[Cl: D] Needing to talk

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace paced up and down, passed the professor's door, pondering if she should really do this. It's now or never, Gracie! she thought and stopped pacing. She turned on her heal and knocked on the door gently. "That won't work!" she said aloud. She breathed in a deep breath and knocked quite loudly three times. You do need to talk to him, Gracie, so just do it!

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon rose from his couch, setting the book down beside him. It was a large, dusty tome on the reversal or object transfiguration-- but I suppose that doesn't matter.

He made his way to the door, pulling it open to reveal a Hufflepuff girl which whom he was not especially familiar.

"Ms... Marks, isn't it? How can I help you?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace was about to run away as fast as she could when Prof. Moncrieff opened the door and addressed her by name. She looked up at him through stormy blue eyes. You've made it this far, you can do it... "Um... yes, sir, it is and yes ... sir," she added quickly, "I hope you can. I was wondering if I could bother you for a bit. There is something I would like to discuss with you." She bobbed on her feet, terribly nervous.

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon stood aside, gesturing for her to come in. She certainly seemed nervous... he bit his lip, a bit nervous himself. He hoped he could help her with.. well, whatever it was.

He gestured toward his couch, which was, of course, really his book, but since it was in couch form they might as well use it...

"Have a seat," he told her, sitting down himself. "Now what seems to be the problem?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace jumped at the offer to sit, she almost ran. She sat down and breathed quickly. "Well, sir, that's the thing, I don't know what the problem is. That's why I'm here, to try and find out what's bothering her. I'm not seeing her as often as I used to and she's always far away when I see her. She used to be there when I slept. And now I can't even sense that she's watching over me. I've always been able to sense that kind of stuff and now the sensation is fading. Sir, I don't want it to, I like the feeling, it's reassuring. But now she's leaving me and I don't know why." She ran through it so fast, she hardly breathed. When she finished she breathed rapidly and stared at the professor, frowning slightly.

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon raised an eyebrow at the girl, running a hand through his hair in some confusion. Sensing this was of a private nature, he waved a hand toward the door, which swung closed and locked itself.


"I'm afraid... I don't quite know who you're talking about, Ms. Marks. An, er... a ghost? A spirit?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace nodded slightly, "my mother. I've always seen her around me, she's always been there for me. But now," she stared intensely at the floor, "now, I hardly ever she her." She was talking slowly now, trying to make sense of it for herself as well. "My ... i think my father is dying and now that I think that she's leaving me. I don't know why! I don't want her to. Her leaving me the first time was bad enough and at the worst time to. I couldn't stand loosing her again." Get to the point, Gracie! "And that's why I'm here, I think she's trying to warn me of something but I can't tell what."

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon rubbed the back of his neck somewhat unsure as to what to tell the girl. He was a Seer, not a medium...

"Well..." he began. "She's your mother, or atleast a memory of your mother... if there is a message to be read, it's going to be you that's going to read it. But... do you think it's possible that she's just trying to say goodbye...? I mean you're getting older, and with your father leaving... you're almost an adult-- maybe she knows you'll be alright now, and wants to be with him?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace stared at the floor a while longer, her eyes filling and spilling tears as he spoke. No, she can't! She can't leave me! Not now! She looked up at the professor, and never more sure of anything said softly but confidently, "she didn't want to be with him, not after he started drinking. My father is an abusive, bad tempered drunk who has slowly killed his wife, his daughter and is now trying to kill himself with a bottle in his hand and a smile on his face."

Grace jerked up and raised a hand to her mouth. "No, no that's not what I meant." She hadn't said that, it wasn't her. "The last time I saw Mother, she drove me to the hospital with three cracked ribs, a broken arm and a broken collar bone. She didn't love him, not after he had done that. So I don't know why she would leave me? And why now? of all times."

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon listened to the story carefully, then, clearning his throat, spoke up... "Perhaps... she's trying to tell you to let him go, as well?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace quickly looked to the professor, her cheeks wet with tears and her mouth slightly open. Oh my ... he right! "You're right," she whispered, her breathing shallow and slow, "of course, what else could it be?" she asked sardonically, "what else- nothing else! Now that I know my inner animal, I don't need to hold onto him as tightly as I did. I can survive without him." She looked around the room, but didnt see anything. Her heart was racing. She looked back to the professor, a wide smile across her face, and she flung her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Thank you!" she whispered into his ear. She released him and smiled, embarrassedly.

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon flushed a pale red, running a hand through his hair, and standing up, turning to ruffle some of his papers in embaressment "Well, er... I'm glad I could help, Ms. Marks."

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace jumped up as the professor stood up and after a moments uncomfortable silence she looked at the professor in earnest, "should I leave, professor? I mean, were you doing something before I- did I interrupt something?"

[Prof. Algernon Moncrieff]

Algernon looked back at the girl, laughing softly. "No, no, I was just... trying to fix this damned couch." He gave it a glare and a light kick, leaving a scuff on the disgustingly flowery apolstry.

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace frowned at the couch. "The couch? What's wrong with the couch?"