proper moments

[Jucinda Tennison]

Today was a Wednesday, the day in which Jucinda usually had no patients to tend to. This was the one day a week the healer had the chance to catch up on her paperwork, however there usually wasn't any paperwork for her to catch up on. Colleagues had told her multiple times before that she shouldn't bother going to work on a Wednesday, since she had nothing to do anyway, but Jucinda being a typical workaholic always did the opposite. Luckily on this day, the brunette actually had a little bit of work to occupy her time with. Which meant she wasn't going to be cooped up on her quaint office all day. Jucinda checked her watch, noting it was one o'clock on the dot before tidying up her desk. By the time she was finished neatening things up it was only three minutes past one. She needed to get the paper work done by three, so she still had a lot of time, but Jucinda wasn't the kind of person to stall. She knew it was best to have the work ready early before the end of the day rush. This was her queue to leave her office for the second time today. The twenty-three year old departed her office, directing her feet towards the main hallway. The harsh echo of her heels clicking against the stone floor wasn't enough to falter her pace; meaning Jucinda arrived to the front desk in record time. The healer took a quick look around the lobby; today wasn't a busy day at all. The emptiness of the lobby almost looked surreal in contrast to it's usual hustle and bustle of healers, patients and their families. Returning her gaze to the front desk, Jucinda flashed the newly hired receptionist a modest smile, she assumed the receptionist was new, since she hadn't seen her before.

The brunette retrieved her paper work from the fresh-faced receptionist; nodding and uttering a quiet thank you. She needed to fill out a referral for one of her patients to stop seeing her regularly. One more patient was ready to stop seeing her, which meant her workload would lighten up a little more, sadly Jucinda hated the thought of working less. Thankfully the patient seemed a lot more headstrong, and willing to face their problems rather than avoid them like they did when Jucinda first started tending to them. This was the exact reason she decided to be a therapist and healer, so she could make a difference in the world, and seeing people change and find the ability to completely take care of themselves never failed to bring a smile to her face. Growing too lost in thought Jucinda didn't realise she had dropped her Quill, picking it up off the floor once she snapped back into reality. She really needed to focus more, sooner or later her zoning out would cause problems, or so the therapist thought. The twenty-three year old ran a hand through her wavy brunette locks, before finishing up her referral.​

 

[Harold Garrison]

For some reason Harold's feet lead him here, in front of St. Mungos. A place he haven't been to at all, yet he decided this particular day to visit. Wednesday. Luckily, it was his day off. In which he decided to spend his day here, maybe try to wander around and familiarize himself. As he apparated in front of the hospital, Harold took his time to look at it, it looked far different from the muggle hospital he was used too. This even made him remember his late wife, Elaine. The last time she saw her in the hospital and Connor, it was in the hospital when he saw his smile. It was a hard time for him, he even had a lot of dealings with therapist just so he could get over it. Though he knows, it's impossible to do so. A couple of eyes were looking at him, sticky as glue. When it was time to enter the premises, he wasn't sure where to go or if he was allowed to enter without having an appointment. So, upon entering he tried to act normal, casual and cool. Since it was his day-off, Harold wore his black shoes the one usually wear during his free time. He was always looking for comfortable, and simple. Just a simple brown polo, it's sleeves folded and his typical jeans to match. The ministry official walked in further the hospital, to lurk for some things, nothing in particular. If his parents would be here, they'll think he's looking for a future wife if not making an appointment for a therapist.

Both weren't true of course, he took a few steps and approached the receptionist hoping to ask her if he could just look around for an hour or two. Before attempting to do so, he noticed a lady standing there. Who seems to drop her quill and soon picked it up, just by looking at her made her smile. She had the same lovely hair like his late wife, though Elaine had a mesmerizing brown. This wasn't the right time to be thinking of her, yet there isn't a day he never thought of her. It was always her, Connor and their baby girl. He needed to refresh his memory every single day just to move on, Harold didn't want to be messed up like the other people he'd met. It only occured to him that he'd been looking at the lady for about ten minutes or so, hopefully she didn't noticed him. He then approached the receptionist a few inches away from the lady, Harold looked at her again and smiled at her. Maybe she'll return a smile for him as well, Good day! I was if wondering if I could visit the pediatrics ward?" Harold asked. It suddenly entered his mind to visit some children, he used to visit some children back in the muggle world, if not then he'll be in the orphanage where his cousin works. He knew that he didn't have any things to give them, but it's better to see what kind of kids they are. Then maybe after a week he could visit them again, it was the only thing he could think of since he's here in a hospital.

