[3 Broomsticks] It's been a hard day

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer said goodbye to the last few customers in the shop, and shut the door behind them. Locking it, she picked up sweetwrappers from Honeydukes that kids had been dropping all day when wandering in and out of her shop. Sighing, she put them in the bin and grabbed her bag and coat from the back room, turning the lights off as she went.
Walking back to the front door, she unlocked it and walked out, quickly locking it again. Stepping backwards, she admired her shop front, and happiness shone from her. She turned around and made her way opposite to The Three Broomsticks. Walking in, she walked over to the bar and ordered a glass of white wine. Business had been great since she opened a week before, and this was her first night that she hadn't spent making more clothes in the back of the store.
Thanking the barman, she walked over to a comfy looking corner and sat down, placing her coat and bag next to her.

[Russell Haynes]

It was an early night for Russ. He had just finished moving into the upstairs of his shop and decided to take a break before moving onto the shop itself. Already he was getting hounded my his mother about finding a decent girl. Russell! When am I going to be a grandma? Russ would simply reply the same way, "When I find a woman who loves quidditch just as much as I."

Walking into the Three Broomsticks hadn't changed at all for him. He could still remember making his way to the pub with some fellow Hufflepuff's when they felt they needed a brew or two. The place was warm, as always and smelled like old cigars and firewhiskey. "Ah," he said taking a deep breath in.

Taking a seat on the bar, he gave a nod to the barman and simply requested a beer. As he waited for his drink, he observed his surroundings and noticed the pub was empty save one rather beautiful woman sitting by herself in a darkened corner. Why someone like that would sit by herself was beyond him. Instead he grabbed the beer and gave a small salute to the barman before taking a chug.

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer had taken a notebook out of her bag and begun drawing designs for some more clothes she was planning to make. Getting aggravated that a certain dress wasn't turning out how she planned, she scribbled over it in frustration and turned the page over to start a fresh.
Setting the pad and quill down, she picked up her glass of wine from the table and saw someone enter the pub. Was he new? She hadn't seen him before. Well, she was new herself, so maybe it was the wrong way around. Shrugging to herself, she didn't really get a look at his face before turning her concentration back to her notepad.
Getting the feeling that someone was watching her, Jennifer lifted her head up and noticed the 'new guy' looking at her. She gave him a smile before returning to complete her drawing before she forgot her idea.

[Russell Haynes]

Russ turned his attention back to the young woman and nodded in her direction when she sent him a rather nice smile. With his finger, he motioned the barman over to him hoping to get a few answers out of him. Turning his head slightly, but still keeping an eye on the girl, he asked the barman, "Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to know who she is, wouldja?" he asked motioning to the woman with his head.

The Barman peered at her and squinted his eyes slightly, "Oh, yeah. That's Jennifer Queens. She's not exactly a regular but she is quite a looker. Owns that fancy little clothes shop down the street," he said motioning with a wash rag.

Russell smiled in appreciation, "Thanks," he said grabbing his beer before he headed to her table. He shoved his free hand in his pocket and cleared his throat. She was rather beautiful now that he was up close but he knew he wouldn't fall for her. It wasn't his style. He was just looking for some companionship for the cold, lonely autumn night. "Hi," he simply said with a smile, "I don't usually do this but I was wondering if you'd like some company."

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer looked up at the sound of a voice. It was the stranger making himself known. Finally Jennifer saw him close up, and he was very good looking.
"Of course, please, sit" she said smiling with the quill inbetween her fingers, she moved up a little so he could sit down on the bench. She put her notepad down as to not seem rude. She'd written down the measurements and fabrics she wanted in the corner, so the rest was easy enough. Setting her quill down on top of the notepad, she picked up her glass ready to take a sip.
"So, have you been here long?" she asked, taking a quick sip of her drink.

[Russell Haynes]

When Jen invited him to sit with her, he gave a smile as if he just acomplished phase one of a plan. Pulling the chair out, he took a seat and made himself comfortable. Russ set his beer on the table and looked at the notebook as it rested between the two. "I take it you design clothes," he said, giving her the impression that he didn't know a thing about her.

When he was asked a question, Russell cleared his throat and pushed a leg out so it was straight, "I'd say, about... 15 hours," he answered as he checked the portable clock he wore on his wrist. "I just finished getting all my stuff in the apartment above my shop. Those stairs are hell, I tell ya," he said with a chuckle as he brought the brown bottle to his lips.

