Ever since the Career Fair a couple weeks prior, Verity had been incredibly pensive as to what her life would be like post-Hogwarts. And with exams approaching she couldn't afford to have more stress, or she worried that she would actually begin to lose her hair. Which led the Hufflepuff to standing in front of Counselor Biladeau-Yukawa's office, hoping that she might be able to provide her some guidance. Verity had a rough idea for what she wanted to be, but it appeared that therapists were a rare breed in the wizarding world, and - for the thousandth time in a month - she wished that she could do a quick Google search.

She spit her hair out of her mouth before knocking softly, "Maiko? Do you have a moment?"

Mai looked up from her desk at the knocking and made her way to the door, only to see a familiar face.. Granted, all the faces that came to her office were familiar ones.  “Hello! Come in! Of course I have a minute!”  She beamed, ushering Verity in.

The office was rather homey—her desk was cluttered, with a couple of family photos on it. Pushed into the corner of the room, it was far from the focus. She never sat with a desk between her and the student; it set a boundary and gave her a sense of authority that was absolutely detrimental to the counselor-client relationship. In another corner was a small coffee table and a well-worn couch that looked perfect for curling up and reading on.

The room also had three rather large, plush, cushy chairs that seemed perfect for curling up and reading in. Two walls were lined with bookshelves, and one had a closet and a couple cupboards. Her office was just large enough for it not to feel cramped, but small enough not to fit much more furniture.

“Would you like some tea?” She offered, “I just got some water heated. Maiko closed the door behind the Hufflepuff and motioned towards one of the chairs.

Verity always enjoyed her chats with Maiko, as the counselor somehow knew exactly what to say to calm her neuroses. Her office had a human quality that soothed the Hufflepuff, and Verity audibly sighed in relief as she was ushered in.

"Oh, some tea would be well tidy, thank you so much. What kinds do you have?" Verity responded as she sat down in one of the comfy chairs. "I'm sorry for just kind of barging in here like some entitled brat. My issue is not even all that pressing, honestly." She shook her head, and worried her lower lip. "How are you doing? I feel like people just rant to you about their problems, and don't bother to inquire about your life. Like, how did you know that you wanted to be a counselor?"

What kind of tea did Maiko have?

She was a notorious tea hoarder. She had far too much, and multiples of more than ten different teas. There was a cupboard in her office full of tea, as well as one back at her house. It was becoming a problem, but at least she shared it with anyone who wanted some.  “I have a bit of everything, dear.” She replied steadily, “Mint, jasmine, earl grey, breakfast, orange spice….” 

She began to fill two small teacups with hot water. The cups were in the shape of cow heads. They mooed softly every few minutes when they were being used.

“Oh no, no no no! Don’t be sorry at all!” Mai insisted, “An issue is an issue, and I’m glad to listen.”  She summoned a bag of jasmine tea for herself and dropped it into her cow cup.

“And, I’m doing lovely. Thank you for asking.” And suddenly, Verity wanted to know how Mai decided she wanted to be a counselor. She took a breath while she pondered her answer.  “My mother was a therapist.” She finally said, “So I was exposed to it from a young age. I decided I wanted to be a counselor after the second wizarding war. After I saw how much it changed people.” Mai raised a brow inquiringly, “Are you interested in counseling, Verity?” 

"Ooh, orange spice please," Verity chimed, and smiled brightly at the adorable cow mugs. She would have to get one for her mum, because she loved cows more than anyone Verity knew.

Verity listened intently to Mai's reason for pursuing counseling, and furrowed her brow slightly. She had read several essays on the Second Wizarding War, and the aftermath directly following. But even reading firsthand accounts couldn't possibly compare to the terror of actually living through that. "I know that I want to help people, and I noticed that there aren't many therapists among the wizarding community, and none I could find who specialize in transgender issues. If I could make another witch or wizard's transition even a bit easier, and help answer questions for them and their families... Maybe others wouldn't have to deal with quite as much hardship as I have, and I recognize that I have been extremely lucky. But they would at least know someone who could relate to their issues somewhat."

She noticed that she was chewing on her hair and quickly stopped, a sheepish expression on her face. I hope that Maiko doesn't feel like I am implying that she can't relate to my problems. Verity shrugged and shook her head. "I'm not sure what I need to do, though. I somehow doubt that Muggle universities would be particularly impressed by my outstanding marks in Potions and Transfiguration."

“Orange spice it is!” Mai summoned  a bag of orange spice tea and dropped it into Verity’s cup. After she got the tea taken care of, the counselor was able to sit down and relax instead of feeling like she didn’t treat her visitor properly.
She listened to Verity’s explanations and nodded along, “Counseling is a good way to help people.” Maiko said,

“And your goals are… Quite personal. Using your experience to help another person is so worthy. And it seems like the type of thing you would be good at.” The counselor took a sip of her tea. “There aren’t really any universities in the wizarding world, so I got my education in the muggle world. In fact, I’m still working on my education.” She had already gotten her masters, and was on her way to a psy.d.

