[3 Broomsticks] Chance Meetings

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Hannah had just stormed out of Hogwarts castle anger could be felt coming off of her like heat waves. She had found out some news over the summer that would change her life but for some reason the impact hadn't hit her until that day when she saw for the first time what her father wrought. Something about seeing it in flesh and blood sent Hannah into a tizzy. She had to get out of there before she did something she would regret.

Walking, well almost running into the village she threw open the door to the Three Broom Sticks. Normally she would have gone to the Hogshead but she couldn't be distracted and the men there had no boundaries so she needed a place to collect her thoughts. The bar keep looked at her as she entered and Hannah said nothing. Not at first anyway. Sitting at the bar she put her head down trying her best not to snap. She could sense someone standing near and she lifted her head up to see the barkeep once more.

"Firewhiskey and keep them coming" she snapped. Maybe a few drinks would take her mind off her problems at least for now. Her father had been trying to contact her she just hoped one of his owls wouldn't find its way there to her. As her drink appeared she heard the door open, turning her head she looked to see someone familiar looking walk in.

[Professor William Vaid]

Will’s first week had been rather un-eventful, except the fight he broke up in Hogsmeade on his first day back in glorious scotland. It was funny how he was here, yet not many scots were around. So many random thoughts always went through his head, and he sometimes wondered if he tapped into people’s minds and picked up their thoughts as they passed. Shrugging, he let the thoughts pass, and walked down the oncoming cold path in Hogsmeade, heading for wherever his feet took him.

His feet just so happened to of waltzed him to the opening of the Three Broomsticks. A place he hadn’t had the pleasure in visiting earlier in the week due to two certain Ravenclaw’s and their need for a punchup in the middle of the street. Looking up at the old and withered sign, he smiled, thrusting his hands into his jacket pockets and making a b-line for the door, holding the door open for someone who was attempting to exit.

Looking straight ahead, he saw what looked like the back of Hannah, the Divination professor, and from what he could see and sense, she was in a bit of a bad mood.
Walking over and casually sitting next to her, he gave her a friendly smile, his dimples showing.

“You alright the Hannah? Do you want to talk to me about anything?” he asked her with a lowered tone so only she could hear his calming words. Watching the barman bring her a firewhiskey, he pulled out his wallet and paid for her next few rounds, asking for a muggle beer aswell for himself. Handing over the money, he looked back to Hannah.
“So what’s the matter? I’ve not seen you miserable all week”

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

The person who walked in was Will the Occlumency professor. Hannah didn't really know much about him she was busy trying to get used to being a professor. As he walked in she took her firewhiskey and downed it in one the barkeep looked at her shocked and she just glared at him until he walked back and got her another. She took it and sipped it this time.

Somehow she had forgotten that Will just walked in her mind so consumed with thoughts of the news she now held, her mother's face popped into her head so trusting so sweet. Hannah knew something that could destroy all of that and her father knew it his guilt causing him to try and appease Hannah. Like a few pretty things would make her forget.

She had been so wrapped up that when Will spoke to her she jumped. Turning her head she was prepared to snap but somehow she couldn't find it in her to do it. He seemed concerned about her though she had no idea why. He even paid for her first round. Turning green eyes on him she said "Just some bad news I wasn't expecting. Nothing a few of these can't cure" she lifted her glass. "Thanks for paying you don't have to though, but thanks. So what brings you in here?" she said trying to sound pleasant.

[Professor William Vaid]

((I'm sorry, this really sucks lol, I've got writer's block))

Will just smiled and took a big gulp of the cold beer. Looking down at the glass, he turned it in his hand, leaving blank fingerprints in the condensation on the glass. Turning his head to the side, he flashed Hannah a big smile.

“No worries, You look like you could do with a few of them anyway” he said before talking another sip of beer. He was wanting to ask her more on her obviously traumatic news, but he didn’t want to pry. Giving a sigh, he decided he would try and take her mind off it and talk about other things.

