A Helping Hand (Jason)

[Bell Connelly]

“A breeze ruffled the neat hedges of Privet Drive, which lay silent and tidy under the inky sky, the very last place you would expect astonishing things to happen. Harry Potter rolled over inside his blankets without waking up” Bell said sitting down her legs crossed in front of her as she sank back in her beanbag chair her eyes looked over the front of her book to gaze at the fascinated stares of all the children sat around her giving her rasp attention. She did her best not to laugh at those looks –That was just ruin the atmosphere she was trying to set, once upon a time, she had the exact same expression on her face when she was a child and her father did read her bedtime stories. He could see why he kept doing it…

This was how he spent her after school hours most of time, Every Wednesday for a few hours she would pick out a book from the hospital library and read it allowed for children that were too sick to go home. It was the least she could do really, She felt that these children had very little to smile about indeed these days, she liked to think that she was giving them something to look forward to. Give them some kind of hope, it must get so dreary at times for them. So she liked to think that she did her part to change that.

Ever those she only did this on a weekly basis she was a regular around the hospital. Doing whatever she could to make the doctors and nurses life all the more simple- Giving blood, even making the staff cookies. She did what she could.

"One small hand closed on the letter beside him and he slept on, not knowing he was special, not knowing he was famous, not knowing he would be woken in a few hours' time by Mrs. Dursley's scream as she opened the front door to put out the milk bottles, nor that he would spend the next few weeks being prodded and pinched by his cousin Dudley.." Bell’s voice was low and full of wonder as if she was imparting a great secret among the children, knowing how much she enjoyed it when her father set the mood. If it was a joyful part of the tale. His voice was light and joking, if it was tense moment his voice would be but a whisper

He couldn't know that at this very moment, people meeting in secret all over the country were holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices- Bell couldn’t help but to take one free hand and held it out in front of her as if she was holding an invisible goblet. What can she say? She had a flair for the dramatics "To Harry Potter - the boy who lived!” Thud! On that bomb shell she closed the book with a smile on her face ignoring the groans of the kids as she stood up “I’m sorry, I really am but were out of time. But don’t worry the book only gets better from here”

[Jason Campbell]

Technically, Jason didn’t work at the hospital. He worked at the clinic and you had to make an appointment to see him. He thought it was best like this. He worked in a hospital once, dealt with the emergency and, more particularly, dealt with the guilt of not being able to heal everyone with a simple touch. Not only would it likely kill him but it would also raise too many questions if someone who was about to die suddenly regained consciousness. It was hard on him to be at the hospital. Besides, he also worked for the school and sometimes went there for checkups on students so they wouldn’t have to go to town. It really was better that way.

Of course, he sometimes had to g to the hospital. He had patients who might end up there. Although, it wasn’t the case this time. At least, not at first. He came as the patient for a change. He promised Seiji he would get a scan of his heart and do all the right tests. He didn’t really want to as he feared it was in a worse state than he first believed but the young man was interested in his power and wanted to help out and Jason didn’t have the heart to tell him to forget about it.

Jason knew the layout of the hospital fairly well and knew the quickest way to his car had him pass near the pediatric ward. He found a patient of his there who decided to stop him and talk a little about some health issues of his. You know, get a free diagnosis from him since they were not really in his office and all. He also talked about his son who was in there. “I’m sure you’re worrying for nothing,” he assured the man after hearing him out. His voice was almost a whisper, not wanting people to hear them. “Your son is not even in age for any mutation to manifest itself, I doubt his symptoms are caused by it.” But the father was worried and wanted a mutant doctor who knew about mutations to check, real quick, his son, just to be sure. Jason sighed. “Alright,” he finally gave in, understanding where those worries came from and wanting to appease the poor man. Otherwise, he might as well refuse anything the doctors here would say about his son’s state.

They arrived just as a woman who was telling them a story finished her chapter. He only heard Harry Potter before she closed the book and told them it had to be all for today. He had a little smile. Not all those children could have a parent by their side so it really was a good thing someone was there to make their stay here not too scary.

[Bell Connelly]

Oh God, she really didn’t want to stop reading, clearly they were really enjoying the story and Bell had them hooked in every sense of the word but a good story teller knew when to hold back and leave them wanting more, Bell wished she had her fathers spine when Bell was a child and Mr. Connolly ended the night’s reading season on a clear cliff hanger. That was the most effected way to heighten anticipation. Like is what every good author knew. Keep them wanting more. That was the name of the game.

