(Puddifoots) A Homely Setting

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Brianna sat at a small table in Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, a magazine in her hands, an elbow on the table and a dainty tea set laid on it too. The tea set had an intricate design of blue and green leaves and flowing vines that had mesmerised Bree for a while but soon loosing interest, she was back in her magazine, sipping lightly on the dainty cup.

She had decided to take a break from all the stressed out teachers in the Staff Room because they were just so boring. It nearly brought her to tears. So she had come here instead. And a happy decision it was too. She was having a dandy time. The camomile tea was delightful, a change to her usual Firewhiskey, and the atmosphere was calming, something Bree's restless spirit always needed.

Soon loosing interest in her book too, Bree began to watch the people around her. There were couples doing what couples do best, be awkward and giggling inanely at ever glance. It made Bree smile and it made her sigh to know that at least some had found love. Still others were laughing, talking over full tables, covered in plates of emptiness and cups full of air. Clearly, it had been a good day. The warm sunshine streamed through the windows, sending a homely feel through the shop. She sipped her tea again and looked back to her magazine.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

But one person, tucked into a little corner out of the way, was being studious for once. Having steamed through a few mugs of steaming hot cocoa, whilst scribbling notes from the books spread throughout the table Sophie glanced up at the Flying professor, whose help had been tremendous at organising the tryouts for the Gryffindor quidditch team and had taught Soph literally loads of swift maneuvours upon her broom, thouhg she dearly wished to converse with her, she knew she'd have some comforting words to aid with her studies, Sophie felt strangely nervous. She had been able to figure out why, until properly noticing all the couples throughout the crowded little shop. Oh that was why. Feeling a flash of sorrow for herself she quickly dispelled it; at the minute she didn't need diversions; or did she?

Turning back to her work Sophie wrote quickly, taking a large gulp of her chocolate every once in a while, and feeling warmed by the hot liquid. Yet she heard a disturbance which sounded curiously like books were being moved, looking up her eyes drew wide as she saw a lad pushing her things aside. Giving a huff of indignation she looked astoundedly at the boy. "You could have at least asked," She grumbled loud enough for him to hear.

"Sorry," He retorted quite nicely, "only my girlfriend and I need somewhere to sit, and everywhere else is full."

"Oh, ok" He'd actually been quite nice about it all considering, "I'll get out of your way then." Complied Sophie giving a brave smile, suddenly she felt quite out of place here.

"Thanks," he answered enthusiastically clearly overjoyed that his girlfriend would soon be arriving. Quickly gathering up her belongings and finishing off her drink she placed them carefully into her satchel. In fact she decided I'll just go, I feel weird here anyway and I don't want to get in the Professor's way. Sophie stood with a sigh and went to pay her bill.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree had felt someone watching her, a sort of sixth sense that tingled when she was being watched, and she looked up from her magazine to see Sophie Hargreaves sitting by a corner table, covered in papers. Bree smiled, and thought merrily, that Gryffindor always has her nose in some or other form of school work.

A boy approached her and Bree thought that they were on a date as many others seemed to be. But as she sipped her tea and watched it became clear that she did not know the boy and she went to go pay. Bree set down her tea cup and her magazine, which she had been staring at blankly for the past five minutes, and called, "Sophie." She gave a small wave, hoping that Sophie would join her.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Slowly paying the bill, which seemed an outrageous amount for only a single hot chocolate Sophie briefly scowled, usually in here she wouldn't have been the one paying; the guy she was dating would have paid, so often that had been Will. Strangely she did miss him every now and then, he could be nice from time to time, annoying definitely, but not really a bad sort at all really; he had always teased her, but still treated her well. With such dismal thoughts of actually reuniting with Will, Sophie handed over her few remaining sickles and knuts, wishing to save her galleons for a lovely pink dress she was considering buying.

Yet just as she resigned herself to studying for the rest of the day, a voice rang out long and clear, a waving hand beckoned Sophie to come join the fantastic flying instructor, so Sophei gratefully complied, dashing over already feeling her spirits warming as she was greeted by Professor O'Donnell's radiant smiles.