Looking at the glass containing wine, he gave a laugh. "You drink like a woman," he said sarcastically. "Mind if I buy ya a real drink?" he said raising a hand hoping to get the barman's attention. "I hope you're not a lightweight," he said with a smirk.

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer gave a slight chuckle as the stranger said she drank like a woman. She pushed a piece of hair away from her eyes.
"That's because I am a woman, and I normally drink beer at home, but I like to give myself a womanly persona out in public" she smirked, raising an eyebrow. She realised he asked her about designing clothes and she nodded.
"Yeah, I just opened up a shop myself actually. My name's Jennifer Queens, and you are?" she offered an extended hand.
Finishing the last bit of her wine, she put the glass down onto the table and smiled.
"If you insist in spoiling my womanly charm" she said accepting his offer of a beer, she gave a toothy grin.

[Russell Haynes]

Russell gave a chuckle, "Afraid a man would see you drinking unlady like and instantly name you a horrible woman? Come on, get real! Men like women who are themselves in public! Lets them know what they're getting into," he said as he motioned for the barman to bring over two more beers, one for himself and one for the lady.

When she introduced herself, he nodded, "Jennifer Queens, yeah I know. It's that little shop down the street, isn't it? I actually think its a few down from my own!" he stated. Realizing he didn't introduce himself, he took her hand and gave it a gentle shake before laying his lips gently on her knuckles. Letting her take her hand back, he smiled, "Russell Haynes. Ex Kenmare Kestrels Chaser, Haynes' Quidditch Supplies Owner, And official drinking buddy to the ladies," he said adding the last bit for laughs.

Russ shook his head, "Ha! What womanly charm? You are something, you know that? Funny, very funny." He waited for the barman to come with their drinks as he finished off his first beer of the night. The drinks arrived and he gave a nod in the man's direction, "Thank you," he said taking the tops off the bottles and handing one to Jen, "To Success," he said as he raised his bottle up.

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer raised an eyebrow, uh what an obnoxious man she thought to herself, still, he could of had a long day. She decided to let him off this once. Just once mind...
The barman came over, and she flashed him a smile in thanks. She continued the smile to Russell and lifted up the bottle.
"Thank you Russell...To success" she repeated, before clinking her bottle with his and taking a big swig of the beer.
"Yeah, my shops right opposite here. I'm pretty proud, I did it all with these two hands, it's lazy if you use magic for everything" she chuckled.
"Quidditch supplies huh? Sounds good! If you ever need any help with things, just let me know. I have a few old clothes that have a bit more room for some more paint to be on them" she grinned cheekily. She took another swig of the beer and set the bottle back down.
"What did you do before this then?" she asked curiously.

[Russell Haynes]

Russell nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean. Raised Muggle, I was. I like to stick to my roots most of the time. Besides, you wouldn't be a real man if you had to resort to magic in order to make something, right?" he said taking a swig. He set the bottle down, the bottom making a small 'clink' as it hit the table.

Russell's face lit up briefly, "So, you like quidditch then?" he asked as he rubbed his face with his hands. It had been a rough day for him and all. Still hadn't gotten over the fact that he could never play quidditch again. It was what Russ thrived on. Then there was moving. It was never a pleasant thing. Packing, unpacking, leaving memories behind, attempting to make new memories. Russell wasn't insensitive, he just couldn't imagine a life without quidditch, and now he had to live one.

"Before this?" he asked raising his eyebrows slightly. Did she not listen properly? Russ decided to shrug it off. He was a sucker for a beautiful woman and Jennifer seemed to have a good soul. Maybe he picked the wrong woman to try and take home. Russell couldn't keep his game face on anymore. "Played Quidditch right out of Hogwarts for eight years. Damn near nine if it hadn't been for the accident," he said a little meekly. It wasn't something he liked to talk about so he decided to go on, "Spent another 3 years after that in the hospital. Once I was discharged, I tried to go back to playing, but it just wasn't the same. Body mechanics were totally screwed and I ended up quitting for good. Now I'm here. Attempting to start a new life, or something like that."

