George slumped down onto the bar stool, his heart was heavy from his visit with Lavender Brown. He waved down the bartender and ordered a firewhiskey. George wanted to help this girl, obviously there was something going on with her. He sipped on his firewhiskey, mulling over what he could do to help the crazy girl. After an hour of silent brooding George decided to head home, he would have a long day tomorrow.
OooOoOoOoOoOoO
George took in a deep breath before pushing open the cool metal door leading into Lavender's dark room. He let his eyes adjust to the dark and looked around, Lavender was laying on her hospital bed in the fetal position. The receptionist said she had been like this all night and morning, even refusing food and water.
"What's up?" George said letting out a sigh. Lavender turned slightly to look at him.
"Why are you here?" She spoke up, her voice heavy with sleep.
"I'm here to help, if you wont talk to a mind healer then we are going to figure this out," George moved to sit in the chair by her bed, "together."
Lavender sat up properly glaring at George, showing how much she hated him being there. All she wanted to do was to disappear from this world, let a big hole open up under her bed and swallow her. She didn't want to talk to him about her issues she just wanted to be alone , brood alone, starve alone.
George stood up again and headed towards her bed, Lavender flinched though he hadn't made any gestures to strike her. He threw open the curtains behind her letting in the bright light and the irony of the clear blue sky and the echos of children laughing and playing at the park nearby.
"Ah! What the fuck!" Lavender snapped her eyes closed from the sudden exposure. George gave her a minute to adjust to the bright light, before speaking.
"Look Lavender what is the worst thing that has ever happened to you, the worst thing that has caused you to get this low?" George asked tentatively as he sat back in his chair.
"George...my heart has scars you will never understand," Lavender let out a small cry, "you don't know how it feels to be treated like a monster, like I'm...going...going to eat a child or something."
"You didn't answer my question, what is the worse thing that sticks out in your mind," George continued calmly.
"I...you wouldn't understand," Lavender spoke up not wanting to tell him her secrets.
"I never said I would, I just want you to say it, trust me speak about it really does help," George had never been this serious in front of another person before but he desperately wanted to help her.
"It was right after my attack, I was in St. Mungo's and waking up from surgery, I could hear the healers and the nurses talking and one of them had said," Lavender paused, taking in a shaky breath and licking her chapped lips, "she had said 'the poor thing will never find a proper husband, not the way she looks' and and," Lavender had heavy tears falling down her face, "and everyone agreed and I'm acting like a child aren't I?"
"No, that's a horrible thing to say about someone, even if they don't think you would hear them," George spoke up, "but if you let things others do or say effect you this much you wont want to continue living."
"What am I supposed to do, my family cast me out, I have no job, my money is almost gone so I wont be able to stay at the Inn much longer and any time I go on an interview they awkwardly talk to me then say 'we'll owl you tomorrow' which I never receive," Lavender was tired of crying, she was just exhausted.
"Lavender..." George wasn't sure if he should ask what he wanted to ask but he was going to anyways, " are you a werewolf?"
"NO!" She looked at him angrily, "everyone thinks that but Greyback wasn't a werewolf when he attacked me, it wasn't a full moon and Professor Mooney wasn't a werewolf either."
"Sound to me like your life could be worse couldn't it..." George didn't want to sound like he was judging her and he had to remind himself that she was still young, just barely an adult.
"I guess so..." Lavender frowned as she thought things over.
"Lavender, do you wanna work for me?" George asked hesitantly, "I mean we can always use help around the shop, plus I was thinking of opening a second shop in Hogsmead...that is, if you want to work for me."
"Oh..." Lavender couldn't help but give him a small yet deserving smile, "yes I would like that very much."
"Well, are you sure?" George spoke, he didn't want her to say yes now and then when the time came flake out.
"Yes! Times infinity and thank you times infinity!" Lavender practically glowed with a new light around her. This was just the opportunity she needed, a break into the job market, someone to take a chance on her.
"So, you've got to work on getting healthier, mentally and get out of here before you can take the job...obviously but I'll be here through it all, for moral support," George came over to her and stuck his hand out, "welcome to the W-W-W, Ms. Brown."
Lavender shook his hand excitedly feeling happy and free, like a new women...for now.
Well I guess it isn't a one shot,
SS