A/N: As always, a BIG thank you to all who continue to read and review! I LOVE hearing your thoughts!
Chapter 4: Switzerland
"Thanks for seeing me off" Sarah said, as she wrapped her arm around Harry's.
"Of course" Harry said, "There was no way I would let you go without the proper send off. Ron and Hermione wanted to be here too"
"I know they did" Sarah acknowledged, "I just wanted not to make a big deal out of all of this. I'll be back soon"
"Sure you will" Harry pulled her truck behind him as they reached the apparition point. "Should I secure your trunk now for apparition?"
"That would be great, thanks" Sarah stepped away and allowed Harry to shrink her things.
"I'm sure Lupin or someone else can enlarge it back when you get there" He handed her the miniature form of her trunk and she slid it into her purse.
"Of course, I can" Lupin said as he and Andromeda came up from behind them. "Good morning, all"
"Remus" Harry reached out to shake his hand and Sarah moved forward and gave him a hug.
He pulled away, "How are you feeling?" he studied her, "I trust there are no ill effects from the other night"
"No" Sarah looked, sheepish. "Sorry about that, Remus"
"Yeah, Remus. Heard you got her plastered" Harry laughed.
"He did" Andromeda gave him a severe look.
"I never thought it possible" Harry said, "Sirius sure. But not you"
"I doubt even my cousin would get his own daughter plastered" Andi retorted.
"It wasn't exactly his fault" Sarah intervened, "And I am adult"
"That you are" Remus smiled at her. "Are you ready for this?" he asked, changing the subject.
"As ready as I can be" Sarah put a hand to her churning stomach, "As long as I don't sick up after apparition"
"Stomach all wobbly, is it?" Remus looked sympathetic. "Nerves?"
She nodded, "I'll have to get that sorted before I become an auror"
Andi waved at her, dismissively. "You will once you get your magic back. You stood up to you know who without so much of a flinch. You'll be fine" she turned as they heard noise behind her, "Oh here are the Weasleys"
At that announcement, Sarah moved closer to Harry and he reached to put his arm around her shoulders.
"You okay?" he murmured under his breath.
"No"
"Good morning" Arthur gave everyone a bright smile, "I see everyone is here already"
She couldn't force herself to look at the Weasleys. She had the strongest temptation to bury her head in Harry's shoulder. It was the first time she had seen them since Fred's death, even though she knew Molly and even George had kept watch by her bedside.
"Sarah" Molly stepped forward and Sarah's eyes popped up.
"Mrs. Weasley" she felt her throat catch.
Harry dropped his arm and pushed her forward slightly as Molly's arms came around her for a motherly hug.
The sob came out of her before she could contain her. Molly pulled away and put an affectionate hand on her cheek, "Everything will be fine, Sarah. You'll see. They'll make you good as new"
"I hope so" she whispered to her.
"We missed you at George's send off"
"Couldn't be bothered…too good for us" George mumbled and Molly turned around to give him a glare that silenced him.
She turned back around to face Sarah, "You do know" she looked at her evenly, "that you are always welcome at our home. You are family. Do not be such a stranger when you return. Pop by with Harry or the others every once in a while. Or without Harry. Either way. No invitation needed"
"Thank you" Tears glistened her eyes. "That means a lot. I'm so sorry about everything"
"I know" she said kindly as she gripped her arms, "We will talk more when you return if you'd like"
"I think I'd like that"
Mr. Weasley came forward and Mrs. Weasley went back to stand next to George.
"I want you to know" Arthur tugged at her arm, pulling her away slightly from the others, "I am putting pressure on the others to start Snape's trial soon. No use to delay it"
"Thank you" Sarah said, gratefully, "And congratulations on your promotion. That's the best news"
"Thank you" Arthur stepped away, "Remus, will you apparate Sarah with you?"
"Of course" Remus nodded.
"Then we best say our goodbyes and send them on their way" Arthur said. "The ministry liaison will be checking on your progress in a few days"
They nodded.
