As I Look Back

It had been twenty-six days now, Rodney was starting to lose it. Not only was he being deprived of some information that he desperately craved, but he was also sick with worry for Bella.

He was told that she was fine, and that whenever he’d leave the room, she’d wake and run to the loo, or when he’d fall asleep she quickly apparate to the cafeteria and get something to eat.

We worried for her health, one meal everyday when he’d be gone for a while. He’d try and leave as much as possible so she’d get some food for herself, or leave something for her to nibble on, but she wouldn’t take it.

In the last ten days alone, she’d lost sixteen pounds. He went down to the cafeteria to ask them what she’d eat. It was always the same, plain romaine lettuce. He tried to make them serve her something different, something with more nutritional value; but
they couldn’t, according to hospital rules, as long as she was eating at least one meal a day they couldn’t interfere with what she chose.

He tried to hook Bella up to an I.V. some he could give her some vitamins and such to her. But as soon as he pricked the needle into her vein, she woke up and said

“Rodney Mochavi, don’t you dare put anything of the sort into my body, or I will kill you. You’re being punished.” And with that she fell back into a deep trance.

He went into her mind and saw that she was mentally weeping. Memories of Hermione were entering her thoughts every second.

“Bella, please come back to us. You need help, you’re sick. And I want to help you. If you come back to us, we’ll negotiate with your needs. Please!” Rodney pleaded.
Bella awoke in that instant she was breathing hard, and he waited until she caught her breath.

“I will succumb to your demands. I will eat one full meal a day. A vegetable, a grain, and a protein; but I refuse to eat meat.”

Rodney nodded “Fine, I understand. And as your stomach grows you will eat more. By the end of the month we want you to be consuming about one thousand five hundred calories or more.”

Bella scoffed. “Deal, as long as I can have my personal chef prepare the food, I can’t stand hospital food”

Rodney sighed “As long as we get to check it, and you continue to gain weight.”

Bella nodded “Of course, of course. In return I want a better psychiatrist. I want a lesbian psychiatrist who specializes in grief/loss. I want someone who will understand my needs, and what I’ve been through.”

“Alright, I think that is a suitable request. Dr. Ruth didn’t understand what you’d been through. In return, I want you to be awake for at least five hours a day. I know you’re punishing me by not talking to me about your medical expertise because I drugged you. But you do need physical activity, and honestly it’s not good for your psyche for you to be dwelling inside for your head for so long. That time does not include meal time, or time with the psychiatrist we’ll get for you. That is time done reading, or walking, playing games, and so on.”

“Ok, then if that’s what you want, I would like a muggle record player, with as many records as I want, and a way to listen to the wizarding wireless.”

“That is fine. But may I ask why you suddenly have an interest in muggle record players?” Rodney queried.

“It’s actually not that sudden. One of my room mates had one at Hogwarts, and then Hermione got me one for my birthday. But Rodolphus smashed it after he caught me listening to it after she died.”

Rodney nodded “Ok, fine. Anything else?” he asked

“Yes, I want you to take the rest of the day off, and spend time with your mum. I know she’s been sick, and I didn’t expect for you to stay the entire time with me. Then tomorrow I’d like to have the psychiatrist, so have the chief look her up. Tell him that was my orders, that I’ll go back in a coma if he doesn’t grant your request. He can talk to me personally about that if he doesn’t believe you.”

“Oh wow, Bella are you sure? I mean, if I were to…”

“No, Rodney I mean it. And if you don’t go soon I’ll be even madder at you. I only wish that when my mum was dying that I could have been with her, I was in Azkaban so of course I couldn’t just pop in.

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It was ten o’clock when Rodney graced Bella’s room with his presence. He looked around, and noticed that it was not its drab hospital self. It didn’t have a glamour on it any longer, and noticed the more pleasant atmosphere.

“What’s all this Bella, redecorating?

“A change of outlook on life more like it. We can’t have my new psychiatrist thinking I’m some sad, sappy heartbroken witch now can I?"

“But you are, aren’t you?” Rodney asked slightly confused, and setting his tumbler of green tea down.

