A/N-
Today is a day to be thankful, so I decided to post chapter one of my new story. This is Ron centric and there will be some bashing of characters. I have chapter 2 written and ready to post, but I'll wait to post it until next week. Chapter 3 is on its way. This starts in fourth year but there will be mentions to third year. Readers who are waiting for the newest chapter of The Twins and The Pureblood Curse, it is in progress. Little bit of writers block though, sadly. If you are new to my stories, feel free to check out my Twins series about Fred and Weasley that starts with their first year. Not my best work and I might end up rewriting it. Book 2 is better. Also, I write for Young Justice and Justice League. I'm currently rewriting my previous series for that. I'm also working on a new Harry Potter series (shhhhhhhh let it happen lol). I'll probably post that soon. Now, forward with the story!
I don't own Harry Potter, or else Drarry and Dron would be canon.
The group was bigger this year, Ron noted. He was seated between a newcomer Ravenclaw and Jason, an older Hufflepuff. Everyone sat in a circle, though it was wider by about six people this year. Ron, himself, had been coming since last year. He was in fourth year now. He hadn't been able to convince his mom that he didn't need to go anymore. This was an embarrassing place to be. Ron tried to keep the scowl off his face as he stared at the Welcome banner that declared this to be Group Therapy. Group therapy. He was only here for a few weeks last year and it had been off and on because he was in the Hospital Wing. Since he wasn't here often, he didn't speak to the group. No one in the group knew why he was here, though he knew why most of them were here.
Jason was pulled from an abusive home two years ago, and he had to stay in the group for another two years. He had some lingering anger issues, apparently, but Ron has never seen him act out.
Heather, a Ravenclaw, had been here for a year because of clinical depression. She'd tried to commit suicide but failed. It was here or St Mungo's.
Jessie was another Hufflepuff. She was here for anorexia.
Kevin, a Gryffindor, had a stutter and anxiety.
Two more, Frank and Greg, were here for PTSD from a mugging that left them with extreme anxiety. Frank was a Hufflepuff and Greg was Ravenclaw.
Ron didn't know why the six new people were here. He did recognize a few, however. Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott from Slytherin were two surprises. Neville was here, and he kept shooting Ron confused glances that Ron ignored. The other three were a Ravenclaw, a Hufflepuff, and a seventh year Gryffindor that Ron didn't know. Talking died down as the teacher cleared his throat. Raven Blood didn't teach any subjects but he did help Madame Pomfrey. He was on his way to being a healer and was set to start working as both therapist and healer in a month.
"Welcome back, returning students, and welcome, new ones. I am Raven Blood. I'd rather you call me Raven, but you may call me whatever makes you feel comfortable." Raven said, a smile on his face. "Since we have quite a few new students here, why don't we start with a nice ice breaker. Just say your name, why you're here, and what's your favorite subject in school. Do you want to start, Kevin? Then Blaise will continue the cycle."
"I'm K-kevin, I have an-anxiety, and I-I like ch-charms." Kevin stammered out, his face red with embarrassment. Raven gave him a smile, then nodded at Blaise to speak.
"I'm Blaise, I was abused, and I like Potions." Blaise said, scowl on his face.
"I'm Theo, bipolar disorder, and potions." Theodore said, shortly.
"I'm Frank. I have PTSD and anxiety and I like Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"I'm Greg, I have PTSD and anxiety as well . I like History of Magic."
"Hecate, depression, and Potions."
"Jessie, anorexia, and charms."
"Heather. I have depression and I like Transfiguration."
"I'm Neville and I have anxiety a-and I was abused. I like Herbology." Ron looked at Neville in surprise. He knew Neville's grandmother was a bitch, but abused?
"Jeff, depression, and I like Astronomy."
"I'm Faith, my mom and baby brother were killed and I like Defence." Ron sighed, realizing that it was his turn.
"I'm Ron and I like Defence." He said stubbornly. Raven raised an eyebrow at him. Ron scowled back. Raven just sighed and nodded at Jason, who was looking at Ron with a sad look. Jason and Ron had become friends since Ron first came, but not even Jason knew why he was here.
"I'm Jason, I was abused, and I like Divination."