“So, hows it going in Divination?” he asked politely. It was obvious he was trying to change the subject, but hopefully she would go along with it. That was the thing with Will, he was always looking out for people more than himself. Typical Hufflepuff genes as he liked to call them, that and he was probably still a geek inside.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Hannah quickly finished another drink, and the barkeep didn't even bother giving her a ridiculous look before pouring her another one. Handing it right to her she smirked and said "that's more like it" while taking another sip. It felt good going down as she actually too the time to taste it. She wasn't feeling the buzz yet and she so desperately wanted to before returning to the castle.

Placing a hand in her hair she ran her fingers through it just trying to figure out what made men behave the way they did. Why was it they couldn't be happy. It was driving her mad. Even the drink wasn't having the effect she was hoping for. Will sitting beside her nursing a beer. A handsome man should have been enough to please her but she wasn't happy.

The two sat in silence for a while Hannah pondering life Will well doing whatever he was doing. Then suddenly he spoke asking her how Divination was going. Hannah tried to be social, "Well you know people assuming that divination is a phoney class, or a soft option. They don't realize the hard work that goes into it. I know I should have expected that but well I was hoping for something different. What about you? Occlumency can't be an easy subject to teach."

[Professor William Vaid]

As the pair sat in silence for a moment, Will waited for Hannah to answer his question about Divination. When she answered he began nodding in agreement to what she just said, and he sipped at his beer before answering.

"I know what you mean, but when I attempted to study it, It was one of the hardest things for me. Divination is an art, and I think you have to have it in you to begin with, or have a thirst to study it" he answered. It seemed Hannah was a bit annoyed that people seemed to take the subject as an easy class, and that upset Will a little, thinking all the hard work she had put into it, and she was recieving nothing in turn.

Realising she asked about his teaching studies, he flicked his head back to get his hair out of his eyes and shuffled in his seat.
"Yeah, well. It takes great concentration. I think in a way it's a lot like your subject, you have to really want to do it to succeed" he replied, twisting the glass in hands again. Here he was, sat with a beautiful woman and all he could talk about was work. Typical William Robert Vaid, useless with women, yet strikingly handsome, it was like a curse.

"Anyway enough about work, what's your father done?" he asked with a concerned expression on his face. It was across between concerned eyes and a small frown.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Despite her feelings she was actually sitting there listening to Will. That was one way to take her mind off of things at least for a while. Granted the subject matter wasn't the most fascinating, she dealt with her subject on a regular basis there wasn't much need to sit there and discuss it just as she was sure there was no need for him to discuss his subject either, but it was better than discussing her father being a leach.

"Divination is hard and I suppose you're right you do have to have a knack for it, but even those who don't can come to learn a great deal if given a chance. I guess some thing it's not real, that there's no way of predicting the future but there are so many ways. Ah listen to me rant on. It's fine I can teach those who really want to learn and those who don't well they won't get anything out of it." She smiled taking a sip and watching Will out of the corner of her eye.

He was rather handsome any other day she would be flirting heavily heck with enough drink she might do just that but for now they both seemed to be playing it safe. Then he asked what her father had done. Her head swirled around causing a crick. Her hand shot out and she placed it over the affected spot trying to message it away. "How did you know? Did I mention?" she looked at him utterly perplexed.

[Professor William Vaid]

Will gave a small laugh when she thought she was ranting on.“Not at all, carry on ranting all you want, it’s nice to hear someone else’s voice” he said, taking a big gulp of his beer. Hannah was beautiful, but Will had pretty much given up with looking for a woman. If someone was interested enough in him, they would have to come to him for once.
When Hannah shot Will a strange look, he realised he’d done it again. Raising his eyebrows at the bridge of his nose he pursed his lips.

