Hold the Fire [Finished]

[Theodora Holmes]

'Chinese fireball, please. Hold the fire, extra vodka.' Theodora requested in her soft London accent, patting the bar with her hand to catch the barmaid's attention before climbing onto one of the many empty stools. A moment later a tall, thin glass of bright red liquid was placed in front of her, and she sipped it gently, having never been able to do so when it were aflame.

She raised her eyebrows and swallow back a cough as the spice in it caught her off guard. 'Lovely.' She wheezed, squeezing her eyes shut to combat the burning sensation...

She smiled to herself now, remembering the old days when she and her friends would sneak in here and bribe an old warlock to buy them one with a reluctant kiss - it had usually been Theodora who had got that awful job, but she had always got the biggest share because of it. I wonder what it's like now, she mused solemnly to herself, looking out the window and between the chimneys of two short buildings, gazing up at the distant Hogwarts castle. Not all that good, I imagine, or I wouldn't be here! She giggled to herself.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan walked slowly down the street of Hogsmeade village towards the Three Broomsticks. It had been a long day was hopping that by getting out of the castle he would be able to get away from the sound of loud Hufflepuff’s so instead he would replace that sound with drunken wizards singing about broken hearts and laughing at the most stupidest of things. As he pushed open the door the smell of the alcohol field his lungs and almost straight away he felt relaxed. Dan was no alcoholic, he could go for days with out a drink but it just helped bring down his blood pressure which just seemed to always be high.

As he walked closer to the bar he noticed that a blond haired witch was sitting on his normal stool, but instead of making a big deal of it he slipped onto the stool next to her and shot her a small smile before turning to the bar man.

“The usual please Peter, and another one of those for the lady.”

Dan pointed at the witch’s empty glass and slid some gallons across the table. Then putting on his most charming smile he could muster Dan turned around and studied the blond haired witches face. He felt like he had seen it before, the eyes where very familiar. ‘Maybe I have hit on this witch before. But saying that I would remember her name’ As the barman passed them the drinks over Dan picked up his glass and took a sip not moving his eyes off the girls face.

[Theodora Holmes]

Theodora smirked to herself as someone slipped onto the stool next to her with purpose, obviously deciding a Wednesday afternoon was the best time to chat up a girl in a gloomy, empty pub. Grinning into her drink - and going red as she stifled another cough - Theodora resisted looking at him. Whoever he was he was pouring it on thick, leering at her with intent.

Oh Merlin, not another one! she cursed silently as another Chinese fireball was pushed in front of her. She nodded in fake gratitude, doing her best to take two more long gulps. The sooner this one was over, the sooner she could finish the next one and leave this poor man hanging...

'Thanks,' she finally said, turning to look at him.

Her mouth fell open as she realised who it was. Of all the people in all the world, on all the Wednesdays in all the years that Theodora had been away from Hogsmede - her first day back and she runs into Professor Daniel Hubbles, resident heart throb of Hogwarts and her personal school obsession. It had only been five years since she had last seen him, but he had obviously got better with age - and he was very pleased to see her for some reason! 'That's so kind of you, professor! How did you know it was me?' She said vibrantly, turning eagerly to face him properly now.

Already her cheeks were flushed a bright red, and she took another mouthful of the fireball, mistakenly believing it would cool her down...

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan continued to sip on the contents in his glass he continued to smile merrily at the witch however his smile soon faded. With a quizzical look he looked the witch up and down and searched his memories for any reason of who this witch was. He knew for a fact he had had any physical relationship with this women, that he would remember, maybe he had brought her a drink before, but then saying that she looked almost too young. Realising he had let his guard down for to long Dan tried to smile once more, however it was a lot weaker and not so broad as before. The one thing was that he could not let her know did not have a clue who she was.

“Well how can I forget those eyes my dear. The way they sparkle in the candle light, truly hypnotising. I can not remember how long it has been since I last saw them.”

With a sharp intake of breath Dan turned away shaking his head trying to keep up the act. He would occasionally mutter ‘too long’ and ‘truly beautiful’ as he took increasingly larger swigs of his drink. Why could he not remember who this girl was, she knew him, she even called him professor. As the information dawned on him Dan closed his eyes briefly before turning to look at the witch once more. He must have been her teacher, she was young enough and no one really called him professor, Dan would only use it when trying to chat witches (and the odd wizard) up when he was no longer sober. With another large swig of his drink Dan turned back to the witch and tried to find a way of making casual conversation that might give him some more clues as to who she was.

