Both Viktor and I were dazed by this news. How could our singing possibly be magical together? We could barely make breakfast work at the same table let alone perform accidental magic on this level. It was absurd!
We were introduced to the head healer at St. Mungos Hippocrates Smethwyck by the head of the Janus Thickey Ward, Miriam Strout. Another healer was with him.
"Miss Malfoy. Mr. Krum." Healer Smethwyck greeted us "This is a colleague and fellow practitioner, Healer Archie Hunt."
The healer he introduced us to was a short man wearing the largest eyeglasses I had ever seen.
"Technically" he said in a very high squeaky voice, like puberty had never quite caught up to his vocal chords "I am a doctor."
Viktor and I stared at him and then each other blankly and shrugged.
"That means" he clarified "I am a muggle healer."
Ah. That literally explained nothing. "Well… that is something. I suppose it is very interesting to go to the muggle world and heal muggles. Very gratifying I am sure." I had no idea what else I was supposed to say to this man!
"You misunderstand Miss Malfoy," he had a friendly twinkle about his eyes "I have not "gone to the muggle world" I have always been there, because I am, in fact, a muggle."
"Oh how… wait…. Isn't this breaking about a thousand laws?!" I was astonished. I punch someone and end up in detention, they bring a bloody muggle into St. Mungos and… nothing? How is THAT fair.
"My wife is a witch" he explained, "so I am allowed to know about the wizarding world."
This wonky little squeaky voice man had a wife? Will wonders never cease?
"Our child will be starting Hogwarts next year," Apparently the answer is no, wonder s will not ever cease because this man had procreated. How did his wife get past his voice? I resisted the urge to shudder.
"Lovely," Viktor finally interjected "but what does a muggle dodger have to do with Miranda and me?"
"Doctor, muggle doctor." Healer, or I suppose "Doctor" hunt corrected.
"My hospital has been conducting experiments with music on the muggle mind. It is called Neurologic Musical Therapy, or NMT for short. There is a growing and popular belief that music can help the mind to heal itself. There has been some anecdotal evidence that your singing with Miss Malfoy has produced some of the same results.
"What anecdotal evidence?" I was dearly confused "We have only done this one time, it could well be a coincidence."
Professor Flitwick, who could barely reach the top of the table unless he stood on a chair said "That is not entirely true, Miss Malfoy. You have performed many times. But this year something changed. I started receiving scrolls from people, many who wished to remain anonymous." He pulled from his robes an impressive stack of scrolls. "All of these are thank you letters. And almost all declare that after your performance they simply felt… better." He read from one:
"After listening to your wonderful choir I felt as if the burdens of the war, the loss of loved ones, the betrayals the horrors were lifted from my shoulders. As if I no longer had to carry them." Professor Flitwick handed me the scroll. It was signed "Molly Weasley." I remembered how Grandmum had lost her brothers to the war. My eyes started to swim.
"Ex.. please excuse me." I would NOT cry in front of these people, I am a Malfoy damned it!
But I suppose, if I am to be perfectly honest, also in true Malfoy form, I did run from the room.
I found a quiet room, I am not sure what it was used for. But at the moment it was empty and that was all I needed.
I curled up in a ball and I just wept. For what everyone had lost. For what my family had lost. All to a war that I did not fully understand. And part of it was all due to the actions of my own family. I had a hard time connecting my beloved father and grandfather to the actions I had read about in the history books.
How could they have done any of that? They both loved me so much how could they have hated anyone? Especially based on their blood status? I mean, I know both of my Dad's parents still believed in that non sense, but Mum made it absolutely clear that the twins and I were never to be taught to believe anyone was better than anyone else.
I heard the door open and close quietly. I looked up and I expected to see my Dad, or perhaps, Merlin forbid, even Viktor. That was all I needed was for the ego himself to see me crying over some stupid letter. I squashed down a feeling that betrayed me. Merlin forbid, I think it was hope! I did not dare hope to see Viktor Krum coming to comfort me! I would not!
I did not expect to see Uncle Neville.
I looked up at him through tears and watched him settle down next to me. "Well," he said taking my hand "that was… something."
Uncle Neville, king of the understatement!