“Well yes, of course I am. Otherwise I wouldn’t be requiring her services, but she doesn’t have to know that just by looking at this pathetic hospital room. I think I ought to be able maintain a suitable living quarters. Besides I was in a shopping mood. I had Ruth bring me a giant catalogue to start planning my new room, and clothes. And let me tell you, after carrying a book like that,” indicating the at least fifty pound book lying next to Bella’s bed

“Up the twelve flights of stairs up to my room, she was then relieved of her duties. Now if you wouldn’t mind excusing yourself from my room, I’ve got to plan my attire and get dressed. Dr. Kait Weep is going to be here in forty five minutes, and I’ve got to look sharp.” Bella finished shooing Rodney out the room.

Just as he was out the door, he pushed it open a crack and said “Bella, you do know that doctor patient relationships are against regulations at St. Mungo’s right?”

Bella chuckled “Of course I know that Rodney, I may be psychotic but I’m not an idiot.” And shut the door on him.

As she closed the door on him she ran to her newly remodelled marble bathroom. Enjoying her suit in the tub she ‘accioed’ her wardrobe over and began to search for what to wear. She finally selected a button down black dress with boning down the sides so it clung to her but was still loose like a pencil skirt at the bottom. The sleeves resembled a shawl, and hung loosely off of her like wings on a bird.

Bella then continued to magically iron her skin so it was free of wrinkles. She then dyed her hair back to its original black so it was free of the white that had begun to overrun it. Then Bella got out of the tub and began to towel dry her hair that had just been washed.

Bella tamed her curly hair of all the frizz, and then did a couple cosmetic spells. Bella looked around her new room, admiring the emerald green walls, and the black silk curtains. Outside it was snowing as Bella supposed it had been since the night she put herself in a ‘coma.’

She put a dab of perfume behind her ears and on her wrists, just as her mother had taught her so many years ago. Bella looked in the mirror at this face of beauty. She didn’t look a day over thirty, and was very pleased with her own work.
She opened the door to her room making Rodney stumble in; he’d obviously been leaning against the door.

“Rodney I need my shoes. I told you to lock them up when I was being made to kill myself, but now I want them. I assure you I’m fine, and won’t plunge them into my jugular vein.”

“Well my, you say that and now I’m having second doubts. I’ll have to remain in here if you don’t mind; I couldn’t have you committing suicide. Speaking of which do you know who’d do such a thing to you? Do you have any estranged enemies of any kind?” Rodney asked already knowing the answer.

“Well, yes of course I have enemies. For one, there is Rodolphus he isn’t a big fan of mine. He’s just trying to look like the good guy here by putting me in the hospital like any concerned husband would. But in reality he’s mad that I don’t love him, and is more than pleased to be able to spend my money without hearing me complain about it. Then of course there’s Ronald Weasley. Hermione’s late lover, besides of course myself that is. Although he didn’t act like it, he ‘loved her’ so I guess that’s a reason to try and kill me. The dark lord is very unhappy that I’ve left his ranks and ‘am in a hospital instead of helping in the fight to kill Potter.

“He also is mad that I did not complete my mission of killing Hermione, so I suppose that is reason enough for him. And of course, there is dearly beloved saint Potter. He hates me for killing his best friend, for weakening his ranks by making him mourn and for taking away his brains. He also isn’t happy that I killed my cousin Sirius, who was his godfather. I don’t blame him for hating me for that, I hated me for that.

“Sirius was my favourite cousin; he was the most fun out of all those stuffy snobs. I wish I could have gotten to reconcile with him. He seemed like a great kid, Hermione really loved him. So my guess would have been either Voldie, or Ralph the evil husband. So, um, shoes? She’s going to be here any minute.” Bella pleaded.

“Of course, I will do some research on Ralph you know have an auror sneak in give him some vesertiserum. And here are your shoes.” Rodney said accio’ing them over quickly as he talked.

“Alright thanks, now if you wouldn’t mind, you can sit on the window seat and monitor me as I draw, I’d like to finish this one sketch I had started while you were gone.”
Rodney nodded, as she pulled out the sketch pad from the night table as well as a pack of oil pastels.

“Bella what have you been working on, I didn’t know you were an artiste.”

“Rodney, you’re going to have to be quiet if I’m going to finish this…” Bella mused
Bella went on sketching, she was finishing this lovely design for a summer trench dress. It involved a navy blue background, and then had large flowers in yellows and crimsons. The model finished it off by wearing sunglasses.

As she finished the design Bella stretched out in the rocking chair sitting in it bridal style.

“May I speak?” Rodney asked going over to her and looking at her drawing.
Bella nodded and yawned at the same time.

“Bella, this is wonderful. You should really think of selling your designs, and opening a private account for yourself at gringotts. Then when you get out of here, and are living on your own you’ll have some money to fall back on.”

