Late, Again. {Heidi}

[Viola Hudson]

The sound memories keeps you trapped in the past,
The walls are coming in once more yet again,
There's no loveart in a broken head…
But you digress,
It’s all progress…

On a piece of parchment Vi was scribbling words. It wasn’t yet a song to her, just empty words on a piece of parchment. Every time she read through the cursive lines she got annoyed with what she had written. For Viola, the lyrics of a song weren’t just words. They were memories and thoughts, ex boyfriends and potential loves, best-friends and lost opportunities. They were everything that made a person and right now, the person Viola could see in the words on her parchment was missing a soul. She tapped her quill impatiently against her coffee mug and glanced at the chunky, bright turquoise watch around her wrist. A curse (the harmless kind) erupted from her lips as she noticed the time. She’d been sitting at the small table in her equally small kitchen for far too long- she was going to miss the St Mungo’s lunch hour! With a scowl she swept everything on the kitchen table into her massive white leather bag with a muttered spell. She was always late, and today was the day she’d promised Heidi she wouldn’t be. No doubt the doctor would expect her ten minutes later anyway, she thought as she pulled on a pair of bright red ankle-boots with a little difficulty.
Now, where was that stupid piece of paper that had all the information about how to find Heidi on it? Her time was running out. Viola stormed from room to room, ignoring the fact that the small heel on her boots were causing a surprising amount of noise for the people that lived below her. “Accio…paper?” She muttered, her short wand held up weakly. She knew there would be nothing zooming towards her no matter how much effort she put into the spell. The clutter in Viola’s flat was appalling. Surprisingly Viola was actually a tidy person in the sense that all of her clothes were always clean and fresh, she tidied up after herself at meals, that sort of thing. But for some reason the mess in her apartment seemed to grow every time she looked at it all. Her mind flashed to Julie’s apartment just next to her. It was almost spotless, she knew. One day she would prepare the best cleaning spells and have a massive tidy-up. She needed to; but it was unlikely that she would in the end.

Realising she was still staring at the mess around her with a look of mild amusement and bewilderment on her face, she ignored the fact that the slip of paper hadn’t been found, slipped her leather bag onto her shoulder, and headed towards her fireplace with a slight grimace. From a little vile found behind a large Bonsai tree on the fireplace mantle Viola took a small pile of twinkling light powder. It almost slipped through her fingers while she pushed the cork back onto the vile and slipped it once more behind the Bonsai. This done, she hopped into fireplace with a small smile. Even years after discovering how to travel on the Floo network it was still something marvellous to her. Luckily for Viola she was fairly short and her small fireplace just about framed her form without her having to duck down too much. “St Mungo’s for Magical Maladies and Injuries!” Viola bellowed as she threw the floo powder down. Then she was enveloped by thick green flames that licked at her bright yellow leggings and short baggy dress, before she disappeared completely.

And re-appeared in a large, white room in an equally large, white fireplace. She stepped from the brick quickly and just about avoided walking straight into a small boy with what looked like wasp wings set deep into his shoulder blades. Side-stepping him she headed to the reception desk as fast as she could, ignoring the melancholy bellows of the Welcome Witch, who was yet again far from welcoming. “Hi, err, I was wondering if Dr Heidi Fleming has come on her lunch break just yet? She’s on flour three… no that’s not right. It could be the fourth floor- that’s the spell damage one right? Err no then. I think it might actually be…” The short witch broke off as a familiar tall figure popped around the corner. Viola grinned sheepishly, knowing that Heidi had probably been waiting for a few minutes. Ignoring the stares of the now irritated receptionist she walked towards her friend and embraced her lightly. It had been too long since their last lunch really, and on seeing that familiar golden hair and face Viola had realised just how much she had missed her friend.

“Merlin’s teeth Heidi, have you grown?!” Although this was unlikely, the doctor was so much taller than Viola that she had to look up a little to meet her eye. Vi didn’t really mind her height as she knew her personality was what really mattered. But sometimes she felt like a child around people as tall as Heidi. Vi grinned at her friend as she tucked a lock of her hair behind one ear. Today her hair was a shocking white with a few brilliant electric blue streaks charmed into it. To match, her eyes were white with bright blue pupils. The hair and eyes only topped off what was already a pretty eccentric outfit. “Where would you like to eat? Sorry I’m late… again.” She chuckled softly, her lips curving into a smile. “Our usual place I suppose?” In the past when Viola had visited Heidi they had eaten in a small café-restaurant a few buildings away called Purge and Dowse, a name also given to the building they were now inside- although the wizarding world obviously knew it as St Mungo’s.