“Oh erm, well I guess you didn’t” he gave her a sympathetic look and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I think my skill has sort of over-stimulated itself. Sometimes I just pick up on things without realising” he shrugged. He wasn’t sure exactly why it happened, or how, but it was happening more and more frequently. To be honest it was pretty weird for him to deal with. He would just pick up on random people’s thoughts and he would be unsure if they people were speaking or not.

“Sorry if you feel i’ve sort of, intruded” he apologised.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Hannah realized just as he was good at Occlumency he was probably good at legillimency as well. Her thoughts were not her own, she could sit there and be mad at him but she knew that sometimes with ones powers you couldn't really control them. It was that way with her, she was a true seer and sometimes just sometimes she saw things she knew others hadn't meant for her to see. She didn't mean it to but well there it was.

Turning to look at him she wanted to let him off the hook. "It's all right I forgot that you could. I guess you didn't see everything then. My father well I always admired him always loved him but I found out something about him that shook me to my very core something that could change my families life forever." She didn't want to get into the whole sorted affair.

Maybe that's what made her turn green eyes on him and let out one of those come hither smiles she was well known for. Wanting to change the subject save feeling as mad as she had when she walked in she said "so tell me Will handsome man like you, here all alone might make a girl think she's got a shot at hitting on you" it was bold yes but so was she.

[Professor William Vaid]

Will realised by the look on her face that she was a little surprised at what he just said about her father.
“I’m sorry, it’s just...sometimes things just come into my head you know? It can be hard to figure out what’s what sometimes” he said with an apologetic smile.

“What i’m saying is I didn’t mean to pry, but if you want to talk, it’s good to have a strangers ear every now and then” he smiled. It wasn’t as if he had personally attempted to enter her mind, but images and things just popped into his head, usually when people were at their most emotional. Like if someone was seething with anger, he would pick up on it and more than likely get a thought or two of there’s that passes through their mind. It came with the territory.

“And no, I didn’t see everything” he gave her a big smile to show he was telling the truth. Suddenly Hannah gave him a certain smile he was all too familiar with, that come hither smile. Will gulped, and he knew then that this woman would eat him alive.

“Well, maybe I should ask myself the same question about you” he smirked before finishing up his beer and ordering another round of drinks for the pair of them. It was weird, William Robert Vaid was actually flirting. Maybe his inner geek was becoming more social? Who knows. Maybe it was the drink.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

This felt more comfortable to her flirting with a handsome man instead of talking about her father's infidelity and that bastard daughter that came from it. It was easier for her to turn on the charm than it was to let him know the truth about why she was really so upset. Hannah didn't tell people her inter most feelings simply because she was always taught that people had a way of using them against you. So instead now she used her feminine wiles to keep herself from blurting out something personal and well Will was hot she thought that since her first time seeing him. Why not flirt a little see where it goes.

He mentioned the whole father thing again but she glossed over that instead focusing on the fact that he seemed to be flirting back a bit. Didn't think he had it in him but he did and that was a truly pleasant surprise. He ordered them more drinks and she didn't complain liquid courage might be dead useful right about now.

"Ah well I'm here alone by choice I haven't found anyone who tickles my fancy but perhaps as this evening wares on that could change." Winking at him she took her sip. Wondering if he was feeling anymore bold.

[Professor William Vaid]

Will couldn’t help but feel more attracted to Hannah, maybe it was her sheer boldness, or maybe it was the fact that he wanted to get to know her more. After all she was a beautiful woman, there was no doubt about that, and any man in the room who didn’t think so must either be blind or just stupid. Will still thought of himself as that little geeky skinny kid in school, and his shyness has always stayed with him, even though his ugly duckling looks didn’t. He had blossomed, that was for sure, but it never seemed to register with him that he looked different to all those years ago.

“Maybe it will” he replied in a rather suave tone. Whoah, where did that just come from? Will, you Casanova! Catching Hannah’s wink, he couldn’t help but give a smirk. Biting his lower lip, he looked down at his glass for a moment, concentrating on the bubbles that were floating to the top, then disappearing with a small pop. With his bubble popping quota filled and satisfied, Will looked back up to Hannah, and just watched her lips for a moment.