"Best of luck to you all" Arthur said as Molly embraced George.
Harry turned to Sarah and opened his arms. She held onto him tightly. "I don't want to go" she murmured in his ear.
"I know" Harry said, his arms wrapping tighter around her, "they'll take good care of you. And you'll be back before we know it"
"Will you make sure Snape is okay while I'm gone?" she pulled away. "I worry about him in that place. Even if it isn't Azkaban, it's still prison"
"Of course"
Andromeda came up beside them, "I'll make sure Snape is fine too" she assured her as she gave Sarah a hug, "Take care"
"I will"
Remus reached out for her and took her arm, "Are you ready?"
"Are you?"
"I am" he looked over to George. "We'll see you on the other side"
"Safe travels" Molly said.
"You look green" George came to stand beside them, "Glad you are apparating with Remus"
"What is your problem?" Sarah turned to him, "Are you trying to be a prat this morning on purpose or does it just come honestly these days?"
Remus cleared his throat before George could answer, "Let's go, children"
And before Sarah could retort, Remus apparated them to Switzerland.
"I don't quite understand" Sarah blinked as Healer Matthews, a young (and admittedly quite handsome) doctor was explaining her therapy.
"I'm sure it is all confusing" he said, sympathetically, putting an absent hand through his brown hair, "But once we cast the spells to…" he paused, "in a way, reset your magic"
"Reset my magic?" she asked, tugging absently at the ends of her own hair.
"Pull you back to a time when your magic levels were normal"
"Okay" she nodded her understanding.
"Then once your magical levels are reset by this spell that was newly invented…and quite brilliantly if I might add"
Sarah gave him a small smile, dropping her hands to her lap, "Did you create it?"
"I helped" he said, proudly.
"I see" she titled her head, "well, if it works, I'd say it is quite brilliant"
He laughed at her, "Point taken. You can reserve your judgement for later. As I was saying" he picked up his quill and twirled it at her from across his desk, "Once we reset your magical levels, then I'll work on you to rebuild your repetoire of spells. Starting with simple spells and working up"
"I don't understand how this all works" she shook her head, wearily.
"It's like a muscle that tears" Healer Matthews explained, "We can heal the muscle, but you still need therapy to restore the full range of what that muscle can do. We'll restore your magic, but we'll have to exercise it for you to get full use out of it"
"Okay" Sarah looked thoughtful, "that makes sense"
"And then" he continued, patiently, "we also take a wholistic approach to healing here…so I want to examine you thoroughly to make sure the dark magic is truly out of your system before we even begin"
"Yes" she nodded, expecting that.
"And I want you to see a specialist in fertility restoration since that is where the dark magic hit you. I'm afraid you are in for some prodding"
She stilled and then twisted her hands, agitated. "I thought there would just be spells"
"Spells can only tell us so much. A physical examination is also necessary"
She grimaced, "That sounds… uncomfortable to say the least"
"You will be uncomfortable at certain points of this journey" he said, "but she is a woman specialist and one of the best. I think we need to get a better picture of what the effects of the spell LeStrange used, so we know if it has truly been eradicated" he paused, "And you do want to try to have children one day?"
She paled, "I do"
"Then this is necessary…plus, if there is any lingering traces of the dark magic, we need to find it, before we cast the spell to reset your magical levels"
"Okay" her throat was dry.
"You look upset" his eyes were on her, "Quite upset in fact"
She shrugged.
He went around the desk to move to sit next to her. He reached out to squeeze her shoulder. "You have come to the right place. This clinic is at the forefront of some of the most groundbreaking innovations of healing magic"
"Is that why you came from the UK to study here?"
