Chapter 2.

Monday, January 19, 2007

As Ron walked through the white oak double doors, he was still trying to process what he was doing here. Why had he come? What made him think this was a good idea or that it would work?

He walked up to the oversized empty desk in the middle of the grand foyer. As he stared at the bell, he contemplated turning around and leaving. No one had seen him yet. No one would ever know he was even here.

"May I help you?"

Too late.

"Um…yeah…yes. Ron. Ronald Weasley checking in."

"Court ordered?"

"Huh?"

"Is this a court ordered or self check-in?"

"Oh. Self check-in."

"Alright. I have some forms I need you to fill in."

The young woman handed Ron a stack of about ten pages worth of paperwork to fill in.

"If you'll follow me please."

Ron picked his rucsack up off the floor and swung it over his shoulder. He had packed light figuring he wouldn't need much while he was here; just a couple of changes of clothes and a few family photos.

As Ron followed the young woman, he couldn't help but notice the sound her heels made as she walked across the hard wood floors. It was an annoying sound, really. Like someone scratching their fingernails down a chalk board. Her hair was long and straight, and pulled back into a high ponytail at the top of her head. She looked about 5'6"; petite frame and couldn't be much older than him.

"My name is Ms. Stevenson. I am the Administrative Assistant to Dr. Phillips, the head psychiatrist on staff. In here please."

Ms. Stevenson had led Ron into a small office. There was a small wood desk in the center of the room. Bookshelves lined all three walls and were filled from top to bottom. There was one large window just behind the desk. Through it, Ron could see a rather large garden with benches, picnic tables, huge trees that gave shade for people to sit under and several groups of people walking around. Past the garden, he could make out what looked like a pond or a small lake.

"Dr. Phillips should be in shortly."

The assistant startled Ron out of his daze.

"Take a seat and fill in as much as you can. And welcome, to Passages Ventura."