Chapter 59:Aftermath

"To be clear, this new wolfsbane is still in its trial phase. It's intended to cure your lycanthropy entirely, though currently it is only ensured to work as normal wolfsbane potion does. You'll physically transform, but mentally you'll remain in control and as your human self," Calamity explained. "Knowing this, would you like to continue with the new wolfbane trial?"

"Sure, I'm here for the wolfbane tonight anyway," Joshua replied. He shifted in his hospital bed, tugging lightly at the neck of his gown. "Might as well see if we can solve the whole thing. It gets expensive coming here every month, you know."

Calamity nodded. "Sign here. I'll have a nurse send in an adviser from our financial department as well. I don't see any reason why we can't find a way to make this monthly inconvenience more affordable. Perhaps even free, depending on your insurance."

"Doctor, a reporter is here to see you."

Calamity looked up from her seat next to Joshua's bed to see Dr. Rachel Ngo's head peeking through the doorway.

"Reporter," she asked, confused.

"Yes, I think it's the one covering the hospital and the research we've been doing," Dr. Ngo said. "They requested you personally, though, so maybe it's another article on you, Miss Healer of the year."

"Alright, that's enough," Calamity said standing and waving Dr. Ngo's complimentary teasing away. "Joshua, I'll have the nurses bring in the new potion with instructions and check in on you after my rounds. If you need anything let us know."

Calamity closed the door lightly behind her.

"You're so embarrassing,"Calamity told her friend, glaring halfheartedly at her back as she followed Dr. Ngo to the meeting rooms on the next floor.

"You're too modest," Dr. Ngo replied, rolling her eyes. They paused at the door. "Of course, if you don't like the attention you can always gush about me and then I'll take all the interviews from now on. Start with my brilliant mind, then my dazzling personality, and try to tie in that I'm also a knock out babe."

"I'll start the interview with that," Calamity agreed with a lopsided grin. Dr. Ngo opened the door, allowing Calamity to enter the meeting room.

The room was very formal, usually used for board-meetings of the hospital with a long round oak table and about 10 comfy plush black leather chairs. At the very end of the table sat the reporter, a woman in her early twenties (if that) with straggly, waist-length, dirty blonde hair, very pale eyebrows, and protuberant eyes that gave her a permanently surprised look. She had a quick quill out and poised on a floating parchment before her, her wand tucked behind her ear, holding back some hair from her face. The woman leaped up as Calamity closed the door.

"Luna Lovegood of the Quibbler," the woman said holding out her hand, a dreamy tone to her voice.

"The Quibbler?" Calamity took her hand and shook it, motioning for her to take her seat again. Why did that name sound familiar?

"It's a publication in Europe, though we're expanding into some areas of Asia as well. We have some new partners in Japan who are interested in our search for Kirin."

"Well, what brings you stateside," asked Calamity taking the next seat. "Normally the European press has their own hospitals and non-profits to focus on."

"I'm doing a series on the aftermath of the war and the rebuilding efforts since the fall of Voldemort," Luna explained. "I kept stumbling upon your name and so I did some research. You were in the Order both times and so I wanted to-oh-" she stumbled, noticing Calamity's stiffness before Calamity did. Luna cleared her throat. "I understand if it's too soon to discuss. It's only been three years since it all ended."

Calamity shifted, scanning the girls face. "No," she said finally, "it's fine. I thought this was about our medical center, so I was just prepared for a more... technical interview."

"We can start there, if you'd prefer," Luna said. "Can you tell me what is so unique about the hospital? It's earned a lot of awards and grants."

"We're one of the first and only establishments in the whole Southern region of the United States to provide services for magical and no-mag communities for all ailments, including preventative and emergency assistance."

"And the American Wizarding government allows that?"

"Sure," Calamity said with a smile. "It's great for diplomatic relations, especially since some of the rural areas we serve weren't being served by the no-maj government. We divide the hospital into two sections- magical and non-magical ailments. You'd be surprised how many wizards come down with the flu."

"What made you decide to open up a hospital, rather than going back to Healers without Borders," Luna asked. She checked her parchment as she spoke, making sure the quick-quill was recording the conversation verbatim, without any additions of its own.

"My partner, Dr. Ngo, and I felt we were getting a bit too old for so much travel," Calamity replied. "though, we still partner with them and send no-mag doctors and healers when needed."

"Have you gone since you left England?"

Calamity shifted slightly in her seat. "It's a bit more difficult to get permission to visit some regions for me, since I was deported as a potential enemy of the state."

Luna blinked and the quick-quill paused. "Potential enemy of the state?"

