Phoenix

"Same old, same old." These muggles will never think of anything better than this. Cars, roads, traffic lights...they were all a waste of time. Why couldn't everyone just be wizards?

I sat in morning traffic at the intersection, waiting for the light to go green. I'd been in the same spot for about two minutes now, and I was getting really bored. I checked my mirror to see if the others behind me were, too. Most of them looked like they were about to fall asleep. I caught a glimpse of herself. Red curls, freckles, almond shaped eyes...the Weasley trademark. But I had to admit, I'd gotten prettier since I'd been at Hogwarts. My hair was more lustrous, my lips thicker, my cheeks rosier.

I looked to my right. Cars were coming, from the other side. Behind me, a car honked. I faced forward and, sure enough, the light was green. I quickly stepped on the gas.

"Here we go," I thought.

--

"Hey Gin," Hermione, my best friend, said.

As usual, she had gotten there before I did. We both did volunteer work at St. Bartholomews Hospital every Saturday. We wanted to see how they healed wounds and diseases without magic. I worked at St. Mungo's and to I have to say, magic was very useful in healthcare. So many patients at the hospital died because of cancer. If only they knew how easy it was in the wizarding world.

Hermione, on the other hand, was a professor at Hogwarts. She seemed to be enjoying it there, not to mention, Harry, her long-time boyfriend visited her every single day. No matter how busy he was, he always found time for her. I could see that Harry loved Hermione very, very much. If only someone felt that way about me, I thought. I just had a bad breakup a couple of months ago. And there hadn't been anyone ever since. Sick people were her life now. Wow, what a life, I thought.

"Hey 'Mione. How are you? And Harry?" I greeted her.

"Never better. Harry too. And you?"

"I'm doing well, I suppose. Way past the breakup," I said.

"That's good." That's what I loved about Hermione. Over the years, she'd learned not to dwell. Sure enough, I considered myself past the breakup. But I didn't know for sure if I wouldn't just break down at some point. Of course, I had gotten over the Neville himself, but I wasn't sure if I was over the fact that I had been cheated on. He'd cheated on me with a muggle, for crying out loud! I'd better stop. I might not be able to control myself any longer.

"So...let's get to work, then?" I told Hermione.

As volunteers, it was our job to attend to the patients' needs. Nothing medical, though. We weren't exactly qualified for medical stuff.

I gave my wing breakfast and stayed in some of the rooms for a while. Since I'd been here, I'd gotten to know some patients. It was fascinating how strangely happy they were despite their current location. I admire them in that way.

After breakfast, I did my rounds. I grabbed some magazines for the patients, old and young. They gave their thanks. I was just happy to help them.

After many hours, it was time for the volunteers to go home. I quickly said goodbye to the patients on my last round, as well as the nurses. It was our second to the last week of volunteer work. I never thought I'd say this but, I was definitely going to miss this place. It was a lot different from St. Mungo's. Apart from the obvious, the people were different. They were certainly friendlier and more loveable.

Hermione and I walked to the parking lot together. I was reaching for my keys when she said, "Gin? Do you want to grab some dinner with me?"

"Where's Harry?"

"He's been really busy this week. Look, I understand if you have pla--"

"Don't be silly, Hermione. Besides, we should have a little girl talk," I insisted.

"The Three Broomsticks?"

"I'm game! I haven't been there in the longest time." I suddenly felt very excited.

"Well that's settled, then. See you there," she said with a wave.

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at the Three Broomsticks fresh from a shower. It seemed to me that the place had changed. I didn't know what it was, but it certainly had a different feel to it. I spotted Hermione at a corner table already having a butterbeer. I walked over to where she was and sat down opposite her.

"There you are," she said.

"Sorry, am I late?" I questioned.

"No, of course not. I just got here myself. Butterbeer?"

I nodded. She called for a waiter. We ordered a butterbeer, salad for her and calamares for me.

The waiter came back with our orders and chatted us up a bit.

"Hello again. Here are your orders, ladies. Oh, by the way, did you hear about the accident in Muggle London? Heard a wizard was involved. Apparently, he'd been speeding and knocked a few cars over. Should've used a broom, that twit."

"That sounds terrible! Any fatalities?" Hermione shrieked.

"None as of now. All of 'em are at a hospital, though. Even the wizard."

"Why didn't he go to St. Mungo's?" I asked.

"Apparently, an ambulance got to him first. So anyways, gotta go." He turned.

"Thanks," Hermione and I said in chorus.

"I wonder who it is," Hermione said. That was the last thing said for the topic.

The rest of the dinner was filled with more butterbeer, and a firewhiskey at one point. We talked about things like our schooldays, my family, everything else there was to talk about. We left bar some two hours after entering. We said our goodbyes and both head to our homes.

The minute I got home, I went to bed. It had been a tiring day and I needed to rest. I dreamt of saving the wizard from the accident and flying all the way to Hogwarts. There was a romantic feel to it.

"Crringgg! Crrrriiinnnggg!"

The phone. Bummer. I wanted to see who the wizard was. But...whatever. That dream was too strange. I stood up, anyway. On my way to the phone, I checked the time. 7AM. Great. Awake at seven on a Sunday morning, I thought.

"Hello?" I said to the receiver.

"Ginny? Sorry to bother you." I recognized the voice. It was Chrissy's, the head nurse at St. Barts.

"'S okay. So...what's the deal?" I mumbled.

"I'm really, really sorry. But we're out staffed today. We need more people and unfortunately, the other nurses are on leave. I know you didn't sign up for this, but do you think you could come?" She pleaded.

"I'll be right there," I said with a groan, regretting it right away. I forgot I planned to go shopping today. Too late for that now.

"Thanks, Ginny. I owe you one." She put the receiver down.

Sure you do, I thought.