Tempora Mutantur, Nos et Mutamur in Illis
Chapter 5 Deterioration
Nymphadora promised she would stick to her therapy as best as she could before left, and she was a woman of her word.
One could hardly keep a regular schedule when one was traveling with a film crew, yet Nymphadora managed at least to honor her full moon appointments. She had four sessions after the film began shooting, and three of them were on the full moon.
He was expecting her today, no need to mention the lunar phase, though. He got her phone call right after his office hour began.
"The director changed the plan. It will be a whole day shooting. I can't make it today." She sounded irritated.
"I can wait for you. Rate doubles outside the regular hours, of course." He added the last sentence hastily, didn't want to sound too eager.
"I'm afraid you'll wait in vain. There is a midnight scene in the woods. Wonder when it ends."
"Sounds like an ordeal. You have my sympathy."
"That's the price we pay for fame." She drawled with a lighten voice, "Tschüss!"
With that, she hung up.
The day passed uneventfully. He had six patients that day, including two breakdowns. Not too rough, compared to hers. He finished work at 4：00 in the afternoon and went home. He prepared a simple supper and spent the evening reading in his study.
The book was so fascinating that he could not put it down until 2:20 am. He decided to go to bed, stay up late certainly wouldn't improve his already wrinkled face. After all, he couldn't change his appearance at will.
She showed up three days after the full moon. Apparently, a full moon without therapy took its toll on her. She looked as beautiful and elegant as usual, the perks of being a Metamorphmagus, yet her mood was much darker than the last time she left.
Much as he wanted to make a sneering comment such as "I was under the impression that the lunar phase impacts only werewolves, but clearly, you are an exception," he acted under his better judgment, which was keeping his mouth shut.
She retreated to her original state, lying on the couch in pure silence with her eyes closed.
Snape sat next to her and noticed something different. Her slightly trembling fingers suggested she was scared. That was rare. He had never seen her in this state.
"Ms. Pond, would you like to talk about the things scare you? You're perfectly safe here. No one can harm you." He used his most reassuring voice, which was part of his well-established trademark, hoping she would respond to it. Say something, do something, anything! Even changing to Bellatrix is better than THIS!
Still, nothing, except her fingers were trembling more visibly. Nothing changed at all. Snape began to weigh the consequence of using Legilimency on her. As time went by, the temptation seemed more appealing.
"Ms. Pond, did something happen during your shooting in the woods? Whatever it is, it's over now. You are with me. You are perfectly safe. Nothing can harm you here, I promise." And I mean it. He just repeated those words again and again, not louder than a whisper.
He could not use spells on her, for lawsuits were as bad as AZKABAN, and lawyers were the muggle version of dementors.
As long as she remained in the current shape, namely Susiel Pond, all physical contacts were forbidden, not even holding her trembling hands. The wretched patient-doctor confidentiality guaranteed it. His hands were tied, figuratively, not literally. In fact, he would be much relieved should she had the energy to perform Incarcerous right now.
Words were his only resource in this situation, and he just kept saying them, hoping against hope that she would give any response.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock. The session was near its end. He was to fetch his wand as there was no way he would let her go like this. He just had to try one last time, "Nymphadora, no one can harm you on my watch."
Nothing. That was it!
"At least allow me to pour you a glass of whiskey before you leave." He raised to his feet, turned his back to her, and headed to the minibar. He recalled he had some Veritaserum stash, hoping it was in shelf-time. A potion was more subtle, better not to get caught at all. He really hated lawsuits, time-consuming, and all.
"so you can put three drops of Veritaserum in it? I don't think so." Her voice froze him on site.
Recovering from the shock in an instance, Snape matched to his original destination, poured himself a shot, and returned to his armchair.
"Constant vigilance, are we? I gather Mr. Capaldi was right about the paranoia part." He took a sip of the liquid meaningfully. "I must say Moody had a negative influence on you."
Hearing her old mentor's name, she spared a half-smile, "Be that as it may, Severus, I'd kindly turn down any food or drinks you offer. And sorry for letting you see me like this."
"Perish the thought. I am a psychiatrist, and I've seen far worse. You are not even close. Besides, there is nothing ashamed of being scared. Care to share your story?"
"Maybe next time." The timer buzzed at the exact moment.
"May I ask when you are planning to have your next therapeutic session exactly," He tried very hard to hold his professional tone. Be patient. She is YOUR PATIENT! "considering your crazy shooting schedule." Not so much success, apparently.
Nymphadora had once mentioned that her ability had refined through time. She was supposed to have perfect control over every tiny muscle by now, and she clearly tried very hard today, yet failed.
"We shall see." She got up slowly and walked out of the door.
Through the window, he watched her teetering to a limo in her high heels. It dawned on him that her condition might be far worse than it showed. She couldn't summon enough energy to maintain the necessary focus for long-distance Apparate. That might explain why she visited him three days later instead of the next day.
On her limo back to the shooting site, Ms. Pond received a text message from Dr. Prince with a private address attached. "Apparate whenever you need. Home-visit is also optional."
A genuine smile appeared on her now peaky face. "Charge me whatever you see fit." She texted back without a second delay.
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