[Heidi Rebecca Fleming]

"He needs ten miligrams of gratilin every hour, make sure he gets it." Finger pointing to IV drip. "No spells needed at this stage, but monitor him very carefully. No getting out of bed unless absolutely necessary, such as using the restrooms." Finger pointing outside the patients' room. "Always have a male nurse with him when he goes, he can't support himself. Understood?" Waiting for response. "Good." Smile of approval. "I'll see you later, Mr Kensington." Wave. "OK, Ruby, pay attention, this is Mrs Ridley." Leading across to next patient, motioning a greeting as well as an indicator. "Good morning, Mrs Ridley, and how are you today? It's great to see you looking so energetic, it looks like that drug has really helped." Smiles all round. "Mrs Ridley has an aggressive version of Stigmata Phaelasis." Strict, stern instructions. "She's getting better, but she'll be here another week at least." Reassuring smile at patient. "Keep her on her current medication, it's all on the charts." Grabbing the paperwork and thrusting it into awaiting hands. "Most importantly make sure the dosage of pentamins is no more than 15 milligrams..." Voice trailing off into a whisper. "Otherwise you'll kill her." Bright smiles again. "OK, well, that's all the patients in this room on this floor. You'll only be keeping an eye on these patients today. Tomorrow, if you're moved, myself, Dr O'Leary or Dr Wong will brief you. Any questions?" Glad to see a shake of the head. "Good. I'm going on my lunch break now. If you need a doctor page Dr O'Leary first. Then page me. Thanks, Ruby. You'll do good, don't look so worried." Bright smile, friendly, reassuring. Then out of the ward and into the corridor.

Heidi heaved a long exhale of breath as she walked briskly but wearily down the hallway, swerving past the usual chaotic happenings of fellow healers and their injured and ailing patients. She'd grown accustomed to passing patients' wide open rooms, where they were screaming in agony and being restrained by several healers, or arguing very loudly, completely unabashed, at a family member or friend. It was the norm at St Mungo's, and after almost a year working here, Heidi was confident of working her way around the hospital. She'd just had to help Ruby, a young healer-in-training, who was here for the week for work experience. Heidi had never gotten such an opportunity, so she hoped the young girl would be grateful for such a chance. She herself would've jumped at it. Ruby seemed attentive and bright though; Heidi doubted she would have many problems. However, after taking Ruby around the entire old people's ward, where the patients had been staying in that particular section for a long time already, Heidi was dying to be out of the hospital and looking forward to a slice of food to quench her hunger. She'd been working nonstop from 7 a.m. that morning, and she was sure she deserved a break. She hadn't seen Ben in the last few hours, but she couldn't have lunch with him today anyway. Today Heidi had a lunch date with another friend.

The floor Heidi was working on today was probably the most unexciting floor in the whole of the hospital. The patients had simple but dangerous and life-threatening diseases caused by - well, that was up to the diagnosis team to figure out, not Heidi - and the healers' jobs were to maintain the patients' treatments, make regular check ups, and ensure their comfort. A lot of them were problems even muggles could solve. Heidi sighed again as she adjusted her lime green robes and swished towards the reception room in the centre of the floor. Vi had said she would be here ten minutes ago, but Heidi had been running late due to taking Ruby around to meet the patients overruning. Heidi didn't mind too much, seeing as at least she didn't have to do too much boring monitoring this afternoon (and if she was lucky, all week), but she was always punctual and never late when it came to appointments with people. Then again, Heidi had already factored in the fact that Vi would most likely be late. This was Viola Hudson; she was always late by at least five minutes or something. With this in mind Heidi expected to see Vi having just arrived or not even there yet as she swept into the reception room. As she had predicted correctly, there was her very odd friend, with her usual mix of colours in her hair and odd clothes, gabbling in a typical Vi way to the irritated-looking receptionist.

Heidi gave a the receptionist a half apologetic, half warning look, before Viola enveloped her in a hug. Embracing her friend warmly in return, Heidi laughed at Vi's immediate statement. "I really haven't. I think it's just that memory of yours again, Vi," Heidi teased genially as she looked down, again finding Vi's short height rather amusing. For someone so small though, Vi certainly packed a punch when it came to spunk and outlandishness and outgoingness. That was probably what had made them such good friends back at Hogwarts. "I'm liking the hair," Heidi complimented as they withdrew from one another, her eyes flickering to her friend's white and blue locks. Seeing as they were her favourite colour, Heidi had no objection. "And eyes too," she chuckled, finally looking Vi in the eye for the first time. "You always had such a whack sense of fashion, Vi. You know I love you for it." Grinning affectionately, Heidi shrugged at Viola's next question. "Not bothered. It's OK, I was running late myself. We've got a girl in for work experience and I got dumped with the responsibility of showing her around. Our attending doesn't trust Ben, and as usual, Wong and her selfish butt disappeared the moment she heard a surgery was happening this morning." Heidi rolled her eyes in slight annoyance, but her lips curled in approval at Vi's suggestion. "Sure. Sounds good." She nodded and the two of them apparated out of the building.