"Yes," Calamity said feeling a bit sheepish at admitting it. "About seven years ago some of the Order was called to assist in a fight in the Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries. After that, when the ministry couldn't ignore that Voldemort and his deatheaters were back anymore, the ministry attempted to lock down and root out any potential hostiles. Any foreign wizards in roles deemed non-essential were immediately deported, some with the explanation that they were 'potential enemy of the state.' In retrospect that should have been the first sign that Voldemort already had some control of the ministry business."

"Did you ever try to come back during the war?"

"I can't...remember," Calamity said vaguely. "But, I was told that I would never be allowed to return under penalty of Azkaban."

"Do you still think about your time in the fight," Luna asked quietly. She was looking at the table's oak pattern with more interest than it deserved. Calamity watched her carefully, noticing how her quill also paused as if there were more beneath the simple question.

"I was there at the Department of Mystery that night, and at the final battle at Hogwarts. I still have dreams about the Room of Prophecies and... other things," Luna said so softly that Calamity almost didn't hear.

"That's a normal reaction to seeing such violence," Calamity said comfortingly.

"Does it get better? Does it ever get back to normal again? How-how did you get through it not once, but twice?" It appeared as if Luna were asking the table more than Calamity.

Calamity watched the young woman. She could see the young woman as a fourteen or fifteen year old, unconscious in the Department of Mysteries before Calamity sent her back to the Hogwarts hospital wing with the portkey Dumbledore had given her. She could imagine this same girl watching during the battle of Hogwarts as friends and foe fell, green lights flashing across the room in chaos. And Calamity could see herself in that same young woman, her own desperation hidden in the question.

She could see herself watching in shock as Sirius fell through the air into the arch, making the veil flutter and Harry yell for his Godfather. She could still feel the shock they all felt back at the lifeless Grimmauld place. Could remember feeling as if her chest were on fire with a pain she was sure she had felt before: when Lily & James & countless others had fallen in the first Order, when Sirius had gone to Azkaban, when Jaden had been killed, when her father was left in the woods. Still, each time this pain raged in her chest almost so unbearable it felt as if her heart itself would crush under the pressure, leaving a hollowness in her chest.

She remembered returning to America and feeling the gravity of the hollowness. It's force pulled her down into a world that was gray and soundless. She remembered wondering, though she didn't think it was the first time (if couldn't have been the first time) if she would ever stop having these nightmares, this unending feeling of loss, this nameless grief and seemingly endless pain. Would, she wondered, it ever get better? Would it ever go back to normal?

Calamity wasn't sure how long they sat in silence, her reflecting and Luna staring at the oak table as if willing it to answer her question. When Calamity did respond, Luna jumped, perhaps deep in her own reflections of grief and loss.

"You'll never be who you were before all the loss, but you'll be a new normal you and you'll find that life will go on as long as you allow it, and yourself, to do so," Calamity said gently. "Eventually it gets better. For me, it's been about five years since the war, but for you it's been less. Only three? It will get better."

"I'm sorry," Luna said, pushing her wand more firmly behind her ear and looking at her parchment of the interview so far.

"Sorry?"

"To bring this all up to you after you've set everything up here. It feels sort of wrong."

Calamity smiled slightly. "It's fine. Do you need anything else?"

"Not right now," Luna said plucking her quill from the air and beginning to pack up. "I'll be in town for a bit longer, so I might send you an owl if I realize I missed something, if that's alright."

"Of course," Calamity said. "You know, we have a great mental health ward here, probably one of the best in North America. The trauma unit and resources are especially thorough. You'll pass it on your way out. Dr. Martìnez is very receptive to walk-ins."

"Maybe I'll stop by," Luna said, her dreamy tone returned. They stood and shook hands.

As they pulled apart, Luna held out two letters. "Harry asked me to deliver these. He wasn't sure you'd want to be a part of any of this. He said if you seemed interested in sharing, maybe you'd want these as well."

Calamity took the letters and directed Luna towards the exit that would take her passed the mental health ward. She watched Luna leave until she turned the corner and disappeared from sight. Closing & lockign the door, she returned to the plush leather chair at the end of the board room and looked at the envelopes, labeled with only her name "To: Clara (Calamity) Erza-Mahoney." She opened the first letter and paused, recognizing Sirius' familiar handwriting, even after all these years.

Dear Calamity,

If you're getting this letter it's because I've probably done something entirely stupid. Hopefully, it was for a good cause and not because I slipped on the bathtub in 12 Grimmauld place and Kreacher found me exposed and expired. Either way, I'm writing this for the same reason we wrote these sorts of letter the first time Voldemort was around- just in case. Just in case something happens (especially something poorly planned out on my part). I know I don't have to explain myself to you (not that I could anyway, not knowing exactly what happened). I know that if anything should happen that you'll be able to survive and watch over Harry in my place (though obviously Moony will share that responsibility. Come to think of it, watch over Moony as well. He can be as big of a prat as I am, but he's better at hiding it).

