Florence had been discharged a week later, coming out of the hospital in her favorite shirt and jeans, her torso still heavily wrapped with bandage, and was also wheeled around almost everywhere that day. She did not like the fact that she was unable to do the normal things she used to be able to do by herself, such as go up and down the stairs or get food for herself. Despite this, she has kept herself from outwardly expressing her frustration, per Fred's help, who soothed her by reminding her that the whole ordeal was merely temporary.

Despite being home, she barely talked to Sirius or Sloan, knowing that the two would use every possible interaction to coerce her in to quitting her Auror training. Sirius' outburst her hospital room made his feelings about Florence's profession clear, and right now, she did not want to deal with it at all.

So there she was, that cloudy Thursday afternoon, her wheelchair parked beside one of the couches in the living room, her nose buried in a book Fred had gotten for her from her mother's library, not focused enough on the book that her mind had wandered elsewhere. Getting frustrated with the silence, she closed the book and set it down on her lap.

"What is it?" Fred asked immediately, who had been sitting on the couch across from her. Florence sighed, and rubbed her face with her hand in an exasperated manner, "How long until I get out of this damned chair?"

"A couple more days, I think. Remember Jill said they want to give it time to heal completely."

"I was in that hospital for three weeks plus. I think its done enough healing, thanks."

"I know you're bored--"

"You're damn right I am."

"--but you have to wait a few more days, darling. I promise it won't be long." he said, going over to sit beside her, "Then you can walk to your heart's content."

"I want to go back to work," she sighed, "I want to go back to training. Spar with Hadley. I miss Hadley."

"Julien told me that Hadley had to go back to her family for a bit, just until the month long leave of absence is finished. I'm sure she misses you too." Fred reassured. "Look, maybe we can make her some of your cookies and have Alanna take it to her tomorrow? So that she'll know you're thinking of her."

"I want to see her in training." She said stubbornly.

Fred looked at her sympathetically, "I know you feel useless, but I promise you, you'll be up and running in no time."

"Fine." she sighed once, more, moving to pick up her book, only for the door to swing open.

Remus walked in, a wide smile on his face, with Tonks in tow. The two had appeared to be holding hands, however, they broke apart at the sight of company. "Oh, Fred. Florence. You two are here."

"Yes," Florence said, holding back her laughter, "I hope you don't mind?"

"Oh no, not at all," he said, his cheeks now a light shade of pink, while Tonks tried to tiptoe her way out of the scenario.

"Nice to see you, Tonks." Fred quipped in before she could get far, making her freeze in place, "Likewise, Fred.... Well, er, I'll be going now. I just, uh, wanted to make sure Remus got home safe... uh, not like he's incapable of taking care of himself, it's just.. you know... better safe than sorry."

"Uh huh," Florence and Fred said in unison, making Remus blush even more.

Tonks rushed out the door, while Remus speed-walked his way to his room. Once the two were out of earshot, Fred and Florence looked at each other briefly before laughing, "Wow, was that weird or what?"

"there's definitely something with those two." Florence concluded, "It's nice though. Remus looks happier than he usually is."

"You're right."

"That was a nice surprise. Definitely got rid of my boredom momentarily." Florence mused, "I wonder if Sirius knowns more about them. I mean, he should know, they are good friends."

"Well, you know, you should talk to Sirius, then."

Florence sighed, feeling her mood change, "Fred..."

"You haven't talked to the man since you got out of the hospital. And you two are really close. It doesn't really seem right."

"I know. It feels weird to me too."

"Well then, go talk to him. He's in the drawing room."

"Wait you mean like right now?"

He shrugged, "Yeah. Why not?"

She huffed, realizing he was right. "Fine, wheel me there please."

Florence didn't feel like having these sort of conversations that day, however, she also knew that not being able to talk to Sirius and knowing there was some sort of bad air between the two of them bothered her even more.

Fred knocked on the door for her, opening the doorknob as soon as they heard Sirius' invitation to enter. He was lounging around on one of the love seats, his nose buried in a Hemingway book, his attention parting from it briefly to see who had just entered. Fred left as soon as the pair made eye contact with each other, closing the door behind him as he went.

