February 15 - Barty Crouch Jr. | @into-the-jeggyverse | wc: 1,096
Final Part of Healer Apprentice James
Part 1 | Part 2
James knows that they’re getting weird looks. People understand Sirius being here, he’s Regulus’ brother after all and their relationship has been greatly improving since they both agreed to come stay with James instead of their parents. However, James and Regulus are much more under wraps, so there’s many looks being sent their way -- understandably, the ‘Golden Boy’ of Gryffindor wearing a Slytherin tie and standing on the Slytherin side of the bleachers right next to Sirius, Pandora, Marlene, and Evan cheering on their friends and partners.
It’s also how James is one of the first people to make it down to the field the second that Regulus goes down, their friends right after them. It’s how James is the first person not on a broom to make it to his fallen body, especially since Poppy is still up in the infirmary.
Barty, who touched down next to Regulus just moments before James got to him, pushes their captain away and puts up a fight against him -- he’s understandably, trying to get James away from his seeker, but neither Barty nor James care. The others take to making a space around them to get the rest of the teams and anyone else that may have rushed forward away.
James just focuses on keeping him stable, on checking over him, making sure his pulse is still there and his breathing is even before starting on the more in depth searches, pulling out their wand and doing scanning spells. They barely register when McGonagall and Slughorn get to them and are let in by their friends.
McGonagall hunches down on the ground next to the two, putting her hand on James’ shoulder, “Talk to me, what’s going on with him.”
James mindlessly prattles off what they’ve discovered so far to her, doing another spell to keep him stable in case Regulus’ body decides to give out. They barely register the terms falling from their lips, but they know that the woman is keeping up with it -- you can’t be married to the very person that taught James all of these terms for so long and not know how to keep up with it.
McGonagall nods, “Alright, you, Mister Crouch, and Mister Black take him up to the medical wing. Your friends can go with you, I’ll deal with everything here. You’re dismissed, James.” James nods, thanks the woman, and calls for Barty and Sirius. The two come rushing over and help James pick their boyfriend up. The three of them make their way to the infirmary, Dorcas, Pandora, and Evan making a blockade around the three. James hands Regulus off to Barty while they go to prep a bed and Sirius goes to grab Poppy -- this looks like more than James is going to be able to do, let alone by themself.
The woman comes rushing in, telling everyone but James to leave and give them space. Reluctantly, the group does so -- James thinks they hear something about Sirius going to get Remus and be back -- while the healer and her apprentice get to work on doing what they can to help Regulus.
“It’s a good thing you’re a fan of quidditch.” Poppy says once they’re sure that Regulus is stable. James sits on the bed next to his head, watching his face, “I don’t tend to like those games and having you down there to jump in and do what you did today will be a great help and worry off my back.” She laughs gently, her crow’s feet wrinkling at the motion, “Perhaps I should take on apprentices more often.”
James smiles at her, the dread they had been feeling slowly ebbing from their chest now that they’re sure he’s stable and they know what they can do to check on him at any point, “I’m sure it would be nice.”
Poppy stands up and puts a hand on their shoulder like she tends to do, “He’ll be okay. Have faith in your capabilities.” And with that, she walks out of the area, going to do something else. Their friends fill into the small area soon after that, bombarding James with questions about how Regulus is doing. They reassure the group, saying that he’s stable and going to be asleep for a while but they’re monitoring him. They’re informed that Remus and Pandora -- the most rational of the group currently -- went to go see the aftermath of the attack, because they all know that this wasn’t an accident, but will be back soon.
Sirius is the last person to leave after a while, though he seems about starving, so James tells him to go ahead, perhaps even bring up some food for his friend and brother and reassuring him that they’ll be there when Regulus wakes up, no matter their duties with the other patients in the infirmary. Sirius nods reluctantly, whispering, “I’m glad he has you to take care of him.” And walking away.
Regulus wakes up not long after that, just as James is finishing up with their rounds and has sat back down on the bed, “Sorry, did I wake you?” They reach out to run their hands through his hair, hopefully helping him come back to reality, “How are you feeling?”
“Like shit.” Regulus grumbles quietly, moving to sit up.
James stops him, “I’m sorry, love, but you can’t sit up right now.” They laugh gently at his groan, “I know, I know, but it’s just going to make the injury worse. I can get you another pain draught if you want.” Regulus nods and they stand to grab one that he’s allowed to take right now, handing it off to him. He drinks it gratefully, asking about what happened. James fills him in, running their hands through his hair and along his face.
“Thank you, Jamie.” Regulus hums, his eyes growing lidded again. James smiles at him and is going to tell him to get more rest, but then Sirius is coming in with some food for them, Barty and Evan in tow, and James is moving to help him sit up in a way that isn’t going to disturb his healing and running another screening spell to assure their friends that he’s doing fine.
James, unfortunately has to leave him to sleep in their own dorm, but they promise to him that they’ll check on him bright and early, leaning down to press a kiss to his lips, “I’m glad you’re okay.”
