It was normal for Una wake up early everyday; but on that Thursday she overcame and got out of  the bed before the sun rise. It wasn't the expectation of the meeting that made her do that, but a sum of all she was living recently. Her sleep was disturbed since she could remember, and was getting a little worse everyday – maybe Vivienne's potion could be useful for her too.

She put everything she wanted to show to the Healer on her bag before going to work. There was a strange atmosphere in the Department of Mysteries lately that she couldn't explain where it came from; or pretended not to. Going to St. Mungo's on that morning was a nice break on her routine, then.

Specially when she could go straight to the Tearoom, avoiding patient's rooms and the general rush of mediwizards and healers through the halls.

The place smelled good and its mood was far more light than the rest of the hospital. There were just a few people sitting at some tables, and only when Una thought about searching for Vivienne, she remembered that she had no idea about how the Healer looked like.

She sighed, trying to not feel so stupid, and stood between the tables; her blue eyes looking around for any sign of who she could be. Still, Una was wearing a long, black and antiquated robe, diverging from all. Should be easier to be identified by Vivienne than the opposite.

"Coffee, Viv?"

The tea lady across the baked goods counter in the tea room looked up, already reaching for the strong brew of coffee that they normally served the Healers this early in the morning. No healer robes today, however. Dressed very neatly in a white blouse and slacks, Vivienne felt out-of-place at St.Mungo's. It was an unnatural feeling to have in a building that was, almost literally, her second home. "Thanks," she murmured softly as she picked up the full mug  and turned around to survey the hospital tea room.

Viv considered herself to be an intelligent person. Not a genius, of course, but smart enough to know exactly what she was capable of. Which was apparently not smart enough to let Miss Fehrer know how to recognize each other this morning. Her dark grey eyes swept over the tables, taking note of some regulars and stopping shrewdly to examine a couple of patients who should rightly be in their beds. There weren't many young women around-- mostly people she recognized or grey-haired visitors.

But then her gaze fell on a stark figure in black. Besides standing out from the other guests, she appeared to be around the right age and look-- Vivienne had asked the Healers who had seen her during the visit to describe the witch. She paused for a moment to sip on her coffee before setting it down and heading over to meet Una Sophia Freher.

"Good morning there." Viv approached her from the side, smiling sweetly and extending her hand:  "Miss Freher, oui??"

Why, oh, why everyone should offer their right hands to her? Actually, the right question was "why can't I get over it?" Una was a total fool on that matter, and pretty aware of it. “Oh, Healer Thorpe, right? Nice to meet you!” Briefly she shook her hand, with a gentle smile on her face as a mean to indicate that, despite of her manner, she has been totally sincere with her words.

Only then she could look better at Vivienne to conclude that her impression about the Healer was right. But it was funny that she wasn't wearing the St. Mungo's robe. “Was this your day off?” She asked, almost apologizing for interrupting, until she realizes that was Vivienne who suggested the day and the place for the meeting.

Una blushed a little for the spontaneous question that suddenly seemed to be out of place. “Well, I guess it's hard to take a day off when dealing so devotedly with your patient's health... I truly admire your hard work!” She smiled again, before look around wondering where they shall sit. Una knew that they both have too little time to waste on that kind of conversation.

Vivienne's gaze flickered briefly to Miss Freher's arms as they shook hands, and she wondered why anyone would wear gloves in the warm Spring weather that was slowly settling into London. Even with the windows open, the tearoom felt well-heated and comfortable today. "Was this your day off?"

Before a reply could be made, the witch blushed slightly and started over. “Well, I guess it's hard to take a day off when dealing so devotedly with your patient's health... I truly admire your hard work!” From the letters she had received, Viv had gotten a shy but intelligent impression of Una-- and true as that was, she hadn't quite expected someone so very pretty. It struck her as a little glum, picturing a lovely witch buried away and working under the Ministry floors.

"Thank you," Vivienne replied cordially: "Even on my days off, I'm still obsessed with patients. Shall we take a seat, then? I've saved us a corner table by the window. It should be suitable." She gestured for her guest to follow, and led them towards the far end of the St.Mungo's tearoom where the staff had obligingly moved away some of the other tables to create a more private nook for their meeting.

Viv smiled ruefully at Una as she pulled out a chair to sit: "You can call me Vivienne, by the way. Healer Thorpe puts me on edge when I'm not working."