I don't know why, but just that stupid statement made me laugh! I laid my head on his shoulder. I remembered when I was a very little girl and all of my Mum's friends would make a fuss over me at family events, I would always seek out Uncle Neville. He was so calming and quiet.
"I am sorry about your parents, Uncle Neville." I whispered.
"And I am sorry about yours too." He smiled down at me "That must be a hell of a legacy to live up to. The ultimate reformed bad boy and the unsung war heroine."
I sighed and nodded. "They are bloody perfect Uncle Neville. And I am just this angry mess who keeps screwing up."
He took me by the shoulders and shook me lightly "There are so many things wrong with your statement, I don't even know where to start. Your father is NOT "perfect" even without the Death Eater stunt, which he was completely shite at I have to say, he was a right foul git. A genuine spoiled arse."
I gasped and giggled. From anyone else I would have been angry, but I knew Uncle Neville was not exactly trying to put down my dad, he was only speaking the truth.
"And your Mum! Good Godrick Gryffindor she was a pain in the arse. She would rarely speak and she had this creepy way of staring at people. It made your skin crawl! Don't get me wrong" He quickly added "She was also brilliant in a fight and loyal to a fault. She was once going to take on all of her family and the professors to save Slytherins from them." Wow that was a story I had not heard! "But she was also stubborn and could be downright mean as the snake she takes the shape of!"
At his very serious frowny face I started genuinely laughing "Ok, but still, I am a worse mess."
"Worse than taking the dark mark and then fouling even that up?" He raised an eyebrow at me.
I laughed again "Ok… maybe not. But I am so angry all of the time."
"And why do you suppose that is?" I could tell he genuinely wanted to know he wasn't just lecturing me.
"There is always something to live up, or live down, and I feel like I have to be perfect or I will damage the family image… and I just can't be perfect all of the time. It is exhausting!" I had never said those fears out loud before. It felt good to be honest.
"I can understand that. I had a lot to live up to as well." He looked like he did understand, but that was ridiculous.
I snorted. "YOU? Uncle Neville, you are a real war hero. All of the kids think you are the coolest Professor we have. Heck, I know several girls who are continuing with herbology just because you are teaching it!"
It was kind of cute the way he blushed and coughed. "Well, I don't know about that… but when I was a student I was the least "cool" person there was. I stuttered, and I was fat and I was afraid of my own shadow. But I had these amazing Auror parents to live up to and a terrifyingly brilliant and brave witch for a grandmother. I turned to plants because they could not judge me."
Fat? I looked my uncle up and down, he must have gotten N.E.W.T. level puberty!
"Feel better?" He asked.
I was surprised, but I actually did. "Yes, loads, thanks."
"Good" he squeezed me with the arm wrapped around my shoulders "because I have a huge favor to ask."
"You want me to keep singing for your parents? You did not even need to ask. Of course I will! Even if it means singing with the ego that is Viktor Krum Jr." I gave a mock shudder.
Uncle Neville laughed "You know, he is not as bad as you think. He is actually a pretty good guy if you give him a chance. He has his own demons he is battling."
"Uggghh! Not you too? Why is everyone I know in the Viktor Krum fan club?" But wait…. "What demons?"
"That is not my place to say, I am just asking you to give him a chance to battle them without riding his arse like it is the newest Nimbus." He looked at me seriously.
"As if, Unc. You KNOW we are Firebolt people in my home!" We both laughed.
He stood up and held out his hand to me "We better go before your father comes to make certain I have not recruited you for some army." I laughed but I had no idea what he was talking about.
When we went back in to the conference room Mum looked up at me concerned. I gave her a reassuring smile and took my seat again next to my partner.
The details were being worked out by our parents. When we would be allowed to perform, and it absolutely was NOT allowed to interrupt our studies. I could have done with a bit of study interruption, but Mum was having none of it. Something about a photograph that never changes or grows. It made no sense to me.
Professor Flitwick would work with Doctor Hunt to create our scores. They had to be done in a certain order and there would be studies about which songs and order worked best and for what ailment.
I was startled when Viktor reached out and took my hand under the table. I tried to yank it back, but he held it in a death grip. He slowly rubbed his thumb along my pulse point.
Ugghh… the enormous prat. It was easier to give up and let him think he was comforting me. And I was NOT comforted and I will hex anyone who says otherwise!
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