After asking, he glanced back to the lady who's still unnamed. Harold figured her to be a healer perhaps here, since she seems to be having some paperwork with her. He couldn't help his eyes this time, they were glued on her. As the receptionist answered that he could, but he need to give his name first, Harold nodded twice and gave her his name. "Harold Garrison, Thank You." he stated clear enough for her to hear. Harold wasn't that popular in the Ministry and even in Quidditich. Sure he might be a professional player but it seems that they've been having lack of games recently. Why else would he be here when he could also go to their practice. But that was it, they didn't have a game and there was no reason to practice. Still their team was popular. Maybe, just maybe some people could recognize him. Harold didn't want to leave just yet, so he stayed there in the receptionist having a small chit chat with her, hoping the lady beside him could notice him. He was seeking for her attention because he was interested in her, and it was unlikely for him to be interested in anyone after his wife died during the car crash.

 

[Jucinda Tennison]

Jucinda jolted from mild shock at the voice of another protruding from her right. She wasn't expecting somebody to speak so confidently within a formerly noiseless room, she had spoken delicately to the receptionist before to make sure she didn't disturb the calm silence, but the person to her right didn't. Jucinda didn't think they sounded arrogant, or obnoxious at all through their tone of voice. Usually when somebody was obnoxious they spoke as if only their voice mattered, and anybody else who spoke ranked second. This man sounded more considerate than that, although he did break the silence. Jucinda let out a quiet sigh, and ignored the man, spite the fact he was standing mere inches away from her. It was hard for her not to eaves drop on the conversation between the man and the young receptionist, but it sounded like he was flirting with her. She was obviously too young for him. He sounded aged, and mature, compared to the receptionist he must have been ancient because she didn't look a day over eighteen. This was how Jucinda's mind worked, she analysed things, and made judgements based on previous experience, this mixed in with her thirst for knowledge must have been what convinced the sorting hat to put her in Ravenclaw all those years ago.

As the man stated his name, Jucinda's gaze lifted from her form in surprise. Harold Garrison. Was this the same Harold Garrison that had tutored her in her Hogwarts years? Jucinda's light hazel eyes turned to observe the man who claimed to be Harold. She noticed the same look in his eyes he had years ago, but also a maturity which must have developed after he graduated. This was certainly the same Harold who used to help her with her assignments in the Ravenclaw common room. The years had certainly been good to him. She thought he was good-looking as a teenager, but it appeared as though he had somehow grown to be more attractive as the years rolled by, this realisation making Jucinda feel slightly self-conscious. They weren't friends back at Hogwarts, but Jucinda remembered what he was like back then. She was curious to find out how much he had changed now. By the looks of it the older Harold preyed on younger women, something she didn't expect from him. But Jucinda wasn't experienced enough with flirting to tell, so she may have been wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. "You know Harold I didn't think you would grow up to be hitting on pretty receptionists." The brunette stated, calling him out on his actions and getting a surprised reaction from the receptionist. She was surprised with her own bluntness too, but she did know Harold, or at least the younger one.

Seeing Harold again was so unexpected, Jucinda was awestruck by him, and how much he had changed since she last laid eyes on him. What he was doing at St Mungo's she didn't know, however she wasn't going to ask him anything like that yet. She mainly wanted to gauge his reaction to how blunt she had acted moments ago. As she anticipated Harold's reaction she went to lean casually against the reception desk, but failed in executing the action, managing to knock her Quill onto the floor. Today was definitely a day where Jucinda couldn't help but look like a goof, she liked to think she was composed but today was proof she could never be as composed as she liked to think she was, maybe because she was so surprised to see Harold after so long. Since she specialised in counselling adolescents and children, composure was a trait she needed and having this composure disappear wasn't want Jucinda needed. Thankfully she wasn't having a session right now. ​

 

[Harold Garrison]

At first he was just into the lady beside her, he wanted to stay near her just so he could have a few more minutes to sneak a gaze from her. Harold didn't even mean to talk to the receptionist she was young, too young for him. At the age of twenty six he would wonder if he could ever find a second wife for him, he didn't like to think the worse or be pessimistic about it. Harold smiled made everyone melt and even the receptionist noticed his two dimples, how could she not? The gent was really waiting for the lady to notice her, any actions coming from her would be appreciated. It's unlikely of him to have this dedication over a girl, he did this once to his then wife before. The silent and empty floor started to be filled with their laughter and voices, it only took him a minute to notice the sigh of the lady. He then looked at her and somewhat recognize her but he wasn't sure of it. Though her eyes reminded him of someone, a shade of hazel. There were a lot of people he'd met and it would be hard to remember all of them in this instant. As much as he tried, he couldn't remember her. How could this be? Still he tried to act as if he didn't recognized her, maybe she recognizes him.