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer listened to Russell intently, and when he mentioned about him being in an accident she made a sorry face.
"I'm sorry to hear that. That must of really been a blow for you" she said, making an 'urgh' sound after it. Quidditch, the beautiful game.
"Indeed, I used to play Quidditch at Beauxbatons, but once I left, I stopped doing it more and more. I need to get back into it really. You'll have to get me back into the swing of things" she grinned. Reminiscing on the days where she used to make her own Ballycastle Bats costumes and accessories.
"I loved the Ballycastle Bats" she blushed. They were a decent team, but not the greatest nor the worst.

[Russell Haynes]

"That must of really been a blow for you."

Russell nodded in response. If only she knew how hard it was for him. Quidditch was-is his life. Even in school he played, all seven years. "The healers think that moving here would be a good thing for me. It's possible that they're right," he said sending Jen a small smile. Russell felt bad for his rudeness so his ruffled his hair a little and gave a nervous laugh, "Look, I'm sorry for coming off as a jerk. I'm not the best when it comes to communication with women. If it helps, my last actual girlfriend was in my 6th year at hogwarts. Said I loved quidditch more than her so she left me. I did love her, but she was right. I put quidditch before her every time." Russell wasn't sure why he was telling Jen this, but he was and it felt rather good to get it off his chest. That, or maybe it was the couple of beers he downed rather quickly.

"So we've got ourselves a player, huh," he said with a grin. "Sure, I'd be glad to help you out with quidditch sometime. Though, I'd have to do it from the ground. Not sure if I'm ready to get on a broom, well, not sure if I'm allowed on a broom," he said with a nervous laugh.

Russ raised an eyebrow, "Ballycastle Bats? You don't strike me as a Bats kinda girl," he joked. "I'm just playing. They have a mean Keeper believe it or not. A woman actually! Couldn't get the quaffle past her for the life of me," he continued before picking up his beer and taking a drink. "The Kestrels will always be my team, however."

[Jennifer Queens]

Russell apologised and Jen almost choked on her drink.
"There's nothing to be sorry for" she said eventually, sometimes she was too nice for her own good, but when something really aggravated her, she would sure as hell let you know about it.
When he talked about his ex girlfriend and how she left him because he loved quidditch more, she gave a laugh before quickly stiffling it.
"Oh i'm sorry, I'd probably be the same as you if someone asked me to stop making stuff" she said in reassurance. It was just a part of who you were, and if the person you were with couldn't handle that, then that's fine.
"I mean, if she couldn't understand why you loved Quidditch so much, then she wasn't worth it anyway" she said giving a toothy grin before taking another swig of beer. She was quite to the point, and she was quite opinionated, but sometimes one's opinion wasn't called for.
"Yeah, Bats were my life! Huge fan. Urgh, you know, You've made me realise how much i've actually missed quidditch! Hell, I need to buy a new broom from you" she smiled.

[Russell Haynes]

Russ laughed, "You sure? 'Cause I know when I'm stepping out of line, and I'm pretty sure I was only moments ago." Eh what the hell. She said not to worry so I suppose I shouldn't. He looked at her a bit worried when she started choking on her drink, "You alright there, Jen?" he asked.

"I get where you're going at, but I do let Quidditch run my life. I mean, even after I can no longer play, I open a quidditch supplies shop!" he said as if it shocked him. Maybe he wasn't cut out for relationships after all and would be the lonely guy that has nothing to live for but his job. It wouldn't bother him that much, he just didn't like feeling alone.

Russ grinned widely, "Ah, a true quidditch gal, you are! I have a few Ballycastle Bats memorabilia back at the shop if you're ever interested." This gal one someone Russell definitely needed to get to know better. A beautiful gal who shared a love for Quidditch was definitely a keeper in his eyes.

[Jennifer Queens]

Jennifer smiled when she saw the worry in Russell's eyes.
"Honestly, it's fine" she said giving a slight laugh. He then moved on to the Ballycastle Bats again and Jennifer grinned at just the sound of the team.
"Really? Memorabilia? That's awesome. The only stuff I could afford was this smallish scroll thing to hang on my wall, above my bed infact". She remenised on her old bedroom at a teenager for a moment, and remember all the quirky things she used to have, that were now stuffed up in her parents attic. She made a mental note to go and pick it all up when she had a chance. Shaking herself out of her daydreaming, she turned back to Russell and smiled.
"So, I can pop over tommorow if you want help with your shop?" she offered.