Chapter 3 – Building Bridges
How do you gain the trust of a man who seems to abhor your very existence?
This was the thought that that ran through Sophie's head for days. After years of working with all sorts of people there was one thing that was true of every one her patients -- if they did not trust you, completely, you could never be of any help to them.
She was standing outside her residence, repairing the shutter left to ruin during decades of neglect. All in all, the place was in good shape. The foundation was sturdy, but fine-tuning would take forever if she would ever be happy enough to call this place home. Dumbledore gave her permission to offer a student or two a chance to earn money while helping her in her new project. On her insistence, she would pay them out of her own funds -- the student would be her responsibility and she wanted total control over the situation. Never one to waste an opportunity, she wanted the work to go to someone who would get something out of it other than just some ready cash. "You think too much about everything," she remarked to herself as she finished nailing the shutter to the wall. "Not bad. This will look wonderful after a fresh coat of paint." She hummed as she continued to work.
Ron, Hermione and Harry were on their way to visit Hagrid when they came upon Sophie. Ginny ran up to them as they stopped and watched her work.
"What is she doing?" questioned Hermione.
"Fixing her shutters," answered Harry with a look of bewilderment on his face. "What does she look like she's doing?"
Hermione paused long enough to purse her lips and roll her eyes, showing her dissatisfaction with the answer. "Shouldn't Filch be doing that for her?"
"Maybe she doesn't know to ask. She is new." Ginny offered.
Ron watched as Sophie happily hammer away at the small house. "It does seem odd doesn't it?"
"Why? Because she's a woman?" Ginny narrowed her eyes at her brother.
"That has nothing to do with it. Look at our house. If Mum let Dad anywhere near a hammer could you imagine the devastation he could cause. Lest we forget the wobbly table leg incident of 91." He lowered his head in mock reverence.
They laughed as they continued to walk.
"Hello Dr. Young," they greeted.
"Why hello there. How are you this beautiful autumn day?"
"Good actually." Harry replied. "We were all wondering why you didn't have Filch doing this for you."
Sophie gave a small shrug. "I like doing this sort of thing. This place is to be my home and I would like to have a hand in making it my own. I know that may seem strange, but I get a certain sense of satisfaction knowing I could do it myself. Good for the body, good for the mind, good for the spirit." She paused to tug on the shutter. "Do you mind handing me that screwdriver I have to tighten these hinges," she asked as she motioned to Ron.
Hermione seemed perplexed by her request. "Why didn't you just use a summoning charm?"
"Because I am not a witch," she stated without impeding her work.
They all stopped upon hearing those words and looked quickly at one another, utterly baffled.
"What…what do you mean?" Harry sputtered.
"I am just a regular human being -- a Muggle, if you will. No magical ability what so ever."
"A Muggle. Here. I thought Hogwarts was loaded with anti-Muggle charms." Hermione seemed horrified that her precious Hogwarts: A History could have misled her.
Sophie smiled at her alarm. "It is dear," she said reassuringly. "I was roaming in the train station for hours before Dumbledore found me. I kept thinking I had a pressing engagement to get to and kept wandering off. Then I would remember the pressing engagement was entering Hogwarts and I would turn around again. It got a bit monotonous. Serves me right for coming early and not letting Dumbledore know. He has made the necessary alterations in the school's wards to let me reside among you."
"How can you live here without magic?" Hermione was still very nearly apoplectic.
"The house has been enchanted so that I could live in it without magic or electricity. The lights, the kitchen appliances, a CD Player, all sorts of things allow me to live here as I would in a non-magical house. The most important piece is, of course, my computer. Honestly, some of the greatest wizarding minds in the world at this school and you still use quills -- insanity really, and coming from me that means something," she said with a winked.
They stood for a few minutes and watched her work.
"Why you? Are there no wizard psychologists?" Ron wondered aloud.
"Well, first of all, I am quite accomplished in my field and have been working with the Ministry for years. Thank you for your vote of confidence." She smiled at Ron blush. "Secondly, no actually, there aren't very many wizard psychologists. Psychology is a Muggle science and a relatively new concept in the wizarding world. The study of the mind in a capacity that involves human growth and mental development is not a top wizard concern, primarily because it is not something can be fixed by conventional wizard means. Potions can help, but only to a limited degree. Wands are useless for anything permanent. You can't make your mind better and change the way you feel about yourself with a few incantations. Human emotions are a powerful thing and whether are you Muggle or witch; you can't escape the troubles that plague the mind." This seemed like a discussion she already had. Instinctively, she waited to be descended upon by someone at any moment.
They continued to watch her, seeming to think over her words very carefully.
When it appeared no one was ready to comment, she continued. "It was only after the rising of Voldemort that they realized the power of controlling the mind. He had the ability…no, the power to manipulate, if not distort reality for those all too willing to listen. Preventing a repeat performance was what brought me to your world."
Ron cringed at the sound of the Dark Lord's name. Sophie noticed and spoke gently. "You give him power by being afraid of his name, Ron. Fear is what he lives upon, what he thrives upon. He can only control you -- truly control you -- when you fear him. Courage comes from knowing that what you believe is true and just, and the first step to that is acknowledging the enemy and saying his name." Ron nodded hesitantly.
"So enough about me," Sophie said with a grin, "What is the year looking like for you?"
Hermione spoke of her advanced work in Arithmancy and Charms, and her new responsibilities as Prefect. Harry spoke of working with the new captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and how the other squads were looking this year. Ron was quiet.
"What about you dear," Sophie inquired.
"Oh, nothing new really. Just going to try to get past the year." He seemed sullen, if only slightly. An idea suddenly struck Sophie – she had found her assistant.
"Ron, I would like to make you a proposition. I need someone to help me with fixing this place. I need to get the outside ready before the winter hits, and then I need to start working on the inside to make it livable. I would pay you for your time of course. What so you think?"
"You would pay me? Really?"
"Have you ever had a job before?" He shook his head.
"Well first of all, if you are interested, I need to get your parent's permission. Secondly, we would need to agree on a schedule and a price. Let's see." She thought for a moment. "What if I make a list of what I need done at the beginning of each week? You work when you can, scheduling time around your schoolwork and other responsibilities, and I will pay you five galleons upon finishing the tasks I have for you on the list."
"Five galleons," he replied shocked, "Are you serious? That seems like an awful lot."
"Your time is a valuable commodity Ron, remember that always. You should never underestimate your value at your work. As long as you do your job, and do it well, I will be glad to pay the fee."
It was Ginny who spoke next. "You wouldn't have enough work for two would you?"
"Ginny don't be rude!" Ron was flabbergasted at his sister's impudence.
"No, really, that's fine," Sophie assured, looking at Ginny closely. "I admire your initiative. You saw an opportunity and went for it -- that took spirit. Actually I could use someone to help me set up my office, file papers, and transfer notes for me. I need your promise that you could be responsible, trustworthy, and most of all discreet. My personal papers contain my life's work and are precious to me."
Ginny smiled brightly. "Absolutely and thank you ever so much," she said, glowing.
"Excellent. We will start next week after I have a quick talk with your parents. Does that seem fair?"
They nodded enthusiastically.
"Wonderful."
And with that they continued on their way. "Things are finally starting to look up," She said cheerfully and continued to hum as she adjusted the second shutter.