Una followed Vivienne when she indicated with the gesture. When they got closer and she noticed the disposition of the tables, Una thought about how much that should be important to the Healer. How much she should be waiting for her help, so. She suddenly felt butterflies on her stomach.

“Right, Vivienne...” she agreed while sitting in front of her. “You can call me Una if you like, too.” Her smile was sweet, a bit nervous though. Without looking directly to the witch, she placed her bag over her lap and took a parchment out of it, putting over the table.

“Have you made any advance in your pursuit?” She asked, with her eyes still vacillating between Vivienne and her bag. “Ah, there you are!” Una put a wooden box beside the rolled parchment. “I've brought you some samples...” still she kept everything closed, when finally placed her elbows over the table and glanced at Vivienne. “What ideas do you have, exactly?”

Vivienne smiled, diverted by Una's enthusiasm as the alchemist began taking objects out of her bag-- she was clearly eager on their task. And, Viv felt, a little on skittish. Nerves, maybe. "What ideas do you have, exactly?"

Good question. Viv leaned forward gracefully, placing her elbows onto the table and interlocking fingers: "Since you last wrote me, I've been experimenting with Hellebore syrup. It isn't as effective as I would like it to be-- the patients become drowsy but it takes little more than a few loudly spoken words for them to slip back into a panicked, agitated temper." The Healer pressed her lips together in a meditative frown. She reached into her pocket and very delicately placed a small vial of clear orange liquid onto the table.

"That would be the most effective of my prototypes thusfar. I was hoping that, maybe, you could tell me more about the powdered root of Hellebore. Its effects and uses."

Una considered when Vivienne told about the weak effect of the Hellebore syrup. “The ambient where they are staying shouldn't be the most peaceful too, I suppose...” she imagined how hard it was to the Healer keep them all under control, calm and quiet. Herculean task.

As she placed her vial over the table, Una opened the wooden box and took a little flask with an ecru powder inside; putting in front of the Healer, so she was welcome to take it. “From my stock, but it's yours now.” She said with simplicity, taking the vial of orange potion in return and analyzing it briefly against the light.

“As I told you, the usage of the powder isn't very popular. I've found the information in an old book[1], and the source should be worthy. It was said to be used thirty grams per day, no more than that, no other similar plant besides Hellebore niger. No other part besides the root, too.” She stated, sounding a little distant for her interest on Vivienne's potion.

Una opened the vial on a certain distance to feel the smell of the liquid, before continue, “Caught my attention for your case because its supposed to be used along with food... soups; breads; certain kinds of drinks. It's bittersweet, I personally enjoy the taste of it pure and raw. Baking with flour should substantially dissemble the taste.”

“It's a powerful sedative, acts on the nerves like Valeriana, but can easily leave a person in stupor if the measure exceeds. The risks are the same for all medicines that works on nerves and brains. You should know... the right measure put to sleep for a while; the wrong put to sleep forever.” She sighed at the end, when noticing that she might just have been a little dramatic.

“Ah... if you could tell me about your prototype, please, Vivienne?” Una asked, smiling in an attempt to fix the heavy mood of drama she has gave before.

1.	In fact I did, but only found the book and information in Portuguese.

Vivienne smiled gratefully when Una mentioned that the powder she place before them was from her own personal stock. In spite of the witch's clear immersion in alchemy, there was a strong sense of emotion and commitment behind her drive. There was real concern between her words-- Viv wondered what kind of life Una must have had. Put to sleep forever? Yes, potions could do that. But the phrasing was solemn and heavy... too old for someone so young.

"Ah..." Una's expression lightened a little, "If you could tell me about your prototype, Vivienne?"

The tea lady came over just then and set down a heavy tea pot between the two witches. Viv thanked the old woman as she placed two mugs with either of them and left, carting her squeaky trolley away. The Healer's grey eyes followed her before returning to meet Una's gaze: "Tea?" She picked up the pot and began serving while she spoke.

"The prototype, like some of my other attempts, would make an excellent sleeping aid. I have only moderately utilized the Hellebore syrup and even if the potion were to be taken in the long-term, there would be very few side-effects." Vivienne lowered the pot gently when she was done. The smell of the drink was dizzying and wonderful-- drowned out notes of rose petals with a hint of bergamot. An odd choice for a morning brew.

Some of the other visitors were leaving the tea room, indicated by the sound of chairs being pulled back. Viv curled her fingers gently around her mug, steam  rising to her face. Her cheeks were pink. "I also used a little sopohorous. Not enough of the potion to actively incite slumber. The aim was to inhibit anxious deliberation."

