James walked into the Hogs Head in an attempt to avoid certain people that knew he would either be at the candy shop or the Three Broomsticks. Looking around he walked to the far back corner and tried to be as inconspicuous as possible.

He didn't want to avoid her but he didn't know what to say to her still. Sighing he put his head on his arms.Why was life hard?

Carol entered the pub, dying for a decent feed and a good drink. Carol had recently attained a job in the magical field after being forced to pretty much live and work like a Muggle thanks to her mother. It was time to celebrate. She walked up to the counter, ready to order.

Vinnie had to get out for a bit but she couldn't find Amelia to take with her to the village. Ruby would probably go with Grayson and she didn't want to ruin that for her. So the brunette made her way down to Hogsmeade alone.

She felt horrible, everything had just gone wrong and it was weird how quickly she had gotten so used to speaking to him every day. Not in the mood for too many people, asking questions or whatever the Sytherin entered the hogs head. She should be fine here.

Unfortunately it was crowded and she had to walk to the far back...only to find him sitting there. "James!" She couldnt help but sound a bit excited, it felt like ages she had seen him last. " I....mean...sorry. I didn't know you're here.."

Ugh now it was loud in here. Maybe he should have went into that creepy shack instead. There really were too many people in this village at one time. Part of him wondered how disgruntled the people who actually live here get during this time. He eyed the line for the counter to order food and sighed. Nope that wasn't going to happen then he'd lose his table anyway.

He dropped his head back onto his arms with a sigh. Maybe he should have stayed in the castle no matter what Pal said to him about hiding. He was starting to work up the will to move when he heard his name from a very familiar person and he couldn't help but smile a little into his arms. Ugh. He lifted his head and met her eyes. "No need to apologize." He looked around for what he wasn't sure. Maybe the exit? But the line was going out the door now so that wasn't an option. "You can sit down if you want," he said looking back at her. He could feel his heart hammering away in his chest, a feeling he only get when he was around her.

Vinnie just stood there and looked at him, taking him in. He looked...not himself, not as happy as he usually did. Was that her fault? Probably was. Gulp. "Are you sure...? I can leave again if you want to. " The brunette knew he hadnt been so keen on seeing her and she understood, even though it hurt. Reallllllly hurt.

It was just so weird not seeing him around, not meeting him in the library or just being silly. Like a part of her was missing...She had no idea if he felt the same way....after all he was the one that wanted to stay away. But she was the one that was messed up...it was only logical that he didnt want to be around her anymore. Sigh.

James sat there and looked at her. He wanted to get up and hug her but instead he stayed sitting. He had to clear his throat in order to talk again and he shook his head and said quickly, "No! Don't go..." Well that was smooth.

He drummed his fingers on the table nervously trying to debate if he should move over so she could sit next to him like she probably would have done before...or if she should sit across from him. Instead he still wasn't sure and looked up at her. Maybe she didn't want to sit with him...suppose that was an option.

It made her smile that he didnt want her to leave. Maybe it wasnt lost after all? Maybe he didnt give up on her? Right now that was all she wanted. Vinnie knew it was all her fault and he had every right to not want to be around her...but she didnt want him too, secretly she hoped he missed her just as much as she missed him. "I think i can stay for a bit. "

Where to sit though...next to him? Opposite? Far away?! He didnt make any movement, so she took the seat opposite him and smiled a little. " I think i fancy a butterbeer."

It was that time of year wasn't it? Behind the bar of the Hogs Head was Samuel who took his time polishing a glass with an unsettling-coloured rag. It didn't matter how old they were, students did not belong here as he shot a dirty look at the overexcited girl and her drumming companion. Hmph. They were lucky to be away from the counter. He had a thing for giving his rags other means of use other than cleaning, especially against noisy brats.

The staring woman before him didn't get his attention. Samuel was no Legilimens and some just liked to look at his pretty face. So he just continued his polishing until he heard from an actual paying customer.

Carol stepped closer towards the counter and spoke up. "Excuse me but I was wondering if I could order a mulled mead, a shepherd's pie and a custard tart, please." Carol had her ID with her to show that she was over 17. She certainly hoped that the owner didn't think that she was a student.

Serving to students or anyone for that matter was the last thing on Samuel's mind right now.. unless they had money. He was no idiot to turn that down. Tossing the rag over his shoulder, Samuel set down the glass he had been polishing on the counter before placing the order.

