"It seems to me that he's doing a great job of getting to you, even though he hasn't really bothered showing his face." Marcus wasn't about to lecture Moira about the danger she could be in. However, Marcus wouldn't be himself if he didn't at least try to speak on the matter. "People are driven by many things, and obsession is a powerful thing. It tends to make idiots out of all of us. Which is why I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on the fact that he's not a complete nutter."

"That's all I'm going to say on the matter, because you do know him a lot more than I do. I'm merely acquainted with the type, you see, and I do know how dangerous it can be if nothing is done about it. I would be doing you a dis-service if I didn't at least know that you were safe, or at the very least had a plan of action if things got too bad for you to be in one place. I''m not going to interfere, out of respect for whatever process you might have. I will re-iterate though that if you need my help, then ask. Not the Ministry's help, my help."

"Anything more on that matter and I'll be getting way ahead of myself, so I'll just leave it at that for now." Marcus wondered if he should talk at all about his former distain for Muggles in general. Was that something that needed to be brought up? Ultimately, there was no need for Moira to know just how sickeningly prejudiced Marcus used to be towards his fellow human.

"I don't have a segway into anything else, so I'm just going to awkwardly change the subject. I have a question to ask you, and I want your honest opinion." Marcus took a sip of his tea, and silently cursed to himself that all of the very delicious sandwiches were gone. "What is your opinion on the state of the awareness of Lycanthropy?" Marcus knew for a fact that she wasn't ready for this sort of heavy question, but he needed the opinion of a Healer. This was something that was discussed in private with one of his Department Heads, Ms. Gertrudis, and he figured that the next logical step should occur.

She listened, trying to take into account everything he was telling her.  She could appreciate his feeling that this whole thing was not over, and perhaps it was a foolish hope on her part that it was.  Yet she had enough other things to worry about she just wanted one less.  She knew it probably wouldn’t be that simple, but she was safe enough.  She could access most places from her flat, which was in a Wizarding building, and didn’t usually worry about him being able to follow her too closely.

I will re-iterate though that if you need my help, then ask. Not the Ministry's help, my help.

Moira smiled slightly at his offer.  Knowing she had his help should she want it brought a feeling of comfort, my like when he had helped her after the incident with Donnelly.  Yet the old habit of not wishing to involve others and have them worry for her was hard to overcome.  For now though, she was going to follow his lead and not get ahead of herself by saying anything else.

I don't have a segway into anything else, so I'm just going to awkwardly change the subject. I have a question to ask you, and I want your honest opinion.  What is your opinion on the state of the awareness of Lycanthropy?

Moira raised an eyebrow slightly at the change of subject, and her mind for a moment pictured little Kaylee Cramer who she had seen just before her lunch.  The thought of the hardships the little girl would have to face nearly broke her heart every time Moira saw her.  She took a sip of her tea before speaking.

“I think as a society we have a long way to go,” she said.  “I know many stop thinking of those affected by it as humans, which sometimes to me is unfathomable.  There’s so much fear and ignorance…and I feel like more could be done.”  The Wolfsbane Potion had given hope, but had not done enough.

“I see so many cases,” she continued.  “Working on this floor it’s to be expected I suppose.  Before you arrived today I was treating a little girl who was attacked about six months ago for an unrelated injury.  I’m told I am the first healer she actually trusts, and it’s probably because I’m one of the first ones to treat her like a normal child and not look at her like she’s some sort of abomination.”

She knew the coworkers she was thinking of tried, but they were all human, and even some of them feared dealing with Lycanthropy.

"That's the sort of thing that was discussed between Department Head Gertrudis and myself. It's the very idea that these people afflicted with Lycanthropy need to be treated as second class citizens. For most of them, it's not their fault, and sometimes the only reason they were attacked in the first place was because of an ignorant view of werewolves in general." Marcus found himself gulping the tea down, excited about the conversation that was unfolding.

"I have these ideas to raise awareness in Lycanthropy, and it's effects. I want to give people a shot at being accepted even though they have this... disease, thrust upon them. I want to be able to rehabilitate those who have gone unchecked and have given into their more vicious half. I want... to do something, to help these people. I've seen the panic on the faces of those that don't want to change, and I want them to know that they don't have to fight it alone."

Marcus bit into a carrot stick, barely taking his time to chew and swallow it before proceeding. "Wolfsbane Potion is definately something that should be available to those that need and/or want it. The unfortunate thing about the potion is that it doesn't stop the process, it just makes it more managable. Why can't we try to make a potion that slows the process, or stops it altogether? We need research done to find out why the transformation happens in the first place. If we can find the root cause, then maybe we could find an answer."

Marcus realized he had been talking... a lot. So he paused to take a breath, and perhaps eat another carrot stick. "What do you think? What kind of changes would you like to see? I'd like to hear it from someone who handles these cases on a regular basis."

Moira could see that the topic was indeed important to Marcus, and she found herself agreeing with everything he said.  One of the most frustrating things to her was the inability to do more for those she encountered who were affected by the disease.  Her heart went out most to the parents who were suddenly faced with worrying about the hardships their children might encounter along the way.  To see the sheer terror and heartbreak on their faces was often the worst.