She wasn’t really expecting the interruption - which was silly of her; if they were in a tearoom, naturally they should drink at least a mug of tea. Still Una smiled sweetly at the tea lady and when Vivienne offered, with some simplicity she accepted with a nod before saying “Thank you; that would be lovely.” The tea smelled really great; the mix of silky rose with citric bergamot was delightful.

"I also used a little sopohorous. Not enough of the potion to actively incite slumber. The aim was to inhibit anxious deliberation."

“I see…” she said, absorbed, after listening to Vivienne; taking her mug with care. “And some of your patients are still easily getting agitated? They’re the most severe cases then, I suppose.” Una raised her eyebrows, tapping her fingers softly around the mug.

“The nature of the issue should be considered, too. But I assume you have already found a common denominator between them, right? I have some problems to sleep, myself. Nightmares...” she shrugged the left shoulder and continued, talking on an impersonal way. “Dreamless potions usually works at the beginning of the night; then I should take something extra, but I really don’t mind about the taste. My problem is the resistance. And the problem with the resistance is that you have to go climbing stairs of stronger and stronger herbs. So sometimes I rather just get up and hide my dark circles than end up drinking too much Hemlock…” again, dramatic words. But at least her tone was lighter. Still...

“Not that much, really, I'm sorry… but, well, maybe your patients have some serious resistance problem too. And find a strong, safe and good tasted potion is really hard.” As if Vivienne wasn't aware of that. Una took a long sip of the tea, hiding behind the mug, while wondering how much she should be scaring the pretty Healer in front of her.

Vivienne listened quietly to Una, nodding at some of her points and than lapsing into an observational stillness as the Alchemist coolly brought up the matter of her own nightmares. She couldn't help but look at the witch in the way she would survey a patient; it was how she dealt with most people. What she saw was vaguely disquieting... the mature words, the manner with which Una seemed to emotionally remove herself from the description of her own turmoil. And this resistance she mentioned was distressing.

Many Healers at the hospital didn't like it when their patients grew accustomed to certain medications. Viv worriedly pressed her lips together then spoke softly, her expression serious: "Yes, they do have that problem. We change the potions that we administer on a regular basis to avoid the build-up of certain components and to give the body time to acclimatize before re-introducing  the brew. At least this is the case with our long-term patients."

Pausing, Vivienne lifted her mug and sipped. The tea was hot and soothing... it eased the tension that was building in her head-- the thoughts that clustered around their problem like a throbbing headache. She smiled faintly and gave her companion a direct look:  "Una, it occurs to me that you might be a better judge of my concoctions than I am," her smile widened: "I dare not test these brews on my own patients and... well, myself? I may remark on the taste but otherwise, I can only perceive drowsiness."

The smell of butter drifted in from across the tearoom and Viv abstractedly wondered if they were baking croissants, even if it was far too late in the morning for that. She ignored the thought and went on, interestedly: "Your nightmares. They agitate you sometimes, oui?"

“Do you want me to test your concoctions? Ah…” Una considered for a moment, looking at the tea remaining in her mug. “Ja… yes, sure.” She nodded.  There are only a few herbs she has never tested on herself for that matter, which means not only that it would probably don’t cause any harm, but she would be able to tell better for her resistance as well. Besides, for some reason, she trusted Vivienne.

But when she asked about her nightmares, Una took another long sip from her mug before being able to answer. That’s when the German realized that all her choices of words and expressions could have worried the Healer. Of course she could be asking because of her prototypes, but still Una felt a certain tone of medical concern on her interest. “Er… yes, they agitate me. They’re all really… tumultuous…” she shrugged, on an uncertain way. “The last philter I’ve tried was based on Peony, Moondew and… Jimson weed - just a bit, carefully prepared, natürlich, but enough to make it taste like…” she shook her head, significantly. “I’m used to, but I don’t recommend.”

Vivienne listened carefully to Una as she described the nature of her nightmares and how she chose to deal with them. The patients of the Janus Thickey ward, they also had such dreams. It seemed unfair that the effects of these occurrences could not be restricted to sleep-- they carried on into the day, dark circles under the eyes or (more extremely) unhinged behaviour. Una appeared conscious of Viv's interest in the matter and the Healer considerately sat back in her seat, not wanting to impose on someone who wasn't really a patient.

"I'm use to, but not recommend." The Alchemist referred to her personal brew, clearly indicating that it was unsuitable for their present endeavor. Probably just as well, Vivienne did not like brewing with the jimson weed; it was far too easy to use a toxic measure of the plant.

