Anything you recognise is not mine – no money being made from it etc……..All OC's are just my friends playing in the HP universe……….
Therapy – an introduction.
The boy tossed and turned, barely audible sounds leaving him as he clearly continued yet another nightmare. She sat, as always, trying to soothe him, shushing in his ear, her hand running smooth circles across his back. It had been nearly 30 minutes already, he should be breaking through this now, she had thought to her self as she noticed him begin to calm somewhat. His breathing slowed, his coiled body straightened then curled into the foetal position and as she stoked his head, pulling the covers back up she heard him sigh slightly. Whispering "sweet dreams now" in his ear and kissing the side of his face she left the room, pausing on instinct to look back at the young dark haired boy, Petunia made a decision, enough is enough I must do something.
After dropping both boys at school the following morning instead of her usual coffee with some of the other mothers she cried off, "Urgent chores to run catch you next week". She had already made a few discreet enquiries, thanks to a neighbour and headed in the direction she had been advised of. On arrival she parked and nervously made her way to the waiting room, wondering more now if she should have gone elsewhere. A young pretty smiling face greeted her almost making her regret her decision, she smiled back, gave her name and took the seat and coffee offered. About 10 minutes later she was taken to a comfortable room, politely offered a seat, which she took and advised that it would be just a minute. With a false bravado she sat on the settee, marvelling at its ability to wrap around you and slowly she calmed. This was what she had to do – the right thing and finally, maybe she could make things right.
As he came into the room she unconsciously held her breath, he shook her hand, told her to relax and she instantly felt clearer, calmer. He seemed a nice man; he was greying and appeared to be in his mid to late 40's. He had kind and warm eyes, a pale blue not unlike Paul Newman, he could do with a bit of meat on him she observed as he sat in the chair opposite and blushed at the thoughts she was having. Unable to help herself she stared slightly at the man, he was nice looking and carried himself well. He seemed like a newsreader – compassionate. Suddenly sensing that the clock was ticking she sat up slightly, looking to him and he nodded, still smiling. She had already checked that the conversation would be totally confidential and that she would have a 'doctor/patient' privilege. This was reiterated to her now and she was encouraged to start at the beginning, so she did.
With a stuttering start she truly did go back to the start, her childhood; Petunia had grown up with loving parents and a younger sister that she adored. Knowing through her research and thanks to a friendly neighbour that she could trust this man, everything did come out. Lily had been everything that Petunia wasn't, beautiful, smart and adored by anyone who met her. Petunia whilst not the complete opposite, just felt that way with a sister like Lily who really was special. She admitted that there were times she was jealous, but also that on the whole she really did love her sister deeply. It was only after her own disastrous relationship, meeting a man that she thought she loved and marrying him that things changed. Lily had hated the man that she planned to marry, telling 'Tunie' that he was mean, rude and only wanted her to be a slave. She wouldn't be allowed an opinion and her friends would leave her. Still she hadn't listened and whilst they were at odds with this, the 'war' had started. Lily's world was in turmoil, an evil man was trying to take over, not unlike what Petunia had learnt in school about WW2.
The man listened intently, knowing full well prior to the meeting who this woman was and making a promise that he would help without prejudice and keep the sessions secure – no matter what. Before either of them had realised how long she had been talking, her and Lily were almost totally estranged, their mother had died, Petunia still slightly bitter that Lily and her world hadn't been able to save her from the Cancer. Their father had left the country, claiming to be unable to cope with the loss of his love and the way his daughters were with each other. Without any other family to support them the girls got worse, Petunia's new husband Vernon easily manipulated things encouraging the split and before long hatred with one another was the only feelings either girl had for her sibling.
Sheepishly Petunia looked up; she had never admitted any of this to anyone, even herself. The guilt she felt about allowing others to get in the way, the reality that Lily's friends had tried to get the girls together – her husband contacting 'Tunie' when their child had been born the time that they had almost been able to make amends. Unfortunately Vernon came home early from work and the present she had bought and wrapped gave the game away. She never got to see her sister or brother-in-law to congratulate them and within 18 months they were dead and her nephew was homed with her. Vernon who hated the 'magic' he didn't have as well as anything that was different warned her. "The child is nothing. It's a freak and we will treat it like one." Her nephew had been put in a cupboard under the stairs and at first she had sneaked cuddles, fed him extra food and 'mothered' him. She wasn't good at being stealth like and within 3 weeks she had been caught out, punished and warned. Once Vernon warned you – well, that was it. The poor child had constantly wanted and never received.
Petunia had been talking for nearly 3 hours when the tears started to slow, the guilt that she had harboured for so long was finally starting to seep through and as much as she welcomed it, feeling it would help her heal and change it was guilt and it hurt. Especially when you know how in the wrong you really were. She spoke quietly, trying to explain further how easy it was for Vernon to twist and turn her beliefs. She admitted that her parents were 'squibs' and that she had also been born with the knowledge and ability but no power. Lily, obviously, hadn't and had gone on to be an extremely intelligent witch. The very slight jealously that Petunia had growing up, Vernon had tuned into and without knowing her true magical family history, been able to develop. Petunia had been scared when her son was born, the truth would out. Thankfully for her, Vernon had never believed that 'his boy' would be anything but normal. "If only he knew the possibilty…." Petunia had added with a small smile.
The conversation moved on, sandwiches were eaten, more tea and coffee supplied. The real reason she had seeked out the help, the boys. Her nephew had grown up being hated, barely fed, dressed in hand-me-down clothes that were always way to big for him, living in a cupboard, treated as a slave – cooking, cleaning and gardening, beaten on continuously, mentally, verbally and physically. Her face was bright red, the embarrassment clearly evident. Her concern now was how the boy was coping with the change in the family circumstances. With her husband passed, due in parts, his obesity, laziness and a violent outburst on the young boy everything had changed. Her own son wasn't coping, not with her new rules, less food and definitely not being allowed to beat on his cousin. He had his problems at school - he was a bully like his father and she didn't want that to continue. Her nephew mean while was feeling guilt for a death that wasn't his fault, wouldn't speak, barely ate, continuously tried to 'do his chores' and more often than not she would find him having severe nightmares in the cot under the stairs despite him being moved to a bedroom upstairs.
She was worried for them both, hence the visit. She knew she could do with some help as well and would continue her sessions, but could this nice, kind, warm man help 'my boys??' He had slowly nodded, "You have come for help and I will help you, all of you. I will want to see the boys alone once a week and together once a week. You should continue to come along as well. Hopefully soon we can have a family session with you all – that's what I will aim towards as I think it will be good for you all." She had nodded, pleased with his positivity. "Please do not hate me, I know what I have done, the way I….my behaviour, well, I never really…." "I know you are telling me the truth as you can not lie in this room. I can understand and I believe that you want to rectify this. I will help you, all three of you. Now let's see how soon we can start with the boys."
Petunia had left after booking further appointments; both boys would be seen individually on Saturday morning. As soon as she had left her therapist, he had put a wooden stick to his head, pulled out a silvery white strand and placed it in an unbreakable bottle. Opening his 'muggle' safe he placed the bottle gently in the rack with some others, putting the notebook on top of another pile and shut the door. It locked automatically with both 'muggle' and wizarding magic; he put the picture back in front of it and called his receptionist. "I think I will take a long nap today, there's nothing until five is there?" She confirmed this and told him she would wake him ten minutes before his next client. Thanking her as he stepped into the fireplace he turned, locking his door with his wand and called his destination still thinking of the sad, lonely woman that was the current guardian of 'The Boy Who Lived'.