Just when he was about to give up, he actually remembered her. Ravenclaw, Hogwarts Scotland. Those were the two things that struck him the most, how could he possibly forget? "Jucinda, Jucinda... Ten.." He couldn't remember her last name, it was something he wasn't sure of now. She could be married by now. After all the years they've been to, it's not impossible for her to be married. Harold could now remember his younger years when he was in Ravenclaw, how he used to tutor her with her assignments. And his feelings for her, he did once actually liked her more than a friend. Even though they weren't that close or that she's three years younger. It didn't occurred to him before that he could have courted her, but the thought of it made him worry before. She was too good for her, and he on the other hand focused on Quidditch and his other friends. Harold kept his gaze at her, then a slight smirk covered his face. She knew who he was, is. There was no point of lying to her, that he couldn't remember her or doesn't recognize her. "Well, I didn't think that you'll turn out to be a fine beautiful woman." Harold knew where this was going, so he ended his conversation with the said receptionist. Seeing Jucinda made him smile a lot deep down, as if he found a missing piece of him.

Since it was always nice reminisce and meet his old friend, though as for Jucinda he wouldn't really classify her as his friend since he only tutored her and that is all. This time, Harold faced her with his left arm on his side and his right arm fixing his hair. He hoped he looked presentable enough for her, she on the other hand looked absolutely gorgeous. The dirty blonde haired guy, noticed the quill falling. Think fast, he thought. Harold swiftly stretched his muscular arm and thought of catching it before it would hit the floor. It was too late, so he picked it up instead. "This belongs to you, Jucinda." Harold said as she returned the quill to her. It wasn't enough to look at her this time, he got her soft hand and placed the quill inside. While waiting for her reaction, Harold for a moment looked back at the receptionist and smiled, hopefully that would make her jealous or something. This was like a game to him, only he wanted the receptionist out of the game and it would only be Jucinda and him. Harold too continued to stare at her eyes, making her melt. This was not him, flirting around and trying to make her notice him and if that wasn't enough, he'll make her say yes if ever Harold would ask her on a date.

 

[Jucinda Tennison]

Harold seemed a bit too confident in himself; Jucinda was weary of talking to him further since he might end up wasting her time with arrogant banter. She knew how she would get herself out of this, say she had work to do and return to her office. But something kept prodding the brunette to stay put and talk to Harold instead of leaving the conversation, so she listened to that something. Jucinda was taken aback when Harold referred to her as a fine, beautiful woman. She momentarily got confused Harold had been referring to the receptionist, dismissing this thought after weighing up the obvious indications he had said that to her. He did say it while looking at her after all. Jucinda never thought she was beautiful, and hadn't previously noticed anybody else think of her as beautiful either so she did consider this as slightly absurd. She had never thought much of her appearance; she only dressed the way she did in the first place to look respectable for work. Otherwise she would never have started to wear makeup, and worn casual loose fitting clothing like she did when she was at home. "You must be mistaking me for somebody else." She stated, remaining her modest self as usual. One person calling her beautiful wasn't going to put her head into the clouds like it did other women; she was more grounded than that.

Jucinda was also surprised Harold made the effort to pick up her Quill, so maybe he wasn't as arrogant as she thought him to be. She knew she needed to analyse him more to figure out whether he was just trying to get into her pants, or if he genuinely wanted to talk to her like she genuinely wanted to talk to him. Some of her clients in the past had said boys had just used them for sex and left them, which caused her to wonder if all Harold wanted was sex. They didn't have much of a relationship back at Hogwarts; all he did was tutor her so although seeing him again was unexpected she had no reason to believe Harold wanted to be her friend. The twenty three year old did not react on the outside when Harold touched her hand, placing the dropped quill on her palm however her mind kept repeating the memory of his touch, over and over. There was something about it, something electric. She could have spent hours trying to figure out why she couldn't stop thinking about the significant touch, but luckily before her mind went into a rut with this new feeling she remembered to say thank you and focus on the conversation. If it could be classified as a conversation. "It actually belongs to the reception desk but regardless of that technicality, thank you." She said, tightening her grip on the Quill so she wouldn't drop the thing again. If she dropped it for a third time, her complexion would transfigure into a deep shade of crimson in a second. She didn't want Harold to see her looking more like a fool in front of him than before, what was making her act so different to her usual composed self?

