Wants of the Heart

Chapter 4

As promised, I find myself sitting across from a mind healer in the afternoon. Mipsy had been apologetic as she forced me downstairs and into a parlor, having me sit on a chaise with a cup of tea. The little elf had been clear that I was to call on her when I wished to leave, not wanting me to traverse the tall staircases alone until I was fully healed. I had spent the majority of the day before my session trying to pry off the ring Draco had forced on my finger. So far I haven't had success.

Healer Minnows sits on the sofa across from me, a notepad in her lap. She looks at me expectantly.

"I'm sorry, what was the question?" I ask, pulling myself out of my gloomy thoughts.

"I asked what is the earliest memory of your childhood that you have, Cassandra?"

I scrunch my nose at the name. "If we have to have these sessions, can you at least call me Rosie?" I request, taking a sip of my tea.

"Very well, Rosie. Now, that memory."

I stare at the witch as I think. She wears the lime green robes of a St. Mungos mediwitch. Unfortunately the robes are not very flattering, but her dark complexion goes well with the shade of green. Braids frame her face, a pair of purple cat eye glasses perch on her nose.

"I think Hermione and I were three, maybe four. We were in our room and it was nighttime. Mum and Dad were tucking us in." I smile at the memory. "Dad sang to us after Mum had read us a story. After they turned out the lights and left, I climbed into Mya's bed and we whispered to each other until we fell asleep."

Minnows hums, scratching something into her notes with a peacock feather quill. "You understand that this is a memory fabricated by whoever placed you with the muggle family. It most likely is a memory of Miss Granger's that was altered to include you in it."

I purse my lips, staring down into my tea cup. "I'm aware."

"Based on our conversation so far, I believe hypnotization is our best course of action." I stare at her incredulously.

"You can't be serious! What could that possibly do?"

She looks at me over the top of her glasses, eyebrows raised. "It may help us unlock your lost memories by delving deeper into your subconscious."

"Maybe I don't want to remember." I mutter stubbornly.

The mind healer gives a sigh, crossing one leg over the other. "Your father has employed me to help you remember. I intend to do just that, Miss Nott."

I stay silent, sipping my drink once more. I think of Hermione, wondering how she is, how she's dealing with my disappearance. There are still a few more days before she takes the train home. We never got to finish discussing how to convince our parents to leave Britain. I hope she is able to do so without me.

"Fine. What do you need me to do?" I grumble, setting my teacup on the settee between us.

"First, relax. Lay back on the lounge and close your eyes. Take deep breaths and think of a place that calms you."

I roll my eyes as I lie back, pulling my legs up onto the chaise. I allow my eyes to fall shut and slow my breathing, deepening it. My brain wanders for a moment before I find myself picturing the Black Lake. I sit under a willow tree, not the Whomping Willow, leant against the trunk. A book sits open on my lap as I stare out over the water, hands running through the grass on either side of me.

"Now, as I count backwards from ten, continue to relax while thinking of your early childhood. What did you look like? What did you enjoy? Who did you spend time with?"

I listen to her, letting myself relax further into the lounge as I picture my younger self. Long auburn hair, freckled skin from playing outdoors, a toothless smile.