Loneliness makes one do unimaginable things -- 1992

I shuddered as Tobi asked about me.  "I was wearing just my panties... I have some scratch marks and bruising beneath..." I trailed off, motioning with my hands my torso area.  "I didn't notice any marks on my thighs... so I don't think..." We were barely in our thirties; this was not supposed to be happening anymore.  It was ridiculous.

I looked at Ember.  "It's okay to be upset about this, Ember," I said to her.  "I know it drags up memories... but look, if your panties were on and intact, then he didn't violate you completely.  But I know, that doens't really help you any..."

I smiled, grateful for a mate like October.  "I know... it's just... I can't believe he got the best of me.  But he drugged or cursed me or something, Tobi.  I don't feel right today at all," I said to her, putting my fingers on my temples.  "I feel all foggy..."

I put a hand on Ember's shoulder.  "You need to take it easy today.  Let the fogginess leave... hopefully the tea will help.  Have you eaten?  Food would probably help, too," I said to her.  I stood up and started to get something around.  I bit my lip.  "Ems... Michael is a Healer... he'll keep everything quiet.  Do you want him to test to see if you were drugged... or anything else?" It would be best to be safe in this.  Especially since we were not completely positive about anything.

I bit my lip, matching Tobi's look.  "Erm... I don't know, Tobi.  It would probably be a good idea.  He won't mind?" I did not want to burden yet somebody else.  I just had needed someone to talk to, that was why I sent for Tobi.  I had never thought about getting checked out like I had when I was a teen.

I shook my head.  "I'll send word while you eat," I said to her, setting just a bagel and fruit in front of her.  It was best to eat something a bit lighter as long as it helped her a bit.  i looked at her and she took some of the banana I had cut up.  I was relieved and then waved my wand to send a patronus to Michael to have him Floo over here straight away.

I got October's patronus and knew something to be wrong.  For her to rush out and leave without saying a word and then to send for me?  What happened?   I went to the closet and grabbed my bag with some of my equipment and then used the floo network and arrived at Grimmauld Place.  "Ember?" I said when I saw the bruised eye.  I could not believe what I was seeing.

I took a few bites of the banana slices before Michael came in.  When he saw me, I saw his concern.  I gave him the best smile I could.  "It's not that bad, Michael," I said to him, getting my strength back.  Some of the fogginess was leaving the longer I was awake.

I rolled my eyes.  "She was attacked and we need to keep it under wraps," I exlained, standing behind Ember.  "So can you just make sure everything is okay?"

I looked away from Michael.  "It's kind of a personal type of attack," I stated, hoping that we could be discreet.  When he gave me a knowing look, I realized he understood easily enough.  "Thank you so much, Michael.  I don't know what I was going to do..."

I had already started to pull some things out of my bag.  "I understand, Ems," I said to her, trying to give her a reassuring smile.  "I am a professional, you know."  I squeezed her leg and pulled out some ointment that would help her eye and take down the bruising quickly -- the great thing about magic.

I made sure that I had some food while Michael was with Ember in the other room.  when they both returned, the tension seemed to be less.  "So... everything is okay?" I asked, looking between the two of them.  I was not entirely sure how to read their faces.  I pushed glasses of something a bit stronger than tea towards boht of them.  yes, it was quite early, but I thought this would be a good exception to the rule of no drinking before noon.

"Thank you," I said when I took the drink from Tobi.  Naturally she poured rum -- it was our drink that we both loved straight.  I nodded, though.  "Yes, everything is okay.  I can't thank either of you enough," I added.

I smiled at them as much as I could.  "You know you can always ask us for anything, Ems," I assured her.  "We've been mates long enough for you to be able to ask such things."  I hoped she would realize that we were not going to go anywhere -- no matter how things appeared.  We would take her word for it.

I looked at the two of them.  "Alright... let's get a bit more comfortable, shall we?" I inquired, helping Ember to the living room as she seemed a bit out of sorts still.  I was so grateful for Michael and the discretion.