(T.Broomsticks) A New Beginning

[rileybabe]

Andrea Riley yawned as she pulled open the door to the Three Broomsticks, after graduating from school, she had gotten a job at the poular pub as a bar attender/waitress. Her first shift started in ten minutes, and Andie wanted to make sure she was ready. She went behind the counter and reached under it, to grab her apron and name tag. Pulling her red-gold curls back into a ponytail, she pinned the name tag to her crisp white shirt, and tied the small apron around her short black skirt. Andie smiled, she was ready for customers. Leaning against the counter she scanned the room. It was actually quite empty today, but then again with it being the start of the new term, that wasn't really surprising. Andie glanced towards the door, hoping that someone would come in. Even if they didn't get a drink, she'd at least have someone to talk to.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Term had barley started and Dan was already stressed, Darrow had given him a good talking to about his actions last year, Girty was getting even more paranoid about the tournament and his work load was already sky high. With a loud groan Dan did his normal thing in these situations, walk away from the work and go to the pub.

Slowly he walked down the high street of the village towards the Three Broomsticks sticking his hand ion his pocket to make sure he actually had some money on him. He hated having to run away from a bill but if he needed to then he would. Stepping inside he was surprised to see it was empty, glancing down at his watch he noticed why. It seemed slightly too early for a drink even for Dan so as he wondered over towards the bar he dug around in his pocket for some money, not paying any attention to who the bar tender was.

“A Butterbeer would be great for now thanks love.”

Slamming the coins down on the bar Dan turned his back on them and walked away to the table in the corner which gave him the prefect view out the window and up the high street meaning he would be able to see all those who enter and exit and even catch some un expecting Hogwarts students who thought they would come for a visit.

[rileybabe]

Andrea smiled, as Professor Hubbles entered the pub, he seemed stressed. Extremely stressed, as he didn't even realize who was behind the counter. Before Andie had a chance to say anything, he retreated to a table in the corner near the window. Andie smiled as she turned to prepare the drink. Drink ready, Andie made her way to Professor Hubbles. "Here's your drink Professor." She said, sitting it down in front of him. She smiled, "Can I get you anything else?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan looked up the street just asking himself why the hell he was here, why he was sitting in the Three Broomsticks at this time of day. He had promised himself during the holidays he would be a better professor he would work harder, be more responsible but yet here he was already running away from his work. Sighing heavily Dan looked in the direction of the castle knowing he should be there, guilt slowly filing him up from the inside. It was then he noticed that the bar tender had brought his drink over. Mumbling a small thank you Dan finally turned around to see who and why she had just sat down with him.

The forwn that has been spread across his face soon vanished at the sight of Andie. He started at her for a few seconds and his eyes dropt to her name badge just to make sure that this was the same person he thought it was.

“I did not know you worked here Andie? And please do not call my professor you are no longer my student. Which reminds me how did you do in Charms exam? I have not had chance to look at the papers yet…most likely it is somewhere on my desk”

Dan just seemed to ramble away, he would not lie saying he was not pleased to see Andie. She was pleasant girl and although had her faults (blurting out she loved him being one) he still enjoyed her company and felt like he could talk to her more then other people.

[rileybabe]

Andie smiled, "I know, old habits die hard." She gave a small laugh "Today's my first day actually. So, I'm a little nervous." She gazed out the window, "It's a nice day." She commented. "I think I did okay, it was a little tough, but nothing I couldn't handle." She replied in response to his question about the exams. Concern filled her eyes as she gazed at her old teacher, "Are you okay? You seem a little down." She observed with a small but worried frown.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan looked at Andie with a sideways smile as she commented about her exams he nodded his head with what she said encouraged that she did well in her exams. ‘Things might just be on the up’ Dan though to himself as he reached out taking hold of his drink and taking a rather long sip of his drink. It was refreshing and the tiny amount of alcohol that the drinks held was just enough to sooth his desire for the stuff. With a sigh he placed the mug back down on the table and slouched down in his seat.

“Nothing really is wrong. It Is just….that we are here again, doing the same thing with the same people and although there is some verity it gets rather dull. But I should not complain to much, at least I have a job and work with people I like.”

Dan’s eyes wondered down from Andie’s face to the drink in front of him. He just stared at the mug, the liquid in it, the bubbles that were on the surface and how it was reflecting the light that was coming in from the window by him. Why was he even here, why could he think of nothing else so do then run away and drink and worst of all drink by himself.