[Viola Hudson]

Heidi returned Vi’s hug in a way that intensified how much Viola missed her friend. She missed the look cast at the receptionist as she took in Heidi before her once more. “No- seriously. Or maybe I’ve just shrunk… can that happen? Like a muggle washing machine… But maybe it would just be your clothes? Yeah- right- anyway! Probably the memory.” Vi grinned, once again realising she’d gone off again. That was what being happy did to her; just made her a little absent-minded. The feeling of joy would overtake her common sense and the way she spoke, resulting in a muddle of words and lots of random thoughts. Wiping the image of a tiny Heidi Fleming climbing out of a big white washing machine from her mind, Viola grinned again. She noticed the doctor’s expression; a slightly amused twinkle had come into her eyes as she looked down at Vi. “Psh- don’t laugh at me for being… vertically challenged.” She giggled lightly. Her giggles weren’t, thankfully, the annoyingly incessant giggles of a young girl looking for attention. They were sudden and before you could even realise she was laughing, she stopped doing so.

The comment to her hair made Vi bring one hand to a lock and finger it lightly. “Pooh.” She muttered to Heidi’s comment. “It’s alright. It was meant to be this odd orangey lilac but the spell came from this wacky old witch with an awful memory and handwriting, so it messed up a little. Chucking in the blue made it a little better.” Once more Viola was talking more to herself than her friend, as her shocking blue eyes studied the strands of white in between her fingers. She looked up suddenly at Heidi and a smile played across her lips. “But thanks! And err… you too. Beautiful robes, doctor. Could become quite the trend…” She laughed a little louder than before as her eyes flicked momentarily over Heidi’s hideously lime green uniform. She knew all of the St Mungo’s doctors were required to wear it, but as she fingered the collar of Heidi’s robes gently she wondered why lime green. It was one of her least favourite colours for some reason. She loved fluorescent colours, bright colours, glowing-in-the-dark colours and even some more mellow shades. But lime green? Definitely not.

A gasp erupted from Vi’s lips. “You? Late?.” She teased lightly, knowing it was rare for Heidi to not be on time. Whereas of course Viola was completely different. It was nice to think they were friends despite these obvious differences in their character; Heidi has chosen a more academic path in life. While Viola… she was happy, at least. That was something she could rely on with her career choice whatever happened. Vi listened as Heidi spoke of her work experience student with interest. It was the fact that Heidi could have someone like that working beneath her; someone to instruct, who would look up to you. Someone who listened when you told them things and then actually did as you asked. She was so young, and yet already she was becoming a sort of teacher in her work simply because she was so accomplished. Viola looked on her own career and inwardly grimaced. Yes, music made her happy. But it was getting her nowhere and although she knew that she was sometimes admired for her music or respected, it was a fact that right now in her life, Viola could not be much of an idol to anyone.

Leaving the crack of apparition behind them, the two soon appeared just outside Purge and Dowse. With a smile Viola pushed open the old wooden door, ignoring the slightly confused looks of nearby muggles as they looked at the two. This wasn’t because they’d noticed their apparition but because, Viola supposed, of Heidi’s odd lime-green robes. And of course Vi herself wasn’t dressed very ordinarily either.
Stepping into the restaurant was nothing special. At first glance it was a normal café/restaurant. There were a few full tables but the majority were empty, a rare sight at lunch hour. Smiling and giving a light wave to the waiter as he glanced at the newcomers, she headed towards the side of the room where a small table and three chairs sat beside two large French windows. The view from the windows wasn’t much; just the street outside. But Vi liked to watch people and think about where they were going or who they were, who they loved and how they lived. Viola sat down on one of the chairs as Heidi followed, and then looked at her friend with a smile.
“So; how’s Ben? And work? And that work experience kid? Tell me everything; it’s been far too long since I’ve pried into your personal life, after all.” Her grin reached her eyes as she rested one foot on the chair that neither of them sat on. As she spoke the waiter greeted them; although they hadn’t been in a while, he recognised them. It was hard not to remember Viola and even Heidi in her St Mungo’s robes. Peter, as his nametag read, handed them menu’s with a smile before leaving, telling them he would be back in a moment for their drinks.