"Thank you everyone." Raven said, smiling. "Now, most of the time we go around and speak about anything big that happened lately or anything else you want to talk about. Sometimes we do exercises. Why don't we just talk today? Does anybody want to go first?"
"Can I?" Jessie asked. Raven nodded. She stood, brushing her long blond hair over her shoulder. "This past summer, my dad started a thing where if i eat a certain amount a day, the next day we go do something that I want. Some days were harder than most, but I ended up gaining some weight by the end of the summer."
"That's great, Jessie." Raven said, smiling widely. Jessie grinned and sat down as everyone politely clapped.
"Um, sir, can I speak?" Neville asked. Raven approved and Neville stood on shaky legs. "So, this summer Professor McGonagall came to check up on me because some of my friends expressed some concerns about my living conditions. When she arrived, my uncle, um, he was punishing me for not getting good grades. The Professor took me away after that."
"Would you be okay talking about what he was doing?" Raven asked, voice soft.
"He-he was holding me by the ankle out the window a couple stories up." Neville said. "He's done it before, but I've never been hurt! It wasn't like he would drop me."
"Do you understand why it was wrong for him to do that, Neville?" Raven asked. Neville nodded.
"Because I could have gotten hurt?" Neville said. Raven nodded. Neville sat down and everyone clapped.
"Would anyone else like to talk?" Raven asked. He looked around before settling his eyes on Ron, who was still looking at Neville. He had been with Hermione to talk with McGonagall, but he'd never think that Neville had been abused. "How about you, Ron?"
Ron just raised a defiant eyebrow at the therapist. Raven looked at him sadly before addressing the group.
"We'll ended it here tonight, as it is the first Saturday back. The next meeting is Wednesday at 7 in the evening. See you all next time." Raven said, dismissing the group. Ron picked up his bag and began following Jason out. "Ron, please stay behind."
Ron groaned, dropping his bag on a chair and sitting in the one next to it. He watched everyone leave, knowing Jason will wait for him. Raven walked over and pulled a chair in front of Ron to sit across from him.
"How was your summer, Ron?" Raven asked. Ron crossed his arms over his chest.
"Annoying." Ron said. Raven's look prodded Ron to elaborate. "Mum was overprotective and wouldn't leave me alone all summer. Hermione and Harry would've noticed if not for the World Cup."
"It's reasonable that she would fuss, Ron." Raven said. "You were in the Hospital Wing a lot last year."
"No more than any of my brothers, aside from Percy." Ron grumbled.
"None of them had a disorder like yours." Raven pointed out. Ron just glared past Raven's shoulder. "Fine, you can go. I will talk to you on Wednesday if you don't speak."
"Whatever." Ron said, grabbing his bag and hurrying out the door.
Jason was there, as usual, waiting for Ron. The two walked together down the tower.
"Do you want to go to the Great Hall?" Jason asked. Ron's stomach revolted at the thought, but he nodded, knowing if he didn't Jason would be suspicious. "Alright."
"How was your summer?" Ron asked, remembering that Jason got a new family this year.
"Better." Jason shrugged. "They were nice but irritatingly so."
"Well, we're here now." Ron said. Away from his parents' watchful eyes.
"Yeah." Jason said. They stopped at the doors. "See you later."
"Bye." Ron returned, walking toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione and Harry were already there, talking happily. As he sat down next to Harry, the two looked up.
"Where'd you go?" Hermione asked. "You've been gone for a while."
"Detention with Filch." Ron leid easily, looking at the food on the table. Neville's head jerked at the lie, eyes wide as if he never thought Ron would lie about something like going to group therapy.
"Ron." Hermione said, voice scolding.
"I tripped and my ink went everywhere, not my fault he's such an ass." Ron shrugged, piling food on his plate. He began eating like he hadn't for weeks and she looked away in disgust. Neville's curious gaze never left him.
Later that night found Ron in the bathroom, his hunched form over a toilet. A silent charm and notice-me-not charm were cast around him in the case of one of his dorm mates waking up. He rested his sweaty forehead against the porcelain, breathing heavily. Tears betrayed his eyes, but he closed them harshly. He needed this.