[rileybabe]

Andie smiled. "Well, I'm glad to hear you're doing okay." She sighed, "You're doing better than I am at this rate. I was supposed to become a dancer, but after everything that's happened this year, I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. I don't want to dissapoint my father, or give up my dream. But I just feel like I need to at least get a job first, you knoiw so I can buy my own house." Andie yawned and arched her back, stretching like a cat. The sunlight from outside, made her red hair, look even brighter, and it glowed as if it had flashes of fire and flame in it. "Well, I guess I better get back to work." she admitted grudgingly, not really wanting to do so. She flashed Dan another smile, "Call me if you need anything okay?" Andie turned and walked back to the counter. Giving Dan one last smile, she slipped behind the counter once more to await more customers.

[Erys Grace]

In a rather playful mood today, Erys had decided to spur up some fun in the Three Broomsticks. If not that, then bother the customers. Well, perhaps that wasn't the best word. Seeing as it was a professor, who really didn't prefer Slytherins since they preferred to torment Hufflepuffs above all else. She was unsure on how he deemed her, since her reputation with the teachers at Hogwarts wasn't the best one. It wasn't her fault the Herbology teacher was a stuck up, snotnosed lady. Now Hubbles on the other hand wasn't that bad, despite his extreme bias towards the badger house. The logo was a badger, right? hm.

Outside the bar now, Erys pressed her face against the glass, affirming her suspicions that Hubbles was indeed sitting there. Shoving her hands in her jean pockets, the seventh year jogged happily towards the door, entering gracefully though tempted to do something more exuberant. Or in other words, enthusiastic. Sliding her eyes towards the waitress, the animagus was surprised to see Miss Riley there, in a worker's uniform. So the prissy Ravenclaw worked here, eh? Alas, forgive her disdain. Erys really didn't like her, because of the time in the Kitchens were she hexed the twins because they kissed her hand. The gesture in medieval days was to greet a beautiful lady, not a wench. She almost jinxed her right back, if the Parkhurst brothers hadn't enjoyed the beaver teeth. Striding casually towards the table in the corner, she snapped her fingers, gesturing for Andie to come over.

"Hay hay hay." Erys grinned, sliding across from the professor and resting her linked fingers on the table. "Excited for term four?" Resisting the urge to snort - as everyone knew this time of the year was extremely hectic - she looked up at the waitress, planting a pleasant smile on her full lips. "A water, please." Best be civil dear, you could get fired for mouthing off to the customers, even though you might not like them. So much prejudice towards Slytherins! She hated it.[/color]

[rileybabe]

Andrea rolled her eyes as Erys walked into the pub. Ugh, why did it have to be her!? she groaned silently to herself. A scowl formed on her face when Erys snapped her fingers at her as if she were a waitress in a cheap, seedy resturant, or worse a dog! She took the water over to Erys and sat it down with a little more force than was needed. "Do you need anything else?" she asked in a falsely pleasant voice. She honestly couldn't stand the girl! Cheer up, if she gets to be too much, you could probably kick her out. said the comforting voice in her head. That's true Andie admitted to herself.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan looked over at Andie remembering her mentioning something before about dancing, it was on that fateful night when he was attacked, she was dressed up like a Christmas tree and was dancing around the corridors. For once Dan was actually sad that she did not get to do what she wanted and ended up working in this place. Although it was better then the Hog’s Head you still got some very dodgy customers, heck just look at Dan.

It was then someone else entered the room, the Slytherin h had taught last year. Erys Grace. With a slight frown he wondered why a student was in Hogsmeade this early and of all things entering the Hogshead and yet buying water. Trying not to get to much involved Dan picked up his drink and sipped it carefully keeping his eyes on the two girls. It was then he remembered he had witnessed a situation like this in the Kitchen before, and like then he had remained silent although this time soothing was compelling him to say something. This was only increased when Andie slammed the drink down in front of Erys.

“Come on girls lets be civil. Andie no slamming of glasses and Miss Grace no snide remarks, I know what will be passing in that small mind of yours.”

Dan gave them both a hard glare before returning to his drink and laughing into it. Term had barely started and he did not want to have to be involved in a fight between an old pupil and a know trouble maker, and for some reason Dan had thought he had done enough already to prevent anything.

[rileybabe]

Andie sighed, she knew Dan was right of course. But that didn't stop her from wanting to protect her pride. "You're right professor. Sorry for disturbing you." She turned to Erys and gave the girl a small smile. "So, is there anything else I can get you?" she asked pleasantly.

[Erys Grace]

Just because she preferred water over drinking butterbeer all the time, didn't mean Erys couldn't come and hang out with the fellows down at the bar. Glancing at the drink suspiciously, as if Riley had spit in it, her expression relaxed finally and she had a sip. "No, thats alright." Figuring a little casual conversation would lighten the mood - as slamming down drinks was very rude - the Slytherin mimicked the waitress' sweet smile, only in her case she actually was feeling in a pleasant mood.