“So, are you doing anything interesting later?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and a friendly smile. He realised it could of been taken as if he wanted to take her somewhere, and if she took it that way then fair enough, but he meant it in an honest and naive way, just generally wanting to know if she was going to be doing anything fun.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Hannah wasn't really sure what it was that made Will so appealing to her. Yes, he was very attractive but Hannah usually preferred men who were dangerous the kind of man you'd probably find at the Hogshead. Shy and innocent usually didn't do it for her, but there she was sitting with him flirting very hard. This was a surprising turn one she felt she would rather enjoy, pursuing a man that she might be too much for. It brought a sly smile to her lips as her finger tip circled the rim of her glass. Staring at him from the corner of her eye she could feel some attraction. She could usually tell that sort of thing, there was this unexplainable electrical charge in the air and she was feeling it right at that very moment.

Maybe it will were his next words. Perhaps that was the attraction, he was full of surprises just when she thought he would go left he'd go right. He kept her on her toes something most men failed to do which, was why they never lasted very long. He switched gears yet again and turned into shy boy staring at his drink, Hannah licked her lips loving how multi faceted he seemed to be. Maybe she should shock him some more she thought but he took the idea from her by asking what she was doing later. Several things popped into her mind each as naughty as the first but she refrained from voicing the comments out loud. Instead she said as delicately as possible "Nothing really but if you might like to do something with me I'm sure we can find something fun to occupy our time." She was stunned that she managed to say it without it sounding sexual. Now she looked at him and found that she really wanted to hear a yes.

[Professor William Vaid]

By the look on Hannah’s face, she was rather surprised at the words that had just left his mouth. He was just as surprised as she was, and he quite liked the new him. He was sick of coming second best, and waiting around for women to decide on what they wanted, and he always ended up not being chosen. He had realised that life wasn’t going to wait around for him, and he had to just go out there and live it.

The words that now left Hannah’s lips surprisingly didn’t shock Will, he supposed he was expecting them.

“That sounds like something I could deal with” he said blatantely flirted back now. In his mind, it just made him want to turn her around and kiss her, but he decided against it. She seemed to not be thinking about her father anymore which was a good thing. At least he’d done good on that part and had tried to keep her mind off her bad mood in which he found her.

Will didn’t really have a certain type of woman. He appreciated the beauty of most women, and Hannah seemed to have her fair share of it. Looking back over to her, he gave a smug smile and bit his lower lip before rubbing his stubble.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Something changed in him she wasn't sure what it was but there was an air of confidence that she hadn't noticed before. Perhaps he was feeling the effects of his beer it wouldn't be the first time alcohol emboldened a man to act as he wouldn't normally. Whatever it was Hannah liked it heck she just liked him she found herself staring quite a bit, that wasn't like her it was starting to frustrate her but it couldn't be helped. Her problems of before long forgotten she was busy focusing on this attraction. Normally she just liked to play around with a man, tease a little reel him in then toss him back out to sea. Will, she was enjoying reeling him in but wanted to keep him on the boat for a while to see where things went.

She wanted to kiss him the urge was strong but she forced herself to refrain and it took a herculean effort on her part. Closing her eyes she made herself calm down some she had to or else risk doing something foolish. Hearing him speak she didn't answer right away, her eyes fluttered opened slowly as she tried to find her voice so she could respond to him. As soon as she did she moved closer and whispered in his ear "I'm very sure you could deal with it, question is do you want to?" now she didn't bother to hide the tone in her voice. Full out flirting no liquid courage needed for this one. She had sights set and they were set on Will Vaid.

The smug smile he gave her simply caused her to give one of her own and as he rubbed the stubble on his face her tricky little ways made her say "I love the feel of a man's stubble on my skin." No Hannah wasn't playing fair why should she men did what they had to and got what they wanted why couldn't she.