“Muggles have their own versions of OWLs and NEWTs.” As Verity was a muggleborn, there was a chance she was already aware of this. “The first you need to take is the GCSEs.” Mai herself had faced her GCSE scores… But had taken her A-Levels. “And then the A-Levels. They’re tough and rigorous, at least as tough as the NEWTs.” She said cautiously. “Have you, by any chance, taken the GCSEs?” 

Verity thanked Mai for the tea, and blew gently into the mug to cool it slightly while she waited for the tea to steep. The cow mug mooed peacefully, as if it wanted to soothe Verity's nerves, causing her to smile wanly. "And it seems like the type of thing you would be good at." Her admiration for Maiko was immense, and so the compliment caused her to beam in spite of herself. But then she frowned when the counselor confirmed her belief that there weren't any universities within the wizarding world that could assist her. Returning to Muggle society caused her anxiety to flare, and she chewed pensively on her bottom lip.

"I was afraid that you would say that. But I made sure to take my GCSE for Psychology last summer just in case," Verity responded, and continued in a subdued voice. "But... I am worried that I will leave Hogwarts, where I have been quite accepted for the most part, and go back to the Muggle world where I am some fetishistic fantasy, and not considered to be a real woman. Every summer I go online and check the news to see if things are improving, and... I don't know if I could go back to a place where I constantly feel defective."

She felt tears welling up, but blinked them away and exhaled deeply before taking a long drink of her tea. The warm liquid comforted her somewhat, and she became ashamed for her outburst. "Sorry. You are well tidy for listening to me prattle on like some twit." Verity steeled her resolve and asked herself, WWHD? What would Hermione do. She wouldn't sit around and cry about the injustice. She would stand up for what she knew was right, like petitioning for house elf rights. "I need to do this. Would you be willing to help me study for the A-Levels?"

“No matter where you go—no matter where anyone goes—they run the risk of being judged and criticized by people who don’t know the first thing about them.” Mai leaned forward to rest her hand on Verity’s arm, “But you also get the chance to meet wonderful people who want to get to know you, and don’t care what others say.” Her voice was gentle, but nothing about her tone or body language implied that she was uncertain or hesitant about her words.

“No matter what world you are in—wizarding or muggle—you’re a real woman. Your identity does not make you defective. Besides,” She smiled softly, “Nobody is flawless. Myself included. Imperfection is a human quality. Once you accept that, it can’t be used against you. It’s much easier said than done, though.”   

Even though Verity was obviously hesitant about immersing herself fully into the muggle world, she was determined to do what was necessary in order to be able to do the things she wanted to do.  “No apologies necessary, Verity.  I rather enjoy listening.  Your problems are not a burden for me.” She took a sip of her tea and eyed the Hufflepuff carefully. She would need help with A-Levels, that much was certain. Mai had needed all the help she could get when shehad been in Verity’s position. It didn’t feel like it had happened very long ago.

“Of course I’ll help you study for your A-Levels.” The counselor replied, “I will also get information about preparatory classes you can take over the summer, if you are interested?”

Verity knew that Maiko's words were true, but it was not always easy to remember that she wasn't the only person who didn't have endearing flaws like being too nice or too trusting. But the Hufflepuff found herself smiling when Maiko assured her that she was a real woman. And took solace in the fact that the counselor also had flaws. Though while much of Verity's apprehension towards going back to muggle world came from previous treatment and a lack of civil rights, she couldn't deny that she worried that moving would cause her to lose her friends.

"Thank you so much! And I would love any information about summer prep classes!" Verity exclaimed, and felt hopeful that between those classes and Maiko's assistance that she would be well prepared for the A-Levels. "They won't conflict with the summer trip, right?"

“I believe there are classes that take place after the trip.” Mai replied, “And I’m chaperoning as well, I’ll bring some of my textbooks and I can help you study in your down time, if you feel like it of course!” She had already done her necessary research, but it was the writing the final thesis (and presenting it) part that she had been taking a rather long time on. She was very nearly done, and in the editing stages. The most difficult part of it for her was that her current work was with magicfolk.  Before Hogwarts, her experience in counseling was exclusively with muggles.

“I’ll find the exact dates and times for you—I’m not sure when they are. I’ll let you know as soon as I do.” She couldn’t very well just pull the information out of thin air! No, she’d have to wait until she got home and on the computer to find out. Internet was definitely something that she missed, and there were a few muggleborns that had lamented to her about the absolute lack of wifi here. Those poor souls.

Verity barely contained a sigh of relief, as the stress due to the uncertainty of her future mostly dissolved away. Sure, she'd have to work hard, studying for both her classes at Hogwarts and the A-Levels, but now that she had a goal set, she knew that she would manage. Death would come before she allowed herself to not reach a goal she set for herself.

"Again, thank you so much. For everything. I would love to study with you during the trip, and I promise that I won't waste your time," Verity vowed with a large grin, but the mention of time made her realize that she had a tutoring session set up for some of the first years that she couldn't be late for. "Oops! I am sorry to have to rush out, but there is a group of first years who are probably sitting by the lake right now wondering where I am. I will see you later!"

She quickly finished the small amount of tea she had left, stood up and hugged Maiko before waving goodbye and rushing off, hoping that the kiddos would have enough patience to wait for a few more minutes. She'd definitely have to conjure up some pastries for those waiting.