There is a reason for all secrets [Jackie]

[Horace Slughorn]

I knew that the only sure way of getting treated without Anya knowing about it was to ensure I only went to St. Mungo's on her day off. Thankfully Anya was at home with Matthew and assumed I was at work. If truth be told I could have had a Healer sent out to the Ministry to see me there but it seemed like a lot of hassle. I couldn't be sure Jackie wouldn't have been the one sent out. Then how could I explain my back. I walked into the muggle entrance in plain clothes - dark jeans and a black shirt. I smiled at an old woman who was sitting nursing her arm. She gave me an encouraging smile and I couldn't help but think that she surely must know why I was here. How silly of me.

Walking through a long corridor to the back of the ground floor I could see the waiting room where my kind were waiting to be treated. Thankfully the waiting room was relatively empty this afternoon with little going on. Apart from a young witch and an old wizard sitting opposite, I was confident I could quickly slip in without notice. I found the help desk, with a rather plump witch sitting on a swivel chair behind an extremely white desk. "Horace Slughorn, I made an appointment for one-thirty?", I asked the witch and I seen her pudgy face turn into a smile. "Oh Mr Slughorn! I thought that was you", she said waving a rather bloated hand as if to shake off her suspicions. She looked down her parchment in front of her and continues, voice very high pitched.

"Yes, yes! I see you here - my, I'm sure Mrs Slughorn could fix you up - what is it you made the appointment for again?", she asked. In my innocence I made the wrong assumption that I could enter St. Mungo's without everyone knowing who I was. Anya. I made a face which suggested I wasn't entirely comfortable disclosing the reason for my appointment. The witch behind the desk looked eager...I couldn't be sure she wasn't going to mention to her boss I was here...her boss...my wife. "Erm...having bad headaches recently and just want to see if a Healer can see me about it...I'll take a seat".

Quickly I darted for the nearest available chair, I was feeling rather uneasy and nervous as Healer after Healer walked past - all smiled and nodded. One was sure to mention something to Anya when she returned. I hoped not. I also had an uneasy feeling the witch behind the desk had said something about Healer Lupin seeing to me - but I could have been wrong. That made me feel more nervous, I could feel my brow sweating. I can't see Jackie, she'll no doubt wonder why Anya hadn't treated me at home....

My back twinged and I winched a little. The pain was getting worse and soon I wouldn't be able to hide it from Anya. Being an extremely talented Potion Master I had tried various lotions and potions...but nothing. Even spells didn't work. I knew I needed to seek medical help...in a magical way. Looking across the waiting room I could see the old wizard staring at me above his paper. I gave a weak smile and folded my arms. It was only obvious I was uncomfortable in my own skin. The man continued to stare - thinking perhaps I was going to scream at any minute. The pain continued to throb and stab my back. To the corner of my eye I seen a figure approaching, I didn't dare turn around for fear of what Healer I would be seen by.

[Jackie Lupin]

Jackie had already had a long day and it was hardly past noon. She knew hospitals usually had their usual hustle and bustle but today, for whatever reason, she was lined up with appointment after appointment, leaving little time for a break. She checked and double checked her list of patients for the day and made sure to schedule in a lunch for herself around 1, giving her time to eat before Horace Slughorn came in for his visit.

Yes, Horace. The irony was not lost to her either. His wife was the chief of the hospital staff for merlin's sake so the thought of him not going to her to seek medical treatment made her ponder what it was that was so important that he requested her for his appointment. She stews it over all through lunch, munching lightly on her sandwich and sipping at her water bottle, examining the appointment sheet in front of her.

He didn't even list a reason for his check up or whatever this was supposed to be. In fact, the further Jackie read up on Mr. Slughorn, the more she realized he'd been very limited to what he mentioned to the secretary when he called in. She didn't want to read too far into it, though. He could have just been stopping in to say hello. After all, she hadn't seen him since her student days and that was years ago. She doubted it, though. Something about his lack of responses regarding his reason for an appointment left her suspicious. As her lunch neared its end, Jackie safely tucked her list of appointments back under her clipboard; something she'd come to take great pride and possession of.

A hand wash later, Jackie tucks in her chair, moving back into the lobby of the hospital where the waiting room was, yet again, packed with patients. After lunch was their busiest time of day so she merely braced herself for the last long stretch of her work day. Brown hair swishing in its pony tail behind her, Jackie hums with each step, finally clearing her throat to the room at large and smiling wide. "Mr. Slughorn? If you're ready, so am I!" Waving him over, Jackie walks him back to another spare room, offering him a seat up on the table in the center of the room. Jackie cocks a hip, her smile widening. It was so good to see her former professor again.

