Chapter Eight - The Counselor
When I woke up, I was in a white room. There was sunlight entering from a large window to my left, and there was another bed to my right, but it was empty. I sighed.
"You're awake," a feminine voice pointed out. It was calm, but slightly... dreamy? I looked over at the door, not far from both beds. Somehow, I hadn't seen the door open and someone come in. "How are you feeling?" she asked, closing the door behind her.
The woman was very young, maybe in her twenties. She had long blonde hair, and her slightly protruding eyes were gray or light blue. She was wearing opaque robes, indicating that she was probably a witch. She looked very simple, but she was pretty nonetheless. "I'm okay," I replied. "Where am I? Where's Uncle?"
She smiled slightly. "You're at St. Mungo's, a hospital for magical people. You had a panic or anxiety attack and fainted," she explained. "Your uncle Ronald and Mrs Weasley are waiting outside, but I can't let them in until I'm sure you're feeling better." She turned around and took in her surroundings. "Oh, well," she said with a shrug, as she took out her wand and with a flick, a small cushioned chair appeared next to my bed. She promptly sat on it, and smiled at me.
"Who are you?" I asked, feeling very curious.
"My name is Luna Lovegood, I work as a counselor for children, here in St. Mungo's," she said. "What's your name?"
"Didn't Uncle tell you?" I asked confusedly.
Miss Lovegood's smile didn't fade. "Of course. But I'd like you to speak for yourself."
I nodded. "I'm John Granger," I said, extending my hand for her to shake.
She did so. "Hello, John," Miss Lovegood said. "Would you like to tell me why you're here?"
I frowned, unsure of what to say. "I don't know... I mean, all I know is that I obviously fainted." She nodded, as if encouraging me to go on. But I wanted to make sure of something, before I could tell her anything. "You can't say anything to Mrs Weasley or Uncle, right?"
"Of course. Whatever you and I speak will not be repeated or told to anyone else. You've got my word. Would you like me to place a Silencing Charm so that no one outside can hear us?" I nodded. "Well, then." Miss Lovegood waved her wand, mumbling something, and soft sparks came out from the tip. "Now it's just the two of us, John."
I didn't know where to start, so I decided to say the obvious. "My mother died two three nights ago, in a car accident." I knew my voice was trembling, and cursed myself for not being strong enough to keep calm. I felt my heart pounding in my chest. "She... she..." I couldn't breathe. I felt as helpless as before, in the kitchen at The Burrow.
Miss Lovegood stood up and held my hand. "It's okay, John. You don't have to say anything else," she said quickly. "Try to breathe deeply and don't close your eyes for too long." I did as she told me, and it took a few minutes for my heart rate and breathing to calm down. "You feel better, now?"
I nodded. "Yes, thank you."
After a few minutes of silence, where I was sitting and still holding her hand, she spoke up. "John... Do you have any nightmares? Your uncle mentioned one on your first night at his home."
I tried to keep calm. "Yes. But I don't want to talk about it." I let go of her hand.
Miss Lovegood simply nodded. "Okay, then. I'll make sure that you are given a Draught of Peace and Sleeping Draught, it will prevent you from having those nightmares. You will have to take them for a week, every night, before you go to bed."
She started heading out, and I felt the urge to stop her. The way she talked to me, despite being a counselor. She wasn't trying. "Will I be able to talk to you again?"
She turned around, smiling, and nodded. "Of course. Whenever you need me, just tell your uncle to let me know. You can even write me if you're uncomfortable with talking."
For the first time since I woke in that white, unknown room, I smiled.
When Miss Lovegood opened the door Uncle tried to hurry inside. This resulted in them nearly colliding with each other. I watched on curiously. Uncle looked embarrassed, since they were very close to each other. "Um, hi, Luna."
Miss Lovegood hadn't stopped smiling, but it seemed different from the way she had smiled at me. "Hello, Ronald," she said calmly, and glanced over at me briefly, before looking back at Uncle. "I was actually looking for you. Come with me."
Uncle looked at me helplessly and I shrugged, trying to keep my face emotionless. With a sigh, he followed after Miss Lovegood and closed the door.
I didn't know Uncle was so nervous around girls.
Notes: I must say, Luna's job came by itself, but it fits a lot. Her role, however, is
the one I already had in mind. For a while, she might appear briefly, but don't worry, she's very important.
:)
I could have given her a position in The Quibbler, but it wouldn't be true to what I think of her (at least, in
this story). I see her as a nice person kids can talk to. And I see her as someone who wants to help kids who went
through something traumatic, as she did when she was a little girl.
If anyone is confused on the current day, it's December 28. I know I got lost for a moment there. Hopefully, it
won't happen again. :P