Chapter 4.

Dr. Phillips and Ron completed his paperwork there in his office. Once Ron said Rose's name, it took all the control he had to not break down.

After the paperwork was completed, Dr. Phillips took him downstairs to a small exam room where he was given a physical. Then he took Ron back upstairs to another office adjacent to his where he and Mrs. Stevenson searched his rucksack. They did not let him keep his razor (he could try to cut himself), his pocket knife (a gift from Harry they promised they would return once he completed the program) or the picture frames (since there was glass in them).

As Ron followed Dr. Phillips up three flights of stairs, he explained some of the rules all patients must follow at Passages.

The first two weeks he would room alone. This was for detox. He was not required to attend any sessions for those first two weeks but was required to attend all meals with all other patience in the cafeteria. He would be assigned his own Orderly for those two weeks to help him through detox and his Psychiatrist would come by and check up on him periodically.

After detox, he would be assigned a room with a roommate. And, he would begin group therapy sessions three times a week for two weeks. Group therapy sessions lasted two hours and were twice a day; once after breakfast from 8:30a.m to 10:30am and once an hour after lunch from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

He would see his psychiatrist daily between morning group session and lunchtime (10:30am to 11:30am). On the days he didn't have group session, he would attend a self-improvement class of his choice; and there was a lot of classes to choose from. He could change self-improvement classes at any time.

After the evening group session, or self-improvement class, was journal entry time from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. All patients were required to keep a journal. No one would be allowed to read it; but the psychiatrist would verify you were writing in it.

Patients were not allowed visitors the first four weeks they were there. And no patient was allowed out the front door unaccompanied for any reason. You were allowed to roam the gardens at any time until lights out. All patients were given free liberty on weekends to do as they pleased within the center, but were still required to have at least one hour each weekend day for journal entry.

After Ron makes it through the first four weeks, he would be given his new schedule, he was told.

So, now, here he was. In his room alone. It looked more like a jail cell. Gray walls all around; a small window with bars on the outside. A twin size bed pushed to a corner up against the wall furthest from the door. He could already tell it was going to be too short. And a small three drawer dresser with a lamp atop it next to his bed.

Well this is depressing.

The light gave off a hideous yellow glow to the room which did nothing for the gray walls. Even the sheets and the pillow on the bed looked uninviting.

Ron removed his wand from his holster he had around his wrist. It was Ministry standard for all Aurors. Once your wand was placed in the holster, the holster and wand would become invisible. Ron's name was engraved onto his leather holster along with the Chudley Cannons logo as a gift from…

Merlin I need a drink.

Ron placed his wand and holster beneath his pillow and flopped onto the bed. He covered his eyes with his arm hoping to block out what little sunlight was coming through the window.

"Knock. Knock."

Ron bolted upright and had to stop himself from pulling out his wand due to reflexes.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"I'm Bradley. I'll be your orderly through detox."

"Ron Weasley."

"Nice to meet you Ron," Bradley shook Ron's hand. "Where are you from?"

"London."

"Ah. That's right. British accent. Well, you are a long way from home."

"Yeah."

"Well, it's lunchtime. Let's go down to the café and get you some food."

Ron followed Bradley down one flight of stairs.

"The cafeteria is on the second floor."

It didn't take long for the smells of food to reach Ron's nose. He had not realized just how hungry he was. Or that he'd been up for fourteen hours straight.

"The food isn't too bad. Not a five star restaurant; but it's edible."

Bradley led Ron over to a buffet table. There was salad to pick from; ham, chicken or sausage; several different vegetables, dessert and drinks at the end of the table. It didn't smell anything like his Mum's cooking. After staring for a few minutes, Ron settled on a garden salad, with baked chicken, greens, and something that looked like apple tart. He poured himself one of those tasty muggle fizzy drinks called Cola.

Bradley and Ron walked over to an empty round table. The clock on the wall said half noon. Lunchtime was almost over; that would explain the almost empty room.

"So, when did you arrive?"

"Just this morning. A couple of hours ago."

"What do you think of California so far?"

Ron was not interested in small talk. He wanted to eat and get back to his room to sleep for the rest of the day.

" 's alright."

"Is this your first time to the US?"

"Yup."

"How did you travel?"

"Port…um…plane."

"Are you homesick yet?"

Ron's fork stopped mid-air. Homesick. He really hadn't thought about home since he had arrived. He didn't want to let his mind wander back to home. It would be too much for him to handle. Ron started sweating again. All of a sudden he wasn't feeling to well.

"Are you alright?"

Ron looked up. He saw a man sitting right in front of him. His lips were moving, like he was talking to Ron; but Ron couldn't make out anything he was saying. It sounded like he was underwater.

"You don't look so good."

"I'm not feeling well," Ron stood up so quickly, he knocked his chair over backwards. He ran towards the nearest exit doors. He'd barely made it out the door and up one flight of stairs when he fell to his knees and starting retching everything he had just consumed right there in the middle of the hallway.

He must have vomited for what felt like hours. His stomach was emptied completely. He felt pressure on his shoulder. When he looked up he saw Bradley standing over him.

"C'mon. Let's get you to your room. I'll get a custodian to come clean this up."

Bradley grabbed Ron under his arm and pulled him to his feet. Ron could barely make his legs move. Once they reached his room, Bradley dropped Ron onto his bed and left the room.

Ron groaned. Ohh. He rolled onto his stomach, pulled his pillow over his head and promptly fell asleep.

Author's Note: Please read and review. Sorry for the delay. But I've got the next 2 chapters written and will be uploading them both immediately.