"Well I must say this is a pleasant but unusual visit. I could have sworn you'd be attending your medical needs with your wife today but she's not working. Nevertheless, I am at your service so what brings you in today, Sir?"

[Horace Slughorn]

I looked over as Jackie could be seen, bouncing over looking very pleasant and pleased - although I could tell behind those eyes lay suspicion. I said nothing as I followed her to a room and took the seat she offered. It was strange - not so long ago I had been Jackie's teacher. How strange this must feel for her as well. Taking my seat I cleared my throat as she spoke and at the mention of Anya I could feel the sweat forming again. I made a quick glance around and knew that no one could hear the conversation which was about to take place - Healers had to be confidential, didn't they?.

I folded one leg over the other and folded my arms. I began speaking, but it was clear that I was finding it difficult to form words. "It's nice to see you Jackie..well..erm..." I trailed off trying to find the best possible way to explain why I hadn't been cared for by Anya. "You see I have a problem that I require help with...and I would greatly appreciate it if Anya...well...didn't find out..." I realized how I was beginning to sound and quickly decided to explain. "I have a lot of bruising on my back...it looks pretty bad and I've tried every potion and charm under the sun but it keeps getting worse. Hit on the back with a few spells which I cannot name..." There was only so much he would be allowed to say, as it was part of his work. Not that it should have been.

"I was on a business trip...and let's just say something of a fight happened. I ended up pretty badly bruised and I need you help to figure out with the bruising and pain are getting worse..." I made sure to be straight to the point. I knew Jackie would need to no more but I would have to be careful in my answers.

I also made a mental note to remind Jackie about not letting Anya know I was hear. I only hoped the witch at the desk would also be as discreet. I hated keeping things from my wife but she would only question me on it and I know I would eventually break down and tell her. The only joy I took was knowing the wizards who attacked me where in far worse conditions, I made sure of that. My latest owl told me that they were still banged up in hospital and had to endure ongoing treatment by Healers at Central Memorial Hospital, in New York. That will teach them.

[Jackie Lupin]

Working with people for the past several years, Jackie was fairly decent at reading into people's moods and emotions. She even possessed mind reading abilities but she let them go most days in favor of people's personal boundaries and mere respect for others. As she aged, the better grasp she had on those powers and therefore she rarely used them anymore. In any case, Jackie easily detected the discomfort radiating from Horace. Just from the way he was sitting looked like he was trying to cover something up and she was certain that whatever he was about to say wasn't going to be good.

She listens attentively to his brief explanation for the back pains and bruises but the story left a lot of questions left to be uncovered if she had any hopes of healing him. She makes a vague noise as he carries on, deciding to write down everything the best she can while he talks to help with her curing process later.

"How bad, on a scale of 1 to 10 would you say these back pains are, Sir?" " The bruises alone wouldn't be enough to cause such pain the way he was describing it. From what she could conclude thus far, it sounded like whatever spells they used did some internal damage as well. Worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, Jackie moves over to the man, tilting her head to get a better look at him. "The thing is, Mr. Slughorn, I can't make any valid conclusions yet until I see the bruises myself and also know which spells it was that you were hit with. Without that bit of information, we could be in a bit of a predicament here." "

Saying that, she moves to the sink on the other side of the room, abandoning her clipboard for a pair of medical gloves. Truth be told, it may be odd to see her former professor shirtless but this was her job now and she was more concerned with his injury rather than what his body looked like! Turning back around, gloves now in place, she arches an inquisitive brow at him, waiting for him to hurry along.

[Horace Slughorn]

I nodded as Jackie spoke and only confirmed what I thought - she had to know more. I sighed and did feel slightly more at ease than I had done. She didn't mention anything about not telling Anya, and that kept lurking in the back of my mind. I was sure though that Jackie wouldn't do anything of the sort. "10..." I replied quickly in response to her question. There was no point in telling lies. If truth be told I had a very high pain threshold anyway, so on another scale the pain was far worse but I managed it well. I narrowed my eyes when I realized that Jackie needed to see the bruises which would require me to take my shirt off.

Well this is a little embarassing..., I thought as I popped down from the table and looked a little sheepish. I was Jackie's teacher at one point and this didn't feel right. Thankfully I always made sure I was fit and healthy, only Anya knew I had worked out during my time off and managed to build my muscle - showing a nice six pack under the shirt. Anya had been the only one to see this and although I wasn't the most ugly person in the world, I was still very self conscious in front of a former student.