The first time I wrote you one of these, they confiscated it and burned it (I think) when I was sent to Azkaban. Not that it would have helped my case without a trial. Still, I can't remember what I said in it. I probably reflected on all the times we spent together, and how I was a right git when I first met you and that you knew it right away and put me in my place, even when I tried to prank you. Honestly, it's a miracle I ever managed to land you at all. I still think you might be a bit off your rockers for it. Now I want to do the same thing. Now I want to remember all the fun we had. Like when I convinced you to get on a hippogriff despite your better judgement. When we were in Costa Rica, that was a great time. It almost felt normal, like how I always thought we'd end up, except more tropical. Not that I'm complaining. I needed the sun after all that time in Azkaban.

No matter what happened to me, I bet my last thought was how you wanted to go back to Costa Rica and get away from all of this before it was too late. If you're reading this I bet my last thought was how maybe you were right, like you're always right. If I had time for a second thought I bet it was an apology for not listening, but no guarantee I'd have said it if I survived. I can't help that I'm just a stubborn blockhead. Still, you put up with it and I love you for it (and everything else about you).

Calamity, no matter what happens I know you'll be okay and that you'll survive and thrive. I've loved you every moment we were together and apart. You have brought me comfort and joy, more joy than I would have thought existed in the world when I was a sad, spoiled, rebellious ten year old stuck in my hateful parents house. More joy than I thought could exist after Lily & James were killed. I feel like I should end this with some wise words from literature, since you always have your nose in a book. I know you aren't really a big fan of those American muggle writers (I think their called the beet knickers? I'm not sure. Muggles are odd sometimes). But like all rebellious teenage boys, I had Jack Kerouac's "On the Road." Since I'm trapped in my room with only my poor teenage taste to keep me company, it'll have to do for this letter, though I'm sure you'll roll your eyes at my taste. Remember, you love me no matter what, so really whose taste is more insane?

"What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? – it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies."

I'll love you through all your crazy ventures beneath the skies.

Sincerely,

Sirius "Padfoot" Black.

Calamity refolded the letter carefully, putting it in her white coat pocket for safe keeping. She inhaled deeply, allowing the air to release slowly. If this next letter was also from Sirius she wasn't sure she'd be able to take it. Not another goodbye letter so soon. She still had an hour before lunch and then the rest of the day to assist patients. She opened the letter enough to see that the writing was unfamiliar, then opened it all the way.

The letter was much shorter with a few scratched out marks, as if the writer weren't entirely sure how to go about their letter. The starting had To Whom it May Concern crossed off, followed by a scribbled over Dear Miss Erza-Mahoney. Finally the author had chosen something a bit more simple.

To Calamity,

Ron, Hermione, and I were responsible for cleaning out and organizing 12 Grimmauld place (which has taken literal years, but is finally done). We found this letter from Sirius as we were working, but I wasn't really sure if an owl would find you in the United States. When Luna said she was going to interview you, I thought this would be the best way for you to get the letter, if you wanted it.

The Ministry is functioning much better now, Kingsley Shacklebolt is the new Minister of Magic and has disbanded the dementors of Azkaban. He's started clearing the names of all wrongly accused people from the wars against Voldemort, which has been keeping Ron and I busy. Ron & I are Aurors now, while Hermione is in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, where she is getting into as many fights and as much trouble as she can. Ron says she's lucky she hasn't been fired, but I reckon her policies will undo some of the ridiculous statutes Umbridge and others but in place. Teddy Lupin (Tonks & Professor Lupin's son) is almost three now and he's a Metamorphmagus, like his mum. He's growing up with Andromeda, though they stop by a good amount. All of this is to say, that if you get a fancy to come visit England, we'd be happy to have you. I know Ginny would personally beat me to death with her broomstick if I didn't also offer you our guestroom.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Calamity reread the letter again, pondering the information it held. It had been a while since she had any vacation and even longer since she'd left the country. Perhaps it was time to take a holiday.

The end.

Thanks so much for reading. This story is the longest thing I have ever written and I am definitely glad that it is over, but I also hope you enjoyed the adventures and sometimes drabble I did to try and play out my ideas of the Wizarding World that isn't as well covered in the books. Anyway, thanks for reading & following, & reviewing.

Also, this story sometimes dealt with grief, death, and mental health issues. If you or someone you know is going through a tough time and needs assistance please reach out to your local mental health services. Remember, you are not alone and you're mental health is really important. There is no shame in self-love and self-care, whether its journaling, talking to a friend, or seeking professional guidance. In the US you can always reach the suicide prevention hotline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 1-800-273-8255. I appreciate, love, and adore you all.

For the last time on this story: DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!