While placing the older Samuel held his hand out for the ID. No ID, no drinkee. Yes, even to the old biddies. Disguises proved mute to him. The shepherd pie and custard tart served on a greasy-looking plate came right after. "4 Galleons, 2 sickles." He grunted.

Carol handed her ID over along with the 4 galleons and 2 sickles for the food. Carol was not going to hand over the money for the mead until she was served it. She remained at the counter.

The money was put in the till. After checking the ID he waved his hand for her to take it back. Fine, she was old enough for this as he took one of the dusty bottles.A helping of mulled mead was poured into the slightly cracked glass, leaving a wet ring on the underside.

"12 sickles." Samuel can then go back to grumbling about brats now as he took another dirty glass to polish with the same rag.

James smiled a little bit as she said she would stay and looked back down at the table. He didn't know what to say or what to talk about with her. Everything he had to say about the situation he said already and he didn't particularly feel like talking about it anymore. He glanced up and saw the shopkeeper looking at him and stilled his hands that were still drumming.

He watched as she sat down across from him and he left his hands on the table instead of pulling them back. "I'll go get you one if you want." He didn't feel like anything. Hadn't even really had any chocolate since the last time he saw her. He had just been kind of...there....

Carol placed her ID back in her purse and handed over 12 sickles to the innkeeper with a, "Thanks." She then took her meal to a empty wooden table. She didn't feel like sitting at the bar. She began to tuck into her pie. The taste kind of reminded her of the shepherd's pie that her aunt used to make.

Of all the places in Hogsmeade, William had to pick the creepiest place to meet at. Of course there were advantages to meeting at a place like this. Like there was almost no chance of running into students here, she would be able to have a glass or two of wine without worrying about students seeing her drink, she had heard they had really good food here although could it be any safer than the food at Hogwarts?, and oh did she mention, NO STUDENTS to run into.

Looking around to make sure no one seen her, Cece entered the Hog's Head, and of course, William wasn't there yet. And to think, him and Oliver used to make fun of Waylon all the time for being the late one. My how the times have changed.

After getting a glass of Elderflower wine from the bar she sat at a table to wait for William. Hopefully he wouldn't keep her waiting too long. Even empty of customers this place was creepy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Of all the places in Hogsmeade, William had to pick the creepiest place to meet at. Of course there were advantages to meeting at a place like this. Like there was almost no chance of running into students here, she would be able to have a glass or two of wine without worrying about students seeing her drink, she had heard they had really good food here although could it be any safer than the food at Hogwarts?, and oh did she mention, NO STUDENTS to run into.

Looking around to make sure no one seen her, Cece entered the Hog's Head, and of course, William wasn't there yet. And to think, him and Oliver used to make fun of Waylon all the time for being the late one. My how the times have changed.

After getting a glass of Elderflower wine from the bar she sat at a table to wait for William. Hopefully he wouldn't keep her waiting too long. Even empty of customers this place was creepy.

Ah, the good ol' Hogs Head. Same old, same old. He was pretty sure the same cobwebs were in the same corners as the last time he'd been here. How long ago had that been??

"Ceceeeeee," he greeted his old friend warmly, coming over to her table instead of hanging around the bar. He stood there awkwardly and sort of offered his arms up for a hug. Hug? Hug hug? "How are you?!"

Sitting there sipping on her wine, Cece looked around wondering why anyone would really want to hang out in a place like this. If it wasn't for her friend suggesting this place, she wouldn't even step foot inside.

Now where was that man?

Ah, there he was. "William!" Standing up she gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'm doing good. Looking forward to term ending." She really needed some quality time with her husband. "How have you been? Anything new and exciting happening in your life?" Yeah, she wasn't even waiting for him to get seated before she bombarded him with questions.

Hugs, ah. William let out a small but happy such at the hug and kiss from Cece. He hugged her back tightly and then let go to sit down. He had just opened his mouth to say that he was going to grab a pint when she cut in with a million and one questions.

"Haha," he chuckled. "I figured you would be looking forward to summer. I also figured you'd have a smaller chance of running into anyone from the school over here." You know, at the grimy Hog's Head. He indicated as such by tipping his head toward the bar.