"Indeed"
She nodded, "It's peaceful too here. The Alps are lovely"
"I quite agree" he squeezed her shoulder again, "Now, I'm your case worker so I will be with you through restoring your magic, but also through the other parts of your recovery. We'll bring in specialists for those parts as I said, but I will be present for it all"
"Okay"
"So if you need anything, you come to me"
"I understand"
"And…" he paused, "We do want you to enter psychological therapy with the others"
"No, absolutely not" She shook her head, swiftly, "I'm fine"
"Clearly you are not" he said, "you went through a trauma with the others. The other things won't come if this doesn't either"
"Fine" she grunted.
"I'll be there"
"Lovely" she said, sarcastically.
"I can tell already that we will get along splendidly" he retorted with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh" She frowned and then looked sheepish, "I'm sorry. I have seemed to inherit some of my father's snark in the seven years in which he has been my guardian" she said, apologetically, "It comes out at the most inopportune times"
"No, I think it was a perfectly opportune time" Matthews laughed. "Use that attitude to our advantage. I've seen what you have accomplished in your young years. You have a bright future and we are going to help you seize it"
She nodded.
"Now" Matthews swiped his wand for her file, "you seem nervous by the fertility specialist. Is there anyone we can call on to help with that?"
"Like whom?"
"Someone who can be there with you" he suggested, "A friend?"
She paused, "Maybe Hermione, but I don't want to be a bother. Actually the two people, ironically, that I would want there are unable to leave the country at the moment"
"You would want your father there?" he asked surprised.
"He has always taken care of me when ill. He is actually quite gifted in healing magic…especially when it counteracting the effects of dark magic. I'm assuming there would be some level of privacy"
"Sure" he nodded, "he wouldn't actually see anything, we could ensure that"
"Then, he is who I would want" she said, "but it won't happen anyway" Sarah sighed, "maybe Hermione"
Matthews went around to his desk, sitting back in his chair, "Do you realize how much they want you in the aurors?"
"Pretty badly I suspect"
"From what I have read and seen, the aurors are in shambles. They are eager to get this done and have you trained, which by the way, I'm assuming it will be a modified training"
"Really?" she asked, surprised.
"For sure" Matthews nodded, "They'll want you in the field as soon as possible. And I'm wagering they want you enough to arrange a bit of a transport for your guardian if that is what you want"
"I'm scared"
"I know you are. I could see it the minute you walked through my doors"
"He would say that it so weak. I had to learn not to show it in front of him"
"Who?"
"The Dark Lord"
"I see. Well, you can show it here as much as you want. This is a safe place" Matthews retorted, "And I'll call and see what I can do. No promises though"
She nodded. "Thank you"
"You're welcome" He stood, "I'll show you to your room so you can get settled in. Your trunk should be already there"
"That would be great"
"And maybe you should take a rest. You look tired"
"I am"
He gestured her to lead the way out of the door before closing the door to his office with a click, "For the record, Sarah, I do thing we'll get along splendidly. I'm glad you are here"
"I am too" she said, though as she said that she felt homesick for her friends.
Sarah shifted uncomfortably on the hard examination table. She had read over the materials Healer Matthews had left with her which told her what to expect going forward with the fertility specialist as well as with him. She absently twisted the sheet they had left for her that she had draped her legs and then fiddled with the hospital gown.
She felt like all of this was rubbish, but she knew it was necessary. They had to make sure all the traces of the dark magic was gone before they could reset her magical levels and work on rebuilding it. It had been a day since her initial meeting and her feelings of homesickness increased tenfold. She missed Snape even more so. And her mum. Definitely her mum.
There was a knock on the door and Healer Matthews came in, "Good news" he unblocked the way and Snape came through the door.
"Dad" she felt a rush of pure relief, followed by tears. Gut wrenching tears.
"I thought you would be happy to see me" he said dryly as he walked over to where she was sitting awkwardly, "Lift up a second. You need to get this sorted" He adjusted her sheet so she was modestly covered. "Now" he put his hand on her back and pulled her into him. "Why the tears?"