"Oh, come now professor. I wasn't being snide, was I?" It was true, for the whole time she had been here, Erys had kept herself calm and collected. She may have been thinking something completely opposite to that, but she wasn't about to admit it. Even the slightest bit polite, too. Andie should at least make an effort to be nice. Then again, she was known to cause trouble, wasn't she? Having a large hand in starting the giant food fight, sneaking out at night but never getting caught, hanging out in the forbidden forest.. Hell, she was a badass. Not that it was horrible, or anything. The seventh year loved it.

Glad she was shown at least a little more kindness, Erys then flashed an actually smile, though it was small. "Hows working life for you?" She could be nice sometimes, too. Taking another swig from her glass, she wiped the excess liquid from her lips, watching the two quietly while waiting for an answer.[/color]

[rileybabe]

Andie shrugged. "It's okay I guess. Gives me something to do. I'm a little disappointed that I'm not doing what I wanted, but then I thought maybe I should do this job for awhile. Try to earn enough money to buy a house, then we'll see what happens." She smiled at Erys, "So, how's school going for you? Ready for your NEWTS this year?" Andie stopped and blushed as she realized that she'd been rambling. "Oops, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ramble like that." she apolgized with a small laugh.

[Aidan and Derryl Parkhurst]

Aidan had been the one to spot Erys walking to Hogsmeade. The two had been on the grass outside the castle, enjoying the bits of sunshine they could get, studying for their first Transfigurations test of the new year. Neither of them could believe that they had already gotten a test and a Herbology essay and loads more they'd rather forget about.

Derryl had agreed to going to Hogsmeade after Erys. Picking up all their stuff, papers mostly, the two had followed after the seventh year. When they arrived in Hogmeade, they were just in time to see Erys go into the Three Broomsticks. Aidan nudged Derryl in the ribs. 'Let's go,' he said and smiled at his brother who looked doubtful.

Derryl was the one to open the door of the pub and walk in first. He looked at the bar and saw there was no one there. Aidan pushed him and Derryl stumbled forward. He whirled around once he had his balance straight and glared a hole into his brother. 'Watch it!' he sneered.

Aidan laughed and looked around the pub for himself. He spotted Professor Hubbles sitting near the window. He must have seen us coming, he thought. And with him was Andie and their princess in shining armour, Erys. 'Erys,' Aidan said and moved towards her table, quickly followed by Derryl who had seem everyone shortly after his brother.

Aidan caught himself and came to a stop next to her. He picked up her hand and planted a kiss on it. 'We haven't seen you since we got back,' Aidan said and could have kicked his brother.

Derryl smirked a smile at Andie and winked. 'How you doing?' he asked, 'working here now?' Then Derryl held out his hand to the Professor and smiled. 'Hi, Professor,' he said. Aidan rolled his eyes at his brother. For all the smarts Derryl supposedly got, sometimes he could be very thick. Everyone knew that Prof Hubbles didn't like Slytherins very much and after their last meeting of the previous term, Aidan was sure he would like them less then the normal Slytherin.

[Erys Grace]

"Yeah." Erys was ready for them, but she sure as hell didn't like it, "That wasn't rambling, trust me." She had seen girls who went on and on, switching subjects faster than they changed their underwear every day. agh. Taking another sip of her water, she rapped her fingers against the table, knowing how strange it must look for them three to be conversing so calmly with each other. She was surprised, being this level-headed around the girl who gave the twins beaver teeth.

Speak of the devil, there they were, walking over and into the Three Broomsticks. Smiling now, Erys waited until one of them saw her. "Hey guys." She greeted happily, much more enthused about being around a professor and a former enemy as she had backup now. Grinning as Aidan kissed her hand, the Slytherin nodded, remembering during the holidays she hadn't seen them. She had suspected all these funny things, like somebody gluing them inside a suit of armor and hexing their mouths shut. They'd probably enjoy that for a while, until the hunger and need to go to the bathroom kicked in. "I've missed you two terrors for the holidays." Smiling wider now, her eyes were narrowed with the prospect of another good prank. The professor really wouldn't like that though, then again, she wasn't here to earn his praise.

With her eyes on Andie now, Erys wondered if she was going to explode like last time in the kitchens. It'd be pretty funny, and unlike then, the boys would have her there. She had only arrived a bit late last time, but not enough to do some damage. Everyone had better be civil here, until the mischief started back at the school.[/color]