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Tweak says, "Dance, little sister!"

Penelope Clearwater (clearpenny) wrote in pandorarpg,
@ 2011-11-13 00:48:00

Entry tags:

^date: november 02 2003, character: anthony goldstein, character: penelope clearwater

Characters: Anthony Goldstein and Penelope Clearwater
Setting: Sunday November 2nd, 2003 at 15:00; Waiting Room, St. Mungo's.
Summary: Random meeting at one of Penny's regular haunts.
Rating: Worksafe

It was the third night of terrifying nightmares, the last two being unusual in the sense that they were indeed real. Penelope had decided to make her way over to St. Mungo's once more, just to see if there was any more information to be had on these nightmares. She didn't disclose anything about nightmares during her last visit as she had felt a nagging thought in the back of her mind that said that she probably was going off the deep end. Now-a-days she would occasionally acknowledge the fact that for the past five years had flashbacks, nightmares and other symptoms. It was a huge change from a year ago when her former fiancee challenged her, stating that she needed to see a shrink. No--she didn't want to think about or admit to being "crazy" or needing "help"... But this--these nightmares...she knew that these were something else. It even just felt like something completely different.

She shifted in her seat in the waiting room, feeling uncomfortable at the idea of even going in to see a healer and potentially being labeled as "crazy". Her hand and wrist were in pain once again too, and for a brief moment she wondered whether this, and everything was just all in her head. Perhaps if she chickened out when meeting the Healer she can bring up that issue once more. She looked at her journal and made note of some of the comments people had made about their experiences, which were disturbingly similar, and wondered whether the whole world was going mad with her.

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-13 09:17 pm UTC (link)

Anthony listened carefully as Penelope told her story. When he was trapped at Hogwarts, he wouldn't have believed that he was lucky. A few weeks at St Mungo's had taught him differently. There was an entire generation that had been maimed and tortured. In his idle moments, Anthony wondered if the war would ever really end. Anthony didn't allow himself many idle moments though. Not if there was healing to be done. He looked Penelope in the eye when she finally raised her head.

"I assume that you've seen a number of Healers by now. I'll review their notes, but if you're still experiencing symptoms none of the usual methods have been effective. Can you tell me more about the symptoms?"

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clearpenny
2011-11-13 09:45 pm UTC (link)

"Well it's usually a shooting pain around my wrist and hand, on the palm side. And its been like that for the past few days this time. I haven't been sleeping very well--that just may be it." She gestured at her right wrist which rested on her lap with her left hand as she spoke.

"I must seem mad though, after seeing this many Healers and no one finding anything wrong," she said after considering her own words. "They've tried everything, but it just doesn't seem to work over the long haul. And I have thought about going to muggle doctors, but how do you explain this to them? I don't think they'd know any better either."

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-16 08:56 pm UTC (link)

"I wouldn't recommend a muggle doctor, certainly. Aside from lying about the cause of your pain, they wouldn't be able to treat it if there was a lingering curse involved. As for treatment..." Anthony paused to consider.

He should be sending her to a specialist in another. He was a Mediwizard; his job was a treat immediate injuries or help people find the appropriate long term care. What department could treat her, though? It didn't sound like any of them knew what was wrong.

Anthony set himself in that moment. If no one else had been able to help Penelope, he had no choice. His exhaustion was pushed aside to make room for resolve. When looked back at Penelope, his gaze was focused and strong.

"We're going to figure this out, Ms. Clearwater. I firmly believe there is no injury that can't be healed with time and effort. I'm not going to give up trying to find the cause of this, and I expect you won't give up either."

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clearpenny
2011-11-17 04:51 am UTC (link)

"Thanks," Penelope said with a small but genuine smile at Anthony's determination. She wasn't completely sure whether there would be an answer, whether anything could be done. But seeing Anthony's confidence, she felt some hope at finding something.

Now if only there were some way to get rid of the nightmares too, life wouldn't be so bad. With at least a bit more confidence, she brought up the second issue. "I'm also a bit worried about the nightmares I've had lately. I've heard that several people had experienced them lately. Is there any medical or magical explanation for that you would be aware of?"

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-17 05:26 am UTC (link)

Anthony began jutting down ideas to investigate. Nightmares went to the top of the list.

"No one knows what's caused the recent spat of bad dreams. Normally, I would speculate a psychological response to the death of a prominent figure associated with keeping everyone safe, but it started before that. People are making inquiries, but nothing is certain." Anthony's focus wandered for a moment. His thoughts flickered to his own disturbing experiences.

"It might be aggravating the cause of your symptoms though. It might be a good idea to start keeping a journal. Recording your nightmares, along with your mood and stress level, diet, weather and anything else you can think of that varies frequently might help us determine if there's a pattern to these reoccurring pains."

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clearpenny
2011-11-17 06:05 am UTC (link)

"Many people?" She asked, wondering if it were more widespread than she initially thought. "Actually--" She paused, wondering if she wanted to recall the story once more since it was quite emotionally overwhelming to even think of it. "Actually I was talking to Harry the other day, when I had come in with similar problems and he did say that he also had a nightmare that very night."

"Ok," said Penelope, willing to give Anthony's suggestion a go as she hadn't thought of the patterns related to her dreams. "I'll try keeping a journal."

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-17 06:19 am UTC (link)

"Yes, many people. You, Harry, myself. I recall other people mentioning that people on those journals everyone has complaining as well." Anthony frowned. He hadn't allowed himself to much time to consider his nightmares. He had far too much to do. Was it something wide spread? Perhaps he would actually have to open one of these journals and check. He underlined the word nightmare.

"In any case, the nightmares may or may not be related. For all know, the cause of your symtoms might be related to astrological phenomenon. We can't rule anything out until we know more. If nothing else, writing the dreams down might be a good way of easing your mind. They might be less frightening out of your head."

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clearpenny
2011-11-17 06:29 am UTC (link)

"I see," Penelope said, remembering at least a couple of folks admitting to the dreams or knowing of others who had experienced the nightmares.

"Like a true Healer," Penelope acknowledged his comment on how they may not be related, or may be related to a relatively harmless phenomena. "I'm not entirely sure of that. The writing. I typically feel overwhelmed every time I think of the nightmares. Just since it reminds me of, but it isn't what I had experienced or seen in Azkaban. Since I do still have all of my fingers."

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-17 02:04 pm UTC (link)

"If the dreams become too much, I can give you the recipe for Dreamless Draught. If you can't prepare it yourself, it can be purchased here. It's not an effective long term solution though. Nothing is a substitute for real sleep."

That brought up another point that Anthony was hesitant to address. "This is going to take more time to resolve. It's unfair to ask you to wait longer, but that's reality. Your parents are muggles, but do you see them still? Do you have other friends to help support you?"

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clearpenny
2011-11-19 02:50 am UTC (link)

Penelope nodded. She had purchased a few already as she didn't have the time to make one up. She had a few deadlines at work that were quickly approaching. "I think I have the recipe somewhere," she tried to recall the volume from which it came from. She had a hand in editing different .

"Yes, I still do see my parents occasionally, and I have a few friends from work who are alright." She had been actually rather busy with her career that she hadn't as much time to socialize. Actually her social life was rather sad, but she didn't mind.

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