Still, Bell was a complete sucker for a disappointed child and as they looked at Bell pleading with Bell to continue on with their big wide eyes of theirs.

Damn it why did she have to be such a push over?

She had to get out of there now before she was seduced into reading them stories all night long. She made her way to her feet tucking the bulbous book under her arm muttering her promises that she would return tomorrow to read the next chapter “…But only if you’re all good, behave and do exactly what the doctors tell you. What do you think guys? Do we have a deal” She smiled encouragingly, hoping against hope that her influence somehow convinces them not to fuss Even though Bell more then anyone making children not to kick up a fight was more then a little difficult.

Smiling now Bell went to leave before almost running head first into a person she recognized as Doctor Jason Campbell the school doctor who she had become friendly with over the year. She did what she could for both the hospital and the school, and would often be in his office either giving blood or offering comfort to a small child. “Well, hey there you! I didn’t see you there, Don’t worry you didn’t miss much. Here’s a spoiler; It turns out he’s a wizard”

[Jason Campbell]

It was cute to see those children sitting there around this woman, hanging on her every word, wanting to hear more of what was going on with Harry Potter. Most of them were obviously too young to have seen the movies. As one who always preferred to read the book rather than watch the movie, he liked to see them desiring to hear more of the story. Maybe these kids will read too, instead of spending their entire time hooked up to some game console.

Telling stories, making them dream, it was very good on kids but not something the staff really had the time to do. They sometimes could barely keep up with all the patients they had. Volunteers such as Bell were more than welcome. Especially to the children. Their parents had to work, they had no choice to leave their children in this environment. Jason never had to lay on a hospital bed as a child but he could understand how scary it must be at times. He had a little smile at what she had them promise.

He laughed at her greetings. “Oh, I only missed that?” he said in an attempt to joke. “I had no idea you were here this evening,” he admitted, this time a little more serious in his tone. “You’re going back to school after that? I’m just here to have a quick look at little Damian here,” he told her as the father took his son. He preferred not to point out he thought it was unnecessary.

[Bell Connelly]

Some people, tended to thank Bell for showing up and doing what she did on a regular basis but Bell could only shake her head and simply asked whatever for? They were the doctor’s and nurses working tirelessly to save lives working day and night,Bell simply could only offer a few hours a week but people like Jason worked tirelessly all day every single day.

Bell had so much respect for people like him…

“Oh, I think you’ll find I show up in such mysterious places” Bell said coming back with her own little joke herself “ I know you would kick yourself if you missed more so I held back as long as I could for you”

“Oh yes I should be going back in a few minutes, just clearing up a few things myself” Bell couldn’t help but to look down and notice the small boy by Jason’s side and clearly what must have been his father, Bell couldn’t really help herself really if she tried, she always had a soft spot for children especially ones in this setting. She nodded gently to the father before smiling warmly at the boy “…and I’m sure he’s being quite brave for you, too”

[Jason Campbell]

Jason laughed softly at Bell’s jokes. He was of course aware of the volunteering she did at the hospital but Jason was not coming here every day and even if he did, he had other things to think about than the days she spent here. Even if she were to tell him, he was likely to forget. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for what she was doing, he thought it was important and very kind of her, but he had enough stuff to worry about. Had he not been asked to look at a young boy, Jason wouldn’t even know Bell was here to begin with.

“Sorry I couldn’t make it before. Had I known, I would have run for it,” he joked back. Jason knew he was not the best at joking. He never thought he was. He was fine with it, he accepted he did not have the best sense of humor. It wasn’t like he tried to be a comedian anyway.

“If you want, I can walk a little with you. It shouldn’t be too long, just a quick checkup,” he explained, looking at Damian with a smile he hoped was reassuring. The boy was sick of course, otherwise he wouldn’t be here, but it was no reason to scare him into thinking a new doctor meant a new problem. “That he is,” he assured Bell although he was still looking at Damian since those words were clearly more meant for the boy. He looked at Bell for a moment, waiting to know if she wanted him around or not. He wouldn’t mind if she didn’t. She probably came here with her car, it wasn’t like she’d need Jason around. At least, it was what he assumed.