mirror // pansy parkinson

seven

'What do you mean by that?' I asked, my voice high-pitched. I already had known I'm not alright but the way Greta Felix stated it made my hair stood on end.

Poppy held up a finger before Greta could speak. 'Greta, can I talk to you for a short while?' Meaning without me knowing of course.

'Sure,' Greta said. 'Oh, Winona dear, can you lead Pansy to her room?'

My room? What room? What's this old lady talking about?

Even Winona seemed stunned by this question. 'Oh, you mean she's admitted- alright then.'

Winona wrapped her arms around me much to my annoyance. 'Let's go, honey, I'll show you your room.'

We stepped outside and I asked, 'what do you mean my room? And why did you say admitted just now?'

Realisation hit me, recalling the freak scene in the school infirmary. 'Oh my god...is this somekind of a hospital?'

She grimaced. 'A special kind of hospital.'

'Oh god. So I am sick for real. Some sickness that I don't know what it'll do to me. Great.'

Winona sighed, rubbing her eyes. 'Pansy, I'm sorry for all of this...your illness isn't normal. It certainly isn't. I, too, don't know what it will do to you but I've seen what's in you. It's some serious thing.'

Pansy shrugged her shoulders. 'Whatever. Just lead the way, woman.'

Winona trudged ahead with me trailing behind.

She led me to a flight of stairs. It was grand, reminded me of Cinderella, that old muggle animated movie. We walked up the stairs and ahead of me was doors.

Doors.

Each of them were wooden. Winona unlocked one door at the far left. The door was marked as "Room 22". She opened it and gestured me in.

I set my foot in the room. The room was big enough for one person. There was a single white bed and a table. And some wide space. That's all.

I touched the bed. It was soft but rough. I pressed the pillow. Ouch. Hard as a rock. I touched the table. Dusty. The walls were brown so it was quite pretty.

'Winona,' I said, turning towards her. Winona was lounging at the doorway. 'How long am I going to be here?'

'I'm not sure. That's up to Greta. Some patients doesn't be staying here, but they visit everyday to check up. Or only some days. But if it was too critical, they'll definitely get admitted and stay here until they heal,' she explained. 'That's how Richmond Marvess work.'

'Oh.'

'Alright, Pansy! I'm going now, I have things to do as I'm not the rightful person to set you up. I'll send you in a lad that could help you sort things out or something. Make yourself at home here.'

She flashed me a smile before dashing away.

I looked around once more after closing the door. I rather not making herself at home. Home was hell to me.

But then again, this place was already hell.

-

Three knocks on the door.

'Miss Parkinson?' a soft voice, a masculine voice said, just outside the room. 'I've been told to assist you.'

I opened the door.

In front of me was a guy.

I just stared at him without saying a word. The guy looked older than me but not that old. He had messy blonde hair and his skin was fair. Beneath the black framed glasses was stunningly hazel eyes.

'Hello,' he said, awkwardly waving a hand, looking at me.

Oh gosh, I must look so hideous right now.

'Hi,' I said, giving him a faint smile.

'How are you?'

'I'm fine...thank you.'

'Oh that's great.'

'Yeah.'

'Yeah. Oh, RIGHT, Winona sent me here. May I come in?'

'Right, sure.'

He stepped in. I didn't close the door behind me of course. I'm not an idiot.

'Name's Carter Felix, by the way. Greta's son and an assistant. I'm not quite a healer but yeah that works too. I'm like...an assistant's healer. You know like-'

'A nurse,' I cut his rambling off, snickering.

Carter sheepishly smiled at me as he rubbed the back of his neck. 'Yeah. Like that. You a muggleborn?'

'No, I'm a pureblood. I just prefer the muggle terms. It's easier.'

'Have to agree with you on that. I like your name, by the way. Pansy's a nice name.'

'Thanks. I like you too. I mean, I like yours. As in your name. You know.'

THE HELL AM I STUTTERING FOR?

'Oh thanks. Before I forget, you're going to be here for...um...until you're healed.' He looked like he was uncomfortable.

'Oh. Have any ideas when will that be?'

'Um, maybe, in a few months. '

'What?'

He winced. 'I don't really know, to be frank.'

'I can't stay here for months! I have a high school to graduate!'

'My mom will figure something out. That's her thing,' Carter said. 'Now um, I want you to rest. Greta wants to see you the first thing in tomorrow. It's already 5pm, for your information.'

I fixed my glasses, just remembered they were there on my face. 'A-alright. I'll try and sleep.'

He gave me a smile. 'It's okay, Pansy. Everything will turn up fine.'

If only he was speaking the truth.