“So apart from the handsome wizards and lovely selection of drinks, what brings you to this part of Britain then?”

[Theodora Holmes]

Hypnotising? Beautiful?

Grinning madly and biting her lip to hold back an overzealous giggle, Theodora consciously tucked a stand of hair behind her ear, her breathing shallow. All this time he felt it too! Why did he always pretend he didn't like me? she thought, stricken yet elated, as he continued to beam at her charmingly. Professor Hubbles - or Daniel as she supposed she could now call him - seemed completely relaxed and happy to be in her company, despite all their awkward moments in the past. He was genuinely interested all of a sudden and Theodora simply couldn't believe her luck!

'You mean what brings me back to this part of Britain!' she teased, not answering his question, her eyes twinkling excitedly. Daniel seemed to be taking some very harsh mouthfuls of his drink, and she realised he must be trying to loosen up. Catching on, Theodora did the same, holding her breath as she began on the second glass of fireball. Why did I ever pretend to like these? she scolded mentally. 'Merlin, I never thought I'd see you again, honestly...' she said is disbelief, shaking her head with a wry smile as she watched him with mirth. 'I hear you're head of Hufflepuff now? Well done you.'

Her head swam a little as the vodka began to take effect at last, and she leaned forward slightly, propping one elbow up on the bar and fiddling with her hair. She desperately wanted to act nonchalant and smooth, but her emotions were on an all time high.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was taken a back suddenly by the witches outburst, he must mean more to her then first thought, maybe he did do something with her when he was drunk. He could feel is stomach turn, she was happy to see him again, very happy and seemed to know a lot about his post at Hogwarts. Knowing that the silence had gone on for far to long and that his face was most likely displaying his confusion Dan drained his glass and slammed it down on the table signalling for a refill.

“Thank you, I am very happy with the post and well I have a soft spot for Hufflepuff’s. Just, loyal and true. Most wonderful qualities don’t you think?”

Dan turned and gave her a small grin before returning back to his freshly refilled drink. His mind was buzzing, not knowing what to say or what to do, he could simply ask who the hell she was and risk getting slapped and the rest of her drink thrown over him or continue like this trying to avoid any embarrassment and possible get himself into a situation that could be rather uncomfortable. With a sigh Dan decided to go for the later option as he had his own pride to think of.

Spinning around on his bar stool he put his elbow on the bar and looked straight into the eyes of the girl wishing he could remember where he knew her from and why she was so happy to see him. All the thing he could think of was she was a bad memory and he had tried to erase it from his mind.

[Theodora Holmes]

...Well I have a soft spot for Hufflepuffs.

'Mmmm, I bet you do.' She said in a low voice, a mischievous gleam in her hooded eyes. Five years ago Theodora wouldn't have had the guts to be like this around anyone, but she had since forced herself to become much bolder - as her job required - and a great sense of satisfaction filled her as she realised her new found confidence must have been very obvious to Daniel, or perhaps he wouldn't have been so forward himself.

Theodora's grin only improved as she assumed the man must have been talking about her, and she nodded in agreement, finishing up her own drink (the pain was now much more manageable) and pointing at Daniel's asking for the same. He was setting a tough pace. 'Well,' Theodora began, deciding it was time to tell Daniel why exactly she was here, hoping to impress him. She was feeling much freer now, her insides warm. 'Yours truly is now in training to be an Auror!' she announced. 'I suppose I'm not exactly who I used to be... luckily.' She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs elaborately.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan listened closely to what the girl had to say, she seemed rather proud of herself and she had good reason. To even train to become an Auror was something, Dan knew he would never have the nerve or stamina to do that job. But it was the second part of what she said that confused him. Dan knew that his charms and natural good looks meant that many young girls harboured a crush for him but he always expected them to grow out of it, however was it possible that here sat a past student who had not been able to escape his spell. By pointing this out could this mean that she had and still likes him? And the biggest question was whether or not he was in the mood for a small fling.