However, I knew I wouldn't get anywhere without the shirt off. I began unbuttoning my black shirt and slid it off, putting it on the table. I still hadn't turned to show my back which I also knew I was going to have to do. I shivered slightly at the temperature in the room. Cold. "I warn you now, it doesn't look nice..." I trailed off and turned around, closing my eyes hoping not to get a reaction. My back did not match the rest of my body at all.

Up and down my smooth back where huge angry patches of black and blue where the spells had hit and the veins where black and very prominent. I could feel the pain strengthen as I stood, aware that what Jackie was about to see wasn't normal. I looked as though I had been beaten up in the back by a group of the strongest men on the planet. It was a wonder my spin hadn't snapped as the spells fired left, right and center at me from all angles. "They tried to use Confringo on me - there was about five of them firing at once..." I trailed off at the memory of it. I had been scared, but I wasn't beaten.

All five of my attackers ended up with broken legs, chest and arms in my attempt to defend myself. They all currently where unable to move and one lost an ear as I tried to sever his hand. The attack had been brutal and carried a lot more than just a simple attack. It had been planned, by whom I was yet to investigate.

[Jackie Lupin]

Hospital confidentiality between the staff and their patients was a big thing here at St. Mungo's. Jackie knew going into this job that she would have to keep a firm line before professionalism and being a friend to many of the visitors that she knew. The problem was that Horace wasn't just any patient; he was her former professor's, current mentor's and boss' husband. It worried her beyond belief that the man hadn't confided in his wife yet about the injuries; she could only assume as much since he was here with her and not at home showing Mrs. Slughorn himself.

Letting out a deep breath, Jackie watches with sympathetic eyes as Horace slides off table and kindly lowers his head while he undresses just to make things less awkward for him. She peers up moments later, pursing her lips at his warning. Obviously it was bad if he was being so secretive about the whole ordeal. That, and the fact that this was a sure '10' on the pain scale had red flags going up everywhere in her head. What on earth happened to him?

Horace turns around and instantly, Jackie has to bite her tongue from making any startled noises. Mediwitch or not, she was never good with grotesque images or blood or something that looked vile. Honestly though, this looked horrid. There were black veins apparent just from the way he was hunched over and every inch of his back was covered in dark bruises. Her nose wrinkled with distaste and a brief state of panic before she reminded herself that she was the professional here and that worrying her patient wouldn't do any good at all.

The Confringo spell... and five of them shooting it off at once? The brunette 'tsks' under her breath, hesitantly wavering a hand over his back to feel for any rough spots or swelling. She's gentle, moving her hand slow and with care so as to not startle her former professor but she makes a mental note to write down everything she sees and feels once she's done looking him over. "You can put your shirt back on now, Mr. Slughorn," she tells him, removing the gloves and discarding them in the nearest waste basket before hurriedly moving over to her chair and writing down a few notes to herself.

"I'm going to be blunt with you, Sir. It doesn't look good, as I'm sure you can tell and I'm afraid if we don't treat it soon, it can get worse. I think our best option here would be to run some tests on your back and see if the spell work did any sort of inner damage to your organs before we even worry about the bruising. " Swiveling back in her chair to look at him, she fixes him with a firm look that only a woman truly had the power to do. "In the meantime I'm going to prescribe an ointment to relieve any initial irritation until we get to the bottom of this. I strongly suggest bed rest and little exertion. You're going to work yourself into a bad state if you push yourself."

Underneath her firm tone lay worry. Skin disfigurement and injury was something quite common. However, Jackie knew, just from the short examination that this wasn't any common case. "Everything else okay, though? Eating habits? Sleep patterns? The more specific we make this, the better I can narrow down the problem. "

[Horace Slughorn]

I winched as Jackie's hand ran over my back - it hurt. The pain never seemed to let up, it was only getting worse. As I stood I begin to feel as though I could almost pin point the origin of the pain, but it was too sore to think about fully. Putting my shirt back on, I turned around as Jackie suggested what she thought would be best. Immediately alarm bells begin ringing. There is no way I can take it easy, Anya would suspect something and I have far too much on at work.