“I think the first step is creating some sort of program to support those who find themselves with the disease,” she said.  “It’s a traumatic event, and many of those I see feel so isolated and alone.  One thing that might help them come to terms with what has happened is if they’re among others who are suffering from the same feelings.”

She shook her head slight and continued, “The most frustrating thing as a healer is to not be able to refer someone to any sort of program geared directly to those affect by Lycanthropy.  Not only the patients I see, but also the family members who are suddenly facing this with their loved ones.  It’s not just about healing the physical, which is something that not everyone understands unfortunately.

“To find a cure would of course be the best thing anyone could hope for.  To be able to see the hope on the faces of those affected that they might have a normal life would be truly amazing.  There really is so much we don’t know because ignorance and fear has kept those who might be able to help from doing so.”

She took a sip of tea when she had finished, waiting for a response.

Moira's unique stance gave her an advantage when it came to knowing exactly how bad the infection was spreading. It was clear that she had been thinking about the same thing he had, how to make everything safer. There were still going to be some that will embrace their change to the point of willing bloodlust. The first thing Marcus thought about were the children, but also the adults that were just as confused about their transformation.

"The basic idea is that the support group be held here, at St. Mungos, a few days of the week. I'm surprised that no one has thought of it before, especially when werewolves were springing up like weeds. Speaking of, I need to talk with your Administrator when I get the opportunity." Marcus crunched down on a celery stick, sitting in his chair quite a bit more casually than before. "What I like about you Moira, is your endless compassion for those less fortunate."

He continued, "A lot of people say they care, until it comes time to take action. You're genuine. Being a Healer was a good idea for you." Marcus finished his celery stick and sipped on his tea, "I feel ridiculous for not realizing this when we first brought it up, but I'd like you to head up the support group if you're up for it. I think you'd be a great candidate to mediate it, and offer advice on how to live with the change. Again, I'd have to talk to your Administrator, and the idea won't be implimented for a few more months, but what do you think?"

It was logical to Moira that they should look to have the group at the hospital.  There was usually a certain level of trust between those infected by the disease and the hospital staff.  If the administration could endorse the program it was sure to bring help to many which would ultimately make it a success.

"What I like about you Moira, is your endless compassion for those less fortunate."

She felt her cheeks burn a bit, knowing they were turning a bit pink at his words.  She smiled as she reached for her tea, trying to hide her reaction behind the cup as he continued.  She was a bit surprised when he asked her to head the group, and her smile brightened as she set the tea down.

“I would love to help in any way I could,” she said,  as one of the other healers appeared in the doorway.

“Excuse me, Moira,” the other woman said shyly.  “I didn’t want to interrupt your lunch, but we’ve had another possible werewolf attack brought in…a seven year old boy.”

She fought the urge to sigh, not really surprised they had come to seek her out to assist on the case.  She nodded slightly and said, “I’ll be there in a moment.”

When the other healer disappeared again she turned her attention back to Marcus and told him, “Duty calls…I hate to cut this conversation short.  I…I would be happy to head up the group.  As I said, I really would love to help in any way I could. Thank you…for considering me for this.”

She was blushing, and doing a bad job in hiding it with her tea cup. It wasn't what Marcua had intended, but it definately was nice to see. It was Moira, in an incredibly adorable moment. Marcus smiled at his handiwork and took a sip of his own tea, doing a bad job of hiding his reaction. "There's something else that I've been meaning to ask you." Marcus put the cup down and continued. "These lunches have been great. I haven't had a fun time like this in a while and I was..."

Marcus was cut off by another Healer walking into the room. Marcus listened as Moira was told of the situation. The interrupting Healer was very gracious, and looked like she felt bad for barging in. Marcus just nodded his head, and didn't care to tell Moira why exactly he knew the shy Healer's name was Michelle. Then she mentioned another possible werewolf attack. Another? The victim was a seven year old boy.

Moira excused herself from the table, and apologized for leaving. "Don't even think about apologizing," Marcus replied. He picked up a napkin and wiped his face off, then stood up and followed Moira. "This is exactly what we were talking about. This boy supposes that he was attacked by a werewolf in broad daylight. Regardless, I'd like to come with. Maybe I can help in some way. If that's alright with you, Moira."

It was a wonder that his interest in watching her assist on the case made her a bit nervous.  She knew her own skill and that of her coworkers, but still there was a slight flutter in the pit of Moira's stomach.  There was also the lingering unasked question that he hadn't been able to finish because of Michelle's interruption.  That would have to wait for another time though, now she needed to concentrate on the patient who had been brought in.

"Of course," she said, ignoring the feeling of nerves.  "A common thing I see with parents is that they feel so isolated and alone.  I think the biggest help would be for them to see that the Ministry is indeed taking an interest."

She would have to get used to that when with Marcus, having their professional and personal lives overlap so much.  She was used to keeping things so separate, almost compartmentalized.  Of course, she had never been friends with such a public figure.  With a slight smile, she led him from their lunch towards the room where the boy was awaiting treatment.

{END}