(T.Broomsticks)Out of the cold & into a butterbeer

[Kim Rivers]

It had been a while since Kim had stepped foot into this place. In fact she couldnt remember the last time she was here, the place sure felt different. She was sure it held more of a relaxed atmosphere, but now all she could feel was tension, though she felt sure this was probably the ministrys doing, hanging around at every little thing, pulling people over for not wearing the right attire. Kim was growing tired of them, she had put up with them because she had to, now she felt like she wanted to hex any ministry official that came into her line of vision.

At the bar, people were talking in hushed voices, she heard faintly words of, rebellion, ministry, rogues, and countless other mumblings, most of which meant absolutley nothing to her. She kept her head down, the last thing she wanted was attention drawn to her, though going through her past, you would have never thought it. Kim had always managed to land, not only herself, but others in danger, and had always managed to find it fun, amusing. A part of her wanted to do it again, the other part wanted nothing more than to be left alone and live the rest of her life in peace and quiet, i mean come on, she'd had enough drama in her life to last her a long time.

She chose a secluded table, away from the prying eyes of everyone around, but still close enough so she could hear anything important, though why she thought a bunch of drunkern fools would know anything that could be classed as important she didnt know. She kept her head down, listening to the talks of an old man from a table near her, bambling away about something or other that Kim had no interest in whatsoever, but his occasional slurring of words and protesting he was not drunk gave her cause to smile. Your not drunk? And im a grey pig she thought to herself as she brought her drink to her lips.

[smelly]

Reagan loved to go into the Three Broom Sticks now. It was such an atmosphere on edge. It was probably the only exciting thing he could think of doing, and even after that he just sat down and drank a butter beer. He had found himself a good spot in the back on the bar. No one ever noticed him there. Unfortunately it was a table next to the usual spot of a drunk wizard who was usually there. However, the man put in for good entertainment, mumbling crazy things under his breathe.

Reagan noticed as he opened the door that the familiar bells that rung on entrance we gone. Only the creak of the door greeted him. Reagan sighed. The ministry probably thought that they were too happy. Promoting happiness was banned along with certain clothing, talk, books, and preforming the macarena atop the bar.

Reagan closed the door and headed toward his table in the back. As she got nearer to the dark corner, he saw movement in one of the chair. He took another step and saw a girl sitting at his table. He recognized her from Hogwarts, but that was about it. He looked around, left and right. All the empty tables were in plain view and lighted areas. Not fun. Reagan sighed and stood up straight. Tousling his hair, her walked over to the girl. "Seat comfortable?" he asked sarcastically.

[Kim Rivers]

Kim watched as the people in the bar made fools of themselves under the influence of firewhisky. Old men trying to sweet talk the younger barmaids who seemed most displeased about this, but this merely gave Kim something to watch, and was not surprised when this man was escorted out. Kim seriously doubted that the people would ever say they remember doing anything so remotely embarassing, it was even embarassing to watch most of the time, but Kim being Kim kept her head down and kept herself to herself.

Some of the people were now up on the floor, shifting some of the tables from the middle of the floor and trying to dance, though most failing miserably. How can they even like acting like a bunch of stupendous fools? she thought to herself as she watched the spectacle unfold in front of her. Some would say that this was people having fun, Kim would say it was them making prats out of themselves.

Kim heard another voice, one that seemed closer than all the others as she looked up into the eyes of some boy. Her icy blue eyes not showing any signs of a warm welcome. She had thought that tonight she would get rid of any annoyances, she thought maybe just once, a night to herself without being disturbed, but no, she guessed she wasnt that lucky. "As comfortable as any other" she replied cooly, taking another sip of her butterbeer. Thinking maybe if she ignored this person, he would go away, though she doubted such a thing would happen.

[smelly]

So, she was going to play a game? Reagan loved games. His attention was lost to another man getting hauled out by Ministry officials. He smirked. Idiots. He said. They will all wake up with amazing headaches. He said with a smile turning back to the girl.

"So, you are sure you are quite comfortable?" He asked again, sitting down in the chair across from her. He straighted his shirt, making sure it didn't bunch up as he sat. He put his arms on the table, and leaned over the wooden table, close to her. "Because it's not girl for a girl as pretty as you to be sitting alone in the dark." He was being creepy. Not his personality at all, however, Reagan was territorial. He wanted his spot. He wasn't going to share, even with a pretty girl with blue eyes.

[Kim Rivers]

Kim watched the ministry officials push the man out of the door and wondered silently to herself if there was yet to be another thrown out tonight, and hopefully, it would be this annoying boy sat infront of her. Though they seemed to have their hands full with the amount of drunks in here tonight, so she again, would not be so lucky.

