Forever Family

Chapter 9

Publish Date: 10/10/18

"Crucio!" The burning pain coursed through her body, sending pain to places she didn't even know could hurt. It felt like every nerve was on fire. No matter how many times one feels the Cruciatus Curse, they can never get used to it.

Make it stop.

Her blood curdling scream filled the dungeons, but she couldn't hear it. She just wanted the pain to stop.

Finally, Amycus Carrow stopped the curse, leaving her gasping for breath.

"See what happens when you disobey us, girlie?" he sneered, and seemed to relish in performing the torturous curse on students. "Next time, you'll listen."

Listen to what, exactly, she couldn't recall, but she knew this kind of pain just wasn't worth the small act of rebellion. 

"Or maybe, you're just like Potter. I think we'll get the message through your thick skull if we punish one of your beloved "friends". What about that looney girl from Ravenclaw? Or that cowardly Longbottom boy?"

He smirked at her horrified face.

"That's what I thought. You won't be so quick to rebel next time."

Ginny woke up with a jolt, and groggily started to regain consciousness. The bright sunlight glowed through the windows, and she squinted her eyes.

She had another nightmare. Ginny looked around the room, surprised to find Harry out of bed already. She found a piece of parchment on her bedside table, and reached over to read it. As she looked closer, she realized it was a note from Harry.

Ginny,
I had to wake up early to go to work. I may be late coming home, but I'll try to get home as soon as possible. I love you.
Harry

Ginny sighed and looked at the clock, which read 9 AM. She was glad she had no practice today. Suddenly, she realized that she had an appointment with that Mind Healer, Healer Matthews today.

'That's ironic,' Ginny thought. 'I'm going to see a Mind Healer the same day I had a nightmare.'

Ginny climbed out of bed to get ready for the day. She didn't have to get to St. Mungo's until 2 PM, so she had the morning to herself. With this thought in mind, Ginny smiled and made herself a cup of tea.

A few hours and a relaxing morning later, Ginny gathered her things and got ready to go to St. Mungo's for her appointment. She Apparated there in a matter of seconds.

The waiting room was once again busy, although not nearly as busy as when she was there last. Ginny walked over to the front desk, and asked for Healer Matthews.

"Welcome back, Miss Weasley. Healer Matthews will be with you in a few minutes," the receptionist welcomed her.

"Thanks." Ginny sat down in the waiting room, lost in thought. What was this appointment going to be like? How could she stop her nightmares? Why is Harry going to be late coming home, again?

"Miss Weasley?"

"Yes?" Ginny looked up to see a Healer with dark eyes, and dark, curly hair that was pinned back.

"Hello, Miss Weasley, I'm Healer Matthews. Why don't you follow me?" Ginny was led down a hallway, to a room with a squishy couch, an armchair, and a table.

"Alright, Miss Weasley. Healer Parker says you've been having some trouble with nightmares?"

"Yes," Ginny confirmed. The healer nodded, and scrawled some things down.

"Okay. And have you done anything on your own to reduce the nightmares?" she asked. Ginny shrugged in response.

"Other than taking some Dreamless Sleep on the bad nights, not really, no," Ginny said. Healer Matthews nodded again.

"I see. Well, let's talk about where those nightmares are coming from, first of all. It seems you are experiencing some delayed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's not impossible for the PTSD to kick in years after the actual event, but it's definitely not common." Healer Matthews paused, giving Ginny a moment to process the information. After a moment, she continued.

"As far as dealing with the nightmares goes, I have some options for you. First, you could take a potion that is similar to Dreamless Sleep, but not as extreme. It should keep the nightmares at bay for the night. Another option is to come back a few times a month to talk about the PTSD. This is typically a more Muggle approach, but it works just as well. Do you know what you'd prefer?"

"I think I like the potion idea. But Healer Parker said I couldn't take Dreamless Sleep because I might get to dependent on it. Is the other potion the same way?"

"That's a good question, Miss Weasley. And, no, this potion is a lot less extreme. It will do no more than keep the nightmares at bay for the night. As long as you use it sparingly, you should be fine. The only reason we don't prescribe it more often is because it's very expensive and takes a long time to make, but we can make exceptions in special cases."

Ginny nodded.

The two talked for a little while longer, before the appointment was almost over.

"That's all I have for you, Miss Weasley. Any more questions?" Ginny shook her head, and thanked the healer. After gathering her things and her supply of the potion, Ginny Apparated away.

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Ginny was anxiously sitting in her and Harry's kitchen, waiting for Harry to return from work. Harry had said he was going to be home late, but Ginny didn't expect he meant this late. After all, it was 8:30. Where was he?

Ginny sighed and made herself a cup of tea while she waited for Harry to return. As she was making the tea, she heard the door being opened.

"Harry!" Ginny spun around, coming face to face with her fiance. Harry smiled tiredly at her.

"Hey, Gin. Sorry I'm late," Harry walked over to Ginny.

"Harry, I know you're working on a special case at work, but you're hours late. What's going on?" Ginny was concerned, and for a good reason, too.

"It's not just any special case, Ginny. We're locating former Death Eaters," Harry finally informed Ginny of what's been going on. What he did not expect was for her to be angry.

"You've been what?! You've been finding former Death Eaters, and you didn't think to mention it!?" Ginny exclaimed. Harry looked taken aback.

"I wanted to, Gin, but—"

"Harry, you could be killed! This is dangerous! Why didn't you say something?"

"Ginny, I wanted to, but this is top secret information! If I were to tell anybody, I could lose my job!"

"We're about to be married, for Merlin's sake! How can you keep something like this from me?!"

"Nobody's allowed to know—"

"Really? Former Death Eaters are on the loose, Harry! Doesn't the public deserve to know? Don't I deserve to know?" Ginny's face was livid.

Before Harry could say anything else, Ginny abruptly stood up, and stomped to the door.

"Ginny, wait! Where are you going?" Harry stood up, too.

"Ron and Hermione's." And with that, Ginny walked out, and slammed the door behind her.

A/N: Chapter 9 is here! I hope you all enjoyed, and as always, thanks for reading! 💛
Words: 1,110