*slight mention of abuse (more so the aftermath).
Hospitals never seem like a joyful place, the atmosphere in this particular ICU mimicked that easily. The all-pervading smells that greeted the visitor once the heavy doors opened, was overwhelming. Some smells are expected for a usual visitor - like blood, antiseptic and vomit just to name a few. But there is another predominant smell that people don't expect is to be able to smell, tears. It is clear as day that the smell of a hospital personifies life and death, pain and pleasure, love and heartbreak, happiness and sadness.
Once through those doors people then notice how the corridors seem never ending and there's a constant bustle of people pushing past. All around are clean white walls with bright posters advising the reader with things like 'Quit Smoking' or 'how to avoid the flu'. There are pleather blue chairs that look like they should be comfy but definitely aren't, beside them a overly noisy drinks machine and a few house plants. It is like they try to make whoever is here feel positive as they walk through - but that is almost impossible.
Almost everybody will visit a hospital at least once in their life, whether for themselves or to visit loved ones. However this environment was entirely foreign to the older gentleman as he sauntered in and approached a large wooden desk. When he reached the desk, the lady behind lifted her head and began to greet him.
"Hello Sir -" Before the receptionist could continue on her rehearsed welcome to the ward she couldn't help but notice the clothing the man was wearing and the length of his beard. The lady couldn't stop herself thinking 'my gosh he looks just like Merlin from that Disney film Sword In The Stone'.
The man in front of her began to chuckle before hastily covering it with a small cough to clear his throat.
"Hello Madam, I am here to meet with Dr Bertha Weber." The older man spoke nonchalantly, behaving like he was blissfully unaware to the way he attracted attention.
"May I take your name Sir?" The receptionist spoke politely, even though her mind was thinking many strange things.
"Ah of course, how rude of me." The gentleman extended his arm forward for a handshake, a formal greeting the receptionist wasn't anticipating. "My name is Albus Dumbledore."
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"Thank you so much for coming Professor Dumbledore, I am aware it may have seemed very strange to receive an owl from a long past student." A middle aged lady sat behind a wooden desk, paperwork piled neatly to unimaginable heights that amplified her professionalism.
"Nonsense Ms Weber, it is always an honour to hear from past students" Dumbledore responded pleasantly. "However from your owl it seemed something of deep importance was bothering you."
"That is true. Merlin I don't even know where to begin but I need your advice." Dr Weber placed the tattered takeaway coffee cup down on her desk with a sigh.
Dumbledore took this moment to take in the tiredness that shined from the Doctor's eyes, he could distinctly remember Bertha was a hardworking student who always pushed herself to succeed and it's clear in the last 30 years nothing has changed. You can tell a lot from someone's eyes you see, they tell you a story.
"Yesterday a young girl came into my ICU in, well I really will say, one of the worst states I've ever seen. It's a miracle really that she's alive, it has left a lot of my doctors and nurses completely dumbfounded which is why I stepped in. Sometimes miracles do seem to happen here but this just seemed beyond the usual muggle miracle. Whilst examining the girl I noticed the flowers beside her withered when she winced from pain, before quickly returning to normal. Which leads me to owling you." The doctor continued.
"You believe she is a witch?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I am certain Professor." The last gave a nod with this statement.
"May I see her?"
"Of course Professor, I must warn you though she's not in a good condition..." Bertha quite visibly gulped, "like I said earlier, it's probably one of the worst cases I've ever seen."
Holding open the office door for her past Headmaster, she took a moment to recollect herself. This job wasn't easy at the best of times yet sometimes a patient just seems to tug even harder at your heartstring. Opening her eyes again she looked to see Dumbledore studying her before he walked out her door.
"May I ask why she was admitted to hospital in the first place?"
"Abuse."
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Albus Dumbledore had seen a lot in his life, it was no secret that he was renowned as 'the most powerful wizard of all time'. Whilst that seemed an amazing achievement and title to many, only few would think to remember that this 'title' meant he had to witness a lot of tragedy too. But Dumbledore almost never showed any sign of woe or suffering; instead he was always seen with a twinkle in his eye and a reassuring smile to all. Tonight though, that twinkle was almost gone, his brows drew together and that gleaming smile was instead replaced by a thoughtful frown.
Sat at his large English walnut desk in a beautiful circular room he looked up to see a colleague walk in and take a seat in the armchair opposite him. This lady looked stern on first impressions, with a no nonsense policy and unemotional front she was known as someone you wouldn't want to upset or disappoint. But deep down this truly was just a facade; this lady was loyal and protective with one of the biggest hearts anyone could have.
"You called for me Albus?" The lady asked.