“Being an Auror is a great responsibility and you need great skill. But then you did have a very good teacher.” He shot her a small wink and took another sip of his drink before continuing. “If you allow me to be so bold, I always thought you had something else when I taught you. Stood out in the class in more ways then one, your magical skill and pure beauty was overwhelming.”

All Dan could do was add a small smile at the end and hope that she did not released that he had yet to use her name, and was making things up as he went along. However he could not deny that her beauty was something else and if it was to be his fate to have to spend the evening at a bar with this girl then so be it, there were more unpleasant things in life.

[Theodora Holmes]

Overwhelming beauty, eh? Theodora's brow twitched ever so slightly, wondering. Last time I checked I was the ugliest thing this side of Scotland, she thought suspiciously. Four years ago Theodora had gone through a rather intensive transformation involving several highly priced potions and a rather flamboyant warlock who thought he saw potential in her face, but before that she had been weedy and plain, hardly noticed by anyone. She had been certain it was one of the reasons Daniel had failed to notice her properly.

Daniel's grin and smooth talk seemed a little too rehearsed all of a sudden, and Theodora's mind quickly twitched to auror mode - a new mode at that - and sat up straight, scrutinizing him with an unreadable expression... or it would have been if she wasn't slightly drunk from drinking two fireballs in quick secession.

The barman plonked another drink down, and she greedily picked it up, swallowing two mouthfuls. Merlin only knew how many mock interrogation sessions Theodora had been through, but for the life of her she couldn't remember how to act - all she wanted to do was smile drunkenly.

'So, Daniel, enlighten me - whatever stopped you from telling me all this before? I have to admit you were very good at hiding your true opinion of me back then. Why, I couldn't sworn you thought I was somewhat strange by the way you always used to find an excuse to run away!' A hint of venom leaped into her tone, but it was soon gone, replaced by a suggestive grin that indicated she was no longer sober. 'Theodora, what a borer!' She sang, repeating the nickname she had been donned with for so many years at Hogwarts.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan looked at the witch closely as she seemed to start to get slightly aggressive as the alcohol stepped in. Panic stepped in at first as Dan thought his cover had been blow, she seemed to be giving him the look of suspicion and one of disbelief. Maybe he had said something wrong, what ever it was she luckily seemed to have not noticed. But then the witch began to sing a little rhyme, a rhyme that made Dan fall off his stool. His elbow slipped off the bar, he lost his balance and fell backwards landing heavily on his back. The sound of laughter filled the air around him but he did not care. Pulling himself up he blinked at the girl over and over again and only mange to say one word.

“Theodora?”

It could not have been, not that Hufflepuff, not the Hufflepuff who would not leave her alone, the one who sent him a valentines card the one who was rather plain looking. Then it clicked, the reason he had given it away before, he had called her a beauty, when she was at school she may have won a beauty competition if the only other entrants were a flobberworm and a dementor. And here he was hitting on her in the Three Broomsticks, unaware that he had once never given a second look. He suddenly felt sick, and his drink was rising in his throat combined with his light lunch. Trying hard not to spill the contents he swallowed hard and pushed himself back onto his seat.

“Sorry about that Theodora, the bar must be slightly wet and I lost my balance. So anyway what were we talking about again?”

Dan had lost his train of thought and trying hard to stop the image of the 17 year old Hufflepuff that was continually flashing in front of his eyes. He needed to remind himself that the beautiful witch in front of him may also have had a personality change as well as a complete make over

[Theodora Holmes]

'Merlin, are you alright?!' Theodora said in surprise as Daniel dramatically fell backwards off his perch, his face stricken with shock as he said her name. She grabbed his arm and helped him up, her heart leaping as she realised she was actually touching him... although he seemed much less honoured. Daniel had completely lost his composure and confidence, and she quickly ordered a glass of water to help him sober up (although it was she who probably needed it more).

She stood next to him now, supporting his elbow possessively, enjoying being close to him rather than actually being worried about him. 'You're so funny, Daniel, I'd forgot how much so!' She said with a girlish giggle, hoping that his nervous disposition was just due to the fall, and not because he had just accidentally chatted up his old stalker.

'You knew it was me, didn't you?' She teased, punching him playfully in the arm, her own denial slowly convincing her. 'You're such a joker!'

