Order only: Private message to Fred Weasley and George Weasley

[alt_terry]

I can't sleep. It's been going on for a week. I just can't. Every time I close my eyes, I see his leering face over me. Watching me.

It's crazy. I know he's dead. I keep tasting

It's like he's haunting me, but I haven't seen his ghost. But I keep turning around quickly, half-expecting to see him there.

I said some stuff on the lock that maybe was a mistake. I just don't know. I'm so tired I can't even tell.

I'm glad Mr and Mrs Longbottom get back soon. Except if they figure out something's wrong and ask me about it, I don't even know what to say to them.

I'm free, right? So shouldn't everything be okay now?

I don't get it. I mean, I'm so happy here. Except I'm starting to not be able to sleep, and sometimes I feel like I don't belong here at all.

I don't even know what I'm asking.

Comments

[alt_gredforge]

Glad you said something. Even if you're not sure what you're trying to say. But that's okay.

Hey, cut yourself some slack, Professor: you've gone through a helluva big change and a lot of upheaval. It's bound to be confusing. While nobody's in the least bit broken up that Amycus 'that bloody git' Carrow is out of the picture, he was your whole world for years and years. Had to be, if you wanted to survive. Everything revolved around him for you, didn't it? So it's no wonder you feel a trifle unmoored now that he's gone.

As for what to say to the Longbottoms, well, maybe just start with the simple fact that you're having trouble sleeping. They may have some practical suggestions. Or maybe Stephen McGivern might have some potions that would help you get through this, just for the short term. And then you can talk, or not, as it seems right. Don't think they'll push you into saying anything you're not willing to say.