MAGICAL MALADIES AND MISERIES
DISCLAIMER
The following story has been approved for all audiences by the fan fiction association of the Internet. It is based on the Wizarding universe created by J.K. Rowling, with a background of the idea proposed by Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story. Any similarities to characters, plots and/or reference from the latter's book are purely coincidental as I have only ever seen the movie. Being aware of his recent passing I hope I can dedicate this to the people whose lives he touched.
This story is entirely a work of fiction and contains a lot of psychological puns and events. My views are not reflected here and most importantly no offence is meant to anybody suffering from whatever issues you may stumble upon.
Finally, the psychological material listed here is not entirely based on fact. Anybody willing to trick their therapist based on my analysis and interpretations do so at their own risk!
Chapter 1
A fun filled summer
She sat there on the bed staring longingly into the mirror before her. The eyes looking back were unlike the usual ones that fell upon her. They were much more appealing to look at for their lack of contempt. They wavered, carrying only sympathy. Fear dwelled on the face looking back, donning the mask of horror and dejection. Yet, even this disguise could not hide the grotesque maim that lay beneath. Her breathing intensified and her heart throbbed as she absorbed it all, every beat of it vibrating throughout her body. Melancholic chills rushed down her spine. Tears swelled up inside those sorrowful hazel eyes looking back, blurring her vision fleetingly, in a feeble attempt to protect her from the ghastly reflection studying her.
Unable to stare at the dreadfulness for much longer, she cupped her hands and covered her face. Her palms pressed onto the oddly coloured blisters speckled across her cheeks. She shivered consumed by both fear and rage. Her muffled screams filled the room. She removed her hands, pummelling them into the bed several times. The reflection shot back a menacing look. She grabbed the pillow on her bed and flung it at the mirror, hoping to chase the creature away. It remained. Enraged, she turned sharply and wiped clean the nightstand of her bed, immune to the pulsating pain at her elbows.
Bottles scattered about the floor shattering, signifying her life as she knew it, shattered. She grabbed onto her curly auburn air, clutching onto it with all frustration. Their curls refused to fall anywhere near the monstrous thing, even to attempt to shield all eyes from her face. She tugged at it harshly until her hands slipped loose. She pounded the bed several times more. Her tears could no longer hold their positions and began pouring incessantly. She embedded scooped hands onto her face again, sobbing heavily, instinctively palming out her blisters yet again. Her life was shattered. She wished that it would just be over instead of living in this disfigured mask of a once pretty face, a once beautiful pale face, with not even a glimmer of imperfection. She wept a great deal into her hands, aware once more of the dastardly things carved onto her face. She was oblivious to the entry of the nurse, paying no heed of her muttered worries of concern as she cleaned up the mess. Then those revolting words found their way to her, those lies that were insufficient in parting her from her tears, "Don't worry dear, it will be all right."
It will be all right? Those words stung her chest as if pierced with the Nagini's venom. Those words were all lies. They meant NOTHING! They were only used by people to make them feel that they were compassionate to those in turmoil. It could never be all right, none of them knew how each day the poison ran through her blood, refusing to kill her, instead only leaving her in a state of despondency. It will be all right? Those were the words that her mother told her many years ago when she was just a child, when her father disapparated from her home. Those were the words the Ministry said to everyone just a month ago, when they were proven wrong at their conclusion of the return of the Dark Lord. Those were the words that she used on her best friend Cho Chang when her boyfriend Cedric Diggory died. Those were the words Dolores Umbridge said to her when her face erupted with purple blemishes etching into her pale coloured face, forming little foundations of red spots underneath the enormous pimples. Those were the words the Minister said to her when she broke down in tears before him. Those were the words Madame Pomfrey said to her when she first treated her, and the several times after she was unsuccessful in finding a cure. Those were the words all those Healers at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, even dear nurse Dr. Grant, cleaning up the mess, said to her when every bit of their remedies failed over the course of five days.