"I don't know"
"You do know. Don't be embarrassed"
"I just feel like rubbish. I stood up to him" she cried into chest, "I was tortured by him and I bore it. But the thought of this…" she sniffled. "I'm scared. I don't think I like healers" She glanced at Healer Matthews, "no offense. You are great, it's just this isn't great"
"None taken" Healer Matthews said easily. "This can be difficult especially for one your age. By the time you are older, I'm sure this will become nothing"
"What?"
"You are supposed to be checked out once a year" Snape cleared his throat, "once you start having...relations, which you have"
"Why didn't I know this?"
"You were too preoccupied with...him... to know that. Didn't the mediwitch examine you...when you were pregnant?"
"She just did a scan"
"I see" Healer Matthews said, "Don't worry. I'll tell Healer Scott that it is your first time being examined. It will be fine. Did you read over the materials I left you?"
"I did, thanks for those"
"Did they make you even more worried?" he asked.
"No" she shook her head against Snape's chest, "I like being prepared"
"It might be uncomfortable" Snape pulled away, looking at her, "But it won't last long. I understand your privacy is important and you are uncomfortable by this, but the Healers are right. We aren't certain that the Dark Magic is gone…and if there is a way that they can help your fertility…then…it's important to you. You have to think of your future"
"Draco is gone. Fred is dead"
"And I refuse to believe that there is not one man left in this world that will become interested in you in the future. You'll meet someone and you'll want to marry. Then you'll want to have children. Better try to sort this now than then"
"You're right" She nodded. "Thank you for coming"
"Better here than where I was" Snape retorted and then kissed her head, "The ministry must desperately want you healed if they are willing to risk my transport"
"They are pretty sure you are innocent anyway" Sarah said. "I more meant that I know you don't agree with me going into the aurors, so it means a lot that you would be willing to come"
"This isn't about that" Snape responded, "this is about you and your health. Of course, I'll come"
"Did you talk to the Healers?" she asked.
"I did" He nodded, "You are in good hands, Sarah" he nodded towards Healer Matthews.
Another knock on the door and a middle aged woman came in the room. She gave her a smile and reached for her hand, "Sarah, my name is Healer Scott. How are you?"
"Well, thank you"
"Good. I heard you are nervous" she said with a sympathetic pat to her knee, "No worries. It shouldn't be that difficult on you, but the more you can relax, the better"
"I'll try"
"Good. Now" she sat down in the stool in front of the examination table, "Tell me about your history or would you like your father to leave us alone for a few moments while we go over that information?"
"No, he knows all of this...if he doesn't mind staying that is" she said. He turned to Sev who nodded his consent.
"What do you want to know?" Sarah asked.
"When did you have your first menstrual cycle as a girl?"
"It was my summer after second year…so…thirteen?"
"Twelve" Snape supplied for her, "not quite thirteen"
"Good" Healer Scott smiled at her, "And have you had one since Bellatrix's curse?"
She bit her lip, "No" She glanced at Snape, "That's bad, isn't it? I hadn't even thought of it"
"Hush" Snape patted her head. "I'm sure those are routine questions"
"Absolutely" Healer Matthews interjected, "Perfectly routine"
"Okay" Healer Scott made a note on her chart and then looked up, "How many sexual partners?"
"One" she swallowed hard.
Healer Scott looked up, "Are you sure?"
Her stomach twisted as she glanced at Healer Matthews, who intervened again, "I know this is somewhat sensitive, but given the time that you were alone in that place…surrounded by some of the darkest wizards…and he that must not be named's interest in you…"
"Please, call him Voldemort" Sarah grunted.
"Fine, Voldemort's" he managed not to cringe, "interest in you, the ministry would like us to verify that you did not have relations with any of them other than your husband of course"
"You mean…they want to know if Voldemort was shagging me" she snapped. "No, he was not. Not yet. It was only Draco"
"Sarah" Snape cleared his throat, "I don't think they are implying anything about you…and the question is fair. If the Dar…if Voldemort was forcing you into sexual relationship, then your healers should know about it"
"I told you we weren't having sex" she said, "I would have told you. I promised you, remember?"