"What does it matter to you if i am comfy or not?" she asked with a bite. Kim looked back across the room, the people were still dancing and had no rythem whatsoever. The guy in the table was now watching Kim and this boy with a smirk on his face, Kim scowled at him, she did not like being watched, especially by people who seemed as creepy as him. "Well it would appear, as much as I want to be alone, Im not, am i?" she quipped sarcastically, hoping he would take the hint and leave. The waitres came back across and in her sickly sweet voice, asked them both if they wanted anything else. "Just the same for me" she asked as the waitress hurried off. Kim kept her eyes averted from this newcomer, though curious to know who he was, she was more annoyed by him.

[smelly]

Reagan noticed the man sitting next to them looking at them. "Hey," he said getting defensive. "You don't look at her, got it." He said, with a snap. The man averted his eyes. He turned back to the girl. "Chivalry is not dead." He said with a smirk. "That's why you shouldn't be sitting here in the dark alone." Reagan said as a matter of fact-ly. As much as he also wanted to be alone, Reagan wasn't about to get up and leave, also known as accepting defeat.

Reagan called the waitress back. "Your not getting rid of me that easily," he said to the girl. "I'll have the same," He told the witch. "And put hers on my tab." He said with a smirk.

Reagan noticed that the girl was obviously trying not to look at him. "I won't turn you into stone if you look at me." he said sarcasm dripping from his lips. "Since we seem to be at an impasse." The witch returned with their drinks. Reagan nodded at her and smiled in thanks. He took his and put it to his lips taking a sip. "As I was saying, your not leaving, and I'm certainly not leaving. We should at least know each others names," Reagan smiled. "and signs." he said, again, what else, sarcastically.

[Kim Rivers]

So it was official then, he was most certainly not leaving. What a shame, Kim would have liked a quiet drink alone, and if that man had kept on staring at her, she would have hexed him into next week. "No need to get all defensive" she said with a smirk. Kim was used to being alone in the dark, it was nothing new to her these days, if she wasnt in here sat in the dank dark corner then she was in the forest in a midst of darkness. Though of course, that was kept pretty much to herself.

"What a pity" she said as he called the waitress back, a few miistry officials having trouble with a particulary young male who was seemingly, quite drunk and unable to stand up. What a spectacle he was making, yelling like he was. "I can get my own drinks" she said once more with a bite, she felt as though this young person was trying to belittle her, trying to make her feel inadequet. Though it most certainly was not working.

"And for some reason, i do not doubt that" Kim said in a low tone. Forcing herself to look at him, of course a scowl showing clear on her face and that elderly man was looking at the two of them again. Does that guy have some kind of mental issue? she thought as she glared at him. Whatever his problem was it was none of Kims business. "Kim" she spoke her name fast. "My sign? Whatever do you want to know that for?"

[smelly]

Reagan noticed the girl scowl in the direction of the man again. He also turned and glared at him. Reagan didn't really like that his back was to the man, so he angled his chair, moving closer to the girl.

"Put it on my tab." he said to the witch again as she delivered their drinks. "Don't worry about it." He said to the girl, calming her again. He was just being nice, oddly enough. However, during the odd cases, he was used to getting credit for his graciousness. Not now.

Nice short name, easy to remember. He once meat a girl name Aphrodite. It had taken Reagan three meetings before he remembered her name. Reagan rose eyebrows. "It was a joke." He said. He didn't really want to know her sign. He laughed. "I'm Reagan." he said, realizing she wasn't going to reciprocate the question.

Reagan was going to ask Kim what house she was in, but his words were droned put by shouting across the bar. Reagan shook his head as a man who had just been thrown from the bar barged back through the door, taken out his wand and started a small fight. Of course it was broken up immediately. He leaned in closer to Kim so she could hear him. "This place is a little rough for you no?"

[Kim Rivers]

"I dont know what his problem is" She mumbled to herself as the man kept staring at them, Kim kept her gaze fixed upon the man. She wouldnt say he was old, but she wouldnt class him as young either. She would say the man was in his mid thirties. Kim turned to look at the guy who was edging closer to her. Sighing she didnt say anything.

"I never said i was worrying about it did i?" She spoke in a harsh tone, "I just dont want to be indebted to you, and dont think i will be" Kim turned her attention back to the man, he was still staring at them, Kims temper was rising, "Why dont you turn your head somewhere else before i permanantly stick it to the wall?" she said in a hiss, making the man turn straight around.

Reagan? Now that was unusual. Though there seemed to be more and more people coming here now with unusual names. What was this place coming to. She didnt know, a nagging feeling in her head, and a small voice, You wouldnt be thinking like this two years ago, back when you was all nice Kim flustered a little at this thought and quickly drank some of her drink. "Yes well, Im not one for jokes" she spoke softly, or as softly as Kim could, which still came out as a bit of a bite.

The fight began. At least three Ministry officials were on this one guy, which made Kim laugh an actual laugh. Three to take down one scrawny guy? Now that was pushing the boarders back a bit she thought. Kim turned her head to look at Reagan who had leaned in pretty close, Kim shrugged, "Where isnt it rough these days?" she said with a laugh, "Besides, its amusing. And the rougher the better in my opinion"

[smelly]

"You wouldn't be indebted to me..." Reagan starred. However he was was taken aback by Kim's outburst directed at the starring man, who quickly averted his eyes. Reagan smiled, she did indeed know how to handle herself. She was tough.
"Oh you have to have some sense of humor." Reagan joked, but then realize d he was joking again and that Kim probably wouldn't catch up on the joke. It was a very confusing cycle.