The only person that she thought was the most honest with her was her mother. Her view on the situation was quite simple: She angrily accused Marietta of once again failing to do the right thing... yet again! "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You were the one who broke the rules and you even refused to tell Umbridge everything, as vile as that woman was!" To add insult to injury, she even acted as though her daughter's issue was not such a traumatic experience. "If you want to go sit in a hospital all day, so be it Marietta. Some of us actually have real problems, like trying to find a job!"
It was two weeks into her summer vacation now, and Marietta had isolated herself to her room, with the hope of avoiding much interaction with her mother, who was very busy and luckily, on the verge of landing a new job. Locked away in her room, she had no interactions with anybody except her beautiful white coloured owl named Fluttery, who brought her perhaps the best news or in some cases the most envious news from her dear friend, Cho Chang. Cho still remained loyal to her, despite everybody she lost for her apparent betrayal. Marietta was grateful for that, though some days she could not bear to even think about Cho. Cho was always perfect. She was the most beautiful girl in the school, she was the most popular and she was of course every boy's dream. Envy usually never emanated, except on the rare occasion, and right now she could not bear to imagine them standing next to each other.
Marietta had gotten used to being in her friend's shadow but it was never an issue with her, she had reaped success as a result of it. She was popular in her own right. She was popularly known as the "red hot" best friend of Cho Chang, a pun based on her impeccable clever and auburn hair. She was considered beautiful. She was popular, while all girls tried to be like Cho, there were some who emulated her by dying their hair red and using spells to make it curly as well. Then she became known to the boys as well, they all loved her and tried immensely to impress her. Popularity had now extenuated however. She sometimes thought she was now notorious instead. She was popular, well known and eyes longed to see her, all for a very different reason. She was known as SNEAK. That was all people called her. Everyone snickered, pointed at her and whispered loud enough for her to hear. Those that were beloved to her looked away with disdain. Usually people at school lent support to those tortured by the Slytherins, but even those people sided with them.
She remembered the night after her face exploded in burns, moments before becoming etched with gross pimples. Not just normal pimples, but large purple coloured pimples that looked like they were on the verge of bursting, but they would not... no, they would just stay there and mark her face disfigured. The Slytherins of the Inquisitional Squad stood in the corner chuckling at her, as if her looks were not punishment enough. While she stayed hidden from Hogwarts for the rest of the school year, the Slytherins had taken a picture, which they hung in the corridors despite Argus Flitch constant efforts at removal. Everyone knew her now. She was certainly notorious.
Five days had now elapsed since she checked herself into the hospital. Her mother refused to bring her. Marietta nearly stubbornly refused to take herself as her mother handed her the gold galleons out of anger and frustration, but she could not live like this so she sucked up her pride. It was difficult getting about the country. She had to keep her face concealed as she could not let the Muggles see, but even if she had not the need to, she would. She would have simply disapparated to the hospital, but she had never been there before.
After turning a couple of heads with her balaclava, Marietta took refuge in an alleyway and decided to conceal her face using the silk Burberry checker scarf she often had draped over her neck. She wrapped it into a shemagh style wrap, knotting it at the back of her head and covering her face from beneath her eyes. With the excess length, she let it fall casually in front of her coat. Finding it much more presentable she set out again. Unfortunately she still turned a few heads, as the usual attire on that particular day saw people dressed suitably for the warm weather with sleeveless tops and short trousers.
Finally she arrived at the hospital and was promised release by the evening. Remedy after remedy failed however. It went into an overnight stay to that of several days. Finally they found the perfect one on the third day to help, but instead it discoloured her entire face matching those of the purple blisters. She had to stay a few more days, for no more tests could be done until that had cured. They recommended then that she stay on the psychiatric ward to pass her time while they conjured up more cures. Due to her occasional breakdowns, her nurse was quick to register her. She was scheduled to start tomorrow. She had not intended to spend her summer like this but there was not much of an option for her. It was needed and she needed to hold on to some hope that she would be fine one day, though deep down she foresaw her predicament as being everlasting. The best Healers, at the greatest hospital in the world had tried and failed to cure her ailments.
Marietta's owl, Fluttery entered into the room dropping a parchment upon her lap. With tears dropping off of her eyes and pimples, Marietta stretched her hand out. The owl took a seat upon her finger. As if consoling her, he pecked at her skin without biting. She smiled finally and using her other hand she wiped her tears.