But as for him.... "I'm okay," the tall dragon lover shrugged. "One of my best friends is getting married this summer. And...." And now he knew how she felt when he hadn't returned her romantic feelings for him. "...and no, it's not Oliver." Willy forced a small smile for her.

"Let me get a drink though. I'll be right back." They had a lot to talk about still!!

Of course she would be looking forward to summer. "I look forward to any time off that I get to spend with Waylon." Now that she was a married woman, summer was her favorite time of the year. It was the time she got to spend three whole months with her husband and not have to worry about students getting sick or killed injured. "Thanks," she said as she looked around the place. "It is nice to get away from the students now and then." Even if it did mean coming to a place like this.

O____O

Oliver was getting married? Who would want to... Oh wait, it wasn't Oliver. Then who was it? Waylon was already married so she knew it wasn't him. She would have pressed for more details but William went to get a drink. "When you get back we'll talk more about this friend of yours," she called after him as she sat back down. She had a feeling there might be a good story behind this one. She had known William long enough to know when he was being sincere and when he wasn't, and that smile had not been sincere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Of course she would be looking forward to summer. "I look forward to any time off that I get to spend with Waylon." Now that she was a married woman, summer was her favorite time of the year. It was the time she got to spend three whole months with her husband and not have to worry about students getting sick or killed injured. "Thanks," she said as she looked around the place. "It is nice to get away from the students now and then." Even if it did mean coming to a place like this.

O____O

Oliver was getting married? Who would want to... Oh wait, it wasn't Oliver. Then who was it? Waylon was already married so she knew it wasn't him. She would have pressed for more details but William went to get a drink. "When you get back we'll talk more about this friend of yours," she called after him as she sat back down. She had a feeling there might be a good story behind this one. She had known William long enough to know when he was being sincere and when he wasn't, and that smile had not been sincere.

"Of course you do," Willy replied quietly, not at all surprised to hear this. And to think, he could have been the one she'd been looking forward to spending summers with. Instead, he spent his summers and winters and springs and falls alone.

Sigh. He needed a staff drink. Coming back to the table with a whole bottle of firewhiskey and two small drink glasses, William slipped into his seat with an audible sigh. "Do you remember that time we danced here? Was that here or at the Leaky Cauldron?" That HAD happened, right? He wasn't just mis-remembering it?

And no, he wasn't deliberately avoiding talking about his friend... he was just busying himself with pouring out some firewhiskey first.

Okay, something was seriously going on here with William. The sigh, the whole bottle of firewhiskey, and now him asking her about a dance they shared almost nine years ago. "We were actually at the Three Broomsticks when we danced." Yes, that was one night she would never forget, even if she had drank just a little too much that night. She was just really surprised he remembered it after all this time. "I have to say I'm kind of surprised that you even remember that night."

She finished off her glass of wine then looked over at her friend again. "William, is something bothering you?" Because he honestly looked like someone who lost his best friend. "You know you can tell me anything. Right?" That's what friends were for. To listen when the other had a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Okay, something was seriously going on here with William. The sigh, the whole bottle of firewhiskey, and now him asking her about a dance they shared almost nine years ago. "We were actually at the Three Broomsticks when we danced." Yes, that was one night she would never forget, even if she had drank just a little too much that night. She was just really surprised he remembered it after all this time. "I have to say I'm kind of surprised that you even remember that night."

She finished off her glass of wine then looked over at her friend again. "William, is something bothering you?" Because he honestly looked like someone who lost his best friend. "You know you can tell me anything. Right?" That's what friends were for. To listen when the other had a problem.

"Oh." Well, curse his memory. William cracked a genuine, stupid grin at himself for that, though it was short-lived. He pushed the second glass of firewhiskey toward her, noticing that she had just finished her wine. Firewhiskey time, yes yes?

Anyway, his memories were nothing. "Ahh, don't worry about it." He slugged back a little firewhiskey. "I um, I guess I should tell you about my friend who's getting married." He twirled the little bit of firewhiskey around his glass and looked over at her. "We're work buddies. Work 'besties' probably, in her words. I really, really liked her, but once again, I took too long to do anything about it. So now she's with someone else. And... it sucks. And I'm sad about it. But that's life for ya, huh?" Huh? How about some more firewhiskey? He poured himself a refill.