Snape nodded and Sarah turned back to the others, "As for the others, they wouldn't dare touch me without his permission. And he wasn't giving it"
"She's right there" Snape confirmed, "He would have killed any wizard that came near her like that. He was obsessed with her"
Matthews nodded, "We'll make note of that. But this is also something we should hash out in therapy"
"I get to go to therapy" She turned to Snape and raised her eyebrows.
"Merlin knows you need it" Snape retorted.
"Traitor" she scoffed at him.
Snape reached for her hand, squeezing it once.
"How about your husband?" Healer Scott asked.
"What about him?"
"Did he have any multiple partners before or during your marriage?"
Her face flushed. "Not during...at least I'm pretty sure he didn't" she once again turned to Snape for confirmation.
"I don't believe so" Snape said slowly.
"And before?"
"One…"
"At least two" Snape intervened, his voice gentle.
"Oh right, the woman from the ministry" she grunted. "What do you mean at least?"
"There may have been others that summer" Snape said, quietly, "Draco was certainly flirting enough with them"
"Draco's his godson" Sarah said, "It's all bloody complicated as you can tell. He probably knows more about Draco's history than I do"
Healer Scott nodded, "We'll test you for transmitted diseases"
"Oh Merlin, really?" Sarah asked, cringing.
"It's protocol. Probably fine" Scott told her.
Snape leaned up to put his hand on the back of her neck, trying to comfort her.
"And just to clarify" Healer Scott looked up from her chart, "You haven't had sex since the curse, have you?"
Snape looked at her quizzically as a pink flush reached up as she thought about the moment Draco and her had in his room. But no, they hadn't. She hadn't let them.
"No"
"Okay. And Professor Snape told us details about the curse and what they tried to do to help you, so now we are just left to examine you"
She nodded. "Will you hold my hand?" she asked Snape.
"That's what I'm here for" Snape said, clasping her hand, as she scooted down on the examination table and the healers helped her get situated. "Clear your mind, Sarah Grace"
"Very well" she squeezed his hand, feeling completely nervous and exposed.
Her knees shook.
"Sarah" Healer Matthews voice was soothing, "Would you like Healer Scott to walk you through everything she is doing? You need to relax or it will be more uncomfortable for you"
"It feels bloody well uncomfortable" she grunted.
"I'm aware" Healer Matthews said, "but she hasn't quite started yet"
"What do you need, Sarah?" Snape asked, reaching up to begin to rub her head, trying to calm her down.
"Um" she bit her lip, "actually, if Snape could just walk me through clearing my mind, I should be fine" She looked at Severus, whose expression was stoic as usual. Perfectly controlled. How could he be so perfectly controlled in this bloody awkward situation?
"Of course" he responded, smoothly and in low tones, he began to instruct her in the task of clearing her mind. And with his help, she was able to do so successfully. And one again, she was so grateful for him…and the fact that he was here.
Sarah bunched up the sheet as she threw it on the examination table. They had all left her to get dressed and try to restore some of her dignity. She eased on her knickers, then her jeans. Then she pulled on her shirt. She reached for a hair tie and pulled her hair up into a pony tail, securing it with the tie. She took a breath and exited the room into Healer Matthews adjacent office.
"That was fast" Healer Matthew said, with a smile, "Come in, Sarah, and we'll talk"
"Okay" she sat in the seat next to Snape who reached out to put a protective hand on her knee. "Is the dark magic gone?"
"It is" Healer Matthews said, "Professor Snape did an excellent job ensuring that it was. Healer Scott?"
"There is still damage to your reproductive system"
"Are you concerned I haven't had another cycle?"
"Somewhat, though after a miscarriage, your cycle can become wonky" Healer Scott explained.