"I'm sorry Jackie, but I can't rest at this time. I have too much on at work and if I do Anya will be sure to notice something isn't right...I'm surprised she hasn't already". I finished with the last point but the look Jackie gave me made me feel uneasy. It was the same look Anya gave me when she wanted my full attention. Rather unnerving. I tried to paint some kind of smile on my face. There was no way Jackie would let this go unless I tried to crawl back on the 10 I had given her of my pain indication. "You know sometimes it feels sore but other times it is...manageable..." I trailed off hoping that she would buy what I was selling.

I could feel my back twinge, almost a burning sensation now. As Jackie asked about sleeping patterns I knew then I had to lie. I hadn't got any sleep at all lately as the pain disturbed my sleep and as for eating...not much. "Nothing different there, I seem to be able to sleep and eat fine..." I trailed off too early, I hoped Jackie wouldn't notice. Thankfully, in this light I knew I wouldn't look too tired.

Listening to Jackie made me feel slightly proud. I had taught more students after Jackie but seeing her, her professionalism, how much she had grown put somewhat of a smile on my face. It was always good to see how well students were getting on after school, and Jackie was something of a success.

[Jackie Lupin]

She wasn't stupid. Seven years of great schooling and a keen eye at that, Jackie knew when others were faking her. She gives him a disbelieving look, eyes narrowing now as he re - situates himself. All else aside, at the end of the day, while she loved her job, Lupin was still very much the compassionate girl that she was back in her school days. This wasn't just any other patient, this was her former educator and it pained her to see him have to lie in order to protect himself, especially due to his job title. While Jackie grew to respect the Ministry, there were still some factors she didn't approve of and the Department of Mysteries was one of them.

Even when she was still with Brandon it worried her to know what he was working with because it wasn't like he could just tell her. She could only imagine how Anya felt watching her husband in the same light. Trying to lighten her tone, Jackie devalues herself for the moment, putting herself back in the at very potions classroom years ago, shooting him a worried look. Professor?" she tries in a soft voice, realizing that being firm wouldn't get through to him. I'm going to be honest with you. You look horrible. I'm almost certain that no matter what you're telling me, you haven't eaten, you haven't slept and the way you keep looking at me only tells me there's a lot more going on then I know about. It is your choice to tell me or not and I respect that but you have a son to think about, Sir, and I'd try getting better if I were you before making things worse than they already are."

That being said, Jackie stands from her stool, ripping a sheet of paper from her clipboard, handing him a prescription for the temporary ointment. She sincerely hoped he'd reconsider his evaluation of himself and of his condition and stop back in soon for testing. That back didn't look healthy in the slightest. Now it was just a matter of whether or not to risk her position and speak with Mrs. Slughorn. She knew it wasn't her right to invade in the couple's marriage but if Anya knew what Jackie had seen today... she'd take care of Horace well and good. Owl in for another appointment if things get worse, please. I'm not asking as your doctor, I'm asking as a concerned friend, okay? Feel better, Mr. Slughorn."

[Horace Slughorn]

I knew as soon as those eyes narrowed again that Jackie was going to try and persuade me to take her advice. The girl had clearly come along way and I was proud of that. I knew deep down I should follow what she said but at what cost? Worrying Anya? Having to tell her what happened? Being pulled up at the Ministry? The case falling through? There was so much at stake for the stupid attack. Years of work and research had done into the case, which would be made useless should I need to divulge the secret information surrounding it.

When Jackie began speaking my heart sank. Professor. It had been a while since I had heard that. People around still viewed myself and Anya as Professors - must have just stuck from the years of teaching. I looked at Jackie now not as a Healer, but through the eyes of a teacher and I could tell the girl was worried for me. Mentioning Matthew made my heart sink even lower and guilt overwhelmed me. I had taken the new job for safety and it hadn't delivered to my expectations. That much was certain.

"Thank you Jackie, and I know..." I didn't answer any of her statements around eating and sleeping, although the look I gave her now would assure her that she had been right. I took the prescription in hand and looked. The ointment was complex, magical and I could tell it had a main ingredient of wormwood. It must have been strong. "I don't think I will have a chance to come back out for an appointment..." I said, making an excuse to not return for tests. I could see how the ointment worked - if not I could always seek the some help at work. There was no way I would be returning. Evidence of tests would certainly radar onto Anya's view and then I would have nothing short of torture to endure.

I jumped off the bed and have Jackie a weak smile. My back burned as if in protest at my leaving but there was I knew now things were beginning to get too risky. "Thank you again Jackie, I can see that hard work in Potions has paid off - very proud to see you here and you are a real friend". I gave Jackie one last smile and headed for the door and along the corridor. This isn't going to end well, I have a bad feeling....