"Hoot hoot..." the owl went.
"Yes Fluttery, I am all right. I miss you too."
"Hoot,"
Marietta stroked his head and back as Fluttery tilted his body accordingly, "Tomorrow they will move me to the Wards, but I'll be home soon okay? How is mum?"
Fluttery straightened in his stance.
"Still bad huh?" Marietta chuckled.
The nurse appeared at the doorway, having swept and scooped the splinters and broken bottles about the floor, "Miss Edgecombe..."
"Please call me Marietta..."
"Marietta, well... I am just checking. Do you need me to get you anything?"
"No, and I am sorry about the mess..."
"It's no problem, I understand."
"Thanks..."
"Is that your owl?
"Yes,"
"He is beautiful,"
At least one of us is, she thought.
The next morning came. Marietta woke up to see Fluttery perched on her window sill.
"I thought I told you to go home?"
Fluttery arched his head in her direction before scratching his wing with his beak.
"I know you want to stay with me, but you need to take this to Cho for me okay?" Marietta picked up a piece of parchment from in her drawer and signed it. MariE, "Get this to Cho, and if you want you can give her a peck too for me okay?" Marietta stroked Fluttery a few times before placing the parchment in his beak.
"Goodbye, fly safe... watch out for Hippogriffs, and brooms and most importantly, dragons..." Marietta chuckled as she picked up Fluttery and opened the window. Wings outstretched, Fluttery hoisted off of Marietta's palm and flew off into the sky. A sudden feeling of sadness fell over her as she saw him disappear into the sun's rays. She knew however, unlike the others that abandoned her, he would return. Marietta muttered an incantation and all her bags stood up at the door awaiting her. She would get dressed before the nurse came.
"Okay right in here Miss... Marietta."
"Thank you Dr. Grant,"
"I will be here, everyday..."
"... Except Saturdays," Marietta finished with her.
Beaming the nurse finished, "Feel free to call me anytime okay darling?"
"Yes madam, thank you."
The nurse left as Marietta entered through the double steel doors.
Marietta squinted as she stepped inside the ward. It was bright and lambent. White walls refracted beams of florescent lights throughout the premises. She staggered for a moment before proceeding further. The insides were white as first glance, with the only discolorations being the brown doors along the corridor and the blue reception desk just up ahead. There were a couple of Healers sitting with coffee cups in their grasps, while a cleaner sat having breakfast opposite them. They looked over at her, so she hastened, doing her best to not look in their direction. She approached the reception desk where there was a man sitting reading a magazine. Marietta was grateful she wrapped her scarf particularly in the shemagh wrap, for he did look very cute and she didn't have to worry about revealing her desires and imagination of him. He looked up as she stopped by the table.
"Oh, Miss Edgecombe..."
"... Hullo."
"We apologise for the inconvenience but unfortunately we don't have any free rooms available, so you will be sharing a room with someone okay?"
JOY! "Err, okay..."
"Besides, Dr. Grant suggested that we find you a shared room,"
"Oh okay... why?"
"Apparent emotional breakdowns and outbursts," he said as he studied a manila folder on the table.
"Oh... those..." she said, flushing.
The receptionist's smiled carved into his already chiselled face, "Okay so, I will take you to your room, show you around while we go. Also, it is a bit warm in here, you can remove that scarf if you want,"
"I am good actually,"
"Okay, well right this way. I am Tom."
Marietta entered into her room as she thanked Tom for showing her around. She looked about and saw her bags waiting for her on top of the bed across the room. The room was just as white as the outside and most of the other rooms Tom had pointed out to her. At the far end she saw her roommate's bed and cupboard. She was grateful for a tidy roommate. She walked over to her bed and sat down. She exhaled heavily as she threw herself back onto the bed. Marietta was not very happy to be sharing a room. It was already difficult to hide her face in her dormitory back at Hogwarts where she shared with three other girls including Cho, though Cho did in fact see her face often. It would be nice to have someone to talk to though, but she wanted that freedom to stay hidden from the world. Anyway, most of the people on the wards probably had worse and more severe issues than her and probably would not even find it funny given their predicament. She glanced at the clock over the doorway she entered from. It read quarter to eight. Tom told her most of the activities started at nine. Marietta figured she would just stay on the bed for some time.
