiling to herself as the flavor of the liquid made its way to her stomach. She might present herself as a lady, a formal lady, however she was anything but. Drink was her vice, and it immediately had a relaxing and calming effect on her. She hadn’t planned on drinking during her meeting with the Deputy, but here she was.
“Things are… better. I’ll be completely honest, because you will find out soon enough, it’s been a difficult couple of months.”
A raised brow as Rose sipped her wine some more, watching him as he set his cup down on the table and leaned forward.
“As you know, we have had some magic issues. Thankfully, the Hospital Wing has been fixed and a… A small group of dedicated students have been assigned to help keep things running. We have decided to keep them on to help you, since most have done a fantastic job bringing the Wing back to right.”
“Oh, that’s great to hear…” she commented softly, smiling with a bit of relief.
“So, why don’t you tell me a little something about yourself. Do you have any plans for the Hospital Wing? Anything I can help facilitate?”
Scooting back a little on the couch, her legs still crossed at the ankles, Rose sipped her wine before finally setting it down on the table, considering what she’d tell him about her.
“Well… as you know, I am professionally an Auror, but I have spent considerable time in the Wing as a student. And my father detested magic, so I am well versed in the muggle way of doing things, as well as the magical,” she admitted, her eyes locking on his.
A fish out of water – that’s how Rose had felt when she first began at Hogwarts in fourth year. That whole first year was a blur, and full of amazement. Finally, when she was in fifth, she was able to focus more on achieving success rather than being wowed by it.
Rose bit her lip gently, her gaze falling on his hands. There was no ring there, no sign of attachment. She moved forward again on the couch, drawn in by him as if he were a magnet.
“As far as plans that I have… I am not entirely sure. I was going to mention student volunteers… I know that when I was a student, it was nothing formal with schedules or anything, but I’d like to get schedules for them nailed down,” she said, her blue eyes locked again on his.
“Try to blend muggle and magical healing together, so they can be well-rounded,” she added.
“Well… as you know, I am professionally an Auror, but I have spent considerable time in the Wing as a student. And my father detested magic, so I am well versed in the muggle way of doing things, as well as the magical,” Gideon sat and listened intently. Leaning back in his chair, resting his left leg over his right knee, the picture of confidence. He oozed elite masculinity, with a touch of mystery. Buttoned up, wearing a suit, playing the distinguished gentleman, while a tattoo peaked out from under his cuff.
Her voice was soft. Nothing about the words she used were particularly special, but he wanted her to keep talking. The sun peaking though the window, shining just right on her red hair making it glow. Reaching for his glass he took another swig of the amber liquid, shaking out of his thoughts. She was the new nurse, he was a widower, she had two kids for merlin sake, he needed to snap out of it.
“As far as plans that I have… I am not entirely sure. I was going to mention student volunteers… I know that when I was a student, it was nothing formal with schedules or anything, but I’d like to get schedules for them nailed down. Try to blend muggle and magical healing together, so they can be well-rounded.”
Their eyes connected, neither saying anything for a few seconds. The crackle of… something in the air. Gideon blinked, then stood up, needing to move around. Releasing some of the nervous energy trapped in his body.
“We have a preliminary schedule in place, but you are free to adjust it as you see fit. The addition of muggle healing is smart, especially with the magic issues we have been plagued with. You may find some push back from the students. A few in particular, but if they give you issues, please let me know.”
He stood behind the chair, hands gripping the back of the seat. His eyes tracking the exposed skin of her lower leg… nope, keep moving. Gideon resumed his pacing around the office. Staying in the sitting area, as to not be rude, but trying very hard to not look in her eyes. “You will find one ally in the wing, who more than dabbles in non-magical healing. A 4th year Gryffindor, Matilda Nordstrom. She is very skilled in Herbology. She is very skilled at making tea’s, tinctures, salves, you name it. She makes a blend of tea for insomnia that will knock you on your a… sleep. It will put you right to sleep.” He had almost said ass, and now that was all he could think of.
He really needed to wrap this meeting up... And resign…
“Do you have any questions for me? Anything I can help you with?”
The eye contact, which she had begun, felt… intimate. She bit her lip gently, unable to pull her blue eyes away from his. He literally was not a magnet, and yet there was something…
“We have a preliminary schedule in place, but you are free to adjust it as you see fit. The addition of muggle healing is smart, especially with the magic issues we have been plagued with. You may find some push back from the students. A few in particular, but if they give you issues, please let me know.”
He stood and blinked, breaking eye contact and she couldn’t help but to feel a bit… lonely. That was odd, she thought as she navigated this feeling. He was now standing behind his chair, and she felt his eyes on her again. She felt a blush spread across her cheeks, and she resumed biting her lip gently. He was pacing now, not looking her in the eyes.
She watched him move, unable to look at anything else. Now that her eyes were free from his gaze, she noted his arms and the way that he carried himself. Confident. Smooth. Of course she knew who the Blackwoods were, everyone did because of their clothing shop.
“You will find one ally in the wing, who more than dabbles in non-magical healing. A 4th year Gryffindor, Matilda Nordstrom. She is very skilled in Herbology. She is very skilled at making tea’s, tinctures, salves, you name it. She makes a blend of tea for insomnia that will knock you on your a… sleep. It will put you right to sleep. Do you have any questions for me? Anything I can help you with?”
A smirk crossed Rose’s lips when she caught his correction. “Well, I will definitely have to speak with Matilda then. I have a hard time sleeping most nights,” she admitted, wondering if he did too. If he did…
Rose blinked, trying to push the thoughts and unbecoming images from her mind. She was here to work, and work she would. She was not here to be distracted by anything or anyone. She would work and do what she could to make it a little less stressful for him and the Headmistress.
As far as questions, or things he could help with… Rose had no idea. She felt a bit dumbfounded and, honestly, a bit blank. Probably because of the unexpected attraction she felt between them, and how much she liked his eyes on her. Her cheeks were still pink, she was sure of it.
Deciding to fill the silence with something other than just waiting, Rose picked up her wine glass and downed the rest of the red liquid. She set it down gently and licked her lips of the flavor, savouring it before leaving.
Was there anything she could think of to prolong being near him? No… she didn’t think so.
Rose shook her head. “Not that I can think of right now, but… I imagine I can find you here if anything pops up,” she said and stood up, smoothing out her skirt again. She picked up her paper and quill, going over the information in her head. “I suppose my first order of business is to meet with the volunteers, so I will figure that out,” she added and nodded.
“It was lovely to meet you, Mr. Blackwood,” Rose said, extending her hand for another handshake, biting her lip in anticipation of his touch.
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