"See! A sense of humor." Reagan laughed as Kim explain the brutality of the world these days. She was right however. "I agree." Reagan said nodding his head. "But it does bring excitement to a rather dull place." Regan smiled and took a sip of his butterbeer. He was never overly fond of he stuff, but it pleased him well sitting in the dark bar with what was unwelcome company.

"Do you just come out here and sit and watch people?' reagan said, asking why she was there. "Rather unnerving to have someone starring at you from a dark corner, especially if it finds out that the person is you." He teased her.

[Kim Rivers]

Kim just shrugged, like she would ever let herself anyway. Kim couldnt decide whether it was just plain annoying being sat on the same table as an idiotic ravenclaw who's main thoughts, it seemed, were on jokes, or embarassing. This was something she was trying to contemplate in her mind, whilst watching what was happening around her. "I dont have to have anything" she spoke in a soft, but sharp tone.

"Oh yes, how very amusing" rolling her eyes as she turned her attention to a rather gruff looking guy who came strolling into the place. Probably another one of them renegades, or rogues or whatever they called themselves... she thought to herself. "Yeah well, you'd be surprised how something exciting can get you into trouble, especially with them lot" she said motioning her head into the direction of the nearest Ministry official.

"No I dont, I come out here to get away from annoying pests" Empasis on the word annoying, her eyes going straight to him, "But somehow, annoyances seem to find me wherever I go these days" Kim frowned as she looked back out towards the gruff looking man, he seemed to take one look at the ministry filled bar and turned his back to leave. "Whats your excuse then? You must come out here for a reason, and by what you said before, you seem to like this spot..." Her eyes once more found his, though hers were narrowed.

[smelly]

"Well,I'm not about to get up and join the brawl myself." Reagan said, dusting of his shirt. He laughed. Reagan had never gotten into a scuffle in his whole life. He had always been able to talk his way out, or stay out of it all together.

"Annoying!" Reagan said with a smile. "I would hardly call myself annoying! Charming, well manner, a joy to converse with..." She smiled, he was joking of course. "Oh, I forgot, you have no sense of comedy." He said leaning back in the chair, folding his arms, keeping her eyes on Kim even if she wasn't looking at him any more.

Reagan right back into her narrowing eyes. "I guess I come out here because its the most exciting thing o do in Hogsmeade anymore." He shrugged his shoulders. He liked feeling dangerous without have to actually do anything dangerous. "Besides," he continued. " I figure I should enjoy the butter beer while the ministry still allows students in here." he said with a sip of his drink.

[Kim Rivers]

Kim gave off a small kind of grunt. In all honesty she was sure watching Reagen in the middle of those brawls would be entertainment worth watching. Though she didnt think he would last long in it anyway so she knew that it would have been short lived. He didnt seem like the sort to mingle in brawls or anything that would untimatly get himself injured. Whereas Kim, she had spent most of her life with some form of injury or other. She was hardly out of trouble back in the days when she had interhouse friendships. Those mainly from Ravenclaw too, she didnt really ever bother with people from Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Though as time went on, things just seemed to happen and people just began to fall apart.

"Call yourself whatever you like, I think I'll stick with annoying personally" She spoke quietly, having a sip of her butterbeer and giving a small shrug to his comment about having no sense of humour. Kim didnt need humour, all she needed was her head screwed on right so she could get through this life. Humour was not very high on her list.

"Yeah and even in here it has gotten pretty dull" She commented dryly. The Three Broomsticks used to be the busiest and most lively part of Hogsmeade, but now with these ministry lot patrolling around, most of the older crowd who made this place what it was had dissapeared. She didnt bother trying to hide her disgust when a ministry official brushed her arm as he walked past. These people were more trouble than they were worth and to think once she actually considered joining them.

[smelly]

Reagan shrugged and sat low in his chair. This girl was a Slytherin through and through. He couldn't break her. He knew that most girls put up barriers for some reason, though he would never ever try to understand why. Reagan usually was able to break them down with his little quirks or his jokes, dry as they were. However, he was starting to think that Kim was just stone. That it wasn't a facade, it was her personality.

Reagan nodded. "I remember when people were happy to go and have a drink here." he said, looking around at all the sullen or nervous faces sitting at all the tables. Mostly men, as Reagan had noticed before. Besides Kim there was maybe four other hard looking woman, counting Madam Rosmerta and her waitress. "But it's happening everywhere now." He said, folding her arms in his lap.

A silence came over them. Reagan ran his eyes over the crowd, which seemed to calm down, learning its lesson from the men who had been the examples. He looked at Kim. "Awkward silence?" he said with a smile.