(no subject)

[chris_warrington]

Private to Professor Sprout Pomona

This might be kind of weird, but I want to ask your advice. I've been talking with Padma Patil a little since her mom died at St Mungo's in December, and I don't really know what to do. She seems to be doing okay, and I think she's been talking to some of her friends about it. But she says Parvati seems to be pretending nothing happened, and their dad isn't really taking it well, and I really just don't know what to say.

Parvati probably won't talk to me, but I'm going to ask her just in case. But Padma says their dad is all alone, and there just isn't anything I can do about that. Padma's going to see him for Easter hols, and is going to try to get Parvati to come along, too.

I don't even know what to ask of you. But I thought you might have some advice?

Comments

[prof_sprout]

It's good that you've kept an eye out for the girls—I have a feeling that as this horrible situation goes on, we'll need more of that care for everyone.

The best thing you can do, I think, is just let them know that you're there for them if they need you. You can't force someone to talk. You can only be there to comfort them when they do.

[chris_warrington]

That's pretty much what I'm doing. I'm just feeling helpless, I guess. There's this whole awful thing going on and I'm just some kid with an office.

[prof_sprout]

And that's why I think you'll do a lot of good, Chris. A lot of the students think that the professors are out of touch, that we can't understand how afraid and alone they feel. They know you, though, and that familiarity is going to help a lot of frightened children.

[chris_warrington]

I hope you're right. That would make me feel like I was actually doing something.

[prof_sprout]

We strive for that every day. I have faith you'll find your footing.

[chris_warrington]

Thanks, Professor.