Visit 6
“Good afternoon, Dr. Stone.”
Today is a good day. It’s raining again, but today feels so much lighter than yesterday.
“Good afternoon, Hermione,” he looks happy today, “You seem to be in good spirits today.”
“Today is a good day.”
“Even with the rain?”
“Yes.”
“That’s great. Are you ready to discuss your evening?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect, start whenever you’re ready.”
“Well, when I got there via floo I was pleasantly surprised. Theodore had completely redone it. He gave me a full tour of the Manor and told me everything he changed. Apparently, after the Ministry removed dark artefacts following the war, Theodore decided to give the Manor a muggle twist. He said that the program really inspired him.”
“How so?”
“He added in modern furniture and really lightened it up. Some of the paintings are still original to the Manor but you can really tell he’s trying.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“I really have a soft spot for Theodore, he reminds me a lot of Harry.”
“How so?”
“They have similar eyes and messy dark hair. Theodore is a bit more quiet than Harry, but they both have a terrible sense of humour.”
“It’s strange how we see each other in different people.”
“It is. I’m really glad he showed me around the Manor. It was just so different from what I expected. The sitting room with everyone else was so comfortable. He even had a nice television in there. I guess house arrest gave them some time for movies and other muggle activities.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Pansy gave me a big hug, it was different. I just wasn’t expecting it. I helped her pick out nursery colours too and it was so much fun.”
“That’s great. How were Blaise, Goyle, and Malfoy?”
“They were fine. Goyle brought his girlfriend. She’s a muggle!”
“That’s great.”
“Blaise is so smitten with Pansy. It’s so sweet to watch them. I always thought that Malfoy and her would end up together, but after seeing Blaise with her, they’re perfect.”
“That’s so good to hear.”
“Malfoy was different.”
“Different how?”
“He smiled. It was the first time I think I ever saw him truly smile.”
“Aye Drake! Pass the whiskey!” Blaise’s voice was louder than I expected.
“Here ya go, you brute!” he smiled, “You have working legs, you know!”
“Aye, but you’re the one with a longer stride.”
“And you’re the one with a silver fucking tongue.”
His laugh was so warm. It didn’t make sense to hear him in such a light tone. His eyes were so much brighter than the last time I’d seen him, their slate grey shone almost silver.
“Hermione? Should we do a lilac theme? I feel like that could be neutral,” Pansy looked so happy next to Blaise.
“I think that’s a gorgeous colour!”
“Me too,” she gave a menacing grin, “So, when are you going to have some little chicks of your own?”
“Oh, not any time soon.”
“That’s totally fair,” Theo put his arm around my shoulders, “I’m personally delighted that you left the Weasel. Fuckin arse he was.”
“Right.”
“Theo, buzz off,” Malfoy gave Theodore a harsh look.
“Thank you all for having me but I best head back home. I’m not much of a night owl,” I give my bravest smile.
“Oh! I wish you didn’t have to go! We need to get coffee soon, I know a great place in East Yorkshire!” Pansy pulled me into a tight hug.
“It’s a date,” I hugged her back.
“I’ll walk you to the floo,” Malfoy’s deep voice made my blood run cold.
We made our way to the main floo network in the front entryway.
“Listen, Granger-”
“Malfoy, I-”
“You go first.”
“Malfoy, I just wanted to say that I’m glad you answered my letter. I know it was a muggle post so I didn’t think you’d get it.”
“I’m glad I answered too.”
“Right, goodnight Malfoy.”
“It’s Draco.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s Draco. Malfoy was my father. I’m not like him.”
“Right. Well, I’m Hermione. Granger just feels odd, it’s never really been my nickname.”
“I agree. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hermione.”
“Same to you, Draco.”
I put out my hand for a formal handshake. Instead of taking it as such, he wraps his hand around my fingers and pulls them to his lips. A ghost of a kiss danced across my knuckles.
“Goodnight, Hermione.”
“Goodnight, Draco.”
“Hermione?”
“Yes, sorry.”
“No need to apologise,” Dr. Stone adjusted his glasses, “Was there something you wanted to add? I lost you for a moment there.”
“No, I was just thinking through the night. I’m so glad I went. They all seemed so different from what I expected, especially Draco.”
“Draco. Seems that you have had a change of heart about him.”
“Malfoy was his father, not him. We reintroduced ourselves. I think we met each other for the first time last night.”
“I’m glad to see that you have found someone who seems to be similar to you in that aspect. You both have had people in your lives that you trusted but weren’t the best people. Do you agree?”
“I think so. His dad was awful to him, we both have survived some terrible things.”
“Sometimes we bond with people over differences, sometimes it’s similarities. I told you that there might be more in common with them than you thought.”
“They were never bad people, just people who went through bad things.”
“That’s right,” he laid the folders on the table, “What else is on your mind?”
“I didn’t have any attacks, didn’t need my tools.”
“That’s good. Sometimes we prepare ourselves for the worst when we don’t need to.”
“I really did prepare for the worst,” I’m smiling really big, I can feel it.
“That’s how you protect yourself. After the things you’ve been through, it’s understandable. Do you think you’ll continue spending time with them?”
“I think so. Pansy already wrote to me this morning about coffee.”
“Good, I’m glad.”
“I think it helps with my anxiety about being out in public. I don’t always look over my shoulder every five seconds when I’m with them. I catch myself sometimes, but not nearly like I used to.”
“Good,” he jots something down in his notebook, “We’re nearing the end of the session today. What would you like to focus on in the next session?”
“I think I want to focus on the incident. I can’t avoid it forever and there’s a lot there.”
“Perfect. We can stretch that to multiple sessions. Take your time. Your healing process is specific to you, there’s no timeline for how quickly you need to get through this.”
“I know, but I can feel myself avoiding it.”
“I understand. Are you ready for the check in?”
“Yup.”
“We already discussed that you had no attacks which is good. Any nightmares?”
“Nope.”
“Wonderful. Any thoughts of self-harm or suicide?”
“No.”
“That’s wonderful, Hermione. Do you feel good going into a new week?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really proud of the progress we’re making.”
“I am too. Thank you Dr. Stone.”
“Of course. Have a good week, Hermione. I’ll see you next session.”
“Bye, Dr. Stone.”