Surprise!

[AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY]

Audrey had finally given in and gone to St. Mungo’s. The dizzy spells were something Audrey could stand to a degree. She assumed they were stress related or correlated with her visions. Then the last few days she’s been violently ill. She could barely eat anything. She couldn’t cook meat without getting sick. She needed to be able to eat. She also had been so hot lately. She was always complaining it was hot, even when it was quite cool in the house. She was drinking more water that usual. She wondered if it was just menopause because she gotten her period either, they had told her a few months ago they thought she was pretty close to menopause. Which was a bit depressing but you can’t stop nature.

She was a bit concerned about the fact that the healer she had been with had asked her move to a different room and wait a few minutes. She was worried something was really wrong. She felt her anxiety levels start to climb again. She hoped it was nothing. She took a deep breath and rubbed her arm. She told herself the first healer was a fairly new healer and needed a second opinion. It was nothing, she kept telling herself. It would haven’t been so frightening if Percy had been here, but he had to work.

[Deleted]

Dr. Kessler was quite familiar with the Weasleys. A few of them worked there, and lately several of them, along with some of the Potter children, had been there as patients. Whitney of course knew the legends of the family and what they did in the Battle of Hogwarts. Heck, she was at Hogwarts during that time. When she spotted Audrey waiting, she allowed her curiosity to overcome her and walked into next room where the healer was testing the blood he took from Audrey's arm. She heard him mutter something about getting the same result as the last test and noticed he was missing a key ingredient in the testing potion. Being a healer herself, and a skilled one, she decided to take over.

"Watch and learn," she said sharply to the foolish healer. She would be writing him up for this later of course. She then mixed the proper potion and conducted the test with a remaining sample of Audrey's blood. What she saw caused her eyes to widen. It couldn't be... at Audrey's age. She looked at the equally shocked healer. "I'll go tell her..."

Whitney then stepped out and smiled at Audrey, trying to look as pleasant in order to break the news as softly as possible.

"Good evening, Mrs. Weasley, I'm Dr. Kessler," she said. "I'm Advisor to the Director here, but I once worked here as a Healer." Whitney sighed and sat down. "I witnessed your test, and... well I felt it wise to tell you the results myself."

AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY

[AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY]

Audrey’s heart started pounding again. The Advisor to the Director of St. Mungo’s had been sent to talk to her. She did however feel a bit more comfortable knowing that she was talking to someone who was experienced. This level of anxiety had been continues for the past week. Trying to figure out why she was sick. She couldn’t figure it out. Her head was spinning thirty different directions.

“Nice to meet you. If you can please just get this over with. I’ve been trying to figure out what was wrong for nearly a week. Merlin, the last time I was here because I wasn’t feeling well was ten years ago,” sighed Audrey. She was tired of waiting. She already had enough crazy health things going on with her seer abilities. She wasn’t very cooperative with the new age methods. She gave up on the diet the healers thought would help her visions. She refuses to read labels and having no idea what they words meant. She’d spend hours trying to figure out what it was on a muggle computer and screaming at the machine to stop making noises. She wasn’t sure when they had bought the computer, but it was ages ago. How it still works, she doesn’t know.

@whitney

[Deleted]

So much for delivering the news softly. Audrey was a direct woman, and Whitney could respect that to an extent. Plus Whitney was used to patients and families of patients who didn't want to listen to a big set up before the actual news. If Audrey wanted the news straight up, then so be it.

"Fair enough, Mrs. Weasley," she said. "Now that the test has been conducted properly..." She briefly eyed the healer as he walked out, then turned back. "The results show that you are... with child."

And there it was... the way Audrey wanted it. Now Whitney wondered what reaction she was going to get. She had seen several reactions from younger patients who found out they were pregnant. Some where joyous, some where shocked beyond belief, and others either broke down laughing or crying. She had never told a woman Audrey's age she was pregnant though. This would be interesting.

AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY

[AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY]

It took several minutes for Audrey to process what she was being told. After all these years. How in Merlin’s creation did this happen? They had told her after the twins there was nearly zero chance she’d be able to get pregnant again. Let alone at her age. She just a few years short of 50.

“Well, well, how in Merlin did this happen? Last time---I was here they told me I was close to menopause. Dear Merlin, starting all over again,” said Audrey as the shock was slowly fading away. She couldn’t believe this. Her girls were graduating Hogwarts in two months. Starting all over was a bit excited but also a bit frightening. She wasn’t as young this time. The last time hadn’t been easy. But she would never get rid of a baby, even at her own expense.