"Yes, thank you for coming so promptly Minerva."
Minerva looked at her fellow colleague, but above all friend, not many times had she seen Dumbledore without a smile. But there was no evidence there at all of any attempt to smile, not even a forced one. Dumbledore popped a sweet into his mouth, something he often does when he wants to calm some nerves, before he continued.
"I need you to accompany me to a muggle hospital. A young girl is there in need of our support, its all very unusual circumstances and I am extremely shocked by it all. It appears she is a witch yet there is no evidence of her on any records." Albus began to explain, before pausing to ensure Minerva was still following the rather unusual explanation. "She seems to have fallen through the cracks of our ministry. Alas this is the least of our concerns right now, I'd like you to speak with her. I feel your presence would be much more comforting than mine, I've been warned that her reaction to men is almost always fear."
"Oh merlin, that poor girl, are we to leave now?" Minerva questioned, a maternal instinct to be by the side of a vulnerable child took over.
"No, we leave in a few days. I have a few things I'd like to look into first and she is yet to 'stabilise', I believe that is how the muggles say it. I'll inform you of the visit once I know more." Albus stood to signal that conversation was now over.
Minerva nodded, she didn't want to pry much on what exactly was happening because she knew her friend would tell her in time; evidently whatever he had witnessed had affected him. What she did know was that if Dumbledore needed her, it must be important. Pushing her square glasses back up her nose and preparing to leave she looked back.
"May I know her name?" Minerva asked.
"Ophelia Montgomery."
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Waking up in a hospital to many would be frightening, but Ophelia felt a sense of relief first. Maybe, just maybe, this was the moment things could be beginning to change.
"Morning Ophelia, you're looking a little chirpier today." Dr Weber had just walked into Ophelia's room and was checking over her medical notes from the night.
"Hi Dr Weber! Yes thank you, that drink you gave me last night really helped me get a full night sleep, I've never felt so rested!" Ophelia's voice was rather tired, but there was an evidence of a bounce there too.
"That drink was from my old Professor, he said it would help." Dr Weber explained.
"Your Professor? As in from university?" Ophelia asked, genuinely interested to find out some more about Dr. Weber's life and to have an 'ordinary' conversation with somebody.
"Uh, yes, something like that." The doctor responded quickly, in hope not to raise any suspicions.
When Dr Weber looked up from the notes, she couldn't help but smile. Seeing Ophelia awake and chatting was such an improvement from the girl who looked like the twin of death just the previous week. The teenager was certainly nowhere near close to being recovered but this was plenty for now.
"He must have been a very intelligent man."
"He was indeed. In fact, if you're feeling up to it he was hoping to speak to you this morning. He has some uh..." Dr Weber paused, struggling to think of the right words to use without worrying the girl too much, "information that he thinks you'd love to hear."
Within seconds Ophelia's shoulders had slightly stiffened and her cheery face was gone.
"Ophelia," Dr Weber placed the files back in the bottom of her bed, only just noticing that Ophelia jumped at the sudden movement. "I promise you that my Professor is the safest person you could meet, I wouldn't dream of putting you in danger."
Ophelia continued to stare down at her hands, where she picked away at her nails before murmuring "You promise?"
"I promise."
"I'm, uh, s-sorry for not trusting you." Quite often Ophelia found herself stuttering, something she never used to do. But from the moment she entered the hospital broken physically, her confidence had shattered with it too.
"You have no reason to apologise Ophelia, its completely understandable." The doctor reassured.
"Will you stay with me though whilst he's here?" Ophelia asked tentatively, unsure whether it was too much to ask of someone who barely knew her.
"If that is what you would like, then yes." The Doctor offered a strong smile with these words, as further reassurance.
"Thank you Dr." Some anxiety was soothed by the Doctor's promise.
"You're more than welcome, he will be arriving anytime now so I will see you very soon, if you need anything remember your buzzer." The Doctor offered.
Once Dr Weber had left the room Ophelia let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding, and a single tear fell down her face. Muttering to herself 'that everything was going to be ok' multiple times seemed to calm down the girl. On the other side of the door stood the Doctor who watched the little scene unfold, her heart broke for the girl. No one knows exactly what happened to her other than that the people who were supposed to love and care for her were the ones who had put her in this position; there was no wonder she struggled trusting people. She could only hope that the girls life would get better from here.
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Well that was my first chapter gulp I have no idea what I'm doing bloody hell!
Please be nice and leave some comments, but don't be too mean, I know I'm not a pro!
Thinking I might do a QOTC (question of the chapter) each chapter so for my first...
QOTC: What do you think to having that?