The door opened with a loud creak stirring Marietta out of her slight slumber. She squinted with the bright glare of the white room. She saw a tall blurry figure standing at the doorway looking at her. The clock overhead showed it was now twenty minutes past eight. The person entered shutting the door behind them.
"Good morning!" came a happy, quirky voice with genuine bonhomie.
Marietta sat up on the bed with her hands blocking some of the glare, noticing a fair, blonde haired girl dressed in black sweat pants and a white salutation top. "Hello,"
"You must be my roommate. I am Katherine! You can call me Kathy! Everyone calls me Kathy!"
Marietta stammered for a bit trying to absorb it all in. "I am Marietta,"
"Oh I like the name Marietta, can I call you Mari? Do your friends call you Mari? I prefer the name Mariette, unless you don't like that. I suppose if you are going to say Mariette you might as well say Marietta, as it is a very beautiful name!"
"Oh... thanks," Marietta said with a raised eyebrow.
"No need to thank me. That's what friends are for! Only I am not a friend as I just met you and as a result I don't know if to call you Mari. I like Mariette, but if you are going to say that you might as well say Marietta!"
"Yes, I am Marietta you can call me anything, nice to meet you Katherine," Marietta stood up and extended her hand.
Katherine took it with delight, shaking her hand briskly, "Is it cold?"
"What?"
"Of course it's cold! You're wearing a scarf, who wears a scarf indoors? I will turn down the air condition. You are familiar with the air condition... it is some work of Muggle magic! Which is silly, I know, because Muggles do not have magic, yet they have these amazing things that keep you cool and you know... Wait where is the wand remote control thingy? I shouldn't be asking myself that because if I knew the answer I would not need to be asking for it... asking you makes no sense because you are new..."
"No! Katherine, I am fine, I just prefer my scarf,"
"You have such beautiful eyes no doubt your face is just as pretty wish I could see!" Katherine squinted and studied Marietta.
"Err..."
"What's the matter? Want me to get you something? I can show you around the room? Yes! I will show you around the room!"
"No, I... everything is fine..."
"It is no problem, if it was I would not have offered,"
"I know..."
"Unless it is a problem and I only offered because it is the expected nice thing to do in which case..."
"Katherine! It's fine... I am all right!" Marietta forced a beam upon her eyes, but her face masked by her veil remained perplexed.
Katherine beamed even brighter and clapped her hands, startling her, "All right Marietta!"
"Yes... So what is it like here? Tom..."
"Oh Tom, he is lovely isn't he? I saw him when I was on my way back from my yoga sessions... Do you like yoga? Do you do yoga? It is really relaxing, and helps take your mind off of your problems," Marietta rolled her eyes as Katherine continued, "he told me I had a roommate and he thought it would help me and he said you were nice, and that I could tell you all about yoga, and that I could be friends with you. He mentioned your name then but I forgot, I remember him saying something with a comb? Do you comb your hair? It is really curly. Do you cut it? It seems pretty big. It is nice though, I love how it curls! My hair isn't as curly, it is much easier to comb than yours. But it is quite boring, because mine is straight and only goes one way. Is that your natural colour?"
"Katherine! Yes! It is."
"Oh..."
"It is natural. It is a mess to comb. I didn't get a chance to cut it since... I kind of want it to grow, I also..."
"You like..."
"Edgecombe is my name what is yours?" Marietta winced as she realised she asked a question.
"Sinclair. Katherine Sinclair and you are Marietta Edgecombe."
"Yes I am! And you're Katherine nice to meet you. I have never tried yoga, what time does it start? Are there other activities here?" Marietta's breath was rapid as she tried to get all her questions in.
"Yes! There are many, many, many activities here because if there wasn't we would all be bored and it helps to keep the patients occupied and doing other stuff than basking in their own misery!"
"Oh..."
"There are many! Yoga begins early in the morning, by six. Then there are so much more activities. There is art and crafts, and..."