"Hiya Professor," She greeted her warmly setting down her satchel on the floor and taking her seat, seeing that her favourite teacher had set aside her magazine Sophie decided she'd do likewise and leave her studies for another time. "Sorry I haven't come to practice with you recently," She apologised sincerly annoyed with herself that she couldn't find the time to practice further with O'Donnell.

"I've just been too wrapped up in my studies, really, I know it's a lame excuse, but I'm really worried about them." Grimacing slightly Sophie reverted to a fleeting smile, "It's silly to get work all the time, but I think I need it, especially Divination, I'm awful at it." Suddenly realising that she had babbled on non-stop for a few minutes Sophie clamped her mouth shut knowing that she sorely needed to spend more time with people rather than books, she couldn't wait for her exams to finish.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree smiled warmly at Sophie as she joined her. She began speaking immediately, quickly and worriedly. Bree took a cup and saucer off the tray of the waitress that walked past her seat and set it in front of Sophie. She was still talking when Bree filled her cup with the tea from the tea pot. She set the pot down as Sophie bit her lip and Bree giggled kindly.

"Oh, Sophie, don't worry about it," Bree said kindly, picking up her own cup, "everyone has been so busy lately and I do understand." She sipped it slowly, thoughtfully. Setting it down, she added, "but you do need to take a break every now and then and not just a five minute breather." Bree looked at Sophie sternly for a moment, then smiled and topped up her glass.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

As Sophie finally gave her favourite teacher a chance to get a word in edgeways, she politely went to sip her tea, feeling a slight shake of nervousness which made her dainty cup rattle upon its saucer. With a quivering lip she nodded gently, "yeah you're right," setting down her cup without even drinking Sophie looked into the Professor's eyes, pondering her situation.

Prof O'Donnell is so right, but what can I do to take my mind off my stupid studies? Feeling it necessary to pose the question she feared to be unanswerable, she asked hesitantly fearing the answer, "but what could I do? I can't really think of anything to divert myself," except guys. The terrible thought had been sparked by a young couple directly behind the Professor; they were kissing, not snogging, but kissing tenderly and lightly, holding one another in each others loving arms.

A small sigh escaped Sophie's dried lips as she gazed longingly for what they had. Shaking herself and realising she had been daydreaming for what now felt like minutes, Sophie blushed, "err what did you say Professor sorry?" Looking apologetically at her flying instructor she smiled bashfully.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree smiled at the girl. She sipped thoughtfully from her cup before setting her keen mind to the task at hand. She put the small cup down and tapped a long elegant finger to her chin. "Well obviously I'm bias and will say you should play a little quidditch, however, since that is not always ... possible," Bree drifted off.

Sophie's attention had drifted from her to something behind her. Brianna turned to see what it was and saw nothing out of the ordinary. There was a couple kissing, another couple sharing a slice of cake. Shrugging, Bree turned back to Sophie, frowning. "Sophie?" she said questioningly, "are you listening?"

She visibly pulled her attention away from whatever had held it so and looked at her. Bree sighed a quick laugh. "I was just saying that you should play a little quidditch," Bree repeated, picking up her small cup. She sipped it and added, "but you must do whatever you must to get a reprieve otherwise you'll work yourself to a standstill and those are most unproductive."

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Naturally giving a look of innocence Sophie smiled apologetically for having not been entirely focused upon their talk, when really she definitely should have been; seeing as it was precisely what she needed to take her mind off matters; some good advice from a young lady, who didn't mother and therefore smother her, nor brush her fears under the carpet, but listen curteously then respond with actual brilliant advice. Only actioning such advice was the difficult part, as Sophie was quick to mention.

"Yeah I know what you mean, but it's so difficult not to stumble to a complete stop." She mumbled hating her own words, but seeing her teacher's encouraging smile and hearing her advisory words, Sophie's face set with grim determination; which quickly slipped into a birghtening smile.
"You're completely right, I really do need to stop worrying, and just live life to the full, but also get a rest and relax when I need to."

Yet there was one thing still stuck in her mind, that she couldn't rid herself of; "did you ever have problems with guys Miss?" She asked suddenly, feeling rather mean for being so nosy, but also dying to know the answer, and gain some more invaluable advice, which she sorely needed.