"So, it could be nothing"
"No, not quite. There are some restorative potions that we have been experimenting with along with some spells…from our tests, it seems like your system is somewhat in dormant, but with the potions and spells, we can possibly jump start it again"
"I see" she turned to Snape, "And if I start periods again…"
"It is likely that you would be able to conceive. The damage all in all is minimal. But your body has been through a trauma, so we wouldn't recommend trying to have a baby any time soon" Healer Scott paused, "Relations might be painful for a while as well"
"Really, why?" Sarah's face paled, but then she glanced at Snape and become mortified all over again.
"LeStrange's curse was manufactured to make it so. But we can elaborate on that later"
"Okay" Sarah's mind tried to process this new information, "And then can we begin to restore my magic now?"
Healer Matthews nodded. "We can" He stood, followed by Healer Scott. "We will give you a few minutes with Professor Snape. We have to get him back to Britain. His transport is waiting for him"
"Thank you"
They left them alone. She was quiet for a few moments, drumming her fingers on her stomach.
"Sarah?" Snape cleared his throat.
"Yeah?"
"I think this therapy…beyond fixing what needs to be fixed physically…the therapy they want you to do…" he paused.
"What about the therapy?" she asked, "It is a bunch of rubbish. I don't need to talk over my problems"
"Actually" he stood to move the chair in front of her, sitting again. He leaned down so he was at her level. "I think you do"
"Is this because I decided to enter the aurors?"
"Not quite" Snape retorted, "Partly, but it more about making sure that you have the wherewithal to survive being an auror. You'll be hunting down some of the most sinister wizards that are still at large. You will have to keep your wits about you. And you have so many…wounds…from him"
"Dad" she grunted.
"It's justifiable" Snape said, "he played psychological mind games with you. He wore you down. And he did torture you. You just need to make sure you have yourself sorted…mentally"
She licked her dry lips. "Okay. Point taken"
"Use this time wisely, Sarah Grace" Snape said, "And don't give your healers too much trouble"
"Yes, sir" She looked up at him, "thank you for holding my hand"
"Anytime" Snape reached out to pull her into his embrace, "We have come a long way, Sarah. We have to continue to rely on each other"
"I wasn't the one who shut you out for weeks"
"I know" Snape retorted, "And I was really only doing it to protect you. But like it was when Voldemort was alive, I really can't. I have to let you find your own way"
She nodded. "Arthur Weasley said he was hopeful that your trial would be soon"
"Yes, Andi mentioned that once you are well enough to testify, things should move forward"
"Good" She stood with him, "I guess this is it then"
"I suppose it is" Snape retorted, "Take care of yourself, Sarah Grace"
"I will"
He paused, turning around, "You and Draco…did you two…see… each other before you came here?"
"Yes" her face flushed.
"Did you" Snape shut his mouth, "Never mind. It is none of my business"
"Not, it's okay" She swallowed hard, "I think he wanted to. We would have…but I stopped us. I didn't want a goodbye shag…"
"Okay" Snape nodded. "But you do know, if you and he still have feelings for each other and if you have your fertility back, then, perhaps…"
She shook her head, "It can't be all about my ability to bear him a child. This isn't ancient times. That was Voldemort's philosophy. I want more. You raised me to want more"
Snape gave her a smile. "You are right. Good girl. I'm proud of you"
"Thanks Dad"
"You're welcome. I'll see you when you return"
"See you"
She sat down as he left the room, feeling just as alone as before.
"Lumos" she swiped her wand and the light flickered.
"Good" Healer Matthews praised reaching for her arm, "Now try again. Adjust your wand movement slightly to the right"
She narrowed her eyes, "I have been casting Lumos since I was eleven years old"
"I have no doubt" Healer Matthews retorted, "And your wand movement is slightly altered. You are just out of practice"
"But I could cast it without a wand" she responded, her face flushing, "and there is nothing wrong with my wand movement"
"Sarah" Matthews chided, "Come now. I wasn't try to insult you"
"Well, I am insulted" she said. "The bloody Dark Lord wanted me and do you know why he wanted me?"