Audrey rubbed her temple. She knew this wasn’t going to be easy. It wasn’t the first time. And the first time she was much younger. She knew she could do it. Telling Percy might be a bit more difficult. It sure did explain a lot. It all made sense now. The dizzy spells, mood swings, temperature swings, and drinking tons of water. She put a hand her to lower abdomen, knowing she wouldn’t feel anything. There was a baby growing inside of her. She had tried to convince Percy for years to have another child. Just when she gave up getting him to agree to it, she ends up pregnant. Though the timing wasn’t ideal. Jake was moving in, plus the girls, and now a baby. They could manage it though. The girls would be leaving soon, not that she was rushing them leaving her.

“Do you know how far a long?” asked Audrey. She hadn’t drink or smoke, so at least she didn’t do anything too unhealthy. She knew this level of stress wasn’t good. She was going to have to hire employees, she couldn’t take on this much.

@whitney

[Deleted]

Dr. Kessler sighed again when Audrey spoke of what was told to her last time. There were some healers who were going to have a little meeting with her the next morning. This was inexcusable, especially over such a delicate matter.

"I sincerely apologize for the staff's poor judgement in the matter," she said. "I assure you it will not happen again." Audrey would need that assurance given she would be visiting quite often over the next nine months. "As for how it happen, in all honesty I am just as confused as you are. We have had women around your age revealed to be pregnant before, but on very rare occasions." Kessler cleared her throat. "Forgive me for going on a bit too much, Mrs. Weasley."

Kessler then hoped she could handle the next answer. She was again embarrassed and furious at her staff.

"My test results say you have been pregnant for a little over a month now," she said. She then decided she would make it her priority to make up for such an error. "Mrs. Weasley, I now consider it my personal responsibility to aid you in any way possible during this time." Yes she was a tad cocky, but she also knew she wouldn't mess anything up.

AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY

[AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY]

Audrey could care less about the healers. Mistakes happened. It was unplanned, yes, but she couldn’t believe it happened. She had wanted another child for years. Now she was going to have that child. Maybe years later than she thought. She could still do it. It would be tough but manageable. The shop kept her young.

“Don’t be too hard on them. Accidents happen. It’s not like I caught a deadly disease,” said Audrey. She didn’t want anyone losing her job over her. She would feel quite bad if it happened and she found out. And she hears a lot of gossip in ice-cream parlour.

“You really didn’t have to do all of this,” said Audrey. She was sure any healer was capable. She of course was worried but she wasn’t terrified. It wasn’t like it was her first pregnancy. She had gave birth with twins. The scariest part is giving birth and she had done it twice. Now that she knew was pregnant she was worried about losing the baby, she knew the risks. She wanted to do everything she could do to keep the baby healthy. “Not that I’m trying to rush this but I have a shop to run. I’m guessing you want me to make another appointment,” she said.

@whitney

[Deleted]

Kessler admired the woman defending the irresponsible Healers, but the fact was if they screwed this up, what could they screw up next if they weren't disciplined?

"We'll deal with them fairly," was all she could say. "But right now I would be more concerned with yourself as well as the life growing inside you."

Kessler shook her head when Audrey said she didn't have to do all this.

"I insist, and it will be my pleasure to help you," she said. She then smiled at Audrey. "I rather miss my days as a Healer." That and it would be a nice distraction while she and others awaited to see who the new Director would be.

Whitney raised an eyebrow when Audrey said she had a shop to run.

"About that," she said. "While I think you'll be fine for the first several months, afterward I strongly suggest you find someone to temporarily run the shop. You'll need as much rest as possible for the sake of you both." She looked down at Audrey's stomach, and then back at her. "As for your appointment, I would like you to meet me at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday next. Will that be fine?"

AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY

[AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY]

Audrey sighed to herself. She hated coming here. But given her age it was for the best. At least for the baby. She couldn’t argue that. She would just have to make arrangements. She really needed to get people hired. She also really need to get to her store in order to do that. She would have to figure it now. This was so much to handle. She took a deep breath.

“I’ll be here next Thursday,” said Audrey hurriedly. She had lots of work and not enough time of day. Of course, she knew her limit. She wouldn’t put her baby at risk. She just had to find workers. You can’t run a shop by yourself, you know. She couldn’t really think. She just knew she had to get to the shop. She couldn’t think here. The smell of cleaner was nauseating.

“I need to get going. I’ll see you next week. I know the drill,” said Audrey. She quickly left the room. Not waiting for answer. First off, she needed to get away from here to think. Secondly, she needed to make money. This was too much to take in here. She didn’t waste any time escaping. She took a deep breath of fresh air.

[Deleted]

(Will close it then)

Whitney raised an eyebrow as how quickly Audrey chose to leave. Perhaps the news was more than a "bit too much" for her. But she could also understand the woman needing some time alone.

"Until Thursday then," she said before turning to talk off and deal with the staff.

(End)

AUDREY MARGARET WEASLEY