[Heidi Rebecca Fleming]

Heidi laughed loudly, smile vibrant and eyes sparkling. This was the Heidi Fleming her friends knew, not the healer Heidi Fleming, or the daughter Heidi Fleming, or the lover Heidi Fleming. This Heidi that burst into unstoppable giggles and laughter at the smallest amusing thing, who was bold and caring and would go any distance for her friends. "It can happen, yeah, but only if you've been cursed or if you're like eighty years old. I doubt the first one's happened to you because you get away with everything, Vi, and the last time I checked you weren't an OAP. And clothes shrink in washing machines because they set the temp too high. It's all common sense. But I'm talking to you, so I can wave goodbye to common sense, huh?" Giggling at Viola's rambling, Heidi grinned affectionately at her old friend again. It seemed like forever since they had last spoken. How much of Heidi's time had her new job at St Mungo's taken up? She was grateful for the time she could spend with Ben, but her friends outside her profession had gradually become shunned in favour of working her butt off sometimes twenty-four seven (yes, she had done a week's shift where she had run around breathing on not oxygen, but very, very strong coffee). Heidi regretted the lack of free time she had, but she didn't regret becoming a healer. It was the most rewarding job ever. She loved it, even if it had its downs like every other job out there. It was worth the three years of training she'd been through to get to this stage.

Heidi raised a delicate eyebrow. "...Orangey-lilac? Such a colour exists? No wonder it came out wrong. You chose a dodgy colour, girl." She shook her head in wondering, unsurprised amusement. "Oh, these beauties?" Heidi twirled around for Vi to observe and rolled her eyes with a wry, sarcastic smile. "Comes with the job. Aren't I a lucky girl? Glad to know my job lets me keep up with the latest trends and fashions." Heidi waved a hand in front of her face as she let her robes nestle back into their still position enclosing her body. "I have this figure that I'm so proud of and I can't even show it off. Being a healer has its quirks, but it also has its uuuugh moments." She made a face and chuckled. "Still, I don't mind much. Boys and walking the walk and talking the talk are the last things on my mind. Honest!" Heidi could already sense before she saw Vi's scepticism. Both of them had many things in common, despite their physical differences; one of them was the fact neither could hold down a man for long. Being faithful wasn't a priority on either woman's list, even though Heidi knew if she put her heart to it, she would no doubt be able to remain in a content relationship. Or maybe that was just her confidence talking. "Oh hush, you," Heidi mock glared at Vi as she teased her for being late. "Yes, late. Not a word usually in my dicto but, well, blame the job, again. It's changed me. Most of the changes are good, though... I think." Heidi recalled the late nights, the weeks that went by without a call to a close friend, and resisted a sigh.

The restaurant, as usual, had its fair share of customers. Heidi followed Vi through the couples and groups of friends and family towards a neat little area for two by French windows that opened a view of the streets. Vi always did like sitting by the windows, and Heidi wasn't averse to it. She knew someone like Ben would probably prefer an area more private where he didn't have to worry about making a fool of himself, but Heidi had always been unbashed and confident; she rarely worried about what other people thought of her, or how they perceived her. As long as she was content with herself then she would be as happy as a lark - even though she couldn't sing for her supper. Unsurprisingly, Ben cropped into the conversation as Heidi left the menu unattended to before her on the table. She'd been to the restaurant enough times to know what dish she wanted. "Ben's all right, I think. He's coping. I think the year has helped to settle him; he's got a good grip on stuff. I can't believe you two knew each other. It's such a small world... But then again, every wizard in Britain used to go to Hogwarts, or at least the majority did. I shouldn't be so surprised." Heidi smiled questioningly at Vi. "Tell me; how can you two be friends even though you're so different? You're like complete opposites - not a thing in common. I haven't had a chance to interrogate him yet, so you'd better tell all, Vi. I know you were both in Hufflepuff, but still. There must be more juicy stuff behind that innocent friendship, right?" Heidi's eyes twinkled teasingly, awaiting Vi's answer.

Heidi gave a nonchalent, casual shrug. Before she could reply to Vi's next question, the waiter came across to take their orders. Heidi flashed him a half-friendly, half-flirtatious smile that she couldn't resist, seeing as he was quite a young, good looking fella. "Oh, just still water for me." Heidi tilted her head and rolled her eyes at Vi. "Work." The simple one-worded explanation let her elaborate further to answer Vi once the young man had left. "It's all right, like I said before. The usual stuff. I've got a boring week ahead of me, which I suppose is OK. I was so busy last week, I deserve to be less rushed and calm down a bit. But I like being on that high; I like bustling around and being bossy and working. Can't lose to that Julia Wong now, can I?" Heidi resisted a derisive snort at the thought of her co-worker. She was as fond of Ben as she was the opposite of Julia. "Work experience kid is all right. Name's Ruby. Young, naive... the usual. She's got a lot to learn, but I think she'll cope. Don't know about how fast she'll pick everything up though," Heidi remarked dubiously. Heidi gave an amused laugh when Vi inquired after her personal life. "With my job it's become non-existent. You might've noticed, since it's been ages since we met up. Ugh, being a healer isn't always cracked up to be as great as it seems, but I still love it. You know I love you too, right?" Heidi grinned at Vi apologetically. "No, no men, nothing like that. I wish." Miguel went unmentioned. Intentionally. "And you?" Heidi shot back slyly. "It's been ages since I pried into your personal life either, Vi. Now, spill!"