"Tell me why" his voice was quiet, sensing she need to say it more than he needed to hear it.
"Because I was powerful. He thought I could be the greatest witch of all time" she laughed, "he actually said that" she threw her wand across the room, it hitting the wall to his office, bouncing off of it to land on his desk. "And the thing was…he wasn't entirely wrong. I was talented…and I liked…him…thinking that I was. Oh Merlin, that sounds bloody awful!" she covered her mouth and then left the room without another word.
Ten minutes later, Healer Matthews came out into the courtyard with her jacket and her wand. "You left this in my office" he said, draping the jacket around her shoulders and sitting on the steps next to her. "Are you enjoying the view?"
"Immensely" she sniffled and wiped at her eyes.
"So, you liked that he thought you were powerful. Taking pride in your magical ability isn't wrong" he told her, twisting her wand in his hands.
"I have never been conceited and trust me, I didn't like all his attention…but there were moments in which he…lured me…into his idea of what it meant to be powerful" she struggled to explain.
"He was the master manipulator" Healer Matthews said, quietly. "It really is pretty in these mountains" he commented looking out the view of the Alps in front of them.
She nodded.
"Would you fancy a hike later on?" he asked. "A short one, but I think we need to work on your physical stamina as well. Would serve to clear your mind also"
"I'd like that"
"And" he patted her knee, "we don't have to talk about your recovery at all"
"Good" she grinned at him.
"Glad to see you smiling" he told her, "especially when I have to tell you this"
"Tell me what?"
"Your therapy sessions start tomorrow morning…bright and early. Remus Lupin and George Weasley will be there"
"Ugh" she groaned. "I don't know if this was in my extensive file that came with me, but George Weasley and I have bit of a history"
"I know" Matthews said seriously, "Seems like you have a lot to get sorted"
"He doesn't like me"
"You two need to work through your issues if you will enter the aurors. He could very well become your partner"
"That is bloody unlikely" Sarah snorted, "Harry will be my partner"
"That's even more unlikely" Matthews said, handing her wand to her, "they'll want their two brightest wizards on different teams. And that's you and Harry"
"Well, it won't be George" Sarah said, not at all liking the idea of not being partnered with Harry.
"Probably not" Matthews said, "but all the same, it would be better for you all if you work through these issues"
"Okay" she sighed.
"Now" he tapped at her knee, "wand movement slightly to the right"
"Yes, sir"
She adjusted her wand movement and concentrated her magic, "Lumos". The light was considerably brighter.
"Good job" he patted her on the shoulder, "More tomorrow. Small steps"
"Okay"
"Are you tired?"
She nodded. "Come back to my office with me. You need more potions. We have to be cautious about how much we are straining your magical energy. And…then you should rest"
"Very well" she allowed him to help her up off the stairs as she pocketed her wand.
"Do I have to go to therapy tomorrow?" she asked one more time.
"Chin up" Healer Matthews retorted, "And after your therapy session, you have an appointment with Healer Scott"
"So not only do I have to have therapy, but then I have to have her try to jump start my menstrual cycles and if it is successful then I have to try to be nice during these other therapy sessions while PMSing?"
He laughed, "In short, yes"
"Wonderful" she rolled her eyes, "I will need that walk"
"After you rest" Matthews said.
"Bet you haven't had a patient as wonderful as me before"
"You are unique" he admitted and she rolled her eyes again.
"That's generous"
"Come on now" he gestured towards the building. "on we go"
"On we go"
She allowed him to take her inside and dose her full of potions, sending her off to her room to rest. They had a leisurely walk together, but when he sent her to bed that night, she had to admit she was dreading what was to come the next day. And that night her mind wandered to Fred…and then Draco…and then and her heart ached all over again.
UP next: Therapy session :)
A/N: Please review!