"I'm not going to apologize for yelling at you the other day," Florence said, wheeling herself closer as Sirius placed a silk ribbon bookmark in between the pages, and setting his reading aside, "I still stand by what I said. You, or Sloan, have no right to dictate my life in any way whatsoever, especially in the things I choose to do with my career."

Sirius had a hard look on his face, his hands folded neatly on his lap, watching as Florence let out a deep sigh.

"However, I will apologize for not taking in to consideration the emotions you were going through that made you react the way you did. Sirius, I understand you just want to keep me safe. I understand that, after seeing the rest of my family die, you feel an even stronger urge to protect me. But I'll be fine. I promise you. I know you're afraid but you just have to trust that I can do this."

"You were stabbed," Sirius said, after a few beats of silence, "You nearly bled to death."

"I know. I was there," Florence said, in attempt to lighten the situation, however the intense look on Sirius' face suggested that it was not helping.

She wheeled herself closer to him, resting a hand on his, "In the hospital you asked me if I was doing this to prove something. I am not. Nor is this some sort of way to avenge my mum and dad. I'm doing this because I want to. Because I feel like it's my calling. Do you understand that?"

"I was afraid it was that," Sirius said softly. "I was afraid that it was that strong and stubborn McKinnon-Price will of yours that's driving you to be an Auror. If it were anything else, I could have talked you out of it. Your heart is set, then."

"It is." She replied. "And I hope you believe me when I say this; you'll never lose me. I promise, Sirius. That would be the last time I'll ever catch myself off guard. I'll be more careful."

He was silent, staring intently at the woman before him, the last living relative of his light and his love. Of his Marlene. He knew in his heart that he would never be able to live with himself if he didn't do everything in his willpower to protect her, but at the same time, he knew it was her life. And he had no say on the matter.

"I'll hold you to that promise, kid." he said, finally, taking her hand in his and clutching it. Florence smiled, leaning in and giving him the biggest and tightest hug she could manage.

"Also," Florence said, pulling away from the hug, "Now that we're on speaking terms again... what's up with Tonks and Remus?"

Sirius gasped, an excited look dawning on his face. He stood up, grabbing the handles of her wheel chair, wheeling her out of the door a little faster than usual. "Come, let's gather everyone. We're getting ice cream. I have much to tell."

                                      ——————

Sloan and Julien came home to a rather unusual sight. The living room had been occupied with more people than they were used to. Empty tubs of what appeared to be a variety of different ice cream flavors were scattered all over the coffee table, surrounded by rather sick looking people.

Remus sat at the dining table, sipping on his tea.

"What happened here?" Julien mused, seeing Alanna looking like a mess, something he never thought he would see. She was leaning back against the sofa, a hand on her belly, "Oh mon dieu, Julien, s'il vous plaît, I need relief."

"We somehow let Sirius convince us that having ice cream for lunch, snacks, and dinner was a good idea." Fred said, his voice a little muffled as he was face down on another sofa, along with George who had only came home to the ice cream for dinner portion, but still had way more ice cream than he should have had.

Sloan sighed, the least amused in the room, "And what did we learn?"

"That it's a bad idea," Florence answered, groaning afterwards, "I think this is worse than being stabbed."

"Oui... I've not been stabbed yet though, but I still agree." said Alanna, who hugged his brother's torso as he neared her, "Help me please."

Sloan looked over to Remus, who inferably, did not participate in their nonsense, "And you did nothing to stop this?"

Remus shrugged, taking another sip from his cup before responding, "Oh believe me I tried. Told them not to buy all that ice cream. But did they listen? No." he shot Sirius a look, "Plus, maybe it would teach someone not to gossip about someone's personal life to the children over ice cream."

"Well what did you prefer, darling? That I told them over tea to be a little bit classier?" Sirius responded sweetly, amid his stomach ache. Remus only grunted.

Sloan sighed, dropping his bag on the floor and heading to the kitchen. "Come, Julien, let's put the kettle on to make some tea because apparently we live with a plethora of children in this house."

Julien did his best to hold back his chuckle, hearing his father grumble in the kitchen, "Children, the lot of you."

"Don't worry," he reassured the rest, "Somewhere deep down in his cold, humorless heart, he finds this funny." He said, before following Sloan to the kitchen.

"So...." Florence said, as soon as the two were out of earshot, "....Remus.....you and Tonks, yes?"

Sirius giggled, while Remus's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red within each passing minute.