This pain is worse than it ever was -- Late Summer 2016

I would be starting back at Hogwarts soon.  I was meeting more people my age who had to go through chemotherapy.  It was sort of nice but also kind of depressing at the same time.  There were also older people there, too.  I pretty much had a hospital Nan who took care of me when Mum and Dad could not stay the whole time.  Mum had to get a few things done and I was so used to the routine, I assured her I would be fine and that she should go.  They hooked me up and I sat there with my book. I looked around the room adn I did not see Margie.  We lost people throughout the summer sadly.  I hoped that it was not anythign like that.

When I saw a girl a handful of years younger than me walk in, I was intrigued.  I had nto seen anyone that young come in here.  Margie had told me about her and how she used to have brilliant red hair.  "Hey," I said, introducing myself.  I had just moved to England after my cancer had returned.  St. Mungos' was one of the best places in the world to be doing treatments.  "Margie wanted me to tell you she had to have an earlier appointment today."

I smiled at the new guy.  I saw his treatment was nearly completed.  "Oh... okay," I said, relieved that she was still with us.  "My name's Quinn.  You must be new to all of this..."  I could tell by the fact that he still had all his hair.  It was the best way to know how long someone had been here.

I chuckled slightly and shook my head.  "This will actually be my second time around in chemo," I said.  "You can call me Graham... or Mac."  I smiled at her.  "Back home I was known as Mac... here, my first name seems to be the one everyone likes to call me."  I realized I was kind of rambling.

I loved the fact that it was easy to talk to Graham.  I did feel bad that he had to come back for chemotherapy a second time around.  "You have a different accent... where are you from?" I inquired.  Talking was definitely a wonderful way to pass the time while going through this procedure.

I smiled at her and rolled down my sleeves.  My chemotherapy was finished, but i really did nto want to head back home.  It was depressing in my little flat.  "I've been all over... Born in the states and when I found out I was a wizard, I somehow ended up in Australia until just recently."  I knew it was easy to get carried away with chatting, but it was sort of my rule not to talk about too many personal aspects.  Keeps from getting connected with someone I would just end up losing in the long run.

I could not believe that he had a mix of American and Aussie accent.  I smiled at him.  "You're done already?  I was hoping to have someone to chat with -- espeically since Margie isn't here," I said, a little depressed.  Maybe I would have to actually read my book -- which hardly ever happened.

I nodded at Quinn.  "Wel... I really don't want to head home.  I'm thinking that I can probably visit this girl with a convincing smile I just met," I joked.  "I'm going to get some water and then I'll come back and keep you company."  I stood up, a ltitle shaky on my legs.

I stared at him.  "You don't need to stay... but it'd be nice to get to know you a little bit.  Especially if you'll be here for a bit," I said.  I wanted and liked to get to know those around me so I could always remember people that entered my life during this.

I flashed her a grin.  "I'll be back," I assured her.  I was not entirely sure what all I would tell her, but I knew it sucked to be alone during all of this.  Besides, when I was young when my dad was there helping me thorugh this before he passed away.  I had to go to doctors and everything by myself after that.  I was not sure how I ended up in Australia as I was young when that happened, but that was hell.  Thank goodness my dad left me money in case I ever got cancer back.  I ran away from the one home in Australia to com ehere.  I walked back into the room and saw Quinn looking a little rought.  "Do you normally have someone with you?" I asked, sitting down next to her, glad to be resting again.

I leaned back in the hcair and closed my eyes, not answering for a moment.  It was to the point where I did need the distraction of a conversation.  "Normally one o fmy family members are here," I replied.  "My mum just had to run a couple of errands and I didn't mind.  Do you have anyone who suffers with you?" I asked, trying to make a lame joke.

Shaking my head, I said, "Nope.  It's just me... which is why I don't mind helping you and staying."  I smiled at her again and noticed that she was getting more and more tired looking.  It was hard for me to remember all of my treatments from before since I was so little.  "I'm gonna go out on a limb here... but you go to Hogwarts?" I would be starting a job there in the fall and I knew that it was the school most kids seemed to go to.

I found it odd that Graham kept switching the topic away from himself, but I didn't let it bother me any.  "You are by yourself?  Seriously?  That's no good!" I exclaimed.  "If our appointments coincide, I can always keep you company.  When my nan brings me, she sends everyone home ith some sort of goodie."  No one shoudl go through this on their own.

"Your Nan sounds like a great woman," I said, laughing sligtly.  "I'm used to being alone... so it's nothing new."  Since Dad died, I just seemed unalbe to make any sort of connection wtih people except for my wife.  But even then no matter what they all left -- even her.

I felt bad for him.  I decided it was not a good thing to get into everything on our first meeting.  "I do go to Hogwarts.  It's lovely there.  Are you still in school...?" I asked hesitantly.  It was hard to judge someone's age when they came in here.  I would guess he was somewhere between my age and Seth's.