She had now finished her form, she had finished it a while ago actually, even before Harold approached the desk, she had just forgotten to return it to the receptionist to file until now. Jucinda moved her light hazel eyes over to the young receptionist, pushing the form forward on the desk to indicate her to take it away. If she decided to file it immediately then Harold wouldn't have the chance to flirt with both of them. Luckily the young blonde girl quickly took the form and left, leaving Harold and Jucinda alone in the lobby. The brunette had just saved him from looking like a right sleaze, she hoped he realised the huge favour she had just done for him. Jucinda returned her gaze to Harold and smiled politely, she had a small crush on him back at Hogwarts, but knew it wouldn't end up as anything more than a school girl crush, he was three years older than her and way too good looking to be seen with somebody who looked so plane jane. The brunette ran a hand through her wavy brunette locks, not knowing what to say next. ​

 

[Harold Garrison]

It was so unlike of him to act this confident, he wasn't the type of guy to flirt or anything. Elaine knew all of this, for the few years they spent together. Deep inside Harold sigh, hoping that Jucinda wouldn't think of him a total jerk or anything, surely she know he isn't one. He took a peek at his watch, looking at the time. All day he could do this, stare and to talk to her. Harold wanted to take this opportunity to get to know her, since they never had a chance to talk that much back in the days. "Jucinda, right?" he asked her, raising his left eyebrow at her. He tried not to expect anymore, since she might be married or something. The twenty six year old leaned on the desk beside them, this time ignoring the receptionist. He wasn't here for her, nor for Jucinda but he thought of staying for a while in the reception area. The last time he saw her was way back in Scotland, where he would tutor her. Jucinda being the only girl that he tutored was a sign that they could never trespass friend zone by any point. Though he had a few flings and girlfriend before marrying Elaine, it never entered his mind to actually see her after graduation. He also used to remember her as a smart, pretty girl who seems to be a bit quiet in some ways. Harold never attempted to ask about her life back then, family history, friends and such. Back then he was focused on his studies, quidditch and also ladies on the side of his life. Those years were precious, times where he didn't need to worry about a job and earning money.

"You're most welcome." Harold answered, trying to sound modest as possible. In his mind he tried to just pretend that she's married or in a relationship, thinking that he doesn't have a chance with her. Just so he could act with ease and could talk to her more comfortable, putting aside his cockiness. For a few minutes they stood there, Harold trying to avoid to stare at her yet he would steal a couple of glances. Awkward, as some say it to be. Tapping his fingers along the desk, he waited for her to say something more but nothing came out of her mouth. This made him worry that she probably isn't interested at her at all, the way he acted a while back was just plain wrong. "How have you been JT or is it just Jucinda now?" Harold asked. As much as he can he tried to just smile a little, being himself for most of the words he said to her. He didn't want to leave just yet, hoping he could at least to her for a few more minutes. While waiting for his answer he couldn't help but see a couple walking pass by them, happy, giggling and in-love. Everything just began to enter his mind, since the lady looked like his late wife Elaine. It would always happen to him, seeing a married couple and start to reminisce of his past. Sighing to himself, he still tried to smile in front of Jucinda but his eyes were following the married couple as they left. The last thing he saw was their matching wedding ring, then he looked at his hands and there wasn't any ring anymore. He decided to remove it a few months ago, following the advice of his friends.

Knowing it would be easier to meet new people when he's single and doesn't wear his wedding ring anymore. Though it did left a mark at at time before going to sleep he could still feel the ring placed in his finger, the little weight touching his skin. And every night Harold would look at his wedding ring, while closing his eyes thinking and asking the same old question. What if she's still alive, if Elaine is still here right beside me? What if Connor is sleeping in his room? What if everything didn't happened and they're still alive? There were a lot more and every night and even every day, he'll be enduring the pain of loss. Somehow longing to have another family, knowing no one can actually replace her. No one. Just the thought of it break his heart, leaving him shattered into pieces. Each day he'll see a happy married couple, it tears him apart. Now, he gazes at his hand trying to find the ring that's always in his pocket. He used to wear it back in his apartment, just for a couple of minutes, hours to feel his wife's present. At times he would wish to see her spirit, just once. Everyday's struggle, a battle for Harold. Losing his family in just one day that he build in about five to seven years, as if everything just disappeared.