Up and Down

Chosen and Forfeited

The headache she developed the night before is still there when Anna awakes the next day. Cringing, she rubs her temples and trudges over to get ready.

Before heading to breakfast she makes her way up to the Hospital Wing where Nurse Bailey gives her a quick check. When asked if she is taken any potions, Anna's eyes dart to the side in search of something to say.

It does not go unnoticed by the matron.

"Ms Visconti," her voice is stern as she crosses her arms, "I can't help you if you aren't honest with me."

Anna sighs and rests her pounding head in her hands.

"Yes..."

"The term barely started, so I presume it isn't some sort of mind-enhancing concoction I see some students attempt to brew before exams," the woman turns her face up, looking into her eyes carefully, wand lit brightly.

"It's not."

"Then, what did you take?"

"Um..." she worries her lip and looks over her shoulder. The infirmary is empty, thank Merlin, "a potion for... regulating the menses, Madam Bailey."

Her eyebrows move up only a little bit and she sighs.

"I'm very well familiar with those. Do remember they are made of poisonous plants, Ms Visconti. It's what lets them have the effect they do. What are you putting in yours?"

"Tansy, pennyroyal, rue and wormwood."

"Hmph. Pennyroyal and rue are not to be trifled with, young lady."

"I... was careful..."

"Perhaps you simply had a more potent plant. Toxicity varies based on the conditions it grows it. Was it shaded?"

"... yes."

"I see. Cut the dose on those by half when you brew it next. And... only take it if you begin to miss your cycle. Understood?"

"Yes, Madam Bailey..."

"Come back after the next bell. I'll have an antidote made by then. Unless you want to rest here for now."

"No, I should be going."

Anna just wants this conversation to be over already. There is only so much mortification she can bear at the very start of the day. She walks away, cursing her own stupidity.

Of course, a shaded plant would have a higher concentration of toxins. What was she thinking?...

When she trudges down to the Great Hall it's already mostly empty. She spies Sebastian over at the Slytherin table but shuffles over to the closer Ravenclaw bench, hoping to nibble on something before the food is sent away.

Not that she is very hungry, but better have something at the very least.

As she hurriedly and unladylikely shovels the breakfast down, someone comes to sit opposite of her. Anna looks up and is not surprised in the least to see it's Alexandre.

"Bonjour, mademoiselle."

"I told you, no titles, please," she really isn't in the mood, and shuts her eyes tightly for a moment as a twinge of pain is going through her skull.

"Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not. Nasty headache."

"Those are not fun."

"No," she downs some bitter over-steeped tea and feels at least a part of her ache ebb away. She must have needed some.

"Ah... well, I suppose we should postpone our outing, then."