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

For a moment Dan tired to remain calm as he let Theodora’s comments wash over him, offering her a small smile and a soft chuckle when it was needed. It was only when he was half way through the glass of water he suddenly became aware that she was holding onto him. If it had been anyone else he would have shrugged them off but Dan had lost all will to fight as he tried to convince himself that the women hanging on his arm and the present moment in time was a very attractive looking women who any self respecting wizard would do a lot to be in his position. So with a deep breath to regain his composure Dan turned around to look at Theodora.

“Of course I knew it was you, that aura that surrounds you is so different to everyone. However I do have to admit that you have changed a lot since we last met. Have you changed your hair style?”

With a nervous grin Dan turned back to his glass of water and drained it. He kept telling himself that the girl would have changed, she has grown and become more experienced with age but yet he had that nagging feeling in the back of his head, the feeling that told him to run. But when he just looked at Theodora he could not help but stay, she really had turned into a beauty and maybe if he wanted longer and this crazy moment had pasted he may actually get to met the real Theodora and not the student he remembered her as.

[Theodora Holmes]

Theodora laughed softly. 'Well it's been five years. I'd be in trouble if it hadn't grown since then.' She said with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, running a hand consciously through her hair. She felt rather embarrassed suddenly and she gave a small smile, looking at Daniel with warm eyes. 'You've changed a lot. You never had stubble before!' She observed, resisting the urge to stroke his jaw. She really had missed him, and he hadn't a clue how much... had he met anyone since then?

'How's your sister?' She suddenly asked, remember a tiny girl who had arrived at Hogwarts one day to visit her brother and spend the week with him. Theodora had been insanely jealous that his sister had got to spend so much time with him, and she distinctly remembered with a bitter taste in her mouth how the small child had tried to rag Theodora's hair out, claiming she was standing too close to Daniel. 'Don't answer that.' she laughed now, shaking her head, sure Daniel remembered the same incident.

She returned to her own seat, almost toppling off herself. 'What do you think about me being an auror then?' She asked hopefully, subconsciously hitching up her cleavage as she did so.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan gave a hearty laugh when Theodora mentioned his stubble. He was rather found of it and thought that it filled his face out, highlighted his smile more and simply made him more good looking. He became to absentmindedly stroke his stubble before she then went on to ask about Girty. The one topic that Dan could talk about for years so he needed to find a way of shortening it down and not boring poor Theodora, especially after ignoring her request to forget the question.

“Girty is doing very well. Her studies are going fantastic and she is achieving good grades, not perfect I have to say and could be improved but good enough. She is one of Hufflepuff’s best Quidditch players and is also the Hufflepuff house champion in the upcoming tournament. Yes she is doing the Hubbles name proud, and so is even managed to control her temper, which is better then I have done.”

Dan’s whole physical appearance had changed, he was sitting with a straighter back and his head was held high with pride with a broad smile on his face. With a few nods of his head in agreement with himself he turned back to Theodora and listened to her asking him for praise about being an Auror. With a warm smile Dan reached out for her hand and held it tightly while looking her in the eyes.

“I think it was a very brave and smart move. I wish you all the best and hope you succeed in everything you do.”

With that he raised her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently. Then he carefully placed it back on her lap and gave her a cheeky wink.

[Theodora Holmes]

Quidditch? Hogwarts Champion? Oh la-de-dar! she thought scathingly, nodding with a twisted mouth as she reluctantly listened to his description of the wonderful Girty Hubbles, who to be frank had been nothing more than a pudgy brat the last time Theodora had checked! 'Well good for her.' She commented tensely, a sour smile turning into a sneer.

The room did a double flip along with her heart and stomach as Daniel suddenly took her hand in his, his strong grip warm, sensual and inviting. Theodora had waited nearly half her life for him to do such a thing, and it was more rewarding than she had ever imagined! He's so alluring, she thought dreamily. I thought I would've got over him by now... but I really haven't. I can't believe I'm sitting here with him!

It was then that he raised her hand to his lips, a sparkle in his eye as he kissed her fingers softly, his lips lingering against her skin before pulling away. For several seconds she simply stared at him, her cheeks full of colour and her eyes glazed over.

The wink all but finished her off, and she promptly tipped sideways off her seat, fainting...