“Rodney, for the first time in a long time, you say something intelligent. I’ve got dozens of sketches, and each of them would probably sell for lots. They are pretty good.”

“Pretty good, I’d say they’re exceptional. Hello sorry I’m late the traffic was atrocious. As you know already, I’m Dr. Kait Weep. You must be Bella.”

At once Bella remembered herself, and got up from the chair to a more polite standing position. “Yes, I’m Bella; previously known as Bellatrix Lestrange.” Bella looked up at Dr. Kait waiting for a response. When nothing happened Bella sighed and sat down on the bed.

“Rodney take her away. She doesn’t know enough. If she knew she wouldn’t want to be here, and since she doesn’t I’m going to go back into a coma. Don’t take this personally Rodney, it’s just the chief did not do his job. Until he finds a suitable psychiatrist who doesn’t have to deal with bloody traffic in the morning, and actually knows who I am.”

Rodney sighed as Bella lied down and went back into a coma “I’m sorry about this, I’m Rodney by the way, but now I’m going to have to escort you out. It’s nothing personal, but you see, um do you believe in magic?”

“Why of course I do!”

“Really?” Rodney asked surprised

“Yes, of course. The magic of a first kiss with a new lover, or the magic of Christmas morning. I suppose its very cliché but of course, yes, I believe in magic.”

“Oh, god. I’m really going to have to escort you out now. I’m sorry.”

“Wait, are you serious? I’m sorry I’m sentimental, but that is no reason to fire me.”
“You’re fired because I’m a witch and you’re not!” Bella said suddenly awakening and then going back into a transitive state.

“Oh Ms. Lestrange I wouldn’t say that, you actually seem quite nice. That is if you can hear me, she said she was in a ‘coma.’” Kait said doing a quotation signal with her hands.

“No, trust me she is in a coma. It’s just that. Um well, you see…you might want to sit down. I don’t want to fire you straight away because it’s extremely hard to find a lesbian grievance psychiatrist. I just have to know before I go any further, how open minded are you about your patients?” Rodney asked

“Well, let’s just say that one of my patients was a pornography star, so I don’t think very much could surprise me after hearing all about her escapades.”
“Are you sure? I mean…” Rodney said looking down.

“Yes, just tell me man!” Dr. Kait said getting very exasperated.

“Alright, what I mean to say is that Bella and I, and well this whole hospital is magical. I’m a wizard, and she is a witch because we can do magic. I know that being a muggle you don’t believe in magic, but it is real, very much so.”

“What did you call me?” Kait said growing angry.

“Nothing, I didn’t call you anything.” Rodney explained, not realizing his mistake.

“You called me a juggle, or something like that.” Kait demanded

“Oh!” Rodney suddenly realized “I called you a muggle, it’s what we, witches and wizards, call you people who can’t do magic. It’s not an insult if you’re wondering, it just is how we distinguish between the two different communities.”

“I see. Well, that’s very interesting. I suppose you aren’t a doctor either, you’re probably just as crazy as your friend there.” She said gesturing towards the bed.
At that second Bella awoke, stood up and walked over to Dr. Kait to give her a few words.

“Now just listen you, we are magic. I know you think we’re crazy, but we are. Here I’ll show you. Levicorpus.” Bella chanted making Dr. Kait levitate.

“Oh god, I’m hallucinating. Please put me down.” The poor doctor cried.

“No, in fact, I’m going to make you believe because Rodney works hard, and he doesn’t have to work harder to find a new doctor because you can’t keep up.” Bella explained.
She transformed the closet into a nearly nude male model, dressed Rodney up in a rather poofy prom dress, and turned herself into her animagus self; a tiger.
Dr. Kait floated above in amazement, watching the spectacle below her. She looked calm and pensive as she thought about it all.

“Alright, I’ll stay. You’ve obviously proved your point that magic exists. I actually knew about magic. My favourite little cousin was accepted into Hogwarts, I wonder if you would know her. Well, she was quite younger than you. You probably know her now that I think of it; she was quite famous in your world.”

Rodney looked excited. The kind of excitement that comes from meeting someone who knows something very little people do.

“What was her name?” Rodney asked

“Hermione Granger, really was quite the tragedy. She had been killed tragically in Columbia doing charity work.”

“Oh god!” Bella said passing out

A/N Sorry for the shorter chapter, but this sounded like the best way to end a chapter.