Marietta sat down on her bed yawning as Katherine continued. Marietta had to admit, she enjoyed the enthusiasm given her quiet holiday, but it was indeed overwhelming. She wondered if she had any need to take part in activities as her issues were nothing compared to those impaired mentally. As Katherine began discussing the things she liked against the things she didn't like about the particular course, Marietta realised that her summer vacation was definitely going to be exhausting.
It was a little after nine when the door knocked. Katherine was in the shower which Marietta was thankful for. She strolled over to the door blushing beneath her scarf as Tom's smile further enlightened his handsome face. He was standing outside with his mopped brown pompadour radiating in the florescent light.
"Miss Edgecombe,"
"Err hi..."
"Hello, well I thought I would check with you to see if Katherine was in... proper condition to share the information I sent?"
"Oh, yeah it was... not, I mean I don't know what exactly, am I to do,"
"Yes, well Dr. Grant told me to inform you that she discussed your condition with our therapist,"
"Oh," Marietta looked down at the floor wondering if it was possible for Tom to be picturing her face.
"She suggested that although your condition is not really... well ward worthy as you had implied that you could still benefit from taking part in the activities on here."
"Oh... okay, but I thought I was just staying here for, well until they were ready to try more cures?"
"Yes, but Dr. Grant signed you up to take some weekly meetings with Dr. Bridge. Regarding the report she wrote on you, Grant suggested that you take these classes before you come see her on Friday,"
"Oh ok... I..." Marietta looked away uneasily into the room.
"Don't worry Miss Edgecombe; there isn't anything you need to worry about. The activities are relaxing, and it certainly would add something to your summer vacation don't you think? Besides they are fun and there are a couple of cute boys around too," Tom gave a wink that made Marietta giggle hysterically.
"Oh, well..."
"Yes, so when Katherine comes out tell her to take you to room two o' three, and also could I ask you something?"
"Yes..." I would date you of course!
"You go to school with Harry Potter don't you?"
"Yes,"
"Are you friends?"
"Um..."
"I am just wondering what he is like,"
"Well, we are in different years, but I know him."
"Oh,"
"He is a great wizard... stands firm for what he believes in and he even taught some of us how to defend ourselves,"
"Oh that is great news then,"
"Yeah given what might be coming to pass,"
"Indeed, I think Harry Potter needs to be as safe as he can be, let's just hope he gets the proper backing from the Ministry,"
"Yeah... I hope so too... I hope so too..."
"Okay well, anything else you can tell me about Harry Potter would be nice, and don't be a stranger around the wards!"
"Oh,"
"You will also find that if you give it a chance, you might surprise yourself and have some fun while here. Have a pleasant day Miss Edgecombe."
"You too Dr. Tom,"
Marietta shut the door behind Tom leaning her back upon it. She buried her face into her hands reliving the hate she had instilled within her for Harry Potter and her current situation. She felt embarrassed now knowing that even the cute doctor she found attractive knew about her predicament. What was she expecting? He would obviously know her symptoms, but still, she could not let herself be seen, least of all by him!
"I am sure Tom thinks you're a nice girl too Mari, don't worry. Could I call you Mari? Or would you prefer Mariette? Of course, if you can say Mariette..." said Katherine in a red patterned robe, alarming her.
"No, it isn't like that with Tom, he is just a doctor."
"He is not just a doctor. He is also the receptionist at these wards!"
"Yeah he is. I didn't know..."
"Still, I am sure he would be into a pretty girl like yourself..."
"Me? No... I am not pretty,"
"Well you are, you have nice eyes, hair, I haven't seen your face yet because you like your scarf, it looks pretty stylish I must say, I want to try it sometime, but I don't see how you breathe. I guess you are probably protecting that pretty face of yours..."
"Katherine could you get your stuff and let's go, Tom came by to tell us to hurry up to room two hundred and three, we are late."
"Oh dear oh dear oh dear... give me a moment to get my bag! Or you can go on ahead, no you don't know the way you would get lost, but then you could just go to the reception area and ask Tom, gives you a reason to talk to him..."
"Katherine please, just get your stuff, we will talk once we get there,"