She sighed and nodded her head understandingly: "Merci. Especially for agreeing to help test the prototypes... you could probably begin with the vial I handed you earlier, after it's analyzed." Viv had actually given milder versions of the brew to some patients but the potion she had given to Una was one she had only tested herself. It was the most effective, having put her right to sleep-- whether it helped with emotional agitation, she could not tell.

"The hospital has a general rotation of meals and drink that it provides for patients but our staff have been happy to oblige with my experiment. A potion cannot be so completely tasteless, I comprehend, but it may be under certain foods. Someone recommended soaking the porridge raisins in the brew if it were concentrated and sweet," Vivienne smiled to herself as she recalled the proposal. A sedative so early in the morning would be inadvisable: "Ideas are aplenty but not necessarily practical. Do you have any yourself?"

Una nodded with a smile. “Ja, for sure… I’ll start with your latest prototype, then… Hellebore and a little sopohorous...” she murmured, rolling eyes thoughtfully, trying to recall the ingredients the Healer used on her concoction. Sounded like something really smooth, hardly would cause her any concentration problem during the day if those were the main ingredients.

When Vivienne told about food, Una’s eyes fixed on hers for some seconds instead of absently looking around. Not that she was getting interested only now; but that was an issue that she thought about since the beginning, without knowing exactly what could be better to go along with the concoctions or the patients.

“Ah… if you’re treating a case of agitation during the daytime, fruits and grains porridge could help. In the general cases it’s better to give them something in the supper. Teas or herb soups according to the kind of patient you’re dealing with. Chocolate is always great to calm the nerves… well.” Una smiled at the Healer, a little more sincere and relaxed now.

“Knowing the staff are cooperating with you, I may do some experiments at home. I think that there may be some soothing foods that can work along with your prototypes. Eating is a calming rite by itself, maybe we can take advantage from this?” She half shrugged, gently and uncertain about her own idea.

"Eating is a calming rite by itself, maybe we can take advantage from this?"

Vivienne nodded thoughtfully at this and raised her cup to her lips, only to realize she had already finished the tea. She set it down gingerly and smiled at Una: "You may be right to say so. I wouldn't know about the chocolate though, I'm allergic to the substance..." The Healer wrinkled her nose in a humorous way, remembering the last time she had eaten any. Her rashes had taken a whole day to fade, even with a salve.

But many others found cocoa to have positive effects. Viv supposed that the patients would react well if they were being 'treated' to a chocolate dessert on some evenings, even with the sedative layered underneath it. "I'll ask someone to do that taste test for me, maybe. And discuss serving procedure with the staff, see what we can do about making the experience less mundane. More calming as you say. They aren't simply refuelling themselves, non?"

More visitors were beginning to flow into the tearoom as the morning grew late. Chairs were drawn out and the low murmur of sympathetic voices could be detected underneath that veil of sacred, hospital silence. Vivienne looked Una in the eye, her smile more personal and open: "You've been a great help, Una. Your department must be lucky to have you."

She softly laughed when the Healer wrinkled her nose. “I’m sorry, Vivienne, I didn’t know… well, chocolate is a holly medicine to the nerves, make people feel really well...” Una said, nodding gracefully, still with a hint of smile on her face.

“Ja, ja, if the whole atmosphere cooperates it can help a lot for your patients to feel well… eat peacefully and be treated at the same time…” she murmured with a dreamy voice. “I hope it can make them feel happier too! Must be sad stay here the whole time, even with a carefully Healer as you treating them.”

Una looked around when she realized the tearoom was starting to get crowded. “Oh… it’s getting late; I suppose…” she concluded, halfheartedly consulting her pocket watch. “I’m sorry, Vivienne, I wish I could stay longer.” She was about to lift from the chair when the Healer told her that kind words. Una flushed - was a really good sensation to hear that; but she almost answered that she was the lucky one to be in the department and have the chance to help the other witch, not the other way around.

“Dan-- Thank you, Vivienne. Your patients are lucky as well, to have such good hearted Healer taking care of them.” She said, sincerely, smiling sweetly and openly to Vivienne. “I’ll let you know about the effects of your prototype and anything at all you need, just send me an owl, okay?”

Finally she stood, putting all her stuff in her purse and extending her hand to the Healer, a little more comfortable to do that now, but still preferring a brief and loose handshake. “I’m pleased to meet you in person, Vivienne. Have a great day!”